12. Epilogue - Final Revelation
"Will you marry me?"
Six months later,
"Hey," Diana looked up to see the smartly dressed woman coming towards her.
"Hi," she waved back from her chair at a private table at the 'outdoorsy' restaurant where the two women were meeting. Diana was sitting under the jumbo size umbrella, enjoying the feel of the cool summer breeze playing along her velvet smooth skin.
"Sorry for being late," her friend and second co-conspirator apologized as she occupied the chair opposite to Diana.
"Its alright," Diana reached for her cold beverage. "This place has great milkshakes, almost as good as the ones on the watchtower."
"You and your milkshakes," the other woman shook her head. Raising her hand, she signaled for the waiter.
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"So, how are things with…." She trailed off, smiling at the slight flushing of the Amazon's cheeks.
"Things are well," Diana answered evenly, rolling the ring on her finger.
"So you moved to Gotham yet?"
"No, not yet," Diana shook her head. "Although, I have been spending my weekends there. All depending on Bruce's and my schedule with the league."
"Any plans for marriage?"
"Not yet," Diana answered as she once again recalled that fateful, but memorable night.
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/Flashback/
"Will you marry me?"
Diana silently stared the diamond-studded ring being placed before her.
"Bruce," her eyes flitted between the ring and the person offering it. Bruce Wayne said nothing, waiting silently for her answer.
"Yes and No," she answered finally, her response creasing his crow.
"Yes and No?" Bruce stood up and faced her. "What does….."
"Let me explain," she caught hold of his hand and guided him to the sofa, lowering him alongside her.
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"When I first came to man's world, I did not know about any of your customs, having grown up in an all female society since my birth…..creation."
"I know," Bruce nodded at her. "It was one of my reasons for not getting involved."
"Yes," Diana smiled as she recalled that night. That was the night, when she finally realized her love for him and the true extent of his feelings for her.
"Having lived here, I have learned about the customs and practices of this part of the world. Marriage being one of them. I have to admit, it has intrigued me and maybe one day….no, not maybe, surely one day I would like to get married myself. Married to you….that's how I have always pictured it."
"That's why…." realization dawned on Bruce's face.
"That's why I said yes and no. All this thoughts, along with the events leading to this proposal make the choice very difficult. I feel that I have forced you to make this choice."
Bruce's silence confirmed her suspicion.
"If you truly want me to be a part of your life and you a part of mine, I would like to start with smaller steps. I know that I love you and that you love me. But we haven't had the best track record in our relationship, if we can even call it that. I would like to get to know you and give you time to know me better…..if there is anything you haven't learnt already," she ended lightly.
"I agree," Bruce nodded his head. "This, we can do later." He closed the ring-box, wrapping his hand around it.
"What? Where are you taking that?" her hand reached for his balled fist.
"But you said…" he arched an eyebrow.
"I said not right now," she smiled at him. "I didn't say no."
"Hmmm…." A hopeful smile cracked over his face. "Yes, but we still could….get engaged."
Diana blushed and let go of his hand, which opened up to reveal the purple box.
/End Flashback/
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That was the night he gave her the engagement ring residing on her finger.
"Diana," her friend waved her hand in front of her face. "Earth to Diana."
"Oh," she shook herself out to her reverie. "Sorry…"
"I know," the married woman gave a knowing smile. "Lost in thoughts of Mr. Dark n' scary."
Diana just nodded her head, still naïve at the modesty practiced in the patriarchal world.
"I just have one thing to tell you," the 'human' beauty winked at her. "Something that will help you a lot."
"What?" Diana looked up from the menu she was feigning reading.
"Just remember that in your house, who wears the pants and who wears the tights. You," she spoke from experience. "And remind him of that."
"But I don't wear…." Diana started innocently.
"Hah, details details," a flip of a hand tossed that excuse away. "I mean proverbially, not literally."
"You seem to talk from experience," Diana smirked at the shorter woman.
"Sure," Lois Lane-Kent raised a hand and gestured towards herself. "Who do you think keeps Clark in order?"
FIN