I am so sorry. I honestly had not realized how long it had been since I posted a chapter. Every time I went to finish the chapter something got in the way whether it be finals, the holidays, starting a new job, or taking an advanced quantitative methods course. But I finally was able to finish it and with Spring break being next week I am planning on getting a good portion of the next chapter completed as well. I don't know when the chapter will be up but I know it won't be another 5-ish months.
Elizabeth was sitting with Edward down in the basement. "Rob" had not returned so she was acting as Edward's wire holder and tool provider.
"Needle nose," Edward said holding out his hand. Elizabeth handed him the tool.
"I'm sorry to expose you to all this," Elizabeth told Edward as she watched him work.
"Don't worry about it, dear. Your family is far more functional than mine ever was. Compared to my family holidays this is a dream. Only one threat of physical violence so far. A record Christmas for me...tape."
Elizabeth traded the pliers for the black electrical tape. "Yeah, I guess, you're right. Guns have been only drawn once. Though I am half surprised that the Colonel didn't challenge you to a duel."
Edward chuckled, "there is still time. A duel to defend your honor."
The door to the basement creaked open and somebody came down the wooden staircase, shutting the door behind them as they went. "Well hello, 'Rob'," Elizabeth greeted without looking.
"We need to talk," the young man said standing at the bottom of the staircase his arms crossed, leaning against one of the supports.
"Of course, we need to," Edward sighed sitting up from his position messing with the wires. "You bat freaks can't let anything ever go to rest."
"I'm not with him anymore," Robin defended. "I want to know how you knew, Miss Howard."
"Firstly, don't call me that. Secondly, I'm not going to lie. We've know for a while who are you Mr. Grayson. You and Bruce."
Edward grinned. "Don't look so surprise, Dick. I am a master riddler solver after all, it did not take much for me to figure it out. As for Elizabeth her wonderful nose knows many things."
"And don't look so worried. We don't care. Especially since you have now left the Batfamily, as it were. We could care even less though if you told us something."
Robin's brow rose. "You are asking for information? When you just told me you've known who mine and Batman's secret identities are?"
"Well, yes. Is there something else you wanted to talk about? We are rather busy fixing the lighting here. So unless you are going to help…"
Robin sighed and massaged the bridge of his nose. "What did you want to know?"
"It is simple, why did you leave the Bat? He's gotten far too violent since you left. We - the Rogues, that is - think that you were keeping him in check. We want you to do so again, well, Elizabeth and I, at least. The two of us like our limbs to be functioning, thank you very much."
"I can't sorry. I left because he didn't trust me."
Elizabeth and Edward looked at each. "Yeah, that sounds reasonable."
Nodding in agreement Elizabeth looked back at the ex-Robin. "Guess we will have to rely on the rumors of a new Robin."
"A new Robin?" A myriad of emotions crossed Robin's face, finally resting on irritated.
"Yeah, but it has just been some gangbangers who have seen him. No one...legit." Edward grinned and laid back down. "Run along now, Robin, we're working."
"About that," Robin said scratching the back of his head. "Doe wants to see you Nygma, so I am supposed to help Elizabeth now."
Both Edward and Elizabeth groaned, both thinking the same thing: What could she want with him? With a sigh Edward handed the wires off to Elizabeth who took them and then his spot. "Very well, Robin, just don't let her bite."
As Robin took Elizabeth previous spot Edward headed upstairs. He found her in the kitchen putting sugar cookies in the oven. There were others cooling on a plate with dyed frosting in a bowl next to them. "You asked to see me, Doe?"
"Yes, Edward," Doe said taking a different plate of cooled cookies and the frosting and moving over to the table. "Sit, please and help me frost the cookies. I have something I must speak to you about."
Edward grinned and sat at the table. Taking one of the butter knives she had provided he picked up a star shaped cookie and began frosting. It was more difficult than would seem. Doe smiled and joined him at the table. "Now then, I wanted to speak with you alone. Its why I asked you up here. Edward, can you tell me your intentions involving my Lisbeth?"
"My intentions?" Edward a chuckled, "what is this the Victorian era?"
Doe narrowed her eyes. "Last night I used the Google to look you up. I read about your henchwomen, your liaisons with the Catwoman, and your habit of playing minds games. Now, I know you came all the way out here with Elizabeth but what guarantee can you give me that you aren't just stringing her along?"
Edward was silent for a few seconds as he finished frosting a cookie. "I can give you nothing but my word," he finally said picking up another cookie and beginning to frost it.
The timer for the oven dinged and Doe got up to take out the batch of cookies. When she came back to the table she reached into her apron pocket and withdrew something small, placing it before Edward. Looking down Edward grinned. It was the small velvet box that he had hidden in his suitcase.
"Digging through my dirty laundry too. I can see how Elizabeth is related to you, naughty, naughty."
Doe did not return Edward's smile. "I don't need to look inside to know what it is. You want to rethink what you said."
Edward's grin broadened. Picking up the box he opened and showed Doe. Inside was a plain usb drive. Doe's brow knitted together in confusion. "Not a ring," he needlessly explained. "But a different kind of proposal...perhaps I should have chosen a different box."
