Bruce stared at me with his eyes wide and his jaw slightly hinged open. He moved his mouth but struggled to make words. The news hit him harder than I thought it would.
"You're…you're sure?" He finally managed to form his words together.
I nodded with a smile on my face, "I wasn't sure myself until yesterday. I've been irregular since the miscarriage years ago. Diana was the one that convinced me to get checked out and I'm glad I listened. I'm eight weeks now and if I go full term the baby is due in February." I informed him.
Bruce placed one hand on his hip and his other covered his mouth. He turned slightly and he remained silent. I furrowed my brows slightly. This was not the reaction I was expecting.
"Bruce, are you okay? I thought you'd be happy about this." I said softly.
I grew more confused as Bruce let out a chuckle. He removed his hand and looked at me. He had a large open smile on his face.
"I'm more than happy, Mel. I'm overjoyed right now." He took a step to me and leaned down. He captured me in a deep kiss. I felt his arms wrap around my waist and I put mine around his neck in response.
He broke the kiss and he had the same smile beaming at me, "You just caught me by surprise, that's all." He gingerly placed his left hand on my still flat stomach.
"After trying for so long, it finally happened." He followed up gently. His thumb gently stroked the fabric of my shirt. I placed my right hand on top of his hand.
"Funny how that works right? We tried for months and nothing. As soon as we stopped trying, it happened. The universe has a weird sense of humor." Bruce chuckled and kissed me gingerly on the forehead.
"I see the irony of the situation. Now, you do realize this means no hero work as Voltess, right?" Bruce stated with a stern look and tone.
I nodded, "I know. I don't want a repeat of what happened last time." I answered back quietly. Bruce gave a solemn look as he tucked my hair behind my right ear.
"Neither do I." He replied back softly.
"So, when do we want to start announcing?" I asked next. Bruce gave a proud smile.
"We could start today." He offered. He moved his arms around my waist. I rested the palms of my hands on his chest.
"That's not too soon?" I asked warily. Bruce shook his head with his smile still on his face.
"Not at all. Let's head inside." Bruce turned and kept one hand on the small of my back. A small smile grew on my face as I leaned closer to Bruce. I placed my arm around him as we walked. I felt Bruce move his arm around me and him plant a kiss on top of my head.
This feeling is surreal. I couldn't believe it myself when I found out yesterday. Bruce and I are finally having a child of our own. Dick will be an older brother. Our family is growing.
The sound of the timer hit my ears from the oven. Signaling that the casserole that Martha had made was done baking. The table was already set and ready for the meal to be passed out.
"Alright, everyone take a seat. Supper's ready." Martha called out from the kitchen.
Lois and I were in the living room while Bruce and Clark were out on the porch. Dick was out in the yard kicking the same soccer ball around. Lois and I got out of our spots in the living room as the farmhouse door squeaked opened.
"Dick! Come inside!" I stopped and turned my head hearing Bruce's voice.
Lois stopped just in front of me as we both saw Clark lead into the house with Bruce right behind him. I could see Dick starting to come up to the house. I made eye contact with Clark. I gave a friendly smile but the smile he showed back was different. Lois caught onto it as well. She looked from Clark to me then back to him.
"Is something going on?" She asked warily. I furrowed my brows slightly as Clark's smile widened. My eyes flickered over to Bruce who had a grin of his own. It clicked in my head. Bruce told him.
I gave out a sigh, "You told him?" I asked Bruce.
He nodded, "I told him." Lois looked even more confused at this point. Martha's attention was now also on us.
"Tell him what?" Lois asked. She gave a look to Clark and he held his hands up.
"It's not my news to tell." Clark stated. Lois turned back to me and gave me a look. The same look she has on her face when she's determined to get the next big scoop for the Daily Planet.
"Mel." She said sternly.
"Okay, okay. You don't have to go all reporter on me." I said slightly amused. My eyes glanced over to Bruce before back at the fiery gaze of blue eyes from Lois. Bruce walked past Clark and came up behind me. He placed a hand on my shoulder as he stood behind me.
