Chapter 29: First Christmas

Somewhere in Europe

Year 2011

December 25th

Jason is 11

Cass is 9

Tim is 8

Stephanie is 7

Robin is 13

Batgirl is 14

Batman is 30

Haley had kept Dick a little longer after the other had left. When Dick got ready to turn to the Bioship Haley stopped him.

"Dickie, I can't just let you go like that right before Christmas."

Dick grinned. "You didn't have to."

"Take it," Haley said handing him a closed box. "It's some stuff we kept that belonged to your family. I just couldn't find the right time to give it to you."

Dick sniffed and hugged him. "Thanks, Pop. Have a Merry Christmas.

Happy Harbor

Mt. Justice

It was earlier in America than in Europe, but Christmas eve was still nearly over when they returned to the cave. Of course, Wally was still there waiting and he put up a front of complaining about not going on a mission, meanwhile smiling sneakily towards Robin.

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" Artemis asked. "It's Christmas in less than twenty four hours."

"Got to see why no one told me about this fun trip before hand."

"If you call getting your powers stolen and having to perform in a circus every night fun," Connor grunted.

"Whatever. Just wanted to say Merry Christmas to all of you too."

Artemis smiled. "Thanks."

"Merry Christmas, Wally," agreed M'gann kissing his cheek so he turned red.

"C'mon Supey, it's your first Christmas. You must be excited."

Connor sighed. "I'm more tired right now. Can we go to bed and be excited in the morning?"

"See! That's the spirit!" Robin cheered.

"I guess I'm going then," said Artemis. She picked up her stuff and left with another hug from M'gann and more holiday greetings from everyone else. Roy nodded and left soon after. Connor and M'gann disappeared deeper into the cave leaving just Wally and Robin.

"Dude, what happened? You have to tell me everything."

"Not here. Superboy-"

"Is definitely busy with M'gann now, or already sleeping. He can sleep like a rock even with his super hearing. So, what happened?"

"Turns out it was Parasite working for Intergang. Stopped him from making a black hole, but he was using all the circus performer's skills."

"And then he got all of yours." Wally flopped onto the couch. "Dude, that's tough. But you fixed it. Enough about the team. Tell me about Haley's!"

"Well, firstly he figured me out."

"What?"

"Same way as Tim. Plus my eyes I think."

"What's Batman going to say?"

"I don't really care," Dick said shrugging. "I saw him and a lot of the others again. Even if they didn't all know it was me. And I got to perform."

Wally looked at him seriously. "Are you okay?"

"Not really. I almost fell, I was feeling sick cause Parasite drained me. Not to mention the entire team was being annoying. Then it almost happened again on the train."

"Like Bucky Barnes?"

"Yeah. Like that," Dick sighed. "I mean I can't do anything if I stay afraid of falling. I've got to move on. It was kind of nice to perform with the team and teach them about Circus life. And to see everyone. Haley even gave me a gift."

"Oh. Wow. That's awesome," Wally said as he looked through the box he grabbed. Then he grinned mischeviously at Dick. "Now my turn."

"Let me get mine for you to."

Both boys raced off, of course Wally returned first but Dick only took a minute. Robin grinned holding out the package wrapped in superhero paper. "I couldn't find a superman wrap. I tried."

"It's better that way," Wally said. "Now you know the guy can be a jerk. Let me see!"

Wally tore open the wrap to reveal several video games like Call of Duty, Assasins Creed, God of War and a new chemistry book. "Sweet! We're gonna have to play all of these over break."

Robin grinned in response. Wally shoved a package into his hands, this covered with birds. Robin's grin grew wider as he unwrapped it. Inside was a cup, lid and straw. It read, Batman drinks with just ice. Robin looked at it from Wally who looked at him grinning expectedly.

"Dude," Robin said in between cackles. "This is one of the best gifts I've ever gotten."

"Really? Better than that trapeze set? Or Ace? The signal watch? What about that really cool thing Barbara made you a few years ago?"

"I said one of the best. It's about even," Robin hugged his friend. "Thanks. I mean it. After everything, well… I'm just happy that you'll be there no matter what."

"Like I said, what are best pals for?"

Outskirts of Gotham

Wayne Manor

Dick had fallen asleep fast as soon as he'd gotten back. Bruce had of course come to talk with him about what Interpol had said after being in touch with the League.

"But don't worry about it. You led a mission with a difficult team and worked around all the obstacles you were given. I know how hard that must have been, especially when you were there. I hope some of it was good."

