Life Unexpected
Chapter 8
Diana's House
Bruce's expensive Rolls pulled up in front of Diana's home on a cold winter evening. The sun having set a few hours ago. True to her word, Elissa informed Diana if she was going to be late getting home.
Unbuckling her seatbelt, Elissa turned to the billionaire, "Thanks for the ride, Bruce," she thanked, gathering her school bag.
"No problem," he answered back, in truth he enjoyed picking her up from school, although he explained to her that he wouldn't be able to all the time.
She understood. And cherished the time he made for her. She enjoyed being picked up by her father and then spent some time in his office doing her homework, while Bruce attended to business. Inserting small conversations here and there when they could as well as on the way to the corporation and then to her house with Diana.
The man got out of the car with her, who gave him a perplexed look. "I'm big enough to walk to the front door," she joked, slamming the car door shut.
"I know," he answered her, crossing the curb to stand next to the girl. "I just thought we could talk a little more before we say goodnight," he admitted, clearly uncomfortable by his admittance.
"Aw!" she teased, touched by the man enjoying her company. They walked together to the front door; their pace casual. Before Elissa could retrieve her housekeys, the front door opened revealing, Diana's co-host and boyfriend, Steve Trevor.
The teen greeted the blonde cordially, "Hi, Steve."
The blonde returned her greeting. Bruce, on the other hand, didn't greet him. His face was neutral, frozen stiff at seeing the man at Diana's place.
Why in the hell was HE here?!, he thought to himself, never giving a sign of what he was thinking nor feeling.
"How'd you know I was home?" Elissa's inquiry brought Bruce back to life. "Were you just waiting by the door until I got home?" she joked.
The blonde laughed, "Actually, Diana got that Zoom app to see who's at the door without opening it. Just finished installing it a little while ago," he explained, gesturing to the new doorbell.
"Cool," she stated enthusiastically, noticing the new doorbell.
Meanwhile, as the two were talking, Bruce couldn't help but notice how they were interacting with each other. Their interaction prickled him greatly.
"Is Elissa home?" Diana's intoxicating voice called from the confines of her lovely home.
"Yes!" Elissa answered her, sneaking a peak inside. The woman came to the door where everyone seemed to have congregated.
"How was school?" she asked sweetly.
"It was alright," she shrugged, the typical teenager.
"Well dinner's ready," she informed to which the girl made a face. The Greek woman rolled her eyes, "Microwaved chicken pot pie," she sighed, earning a squeal of excitement from the raven-haired teen as she sprinted inside.
"Night, Bruce!" she hollered over her shoulder racing to eat.
It was safe to say, Diana wasn't the best cook. And Elissa was very hungry.
A confused eyebrow rose, as the rich man watched the scene unfold. He shook his head, emptying his head of the scene. He turned away with a parting goodbye going back to his car.
He slowed his pace due to Diana calling out to him. He turned, standing still as she approached him. Out of his peripheral, he noticed Steve standing at the door expressionless, silently keeping his eyes on him and Diana.
He ignored him and paid attention to what the woman wanted. She finally caught up to him, taking a breath before she spoke up, "I heard from Elissa that you were planning on giving her your company," she started carefully.
"Yes," he confirmed simply.
"And her trust fund?" she pointed out, her fiery temper starting to rear its head.
Bruce's blue eyes narrowed, not liking her tone. "What's the problem?" he almost bit out.
"Don't you think that's a little too much responsibility and power?!" she exclaimed, her fine eyebrows furrowed partly, a frown on her face.
"It's not like she's getting all of it as her Sweet Sixteen gift?" he denied firmly. "She doesn't get access to her trust fund until she's twenty-five," he reasoned.
The woman exhaled sharply, shaking her head, this … conversation as one could call it, was turning into an argument. "Bruce… you can't but her forgiveness," she said softly, looking crestfallen.
His eyebrows shot up immediately, he scowled at her, jaw tensing. "Is that how low a person you think I am?" he let out a raspy bark, eyes burning through the woman with resentment.
His glaring eyes unfazed her, she crossed her arms over her chest. Her anger slowly smoldering, shifting her weight onto one foot, "I just don't want you trying to buy her affection," she avoided his question.
"I'm not!" he snapped at her, making Steve flinch from the doorstep and seemingly prepared to intervene.
He paused, taking a breath, "I'm just trying to make sure she'll be taken care of, Diana," he told her calmly. "If, God forbid, we lose custody of her, at least she'll have nothing to worry about, as far as money is concerned," the billionaire pointed, although the idea of losing Elissa sent a chill down both their spines.
