Making the Best of It
Chapter 19
Wayne Manor
Diana was a devastated mess. Only an hour ago, she had her baby taken away from her on a baseless lie. She walked the halls of the house, hollow inside. Numbly, she stepped as she was still processing what had occurred. She was vaguely under the assumption that Bruce was doing everything he can to get Elissa back.
Flashes of what transpired flickered in her mind. What stuck with her the most was Elissa's cry's. That pleading, begging for her mother to take her back from the strange woman.
Tears welled up in her eyes as the memory stung. Her heart broke as she was helpless to do anything. The Amazon in her wanted to break that Child Service's woman's arms and take back her child. How dare they do such a thing?!
She had never neglected Elissa. Never! She loved her daughter with all her heart and now it was torn out of her chest by a malevolent woman and an agency that was fumbling in their duty.
She found herself in Elissa's nursey. The scent of the infant's shampoo and her natural scent heavy in odor. The scent of baby powder potent as it lingered in the air.
Numbly, she hung over the crib, seeing the haphazardly placed pillow and blanket made the woman weep.
She pulled the pink and white blanket to her face, inhaling its scent in an attempt to soothe her. On the contrary, her heart wrenched further as her daughter was taken from her and the empty room further cemented that fact.
She collapsed clutching the blanket tightly to herself, weeping in agony over the loss of her daughter.
Batcave
Bruce furiously tapped at the keys to the computer as he started searching through the Child Service's phone records to find out who made such an outlandish allegation. He swore when he found out who just upended Elissa's life was going to suffer.
He found a time code for the call that came in the previous night. A quick reverse search of the number gave Bruce Davenport's name.
Fury simmered within him as he realized that petty bastard just tore a family apart on a whim. An act of twisted indignation, as Diana told him what had happened on her date. How the blonde man had provoked Diana to splash water in his face as she abruptly ended their date.
He resumed his investigation as he ran voice recognition on the taped phone call and confirmed it was indeed Davenport that made the phone call.
He hacked into Child Service's and discovered Eliza Meriwether worked for the agency. What little he knew of the agency he was certain that the way Meriwether conducted herself was out of character. He investigated her. Financials, phone records criminal record.
He discovered that she had a Swiss bank account that had unusually high sums deposited from an unknown account number. The money was far too much for a someone like her. He tracked down the account number, it helped that he had an idea of whom was giving the woman money. Phone records indicated that Mayor Hady was involved and held the account that transferred Meriwether the money.
It was all coming together now. Davenport made the call hoping to cause chaos. Hady learned about it after Meriwether phoned it to him hoping for more cash for services rendered.
He froze as he heard shuffling of feet. He turned and saw a lost Diana. Elissa's blanket wrapped under her left arm and a pacifier in the woman's right.
"Her pacifier. Elissa can't fall asleep without it," the defeated woman emphasized. She suddenly broke down crying uncontrollably. Instantly, Bruce wrapped his arms around her securely and comfortingly. The woman buried her face into his neck continuing to sob.
"We'll get her back," he promised her in an effort to comfort her. Truthfully, he was saying it more to himself rather than her. "We'll get her back," he repeated.
He just held her as he, too, felt empty without Elissa.
The only assurance he had right now was that several key figures in the city were involved and two were going down for filing a false report and bribes. Corruption on Hady would further get him out of office.
Elissa was placed with other infants removed from their families. Families, who have a much more substantial reason to have their children removed from their care.
Neglect. Abuse. Children suffering from ill-fit parents.
The overworked woman placed the Wayne heir into a crib surrounded by other children. A chorus of wailing gave the worker a headache.
She left with a sigh as a medical professional would be in soon to give the newcomer to the children's ward a checkup.
Luckily, Leslie Thompkins was donating some of her time to the state ward. Unfortunately, due to her connection to Bruce Wayne, she was shadowed by another doctor for a second opinion.
