Bruce helped me load my luggage into his car. My mother stood off to the side giving us a constant stream of advise, telling us we were being foolish and that if I was going to stay in Gotham, that I could stay here. We both ignored her. I gave Alfred a hug and got into the car with Bruce who drove away. In the rearview mirror I saw my mother standing in front of Wayne Manor with Alfred's arm around her shoulder.
"He really gave it to her last night," Bruce said.
I frowned to show my confusion.l
"Apparently while we were upstairs, Alfred took it upon himself to let your mother know that it was her behavior that would ultimately drive you away, and that if she ever wanted a permanent relationship with you, she needs to respect you as an adult and allow you to make your own mistakes."
I smiled, "She should remember your father's mantra. We only fall so we can learn to pick ourselves back up."
"She was of course livid with him."
"Adamantly I'm sure."
Bruce laughed at my choice of word.
"I only hope she doesn't see me staying in here as her winning."
Bruce frowned and shook his head, "Having you at Wayne Manor would have been winning. No, this is almost exactly what she didn't want: you unescorted in the city, free to do whatever you wanted."
I smiled, "Thank you again for doing this."
"Stop thanking me. I'm just doing this because I'm sure we would have killed each other if you stayed in that house... Plus it's like I said, I'm trying to rekindle an old friendship."
I smiled again and we fell into a calm silence. Bruce made his way into the city and I watched as the buildings grew around us. Soon we were in the heart of Gotham when Bruce pulled up to a huge building. Getting out, he greeted the valet boy who helped us get my luggage out of the car. Bruce handed him the keys to the car and walked with me into the building.
"The mailboxes are right through that door," Bruce said pointing to one side of the lobby, "You need your room key to get into it, as well as the mailbox key. The whole lobby is under surveillance, including that room. There are guards at each entrance, one in the middle of the lobby, and one in the surveillance room as well, so you'll have immediate response should you need it."
He waved at a few of the guards who smiled and nodded back. He led me to the elevators and showed me how to use the electronic key to operate it. He pressed the button for the top floor and away we went. "Your floor is only accessible with the electronic key. If you have guests coming, just let the front desk know and they'll allow them access so you don't have to go down and get them."
We reached the top floor and Bruce let me exit the elevator first. We rounded a corner and the space opened up to a room with floor to ceiling windows for walls. My breath caught at the view of the city. I slowly followed Bruce as he gave me the grand tour of the space. He showed me the three bedrooms, the massive master bedroom complete with a master suite, a sauna room, and a walk in closet. He showed me the small upstairs area where one more bedroom was as well as a small library and tv room. Back downstairs he took me outside to the personal garden complete with a lap pool and a helicopter pad.
Once we were back inside I shook my head, "Bruce I can't just stay here."
"What? Why? What's wrong with it?"
"This has more amenities and gadgets than my manour back in England! This place is huge, and wonderful, and... and..."
Bruce smiled, "And what? You want to pay rent?"
I gave a small laugh, "I don't know... I feel like I should."
Bruce shrugged, "I own the building."
I laughed out loud this time, "Of course you do!"
"Is it really too much?"
I looked around the huge space and I said, "A little bit."
"But?"
Looking to him I said, "But it's perfect."
Bruce smiled, "Good."
Bruce stayed with me for the rest of the afternoon, showing me how to use everything and help me unpack. He had someone go grocery shopping this morning while we were breaking the news to my mother, so the kitchen was fully stocked. I refused the personal chef that Bruce wanted to hire, same with the maid, and the cleaning staff. When he finally left me, it was dark out and almost time for dinner.
I picked up my phone and gave Jonathan a ring, hoping he hadn't eaten yet.
"Hello?"
"Hey."
"Bethany," he sounded genuinely happy to say my name, "How did it go? Where are you? Please tell me you're not at the airport."
I gave small laugh, "Slow down. I'm still in the city."
Jonathan let out a sigh of relief, "Thank God for that."
I laughed again, "Really wanted that sex then, yeah?"
"My relief stems from more than my desire to lay you."
