Chapter Four – About Her, Part II
If he were alone with Diana, Bruce would take her to dinner at a fine restaurant. However, she and her friends seemed to have planned a different night. Then he let himself be guided. Bruce was taken to a different part of town. A part he did not know so much about.
"Where are we?" He gestured.
"Don't worry. You won't be robbed."
Wally, who drove Bruce's porsche, parked next to what looked like a large abandoned shed. Bruce looked around. The area was surrounded by simple houses, quite different from the mansions he was accustomed to visiting. He was in the simplest area of town.
Wally, Diana, and Shayera got out of the car. Bruce, even stunned and suspicious, left as well. Wally looked at the clock. He smiled.
"The children are starting to arrive soon enough. We have to sort things out."
"Children?"
None of them answered, and they entered the shed. The lights were on, and Bruce felt a tightening in his heart. All his fears and prejudices fell to the ground. The walls were filled with colorful graffiti and words of encouragement. The large area seemed divided in two by an improvised enclosure. On one side, there was a painted court on the floor, and two basketball hoops, one on each side of the court. He saw improvised obstacles and balls.
On the other hand, Wally brought lots of pieces from the mat while Shayera put them in place. There were large cabinets against the wall, which he imagined was more sporting material. Seeing his perplexed expression, Diana tapped him on the shoulder.
"Are you surprised, Mr. Wayne?"
"A lot."
She walked in, and he followed her. Diana took off her shoes, and started to help Shayera. Bruce soon began to help them. When they finished, the four of them sat on the mat.
"That wasn't the meeting I had imagined."
"I said I'd go out with you, not that it would be a date." Diana retorted.
"That does not make any sense, Di." Wally laughed, gaining a punch in his arm.
Bruce looked around.
"Whose place is this?" He changed the subject.
"Ours." Shayera replied. "I mean, the community. We only take a few hours of the week to teach personal self-defense and basketball for the kids."
"Reduces the incidence of child crime." Wally finished. "We don't want our children in marginality."
Little by little the children came. They were boys and girls, of varying ages. Bruce saw small children, and even some teenagers. Wally looked very happy playing basketball with the kids. Already Diana helped some boys and girls to wear their kimonos, while Shayera also appeared in kimono.
"Thank you." He said to Diana after the children went to the mat.
"Why?" She asked, though she wondered why.
Bruce stared at Diana with his deep blue eyes.
"For making me think outside the box."
It was a little past eleven when the four of them were alone again. They were sitting on the mat still mounted, and they laughed at the funny stories of their friends. Bruce laughed incredulously.
"Did you meet at the age of 15?"
"No, I and Shay met with 11, but we only started dating at fifteen." Wally said.
"And they married eighteen." Diana asked. "These two fled to Vegas and got married in hiding."
"Like Elvis." Wally laughed.
Shayera shrugged.
"My father changed a lot when he got into politics. He did not want us together anymore." She justified herself. "We decided to run away."
"Shay's parents put the police behind us and when they found us, we were already husband and wife."
"It was the stupidest decision of my life."
The girls laughed, and Wally looked sulky, but Shayera hugged him and he laughed too. The redheads began to kiss, and both Diana and Bruce looked away as the mood between them warmed.
"What do you think of leaving them alone?"
"That was the best idea of the night."
Diana accepted Bruce's hand to get up and the two walked outside, leaving the redheads alone.
"Your friends are interesting." He said as they turned away from the couple.
"Shayera became my best friend in the last few years, and Wally came in the package. But I don't think you want to talk about them."
"No?"
"No."
"And what do you suggest?"
They stopped at the shed door. Diana stared at him for a moment and smiled. The show, though not a very romantic night, was better than she had imagined. Her prejudices about the millionaire also dissipated. He was a very different man than he thought. And maybe Shayera was right. He was a good man.
Bruce took a step forward and stopped. If Diana wanted to, she would put an end to the distance between them. And that's what she did. She pressed her lips to his, pulling him to her first kiss in over a year. Bruce hugged her, trying to pull her closer. Soon they heard giggles and voices all around. They parted and Wally and Shayera applauded them.
"I said they would stay until the end of the night. You owe me ten bucks, Wally."
"Oh, shit!" He said with false fury.
"I don't think you bet that."
They laughed.
"I know it was cool, but we need to go." Wally said, glancing at her watch. "The nanny charges more if we get past midnight. And I've lost ten bucks today ... "
"I'll leave you at home." Brruce said, still holding Diana.
The redheads looked at each other, exchanging a knowing smile. They hoped the night would end up good for Bruce and Diana.
As promised, Bruce left the West couple in their house, which was over the bar, closed that day. Then he went to Diana's apartment. He parked, got out, and opened the passenger door for her. Diana did not remember men being such gentlemen with her. They stopped at the entrance.
"Well, it's delivered."
He kissed her cheek and walked back to the car. But Diana called him. He stopped, waiting.
"Would not you like to come in? I mean, I can make you a decent dinner. It's better than the snacks from the shed."
He nodded with a smile. She took his hand and led him down the path. When they finally arrived at the door of her apartment, they were moored in a hungry kiss. With difficulty, she managed to fit the key and opened the door. It took her less than a second to lock her back, and then she led Bruce to her room.
