It's almost 'too normal.'
Dick and Harley have invited the Collins family over for dinner tonight at his small apartment, and they get a glimpse of what life could be like in a few years. Dick is ever aware of Will's warning: that this is now his life. And it may not be best to rush into it.
But who cares, when you're in love? Family is the most important thing to Dick. As the dinner winds to a close, he receives a call from Bruce- finally, his father wants him out in the field again- much to Harley's dismay.
"Okay, food's almost ready, the place is clean- why can't I live somewhere bigger- table's set, they'll be here soon… You ready?" Dick fidgeted nervously in the kitchen of his admittedly small apartment as he looked at Harley. He'd showered and cleaned himself up, wearing a simple white t-shirt and jeans. He'd insisted on shopping on the way home, so Harley now had practically an entire wardrobe still sitting in shopping bags in his bedroom, as well as anything else she'd wanted. She hadn't thought that all new clothes were completely necessary, especially since she wouldn't be able to wear most of them when she moved to maternity clothes, though she did admit that it was nice to be spoiled by Dick, even if it was Bruce's money they were spending.
"Yes," she laughed, drying her hands on a dish towel. "Are you? You look a little jumpy for dinner."
"I know I don't know why I'm nervous, it's just Will. Maybe because last time I was with them I nearly got their daughter killed," Dick laughed nervously, but the memory actually made him more nervous. He bit his lip.
"Or you could think of it as last time you were with them, you saved their daughter's life," she told him. Dick smiled, his shoulders relaxing a bit.
"You're right. And she adores me, what do I have to worry about?" he took a deep breath, nodding toward the stove. "Is it almost ready?"
"Yes. I'm not going to burn the chicken in the last five minutes." She put a hand on his chest. "Everything is going to be fine."
"You're right." Dick smiled, hugging her tight. "You're always right."
"And I thought I was supposed to be the crazy one."
"I love my crazy girl," he replied, and released her as there was a knock on the door. He went to answer, and Will greeted him in the hall. "Hello everyone! Come in, come in…" Dick smiled, ushering everyone inside.
"Wow Dick," Will laughed, "I never thought I'd say this in your apartment, but whatever's cooking smells good."
"Be nice." Molly elbowed her husband. Dick laughed merrily as Lilly hugged around his waist, giggling, and then took off into his apartment. Molly hugged him tight. "It's good to see you on your feet, Dick," she said gently.
"Thank you," he smiled. "I do feel a lot better. Kitchen, food and dining area are all that way," he gestured to the kitchen down the hall, and Lilly sprinted through the door. She beamed at Harley as Dick came into the kitchen behind her.
"Hi Barbara!" Lilly cried, and Dick quickly knelt beside her.
"No, this is Harley, Lilly," he quickly amended. The girl covered her mouth and giggled.
"Sorry Harley!"
"That's okay, Libby." Harley smiled.
"Lilly!" she corrected, flailing her arms.
"Lexi?" Harley asked.
"No it's Lilly, she squealed, giggling.
"Oh, so Lauren." She knelt down beside Lilly.
"No!" Lilly grabbed Harley's cheeks and moved her mouth as she said her name, "Lilly."
"Lilly? Are you sure?" Lilly nodded vigorously; she let loose a peal of laughter, tucking her arms back by her chest. "Well, Lilly, I'm Harley." She offered out her hand, and Lilly took it, shaking it quickly.
"You remember Harley, don't you?" Dick smiled, watching Harley lovingly. Molly stepped into the kitchen, leaning against the wall. Lilly nodded and ran back behind her mother, suddenly shy. Will followed Molly into the room, hooking his thumbs in his belt and smiling.
"Well, Dick, you always complain the apartment is small, but you've cleaned up nice," he said, and then looked at Harley. "I suppose it wasn't really your doing though, you're normally a slob…"
Dick laughed and shrugged. "I clean. Occasionally."
Will ignored him. "It's good to see you again," he said to Harley.
Inexplicably, she burst into tears. She covered her mouth at a half sob, and shook her head.
"I'm sorry," she choked, hiding her face. "I don't know why…I'm sorry."
