Here's the next chapter! Sorry, for the delay stuff going on. Thank you everyone for the great feedback and favs and follows!
Life Unexpected
Chapter 7
Late Evening at Diana's House
It was a couple of days after the Joker's attack on the fundraiser. Steve was expected to make a full recovery from Joker Toxin poisoning and was to be discharged tomorrow.
A new air between mother and daughter formed following the revelation of Elissa's difficult childhood in foster care of Gotham City.
Diana took everything the girl sent her way with dignity and restraint. From the bad times to the worst times in Elissa's life.
The Greek woman kept herself composed with great difficulty, she tried to keep her tears from building up when her daughter described when a family charged their minds before she even left the gates of the childcare facility.
She tried to quell the fury within her when one of the parents from one of her daughter's placements pushed a five-year old Elissa into a wall for accidentally dropping a glass plate.
How could she had let this happen to her baby? Why didn't she keep her when she was born? Or at the very least picked up a damn phone and called to check on the whereabouts and wellbeing of her daughter?
This made her guilt for everything that's happened to Elissa worsen.
But what really broke the woman's heart was that Elissa seemed unfazed by her past. How could someone so sweet have such a tough childhood?
How could anyone not want this incredible young woman when she was a child?
She herself has only known Elissa for over a month and she couldn't be happier.
When her daughter finished her life story, Diana lost it and wrapped the girl up in her arms and held her for all that she was worth.
And she's worth everything to her.
Diana cried for her child. Cried for all the tragedies and disappointments Elissa had faced. Elissa simply sat their stunned before leaning into the warmth her mother radiated with a small pleasant smile upon her lips.
It wasn't before long Elissa finally broke down too. All the ugliness from her childhood finally broke her indifferent facade.
So, there they were—mother and daughter holding one another crying. Diana profusely apologized to the teen for not being there for her. For not having the strength to raise Elissa when she was a baby.
Elissa, however, surprised the woman dissuading her from her guilt and telling her she was forgiven.
Stunned by her daughter's declaration, swore to the girl, she will always be there for her and will never abandon her.
Never disappoint her again.
After that the atmosphere between the two gave off the impression of a normal mother and daughter spending time together.
Though Elissa had yet to address Diana as 'Mom' but everyone knew that was something that would take time.
No one was going to push her.
Which brings us to now, in Diana's living room at the late evening as the two brunettes were having mother-daughter time.
Both clad in yoga outfits, laughing at the difficulty Elissa faced. While Diana demonstrated flexibility and grace, Elissa was a whole 'nother story.
She wasn't as nimble as she thought she was.
She laughed as she swayed side to side before she fell with boisterous laugh even Diana had joined in the laughter before offering words of encouragement.
Both enjoying their time together.
Stubborn as her mother, Elissa was determined to master the position she was failing miserably at.
Just as the dark-haired girl was getting back at it, the doorbell rang. Both women paused momentarily sharing a curious look.
Diana went to answer the door while telling Elissa to keep at it, which she did.
The radio jockey opened the door and was surprised to see Bruce at her door especially at six o'clock at night. "Bruce?" Isn't this a surprise?" she remarked pleasantly
The two adults had been getting along surprisingly well as of late.
Bruce's eyebrows furrowed slightly, "Surprise?" he echoed confused. "Elissa and I were supposed to hangout tonight," the man claimed. Diana's head tilted slightly confused. She felt like this was the first she had heard about it. She invited the man in so the three of them could figure this out.
The two adults entered the living room where Elissa was trying to master yoga. Having heard some of what the adults were saying, she turned her head to them and greeted her father, "Hey Bruce!" she said cheerfully, breaking the pose she was attempting to hold and met them halfway. "What's up?" the teen inquired.
Bruce sighed slightly, judging from Elissa's reply and state of dress, she forgot the two of them had dinner plans tonight. "You forgot, huh?" he replied bluntly.
The teen tilted her head to the side in confusion. It took her a long minute before her azure eyes bulged in sudden realization, "Oh my God! Dinner!" she exclaimed in a panic. "I'm so sorry, Bruce. I forgot we were going out tonight," she apologized heavily, feeling terribly about forgetting their plans. "I'll go change, "she exclaimed hoping to salvage their evening.
