Disclaimer: Teen Titans is the Property of DC Comics
Chapter 40
It felt like a hundred years since she'd been here. As soon as she walked inside her memories went wild by the smells, sounds, and very feel of the building around her. She felt safe her; her home away from home. And she knew Crystal felt the same way.
"How many books can I get?" she asked excitedly as soon as they entered the library.
"As many as you can read," said Raven. She was pushing the triple stroller where the triplets were sleeping.
"Can we spend all day here?" she asked.
"Sounds good to me," said Raven.
"Aw, come on," Beast Boy whined. "I don't want to spend all day here!"
"But look at all the books!" said Crystal. "I wish I could live here."
"You are not my daughter," said Beast Boy, crossing his arms and looking away from her.
"Don't listen to him," said Raven. "Now go look for some good books."
Crystal happily ran off into the children's section and began her search. Raven wheeled the stroller into that section as well and found an empty table. She took a seat, made sure all three babies were still asleep, and took out the book she was currently reading. Beast Boy unhappily took a seat as well, his arms still crossed.
"Do we really have to spend all day here?" he sighed.
"You know, there's a computer lab," said Raven.
He instantly sat right up. "Really? Where?" he asked.
"It's just past the Science section," said Raven.
"Awesome!" he said and ran off. He came back three seconds later asking, "Where's the Science section?"
"Go ask the librarian," said Raven.
"But you were the librarian, once," said Beast Boy.
"And now I'm not," she responded. "Now go before you make me loose my place again."
Crystal soon found Raven and placed all of the books she'd chosen on the table. "Where's daddy?" she asked.
"He went to play videogames in the computer lab," said Raven.
"How come he doesn't like to read?" asked Crystal.
"I don't know," said Raven. "Some people like to read, some people like to watch movies and play videogames."
"What if you like to do all three?" asked Crystal.
"Then you're a renaissance woman," said Raven with a smile.
"And what does that mean?" asked Crystal.
"That means you're going to be leader of the Titans someday," said Raven.
"I knew it!" said Crystal. She was immediately bombarded with people telling her to hush. Embarrassed, she sat down and got a book to start reading.
A while later the children's section began to fill with children who were there for story time. And all of the children who showed up remembered Raven and gave her hugs, telling her they missed her. She hadn't read to them in over a year and they begged her to read. Evidently the newest story reader wasn't as good as she was. And Raven couldn't turn them down.
Three hours passed and Beast Boy's eyes were burning from staring at the computer screen for so long. He decided to see how the rest of his family was and hoped they could go home. He was shocked to find Raven reading to nearly thirty children. Crystal sat on one side of her and the stroller was on the other. He couldn't help but see how happy and content his wife was reading to all of those children. He thought it was quite funny that nearly a decade before she'd absolutely refused to have anything to do with children. He looked for a seat, since there were many parents there as well, and once he found one he sat and observed.
"…and they lived happily ever after until the end of their days," she said, closing yet another book that held the words of a fairytale.
All the kids clapped and shouted, "Another, another!"
"I think that's enough for today," said Raven as she heard Larkin beginning to cry. She reached into the stroller and picked her up, hushing her.
"Can you come again next week?" asked a little boy.
"We'll see," said Raven, rubbing Larkin's back as she continued to whimper.
"We really miss you, Ms. Rachel," said a little girl, to which all the other children agreed.
"I know, I miss all of you, too," said Rachel, placing Larkin back in the stroller and standing up.
"Why don't you work here anymore?" asked another little boy.
"Because I have a new job and I'm a mom now," said Raven. "And it's time my little ones went home."
All of the children took the hint and began to disperse. Crystal gathered up all of the books she hadn't read and went to the front desk to check them out. Raven made sure the triplets were all set and headed for the exit, where she saw Beast Boy standing and waiting.
"I hope we didn't take too long," said Raven, no remorse in her voice.
"Nope, I just finished my game," said Beast Boy with a smile. "Ready to go?"
"Once Crystal's checked out her books we are," said Raven.
They waited and soon the young girl ran over to them with all of her books. And with that the family headed out. Cyborg had designed a new SUV for the Logan family so they could all travel together, since they couldn't fit in the T-car any longer; not with three car seats.
"How many books did you get?" Beast Boy asked his daughter.
"Seven," said Crystal. "And I read two while we were there!"
"And how many books did you read, Rae?" asked Beast Boy.
"Well, I never finished my book, but I read the children a few," said Raven.
"You sure like reading to kids, huh?" said Beast Boy.
