Chapter 3: Why Not Tim?
When Richard retuned home that evening the entire Bat-family was in the living room.
"What." Richard said.
"Everyone here has voted and we all think we all think you should be Batman." said Cassandra Cain.
"No" Richard said, "no way am I putting the cowl on again it's too much responsibility for me and Blüdhaven needs me now not until I fix Blüdhaven will I be ready to protect Gotham."
"If I may speak sir, Master Bruce told me to tell you this when the time was right which I think is now" Alfred said.
"Not now Alfred, why not Tim?" Dick said, "After all he is Bruce's heir."
"True" said Tim, "But I'm busy with Wayne enterprise and Alfred say what you want."
"Thank you Master Tim" said Alfred he pulled out a sheet of paper from his suit coat and cleared his throat, "Mater Bruce said:"
"If you are hearing this then I have died leaving the roll of Batman vacant. I realize not only does Batman need to be global but it is a symbol and needs to live on with that said, Dick I know Tim is the heir ("Ha!" Dick said), to Bruce Wayne ("Ha!" everyone else except Alfred said) you Dick are the heir to Batman I know you have been it twice before I also know you will also be stubborn, accept your destiny take this honor and be the Batman of a new generation. To the rest of you I want to tell all of Batman Incorporated how proud I am of all of you for making a difference all over the world keep it up. Barbara, support Dick I was honored to see the Grayson family continue you and Richard are the perfect couple to continue that family, but do change your cover a librarian is quite frankly pathetic, try a stay at home mom or have you not told Dick yet? Richard, you will be a father of two in six months sorry it had to come from me but she wouldn't tell you. Ok back to Barbara, you trained Stephanie well if you ever want to retire the moniker of Batgirl I'm sure Spoiler would love to be Batgirl again. To Tim, I leave you my company as you know but I bet you're wondering why you are not the heir to Batman? Well it's quite simple the public now knows I was Batman they would immediately suspect you. We cannot have that you are to continue as Red Robin and try to make amends with Damian please. Stephanie I bet Tim is very disappointed support him he is after all your fiancé. To Damian, my son I'm sorry I couldn't be there to see you graduate from high school and college or to see you get married but I want you to be strong you are the last of the Wayne family until you are a father, also you are in the family business for a reason maybe one day you will take Dick's place as Batman. You all are great men and women and a pleasure to know I will miss you all. I know you are saddened but take comfort in I am with my parents again.
Love,
Bruce"
Everyone wiped tears from their eyes and no one spoke for a while everyone who was in the room was having to digest what they just heard. Richard was silent for the longest with mixed feelings of sadness and anger. He was angry at Babs for lying to him just two weeks ago she said he had nothing more to know other than he now owns Batman Inc. but Bruce revealed his wife was having a baby in six months. He was sad because he never knew that Bruce thought that highly of him. Dick already had a daughter he knows that because Babs got pregnant with her during their honeymoon. Eventually he spoke.
"Get out. I need to speak with Barbara alone." He said.
"Dick-" said Damian.
"OUT!" Dick yelled. Everyone except Dick and Barbara left even their daughter. Dick rose from the chair he been sitting in for an hour and asked Barbara, "When were you going to tell me we were having another baby?" he asked furiously, "I am so angry I can't see straight."
Barbara said, "I was going to tell you at dinner Richard I swear but I didn't know Bruce knew-"
"HE'S THE WORLDS GREATEST DETECTIVE OF COURSE HE KNEW!" shouted Dick cutting Barbara off.
"That may be true but you can't tell from the way someone look if they're 3 months." Barbara retorted.
"YES YOU CAN!" shouted Dick, "There is a bulge."
"Oh." Said Barbara.
Dick opened the door to the garage and said, "Pack a weeks' worth of clothes you're staying at your dads while I calm down."
"Dick I want to be here for you." Barbara said, "I'm your wife that's my job to be here for you always you're the only man I love also I need you right now."
"I don't want to injure It." said Richard.
"Him Richard." Barbara said, "I'm having a boy and I'm going with the name we originally chose Richard John Grayson Jr."
Anger quickly turned to happiness Richard sighed, "Ok but can we agree on one thing he will be the next Nightwing." Richard said.
"Yes" Barbara said, "I don't think there'd be a better person." Dick kissed her and apologized for being such an asshole as of late and she accepted. After that Dick went down to the Batcave and contemplated recent events.