Grandma Doe looked put out. Her plan did not go as she wanted. "What kind of proposal are you making then?"
"I commend your curiosity but that is really between Elizabeth and I. You don't want to know more about the criminal activities of your granddaughter. Trust me."
Doe's weathered face turned down in a scowl. "Don't you go about telling me what I should and shouldn't want, young man. Now, I haven't been a part of Elizabeth's life for a while because of my son but I intend to be a part of it for the rest of my own life. Which will be several more years to come mind you. And being a part of her life I want to know everything, criminal or no, that goes on with her."
Edward laughed at the old woman's words. "I understand. I will say then, this proposal is personal, for Elizabeth alone to decide to take or deny."
Breathing in deeply Doe gave a nod of understanding. Her eyes glanced over to the cookies and she got up to transfer the slightly cooled cookies off the backing tray onto a cooling rack to harden fully. As she worked she spoke again. "So I suppose I am not getting grandchildren from you two then, if you aren't getting married."
"I am not sure what the future holds," Edward replied with a shrug. It wasn't his place to tell Doe that Elizabeth could not have children. "I certainly won't have any - excuse the term - bastards running around, that is for sure."
"So you may be getting married then?"
Edward was glad Doe's back was to him as he rolled his eyes. Glancing over at her he snuck a cookie into his pocket before stirring the hornet's nest with his response. "I never really understood the institute of marriage, actually. Even if I did there isn't a point to it for us. Elizabeth and I already cohabitate, with all the benefits, and it's not like we pay taxes so there isn't even that benefit. It would just be a waste of time that would be better spent planning our next heist...or indulging in other pleasures."
Grandma Doe huffed and returned to the table to frost more cookies. "What about joining together in the eyes of God? What about showing the world the commitment you have made to each other? What about bringing her into your family? Making her Mrs. Elizabeth Nygma?"
A smirk crossed Edward's face. "I'm agnostic so I do not care about any possible god's opinion. I don't have any real family...but the other two points I will concede. I should say that I do not mind that idea of marriage to Elizabeth...making her Mrs. E. Nygma. You haven't asked me the most important question though."
Pulling the box out of his pocket he set it down on the table pointedly. Doe stared at the box for several seconds. "That is a ring box. Where did you get the box?"
"That is the right question," Edward grinned. Picking the box back up he popped it into his pocket once more. "Each time I pull off a major heist I keep a portion of the prize hidden away - for a rainy day, you might say. For this trip I dipped into one of my stores, the store I chose happened to be jewelry. As I was picking pieces to fence I began paying attention to the rings. I realized that I was imagining how they would look on Elizabeth and which one she would like the most. As I said I do not mind the idea but there are other factors to take into consideration."
Doe, who had been looking quite pleased at Edward's revelations, frowned in confusion. "What factors? What else is there to consider? If you love her, want to be with her the rest of your lives, then marry her."
"One of them is how she will view the proposal I am making...also we have no idea how long this is going to last. Between the Batman, the GCPD, ARGUS, not to mention other criminals; who knows how long ''til death do us part' will be."
"All the more reason to ask her as soon as you can."
The family had gathered in the living room once more. All was quiet however it was an uncomfortable silence. Grandma Doe looked around at her family and shook her head slowly. "Alright. I apologize but, Elizabeth, Edward, perhaps, it would be best if you don't come to the candlelight service with us. I can tell James still needs some time."
"I understand Grandma. If you think it is best we won't come along." Elizabeth replied making sure her thrill at not needing to go was hidden.
"Thank you. Come along then everyone. We will need to leave now with the snow." There was a few seconds pause before the rest of the family stood and filed out of the room. Elizabeth and Edward remained seated on the couch as the family put on their coats and other winter-wear.
"See you in a couple hours," Mary-Ann called as the rest of the family left.
"Bye, Mom, Grandma, everyone," Elizabeth replied. The door shut and the criminal couple was silent for a few long seconds.
"So," Edward finally said as he stretched his legs out languidly, "what do you want to do first: hack your father's ARGUS laptop or fuck in front of the fire?"
Edward grinned as Elizabeth leaned into him nuzzling his neck. She kissed up his neck and gentle pulled his earlobe with his teeth. "I believe that we should exchange presents."
"Oh?" Grabbing Elizabeth's hand Edward placed it on his crotch, on his half hard cock. "I hope part of yours is finishing what you started."
"Mmmm, it can be...let me go get the rest then." Moving off the couch Elizabeth ran upstairs. Edward followed slowly. When he had changed for the church service he had removed Elizabeth's present from his pants.
"I need to get yours," he said knocking on the door to their room. It opened and Elizabeth slipped out, disappointingly still dressed.
"Go ahead, I'll meet you downstairs."
With a nod Edward entered the room and grabbed the present. He looked at the velvet box consideringly. Perhaps, he should have chosen something better, something less misleading. While, hindsight is always 20/20. Making his way back downstairs Edward rejoined Elizabeth in front of the fire. In her hands was a small envelope with a bow on it. Edward's eyebrow quirked as he sat back down.
