A quiet and sweet evening with the Batfamily.

Who doesn't love Tim? No, seriously, who doesn't? *cracks knuckles*

We're getting closer to the end! *noooooooooooooo*

Let's cause a little trouble.

Oh, you make me feel so weak.

I bet you kiss your knuckles.

Right before they touch my cheek.

-Trouble by Halsey-

It didn't take long until Ellie could collect herself and got nearer to the table, inspecting the steamed broccoli and cauliflower, coupled with Alfred's infamous lasagna and raspberry creme for dessert. Wow, they really outdid themselves, trying to create all of this.

Ellie felt speechless, as she gazed at Alfred, the man responsible if it was her guess, in surprise. "I heard good things about your lasagna." She sent a small playful smile in Barbara's direction, who displayed a full-blown one in return.

Alfred shortly looked to the ground bashfully, before stating confidently, "Trust me on this, when I say, you haven't truly lived until you have tasted my lasagna."

Ellie sent him a close-lipped smile. "Challenge accepted." She slowly could feel Bruce's presence at her back, before his hand was close to her back, making her tense a bit, but she relaxed as soon as she noticed he was just leading her to the round table. Ellie lightly smiled to herself and saw Tim get closer, his footsteps slow and unsure.

She had to strain her ears a bit due to his whispered voice, but that didn't lessen his sweet words. "Can I sit next to you?"

Her features softened, touched by his demure manner and his wish wanting to be near her. "Of course, Tim."

Needless to say, food was amazing. The company … was even better. Dick kept trying to make jokes at the table, to which Barbara alternated between rolling her eyes and pressing her lips together. It was really a joy seeing them dance around each other. As if she was the only one who saw Dick and Barbara exchange longing looks, when they thought the other wasn't looking. Alfred merely sent a meaningful tilt of his head in her direction.

It was hard to depict sometimes if Damian was enjoying himself, with his quiet persona. At least he wasn't openly or passive-aggressively attacking anyone. And she didn't want to jeopardize their fragile agreement they had decided on, by including him into a conversation. She never actually thought she'd get into this position to openly engage someone to talk, when she always used to hate that when she was being all silent at dinners with her aunt.

And Bruce seemed … kind of happy. No, she wouldn't go that far, more like content. He was satisfied just interjecting here and there, but all in all liked to listen and gaze at his family being all together.

Ellie sent a furtive glance towards Tim, who was quietly munching on his food, not seeming to mind being a silent observer. She bent down a little, so she could talk privately with the shy, brown-haired Wayne member. "And, Tim, how old are you?"

His head turned to her, his huge shining eyes gazed upon her innocently. "I'm 9."

"You like it in school?"

Tim appeared conflicted with his answer, his gaze wandering off in thought, until he finally admitted, "Not really."

Ellie sent him a sympathetic look, trying to make him feel better. "Don't worry. I never liked school either."

He seemed surprised by her answer as he swiveled in his chair to her, his eyes opened wide in surprise. "Really?"

She rolled her eyes with a smile, remembering what it was like getting picked on for being smarter than the rest of the boys and feeling the disdainful stares of the girls at her back. "Totally. Didn't have a lot of friends, but that was okay, because I'd rather be friends with someone I can count on, than people who run at the first sight of trouble."

She felt compelled to continue, when Tim seemed to cling to every word she said, "But I always liked subjects like English or Art, also because I was really good at it." Ellie was hoping she didn't sound like she was bragging, she was just enthusiastic, hoping she could pull Tim into her orbit as well. "What is your favorite subject at school?"

He bit on his lip contemplatively, slightly rocking back and forth. Tim gazed at her nervously, until he finally decided to reveal something of himself. "I like reading and computer class. But more like the inside of a computer, I'm interested in disassembling it and putting it back together."

Ellie raised her eyebrows, her eyes shone with interest. "Wow, really?" Tim nodded mutely. "You must be really smart then." He shrugged, unsure on what to say to that. "You know, I went to a computer school myself." She continued speaking of her time at MIT, when she took notice of him vibrating with excitement. "I was more into working with innovative technology or developing anti-virus software."

Tim's eyes were shining with happy tears, not afraid to show her his true self. "I'm close to building my own computer myself, it's nearly finished," he whispered quietly as if he was sharing a big secret.

