Ch 33

Jump City Zoo felt somber to Gar as his eyes immediately went to the cage where the ravens once lived. Anger and sadness flowed through, thinking about how much they suffered before their deaths. He had been afraid to come back here, but his boss had reassured him that he was an asset to the zoo. He wasn't blamed for what happened, but it didn't make him feel any better.

"Are you ready to get back to work?"

"Yeah, I think it will do me some good to keep my mind busy," Gar said as his boss noticed his gaze at the ravens' cage.

"I meant to tell you some news about the ravens. The rest of the staff and I didn't want to say anything unless everything was all right."

"What is it?"

"Well, it's going to be a long road for the ravens, but they are going to make it."

"What! How?" exclaimed Gar. "Th—they were dead. I saw—

"You're soon-to-be wife brought them back. We were all amazed to say the least. Garfunkel and his mate Sky are still recovering. Once we feel that they are fully recovered, they will be returned to their home."

Gar was distracted though his whole shift but in a good way. He was sure he was smiling so much that it hurt. What Raven had done filled him with a warmth he had never experienced. She was truly an amazing woman, and he wondered what he could do to express to her how much what she did meant to him. He knew he could show her through sex, but that was too obvious.

Leaving the zoo in good spirits, he walked down the street when the supermarket caught his eye. 'I know. I'll cook her a home cooked meal, get her the tea she loves, and to finish it off, dessert,' he thought as he grabbed a cart and got to work.

Once he got home, he took everything out of his grocery bags, placing each item on the kitchen counter. It was then he realized he had gone overboard. Looking at the clock, it read 3pm. "Well, I better get started. I hope I finish in time."

Everything was set on the table, and her tea was left on the burner before Gar raced to his room, showered, and changed into some nice clothes. Relaxing on the couch and watching TV, he waited for Raven to get home. He could feel the excitement by beating of his heart and his nerves as his eyes would move from the TV to the door every few minutes. Once he heard the door unlock, he rushed up from the couch and stood by the door.

Her eyes are what gave her away. They were filled with confusion and hurt. He knew this wasn't the time to speak, so he waited for her to tell him what was wrong as he followed her to the couch. He took her hands in his and squeezed them with reassurance.

"My grandparents are alive. Aunt Alice said she lied to protect me from them, but I'm curious about them. I need to know."

"Whatever you need to do Rae, I'll support it, you know that," he smiled as he held her.

"So, what's with the home-cooked meal or did I miss something?" Raven asked.

"Well, I found out from my boss that the ravens are recovering. I thought they died. When my boss told me that you had something to do with it, I couldn't resist showing my appreciation."

"Oh Gar," she said as she stood up and walked towards the table, "everything looks so good."

Gar smiled. "I even made your favorite tea."

"You didn't have to do all this."

"I know you think it's too much, but I want you to be happy Raven," he said as he pulled out her chair. "M'lady."

Raven sighed. "I know when I'm beat. Thank you, kind sir," she smiled as she sat down.

When Gar sat down, they both enjoyed the meal in silence. Gar was never good with silence, but he knew Raven was probably thinking about her grandparents. He knew she was obsessing about why they kept this secret from her, and he decided to bring her back from her mind.

"Rae."

"I was thinking we could visit them this weekend. Aunt Alice said they still live in Gotham."

"That works for me. So you're sure you want to do this?"

"I'm a little nervous about meeting them, but I want to know more about my mother."

"I just don't want you to get hurt."

Raven smiled. "I know. I appreciate your concern, but I'll be fine. So your boss ratted me out?"

"Did you think I wouldn't find out?"

"I did. I know how much those ravens mean to you, and I just had to try."

"You know I didn't think it was possible to fall even more in love with you, but it happened."

Raven blushed and couldn't help but laugh. "You're so corny Garfield, but I love you. You make me so happy."

Dinner was over as the couple brought the dishes to the sink. Gar washed while Raven dried, and the silence was comfortable for the moment. Once everything was in its' place in the cupboards, the couple relaxed in the living room, Gar watching TV and Raven reading her latest book.

A few hours later Gar felt a warm weight on his shoulder and looked to see Raven had fallen asleep on him, her book resting in her hands. Carefully removing the book from her grasp, he put the bookmark on the page her hand had rested in, closed it, and placed it on the table. Finding a blanket hung over the couch, he dropped over the both of them.

"Goodnight Rae," he said softly, "sweet dreams," he said, delicately as he kissed her forehead, got comfortable, and slipped into his own seat dreams.