Purpose

by Dinasis

Consequence of Choice #4: Purpose. Life was never meant to be static. We can only change our situation, or let it change us in response. BMWW.

14. Heritage

Author's Note: And then out of nowhere: a new chapter. Character ownership goes to DC Comics.

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'Fifteen hours, seven minutes…' I pause to check the clock on my cowl's heads-up display. '…and sixteen seconds left.' Then it's official. Still, I really don't know why this is coming up now.

I push Scarecrow's right wrist up with my left hand a moment before he fires. The shot rings out over my head. I disarm him with my right hand before he can turn the gun towards me again.

After throwing Crane to the ground, I step over him, crushing the fear gas sprayer under his wrist with a hard stomp. The still-liquid toxin spills out over his wrist as he cries out in pain, squirming and grabbing at my ankle with his other hand, trying to push me off. I grind my heel a little before I relent and step off him.

The nightmarish figure below me fades, revealing the true form of a costumed Jonathan Crane as my inoculants finally work their way through my system. Finally, I lean down and pick the pathetic man up by his coat and pull him to his feet.

"Why do you resist, Batman?" he asks when he finishes whimpering.

'I hate that mask. I hate looking at it even more.'

"Fear is the natural state of all mankind. We eat because we fear starvation, we sleep because we fear the insanity of unending wakefulness, we seek routine because we fear change!"

Below my left eye, my cheek twitches with frustration. I grab the hangman's knot hanging from his neck and pull him far closer than I'm comfortable with. "Shut…up. Now."

To both my relief and disappointment, he falls silent, so I drop him back to the ground, flip him onto his stomach and cuff him. I lift him back up by the arm and begin to drag him.

"To us, Batman, you are fear!"

"Shut up, Crane," I warn without looking down.

"Do you not want to see what it looks like when all of Gotham is at last honest with itself? When the whole of the city embraces its true nature?"

Anger floods my mind. I lift the former Gotham University professor up by the collar. "No," I say as calmly as I can before slamming my forehead against his. I couldn't be happier when he passes out from the blow.

I drag Scarecrow out of the water bottling facility and back out to the Batmobile waiting outside. I count myself lucky he was working alone as I throw him into the passenger seat when I'm sure of his restraints. He'd hoped to keep his operation small to stay off my radar. 'Fortunately that idea didn't exactly pan out,' I note to myself as I begin the drive to Arkham

The drive isn't long at all, but it still feels like it takes forever and, in the relative peace, my mind splits along two tracks. The first is in my now, in my surroundings, and with my incapacitated passenger and our destination. The second is with tomorrow. The day that, for the past three weeks, I've been anticipating with great excitement and agonizing over with great worry is nearly upon me.

The visit to Arkham goes without issue. Crane doesn't come around until he's secured by the Arkham staff and ready for transport back to his cell. Great for me because I don't have to listen to him anymore.

I take a deep breath to focus myself as I step back out into the open air. Another breath as I reach the pavement outside the main entrance and close my eyes. I count my steps, pausing after the eleventh and triggering the remote canopy control for the Batmobile. I nearly groan with frustration as I hear the system begin to engage and turn eight degrees to my right.

The canopy falls silent and I open my eyes before climbing into my driver's seat. I glance to the display in my cowl. 12:18 a.m. A press of the button and the canopy closes again while I deftly start the Batmobile and check its array of systems.

Satisfied, I back up. With a quick turn and stop to change directions, I'm leaving Arkham behind and heading back into Gotham. I barely make it a mile before Alfred's face fills the display on the Batmobile's dashboard.

"Master Bruce—"

"Just another hour, Alfred." There's no point letting him continue, I know what his concern is at the moment.

"Very well, sir. When you find yourself running late in the morning, please count on me to remind you that it was by your own conscious choice that you extended the night's patrol."

I groan. "I understand what you're doing, Alfred, but there's nothing to worry about. I won't mess this up."

"As you say, sir, but you'll understand if I have my doubts. This is a big step for you."

"That's precisely why I want to put as much effort as I can into tonight's patrol."

"And why you are operating alone while your closest friends and allies instead prepare themselves for tomorrow?"

"It's still too early for Diana. I'll admit she's improved a lot recently, but I need to be sure she's ready for Gotham."

Alfred pauses. I have to wonder if Diana's seemingly unending training is what he actually had in mind. I already know Tim and Barbara headed home before I went after Scarecrow.

Finally, he sighs with resignation. "Do keep in mind you'll need time tomorrow to make your own final preparations, Master Bruce." I nod in reply and his image disappears.

I need to keep going, I need to continue as Batman so Bruce Wayne will have peace. It's too early to end my patrol. There won't be many days more important than tomorrow for Bruce Wayne. 'Can't stop now.'

I stop the Batmobile in an alley and leave it fully secured before pulling myself up to a nearby rooftop with my grapnel. I begin moving from building to building, occasionally aiding my travel with another shot of my grapnel or judicious use of my cape to glide across a street. If not for my cowl's computer, I'd lose track of the time as I end a robbery, break up a bar fight that spilled into the street, a mugging, and a case of extortion when I run across some of Rupert Thorne's men collecting protection money from a business.

When things seem to quiet down for a few moments, I perch myself atop a gargoyle near the edge of downtown Gotham, listening in on the GCPD frequency for any signs of trouble. It doesn't take long before I begin to feel like I'm being watched. I hear something, a fluttering, and take a deep breath, sighing as I exhale.

"What gave me away?"

"Your cape," I answer as I turn back.

A lighthearted chuckle. "That's what I figured. Guess I can't do anything about the wind, can I?"

"What have I said about coming here?"

He lifts his hands to placate me. "Relax. I'm not here to work."

"Good. You stand out like a sore thumb in Gotham, Clark." He laughs again. "What do you want? I'm working." Then again, I'm pretty sure I know what his answer will be.

"I'm here to make sure you get to sleep at a reasonable hour. Big day ahead of you tomorrow!"

'Yeah, that's what I figured.' I groan with disappointment. "I just got the lecture from Alfred, I don't need it from you, too."

He smirks. "Yeah? How long ago was that?" I don't give him more than a frown. "Seems to me you need the reminder."

"Batgirl and Robin are both done for the night. If I'd wrapped up at the same time, I'd have missed Scarecrow and Gotham would already be primed for a sea of chaos in the coming days and weeks. The work goes on and me along with it. Don't say you'd do anything less."

"Well…I'd have at least tried to get a few moments' worth of sleep in between incidents."

"Not all of us have your senses." This line of conversation isn't going to get us anywhere. "Reminder received. What's next? I'm hoping this is the part where you go back to Metropolis."

"Sorry, Bruce." He laughs again. "I'm staying to make sure you head back and get some sleep."

"I can manage well enough on my own, you know."

"I know, but…well, to be honest I'm not just doing it for you."

"Meaning?"

"I'm sort of covering for myself, too."

"How does that work?"

He pauses, lifting a hand to his head and scratching embarrassedly. "Well, Lois and I were talking about it—"

"Well after one in the morning?" I dubiously interrupt.

Kent knits his brow in annoyance. "…Lois and I were talking and we agree that it'd be a good idea to make sure you weren't up too late…" He pauses again and lets his voice return to normal. "I went to the manor first, but…when I got close enough, I started to notice Diana mumbling while leaning out her bedroom window looking back towards Gotham."

I should be stopping him. "What was she saying?" Unfortunately, I can't deny he's piqued my curiosity.

"I don't think she saw me, but I think she expected me to fly over to check on you…because she was mumbling about holding me personally responsible for any and all delays to tomorrow's schedule."

I begin to chuckle. "If you want me to stay out for a few more hours, you're making a great case for yourself."

His expression quickly grows somber. "Come on, Bruce, you know that isn't what I meant. I really have no interest in finding out what she has planned. I will drag you back to the cave if I have to, Batmobile and all."

I turn back towards Gotham with a frown. I know he's right. Coincidentally, I'd been contemplating one last round before turning in. "Fine." I lower my voice to say nearly under my breath, "But I'll hold you responsible for whatever the police can't handle before dawn."

"Good enough for me, I'd rather take my chances betting on Gotham."

"Thanks for trusting in me," I answer before jumping off the rooftop. When I feel I have enough speed, I spread my arms and my cape catches me as it opens up. I regain a bit of altitude before gravity begins to win out once more.

"Come on, Bruce, you know that's not what I mean."

I look to my left without turning my head. He's floating alongside me, upright as if standing and facing the same direction I am. 'Guess I won't get away from that conversation as easily as I hoped.' I sigh. "I'm going to get the Batmobile and go home. That's what you want, isn't it?"

