THE QUEEN´S DAUGHTER.
CHAPTER IX: A PASSIONATE HEART? KEEPING A COLD HEAD IS MORE IMPORTANT.
"Okay, tell me." Alex replied looking to the side, feeling awkward because of the way she pulled away from his touch. He wasn´t as keen as the Amazon picking up other people´s emotions.
"I don't know where to start." She whispered, uncertain of her own feelings.
"It's always good to start from the beginning." He shrugged, taking a sip of his own drink.
There wasn´t a way to go… around it. There wasn´t a way to make it softer. She just had to go with it.
"I'm sort of... your sister."
He nearly spilled off the hot beverage, shocking on it as he swallowed. "How the hell did that happen? How do you know?" Alex put the cup down, dumbstruck.
"I told you I came here to find my father... It turned out he is your father too. He told me that... that he slept once with my mom during the month he and your mother broke up before they got married. That pretty much sums it all." She finally let out the breath she had been holding.
"It's... unbelievable. How comes he never told us we have a sister?"
"He didn't know about it. And it wouldn´t have been a bright idea anyway, I think. Wait... You said us? You're not the only child?"
"No, I have a little sister, Primrose." His expression became suddenly serious.
"You're right. Un-be-lie-va-ble." Sophia hid her face in her hands.
"Don't tell me you have a twin."
"No, thank Hera I don't. I mean... how messed up this is."
"Have you seen him? Where is he? Does my mother know?" His eyes opened in awe and he shook his head. "I think it's better if she doesn't find out."
Sophie's eyes finally moved upwards again and she gulped when the sight of Dinah and Zatanna intently staring at them, in a deep silence that was already putting up their inquiries, hit her. She grabbed his arm, looking away before she got another round of questions from the two heroines.
"Please, get me out of here. I'll tell you the rest then." She mumbled, as if the women could hear her.
"Okay, we can go to my place if that's fine with you." Alex offered.
"Yes, momentarily, yes." She urged, standing up. He followed her promptly.
Sophia looked back discreetly and saw Diana´s friends were still gawking, but now they were whispering too. Just in time.
He swiftly guided her to the control room, where Mr. Terrific had been put in charge by J'onn, and asked him to teleport them.
And then, Sophie vanished when half of the Watchtower still wanted a talk with her.
.-.-.-.-.-
The house wasn't huge or particularly impressive, but it was nice and well taken care of. Welcoming. The white columns shimmered under the settling sun and the red patterns of the rooftop gave it a lovely poise. It smiled brightly. It was definitely a home. As Sophia scanned her surroundings, Superman´s son grabbed a key from his pocket and unlocked the door. The boy ushered her in politely.
His hand skimmed across her waist again. It caused their eyes to meet. Sophia looked away to hide her slightly flustered face.
They entered a reception hall from ivory walls, and it had a copper framed mirror and a bucket of daisies as a finishing touch, like a flourish, in the neatly arranged space. It lead to an ample living room, where a pair of creamy sofas surrounded a small glass table whose legs sunk into the cottony terracotta carpet. The translucent curtains were a perfect frame for the beautiful sunset. And a smile crept to the princess´s face.
"You have a lovely home."
"Thanks. My mother tries really hard to keep it spotless."
She raised an eyebrow and put her sack down. "Tell me about perfectionists mothers."
Alex was still grinning at his companion when a little girl stormed into the room and hugged his legs tightly. He stroked her hair tenderly. The child was obviously someone very dear. "Hello, Prim. This is Sophie."
Sophie watched the redhead dolly smile at her. She was cute. And she was her sister too.
"Hello, Prim." Sophia beamed.
Suddenly, the monkey was wrapped around her legs. "Hello, Sophie."
She looked to Alex, remembering her last painful encounter with an infant. "She won't pull my hair, right?"
"No, she won't."
The Amazon picked the girl up. "How old are you, Prim?"
