Making the Best of It
Chapter 12
Wayne Manor
Alfred had gotten the struggling Amazon to the house in less than thirty minutes. Leslie had greeted them outside, arriving moments before them.
The doctor sprinted to the limousine, helping the sweaty and suffering Amazon out of the backseat, Alfred providing aid where he could.
Diana panted heavily as she was helped to her feet, she noticed the older man had raced to the front door unlocking it and darted back to help her and Leslie get her inside to the delivery suite.
Both graying adults grabbed an arm and walked the raven-haired woman to the door, only for them to stop as Diana doubled over in pain as another contraction surged through her.
"Easy, Diana. Let it pass," Thompkins advised, unexpressive to the pregnant woman. Leslie has delivered several babies in her time as a doctor, she held her professionalism in high regard. She hoped her advice calmed the Amazon, implying that it was all natural and that she would be alright.
The raven-haired woman's jaw tensed as she struggled to endure the contraction, hurting more than the last few. A grimace on her fine features slowly vanished as the pain passed. A sheen of sweat coated her face and the rest of her body obscured by her clothing.
Panting, she glanced towards Leslie, "Please," she pleaded, almost on the brink of tears.
Both sympathetic to the woman, the butler and doctor got her to the suite. The older man retreated from the room as the doctor helped the princess out of her clothes and into a gown.
Leslie immediately got to work hooking the Amazon up the multiple monitors, that measured heartrate and blood pressure.
She held off putting in an IV, wanting to wait and see if there were any serious changes in condition. She took her temperature and found that it was in acceptable parameters.
Alfred had returned dabbing the woman's forehead with a damp cloth wiping away some of the accumulating sweat.
Panting as another contraction raked through her, her eyes cracked open, and pleadingly she asked Alfred where was Bruce?
She sounded like she was on the brink of tears. She would berate herself for sounding so pitiful later, but at the moment she needed that man here with her for some support.
"I… I'm not sure, Miss," the butler hesitantly responded. "I lost contact with him hours ago," he admitted, part of him wanted to lie to her to put her at ease, but she would know when he was lying to her.
She went from one of pain to one that lost hope. Was Bruce dead? Was she going to raise their daughter alone?
Alfred placed a comforting hand on her gown clad shoulder, "Do not lose hope, Miss. Master Bruce has gotten out of far more dangerous situations before," he reassured. He smiled at her, "He will return," he promised her, although he seemed to be trying to convince himself more than the woman.
His assurances managed to subside her fears at least until the next contraction past. Leslie inquired into how long she had been having contractions and if Amazons went through labor differently than normal women?
Wincing, "No, we Amazons give birth just as ordinary women do. Pain and all," she grunted as she endured the next wave of pain, clenching the bed sheets, her fluctuating strength resurfaced and tore the sheets between struggling fingers.
"Diana, the intervals between contractions including how far you are dilated suggests you've been in labor for hours!" the doctor noted.
"What?" the raven-haired woman shouted, her head shooting up from the pillows behind her head. "But my water didn't break," she exclaimed, greatly surprised by the doctor's remark.
"It doesn't always happen for some women," the medical professional announced. "When did the contractions first start?"
Diana paused, taking a moment to contemplate recalling when she first suffered back pain, "Since I woke up this morning."
Alfred had left the women, knowing Diana was in very capable hands with Dr. Thompkins handling the delivery.
Right now, he needed to find Bruce. Or at least find out if he was alive.
Shandy Pharmaceutical Processing Plant
He groaned as consciousness was a razor blade away. Pain was the first thing to register in his mind followed by the noxious odor of smoke.
White eyes narrowly opened, his one good arm pushed him off the concrete ground, a grunt escaped him in the struggle.
Slowly, it all came back to him, especially the pain in his left arm when he tried to put pressure on it. "Aah!" he grunted; he clutched his arm as he rose to his feet.
Fire tickled his body as the searing heat consumed the facility. He coughed as the toxic fumes made it into his lungs.
A re-breather solved his clear oxygen issued, taking greedy gulps of air through his mouth. His head moved side to side navigating the damage. The fire must have been started during his fight with Bane, whom was planning on using the pharmaceutical plant to produce more venom with a more potent result.
Metal walkways were melting, falling to the floor with a blaring crash, scattering flames and other materials within the plant.
Tentatively, he took small steps to get away from any flames that were getting a little too close to him. Leaning against a cool wall, he examined his left arm. Quickly determining it was dislocated at the elbow.
He found it did not have a pulse. He needed to pop the arm back into place before he lost his arm. Biting down on the re-breather, he cradled his left arm and swiftly pop it back into place.
A stifled yell was obscured by the explosion of a window, the fire desperate to escape the plant.
