I dedicate this chapter to my dog, Josephine. A remarkable golden retriever that touched many hearts in my family. We had to put her down, due to severe and debilitating nerve damage to her back, making walking and getting up and down stairs challenging. The vet said she was in pain; every gesture took great strength.
I miss you Jo, and I am so sorry for what we had to do. We thought it was the most humane thing to do. You couldn't do much on your own. Walking and even standing up to eat was difficult. Going outside to use the bathroom was even more daunting for you and those that helped you down.
I hope you can forgive me—us for what we did.
I am in agony. I peeked when they… started.
I pray that your suffering is over, and you are at peace and in a better place. Forgive me.
Another reason to hate 2020. F you 2020!
Life Unexpected
Chapter 12
Gotham City High School
Elissa's adoption came and went, and everything normalized for the Wayne and Prince family. No one seemed to bother Elissa anymore after the adoption went through. No one tormented her about being a foster kid or her parents not wanting her in the first place.
The mystique of finally being adopted waned and Elissa was part of a regular family with regular problems.
She still didn't have many friends at school. And that was perfectly fine with the teenager, she never really trusted people only a select view. And one more than any other.
Dick was her friend, but he was… technically her brother. And well, he had his own thing that he did. So, she thought she should have the same.
The raven-haired girl had her hair in a high ponytail, walking the hallways of her school. Alfred had dropped her and Dick off, and the two teens had parted ways almost immediately.
The boy had to meet with a few classmates to take care of some project for school, leaving Elissa alone until first period.
So caught up in her own thoughts, she didn't pay attention as the school principal and a new female student exited the main office.
"Now, I would like to give you a warm welcome, Miss Green," the principal stated to the girl, her voice warm and welcoming.
Miss Green was a young teenager of Hispanic descent. Her hair long and curly and mocha colored. Her eyes big and equally colored as her hair. A small birth mark situated itself on her left cheek, parallel to her nose. Her complexion a light color as she spent little time in the sun. A denim jacket hugged her torso with matching pants and camouflage colored t-shirt underneath, dark nylon sneakers mixed with lime green shoelaces adorned her feet.
"Thank you," the girl softly replied, giving off the impression she did not really care, she just wanted to get on with her day and for the old crone to stop talking.
"Here's your schedule," the older woman said, handing the student a piece of paper. "First period starts in ten minutes. The first number of the class indicates the floor the classroom is located on," she explained pointing to the teen's first class. "Understand?" she inquired, giving the girl a pointed look.
"Yes," she muttered, taking the piece of paper.
"Good," the old principal smiled in satisfaction. "Your credits from your previous school have been transferred, but you will need to take some classes in the summer to be able to advance to the next grade. Do you understand?"
The new girl scowled at the fact she will be attending summer school, but nevertheless nodded, grudgingly.
At that exact moment everything changed, as the two girls caught sight of the other.
Elissa stopped dead in her tracks as she saw someone, she thought she would never she again. "Nat?" she was dumbstruck.
"Lis?" the girl now dubbed Nat, returned with equal surprise. It took a moment before both girls shook themselves of their disbelief.
The principal raised a curious eyebrow but, held her tongue observing the girl's reunion. The two girls raced to one another utter joy in their faces, embracing each other tightly for fear of them being separated again.
"I thought I'd never see you again," Elissa stated, hugging her oldest friend tighter.
"Me too," Nat returned, elated of seeing Elissa again after so many years.
Elissa hadn't seen Natalie in over five years. She was her only friend in the girl home for orphaned children. They had each other's back no matter what. Elissa covered for Natalie when she stole some candy from the office. And Natalie helped Elissa when she was caught up in a fight between two other girls.
They were thick as thieves. Until Natalie was taken by another family far from Gotham City, at least from Elissa's point of view. Last she heard Natalie was in New York, hadn't heard a word from her in years, it was because of that made Elissa to enclose on herself, shunning people, believing no one was to be trusted.
Eventually, the two broke apart curiosity regarding the other's life became overwhelming. Elissa was the first to speak, "Natalie, I thought you were in New York?"
"I was. The family that took me in five years ago didn't work out. When I came back to the girl home, you were gone," Natalie replied, sadness etched on her face as she told her side of the story. "I bounce back and forth," she elaborated indifferently. "Another family took me in, and I was sent back to New York. My new foster family moved back to Gotham because my foster dad got a new job here," she explained eagerly awaiting her best friend's thoughts.
"Wow," Elissa breathed. "I can't believe we're together again," she gushed. She hugged the other girl again, checking to she that Nat was truly here. They both laughed as the embraced again.
"What about you?" Natalie inquired, curious on what was happening in Elissa's life.
"Oh, uh," the woman stammered. "I met my birth parents," she told her, surprising Natalie.
"Really? And how'd that go?" a skeptical Latina pressed.
"Well," an awkward Elissa began. "They… adopted me," she meekly explained.
Natalie scowled, recalling how Elissa ended up on foster care just as she did. Their parents didn't want them.
"What?" the raven-haired girl asked as the look on her best friend's face spoke volumes.
"Have you forgotten that they abandoned you!" Natalie incredulously told her, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Well, no, but…" Elissa struggled to respond.
Natalie scowled, "How could you forgive them?!" she defensively demanded. She could not comprehend how Elissa could
"It took time," Elissa struggled to say, it was still difficult to talk about. Things between herself and her parents were pretty solid but there were times her past reared its ugly head and made her irritable some days.
"I bet," she scoffed.
"Miss Prince. Miss Green," the principal decided to interject at that moment. Both girls gave the old woman their attention. "Seeing as how the two of you know one another, Miss Prince, I would appreciate it if you showed Miss Green around school," she requested.
While she didn't care for the principal, she was elated to see her oldest friend in some long. "Sure," she answered earnestly.
