A/N: I chose the names Mary and James because they are Dicks' parents names and I thought they would be most appropriate. I know those names are used often in stories depicted Dick and Babs together, and I did not mean to step on any toes, they are just the most likely names for the children. If these characters were real and they did have twins, I think they would use those names. Thank you for reading and I enjoy the feedback!

Chapter 6

Any get together of the bat family was loud. Bruce was sure there were people who thought they would all sit around and brood while having staring contests, but that idea was far from the truth. There was the customary yelling as children tried to be heard over the adults, there was the clattering of silverware on china and the obligatory retelling of war stories.

Dick was laughing so hard Bruce thought he might hurt himself. Tim was trying to keep his amusement hidden and Alfred was having a marvelous time telling incredibly embarrassing stories about all members of the family. Bruce was the only one of the group not laughing. Bruce did not particularly want to remember Dick's penchant for hanging from chandeliers as a child.

Frowning, Bruce almost cursed as his watch started to glow a red color and blink. As much as he hated remembering the myriad times Dick almost gave him a stroke, it was relaxing, in a way, to get away from his life as Batman. Getting away from his life as Bruce Wayne was a rather large added bonus.

"I'll be back." Standing, he knew from the looks on their faces that they all knew that he meant he would back when he finished with whatever had called him away.

Dick frowned. His two children immediately started to protest loudly, Mary was practically screaming and Jimmy looked ready to throw a tantrum. The twins always seemed to take it personally when Bruce left to attend to Batman business. Sighing, he was about to try and stop the fight when Alfred took one of each of their hands in his and started towards the kitchen.

"There is a chocolate cake waiting to be iced and I believe I could use two little pairs of hands to help me."

Both children scowled but immediately became quiet. They were very wary of fighting with Alfred. He could be scarier than either of their parents when he wanted to be; he had patented the Bat glare, the other members of the family just used it more often. Barbara also suspected that they were afraid they would hurt the aging man if they tried to pull from his grasp. Both children were endeared to Alfred and they tried very hard to be gentle with him.

Sighing, Dick dragged a hand through his hair and started towards the entrance to the cave. Knowing that Bruce's watch was interfaced with the main frame of the Cray computers, he hoped that the alert was something the police could deal with without Batman. Usually, only key phrases and words related to the more infamous members of Gothams' rogues gallery would be cause for the computer to alert Bruce via his watch.

Sighing, he shoved his hands into his pockets and took the stairs at a leisurely pace. The man, who for the majority of his life had been his father, was scowling at the giant computer screen, which had four different images displayed. Dick could tell by the narrowing of Bruce's eyes that he wasn't happy.

"Big problem?"

Dick recognized the images on the screen as all coming from Arkham. Oracle had long ago hacked into the security surveillance, with Robin's help, and had constantly streamed video to her own computer systems and Bruce's. Robin had made a few physical changes to the wiring of the building that allowed Oracle to tap into the system. For years, no one had been the wiser of their surveillance.

It was a few moments before Bruce responded. "Possible riot."

The screen changed to the cafeteria, where four guards were using what looked like cattle prods to subdue one inmate. A dozen or so other inmates were already on the ground with their hands behind their heads. Another corner of the screen showed Joker's cell, which looked to be intact. The leer of the maniacal serial murderer could be seen behind the bullet proof glass.

"Looks like it's taken care of."

Nodding, Bruce stood from his chair. The computer scanned the police bands constantly, and any key words or phrases were immediately recognized by his software which in turn alerted him. His watch, which he only wore when in the Manor, and his cell phone, which he used when in Gotham City, were both programmed to receive messages and alerts from the computer system.

"Not much of a riot," Bruce said while walking to his son's side.

"No need for Batman?"

"Not unless the Commissioner calls or the computer picks up more alerts."

Nodding, he walked side by side with his adopted father up the stair case that led to the Manor. "Good thing. We would have all had to go."

Dick fought back a sigh. It was times like these that he was reminded why he bundled his two children up almost every weekend and drove to Gotham. Dick hated to admit it, but he wasn't sure how long the children would have their paternal grandfather in their lives. The twins saw Jim Gordon, their other grandfather, less than they saw Bruce, but Dick figured that Jim would be around a lot longer than Bruce. Dick wasn't sure if Bruce would outlive even Alfred.