Groaning, he made a sling out of his cape, cradling the wounded arm. Momentarily dazed as another deafening explosion went off, instinctively, he dove to the rough ground staying low as flashover occurred blowing the windows.
Luckily for him, Batman was nowhere near a window, the fire merely singeing his cape lightly.
He tried to recall where he left Bane before he passed out after their battle. His eyes widened as he remembered he left the drug user hanging outside, chained up to a metal balcony.
"Damn it!" he yelled internally, racing off to the balcony just outside the pharmaceutical plant. Ignoring the throbbing pain in his arm every time his one good arm pumped.
He stopped just as the flames subsided slightly, he found Bane swaying in the wind, his body slightly burned, the upper portion of his costume gone.
Black smoke shot out of the entrance to the balcony, the heat and flames resurfacing blocking the vigilante's path.
He shot an arm up shielding his face where the heat. Conscious of the fire, he turned around witnessing the fire nipping at his back.
He dove to the right, narrowly escaping being roasted as another explosion rippled through the plant as chemicals caused a chain reaction with the fire issuing the mighty explosion.
He was out of time. The whole plant was on the edge of total collapse.
He pulled a few capsules of fire retardant that only managed to clear a path for him to leap over, reaching Bane in seconds.
The metallic balcony buckled, the fire consuming the facility.
He pulled a thermite charge from his utility belt, the capsule exploded, severing the links in the chain. The restrained drug user fell like a stone dropping into the Gotham River below with Batman diving in after him as the plant was being fought by firefighters and their engines.
Water gushing at it desperately and valiantly fighting.
Both men dropped into the drink, one restrained and unconscious while the other really should not be in the water with only one functioning arm.
The air was pungent with smoke and fire, the water of the bay was stilled. Unconcerned with the disturbed afternoon.
And then, peace was disturbed.
A dark hand shot out of the dirty water of the city, clasping onto a buoy that had gone adrift from its original position far out to sea.
With a strained grunt, Batman pulled himself out of the water, ignoring the pain reverberating through his weary body. He spat out his re-breather, another strangled grunt escaped him pulling himself onto the buoy.
His left arm still in a sling, panting he pulled on a cable secured to his belt with all his strength, muscles and ligaments screamed and resisted his demands.
But they gave in as this man pulled out Bane, headfirst from the water. Batman secured his footing and took a few steps backwards ensuring his foe wouldn't drown, yet.
Panting, he took a minor break before he resumed getting Bane out the water.
Eventually, Bane was on his back still unconscious and the wounded vigilante leaned against the buoy, panting heavily, regaining his strength.
Pushing off the buoy he checked to see if the chained man was still alive, a watery cough answered that for him.
Good, he's alive, the dark clad man thought to himself. He pressed a button on his belt signaling for the boat. The car was given a signal and had the autopilot send it home.
An anonymous tip to the police will be issued on the whereabouts of Bane. He was restrained and in desperate need of medical attention.
He wasn't going anywhere for a while.
He looked back to the fire and witnessed emergency services contain it.
He wasn't needed there any further.
The boat came by in minutes.
Twelve minutes later he would be in the cave, where Alfred would treat his wounds and he could pass out for a few hours.
But things don't always go as planned.
Batcave
A weary and battle worn Batman returned to his sanctuary after over twelve hours of working on bringing in Bane.
He removed his cowl, bags under his eyes mixed with bruises. His hair soaked from sweat and taking a refreshing dip in the bay.
The faithful family butler greeted the younger man, with an expression of exasperation, "Sir, where have you been?" he exclaimed, slightly aggravated.
"Capturing Bane," he answered, blankly. "Why? What is going on?" he responded, wondering what brought this lack of composure from the usually reserved butler.
"Miss Diana is in labor," he revealed, managing to douse the fire of anxiety that he was experiencing.
"What?!" Bruce exclaimed in a panic.
Concern and obligation commanded him to rush to her side, but the butler had other ideas. "Master Bruce," he shouted, stopping the man in his tracks. "You will not contaminate an already sterile environment," he gestured to the younger man's appearance. With a scowl, the older man instructed the other to sit, "Instead of tending to a pregnant woman and her unborn child, I must mend the proud father-to-be's wounds," disapproval laced the man's words stung like sharp glass.
Bruce slightly winced at the wave of disapproval radiating off the older man.
Alfred had ordered the billionaire to shower to disinfect his wounds before he tended to him.
The arm was expertly mended by Bruce, whom has had several breaks and dislocations in the field for years. He knew how to take care of himself.
And almost an hour later, Bruce raced to the birthing suite.
He was greeted with the sight of Diana screaming in pain as Leslie examined the woman, a sheet covering the pregnant woman's legs, which were in stirrups.