"Thank you," the old woman returned. She checked her watch and noticed the time, "Better hurry. First bell rings in less than ten minutes," she advised.
The girls took off immediately. Elissa showed Natalie to her first class and gave her basic directions to her remaining classes before lunch. Luckily, the girls had lunch together. Chattering about the past and what the other had been up to since they last saw one another.
"What's with the Green?" Elissa inquired, munching on her potato chips. "I thought your last name was Russo?"
"It was," Natalie shrugged, taking a bite of her sandwich. "My foster parents are in the process of adopting me. I'm taking their last name." she answered, impassively.
"That's great!" the ponytail girl exclaimed, excited for her friend. "Isn't it?" she lost her enthusiasm after seeing the frown on her friend's face.
The scowl on her friend's face seemed to answer her. "No, I was hoping to get emancipated," she grumbled.
Elissa dismissed that idea, "Oh, been there done that, didn't work out for me either," she smirked at her, only for Natalie's scowl to deepen.
"What?" Elissa asked incredulously.
"I don't like them," Natalie frowned, finishing her lunch.
"Why? Aren't they nice?"
"Yeah, there great," she replied, her voice deadpan.
"What's wrong? Don't you want to be adopted?"
Natalie pondered her best friend's question; she was tired of bouncing from one home to the next. She wanted freedom. Sure, the Greens were decent people, but they were just another couple that were capable of changing their minds about her. She was tired of adults, didn't trust them.
"So, I guess it all worked out for you?" sarcasm laced Natalie's voice.
Elissa raised an eyebrow, she felt insulted by her best friend's sarcasm. It rubbed her the wrong way, she half-heartedly summed it up to them being apart for so long. But the rest of her, well, she never backed down when someone tried putting her down. "What's that supposed to mean?" scowling across the table.
"Well, your birth parents adopted you, I'm sure it will all work out for me and everybody else in the world," Natalie sounded belittling, which prickled Elissa sorely.
"The hell's your problem?! Excuse me for finally meeting my birth parents and working things out," she returned with equal scorn.
"How could you do that?! They abandoned you!" Natalie exclaimed, her temper seething as she was incapable of believing that her friend could go back to those monsters.
"We worked it out! My father didn't even know that I existed until I found him," Elisa responded, her anger elevating.
The Latina scoffed, "Yeah, right," skeptical of her friend's defense.
Elissa rolled her eyes; she could not understand how things got to this point. Their heartfelt reunion she be about them gossiping about what the other had been up to since they last saw each other. She needed to deescalate the situation.
She took a breath, "Okay, let's take it easy," she instructed. "We shouldn't be arguing like this. We haven't seen each other in years, do you really want to be yelling at each other over some misunderstanding?" she suggested the question.
Natalie sighed, taking a moment to realize that she was right. She didn't want this to be how things ended between them.
"Fine. You're right," she grumbled, regretfully. Her behavior shamed her. Elissa was her best friend and she was the only other person in the world she truly trusted. She should not let her bad attitude with her foster parents affect her relationship with Elissa. "Sorry."
"I'm sorry, too," the dark-haired girl returned. She smiled at Natalie, relief filling her as they had reached an understanding.
It was then that the school bell rang, ending lunch period.
The two girls didn't see one another until school ended.
Alfred arrived at the school to pick up the children, patiently waiting for them to leave the school building. The butler flinched, startled as the backdoor opened up and Master Dick entered the car. "Hey, Alfred!" the former circus kid greeted, taking off his backpack.
"Good afternoon, Master Dick!" Alfred returned with refined enthusiasm. He stared out the rearview mirror making eye contact with the young man, "Where is Miss Elissa?" he inquired, he was surprised that Dick was the first and only one to enter the limousine. Usually the children left the building together, considering they were fast friends.
"Oh, she told me she was hanging out with a friend," Dick answered. "She said she'd take the bus home."
The Englishman raised a curious eyebrow, Elissa was hanging out with a friend? Inwardly, the man was delighted that the teenager was branching out and befriending others, he was under the impression that Elissa's change in behavior came from Miss Diana's side of the family.
"Well, good for her," he praised, driving off, he made a mental note to inform Miss Diana that Elissa was getting another lift home.
Elissa and Natalie walked the streets of the city, laughing and joking about little things. They passed by a small boutique store, which caught Natalie's eyes. She nudged the ponytail headed girl with her elbow, "Hey, wanna check it out?"
"Yeah, sure."
"And maybe we could do our old thing?" Natalie mentioned with a gleam in her eyes. It immediately dawned on Elissa what her friend meant.
Apprehensively, "Uh, Nat, I don't do that anymore," Elissa struggle to refuse.
"Oh, come on, it's not shoplifting unless we get caught and as you might remember we never got caught," Natalie pressed, attempting to convince Elissa to go along with her plan.
"But that was years ago, Nat. They got security cameras and those tags on their merchandise nowadays," Elissa attempted to dissuade her friend. While, yes, it was fun years ago when the two shoplifted together. It was always small stuff, never anything that could get themselves arrested for anything too major. She always felt bad about it, but it was harmless. "I don't want to, Nat." Elissa rebuked, she didn't want to get into any trouble and disappoint Bruce and Diana.
A scoff was released, "Oh, come on, Lis! It will be just like old times!" she protested. Deep inside Natalie desired to enjoy some nostalgia and hang out with her friend and relive some of their glory days.
"But, Natalie, I have money," Elissa retorted, pulling out the gold card Bruce entrusted to her. She never used it, so she thought a little indulgence couldn't hurt, right?
Natalie's eyes narrow as she locked on to the card in her friend's slender fingers. She plucked the card out of her hand to examine it. "Geez, where'd you get this from?" an astonished Latina demanded handing the card back.
