«Mommy?»
«Yes precious?»
«Tomorrow I'll be five. Soon I will start school. I'll be a big girl.»
Raven smiled and touched the blanked closer around her.
«Yes you will.»
«So I was wondering, will you and daddy love me even though I'm a big girl and don't need you as much?»
Raven laughed and kissed her daughter on the forehead.
«I still think you need us a little.»
«Yeah, but not like Lewis. He needs you for everything. And do you still love me now that you have Lewis?»
«I will always love you Logan Marie. No matter how old you get or how independent you get or if you suddenly need me and you daddy for everything again. You are my oldest daughter and no one can take my love for you away.»
Logan smiled reassured, and closed her eyes.
«Why do you ask? You haven't had any bad dreams again have you?»
«No, I was just thinking about Victor.»
«Okay.»
Raven was petting her daughters hands.
«Have you had any bad dreams?»
She opened her eyes.
«Not since that lady gave me the necklace.»
Raven grabbed it and held it in her hand for a moment. It was smooth and cool to the touch.
«The necklace keeps the bad dreams away.»
«I need you to promise me two things Logan, can you do that?»
«What mommy?»
«Promise me you will never take this necklace off no matter what happens. Never.»
The girl nodded.
«And second if you get bad dreams again you have to tell me or daddy at once. Promise me Logan.»
«You're scarring me mommy.»
«Promise.»
«I promise.»
Raven sighed from relief and kissed her daughter on the forehead again.
«Now go to sleep.»
«But mommy if I go to sleep, how will I know when I turn five?»
«As soon as you wake up you'll be five. And the sooner you go to sleep, the sooner you wake up.»
Raven had never seen anyone fall asleep so quickly. Included Beast Boy.
--
Raven opened the door and walked over to the man standing there, smoking over the railing.
«I thought you stopped.»
«And if Star asks I have.»
Raven shook her head gently.
«Secrets like that only lead to trouble.»
«Maybe.»
Silence. Raven turned around and leaned against the railing. The wind blew past the couple.
«Thank you again for Logan's present, I guess Star picked it out.»
«A pink dress isn't quite my style.»
«That's what I thought.»
More silence. Robin finished his cigarette.
«What do you want Rae?»
Raven looked at him for a moment before she looked out at the ocean again.
«I don't know how it feels to lose a family since you guys are the only family I ever had, but is there something I can do? For Beast Boy. To help him. I don't know.»
She sighed and closed her eyes for a few seconds.
«I see the way he looks at Lewis and I just wish there was something I could do or say to help him. Like he helped me. He gave me feelings Robin. What have I done to help him?»
«You gave him a family Rae. You gave him love, and I don't think he wants anything else.»
Raven looked at him and smiled meekly. Robin gave her half a smile back. Then she left. She walked calmly down to the common room where Logan were playing house with her father. He looked up and smiled when she walked in the door.
«Lewis is a sleep, and I'm just tiring this one down.»
«By playing house?»
He looked at his daughter who didn't seem the least tired, before he sighed and concluded that his plan had failed.
«Logan go get ready for bed and I'll come tuck you inn.»
Logan got to her feet, kissed her father goodnight before walking over to her mother.
«Good night dad.»
Logan left the room, and Beast Boy, smiling, looked up at Raven.
«I just love hearing her say that?»
«Good night?»
He knew she was joking and pulled her down on the floor with him. Raven looked at him.
«What's wrong Rae?»
She kissed him. He was smiling against her lips, kissing her back, before she realesed him.
«I love you Beast Boy.»
«I love you too Rae.»
They kissed again and his arm found his way around her waist. She smiled toward him and slithered out of his grip.
«You can't just start something and not finish it Rae, that's not fear.»
«I have to tuck our daughter in.»
He sighed and fell backwards to the floor.
«Fine, go, be a mom.»
Raven straddled him and leaned in close.
«And later I'll play house with you.»