Neither one could bear the thought of losing Elissa after being reunited with her after so many years.
"I … can understand where you're coming from," Diana struggled to say. He did have a good point, the potential of Maria taking their daughter away from her made her insides knit together unpleasantly.
"That's all I'm trying to do for her, Diana. That's all!" he stated earnestly, shaking his head lightly.
She released a heavy sigh, feeling guilty for thinking that Bruce was attempting to buy their daughter's forgiveness and love. Considering both adults blamed themselves for every terrible incident that's ever happened in the young girl's life.
"And as far as my company is concerned," Bruce firmly began, "it's her birthright. It's not like I'm going to be around forever," he muttered the last part more to himself than her.
But she heard him, the thought of him dead, made her pale, "Bruce… are-are you well?" she asked carefully, fearful to ask the question.
"I'm perfectly healthy," he answered back casually. "I'm simply planning ahead." He started walking away from her, "Goodnight," he uttered tersely, still feeling exasperated with her, for thinking so little of him.
She let out a wearied sigh, they were getting on such good terms. Not everything was forgiven between them, but they were on such firm common ground, apparently not.
It's like one step forward and three steps back between the pair.
Gotham Morning Madness
"And that wraps up our show for today," Diana spoke into her microphone pleasantly.
"AAAAnd we're out," Etta confirmed behind the viewing window, where technicians were shutting everything down when the show was finished.
Exhausted, Diana exhaled, leaning back in her chair, her headphones lying in front of her abandoned on her desk.
Etta, being her usual chipper self, entered the room, "So, I just got orders from up top," she started to say, earning the attention of both show hosts. "The executives want Wayne on the show. Numbers are starting to become stale," she explained. Glancing at Diana, "Your relationship with Wayne made our ratings explode, and our bosses want that back," she elaborated.
Steve didn't say anything, he didn't have to. His face said it all. He didn't want Wayne on the show, but he knew the executives could pull the plug on their show anytime they wanted.
Etta focused on Diana, "So, see if you can convince Bruce Wayne to appear on the show," she asked the woman to do.
"What?" The Greek woman exclaimed, startled by the plump woman's request. "Why me?" she demanded.
Etta shrugged her shoulders, "Well, you have a lot more leeway than anyone with Bruce Wayne," she reasoned. Silently eluding to the child she shared with the Prince of Gotham.
Steve scowled at the notion but remained silent.
The raven-haired woman whined in lamentation, she didn't want to speak to the rich man, not anytime soon. Their argument last night put them back in their relationship.
Etta let out a breath, "Look, the bosses want Wayne. So, get Wayne," she said, making it sound so simple.
To Diana's dismay, she accepted. "Fine. I'll talk with him," she relented. "But I can't promise anything," she warned.
"Just try," the other woman pressed. "The execs can't punish you for trying," she reasoned and left the room.
Steve remained taciturn, his thoughts on the other hand were in an uproar. He couldn't stand Bruce Wayne. A rich playboy, who held no accountability for Diana and her daughter when Diana was in high school.
He felt threatened by the billionaire's presence in their life's. And now he would appear on their show, well that just can't stand.
Soon, a devious plan started to form in his mind. A plan that involved a billionaire and a new type of game for the show, that was still under development.
Gotham City High School
The teenaged daughter of Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince sat in her history class bored out of her mind. Anxiously, she waved her pen between two fingers, eyes darting to the clock hanging behind the teacher.
She was half paying attention as the history teacher prattled on about the history of America or something like that.
She had to get out of this class!
Thankfully, the school bell rang, ending the class. The teen grabbed her stuff and almost sprinted out the door. She had one more class before lunch, and then she had planned to have lunch with Dick. It took some time to adjust but the two teens became friends.
The introvert Elissa came to enjoy the company of the extrovert Dick.
She felt guilty for holding such a misguided grudge against the sophomore. But being the nice guy that Dick was, forgave her and the two have become fast friends.
She didn't view or treat him as if he was her brother. She had foster brothers before and they always tried peaking on her in shower, which turned her off to wanting brothers. It was easier to say that Elissa was cautious regarding the people she got to know.
But Dick, he seemed like an honest person, who wanted to be friends with her.
She wasn't completely there yet, but she's making progress.
Gotham Morning Madness
It was the next morning after Diana and Steve's last show, and it was nothing short of a miracle that Diana managed to convince Bruce to appear on their show.