Elissa seemed to hesitate to answer, "My, uh, my father gave it to me," she sheepishly responded to her.
"Must be rich, huh?" a haughty Natalie returned.
"Uh, yeah," Elissa awkwardly replied.
"So, who is he?" the Latina crossed her arms across her chest, an eyebrow raised silently demanding an answer.
Elissa seemed to sink in on herself, "Um, Bruce Wayne," she answered feeling embarrassed. It put a smile on the girl's face when Natalie's mouth went o-shaped, her eyes as wide as dinner plates.
The Wayne heir gave the girl a few minutes to collect herself, and she took great satisfaction in the expression on her oldest friend's face.
"Wait, you're the Wayne kid?!" Nat nearly shrieked. When she saw the other girl nod, she freaked out. "Jesus! I saw it all over TV months ago, but I never paid any real attention to the details. Damn, girl!"
Elissa laughed at her friend's behavior. "I thought you hated reality TV?"
"I do! But that news was everywhere," the girl sounded jittery. "I can't believe you're rich."
"Well, my father's rich," Elissa clarified.
"And your mom?"
"Diana Prince," she answered without missing a beat.
"The radio host?"
"Yep," Elissa nodded.
"Your parents have been so damn close to you all this time," Nat realized, sounding incredulously.
"Yeah, I was as surprised as you were when I found out," Elissa stated. She turned back to the small boutique store they were loitering in front of. "Uh, we still going in?" she asked. When Nat nodded her head, Elissa fervently uttered matter-of-factly, "And I'm paying."
Nat nodded again; Elissa giggled. Taking her friend by the wrist she pulled her into the store.
They got dresses, shirts, pants, shoes, and everything they could carry, laughing as they each tried them on. They left the store almost tripping on their own feet.
An idea formed in the head of Elissa as they boarded the bus. They talked as the bus took them on its route through the city. Their bags huddled around them.
They got off two blocks from one of the city's prominent buildings. Natalie pestered her friend on where they were going. But Elissa was tight-lipped about it.
Ten minutes later, Natalie discovered where they were going when she caught sight of a large 'W' on one of the tallest buildings in the city.
Wayne Tower.
Her head whipped to Elissa, whom had a smug smile on her face as she walked up the stairs to the building doors.
Elissa walked inside, smiling at the security guard, whom she had seen when she would join Bruce in his office when he had the opportunity to pick her up from school. "Hey, Bill," she greeted, still carrying her bags in her hands.
"Hello," the security guard returned, politely, offering her a smile.
She walked further inside with Natalie in tow, bewildered by her friend. To Natalie, Elissa was acting like the heiress that she was. Poise in her strides, like she owned the place, a smile on her lips as she greeted a few of the workers in the lobby that she knew.
Natalie concluded that Elissa had changed just as she had.
The teens walked up to the receptionist desk, as the new receptionist looked from what she was doing at her desk. She took one glance at Elissa and concluded that she didn't belong in the building. "Can I help you?" she uttered sounding disinterested.
"Uh, yes," Elissa conversed with the woman. "Can you buzz me up to Mr. Wayne's office?" she asked, politely. Bruce's office floor was sealed unless by appointment due to numerous reporter's attempting to sneak in. Now, everyone needed to go through security, the receptionist confirms appointment with upper management's secretaries and buzzed up.
The receptionist's eyes narrowed as she noticed the bags in Elissa's hands and in the teenaged girl behind her.
"Young lady, I don't know who you are, but you don't belong here. Run along please," she dismissed her.
Natalie wanted to deliver a scathing retort, but Elissa held her cool and handled the misunderstanding with great tact. "But Bruce Wayne said I could stop by anytime," she explained.
A disbelieving eyebrow was raised at the mentioning of the businessman, "Oh, really? And why would Mr. Wayne say such a thing?" the skeptical woman demanded.
"I'm his daughter," the teen bluntly responded, starting to run out of options.
The receptionist let out a wryly scoff, "Uh huh. Run along little girl," she waved them away, seconds away from calling security over.
Natalie came to her friend's defense, "Lady, don't you watch the news?"
Before anyone could open their mouth's, another deeper voice called out. "Elissa?"
All three heads whipped towards the voice, exiting the elevator, Bruce Wayne walked over, briefcase in hand, and a worrisome look on his face.
The receptionist was baffled as her boss seemed to know the girl that claimed she was his daughter. Instinctively, she desperately attempted to appear smaller than she was, hoping the man didn't acknowledge her.
"Everything alright?" Bruce asked his daughter, as he reached the receptionist desk. Concern on his face as he wondered why she was here.
The receptionist expected Elissa to sell her out, but what she did surprised her.
"Yeah, just a misunderstanding," she answered, sweetly.
That seemed to appease the man. "Why are you here? I'm not expecting you today," he mentioned.
"To see you," she returned, sincerely.
"Oh, well, that's sweet of you, but I'm on my way out," he replied, his blue eyes darted to the girl behind his only daughter, only now noticing her. "Who's this?"
Natalie swallowed nervously; it was only in that moment where she honestly believed Bruce Wayne was Elissa's father. She was still doubtful about when Elissa informed her of her birth parents.
She was dumbfounded and didn't seem to understand that Bruce and Elissa's attention was on her. Luckily, Elissa, like always came to her aid.
A push forward made Natalie stumble. "This is Natalie," Elissa introduced for her. "She's been my best friend since… forever," she thoughtfully told him.
"Well, that's nice. Pleasure to meet you, Natalie. I'm Bruce Wayne," he introduced himself with a cordial smile.
"Uh, yeah, I know who you are," the Latina struggled to get her bearings.
He nodded and turned back to his daughter. Inwardly, he was ecstatic that Elissa had a friend outside of Dick. He knew she needed to branch out a bit. Get out of her comfort zone.