"No, no," Bruce uttered stoically. "We'll go another time," he eased her.
"I'm really sorry," Elissa answered back guiltily, still feeling terrible for forgetting their plans. She knew how busy Bruce was and how much it hurts him to not being able to spend as much time with her as he wanted. Especially after failing his home inspection.
The dark-haired man smiled at her reassuringly, "It's okay. A lot's going on and we can always do it some other time," he offered to her.
That seemed to ease the girl, "Okay," she brightened up.
"Tomorrow afternoon good?" he proposed to her.
The question stunned her slightly, "Uh, but I have school," she reasoned.
"I'll pick you up," the man offered still pressing.
"Oh, um, sure," she perked up by that. Bruce smiled softly in agreement.
He turned to Diana, whom was silently watching them interact, "That okay with you?" he asked checking in with Diana.
"That's fine," she nodded. "I'm picking Steve up from the hospital tomorrow anyway. Just have her home by eight," the Greek woman verified.
"Understood," the man replied. "See you tomorrow?" he inquired to his daughter.
"Yup!" her natural cheerfulness brought a smile to the man's face. How she kept this trait regardless of her rough childhood was nothing short of a miracle.
"Good. Have a good night," he bid farewell as Diana walked him to the door.
"Night, Bruce," his daughter called out before resuming yoga.
"Goodnight, Bruce," Diana said to the man as he left the house.
"Night!" he hollered back as the woman shut the door for the night.
Gotham Mercy Hospital
Diana walked along with Steve as he was wheeled out of the medical facility by a nurse. He had been warned there would be some bouts of vertigo for a few days, but he'll be fine.
Diana helped Steve to her car and assisted him into the vehicle. She drove him to his apartment while on the way she received a call from Etta.
The raven-haired woman answered using the Bluetooth in her car thinking Etta was merely checking on Steve. "Hey, Etta," Diana answered pleasantly.
"Hi!" the woman replied over the vehicle's speakers. "Is Steve with you?" she probed.
"Yes, I am with her," Steve answered for himself flatly.
"Well, hey champ!" she said back enthusiastically. The man merely grunted, grumpy from his near-death experience.
"Anyway, I was talking with the bosses. And ignoring the barrage of crude callers we got against you, Diana. That was the biggest numbers we had ever! And the bosses came up with an idea to control the fallout of your kid being revealed," she explained to the duo.
"What are you talking about, Etta?" Diana demanded, puzzled on where the blonde was going.
Etta hesitated to answer, "Well, don't be mad at me, but what if we had your daughter and Bruce Wayne on the show?"
"No!" Both residents in the car declined vehemently.
Diana for not wanting to expose Elissa to everyone and Steve not wanting Wayne to be around more than he had to. Especially around Diana.
"Well it's something to consider," Etta left the idea open.
The woman hung up and the couple continued their silent drive to the blonde's apartment.
They soon arrived at the building not too long after Etta's phone call. Steve managed to exit the car under his own power before vertigo reared its head.
Diana, whom was watching her boyfriend like a hawk moved when he started to sway, she walked around her car quickly reaching him.
Her pace rapid as she reached the blonde just in time as he was about to fall over. "Are you okay?" the woman asked worriedly.
Steve took a minute to get his bearings, "Yeah. Yeah," he answered breathlessly as he struggled to regain his balance.
Diana helped him up and walked him into the apartment building.
The elevator ride was quiet, neither having anything to say. Though that didn't mean their brains weren't going a mile a minute. The man was able to make it to his apartment without leaning on Diana.
The two entered with Steve having made a beeline for the couch while Diana chose to stand at the threshold of the living room.
Deep in thought evident by the creasing of her face as her arms were crossed over her chest.
The last time she was here Steve was dying. It made her sick to her stomach. She glanced at the blue tarp covering the broken window held there by duct tape. If Batman hadn't showed up when he did, she didn't even want to think about it.