"Yeah."

Dick had sat and told him everything. He was soon forced into bed as he would surely be woken bright and early the next morning by his siblings. Which of course, he was. All of them in their PJs, slippers and robes, running down the stairs, or in Dick's case, sliding down the rail toward the Family Den, the one they used and had decorated earlier that week. Presents had appeared 'magically' in the night (Alfred's work of course.)

Cass looked at the space in awe. Dick smiled down at her and urged her forward toward the tree. Alfred was soon there with hot chocolate for all of them as they looked in the stockings, (the Leaguers usually gave Bruce treats to put there.)

Jason was stuffing Ace into an elf hat he'd found and tried to declare they should also have a batday for Ace on Christmas. After all, that was when they'd gotten him. The dog, now getting aged, was happy to follow Jason, or lick Cass's cheek for a shining smile as she sipped her hot chocolate as she inspected each ornament.

Each Christmas since he lived here the Manor had gotten more lively and cheerful. In addition to the Grayson's old ornaments, the ones the Wayne's had always had, the Drake's had been added and homemade ones chosen by each of the kids.

Bruce came down after in a pair of sweatpants and a black shirt. "None of you are to old for all of this yet? I thought you might want to sleep in."

"Not for Cass's first Christmas," Dick grinned. "And I know you're not such a Scrooge."

Bruce chuckled and ruffled his hair as Cass pulled him forward to inspect the baubles on the tree with her.

He looked dutifully at what at been in the stockings as well before emptying his own and pretending to be surprised by it. Alfred had been filling them with the same peppermint bark pieces and little knick knacks as long as he remembered. Toys as a child, now a special cigar, a new beautiful pen or cuff links.

He'd tried to incorporate all of his children's traditions into his own. So of course, now Dick got his circus tradition of caramel corn in his. Jason and Cass didn't have much, but the former had plenty of ideas for what he wanted at Christmas to make it perfect. He got extra chocolate in his stocking, and so did Cass. Tim had been all too happy to share some smaller traditions. His family's Christmas had been a lot like the Wayne's once upon a time.

Now Bruce was able to watch this entire scene happily as he sipped his coffee. He waited until the kids asked before they opened presents. Alfred was ready with a list for thank you notes, a trash bag for the wrapping and a camera for pictures.

"Can we save ours for last?" Tim asked looking at the pile.

"Why don't we open the ones Clark gave all of you before we choose what else to open?" Bruce asked. "I know there's a pie in the kitchen that he delivered for Alfred and I. We can eat as we open his gifts."

Ma Kent's apple pie was added to the hot drinks on the floor as they kneeled near the tree. They'd already received new knitted clothes from the women in Kansas. Cass opened up some packets of animal silly bands and tried them on with her own silly grin. Tim got a book on the work a reporter and cameraman did in the newspaper, looking through it greedily. Jason was confused when he found a ball in his box. "A ball?"

"There's a note."

"It's a strength ball," Bruce read. "For exercise training, it talks. There's instructions there, but it's for hand strength."

"Cool," Jason grinned as he tried it out. He held it away from his siblings who each wanted their own look at the device.

Dick was reading through his own gift, a collection of the kryptonian stories that Clark had written down after all these years. On the floor next to him was a new Superman shirt (somewhat of a joke between them.) Once the pictures had been taken, the presents inspected and wrapping paper cleaned up they all moved on to the next gifts.

"Let's just do the ones the Gordons gave us so I can tell Babs what everyone thinks," Dick suggested as he reached for his own.

He grinned as he opened a cereal bowl with an attached straw. Jason groaned on seeing it, but was distracted by Alfred placing his own gift in his lap. He opened a new leather bookmark and red hoodie. Tim was trying to explain his new Sodoku to Cass who looked confused. She liked her own pink ribbon and leotard much better. Barbara was always happy to talk to her about ballet, having done it herself once upon a time.

Tim reached for another present, probably Dick's if the wrapping paper was any sign. Jason stopped him shoving a different present into his lap. "Nah. Golden boy always goes first. Mine next."

He handed out the presents to all but Cass. "I think you have to wait Tim and I did this one together for you. But the rest of you can open yours."

"Thanks," Tim smiled as he opened the moleskin notebook. Star wars themed he realized as he looked closer.

Bruce was rolling his eyes at the T-shirt he'd been given. Jason had obviously had it customized as it read sir, which was crossed out to then read boss, then crossed out to read Mr. Wayne, which was then crossed out so the word was Dad.

