Chapter 21

Two years later

I pulled up the long drive to the mansion. The reconstruction had finished about three months prior. Bruce had added a new barn, and we'd bought some horses. The mansion itself was huge and if it wasn't for Bruce and Alfred, I would have been lost.

I came home from work that day and walked right into the kitchen. Alfred took my things and I slumped back into the lap of the man I loved. He held me close and kissed my forehead. "How was work?" he asked gently.

I shrugged and pulled away enough to meet his eyes. "It was the same as always. I think I'm getting bored with the desk job at the MCU," I told him quietly. Our gazes meet and his scowl deepened. "I'm not saying I'm gonna transfer back to my old job, but maybe patrol would be better for me?"

He shook his head ,sighing heavily, "Catalina, we've talked about this…"

"I know we have but my job isn't fun anymore. I don't get the same satisfaction from it as I used to."

"After everything that happened…"

"That was two years ago Bruce."

"There are still monsters out there that could get at you." He kept my gaze holding steady with mine.

I stood from his lap. "That doesn't stop you from doing what you can for your city," I shot back. When he opened his mouth to counter I hurried on, "So, why should I let it stop me Bruce?" He closed his mouth still holding my gaze. There was a fire in his eyes that made me shiver. When he didn't answer I growled and walked out of the room and up to our bedroom.

Once inside, I walked right into our bathroom. I stripped and turned on the water, shutting the door behind me. Shutting the door was something I only did when I was angry at him. I stepped under the spray and let the water rolled down my body. My tensed muscles relaxed and I leaned against the wall. He was so damned stubborn sometimes.

Bruce's P.O.V

As I watched Cat walk off, I ran a hand through my hair. I knew it meant a lot to her, but I didn't want to risk her safety. No, she wasn't completely out of harm's way in the MCU, but it was the closest thing to being safe She would get.

I shifted my focus up from the table just in time to see the concerned look on Alfred's face. I raised an eyebrow, cocking my head to the side. "Alright, I know you're thinking something. What is it?" I asked him.

Alfred smiled a little and shrugged. "It is really none of my business Master Wayne, but perhaps you may be just a little over protective of the girl?" He shifted back to the sink to clean up some dishes. His back to me, he continued, "She hasn't even tried to stop you from being Batman. She supports you. God and I both know how many times she sat up wide awake till you come back up those stairs."

I sat there listening. Alfred had always been like my father, so I had no problem with the advice he came to give. I shifted my gaze back at the table. "I don't understand why she even has to work," I countered.

Alfred paused in what he was doing as if to really think about something. "Catalina is a proud woman. She would never live off of you, and she loves her job. She's a good woman, and I'm sure she's tiring of the Girlfriend game."

My gaze snapped up and my focus was completely on him now. "What are you saying?"

"Well, really Master Wayne, the two of you have been together for two years now, perhaps a little longer. Maybe it's time you gave up the bachelor ways?"

I sat there in shock for a moment, my mind taking in everything that he was saying. "You think I should marry her?"

This made Alfred turn to face me. "With all due respect, you'd be a fool to have not thought about it already." With that he snapped back to the dishes and was quiet.

I sat there a moment longer and then stood from the table. I made the walk to our room slowly. My mind still a buzz from that short conversation. Maybe Alfred was right. Maybe it was time for me to change my ways and settle down. Would I have to give up being Batman, or could I balance out my relationship, Batman and the start of a family?

When I made it to the room, I walked in and noticed the bedroom door was open but the bathroom door was not. I could hear the water still running. When the door was closed, it was basically her way of telling me to fuck off and let her cool down. She'd only shut the bathroom door on me twice before, making this the third time. The first time I made the mistake of letting myself in. She'd stopped mid shower and walked out with a towel wrapped around her.

I sat on the edge of the bed and waited patiently for her to come out. It was time I started to support her the way she has supported me.

Catalina P.O.V

I finished my shower and toweled off, wrapping it around my body. I opened the door and moved out into the room. Bruce was sitting on the bed and looked up at me. He didn't say anything. I moved over to my dresser pulling out a bra, and panties. He stood and moved up behind. I paused in my movement.

He dropped his hand to my waist, gently moving me around to face him. I sighed as I looked up at him. "Cat, I'm sorry. You've been so amazing about me being batman that somewhere along the way I forgot to support you, too." He paused and his hand came up to cup my cheek. My chest tightened with emotion. That was why I loved this man! That was the reason I had fallen for him. "If it would make you happy to do patrol, than you should do it."

I wrapped my arms around his neck, hugging him happily. He kissed my hair, sighing gently. I pulled away just enough to latch my lips onto his. He tightened his arms about me, deepening our kiss. When we both pulled back for air I smiled up at him. "Thank you so much," I whispered gently. He smiled and kissed my forehead.

He ran his hands across my back, the towel slipping with them. I blushed and moved to clutch the towel back in place. He smirked and let his eyes wander across my body. "I think maybe we should make up now." I laughed and kissed him again. He picked me up and I wrapped my legs about his waist.