Given how the foster parents had an argument two nights ago, Diana was sure Bruce wasn't going to do her any favors.
Surprisingly, he agreed to do it, on the condition that he could address the Wayne Foundation's Crime Victims Fund.
Seeing it as a worthy cause and considering her own charitable efforts, Diana was delighted to aid him, silently happy the two are working on their relationship and talking once more.
"So, Bruce… anyone special in your life?" Diana said playfully.
"Well, no. Not really," the billionaire replied, cheerfully playing into the banter that the radio hosts usually utilize at work. He sat between the two radio hosts at their workstation, a microphone and his own headset for himself, just like Diana and Steve.
"And need I remind you, that you promised to allow me to talk about the Wayne Foundation's Crime Victims Fund," Bruce laying on the playboy charm.
Although, it never worked on Diana, she was too smart to fall for such ploys.
"Oh, by all means, go right ahead," Diana encouraged casually, always willing to help raise awareness and aid charities designed to help others in need.
Steve, whom had been silent since the introductory line starting the show. Somehow, G-100's Steve and Diana became the Bruce and Diana show. How in the hell did he become the third wheel?
The banter between the two irritated the blonde. Luckily, the former military man had planned for just this occasion.
And it should begin in ten… nine… eight…
Ignorant of Steve's plan, Bruce and Diana were discussing the efforts of the foundation's crime fund, when suddenly, a blaring alarm interrupted the two.
The raven-haired duo looked around the room in confusion, as red lights flashed around the room.
Smiling smugly, Steve spoke into his microphone, "Uh oh, Wayne, it looks like you've been BLINDSIDED!" he exclaimed, shutting off the sirens and lights.
Diana's eyes widened, completely flabbergasted. She was utterly stunned, at a lost for words. She knew the term Blindsided. It was a new segment they had been playing with. Diana, herself, found the idea a little too crude. It was still an idea in progress, never green lit for use over the air.
The raven-haired woman whipped her head to Etta for aid, who was surprised as anyone and shrugged her shoulders.
The Greek woman turned back to the two men in her life, just in time to see Bruce raise a curious eyebrow at Steve's proclamation.
What the hell is Blindsided? he thought to himself.
Luckily, Steve was there to explain, "We have our friend, Kiki on hold ready to dish about the kind of boyfriend you really are, Wayne," Steve stated haughtily.
The rich man scowled at the blonde. He remembered Kiki vaguely and apparently, she's ready to talk.
Great.
Steve signaled to one of the technicians with Etta to put Bruce's ex through.
"Kiki, welcome to the show! Now, tell us about Bruce Wayne," Steve engaged leaning back in his seat.
There was a pause before Kiki replied, "Thanks for having me!" the ex-girlfriend's nasally voice came over the phone.
Both Bruce and Diana were silent, having nothing to contribute.
"So, we were having dinner at this great restaurant, having a good time until suddenly, he's all like, "I have sudden business to attend to", she quoted. "Leaving me with the check!" she exclaimed, astonished by such a thing.
Bruce visibly winced, he honestly thought he paid the check. Diana gave the billionaire an odd look.
"Wow!" Steve exclaimed. "Talk about scumbag," he taunted, with a condescending laugh.
The billionaire grimaced but didn't say a word. He simply crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair.
Steve and Bruce's ex had a decent banter, with Kiki describing Bruce's lack of skills regarding commitment, with Steve making pointed comments here and there.
Diana tried to intervene, but Steve interrupted her and continued with Kiki. It silently irked her, but she couldn't override her partner while they were live.
Wayne impatiently tapped his index finger onto his arm as this farce went on for almost ten minutes. Bruce took every stinging jab with unresponsive composure.
Eventually, the man had enough. He roughly tore off his headset dropping it on the table and stormed out.
A satisfied Steve flashed an arrogant smirk, which was the last thing Bruce saw as he pushed the door open seeing Etta attempting to profusely apologize for this. "Mr. Wayne, I am so…"
He ignored her and walked out, unaware of Diana trying to catch up to the man.
The rich man roughly pushed the door to the radio station open, making his way to his car, silently steaming inside about this ambush.
"Bruce!" Diana desperately shouted. She was right behind him and shouted again, "Bruce, I swear I had no idea Steve was going to do that," she tried to explain.
However, Bruce would not have it. He whipped his head around facing her, "How long?!" he exploded, angry like never before. "How long will you keep punishing me?!" he demanded of her, which left her stunned, frozen in place.
