Chapter 25- Children
December 25th, 10:39am
"You didn't have to" Raven smiled as she let Garfield drop a silver parcel onto her lap.
Garfield sat down beside her, "Well I did" he grinned.
She examined the present in her hands and gently shook it. It rattled slightly and she eyed it curiously.
"Go on, open it" Garfield encouraged.
"The wrapping is nice" Raven observed as she began to rip it as carefully as she could.
Garfield watched her with interest, waiting for her reaction.
She smiled softly as she pulled out the first gift.
Raven pulled the fluffy deep blue blanket up to her face, rubbing the soft fabric on her cheek.
"Do you like it?" Garfield asked.
"I love it"
"There's still something else in there" Garfield said.
Raven peered into the package and pulled out the small box. It was the type of box that usually holds jewellery.
She opened it, hoping that Garfield hadn't spent too much money on her.
She put her hand over he mouth when she saw what it was.
A silver chain with a tiny black bird on the end of it.
"It's a Raven" Raven said, her eyes filling with joyful tears.
"Heh, yeah" Garfield said.
Raven pulled him into a hug, "thank you" She held the chain in her hands delicately, "I wish I had a chance to get you something"
She had been in hospital suffering from dehydration for the past couple of days, and had only gotten home on Christmas Eve.
"Having you safe and home is the best present I could ask for" Garfield said.
Raven kissed him softly, "hm, maybe there is a something I can give you" She grinned mischievously.
(Scene Break)
Starfire beamed happily, "You really mean it?!"
Dick nodded as he put the turkey into the oven, "Of course I mean it. I am serious about you, and I think our colleagues should know"
Starfire smiled, "you mean your friends?"
"Well I suppose they are friends in a way." Dick said thoughtfully.
Starfire stood behind him, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, "you have invited them for dinner, is that not a sign of friendship?"
"Hm, looks who's becoming a detective" Dick smiled, spinning around and kissing the foreign girl on the lips softly.
She received the kiss playfully as her cheeks lit up with joy.
Dick went back to preparing the dinner, a similar grin on his face as the one worn by his girlfriend. He felt almost giddy at the thought of announcing his relationship to his coworkers.
Of course he had been waiting until he knew if Logan and Roth were an item, to save either of them feeling down about another successful relationship beginning because of the job.
They had thus far not said anything, but he knew love when he saw it.
He kept on smiling as he prepared the vegetables, almost singing a tune to himself.
Starfire left the kitchen, more excited than ever for the night ahead.
(Scene Break)
"Vic stop shuffling like that" Karen said as they waited patiently at Captain Grayson's front door.
"I can't help it I'm freezin'" Victor pointed out, rubbing his hands together speedily.
Grayson's secretary opened the door and greeted them both with a warm hug, "I'm sorry that I was not fast at answering the door" she apologised welcoming the couple into the house, "we did not realise how late it is getting"
Karen and Victor shared a look that told the other that they knew exactly what caused the delay, and they hid their smirks.
"Merry Christmas" Dick Grayson said as Karen and Victor entered the lounge area followed by Starfire.
Dick was wearing a very casual dress shirt without the tie and was almost slouching in his armchair, glass in hand.
"Merry Christmas!" Karen smiled, nudging Victor to repeat it.
"Would you care for a drink?" Dick asked, standing up and taking the bottle of eight year old scotch, only used on the specialist of occasions, from its cabinet.
"Yeah" Victor said gratefully, "it's Christmas Day and I haven't had anything to drink yet"
"None for me thanks" Karen said, "I'm driving"
The door went again before Dick got the chance to offer her another drink. Starfire bounced out of the room, red hair flying behind her.
"She seems happy" Victor observed.
"It's her first proper Christmas, I wanted to make it special for her." Dick said in an unusual moment of honesty.
"We'll make sure it is Captain" Victor smiled handsomely.
Even though they were the only guests that were left to arrive, the three in the lounge knew who it was before they saw them thanks to Garfield's loud cheerful voice.
"Looks like Starfire isn't the only one who's extra happy today" Victor chuckled.
(Scene Break)
Raven tugged at her dress as she watched herself in the bathroom mirror. Dinner was just about to start and she had excused herself to double check she looked presentable.
Garfield had told her she looked gorgeous in her slick black dress, but she didn't feel it.