Alfred had called Leslie, distraught. When he told what had happened, she could not even believe it. While she wanted to check in with Bruce and tell him everything was alright with Elissa, she was concerned that any interaction would result in her removal or somehow hamper Bruce's case to fight the absurd allegation. So she chose to speak with Alfred instead just to douse any concerns.
She narrated as she went about checking Elissa over like she always did when it was time for Elissa's checkup. "Perfectly healthy. Up to date with her vaccinations. Slightly above her proportions for her age base," she spoke aloud in a not-so-subtle words called the baby fat. "Mild case of diaper rash," she noted, remedying that in an instant. "Well nourished. Do you concur, doctor?" she turned to her colleague searching for any objections.
"I do," the man replied, having observed the whole examination.
Late at night, when all the children were put to bed and after several long hours of rocking the uncooperative infants to sleep the workers turned off the lights and had security patrolling the floors intent on protecting the displaced children.
In the dismal room where paint was chipping off the walls about a dozen cribs in the room in spacious rows to allow movement in-between. In the darkness of the room an even darker shadow leaked into the room. The shadow glided along the tile floor, walking up to the correct crib after close inspection of the other cribs.
Looming over Elissa's crib, sans pacifier. Wrapped in a different blanket, she looked disgruntled by being in this odd place. She had difficulty falling asleep, taxing the workers patience as Elissa disturbed other infants with her wails.
Gently, Batman lightly ran a hand atop her head, parting her dark locks. His expression softened slightly as he was relieved to see she was alright in the foreign place.
Carefully, he attached her pacifier to her clothes and gently nudged her treasured object into her mouth. "You'll be home soon, princess," he promised her. He pressed a kiss to her forehead and departed with a flutter of his cape.
Suddenly, the guards burst in as silently as they could. Eyes darted side to side of the room, scanning for any signs of why he thought he saw a shadow in the room. Eventually, they shrugged and left with a shut of a door.
Wayne Manor
Bruce returned home not long after his visit to Elissa. He found Diana curled up on the couch with Elissa's blanket wrapped in her arms.
He sympathized with how distraught the woman was feeling. He shared the same feeling, but Diana had such a profound connection with Elissa. More than Bruce did. He saw it every time the two interacted. She sheer delight on the woman's face when she saw her baby when she came home from work or when she picked her up from a nap or anything. Elissa was truly Diana's love.
Elissa was the same. She squealed in utter joy when she saw her mother. Happy and all excited to see the woman. Bruce almost always got a similar reaction from his daughter, but he had an inkling it was not as profound as with Diana.
Tentatively, he draped a blanket over the slumbering woman, unintentionally rousing her from sleep. Blue eyes slowly fluttered open, bulging when she realized it was Bruce that stood over her.
Instantly, she sat up, hands clutching his shirt, demanding information on their daughter's state. "How's Elissa?! Is she okay?!" she frantically bombarded him with questions.
Gently, he held her wrists trying to alleviate her grasp. "She's fine," he responded softly. Her grip loosened when she heard of Elissa's wellbeing. He held her hands in his own. "I gave her her pacifier so she could sleep. I know you were worried about that."
She let out a relieved breath when she heard.
"Leslie called," he suddenly said regaining her attention. "She conducted an exam on Elissa, and she was diagnosed perfectly healthy. Another physician backs her diagnosis. And she is willing to testify on our behalf to get Elissa back," he informed her.
The new information seemed to satisfy her, give her hope that they would get their child back.
Suddenly, she was struck with the knowledge that Elissa was not here—with her. Tears spilled down her face as she once more broke down.
"I want our baby back!" she wept, crashing in the man's chest. Immediately, he wrapped his arms around her. Comforting her for a few moments before he maneuvered them to sit on the couch. She curled up into him as she cried for her loss.
He whispered words of encouragement to her as he held her, feeling just as empty as she did.
"So do I," he whispered, holding her tighter.
Bruce and Diana were being slaughtered in the media. Dozens of reporters were demanding answers for the allegations of abuse. The police were investigating them as well. It was a miracle they weren't arrested as the doctors had found no indications of neglect towards Elissa. However, that did not mean the raven-haired pair were getting their baby back. Oh no, they were not getting their child back until they went through family court proceedings. Every official involved were being diligent regarding the minor's welfare.
