Big Surprise Chapter 13
Today was Carson's birthday party at a pizza parlor. Barbara was already there setting everything up and just waiting on Artemis.
"I laid Carson's clothes out on the changing table for you" Artemis said grabbing the bag full of decorations and presents.
Dick just nodded his head "It's okay Artemis I got this".
Artemis just nodded her head and looked at Damian "Make sure your brother gets Carson dressed in the right clothes and everything okay little man?"
Damian smiled and said "I will, you can count of me Arty".
Artemis smiled and ruffled his hair before standing up and kissing Dick on the cheek "I'll see you three in a little bit and make sure you're on time please".
Dick kissed her lightly on the lips and said "Stop worrying 'Mis, I got this. Remember get traught".
Artemis laughed "Alright I'll get traught. See you in a little bit". And with that she left the apartment building hoping that her boyfriend wouldn't mess anything up on Carson's first birthday.
Once at the pizza parlor she and Barbara set out the decorations and presents and brought the cake out. After everything was ready Artemis took some pictures for the scrap book she was making of Carson, and then sat down next to Barbara. "When is Dick supposed to be here?" Barbara asked.
"Anytime now, hopefully he doesn't show up late, I left him with Damian and Carson" Artemis said.
Right then Dick walked through the door with Carson in his arms and Damian behind him. "Don't worry ladies I'm here".
Artemis smiled and took Carson from his arms "Daddy even dressed you correctly" Artemis kissed her cheek before pulling Damian into her side for a hug.
Dick pouted and said "Hey I told you I could handle this".
Artemis just smiled. Barbara grabbed the camera off the table and said "All four of you stand together and take a picture".
"Okay here you take Carson Dick" Artemis said handing Dick the baby and bending down to pick up Damian. Dick wrapped his arm around Artemis' shoulders and the four of them smiled at the camera after Barbara was finally able to get Carson's attention. Barbara took pictures with Dick, Carson, and Damian next and then they took pictures of just Carson and Damian. By the time they were done taking pictures Ollie and Dinah had shown up carrying a lot of presents.
Ollie smiled and practically ran towards Carson "There's my little archer" Ollie said picking Carson up and cradling her into his chest.
Artemis smiled "I thought I was your little archer" she said teasingly.
Ollie just smiled "You're not so little now are you, besides she's cuter".
Artemis scowled before she kissed Ollie's cheek quietly she whispered in his ear "We saw my father yesterday".
Ollie looked her in the eye and whispered "Does he know?"
Artemis nodded her head "I wanted to warn you in case he shows up or something".
Ollie nodded his head "Thanks for telling me. Now let's throw this little girl a birthday party".
Carson giggled and clapped her hands "chào".
"What did she just say?" Ollie asked.
Artemis laughed "She said hello in Vietnamese".
Ollie beamed at the little girl as Dinah stepped closer to them kissing the little girls cheek "That's really good Artemis teaching her a second language".
Artemis nodded "Yeah, I wanted to keep the tradition going. Were also teaching her Romanian but she hasn't said anything yet".
Damian came up and attached himself to Artemis' leg "Arty can I play the video games now?"
"Sure go ask Dick to help you get the coins" Artemis said.
Damian smiled and ran off towards Dick who was talking to Barbara. Right then Tim came in with Alfred both of them carrying at least two presents each. Tim smiled and said "Hey Arty".
Artemis gave him a hug and said "Hey Tim, Hi Alfred".
"Hello Miss Crock" Alfred said.
Artemis just smiled knowing the Wayne butler would never stop calling her Miss Crock no matter how many times she asked him not to. "Where is Bruce?"
"He'll be here shortly he had to take care of something" Alfred said.
Artemis nodded her head and turned around to see Wally and his girlfriend Lacey come in. Immediately Dick and Wally embraced in a manly hug and started talking. Ollie and Dinah had sat down with Carson and were playing with her, and Tim was chasing Damian. Artemis picked up the camera and took pictures of Ollie, Dinah, and Carson and then Dinah insisted on taking a picture of Artemis, Ollie, and Carson together.
Bruce didn't arrive until halfway through the party and he was carrying a large present in his arms. He sat the present on the table and asked to speak to Dick and Artemis privately. After making sure Tim wouldn't lose Carson who had now figured out how to sneak away she and Dick sat down with Bruce at a table in the corner.
"Sorry I'm late I got called to the watch tower" Bruce said.
"Is something wrong?" Dick asked.
"No everything is fine. Wonder woman called me and said that a box had arrived with Nightwing and Artemis' name on it. So I went to see what it was. It was a birthday gift for Carson from your future selves. Apparently you were right, today is her first birthday. They sent a gift and a note for you two to read" Bruce said setting the note on the table. Bruce stood up and said "I'll let you two read it, I must go tell my granddaughter happy birthday" Bruce walked away leaving the two alone.
Dick picked up the note and opened it Dear Dick, and Artemis. Today is Carson's first birthday 11/26/12. We feel horrible that we are not able to celebrate it with her but our time is still not safe. But we hope to come back for her soon. Please tell Carson Happy Birthday from the both of us and give her a big hug and kiss. We miss her terribly but we hope to be able to bring her home soon. Love Dick and Artemis Grayson.
Artemis smiled "I can't believe we were right, today is her birthday".
Dick just smiled and folded up the note and putting it in his pocket "Mother's intuition, you wanted the party to be today you're the one who guessed right".
"I guess so" Artemis stood up and grabbed his hand "Come on let's go celebrate our little girls first birthday".
Dick stood up wrapping his arm around her waist walking towards their family and friends. After everyone had ate their fill of pizza and Carson had opened all of her presents with the help of Damian they cut the cake and watched as Carson again spread it all over her head. Wally snuck up behind Dick and slammed a piece of cake in his face, making Dick retaliate and chase after him making everyone laugh. After the party and a lot of begging from Damian the three of them plus Damian went back to the apartment. Dick put Carson down for her nap and Artemis and Damian relaxed on the couch. Damian was currently lying down with his head in Artemis' lap as they watched Shrek.
By the time Dick came back downstairs Damian was a sleep in Artemis' lap, and Artemis was barely staying awake. Dick smiled at the sight and gently sat down next to Artemis wrapping his arm around her shoulder. "Did today turn out like you dreamed?" Dick asked quietly.
Artemis smiled and laid her head on his shoulder "Yeah it was perfect, everyone got along, no fighting, my father didn't show up. And best of all Carson had a great time".
Dick smiled "Yeah she did, she really likes her two grandpas'. I thought Bruce and Ollie were going to get in a fist fight over who got to hold her".
Artemis laughed "Yeah that was pretty funny".
Dick rested his head against hers and sighed "I'm exhausted who knew throwing your daughters first birthday party could be so tiring".
Artemis laughed and said "I know, I think Damian and Carson have the right idea".
"I'm already falling close behind 'Mis" Dick said.
Artemis smiled and closed her eyes listening to Dick and Damien's breathing as she fell asleep.