Steve immediately let out a pleasant sigh, as he sat down on his couch getting comfortable. His pleasure was interrupted as Diana spoke up, "All right," gaining the man's attention. "Help me pack a bag. You're staying with me until you're back to full health," she commanded.
"What?" Steve uttered in confusion.
Diana was apprehensive, "Steve, I can't let you stay here unsupervised while you're recovering," she explained her reasoning.
"But what about Elissa? I thought we pushed pause on moving in together because you wanted Elissa to adjust living with you?" he recited their conversation when Elissa was put in Diana's custody. Although, the thought of moving in with Diana was very seductive. They haven't spent much time together outside of work since Elissa showed up.
The raven-haired woman took a breath, "I'll talk with her. I'm sure she wouldn't mind," she eased his worries. "Besides, it's just for a few days" she reminded him.
For some reason, that hurt Steve more than anything. He knew Diana didn't mean anything by what she just said. She was never a malicious woman unless someone truly earned her ire.
"Uh, sure. Thanks," he commented keeping his tone of voice relaxed not to show anything of what he's feeling right now.
A thought suddenly entered Diana's mind, "Oh, I talked to the super," earning a curious look from the man. "He'll have your window fixed soon," she informed him.
The blonde simply nodded and went to pack a bag.
Gotham City High School
The billionaire waited outside the school, patiently waiting for his daughter to be let out. This… was different.
He almost never took Dick to school or picked him up. It was always Alfred that had that luxury. The rich man was always too busy to have the time to do anything like that.
He never felt like a father when he took Dick in. He made it very clear to the orphaned acrobat that he wasn't nor would he ever try and replace his parents. He just wanted to help him deal with his trauma.
And it appeared to have worked in its own way.
Dick was the hyperactive and excitable young man he was before his parents were murdered.
And that made Bruce feel like he wasn't a complete failure as a parent. He can only hope he doesn't screw up Elissa's life more than he already had.
His thoughts were interrupted as the passenger door opened and Elissa entered the sports car.
"Hey, Bruce!" she greeted cheerfully. "Thanks for picking me up," she thought she should say.
"Don't mention it." The man started the car and was about to drive when Elissa called out, "Wait, what about Dick?" she asked, staring out the passenger window back at her school.
"Dick's staying after," he answered stoically. "Something about a football game. Alfred will pick him up," he responded to her dousing her concern. "I thought we should have some father-daughter time," his stoicism cracked slightly, revealing his excitement about spending time with her.
"Okay," she agreed with him. The idea greatly interested her. They haven't spent much time together as the both would have liked, and this was the perfect opportunity to have that time. "Where to?" she inquired, her curiosity peaked.
A smile tugged at the corner of the man's lips, "You'll see," he uttered acting tightlipped.
A curious eyebrow rose; however, the teen was silent letting her father take her where he wanted to.
Wayne Enterprises
The major corporation was considered one of the most powerful company and a forerunner in numerous fields in the world.
"Wow," Elissa mouthed as Bruce gave her a tour inside Wayne Tower. She wasn't really paying attention to the gigantic building when she met Bruce for the first time. But this was only the lobby. How big was the rest of the complex? she wondered to herself.
Bruce smirked at the flabbergasted teen, "Impressive, isn't it?" he inquired.
Elissa dumbly nodded her head. It was the only thing she could do.
The smirk continued, "Come on. There's plenty more to see," he lightly pushed her along to the elevator. Then went down to the lower levels.
They exited the elevator with Bruce telling his daughter all about the company and its achievements. "Wayne Enterprises was first created in the 19th century by Solomon and Joshua Wayne as merchant businesses," he began to review his and essentially Elissa's family history. "Solomon hired Cyrus Pinkney, an architect for a project. This project essentially evolved to the point of the two of them building the city."
"Cool!" the girl couldn't help but exclaim by what she had been told. She knew Bruce was rich, but she didn't think he was rich enough that his family built Gotham.
The two passed by a few labs and Bruce continued to speak of their family history, "Time and a few generations later, Wayne Shipping, Wayne Chemical and Wayne Manufacturing helped make Wayne Enterprises one of the largest multinational conglomerates in the world today," he told the teen.