Dick glanced at Will and then took Harley's hand, mumbling an 'excuse us' as he pulled her into the living room. "Harley, are you okay? What's wrong?" he asked worriedly, brushing a strand of pale hair away from her face.
"I don't know!" She tried to blink away the tears. "One second I was fine, and the next… I don't know. I just remembered him when the Joker had him, and I know I shouldn't be crying, but I can't stop."
"Oh. Harley, it's okay," Dick hugged her gently, not sure what else to do. "This is probably just your hormones acting up, just take a deep breath," he smiled a little.
"I don't even know why I'm crying," Harley muttered, angry at herself. She wiped her tear streaked cheeks.
"That's okay. Just breathe, and let it go. No need to get frustrated." Dick wiped a stray tear off of her chin and kissed her nose. Harley took a deep breath.
"If I start crying over spilled milk, is it okay to get frustrated?" she mumbled. Dick laughed.
"I think that may be an ok time to get frustrated. Would this be a bad time to mention that I forgot to buy milk when we went grocery shopping…?" Harley paused for a moment.
"Okay, good news is I don't cry over missing milk."
"Bad news is we have no milk," Dick nodded. "If Lilly wants something to drink, she can have Mountain Dew."
"Or orange juice." Harley glared at him. "We are not giving her liquid sugar."
"It was a joke, Harles. Let's serve dinner and have a nice evening," he smiled, guiding her back into the kitchen; his hand rested on the small of her back.
"Are you alright, Harley?" Will asked. Molly had sat down at the table with Lilly on her lap.
"Yeah, I'm sorry." Harley sat down, rubbing her hands awkwardly on her shorts. "Can we please forget that happened?"
"Of course." Molly smiled at her.
"I was informed that I maybe shouldn't have said 'it's good to see you again'," Will shrugged, and Molly sighed.
Harley laughed a little. "No it's okay."
Dick kissed her head as Harley sat down at the table. He walked to the stove and began to carefully carve the chicken. Molly tried to steady Lilly fidgeting on her lap.
"So Harley, how far along are you?" she smiled warmly, smoothing Lilly's unruly curls.
"Um," Harley bushed. She still wasn't used to talking about it. "Twelve weeks."
"Well congratulations to you both," Molly glanced at Dick, and then smiled again at Harley.
"Thank you. It is nice to finally meet you."
"And you, officially," Molly laughed. Will wandered over to the refrigerator for a beer. "Will told me a lot about you. Mostly about Dick being crazy for you…" she trailed off as Dick set a serving plate of chicken on the table between them.
"'Crazy for her' huh?" Dick kissed the top of her head, smiling. "I couldn't have said it better myself." He returned to the counter to finish getting the food ready to serve.
"Insanely in love?" Will offered, popping the cap off his beer.
"That's good too," Dick laughed.
"You could say we're a couple of fools," Harley muttered, half hoping they wouldn't hear. Dick snorted mid-drink of his water and coughed, shaking his head.
"Just wait a few years," Molly grinned, hefting a squirming Lilly back onto her lap.
"Oh come on," Will said, planting a sloppy kiss on Molly's cheek. "I think we could still show these two how it's done."
"Will!" Molly cried, laughing as she wiped her cheek. "You always get so competitive with Dick. Sit down!" she still giggled a bit, tugging him into the chair next to her.
"When you get a better looking counterpart who can do everything, you let me know if you're not competitive." Will grinned widely at her. "But we both know that won't happen since you're damn near perfect."
"All right, I think that's everything," Dick smiled broadly, sitting down beside Harley as he finished putting the food on the table. He scooped some mashed potatoes onto his plate and some onto Lilly's, and then he passed it to Molly.
"Take some potato salad before Dick gets a hold of it," Harley said, passing it to Will.
"Wait I didn't get any yet!" Dick protested, staring at the bowl.
"I'm making sure everyone gets some before you hoard it," Harley told him, handing him the vegetables instead. Dick put some on Lilly's plate and put the bowl down.
"I don't want those!" Lilly cried, sitting up on her knees.
