A Matter of Life and Death Chapter 12
By Marcie Gore See Pervious chapters for summery. But this is the END at Last!
" He's waking up!" Barbara shouts joyously
" Bruce, Babs?" I say weakly.
Bruce says, "We're here son. I love you"
" I know you love me. How long was I out? What happened," I say in a weak breathless voice. "Whatever happened, I must've lost the fight."
Bruce reminded me about the abduction and shooting. "I knew it was probably an empty threat but still I got scared thinking how Joe kept threatening you, Barbara. I love you so much, Barbara," I say weakly.
Just as I say that Bruce and Barbara both put their fingers to their lips to say Shhh. "You need to rest, Dick." Bruce says "I'm going to tell everyone you decided to join the real world again."
" Barbara who is here besides Bruce and you? I ask, "Has Bruce been here most of the time? I kept thinking I heard his voice. I must've been in bad shape if I wasn't Bruce would've been running around Gotham in his Bat suit instead of here, most nights."
She hasn't said I love you back yet. Why hasn't she? Doesn't she feel the same way? IS it the same old things that always keep us apart? Why was I thinking this would change things? It's not like this is the first time I've almost died.
"Dick I'll go to the waiting room and let you rest. Then maybe the others can come in., few at a time. Rest well, I love you too." Then she blows me kiss.
I try to rest; I'm tired but excited. I think Babs and I have turned a corner. If I'd known my latest near death experience would effect Babs this way, I'd have arranged something sooner.
The next day Dr. Cartel tells me I can move out of ICU but still need to stay in the hospital a couple of more days. I'm moved to room 202. An hour later Roy, Donna, Wally and, Lian come into the room. Roy speaks first
"As soon as you get out of here We are going throw you a real blow out. We'll invite anyone you want even the Bat. I'am glad you're better, but I'm disappointed I won't be able give the eulogy I have written. I was going to speak at your funeral" Roy says with a huge smile. " It was great. I had everyone crying when I read some of it for them. Of course, you'd just come out of surgery."
This earns him a hard slap on the back from Donna. Thank you Donna, as always you put him in his place. He loses his balance for a second. Then to add insult to injury, Lian slaps her dad again.
She says, "That was a mean thing to say, Daddy. I thought you loved Unca Dick. You made fun of him when he's still hurting from his boo boos." " I love you, Unca Dick." She tries to climb on the hospital bed but Daddy stops her.
" Yea, That was low Roy. You could wait till he's back to full strength to start tormenting him again. He can't even throw a decent punch right now," Wally says.
I make a fist and threaten to punch them both. They all start to laugh.
" What was all that for, I just like to tease him. He knows I was just kidding, so does Aunt Donna. Ok, I know I shouldn't have kidded him that way, I'm sorry, Dick," Roy apologies.
" I do love Uncle Dick. He knows I love him even if he's Daddy Bat's boy. He's getting better but you still shouldn't climb on the bed with him for a little while. He's still sore. He loves you too, but having someone climb on the bed with him, even someone as little as you might hurt him right now," Roy tells his baby girl. .
Just then Barbara comes back in. She gives me a big kiss on the lips. Roy says, "I think that's our cue to leave, ladies and gentleman." She goes over to my bed and gives me a lingering kiss on the lips. I'm surprised my heart monitor isn't going crazy. But if I died right now I'd die happy. Don't tell Bruce or Babs I said that.
"I hope to have a surprise for you later today, but I'll need Bruce's help to arrange it. I'm not giving you any hints. I just hope you'll accept it." I tell her. She gives me a huge smile then lets Bruce in. She says, "I'll be back in little while I love you."
Bruce walks in and says, " Barbara said you wanted to talk to me, son, what is it?"
"I have a favor to ask you, Bruce. Could you go to the Manor and get a small black box; it's in the safe in your study. You remember which one I am talking about? I think it's time."
" Yes I do, I will get it for you son. I will be back in an hour or so. Now you rest. I'll return with the box, and you can give it to Barbara, good luck," Bruce says then leaves me to rest.
I decide to try to rest again. This time I fall asleep. I have a great dream about what Babs' and my future could be like. First I see us getting married. She's wearing a beautiful long lacey wedding gown with a lacey veil .I think she's wearing Bruce's mom's pearls and sapphire earrings. Then I see her holding a pink bundle. I see a tiny arm sticking out, so it must be our daughter. I wake up smiling.