"You sure this isn't your own hoodie?" Dick said as he held up his own gift.

"No, it's for when you do missions in civvies. You always wear that same green thing. This has some extra pockets and stuff."

Dick opened it to see where he could strap his belt, or store extra materials, as well as embed his own comms. "Wow. This is actually really cool. Thanks, Jaybird."

"Yes, you put a lot of thought into these gifts," Alfred agreed looking at the turntable and records he'd been given. "It's much appreciated."

"Now Cass. Mine and Tim's are both in this," he said handing her a small bag.

Tim nodded. "Yeah. It was expensive, but this way both of us could get you something personal."

Cass's eyes widened as she opened the bag to find a little box with a bracelet inside. Hanging from the bracelet were two charms, one a pair of ballet slippers, the other an 'I love you' in sign language. Cass looked between the two of her brothers and grinned jumping to give Tim and then Jason a hug.

"Wow, way to up the ante on us," Dick whistled seeing the bracelet. "How did you guys even have the money for that?"

"Savings," Jason answered simply.

Tim had done just as well as Jason for the rest of his gifts. Alfred smiled at the book on the meaning of flower's he'd gotten (Not that he didn't already know the meaning of them all.) Jason got a new toy that sensed where his hand was and flew on top, making it a fun game as the siblings ran around tripping over the gifts on the floor trying to keep it in the air, and away from a barking Ace.

The rest of Tim's gifts were made in joint with his sister. She'd practiced her new handwriting and creative skills on the scrapbook of Batman and Robin they'd given Dick.

Tim was about to hand their gift to Bruce when Cass stopped him, signing she wanted to wait till the end. Bruce raised his eyebrows but smiled as Cass gave out the rest of her presents to the rest of the family (besides him.)

Tim got his own sweet gift in return from Cass. The entire family was smiling or laughing as Ace decided to inspect the new robot puppy, it was the most interesting thing now that Jason's flying toy was gone.

Alfred smiled at the recipe book and the rest of the family was looking at Cass gratefully as Alfred read through the recipe's. Each had been collected from the families they'd had before, or if not the families, the cultures, There were notes on everyone's favorites in Cass's scrawl.

"Miss Cassandra, thank you," he hugged her closely. "This is one of the most touching gifts I've ever been given, as it was not just for me, but my entire family. I can't think how long this must of taken you."

Cass blushed and hugged him back before turning to give Jason a journal of his own titled "My Life So Far." Each page had different prompts or things to say what to write about. There was a nice pen next to it as well. Jason ruffled Cass's hair as a thanks.

Dick grinned at his own opportunity to give gifts. First came Alfred's.

"I know you won't use a cutting board for cookies, but I put the recipe there all the same," Dick said as he it was unwrapped. The personalized cutting board had the family favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe engraved on it.

"You are right. It is one of my most used recipes, and therefore one of my favorites."

"I got Bruce's from the same place," he said as Bruce frowned looking at his package warily. "It's for the cave. I know you wouldn't use them up here."

There were coasters that read 'Drinks are on me,' and a spoon reading 'Cereal killer', post-its in the shape of toast or 'toast it' notes. There was also a mug printed "Give me Space" covered in galaxies. Bruce actually snorted upon reading the last one. "Thank you, chum. I'll admit, some of these are funny."

Dick fist pumped before moving on to his siblings. First came a hammock, as Jason had expressed interest about what it must be like to sleep on one when Dick was talking in Circus life. Jason immediately started to talk about finding a place to hang in, while Dick moved on to the next sibling.

Tim got some construction toys and models. Everyone laughed at the one based on the BatPlane. It was based on the fast moving images people saw on the news, and therefore not very accurate. Still Tim smiled at his brother carefully. "Thanks Dick."

"You're welcome, baby bird." He grinned then turned to Cass turning serious. He looked between the rest of his family as he took out the gift to give to her. Then he grinned and put it back behind his back. "This can wait for last. I'll give it to you after Bruce and Alfred give out their gifts."

Cass frowned and looked at him curiously. "Nuh uh. I said it's for last. Yours for Bruce is last too, it's the special-est gifts that need to be given last."

Bruce reached out to her. "Don't worry. How about Alfred and I give you your gift first?"

Cass smiled and looked as he handed her a small package. Inside were two slips of paper. She frowned looking at it.