A little hypocritical if you asked him, but still she wasn't him. He did not want her to be like him. "Why don't you girls come with me, I'll give you a lift," he suggested, noticing their bags.
"That'd be great!" Elissa told him. "I can't remember which bus that could get me home," she mentioned nonchalantly.
"Come along," he commanded, walking over to the exit with the girls right behind him. "I should have some room in my car to fit the two of you if we put your bags in the trunk," he revealed.
The girls merely nodded in silence, as Elissa turned her head back to the receptionist, whom had released a relieved sigh.
The receptionist noticed Elissa stared at her and the girl flashed her a smug smile, which left the woman gaping as she lost sight of the girls.
They walked into the city, ears listening to the sounds of the city as they made it to the buildings parking garage.
It was there that Bruce inquired onto that little misunderstanding Elissa and her friend were going through.
"Oh, the woman didn't believe I was your daughter," the teen explained, already over the whole ordeal.
"Would you believe me if I told you somedays I don't either?" he muttered to her lowly.
Unintentionally hurting her feelings, completely misunderstanding him. Bruce noticed the hurt expression on his daughter's face and immediately corrected himself. "I don't mean it as a bad thing. I'm still struggling that I have an incredible daughter in my life," he rephrased fondly, which brought the light back into Elissa.
"Thanks, Bruce," she smiled back at the man, whom returned it.
"Alright, ladies," he spoke, unlocking his silver 2017 Chevrolet Camaro convertible. "Hop in," he smirked, as the girls raced to the car, entranced by the vehicle.
The girls put their belongs in the trunk of the Camaro, while Bruce made some room for Natalie to sit. Elissa plopped in the passenger seat next to her father, while Natalie sat in the back behind them. The businessman was lucky he brought more than a two-seater car that day.
"We'll get you that pass, so you can just flash it and walk in," Bruce informed his daughter, his tone even as he focused on the road.
"Thanks," the teen returned, preoccupied with checking out her new shirt she had just purchased.
"I see you're making use of that card I gave," the man teased lightly, witnessing his daughter freeze out of the corner of his eye.
"Uh, well, I never really used it before," she confessed. "I didn't see the harm," she explained, suddenly feeling she spent too much.
"Relax, I'm messing with you," the businessman reassured, a tiny smirk on his lips. He slowly made a left turn, Wayne Tower in his rearview mirror.
His words made her laugh a breathless laugh.
Natalie silently watched the interaction between her friend and her rich daddy, and she was still on the fence about Wayne. But from what she had seen, he seemed to care about Elissa. So, Natalie will reserve judgement until a later date.
"Uh, Elissa?"
"Yeah, Bruce?"
"Where are we going?" he asked her with a straight face.
"Um," she hesitated to turn to Natalie chilling in the backseat, whom shrugged. "I thought you knew where you were going?" she accused.
"I was heading home. But maybe we should get your friend home," he suggested, looking at Natalie through the rearview mirror.
Natalie looked to Elissa for help, she didn't want to part with her friend so soon. Seeing Nat's beseeching stare, Elissa suggested another alternative. "Can't we go to the manor with you? I mean I sleep over there a few times a week," she reminded.
"Yes, but I don't think Natalie's parents know where she is, do they?" he directed the question to the teenager in the backseat.
"Uh, no."
"Well, why don't you clear it with your parents and then we'll see. If not, I guess I will take you two to Diana's seeing as her place is closer and still in the city," the dark-haired man sensibly decided. Suddenly, a thought entered Bruce's mind. "Why aren't you with Alfred?" his voice forceful than before.
Elissa suddenly gaped, at a loss for words. "Uh, I wanted to hang out with my friend," the girl suddenly got defensive.
"He was supposed to pick you and Dick up from school. Why didn't he call me?" he demanded.
"How would I know?" she shrugged with teenage defiance.
The billionaire scowled and sighed, "I guess I'll talk with him," he grumbled, settling down. He looked back at Natalie, "Natalie can you call your parents and check if it's alright to come over? I'm sure they're worried," he expressed calmly.
"Okay," Natalie shrugged, retrieving her phone. "And they're not my parents. They're my foster parents," she corrected, sounding awfully sore about the mentioning of her soon to be adoptive parents.
Bruce noted the bitter tone in the girl's voice yet said nothing and concentrated on the road.
Natalie sent a text to her foster mother—soon to be adoptive mother a text and was given a reply to be home before dinner.
After Natalie confirmed she had permission, Bruce took them to his place. Natalie was at a loss for words when she gazed upon Wayne Manor and all its glory. Elissa chuckled; she had the same reaction when she saw the place for the first time.
Bruce had let them inside and left them to their own devices, he had other… business to handle. The girls squealed as they raced through the estate, its hollow halls providing perfect acoustics. They raced all the way up the stairs, a few of their shopping bags in their hands, planning to try them on once them made it to Elissa's room.
Natalie gaped as she saw the enormity that was Elissa's bedroom. "Geez, girl! You're like a princess," she commented, noticing the lavender colored walls.
The Wayne heir laughed, "I guess. I usually stay at Diana's place during the week," she said emptying her bags onto her bed.
Nat scoffed, "Like a princess," she repeated, taking out her clothes. "You like these new boots?" she held up navy blue high-heeled boots, earnestly awaiting her friend's opinion.
Elissa turned, gave the boots a glance, "Yeah, they look nice," she complimented. She turned back and resumed putting her new clothes away. When she finished, she plopped on her bed and watched her friend take out a few of her new clothes, staring at them in the mirror.
The teen's blue eyes watched her friend like a cat, her brow furrowed, perplexed. Finally, "Nat, are you happy?" she asked gently, sitting up and crossing her legs pretzel style.