"Isn't failing Elissa enough punishment?" he yelled at her, an expression of anguish etched on his face.
Diana was completely speechless.
"I thought we agreed to be civil with each other. We decided it was best for Elissa. But this… attack was unwarranted," he stated before storming off to his car not even giving Diana the chance to explain herself.
The show ended with Steve finishing it with another one of his Batman tirades after Kiki was done gossiping about Bruce Wayne's poor relationships. After that Etta called the man into her office, Diana, too had joined them after returning inside, appearing weary after Bruce blew up at her.
Etta sat behind her desk, a scowl on her usually cheerful face. Her silence was so unusual and nerve-racking. It felt like someone was about to bring down the axe and off with someone's head. Or job in this instance.
The blonde woman sighed, "Well, I hope you are proud of yourself," she directed at Steve. The small smirk on the man's face diminished, he didn't like Etta's tone.
"Do you have any idea on what you've done?!" Etta's voice was filled with anger. "You just insulted the most influential man in the city on live radio!" she yelled at the man, who visibly winced at her tone.
"And what was this?" she inquired. "Marking your territory?!"
Steve's face scrunched up in concern, "How do you…?"
"I'm Diana's best friend, you idiot!" she exploded. "Of course, she would tell me you two are seeing each other! And I will point out, the two of you aren't as stealthy as you think. Any one with a brain can tell the two of you are together," she finished saying, resulting in the two radio hosts to be shocked that they haven't been as careful as they thought they were.
"The higher ups have been calling me nonstop regarding this stunt of yours, Steve. Speaking of, you had no authority to use that segment without permission by me or anyone else," she reprimanded.
Steve appeared almost sheepish as he turned his head away from the other blonde, unable to look her in the eye, given the intensity of the glare she was sending his way.
"Sure, ratings are looking good because of today's show," Etta reluctantly admitted, "but the execs are not happy," she reminded them, heatedly.
She scowled at the man in contempt, "Be aware someone's head is on the chopping block for this," she revealed surprising the duo. "Now, get out," she barked.
The radio hosts wordlessly, started to leave, heads hanging low, they were almost at the door when Etta called out to them, "Oh, and Steve," said man turned back to the woman, followed by Diana, "just so you are aware, Wayne Entertainment partially owns our station," she revealed to them.
Both radio talk show hosts were dumbstruck by the revelation. Diana had no idea Bruce owned their show, part of that irked her. She didn't like that he had some say in her job.
"Oh, it's a very small stock, but it's still stock," she said nonchalantly. "Essentially, you've insulted one of your bosses. I highly doubt our executives are going to let it slide. I'd start updating your resume's," she gloated, extremely angry with the blonde at the moment.
Etta picked up her ringing phone, signaling to the duo to shut the door, they wordlessly did so.
Diana refused to speak to her boyfriend. An uncomfortable silence formed around them as they congregated in the breakroom. The raven-haired woman busied herself by making herself a cup of coffee, while Steve was hurting by Diana refusal to speak to him, to even look at him.
Eventually, the silence was too overwhelming for Steve to withstand anymore, "Look, I'm sorry," he broke the silence. "I… don't know where my head was," he confessed, it was a partial lie. He knew what he was doing, he was being vindictive. To a man, who barely knew him. He merely felt threatened by Bruce's presence in Diana's life. They had history together and a child that was evidence of that history.
And considering the way Diana was unconsciously pushing Steve away, Steve felt no other choice but to push back the only way he could.
Attack Bruce.
Expressionless, Diana exhaled deeply, mentally prepared to get into this. She set her coffee on the table, glancing at him and then said, "Why would you do such a thing?" she interrogated him, yet gave him no inkling to the anger simmering beneath the surface.
Sheepishly, Steve scratched the back of his head, glancing away from the beautiful woman's eyes silently radiating anger.
"I… I just," the blonde struggled to explain his juvenile behavior.
His inability to answer her properly instilled great aggravation within her, that was skirting the boundaries into anger.
"Have you completely lost your mind?!" she roared. Her tone startled the man making him focus on her. "I have shared custody with the man! Do you have any idea the kind of legal battle he could cause if he demanded sole custody of Elissa?", she continued to press the blonde man, whom was dumbfounded by her, he didn't even think about Elissa in all this. He should have.
"And Elissa, she listens to our show," she revealed, her voice getting higher and hysterical as she carried on. "She along with thousands of other listeners heard us—ME—attack her father on live radio, without any provocation!" The expression on the Greek woman's face was a mix of anger and fear.