He had tried so hard to make today he really good day, and she had tried so hard to forget all the bad things in her life, but she just couldn't. Especially not in this dress.
She had complained about having nothing to wear, so Garfield being Garfield rummaged through her closet and picked this out.
Raven didn't want to tell him that Malchior picked it out specially for her. That he told her to wear it so he had something to look at.
She didn't want to bring that demon up on Christmas.
Pushing her hair out of her face, Raven finished up in the bathroom, and made the long track to the dining hall.
On her way, she admired the stunning interior of the Captain's mansion. He really was blessed to be adopted by Gotham's most eligible billionaire.
When she finally got back and took her seat, the food was on the table.
Dick stood up as she sat down, he held his glass in his hand.
"A toast" He said.
The party rose to their feet, Garfield giving Raven's hand a squeeze of encouragement, sensing her feelings.
"Christmas is a time to be with people. Friends, family, colleagues… Or all three. Relationships are something to be treasured, something that many people take for granted these days… And that's why today, I'm not going to take my relationship for granted. I'd like to take this opportunity to officially announce my relationship with Starfire."
Nobody at the table looked surprised.
"It's about time" Victor teased.
Dick cleared his throat and continued, "to friends and family" he raised his glass and everyone done the same.
"Since we are doing announcements" Karen said, her face beaming, "Victor and I have some news also. I'm pregnant"
Raven swore she heard Garfield almost choke but said nothing.
"I am so the happy for you!" Starfire said in glee.
"Congratulations" Raven said.
Victor out his arm around Karen and kissed the side of her head.
"You hear that Gar? you're gonna' be an uncle!" Victor said.
"Dude…" was all Garfield could say.
"When is the baby due?" Dick asked.
"Actually it's babies" Karen said receiving another set of shocked gasps and congratulations from the table. "Summer, the twins are due in summer"
"This is so cool" Garfield finally said. "You're gonna' be a dad! And you're gonna' be a mom!"
"That is how it works Garfield" Karen laughed.
"I'm so happy for you guys!" Garfield said in complete awe. "Little mini Vic's runnin' about!"
"They're going to be mini Karen's too Garfield" Raven pointed out
Karen gave Raven a grateful nod, "Exactly, I'm the one that's going to be most of the work before they come, so they are very much mini Karen's right now."
Victor kissed his wife again, a wide smiling plastered on his face, he was beyond happy.
(Scene Break)
Garfield caught Raven in the hallway, catching her by the hand and spinning her around to face him as she was making her way to the lounge. In the short time it had taken her to go to the bathroom and back, Garfield had apparently somehow consumed a full glass of strong smelling liquor.
"How great is it that Vic is gonna' be a dad?!" Garfield said, his words slurring.
Raven was not nearly as drunk as Garfield and she looked wearily at him as he staggered back and forth, struggling against gravity.
"It's great Garfield." She said trying to swerve around him to join the party in the lounge.
Garfield put his hand on Raven's waist, pulling her in to him. She let him do so as she was now more comfortable around him and they were at times extremely close in proximity. He kissed her passionately, albeit drunkenly but still passionately.
"What do you think our children will be like?" Garfield asked pulling Raven even closer to him.
Raven stiffened under his arms.
"Why don't we get you home?" She asked, trying to keep her voice cool but it shook uncertainly.
Garfield wanted to protest but couldn't, "Are you trying to get me alone Detective?" He giggled.
"Yes, that's my plan." Raven said sarcastically, rolling her eyes. She placed Garfield's arm over her shoulder, he mumbled something incomprehensible as Raven moved him into the lounge.
"What did you say?" She asked as the walked.
Garfield moaned in tiredness, "I said that I love you. I love you. You, Raven Roth I love you. I love love love love you. I love you. I love you. Raven is the person I love!" His voice began to rise as he sang.
Raven decided to take no noticed as she excused herself and her drunken partner, called a cab and got him home.
It was not until she was lying, staring at the ceiling with a passed out Garfield breathing heavily beside her that she began to consider it.
Facing his back, she ran her fingers softly over his bare skin, he was so real. The most real thing in her life.
She loved him, she knew she did, but love never really worked out for her.
Closing her eyes, she concluded that this may have been her best Christmas ever. And Garfield's confession was the greatest gift had ever received.