Chapter 33: Into the World

So far, it seemed Bruce and Harley's trust in their newly-reformed allies was not misplaced. It's been five weeks since Batman revealed to his former villains Scarecrow, Poison Ivy, Killer Croc, and the Riddler that Batman's real identity was Bruce Wayne, one of the richest people in Gotham and local playboy celebrity. Granted, their endless questions about this new revelation irked Bruce somewhat. However, he gritted his teeth and bared through it, for Harley's sake. Over the course of those five weeks the Batman questions died down and was replaced with the wedding planning once more, the engaged couple having more than enough help with the planning. As Bruce and Dick were going over the guest list, he realized that Harley had listed no family members to invite to their wedding. Bruce managed to catch Harley alone, away from her Maid of Honor Pamela, to question her about this. He only now just realized that he didn't really know Harley's family at all, or if she even had one.

"What's wrong Bruce?" Harley asked, noticing the concerned look on his face.

"I've noticed Harley that you didn't list any family members of yours to send out invitations to."Bruce stated, "I know you're having to use a different alias now but I'm sure we can work something out."

"Oh..."Harley replied, her eyes downcast, "I wouldn't worry about that Bman... I don't really have any family. Not anymore anyway."

"I'm-I'm sorry Harley."Bruce apologized, "I feel like I've poked my nose in something I shouldn't have."

Harley let out a half-hearted laugh, reaching up and gently cupping his cheek in her palm, "Bruce sweetie, we are going to be husband and wife soon. Hell, I'm carrying your kids. There should be no secrets between us. I lost my parents to a car crash just before I became a doctor at Arkham...which was probably a factor allowing Joker to worm his way into my mind now that I think about it."

"I'm sorry Harley." Bruce said, reaching around and rubbing her back soothingly. He wasn't great at the whole consoling thing, at least not yet. Work in progress.

"It's okay Bruce. Really." Harley replied, "Sure I still miss them but I was never truly alone, even if it sometimes felt like that. I always had Ivy. Not to mention Crane, Waylon...Edward to an extent, and the others to keep me company. They were family. Like Alfred, Dick, Tim, and Barbara are to you."

"It seems we're more alike than we thought."Bruce stated, smiling sadly.

"I would like to think more than just tragedy connects us." Harley said, smiling as she leaned up and kissed his cheek.

Bruce didn't get the chance to reply before Harley let out a pained gasp, clutching her stomach. Bruce managed to support her as she almost fell to the ground, holding her stomach. Lately she has had minor contractions but it wasn't so bad to make her more than wince. This one however was obviously different. The small puddle of water forming below Harley was confirmation of that.

"Looks like the baby doesn't knock on the door so much as kick it open!" Harley growled through clenched teeth, "We better get to the hospital. This kid isn't the patient kind!"

Unsurprisingly, the Dark Knight was prepared as always. Alfred quickly brought the car to the front entrance while Bruce slung a nearby dufflebag over his shoulder, packed with the essentials. Both he and Dick carefully yet quickly escorted Harley into the backseat of the car. As Bruce scooted into the backseat beside her Alfred put the pedal to the metal and sped down the driveway and onto the street.

With both Alfred and Bruce knowing the streets of Gotham like the back of their hand, their vehicle managed to avoid the worst of traffic as they headed towards the hospital. Dick called the hospital ahead of time, alerting the staff of the oncoming mother-to-be. As Alfred pulled into the hospital's patient unloading entrance, they were met with waiting nurses, with a wheelchair as well. The nurses helped Bruce position Harley onto the wheelchair and the group wasted no time rushing her into the building. Bruce kept pace alongside the wheelchair as it barreled through the hospital hallway, holding Harley's hand. If he was your average everyday guy, the amount of strength Harley was gripping his hand would more than likely break a few bones. The nurses urged her to take deep breaths as they got her into an empty room they had just finished preparing for the delivery. They transferred Harley onto the bed, with her continuing her deep breaths through clenched teeth. She stared daggers into Bruce, who was standing beside her, still holding her hand.