"So, thank you!" sounding sarcastic. "I may have just lost my daughter and my job!" she yelled at him, leaving him hollow.
She shot daggers at him, breathing heavily from her expound.
"I'm sorry," he spoke softly, his blue eyes planted at the floor, his guilt crushing his ability to look at her. She had that effect on people. That stern look she gave people, make them think they were being reprimanded by their own mother.
Diana shut her eyes and shook her head. She sighed, feeling exhausted. It was all too much for her to handle. Between Bruce's indignation and Steve's petulant behavior, she really didn't need any of this right now. She opened her eyes again, "We'll talk more at home," she said, her tone cold, any trace of anger and fear long gone. Replaced with fatigue and disenchantment.
She left him in the breakroom all alone, which made his gut get all tied up in knots.
Diana's House
The Greek woman returned home well after three in the afternoon. She sighed wearily, as her day weighted on her heavily. Part of her simply wanted to open up a bottle of wine right now, the effect of her day left her that bad. The incident with Bruce and Steve drained her of everything. Her relationship with both men has been damaged greatly, she was unsure on how she can mend the situation between all of them.
She kindly asked Steve not to come home until late evening. She couldn't face him too soon. She needed time to collect herself and relax for a little while.
She walked past the dining room table and stopped in her tracks as she saw her daughter sitting at the table doing her homework, while nibbling on a cookie.
"What are you doing here?!" the woman cried out in surprise.
The teenager's head shot up from her books, eyes darting left to right before focusing on her mother, "Um, because I live here," she answered plainly.
The Greek woman took a relaxing breath to settle herself. "No, I mean why are you here at this hour?" she corrected herself. "Aren't you supposed to be with Bruce right now?" she asked, silently praying Bruce wasn't taking out his anger with her on their daughter.
Elissa simply answered back, "Bruce had a board meeting. Said he wouldn't get out until really late, so I came home instead. It's okay, Dick and Alfred gave me a ride home," she uttered, her attention more on her homework than on her mother.
Big test coming up.
"I see," was all the woman could reply, silently thankful that Elissa hasn't brought up today's show.
"Uh, Diana," her daughter called.
It appeared she spoke too soon.
Diana looked back at her daughter, who gave her an uncertain look.
"I heard your show today," the woman's heart sank. "Why did you attack Bruce like that?"
She didn't accuse Diana, she just wanted to know why this morning happened the way that it did. Diana's heart wrenched; she couldn't handle this right now. This was the one thing she hoped wouldn't happen today.
She swallowed nervously but pushed through the nervousness and brought out her dignified nature.
She sat across from the teen and began to answer her, "I had no idea any of that was going to happen," she pointed out firmly. Wanting to make it clear she wasn't behind any verbal ambush that occurred that morning. "This was Steve's plot," she informed the teenager.
Elissa's eyebrows creased upon hearing that particular piece of knowledge. She was cordial to Steve while he stayed here, and he in turn he did the same to her, however, Elissa had this strange feeling about him.
They had nothing in common besides her listening to his show. And lately it was becoming difficult to listen. All he focused on was Batman most of the time. How dangerous he was. How he makes the police look inept. It was starting to rub her the wrong way.
She's a Batman fangirl, sue her.
But now he was attacking Bruce, and she was defensive towards her father, who was making a real effort to be her father. And, trying to know her. For Steve actively going after Bruce in the way that he did, had Elissa beginning to dislike the man.
Eventually, "Why would he do that?"
Diana sighed again, running a hand through her hair, "I have no idea," she lied. She chided herself silently, for her lie. Part of her had an idea on why Steve did what he did, and she found it childish.
However, she preferred to keep her theories to herself until her suspicions were confirmed by the man himself.
For now, she wished to keep Elissa out of her relationship troubles.
"Where is Steve?"
"I told him to come home late," the woman informed. "I needed some time to think."
"What about Bruce?" the teenager inquired after a long silence.
"I-I don't know what to do about him," she admitted sadly. She held her head in her hands as her head was a buzz of every possible scenario involving Bruce and each one made her feel hopeless.
Diana, who was preoccupied with her own thoughts was completely unaware of her daughter, who was silently concocting a plan of her own to remedy the situation.
It was hours later, when Diana had called Steve, giving him permission to return home. It was also hours later that Elissa enacted her plan.
A phone call regarding a misplaced textbook at a certain corporation and pleas of necessity ensured another man would be showing up that night.