She soon stopped listening as she got all wide-eyed at what some of the scientists were doing. Bruce paused the story quickly realizing Elissa stopped listening far more intrigued by the experiment through the industrial grade glass.
"Wayne Labs is currently working on alternative energy sources," he commented regaining his daughter's attention. She gave him a curious look; he nudged his head toward the light show going on in the lab. "That's what the scientists in there are doing," he explained.
"Oh," she commented amazed by what her father's company was trying to achieve.
The duo wordlessly pulled away from the scene and restarted their trek around the facility. The two were silent for a while before Bruce started again, "There are several branches as well. Mining, shipping, oil drilling, food, agricultural productions and tech to name a few."
They reached a different set of elevators and boarded it back to the upper levels. A sudden thought entered the dark-haired man's head, "Oh, and Wayne Entertainment owns the Daily Planet in Metropolis," he mentioned sensing he might be boring her with all this science and industry holdings.
"Oh, I like their stories!" Elissa remarked having read some articles online.
The girl began to listen intently when Bruce spoke up again, "There is a biotech facility that researches and develops with the aid of Wayne Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals to develop cutting edge medicine," Bruce left the family business history at that for now, believing it was beginning to overwhelm her.
The elevator dinged at the office floor revealing cubicles and people walking back and forth carrying papers.
Phones rang.
Bruce left the elevator with Elissa awkwardly sprinting after him catching up to him before matching her pace with his, whom walked relaxed yet with purpose.
Some office workers froze, others got out of the duo's way. Other braver workers greeted the boss.
He greeted back of course, like he always did. Some were shocked that Wayne even knew their names, he did, of course.
He made it his business to know all his employees.
Elissa simply followed the man blindly, oblivious to where they were going next.
Bruce, however had a place he planned to go to. They arrived at a pair of double doors the owner of the office's PA told the CEO, "Mr. Wayne, Mr. Fox is expecting you."
"Thank you," he replied casually entering the office.
Elissa saw a graying black man sitting behind his desk tapping at the keys of his computer.
"Lucius," Bruce called to the man earning the man's attention.
"Bruce!" Lucius greeted pleasantly getting up from behind his desk walking over to the man. "What brings you to my neck of the woods?" he asked shaking the rich man's hand.
"Oh, just checking in," the dark-haired man answered back with a smile.
"By the way, how's that thing you borrowed?" he inquired while simultaneously tapping to the side of his head.
"Oh! It's working fine," Bruce assured. Both discussing the EMP mask, Fox designed to mask a person's face. Bruce borrowed it to cover the stitches he received from his recent encounter with the Joker at Mouton Towers. The mask was electronically covering his face with his own face masking the stitches as well as making it impossible for people to notice.
Still throbs though.
Elissa, whom was awkwardly observing the scene wasn't sure what was going on between the two men. If she had to hazard a guess, they were discussing something hush hush.
She didn't have to wait long as both gentlemen turned their gazes to the teenager.
"Is this her?" Lucius asked aloud, a smile on his lips.
"Yes," Bruce answered earnestly. The two walked over to her with Fox introducing himself to the young girl, "Hello, Elissa. I'm Lucius Fox. Your father has told me so much about you," he offered his hand to her.
Elissa took it smiling shyly, "Hi, Mr. Fox," she reciprocated.
They soon released hands before the older man spoke to her again, "Glad to finally meet you."
"Uh, you too, sir," was all she could reply with.
"I've known your father a long time and I've never seen him so proud before," the man commented earning a look of curiosity from Elissa, whom turned to Bruce, whom shrugged.
"Well, Lucius, nice seeing you we'll be in my office," Bruce mentioned before starting to depart from the room with Elissa hot on his heels.
She paused turning back to the older man and said goodbye to him.
Bruce Wayne's Office
If Elissa was dumbfounded by her fathers' company his office took the cake.
It was huge.
"Wow," she mouthed observing everything Bruce's office contained. This wasn't the first time she had been in his office. But she was quite preoccupied with Bruce signing a piece of paper for her.