"It's for the ballet," Alfred explained. "Master Bruce got tickets for a box."

Bruce nodded. "This way I can go with you, and if I can't you'll go with Alfred. He always enjoys a good rendition of Swan Lake or Giselle."

Cass grinned and hugged both of them looking at the tickets as the other gifts were passed out. Tim got a new chess set, the pawns were the League's partners (Robin, Kid Flash, Red Arrow, Ms. Martian, Superboy, Zatanna, Artemis and etc.) Behind each of them was a different leaguer, usually their partners. king and queen were Superman and Wonder Woman (the pawn in front of her was Zatanna.) Of course, Batman was one of the knights. The other was Aquaman. Green Arrow and Flash took the place of the Bishops. With Martian Manhunter and Green Lantern in the place of the rooks. The other side was each of the heroes villains.

"We got a few more made. The Hawks, Fate, Captain Marvel, Red Tornado and Black Canary for example. So you can put the pieces were you want and play them as which ever pieces you please."

Jason got several new books from Barnes and Nobles hardcovered classics collection which he looked at excitedly before stacking them to take up to his room. Dick's passage was as small as Cass's. He opened it and was confused when he saw goggles.

"You'll need them."

Dick grinned excitedly as he twitched, jumping in his seat. "What for?"

"I'm taking you skydiving. As Dick Grayson. And higher than a height we'd use missions. Maybe I'll get you a few lessons as well," Bruce said.

"Sweet!"

Bruce and Alfred exchanged gifts from each other. Alfred got some new handcrafted gardening tools and Bruce a new picture frame with a family picture already inside. Meanwhile Dick nodded to his brothers. Jason and Tim had run to go get something and returned quickly. He grabbed Cass's gift again once they did.

"So this has become a tradition. I gave something like this to Jason and Tim during their first Christmas here. It's something that you'll have to know we're always with you," Dick explained as he handed it to her. "My parents gave me Zitka, and I still have her. So I thought… Well, why don't you guys just show her?"

Cass suddenly realized the significance of toys she had seen often. Stuffed animals that sat by all of her brother's beds. The circus elephant on Dick's blue sheets, and the bear on Jason's with a mock bat suit, even sometimes in a Robin or Red Hood outfit, Tim's raccoon, which already seemed to be wearing a domino mask without the outfits as well. She opened hers in trepidation to see a gray bunny rabbit.

Inside the bag were also some outfits for the bunny, in each of her sibling's costumes or a leotard and slippers. Cass looked at the bunny in disbelief hugging it close as the grey fur and whiry whiskers caught a few tears.

"An official welcome to the family, Cass," Dick said as he caught his little sister into a hug.

Across town another little girl was having a similar moment. Stephanie had only been living with the Gordon's for a few weeks. She'd slept in the guest room, and then with Barbara for the past few days, as the guest room was otherwise needed.

It was nice to stay up with her new foster sister, long into the night without a worry for her father and his gang. Though she worried for Gordon when he wasn't around. Last night Barbara and her had distracted themselves by opening their gifts from the Wayne's a bit early.

Barbara explained how the Wayne's always gave at least two types of gifts. "There's usually something personal, and something work related."

She handed Steph a box first. "I asked Bruce to get another whipped up. We all have them. It's a phone and special encrypted line, you'll also get a comm when you finally get to patrol."

Bab grinned when she showed Steph her own Bat gift had consisted of a note saying she'd get a new vehicle and more driving lessons now that she was fifteen. Stephanie was a little jealous at that, and the pile of presents clearly for Barbara behind her.

"Some are for you," Barbara promised. "And you'll get just as many next year."

The girls giggled happily comparing the necklaces they were given, though Barbara's seemed to be specifically from Dick while Stephanie's came from the entire family. The little girl seemed to find this amusing and spent a while questioning Barbara about her relationship.

"For the last time, Batgirl and Robin are not a thing," Barbara said toying with the necklace that said Babs in her hand. She blushed as she remembered how Dick had come up with the name, and how it had spread.

Barbara also got a book filled with notes from Jason for their 'book club' with Alfred. There was a new USB wrapped in a scarf, one made by Cass and the other by Tim. Both were made with a little help.

Stephanie squealed as she opened the last package. Doc Martens in purple sparkly sequins that looked like they were pulled off a fish. She tried them on and grinned. "I love them!"

"Shh! We're supposed to be asleep."

"Oh, right." Stephanie tried before squealing again. "But they're so pretty!"