The question startled the other girl, whom turned and faced Elissa. Her mocha eyes stared back into blue, until…
"What are you talking about?!"
"I mean are you happy with the way things are going for you? You are getting adopted, shouldn't you be excited about it? I mean didn't they ask you if you were alright in them adopting you?" she probed.
The Latina appeared apprehensive, as she mulled over her best friend's inquisition. "Yeah, they did," she scowled. "So what if they asked me?!"
"Doesn't that mean you wanted to be adopted?"
"Well, I only have a few more years left before I'm kicked out of the system," Nat released a wryly scoff. Annoyance transformed into anger, which made her lash out. "Not all of us get a billionaire daddy, Lis," she shouted at the teen on the bed.
Nat's retort stunned Elissa, making her ponder the changes in her life. Bruce and Diana adopting her. Wanting her back. Was she pushing herself onto Nat? Praying that everything worked out for her like it did for the daughter of a billionaire?
"I… know that," the teen admitted, shamefully.
"Whatever," Nat scoffed, turning away from the other girl. Silently, mulling over how things turned once more. "My case worker said this could be my last chance," she whispered.
"What?"
Nat turned back to Elissa, and repeated, "I was told the Greens could be my last chance at getting adopted," she said intently. Her eyes grew misty, her lips quivered. "You know my record. If I didn't straighten out, they would put me in a girl's home until I age out," she confessed, flopping down next to Elissa.
"Nat…" the ponytail girl murmured sympathetically. She reached over and hugged her. She heard Nat start to cry, "The Greens seem like nice people, but that's how they all start, Lis. I'm tired of getting my hopes up," she sobbed.
"I'm sorry, Nat." Elissa held her friend tighter letting her let it all out.
They stayed that way for a while, eventually, they parted, and both seemed refreshed. They hung out for a little longer until Alfred knocked alerting the girls that it was time to get the girls home.
Bruce offered to give the girls a lift home, seeing as how he had some late-night work to take care of. By the time he returned home the sun will have set and the Bat would be starting his shift.
To everyone's surprise, Natalie lived only a few blocks away from Diana's house. To say Elissa was ecstatic was an understatement.
They could hang out whenever they wanted.
Bruce dropped Natalie off at her home, leaving with a parting goodbye to Elissa and a reply of gratitude to Bruce for a ride. Elissa replied that she would see her tomorrow at school. The dark-haired pair watched Natalie take her belongings out and walk to her front door. Bruce wanted to make sure she got home okay and waited for her to enter the home, checking to see that they had the correct house. When Natalie entered, Bruce drove off to deliver his daughter home to her mother.
Diana's House
It took close to five minutes before Bruce pulled up to the radio host's home. It was approaching dinnertime and Bruce was running out of time before his night job started. But still, he still put in the time to be a dutiful father to his daughter.
He helped her take a few of the bags she brought home, while the rest of her new clothes were left at the manor.
"Thanks," the teenager told him as he walked her to the door.
"Anytime," the man replied, awaiting his daughter to unlock the door. Before she could get the key in the door, Diana revealed herself with a warm look on her face.
"Hello," she greeted both.
"Hi," her daughter responded walking inside as the Grecian woman side-stepped out of the way. The woman raised a curious eyebrow noticing all the extra bags, "You went shopping?"
Elissa turned back after setting down her bags and collected the rest from her father, "Yeah. A friend of mine and I went shopping after school," she explained, casually.
Diana lit up when she heard that Elissa had a friend, she had started to worry that her daughter was becoming anti-social.
Elissa caught the look on her mother's face and knew what she was thinking, she scoffed and rolled her eyes and went back inside.
The woman turned to the man on her doorstep, "Hello, Bruce," she greeted him pleasantly.
"Diana," he returned with a small smile on his lips. He enjoyed their minor interactions, as did she.
Before they could continue to converse their excited and hopeful daughter interjected. "Hey, can ask you guys something?" she stated sounding nervously.
Before either answered, Diana beckoned the man inside, disinclined to allow any bugs to get inside her house.
The man politely accepted, following the women inside. When they were inside the living room, Diana inquired on what their daughter wanted to ask.
Suddenly, Elissa was on the brink of losing her nerve, however, she pressed on because it was something she desperately wanted. "Could I sleep over at Natalie's this weekend?" she asked, nervously.
Both adults shared a look. Diana was overjoyed at the prospect, however, she wanted to be diligent. "Is Natalie this new friend of yours?"
"Old friend actually," her daughter corrected. "We were in the same girl's home awaiting to be adopted. She left for New York a few years ago," she explained.
Diana felt her heart ache, yet another young girl was desperately trying to find a family, but her heart soared when she learned her child had a friend growing up. The woman turned to Bruce and sought out his opinion.
The man answered without missing a beat, "I met her today, she seemed nice enough," he shrugged, offering his two cents.
Elissa soared when she heard Bruce side with her. Now all she needed was her mother's permission. Diana's face was unreadable as she pondered the information flooding her head. Elissa swallowed nervously as her mother took her time in answering her request.
Eventually, "I want to meet her parents," she spoke in no uncertain terms, which brightened Elissa's face. "Once I have and they give their permission, then I don't see why not," she agreed.
Elissa leapt to her mother and gave her a bone crushing hug, "Thank you, thank you!" she cried, profoundly excited.
Their daughter's reaction brought warm smiles to the adults faces.
The girls were so excited about the sleep over that they got their parents to meet as soon as possible. The family went over to the Green's residence for dinner. All eager that the girls could spend time together. As the days flew by Elissa practically talked Diana's ear off. Going on and on about how awesome Natalie was growing up.
And Diana was delighted to hear her daughter speak of someone was highly. She felt reassured that Elissa grew up with a close friend during her formative years.
