It's So Hard
Chapter Four: And So It Begins
Terry trudged wearily upstairs. It had been one long night, with crimes being committed every time he turned around. At least, it sure felt that way. Rubbing his temples, he decided to look in on his kids.
Kori lay curled in her crib, clutching a battered-looking pink elephant, blanket down around her ankles. Terry grinned and tucked the covers around his daughter's shoulders. He couldn't believe she was already a year old. He wouldn't have believed it had she not still called him, affectionately, Dadu. Terry leaned down and kissed her cheek.
The boys were due to start kindergarten in, according to their dinosaur clock, less than eight hours.
'Where does time go?' 'he wondered. 'It seems like just yesterday that they were crawling around, pulling Robin's hair and being pests.'
He sat himself on the miniature couch, which, like the rest of their room, had a dinosaur theme.
Supporting his chin with one hand, Terry tried to reassure himself he wasn't completely missing the lives of his children.
He'd heard Kori's first word ("Dadu,") and he'd seen her toddle around when she was learning to walk.
He'd heard Terrance speak his first sentence and seen Bruce learn to roll over. He'd watched them run around after Robin, trying to pull her hair.
Robin…he'd missed most things with her, due to the fact she'd been halfway across the country until she was two and a half. But he had taken her to kindergarten, always offered a hug when she needed it, and he had watched her every time she wanted to dance for him.
"You've done just fine by them, Terry," Rachel said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"How do you always know what I'm thinking?"
"Because I'm your wife. I'm supposed to know what you're thinking," Rachel teased. "Seriously, Terry, they adore you. They love it when they get to see you every morning, let alone how much time you spend playing with them, all things considered. There are dads out there who just walk out of their kids' lives and never bother speaking to them again. Trust me, Terry, you're a great dad."
"Do you promise? I just worry that they don't get enough attention from me…"
"I promise. Ask them if they spend enough with you. They'll tell you honestly."
"Alright," Terry sighed, scrubbing a hand through his hair.
"Come to bed?" Rachel asked. "I miss you."
Smirking, she dragged him back to their room.
Batman Beyond Batman Beyond Batman Beyond
Bruce and Terrance's kindergarten teacher was a kind looking elderly woman named Miss Haden.
"You two must be Bruce and Terrance," she said warmly. "Twins are always so nice to have," Miss Haden added to Rachel and Terry. "They're always so inseparable."
"These two are only united when they want to pull their sister's hair," Rachel laughed.
Terry nodded. "Terrance is wearing the green shirt and Bruce is in blue."
Miss Haden checked her watch. "Class is due to start in a few minutes."
Rachel kneeled and held out her arms. "Mommy's big boys. Be good for Miss Haden. Mommy will be back at 2:30."
Bruce grimaced and pulled away when Rachel planted a kiss on his cheek, but Terrance clung to Rachel desperately.
"Mommy, I don't want you to go away. I need you," his little voice pleaded.
Rachel hugged her son tightly. "Terrance, sweetheart, it's part of growing up. Mommy has to go to work, and you have to go to school. You'll be fine."
Terrance looked up at his father. "Daddy?"
"Terrance, if I had my way we'd get to spend all day together. But the world isn't perfect, and I have to go make it safe for you, Bruce, and your sisters."
"He's a very sensitive little boy," Rachel explained to Miss Haden. "Very attached to his father and I."
Miss Haden nodded knowingly. "I understand, dear, there are always a few in every class."
"Can I at least give Kori a hug before you leave?" Terrance asked, sounding as if his heart was about to break.
"Of course," Rachel said, taking the youngest McGinnis baby from her father. She stood Kori up next to her brother. Terrance squeezed his little sister.
"You were always my favorite sister," he told her. "But we have to grow up, right? You be good for Mommy, Kori."
Miss Haden smiled at the boy. "I'll take it from here. You two go to work."
"Rachel," Terry murmured. "Time to go."
Rachel stood and wiped at her eyes furiously. "Do we have to?"
A look from Terry answered her. "We're not going to coddle Terrance just because he wants his Mommy all day, every day. He has to grow up."
"I know," Rachel sighed. "But he's such a sweetie and if he wants me to play with him, I feel bad if I tell him no."
"I know."
"It's hard because he thinks no one loves him and…"
"Why does he think that?" Terry demanded. "You told him it wasn't true, right?"
"He says Bruce thinks he's just a copier and Robin thinks he's a big baby."
"I told you I didn't give the kids enough attention," Terry grumbled. "You said they got enough. My kid shouldn't think that no one loves him."
"Terrance is just sensitive. He wants his siblings to like him," Rachel said firmly. "End of conversation."
Batman Beyond Batman Beyond Batman Beyond
Terrance sat alone in a corner of the room, playing with a toy train.
Bruce was in the exact opposite position: He was in the middle of the room surrounded by the other boys and the odd tomboy.
Miss Haden glanced at Bruce and then Terrance. For identical twins, they were polar opposites and Terrance looked so lonesome. She surveyed her class, noticing a girl named Tori sat away from the other girls, playing with her doll.
'Terrance and Tori,' she thought, smiling. "Tori, dear, I think I have someone you can play with," she said kindly. She placed a hand on the girl's shoulder and led her over to Terrance.
"Tori, this is Terrance. He's shy, just like you. Will you play together, for me?"
Terrance's big green eyes looked up at Tori. She was the first girl besides his mother that he thought was pretty, with curly brown hair that hung past her shoulders and dark blue eyes.
"Hi," she said nervously. "We could play blocks."
Terrance's face lit up. "I love blocks," he exclaimed happily. "Let's go!"
He stood up hurriedly and they raced to play.
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"Mommy, this is my best friend Tori," Terrance cried joyously, running to Rachel with Tori following closely.
"It's very nice to meet you, Tori," Rachel said politely. "Did you two play together today?" she asked knowingly.
Tori nodded. "My mommy is here. I'll see you tomorrow, Terrance."
Terrance watched her wistfully as she left. "Mommy, how do you know if you're in love?"
Rachel just smiled.
I know it focused on Terrance, but it's important because now that this is complete, I will be starting one that focuses on him.
Summary: Terrance is training to become the next Nightwing, (how fitting, huh?) while battling feelings for his best friend.