"I think I really like that idea," I murmured against his ear. He shivered and maneuvered us back to the bed. He laid me down gently, covering the expanse of my body with his. His hands moved to pull away the towel. My own hands worked to remove the clothing from his body.

The next day, I went in and smoothed over the details with Gordon. He was thrilled to have me back on the streets. He told me it was where I belonged. Things were great. Bruce and I couldn't have been better off. I even talked Alfred into taking a day off. As you can imagine though, it didn't last too long.

The day of my birthday rolled around all too quickly. Bruce and I had gone out to dinner to celebrate. As we rolled up to the Manor, I gasped at all the decorations that lined the drive way. Bruce took my hand, squeezing it gently. "Happy Birthday Catalina!" his voice was soft but intense as we parked the car.

Bruce leaned over and pecked my lips before getting out to open my door. I moved my way slowly up to the house, taking everything in. "It's beautiful Bruce," I told him happily.

"Oh, that's not all."

I raised an eyebrow and sighed, "What do you mean When we entered the Manor, the lights flipped on and people screamed a mixture of Happy Birthdays and Surprises.I blushed and laughed hugging people I didn't know, and kissing the cheeks of the ones I did. Gordon and Barbra were there, along with some men from the MCU.

Hours later, after the cake had been eaten and the presents unwrapped, I spent some time with my aunt and Uncle. Bruce came over and took my hand. "May I steal her from you?" he asked quietly. My uncle smirked knowingly. My aunt smiled and turned to her husband.

I raised a suspicious eyebrow and followed Bruce to the middle of the ball room. "Bruce?" I questioned. He stopped and turned to face me. He placed a gentle finger on my lips to quiet me, then replaced his finger with his lips. The kiss was shorter than I had liked, but it was the sweetest I'd ever felt.

"Can I have everyone's attention please?!" Bruce called out.

The room started to go silent, their eyes staring at us and causing me to blush.

"Please everyone! There is still one thing I would like to do before we end such a marvelous night," he stated and took my hand, "Catalina, we've been together for a while now, and every day I wake up beside you and I thank whatever God there is that he gave you to me."

I blushed and lowered my gaze. He used a finger to make me look at him, "You're the only one I want to be with, and I think it's time we make this final, my love."

He bent down on a knee and kissed the knuckles of my left hand as his right produced a small box from his coat pocket, "Marry me, love?"

Tears formed in my eyes. Before he could even open the box I was nodding, "Yes…" I choked out… "Oh God Bruce, of course!"

He never opened the box, but instead popped up to full height and hugged me. The crowd around us launched into a roar of applause! Bruce kissed me happily as others crowded around to congratulate us.

After all the guests had left, Bruce and I lay in bed that night before he was to go on patrol. My head on his chest, wrapped securely in his arms, we set a date and settled that we would have it at the manor. We talked awhile longer about plans that had to be made before he left me for a night of crime fighting. He brushed his lips across my cheek and left me to sleep.

Bruce and I had finally set a date and it was just three months away. I rolled over to an empty bed and smiled. He'd be coming in soon from a night of crime fighting. I had it all planned out how I would tell him my news. I bit my lip as I thought about how he would react. I was so lost in the thought that I hadn't heard him come in. I felt the bed shift and an arm pull me in tight against his amazingly toned body.

I rolled over in his arms and cupped his cheek in one hand. I used my other to prop up my head. His eyes fluttered for a moment, and then snapped open with a bit of effort. "How was it tonight?"

"It was alright, Crane keeps escaping from Arkham and I'm starting to get pissed." He informed me.

I smiled, leaning over to place a gentle kiss on his forehead. "I'm sure you'll get him. You always do." I ran my hand down his neck to his bare chest smoothing out the plans of muscle. He shivered under my fingers. I smiled and pushed him on his back playfully.

He raised an eyebrow as I moved quickly to straddle his hips. I leaned down to kiss him and quickly moved my lips to his neck. He groaned softly from deep within his chest, a sound I loved to hear. "I have something to tell you…" I whispered as I nipped at the sensitive muscle. He shivered beneath me but didn't respond. He just waited. I sat up, looking down at him. His hands were massaging my waist.

"What do you think about kids?" I asked with a sly smirk.

His shrug worried me at first but he paused halfway through it, meeting my eyes. I nodded slowly as if I could read what his mind was asking. He bolted upright and kissed me eagerly.

"So you're pregnant!?" he asked in a mixture of excitement and disbelief.

I just nodded and laughed.

"I'm going to be a dad?" he put a hand on his forehead and laid back down. He mumbled, "Wow, I'm going be a father."

I giggled and kissed him again. "Are you alright?" I asked still a little worried.

He tossed me a glance and then smiled widely."I'm perfect," he pulled me into his chest, holding me close, "I'm better than I have been in years."

*~So guys, this is it. All done with this one. Look for my new story coming out. I don't have a title for it yet, but here's the synopsis:

Vivian is part of something anciet, something mystical, and now that thing is attacking the streets of Gotham to get to her. Can she help Gordon and Batman save the city from this new tormentor? Or will she get caught up in trying to out run the past?

Comment to read more.~*