"You did this to me!"Harley said, as sweat started trickling down from her forehead, "I feel like I'm passing a basketball here!"

Bruce was about to reply, more than likely with a clever retort,but a quick glance at Harley's angered face made him decide against it. Instead he decided to remain silent, offering his support and his hand for Harley's tight-gripped abuse. The nurses started coaching her, while taking a sponge and wiping her face clear of the sweat. It was at that time the doctor showed up, and with a quick check downstairs noted that the baby was indeed coming, which earned a "no shit!" reply from Harley.

At that moment the door to the room opened, with Tim Drake and Dick Grayson in the doorway, asking if she was okay. An instant "get the hell out!" answer from her was confirmation enough that it was going as best it could. Unfortunately, Tim saw more than he intended to see, quickly slamming the door shut with a horrified expression.

"Ok Miss Nixx focus on your breathing and push."The doctor instructed from his position below, "I can see the baby is crowning."

With the continued encouragement of the doctor and Bruce's support, Harley continued pushing. She never would have thought childbirth would be this painful. Clearly the movies romanticized it. Suddenly the pain lessened as she felt like a great weight left her body. Small screaming instantly filled the room.

"The baby is out. It's a girl Miss Nixx!" the doctor said cheerfully.

"A girl..."Harley said, smiling slightly before immediately feeling pain again. She had forgotten that she was far from done, as their second child decided it was his turn. Quickly handing the baby girl to a nearby nurse, the doctor once again started instructing her as the second child started to crown.

Luckily, the second round wasn't as bad as the first. A quick announcement from the doctor indicated that it was boy with small screaming that matched the kid's sister. Swaddling the two babies in pink and blue blankets, the nurses gave them to their awaiting parents, before leaving the room to give them some much-needed rest and privacy. Harley tiredly held their little girl, smiling from ear-to-ear as she gazed down at her daughter. She couldn't help but cry as she looked up to see Bruce standing beside her, holding their little boy. Bruce pushed a nearby chair closer to Harley's bed as he sat down with their son, allowing Harley to look down at her boy as well. She noticed a tiny bit of blonde hair nestled on top of his head.

"He's got my hair." Harley said, smiling, "He's going to have to suffer through so many dumb blonde jokes."

"And it looks like our daughter has mine."Bruce replied, noting the black hair and smiling just as wide as Harley. The babies were no longer screaming, both of them quiet as they were held by their parents.

"Welcome to this world Abigal and Thomas Wayne." Harley said softly, placing a kiss on her daughter's forehead while Bruce tenderly held his son's hand, the baby's tiny fingers gripping his one big finger. It was at that point there was a soft knock on the door, followed by Tim cautiously opening the door once more.

"Hey..."Tim said warily, "Can we come in this time?"

Harley giggled and nodded as the door was opened completely. The room was soon filled to the brim with visitors such as Alfred, Dick, Tim, Barbara, and a disguised Pamela. The room was also filled with cooing and statements such as "They look just like their parents." "They are so cute!" and so on.

"Where's Crane, Waylon, and Edward?" Harley asked, noticing the trio were not in the room, although she doubted they could fit anyway, especially Croc.

"Sadly, they couldn't get a disguise in time to come and no disguise on Earth can cover Waylon. Seeing Killer Croc visit the Waynes would raise some obvious questions."Ivy answered, "Trust me, they wanted to be here and I got an earful of pouting. They are waiting back at the manor preparing for a welcoming party for our new members."

"It's been a long time since I've changed diapers. I hope I remember how to do it correctly." Alfred said, ever the worrier.

"I'm just stating this right now I'm not changing any diapers." Tim interjected, a grimace on his face.

"I just talked to the doctor and he said they are going to keep you three here overnight, but you guys will be able to leave tomorrow morning."Barbara stated as she re-entered the room.

"Starting tomorrow a new chapter on our life will begin." Bruce said, cradling Thomas close.

"I hope the Dark Knight is prepared to handle parenting."Harley teased, flashing his a cocky grin.

"I'm Batman. I have a plan for every situation."Bruce retorted, giving her a quick wink, which earned an eye-roll from everyone in the room.