"So who goes first," he asked hiding his present behind his back.
"I will. Merry Christmas, Edward." Elizabeth said holding out the envelope for him to take. He did so. Removing the bow and carefully unsticking the backside of the envelope Edward pulled out the papers inside. Curiously he looked them over, they looked like mock legal documents.
"As much as I loathe to say it, dear, I don't understand," Edward told Elizabeth as his eyes scanned the papers.
"Sorry, I-uh-I didn't have any opportunity to get you anything real. I had tons of ideas but no way to get anything in the time I had. But with these, it is-well-it is a contract, or a promise. I didn't know how else to give it to you, so I drew up some paperwork."
Edward looked at her instead of the papers, "and what, precisely, are you promising?"
"That when you get bored of me that I won't try and kill you out of revenge for leaving me."
Blinking slowly Edward looked down at the papers again. ""When?"" He finally replied. "Do you have so little faith in me?"
"No...it's just that I know you get bored easily, so if there is ever a time you get bored with-" Edward held a finger up to her lips, ceasing her speech. Standing up he took the papers and threw them into the fire.
"I won't ever get bored of you Elizabeth and if I somehow do...well I am far more likely to kill you then tell you."
Elizabeth frowned at the papers, now black ash, in the fire. "Great, thanks for ruining my present. Now I have to think of something else."
"I'm sure you will come up with something." With a grin Edward readied his present. "I apologize about the box, after a rather intrusive conversation with your grandmother, I realized it is misleading. But...Merry Christmas."
Elizabeth took the ring box, a look of surprise and curiosity on her face. When she opened said box the curiosity grew into confusion. "Okay my turn, I don't understand."
"I wouldn't expect you to. Upon that usb is a new identity for you. I am very much aware that this life, criminal life, is not how you thought your life would turn out. I know you wanted a normal life, a steady job, a husband, kids. We both know that you can't have these in Gotham. So, I created a new identity for you to live as you wanted to-"
"And what about you?" Elizabeth interjected. "Would you be joining me in this normal life?"
"You know I wouldn't be able to do that."
"Yes, I was just making sure." Smiling at him Elizabeth crushed the usb before tossing the remains in the fire. "Sorry, darling, you can't get rid of me that easily."
"Great, thanks for ruining my present," Edward quoted her own words back at her, "Now I have to think of something else."
Elizabeth grinned and quoted in turn, "I'm sure you will come up with something."
The two stared at each other the semi-playful mood turned contemplative. After a minute of only the crackling sound of the fire Elizabeth spoke. "Thank you, though. For the gift. It was very thoughtful and...sacrificial. Not what I expected, most certainly."
"And what did you expect?"
"From an egotist such as yourself without much experience in gift giving? I expected a sexy outfit in your colours. Not something where you would willing give up one of your puzzles, your toys."
Edward was silent for a few seconds. "Admittedly, I made the identity, I would easily be able to find you but if you had accepted it I would have made every effort not to...you're not a toy to me, Elizabeth, you aren't a puzzle, in the sense that you are something that I play with to keep myself entertained. In the beginning perhaps you were but somewhere along the way...when Cuvier took you I realized how you affected me. Perhaps, I am culpable for you believing that I would bore of you, that I saw you as a toy, a puzzle, a possession that I would throw away when the novelty had been expunged. You are not!"
Taking Elizabeth's hands into his own Edward stared into her eyes, her beautiful golden eyes. "It is difficult for me to explain. Inside my head the thoughts they are alway swirling around, I have four or five different train of thoughts at once. I need them all to keep me from spiraling into ennui, admittedly the necessity does become overwhelming at times...when you are with me though, there is a form of...tranquility. With you my mind does not need to work on superfluous projects, that will never be completed, just to remain entertained."
Edward tightened his grip on Elizabeth. "I have never struggled to find words until now, but trying to explain this to you. I need you to understand...no riddles, no more anagrams: I love you, Elizabeth. Whatever version of neurochemicals bouncing around between my synapse that qualifies as love for me, that is what I feel for you. It is because of you. I have never felt like this towards something - someone - before. At risk of sounding the same as a discount bin romance novel love interest if I go on any longer: Elizabeth, do you understand?"
Elizabeth was staring into Edward's eyes, a soft but unreadable smile on her face. Removing her hands from Edward's grip she placed them, instead, on either side of his head. Pulling herself up she kissed him. The kiss was closed lip but somehow more passionate than anything with tongue would have been.
"I understand, Edward," she said looking into his eyes properly again. "I wish I could express myself as beautifully as you did, right now but what you said really turned me on; so I'd rather just fuck and try later when I am not as distracted by my aching sex organs. Is that okay?"
Snatching her hands away from his head Edward pressed Elizabeth down into the couch. "Most certainly, my love."
Okay so question time I guess. It has been awhile...so how is everyone doing? Personally, I am doing very well. I got a new part time job and am working on a co-authored paper with one of my professor to be submitted for publishing this summer. I can't believe I'm nearly done with my first year of my Master's Program...and that I'm already looking at Ph.D programs...I have a love-hate relationship with adulting.
