Ch 43

"You're sure about this?" asked Gar to his wife as they walked towards the Dayton residence.

"I know you're worried about what Mento will say, but they're family," said Raven. "I know how much they mean to you."

"Well, I'm sure, Rita, Cliff, and Larry will be happy to see both of us," said Gar as he knocked on the door.

Cliff smirked as he saw the couple on the other side of the door. "Well, if it isn't Mr. and Mrs. Logan!"

"It's nice to see you to Cliff," smiled Gar before he was suddenly in the arms of his foster mom. "Hi, mom."

"Well, you two look well-rested and happy," said Larry.

"We are," smiled Raven as Gar came to her side, his arm around her.

Settling in the living room, Rita was eager to know more about the place her son and daughter-in-law would be staying indefinitely. "So this place, New Azarath, what is it like?"

"It's kind of like earth. It has amazing green fields, but the clouds are a beautiful crimson color. The city looks like any other for the most part, but it has the most amazing white stone temple. The streets are made of solid marble and some of the buildings have columns of gold," said Raven.

"It's a nice city to be in, but we're thinking of living outside the city but close by," said Gar as he looked at his wife. "I was thinking we could build our own home maybe with the help of any remaining Azarath architects. "Maybe it could combine both our cultures."

Raven smiled at her husband. "That sounds like a perfect idea Gar."

"We're so happy for you both as I'm sure you know," said Rita. "Steve—

"I—is he here?" asked Gar.

Larry felt the tension in the room. "Well, I think this calls for a celebratory lunch," he said as he looked at the clock. "Cliff, I could use some help."

"Uh sure," said Cliff as he followed him into the kitchen.

"He's somewhere on the grounds," said Rita. "Why don't you go find him while I show Raven to your room?"

"You approve of us sharing a room?" asked Raven.

"You're married now. It's practically required dear," she said as the two women left the room with her and Gar's luggage.

Gar was hesitant to search for his foster father. He wasn't certain he wanted to hear Steve's opinion about his life choices. He'd been hearing about it his whole time on the Doom Patrol, but he was an adult now. He was hoping this time would be different.

In the backyard, Gar found his foster dad relaxing on his porch swing, looking at the view of the forest laid out before him. He smiled, finding the site quiet usual to him. Siting beside Steve on the swing, he got a closer look at him, seeing his face neutral.

"I thought I would have found you training," said Gar.

"Sometimes you need to know when to relax. Isn't that what you told me when you were just a little boy?"

Gar smiled. "Yeah, but I've been an adult for quite some time now."

"Yes, it appears so. You're starting your married life in a dimension I assume is far away from earth."

"Why can't you be happy for me and support my decisions? I love Raven, and she loves me. We're starting our new lives in New Azarath."

"Are you sure that you will be happy there? Are you sure you'll be happy with her?"

"Nothing is a sure thing, but I've been happy with Raven as long as I've known her, even before we were married or romantically involved."

"You've talked about her a lot ever since you joined the Titans. I believed that would fade. What is it about that woman you find so desirable?"

"Everything. I shouldn't have to explain my wife to you, Steve. Just what are you looking for?"

"Maybe I just don't understand her."

"Why don't you talk to her? You think you can do that without pissing me or her off?" asked Gar as he got up from the swing.

"I can try," Steve said as he stood up from the swing.

"You're going to miss me you know," smirked Gar. "I think you wanted me to stay on the Doom Patrol."

"I wanted you to eventually become the leader of the Doom Patrol, eventually recruiting new members so your mother, I, Larry, and Cliff could retire."

"That's a nice dream too bad it's not mine, but you can still do that Steve. You don't need me."

"I suppose I'll have to make do."

"I think you need to ask yourself why you're not happy for me when Rita, Cliff, and Larry are. I know you don't like change so much, but I'm the happiest I've ever been in my life. I never thought I'd meet someone, fall in love, and get married, especially looking the way I do, but I did. I never thought I'd be accepted for who I am, but I have. She's the most incredible woman I've ever known, and she loves me. She cares about me. What more could you want for your son?"

Walking past Steve, he knew he probably wouldn't get an answer. He expected it and accepted it as he went back inside the house. Now he needed to decompress and find a way to relax as his eyes came upon a familiar door.

Raven had left Gar's room and sensed his stress starting to calm. She was sure it had something to do with Gar's conversation with Mento. Sensing the Doom Patrol leader, she found him in his office. Instead of knocking, she phased right into the room.