Normally she did not act that way, but desire filled her whole being. If she've rejected him before, she could not remember why. She pushed Bruce to the bed. He sat on the edge, and Diana climbed onto his lap, placing kisses on his neck. She opened the buttons of his shirt quickly, not bothering to be delicate ...
Later, they were just lying in bed, enjoying the moment. She felt good about him. She felt right.
"I think I love you." He said, making her lean on her elbow to look at him better. She smiled sadly.
"You barely know me, just as I barely know him."
"Not for that. I want to know everything about you..."
But tonight was not the time for conversation. So she snuggled against him, falling asleep in his arms. At least that night she could dream ...
"Selina called me crying, saying you're broke up with her."
Bruce looked up at his mother, who was entering his office.
"That was right." He said. "A future marriage wouldn't bring us happiness. In fact, I regret not having finished before."
"I don't think you've had a relationship over the years because of a girl you met two months ago."
"Diana is special, I like her."
Martha shook her head, then glared at her son. He really looked happy.
"See if you don't regret your decisions, son."
"Dad taught me to act right, and that's what I did."
Martha gave a small smile.
"I'd like to meet her soon."
"Soon, Mrs. Martha."
With Bruce's understanding, she left. In her own way, Martha approved of Bruce's relationship, even without first meeting Diana. Then he would introduce his mother to Diana…
Diana could not believe it had been six months! Six wonderful months where Bruce showed her she could believe in love again. They would have a romantic dinner that night, but all day she was sick. Just the day they would celebrate six months together, she'd gotten sick.
"I can't even believe he's taking you to such beautiful places." Shayera commented as she helped Diana choose the dress for the evening. "The most romantic thing Wally does is give me a teddy bear every year, the day we met."
"I don't know, no. I find your story super cute." Diana yelled from the bathroom.
"Because you didn't have to go to Vegas for a ride, and you had your wedding night in a tent in the middle of the road."
Shortly after, she appeared wrapped in her robe. She unwound the hair from the towel to dry it.
"Whoever hears you talking, can not imagine Wally doing anything for you. Was the story of the rings a lie?"
Shayera swirled the small ring in her finger. She had to smile, her husband was the best.
"All the legends are true. But if he had not sold the car, we'd get to Vegas faster."
"You liked the adventure, I know you."
The redhead laughed.
"It was incredible, really. The starry sky, the two of us, the fire ..."
Diana smiled at her friend's enamored vision, but then made a face. She ran into the bathroom, leaning over the toilet. Shayera appeared a moment later, leaning against the door. She crossed her arms. Diana stood up, trying to regain her composure. She washed her face, and only then did she see Shayera's strange look.
"What is it? I think I'm sick."
"Have you felt bad for a long time?"
"Two days, why?"
"You know morning sickness does not just happen in the morning, does it?"
Diana stared at her friend without understanding. Seeing the questioning look on Diana's face, Shayera said.
"There's a little Wayne on the way."
Diana's eyes widened in understanding.
"Oh, shit!"
"For your face, I think it was not planned."
"Of course it was not planned!" She almost cried.
"In spite of difficulties, children are a blessing. I know, I have two."
"But you've been married for years, and I've known Bruce for six months!"
"Well, I may be wrong." She tried to calm her friend. "I'll see if I can find an open pharmacy and buy you a test. Don't despair ahead of time."
The doorbell rang and Diana ran to answer it. Her nervousness only increased when she saw Bruce at the door.
"You're early." She said, trying to sound calm.
"I'm on time, Diana. But I see you're not ready yet."
" I, ah ... "
"I found it, Di." Shayera shouted, coming down the hall. She stopped when he saw Bruce. "Oh, shit!"
"What's going on?"
"Nothing." It was Diana. "I'll finish packing."
But Shayera caught her by the arm. She handed her the package.
"Don t think of running away." She whispered. "I'm with you for everything."
Then, she left. Bruce looked dazed at his girlfriend, and Diana burst into tears. He ran to the apartment, trying to calm her down.
"What happened, Diana?"
She wiped her face, and turned to Bruce.
"I think I'm pregnant ..."
Bruce had Diana against him, on the couch in the living room, waiting the countless minutes until the result came out.
"Will you marry me?" He said tried to laugh.
"Should not you wait until after the result? I may not be pregnant."
Bruce took something out of his pocket. A velvet box.
"I don't want to wait any longer, Diana. I love you and I want to get married. I wanted to wait until after dinner, but now it seems as good a time as any."
Her cell phone whistled, indicating that it was time. Trembling, she took the test.
"And then?"
"See for yourself."
He did so. Positive. He took her in a passionate kiss, very happy with the news. Diana would have a child of his own, and nothing could be better. The following month, they married in a small ceremony, only family and some friends. And since then, the two were very happy together.
Current days ...
A year together. Three months as husband and wife. Next week, Diana would complete six months of pregnancy, and soon her son would come to the world. He had the perfect life. The woman he loved, a future child, and everything else he could wish for. Just as Diana made him happy, he would do anything for her happiness.
So with that thought, he was determined to seek professional help. He would find out what was going on in his mind, and he would repair everything. Diana deserved a husband in full mental faculties when their son was born. And give it to her…
In the next chapter, Bruce's side will start to get complicated. Things will be different. Thank you !