Bruce drove the ladies to the Green's, only a five-minute drive between the two residences.
Diana wore an elegant black cocktail dress and matching heels, and gold hooped earrings, her purse in hand.
Bruce wore a suit, with a blue shirt, and a red tie.
While Elissa wore a white dress, ending below the knees, with gray fashionable flats, a gold necklace around her neck and a matching white hair band atop her head. Her hair straight brushing against her back. She nervously bit her lip, praying everything goes well.
Bruce rang the doorbell, as the evitable meeting at last had begun. Natalie was the one that opened the front door, immediately she greeted the family.
"Hello, Mr. Wayne. Elissa. Miss Prince," the young Latina girl greeted the three politely. Her soon-to-be adopted mother asked her to be polite, in contrast to her usual rugged personality.
"Hey, Nat," Elissa beamed at the other girl, while Diana smiled.
"Hello, Natalie. I am glad to finally meet you. Elissa has been so excited about this night and us meeting you," the woman warmly returned the greeting.
The Grecian woman's warm personality through the girl for a loop. On principle, Natalie planned on disliking the woman, considering everything she did to her daughter, Nat's best friend.
But now, she was beginning to doubt her resolve.
"Come on in," she beckoned them inside. After complying, the family of three were greeted by the Greens.
They saw a blonde-haired woman in a green low-cut dress meet them. "Hello, I'm Amanda Green," she walked to the family, Natalie shutting the front door in the background.
"Diana," the radio host walked over to the other woman and shook hands with one another.
"I've heard your show. Big fan," she complimented, eagerly.
"Thank you," the raven-haired woman graciously accepted. "Mr. Wayne, nice to meet you," she greeted the man, whom returned the courtesy. The woman finally focused on Elissa, "And you must be Elissa. Natalie told me so much about you," she gushed.
Elissa smiled, "Hello, Mrs. Green."
"Call me Amanda," she told her. Soon, she addressed the other adults in front of her, "My husband's just finishing the roast," she excused. "Please, take a seat," she directed them to the dining room, where a mighty dinner was prepared.
On cue, Amanda's husband entered the dining room roast in hand, "Hello, everyone!" he greeted, setting the main dish down onto the center of the table. "I'm Mark," he introduced. Mark Green was a mousy looking man, with big glasses on his face, wiry brown hair, wearing a brown sweater vest over his long sleeve white shirt, and gray khaki's and dark dress shoes.
"Hello!" the Wayne/Prince family returned with polite enthusiasm.
The newcomer took a seat on the opposite side of the table with his wife and soon-to-be adopted daughter.
"Everything looks delicious," Diana commented.
"Thank you," Mark responded. Amanda smiled, "He is quite the chef," she praised, pouring some wine for herself, silently offering to the other adults, who silently refused.
Mark started cutting and then serving the roast to his guests and then to his family. While that was happening, Diana chose to learn a little more about their hosts. "So, what do the two of you do for a living?"
"Oh, I'm a schoolteacher," Amanda spooned some greens. "I teach third grade," boasted slightly, pleased with her job. "And Mark here, is an accountant," she answered for her husband.
"Interesting," Bruce entered the conversation, mildly interest in his voice. He already did a background check on both of them before he arrived that night. He wanted to be well informed on who his daughter would be interacting with.
"It has its moments," Mark joked, sitting in his seat, after observing everyone had something on their plate.
Minutes into the meal and mild conversation compelled the guests to get to the heart of the matter of the visit.
"Well, I won't beat around the bush," Diana stated, earning curious looks from the couple. "Our daughters are friends and would like to have a sleepover. And I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say I am delighted to hear it, but I have pressing concerns about having my daughter stay over at a stranger's home."
She got concurring nods from the Green's. "I'm just as protective towards Natalie as you are with your daughter, Diana," Amanda agreed.
Natalie frowned, pushing her broccoli around with her fork. She wasn't about to call Amanda 'mom' anytime soon, and she was kind to her, but she still distrusted any adult that had plans to adopt her. The system had left her far too jaded. Concerning Mark and Amanda.
"And I agree, we should be certain about who the parents are," the blonde woman continued protectively.
They chatted for hours, while the girls snuck off to Natalie's bedroom. It was of decent size, the walls a little barren compared to Elissa's bedroom at Diana's, but she didn't say anything.
"Think this will work?" Elissa asked her friend, worry evident in her voice.
"I hope so," Nat collapsed onto her bed, fatigue radiating of her. The two girls could hear laughter from downstairs, both sharing a hopeful look.
It was hours later when the Wayne/Prince family bid the Green's a goodnight. "They seemed like nice people," Diana noted, genuinely pleased by the family.
"Yes," Bruce agreed with her, walking over to the car.
"So?" Elissa eagerly inquired, on the brink of exploding with anticipation.
Both dark-haired adults smiled, "You can have your sleepover this Friday," Bruce informed his daughter, amused by the girl's cheer.
"If there are any problems, call me and I'll pick you up," Diana interjected, expressing her concern.
"Got it!" the teen nodded her head in agreement.
Simultaneously, the Greens were having the same conversation with Natalie.
"She seemed nice," Amanda noted, sitting on the couch next to her husband.
"Yes," Mark concurred. "Wayne wasn't as I originally thought he'd be," the man stated, before he thought the rich man would have started flirting with his wife, given his reputation, instead he was pleasant and polite.
"Elissa seems decent enough. And she and Natalie have been friends for as long as they can remember," she discussed with her husband. "Any doubts about having her sleep over this weekend?"
"None. I think it will be good for Natalie. Back in Gotham City with an old friend at the same school, it will be good for her. We never really gave her a choice when we moved back here," he reflected, saddened by the events leading up to their return to the infamous city.
