Big thanks to everyone who reviewed, followed, favorited and continues to read my story so far! I enjoy writing this, and I'm happy to see people enjoying it. Next update will be on Wednesday!
1 month later…
Raven reached into the back of her small closet and pulled out two suitcases, her's was a simple black while Farah's was small and blue with a few flower stickers taped on the sides. She got to her feet and went through her drawers to begin putting her clothes into the black suitcase. Farah entered the room quietly with her own share of clothes in her little arms. She dumped them messily into the blue suitcase then skipped out the bedroom into her's. Raven continued to fold and neatly place her own belongings into her suitcase. Once she was finished, she reached over and pulled Farah's suitcase closer to her, so that she could organize and fold her small clothing. Farah continued to come into the room with more of her own possessions and dumped them on the floor next to her mother.
"Can I bring all my dolls?" She asked sweetly.
Raven shook her head, still folding both of their clothes. "You can't bring all of them. Pick two that you want to pack."
Farah groaned and silently stomped out of the room to choose which of her many stuffed friends will be accompanying her.
Raven was almost finished with the packing. She started to rush when she looked up at the clock. Raven finally decided that she and Farah will take Beast boy's offer of going back to the Tower, but there was a reason why. Raven started to believe Beast boy's words that it was probably the best for Farah to be in the Tower to learn more about her powers, especially since she had another incident...
Raven pulled at Farah's little arm as she walked faster down the streets, squeezing and bumping through people. She was late..again, and still had to drop Farah off. One would think that after being late to work for so many years she would change something in her morning routine such as waking up earlier, but that never seemed to work for Raven and Farah. Either Farah would continue to sleep and be an even bigger hassle to handle or it would not fit in the schedule of the daycare. There is a certain time that Raven had to drop Farah off. If she decided to enroll her in the earlier program, which gave the benefit of dropping children off earlier than the set time, then it would add more money to her bill and Raven obviously did not have the cash to pay the extra charge, and she refused to ask James to pay for it.
Farah continued to whine. Her little legs were trying so hard to keep up with her mother's fast pace, but it wasn't working. She was not a morning person at all.
"Almost there," Raven said to the little girl, but Farah continued to complain. No matter how many times her mother said, "We're almost there or a couple more blocks.." Farah would find it hard to believe the statement because it really wasn't. It still felt like an hour marathon to her.
They were close to the daycare. It was in view. They continued to walk until Raven felt the weight of her daughter disappear and the thud of her bookbag hit the ground. She stopped her walking immediately, which resulted in some people bumping into her, but at the moment, that was the least of her worries. Raven felt something warm curled tightly in the hand that was once holding Farah's. She brought her other hand to support what was lying inside and slowly opened her palm. There, she saw Farah, in the shape of a small baby kitten, sleeping in her hand.
Raven tried to hide her fear and shock. She sighed and quickly grabbed Farah's bag off the ground. She looked around her and was happy to see that no one was staring or seemed to have truly noticed the incident that just happened. She tenderly placed the kitten in her spacious pocket and started to walk back to their apartment with a protective hand over the fabric. She was certainly not going to work knowing her daughter was in the shape of a baby kitten...
Raven zipped her black suitcase shut then leaned it up against the wall. Now, she placed her sole focus on Farah's, making sure she was packing the right necessities for the toddler. Raven stopped when she heard the doorbell ring. Farah ran to the door, stomping her feet in the process and making noise. "I got it!' She squealed.
"Farah, I told you that you can't open doors to people you don't know," Raven said as she walked out of the bedroom.
Raven gave a small laugh when she saw Farah standing on her tippy toes to try and reach the doorknob, but it was too high for her. Raven looked through the peephole then opened the door.
"Uncle James!"
"Princess!" James lifted the small toddler and tickled her in his arms, filling the noise of the apartment with giggles and screams.
Raven locked the door behind him then went back to her bedroom, finishing up the rest of the packing.
"So Rach, when were you going to tell me that you were leaving?"
Raven looked up at James. "I'm sorry. I was going to tell you, but I didn't want to disturb. And I seemed to have lost the track of time...It's pretty last minute planning."
James sat on the side of her bed, looking down at her with sad eyes. "You know you wouldn't be a bother to me. I told you this already, Rach." He chuckled to himself. "For a smart woman, you have a bad habit of not listening."