"Diana!" he cried out to her, racing to her side. He reached out with his only good arm to take her hand in his own.
However, her hands were preoccupied with tearing the sheets to pieces.
As soon as the pain subsided for the next few minutes, she reached out for him. Her face a mix of relief and pain.
Bruce tried to hold her hand, however, she had different ideas.
He was caught by surprise, her hand wrapped around his throat with the swiftness of Hermes.
"Diana?" he struggled to get out as her hand had his throat in a tight vice.
"Where in Tartarus have you been?!" she bellowed, her face filled with anger. "And why are you here?!"
"W-What?"
Her second question confused him. Didn't she want him here for the birth?
"GET OUT!" she shouted, appearing crazed from the pain.
Leslie witnessing the woman's actions and while she sympathized with the painful process that was childbirth, she was quite certain that their daughter would want to meet her father. "Diana, while I agree that Bruce should have been here from the beginning," Bruce heard her curt tone, although air was dangerously depleted, "I would appreciate not making him my patient at such a precarious time," she requested.
The raven-haired woman took several moments to decide. Starting to see stars, Bruce thought to himself. She reluctantly released her hold on the billionaire, who gasped, clutching his throat, no doubt bruised tomorrow.
Scowling, the Amazon looked away from the man, who took a seat next to her in an unoccupied chair.
Clearing his throat, "Diana, what the hell?!" he asked incredulously.
"Shut up!" she snapped at him, looking back at him. "You did this to me! Next time I want to get laid I'll find another woman. At least then there won't be this kind of complications," she bit out, angrily.
The man rose a curious eyebrow upon hearing Diana swung both ways.
Leslie, who was observing the scene while simultaneously checking the prone woman's lower regions. "Seven centimeters dilated, Diana," she informed, causing the woman to turn to the doctor, a scowl still on her face, but lessened slightly.
Leslie went to the far side of the room to retrieve some equipment, leaving the raven-haired pair alone.
Diana whimpered in pain as another contraction rang through her, Bruce surprised her when he held her hand.
Pleading blue eyes stared back at him to which he returned with a comforting look. "It's almost over," he whispered to her. He leaned over and pressed his lips to her soaked forehead; single strands of her dark locks stuck their haphazardly.
His kind gesture seemed to comfort her slightly, a whimper escaping her again.
"I hate you," she whined.
"I know," he accepted calmly.
For the next five hours Bruce sat by her side encouraging her and comforting her as she battled with the contractions.
Whispering sweet words into her ear when the ongoing contraction flowed through her, attempting to ease her in some manner.
Until finally…
"All right, get ready to start pushing, Diana," Doctor Thompkins advised as Diana was fully dilated.
Complying, Diana began to push when the next wave hit her. Grunting she pushed with all her might as she tried to bring her daughter into the world.
For the next few minutes, she tried to follow Leslie's directions, but it was unbearably difficult.
Contrary to her upbringing, Diana slouched back against the sheets and pillows, panting and sweating profusely.
Shaking her head, "I can't… I can't do this," she wept, the pain and struggled beyond her capabilities and strength.
Bruce shared a look with Leslie, both aware that at this stage Diana couldn't quit.
The man's gaze returned to the withering in pain Amazon, "Diana," he started gently. Teary eyed, she looked at him, silently begging him to make it stop. "You have to do this. Leslie can't change the plan now," he informed her, trying to get her back in the fight. "You're strong. Stronger than you know. Now, you need to fight through the pain because our daughter isn't going to do it herself," he finished with some bit in his voice, trying to anger her into action.
He succeeded, glaring at the man shortly before locking eyes with Leslie. When Leslie told her to push, she pushed.
Grimacing, Diana pushed with all her might, a strained scream in her throat, Bruce never letting go of her hand.
An hour later, Diana was begging for some drugs. "Please! I can't do this! I need drugs!" she yelled, on the edge of tears, but sounding angry.
"You said drugs were beneath an Amazon princess," Bruce could not help but ask.
Almost murderous eyes whipped to the man, "Gimme drugs," she demanded, grabbing the man by the front of his shirt.
"It's too late for that, Diana," Leslie inputted, still between the Amazon's legs.
The raven-haired woman never spared the medical professional a glance. Still glaring at the man responsible for her predicament. "I know you have some wonderful drugs in that cave of yours. I want them now!"
Sheepishly, the man declined, "I can't," he maintained.
"Bastard!"
Diana's head hit her pillow in defeat.
Twenty-two hours of labor and it was finally time.
"Get ready for one big final push, Diana," Leslie informed the woman as the approached the final stages of childbirth.
"Okay," the disheveled woman muttered, her body soaked in sweat, her hospital gown clinging to her soaked body.
"Bruce," she whined, staring at him pleadingly.