"We're having a baby." Lois' jaw dropped and Martha covered her mouth with her hands. Clark's grin grew wider as he approached us.
"I didn't have a chance to say it earlier. Congratulations, Bruce." Clark said and held his hand out.
"Oh my god! That is amazing, Mel! Congratulations!" I chuckled as Lois hugged me. I could see Bruce put his hand out and meet Clark in a handshake.
"Thank you, Clark." I heard Bruce say. Lois pulled away from the hug as Martha walked over.
She had her arms open for a hug, "I'm so happy for you both. Congratulations." I smiled as I welcomed the hug from the older woman.
"Thank you. We're just as ecstatic." I replied.
"What's going on?" I separated from Martha's hug hearing Dick's voice.
I turned my head to see him standing at the door frame. One hand propped open the front door and the soccer ball balanced on his other. He had a look of confusion written on his face and in his brown eyes.
Bruce and I looked at each other before coming back to Dick, "Well uh…" I tried to say but I couldn't bring myself to say the rest.
"Mel is pregnant." Bruce explained it for me.
Dick's eyes widened and the hand holding up the soccer ball went limp. Silence filled the air with the only sound being the soccer ball bouncing against the hardwood floor of the farmhouse. Dick's eyes glanced between me and Bruce.
"Is it yours?" Dick finally asked just above a whisper. He looked at Bruce as he asked.
Bruce frowned slightly at the question, "Yes, but I don't like that you're questioning it." Bruce said in a warning tone. You could feel the tension built up in the room now. Dick's eyes glanced back at me.
"How far along?"
"Eight weeks." I answered. Dick's eyes narrowed at me.
"That's around the same time you came back. How do any of us know if this baby is really dad's?" My jaw dropped slightly at the accusation. Lois and Martha shared the same shocked expression.
"Dick, you are out of line!" Bruce roared out. His hazel eyes were furious as he glared at the boy.
"It's a reasonable question. She was gone for eighteen months then suddenly she's back, helps saves the world, plays family with us then drops the bomb that's she's two months pregnant?! Am I the only one that's not blind?" Dick exclaimed back.
I looked at Bruce and I could see the anger clear on his face. His face was red, his jaw clenched, and his fists shaking with anger.
"I will not just stand idly by while you insult my wife to my face. I have had it with your attitude. Get in the car. We're leaving. Now." Bruce practically growled out. Anger is clear in his tone.
"And I'm supposed to be your son." Dick commented back coldly. Dick turned and bolted out the door.
"Dick!" Bruce was quick to follow out the door. He stopped as he gazed out in the pitch dark of the farm. Dick's figure had disappeared into the cornfield.
I was completely taken back by the accusation Dick had made. I thought we passed this. Passed the anger, the lashing out but it seems I was wrong. I felt a hand on my shoulder. I glanced over my shoulder to see Martha. She had a sympathetic look on her face.
"I swear, this kid sometimes." I heard Bruce mutter out angrily.
"I wouldn't be too hard on the boy." Bruce turned to hear Martha speak up.
"Ma, we really shouldn't butt in." Clark said with a grimace. Martha raised a brow and crossed her arms as she stared at Clark.
She pointed a finger where Dick was standing, "That didn't seem familiar to you? Because from where I'm standing I just saw you in that boy's place and John's in his place." Martha gestured to Clark and Bruce. Clark sighed and gave a slight nod.
I tilted my head slightly, "Clark fought like that with your husband?" I asked genuinely curious.
Martha scoffed, "The two of them butted heads all the time just like that. I know Dick and Clark come from separate backgrounds but I can recognize a hurt young boy when I see one. For Clark it was not knowing about where he came from, but Dick remembers where he came from. The poor thing is probably scared that he might lose the new family he has with a new addition on the way." I felt my world stop at that moment.
