Disclaimer: I do not own anything by DC Comics or Christoper Nolan.
Author's Note: Merry Christmas! Thanks to all those who reviewed, favorited, followed, etc.
"Dad, you seriously went overboard with the decorating this year." Regan murmured as she took in her parents holiday décor. Dick stood beside her taking in all the lights, bows, and nutcrackers. The faint rumble of model train echoed from the living room.
"I have a grandson, and a future grandchild. I'm making the mansion kid-friendly." He replied back with a huge grin.
Regan rolled her eyes, "Well, in that case, Merry Christmas, Dad." She hugged him tightly and moved toward her mother. Her mother had aged considerably since the whole Mercedes turned Harley Quinn incident. "Hey Mom, Merry Christmas."
"How's my grandbabies doing?" she returned. Regan raised an eyebrow. "I mean, Merry Christmas to you too darling." She passed her and went to greet Dick. Regan watched with amusement as her parents fussed over Dick. The whole 'how's school? Any girlfriends?' bit never got old. Dick had mentioned that he had taken a liking to Commissioner Gordon's daughter, Barbara. But now was not the time to embarrass him any further.
"Regan, where's Bruce?" Her father's voice pulled her out of musings. She looked like a deer caught in head lights. She hadn't called him. In fact, the tabloids had released photos of him and some model at a high class function a few weeks ago. That had been the final straw. The call had never been made. They were still in the apartment. She had removed her ring and began to wear it as a necklace instead. She was waiting for an apology.
"Uh, he..." She trailed off.
"I'm right here, Sir." Regan swiveled to see Bruce standing with Jason in the doorway. His arms full of gifts for the boys. Both Bruce and Jason were dressed in gray sweaters and black slacks. "Thank you for the invite, Mrs. Carmichael." Regan shot her Mom a glare. She paced toward them with a look of passiveness.
"Glad you could make it." She forced out as grabbed some of the gifts from his arms. Regan refused to make eye contact. Bruce frowned as he spied her ring on a chain, but his frown was replaced with surprise when he noticed that she was being to show. Her black pants and red sweater ensemble fit her well, but she had a little bump. Also, much to his surprise, Regan had cut her long hair off. Little did he know that she had cut it off the day that the tabloids had been published. The model had near her identical long hair, and Regan refused to have a doppelganger. Her make-up was done in golden tones which added to her pregnancy glow.
"You're showing?" He questioned. Regan nodded silently as she set the gifts down, under the 13 foot White Christmas themed tree.
Dick, dressed in black slacks and a cable blue sweater, cautiously approached Jason who seemed to be just as awkward as him. "So…" Dick began as Jason met him half way. "This is one cool awkward Christmas, huh?" Jason finished.
The boys grinned at one another. "Should we try to get them back together or just let them act like kids?"
"You have a plan?" Jason questioned as he watched the two exchange glares.
"Kinda. Mom needs to see him be romantic. We need to make him be that."
"Mom? You call her mom?" Jason asked in a hushed tone. Dick blushed and scratched the back of his head.
"I'll always love my parents, and I'm going to get revenge for what happened. But Regan, err, Mom, she's taken such good care of me, and I know that she cares about me. She worries so much about making me happy, and she spends all her spare time with me. It's like my Mom never really left…If that makes sense. I don't know."
Jason remained silent and then questioned, "She's not uptight?"
The Boy Wonder smirked, "Dude, she's cool."
Across the room, Regan was struggling to keep her emotions in check. Bruce was chatting up her dad like nothing had happened. Why were her parents so casual about everything? She turned her attention to the boys off in the corner who seemed to be getting along. Who was she supposed to talk to?
"I'm sorry." Her mom's voice sounded from her left.
"For what, Mom?" Regan turned to face her.
"I know that you're uncomfortable with having Bruce here. I saw the magazine pictures. I know you guys fought and you left." She paused and then added in a light tone, "Your father is horrible at keeping secrets."
Regan's eyes watered, "He hasn't apologized for anything."
"But it's Christmas. He and that boy didn't need to be alone." Regan's shoulders slouched in defeat.
"You win, Mom, okay?" Regan left the room and headed for the kitchen. Cravings had kicked in during their strained conversation. Pulling the refrigerator open, Regan scanned for her latest desire—pineapples. Unfortunately, it was the wrong season for pineapples. "Shit." She cursed as she closed the door.
"What are you looking for?" Regan jumped. She hadn't heard anyone, especially him, enter the room.
"Why do you care?" She countered as she took a deliberate step away from him. He visibly winced and seemed to think of a response. Regan decided it was time to confront him—screw if it was Christmas Eve.
"Was she all you hoped and dreamed? Did she keep your bed warm while I've been gone? Please tell me, she was able to fill my shoes in the cave?" Her voice was venomous and her eyes deadly.
His handsome face darkened and menaced back, "No."
"No to which, hmm? The fact that you let a woman hang on your arm when you put a ring on my finger is just…wrong. Do you even care about me, about us, the boys, our baby?" She raised her voice. The entire house could hear. The boys winced and remained in the other room—away from the impending drama. Her parents instantly entered the room to witness the battle of wills.
"Regan, it was never like that—you should know that. Of course I care. How could you think I didn't?"
"Really? You lost yourself to your work. You put that in front of everything. You never once addressed the elephant in the room. I finally understand what Rachel meant." It was a low blow.
He grew enraged, "Of course I noticed! I pushed as hard as I could to make it end. You left and everything fell apart. You didn't come back, even after Alfred told you...you didn't come back. I had her on my arm because she looked like you. You should know better than that. I came today to make things right, but I have a feeling that no matter what I say, you have already made up your mind."
Regan's gaze softened ever so slightly. "You're supposed to change my mind." She waited.
He closed the distance between the two of them. Wrapping his arms around her and keeping eye contact, he whispered, "It's always been you Rae. I love you, and I am sorry about what happened and what I did. I need you. The boys need us. I want us to be a family." He politely kissed her and as he pulled away, she pulled him into a deeper one. It was long, dragged out, and needy. A cough sounded from behind the couple. The two parted to see the boys watching them.
"Are you guys okay now?" Dick asked somewhat hesitantly. He had a strong feeling that the they'd be returning to the Palisades.
"Duh." Jason muttered under his breath causing the adults to laugh.
Dinner came and went. As soft 50's Christmas music drifted through the house, the Wayne's and Carmichaels found themselves sitting around the Christmas tree with the boys acting as Santa—passing out the gifts. "Grandpa Carmichael" had managed to get both of the boys to wear matching Santa hats. Both boys had given into their adoptive grandfathers begging. Bruce had managed to weasel his way out an elves hat, while Regan gave in and was currently wearing a pair of reindeer antlers. Clearly her parents had gone off the deep end, and since the drama was passed them, it gave them complete and utter freedom with their holiday cheer.
As time passed, Dick had managed to get a PS3, a vast amount of games, and season tickets for the Gotham City Rogues. Jason, on the other hand, received the rival X-Box, games, pocket knife, and an IPad. Both boys were grinning from ear to ear. Regan had received a few items for the baby and Bruce, a new watch and gloves.
"So, when are you moving back in with Bruce?" Her father questioned as he fiddled with his new cocktail set.
"The day after Christmas or something. I'm not going to spend Christmas Day packing."
Merry Christmas! Please review with holiday cheer!
