A/N: Yo, peeps! Sorry again for the late update. Updates may be iffy for a little while...life gets busy and such. Don't fret, though. You'll get your chapters one way or another!

I hope you enjoy chapter 8!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Teen Titans. PLEASE.

WARNING: Are you under the age of 16 and don't want to be traumatized? DON'T READ.


Chapter 8

6 Years Later

Nightwing

It had been a long, lonely night on patrol. Stopped some terrible criminals, saved some lives. The hero thing. But there was only one thing I wanted to do.

I wanted to see my family.

It was hard being away from them, even for just a couple of hours. I missed them more and more with every second that ticked by.

I was so immersed in my own thoughts that I barely heard Bruce as he landed beside me on the roof top I was on.

"Slow night," he said.

I nodded.

"Extremely," I agreed.

He smiled a little.

"I know you miss Starfire and the little one," he said. "But look at the bright side. It won't be too much longer until Mar'i can come on patrol with you both."

I gave him a dirty look.

"I'm kidding," he said.

I sighed.

"Go home," he said. "I'll take over the rest of your patrol."

I looked at him in surprise.

"Really?"

"Yes, really," he said. "Tell the girls I said hi."

I smiled and stood.

"Will do," I said. "Thanks, Dad."

He nodded and shot a grappling hook to the next building.

I couldn't wait to go home.

It seemed like an eternity, but I finally got to our house. I could smell food coming from the inside. I could hear laughter as well.

I couldn't help but smile.

As soon as I opened the front door, I was tackled by my very strong 6 year old.

"Daddy!"

I was nearly knocked over from the force of my daughter's hug, her tiny arms wrapped around me so tight it hurt.

"Hey, sweetheart!" I gasped.

"Mar'i, honey," Starfire said, walking out of the kitchen. "Remember, you must watch your strength. You are hurting your father."

I stared at her in awe. Her red hair was up in a messy ponytail, silky strands falling around her face. She had on an old pair of jeans and one of my T-shirts, a mixture of amusement and motherly concern coloring her expression as she placed a hand on her hip.

She was fucking beautiful.

"Whoops!" Mar'i exclaimed, quickly letting go of me. "Sorry Daddy."

I knelt down to her level so her eyes met mine.

"Don't be sorry," I said, taking her into my arms. "I love your hugs. They remind me of Mommy."

I heard Starfire giggle and I smiled.

I couldn't believe how big my little girl was getting. Her black hair was long and wavy, reaching her lower back. Her big green eyes were framed by long, curled lashes. Her skin was pale, just like mine. Little freckles dotted her cheeks, and when she smiled she had that same exact dimple that Starfire had.

She was so gorgeous. Just like her mother.

"How was your day today?" I asked, hoisting her up on my hip. "Learn anything new?"

A huge smile spread across her face as she nodded furiously.

"Oh, yes! Mommy and I went to visit Auntie Raven and they taught me how to control my starbolts!"

I smiled at her and looked at Starfire.

"Really?" I asked.

"And she did a wonderful job," Starfire said, walking over and kissing Mar'i on the cheek.

"Can I show you?" Mar'i asked me, beaming.

"Of course!" I said, setting her down on the floor.

Starfire stood beside me and I reflexively took her hand in mine. She gave me a warm smile in return.

"Okay," she said softly. "Show Daddy what you've learned."

Mar'i nodded and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and when she opened them, they were glowing that same familiar green that I knew so well. That I loved so much.

I glanced over at Starfire, and her eyes were glowing, too.

She knelt down to Mar'i's level, smiling at her.

"Are you ready?" She asked.

"Yes," Mar'i responded.

"We shall do this together," Starfire said.

She gently reached a hand out to her. Within moments, her strong, intensely green energy sparked around her hand.

Mar'i reached her tiny hand out as well. And then, without a flicker of hesitation, the same beautifully green glow sparked around her hand, too.

The smile that spread across Starfire's face was absolutely breathtaking. She took Mar'i's hand in hers and their energies became one, linking together and engulfing them both. That beautiful green glow that I loved so much was now surrounding the two most important things in my life.

I had never felt so proud.

I knelt down as well, completely and utterly in awe of the girls in front of me. I had never seen anything more beautiful in my life.

"Wow," I whispered.

The moment didn't last nearly as long as I wanted it to. The light started to fade and then eventually it disappeared all together. My girls' eyes went back to their matching emerald green orbs, one filled with excitement and the other filled with absolute pride.

"Did you see that, Daddy?" Mar'i asked.

I nodded and smiled at her, fighting back the tears that were threatening to escape.

"I sure did," I said, taking her into my arms. "I'm so proud of you, Sweetheart."

Starfire's watery smile captivated me, then. I couldn't stop staring at her face. She had become even more beautiful now that she was a mother. I didn't think that was possible. But then, after watching the moment that her and our daughter had just experienced, she was the most beautiful she had ever been.

"Mommy taught me that our starbolts are an extension of our souls," Mar'i said. She placed a tiny little hand on my cheek. "She also said that humans don't have starbolts. So instead, we see their souls through their eyes."

I was taken aback by her maturity. Where on Earth had my baby gone?

She smiled at me.

"Your soul is beautiful, Daddy."

My emotions finally got the best of me, then. I embraced my daughter and allowed a few tears to fall from my eyes. I never wanted to let her go.

"I love you both so much," I whispered.

"I love you too," she said softly.

I looked up at Starfire and saw that a few tears had streamed down her face as well. She smiled and leaned down to kiss the top of our daughter's head and then kissed me on the lips. Slow, soft, delicate.

"I love you as well," she whispered. "Both of you."

We sat there for a while, just talking about our days and enjoying each other in every way possible. I had never imagined this would be my life. A family man. It was never supposed to be in the cards for me. I had a wife. A daughter. I was told all my life that it would be impossible for me to have this. That I couldn't fight crime and be a husband and father. I had always thought I would be alone.

I wasn't though. I had a family. They gave me a reason to live.

And fuck, I wouldn't have it any other way.


A/N: Well look at that? 6 years in the future. And look at that cute little family moment! Yeeeeesh.

I hope you all enjoyed chapter 8! I will have chapter 9 up for you as soon as I can!

See you soon!

Love,

Sierra