Raven sighed and tucked a long strand of her hair behind her ear. "You're right."
"So..where are you going?"
"Family." She said shortly. "Farah and I are going to go on a...visit."
James nodded his head and believed her. "That's good. I know you said that you had a lot of problems with them, right?"
Raven nodded, avoiding his eyes. "Yeah, I guess it's time I finally make amends and introduce Farah to them. She's getting older, and I can't keep hiding her."
"When are you be coming back?"
Raven looked up at him with a sad expression on her face. "I don't know, James. I really don't."
He frowned. "I wished you both weren't leaving. I don't know what I would do. Farah's like the little daughter I never thought I would want."
Raven grinned softly. "I know. We're going to miss you a lot too, but I have to take this opportunity."
James nodded his head then smiled. Raven zipped Farah's suitcase shut and propped it against the wall, next to hers. James got to his feet and gave Raven a hug which she returned happily. He squeezed her tight and sighed into her shoulder. "Well...I guess I gotta' let you go."
Raven stared at her feet sadly. Never did she thought that she would make such a good friendship with this man. He was there for her from the beginning, helping her out with almost everything she needed. Surprising to her, James leaned down and gave a kiss on her forehead. "Make sure to come back, you hear?"
She smirked then nodded her head. Farah walked in with a doll and a teddy bear in her arms. "I choose Cynthia and Mr. Snuggles, mommy," she said innocently.
James dropped his arms from around Raven then scooped Farah up. "You gonna' miss your Uncle James?" Farah giggled and nodded her head like a wild child. "That's my girl." He hugged her and watched as she sprinted back to her room.
James walked to the door with Raven following him. He opened the door and pushed himself to leave. Raven gave him another tight hug before closing the door to her apartment. Sometimes, she asked herself if she was making the right decision by leaving. Hard to believe, she made a happy life here. It's different from her life in the Tower, but it was something that she could call her own.
The clock read "12:40 PM". Beast boy was coming to pick them up at 1. Raven made a mental checklist of everything that she did and was pretty satisfied, believing that she had finished most of the chores and packed everything. However, when Farah came out from her bedroom, Raven noticed that she was still wearing her pajamas and her hair was still a curly mess. Raven slapped herself on the face and sighed. "How could you forget to dress your daughter?"
Beast boy pulled into the parking lot of the apartment complex. He parked the T-car in one of the empty spaces and waited patiently. Raven must have seen him from her window because he soon saw Farah walk out of the apartment with her small suitcase rolling behind her. He smiled and watched her. Her blonde hair was down with some of it pulled back in a small barrette. She had on simple blue jeans with small brown boots and a black jacket. Soon, Raven walked out, locking the door behind her. She wore blue jeans similar to her daughter's that hugged her curvy legs. She wore a simple black T-shirt with a gray cardigan and black flats.
He was ecstatic when Raven called him, saying that she would come back to the Tower. He understood the reason why, and he would never tell Raven this but he was elated when Farah morphed again. He saw this as an opportunity for him to get to know his daughter even more and spend more time with Raven. She has changed so much, yet she's still the same. It intrigued him and even though Terra might give him a hard time with her around, he was still excited to bring her back.
He came out of the T-car and opened the trunk for her to place their suitcases inside. Farah screamed his name and ran into his arms like she usually does.
"I guess Cyborg finally gave you permission to drive his car?"
Beast boy laughed, still holding Farah in his arms. "It required a lot of begging, though."
Raven smirked and gave a small laugh herself. She took Farah from his arms and settled her in the backseat of the car, placing the seat belt tight around her small frame. Once she was secured, Raven took her own seat in the passenger seat, putting her seat belt on.
Beast boy smiled, his hand on the gear shift, but Raven looked at him, worried. "What's wrong?" He asked.
"Are you a good driver? She doesn't have a car seat and I don't want anything to happen to her if-"
"Rae! I got this." Beast boy smirked confidently and started to back out of the parking space slowly.
"I hope you do." She said under her breath, still worried.
"Mommy, look! It's Uncle James!" Farah said. She was using all of her might to pull at the tight seat belt and lift herself up on the seat to see out the window.
Beast boy glanced. "Uncle James?"
Raven looked out the window to see James walking out with his phone in hand, too busy looking at the mobile to glance up at the car in the parking space.
