Carly made herself at home in the office like she had already done everywhere else that belonged to Bruce. The billionaire was pacing the room and talking with someone on his personal cellphone, so she claimed his expensive chair from behind his desk. Carly snuggled into the soft leather chair before riffling through the drawers of her husband's desk. She was fairly certain there was a drawer of junk food somewhere, she just had to remember which one. Bruce spotted her digging through his stuff. He covered the face of his phone with his hand.
"What are you doing?" He mouthed to her.
"Looking for snacks!" She stage-whispered across the room at him.
"have a fruit." He insisted. "They're better for you." He plucked up a random fruit from the bowl nearest the door and lobbed it at her. It was a good throw so she caught it easily enough.
"Thank you!" She hissed before taking a big bite out of the pear he'd tossed her way. Bruce resumed his phone conversation, but only long enough to exchange empty good-byes and end the call.
"Shouldn't you be working?" He asked as he tucked his phone away inside his suit jacket.
"I was, kind of working." She defended. She took another bite out of her pear and swiveled the office chair back and forth.
"So, if you were kind of working, why are you up here now. Not working at all." Bruce put his hands on his waist. He smiled playfully as he waited for her answer.
"Because, I got a phone call from everyone's favorite police commissioner." She smiled back still pivoting the chair one way then the other.
"The background checks came back?" Bruce guessed with hopeful eyes.
"The background checks came back in." She repeated in confirmation. "Clean and clear, my dear."
"That's amazing!" Bruce was smiling, not just his usual smirk or grin. He raced over to Carly and lifted her from the office chair. He pulled her into him tightly. "We're going to get our boy." He whispered.
"Well, not just yet." Carly sighed, hating to be the barer of bad news. "We need to call Emily Clarke and see what she says."
"Shhhh." Bruce insisted. He stroked Carly's hair gently. "We're one step closer. Let's just enjoy the moment."
So, she rested her head on his shoulders and closed her eyes. For the first time in several days, things were starting to finally go well. Bruce continued to hold Carly in his arms. He could practically feel how happy she was. It was like the joy was radiating off of her in warm waves. He could only hope to continue making her that happy for the rest of his life.
Bruce and Carly decided to call Mrs. Clarke after they had lunch. They agreed that the meal would calm both their nerves and put them in the best mood to talk with the social worker about their next steps. Mrs. Clarke explained that she had also talked to Gordon, and wanted to set up a home inspection with the couple and begin moving towards the next step in the process. The appointment was scheduled and the next afternoon Bruce, Carly and Alfred were waiting in the entrance hall for Ms. Clarke to tally up her final notes.
"It's good." The Social Worker announced finally. "The pool has childproof locks on all possible entrances. You've had a new roof put on even though you only needed to patch a few sections. There are outlet covers in the main areas of the house. You've provided adequate living quarters for Richard. Overall, this is one of the most positive primary home inspections I've ever had the pleasure of administering. Let's hope you can keep things going as we continue on in the process." Ms. Clarke smiled. She looked down and scribbled a final note on her paperwork.
"Now," She looked back up at them. "I'm prepared to release Richard into your custody as early as tomorrow, all I need is a copy of the sign off sheet you have from your parenting classes." She looked between Bruce and Carly impatiently.
"Parenting classes?" Bruce looked at Carly. He felt guilty. He'd been doing his best to not let things slip through the cracks. He'd followed up with all of the contractors working on the house, he kept up appearances at work and not to mention all those sleepless nights on the Gotham streets clad in Kevlar. Yet somehow he'd completely missed all of the parenting classes. Had Carly been going to them alone?
"Yes." Ms. Clarke watched them with disapproval. "During my first visit I gave you a list of centers and times where you could attend these classes. You're required to attend at least 30 hours before we can officially make either of you a legal foster parent. I might be able to do something if you're a few hours short. How short are we talking?"
"About 30 hours." Carly admitted, biting her lip. She looked up at Bruce, also feeling guilty. She was supposed to be keeping track of things like this. Anything that effected their civilian life was her responsibility. That way Bruce could put most of his energy into being the Batman.
"I'm sure you don't think that I am doing everything I can to help you." Emily Clarke sighed. She held her paperwork at her side and look at them both very seriously. "But the truth is, Mr & Mrs. Wayne, I like you both very much. So much that I was worried it was impeding my professionalism. That is why I had GCPD run such extensive background checks. There is no possible way two people could be so…genuine without a few skeletons in the closet. Especially not with the reputations that proceed you both. But no matter how much I like you, I can not help you if you won't follow the proper channels."
"Would it help at all if I were to submit the hours that I have attended in the parenting classes?" Alfred questioned quietly. Carly and Bruce both looked at the butler in confusion. "I'm afraid I've only been able to scrape together roughly 15 hours, but I do have all the proper records."
"When did you have time to do all that, Alfred?" Bruce asked.
"Despite what you may believe, Master Wayne, I do no spend every minute of my day here in this mansion." Alfred turned his attention back to Mrs. Clarke. "Would you like to see my documentation?"
"Yes." She nodded. "Absolutely. Do you have copies?" She asked. "I'll need to have everything approved and verified.
"Certainly, if you wouldn't mind following me this way." The Billionaire and his wife watched in astonishment as their Butler escorted Mrs. Clarke out of the room.
A/N: So I disappeared for like 1,000 years but as you can see now I'm not dead. I've just been busy. I really love this story and I hate that I cant work on it as often as I'd like. I cant wait to hear from you all again!