"Four." The little one replied, inspecting her visitor. Sophie thought that not pointing out that she happened to be a princess would do the trick. Apparently, it didn't. The girl grabbed her braid and hauled at it strongly. Sophie mentally cursed at the fact she forgot the petite minx was Superman's daughter.
"Don't do that." She grimaced.
Alex took her away and cuddled his sister. "Primrose, you're being rude."
Prim crossed her arms and pouted in response. A tall woman pecked her white-haired head into the room, her clear blue eyes looking for her granddaughter.
"Alex, thank God you're here. I need to go get your grandfather. Something happened to his car. I was waiting for someone to arrive" She said in a gleeful, slightly hoarse voice and entering the room fully.
"Hello grandma. That's okay. Prim will be fine with us. This is Sophie. Soph, this is Grandma Martha... Kent."
She got the message. The lady is my grandmother too. The princess smiled once again.
"Nice to meet you, darling."
"Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Kent."
"There's a cake still baking. Please watch over it in thirty minutes. I'm sorry I can't stay for supper."
"It's okay, grandma. Thank you." Alex waved at her.
"Have fun you two." She replaced her pink hat with a wink and left. Sophie's jaw dropped.
"Prim, can you be an angel and watch The little mermaid whilst we speak?"
She shook her head and pointed to the raven haired girl. "No. Sophie play dollies with me."
"She can't play dollies."
The redhead scowled and got down from his arms hastily. "You have a silly girlfriend." She sentenced and stormed out.
"Sorry."
"She´s lovely. I'm more worried about the fact she and our grandmother think were dating."
"We will get to tell everyone, Soph. You just have to give it time..."
Her expression became anguished and her forehead rested in her hand. "But I don't want to tell everyone. I just want to go back."
"Then why... are you still here?"
Sophia sighed and sat down. "To tell you what happened."
Alex sat next to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. And the thought she could easily get accustomed to his gentle nature crossed the Amazon´s mind. She mentally reprimanded herself on her totally inconvenient and inappropriate infatuation. "What is it?"
"That crazy bounty hunter Zora hit him with something. He fainted. And your mother wants you to look for her later."
"Wait. Who was hit?" He asked, startled.
"Superman. But he will be fine. J´onn and Shayera promised so."
"But how? The only way to do that is... kryptonite."
"Uhm… is that something green... and shiny?"
"Yes!"
"That's it then. A kryptonite needle. But they were pretty sure it wasn't serious."
"We must go see him." He raised his hand to his ear.
"No, we shouldn't. He needs to rest." She replied, grabbing his wrist to stop him. And the sizzle was there again. She jumped back, momentarily speechless.
A sweet scented whiff filled the room and the Amazon sighed in relief.
"What we have to do is check on that cake."
He guided her to the kitchen and stood in front of the oven, bringing his hand to the back of his head. Clueless.
The smell was delicious and she closed her eyes in appreciation. The princess looked around and grabbed the clean knife resting on the counter top.
"You would be surprised, but there are things about this world that my mother actually taught me."
Sophia opened the oven and slid out half of the tray with a mitten. She plunged the piece of cutlery in the fluffy substance to the bottom. When the blade was removed and examined, the cake ended up over the kitchen table.
"It's ready. You can turn it off." She inhaled the cinnamon scent with evident pleasure.
"I guess you're staying with us, right?" The boy asked as he followed her command.
The young girl removed the mitten and turned to face him.
"No. No way."
He seemed utterly surprised. "Why not? You are..."
"An Amazon. A Princess. Your sister. But I'm not your mother's daughter. I don't think she will like the idea." He didn't reply, so she kept talking. "Besides, I don't want to. I prefer going to a Hotel."
He leaned against the counter. "Tell me the truth. Why do you want to go back already? What did you find out that was so unexpected?"
She sighed and propped next to him, saddened. "I... I just didn't think my father would be married and have a family. I imagined he would be as lonely as my mother is without him. I had the silly idea I could make it all perfect, for her, for us three. Among other things..."
