"So," Alfred watched as the younger man approached him, barely using his cane, as Bruce approached. "Decided to pay a visit after all?"
"It's been three days, Alfred." Bruce smirked, as he sat down on the couch that his daughter had previously sat on just a couple days ago. "I had to make sure we could get in without being recognized."
"And who do we have here?" Alfred watched as Damian rounded the couch and came up next to the old man, standing right in front of him. "Master Damian, I presume."
"Alfred." Damian nodded. "You look well for your age."
"Damian." Bruce sighed at his son.
"He does." The boy shrugged.
"That's the most polite he will ever get, Alfred." Helena came over, carrying a tray of tea for everyone present, including Barbara who had opted to join the visitation, stating that John had other obligations. She came in with various snack food to munch on for the members of the family. "So you better take it as a compliment."
"Oh I do," Alfred chuckled. "Anyone that tells me I'm looking well has a right to the biscuits I have sitting in the cupboards."
"Biscuits?" Attempting not to sound too hopeful, Damian eyed the older man in front of him.
"The upper cupboard to the left." Alfred nodded towards the kitchen and as Damian hurried off, he looked towards Helena. "Best make sure he doesn't ruin my counters, Ms. Helena."
Taking note that she was being dismissed, Helena rose and followed after her brother. It left, Bruce, Barbara, and Alfred in silent contemplation before Barbara excused herself, making it just the two men.
"This is a much longer visit than last time, I presume." Alfred watched the man that he had raised steadily. Contact had never been broken between them but the chance to actually be in the same spot for once was difficult. Not seeing the younger man's children grow up in mostly person gave Alfred a bit more heartache that he never could burden Bruce with.
"We have to wait until Selina can at least use a wheelchair herself." Bruce explained. "We're not sure what the effects of the coma have on her system yet."
"You mean the three bullets." Noticing the wince, Alfred dared to continue. "This is not your fault, Master Wayne. If it were…"
"But it is my fault." He sighed. "He found us. I don't know how, but he did. He knows who we are and we made the foolish mistake of…"
"Being happy?" Damn the old man, he never missed a beat. "You and I both know that having this family is one of the greatest things that ever happened to you. It's a family that is all still very much alive."
"We shouldn't even be here." Bruce leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. "I have to know who else knows about us."
"So then a prolonged trip?" That earned him a look. "Do you think you're going to find all the evidence of who's aware that you're alive and well living with an entire family easily?"
"I can do it from…"
"That won't be enough for you and you know that." Alfred told him sternly. "You let the people that you chose to take over do it for you or you become the obsessed man you once were, possibly alienating your family that you worked so hard to obtain."
"So your telling me to just drop it?" Bruce questioned.
"I am." He agreed. "Unless you're doubting who you placed your faith in."
"I'm not doubting," A sigh. "I want…"
"You have done enough." Although Bruce didn't want to believe the man's harsh words, he relented and just nodded. Alfred sat back, partly knowing that the man would do what he wanted, and also knowing that this would not be the last time that he was going to see him. Half was happy at the notion of Bruce physically being in his life once more, another saddened, knowing that knowledge had become an addiction for the man. "Master Damian has grown quite a bit since the last photograph."
"At this rate he's going to be taller than me." Bruce gave a smirk thinking about his son. "Selina said that her father was six four."
"You're six two?" Imagining the boy surpassing his father's height made the man smile. "And shirking."
"I'm not shirking." Bruce shot out.
"And Ms. Helena." Alfred knew that any mention of his children getting older caused Bruce a great deal of delight as well as worry, especially for his daughter. No matter how equal society had become there was a soft spot that fathers held for their daughters. "She's quite lovely, possibly even more lovelier than the last time I saw her. I'm surprised your not chasing down any of those infamous Italian men."
"She's lucky I didn't put her into the nunnery." Bruce confirmed Helena's singlehood.
"Didn't know you knew what that was." Alfred looked on impressed.
"Selina would've have killed me." He tilted his head.
"Still abide by the no killing rule, I see." Alfred saw Bruce's head bow. "Unless you have revoked it as of late."
"Dad!" A collective call was heard from the oncoming children, as they hurried into the living room area. Damian appeared first with Helena sauntering in with her arms crossed, and Barbara looking amused. Bruce sat back and Damian scrambled onto the couch beside him.
"What's wrong?" Bruce questioned as Helena sat down beside him.
"Just Damian being his annoying self." She mumbled, sitting back into the pillows of the couch.