I ask the nurse if she has a comb or brush and a razor .I need to look halfway decent when Barbara comes back. She says she'll see what she can find. I do some personal grooming and wait for Bruce to return.
Twenty minutes later Bruce walks in with the box I requested. He hands it to me and asks, " Is this is what you asked for? Do you want me to send Barbara in, Dick, or do you need more time too prepare?"
"No, I want to do this before I lose my nerve. Can you see if you can find Babs, and ask her to come in? I'm about to give her the most important gift I've ever given her."
I take out the ring and look at it. When I was a little boy, it was the most beautiful ring I'd ever seen. It was still beautiful. Bruce must have had Al clean it before he brought it to me. It's an old fashioned gold ring with three small diamonds in a row.
Before she comes in, I take one last look at myself in the hand mirror. Why am I so worried about how I look? She's seen me look much worse over the last few days. I'm concerned because I want this to be as near perfect as it can be in a hospital bed.
When she gets to my bedside she stares at me for a second and then reaches out to touch my newly shaven face. She says, "You look so good short pants," with a dazzling smile. She bends down and plants a kiss on the same cheek.
She looks so beautiful in her pink silk blouse and black pants. Her beautiful red hair is up in those Chinese styling sticks. I love that she's letting her hair grow out. Call me old fashioned but I love long hair on a woman. Of course she would look great to me in a burlap sack, with her head shaved. .
"I have a serious question to ask you Babs. It may seem like I'm rushing things, but the last few weeks have taught me to not wait to go after what you want. Barbara Gordon will you marry me?" I ask in a shaky voice.
"Yes, I will Dick. Nearly losing you has taught me a lot too. I've loved you most of our adult lives, even when I was doing my best to push you away. I thought I wasn't a complete woman anymore. You were trying equally hard to convince me your feelings for me didn't die when I lost the use of my legs. Why was I so stubborn? You tried to tell me you loved me in every way possible. It took this to make me finally listen to you." Barbara replies.
I take the ring out of the box and place it on the third finger of Barbara's left hand. She stares at it for a moment. Then she turns to me, with love in her beautiful green eyes. She starts to cry what I think are tears of joy.
Then I pull her close for a lingering tender kiss. Her lips taste like strawberries; it mingles sweetly with her vanilla scented cologne. We agree to keep our news quiet until the party. The only people we will tell are Alfred, Bruce, her Dad, and Tim.
A week later Roy and Bruce throw me the party Roy promised me. They're holding the party at Wayne Manor. Tim, and Barbara's friend Dinah, AKA The Black Canary are there. Of course Babs and I attend together. Clark and Lois are there and all of the Titans. I introduce Barbara, to those who don't know her, as Barbara Gordon, not Oracle. Even in a room full of crime fighters and super heroes my love is still entitled to some secrets.
Roy plays his drums, for a while till we start jokingly booing him off stage. Roy stalks off in mock anger. After that we dance to recorded music.
We stuff ourselves with pizza and sweets. Donna is a great cook. Then again Babs is too. Bruce and I left it up to Roy to talk Alfred into Pizza. He offered a compromise we could have pizza if we also had a raw veggie plate and salads. Alfred said he'd make my favorite sweets after all this is a special occasion.
I'm so lucky to have such great women in my life as friends and a wonderful fiancée. I've been spoiled by women all of my life. How could something as terrible as my kidnapping and shooting have led to something as wonderful as Babs agreeing to be mine?
I think it's time to tell them our good news. I tap on a glass with a spoon and say "ATTENTON! I have something to tell everyone!" Barbara and I are getting married . "I love you so much. " Barbara says, then she plants a big kiss on my lips right in front of everyone. I blush despite myself. The room erupts in loud cheers.
If I've heard when's the wedding, have you set a date, one time tonight, I've head it twenty times. I always answer: I'll tell you as soon as I know. You'll all be invited too.
Then Roy, Garth, and Wally all ask which one of them will be my best man. Tim chimes in he is going to be so does Bruce. This is going to be harder than I thought. . Maybe we should elope.
Finally the party starts breaking up about midnight. Alfred offers to drive Barbara and me home. I try to convince him I can drive us home myself. Alfred wins as always.
The trials of Joe and the rest of my kidnappers begin almost exactly two months after my release from captivity. Bruce and I am going to testify against them. Neither of us wants to see them again, but it will be worth it if they're all put away for a long time.
To be continued with an epilogue. The fate of Joe and company.