The girls had dissolved into laughter again chattering until they fell asleep.

Then this morning Barbara made hot chocolate that was even better than Alfred's, though she wouldn't say how (probably the extra marshmallows). Gordon came out in his bathrobe and hugged them both good morning, smelling of coffee, nice cigars and his own cologne. Their breakfast tasted a little burnt, but was covered in syrup and other treats. A special waffle treat for Christmas morning.

Next of course was gifts. Barbara got the usual money, clothes and a new phone from her father. Stephanie didn't see any other gifts under the tree and tried hard not to express her disappointment.

"We couldn't fit yours under the tree," Gordon said settling a hand on her shoulder. "It's in the guest room."

Stephanie followed him with a wary curiosity as they went to the room. Gordon continued speaking. "Barbara helped me with choosing everything. And we…"

Stephanie opened the door and gasped. The walls had been painted a pale perinwinkle, but the bed was covered in a duvet with flowers in her favorite eggplant color. There was nice white drapes, a beanbag and empty closet waiting for her. Sitting on the bed was a piece of paper. She picked it up confused.

"That's what makes this official," Gordon smiled softly. "You're staying with us as long as you can. That's why you get your new room."

Barbara spent a few minutes pointing everything out to her. The locker for little trinkets, also purple, the fuzzy rug which was a creamy color, and the star shaped lights hanging across the wall. There was room to hang anything she wanted and customize the room more.

Stephanie stayed uncharacteristically quiet the entire time. Barbara beamed down at her as she finished. "So?"

"It's perfect. It's the nicest gift I've ever gotten," Stephanie said, then repeated, "It's perfect."

"Really?" Gordon asked hopefully. In response Stephanie turned and grabbed him around the waist for a tight hug as she nodded against his stomach.

"I love it. I could totally have sleep overs here, and put up a cool Black Canary poster over there. Then I'd do my work near the beanbag after I come home from school," Stephanie rambled. Gordon didn't hear a thing after that as he noticed for the first time, Stephanie had called this place home.

Bruce was feeling the same thing as he looked at his oldest son hug his youngest daughter, then the other boys checking to see if she was okay. She took a few minutes but then smiled and signed something quickly to Tim. Bruce looked on happily as he knew as it was finally it was time to get his gift from the two youngest.

Tim spoke as he unwrapped it. "It's a photo album. I got some of the pictures from other albums and thing, some are mine. Cass wrote her own captions on each picture too."

Bruce looked through the album, smiling softly. Dick, Clark and himself at Bibbo's in Metropolis, the thanksgiving pictures taken over the years, a few taken from watchtower recordings. Cass had scribbled, (This is when Dick beat Aunt Diana in a spar). Gala pictures as well. All of them scrawled out in the trapeze net, Dick showing a younger Jason and Tim how to use the trapeze, and him then practicing on the barre with Cass. (Dick does the stretches better, she wrote.)

Once very cute picture had the kids this year in their Halloween costumes, Superboy, Zuko, a ballerina, Carmen Sandiego and Spock trick or treating and then, all but Barbara curled up on the couch with Ace dressed at the Enterprise. Cass had wrote, "I liked the music. Dick said the movie wasn't scary, but I liked Charlie Brown better."

Everyone crowded around to look and pointed out pictures, laughing at the captions or weird faces any of them had made. Bruce let them pull it aside, and didn't get a better chance to look until after they'd eaten their meal and most of them had fallen asleep after a Christmas movie. He'd gone upstairs to his room to find another gift on his dresser. There were mini stuffed animals, like each of the kid's own. He could tell that Dick had made them, but they were much smaller, and not the same animals as the ones the kids had. He smiled inspecting each one, the monkey dressed as Robin, the black lab dressed like Red Hood, a snow leopard that looked like Black Bat, a fox dressed as Batgirl, a little mouse Red Robin, and a Sea Otter in the spoiler suit they'd just designed. He smiled softly tucking them away safely so that they had the protection they deserved.

Later that night, as he finally looked at the album again, Cass sat down next to him lying on his side. She signed at him quickly. "Want to see my favorite?"

"Which is that?"

She opened to one of him letting her dress him up as she giggled. Bruce huffed. "That one? Why?"

Cass looked at him and did something unsual, opened her mouth as she slowly spoke her first word as a simple answer. "Dad."

AN: Stuffed animal thing based on KaylaBEEMarie on Tumblr's verse and headcanons. Those pictures are my biggest drive and inspo.