"You're the one that…"
"Guys." Bruce chided.
"They have quite the mouths on them." Barbara commented as she sat in the extra chair across from Alfred.
"I wonder where they learned that from." Alfred said lightly and curious ears perked up, much to Bruce's dismay.
"Was Bruce this bad?" Barbara asked for those not daring to be put into their father's way.
"Worse at times." He informed his eager audience.
"When?" Helena dared to voice her question as she sat up with attentiveness, even with the glare from Bruce.
"What age would you like to know?" Alfred ignored the look he was receiving.
"I don't think…" Bruce began.
"Worse age." Damian cut in; obviously Alfred was now in control of the situation, his father sat back not happy with where this was going.
"Oh all of his ages were delightful." At Alfred's tone Bruce help but give out a slight chuckle, thinking of all the times they butted heads. "But his early adolescent years were quite tumultuous."
"Can you give us an example?" Helena thought about certain times that she and her father didn't see eye to eye, perhaps she could use some of the newly told stories as leverage.
"How long do you have, Ms. Helena?" Alfred asked.
"Two hours." Bruce spoke up quickly before getting shot down again.
"Then," Alfred smiled. "I suppose I have time for a couple."
"If you wanted to leave we would have already, Bruce." Selina rolled her eyes as she lay in the dark burgundy bed. Her feet extended forward, sitting up against the pillows, watching Bruce direct the wheelchair to the corner of the room. Although she was overly tired from her physical forced exercise, Selina could tell that the man going about the room was in desperate need of conversation.
"We can't leave until you can at least use the chair yourself for a longer period of time." He told her, folding up the contraption and stowing it.
"You could've gotten an electric one." She pointed out.
"You didn't want it." Turning to her, he began to walk back.
"You want to stay." Her voice was plain and he wasn't sure on how to take it.
"I don't." Bruce assured. "After some rehabilitation and a complete check up next week that you can fly…"
"I flew over the ocean once," Selina wasn't amused, "I can do it again."
"That wasn't a choice, Selina." He sat on the edge of the bed by her waist.
"All I'm saying," Her arms crossed. "Is that I think it's interesting that you have so many back up plans including a fund in Gotham with a townhouse."
"Do you want to stay?" Quickly turning the tables, he had to know as well.
"Gotham is as much as a pain in the ass for me as it is for you." She reminded him. "But I'm not going to leave Helena here by herself."
"So you want to stay?" He insisted.
"Bruce," Her eyes rolled heavenward. "The choice is up to you. I don't care, you're the one that they have to raise from the dead, again, and officially give all the money back to."
"That doesn't matter, you know that." The quietness in his voice caused her to back down.
"Fine compromise." Selina steadily held his gaze. "We'll figure this out until I can walk again…"
"Selina," He paused, "We don't know…"
"Until I can walk again." She gave him a look and reached for his hand that sat on the bed. The grip had gotten stronger and he couldn't help but feel slightly relieved at the thought. "For now, we stay and you let Helena train with them."
"What?" Bruce paused, not sure if her heard her correctly. "What are you talking about?"
"You know exactly what I'm talking about." Selina plainly stated.
"She's not going to…"
"I didn't say she had to go out there." Adding to her last comment, Selina continued. "I'm saying that she should feel somewhat in control of things because they have been completely out of control for the past year."
"She said she's fine." He said a little too quickly.
"Because that's not a lie." She was not amused and delivered a final blow. "You know exactly how it feels once you watch someone you love get shot and can't do anything about it."
"Selina," He sighed heavily. "If I give her that, she'll want to go out there."
"And she doesn't already?" Although the woman may have been put out, she knew her family and most importantly how they reacted to happenings around them. "She needs to feel like she's doing something, or she'll find a way to do it herself."
A knock from the door caused them to cease their discussion.
"Come in." Selina called out and Helena walked in. "Hey baby girl, have a good chat with Alfred?"
"Yeah." Helena smirked. "Told some stories about dad."
"I can imagine." Selina nodded.
"What were you guys talking about?" Noticing the disapproving look on her father's face, Helena had to ask. Although Bruce wanted to answer first, more in a negative way, Selina chose the path for him.
"You." Selina cut off any hope that Bruce had of furthering the earlier conversation. "How would you like to train with Barbara and John?"
"Really?" The excitement was already too apparent on the girl's visage and Bruce felt his heart drop to his knees. "Are you joking?"
"No." Again, Selina beat him to the punch. "We can talk to them tonight."