By Marcie Gore See Pervious chapters for summery. But this is the END at Last!
" He's waking up!" Barbara shouts joyously
" Bruce, Babs?" I say weakly.
Bruce says, "We're here son. I love you"
" I know you love me. How long was I out? What happened," I say in a weak breathless voice. "Whatever happened, I must've lost the fight."
Bruce reminded me about the abduction and shooting. "I knew it was probably an empty threat but still I got scared thinking how Joe kept threatening you, Barbara. I love you so much, Barbara," I say weakly.
Just as I say that Bruce and Barbara both put their fingers to their lips to say Shhh. "You need to rest, Dick." Bruce says "I'm going to tell everyone you decided to join the real world again."
" Barbara who is here besides Bruce and you? I ask, "Has Bruce been here most of the time? I kept thinking I heard his voice. I must've been in bad shape if I wasn't Bruce would've been running around Gotham in his Bat suit instead of here, most nights."
She hasn't said I love you back yet. Why hasn't she? Doesn't she feel the same way? IS it the same old things that always keep us apart? Why was I thinking this would change things? It's not like this is the first time I've almost died.
"Dick I'll go to the waiting room and let you rest. Then maybe the others can come in., few at a time. Rest well, I love you too." Then she blows me kiss.
I try to rest; I'm tired but excited. I think Babs and I have turned a corner. If I'd known my latest near death experience would effect Babs this way, I'd have arranged something sooner.
The next day Dr. Cartel tells me I can move out of ICU but still need to stay in the hospital a couple of more days. I'm moved to room 202. An hour later Roy, Donna, Wally and, Lian come into the room. Roy speaks first
"As soon as you get out of here We are going throw you a real blow out. We'll invite anyone you want even the Bat. I'am glad you're better, but I'm disappointed I won't be able give the eulogy I have written. I was going to speak at your funeral" Roy says with a huge smile. " It was great. I had everyone crying when I read some of it for them. Of course, you'd just come out of surgery."
This earns him a hard slap on the back from Donna. Thank you Donna, as always you put him in his place. He loses his balance for a second. Then to add insult to injury, Lian slaps her dad again.
She says, "That was a mean thing to say, Daddy. I thought you loved Unca Dick. You made fun of him when he's still hurting from his boo boos." " I love you, Unca Dick." She tries to climb on the hospital bed but Daddy stops her.
" Yea, That was low Roy. You could wait till he's back to full strength to start tormenting him again. He can't even throw a decent punch right now," Wally says.
I make a fist and threaten to punch them both. They all start to laugh.
" What was all that for, I just like to tease him. He knows I was just kidding, so does Aunt Donna. Ok, I know I shouldn't have kidded him that way, I'm sorry, Dick," Roy apologies.
" I do love Uncle Dick. He knows I love him even if he's Daddy Bat's boy. He's getting better but you still shouldn't climb on the bed with him for a little while. He's still sore. He loves you too, but having someone climb on the bed with him, even someone as little as you might hurt him right now," Roy tells his baby girl. .
Just then Barbara comes back in. She gives me a big kiss on the lips. Roy says, "I think that's our cue to leave, ladies and gentleman." She goes over to my bed and gives me a lingering kiss on the lips. I'm surprised my heart monitor isn't going crazy. But if I died right now I'd die happy. Don't tell Bruce or Babs I said that.
"I hope to have a surprise for you later today, but I'll need Bruce's help to arrange it. I'm not giving you any hints. I just hope you'll accept it." I tell her. She gives me a huge smile then lets Bruce in. She says, "I'll be back in little while I love you."
Bruce walks in and says, " Barbara said you wanted to talk to me, son, what is it?"
"I have a favor to ask you, Bruce. Could you go to the Manor and get a small black box; it's in the safe in your study. You remember which one I am talking about? I think it's time."
" Yes I do, I will get it for you son. I will be back in an hour or so. Now you rest. I'll return with the box, and you can give it to Barbara, good luck," Bruce says then leaves me to rest.
I decide to try to rest again. This time I fall asleep. I have a great dream about what Babs' and my future could be like. First I see us getting married. She's wearing a beautiful long lacey wedding gown with a lacey veil .I think she's wearing Bruce's mom's pearls and sapphire earrings. Then I see her holding a pink bundle. I see a tiny arm sticking out, so it must be our daughter. I wake up smiling.