I hadn't even thought about that. Dick had told me in the past of a family that returned him to the orphanage when they found out their IVF treatments were successful. Another family did the exact same thing when they were able to find a surrogate. For somebody with a genius level IQ this is a very, very stupid moment for me.
Bruce and I glanced at each other. His anger was gone and was now replaced with regret and guilt. We both must have come to the same conclusion. We were both stupid for not even second guessing how Dick would have reacted to the news.
"Clark, can you see where he is?" I finally broke the silence. Clark turned his head and looked in the direction of the corn fields.
He nodded, "I see him. He's by the hay bales and the old tractor." Clark pointed in the direction.
"Let me grab y'all some flashlights." Martha said and went to walk away.
"Not necessary but thank you." I held up my right palm and blue light emitted from my palm. A sphere of blue electricity form from it.
"I can make my own light." I walked onto the dimly lit porch.
"We'll be back." Bruce commented before following me.
"I'll keep your plates warm." Martha called out to us.
Bruce and I walked in silence towards the direction Clark pointed us to. The only sound being the chirping of crickets and the hum coming from the light emitting from my hand.
"Should you really be using your powers?" Bruce broke the silence. I glanced at him annoyed as we began to walk through the corn.
"Bruce, I just found out yesterday. I have been using my powers for the past two months with no issue." I reminded him.
"Just making sure." I rolled my eyes and another silence fell between us. I could make out the stack of hay bales in the dark at this point.
I let out a sigh, "I can't believe neither of us thought how the news would affect him. We both know he's been returned by at least two families that did just that. They found a way to have a kid of their own and dumped him back at the orphanage." I muttered under my breath.
Bruce huffed, "I know. We were too caught up in the moment. We were being selfish." Bruce agreed. He's right. We were thinking too much of ourselves and not of him.
We finally reached the edge of the corn field. I moved two stalks out of the way. It revealed the stack of hay bales with a large shed behind it. The old tractor sat in front of the hay and I could make out Dick sitting on top of it.
"Dick, can we talk?" I asked gently. Bruce and I stopped just next to the tractor. Dick turned his head away from us. He remained silent but he didn't budge.
"Or just listen. That's fine too." I mumbled before sighing, "Look, Dick we're sorry. I just found out yesterday and I told your dad today. We were so wrapped up in the excitement of it all that…" I trailed off seeing no response from Dick still.
"That we didn't stop to think how you would take the news." I looked at Bruce who picked up.
He continued, "We knew you've been through this scenario at least two times before. Both turned out to be bad and we knew that. We are horrible parents for not thinking about how you would have taken the news. We should have broken it to you in an easier and more private way and…" Bruce sighed, "I'm sorry snapping at you the way I did but it still doesn't excuse the accusation you made to Melody. That was still out of line."
I gave a look to Bruce lightly nudged him with my elbow. Bruce gave me a look in return before I turned back to Dick. He still refused to look at us.
"What your father meant to say is you don't have to be afraid of getting sent back. He chose you for a reason, Dick. You already know what that reason is. This baby isn't going to change anything with how we view you. You're still our son. By blood or not. I already know you're going to be a great older brother to your little sister or brother." Dick finally turned his head to us. He still had a frown on his face.
"What if I don't like them?" He asked softly.
Bruce and I glanced at each other with relief on our faces, "Well, you like us and your younger sibling is half of each of us. I think you'll get along just fine." Bruce commented with a small smirk.
Dick gave a look to Bruce before looking at me, "I hope it's more than half of Mel." Bruce's smirk immediately fell and a small chuckle escaped from my lips. That earned a quick glare from Bruce.
"How am I the butt of the joke right now?" He asked incredulously. I grinned and grabbed his hand. I squeezed it lightly.
"Just be lucky Alfred's not here. He'd make it worse." Bruce groaned at the thought.
"I'm going to hear it either way once he finds out." He pointed out. I could already imagine the old butler remarking he hopes the baby will turn out more like me than him.
Dick climbed down from the tractor. He looked up at us with his frown gone now. He held an apologetic look in his eyes.