The doorbell rang and Elissa conveniently made herself scarce for a few minutes to ensure it was Diana that answered the door.
The woman momentarily wondered why Steve was ringing the doorbell, however she chalked it all up to him being in the doghouse.
She opened the door and froze stiffly as Bruce stood at her door, one hand in the pocket of his black winter coat, while in the other hand was a high school textbook.
The scowl on his face was the first thing she noticed, clearly still pissed with her.
He didn't want to be here right now. He'd rather be on patrol right now, but Elissa begged him to bring a textbook she left in his office back to her quickly and being the parent he was trying to be complied. She didn't really need it right away. She only uses it for reading assignments that her teacher gives her class every two weeks. And she finished the latest one the other day.
She just wanted her parents to work things out.
Wordlessly, the man handed the book to the woman, who accepted it.
"Make sure Elissa gets it," Bruce said to her curtly.
"I will," she promised, placing the book by the table near the front door.
He made a move to start walking away, however Diana stopped him, "Bruce. Can we talk?" she softly requested.
The way she said it made the dark-haired man briefly pause in his movement which was enough for Diana to seize the moment.
"Please," she pleaded with him. He noticed her pleading look in her eyes that she sent his way. It really struck at his heart. He mulled over it until he reluctantly gave in.
Diana sighed, exalted by his willingness to hear her out. She grabbed her coat, putting it on as she and Bruce stepped out on to her porch, shutting the door behind her.
She preferred to keep this conversation private. Bruce on the other hand had suspicions regarding this whole matter.
And they all lead back to a meddling young girl.
"I swear to you, I had no idea Steve would do that this morning," she earnestly made clear.
"Hmm," he grunted, still angry regarding what was supposed to be a way to promote the Wayne Foundation turned into something so petty.
"Please believe me."
He saw the sadness in her eyes, he could assert that the whole matter truly distressed her. He sighed, maybe he judged too quickly.
"I swear this won't happen again," she continued to say to him. "This was Steve's plan. Some twisted reaction of jealousy," she explained.
Bruce's scowl softened with her every word, beginning to understand her.
"But you didn't intervene," he heatedly pointed out, his anger still lingering.
"It was a live show. I can't just cut my partner off short during a show. Telling them you can't do that," she maintained fiercely.
The man's scowl deepened, disliking her stance.
The Grecian woman exhaled calmingly, gathering her thoughts, once she had, she said, "Bruce, I forgive you," her statement left him stunned, evident by the look on his face. "We were kids when I got pregnant. I should have been more forceful in telling you I was pregnant," Bruce felt a pang of guilt hit his heart, after hearing her utter.
An expression of serenity etched itself on her face, "I'm tired of being angry with you. I've spent too long with it. But I made my choices, you made yours," she shrugged lightly, almost happily, "and we have out daughter back," she smiled at him partially.
Yes, it was great to have their daughter in their lives.
Still nursing his grudge over the show that morning, "You still could have warned me Steve was jealous of me being around you," he pressed, mild bite in his voice, but was slowly receding.
"And you could have warned me or consulted with me about creating a trust fund for Elissa," she returned, matching his tone, getting riled up.
"And you could have discussed with me if I was comfortable with another man living with her!" he fired back.
Diana was taken aback by his comment. Surprise slowly transformed into understanding. Now she understood what his anger was really about.
"Bruce," she began softly, "Steve won't replace you," she told him, who raised an eyebrow. "I won't let that happen," she promised. "You're her father and nothing can replace you in Elissa's heart. She loves you, even if she hasn't spoken the words, she does love you," she tried to assure him.
Her voice eased his worries.
Bruce had to admit, he felt threatened knowing Diana's boyfriend was living with the two women. Perhaps that was what irked him about the blonde man, aside from disparaging his life's work. Losing his place in Elissa's life.
In truth, he never paid any attention to the radio until he found out Diana was a radio host, which was around the time Elissa showed up. He didn't even know she was still in Gotham when he returned home to begin his crusade.
There was a pause before Bruce finally spoke again, "Perhaps… you have a point," he struggled to admit.
Diana placed a gentle hand on the man's chest, "Bruce, I forgive you. Elissa forgives you. Now it's time you forgave yourself," she stated, gently.
Maybe he has been beating himself up about the struggles in Elissa's life. He gave her up for Batman to live, unknowingly but he still did.
Perhaps one day he will forgive himself, but it won't be any time soon.