"So, are…"
"We'll talk to them tonight." Bruce nodded his daughter away and as she paused and turned back for the moment, he couldn't stand the happiness that radiated from her.
"John and Barbara are downstairs too." Helena told them. "They brought the kids and they're driving Damian insane." Then she left and the door was open slightly. Voices and sighs were heard from the downstairs area.
"That's the real reason she's so happy." Selina smirked.
"This is revenge isn't it?" Bruce glanced back wearily at her.
"Why," Her eyes went wide mocking an innocent girl. "Whatever do you mean, Mr. Wayne?" He wasn't buying it and she returned to her formal stance. "It's not revenge."
The look he gave her didn't even compare to the bat-glare of years ago. However, she had become quiet immune to the majority of these types of looks that he threw at her. She supposed that's what happened of nearly twenty years of living with someone. It may be a death glare, but she had yet to actually die or even attempt at death, well at least from him.
"It's not completely revenge." She told him.
"Is there more?" His brows shot upward. How was it that women never forgot a single event from years ago, but he couldn't even remember what he had for breakfast? Perhaps because it hadn't just been a single day, he begrudgingly admitted to himself.
"You sound surprised." Selina smirked, but it wasn't a kind one.
"I had to deal with them for almost a year." Bruce tried to reason.
"And Helena ran-away."
"I had a tumor."
"A benign tumor."
"Selina." Bruce sighed.
"Bruce." A brow lifted.
"Are you feeling alright to have dinner with everyone?" Decidedly, he changed the topic knowing he wasn't going to get anywhere. Despite the fact that she was quite adept to show sympathy to their children, Bruce's aliments had always been a different case. He may complain about it from time to time, but honestly, he wouldn't have it any other way.
"I'm fine." Although she didn't look completely fine, Bruce nodded, getting up to retrieve the chair. When he turned around, he was amazed that she was even attempting to turn herself.
"Slow down Selina." It was fruitless statement, but at least he could tell the doctor he tried. Bruce quickened his pace, despite his aching limbs, to rush to her side.
"I'm fine." She glared, but let him help her into the chair that she looked at as her downfall. As he aided in her leaving the room, she turned back to him. "Letting her train, doesn't mean we can't set limits."
"What does that mean?"
"One day, Bruce." Selina shrugged. "Just let them train her for a day, see how it goes, make sure it's the most difficult day in her life."
"You think that'll deter her?" His voice doubtful.
"It's worth a shot." They came to the elevator, leading to all floors of the stately townhouse.
"If anything she's going to going to want to do it more." He pointed out.
"We'll see about that."
"She's your daughter." Bruce sighed.
"She's yours too." The contraption let the two out and children's voices were heard, and laughter coming from the main living room area. "She'll be fine, Bruce."
Deciding not to answer her, they moved towards the source of the noise and came to the living room. The boys, Tim, Jason and even Damian had the reality headsets overly using their voices. Damian was, in the simplest sense, shouting orders to the others as they ran through the virtual world. Barbara and John were absent from the room, but Kate, with Carrie on her lap, was talking adamantly with Helena and Dick. Helena laughing along with Dick as Kate was probably repeating one of the nighttime stories to the group, keeping it somewhat anonymous with Carrie only half listening as she watched something on her reader. Bruce noticed that there was a pause in the laughter shared between Dick and Helena, as they looked at another before returning their gaze to Kate. He felt a certain clench in his stomach.
"So," John and Barbara appeared, John putting a light hand on Bruce's shoulder. "Decided to join us after all?"
"Have to eat." Selina shrugged, as Barbara came around to the woman and hugged her. Although they rarely ever saw each other, the two were close, especially since Dick came into the picture. There was a certain camaraderie that the two had.
"You look good." Barbara smiled.
"A year of sleep will do that to you." Selina smirked.
"Want to go to the salon tomorrow after your appointment?" Unlike the two men standing behind them, Barbara didn't believe in being cooped up in a house for long periods of time.
"I don't know…" Bruce started.
"Please." Selina gave a disgruntled sigh and ran her fingers through the over grown hair, that passed her shoulders in unpatterned waves. "I meant to grow out my hair, but not for this long."
"And the press?" Bruce questioned.
"Darling." Selina turned her head slight to look at him. "Do you really think that anyone is going to recognize me? It's basically been twenty years."
"The media bites could pose a problem." John knew that Barbara had no issue with rising people from the dead, but sometimes they wanted to remain so. "If you don't show up in the system it would alert the authorities."