I ask the nurse if she has a comb or brush and a razor .I need to look halfway decent when Barbara comes back. She says she'll see what she can find. I do some personal grooming and wait for Bruce to return.
Twenty minutes later Bruce walks in with the box I requested. He hands it to me and asks, " Is this is what you asked for? Do you want me to send Barbara in, Dick, or do you need more time too prepare?"
"No, I want to do this before I lose my nerve. Can you see if you can find Babs, and ask her to come in? I'm about to give her the most important gift I've ever given her."
I take out the ring and look at it. When I was a little boy, it was the most beautiful ring I'd ever seen. It was still beautiful. Bruce must have had Al clean it before he brought it to me. It's an old fashioned gold ring with three small diamonds in a row.
Before she comes in, I take one last look at myself in the hand mirror. Why am I so worried about how I look? She's seen me look much worse over the last few days. I'm concerned because I want this to be as near perfect as it can be in a hospital bed.
When she gets to my bedside she stares at me for a second and then reaches out to touch my newly shaven face. She says, "You look so good short pants," with a dazzling smile. She bends down and plants a kiss on the same cheek.
She looks so beautiful in her pink silk blouse and black pants. Her beautiful red hair is up in those Chinese styling sticks. I love that she's letting her hair grow out. Call me old fashioned but I love long hair on a woman. Of course she would look great to me in a burlap sack, with her head shaved. .
"I have a serious question to ask you Babs. It may seem like I'm rushing things, but the last few weeks have taught me to not wait to go after what you want. Barbara Gordon will you marry me?" I ask in a shaky voice.
"Yes, I will Dick. Nearly losing you has taught me a lot too. I've loved you most of our adult lives, even when I was doing my best to push you away. I thought I wasn't a complete woman anymore. You were trying equally hard to convince me your feelings for me didn't die when I lost the use of my legs. Why was I so stubborn? You tried to tell me you loved me in every way possible. It took this to make me finally listen to you." Barbara replies.
I take the ring out of the box and place it on the third finger of Barbara's left hand. She stares at it for a moment. Then she turns to me, with love in her beautiful green eyes. She starts to cry what I think are tears of joy.
Then I pull her close for a lingering tender kiss. Her lips taste like strawberries; it mingles sweetly with her vanilla scented cologne. We agree to keep our news quiet until the party. The only people we will tell are Alfred, Bruce, her Dad, and Tim.
A week later Roy and Bruce throw me the party Roy promised me. They're holding the party at Wayne Manor. Tim, and Barbara's friend Dinah, AKA The Black Canary are there. Of course Babs and I attend together. Clark and Lois are there and all of the Titans. I introduce Barbara, to those who don't know her, as Barbara Gordon, not Oracle. Even in a room full of crime fighters and super heroes my love is still entitled to some secrets.
Roy plays his drums, for a while till we start jokingly booing him off stage. Roy stalks off in mock anger. After that we dance to recorded music.
We stuff ourselves with pizza and sweets. Donna is a great cook. Then again Babs is too. Bruce and I left it up to Roy to talk Alfred into Pizza. He offered a compromise we could have pizza if we also had a raw veggie plate and salads. Alfred said he'd make my favorite sweets after all this is a special occasion.
I'm so lucky to have such great women in my life as friends and a wonderful fiancée. I've been spoiled by women all of my life. How could something as terrible as my kidnapping and shooting have led to something as wonderful as Babs agreeing to be mine?
I think it's time to tell them our good news. I tap on a glass with a spoon and say "ATTENTON! I have something to tell everyone!" Barbara and I are getting married . "I love you so much. " Barbara says, then she plants a big kiss on my lips right in front of everyone. I blush despite myself. The room erupts in loud cheers.
If I've heard when's the wedding, have you set a date, one time tonight, I've head it twenty times. I always answer: I'll tell you as soon as I know. You'll all be invited too.
Then Roy, Garth, and Wally all ask which one of them will be my best man. Tim chimes in he is going to be so does Bruce. This is going to be harder than I thought. . Maybe we should elope.
Finally the party starts breaking up about midnight. Alfred offers to drive Barbara and me home. I try to convince him I can drive us home myself. Alfred wins as always.
The trials of Joe and the rest of my kidnappers begin almost exactly two months after my release from captivity. Bruce and I am going to testify against them. Neither of us wants to see them again, but it will be worth it if they're all put away for a long time.
To be continued with an epilogue. The fate of Joe and company.