"No one! Farah, sit down." She snapped. She leaned forward, hiding her appearance in the passenger seat. "Drive!"
Beast boy didn't question. He stepped on the pedal and sped out of the parking lot driveway.
Beast boy glanced at Farah through the rear view mirror. He smiled at how innocent she looked. She sat in silence and wonder, clinging to her small gray teddy bear like glue.
The drive was a quiet one. Raven didn't say anything. She either looked down at her hands or out the window. Farah, who usually spoke, was mute as she stared at the window as if she was in a different universe. Beast boy wanted to talk, but it didn't seem like the right time.
"Did you tell her where we're going?" He whispered.
Raven finally looked at him then shook her head. "Not specifically."
Beast boy was confused as to why she didn't tell the little girl, but he wasn't one to judge.
"All she knows is that we're going to meet the family."
"Well, in technicality, we are family." Beast boy said with a playful grin.
Raven gave one of her small, hidden smiles then quickly turned her attention back to her hands. Beast boy knew that something wasn't right.
"Rae, what's wrong?"
Raven bit her bottom lip, pausing to think. She placed the frontals of her long black hair behind her ears, showing her beautiful face and big eyes. "Nothing. I'm just..nervous."
Beast boy sighed. "I understand, but don't be! We're your friends. Your family! We're not going to throw you and Farah out."
"I know, but..." She said quietly."It's a big transition. I haven't seen the team in years. What is everyone going to think? And what are they going to say about Farah?"
Beast boy kept his eyes on the road but moved one hand from the steering wheel into Raven's nervous hands, calming her down slightly "Don't worry about it, Raven. I told you this. We didn't push you away then and we won't do it now. I mean..sure, they're going to be..shocked when they see Farah, but you can do it. You're Raven."
Raven smiled and nodded her hand. This time, she didn't push his hand away. She embraced and squeezed it back.
The car finally reached the other side of the city where the bay met. He drove to the Titan's custom made driveway. It was in the shape of a solid garage door with a large yellow T painted across in the front. Beast boy punched the code in the side control panel, and the door opened, allowing him to drive down the underground tunnel. Farah stared in amazement as they slowly entered the passageway. She was fascinated at first but then started to get scared when their environment became even darker and the light from the outside world was gone.
"Mommy!" She exclaimed in fear. "Why is it dark!?"
Raven turned and smiled at her. "Don't worry, sweetie. We're going under a tunnel."
Farah still looked outside in fear and clung even closer to the bear. Since Raven doesn't have a car, the toddler's experiences to being in a vehicle were scarce. She has ridden in James's car before, but that was it. And since everything they needed was in walking distance in the city, there were small opportunities of her being on long car rides.
"Don't worry, Farah." Beast boy said, his eyes still on the road. "We're here."
They reached the end of the driveway and were greeted with sunlight. Farah calmed down when she saw the clouds and blue sky again. Beast boy pulled into the outside garage of Titan's Tower. He turned off the engine and stepped out.
"Welcome home!"
Raven groaned then got out of the car. She looked up at the tall Tower, her original home. Anxiety was gnawing at her stomach, but she was happy to be back. So many memories and milestones were made here. Farah climbed out from the backseat of the car and stood next to her mother.
"Mommy, where are we?"
She smiled. "Home."
Cyborg sat on the couch, playing his video games. Beast boy told him that he was going to pick up Raven and bring her back. He has been informed of everything that has happened between the two in secrecy. When Beast boy told him that she agreed to come back, he didn't believe him. But when he actually left with his car, it slowly dawned on him that he was getting Raven. Raven. His little sister who had left them 3 years ago. Her presence was definitely missed by him and the others. He wondered how everyone else would act, especially Terra. He already knew the truth, so it wouldn't be hard for him to see and accept Farah. Simply hearing stories of her from Beast boy made him even more eager to meet the toddler.
He stopped the game and turned the console off. He couldn't concentrate on it with the thought of Raven living with them again on his mind. He sat in the common room quietly. Everyone else was around the Tower doing their own tasks, not knowing what would be awaiting them. Cyborg got to his feet and started to walk around. He tidied up the common room and started to clean the fridge as if Raven was a guest to be impressed. Once he finished, he sat back on the couch again, twiddling his thumbs. His stomach flipped the more he thought of seeing her.