"I'll talk with Diana and set something up this weekend, maybe?" his wife told him, finishing her wine.
"Yeah, that's sounds fine. "I hope it works out," he wistfully hoped.
Gotham City High School
The rest of the school week was uneventful, until finally Friday came. The girls were excited, they hadn't hung out so much since they were little. Elissa had introduced Dick to Natalie and the two seemed to get along fine. Nat was her usual self when she was around other people.
Cold and aloof. Defensive around people.
Luckily, Dick had some experience with that type of people.
"You ready tonight?" Elissa excitedly asked.
"Yeah. Amanda said it was cool after five o 'clock," Nat replied, as the two exited the school building.
"We can hang at Diana's house until we have to leave for your place?" Elissa suggested, adjusting the strap of her backpack.
"Sure," Nat shrugged, as the two walked over to the limo driven by Alfred, whom would be taking them home. Dick was staying after for a football game, he was going to get a lift home.
So, it was just the girls for a while.
Alfred bid them hello as they entered the car, Nat was polite enough to say hello. Elissa asked the older man to take her back to her mother's house, to which them man happily complied.
The butler was silent as he allowed the girls to chat amongst themselves. They soon arrived at Diana's house and Elissa and Nat were quick to get out of the car. But not before she thanked and said goodbye to the man.
Alfred being cautious called to the teenager, "Will you be all right alone?"
"Yep," she assured. "Diana's supposed to be home in a couple of hours," she told him. It appeased the older gentleman and he drove off once he knew the girls were safely inside the house.
They set the school bags on the floor of the living room, making a beeline for the kitchen. "Hungry?" Elissa offered.
"Sure," Natalie nonchalantly replied, leaning against the kitchen island.
A couple of hours later, Diana came home from work, feeling exhausted. "Girls! Are you here?" she hollered, cautiously checking the floor of the house. She got only silence. Although, she noticed the two school bags on her living room floor, relieving some of the tension.
"Elissa, answer me," she tried again. That time she got an answer, Elissa came out of her bedroom and raced halfway down the stairs, "Yeah?" she answered her mother.
The raven-haired woman sighed, "There you are."
"Where else would I be? We still have time until we head over to Nat's house," she reminded her mother.
"I know. I just wanted to make sure the two of you were still here," her mother supplied, running a hand through her hair.
"Well, we are," she shrugged, running back upstairs.
Sighing, Diana walked into the kitchen to get something to drink. Once she had something, she plopped onto her couch and turned on the news, feeling completely drained. She needed sometime to herself and relax after a long day at work.
Time seemed to fly by and eventually, "We're heading over to Natalie's place now," Elissa and the other girl came raced down the stairs like a herd of elephants.
"Hold on. I'll drive you over," Diana stated, getting up from her seat.
"It's like a five-minute walk," Elissa protested. She didn't want to bother her mother any further that day. Not like a little more exercise would kill the teens.
"I know. But I would help better knowing you two got their safely," Diana explained, taking her car keys in hand.
Elissa knew better than to over any further protests, she knew that look on Diana's face. It meant you were going to do things her way or no way.
"Fine. Thanks," her daughter grumbled mildly.
Her attitude brought a smile to her mother's face, "You're welcome. And thank you," she responded, kissing the top of her daughter's head.
The girl frowned, embarrassed concerning her mother's affection in front of Nat, whom was grabbing her school bag.
"Come," the woman beckoned the girls. A few minutes later, they were in front of the Green residence. "Have fun, girls."
"We will!" the chorused together.
"Thanks for the ride, Diana" Natalie displayed her gratitude towards the woman.
"No problem, Natalie. Have a good night. Tell Amanda to call if there are any problems," she requested.
"Sure," the Latina answered, getting out.
The two raven-haired women shared a look. "Have fun and if anything happens don't be afraid to call me, okay?" Diana pressed, a little anxious that her daughter was sleeping over at another house instead of her own.
"I promise. But I'll be fine," Elissa responded, a little irritated that Diana kept stating that there was going to be a problem. She could take care of herself. But she knew that her mother was just being protective, she did not have the heart to yell at her.
"Have fun," Diana wished her daughter well, watching as she took her bag with her and left the car.
"Bye!" Elissa said goodbye, shutting the car door.
Diana watched as the girls went into the house and shut the door, before Elissa waved goodbye to her again.
The woman smiled softly, delighted that her child had a friend other than Dick to which she could truly interact with. The school year was almost over and then Elissa would want to hang out with friends during her summer break, leaving Diana a little lonely. But that was part of life. Although, she could not help but feel that she was still getting to know her daughter and she was already pulling away.
Maybe she was being selfish. But Diana wished she had Elissa all to herself. Perhaps, the woman was going through delayed separation anxiety. She didn't know. But she had to get over it.
Maybe call Etta and go to a bar or something.
Diana's House
Etta had other plans that night, so a night in alone was in Diana's future. She curled up on her couch with a bottle of wine and take out from her favorite Italian place. Draped in a satin robe, the woman watched a movie on her television. The lights were off, the television providing the only illumination in her living room.
She got a text from Elissa, telling her to a have a goodnight, to which she had replied the same.
She took a sip of wine, which was interrupted when her doorbell rang. Perplexed, she got up to answer the door. She was not expecting company that evening.
She flipped the switch that illuminated her front porch. She opened the door and was greeted to the sight of Bruce on her doorstep.
"Bruce? Why are you here?" she asked, surprise in her voice.
She was befuddled as she saw the man appear sheepish and rub the back of his head, almost as if he were caught in the act of something embarrassing. "I… I wanted to check in on you," he admitted.
Fine eyebrows rose as she heard his confession. Curiosity overcame her and stepped back, allowing him admittance.
"Thanks," he said, passing her entering the home.
She directed him to the living room and sat back in her previous position. "Why did you want to check up on me?"