I drop my feet down as I make my approach. My left hits first, my right a moment later as I walk myself to a stop. I turn back. "You're not just trying to be a pain because Dick is going to be my best man, are you?"

"N-no!" he stammers as he lands beside me.

I smirk for a brief moment at my victory. "Sorry, an invitation as friend of the bride is as close as you're getting."

"Yeah, yeah. I know. Everyone expects Superman to be there…it's just…I had my hopes, you know?"

"Sorry to disappoint." I turn back towards the Batmobile's general direction. I'm about at my limit. This is about all I care to deal with tonight. "I'll see you tomorrow afternoon."

A few moments of silence. "Alright. Just…try to get some sleep." I hold my tongue and wait him out. "I'll see you tomorrow, Bruce."

There's a little rush of air and I look again. He's gone. 'Finally.' I lift my hand to my face, catch myself before I can rub at my eyes and instead rub my thumb and forefinger against the top of my forehead.

The rest of the trip back to the Batmobile is thankfully uneventful. When I'm directly above the vehicle, I release my cape and begin to drop out of the air. My fingers find the canopy control moments before I land on the Batmobile's roof. A few seconds of waiting and the gap is big enough to hop into my driver's seat.

I climb in and let my focus wander as I begin the trip back to the cave. For a moment, I'm nearly tempted to let the computer handle the driving, but I'd still rather do it myself. It lets me pretend I'm more awake than I really am.

Despite my tiredness, I find I cannot help myself and I again take another tour of the city. A group of five young men walking down the sidewalk scatter as I drive by. I notice another driver nearly ready to soil himself in a mix of awe and fear as I pull up beside him at a red light just before the signal changes.

I continue on. I pass by the end of Crime Alley, pass Leslie's apartment, and pass the Thomas Wayne Memorial Clinic. Eventually, I end up passing by Gotham Delizioso as well. That's when I hear a tone in my right ear. I reply with an immediate groan.

"That's enough, Bruce."

"You're starting to piss me off, Kent."

"A small price to pay to get you to call it a night. Like I said, I'm covering for myself, too."

I sigh resignedly. A thought hits me as I turn around and begin heading for the manor and the Batcave. "You sound like you're logging hours being a Grade A nag... Your daughter's going to love having you watching over her twenty-four hours a day."

His nervous coughs come through clear as day. I've got a good mental image of his expression, but I still wish I could see his reaction first-hand. "Ho—where did you come up with that, Bruce?"

I smirk. I don't have anything to base the theory on but knowledge of what happened in my sitting room those short few months ago, but it's a great opportunity to shut him up and get him off my case. "If you ever use your x-ray vision to check if Diana's pregnant, I swear I'll—"

"It's not like that!" he interrupts. I give him his silence until he feels ready to continue. "We don't even know if it's possible. Besides…Lois doesn't want to worry about having children yet, not when we've both still got room for upwards momentum at the Planet, so we aren't really trying."

With his tone, it's hard not feeling guilty for giving him the reminder. "Sorry."

He takes a turn sighing. "Me, too. Don't worry about it. Just…keep it to yourself and focus on tomorrow, alright?" I reply with an affirmative hum as I put Gotham behind me. "Alright, I'm going to head back. Night, Bruce." He earns another hum in response before I close the channel from my end.

Without Superman's presence in my ear, the trip around to 1007 Mountain Drive is quiet, almost relaxing. As I pull off the main road, I finally let the automatic systems take over. The car handles opening the hidden entrance to the Batcave, and then drives itself into the parking space reserved for this third generation Batmobile.

The turntable activates, preparing the car for my next patrol and I open the canopy to jump out. It looks as though Alfred retired after contacting me, as he isn't waiting around to greet me. At least the cave is quiet while I update my logs at the Batcomputer and then change out of my Batsuit.

The manor itself is equally quiet. Alfred didn't even leave any lights on in the study for me. A small inconvenience as punishment for not following his advice, I suppose, but I can hardly blame him. I was half-expecting something more blatantly obstructive.

As I walk the halls of Wayne Manor on my way first to the foyer and then up to my bedroom, I can't help but let my thoughts run wild. I try to remember what it'd been like to be a child in this home, the way it had felt to be surrounded by a happy family.

It's been different with Dick and Tim in Wayne Manor; family in so many ways, but not with the joy my parents and I once had. With all that we are, it's hard separating each of us from the reminders of pains long past.

My most fervent wish is that, after tomorrow, Diana and I becoming fixtures in one another's lives will brighten this aged mansion. I want only for this tiny piece of the world to become a safe haven, a place where we can forget the problems of the world and simply be. Where I can be a second father to my adopted sons, where Wonder Woman and Batman can simply be Diana and Bruce.

Hopefully, things will play out as we imagine from our dreams. Apollo's trials aside, there's much to look forward to. Opening the door into my bedroom, I smile while admitting to myself that with their help, I'm growing used to the idea of becoming a real father. Still a few big steps before we get there, though, so I'm getting a bit ahead of myself on that count.

There's little more for me to do than play my part tomorrow. Diana and I have set everything in motion ourselves. I can't let myself worry about the particulars of tomorrow's planning.

In a way, it feels a little selfish of me to stay so detached, to leave so much in Diana's hands, but I've known what my greatest challenge would be since long before we picked a date: Gotham itself. Still, Diana did involve me in more decisions than I'd expected. She left the matter of venue almost entirely up to me. The grounds here at the manor seemed a logical choice, so I'm glad she agreed so enthusiastically.

I push the topic from my mind as I finish my preparations and at last lay down in my bed, hoping and expecting it to be the last time I'll do so alone for quite some time. Within my silence of thought, sleep comes quickly. For the rest of the night, the dark, peaceful void of sleep protects me from concerns about everything falling properly into place tomorrow, from worry of the potential chaos I'm subjecting myself and those closest to me to by picking Wayne Manor for such an event.

At least it's a few hours of peace. It all comes crashing back to me when I awaken.

"Geez! How much longer are you planning to sleep, Bruce?"

My sleep-fogged mind is a little slow to catch up. All I know is that it's not Alfred, but it's definitely a male voice and definitely familiar. I begin to open my eyes and it hits me. "Why are you in my bedroom, Kent?"

I look past the end of my bed. There he is, in full costume, his hands on his hips expectantly, and with an expression of mild amusement. "To wake you up. I thought that was pretty much obvious."

I throw my covers aside and sit up. "No. I meant why are you here? "

"Well, Alfred and Barbara are busy with Diana. Figured you would know that, too."

"I've been trying not to think about today if I don't have to." I swing my feet out and stand.

"Wow. That's a great way to start things off. You don't do the same when it comes to Diana, do you?"

I cast a cautionary glare at Superman. "You really think it'd help Diana's peace of mind to have me obsessing over every detail of today's schedule and plan after all the effort that's being put into it?"

"So instead you let her deal with everything on her own?"

"Hey! I never said I was hands-off." I cross towards my bureau. "Besides, it'd be more accurate to say we're both passing everything off to Alfred."

As I finish, I look again to Clark. I might as well answer his question before he can ask, save us both the trouble. "It's not our intent. We all have an implicit agreement to trust each detail will be handled properly once arranged, but Alfred insists on following up on everything himself."

"And you just let him?" Disappointment, naivety.

"You try saying no to Alfred."

Clark smirks and chuckles. "Alight, I'll grant you that one."

"Good. Now get out of my room. What are you doing in Gotham so early anyhow? I know you didn't get here this early just to wake me up."

"I brought over a pair of sculptures for decoration."

I nod in acknowledgement for a few moments before whipping my head to my right to stare him dead in the eye. "I swear, Kent, if there's even a hint of a bat anywhere among them…I'm taking those red solar lamps back."

He flinches. "Oh, come on, Bruce! I said we weren't trying, I didn't say we weren't getting any use out of them!"

I harden my expression. "Fine. You've got until I leave this room to fix it." He doesn't even answer. A blur of red and blue, the door slams shut, and he's gone. I nearly laugh, but I'm much too glad he's gone so I can get myself ready.

I finally pull out a set of underclothes and leave them on the edge of my bed. I check my closet once more, find the shirt and jacket I'll be wearing for the rest of the day. My dress slacks are already on the next hook and I push all the others further down the line. Everything will be ready and waiting when I'm done in the shower.

With a knowing and self-satisfied smile, I enter the bathroom and strip off my nightclothes before stepping under the water. The gentle heat calms me, teasing out the remnants from the tensions of last night's patrol and leaving me refreshed and feeling truly ready for this all-important day.