Ellie smiled. "Oh. You have to show it to me sometime then." Tim was now sharing a small smile with her. At the back of her head, she noticed how quiet it had gotten. She turned in her seat, thinking everyone had left already, to see everyone stare at them with surprise and wonder in their eyes.

Ellie furrowed her eyebrows, wondering why Alfred was close to shedding a tear, when they turned to devouring their desserts while clearing their throats.

She felt the warmth of a hand close to hers in her lap, making her turn towards Bruce who was staring at her with an unreadable expression on his face. Deep down she had a feeling, he was grateful somehow. Ellie chose to lightly stroke his in comfort.

"So, guys, what's the plan?"

"What do you mean?" Came Bruce's raspy voice next to her.

"Well," She looked at the grandfather's clock standing near the table, at the wall, showing it was about 8 o'clock now. "if no one is tired yet, we could watch some movies. And it's Friday, so … the kids could stay up a bit longer." She turned to Bruce playfully, hoping he wouldn't take her suggestion the wrong way, that she wanted to meddle in his affairs on how to raise his children. But she also wanted to do something good for them as well.

"I think it's a fascinating idea," Alfred interjecting, the one person she knew that always had her back. He sent her a teasing wink, making her chuckle.

"Alfred just totally took the words right out of my mouth," Barbara agreed, smiling.

Bruce rolled his eyes, probably feeling ambushed from all sides. "Okay, fine. But kids friendly," he reminded them, as Dick and Barbara both ran with their finished plates to the kitchen. Damn, they were fast.

She could hear Damian mutter under his breath, "Oh, please." She snorted and sent him a small humored smile, to which he thankfully nodded a bit. He was so not agreeing with the kids comment.

"Okay, who else here wants Popcorn?" Barbara asked, carrying a large bowl of sweetened popcorn in her hands.

Ellie raised a hand immediately, sending a furtive glance towards Dick who was inserting a disk into the DVD player. She could feel the redhead taking a seat on the couch, right next to Bruce and her. He took it upon himself to balance the TV food in his lap, not seeming to want to eat some.

"You hungry?" Ellie asked Tim, his little frame sitting on her left.

The 9-year old boy shrugged. "Maybe just a bit." She noticed the movie's intro playing, while Dick ventured to move past the couch.

"Already on it, big guy," he said, moving into the kitchen, before throwing him a little granola bar.

Soon enough they could finally enjoy The Wizard of Oz and then Big Hero 6, the thin body of Tim leaning against her tiredly at the end of the movie. She looked at his dark hair, before turning to Bruce, whispering in his ear, "I think it's time. Tim is asleep."

His arm which hung over her shoulder casually, tightened around her, exhaling a tired sigh himself. Bruce rubbed his fingers over his closed eyelids, before stretching his arms over his head. He was now languidly standing in front of her, his arms reaching for Tim, to carry his slender body.

"Good night, everyone," he said, without turning his head, mindful not to wake the child in his arms.

Ellie followed suit, putting her hand on Bruce's shoulder and called out in a whisper, "Good night, guys."

Collective murmurs followed them as they both went up the stairs. Bruce was careful not to jostle Tim, her eyes following his movements as he carefully tucked his son in. His hand caressed softly his head, while gazing at him in fondness.

Ellie tilted her head in thought. "You love him, don't you?"

Bruce wasn't looking at her when he quietly said, "Yes, of course, I do. I would do everything in my power to make sure no harm would ever come to them." He paused. "And you." His gaze swept over her face, his words managed to make her squirm, not knowing how to react to such an enormous confession.

Ellie didn't move an inch when Bruce was getting closer to her, his intense eyes made her speechless and shiver in response. She was blinking rapidly, his warm breath ghosted over her cheeks. Strangely, he didn't have to say a single word, all what counted were his actions, as he slowly caressed her cheek. The initial tightening in her stomach loosened before she let out a shaky breath, sending him a wide-eyed gaze.

Bruce just uttered a few words into the dark room of his son, and Ellie knew she'd do whatever it takes to keep this. "Let's go to bed."

I hope I didn't make the conversation between Ellie and Tim seem forced.

Thank you so much for all your kind words. I LOVE hearing your thoughts and how much you love Ellie!

Keep 'em coming.