Growth

"I'm so happy to see everyone here," Chelsea started to explain, standing on a stage in the main hall of The Watch Tower overlooking her comrades. These words were going to be hard to express, "I called a meeting here to tell all of the new members how proud I am of you. I know it's been a tough time, but you've persevered and that's what the Justice League is all about: continuing the good fight no matter how high the obstacle. I've come to be very close to a lot of you, and those of you I have not yet been formally introduced, my name is Starlight, but you can call me Chelsea. I was the first original addition to the league." She paused, taking the time to look at everyone. The original seven watched her from a balcony, knowing what the purpose of this meeting was, "Now it's time for you to stand up… stand on your own two feet, and if necessary, hold up the person next to you… Persevere… continue that strength in unity… and you will never know defeat."

Everyone seemed inspired by her words. Familiar faces such as Captain Marvel, Green Arrow, and Booster Gold were all grins, "That said, I am here to announce my temporary resignation from the Justice League." The crowd seemed shocked. Why? "What they don't tell you when you sign up for this gig is that no matter what life you lead here, you still have your own to think about. I have a lot going on in my life. Things and people that I need to look after and care for on a more personal level. I'll be back in probably about a year… and when I get back, I expect you all to look the same way you do now. Strong… united… a family." She smiled to them, "You'll do great things. That's what being the Justice League is all about."

Everyone started to stand up and clap for the girl as she quietly walked off the stage and down the steps. She wiped some tears from her eyes as she found the silent safety of the original members meeting room. All of the original members followed in shortly after her.

"You did good." complimented Clark, patting her on the shoulder.

"You will be welcomed back with open arms once you feel comfortable to." John Stewart nodded.

Diana smiled at her as she took a seat beside the girl and placed her hand on top of hers, "You're going to be an excellent mother. Focus on that for now. We can handle things for a while." she winked.

"And we're all here for you if you need anything." Shayera assured.

"Family." J'onn said simply.

She looked them over and smiled, "Thanks guys. I don't know where I'd be without you."

Some time passed, as it will do. About four and a half months of time… about five and a half into her pregnancy. Today she had an appointment to learn the gender of the baby. She was a ball of nerves. It was a half hour before she had to leave for her appointment, and Bruce was running late. He was making a bad habit of this. At least this time, it was for professional matters.

"Shall I take you to the doctor's office and meet Master Bruce there?" Alfred asked her, noticing her rhythmic tapping on the arm chair.

"Perhaps that's for the best." she nodded, standing up on her own two feet. Her belly was now visible, but it wasn't plump yet by any means. It still had another nearly four months of growing to do. Still on such a small girl, her stomach did appear larger than it actually was.

Once they were in the car, Alfred tried to make light conversation to keep her preoccupied, "Dr. Thompkins will be there along with your doctor. Master Bruce believes her word above anyone else's."

She glanced out the window at the views passing by, "Do you think he'll make it?" her voice was practically whining.

Alfred frowned. He did not have an answer for the girl. Pulling up to the doctor's office he opened the door to let her out, "I shall call him and see if he's on his way. Why don't you go inside and let them know you've arrived, Miss."

Chelsea did as Alfred told her to and went inside. She signed in with the clipboard and pen that was sitting on the counter and took a seat. The second hand moved around the face of the clock in a way that almost annoyed her. She let out a long sigh, watching a couple come out of the examination hall together, teary-eyed with happiness. It sure felt like time was flying, but Bruce had been unfortunate to miss some things he wished he hadn't; doctor's visits, check-ups, and so on. Sometimes it felt like Chelsea's stomach was growing right before his eyes, "Mrs. Wayne?" Chelsea blinked out of her spacing and looked up at the nurse. She wasn't used to being called Mrs. Wayne. She might not ever be. They didn't have their ceremony yet, but the doctor's office referred to her as Mrs. Wayne regardless.

Chelsea followed the woman in, feeling a sinking feeling in her stomach. Where was Bruce?

Bruce glanced up at the clock, phasing out the man that was talking his ear off on the phone. He glanced at his wrist watch as he tapped his foot, "Excuse me, could you hold for a moment. Thanks." he flipped to an open line before the man could reply and started dialing a number. Chelsea's cell went straight to voicemail. He huffed and quickly called Alfred on the car phone.

"Master Bruce, thank heavens. Please tell me you're on the way." Alfred breathed a sigh of relief.

"Hardly." Bruce scoffed, eying the stack of papers on his desk.

"They have taken Miss Chelsea inside for her appointment." Alfred explained.

Bruce rubbed his swollen temples, "Alright… I'm not going to make it… I have to make a call." he hung up and quickly dialed one last number.

"Hello?" said a voice.

"Wally, are you busy?" Bruce questioned.

"Not at all, Bats. Is Chels okay?" Wally replied into the receiver.

"I need you to do me a favor…" Bruce said, taking a deep breath.

Chelsea was in a medical gown, shivering on a bed. The nurse gave her a blanket and started to prepare the ultra sound. There was a knock on the door and one of the nurses stuck her head in, "Excuse me, Chelsea?" Chelsea tilted her head in her direction, "There's a Mr. West here to see you."

Chelsea smirked, "Let him in." Wally strutted in a few moments later. The nurses exited, leaving them alone momentarily.

"How're you doing, beautiful?" Wally asked her, placing a kiss on top of her head.

"Stressed… irritable…" she murmured.

"He called me. He's really sorry." Wally explained, rubbing the back of his head. She stayed silent, "Is it okay that I'm here?"