It's not too long before I'm dressed and leaving my bedroom behind. I see Alfred come out of Diana's room as I close my door. He answers my friendly greeting hurriedly and then rushes past me in a brisk walk towards the end of the hall.

I notice that Diana's door is still open and approach to sneak a peek and see what's going on inside. Before I can even so much as glance inside, Barbara's face appears in the crack. "Morning, Bruce!" Then, without waiting for an answer, she slams the door shut.

I blink a few extra times with surprise. A moment rethinking the idea is all that keeps me from calling through the door that she doesn't need to hide Diana from me. I know what she'll say; it's a time-honored tradition, regardless if it isn't going to be a part of ours.

Rather than get myself embroiled in a debate, I turn towards the foyer and follow after Alfred. I hear a phone begin ringing. It stops after the first ring and I hear the old man, letting me catch up to him downstairs in the foyer.

"Of course, Master Richard, we look forward to having you home again." A pause. "Until then."

"Dick's on his way?" I ask as Alfred replaces the receiver.

"Indeed, Master Bruce." He turns back to me, looking me over and granting his wordless approval at my suit. "Things are shaping up rather well. I expect we'll be ready with time to spare."

"And Diana?"

"Miss Gordon is helping her with her attire. Miss Diana decided to dress herself one last time to ensure things go smoothly when she readies herself this afternoon."

I nod in acknowledgement. "I saw Clark. Who else is here?"

"To my knowledge, sir, just Master Kent and Miss Gordon. Master Timothy has elected to manage the setup outside. I believe he is still awaiting the caterer's arrival."

"It's still early, I'm sure they'll be here in time. Clark's out there anyhow. He told me he brought sculptures."

Alfred replies with a knowing nod, but says nothing more, making me wonder what the statues actually are. I turn towards the back of the manor and the nearest door to the backyard. "May as well see how things are going out there."

It's a short walk outside. I see row upon row of chairs already set up, as well as a white wooden latticework archway set in the back of a small platform stage. I have to admit I'm glad for Wally's offer to help with the stage yesterday evening before my patrol. It was easy enough to thank him, an invitation to dinner was all that he asked for.

I spot Tim in the front row, sitting at the far end on the right. He's got a phone in his hands and is glancing back and to the right occasionally. The third time, he spots me. "Hey! Morning, Bruce!"

"What're you doing?"

"Waiting on the stupid caterer…" He lifts a hand to the back of his head, scratches the swirl in his hair, then pulls his fingers down to the top of his ear before dropping it back to his side. "I've called them like…three times and they just keep telling me the van is on the way.

"I know you didn't want to hoist all the cooking on Alfred—hey, neither did I—but honestly, at least if Alfred was the one in charge, I wouldn't have to worry about this stuff."

I finally come to a stop beside Tim, then place my hand on his shoulder. "Take it easy. There's still plenty of time. If we get past lunch and no one's here, then we can start heads rolling."

He stares back at me for a moment in silence. "I can't believe you're so blasé about this… You sure you're feeling alright, Bruce?"

I slip my hand around to behind him and squeeze my fingers down around his far shoulder near the base of his neck. "Ow! Ow! Ow! Ok, you're doing great!" I relent the moment he speaks. I turn towards Tim and step away from him and his chair. "Geez, Bruce, you didn't have to squeeze so hard…"

I give a small grin in reply, then notice a crystalline statue that I'm quite sure hadn't been there before I started talking to the teenaged Mr. Drake. It's a replica of the Wayne Enterprises building in downtown Gotham. "Where's Kent?"

"Ok, I realize that there isn't anyone one around that doesn't know my identity, Bruce, but I'd prefer it if you didn't use my name so casually when I'm in costume." I turn around, spot the Man of Steel approaching from another crystalline statue, this second one of an Amazon warrior in full battle garb and complete with sword and shield.

I ignore our conversations from last night. "You're late," I note instead. I grin for just long enough for Clark to remember our terms, then ask, "Incidentally, what'd you have to change?"

He lifts a finger to his chin, scratches embarrassedly for a moment. "Well, I sort of had a little bit of a base by the one statue's foot that looked like the searchlight at the GCPD building. If the statues were the right distance apart and I hit it from the right angle with a good flashlight, I could make it project the Batsignal onto the statue of the tower."

I stare for a few minutes of silence, just long enough to make him uncomfortable. "You took the tower, too. What'd you have to change on that?"

"I kind of put some bats around the tower…under the eaves, flying by a couple windows…that sort of thing."

I hesitate, letting the silence drag on for a few moments. "I'm not sure I even want to respond to that." I watch as Clark gives a quick flash of a grin before beginning to open his mouth. "Don't say it. I know."

Before Clark can say anything more, I get Tim's attention and tell the both of them, "Just keep in mind that there will be guests who do not know how we all spend our evenings." I turn to Superman. "I'm charging you with making sure there are no more references to Batman."

"And what are you going to be doing?"

"I'm going to the cave."

"Bruce." I don't answer. "Didn't we just talk about this last night? I have no desire to deal with an angry Amazon because I let her fiancé get away right before the wedding ceremony."

"Relax, I'm not going anywhere." Though I do have another destination within the manor in mind before I head downstairs.

After then excusing myself, I head back inside. I work my way back to the foyer when the doorbell rings. Opening the door, I find myself face-to-face with one John Stewart.

"Morning, Bruce."

"John. I'm surprised. Are you on your own?"

The former Marine quickly narrows his eyes. "Oh, ha ha. I thought we were done talking about my love life." I eye John with curiosity, but pass up the chance to press for more information. "Aren't you going to invite me in?" he finally says to break the silence.

With a nod I step aside and wave him inside. "Anything I can help with?" he asks while I close the door behind him.

"Superman's out back with Tim. Ask Tim if he needs anything."

"Fair enough. Where are you going?" John asks while I turn away and head up the stairs.

"I have a few things to take care of."

The Green Lantern nods and heads off while I continue on to the second floor. I stop when I reach Diana's door and knock. Barbara asks shortly after who is there.

"It's me. I need to speak with Alfred for a moment."

It isn't but a minute more before Alfred slips out to join me in the hallway. "Yes, Master Bruce?" he immediately prompts.

The pointless secrecy is beginning to grate on my nerves. I lift a finger as I prepare to make a point, but I hesitate, knowing that it doesn't matter what I say. "Alfred…" I begin to say without much enthusiasm.

"Fear not, sir, this time it isn't about you. I'm being given the boot as well. Miss Diana is happy with her appearance and Miss Gordon is helping her to return to her regular wardrobe." His explanation and his smile relax me. "Now, sir, what did you need?" He lifts a hand behind me and ushers me back towards the foyer as he waits for my answer.

"I'm looking to make myself scarce for a few hours, Alfred. I'll trust you, Tim, and Dick—once he arrives—to keep things running smoothly."

"So long as you do not plan to leave the grounds, sir, I don't foresee a problem."

"No. I'm just going to amble a bit, see if I can get some work done downstairs. I'll certainly be in the cave before noon."

I can tell he doesn't like the idea. "Master Bruce, I would hesitate…"

"Don't worry, Alfred, I'll mind the suit."

He spends a moment in relief. "Very well, sir. Is there anything else before you 'amble'?"

"John Stewart arrived just a few moments ago. He'll be out back with Tim and Clark if you need any extra hands. Or a power ring."

A few moments later, the two of us go our separate ways, Alfred towards the back yard while I make my way to the study. I pause in the high-ceilinged room, make my way to the somewhat simple, but nonetheless expensive mahogany desk and seat myself in the chair behind it.

I lean back in the black leather office chair and set myself slowly spinning around. It's not hard to take in the entirety of the room as I turn. I've been here so many times, more times than I'd care to count or guess. So rarely have I taken the time to notice my surroundings, especially here, in this symbolic border where my lives in and out of the cowl meet.

I cross this border every day, becoming Batman and becoming Bruce Wayne as each version of me is needed by the world around me. Alfred crosses, too, venturing from the world of Bruce Wayne into the world of Batman to ensure that I will always have firm footing. Tim, Dick, and Barbara cross freely, as I do, as they each partake in my own personal war on crime, working towards the day, as Dick has in Blüdhaven, when they will be strong enough to carry on without me.

Today, Diana and I will cut the ribbon on a new bridge between the two worlds, the two lives, I'd always imagined keeping distinct and separate. I have no doubt that I want her, that I want to claim her as my wife and give myself as her husband. Even so, I still have doubts.