Bruce's office reeked of the one percent and was magnificent.
The bar on the left side of the office coming in. The bookshelf on the right side of the room with books and a bust of some guy lying on the shelves.
A long desk with a large desktop computer resided on top. It was in between two balcony doors with the company logo standing behind the desk.
She carefully walked to the balcony; her palms stung as they made contact with the ice cold glass. The teenager in awe as she looked out, she didn't dare open the doors due to the bone chilling winds.
The view from here she bets you can see all of Gotham.
"What do you think?" Bruce's voiced pierced her musing thoughts. She turned to him and couldn't for the life of her form coherent words.
Eventually, she chuckled, "It's a lot," she managed.
"Yeah," the man uttered softly as she returned to starting out the window.
"I bet you can see everything from here," she couldn't hide the excitement in her voice as she thought aloud.
"You should see it at night," the man uttered knowingly. He couldn't help but comment, a smirk slowly creeping on his features. He sometimes started his patrol from a top Wayne Tower because it allowed for the perfect vantage point for most of the area.
While Elissa walked to the other balcony window staring out to see the other part of the city a soft smile on her red lips, Bruce eventually spoke, "I wanted you to see the company. To get a sense of it. Seeing as how it's going to be yours someday," he admitted.
His words finally pulled Elissa from her inner musings, she whipped her head to Bruce panic on her face, "Wait, what?!"
Her reaction slightly distressed the dark-haired man, "The company has been in the family for generations," he answered. "Of course, it would go to you when I'm gone."
Elissa was completely flabbergasted by Bruce's revelation. Her mouth agape in shock, unable to process.
Bruce was silent and let calm down and process his mechanisms for her future on her own.
At last, the teenager managed to gain some bearings, "Bruce…"
The man interjected immediately, "Look, I don't know the future. I just want to make sure you're taken care of," he explained to her gently.
He walked closer to her, "That's why I set up a trust fund for you, so money will not be something you have to worry about."
Elissa's blue eyes went to the floor too sheepish to stare at him as he approached closer to herself. Bruce put a comforting hand on her shoulder. His face taking on a softer look, "You won't get access to it until you're twenty-five," he told her. "And I won't force you to take the company, but I just want you to be a part of it."
"But… what about Dick?" she pointed out, finally looked up at him looking apprehensively.
"He'll have a share of it. But business doesn't seem to be his forte."
That didn't seem to make her feel any better. She felt like her father was putting the whole world on her shoulders.
The billionaire released a sigh, "You may have your mothers' name but never forget you are also my daughter. And you always will be," he promised her.
That somehow made her feel a little better but not very. It was a sweet sentiment. But still didn't make her feel much better at her father's revelation. They parted and Elissa cautiously walked to the portrait of Bruce and his parents when he was a boy after it had caught her eye.
Her grandparents.
She gazed upon the portrait woefully.
These people were her family.
She never knew who her parents were when she was growing up. It was only recently that she learned about Bruce and Diana.
And now, she couldn't imagine her life without them.
But, how could Bruce have gone most of his life without his parents?
She's heard the stories. About the Wayne family. How Thomas and Martha Wayne were gunned down in an alley with their young son Bruce the only survivor of the tragedy.
She somehow sensed her fathers' presence behind her. She turned and saw him simply staring at her.
She swallowed and uttered the question that was on her mind. "W-What were they like?" she asked him. "My grandparents-your parents," she clarified.
She felt meek before the man. Her nervousness spinning in her gut. "Or should I not ask? No, forget it," she waved him away.
"No, it's fine," he said to her gently. "It's understandable to want to know about your family—about where you come from."
He swallowed collecting his thoughts before answering his daughter's question. In the beginning, it was difficult to talk about his parents' but as time went on, the pain dulled little by little and now it's time for the next generation to know about his parents'.
"They… they were good people," he began to say. "My father was a doctor. He was always busy helping his patients, even if he had to miss spending time with me and my mother. My mother cared for everyone. Always spearheading a cause to help everyone in Gotham. From children to the elderly."
He paused and then, "They would have loved to meet you."
