Chapter 38

The following morning, Max was in the kitchen, cooking a bit of breakfast. Tiana and Chelsea were sitting at the kitchen table. The news about Bruce's death had many higher-ups in Wayne Enterprises eager to speak with Tiana, but she took the day off, wanting to be there in person for Max and Terry. Any emergencies or wannabe takeovers would wait until tomorrow.

Chelsea just shook her head, "I… this… this still just… this doesn't feel real."

"Tell me about it," Max said.

"My father sends his condolences, Max," Tiana informed.

Max smiled. "Thanks." She looked at Tiana. "Are you okay?"

Tiana sighed. "A bit."

"Don't blame you," Chelsea patted Tiana's back. "You've been killing it through all this, Tia."

Tiana smiled, appreciatively, as best she could.

Chelsea smiled in return then looked at Max, "Where's Terry?"

"Getting the soundest sleep I've seen since I met him. After he cried for a little while, he got in bed and fell asleep almost immediately. It's been a long time since I've seen him do that. And… no snoring. No tossing and turning. He just… slept."

"He needed it," Tiana mused.

"Seriously," Chelsea agreed. "Between Gotham nearly being leveled and this, I don't blame him." She sighed. "Honestly, I don't know which would've hurt him more."

"I can't answer that either," Max agreed.

Chelsea shook her head. "How's Shell and Sally?"

"Not much better. This… this hit all of us really hard."

"I can only imagine. Can't even think about how Helena feels."

"I won't even dare speak on that. That poor girl."

"I remember when my grandfather passed," Tiana admitted, "and how painful that was. I knew him all my life. It hurt like hell when he died." She stared, blankly, at the table. "Helena got three years, four at the most. Four. I can't imagine being in her shoes right now."

Chelsea exhaled then swallowed the lump in her throat, "Why do I wanna cry? Bruce didn't know me. He didn't even like me!"

While Tiana smiled, Max giggled, softly. "Actually… he did. He just didn't like to show it. Kept his circle small."

"I don't blame him." Chelsea swallowed down a cry, again, "I… I just know… what a dad he was to you and Terry and… my friends just lost their dad." She stared at Max, "Max, I am so sorry."

Max smiled at her. "Thanks, Chels."

"You need anything from me?"

"Nothing I can think of."

Chelsea nodded. "I understand. If that changes…"

They heard footsteps and they saw Terry walk into the kitchen.

"Chelsea," Terry said, relievedly. "Tia."

Chelsea smiled as best she could. "Hey, Ter."

"Hi, Terry," Tiana smiled, warmly.

Terry walked up. "Can you both do me a favor?"

"Of course."

"Anything," Chelsea replied.

"Can you stand up so I can hug you?" Terry requested.

Chelsea jumped to her feet and hugged Terry with all her might, "I can't believe you thought you had to ask me that!"

Terry hugged her back, "Thanks."

Chelsea squeezed him tighter, "Of course."

They broke the hug and Terry looked at Tiana.

"The President of Wayne Enterprises hugging the COO?" Tiana joked as she stood. "People will talk." They hugged.

"Let 'em," Terry replied. "Thanks for all you've done."

"Not a problem at all, Terry. Happy I could do anything."

"You did a ton."

They released the hug and everyone sat down.

"Breakfast is ready," Max set plates down.

"You didn't have to do this, Max," Terry implored.

"The hell I didn't."

Chelsea and Tiana giggled while Terry just subtly shook his head. They ate, mostly, in silence. Everyone taking the time to just breathe.

"What's next?" Chelsea asked.

"We've already got the funeral and everything planned," Terry answered. "Bruce practically organized it himself."

Chelsea giggled, ruefully, "He would plan his own funeral."

"Yeah, he would," Terry smiled. He looked at Tiana, "How have you been since the attack? Feels like I've barely talked to you."

"You've been busy," Tiana reminded. "And like I told Max, I'm fine. She saved me and so did Lincoln."

"Speaking of which, where is he?"

Tiana smiled. "Helena called him. She wanted to talk."

"Oh, my God, I hope that means what I think it means!" Terry threw his head back.

