A Day with Alfred
Chelsea put on a flowing, white sundress that came to her knees with a pair of her signature Converse shoes on. She wore her hair in a half ponytail, allowing the lower half of her cascading strawberry blonde waves to trickle down to the small of her back. Her wild green eyes shined against the complimentary natural tones she wore for make-up. Checking her look in the mirror she snagged her keys and locked the door to her apartment behind her.
When she became head of the Wayne Design building, she had bought a company car to run any errands for the company, while also using it for any personal things she might need to do when she couldn't be caught soaring around Gotham City. Pulling into the parking lot of Wayne Design, she took the same set of stairs she begrudgingly took when Bruce showed her the place. The main studio had about a dozen employees she had hired. They were mostly young art students like her who were trying to find their place in a world where having an art degree had the equivalency of zero.
One of the girls whistled at her as she came in sifting through some mail, "Look at you!"
Another one of her employees, Chase, teasingly hip checked her as she was reading the mail, "I didn't know you were scheduled today."
"I'm not, actually," she corrected, "I wanted to stop by, check the mail, and ask if we're running low on anything. I need to put an order out for our monthly bundle of supplies tomorrow."
"Super Girlie to save the day," joked Chase with a wink. None of them knew her as Starlight, but she worked so hard they all jokingly called her Super Girlie.
The girl who had previously whistled at her, Jasmine, approached her, "Got a date today?" she asked with a bat of her eyes.
"Something like that." Chelsea smiled to herself as she started to quickly type something into the computer nearby.
"He must be pretty important. Normally you come strolling in here with grey jeans and a t-shirt on." Jasmine jabbed.
"I'm convinced the Converse are fused to your feet. Do you ever wear anything else? Maybe an open toed wedge?" wondered Chase, spinning Chelsea once to get a better look at her.
"Cut it out you two," Chelsea huffed with a smirk. She looked at the time on the monitor and pressed send on an email she had sent out.
"Here's the list of supplies we need Miss," said one of the shy boys that worked for her, handing her a list of what they needed.
"Thank you Joshua, but please, call me Chelsea." She had been telling him that since the moment she hired him. Taking the sheet from him she turned to the other two that were pestering her, "I'll place the order tonight. See you guys after I get out of class tomorrow?"
"Bring coffee!" chimed Chase.
"Good luck on your date." Jasmine winked.
Chelsea shook her head as she walked out the door.
About 15 minutes later she pulled into the U-shaped driveway at the Wayne Estate and casually walked in. She walked the many halls until she entered the kitchen. Alfred was drying some wine glasses, "Good afternoon Alfred!" she greeted, coming toward him.
Alfred's eyes widened momentarily, "My dear, Master Bruce is working."
"I didn't come to see Master Bruce today. I came to take you out. I'll even drive." She grinned, flipping her hair over her shoulder as she leaned against the counter.
"What?" asked Alfred in amazement.
Her eyes shimmered with admiration of the wise old butler, "You heard me. It's a beautiful day outside and they're doing a farmers market down on main street… the safe main street." She assured, "I won't take no for answer, Alfred. I see the way you take pride in your exceptional take on cuisine. They have the freshest of fruit, vegetables, meats, and even trinkets." She clasped her hands together in a begging manner, "Come with me, please?"
"I'm not sure Master Bruce would approve of our secret rendezvous," Alfred joked.
"He doesn't have to know. It's not like he's a detective or anything." She retorted with a smirk.
"Well… alright you've convinced me," he said, removing his kitchen apron, "but if Master Bruce asks, I'm telling him it was your idea."
Chelsea parked at the Gotham City Park, since the walk to get to the street market was only a couple of blocks. As they walked Chelsea kept her hands clasped behind her back.
"Forgive my curiosity, but what made you decide to do this?" he asked her.
