Arkham Asylum

Gotham City

Sixteen years later

It was a warm spring day as Clark flies into Gotham. He lands just in front of the asylum's main gate. Clark is immediately buzzed in by security. "I'm sorry Mr. Kent, but you'll have to leave that with us," a male nurse says to Clark as he points at the cakebox Clark was carrying.

"Can you make sure Patient 27 has a slice after his dinner?" said Clark.

"Don't you worry, Mr. Kent. I'll personally take it to him after his dinner," replied the nurse.

"Thank you."

An orderly approaches Clark and accompanies him to the garden. The orderly pointed to the part of the garden where Bruce was sitting. Clark had been coming here once a month but it still breaks his heart to see that the years have been unkind to his friend. Bruce was gaunt and his skin had a ghostly pallor.

Clark walked over to Bruce and said, "Happy birthday, Bruce. I brought you a cake. But I had to leave it at the nurse's station. They said you could have a slice after you take your dinner later. How is it going, Bruce? I hope you're feeling much better."

Bruce was unresponsive as he appeared to be staring into space. Clark takes a piece of tissue to wipe off some spittle from Bruce's mouth.

Clark sat with Bruce for an hour until Dr. Joan Leland approached him and said, "Patient 27 hasn't been responding well to his treatments these past few months. Most of the time he's like this, almost catatonic. There are days when he is cognizant. But those days are few and far between."

"Please don't give up on him, Dr. Leland. He was a part of the Justice League he deserves nothing less," said Clark.

"I will do everything that I can, Mr. Kent," replied Dr. Leland.

Clark takes a look at his watch and says, "I have to go now. I still have to meet up with my family. Thank you, Doctor. See you again in a month, Bruce."

To Clark and Dr. Leland's astonishment, Bruce responds. In a gravelly voice Bruce says, "Sss-See-See you. Ta-Thank-thank you, Clark."

"You're welcome, Bruce," said Clark as he placed his hand on Bruce's shoulder.

Themysciran Embassy

Diana stood at the embassy's rooftop as she waited for Clark to arrive. She knew Clark had gone to visit Bruce in Arkham. He had been doing so on a monthly basis for five years since Bruce was brought back from Oa.

It had been ten years since the deaths of Jonathan and Martha Kent. The Kents were caught in a freak storm as they drove back home to Smallville from Metropolis. Diana, Klara and the twins, Connor and Cassandra had been Clark's lifelines. Clark had been wracked with guilt that with all the Kryptonian technology he had at his disposal he wasn't able to save them. Maybe this was Kal's way to make up for it, she told herself.

Diana's face lit up as she saw Clark on the horizon. "You didn't wear your Superman suit?" asked Diana as Clark landed onto the roof.

"Nope. I decided to go to Gotham as Clark Kent and besides everyone by now knows Clark Kent and Superman are one and the same," replied Clark as he takes Diana in his arms kissing Diana on her forehead.

"You seem to be in a good mood, Mr. Kent," said Diana.

"Got Bruce to talk. He said thank you. Its not much but its a start," replied Clark.

"That's excellent news, Kal. Your visits to him are finally paying off."

"I guess they do, Di."

A Themysciran royal guard steps out onto the roof, bows and then says, "My Queen, the prince and princess have arrived from Themyscira via the portal."

"Thank you, Iocaste we shall meet them in the study," Diana replies.

"As you wish, your highness," Iocaste replies as she bows and steps back into the building.

"Mother! Father! We missed you!" said Cassandra as she embraced Diana and Clark.

"Con? Don't tell me you didn't miss us?" said Diana as she pouted and motioned for Connor to join in the embrace.

Connor joins Diana, Clark and Cassandra in the embrace. "Aww! I missed you Mom! I missed you too, Dad."

"We came as soon as we heard from Klara. Anybody know what this is all about?" asked Connor.

"Your guess is as good as mine, son. Klara didn't say anything to me or your mother. She just asked for all of us to be here for dinner. Klara also said she would be bringing along a guest. Barring any last minute League business, she'll be here in an hour or so," Clark replied.

Diana thought back to five years ago when Klara won the games that hailed her as the next Wonder Woman after Artemis. A smile came across her face feeling proud of her step-daughter.

"Mother, what could it be?" Cassandra asked Diana.

"I don't have a clue, Cassie. Let's leave it to your sister Klara to tell us all later," replied Diana.

"How about Grandma Lyta? Is she coming?" asked Connor.

"Grandma Lyta is already here," Hippolyta said as she entered the study.

Cassandra and Connor rushed into Hippolyta's arms. "My not so little stars! Look at how you've grown! Its so nice to see you again. I missed you so much!"

"What have you been doing, Grandma?" asked Connor.

"After abdicating as queen eight years ago, I quietly took on the position as ambassador. I have been busy establishing diplomatic relations with other countries. I must admit, I enjoyed the travel and the experience. It was quite exhilarating!" replied Hippolyta.

"Glad to hear you enjoyed your new role, Ma," said Clark.

"I heard you have been doing well as CEO for the Themyscira House Foundation. Your use of Kryptonian tech in revitalizing arid lands in Somalia is a godsend. I am so proud of you Kal-El," said Hippolyta.

"Thank you, Ma!" said Clark as he rubbed the back of his head. Diana looks at him proudly.

Thirty minutes later, a knock on the door calls their attention. Klara walks in with Arthur Curry, Jr. "Hello everyone. I know you have all met Artie. We have something to tell you."

All of a sudden, Clark got nervous. Snap out of it, Clark! He chided himself. Putting up a brave face, Clark asks Klara, "What is it, Klara?"

Arthur Jr. nods to Klara. "Artie proposed. I-I said yes!" Klara said as she showed everyone the engagement ring on her finger.

"Congratulations!" said Diana as she rushed to embrace Klara. "Thank you, Mama!" replied Klara.

As Diana and Klara end their embrace, Hippolyta embraces Klara, "I am so happy for you, my grandchild."

"Thank you, grandmother," Klara whispered as the deepened her embrace.

"I knew it! I knew it! Congratulations, sis!" said Cassandra as she joined Hippolyta and Klara's embrace.

"Welcome to the family, Artie," said Clark as he and Arthur Jr. shook hands.

"Thank you, Mr. Kent, er, Superman?" replied Arthur Jr.

"Its Clark, Artie," Clark said with a smile. Arthur Jr. nods and returns Clark's smile.

Connor gives Arthur Jr. a pat on the back and says, "Way to go, Artie. You take good care of my sister, OK?"

"I will. Thank you, Con," replied Arthur Jr.

Another knock calls their attention. Ferdinand steps in to announce that dinner is served. Ferdinand noticed that the women were teary-eyed but politely kept to himself knowing Diana will tell him sooner or later.

After the family had a lively dinner. Clark and Diana spent the night at the embassy's stateroom.

Diana says, "Tonight had been a night for announcements. I also have an announcement to make, Kal."

"What is it, Di?" Clark asked.

"Kal, I am with child again." Diana replies.

"Really?" Clark asks. Diana nods and places Clark's hand on her belly. Diana smiles.

"Best news I've heard, my love," said Clark as he kissed Diana.

"Beloved," said Diana as she kissed Clark back.

THE END