I DO NOT OWN DC COMICS OR THE CHARACTERS IN THIS STORY OTHER THAN THE ONES OF MY IMAGINATION……….

Playlist:

Tears from Heaven -Eric Clapton

Wonderful-Ever Clear

All I want- Toad and the Wet Sprocket

Chapter 5

Months went on since my mother's passing, I stayed at Wayne Manor, not exactly as an Wayne. I went to public school, while Bruce went to private school. I did chores, while Bruce played with his little girlfriend, Rachel Dawes. Bruce and I was in two different worlds. I liked it that way, Dad came and picked me up every afternoon. Dad and I became close in the months. Alfred and he made me feel like I belonged. Olivia hated me………what's new about that you ask? A new hatred. She tried to check me into a mental hospital.

"She's going to be just like her mother." I could hear her scream at my father in their room at night.

Then he would say, "Why don't I check you into a mental hospital?"

She'd give up, and say, "She is your daughter."

"Yes. She is. Don't forget that." He'd say. I'd laugh quietly in the darkness of my bedroom. Still I never called him Dad in public, or in front of other people.

One day, I went to the hospital after school. I walked through the double doors to my father's office. There was this Hispanic couple waiting outside of my Dad's office. I figured it was a patient's family. The old lady looked over at me, and smiled.

I smiled politely back. I sat at the farthest end, so there wouldn't be any direct contact between them and me. Olivia came out of the office with a smile on her face.

"Thomas wants to see you." Olivia's grin turned nastier by the second.

I walked in the door with caution. All I could think is if she was grinning at me, and she doesn't have any expensive, new jewelry, I was in deep. I closed the door behind me, and went to my designated chair across the table from him. He stared at paperwork, with his glasses on with a puzzled look on his face.

"Hi baby." He greeted me.

"Hi Dad, What's up?" I asked.

"Your mother's parents are here." He answered.

"I did not even know my mom had parents." I said quietly.

"They want to take you home for a little while, just for a weekend." He said helplessly, sadness laced in his voice.

"Do you want me to go?" I asked mirroring the same sadness.

"It's your choice." He shrugged.

"I am coming straight home afterwards." I asked.

"If you want." He answered.

"You'll come and get me at anytime I feel uncomfortable." I asked frantically, thinking back on my mother.

"Come here." He said quietly. I nodded, and went around the desk. He picked me up and put me on his lap. His chin rested on my shoulder.

"I am not going anywhere." He vowed. " I would be there in a flash if you needed or wanted me."

"Can Alfred come?" I asked.

He chuckled, " This is quality time with your grandparents…….." I interrupted him, " But technically Alfred is my long lost Grandpa."

"Let me clarify this, your mother's grandparents." He sounded serious despite the obvious grin on his face.

"Will you be over to tell me my bedtime story of you and mama." I asked.

"Yes I will be over to tuck you in every night." He said quietly feeling his arms tighter around me.

"You are not going to let Olivia dump me off with them are you?" I asked.

"No." He answered with a sigh.

I leaned back in his arms, and pressed my head against his chest.

"Do I have to go today, can't I stay with you?" I asked.

"Baby, you need to meet your grandparents." He replied.

I did not argue, I sat still. The two elderly strangers came in the office as I sat in my father's arms. Olivia stood behind them, smiling eagerly.

Dad got up with me in his arms, and proceeded to carry me to the parking lot. I hung my arms around my father's neck, and closed my eyes. I knew this was the last moment, I'll ever have with him.

He put me in the van with the elderly couple, as Alfred put my belongings in the trunk. Dad slid me in the backseat, I let go without crying.

We drove away without looking back.