"This is worse than Blackgate." Selina muttered.
"We can catch up tomorrow, anyway." Barbara waved it off. "The kids have school and we can let the boys play."
"Actually," Selina began, "I was hoping we could talk about something."
"What's wrong?" Immediately John's eyes narrowed and he ignored the calming hand that appeared on his shoulder from Barbara.
"We were hoping you could give Helena a day of training." Giving him a meaningful look, Bruce stared down the younger man who returned with a slight slacked jaw. "Show her what it's like."
"You think one hard day is going to discourage her?" Barbara snorted. "Right."
"We'll see what we can do." John nodded in understanding. "I'm sure I have some files that are backlogged."
"Hey John!" Dick's voice broke the four from their thoughts, and they turned to see the younger generation awaiting the call. "Are we going to eat or what?"
"Mama!" Helena called from her spot below. "Please!'
"Just a minute, Helena." Selina told her, as she hurried to change her crying son. His wails sounding through the homestead. It had been three days of Damian's constant crying and peace was nowhere in sight. Selina felt a tug on her stained pant leg as she grabbed a new, clean dipper. She glanced down to see Helena's begging eyes.
"Mama, I want a peach." The small girl insisted.
"You're going to have to wait a moment." Selina said steadily, as she threw the old dipper away, adhering to her son's incessant screams.
"Where's dad?" Helena continued her questioning, ignoring her mother's need for calm surroundings at the moment.
"He's busy." Why wouldn't this kid stop crying? He wasn't hungry. He wasn't tired. He was now changed and cleaned. What was going on?
"I want to see dad." Helena whined.
"He's sleeping." Selina sighed, picking up her son, who cries continued to sound directly in her ear.
"I want to see dad now!" The small girl pouted.
"He's sleeping Helena." Selina rocked Damian as she stood, trying to calm him down.
"No he's not!" Speaking above the wailing, Helena glared at her mother. "I can hear him!"
"Your father's just talking in his sleeping." She had to remain calm, for the sake of the children and the family, Selina had to remain calm. "You can grab a peach from the counter."
"I want to see father!" Of all the days to defy her parents, Helena had chosen the one of the days where Bruce was completely out of commission.
"You are allowed a peach, Helena," Tying to regain her senses, Selina spoke to the child in an overly composed tone. Damian was just starting to quiet down. "Go and get one."
"I want to see father!" Helena repeated.
"He's sleeping cause he's sick." Selina breathed. Damain's heavy sighs were now turning into even and steady hot air on her shoulder. "You can see him when he's better."
"But I want to see him now!" Her foot stomped and Selina fear the worse as Damian trembled in her arms.
"Helena." Selina put the finally calm baby down in the crib and turned to the newly disgruntled one. "Get the peach and go study with Alf."
"But…"
"Go." With all the patience she had left Selina had to keep it together for at least another day or two. Although with Damian's current nap it was going to make things much more bearable. She thought that until a pounding came from the next room, more specifically her and Bruce's room. Helena's eyes widened, but Selina kneeled down to the child's height and held her cheek causing the attention to be drawn back to her. "Helena, go get a peach and study."
"But…"
"Go." Selina insisted and the pound sounded again. While Helena wanted to look, Selina forced the focus on her. "He's just fell, don't worry."
"OK." Helena nodded and hurried towards the kitchen.
With the other child satisfied. Selina stood and when she knew that Helena was officially occupied and Damian was more or less asleep, she hurried to the cause of the noise. Selina reach the room that she was now a stranger to and opened it slowly. Trying to prepare herself for what she saw but knew that there was nothing she could do, Selina watched as Bruce stood on shaky legs, pounding against the chest as if his life depended on it. His fist already bruised from previous assaults and his eyes focused, yet narrowed towards the object.
"Bruce." Selina entered and quickly closed the door, locking it, before approaching him. He didn't listen and stuck the amour again. "Bruce!"
"He can't have her!" His voice rasped as he clawed at the object. "I swear to god, if he…."
"Who, Bruce?" She questioned, daring herself to approach him.
"He has her." Helplessly he turned to her, "He has all of them."
"Wh… Who does he have?" The worst part was, she knew the answer. This wasn't the first time that this had happened and even though, when he was well, she had confronted him on this, he didn't open himself up enough to speak of it.
"Selina." It was whispered, but it struck her. Taking a breath, she reached out.
"I'm here." Her hand softly touched his cheek as it had his daughter earlier. "I'm safe, Bruce, we're all safe."