It was getting to the point where even Diana and Bruce's coworkers and employees from the Wayne Foundation and Wayne Enterprises were voicing their concerns and a lack of faith in their abilities.
Regina even went as far to get rid of Diana, however, Bruce refused and told the older woman to get over it.
It was even getting to the point where ordinary citizens had an opinion on the scandal. A lot of harsh words were directed towards the parents. Anger and outrage for neglecting an innocent child.
Mayor Hady, himself had something to say. "Shameful. Shameful," he shook his head at a press conference when a reporter inquired on the rumors. Bruce was invigorated into bringing the corrupt man down.
Wayne Enterprises stock took a hit from the false allegations. Lucius was getting concerned and offered his help in any way that he could.
Bruce, while grateful, declined, stating that it was all in the courts now.
Diana was still a broken mess. Sadness gave way to anger. The Hall of Justice's training room was demolished every time she used it venting her frustrations.
Bruce was going through his lawyer to get Elissa back, while the Amazon wanted to burst into the facility and take back her child no matter who stood in her way.
Bruce checked in with Elissa every night. It hurt the woman by the fact that she could not go with him. If she went to the facility holding her daughter, Diana would be compelled to take her child back. Realizing the potential, Bruce activated his cowl's recorder so she could she their child herself.
Woman almost burst into tears when she saw her child after so long on the computer monitor within the cave.
It took two weeks for them to get before a judge. Bruce and Diana dressed appropriately for court armed with Bruce's lawyer, Rachal Green. She was more a criminal attorney, but she had in the past represented Bruce in several civil suits, mostly the ones Wayne Enterprises filed.
Eliza Meriwether was in the gallery siding behind the state attorney. Criminal charges were nonexistent thanks to no evidence of abuse or neglect. That small mercy was the only weapon the pair had. Well, that and some other pieces of evidence that a private investigator discovered for the custody case.
"Your honor, I move for the immediate return of Elissa Wayne to the custody of her parents," the blonde woman spoke to the judge.
"On what grounds?" the judge inquired.
"Based on the fact that I hold evidence that these are baseless allegations. Medical records indicate that Elissa Wayne was not neglected or abused," she concluded.
"I see that," the judge agreed. "However, I must be certain considering the city removed the child from the parents care."
Rachal sat down as the state defended the case,
"Your honor, I would like to call Bruce Wayne to the stand," the prosecutor called forth.
Said man sat on the stand awaiting cross-examination.
"Mr. Wayne, how often do you see Elissa?"
"Almost every day," he answered.
"Almost? Not every single day?" the prosecutor questioned, skeptical of the billionaire's investment of his daughter.
"I work," he shrugged.
"And Miss Prince? Does she work as well?"
"Yes."
"Even though you are very well off?"
The dark-haired man narrowed his eyes as the prosecutor was taking shots to both parents' jobs. "I have a company that has been in my family for generations. I do everything I can to keep it running as well as putting it to work restoring the city. As for Diana, she handles the charity aspect of the Wayne Foundation that is responsible for caring for the community that has been neglected by the city," he answered succinctly. "It takes both of us away from Elissa for hours, but we both make every effort to spend time with her and care for her."
"Have you ever abused any of the children that have come through your home?"
"Objection!" Rachal stood up. "This is about Elissa Wayne not any of the children Bruce Wayne has fostered."
"Goes to creditability and history, your honor," the prosecutor responded.
"I'll allow it," the judge decided.
"So, have you ever abused the children that you have adopted previously?"
The man took a second before answering. All the traumas the Robins had been through since they came into Bruce's life came to the surface. He swallowed, "No. I have never abused them."
"Who feeds Elissa?
"Diana. Myself. Or Alfred Pennyworth, the butler, when neither of us are home," Bruce answered.
"You ever have a rough day at work?"
"Sometimes," the billionaire shrugged.
"Ever take it out on your daughter?"
