"Is this a guaranteed way, Father? I can't imagine him being enthusiastic with this... Arrangement."
"Trust me, dear, this is the ultimate...Peace offering, so to speak. The untimely death of Thomas and Martha is what made Batman, Talia, and their unlikely resurrection should destroy him."
"Jason, I swear to God, if you took Damian's homework again, I'll tan your hide!"
"It's not my fault Demon Brat can't take care of his shit!"
"I can take care of my things quite well, Todd! You're the one who forgot his phone in his hand!"
"Woah, Jay-dude, you've done that?"
"Like you haven't, Fatgirl. I've seen you room. It wouldn't surprise me."
"Why you little shit!"
Bruce Wayne sat at the table, rubbing his head.
"Y'know, Bruce, it's been what? Fifteen, twenty years of this? You should be used to it by now."
"Eighteen years, four months, two weeks, and six days. Not that anyone's counting," Bruce replied dryly, making Cassie give a airy chuckle. Tim just shook his head. A minute later, Selina came down, sighing and carrying Helena on her hip.
"I don't care what they say, parenting does not get easier as they age. I thought they were suppose to move out by now?"
Alfred chuckled, "Alas, Miss Selina, they never truly leave. No matter how old they get."
Selina shook her head and handed Bruce the wriggling 18-month old. Helena happily snuggled into Bruce and waved at Cassie. Cassie smiled and signed 'Hello'. Bruce gave a small smile as Helena signed back.
Eventually, one by one, then rest of the kids came down to breakfast. Selina continued to fuss over Jason and Damian. Dick and Stephanie had gotten into a rap battle. And Tim and Cassie were rapidly signing back and forth. Helena was just happy to squeal to provide noise.
Bruce smiled into his coffee. It has been the best eighteen years, four months, two weeks, and six days. And he was definitely counting.
"Do you think our boy is okay?"
"I don't know, dear, I don't know."
At exactly 7:30, Alfred urshed everyone into cars. Tim, Cassie, Stephanie, and Damian were dropped off at school with promises to behave. Dick rode the subway to Bludhaven to start his shift. Helena was dropped off at daycare. Jason, Selina, and Bruce were rushed to work, given the fact Led Luthor wouldn't take no as an answer.
Alfred went to do the shopping. At noonish, he picked up young Helena from daycare and went home to start preparations for tomorrow's gala. He cleaned (and did show Helena how to properly dust a lamp. Maybe he'll turn one of them yet!) and put the young miss to nap. He was finishing the cleaning of the playroom when a knock sounded at the door. Alfred thought it was strange. To his knowledge, no company was expected today. Nor packages. His opened the door and nearly had a heart attack. There, standing on the front step was the long dead Thomas and Martha Wayne. Martha smiled.
"Long time, no see. Hello, Alfred."
Thomas reached out his hand, "Hello, old friend."
Alfred numbly shook Thomas's hand. He silently stepped aside to let them in. He closed the door and turned too get a good look. Martha was still wearing the midnight blue dress she died in. Her dark hair was still up in it's ever regal bun. She wore a bittersweet smile on her lips and her blue eyes shown like ever before. Thomas had on his suit and was giving his joyful smile. That's when Alfred fainted.
"Honestly, Bruce, you need to stop worrying. I'm sure Helena is keeping him busy and his just not by his phone," Selina laid a hand on Bruce's shoulder. "She is your daughter, after all."
Bruce look up from his and dryly said, "Is she? Because she almost looks like the mailman."
Selina laughed, "I told you he was hot."
Alfred came too in the living room. He sat up and tried to recall what had happened. Did someone break in? That's when it came rushing. Thomas and Martha were alive. He stood up quickly and rushed to the kitchen. He found Martha holding Helena as Thomas played with her. Helena was the first to notice him. She reached for him happily babbling and saying, "Alfie, Aflie!" Martha stood quickly, handing over the toddler. Thomas guided Alfred to a chair. Martha went to the stove, fidgeting with the kettle.
"Tea?"
Alfred nodded, still shocked at this development. Thomas got down three cups and set them on the table. Martha came over and poured tea. Alfred gladly took a drink. They drank in silence, until Martha cleared her thoart.
"Well, Alfred, I'm sure you have questions. But I need this one answered first; Who is this little sweetheart?"
Alfred smiled, "This is Helena. Helena Selene Wayne."
"My Bruce has a baby? Ooohh, how darling!"
Thomas chuckled, "By the looks of the house, I'm guessing he has more than one."
Alfred gave a quiet laugh, "Yes, most definitely. But could we get into that later, perhaps?"
Martha's eyes widen, "Oh! Yes, of course. Please, Alfred, ask us anything."
"How are you alive and well? After all this years?"
Thomas sighed, "That's a long story. We had been brought back to life by Ra al Ghul. By the Lazarus Pit."
Alfred gasped, holding Helena just a bit tighter.
They didn't seem to notice, as Martha continued.
"We were then made to come back here. By that's the shortest version. We would like to tell the rest in front of Bru-"
She was cut of by the front door opening and closing. They heard quiet conversation then someone walking up the stairs.
Selina answered her phone, after swearing when she saw it was from the kids' school.
"Hello?"
"Hello, this is Albert Sobeven, Gotham Academy's principle. I need you to please come down and speak about your son, Damian."
Selina slammed her head on her desk, "Yes, of course. I'll be there soon."
She hung up and wondered if 2pm was too early to start drinking. She got up and walked to Bruce's office to inform him that his son was trouble before heading to the car. She went to the school, settled some issues, and took Damian home. They entered the house, and Selina sent Damian to his room. She walked into the kitchen.
"Guess who had to write another che- Oh my God."
She dropped her purse and fell against the wall. Helena started cheering, "Mama, Mama!"
Selina just mumbled, "Hi, kitten."
In front of her was Thomas and Martha Wayne. Her husband's dead parents. Alive and breathing. Helena managed to wriggle out for Alfred's arms and stumbled to Selina. Selina bent down and picked her up which seemed to snap her out of the trance.
"Alfred, um, how? When? How?"
"Miss Selina! I did not expect for you to be here so soon. How was you day? Which young master is home early today?"
"Uh, Damian. He got...in trouble," she then seemed to lose all composure.
"HOW?!" she frantically waved her free hand at Thomas and Martha. Alfred opened his mouth to begin explaining when Damian walked into the kitchen. He paused before asking, "What are Grandfather and Grandmother doing here? Alive?"
Selina just gave a weak, "I don't know." Alfred managed to sit her down.
"Miss Selina, Master Damian, this is Thomas and Martha Wayne. They are alive through the Lazarus Pit. By, well, I'd hope you know. "
Selina and Damian nodded.
"But why? Ghul always has an bigger motive."
Martha gave a sad nod , "Yes, but we would like to present that information to everyone. As a group."
Selina and Damian took that answer for a time being. After a few minutes of silence, they all settled into an awkward conversation pattern.
As six o'clock started to approach, move members of the Wayne household arrived. They all were shocked too see the parents of their adoptive father in the kitchen. They all also got the "We'll explain with everyone." It was 6:04 when they heard Bruce in the hall.
"Yes, Keith, I understand that. We'll look into it tomorrow. Goodbye. Alfred, I hope you have that coffee rea- Mom? Dad?"
Hello! I hope you all are staying safe and healthy with this COVID-19 going on. Anyway, reviews are very welcomed! I hope everyone enjoyed this first chapter.
And remember: Wash your hands!