"You have to eat them. If you're not over twenty years old, you eat the green stuff," Dick pointed at it. "I'm over twenty, so I don't have to."
"Whoever doesn't eat any vegetables doesn't get any dessert," Harley smirked, handing the bowl back to him.
"I don't have to eat them if I don't want to! Besides, I always get my daily amount in the morning. I kinda know how to take care of myself," he pushed the bowl away. Molly rolled her eyes.
"No you don't, remember that time you passed out in our living room because you were dehydrated?"
"And half-starved," Will added pointedly.
"That was one time, and I was particularly busy." Dick shot Will a glare, taking a drink of water.
"I don't understand how you think pancakes or cereal is equal to vegetables, but you still won't get any cheesecake." Harley smiled at Lilly. "But that means more for us, doesn't it?" Lilly wrinkled her nose before picking up a green bean and popping it in her mouth.
"Don't let the four year old be more mature than you," Will begged Dick, dolloping some potatoes on his plate.
"I'll have you know that I had a protein shake for lunch, Harley," Dick sniffed, taking some chicken. "And I'm not budging. I don't have to eat my vegetables. I didn't in the circus, Bruce didn't make me, and I won't now," he smiled playfully.
"First off, protein is in fish not vegetables," Harley corrected him. "Also, that is totally backward from what he and Alfred were telling me today, and I don't think Bruce was bribing you with dessert." She raised an eyebrow at him. Dick nearly spit out his water.
"That's what's in those stupid shakes!?" he cried, staring at Harley.
"No," she sighed as Will laughed. "You're just supposed to eat fish to get protein. It's found in other things."
"Oh thank God," Dick's shoulders relaxed. "I only drink those dumb things because Bruce does."
"You only drink them because Bruce does," Harley repeated. "Do you want to go play Barbies with Lilly when we're done eating?"
"Only if I get to be Teresa," Dick deadpanned. Lilly stared at him in outrage.
"But she's mine! Play with the one I got you!" she cried.
"I don't know what you two are talking about," Harley rolled her eyes, "the original Barbie is obviously the best."
"Um," Will input, "I'm always Barbie. You'll have to pick a new one." Molly sighed.
"I left the Barbies in the car, so no one gets to be anyone, alright?"
"I might actually have some action figures down in storage still…" Dick pondered, shoveling a forkful of chicken into his mouth.
"You should have told Will," Molly told him, cutting her piece of chicken, "he would have brought his Transformers."
"They're mint condition and original," Will said proudly.
"Mine are Superman ones. I also have a few Barbies-" he glared at Harley, as if daring her to make fun of him- "from the nineteen-ninety-something Olympics. Other than that, I think I left most of my toys at the Manor. That could be a fun treasure hunt later."
"I wonder if my old Care Bears are somewhere," Molly thought aloud, and Lilly got excited.
"Oh, can I play with them?" she pleaded, dipping her sleeve in gravy.
"Honey, watch your clothes. You just put your arm in the gravy…" Molly reached toward Lilly and wiped her sleeve with a napkin. Dick cleared his throat.
"So how is the house hunting going?" he asked, taking more potato salad.
"Slow," Will groaned, taking a swing from his beer. "It's hard to find something close to both our jobs, in a good school zone, and within our price range."
Dick stared at him for a moment, and then looked at Harley. "Do we need that?"
"Yes," Harley laughed. "And probably a yard for your fictitious future puppy."
"I can't decide on a breed or a name," Dick leaned against the back of his chair thoughtfully.
"Maybe worry about baby names first," Molly suggested, helping Lilly cut her chicken instead of just tearing pieces off with her teeth.
Dick's cheeks pinkened a bit, and he smiled. "We hadn't really thought about that yet," he confessed.
"Barbara, Tim… and Jason all told me Dick shouldn't be trusted with baby names," Harley told Molly.
"Those-" Dick narrowed his eyes. "What else did those traitors tell you? I'm perfectly capable of coming up with names."
"Then call me a traitor because I agree with them," Harley admitted.