Chelsea looked at him for a moment, then watched her feet walk as they moved closer to their destination, "You're the most loyal person to him… you know? You've been with him since he was a baby… Someone so withdrawn like Bruce… so stubborn… I imagine that could be rather exhausting on a person… but you've stuck with him. You know him better than anyone else… perhaps even himself." She looked back up at him, "I admire that so much about you Alfred. You made Bruce the man he is today… and he's… an amazing person."
Alfred felt his cheeks hurt from the smile that spread across his face. His eyes watered, but he quickly forced the tears away.
"Can I ask you something?" she wondered.
"Of course," he said, containing himself and clearing his throat.
"What were his parents like?" she asked, "I never have the heart to bring the subject up to Bruce."
Alfred could understand why, "His father, Thomas, was a brilliant man. He was wise beyond his years. His mother, Martha, was caring, loving, and above all passionate. She chased after what she believed in and never looked back."
"So those characteristics run in the family." Chelsea murmured, looking off into the distance.
"You're the best thing for him." Alfred told her.
Chelsea looked up at the man, but said nothing.
"A light went out in his heart Miss Chelsea. Like a candle in the wind, his spirit had been smashed… and though a flame of rage engulfed his soul… the space in his chest was still empty, dark, and cold… You turned the light back on for him. His eyes shine with life like I have never seen them do before. When he looks at you… when he smiles… I never thought I would see that look on my Master's face…" he put his hand on her shoulder, "No matter how bull-headed he may be… no matter the hurtful things he might say to test your patience… if he pulls away from you… promise me you will never turn your back on him… He will test you. He will expect you to dismiss him, but it is just his way to test everyone. His… skepticism can be quite violent sometimes."
"Lucky for him when he bites, I just bite back." Chelsea smirked with a raise of her eyebrow.
"Despite what he may say… he enjoys that." Alfred told her.
As they approached the market stands, they started taking in the variety of items it had to offer. The most prominent being the fresh produce and the variety of meats in the refrigerated sections. The gathering was so big and wide it took them three hours to cover it all. Alfred had gathered 2 bags together of his favorite fruits and vegetables with silent glee. Chelsea was right. This was an atmosphere he could appreciate. As they started to walk back to the car Alfred was smiling admiringly at the burlap bags in his clasp, "I appreciate this so very much Miss."
"We're not done yet," she told him.
"Where are we going?" he wondered.
"I hope you like ice cream, Alfred." She said, opening the car door.
They arrived at an ice cream parlor about twenty minutes from the Wayne Estate. It had a nice little outdoor area one could sit at a table and eat whatever they ordered. They both found it humorous that they unintentionally got the same thing: a single scoop, vanilla, waffle cone. As they sat across the table from one another with their treats, Chelsea leaned hear arm against the table.
"Have you enjoyed yourself today?" she asked him.
"Of course," he nodded, "you are wonderful company."
"Well I enjoyed myself too. I've been wanting to do this for a while, so when I saw the flyer around campus regarding the farmer's market, I couldn't resist." She explained.
Alfred started on his ice cream and paused, "Master Bruce would have enjoyed coming along. Why didn't you invite him?"
Chelsea sat there and thought about it. She hadn't really thought to, "I guess I just figured he'd be busy. I don't ask him to do things with me because… I'm afraid of getting rejected I guess." She shrugged and started licking her ice cream.
"He would never turn you down if he could manage it, I assure." Alfred insisted.
She sighed, "But I know how he is. He doesn't want to go out on public dates much because he doesn't want the media knowing we're a steady couple. He's afraid it will bring unwanted attention. He also doesn't want some wise guy linking me back to the league since I don't wear a mask." She circled her finger on the table, "Plus he'd probably say something like," she started, pausing to take a lick and then dropping her voice low to mimic Bruce's voice, "If someone knew how much you meant to me they would use you to get to me." She rolled her eyes, "It's why I hardly ever go out on patrol with him. We can't be coined affiliated heroes, unless it's outside of Gotham, because the Justice League covers that track."
Alfred could see her point. He looked at her with a melancholy expression, "Never doubt he loves you none the less. He does it as a means to protect you. He's narrowly lost you twice now, and the more his love grows for you, the more that hurts."