"Mel," I raised a brow at him, "I'm sorry…for what I said back there. I know you would have never done something like that. Are we cool?" He asked.
I gave a small smile and held my fist out, "We're cool." He grinned slightly and bumped my fist with his. Dick wasn't much for hugs so fist bumping became our way of contact. Bruce found it ridiculous when he first saw it but he got over it once he realized it meant we were bonding.
Speaking of bonding. We'd have to fit as much as we can before this baby arrives. Dick still has two weeks left of summer so…
"I have an idea." I announced it suddenly. Bruce and Dick turned to me curiously.
"An idea for what?" Bruce asked, confused.
"Well I was thinking, we've been pretty busy since beating Steppenwolf and setting up things with the League. Dick's gymnastics club is taking a break before starting up practice again, and he has two weeks left of summer before school." Bruce and Dick shared a glance at each other.
"And…?" Bruce trailed off glancing back at me.
"And we haven't had much time to spend together as a family. Why don't we all take a break and spend the last two weeks on a vacation?" I suggested. Dick grew a grin on his face while Bruce frowned.
"Two weeks? That's a bit long for Batman to be away from Gotham." Bruce argued.
I crossed my arms and gave a stern look, "Superman is literally in the adjacent city and it'd take him a nanosecond to stop anything going on in Gotham. If he can't cover then Diana easily can. She's staying in town for another month before heading out to Greece anyway." I walked up to Bruce and poked him in the chest.
"We're going. No if's, an's, or but's about it. Got it?" I demanded with a firm voice.
Bruce gave a single nod, "Yes dear." I gave a coy smile liking the response he gave.
I backed up and turned to Dick. He had an amused grin on his face seeing what just happened.
"I was thinking we'd let Dick pick out where we would go. How's that sound?" I asked and looked at Bruce.
Bruce gave a small smile and glanced over to Dick. The boy had a look of excitement on his face.
"That sounds good to me. Where would you want to go?" Bruce asked our son.
Dick scrunched his nose up in thought. Bruce and I glanced at each other with amused looks before going back to him. The kid could pick out anywhere in the world to go to. It could be somewhere in the states, a different country, or across the world-
"I want to go where you come from Mel." Or not.
I looked at Dick in shock, "You want to go to my universe?" I asked, taken aback.
Dick nodded, "You said you could freely travel to and from it now, right? I want to see it and maybe I could meet more Avengers." I looked over at Bruce and he had a small smirk.
"You did say wherever he wanted to go. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to see your world, Mel." I gave a sigh and looked at both of them.
"Fine, but first let's head back and eat." I caved and gestured back to the farm house.
I watched as Dick ran ahead while Bruce gently took my free hand. He had a smile on as we walked.
"What?" I asked and raised a brow at him.
He shrugged, "I finally get to see where you're from and meet your friends." I gave a sad smile as I looked through the corn field.
"I wish you could have met Tony." I whispered.
I felt Bruce give a comforting squeeze to my hand, "I wish I did too." He quietly said back. I leaned my head on his upper arm as we walked. Thinking of Tony made my heart ache. I really missed my best friend.
I zipped up the duffel bag filled with a few of my things. I could pack light considering I still had all of my stuff in my room at Avengers HQ. I went to grab the handles of the bag but someone else's hand quickly grabbed it first.
I frowned as I looked up at the owner of the hand. Bruce lifted the bag with ease and carried it to the other side of the master bedroom and put it by his own duffel bag.
"I was going to do that." I stated with a huff.
Bruce shook his head, "You're not lifting anything heavy." He stated as he walked back over to me.
I placed my hands on my hips, "You do realize that I'm pregnant, not helpless. If this is how you're going to be for the rest of this pregnancy. You're going to drive me up a damn wall and pregnancy hormones have not even begun to set in. You'll be playing with fire soon enough, Mr. Wayne." I warned him.