As if he was telepathic, Bruce sat behind the sitting up woman, still clutching her hand, comfortingly. "Push against me as hard as you can when you have to push. Try and knock me back if you must," he whispered into her ear tenderly.
She whimpered in confirmation and grunted as they next contraction rippled through her, she scarcely heard Leslie give her the go ahead as she screamed as loud as she could as she felt her lower region try and squeeze out her daughter. Simultaneously, she pushed her back against Bruce's torso, trying to put him flat on his back while trying to deliver their daughter.
Bruce wanted Diana to push against him to take her mind off the pain.
"Crowning!
"Get this damn thing out of me!" she bellowed in great agony. She almost crushed Bruce's hand, as a strangled grunt escaped her as she finally felt her daughter leave her body.
Exhausted, Diana leaned back, the back of her head rested on the man's shoulder, on the verge of losing consciousness, yet her joy of finally seeing her daughter staved off weariness.
Pain and fatigue were ignored as a panic bubbled inside her. "W-Why isn't she-?"
Her question was interrupted as the sounds of her newborn daughter wailing echoed within the room. The most beautiful sound in the world brought joyful tears to the new mother's eyes.
Sobbing uncontrollably, Diana witnessed Leslie cradle the newborn.
She was breathtaking.
This little pink wailing thing. She was covered in all sorts of fluids and a chalky looking substance. A tuff of black hair on her little head.
"It's a beautiful little girl," the doctor announced, holding her up to the excited parents.
Diana immediately wanted to hold her baby, but Leslie called to Bruce to aid her. She pointed to the precise point where she directed him to cut the umbilical cord.
When he cut the cord, the doctor carried the infant away to the changing table where a bowl of warm water resting next to it.
Gently, she placed the child down on a clean blanket, immediately started to clean her up and do a preliminary exam.
Both parents observed from their seats, both anxious to hold their new daughter. Bruce had gotten off the bed and gently helped Diana rest against the pillows.
Her eyelids were growing heavier, the need for rest powerful, but her stubbornness was greater. She fought rest and anxiously awaited Leslie to bring her baby girl over.
After what felt like an eternity to the proud parents, Leslie sweetly handed the newborn, wrapped in a warm blanket, and scrubbed clean, over to her mother.
Filled with exuberance, Diana eagerly took her baby into her arms, a broad smile plastered on her face as she cradled her daughter in her arms.
Bruce was entranced by the sight of mother and daughter. She was beautiful. Chubby and pink with almost a full head of hair on her head.
He saw Diana silently crying as she traced the infant's cheek. The action resulting in the child finally opening her eyes and both parents immediately thought they were looking into the other's eyes.
The new father was transfixed on the infant's button nose, it was so adorable to him. He watched as the mother bonded with her baby, ignorant of the fact that she reeked of sweat from delivery. Her hair matted and stuck to her forehead.
Bruce found her beautiful even more when she had their child in her arms. Slowly, the Amazon turned to the man, a smile never leaving her lips. "Do you want to hold her?" she offered him, not wanting to hog the baby.
Shamefully to him, Bruce seemed hesitant, "I… I'm not sure," he admitted. He gestured to his incapacitated arm, "I don't want to accidently drop her," he said anxiously, wanting more than anything than to hold their baby.
"I'll help you," she offered. She moved the baby over to him, he stumbled trying to contain the child in one arm. "Support her head," she advised as Bruce took their daughter in his arm supporting her head. Diana immediately used her hand supporting his hold on the infant.
The unnamed child whimpered slightly as she was moved from her mother to her father.
Bruce's heart immediately skipped a beat, frightened that she would start crying after her father held her.
He was surprised when his daughter opened her eyes and stared at him. He knew she couldn't really see very well at her age, but he knew that would soon change when she got older.
Blank blue eyes stared at him for a hard minute before she snuggled into his arms, content and trusting the arms she was in.
He stared at his daughter memorizing every single feature she possessed. And he came to one biased conclusion: she was the most beautiful little girl in the entire world.
As he held this innocent life in his arms, he made a solemn vow to never allow the world of Batman to ever come near this girl.
She would never be a part of his crusade. No more Robins. No more Batgirls. No more partners.
She will have his complete and utter devotion.
She will know happiness and love.
This he swore.
"Hi," he said softly, kind eyes watched her. "I'm your dad."
While Bruce bonded with their little girl, Diana looked up at him, silently smiling, content and moved with the way he talked to her.
She knew from this precise moment he would be a good father to her daughter. It was plain as day from that loving look in his eyes he gave to their baby and only their baby girl.
Eventually, Bruce reluctantly handed their daughter back to her mother, whom sat back against the comfortable pillows, a blanket draped over her.