I blushed and replied, "Good to know."
"So are you still at Wayne Manor?"
"Um, no actually. The argument with my mother went as expected, but the one with Bruce wasn't actually that bad. So I'm now spending the rest of my summer in his over the top penthouse."
"You have very generous people in your life, Miss Elwood."
I scoffed, "No need to tell me twice."
"So, what now?"
"Would you like to get dinner?"
"I'm starving."
"Know of any good burger joints?"
Jonathan laughed, "Not in the mood for fancy foods?"
"Not at all."
"Well luckily for you, I know the the perfect place."
I took down the address of the restaurant and changed into fresh clothes. I made sure I had everything and made my way down to the lobby. I had to ask a guard which way to go since I was close enough to walk, and I was on my way. I walked with my keys in hand, one of my keychain being a cat with pointy ears. You could slip your fingers through his eyes and use it as a weapon should you need to.
Arriving first, I got us a table and waited, looking over the menu. Jonathan arrived shortly after me and gave me a smile as soon as he found me in the dining room. I stood as he reached the table and he pulled me in for a little inappropriate kiss. Letting me go, he said, "I'm so glad to see you."
I returned to smile and said, "Me too."
We sat down and looked over the menu. He ordered a veggie burger, and I ordered a double bacon cheeseburger with fries and a beer. He chuckled at my choice, "Well, good to know you can eat."
I sighed, "I just had a hell of an argument with my mother. It was physically draining, and I may have a habit of eating my feelings sometimes."
"Well from a psychological standpoint, that's not really healthy."
I laughed, "Well, it's a good thing I don't do it that often."
We were quiet for a moment, then Jonathan asked, "Why did your mother do it?"
"Because she's pissed that I went against her."
"Against her?"
"She had the great idea that bringing me here would… I don't know… spark some nonexistent flame between me and Bruce, and we would fall madly in love with each other and yeah…. Basically she was pissed that I went out on a date with a guy. Bruce mentioned your past and she went ballistic."
Jonathan frowned, "Well, I guess meeting her is out of the question."
I laughed, "Oh contraire. I think meeting her would be a fantastic idea."
"How so?"
"Maybe if she met you she would back off."
Jonathan gave a half smile as our food arrived to the table. We continued to talk, learning small things about each other. I learned that he was an only child to a single mother, but was raised by his grandmother who sounded like an awful woman to live with. I told him of my father how he has left my mother to date a woman around my age. He asked how things got bad between me and Bruce and I gave him my version of events. I told him the reason Bruce wanted me to stay in the penthouse was to try and be friends again. He asked, "Is that something you want?"
I nodded, "I think so. Part of me honestly did miss him. It would be a great excuse to come back here again."
"I would like that too."
I laughed, "I'm sure you would."
We finished eating and paid for our meals. Leaving the restaurant, I turned to him and smiled, "Would you like to come back to my new place?"
Jonathan smiled, but frowned, "I would love to, but unfortunately I have an early meeting tomorrow."
I frowned, but nodded, "Bummer."
"But believe me, I really want to."
"I would tempt you, but you should really go."
"Let me at least walk you back."
I smiled and turned to leave. He stopped me to take my hand in his and I smiled wider. We walked back to the building, but stopped just short of it. Pulling me into a side alley, he pressed me up against the wall and kissed me. I pulled him close to me to deepen the kiss, which he was grateful for. We pulled away for need of air and looked at each other. I bit my lip waiting for him to say something first. He looked down to my lips, then back up at me, "God I wish I could just take you right now."
"I would tease you right now, but you have a meeting in the morning I think you need to remember."
Jonathan sighed and pressed his forehead ot mine, "God dammit."
I smiled, "There's always tomorrow."
Jonathan pulled back and smiled, "That there is."
"Bruce is going to be with me for most of the morning, but I'll be all yours after that."
Giving me a kiss he smiled, "Deal."
I bid Jonathan goodbye and watched as he walked back to his car. Reentering the building, I waved at the security guards as I made my way to the elevators, and I went to bed.