"But that's such hypocrisy," Chelsea huffed, "he's out there doing dangerous crap all the time without so much as a safety net, and I'm supposed to be okay with that." She felt herself getting agitated, "I am okay with that…" she corrected, "I would never want him to give all of that up for me…"
Alfred smiled, "You accept him for all that he is. He's never allowed a woman into his life this way. Deep down, I assure you, he's afraid he'll make a mistake… and you won't love him anymore. For being the man that he is, he still has insecurities."
"I know," she said, "People forget there's a man behind there… I think he forgets it sometimes, but I don't. I couldn't." Chelsea flipped her hair over her shoulder as she started to eat away at the cone.
"You should ask him to do something like this with you sometime. He would find it charming. I assure he wouldn't deny you." Alfred was very sure of this.
Chelsea let a long breath escape her lips, "I can try." She admitted.
Chelsea pulled up to Wayne Manor about twenty five minutes later. She got out and helped Alfred with his bags, and opened the front door for him. When they stepped inside it had the familiar feeling of home.
They walked into the kitchen to set the bags down when their attention was caught by a frazzled Tim Drake as he sat at the table and tried to figure out his homework, "Where have you guys been? I was starting to wonder." He said, turning to them.
"Farmer's Market down on Main," Chelsea told him.
"That sounds like fun… Why did I have stupid school?" he huffed.
Chelsea approached him and looked over his shoulder. She started to read the names of a few people, "World War II?" she asked.
He nodded, "My test is tomorrow and I can't seem to remember all of these battles and dates and-" he let his head hit the table.
"Well lucky for you I still remember stuff from when I had to study World War II. Would you like some help studying?" she asked.
"Please?" he asked clasping his hands together.
Chelsea sat down next to him.
He looked her up and down, "Do you and Bruce have a date tonight?"
Chelsea shook her head, "I dressed nice to take Alfred out today. We had a great time." She said with a nod, as she opened up his textbook to the assigned chapter, "Alright, what event started World War II?"
"The Treaty of Versailles," said a voice like velvet. Bruce walked into the kitchen loosening his tie. He took note of Alfred starting dinner and made his way to Tim and Chelsea.
"You're home early," Chelsea said, sounding surprised. It was nearly six o'clock.
Bruce leaned down and kissed her on her temple, "I snuck out." He told her removing his business jacket.
"I'm helping Tim study." Chelsea told him. She saw Alfred raise his eyebrows behind Bruce and read his signal, "Would you like to join us?" she asked, unsure of what he would say.
Bruce pulled out a chair and sat down beside her, "Sure."
"So like he said, the answer is The Treaty of Versailles." Chelsea confirmed.
Chelsea and Bruce took turns asking Tim questions from his study guide. It started to become a bit of a competition. It was almost like they were testing each other as well. Chelsea would ask a question, Tim would answer it, and then Bruce would add a follow up question behind it.
After some time Tim started to get the hang of it. He was answering the questions flawlessly. It was perfect timing too, because shortly after dinner was ready. They sat together and ate like a family. Alfred retreated back to the kitchen to do dishes and Tim went to his room for a while. Chelsea sat down in a parlor room gazing out of the window dreamily, watching the sun disappear over the horizon. He'd be leaving again soon, almost as quickly as he came.
"Three sugars and cream, right?" she heard Bruce ask. She turned to look at him and he was holding out a small coffee cup to her. Chelsea would drink coffee no matter what time of day it was. He knew that. She took the cup from him and took a sip. He sat down in the chair across from her and examined her movements, "You seem distracted." He told her.
"Just thinking I might head home soon. I have school in the morning, work in the afternoon, and then a late shift at The Watch Tower." She rubbed her throbbing head and took another sip.
Bruce analyzed the situation, "You took Alfred out today. Did you enjoy yourselves?"
Chelsea looked him in the eyes, "I did. You should join us next time. It was really interesting. A good way to stretch the legs." She set the cup on a coaster beside her.