Leslie returned, wanting to get started with post op with Diana, as well as finishing up with the child's checkup.
Regretful upon interrupting the parents bonding with their daughter, the doctor had some work to finish, "I'm sorry to interrupt but I need to finish up with you, Diana."
"I understand," Diana reluctantly accepted. The doctor took the infant from her and put her in a bassinet. She turned to Bruce, "Would you mind stepping out?"
Wordlessly, the dark-haired man nodded and left after he placed a congratulatory kiss on the new mother's forehead.
The Amazon beamed tiredly as she saw the man leave and Leslie got to work handling her with care.
The moment Bruce had left to give the mother of his child some privacy, Alfred had greeted him outside the room.
"Sir, what should we do with the guests?" he inquired, not the least bit frazzled from the last twenty-two hours. On the contrary, the older man looked ten years younger and with a faint pep in his step. It wasn't lost on the billionaire that his oldest friend was just as excited about the new baby as Bruce and Diana.
"Guests?"
Wordlessly, the butler guided the master of the house to the sitting room. Following the older man, Bruce's brow creased in curiosity.
When they arrived at the sitting room they were greeted with the sight of Clark, Lois, Donna, and Dick.
The latter having an absurd number of balloons and a teddy bear the size of a person. Bruce had to do a doubletake when he same the acrobat.
Bruce looked to Alfred for an explanation, "Miss Diana asked if I could make a few calls," he answered, a serving tray somehow materialized in his hand and began offering some finger foods to the eager guests of the manor.
"So, how's Diana doing?" Lois asked, plucking some food into her mouth.
"Fine. She's resting," Bruce stoically responded.
"Yeah, that's the one thing I wanted to do after I had Jon," she followed taking another piece of food.
An indifferent Bruce just nodded, focused on something more intriguing. "Okay, what the hell?" he directed the question to Dick, whom appeared sheepish.
"I didn't want to be the neglectful older brother," he shrugged, leaving the giant teddy bear on a loveseat, taking up the entire chair.
Bruce looked around and noticed a distinct absence of Damian and Tim. He knew he wasn't their favorite person right now, but the least they could do was call. He wondered how Tim was doing at school.
It wasn't everyday they had a new family member. Least of all a baby.
He saw Clark approach from his left, catching Lois push him forward, his footsteps barely stumbling.
To be blunt, things between the two men weren't very sturdy. Bruce had not processed his breakup with Selina well and add in the fact Diana was carrying his child didn't help his surly disposition.
Adding in Clark's overprotectiveness of Diana and his need to be there for everyone poured gasoline on a smoldering fire.
They have not spoken since Clark's warning on the watchtower, and of course, Bruce warned the kryptonian to watch his step with him.
"… Bruce," the reporter greeted the billionaire, his tone awkward.
"Clark," Bruce returned, stoically.
Lois shook her head exasperated by the awkward exchange.
Scratching the back of his head, the mild-mannered reporter started, "Look, Bruce. I'm sorry about how I've been acting around you," he apologized. "You needed a friend instead of having someone look over your shoulder while you were processing."
The dark-haired man gave the glasses wearing man a blank look, that appeared to be faltering. "I… was struggling with everything. And maybe I handled it poorly," he admitted.
"So, all's forgiven?" the kryptonian eagerly pressed.
"Sure," Bruce agreed.
"Really?"
"I'm feeling magnanimous. At least for today of all days," the billionaire elaborated vaguely.
The reporter smiled; he could tell the other man was ecstatic about having a daughter.
"What happened to your arm?" Donna asked, taking notice of the man's arm in a sling. "Diana didn't do that to you, did she?"
Bruce answered her by shaking his head, "It was work related," he said glancing at his arm. His eyes held contempt for his fragile body, wishing he could have held his daughter with both arms instead of one with Diana's aid.
"So," Dick interjected. "What's she like?" he eagerly and almost nauseatingly happy inquired.
A faint smiled formed on the billionaire's lips, "She's… pink," he uttered, having trouble recalling what his daughter even looks like.
"Yeah, they're all like that fresh out of the womb. But we want specifics," Lois the reporter pressed forcefully. "Height? Weight? Hair and eye color? Details man!" she slapped the back of her hand into her palm. She was just as eager to know about her friend's baby as the others were.
Bruce was mildly surprised by the woman's forcefulness. Clark was amused by his wife's interest.
"I… don't know height or weight," Bruce said after a pregnant pause. "Leslie didn't say anything. But she had blue eyes and black hair," he described, a faint smile tugged on his lips as he recalled that beautiful pink bundle in his arms. The impression of her in his arms still present.
The way she looked at him before she snuggled into his arms, instinctively trusting him to keep her safe. It made his heart skip a beat. It was such an uncommon feeling.
