The meaning of family- An essay -Part 1

Damian stormed into the house before any of the others had a chance to get out of the car. He made his way past Pennyworth and the Amazon before they could ask any questions. He got to his room and threw his backpack into the corner. He couldn't believe his father sent him to that inferior school. What kind of assignment was this- write an essay about you family and what they mean to you- what a waste of his intelligence. He was beyond irritated. He did not leave his room until dinner and said nothing during the meal. He sat at his desk, staring at a blank page. What could he write? He couldn't really mention his mother or his grandfather, so that left him with his father, his Amazonian wife, the butler and the ragtag assortment that were his "siblings." After making no progress on the assignment Damian decided to prepare for bed. He headed to the kitchen for water. As he reached the bottom of the stairs he heard his siblings (expect Lydia) emerge from the cave. It must have been quiet on patrol.

"You sure you're okay, Jay?" Dick asked concerned.

Yeah, Dickie-Bird I've had worse." Jason said as he grimaced a bit. He was not wearing a shirt and his torso was bandaged, probably some cracked or broken ribs, Damian observed.

"Yeah, but it was still hard hit." Tim added in.

"I'm fine, but your concern is touching. I could use some water though." The group headed to the kitchen. Damian contemplated just going back upstairs, but after a moment he decided to just go to the kitchen as well.

"Tim, can you help me with calculus tomorrow?" Elena asked as Damian entered.

"Yeah, sure." The group looked up as they sensed Damian's presence in the threshold.

"Hey Damian," Dick greeted. The other boys gave slight nods and Elena gave a small wave.

Damian got a glass and filled it as the others finished and headed to bed. Damian remained standing at the counter. His mind wandered back to that assignment. His mind must have drifted a bit because the next thing he knew his father was standing across from him.

"Are you heading to bed Damian?" He asked.

"Yes, Father. "

"Damian?"

"Yes?

"Is everything alright?

"Yes, why?"

"Well Diana and Alfred said you seemed agitated when you got home from school and you didn't talk at dinner. "

"Damian you can talk to me if something is bothering you."

"I believe you made a mistake sending to that school. It is fine for the others but I am above there infernal attempts to teaching."

"I'm guessing you are disagreeing with something a teacher did."

"More of what she is making me do," he said with a tt.

"An assignment? "

"Yes, a useless English exercise. "

"Regarding what?"

"Family and its meaning."

"Damian, please follow me." Damian followed his father as he made his way into his study. Hanging over the mantle was the portrait of Thomas and Martha Wayne. On the adjacent wall was the family portrait they had taken recently.

"What do you think family is?" Bruce asked.

"A group related by blood."

"That's one definition, but like most things there are other ways to define it. I know your mother raised you to see things in black and white, but there are many shades in between. It might be hard for you to believe, but all those people in that portrait are my family. I love all my children equally, regardless of being biologically mine or not. We all care for each other and we would do anything for each other, you are included in that. I know adjusting to life here hasn't been easy for you or the others, but there is family here for you. I don't expect you to change your view overnight, but I would appreciate you having an open mind. "

Damian woke the next morning, the talk with his father fresh in his mind. He got dressed and headed downstairs for breakfast. Pennyworth was making large stakes of pancakes.

"Jason, just go in and help Tim set up the movie, I'll get yours," Dick said to his brother who was wincing from his broken ribs as he waited for pancakes. Lydia had just taken the last stack, and despite the years of getting regular meals, Jason couldn't shake his obsession with getting food.

"Like the Replacement needs my help with technology, you better bring me a big plate." Jason stalked off.

"Of course, Jay. Oh, hey Damian, morning." Dick said as he saw the boy looking puzzled at the commotion. Elena had come in quickly grabbing the pitcher of orange juice and heading back out. Lydia came back in and grabbed a large stack of napkins.

"What is going on."

"It's pancake movie Saturday."

"You say that as if I should know what that means. "

"We haven't done it in a while, but it's really fun. Here," he said handing him a plate of pancakes. "And grab the syrup, if I don't bring Jason his pancakes he might start chewing on the couch. "

"I still don't…" Damian trailed off as Dick was already gone. He followed Dick into the family room and found the others assembled on the couches, all still in their pajamas- even his father.

"Woohoo, the kid's got the syrup not we can eat." Jason said as grabbed the syrup and poured it generously on his plate.

Damien stood awkwardly as the others passed the syrup and juice around to each other. He didn't know where to go and he was about to go back to the kitchen when Jason spoke up

"Kid, what are you doing you pancakes don't even have syrup yet. Come here and get some. " His instincts told him it was a trap, but he moved forward anyway. To his surprise Todd prepped his pancakes with syrup, and whipped cream. Elena brought him a cup of juice and handed it to him, even more surprising Drake scooted over on the couch to make room for him. Damian was so bewildered that he ate his pancakes as the movie started. He wasn't sure what got into him, but he found the unnecessary amount of sugar delicious and he actually stated laughing at the pointless film. What was happening? He didn't know, but his mind wandered back to last night's talk with his father. After living in this house for six months he still did not understand these people, but maybe they were family, just maybe.