Am I a fool to let Diana stand in both my worlds at once? Should I be trying to hide her in plain sight with a new identity? Should I even allow her to train in anticipation of joining me in Gotham? Is it her place to go, my place to bring her into the shadows? Is there a better way?

With a deep breath and a sigh, I empty my mind and rise. I let a single answer slip into my thoughts while swiftly making my way to the grandfather clock. "There's always a better way, but it's Batman's enemies I worry about, not Wonder Woman's," I mutter.

More thoughts escape my lips as I turn the hands of the ancestral timepiece. "They aren't decisions I can make alone, not anymore." The clock opens up, revealing the hidden tunnel, the entrance to my other world.

I descend the stairs in silence, again clearing my mind as I make my way to the Batcomputer. I take a careful seat, lift my hands to the controls. From inventories to maintenance statuses, I give my computer systems a thorough once over.

For hours, I lose myself in work. The first thing I'd like to do is get to work on the Batmobile, but I remain thankfully aware of my attire and decide against it. Instead, I stay at the Batcomputer and begin looking over my open case files. A new day and a fresh perspective can often enough do wonders for an unsolved mystery.

"Can't say I'm surprised to see you down here."

I straighten and turn away from the Batcomputer, towards the stairs from the manor. "Diana." A smile plays itself across my lips. "I'm a little surprised to see you down here."

"Someone had to come down and check if you were still here."

"And Barbara let you volunteer?"

"Barbara…wasn't there to say no." She floats down to a stop before me and laughs quietly while I stand to meet her.

"Living dangerously, I see." I take the moment we're standing still to look her over, taking in her beauty while wrapped in the outfit the world is most familiar with. I quickly notice that there's something different about her. Her hair, I realize, is loosely curled. It's obvious why. "How many times have you needed to remind her we're walking up together?"

Diana leans a little closer as we embrace, wrapping her arms around my suit while I settle my hands on the sleeve of red enveloping her torso. She gives a contemplative hum before our lips meet in a gentle kiss. "At least six or seven times, but that's not all from today." Another kiss, a little more passion.

We relax back into each other's arms, trading loving gazes. "So, what're you working on down here that couldn't wait until tomorrow?" Diana finally asks to break the silence, tipping her head towards the large computer screen.

"Nothing, in all honesty." I pause as Diana turns back with a look of doubting curiosity. "I was trying to get out of the way." A knowing smile lifts the corners of her lips before she begins to shake her head. "What have I missed?"

"Lunch, for one, but no one really expected you to have anything."

"You eat?"

"A small sandwich. Just enough to keep my stomach from growling."

"A shame; that could have made for a funny memory."

"Not from my perspective."

I give a chuckle, lean in and steal another quick kiss. "Anything else?"

Diana nods. "Some of our guests have begun to arrive. A pair from Wayne Enterprises…a man and his son—"

"Lucius Fox and his son, Lucius Jr.," I fill in.

"Yes. There was a reporter as well, Summer Gleeson. She arrived with a news crew. WB…"

"WGOB," I helpfully correct.

"Yes, that was it." She pauses pointedly. "Well, luckily Alfred was upstairs to introduce me when they all arrived." Diana lets the barb sting for a moment before brightening a bit. "On the upside, Dick arrived as well. I managed to have a short chat with him before Alfred recruited him for some preparations in the dining hall."

"Glad to hear." I take a half-step back and turn, dropping my right hand back to my side and slipping my left behind Diana's back. After turning for a brief moment and reaching away to put the Batcomputer into a low power state, I refocus myself on my bride-to-be. "Shall we?"

A consenting nod and a long, winding flight of stone steps later and we're again under the natural sunlight coming in through the study's windows. Diana takes our first step as we make our way back to the hallway. Instead of heading directly for the foyer, I redirect Diana towards the back of the manor.

She puts up little protest and doesn't bother to question me about our roundabout course around to the second floor of my ancestral home. Before long, we reach our destination. I look to my right for a moment as we walk through the doorway, not yet ready to look above the fireplace on the opposite wall. Diana looks to me for a moment before we both take the room in while stepping apart and walking further inside.

Finally, I look straight ahead. I begin with the fireplace, looking into the deep shadows for a moment before moving my gaze to the empty mantle. Just above, the bottom edge of the portrait I have spent years looking up to, the image I have turned to for inspiration and as a means to renew my dedications.

The portrait of my parents.

I immediately begin thinking back. With great effort, I push thoughts of that terrible night aside to stay in the present. After regaining my focus, I begin at the dawn of my relationship with Diana. Alfred told me that evening that my parents would not approve of my solitude, my "self-imposed isolation", of closing off my emotions to ensure that I wouldn't lose sight of the Mission.

I feel a gentle hand against my own, fingers intertwining as we close our hands. I look over to Diana for a moment, do my best to return her warm smile, then turn back to the large portrait. It's been a long road for me to get to this point. The adjustments have been difficult at times, but not at all without generous rewards.

Looking up at the image of my mother and father, I can't help but wish I'd been more open to Diana, that I hadn't spent so long trying to push her away. I wish I could have understood my father's happiness from the stories Matthew Thorne told me when I offered to pay for his defense as an accomplice to his brother Rupert's gang. I wish I'd paid more attention to Dick when he left Gotham, had let the manor's sudden quiet affect me instead of pushing myself even deeper into my work.

I drop my gaze back to the mantle, squeezing my hand tighter, forgetting for a moment about Diana's hand until I notice her rubbing her thumb against the base of my own. I stop, turn to her with a silent apology, but her unwavering smile compels me to speak. "Sorry, Diana, I was just thinking…"

"What about?"

For a moment, I manage to lift the corners of my lips into a tiny smile, then look back up to the portrait. "About the time I've wasted." A moment later, I direct a silent thought to my parents to clarify, telling them it would never waste even a single moment to think about their memory.

"Don't." I turn to Diana, see she's still looking up. "That," she continues while turning to me again, "is the true waste of time."

"So says the immortal warrior princess," I joke.

She pulls at my hand, pulling me closer while sidestepping towards me. "It doesn't take a mortal to understand the value of time, Bruce," she replies in a small voice once our shoulders are touching. She pauses for a moment, then turns to me again. "You remember Long Shadow?"

I nod, thinking back to the only one of the original Ultimen we were able to save from CADMUS. He hadn't lasted much longer. Even Dr. Palmer hadn't been able to come up with a solution in time, all he could do was shrink down and observe at the cellular level as Long Shadow's body fell apart cell by cell, until at last his organs began to fail.

"I know you're not going to want to hear this Bruce, but…" I snap my attention back to the present, to Diana as she pauses. "When that anomaly sent us back to World War II…I…met someone while J'onn and I were on our way to Berlin."

My free hand closes into a fist as I try to keep emotion from my expression. "I visited him after we got back. Actually, I visited him a couple times.

"I know," I manage evenly.

She gives me a reassuring smile. "Then you also know he was over fifty years older than the last time I saw him." Her expression falls and she looks towards the bottom of the fireplace ahead of us. "A few moments for me, nearly a lifetime for him. I'd be the same now as I was then if we'd been trapped in the past, just with a few more years to remember."

She again pauses, spends a moment turning to me, first her head, but then she pivots on her heel to face me as well. "I won't waste any more time, Bruce…not when it comes to you."

I turn as well, lifting my free right hand to Diana's cheek. She graces me with another smile as I slip my fingers back, under her ear and into her dark hair. I lean in and gently touch my lips to Diana's, but as our hands come apart and we wrap our arms around each other, I come back much more passionately for our second and third. It's a joyous thrill every time this woman grants me a glimpse of my place in her heart.

We pull apart eventually, but when we hesitate to release one another, Diana leans her forehead against mine. I close my eyes and lift my chin until the tips of our noses are touching as well. We stay silent for at least a few minutes.

A question finally pops into my mind. "When are you going to begin preparing?" I ask without making any effort to move.

"One-thirty, two o'clock at latest. I don't think it'll take a whole hour, but Alfred and Barbara insist on starting earlier than I'd like and I do agree it'd be better to sit around for a while waiting than scramble to finish in time." She pauses a moment. "I have a feeling if either spots me after one o'clock, they'll drag me out to start changing regardless."

We share a chuckle before another short silence befalls us. "Well, we do have a schedule to keep. Clark told me what you said last night."

Diana lifts her head and when I tip my head back and open my eyes, I see her concern plain as day. "He didn't tell you verbatim, did he?"

"That you'd hold him personally responsible for any delays?"

"Yeah, that's a little more kind than what I really said…"

"Which was?" I prompt as I remember threatening Clark that I'd just stay out longer and how he'd quickly become very serious.