He would have liked to have gone. Meetings tended to keep him at the office a lot longer than he'd particularly like, "You're so good with Tim." He complimented.
"Aw, I love that kid. He's become one of my best friends." Chelsea waved it off like it wasn't a big deal.
Bruce smiled momentarily. Leaning forward he looked rather serious, "You said you weren't staying tonight. You're rather fond of that apartment aren't you?"
Chelsea brought her hair over one shoulder, "Yeah, I mean it's cozy. I've had it for so long. Plus all of my stuff is there."
"What if your stuff was here?" he wondered.
Chelsea scrunched her eyebrows, "Hmm?" she asked, taking a sip of her coffee.
"Chelsea," he knelt down on the floor in front of her and brushed her hair back with his hands, "would you be willing… to live here… with me?"
Her eyebrows rose. She set her cup aside and looked down momentarily, "Are you sure?" she asked, "I'd be here all the time… you realize that right?"
"That's kind of the point isn't it?" he asked.
She tilted her head. She didn't expect him to suggest something like this. Was she ready to give up her apartment? Living with Bruce and being able to be with him, Tim, and Alfred when she was relaxing did sound fun. She practically spent all of her free time there anyway, "Do you have room for me?" she wondered, half-joking.
He looked up at the ceiling as if to think about it, "I think we could find some room." He confirmed. He took to his feet, taking her hands in his to lift her up into a standing position, "Is that a yes?"
Chelsea squeezed his hands, "There's nowhere I'd rather be, Bruce."
His eyes shined brilliantly. He was satisfied with this response. He leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers. It was one thing he couldn't get over: the softness of her lips. The way they tasted when he sucked on her bottom lip. It filled his body with warmth, a tingling of desire. When her body contorted to fit the mold against his frame, that's when he felt his weakest.
Chelsea's cell phone started to ring. She reluctantly pulled away from him and looked at the screen, "One of my employees. Hold that thought," she said, hitting answer and putting the phone up to her ear, "Hey Chase…" she paused listening to him, "I'm glad you called to remind me. I'll do it as soon as I get home." She picked up her cup to take a sip. She giggled, "I know your coffee order by heart, don't worry. See you in the afternoon?" she set the cup down, "Alright. Awesome. Thanks again for reminding me. See you then." She then ended the call and set her phone down beside her cup. Turning back to Bruce she shook her head, "I have an order to place for supplies when I get home. I'm glad he reminded me."
"Are you enjoying Wayne Design?" he asked curiously.
"I'll be enjoying it more once I've graduated and I'm not trying to balance so much at once. Tomorrow night at The Watch Tower is going to be exhausting. The bunch I've hired though is a good time. So at least the hours fly by." She came forward and embraced him. Her head rested gently against his chest. He held onto her quietly. She took a deep breath through her nose and looked up at him. From behind him she could see it. The Bat Signal hung in the sky like a beacon, requesting his attention. She sighed and tried to smile, "You're needed elsewhere it would seem."
He looked back and then returned his attention to her, "So it appears," he kissed her forehead, "Let Alfred know you made it safely home." He started for the entrance of the room.
Chelsea fidgeted with her hair, "Be safe."
He paused at the door and looked back at her with a smile, before silently exiting.
Once Chelsea got home she made a quick call to Alfred, and immediately put in the supply order for Wayne Design. Falling back on her couch she stared up at the ceiling for a time. It would feel so strange to pack up and move again. She had a lot of memories in this place. She slowly sat up and walked over to the window. Staring at the Bat Signal admiringly she almost turned away when she saw a figure standing on the building adjacent to hers. It was Batman, making sure she had gotten home. She smiled to herself. Suddenly, she couldn't be more eager to move in with Bruce.
Author's Notes: I hope you guys enjoy the little BatFamily moments. I love Alfred and wanted to do a little side thing with him. We're heading back to The Watch Tower in the next chapter. The events with Lex Luthor are going to surface. See you then. Thank you for reading. :)