His daughter was sympathetic and wished she could have met them too. They sound like people she would like to know.
She offered a smile to her father, "I would have liked that," she commented. "I'm sorry for bringing it up," she apologized sincerely, her arms crossed behind her back.
He shook his head, "Don't. Their memories belong to you too. So, don't ever apologize for wanting to know more about your family."
A silence resided inside the office for some time. Until it became too uncomfortable for the teen to stand.
She took a seat at the bar reaching over to grab some of the liquor, "Want a drink?" she joked.
The humor was lost on the man as he plucked the bottle of scotch out of her hands. She pouted at him playfully only to receive a mild glare, clearly unamused.
"I'll pass."
"And so, shall you," he reminded her, subtly reminded her she's underage.
Elissa giggled, loving that she got under Bruce's skin.
Realizing she was lightening the mood; he gave a begrudging laugh.
He rubbed the back of his head slightly enjoying this... moment with his daughter. His eyes flickered to the chess set between two fine leather chairs near the door leading out of his office.
An idea popped into the man's head.
He turned back to the teenager, whom was tracing the edges of the bar top with her finger languidly. "Ever play chess before?" he poised the question to her.
She shook her head negatively.
"Wanna learn how to?" he continued with a playful flicker in his eyes.
She gave a momentary pause considering the question carefully, until she happily shrugged and got up from the bar and walked with him to the chess set. She liked to learn new things, and this seems like something she and Bruce can bond over.
They sat in their respective seats as Bruce began to instruct her in the ways of the game.
Diana's House
Diana will be pissed with him.
Bruce and Elissa arrived at Diana's home a good half hour later than when he was supposed to drop her off.
This was certainly going to set him back from being on good terms with Diana.
He pulled his car up in front of the woman's lovely home.
"Thanks, Bruce!" Elissa stated as she unbuckled her seatbelt.
"You're welcome," the man responded back to her. "Uh, let Diana know it's my fault your home late. I missed that turn on that parkway," he instructed.
"Okay," she nodded her head.
She started grabbing her belongings before saying, "I had fun today! And thanks for dinner," she mentioned.
"So, did I" her father joined in. "We'll do this again some time soon," he promised her.
"Sure!"
The dark-haired man exhaled sharply as he looked from watching his daughter gather her things to straight ahead. He's been wrestling with this for a while. And he sees that now is the time to verbalize it.
"Elissa," he called out sharply but not too sharp. He earned a curious hum from her as she turned her attention to him. "I want you to know that I," he paused to swallow the lump in his throat, "I'm not trying to run your life for you," he said turning his head to look at her, "I just want you to be someone that positively affects all those around you."
His words were beginning to confuse her, but she kept silent so she could hear her father out and hopefully have him explain himself better.
The man's hard face turned soft and gentle for her, "I just want you to be the best version of you that you can be," he tried to say what he was trying to another way.
"I… kind of get that," the teen started to understand.
He smiled softly, pleased by her admission of understanding.
His smile that his daughter has recently started to bring out of him faded to a more morose look.
"I want you also to know something else," earning a curious eyebrow raise from Elissa. "I'm never going to stop trying to be your dad," he vowed to her.
A silent breath escaped her as she was left surprised by her father's confession.
"I'm going to screw up sometimes with you. I know this. And I'm making you know this," swiftly his expression turned to one of firm conviction. "But I'm not going to stop trying. I promise you that," he told her firmly.
"O—kay," she managed to say. Though deep down she was greatly pleased by Bruce telling her he's not going anywhere. She's developed a sort of insecurity when it comes to people that have her in their custody.
Always afraid of people abandoning her again when she actively tries to form attachments with the person.
"Goodnight, Bruce," she cheered before opening her door. However, she didn't make a move to leave yet as she turned back to Bruce and hugged slightly.
Her action surprised the man but quickly overcame it and returned the embrace.
She pulled back and got out, "Goodnight!" Bruce called out before she shut the door of the car.
"'Night," she said back shutting the door and walking up to the house.
Bruce stayed watching to make sure she got in okay. He saw her open the front door before looking back at him, with a smile and a wave.