"But…"
"I'm right here." Selina insisted, bring his focus entirely on her. "We're all safe, in our home."
"Our home?" His eyes confused for a moment.
"Yes." She nodded slowly. "Home, and everyone is safe."
"Safe?" Although he seemed to comprehend what she was saying, a part of her knew that what she was saying had an effect on him but not in the way she wanted. Bruce understood that everyone was safe, however, the safety was only reassuring coming from her and everyone included some people that were long dead. "Everyone?"
"Yes, everyone." If only. "You need to go back to bed."
"But what about Rachel?" He breathed.
"Bruce," Selina swallowed. "You need to…."
"He killed her!" Violently turning away from Selina, Bruce pulled a punch towards the already beaten piece of furniture.
Instead of trying to speak to him again, Selina rushed over to her nightstand and pulled out the sedatives. They came from a pharmacy that the family often went to and since Italian medical supplies was often abundant there, Selina had no qualms silently taking the sedatives and needles. She needed them more than most people that were prescribed them did. While Bruce pulverized the broken chest, Selina quickly inserted the medicine and pulled out the amount she needed.
"Mama!" A knock on the door and Selina moved faster to the other side of the room. Thank god she locked it. "I need you."
"Hold on, baby girl!" Selina called back, as she swiftly inserted the needle into the crook of his neck and shoulder. Luckily it was strong and he fought the medicine only a while before succumbing to it. Bruce slumped against the impounded door and Selina grabbed his form. Using her muscles gained from child lifting and her previous life, she turned him and leaned him against her body.
"Selina?" Although his words were slightly slurred, Bruce's eyes focused a bit better on her.
"I'm here." Pulling him with her, as they made their way to the bed. "Time for bed."
"Too much wine?" He attempted an explanation.
"Another episode." She wasn't in the mood for excuses, as she plopped him down on the bed. "I'm calling John."
"No, don't…"
"No more, Bruce." Covering him up, she gave him a long tired stare. "Go to sleep."
"Selina…" His eyes already drooping.
"Sleep." Selina insisted and kissed his forehead before turning and leaving the room. Helena stood patiently outside and awaited her mother, holding a peach in her hand. "What do you have there?"
"A peach." Helena answered.
"Why haven't you eaten it?" Selina gently took her daughter's shoulders and turned her towards the kitchen.
"I want to cut it." She shrugged as they entered the kitchen.
"Alright, let me do that." Putting on a pleasant face, Selina took the peach and began to slice the fruit into more manageable pieces.
"Mother?" Helena began. "When is father going to feel better?"
"Soon." Selina answered, grabbing a plate from the cupboard.
"He's noisy sick." She wrinkled her nose.
"That he is." Giving her the plate, Helena took it.
"Thank you." Helena hurried around the corner of the counter towards Selina, then wrapped her small arms around her mother's legs, before taking off, leaving Selina with no comprehensible reaction time.
Taking a moment to collect herself, Selina closed her eyes and sighed heavily. The weight of the world was barring down upon her and she had no idea what to do. Tilting her head back and then righting it again, she spotted her cell phone at the corner of the counter and took it from its charger. As she searched for the number, she moved towards the window over looking the mountains she had become so fond of. Putting the phone up to her ear, she took another breath to sound less shaky and unsure. However, when she heard the other side pick up and the nervous breath release from her own lips, tears began to form on the edge of her eyes.
"Bruce?" John's voice sounded so good right now. A little piece of Gotham she had been missing.
"It's Selina." She spoke quietly, tears beginning to fall.
"Is everything okay?"
"No." Helplessness was never a thing that she ever admitted in her life. However, it wasn't just her any more and now, more than ever, she had people to protect. And there were only a very few people she could trust nowadays. "We need your help."
Thank you guys for the wonderful reviews! I'm still so surprised about the response to this story, but I love hearing what you guys like and dislike about the character and everything. I have put many generations of Batmen in the story and Robins even because they're all different and it's fun for later chapters. A concern over Bruce's lack of leadership, oh don't worry it will be resolved very soon :P But also, he's never really worked with others before so this is new to him, have no fear though because Daddy-Bats will roar or squeak, whichever. Yes, they will have more interaction time and more of Damian, Selina, Bruce, Helena, John and more so stay tuned ;)
As usual please let me know what you thought about the chapter. I know I've been giving happier flashbacks but I'm hoping that it wasn't too bad and was a decent portrayal of some aspects of this family's life.
-EV