On a nightly, and sometimes daily, basis, Bruce risked his life. Dick and Barbara had agreed that their children would see as much of Bruce as possible while they were still able to do so. The children deserved to know their grandfather, Dick thought, while they still could.

Bruce anticipated the screaming that would occur as he and Dick entered the library once again. As they passed into the dining room, where Tim, Barbara and Cass were still seated, two tiny people covered in white sticky icing burst from the kitchen. Alfred was on their heels, but he was too slow to catch the amateur acrobats.

"You aren't going, are you grandpa?"

With his arms crossed over his chest and a scowl on his face, Jimmy looked rather comical. White icing was smeared on his chin and nose and his hair was sticking up at odd angles. His youthful face and generous spattering of freckles somehow made his seriousness all the more ridiculous.

Sighing, Bruce smiled slightly at both children and lifted them into his arms. "You're both filthy. I'm not leaving right now, and before either of you touch anything, you are getting cleaned up."

Mary's voice was angry but Bruce could see she was relieved that he wasn't leaving. "It's cream cheese icing."

"I like that kind, but normally I like it on cake, not small children."

Setting them both on the counter near the sink, Bruce grabbed the nearest dish towel and wet it with warm water. He listened to them describe how Alfred let them sneak spoonfuls of icing when he wasn't watching while scrubbing at the rapidly drying concoction on their faces.

Bruce could feel Barbara's eyes on his back. Frowning, he set the children back down as he turned to face her.

"Can we get back to our meal or are you needed elsewhere?" Her arms were crossed over her chest and she looked less than happy with him.

"I've already said I'm not leaving. I'll help Mary and Jimmy finish icing desert. Go enjoy your Saturday, Barbara." Turning his back on her, he lifted the plastic spatula one of the children had been using and handed it to his little helpers.

Knowing when she had been dismissed, Barbara narrowed her eyes and turned her chair towards the dining room once again. Alfred was slowly lowering himself into a chair next to Dick as Barbara wheeled her chair to the other side of her husband.

"Perhaps, Master Richard, you and the children could stay a little longer than usual today. Master Bruce expressed interest in taking them both riding."

Dick nodded absentmindedly. "Whatever you want Alfie."

Sighing, Alfred straightened in the chair just as the phone in the adjacent family room started to ring. Tim held up his hand to Alfred to signal the older man to stay in his seat.

"I'll get it, Alfred. Relax for once, huh?"

Clearing his throat, Tim lifted the receiver to his ear and gave the standard greeting Alfred normally used. Opening his eyes a little wider at the response, he covered the mouth piece with his hand and looked into the dining room.

"It's Bruce's new girlfriend. She wants to talk to him."

At Dick's raised eyebrows and Barbara's surprised expression, Tim smiled wickedly and took his hand away from the mouth piece. Yelling rather loudly, he said, "Bruce, it's your girlfriend! Pick up the phone!"

Alfred look mortified. An angry visage of Bruce appeared in the doorway, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows and icing on his face and arms. Tim thought he could spot some in his hair as well.

Bruce offered little more than a growl as he turned back into the kitchen and grabbed the portable phone. Giving Tim a hand signal meant to convey that he was supposed to hang up his receiver, Bruce watched as Tim smiled sweetly at him.

Sighing, he cleared his throat before speaking. "This is Bruce."

The melodious laughter on the other line stirred Bruce in such a way that he had to grin a little. "Girlfriend? Whoever that was must love torturing you."

"You hit that nail on the head. Hey! Stop that!" Grabbing the plastic spatula from Jimmy so he couldn't hit his sister with it again, Bruce shooed them away from the cake that was now completely iced. "Sorry, I wasn't talking to you."

"I hope not. Listen, did I call at a bad time?"

"My grandchildren are visiting, but, no, it isn't a bad time." Bruce kicked himself. He should have said it was a terrible time and that she shouldn't call ever again. He should have said something along those lines, but instead he found that he wanted to listen to her joyful voice for a few more minutes.

"Oh, well, I don't want to interrupt family time. I'll call back later." She sounded ready to hang up the phone.

"No, wait." He cleared his throat again before continuing. "I never know when I'll be busy. Why did you call?"

"Well, I thought we could have that dinner date this weekend. Alfred told me it would be okay to call you today or tomorrow, so I did."