"I'll try," was all he was willing to say. It seemed to placate the woman, who smiled softly at him reassuringly, which made his knees buckle. How did she always do that to him?
"Are we good?" she hesitant asked, searching for some sign of a reprieve.
He nodded, "We're good," he replied back stoically, although she could tell his expression was cracking. "Just keep him away from me," he demanded of her. "He leaves me alone and I will do the same."
"I will," she promised him.
At that moment, the man they were discussing began walking up to the house, he stiffened seeing Diana and Bruce together on the porch. Before he could even offer any words, Diana spoke to him harshly, "Inside. Now." She commanded coldly, her voice gave no room for excuses, pointing to the house behind her.
He silently followed her commands, keeping his head down as he passed the raven-haired duo and went inside as if he was a rightfully scolded child.
Bruce on the other hand didn't utter a word as the blonde-haired man soundlessly walked past the dark-haired man, nor even spare him a glance except for the scowl that formed on his face, clearly showing that all was not well between the two men.
Diana's scowl dissipated as Steve went inside. A calmer expression crept on her face as she focused on Bruce, who was slowly beginning to walk away.
She took a small step forward, making the man pause, silently turning his head back to her. Hesitantly, she uttered, "So, are we okay?" she asked once more, apprehensively, still unsure if they were back on stable ground.
Slowly, Bruce nodded, "Yes, we are okay," he replied. He couldn't stay mad at her; besides she would never make a spectacle of such a private matter for the whole world to hear.
She had nothing to do with the ambush.
He turned back starting to walk away, however yet again Diana stopped him from getting too far. "Um, Bruce?" she called out hesitantly.
The man turned back yet again being quite patient and was greeted by the uncertain look on the Greek woman's face.
"Yes?"
"Uh, could you… not fire me and Steve?" she requested, putting the question as delicately as possible.
The man's eyes narrowed, "What?" he uttered completely lost.
Carefully, she explained, "Uh, you partially own our station," a sinking feeling forming in the pit of her stomach as they stayed on this topic longer than she liked.
He paused slightly, before he said, "I do?' from his tone of voice he was honestly surprised that he owns her station just as she was earlier at work today.
"You do," she maintained firmly.
"Huh," he uttered more to himself than anyone. His eyes were glued to the ground as he pondered this bit of information. It still never ceased to amaze him; on how much he owns in this town.
Nervously, the Greek woman swallowed as she awaited the man's next few words.
Eventually, Bruce's eyes returned to Diana's, "I'll make some calls," he reassured her, who released a relieved breath.
"Thank you," she said kindly, only for Bruce to nod silently.
This time she didn't stop the man from leaving, as she silently watched him get into his car. She gave him a fleeting wave goodbye as he drove away. A tiny smile tugged at the corner of her lips, before it vanished as her next challenge of the night was just inside her home.
She exhaled dramatically, as she went inside to handle damage control with Steve, as well as make sure everything was handled.
She found him in the living room, sitting on the couch, head low. To her, he seemed like he was awaiting the inevitable. That she was going to send him and quite possibly end their relationship.
She was right. He didn't think about Elissa in all of this and Diana has been putting her child first before anything else.
Including him.
He noticed Diana standing just outside the living room, appearing uneasy. Her expression made him anxious, as if this was the end.
The woman cleared her throat as she gingerly walked to him, taking a seat next to him, all while Steve kept his head down unable to look his girlfriend in the eye.
Neither one said a word for the longest time before, the raven-haired woman exhaled sharply, "So, I talked to Bruce," she started. "Our jobs are safe," she finished, resulting in the man releasing a sigh of relief.
Finally, he raised his head, although he only stared forward. "That's good," he uttered flatly. "Diana, I…," he tried to say but stopped himself. Unable to form words for his behavior.
A pregnant pause rang out, before he tried again, "I'm sorry, Diana." His apology was heavy with remorse and sadness, it was difficult for him to utter the words, but he knew how much he screwed up.
The Greek woman was silently listening to him, her face neutral.
"Diana?" Steve slowly turned his head to her, his face full of uncertainty.
Silently, Diana leaned forward, her hands clasped together. She sighed, "I think we need to review our relationship."
As soon as the words left her mouth, the man's eyes widened in desperation. It was the one thing he dreaded coming here tonight. That she was breaking up with him.
"You put Bruce and me back a way. He and I need to cooperate for the sake of Elissa. He blamed me for your blunder," her voice hard, empathizing her last sentence.
He gulped, her tone reflecting her irritation.
"I think… that you should move back into your apartment," she sighed.