Chelsea held his hand, "I just don't wanna find out the gender by myself. I get so emotional at these doctor visits from all the hormones and it's embarrassing."

He pulled up a chair and sat down next to her, never letting go of her hand all the while. He decided to try to cheer her up, "I'm telling you, it's a girl."

"You've been saying that this whole time. It's gotta be a boy. Can you honestly see someone trying to date Bruce Wayne's daughter?" Chelsea wondered with a laugh.

"I know it is. It's a girl… and she'll be perfect just like her mom." Wally smiled, running his thumb back and forth across her hand.

Chelsea smiled for the first time all day. She squeezed his hand tight, "I want you to do something for me."

"Name it." he replied.

"Should something ever happen to Bruce and me… I want you to take the baby." Chelsea told him.

He looked at her surprised, "But… me? I mean… what about one of the boy wonders or the butler or?"

"Dick has his own things going on… Tim's too young to handle something so big on his own… and Alfred raised enough children in his life. I trust you, Wally. You're so good with kids." she shook her head, "Will you?"

He looked at their hands, "How could I say no, Chels?"

Her doctor walked in a moment later and started to put the finishing touches on the ultra sound, "Well this definitely isn't Bruce Wayne." she joked.

Chelsea grinned, "This is Wally West… the greatest friend I've ever had."

"Nice to meet you Wally." the doctor smiled, hitting a couple of buttons on the screen, "Just a little shift here and… there's your baby."

There it was: A little person growing inside her stomach. Tiny, folded up, and cradled. It brought Wally to tears as he gripped Chelsea's hand tighter, "My God, it's beautiful."

"She certainly is." the doctor agreed.

"She?" Chelsea asked, tears pooling out of her eyes, "It's a girl?"

"That's right." nodded the doctor, noticing how emotional they were getting, "I'll give you a moment. Dr. Thompkins will be in momentarily to speak with you." with that she left the room.

"Have you ever seen something so amazing?" Wally asked her, leaning in closer.

Chelsea stared at the screen in awe, "A baby girl…"

"I told you it was a girl." Wally winked.

Chelsea placed her free hand on top of her stomach, as more tears rushed out of her eyes, "I wonder what he'll say."

Wally kissed her on her forehead and pulled her in close, "She's beautiful just like her momma." He pulled away, "I'm going to go grab a drink really quick. Would you like one?"

"No thanks," she replied breathlessly, staring at the monitor still in shock.

Wally closed the door behind him and made a turn down the hall when low and behold Bruce was walking toward him, "You made it." smiled Wally.

"Somehow." said Bruce with a shake of his head.

"The doctor just gave her the news, but I'll let her tell you." Wally told him, patting his shoulder, "Congratulations, man."

Bruce looked into the young man's eyes, starting to move passed him, "There's still times where I think it should be you in there, you know."

Wally felt a pain in his chest. He still desperately wanted it to be, "But I know it's you." he answered simply, before slipping further down the hallway.

Dr. Thompkins entered the room and offered Chelsea a smile, "Not sure how Bruce will handle a baby girl." she joked.

"It'll be his biggest test yet." Chelsea agreed.

"There's something I needed to discuss with you." Leslie sat down on the stool Wally had previously been using, "Your pulmonary embolism… I feel terrible for missing this before… but I have to warn you… with the risk of having blood clots… there's a chance all of the extra estrogen in your body could make you clot again… it serves as a major health risk for you and your baby."

Chelsea reflected on what she was just told. She stared blankly at the wall, "How likely is it?"

Leslie licked her teeth, "You're young and healthy. There are no signs of clotting… I don't think it's anything you should worry about, but I thought it was a good idea to give you a heads up. If something does not feel right I want you to report it immediately."

Chelsea nodded slowly, letting this new information digest in her brain, "Don't tell Bruce." she said, and gave Leslie a hard stare, "I mean it. Don't tell Bruce. He's already worried enough by not being around a lot. I don't want this weighing on him too. He won't handle it well." Leslie didn't know if that was the right thing to do, but knew that she was right in her prediction on how he'd take the news. Quietly she exited the room, giving the girl time to think. A moment after the door closed it opened once again. This time Bruce stepped in.

Chelsea looked so relieved, "You made it after all."

Bruce took a seat beside her and kissed her hand, "I'm so sorry." he felt like a broken record lately. He never had apologized this much in his whole life. He didn't even know what an apology was until he met her.

"You're here now. That's all that matters." she told him. Looking at the screen again she smiled, "That's our baby."

Bruce clutched his free hand over his mouth. His eyes shined with raw emotion as he placed his lips against the top of her head and left his nose there to smell her hair momentarily, "Healthy and everything?" he asked.

"Yes," she nodded, placing his hand against her stomach, "it's a girl, Bruce."

Bruce chuckled with surprise, "Are you getting me back for being late?"

"I'm serious." she replied.

He let himself grasp what she was saying, "A baby girl…"

"Guess we have to toss out the boy names…" Chelsea joked, "Got any girl names?" she asked sarcastically.

Bruce stared at the picture on the screen of his unborn daughter, "Lucille…" he muttered, "Lucille Wayne."

Author's Notes: It's shorter than my usual chapters, but I really like this chapter. I think it's kind of neat that Wally is still such an important part of Chelsea's life, and maybe even to some effect it shows what a good match and father Wally would have been, had he ended up with Chelsea. I also think it gives the reader some parallel to see how things would be with Wally and how they are with Bruce. Thanks for reading and leave me a review. Stay tuned for the next chapter: Lucy.