She hesitates for a long moment. Just when she seems about to speak, she looks to her left for a moment, pauses once more, and then turns her eyes to me. "I'd rather not say while standing here under that portrait. We wouldn't want to offend your parents, now would we?"

I find myself unable to suppress my grin. When it finds its way to my lips, I decide it's not a reaction worth stamping down anymore and let myself shake my head. "So we've both given him a little scare today."

"Oh?"

"He brought decorative statues made out of crystals from the Fortress and before I saw them, I told him I'd take the lamps back if he'd included any hints of a bat." A moment later, I realize I could have held off on that little piece of information, used it to barter with Diana and find out what threat she made to him. With an inward sigh, I add, "That got him moving."

Diana gets in a good, hearty laugh before reining herself back in. "He really did, didn't he? He already came back with new ones, right?" She chuckles, but doesn't wait for an answer. "I hope he still has the originals, I'd like to see them to compare." She laughs once again, though this time much more reservedly.

I stare almost blankly at her for a few moments after she calms. "What's it going to take for you to forget about the statues?"

"Why's it matter? Was it something embarrassing, Bruce?"

"Why does everyone seem to enjoy poking fun at me?"

Diana leans back in, lifts her arms to wrap them around and behind my neck before kissing me tenderly. "Well…" She interrupts herself to give me another kiss. "…maybe some people just want to see you wear an expression."

"Some people, eh? What about you? Is it something you picked up from Flash, or is this just how you like to display affection?"

Diana looks at me for a few moments of surprise, then the dam breaks and she laughs again. It fades and she's left gazing into my eyes with a wide smile. After a short silence, she shakes her head. "No, Bruce…" Her arms wrap tighter around my neck. "This is how I like to display affection…"

I'm almost tempted to call her out for imitating the way I spoke, but the thought disappears when her lips press tightly against mine. We satisfy ourselves for a few moments with just our lips before I feel the tip of Diana's tongue slip up onto her bottom lip as we kiss. I respond in kind as my hands move to the top and bottom of her back.

Diana groans appreciatively against my lips, the accompanying hum seemingly reverberating from her lips through the whole of my body. Our kiss grows more impassioned and I pull her tight against myself, enough to feel the golden armor across her chest and around her waist through my suit. A softer moan of mixed amusement and pleasure is my answer.

As I begin moving my left hand down from red to gold on her back, I feel the hairs on my neck begin to rise. I have barely a moment to think about the reaction before a voice fills the room. "Hey! Save it for tonight!"

Diana and I are apart almost before I'm aware of it, both of us turning to the doorway. Standing momentarily still in the doorway is Barbara Gordon. She doesn't wait long, marching into the room purposefully and taking Diana by the hand. "Come on, we've got to start getting you ready."

The Amazon princess offers the smaller woman no resistance, merely turning back to me and taking a few steps backwards to flash me a knowing smile and a slightly inquisitive look. I nod to the unspoken question. "You did call it," I grant her aloud. She gives a small wave and I quickly return it moments before she's pulled out of sight.

I stand in place, listening as the two women's footfalls grow more distant. Finally, I turn back to my parents' portrait. I get a few moments of peace before another voice fills the room. "I do hope you aren't expecting to be alone until the clock strikes three, Master Bruce."

I give a humph of amusement and a smirk lifts the corners of my lips as I drop my chin to my collar. "Of course not, Alfred," I reply as I turn and make my way to the doorway before my old friend and ally decides that Barbara's method might be the most effective for me as well.

"It's been brought to my attention that you've yet to eat lunch. I don't imagine it would do either one of you any good to stand before an audience on an empty stomach, so I hope you'll follow Miss Diana's example and at least have a light meal before you haven't the time."

I nod and let Alfred lead me back to the kitchen. While I sit down at the small breakfast table to wait, he prepares me a sandwich much like the one Diana mentioned herself having. We take turns waiting for one another for a bit longer, first Alfred waits for me as I eat, then I wait as Alfred quickly cleans off my plate and a glass of water I'd had along with my quick lunch.

When we're both done, I again follow Alfred, but this time we head out one of the manor's many side doors to a waiting tent. Looking up at the canvas as I step through the tent's secondary entrance, I can't help but be glad we managed to get it in a solid white. Posts and wires hold the tent high, creating an almost undeniable circus big top atmosphere on the inside and out.

Within the tent are a pair of smaller tents, hidden from view from outside like some sort of strange matryoshka doll. The first tent is immediately to my right as I step inside the larger tent, the second is in the far left corner, leaving the back half of the large tent and the area leading up to its main entrance between the two smaller tents an open, T-shaped space.

With a scant few words and a wave of his hand, Alfred hurries me along into the first tent. I take a glance to my right just before going in, see the shadows dancing on the walls of the second tent as well as the quiet mutterings of female voices and the occasional chuckle. I hope to myself as my tent's door falls back into place that Diana, Barbara, and whoever else is helping—Zatanna, I think it's supposed to be—are not having any trouble.

Alfred directs me to stand before a mirror and then immediately sets himself to work. He scrutinizes my appearance from head to toe, chiding me for the small scuffs he finds on my shoes, for the dust on my back from sitting at the Batcomputer, for letting my tie work its way off center. I almost feel I should be taking offense, but I can tell from the old man's tone that he isn't nearly as concerned as his words would suggest.

"There we are," Alfred says at last, standing up from using a lint roller at the cuffs of my pant legs.

"Thank you, Alfred."

"A minor inconvenience, Master Bruce, nothing to thank me for. If anything, I should be thanking you."

While sitting down in the lone chair within the tent, I think back to Diana and me standing in the shadow of my parents' portrait. I think I know where he's going with this line of thought. "What for?"

He scowls, but before I can ask what's wrong, he reaches out and plucks something off my right shoulder. I get a glimpse of the tiny bit of fuzz before he flicks his hand away. "For finally making some room in your life for yourself, the man between personas. You've certainly put it off long enough."

I smirk for a brief moment. "I suppose I have, haven't I, Alfred?" He nods. I lift my arms, pull back my sleeve to see the Rolex on my left wrist. "And here I am, ready to go now, and I have to wait another twenty-six minutes before we begin."

Alfred shares a warm, though reserved, laugh with me. "Perhaps now you begin to understand Miss Diana's frustration."

The distraction of rustling canvas keeps me from having to answer. "Bruce?" I hear a moment later.

"In here, Dick," I reply immediately.

A moment later, Dick Grayson joins Alfred and me in the tent. "Hey, sorry I'm late. Just finished showing everyone to their seats. Glad to see you've got Alfred here. We're all set outside." He pauses, turns to his right. "Hey! How're you coming along over there, ladies?"

"Pipe down, Dick!" Barbara calls back immediately. "We're doing fine and you know we can hear you if you talk normally!"

I smirk and shake my head. "Perhaps not your finest judgment call, Master Richard," Alfred comments from beside me.

"Sorry, you're right. I wasn't thinking clearly." Dick takes a moment to calm himself, but I notice him take a quick glance past me, in the direction of the chairs and stage awaiting the ceremony's commencement outside.

"What's wrong?"

Dick darts his eyes back to me for a moment, then smirks. "Yeah, knew you'd pick up on that." He steps up beside my chair, leans close to my ear, placing his hand on the back of my chair to keep himself steady. "Shayera arrived about ten minutes ago. She came in a Javelin."

"So?"

Dick stands back up at my interruption. "I'm getting to that. Geez, have a little more patience." He leans close again and I fold my arms against my chest when I see Alfred step closer to listen in as well. Dick waits until the old butler is close enough and then says just above a whisper. "She brought Hippolyta."

My eyes go wide at the news. My mind immediately goes back to the dream I had of waking up beside Diana just before Alfred came in with our breakfasts and to remind us of our energetic children. I remember Diana's mention of our honeymoon. Something about the comparison between what I planned and what Hippolyta planned brought a stream of images to my mind, myself in full costume on the shores of Themyscira, in a stadium, meditating alone at night in a small room.

"Dick," I begin, turning to the younger man, "I need you to do something for me."

"Ahh…sure. What do you need?" he asks, surprised.

"Go downstairs, get my suit and make sure I'm fully stocked, then load it up in that Javelin—discreetly. I might also need you to stick around for a bit. I have a feeling you'll need to cover for me for a week or two."

"What's going on, Bruce?"

I grimace as I look away. Diana had mentioned her mother's reaction to the news of our engagement. Conditional acceptance. I wish she'd been able to offer me more details about her mother's conditions, but from my dream, I think I already know what to expect, broadly speaking.

