A/N: Seven! Woot! Anyways, you guys are very patient, and I am thank you for it. Do you like this chapter? We get another cameo! Please R&R!
: Ritz Gotham – 7:37 PM :
"Mister Wayne!"
"Miss Kyle!"
"Does this mean you're no longer single, Mister Wayne?"
"Miss Kyle! Is that a ring on your finger?"
"Is it Tiffany's, Miss Kyle?"
The mob of reporters closed in and fired question after question, with little concern for their privacy. Then again, playboy Bruce had rarely ever asked for privacy. To them, this was no different. The couple, who already had on their best and brightest smiles, prepared to patiently answer most of their inquiries.
Usually, the real Bruce Wayne would prefer to avoid being in the spotlight. Tonight, however, the real Bruce Wayne didn't mind the attention at all. He'd never been this happy before, elation was a new experience altogether. His arm still comfortably wrapped around Selina's middle, he pulled her closer. A photographer representing the Gazette motioned for the couple to pose for a photo. Selina and Bruce, the playboy persona taking over, happily obliged, smiling for the camera. The first flash went off and was immediately followed by several others.
Everyone was talking at once, and it was difficult for either of them to know who to answer. Then, a small handheld recorder was shoved into Bruce's face, breaking through the haze.
"Bruce, how long have you and Miss Kyle been dating?" Susan Saunders, Gotham Gazette's newest star reporter was behind the question.
He and Selina looked to each other. The public had had very little knowledge of their courtship, so both knew that the topic would undoubtedly surface. And they both undoubtedly knew the answer.
His eyes didn't once stray from Selina's striking features as he answered Susan. "Long enough." Unseen, Bruce moved is hand to Selina's uncovered back and softly traced his fingers down her spine. He felt her body react, but because of the surrounding cameras, Selina gave no outward sign.
The sturdy, blond woman holding the recorder frowned at his vague answer. Fortunately, she did not have time to inquire further before another interviewer barged in front of her. A young man with freckles and red hair stuck out his own recording device. The bow tie and his awkwardness gave him away as Jimmy Olsen.
Over the drone of the crowd, Jimmy did his best to ask his question. "This one's for you, Miss Kyle." Selina gave a nod and listened. Jimmy quickly read his scribbled notes. "How... did he propose?"
Bruce shot a glance at Selina, wondering what she would fabricate. Technically, Batman was the one who proposed. The noise of the press had lessened for the moment, allowing Selina to think. Jimmy held out the device.
"On the roof of my apartment, we had finished a romantic rooftop dinner. And, out of the blue, he pulled out this little white box, kneeled, and asked me to marry him." Selina smiled.
There were a few quiet whispers from the media mob which had, by now, also included numerous guests of the fundraiser.
The photographer-turned-impromptu reporter quickly raised a finger. "One more, Miss Kyle?"
"Sure," Selina agreed.
He stared down at his pocket-sized notepad once again. "Has the infamous billionaire, with the reputation of being a 'hard-partying, car-crashing, different-girl-for-every-week playboy', changed his ways?" Jimmy inquired, in all seriousness. He was proud of his questions, considering he had jotted them down just a few moments ago.
Bruce coughed, without meaning to. The crowd laughed heartily and Selina grinned, mischievously.
"What exactly do you mean by that, Mister Olsen?" She wanted clarification.
"Has Bruce Wayne finally been tamed?"
"Tamed?" She repeated. "By me?" A sly smirk spread across her lips.
Bruce narrowed his eyes. She was having fun. Selina bit her lower lip to show she was thinking, but in a sultry fashion.
"I don't know if tamed is the right word to use," she raised an eyebrow. "But as for Bruce's 'wild nights'? I can tell you that, from now on, they'll be spent with me." Punctuating this, she winked.
The mob-like press had laughed and hooted in their approval of this, and Jimmy grinned. He thanked Selina for her time and began to move away as another person hurriedly replaced him.
Chandler Felding, reporter for the local news network, forced himself into the now vacant spot and jammed a microphone into the space that barely separated the throng from the newly engaged couple. "Have you two set a date, yet, for the wedding of the year?"
Selina shot a glance at Bruce, who shook his head. "No, not yet," he paused. "And we may opt for a more... private affair." He looked at Selina when he answered Felding's question. He knew that she would never want to be married in front of hundreds of people, with camera crews, or news helicopters in the air. It had to be a small, intimate event. At least, small-ish.
Selina smiled appreciatively, but there was a collective sigh of disappointment from within the crowd.
"Sorry to disappoint," Bruce shrugged. "But I'm sure you understand." He spotted yet another reporter making their way to the front of the flock of people just in time and raised his hand. "Alright, guys... and gals," he began, adding the last part after receiving a look from Saunders. "We've answered your questions, and now my fiancé and I would like to enjoy the rest of our evening."
The crowd nodded and, in respect for them, began to disperse.
Music had started playing again, this time with an upbeat new song. Instead of dancing though, Bruce and Selina linked hands and, after making sure no one was still paying attention to them, quietly snuck back out onto the veranda and shut the doors behind them.