"You wanted him to be single? You expected him to still be in love with her? And that despite the fact I don´t know if she is still in love with him. Are you saying you thought that your mother, the almighty Queen of the Amazons, would leave your island and all her royal duties to come here, marry and live with a man you have never met before? That you wanted to play happy family?"
She looked down disappointed. "It sounds pointless and childish when you put it that way."
"I didn't mean that..."
"But it's the truth. Everything I have done since I found out I had a father was reckless and stupid. I'll go back and stick to what my mother wants to tell me. I need to talk to her now."
"So I´ll never get to see you again?"
She shook her head slowly and placed a strand behind her ear. "I'm sorry. It's really better that way... Maybe I´ll come back some day."
He didn't reply and started putting away the dishes Martha had washed earlier. She placed her hand on his shoulder, already knowing his warmth would burn her. "You have no idea what I've been through this last twenty four hours."
"Go back, Sophie. Do whatever you want. It´s the very same thing your mother did. Are you all Amazons such cowards?"
Her mouth dropped a mile. "You have no right to react like this!"
Alex turned around, and then he was standing just inches away from her. "Yes. I do, because I already..."
Sophie took a step back. "You already… what?"
"I already care about you." He spun again to reassume his task.
"I care about you too..."
He sighed. "I'm sorry. You are right. It's better if you go... I'm no one to tell you otherwise. We will never be a big happy family. This is wrong from the very beginning."
"You are my brother."
He nodded. "If you walk down the street and turn to the left where it ends you'll find the Plaza Hotel. It's a very nice place to stay."
"Thank you. I will go there, just so you know in case you need to find me before I leave tomorrow."
"Do you have any money?"
She patted her bag. "Yeah, my money issues are covered."
"Good. I would walk you there but I'm stuck here with Prim." Alex smiled apologetically.
"That's okay. Just walk me to the door. I will be fine. Remember what I said? I can deal with my own disasters…"
The boy nodded, as the memory made him chuckle.
Sophie said good bye to Primrose and hugged her sweetly, but the girl was engrossed in the movie. The princess knew would be nice to have siblings, but she didn't want to see their family ruined. They were a perfectly happy family, and she was a piece that didn´t fit. She wouldn´t stand in the way to destroy it. They headed to the main door when getting the redhead's attention proved to be hopeless.
"Thank you for inviting me here, Alex. It was really lovely to meet you. Good bye."
"You can still call me from the Hotel if you change your mind."
"I will." She smiled and hugged him fondly. "May the gods watch over you."
"Good bye, Sophie." He held her back. The Amazon pulled away slowly. Alex kissed her cheek and beamed. Then, he closed the door. She lifted her hand to her face and gazed into the darkening sky. It was star-spangled. And the stars glowed.
"It is, indeed, a beautiful twilight."
.-.-.-.-.-
Lois and Clark walked into the house not long after. The wife wore the white summer dress provided to her by Dinah Queen to replace her ripped outfit. The woman cursed over the fact it was ruined. And she was extremely annoyed because Black Canary wouldn't stop talking about Diana's daughter, inquiring about her as if she was a... She suppressed a swear word. Detective. Dinah seemed convinced that Sophia was Batman´s daughter. I wish. That would be just too bloody brilliant.
Clark was wearing a fresh brown T-shirt and a pair of jeans he got from his own room at the Watchtower. There was an awkward silence between the couple and he extended his arm across her shoulders, pulling her closer lovingly.
"We really need to talk, darling."
"I'm afraid that talking will make things worse. I nearly lost you twice today, by death or by a break-up. Enough. I want a quiet night."
"Can I take you out for a nice, quiet dinner?"
"No."
He sighed. "I met a mistake Lois. I didn't think of the consequences. I did wrong and I'm sorry. It doesn't change the fact I love you. Very much."
"It doesn't change the consequences either. That girl is still your daughter and MY kids' sister... "
"She's an Amazon Princess. She will go back and we will never see her again."
"But she is your daughter. Would you be just okay with that? With never seeing her again and just returning her to Diana, as if she never existed? Would you agree to never seeing the mother again? That despite the fact she already met Alex, which complicates things a lot further."