"Right?!" Chelsea agreed. "She's been hot for him for the longest!"

"Feeling's mutual, believe me," Tiana giggled.

"Terry," Max said, getting his attention. "Mel and Eddy wanna come over tonight and have dinner with us. Mom and Dad wanna come, too. Are you up for that?"

Terry nodded, "Yeah. I… think I need that."

Max looked at Chelsea, "Wanna come?"

Chelsea blinked. "Oh! Oh, no! I mean… you probably got Helena coming, too, right?"

"I'm gonna ask her."

"Well, see, there you go! And if she goes, then Linc's gonna tag along, like he should. And I'm sure Tia will wanna be here. I'm one too many. It's a family thing."

"You're right," Max agreed. "It's a family thing. So… was that a 'yes'?"

"Mel's not gonna want so many people around!" Chelsea argued.

"One, yes, she is. Two, she said, and I quote, 'whoever wants to come along to help Terry, bring them'. Third, I'm ordering dinner. And, before you say it, four, yes, I can afford it. I'm rich."

Chelsea considered the offer then looked at Terry.

"Yes," Terry answered with a smile.

Chelsea looked down. "I just… I didn't wanna intrude."

"Chels. I just lost Bruce. I need all the friends, and love, I can get."

Chelsea's eyes began to mist. "All this and breakfast? No wonder I'm not trying to get married. I got you guys."

"Like any guy is good enough for you," Max smiled.

Chelsea smiled, suggestively. "I dunno. That security guy, Mike, is hot!"

"Okay, I can't deny Mike is one of the best ones."

"For sure," Terry agreed.

"And he's hot," Chelsea repeated with a smile.

"We heard you the first time!" Max laughed.

"Actually…" Tiana said, "she's got a point."

"Tia!" Max giggled, as Terry and Chelsea laughed.

"What? I'm his boss, not his mother. I'm allowed to have an imagination."

Helena sat on the steps of the Manor, staring at the scenery. For some reason, the Manor and the grounds weren't anywhere near as intimidating in the light of the sun. Not to her, anyway. A car drove in and parked in front of the steps, and Lincoln got out.

Helena managed a small smile.

Lincoln walked over, stopping in front of her.

Helena moved over a bit.

Lincoln sat down next to her. He stared straight ahead. "I… don't even know what to say."

"You don't need to." Helena looked at him. "But… I wanna say something to you. If you're okay with hearing it."

"Anything."

Helena smiled then looked back at the grounds. "Before Dad died… me and him had a few talks. A lot of talks." She looked at Lincoln, "One of them was about you."

"Me?" Lincoln asked.

Helena nodded.

"I feel an overwhelming need to ask 'why'."

Helena giggled, softly. "It… was about people in our lives. And it was the last thing he said… before he…" She stopped then stared at him. "He said to love the people who love us. He told me to stop being afraid. To stop putting my life on hold. Mom and Diana said the same thing mostly. And… they're right. I'm done putting my life on hold. At least, in all areas. Some things… can't wait."

Lincoln had to steady his breathing.

"I love you, Lincoln Fox."

Lincoln exhaled.

"I held it off because… I got scared. I was worrying about Dad, then Bane showed up, and I was just praying with everything I had Terry would be okay. But… now… all of that is… Dad's gone. Max has Terry and he's making it. And Bane's done."

Lincoln studied her for a while. He knew she meant it. He felt the same. But, he was unsure about the timing or if this was right. "Helena…" he looked down. "We don't have to do this. You just lost your father. We…"

"Linc."

Lincoln stared at Helena.

"I'm never going to stop crying over him. Will you ever hate me for that?"

"Never," Lincoln replied, immediately.

"I'm always gonna hurt over that," Helena continued. "Can you accept that?"

"Absolutely."

"I'm always going to be there for Terry. No matter what. Can you handle that?"

"Can you handle Tia?" Lincoln asked in return, smiling.

Helena giggled, "Absolutely. I love Tia."

"Terry's awesome. I'm more than okay with that."

"Same." Helena thought for a moment then continued, "I want to follow in my dad's footsteps. I want to continue as Huntress. And fight next to my brother whenever he needs it. Are you okay with that?"