"She means to test if I'm worthy of her daughter," I assume aloud.

"Well," Dick says after a few moments, clapping me on the shoulder with his hand as he turns to leave, "I'll go take care of that for you, Bruce. And just in case I don't get a chance to say this later, it's been nice knowing you!"

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," I reply with sarcasm, but he only replies with a smirk before disappearing behind the canvas wall.

Alfred lets a few moments pass before he steps towards the exit as well. "Focus on the moment, Master Bruce. Let nothing take away from today's memory, of the beginning of the life and marriage you and Miss Diana are about to embark upon."

I nod in reply as I settle into the chair as best I can. He's gone a moment later, leaving me to wait. I hear the activity in Diana's tent as she finishes getting ready as well. I hear Zatanna and Barbara announce the completion of their preparations and Diana thanking them before the two of them bid her the best of luck and leave to join the chattering crowd outside.

Thoughts of what Hippolyta has in store for me threaten to sour my mood, but of all things, Clark and Wally unwittingly come to my rescue. I hear them laughing outside. It sounds like I've missed a good joke—one that I hope was not at my expense—but their laughter shifts my attention to the waiting audience.

I pick up on bits and pieces of conversation. Veronica's father, an active general in the US Army himself, seems to have caught the League's resident ex-Marine in conversation. I can hear Leslie and Matthew Thorne very close by, reminiscing, talking about my parents and if only they were here to see me today. I can hear Summer speaking with Lois, James Olsen, and the reporter from Central City, Linda Park. I hear the familiar laugh of Gotham's own Mayor Hamilton Hill as he bids a quick farewell to a few of my fellow Gotham businessmen before attempting to speak with Superman about the League getting more involved with my city.

So it goes for all of nearly fifteen minutes. Finally, Antonio Vivaldi's Spring begins to play and the crowd outside quiets down. I know without needing to look at my watch that it's nearly three o'clock.

I close my eyes and listen, paying close attention to the rhythm and the music's energy as the song plays on. Eventually, I hear the pause I've been waiting for and stand, knowing we have only a few short minutes to get into place. As I brush the canvas aside and step out under cover of the larger tent, I look to my left in anxious, excited anticipation.

As I turn and stop with my feet on the red carpet running in from outside, the other small tent opens and Diana gracefully emerges. She turns to me with closed eyes, then steps forward, opening her eyes to look at me only once she comes to a stop standing before me on the carpet.

"You're gorgeous…" I say just above a whisper.

Nearly all of her hair hangs behind her, fanning out behind her shoulders in a curtain of soft curls. Her hair is parted over her right eye, the hair on either side left a little loose, hiding her hairline and hanging partway over her forehead before being drawn back above her ears. Behind her, it's joined by hair from across the top of her head in a rose blossom-like mass of tight curls.

A pair of stud earrings sit comfortably in the lobe of each of her ears, a ring of pave diamonds surrounding a larger centerpiece diamond, all set in platinum. Below, in place of her usual bracelets, she wears a single bracelet purely for decoration on her right wrist. It's a combination of silver and gold, thick threads of both metals twisted repeatedly around each other, representing at the same time her silvery bracelets and the gold of her girdle and tiara. Her only other jewelry is a necklace hanging close around her neck, a simple string of pearls that's a tribute of sorts to my mother's memory.

It seems inevitable, but my eyes linger there, amongst the pearls at the base of her neck.

"You don't look half bad yourself," Diana replies, pulling my attention past the warm smile lifting the corners of her mouth and back to her eyes. Outside, the music winds down and her eyes shift for a moment before finding mine again. "That's our cue."

I nod and together we turn down the carpet. As we approach the tent's entrance, a green glow works its way up the seam. The moment it reaches the top, the sheets of fabric are pulled apart like the curtains on a stage, held open by the energy from John's power ring.

Diana and I begin walking in perfect unison, walking slowly side-by-side towards the far end of the carpet. It's tempting to take her hand as we walk, but I keep our plan well enough in mind to stop myself, instead focusing my attention on our guests and the decorations. We set no rules for who should sit where, but it seems Dick seated people from Gotham on the left and most of the other Leaguers in attendance on the right.

I keep my attention on the Gothamites as we walk, leaving it to Diana to quickly greet our fellow superheroes with her friendly smile. Leslie Thompkins and Matthew Thorne. Two of my fellow Gotham businessmen, Ethan Clark and Sheldon Fallbrook and their daughters, Lisa and Rebecca, respectively. Councilman Frye, District Attorney Janet Van Dorn, and Mayor Hill and his son Jordon. Detectives Harvey Bullock and Renee Montoya. Summer Gleeson sitting up with Veronica Vreeland, Veronica's young daughter Bunny beside her and General Vreeland in the next seat down. Lucius Fox and Lucius Junior sitting up front with Alfred.

I turn my attention to the stage in front of us, seven men and women stand waiting for us on the raised platform. Jim Gordon stands in the center, behind a small podium. To the left stand Dick, J'onn J'onzz, and Tim, Dick and Tim in tuxedos, J'onn in something similar, but much more Martian in theme. To the right are Shayera, Zatanna, and Barbara, all three in matching sky blue dresses, elegant and simple in style without being plain.

When Diana and I reach the end of the carpet, we turn away from one another, taking a good few steps further apart before each of us climbs a short half-spiral of stairs leading up to the front corners of the stage. As we walk back toward each other, I take the time to look over Diana's dress, noticing as I start that her eyes are locked with mine. It's not a surprise, my expertly tailored suit—regardless how expensive it was—is plain in comparison to the mere concept of Wonder Woman in a wedding dress.

In direct contrast with the black of my suit jacket and slacks, Diana is wearing an immaculate white dress. It has very much the look of a Greek toga, with a distinct, gem-adorned strap over her left shoulder holding up the bodice's asymmetric neckline. The loose silk below is pulled tight around her waist by straps similar to the one over her shoulder. The skirt below hangs freely, its hemline barely above the floor, and is accented with an extra layer of chiffon cascading down from her sides and the back of her neckline. The top of the chiffon attaches to the ends of the strap over her shoulder, forming a sleeve in only the loosest definition of the word, the end of her left shoulder and her arm left bare until the sheer fabric meets again at her wrist.

Finally, we come to a stop, standing together before family, before friends, and before our colleagues. We only have to wait a few more moments before Jim begins, "To the family and friends of Princess Diana of Themyscira and Bruce Wayne, I welcome all of you on this warm July afternoon."

Jim pauses for a breath and Diana and I turn to pay him our full attention. "A few of you may be wondering why Gotham's police commissioner is standing here to officiate a wedding. I'd like to ask those of you wondering to relax, you're not alone—I'm still trying to figure it out for myself—but Mayor Hill assures me it doesn't really matter who speaks, so long as city hall gets a properly completed and signed marriage license with all applicable fees paid in full."

I can't help but smirk and I don't need to shift my focus or have Clark's ears to know that Diana and most of the crowd got a good laugh at the joke as well. "That they could have asked anyone only makes me all the more honored to fill such a role for two people so important to Gotham and to the whole of our world," Jim continues once we settle once again.

"I'm glad to see each and every one of us here today in support of Bruce and Diana; they each command enormous respect in their respective circles. It's no small wonder some of the names on the surprisingly exclusive guest list. And as thankful as Diana and Bruce are for our presence on this all-important day in their lives, I'm sure all of us are just as thankful to have been invited."

Again, Jim pauses. He gives a meaningful glance to Diana and myself before saying much more quietly, "And I for one am beyond thankful that you didn't invite quite the media circus I expected." I reply with a small nod of agreement and acknowledgment before he can get back on track.

"Marriage is perhaps the greatest and most challenging adventure of all human relationships. It is at once a most daunting task, among the loftiest goals, and one of the greatest rewards of any true love.

"This ceremony can only affirm your commitment to one another, to stand together as partners in the epic journey we call life. Just as the two of you made this ceremony your own, so too will you make your marriage. It will take love and patience; dedication and perseverance; talking and listening; helping, supporting, and believing in each other; tenderness and laughter; learning to forgive, learning to appreciate your differences, and learning to make the important things matter while letting go of the rest."

Jim lets us all take a few moments to absorb his words. I make the effort to commit everything to memory, sure that Diana is doing the same. The commissioner turns to me and as he speaks, I turn to my bride. "Will you, Bruce Wayne, take this woman to be your willfully and lawfully wedded wife?"

Diana turns to meet my gaze. I wait until she stops moving before answering. "I will."

