Chapter 5
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story nor am I making a profit.
The rain had finally stopped. Bruce found himself staring out of the Master bedroom window. It had been his room for the past three years with his wife. How much longer would he be able to say that, Bruce wondered? What would change? How much would change? He knew immediately that he was not alone.
"I was wondering where you went."
It was Barbara and her gentle voice. It always calmed him, even now. Bruce tried to force a smile for her. It had been only a few days or so (he had lost track of time) since Gordon's untimely death. He moved away from the window and the light and toward Barbra who was carefully hidden in shadow.
He placed his hand to her face and brushed a sweet tear away from her face. She closed her eyes. They had barely spoken yet alone touched each other the past few days. When she needed him the most, he seemed to disappear from site, even from Alfred. She bit her lip and allowed the tears to flow freely while his strong arms engulfed her. Bruce closed his eyes and pressed her head against his chest like he used to. God, this felt so good. He began to realize how he had been neglecting her. What kind of man does that? What kind of man was about to do what he was about to do?
"I have to go back."
Barbara returned from her reverie and met his hazel eyes with her bright blue ones. She said nothing. She knew what that meant.
He didn't know what to do. Bruce pulled away and kept his eyes to the floor the whole time.
"I'm pregnant."
Now was his turn for a surprised look. Bruce blinked and asked her to repeat what she just said.
"Pregnant?"
Barbara nodded.
"I am about 8 weeks now. I was going to tell you after the party the other night"….her voice trailed off. "I was going to invite Dad over for dinner …" It was too much. She broke down.
This was not what Bruce had expected. He wrapped his arms around her. Barbara knew that he was trying, but that wasn't enough.
Now was her turn to pull away.
"I know that this won't change your decision. I don't want to be the reason you have any regrets on what you must do."
Bruce felt torn.
"I will not abandon you and our child, "he whispered in her ear. He found himself smiling and rubbing her stomach absent mindedly. He continued to talk to her abdomen.
"I will always be there for you. You will never want for anything. I will also see you as often as I can." With that last statement, Bruce looked up at Barbara.
"I will be there, but you must never let our child know I am the father."
There was silence which was too much for Bruce to handle. Barbara gazed down for a moment and nodded. When she looked up, Bruce was gone.