"Never," Bruce vehemently denied.
"Miss Prince?"
"She could never do such a thing," Bruce adamantly rejected.
Seeing as how Bruce had not faltered in any way, the prosecutor ended their line of questioning.
Rachal stood up from her seat and without missing a beat started her line of questioning.
"Mr. Wayne, has there ever been an allegation of child abuse towards you in the past?"
"No."
She grabbed a taped recorder from her table. "Do you recognize this voice?" She played the tape, and the court heard the voice of the one who placed the call to Child Services in the first place.
"Yes, it's J. Devlin Davenport," Bruce identified.
"How do you know him?"
"He is a member of the same gold club as I am," he adjusted his posture in the uncomfortable chair.
"To your knowledge would he have any type of grudges against you?" The woman inquired getting to the reason for the call.
"I bought most of his real estate in the city a few years back after they were severely damaged during one of Gotham's crisis'," he acknowledged.
"Would that be reason enough to phone in slander?"
"Not to my knowledge. He received a generous sum when I bought his property."
"Has Mr. Davenport ever met your daughter?"
"No, we have only just started taking her outdoors."
"Nothing further," Rachal stated. Bruce was excused and returned to his seat next to Diana.
When Diana was called, she took the stand.
The prosecutor started to question her immediately. They took jabs at her for Elissa having diaper rash and being slightly over proportioned for her age.
"What baby doesn't ever get diaper rash?" Diana answered incredulously. "When Elissa was born, she was eight pounds. From what I was told that was a heavy weight for a newborn."
The state attorney nodded their head slowly, pondering her answers. Slowly, they switched gears. "So, you have plenty of time going out on dates then to be a proper mother to your daughter?"
Diana was taken aback by the question. Steeling herself she replied, "It was simply dinner. A thank you for making such a charitable donation to the Wayne Foundation's Children's Fund," she civilly explained.
"I spend every minute that I can with Elissa. I love her. There is not anything I would not do for her," the raven-haired woman pledged.
The state prosecutor ends their line of questioning and Rachal stands to ask her questions.
"Miss Prince, how old is your daughter?"
"Six months, give or take a few days."
"What does she like to eat?"
"Well, she likes formula as well as baby cereal. I give her organic baby food, carrots, and peas mostly. Sometimes apple and bananas. It depends on her day if she will eat any of them," the woman made a face recalling the hardships Elissa put her mother through trying to feed her.
The judge listened intently as the woman spoke.
"You bathe her regularly?"
"Yes."
"Clothe her when she needs new clothes?"
"Yes," she nodded.
"And when you can't be around her you ensure; she has someone to care for her in your place?"
"Yes," Diana nodded her head once more.
"Have you ever regretted having Elissa?"
"Never," Diana refuted without missing a beat.
There were several characters witnesses called. Such as, Alfred and Leslie, speaking to each adults' abilities as parental figures as well as their treatment of Elissa.
The judge silently heard these characters and got a greater sense of Bruce and Diana.
Rachal had called Eliza Meriwether to the stand. Immediately, she got belligerent to the woman. "Miss Meriwether can you explain this phone call from Mayor Hady's office?"
"Mayor Hady has a vested interest in the safety of the city's children," the woman carefully answered.
"Do you find it curious that such a high-profile politician is calling some civil service worker making a mediocre salary?"
"I suppose," the woman skeptically replied.
"Can you explain why you have a Swiss bank account with financial records going back years between you and Mayor Hady? With sums far exceeding what you make?"
"I have never seen nor heard of this," Eliza denied as she examined the financial records handed to her by Rachal.
"Phone records and financials indicate that a significant sum of money was delivered into your account following Elissa Wayne being taken out of my clients' custody," Rachal stated. "Have you been receiving bribes by the mayor for taking children out of good homes?"
"No, of course not," the woman denied.
"Then why has Mayor Hady been using these allegations to stem Bruce Wayne's Gotham rebuild as the development ceased following these proceeds?"
"I wouldn't know anything about that."