"What!? Why!?" Dick looked at her incredulously. "The names I come up with are not that ridiculous."
"Do we need to go into detail?" Harley demanded. "I don't want to embarrass you." She grinned as she scooped up some potato salad.
"Um, yes," Dick said, challenging her. "Because I am ashamed of none of them because they are all awesome," he smirked.
"We'll take your word for it," Will said, winking at Harley. Dick groaned.
"Fine, don't believe me."
"I believe you!" Lilly cried. Dick stared at Harley and then scooted his chair closer to Lilly.
"She believes me."
"Lilly, what do you think is a good name for a baby?" Harley asked.
"Squishy. That's what they are, and it can be boy or girl," Lilly told her happily.
"Case and point," Harley said half laughing.
"I dunno," Dick shrugged. "Squishy Grayson has a nice ring to it."
"You do know it's the name of a jellyfish right?" Will asked. "From a movie. How cliche."
Dick thought for a moment, pushing his empty plate aside. "Maybe I'll name the dog Squishy."
"Puppies are fluffy," Lilly corrected.
"Puppies can be squishy too, can't they?" Dick asked, feigning shock. Lilly shrugged as her father looked at her.
"I suppose they can," he agreed with Dick, and Molly rolled her eyes. Dick laughed as he stood, taking the empty dinner plates and walking to the sink. His phone rang and he glanced at the cracked screen. "You really need a new phone, man…" Will said as Dick answered, halting in the middle of his cheery 'hello' and listening intently. His expression had gone from casual to attentive in a split second.
"I'll be there," he said quietly as CALL ENDED flashed across the screen. Slipping his phone into his back pocket, Dick glanced at his guests at the table. Harley's heart sank a bit at his expression. "I'm sorry everyone, something has come up. I've been summoned to the Manor unexpectedly and it sounds… serious." With a glance out the window, Harley could see the Batsignal warped and blurred against the heavy clouds in the sky over Gotham. Will nodded understandingly.
"Of course. It is getting a bit late, we can be heading off as well. Thank you for dinner, Dick," he said, shaking Dick's hand. He smiled broadly.
"It was my pleasure."
Molly kissed his cheek and Lilly gave him a hug, making him promise to play Barbies some other time. Turning to Harley, Molly smiled gently. "If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask. I know it can be a little scary to have a baby, and I'll admit your and Dick's situation is unique, but I'm here to help you whenever you need it."
"Thank you," Harley smiled as Molly hugged her, and then Lilly patted her belly.
"Bye baby!" she called as she was pulled into her father's arms, and final goodbyes were said. When the door closed behind them, Harley turned to Dick.
"Did he tell you what this is about?" she asked, gesturing to the Batsignal.
"No. Just told me he needs backup," Dick said quietly. Harley pursed her lips worriedly as Dick went to his bedroom, and then remerged in his Nightwing uniform. She watched him check his pockets quickly, thinking of the almost normal evening they'd had with the Collins family. Dick looked up at her, his dark bangs falling in his face. "I'll be back," he promised.
"You'd better be," Harley said distractedly, tracing the deep red stripe over his chest. Dick cupped a hand under her chin and smiled at her reassuringly.
"Promise. When you go to bed, close your eyes and imagine me there. You'll fall asleep, and when you open them, I'll be right beside you." He stroked her cheek. Harley felt her heart skip a bit as Dick's lips met hers, soft and confident in his kiss. He inhaled deeply through his nose, allowing the kiss to taper off before stepping back and slipping his mask over his eyes. Dick smiled. "I love you."
"Be careful, okay?" Harley said, crossing her arms. "Don't go launching yourself off of buildings when I'm not there to catch you."
Dick grinned broadly and walked to the living room window, opening it wide and glancing over his shoulder at her. "Harles, you forget. I only threw myself off of that rooftop chasing after you. I knew you'd catch me."
With a whoop he launched himself out the window, and Harley jumped a bit, rushing across the room and stopping at the window in time to see him running toward the Batsignal across the Gotham rooftops, the same figure in the dark that she'd felt compelled to chase all those nights ago when she'd caught him on the subway.