"What's her name?" Clark wondered.
In response, Bruce shrugged. "We haven't been able to agree on one. Leslie wanted to take care of Diana before we could discuss it further."
"So, it's baby girl Wayne for a while," Lois stated wisecracked.
"For the next few hours."
A few hours passed, with congratulatory cheers sent his way, until Leslie said Diana was awake and up to visitors.
The weary Amazon lied back against pillows as one by one friends and family came in to see the little one and an exhausted mother.
"Hello," she greeted them one at a time, still drained and in pain from her ordeal.
"Diana," Lois whispered as she went over to the slumbering infant in the bassinet. "Oh, she is so precious," the woman gushed as she gazed upon the sleeping child.
"Thank you, Lois," the woman graciously replied, a faint smile of her lips. Willpower kept the woman from passing out again, desiring to speak to her friends and family.
Lois walked over to the bed bound woman and gave her a hug, "Congratulations," she whispered in her ear before she walked out for the next visitor to come in.
Clark came in next, offering congratulations and a kiss on the cheek, he saw the little one for a few minutes before leaving Dick and Donna to visit.
Donna enveloped her fellow Amazon in the biggest hug she could muster, gushing over being an aunt.
Diana had to stifle a laugh when Dick came in with the balloons and the giant teddy bear. After a few minutes with her visitors the father came back in.
"How do you feel?" he asked gently, taking a seat next to her bed.
"My genitals were stretched to limits you couldn't even possibly fathom, how do you think I feel?" she sarcastically and bitterly retorted.
"Sorry."
"You should be," she huffed, folding her arms across her chest. They were quiet for some time, the Amazon's eyes grew heavy, but she kept them open. "Leslie gave the baby a few vaccinations. She weighs eight lbs. six ounces. And is nineteen inches," she explained to him about their daughter.
"… That's going to be one big girl," he joked contrary to his tone. He received a half-hearted slap to his arm.
"Ow!" he yelped, rubbing his sore arm.
"Don't insult my daughter," she angrily told him.
"What?" he shrugged. "Those are heavy measurements for a newborn," he justified.
A silent glare made him shut up.
He noticed her pale complexion and retrieved her some water. "Drink before you pass out," he worriedly advised, bringing a cup of water to her, a straw to her lips.
Quenching her dehydrated body's thirst proved to be what she needed, as the cool liquid nourished her aching body.
She exhaled deeply after greedy gulps. She pulled away from the cup and leaned back, falling asleep soon after.
Night had fallen and Leslie had walked Diana through the process and techniques for nursing a hungry infant. The new mother was adamant about nursing her daughter herself.
Although, they had formula for back up in case Diana or the child couldn't take up breastfeeding.
Unfortunately, Leslie had to depart as another patient needed her assistance. She left after reminding them to call her in case of an emergency.
Bruce had stood outside while mother and daughter bonded in the most ancient of ways.
"Bruce?' the woman called out to him to join them inside.
He was embarrassed to admit he was hesitant to enter, desiring not to interrupt the moment.
"What is it? Everything okay?" he said entering the room.
"We're fine," the raven-haired woman returned. "I just need to speak with you."
"What is it?" he asked as he witnessed Diana feed their daughter, her gown pulled down from her left shoulder.
He awkwardly averted his eyes from the sight.
The bedridden woman raised a curious brow at the man's behavior, "What is wrong with you? It's not like you haven't seen my chest before. If memory serves your lips were on my breasts long before our daughter was even conceived," she teased him, enjoying the burning of his cheeks, amused by his embarrassment.
"Must you?" he sounded almost begging for her to stop this relentless teasing.
"Okay, now," she gazed upon the pink bundle feeding off her breast. "She needs a name."
The man sighed, running a hand through his hair, "I'd prefer it if her name was something that most adults wouldn't screw up," he requested.
"So most Greek names are out," Diana grumbled slightly, her eyes wandering between the man and her baby, feeling her sucking lessen.
"I'd like our daughter to be able to say her own name when she starts speaking."
She sighed sharply, they haven't been able to agree on a name for some time now, even though the two hadn't being discussing names for very long. Poor planning on their part.
"Your name," she said softly to him.
"What?"
"Give her your name," she told him calmly. "Diana Prince isn't a real person. She's just my little escape from being Wonder Woman," she clarified, staring down at her daughter, whom had finished eating. "She needs a name with roots to someplace. A name with history. Your name."
Bruce could only stare at her from his spot. She was willing to let their daughter become a Wayne. She was compromising with him. The thought was considerate of her, he supposed that he could do the same.
"What's her name?" Bruce asked fondly, giving Diana the right to choose the first name.
Proudly, Diana christened their daughter, "Elissa. Based on the founder of Carthage."