Cyborg jumped to his feet when he heard the door of a car close. He pressed his metallic body against the window and looked down at the shore where the outside garage was. He gasped in excitement when he saw Beast boy with a black haired woman. He could tell that was Raven! He designed the appearance of her when he created the holographic rings, but what caught his eye was the little blonde girl that held Raven's hand.
''I promise you, it'll be fine." Beast boy said as he walked in through the doors of the common area. He carried Raven and Farah's suitcases in his arms while they followed behind him. They stopped when they reached the bottom of the stairs. Cyborg was still standing in front of the window like a child. Slowly, he turned and made his way towards them.
"Raven?"
Raven looked up at the mechanical man that was in front of them. Farah hid behind her, hiding her face in the leg of her mother. However, his mind wasn't focused on Farah. Raven stepped closer to Cyborg who had his warm, genuine smile. A tear silently slid down her cheek. She lunged forward and entered his big embrace. Cyborg smiled and squeezed Raven tight in his arms. No words were needed to convey the love and longing they had towards each other. Besides Beast boy, Cyborg was the person whom Raven didn't want to leave behind. She felt a strong connection to him as an older brother and kept that dear to her heart. Being away from him for so long tore at her as the years progressed but now she was back. Raven's body trembled as she sobbed into his mechanical chest. Cyborg couldn't hold back his own tears as he looked down at her.
He finally pulled her back and stared at her up and down. "Look at you! It's..you.." He was at a loss for words. "Still look amazing as ever."
Raven only laughed in response, wiping the tears away with the sleeve of her cardigan. Her face was red and puffy. "The same for you. Haven't aged a bit."
"If you think so, " He said with pride. His eyes averted to the young blonde who was now hiding behind Beast boy's leg. Her teddy bear was still clinging to her arms. "And who is this little lady?"
Raven turned to Farah. She was about to speak, but the common doors opened. Robin, Starfir, and Terra walked through with bags in their hands. Obviously, they were coming back from the grocery store.
The three of them froze and stared at the guest in the common room. Raven blushed but stayed in her spot. Beast boy walked close to her with Farah still clinging to him.
Starfire dropped the bags on the floor and flew in front of Raven. She stared hard at Raven's big eyes and face. She glanced back at the other Titans as if she was dreaming. Slowly, she poked Raven with her finger and gasped when it was indeed a real persona. At first, Raven was confused and highly uncomfortable as the alien princess stared at her with her big green eyes, but she remembered that she still had her holographic ring on, so that must explain the hard stare and uncertainty.
"Raven?" She asked slowly.
"Um, hi." She said in her famous monotone.
Starfire's eyes lit up and her mouth opened wide in excitement. "Oh, friend Raven!" She embraced her into one of her infamous bone crushing hugs. "I am so happy you have returned! It has been years! The Tower has not been the same since you have left! Where have you been? Why have you not called? What is your reasoning for leaving? But you have come back!"
"Good to have you back, Rae." Robin joined. He stopped Starfire from breaking Raven's body with her arms and embraced her in a softer hug, but he still held her tight. Robin wasn't known for showing his emotions so openly, but Raven could tell with her powers and his face that he was happy to see her. She could also feel the guilt he's been harboring throughout the years. He blamed himself for failing to stop her departure from them. Raven smiled up at him, assuring him through their bond that it was not his fault. This eased his mind, but the guilt was still there.
"Um, who's the kid?"
Terra was the only one that was still standing at the door with the bags in her arms. She had mixed feelings about Raven returning. Did she hate Raven? No. Before the empath left, the two didn't talk, and if they did, it was nothing negative towards each other. Well, there may have been a few jabs here and there but nothing that pushed them to visible, utmost hate. Hence, she found no true reason to dislike her; however...she did see her as a threat to her and Beast boy's relationship. They were having problems as it was. And she didn't need the beautiful Raven waltzing back to take Beast boy's attention away from her.
Everyone forgot about the little girl that was still straddling Beast boy's leg. Raven pulled from their embraces and lifted the toddler into her arms. "This is my daughter, Farah."
Starfire, Robin, and Terra stared at Farah with sheer shock and disbelief. No one said a word. The simple news was too big for them to process in just one sitting...except for Terra.
"If she's your daughter, then who's the father?"
Beast boy cleared his voice and rubbed his arm, avoiding his girlfriend's hard glare. "I am."