Bruce smiled and chuckled. He walked over and caught me in a brief kiss. He pulled back and looked at me in my icy blue eyes as he placed a hand on my stomach.
"If it means knowing that you and our child are safe then I'm willing to get burned a little, Mrs. Wayne." He replied back slyly.
I rolled my eyes, "You're insufferable." I muttered. Bruce gave another chuckle and kissed me on my forehead.
"No, this time I'm just a concerned husband." He corrected me.
"I'm ready!" I heard Dick shout from the living room. I separated from Bruce and walked out of the bedroom.
Dick had his own duffel bag slung around his shoulder. Alfred stood just next to him. The said butler looked at me when I entered the living room.
"Good morning, madam. I assume you and Master Wayne are packed and ready?" He asked.
I gave a slight nod, "We are. Are you sure you don't want to change your mind and come with us Alfred?" I offered again.
Alfred smiled fondly and shook his head, "I'm sure, madam. I have my own holiday plans for the next two weeks." I raised my brows in surprise.
"Really? Where?" I asked.
"Florence." I heard Bruce answer from behind me. He walked over with one duffel bag over his shoulder and the other in his hand.
I furrowed my brows, "How would you know that?" I asked and looked over at Alfred.
Alfred smiled, "It's where I always go when on holiday. Master Wayne is quite familiar with that." He gave a knowing smile to Bruce. He returned the same smile before both of them glanced at me.
I blinked as confusion settled in, "I'm lost." I stated aloud. Why were they staring at me?
Alfred gave a small chuckle, "Nothing to worry about, madam. Just something I had told Master Wayne many years ago before you showed up in his life. Now, if everything is done I'll be taking my leave." Alfred stated.
"We're fine, Alfred. Enjoy your vacation." Bruce told him. Alfred nodded and waved at us.
"Very well, sir. I shall see you all in two weeks then." He grabbed his keys from the server.
"Bye Alfred." Dick told him as he picked up his keys.
"Goodbye Master Grayson. Try to behave for them while I'm gone." Dick rolled his eyes while Bruce and I chuckled. Alfred opened the front door and closed it behind him.
"So how is this going to work, Mel?" Bruce asked me. I walked over to the kitchen island and picked up the black device I had set down earlier.
I held up the device, "I just need to press this and America will come to us. She's claimed my universe as her new home so she should still be there. That and training with Masters of the Mystic Arts takes a while. I doubt she went somewhere else." I stated.
"Masters of the Mystic Arts? What's that?" Dick asked intrigued.
I gave a smirk, "They're sorcerers. One of the Avengers is the former leader of them all." Dick's eyes widened.
"You have sorcerers where you're from?" I nodded my head.
"We do. We should probably move outside." I headed for the front door. I opened it and walked through.
Alfred and the Rolls Royce were already gone. I heard the door shut as Dick stopped next to me. I looked behind me to see it was Bruce that had closed the door. I pressed the button on the device. It let out a beep and a blinking red light began to emit from it.
"This is the first time I'm using this. I don't know how long it'll take America to reach us." As those words left my mouth. A sudden cracking noise was heard before a star shaped portal opened just in front of us.
"Not that long apparently." Bruce mused.
"She's gotten better." I murmured. I grinned seeing the familiar face of America Chavez step through the portal.
She crossed her arms with a small smirk, "I told you I would get even better at it, Mel." America stated proudly. She gestured for us to follow her through the portal.
I could see what I assumed to be the Kamar-Taj behind her. I could see the many familiar orange magic circles in the background as the students trained. I walked through first followed by Dick and then finally Bruce.
America closed the portal behind us and grinned at me, "Welcome back home, Mel." She stated. I took a step forward and smiled seeing the surroundings of the Kamar-Taj.
"Yeah. Glad to be back." I muttered.
And we're back! As a heads up, I probably won't be posting daily like I was before. I don't want to burn myself out on this story. I have the rest of the story mapped out and how it will end. I'll still keep up a regular upload on this story but not as rigorous as I was.