She got to her feet and left the room.
--
It was warm and Logan, Victor and Vanessa were playing outside. Beast Boy had the job of watching the children, but Logan sometimes wondered who were actually watching who. Then her father picked her up and swung her around and Logan laughed and laughed and when he put her down she couldn't walk straight. Suddenly everything stopped as a race boat docked by the island and three men walked on shore. Logan could feel how her father changed, turning more aware. She looked at the men, trying to find why her father changed. The first was a tall man with black hair and a firm stand. She liked him because he reminded her of Robin. The second man was old with white hair. He was a good man, and Logan knew she liked him too. The third was a little younger than her parents, short black hair and an arrogant look on his face. Logan knew she wouldn't like him even if he gave her two ice creams and a purple lollipop.
«Mr Wayne.»
«Logan. Is Dick home?»
«I'll go get him. Watch the children.»
One of Wayne's eyebrows rose.
«I was talking to my daughter, Logan.»
Then he smiled to her and walked quickly up to the tower.
«Her name is Logan Logan? That's a stupid name.»
«Jason.»
«My name is Logan Marie Roth. That's not stupid.»
Mr Wayne studied her, and Logan could feel how his mind was calculating, remembering and analyzing. Vanessa and Victor each grabbed a hand. Feeling the presence of these people quite scary. The oldest man walked over and with some dificulites sat down.
«I think Logan is a very pretty name.»
«Thank you.»
«And so polite. How old are you ms Logan.»
«Five.»
Even though she was looking at the old man could she feel the stare of the two other men on her. She didn't like it.
«And who are your two friends.»
«This is Vanessa, and this is Victor.»
«I read about them. They are the children to that cyborg. I really would like to know how he managed that I mean by the look of his pictures you'd think...»
He took a step closer and Logan looked at him. She didn't like him. She didn't like him. She really didn't like him. She didn't know what was happening, but she wanted him to stay away and suddenly he fell backwards. He wasn't hurt, mostly shocked, and the children and the old man laughed. Logan just looked deadpan at him. As did Wayne.
«Logan is the oldest daughter of Beast Boy and Raven.»
«That demon woman?»
Logan didn't know what demon woman meant, but she did know he had just said something bad about her mother. Sqwaicking from the sea gulls could be heard above them as they gathered and started swooping down and attacking Jason. He waved his arms above his head to try and protect himself.
«Logan stop.»
The sea gulls vanished as quickly as they had gathered. Logan looked up at her mother with big eyes.
«Say you're sorry.»
Logan looked at Jason as he got to his feet.
«I'm sorry.»
Then she stuck out her tongue.
«Logan.»
«Sorry.»
Logan looked down, knowing her mother was angry at her, but out of the corner of her eye she could see the old man trying to restrain his laughing and that made her feel better.
«Alfred let me help you up.»
Raven walked over to the old man and helped him to his feet.
«Thank you Ms Raven. I'll tell you this body isn't what it used to be.»
«Nothing ever is. Logan why don't you get your father and we can take Alfred and the babies to the park.»
Logan let go of Victor and Vanessa and grabbed Alfred's hand.
«Yes that's fun.»
«Slow down Logan.»
But Logan wasn't listening as she was almost dragging the old man to the house. Raven looked at Robin, who had occompied her out, before bending down and picking Victor up, who still weren't a strong walker, taking Vanessa by the hand.
«Jason go with them.»
«But.»
«No buts.»
Jason looked unhappy as the children, minus Bruce, was dressed and they left. An eery quietness filled the air.
«I read the paper. You're doing great.»
«As are you.»
Silence.
«How's Starfire?»
«Fine. She's inside. We have a baby now. A son.»
«Alfred told me. Congratulations.»
«I should have known he would tell you.»
Silence.
«What's his name?»
«Bruce William Grayson.»
The two men looked at one another. Robin would have sworn the corners of his guardian's mouth moved upwards.