"I have to admit, I do," said Raven.
"You know, I was thinking," he began.
"You? Thinking?" quipped Raven, causing Crystal to laugh.
He frowned for a moment then continued. "I was thinking that you should go back to the library," he said.
"Go back?" she said. "What do you mean?"
"I think you should work there, again," he explained. "In the children's section at least."
"I've got far too much to do to be a librarian again," said Raven.
"Yeah, but it makes you so happy," said Beast Boy. "The kids love you and you love the kids. I don't see why you couldn't."
"Three reasons," said Raven. "Liam, Larkin, and Lily."
"Well, when they get older," said Beast Boy. "Then either I can watch them or you can bring them with you. You know, get them loving books at an early age. You did it with Crystal when she was two. I really think you should think about it."
Raven took all this in and let her self think for a moment. "It would be nice to work there again," she said. "And if I did work there I'd be pulling in some extra cash for us. And the kids would always have access to books. And, on the plus side for you, I'd be in a safe environment."
"See?" he said with a smile. "There are no downsides!"
"Hmm," said Raven, thinking some more. "What do you think, Crystal?"
"I think it's a great idea!" said Crystal with a big smile.
"Well, I'll think about it," said Raven. "But my first priority is taking care of my children."
They arrived home and Crystal went to her room with her books. Raven and Beast Boy brought the babies to the nursery so they could be fed. Once that long task was done they were burped and put down to sleep. Raven went off to meditate and Beast Boy decided to hang out with the guys for a while.
"So, you have fun at the library?" Cyborg smirked as he worked on one of the various T-vehicles. Nightwing was helping, though it was more like just watching since Cyborg wouldn't let anyone work on the cars but him, and now so was Beast Boy. The three men would often go down to the garage to hang out and act like 'men'.
"Did you know they have a computer lab?" said Beast Boy.
"They do?" said Cyborg.
"Yeah," said Beast Boy. "I spent the whole time playing videogames."
"I bet Raven was glad to be there," said Nightwing.
"Oh yeah," said Beast Boy. "When I left she was reading to herself and when I came back she was reading to like three dozen kids!"
"Never thought our Raven would be so drawn to kids," Cyborg chuckled.
"I know," said Nightwing. "She never seemed the type."
"Well, she really is," said Beast Boy. "And I suggested that she take her job at the library again."
"You did?" asked Nightwing.
"Yeah," said Beast Boy. "She really loved that job and seeing her there today, reading to all of the kids, I really saw how much she enjoys it and so do all of the kids."
"And what did she say when you suggested this?" asked Cyborg.
"She said she'd think about it," said Beast Boy. "But I think she's leaning towards it."
"Well, I don't see any reason for her not to," said Nightwing. "I mean, other than calling her out for those hard missions when we need everyone, I think we're all set, fighting wise, without her. But don't tell her I said that."
"I didn't hear anything," Cyborg smirked.
"Well, knowing you guys are supporting this she'll definitely consider it," said Beast Boy.
Raven finished meditating, checked once more on the babies, and then headed off to the common room. She found everyone else already there. She saw her husband sitting on the couch and decided to go join him. He and Cyborg were playing videogames, which she couldn't believe since he'd already spent three hours playing them at the library that day. She took a seat next to him, not that he noticed. But she didn't mind.
"You're so going down!" said Cyborg.
"Not this time, trashcan!" said Beast Boy.
"Where is the gravy?" asked Starfire from the kitchen.
"We're out," said Bumblebee.
"Mom, I don't wanna do this homework anymore!" complained Taye.
"Nicole, how did you get marker all over your face?" said Nightwing.
"I let Jack and Eric put it on," said Nicole. "It's my makeup!"
"Could you guys be quiet?" said Crystal. "I'm reading."
"Hey, you can't do that!" said Beast Boy.
"Oh, yeah I can!" said Cyborg triumphantly.
"Who has misplaced the colander?" asked Starfire.
"Isn't it under the sink?" said Bumblebee.
"Done!" said Taye, shoving all of his homework into a folder and running off.
"Is this permanent?!" exclaimed Nightwing.
"I dunno," Nicole shrugged.
"Quiet!" demanded Crystal.
Raven listened to the chaos around her and couldn't help but smile. She knew that when she was younger she would've hated all of this noise and commotion, but right now she wouldn't have it any other way. She couldn't believe that she might have missed out on all of this if not for that faithful day over a year before when Beast Boy had found her in the library. She always knew books would save her life in the long run.
The End
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