"Will you, Diana of Themyscira, take this man to be your willfully and lawfully wedded husband?

"I will."

"Then to Bruce and Diana, I ask that you always remember that the love you share—rooted in the faith, the trust, and the acceptance you hold for one another—will be the foundation for your marriage. No other bonds are more tender, more exalted than those tied by the vows of marriage. Hold yourself true to the vows you make here today, not out of obligation or any form of law, but by desire to love and be loved by one another fully and without limit, and your lives will be full with joy and your home will provide you your own path for growth, freedom, and responsibility."

He lowers his voice, speaking just for our benefit. "If you will, please now exchange your vows."

We stand still and silent for a few moments. I pay special attention to Diana's lips as she quickly draws her lower lip between her teeth before taking a long breath. "I, Diana of Themyscira, take you, Bruce Wayne, as my husband, my eternal friend, partner, and my greatest love.

"I will endeavor with you to forge a mutual bond of honesty, respect, and trust. Ours shall be a bond that withstands the tests of time and change as it grows along with us.

"I vow to honor and respect all that you are and all that you become. I shall take pride in you as I take pride in myself, both as individuals and partners in life, love, and marriage.

"I shall share my passions with you and shall gladly partake in yours. I will work towards compromise when we disagree, valuing your position as I would my own.

"Our home, no matter the size now and in the future, will forever be a safe harbor, a place of peace and tranquility, privacy and solitude, healing and recuperation, and happiness and joy for us, for our family, and for our dearest friends.

"Above all, I will give you all of my love, freely and without conditions. So I pledge, with all of my heart and for all the days of our lives."

Diana finally falls silent. Her mouth evens as she takes another breath, then she lifts the corners of her lips into a gentle smile. I close my eyes, holding them shut as I take a breath of my own, Diana's vow playing quickly through my mind as I make a few minor adjustments to the script I'd memorized for myself.

When ready, I open my eyes and focus my attention on my bride. I let Jim and the rest of our friends and colleagues fade into the background until nothing is left but myself, Diana, and this moment. "I, Bruce Wayne, take you, Diana of Themyscira, as my wife, my eternal friend, partner, and my greatest love.

"I will open myself to you and for you, sharing my pains and my joys to help foster that mutual bond of honesty, respect, and trust. Our bond will grow with us, firm and unfading before time and change.

"I vow to honor and respect all that you are and all that you become. I will take pride in you as I do myself, as individuals and as partners in life, love, and marriage.

"I will share in your passions and invite you to join me in mine. I will empathize with you when we disagree and I will value your opinions as I do my own so that we reach mutual agreement instead of divisive dissonance.

"Regardless of size and state, our home will be our safe harbor, where we will find comfort and warmth, peace and privacy, where we will recuperate and heal at the ends of our days, and where we will always find love and happiness in each other. It shall be a place for family, for friends, but most importantly for ourselves.

"Above all, I promise to love you wholly, without restraint or conditions. So I pledge to you, with all my heart and for all the days of our lives."

I gaze deeply into Diana's eyes as I finish, resisting the desire to take her in my arms as the world slowly falls back into place around us. We're not quite done yet, Jim reminds me as I notice him turning his head, nodding once each to Dick and Shayera.

I turn to my best man as Diana turns to her maid of honor and we each receive a ring of smooth, polished platinum. We turn back together, holding the precious symbols-to-be of our bonds in our right hands. From the edge of my vision, I see Jim nod approvingly before speaking again.

"Please repeat after me as you place your rings on each other's finger: I give you this ring…"

Diana and I offer each other our left hands as we say in unison, "I give you this ring…"

"…a constant reminder of all that you mean to me…"

We shift our rings in our hands, grasping them with just our fingertips. "…a constant reminder of all that you mean to me…" we continue together.

"…of all my love for you…"

I slip my wedding band over the end of Diana's left ring finger as she does the same to me. "…of all my love for you…"

"…and as a symbol without end of our marriage," Jim finishes.

Diana and I, with the tips of our middle fingers above and thumbs below, turn our right hands to the side and slide our rings up to the base of each other's left annualry. "…and as a symbol without end of our marriage," Diana and I finish. A moment later, we turn our hands, pressing the palms of our hands together and interlocking our fingers.

"Then by the power vested in me by Gotham city hall, I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss!"

We hold our hands still between us as we lean in close. 'Keep it tame,' I remind myself a moment before our lips meet, hoping Diana will remember to do the same.

The instant I feel the softness of Diana's lips against my own, our small audience erupts, clapping and cheering seemingly without restraint. Diana, it would seem, takes it as encouragement, her hands slipping free of mine as she breaks her lips away for the briefest of moments, then takes my lips as she wraps her arms around my neck. I can't keep myself from answering her passion. I put my hands first on her sides, then slip them behind her back as I return her kiss.

Eventually, I glide my hands down from my bride's shoulder blades to the small of her back. She takes the gentle hint and pulls back, relaxing her arms and standing straight again as I do the same. We gaze lovingly at one another for a few moments, then turn back, thanking Jim, our groomsmen, and our bridesmaids with silently mouthed words and appreciative smiles. Finally, I take Diana's right hand in my left as we turn to our onlookers. We lift our joined hands and their applause grows louder.

We take a step closer to the edge of the stage, then hop down the two steps to the carpet, following it back between the chairs of our still-clapping audience. I feel like nothing could dampen the mood and I honestly haven't displayed such genuine joy in public as Bruce Wayne in quite some time, not since our last date. Still, it doesn't compare to this moment, walking back down the aisle with Wonder Woman, my bride after so many years of denying us even a ghost of a chance.

But then, as I look past Superman, Lois, and James, past John Stewart, Flash, and Linda Park, past Atom, Hawk, Dove, Mr. Terrific, and Green Arrow, I see something that nearly stops me cold. Sitting just past Oliver and Black Canary, I see my new mother-in-law, Hippolyta, with a dark, even expression on her face and murder in her eyes.

I leverage years of practice in an instant and without conscious thought, keeping my reaction from my face, holding my pace steady, but nearly fail when I begin wondering where Dick is when I need him, only to hear him behind me. "Ladies and gentlemen, if you'll all please follow us, the reception will be begin shortly in the dining hall here at Wayne Manor."

I'd forgotten the order of our wedding. Dick and Shayera, as best man and maid of honor, will lead the rest of the bridal party and then our guests back to the dining hall, then keep everyone busy while we meet up with Gordon and head downtown to finish off the paperwork at city hall. Only now we have to worry about slipping away without Hippolyta's interference.

In an effort to balance myself, I close my eyes, push my thoughts aside, and then turn my focus to Diana. Her smile is infectious. She practically glows and I can't help but feel more at ease beside her. I'm not quite sure if she hasn't noticed her mother's glare or if she's so used to—so immune to my own glares as Batman that she simply isn't bothered by it.

I can feel the Amazon queen's glare burning into my back as we turn and head towards the manor's side door. As soon as it closes behind us, Diana breaks her silence. "What is it, Bruce?"

"Come on, we've got to meet up with Gordon." I take a few quick steps to hurry us along, managing to get us around a corner before my arm is pulled straight and I'm brought to a full stop.

"That is not what I meant, Bruce."

I look back at my wife and see her hemline hanging a few inches over the hardwood floor, her feet hidden beneath flowing silk. "Fine. We never did really talk about how your mother felt about you getting married, did we?" Diana's grip loosens and our hands nearly slip apart, but I pull her close.

"You only said that she accepted the idea with conditions. Well I left it at that because I think I know what she wants, so we have to make sure we get to city hall to finish that all-important solemnization section before your mother tries to break me." I don't bother turning yet, I can't imagine Diana will be without a response.

"She doesn't want to break you, Bruce. She..." she tries to defend, but her hesitation tells me we both know what Hippolyta meant with that glare.

After a few breaths more, we hear the door open back around the corner and down the hall. "Alright," Diana says while floating a few inches higher and beginning to move forward, "Let's go."

Eventually, we get around to the backside of the manor and meet up with Commissioner Gordon and Barbara. They wave us down as we approach. For just a moment after we come to a stop before them and Diana drops her feet back down to the floor, we stand in silence.

"Barbara, I need a favor."

She looks to me with curiosity. "Sure, Bruce, what is it?"

"Keep my mother-in-law occupied. And try to keep men out of her way."

Jim chuckles. "You saw it, too, Bruce?"

I let slip a nervous laugh befitting my public self. "Saw it? Jim, I felt it!"

"Oh, please! Bruce, you make my mother sound like a monster!" Diana exclaims while folding her arms in disapproval.