"Elissa Martha Wayne," the father finished their daughter's full name.
What a life she will have.
The following day, Diana was still on bed rest, needing to rest and heal. Baby Elissa was being a bit difficult for her mother.
The Amazon was worried her baby wouldn't want to feed from her breast, considering she was having a hard time latching on.
Luckily, she had read that this situation happens sometimes.
While she was willing to switch to formula and bottles, which the woman knew she wasn't always going to be around to provide her infant nourishment, she still wished to bond with her daughter in this special way.
Her mother did it with her, she would do the same to her daughter.
She had called Bruce in to her bedroom, Leslie had given permission for the new mother to recuperate in her own bed.
The nursery only a few doors down from her and Bruce's bedrooms.
She had called for Bruce needing his help; Alfred usually made himself scarce when she was breastfeeding. The man the epidemy of politeness.
"Yeah?" Bruce came into the room, never far from either of them.
"I need your help," she nonchalantly replied.
"Yes?'
"Can you shove my breast into Elissa's mouth like a cheeseburger?" the way she said it with such a straight face, the man almost laughed at the absurdity.
"Pardon?" believing he misheard her.
"I need you to shove my breast into her mouth," she repeated calmly, her gaze returning to the fussy newborn, squirming in her arms.
"I…" he trailed off.
"Please," she pleaded. "She's having trouble latching on," she worriedly said, the fact she may never bond in this manner with her daughter saddened her greatly.
He sighed, "Okay," he said, walking over to them. "How do I do this?" he questioned, his hands hovering around his daughter's head.
"Just grab it and shove it close or into her mouth," she instructed bluntly, grateful for his help.
He cupped the supple flesh gently and lightly pushed the breast closer to Elissa's mouth. Diana felt smooth red lips touch her bud until finally she felt her daughter begin to suckle.
"Keep your hands where they are," she requested. "Last time she pulled away after a few minutes," she answered his unasked question after seeing his puzzled look.
When she was confident that Elissa wouldn't release the offered breast until she was finished eating, Diana gave permission for Bruce to release his grip on her.
She asked the man if he could grab a cloth for when she needed to burp the baby, he nodded and retrieved such a cloth.
The bashful man refused to make eye contact with the raven-haired woman, unable to witness such an intimate moment between mother and daughter.
Diana had found his reaction highly amusing; she had never seen him like this before. The fact that she was the only one to see him like this made her tingle inside.
Preoccupied with feeding their infant daughter, Diana thought she should bring up something that she remembered from the day before.
"Bruce?"
"Hmm?" he looked to her from the window he was previously viewing.
"There's something you should know," she carefully stated, earning her a curious eyebrow raised.
"What?" he asked, completely at a loss.
She was hesitant to say but she thought he deserved to know the truth. "Steve knows who you are," she warned him, her face one of concern.
His head turned to her curtly, his eyes reflected no emotion. Within his mind, however, was a storm of thoughts.
Steve Trevor was a soldier, but he was loyal to a select few.
Diana being one of them, yet he wasn't confident considering what happened between the three of them.
He was considered a security risk and Bruce would have to eliminate that risk, for Elissa's sake.
He silently watched as Diana finished up with their baby and put her over her shoulder, patting her back lightly starting the process to burp her.
From the look on his face, Diana could tell he was formulating a plan to deal with Steve and while she believed he was only trying to protect Elissa, she could not have the man harm her ex. He had been through more than enough by them.
"Bruce," she called to him gently. His blue eyes stared at her with purpose. "Leave him alone. He told me he would keep our secret," she informed him. He couldn't help but notice she said 'our' secret. He didn't know why he felt comforted to know she was just as invested as he was in their lives together.
He stoically stared at her, not saying a word. His mind was in turmoil between not wanting to disappoint Diana and wanting to protect Elissa.
"Bruce, please, for me?" she pleaded, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible. A healthy burp erupted from her daughter, to which the woman cheered for her.
"For you," he whispered his promise, his gaze pointed at the floor, chin to his chest.
He will leave the military man be… for now.
Diana tossed and turned in her bed, a whine in her throat. Sleep had been a luxury for the last two weeks. Elissa had been having trouble sleeping through the night, not to mention her mother kept her on a consistent feeding schedule.
Bruce had helped where he could, but Gotham needed him. For the first time, the man was torn between his family and Gotham.
He tried to let Diana sleep, but she wanted to be the one to tend to the baby. Almost bit his head off when he offered.
Bruce let her have her way, sleep deprivation and all.
The woman tossed and turned until she awoke from her restless slumber.
Instinctively, she knew something was wrong. She checked the clock on the nightstand and noticed her baby hadn't woken her up in almost four hours. A new record.
She sighed happily, maybe Elissa had finally settled down for the night.