"You know it's rude to barge in here without knocking," said Steve as he turned around in his chair to face the empath.

"I would have done so if you hadn't caused my husband such distress."

"Then why aren't you with him?"

"His emotions have calmed. He's found a way to destress. What did you two talk about exactly?"

"You and your relationship, what else?"

"You don't understand why we're together, why we got married."

"You two seem so different. I just don't see the relationship working out. You'll break his heart somehow."

"Those are your assumptions, and you have no way of knowing what will happen in the future between Gar and me. What is it about me you dislike so much? I'm not HER if that's what you're worried about."

"When Gar told us about her, we didn't have the heart to tell him about our suspicions, which I'm sure you had about HER. He liked her so much," he sighed. "We knew she would break his heart."

"I'm not her Mento. I've had my own experience with betrayal and heartbreak, and I would never wish to do that to Garfield. I love him and when she broke his heart, I hated her. I'll never forgive her for that, and that's my decision."

"Perhaps I was wrong about you Raven. It's just that when I first met Gar, he was a scared, beaten, hurt little boy, trying to survive in the world. Sometimes it's hard not to see him that way. I feel like I've always had to protect him and make him stronger when he joined the Doom Patrol. I wanted him to be prepared for life, but it was a battle with him on every turn."

Raven smiled. "Yes, that sounds like Gar all right. He beats to the sound of his own drum. You needed to let him find his own way instead of your way. I believe that's why he left the Doom Patrol when he did and found the Titans. He needed your understanding, not protection. In case you didn't notice, he's a grown man now. He's made a life for himself. You should be so proud of him. He's come a long way from that sad, scared, hurt, wounded little boy."

She was surprised when she felt the man's arms around her in a hug. "Thank you."

"For what?" she asked as he let go of her.

"For making me realize what I've been doing to my son all these years. I need to apologize to him and to yo—

"Apology accepted," smiled Raven as Steve left the room. Following behind him, she watched as he headed towards Gar's location. Heading towards the kitchen, she could see lunch would be ready soon.

Raven read her book in bed as Gar was telling her all about his second conversation with Steve. She could feel his positive emotions flow through her, making her smile. It was always a good thing when her husband was happy. "Thank you, Raven, you know you didn't have to talk to him but I'm glad you did. You just have a way with words that others don't seem to have."

Raven lowered her book. "You don't have to thank me Gar. I'm just glad everything worked out," she said, bookmarking her place in her book.

Gar sat beside her on the bed. "You're the most amazing wife, and I love you," he said as he kissed her cheek.

"I love you to Garfield," she said as she leaned against his chest, kissing him on his cheek.

"So tomorrow's the big day," said Gar.

"Yes. Are you sure you're ready for living somewhere so unfamiliar for an uncertain amount of time?"

Gar chuckled. "Rae, I've been doing that for most of my life. The only difference is I'm doing it with the woman I love. Plus I really enjoyed our honeymoon there. I have a good feeling about New Azarath."

"I do as well," she smiled as she cuddled up to her husband, feeling his arm around her waist. "You know I'm not so sure the honeymoon phase is over," she said as she felt Gar's surprise.

"Are you seriously thinking about—?"

"I know it feels kind of wrong to be doing that here, but I—MMHP!" she exclaimed in surprise as her husband captured her lips hungrily with his as he moved on top of her. His hands moving under her shirt, caressing her skin.

"Ga—Gar," she breathed as his lips left her so they could breathe. She smiled. "I can tell you're certain about this."

"I'm really turned on Rae," he said, lust showing in his eyes as he removed his shirt and the rest of his clothes so fast that it spurred her on to remove her clothes with her powers.

Under the blankets, their bodies pressed tightly together as they made out heavily on his bed. When he was inside her, he couldn't help but let go and give her the wild pleasure she deserved. Hearing her want more from him, he couldn't help but oblige. He would give her whatever her heart desired.

Before he knew it, she was on top of him, riding him as her life depended on. Her eyes showed him her lust and love for him while her smile lit up her whole face, making her even more beautiful to him. He couldn't help but reach out and caress her face, moving his hand down her neck, fondling her breasts, and then resting his hands on her waist.

"Ga—Garfield!" she moaned.

"I—I'm coming Raven," he moaned as he felt himself release into her.

They lied on their backs, trying to catch theirs breathes as their hands found each other under the covers. They turned and smiled at each other before cuddling together under the covers and eventually falling asleep.