Rachal seeing as how she could not break the woman conceded.
Finally, it was time for the judge to make a decision. Bruce and Diana were nervous as Bruce was unable to determine if the judge was in Hady's pocket.
Anxiety and dread consumed the pair as they feared they would lose their daughter.
The judge spoke, "I have heard from both parents. From character witnesses on how the parents are with Elissa Wayne. I have heard from Eliza Meriwether. However, Elissa Wayne is the only one I have not heard from. But seeing as however she is unable to verbalize her opinion on this matter, I have no choice but to do it for her."
Bruce and Diana were on the edge of their seats as the judge spoke.
"I have not heard any evidence of why Elissa Wayne was removed. Not one shred of facts provide cause for such drastic action from Child Services. A mere phone call from a slighted man should not be sufficient reason to take a child from decent parents."
Bruce and Diana were starting to become hopeful as the judge was sounding like they were taking their side.
"To add, I have grave concerns regarding Mayor Hady's connections to this particular social worker. I order Elissa Wayne to be returned to the custody of Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince," the judge slammed the gavel with a loud echo.
Bruce and Diana leapt up in excitement. Overcome with joy the Amazon hugged the man tightly.
It was then that Elissa was brought into the courtroom by a separate social worker. Instantly, Diana happily walked up to them and took Elissa back into her arms, the baby squealing in joy at the sight of her mother.
"I've missed you so much, Elissa." Diana said softly, peppering the infant with kisses. The scene brought a smile to Bruce's face as their daughter was reunited with them.
Alfred smiled as well, silently patting himself on the back for keeping the car seat in the limo.
Eliza appearing apologetic, walked up to Diana, instantly on guard as the woman approached.
"Miss Prince, I want you to know that I only had Elissa's best interests in mind," she apologetically said.
Diana stared at her with hollow eyes, not believing a single word. "Get out of our lives," she commanded of her. Without another word, Diana briskly walked past the woman.
As the Amazon departed with Alfred a few steps behind her, Bruce stayed behind to watch as police officers entered and placed Eliza in hand cuffs.
He had a small hand in it as he discovered Hady had been using the woman to crush some of his political rivals by using their children against them.
The way things were going Hady would be going down and a new interim mayor would be stepping forward.
However, Bruce paid that thought little mind as he turned to Rachal, whom was packing her briefcase.
"Rachal, thank you," a grateful Bruce told her.
"Of course, Bruce. I'm glad I could help get your daughter back," she smiled at him.
He nodded his head, "There's one more thing you can do for me," he informed her.
"Yes?" the curious woman uttered.
"I want defamation civil suits filed against Davenport and Hady. They don't get to do something like this and get away with it," he seethed. "They almost tore my family apart. They will regret that."
She nodded, "I'll get started right away."
"Thanks."
"How much do you want to sue them for?"
"How ever much it will cost to put your kids through college," silently hinting that the money was all hers upon completion.
He left a dumbfounded Rachal behind in the courtroom as Bruce walked to the car where Diana was holding her baby as if she would slip away from the woman if she let go.
"Ready to go home?" the billionaire asked as soon as he sat in the limo.
"Yes," Diana said, breathing a sigh of relief as the nightmare was over. The baby was back where she belonged—with them.
She buckled Elissa into her car seat before the car sped off with Wayne Manor as their destination.
Days later, Mayor Hady was arrested for political corruption along with Eliza Meriwether for accepting bribes. She immediately, made a deal as she was facing significant jail time for abuse of power and for wrong misplacement of children.
Davenport also received a subpoena for ten million dollars. The slip of paper made the man sweat as he had made some bad investments lately and ten million would leave him destitute.
Bruce and Diana remained home for a few extra days to catch up with their baby. Diana had gone so long without seeing her baby in real life and refused to leave her side unless the world was ending.
You could barely get the woman to leave their baby's side. He was fairly sure the Amazon slept in the nursey the night Elissa came home.
It didn't matter to him. They had Elissa back that was all that mattered presently.
NEXT: Father and Son
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