"You know, if you two newlyweds don't mind, I'll take care of the rest of the paperwork for you. That way you won't have to worry about getting up and down those city hall steps in that dress," Jim distracts before I can make a joke about the term 'monster-in-law'.

I nod, though I'd still rather go to city hall myself, all things considered. "Thanks, Jim. That'll save us some time."

"No problem. I was going to go there anyway."

"Do you want me to go with you, Dad?" Barbara asks.

"No, I'll be fine! You enjoy the party, honey, and I'll catch up as soon as I can."

Diana and I again thank Jim before we split, the two of us following Barbara as Jim heads off to city hall. I still can't say that I'm happy with the arrangement, but at least I know that I'm not going to risk having the manor overturned by an angry queen looking for her absent daughter and that I can trust Jim with the paperwork.

We catch up to Alfred near the dining hall, on his way out with an empty serving tray. "Why, Mister and Missus Wayne, this is a surprise! I did not expect you to be back so soon."

Diana beams at the title. "Please, Alfred, you can just call me Diana, as you did before," she says with a little embarrassment.

"Very well then, Miss Diana, as you wish," Alfred replies through a wide smile.

After Diana thanks him, I step in to answer Alfred's question. "Jim took the paperwork in on his own for us."

The older man nods in response before leading us back to the dining hall. Once we arrive, it doesn't take long for Hippolyta to spot us. Her robes are something a little different than her usual white, sitting somewhere between off-white and taupe. She wears them with elegance and grace befitting an immortal queen, but there's a purposefulness to her gait and a determination on her face that speak of plans far less pleasant than a wedding reception.

"There you are, Diana!" she says in a loud voice, drawing the attention of most of our guests.

Barbara and Alfred wisely move out of Hippolyta's war path. I find myself wishing it were an option for me as well. "Mother, I—" Diana begins, quickly interrupted.

"You are now married by the laws of Man's World, are you not?"

Diana pauses to look at me. "Well, yes, but there's far more for us to do than just the ceremony."

"Indeed there is, my little sun and stars." She begins to turn—away from me, I note—while still addressing her daughter. "Come now, Diana, and bring your…husband. We shall depart immediately."

"Mother! I meant there is more for us to do here."

Hippolyta stops, then turns back to Diana, approaches and places her hands gently on her daughter's shoulders. "Diana, you agreed to let us decide if he is worthy of you after the laws of Man's World recognized your union. You yourself just said that that condition has been met."

Before I can blink, Wally is beside me. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! You can't just leave now!"

I watch the others as we all turn our attention to Wally, noting two in particular. First, I see Hippolyta, looking at Flash with contempt. She must remember his outbursts when she initially exiled Diana. The other I note is John Stewart's. I can't hear him groan as he buries his face in his hand, but I'm pretty sure he is. I share his concerns, but I certainly won't turn down a voice of protest.

"These things have orders, proper procedures—traditions! There's a whole bunch of people waiting to give speeches, there's a whole lot of dancing you'll miss out on—and have you seen that wedding cake?" He turns as he finishes, gesturing with both arms to the large, white, multi-layered wedding cake sitting on its own table. There's enough cake there to feed everyone here but Wally cake for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day for a week.

The Amazonian queen glances at the monstrous dessert, but her expression doesn't betray anything apart from indifference. Wally's expression falls, his hopes crumbling. Hippolyta turns away once more. "Diana."

My wife is about to speak again when I place a halting hand on her arm, just below her right elbow. "Bruce?"

"It's alright, Diana." I see my mother-in-law stop and turn back with a little surprise. I glance to Dick quickly and he immediately replies with the slightest of nods. "I'm ready."

"Come on! What about the party? What about the dancing? What about the cake?" Wally demands to know.

"Finish the party without us. Freeze the cake and we'll have it when we get back." My response does nothing to encourage the crestfallen hero, so I take another look at the cake, then look to a gently smiling Diana, and finally turn back to the speedster with a smile. "Alright, how about if we just freeze the top for later." I turn to my oldest ally. "That won't be a problem, will it, Alfred?"

He hesitates before answering. "No, not at all, sir. I'll ensure the remainder of the cake is fairly distributed amongst your guests." He glances to Hippolyta and then snaps his focus back to Diana and myself. "Rest assured, the manor will still be whole when you return. Enjoy yourselves as best you can," he bids, clearly struggling with a few certain words.

I reach out, place a hand on his shoulder and smile as best I can. We both know the trip will be nothing to enjoy, but the least I can do to ease his mind is let him know that I'm prepared. Diana steps up to him as I step away. "Thank you, Alfred. We'll see you soon."

Alfred nods his thanks as Diana turns and thanks all of our guests for their attendance, then apologizes for our early departure. She catches up to her mother and me a few moments later, as our guests send us off with clapping and congratulatory cheers. We join hands as we both fall into step behind Hippolyta and I intentionally let her wander for a few minutes before helpfully directing her towards an exit on the backside of the manor.

When we finally get to the Javelin, Diana quickly changes out of her dress—with a little help from me to get her started—and takes the controls to fly us to the island of her birth. When she's again clad in her armor and the medical bay is free, I take the time to do the same, changing out of my suit and donning my cape and cowl for the trials that await.

After ensuring that our wedding clothes are properly stored, I join mother and daughter in the cockpit. I place a gloved hand on Diana's shoulder before seating myself directly behind her. She turns back for a moment, smiles, then does a quick double take when she realizes I'm dressed as Batman.

"Bruce! When did you have time to smuggle that aboard?"

"I could ask you the same, Princess."

"My armor is magic, I can summon it whenever I require—you haven't answered my question."

"I asked Dick to load it on board when I heard that Shayera had arrived…with company."

"You needn't tread lightly around me, Bruce Wayne." There's an undeniable anger in her tone as she speaks my name. "After marking my daughter and now having taken her hand in marriage, there is little that you can do to offend me further." Diana begins to chastise her, but she lifts her hand to cut her off.

"It is clear that I can no longer ignore that Diana sees something worthwhile in you. Be thankful that her appeals did not fall on deaf ears." She turns to me, mildly surprised when, after she turns her head, the chair itself turns as well. "I will condone your union with my daughter, but only if you prove yourself before us on Themyscira."

She pauses, staring at my lenses, trying to pierce them to see my eyes, but clearly struck by my even expression below the cowl. "You seem unsurprised."

"I've known for weeks that this was going to happen. I only expected that we would go to you once we were ready. Still, after being warned of your arrival, I'd hoped you would have had more patience before demanding we leave Gotham."

A bit of a proud smirk lifts the corners of her lips. "Then I apologize for disappointing you." Her expression hardens as she pauses to refocus herself. "I pray for your sake that you do not disappoint us in the weeks to come, Bruce Wayne. I thought you a coward for the way you fought the mad god Hades, but Diana defended you quite vehemently. It is only for her sake that I offer you another chance to prove yourself."

I nod my understanding, hoping that with those last few lines, she let slip her true concern. With all her faith that the Olympian gods will protect Themyscira, she may see little need to protect the whole of our world, but not even all the faith in the world can keep a mother from trying to protect her daughter.

The question, then, is how she wants to protect Diana. If I can figure out what threat our marriage and Diana's deeper immersion into 'Man's World' most represents, I can determine the best approach to the tests laid out before me. It will be simple enough to display myself an unconvincing physical threat to Diana, but all the work that we've done—everything I've taught her since we began training her for Gotham may come back to haunt me if misconstrued as an affront to her heritage.

---

Author's Note: Reviews are welcome and appreciated, but certainly not required. Thank you for reading.

So, needless to say, I never intended to have so long of a delay between chapters. Truth be told, the ceremony got me. I had some grand plans laid out, but didn't write them anywhere convenient. As I worked at the beginning of the chapter, those plans faded and fell apart, forcing me to restart nearly from scratch. A few times, I considered posting shorter and more frequent chapters just to get out what I had written, but I do have a plan for the remainder of the story that's a little clearer (and better recorded) than the plans for this chapter's ceremony, so I wanted to make sure I got everything in that I had intended to.

Thank you all for your continued patience.

As a final note, you may have seen the new petition aiming to get DC to put Batman and Wonder Woman together, or at least flirting, as we saw in some pre-DCnU comics and in the DCAU. You may take a look at the petition and say to yourself that we won't get anything done with so few signatures and you're probably right. I thought the same. And that's precisely why we need more names, more heartfelt comments and arguments.

The more of us speak together, the stronger our voices are.

Link'll be in my profile, because the Doc Manager hates me.