"As long as you're okay with me fighting with you," Lincoln countered.

Helena smiled. "I am."

"Me, too." Lincoln stared at her. "And… when I say 'me, too'… I mean that in a couple of ways. I love you, too."

She held her hand out and he took it. They leaned in close and shared a kiss.

"Hold me," Helena whispered.

Lincoln put his arms around her, pulling her close. Helena let herself relax a bit, feeling comforted in Lincoln's embrace.

"So, you're good?" Basem asked Terry over a vidcall early in the afternoon.

"Yeah," Terry answered. "For now. Are you sure you guys don't wanna come over tonight?"

"We're sure," Sally replied. "We can all hang out later."

"Actually, we wanted to ask about that," Basem said. "Could we… meet at the Machine Shop? Maybe… midnight or so?"

Terry smiled. "Sounds good."

Sally grinned a bit. "I'm glad to see you smile, Terry."

Terry chuckled a bit. "Guys…"

"We already know, Terry," Basem said. "Get some rest. Enjoy your time with the family. We'll see you tonight."

That evening, Max, Mel, Lisa, and Eddy were talking when Terry walked into the living room.

Terry managed a smile. "Hey, everyone."

"Terry," Lisa whispered. She got up and hugged him. "I'm so sorry."

"Thanks, Mom," Terry replied. They released the embrace.

Eddy walked up and hugged him next, "How you feeling, bro?"

"More exhausted than anything." Terry and Eddy broke the hug.

"That makes sense."

Mel hugged Terry as tightly as she could. "I'm so sorry, Ter."

"Thanks, Mel." They released the hug and Terry looked at three, "Thanks for everything."

"It was our pleasure," Mel smiled, warmly.

"Between that Bane monster attacking the city and Mr. Wayne…" Lisa exhaled, "Terry, I have to know, how you're able to smile! I thought for sure you'd wanna be alone for a while."

Terry shrugged, "I might be later. But… hey! I love you guys."

Lisa giggled a bit.

"I'm able to smile at all… mostly because of Max." Terry looked at Max. "Couldn't have done any of this without her."

Max couldn't hold herself back as she hurried over to Terry to hug him, causing everyone to smile.

The doorbell rang. Terry and Max released the embrace and Terry opened the door to find Joe standing there.

Joe smiled, "Hey, Terry."

"Hey, Mr. Gibson," Terry smiled. "Glad you could make it. Come on in."

"Thank you." Joe greeted everyone else as Terry closed the door. "Well…" he looked at Terry, "I wanted to tell you something but it'll probably shock you coming from me."

Terry looked at him, curiously. "O…kay?"

Joe smiled a bit. Then gave Terry a fatherly hug.

Terry's eyes widened as he tried not to cry again. Max couldn't hold back the tears, no matter how hard she tried.

"You lost two fathers, Terry," Joe declared, sincerely. "I'm so sorry. I'd change it, if I could. But let me assure you… you've got three fathers that are all very proud of you, son."

Terry couldn't hold it. Tears fell again. He hugged Joe back.

"Thanks, Mr. Gibson," Terry whispered.

"Thank you, Terry," Joe replied. "For making me a better man. And showing me how to be a better father." They separated, "And for being the absolute best man for Max."

"I'm doing my best."

"It's worth more than gold, Terry. Far more."

The doorbell rang again and Terry opened it to find Helena and Lincoln there.

"Hey, Helena," Terry smiled, wiping his eyes.

Helena hugged Terry, immediately. They broke the hug and Helena looked Terry over. "You okay?" Helena wiped a tear away from his face.

"Nope," Terry admitted.

"Fair enough."

"You?"

"Not even close."

"Fair enough." Terry looked at Lincoln, "But you're doing slightly better than you were, I'm assuming."

Helena smiled and looked at Lincoln. "Yeah." She looked back at Terry, "Yeah, you got a point."

Terry smiled and looked to see Tiana and Chelsea pull up. They walked into the house when Terry saw another car pull up and stop at the curb. Terry was surprised when he saw Mike exit.