Trying to scrub icing from the hair on his arms while holding the phone in between his ear and shoulder, he shook his head. The twins had delighted in trying to paint his exposed skin with the sticky concoction. Bruce now knew why Alfred always made or bought extra.

"Well, uh, I am spending time with my family today. Maybe later tonight. Are you free?" Still, he thought to himself, he wasn't turning her away. That was a bad sign.

"I'm free," she said quickly. "I'm definitely free. Do you want to meet?"

At that, Alfred appeared in the doorway. "Tell the young lady I would be honored to make her dinner tonight, Master Bruce."

Alfred rarely ordered him around. The old man was usually more subtle with his manipulation, Bruce thought. Frowning, he shook his head at Alfred.

"Listen, Connie…uh…yeah, let's meet."

"Good. Where?"

Alfred scowled. "I have already planned a meal and purchased the ingredients, sir."

Clearing his throat again, Bruce scowled back at the old man. "Umm…Connie…" Cursing silently, Bruce wanted to stomp his feet in frustration. He hated denying Alfred anything. "Come here for dinner. Around…" He looked to Alfred for confirmation of a time.

"Five o'clock, sir." Alfred ignored Bruce's confused look. Dinner was never served that early.

"Five, Connie. Do you know where Wayne Manor is?"

After giving her the address, she laughed and said she would mapquest it. "I'll be there. See you at five, Bruce."

"See you then, Connie." Hanging up the phone, he gave Alfred an exasperated look. "What was that all about?"

"I'm sure I have no idea what you are talking about sir. I have already planned dinner for tonight. Master Richard and Miss Barbara are staying for the day so that you can take the children riding."

Bruce's jaw dropped. Alfred had orchestrated the day so that Connie and his family would be at the Manor at the same time. Dick and Barbara normally never stayed as late into the evening as Bruce now assumed they would be. His butler could have been a super villain had he chosen to use his powers for evil instead of good, Bruce thought.

"You are insufferable, Alfred."

"I try my best, Master Bruce."

Turning on his heel, he shook his head. It was already past one in the afternoon, Connie would be arriving in a few short hours. Shoving his hands into his pockets, Bruce stalked into the living room. A tiny girl immediately tackled him around his knees. Trying to keep his balance, he frowned down at the miniature running back.

"Daddy says your friend is coming for dinner!"

"Did he, now…" Scowling at Dick, Bruce crossed his arms over his chest. "You all have a lot of nerve."

Cassandra was all wide eyed innocence. "You're crazy. What are you talking about?"

At that display, Bruce rolled his eyes. Of course Cass would want to interrogate the woman he had lunch with. Connie would find herself drugged and shipped to Antarctica if Cass disapproved of her.

"You people act like she and I are dating."

"Are you?" Barbara looked hopeful.

"None of your business. None of any of your business. That goes for all of you. Let's go, kids." Taking their hands, he started towards the North wing of the house, where the patio was. "Let's leave these connivers alone to plan their world domination."

Walking with his grandchildren along the grounds of the Manor, Bruce sighed. A year after their birth, he had been convinced to reopen the stables and hire a handler for the horses. It had taken a year to convince him, but he had finally given in when Dick pointed out that it would be good for the children to learn to ride. Now, he had two horses and a stable employee that came every morning at four to take care of the horses.

The stables were far enough from the house that Bruce wasn't worried about his new employee discovering any entrances to the cave. He had also done quite a bit of background checks on the man. A year was a long time to plan for the arrival of two horses.

Nodding to the stable hand, who would leave in an hour or so, Bruce started to brush Lightning, as Mary had named him, with the help of his two small assistants. Thunder, the large Black gelding, had been named by Jimmy.

Sighing, Bruce cleared his head. Taking care of two animals in the afternoons, on the weekends, was an activity that gave him peace. There was something calming about the large beasts. He had little time during the week to visit them, but Alfred liked to brush them and Bruce had caught the older man talking to the horses on a few occasions. He tried to not be alarmed by that.

Bruce almost laughed at Mary trying to clime on top of Lightning without the aide of steps. She could barely reach half way to the animal's back. Setting his granddaughter on top of the golden mare, he smiled. He could only hope that his family was as neurotic about the dating habits of the two children when they reached such an age. It would be nice to have someone to share the pain with, he thought.