"Right now I have no idea... This is too sudden and complicated to make a decision right away. It´s not that I want her away... But she seemed to be discontent with what she found. I have no idea what did she exactly intended..."
"She's a teenager. She pretended to do the opposite of what her mother said... Actually, I pity her... She must be worried. I would die if Prim ever runs away like that..." The fact her head leaned his shoulder encouraged him to wrap his arms around her.
"So you're not mad anymore?"
"Of course I am! But motherly feelings are stronger..."
"Speaking of Diana..."
"What about her?" Lois hissed and shook his arms away. "If you have another confession... Keep it to yourself."
Clark pulled her into a tight embrace and kissed her passionately. Lois was taken by surprise and responded to the kiss, snaking her arms around his neck. He stroked her back with his hand and intensified the kiss. It resulted in a purr of appreciation from the redhead.
"What was that for?" She whispered out of breath when they finally broke apart, resting her head on his broad chest.
"I´m not in love with Diana. Is that clear?"
Lois nodded and sank onto the sofa, looking up at him as he spoke.
"Now, back to what I wanted to say -and it doesn't involve an affair with Diana-, you know she will show up, eventually, right?"
"What?" The sole idea was outrageous.
"She will be looking for her daughter... Where else would she look if Sophia came after me?"
Lois buried her head in her hands, groaning in frustration. "God, I didn't think of that."
"And I want you to let me face her." His tone spoke volumes. Clark would concede many things to his wife, but he was adamant about this request.
"After all these years, what do you think I will tell her? What can I tell her anyway?"
"I don't mean you'll say anything in particular... I'm just saying I want to be the one to face her."
"Are you saying you want me to leave you alone with her? Is that it?" Her low voice was an actual menace.
"I'm saying I want to be the one doing the talk."
"You know I will never get over this. It will get on my nerves every time you two are in the same room. And she's not welcomed under my roof."
"You´re overreacting."
"Have you lost your mind?" She shot up and placed her hands on her hips.
"You don't know her at all, Lou..."
"I don't..."
Lois was interrupted by the sound of the doorbell.
"Saved by the bell." He mumbled, running his hand through his ruffled hair.
The reporter opened the door and took a step back in disbelief.
.-.-.-.-.-
Sophia's arrival had affected Bruce more than he would or wanted to admit. The girl brought Diana back to his mind in an instant, after all the years he had spent pushing her away. It still hurt as the very same day. She was the only woman he truly opened himself to... the only one brave enough to steal his heart. And she proved he had been right when he didn't allow it to happen before. After her daughter left, he sat in silence, fidgeting with the diamond necklace that brought so many memories to his mind. To Diana, my destiny. That was what he wrote when he bought it for her. It sounded like a sick joke when she wasn´t there anymore. What had she been thinking when she kept it?
Bruce saved it away and did the only thing he knew could help him escape his feelings and protect his sanity. Exercise. He changed up and spent a few hours in the training room. It was true he was older now, but a sheer determination had helped him to be as keen and quick in his movements as he was the first day. He trained a lot, and any woman could say it did pay the results. Bruce Wayne was the most wanted bachelor of all times. Too bad none of those women were the one he wanted, even though some did look like her. Those were the ones he did date.
The Amazon made him suffer, but he was in full shape and he didn´t feel a day older.
"I thought you could use some food, Master Bruce." Alfred said, walking in. The steak smelled wonderful. His stomach groaned and demanded to be satisfied.
"Thank you." Bruce replied and put his weights down immediately. Normally he would tell his butler to bring the dinner to the dining room and take a shower first. But he realized he was too hungry. He grabbed the cutlery and swallowed a mouthful. Yes, food does taste better when you're starving!
"What happened with Miss Sophia? She seems like a lovely young lady. I thought she was staying."
Bruce looked up and carefully measured his words. He knew his surrogate father too well to say he wouldn´t guess what he was really asking in his own subtle English way, since it was obvious he knew who the mother was.