Terry jerked his head back but walked toward the car, "Hey, Mike! What's up, man?"

"Evening, Mr. McGinnis," Mike nodded. "Sorry for stopping by unannounced."

"It's all good, man. Something wrong?"

"No, sir." Mike opened the backseat of the car, "Just dropping off some people." He smiled knowingly. "I think you know them."

Out of the car, stepped Mary and Matty McGinnis.

Terry froze. "Mom. Matt."

Mary rushed at Terry, hugging him with everything she had. Matty walked up and hugged Terry as well.

"Miss me, twip?" Terry joked.

"I'll never tell you!" Matty replied.

Terry chuckled a bit and exhaled. "I'm really glad you're both here."

"I'm glad we made it," Mary whispered, as tears fell. "I'm sorry, son."

"Me, too, Mom. Me, too."

Just after midnight, Terry, Max, Helena, and Lincoln entered the Machine Shop, finding Basem, Sally, Hayate, and Michelle waiting for them. Mary and Matty were staying at Max and Terry's and everyone else had gone home, while Tiana went back to Wayne Enterprises to prepare for performing her Oracle duties. Basem called Tiana via a video call after Terry and the others arrived.

"Hey, all," Terry smiled.

"Hey, brother," Basem replied.

"Shell, you still going on patrol?"

"Yep," Michelle answered. "Ghost and Jag are watching things right now. I'll catch up with them."

"I'd feel better if you took a night off, Shell," Max admitted.

"Later. I promise. Not yet."

"So, what do we wanna do next?" Sally asked.

"Funeral's all scheduled," Terry replied. "So…" He walked over to the fridge and pulled out a few cans of soda, passing them out to everyone. "I think it's best… we have a… small memorial service here."

"Terry…" Helena said, nervously.

"It's being honest about the situation, Helena. Like he would've been."

Helena sighed. "Fair."

Terry thought it over. "We're all hurting. We know it's what he wanted but that doesn't make it easier. But… I can't lie… having all of you makes this… so much easier to deal with. I once thought… it would only be me and him. When this happened… I would have to handle it alone. I'm glad I don't have to. And I think even he was, too." He stopped. "He was the best. No matter what. A great dad… to all of us."

"Absolutely," Max agreed.

"Without question," Helena nodded.

"Hell, yeah," Michelle whispered.

Basem smirked, "More of that grouchy uncle who always gives great advice."

"Agreed," Hayate smiled a bit.

Terry chuckled. "He trained us. Even if we were trained already. He once called this the 'never-ending battle.' He told me… there is no progress. No ultimate goal. Just another night. That mess with Bane… just another night."

"But what a night!" Lincoln smiled.

"Bro. I need to tell you about me versus the Justice League. That was a night!"

"I kinda feel like you versus the Joker was crazier," Max suggested.

"They're neck-and-neck for me," Terry shrugged.

"Wait," Lincoln held his hand up. "Like… the actual Joker? I remember the news. It was really him?!"

"When I say it was 'complicated'… believe me, that's putting it lightly."

"Given everything else I've learned since I found about all this, that tracks." Lincoln sighed. "I've got a lot to learn."

"Believe it or not," Basem said, "after a while? It all gets mundane."

Lincoln blinked. "That's somehow terrifying."

"As it should be," Hayate joked.

Terry smiled a bit, then became lost in thought. "Just another night. It's so weird to think about but… it makes so much sense. But… if a night like Bane happens again, and I have all of you there… I can handle it."

"Always will be, brother," Basem insisted.

"No matter what," Hayate agreed.

"You're stuck with us, boss," Michelle added. "Sorry if you wanted to be a solo act again… but that ish ain't happening."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Terry replied.

"I won't let him," Max smiled.

Terry rolled his eyes while everyone laughed, lightly. "I basically took the long way to say… thanks, everyone. For everything."

"Our pleasure," Basem replied.

Terry lifted up his can, as did everyone else; Tiana holding up a water bottle.

"To Bruce," Terry declared.

"To Bruce," Max echoed.

"To Bruce," Basem said.

"To Bruce," everyone but Helena declared.

Helena held her can up. "To Dad."