"Well, I recall how antsy you got when Elissa first asked to sleep over," he answered simply. "I remember you getting like that back in high school."
Diana was surprised that she was so easily read by the man. But he was right, she was concerned about letting Elissa stay somewhere other than her home or at Bruce's.
"Yes," she admitted, "I'm worried about her." She sighed, turning her head away from him, "Is that wrong? I want her safe."
"No, there isn't anything wrong with that. But you knew she couldn't be attached to you all the time," Bruce bluntly stated, inspecting the woman's half-finished dinner.
The woman scowled, wrapping her arms around herself, reluctant to admit the truth. Bruce observed her reaction and sighed. He noticed some wine and poured himself a glass, provoking a protest from the woman. "This isn't a bar," she grumbled.
His lip twitched upward, he loved getting her all worked up. Highlight of his day. "Well, since you won't offer me a drink, I thought I'd help myself."
Diana grabbed her glass and guzzled the last of it down. "Pour me another," she demanded, as if he was her bartender.
Bruce, amused, complied.
They got to talking soon after that, Diana seemed to be a lousy drunk. "So, I'm lonely. There I said it!" She stated drinking more of her wine, her feet up on her coffee table.
Bruce silently sipped his drink, listening to her patiently. "I broke up with my boyfriend because he and I couldn't get on the same page. My best friend had other plans tonight and my daughter is at a friend's house," she ranted. "And I," she sighed, "I don't know what to do with myself," she confessed defeatedly.
Bruce was sympathetic, downing the last of his wine. "Sorry to hear that," his voice apparently sympathetic.
"Thanks," she grunted, pouring herself more. And then poured the man more as well.
"But Diana we can't keep her caged. She been through enough of that," he reminded her. "She needs room to breathe and grow."
"If you're worried about Elissa, I had someone run a background check on the Greens. They are clean," he assured the woman.
"Thank you. Nice foresight," she complimented, her lips tugging into a smile.
"Always," he swore. He too, refused to take chances with Elissa and her safety.
"She's electrifying, isn't she?" he mentioned, a proud smile on his face as he thought of their daughter. So full of life and stubborn to a fault. She wouldn't let anyone hold her back or bring her down, yet still held the sensitivity of a child. Girl was remarkable.
"Yes," a fond smile appeared on the mother's face.
"Definitely didn't get that from my side of the family," he joked, trying to lighten the mood. It seemed to work as a soft chuckled left the woman.
Self-pity changed to morose as Diana felt something come to the surface and blurted it out, "Steve asked me to marry him."
The businessman almost choked on his wine upon hearing her revelation. Witnessing the man's reaction, the raven-haired woman elaborated. "He wanted to clear the air between us after the breakup and he pressed forward. A little too forward for me," she commented.
"What happened?" the man pressed for more information, subtlety probing for more information.
"I turned him down," she answered, startling him.
"Oh?' secretly he was glad she declined.
"I told him there was someone else now," she softly said.
"Diana," he began, wondering how to phrase his next few words. He suddenly lost his nerve when he saw the look in her eyes. Those blue eyes that radiated life and adventure. That burned whenever she was adamant about something that she genuinely believed in.
And now, he recognized the look she was giving him now. The look that lead to a daughter.
"Diana, I- "
"I know we shouldn't try searching for something given our circumstances, but," she paused, appearing hesitant. Suddenly, apprehension vanished replaced by desire, "But I care about you and I always will. What about you? Do you feel something for me?" she whispered as she drew closer to him. Her head inches from his own.
No, is what he should say. His life is too complicated and too dangerous for an innocent to enter his life. There are only two ways his crusade ends: he gets too damn old to go forward or someone finally kills him. He never wanted to put anyone through that kind of grief.
But Diana was different. She was electrifying and captivating. Addictive. He was always cared about her, whom never took any of his nonsense. Always fighting back against him. He loved that about her, almost as much as her heart.
She loved everyone.
"Yes," he whispered back, claiming her lips. She immediately responded, wrapping her arms around his neck. Things grew heated instantly, as she slipped him tongue. He tackled her off the couch and against the adjacent wall.
She gasped upon the collision. She tugged at his coat, shrugging it off and onto the floor, forgotten. She gasped again when his mouth nipped at her exposed neck. Bruce's hands went from her waist and bunched up her robe revealing her supple legs.
Instinctively, her legs latched around him, as her hands trembled in pleasure as she struggled to get the man's shirt off.
Bruce pressed himself against her, as his shirt was lost, the woman's hands running through his hair, their hearts pounding in their chests.
He struggled with his belt but managed to unbuckle himself, then his pants were unzipped with the aid of Diana, who was in a frenzy, her blood on fire with desire.
She shuddered as she felt him, the two making love against the wall. Pleasure coursing through her veins, her rational brain broke through the haze of lust. "Up—upstairs!" she cried, tightening her hold around him.
The man seemed to hear her as he used his control, pulling away from the wall and fumbling up to the woman's bedroom, slamming the door shut.
Gotham Docks
A cargo ship sailed over the horizon, Gotham City in its purview. Four individuals stood over the bow noticing the city in the distance.
"Gotham City," the leader of the group spoke aloud, a South American accent in his voice.
"Been a long time since I've seen it with my own eyes," the blonde-haired man mentioned, a falcon perched on his arm.
"Have you procured a safehouse?" the leader of the group demanded of the blonde man.
"Of course, sir. I've got a friend who owes me a favor."
The large man turned back to the city as they drew closer, "Do not fail me, Bird." He had spoken, those incapable of carrying out his orders would meet an ignoble end.
Gotham City, how he would relish taming her.
NEXT: Morning After
Sohan: Hippolyta will appear in the upcoming chapters. More drama afoot!
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