He returned it as she went inside and shut the door.
Now knowing she was home safe; he drove off for his nightly pursuits.
The teenage girl let out a small breath as she shut the door behind her. She was exhausted. True, she had some fun spending time with Bruce, they don't get to see each other too much. But she was starting to like hanging out with him.
He can be fun when he wanted to be.
She wondered what the two of them will do next time. Although, what he said to her about his company and her trust fund.
Kind of put her on edge.
It was a lot and she was too young to be expected to run a company.
But that was for another time. Right now, she had to make sure Diana didn't ground her for being late.
"Diana…!" she called from the door, taking off her backpack she entered the living room, setting her bag down by the threshold to the room.
She heard no response from the woman. She gingerly walked through the living room and tried again, "Diana," she called again.
Her response was a blonde man entering the room.
She squeaked internally, "Mr. Trevor?" she said hesitantly.
"Oh," he went. "Hi," he replied, taking a seat on the couch. "Uh, your mom said it was cool for me to crash here for a little bit, since I'm still recovering," he explained to the teen answering her unasked question.
"Oh," she uttered. "Well, I hope you feel better," she wished.
"I should be in a few days."
"Cool. Is Diana here?"
"Yeah, she's in the shower," he replied back to her.
The teenager nodded and went upstairs to her room. However, she stopped to listen carefully to check to see if the shower was running.
It wasn't.
Tentatively, Elissa went to Diana's room and knocked on the door gently yet still clearly heard.
"Yes?" her mother's muffled voice came through the door.
"It's me," the dark-haired girl called out softly.
There was a pregnant pause before the door opened, revealing Diana clad in a terry light blue bathrobe. Her inky locks damp and untamed.
A fine eyebrow was raised suspiciously, "You're late," her tone blunt.
"Yeah, uh, Bruce said it was his fault," she started nervously. "Wrong turn," she explained.
Her mother's eyes narrowed slightly, sizing her up to see if her daughter appeared to be lying.
"Please, don't ground me," the girl meekly pleaded.
The Greek woman exhaled sharply, mild exhaustion on her face. "You could have called," she pointed out.
"Didn't think of that."
"I was worried."
"Sorry," the teen felt guilty. "I'll do that if it happens again," she promised sincerely.
"Please do," the woman told her daughter shortly.
"I will," the daughter reassured.
"I, uh, saw Mr. Trevor downstairs?" the girl told the woman.
"Oh!" the woman exclaimed in quick realization. "I forgot to tell you! I offered for him to stay here for a while until he's fully recovered. Is that okay with you?" she asked nervously.
Elissa shrugged, "Yeah, I guess. It's your house."
"No," Diana sharply denied. "This is our house," she emphasized. She smiled softly, "This is your home."
"Home…" she mumbled to herself. The word felt strange to her. Foreign.
But that was food for thought for another time.
"Okay, I'm gonna go to bed," Elissa said, starting to walk away.
"Not so fast," the Greek woman called sounding authoritative, making the girl turn back with a curious brow raised. "Homework finished?"
"Yep!"
"Good, are you hungry?"
The dark-haired teen shook her head, "Nah, Bruce took me to dinner," she answered.
That was fine for the radio host. "Okay, have a good night!" she wished.
"Goodnight!" she called back entering her room shutting the door behind her. The foster child released a sigh as she collapsed on her bed.
Exhausted.
That's what she was. Sure, she had fun spending time with Bruce. Him showing her his company and all the amazing things happening there, revealing to her he set up a trust fund for her. And don't even get her started on him informing her she was going to be his beneficiary of his company.
It was all… excessive.
Don't get her wrong she enjoyed spending time with Bruce and Diana. But… it just felt like they were trying too hard.
Was Bruce trying too hard?
Maybe.
She rolled onto her side.
Oh well, she thought to herself. No point thinking about it know.
She soon drifted off to sleep. A deep sleep without any thought of Bruce and his plans for her.
Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please review, fav, and follow! I know some won't like Steve semi-moving in but don't worry things will be getting interesting soon!
Next: Problems between Diana and Bruce. And Steve marks his territory!