"Alfred, I never told you what happened between Diana and me because I know you have a high esteem for her. But that girl, no matter how lovely she is, is not my daughter."
"And how would you know that?" He responded serenely.
"Because she told me so. She's Kent's daughter. "
"And you plain believed her?"
"I had no choice. That's what happened. Diana was sleeping with him too..."
"It doesn't sound like something Miss Diana would have done."
"I would really love to agree with you, but I can't."
"So you will lay back and watch?"
"Is there anything else I can do?"
"If it wasn't you, Master Bruce, I would call you an idiot."
He raised an eyebrow. "What would you do, Alfred, if you were me?"
"The mother's out of reach. I would face the alleged father."
"Are you saying she is my daughter?"
"I'm telling you to find out. I find it hard to believe she did such a thing."
"You are not making this any easier."
"I´m not trying to make it easier. I´m trying to make it right. I know you have a passionate heart… even though you try to hide it. And sometimes, listen to it is not such a bad idea."
"A passionate heart?" Bruce scowled. "Keeping a cold head is more important."
"Someday, Master Bruce, you will be my age. And maybe then, you will agree with me."
With those words, the Englishman left.
And that's why, after an hour of chewing on the butlers words, Bruce stood on the shadows, a few feet away from the Kent´s house. It wasn´t completely dark yet, but he could always find shadows, it seemed he could summon them himself. In all those years, he never cleared things up with Clark. Sometimes, he hated him. It was even easier when everyone else worshipped the man. Bruce wasn't jealous of that, of course not. He found it very superfluous, extremely annoying. Partly, he didn't face him because once he married and Diana left, it seemed unnecessary. Partly, he helped himself because he didn't want a confirmation of his fears. That despite the fact he wouldn't so openly admit that a woman stepped on his heart and betrayed him. Maybe his colleague was so clueless he didn't even know about him and Diana. He always was.
That unless she got to tell him herself. That would just make it worst.
He was snapped out of his thought when he saw the goddess suddenly glow under the light of the porch. His heart jumped and his ragged breathing nearly gave him up.
Her glossy tresses fell upon her bare back, tangled with snow-white laces. Her well defined arms fell to her sides in a very regal attitude, her right hand dangling close to her sword. She was always the warrior on full alert. The golden belt embraced her slim waist tastefully and the ivory dress clung to her curves with a delightful grace. It didn't hide the glistening sandals.
The Queen also had a necklace seductively plunging into her cleavage, which she took in her hand, giving away the fact she was feeling restless. And at last, but not least, there was a glimmering tiara crowning her forehead with endless delicacy.
Yes, she had been a perfect princess before, but now there was something more magnificent about her, something that enhanced her royalty. She was a princess before. Now, she was truly a Queen.
Diana turned around and his gaze fixed on him, even when he wasn't visible. The same ocean blue eyes he could drown himself in. The same rosy lips he was dying to kiss. He looked away and left. He wasn't ready to face her. Not just yet.
Not until he knew he could stare into her eyes and resist the urge to take her in his arms.
"Don't be childish." Diana chided herself. "There's no way he's watching you from the shadows... Is it?"
.-.-.-.-.-
A/N: Thanks for the comments! As you asked, I got Batman into this chapter (I´m sorry, but there are things that have to be settled down for the sake of the story ^^). Thanks for asking, because I actually like how it fitted! I promise now on it will be Bruce/Diana nearly 100%. Please stay with me, I promise I won´t quit the story as long as you review! :)
Sooooooo… now click on the little button and make my day *blinks and begs*
Ozzy: Diana is caught between her previous knowledge of the world and the things she is learning, that´s why she also acts in the middle of those worlds, and her conception of a relationship was absorbed from Man´s world. As for Clark, he is a man and he made a mistake. If mistakes were logical and reasonable, then it wouldn´t be a mistake, right? About the pregnancy… you are a 100% right and the plot sticks to it, but only time will tell what truly happened ;) Keep reading!