"Diana…" the man tried to say, his move agape. He recalled Diana telling him that his stay was temporary, but he started to feel comfortable here. Perhaps too comfortable for Diana's liking.
He loved Diana. And he liked Elissa. Perhaps he just didn't like Wayne around. He felt that this was his family too.
And that's why he attacked Wayne in the manner that he did.
"Why are you suddenly on Wayne's side?" Steve suddenly posed the question, attitude lacing his words.
"Because he and I need to work together," she put trying to be diplomatic. "I am tired of being angry with him and I just… I'm tired of it," she exhaustedly admitted.
"Yet he had zero accountability—"
"He didn't know," she interrupted her boyfriend, starting to become aggravated. She paused, collecting herself, "I think we need to take a break," her words were like a knife in his heart, his blood running cold. "No, we are not breaking up," she answered the unspoken question. "But I think we need some space from each other for a while," she reasoned.
Steve couldn't believe what he was hearing. It all came to a head. "No!" he shouted, finding her decision unacceptable. "All you've been doing lately has been pushing me away!" he exploded in frustration.
Visibly startled, Diana leaned to the side, avoiding Steve as he shot up to his feet.
"Ever since your daughter popped back up in your life, it seems like I'm not even in your life anymore. I mean how much time have you and I actually spent together outside of work?" he demanded, frustration mounting.
The question made the woman think. And now that she thought about it, the times they were together not in the workplace were dismally low.
Feeling terrible, "I'm sorry, Steve. I didn't mean to neglect you," she replied earnestly.
"You told me, Wayne wasn't going to be a problem," he reminded her.
"And he isn't," she insisted.
"Then why am I on the outside looking in," he demanded to know. "It's almost always you, Elissa, and Wayne. But where am I?"
"With me," she heatedly maintained.
Steve merely shook his head, "No, I'm not. Where are we going?" he pressed. 'Because all I see is me being pushed out by Wayne."
Diana took a minute to process his words until, "I'm sorry you've been feeling that why," she conveyed. "But Bruce is Elissa's father, and no one can change that. I'm sorry if you thought that we were going to be a family so soon," her words unintentionally sting him. "But it's going to take time for everyone to get acclimated to their positions in our situation."
"And where am I going to be? Is Wayne going to be walking around the house like he lives here?" he jabbed at her sarcastically, which earned a scowl from the woman, displeased with the man's remarks.
"Jealousy is an ugly color on you, Steve," she pricked him with her retort.
"Are you over him?" he asked her heatedly.
The question made her hesitate, however she still answered. "Yes."
However, her hesitation gave the man doubts. "Are you over him?" he pressed harder.
She honestly thought she was. But after meeting Elissa and seeing Bruce again after all these years. Old feelings began to resurface, and she had to admit she was beginning to waver.
The guilt from the time she kissed Bruce following Elissa's hearing that placed her in their joint custody came to haunt her. She closed her eyes and took a breath, feeling nauseous from remembering her betrayal of Steve.
Eventually, she answered, "I kissed Bruce," she confessed. Her confession froze him in place, his face full of shock.
Mouth agape, as the shock of her revelation shut his brain down, which was slowly rebooting. "W-what?"
She told him he didn't have anything to worry about. Did she lie to him?
Being forthcoming, "It was the night of Elissa's hearing. Bruce and I went back to his penthouse to discuss the tragedy of Elissa not wanting us to be her parents. We started drinking, well mostly me, I kissed him, but he stopped me because he knew I was with someone," she explained. "Nothing happened any further," she reassured.
Although it was too late for that. For anything at all.
"We can still work this out," she tried to keep them together.
Feeling heartbroken, he shook his head, "No, it's too late for that," he muttered. She gazed upon him sadly, as he walked out. She mentally sighed to herself as he shut the door behind him.
Wincing as he slammed the door.
How did everything get so bad, all of a sudden?
But upon further musings it was perhaps for the best. Things had become so hectic; it was difficult to concentrate on one thing.
Maybe a break between them would help things.
Let them reevaluate their relationship form a different angle and discuss it, to see where they are at.
It was her idea. For a break, not a breakup. But now, it looks like that's what they had now.
A breakup.
So, Diana and Steve's relationship is on the rocks to the point of being extinguished. I'm sure some are happy. But he won't be gone forever, because I have plans for him. Because who doesn't love drama?
Please review, fav and follow. And thanks to all those that have. I'm happy people enjoy the story!
Next: What if.