16. Family

Standing up and turning around, Diana saw…….HER.

Standing in the doorway was….Selina Kyle, Catwoman.

"What are you doing here?" demanded Diana.

"Good evening to you too Princess?" said Selina. "He didn't tell me you've returned. But thinking back I understand his bad mood."

"Who are you talking about?"

Selina smiled a mysterious smile. "You know what? Forget I said anything."

----

By now young Thomas Wayne had slid from his hiding place and was standing behind Diana, easily hidden behind long black gown.

Selina had seen him hide behind Diana and called out. "Thomas, come out. You don't want to trouble the Princess. You don't know what her people do to men."

Thomas quietly came out of behind Diana. "Sorry," he said forlornly.

Diana sent an angry look at Selina and bent down and placed a loving hand on Thomas's head. "Don't worry. Your mother is joking. No one is going to hurt. Not while I am here."

Thomas giggled innocently. "She's not my mummy. She's Catwoman. You know she has sssoooo many cats, I can't even count that high." He then came near Diana's ear and whispered. "She doesn't like if I call her Aunt, so I call her Selina or Catwoman."

Diana was enjoying the company of the young child. "So where is your mummy?" she asked him.

Before he could answer another voice called out. A deep baritone voice, "Thomas."

-----

Immediately the young boy tore out of Diana's grasp and ran in the direction of the voice. He reached the door just in time for Bruce Wayne to enter into the room. Thomas almost collided with his father's knees,but Bruce caught just in time and swung him over his head, finally placing him on his shoulder.

"Daddieee," he cried out, hugging Bruce tightly.

----

The league members stood in silence observing something very rare. Bruce 'Batman' Wayne was showing emotions. He was practically beaming even though his face just had a small smile on it. The small bundle on his shoulder was gripping him tightly, blabbering away about his day, right from his breakfast to the drawing he had colored to the hide and seek game he had been playing with Selina.

-----

As Bruce reached near the group, he set his son down and whispered something in his ear causing him to grin brightly. "Really? Can I show them?"

Bruce nodded his head and watched his son run off towards the kitchen to find Alfred.

He then stood up and turned to Selina who kissed him gently on the cheeks. "Thank you for coming." He said softly.

Diana did not like what she was witnessing. She did not like Catwoman and now Bruce Wayne seemed to be romancing her. She thought about young Thomas being exposed to Selina Kyle as a mother figure and did not like it one bit.

----

Deep in her thoughts, she didn't notice Bruce Wayne step towards her.

"Wonder Woman, it's a pleasure to finally meet you," he said gently lifting her hand and kissing it.

"Mr. Wayne, thank you for the invitation" she replied.

Turning his eyes to Superman he answered. "Well who could refuse Superman and the Justice League?" With that, he moved towards Lois Lane.

"Lois, it's been long."

Lois Lane smiled and kissed him on the cheek. "You look tired. Working hard I see."

Diana had heard about Lois and his past and found it odd that they were still affectionate towards each other, even after their breakup and Lois's marriage to Clark Kent 'Superman'.

He winked at her, "Hardly working. You know me; I don't miss a good party."

Diana was taken aback by his comment. She had heard this comment before or at least it seemed like she had. 'But where?' she wondered as her eyes followed their host.

She was interrupted by Thomas gently pulling on her gown. He held a book in her hand and was looking up at her. When she looked at him, he signaled her to follow him to the nearest table. Once there he sat down and patted the chair next to him, which Diana occupied promptly.

"Daddy said I could show everyone my drawing book. I want to show it to you first." He said flipping it open.

"Thank you Thomas"

"You can call me Tom or Tommy if you want. Only daddy calls me Thomas. Dick and Barbara call me Tommy, Tim 'Tom-Tom', Cassie 'Tom', she doesn't speak much and Alfred calls me Master Thomas, he even calls daddy, Master Bruce."

Diana smiled at placed a loving hand on his head. "I think Thomas is a very nice name."

"It's my grandpa's name too. Daddy says he named me after him," he continued while showing her his drawings.

"Thomas where is your mummy?" Diana questioned.

"Daddy says she went far away," he answered quietly lowering his head.

Diana noticed his sudden change in behavior. "You haven't shown me all the pictures" she tried to brighten him up.

----

Meanwhile, the other guests were enjoying themselves. Wally was busy gobbling down Alfred's scrumptious appetizers. Alfred knew about his super-fast metabolism and had prepared high carb ones just for him. Sitting beside him were the rest of the Bat-clan and they were catching up on everything from the Titans to the League to Flash's latest trip to Japan. Linda was sitting with Lois, Shayera and Selina while John was busy discussing investment options with Bruce. Shayera and he were planning on starting a family and John wanted to be financially secure before they had a baby.

The other two remaining guests were observing their targets. They had noticed Bruce Wayne frequently looking at his son and Diana.

"They look good together, don't they?" commented Superman.

"Like a mother and her child" commented J'onn.

"J'onn, are you thinking what I am thinking?" he asked the Martian.

J'onn nodded his head. "We have to be sure about this."

"I know; he won't let it pass a second time" stated Superman. "I am not sure about it."

With that, they once again turned their attention towards Diana. She seemed to be enjoying herself with the young child. J'onn could sense the maternal love emanating from her but he could also sense something else, which he hadn't expected.

Diana had spent the entire time sitting with Thomas and didn't notice Alfred approach their table.

"Master Thomas, its time," he stated evenly.

The little boy momentarily looked a bit sad but obidiently got up, wished Diana goodnight. Diana kissed him on the forehead and watched him run to his father.

Bruce Wayne excused himself and picking up his son walked out of the room.

----

As if sensing Diana's question, Alfred spoke "The young master doesn't sleep until his father puts him to bed."

"Oh. They seem to have a deep love for each other" commented Diana.

"Yes Madam. Master Bruce has raised Master Thomas from a baby. It was a learning experience for him too."

"But what about Richard."

"Master Dick was twelve years old when he came to us."

"Oh…I thought…now that you think of it, Richard is a too old to be Bruce's biological son."

Looking towards Dick who was regaling Cassandra with an enactment of a story Alfred smiled before speaking. "Both Master Dick and Master Tim are sons of the house but it was in Miss Cassandra that the Master finally got a daughter. He is very proud of all of them."

Diana could sense the love the old man had for this master and his extended family. She was about to ask him something when Bruce Wayne reentered the room and Alfred left to serve dinner.

----

After dinner,

Clark and J'onn approached Bruce Wayne.

"Bruce" called out Clark. "We would like to talk with you."

Keeping his playboy face he asked, "Sure, anything I can do to help the league."

"Not here, somewhere more…uh, private."

Bruce Wayne stiffened as the Bat took over. When he finally spoke, it was a gravelly voice "follow me", with that he walked towards the study.

------

Once in the study, it was J'onn who spoke first. "Batman, both Superman and me have noticed something."

"Yes," commented Bruce, waiting for J'onn to continue.

"Wonder Woman seems to have formed a bond with Thomas."

"Yes, she seemed very happy." Superman added.

"But I sensed pain inside her and a sense of loss.

Bruce Wayne sighed. "I know what you are thinking, and it's true."

"It's true," exclaimed Superman. He suspected it but how could it be….

"Diana is Thomas's mother."