Being the new mother that she was, Diana checked the baby monitor on her nightstand, the image of her sleeping daughter took up the screen.
The image brought a smile to her lips, she could watch her baby girl sleep all day long if she could. The fact that she was sound asleep and safe warmed the Amazon's heart.
Suddenly, the woman's blue eyes narrowed as she caught a glimpse of some type of shadow in the corner of the screen.
She couldn't identify it at first until after further concentration she noticed a hand. Alarmed, she jumped out of bed put on her robe and dashed out of her bedroom.
In seconds she was at the nursey's door, her footsteps as quick as she could, the door swung open. She practically flew in and latched on to the intruder, her firm grip held tightly onto what she could perceive as an arm.
Silently as she could she dragged the now struggling figure out of the nursey and into the hallway. The hallway lights illuminated the figure as she recognized the intruder immediately.
"Damian?" she exclaimed in a whisper, stunned by the teenager's appearance. She slowly released her grip on him and quietly shut the nursey door.
The young man clicked his teeth, a scowl on his face. Deeply ashamed and livid by the fact the Amazon had taken him by surprise so easily.
He rubbed his arm; the woman had put quite a bit of power into her grip when she hauled him out of the nursery. No doubt it was because she was protecting her baby.
"Damian, what were you doing in there?" she inquired, softly. Not wanting to disturb her daughter's rest.
The young Robin simply crossed his arms over his chest and turned his head away from the robe wearing woman.
Diana admitted he did not take to her very well. She knew he didn't like her presence here in the manor nor the fact he viewed Elissa's presence as a threat to his status in the family.
She tried to talk to him as did Bruce, but the boy was a stubborn as his father, especially difficult to talk to.
It didn't help that the boy came and went as he pleased in the house, something that irked his father to no end.
But the two were not communicating properly, thus this rift between them started to form and has not lessened at all.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she took in his appearance and given the fact that she could understand and empathize with people she had an inkling of what the teenager was up to.
"Damian," she uttered softly, a tiny smile on her lips, "did you want to see the baby?"
Her question made the dark-haired boy tense as she hit the nail on the head. The grandson of the Demon was curious and wanted to see what the child looked like.
Although, he convinced himself that his visit was on the pretense of scoping out his competition.
Gingerly, the woman laid a hand on the young man's shoulder, whom tensed by the action and was about to shrug it off.
But the woman didn't make let his reaction faze her. She wanted to let him know that everything was alright.
"You know you don't need to sneak around at night just to see her," she soothingly, to which the boy's eyes widened in surprise.
"You're her brother and I want her and you to know that. I'm sure when she's older she will be delighted to get know her big brother," she said with a smile.
Diana had this innate ability to know what to say and make someone feel better.
Her words rang true and Damian stony façade started to crack.
Diana removed her hand from the young man's shoulder. "Look, I'm not here to make your life more difficult than it has to be and neither does Elissa," she admitted firmly, ensuring the grandson of the Demon looked her in the eye. "I prefer it if we at least tried to get along with one another. You have a mother and I'm not her," she shook her head. "But I like it if we were friends at least," she wished.
She gave a glimpse of understanding in the boy's eyes. The woman felt mild pride as she felt she was getting through to him.
"I… can try," Damian reluctantly admitted, glancing away from her. His admittance brought a bright smile to the princess' lips.
"I'm glad. Now," she started enthusiastically, earning a curious look from the current Robin, "would you like to see your sister?" he heard a bright delight in her voice.
His indifferent mask cracked as a tiny smile came to the surface. "I would like that," he confessed. He honestly came back to the manor to see her; he was curious about what she looked like. Further wonders wouldn't be answered until the infant was older. He would have come home sooner but he was worried his father had already forgotten about him and focuses his attention on his new daughter.
"Come," she beckoned, opening the door to the nursey. "Now before we go in, I will lay down some ground rules," she told him authoritatively, to which the teen scowled, he hated rules. He would take great joy in breaking them.
"No more sneaking into her room at night," she whispered to him sharply. "I don't want another misunderstanding like tonight. And needs her rest at night and so do I. You have no idea how challenging it is to get a newborn to sleep through the night," she confessed.
"I… promise," the boy reluctantly agreed, his knowledge of babies was lacking but he was aware they needed to rest.
"Thank you. Now come see your sister."
NEXT: Face Off
Thank you all the reviews, favs, and follows. This story just hit over a hundred follows! I am so excited! Please remember to review, fav and follow!
For the one asking for more humor, I hope you found it here. I tried the best I could with the serious and joyful occasion that is a birth.
Also, to who was wondering about Damian, I hope this chapter answered it.
Finally, I chose the name Elissa because I like the name. It just sounds good.