Reluctantly, Tim had to leave Cissie for the holidays, thus missing the chance to actually really meet the rest of her family. He was back again, though, for his last semester at Hudson University. Cissie started patrolling with Robin as Arrowette, if for no other reason than to spend time with Tim. She also reasoned that this way she wouldn't be driving herself crazy worrying if Tim was safe that night or not.
Their routine had gone on for months now. Tim would return from his classes, Cissie would get off work, they'd have dinner with Bonnie, go out on patrol then return to Tim's apartment to make love. Or pass out. It varied night to night. Sometimes Cissie would go back to the dormitory and go to bed when Tim still had a lot of classwork to complete.
This night in particular ended with the two crimefighters in bed together, clawing at each other passionately. Once the festivities had ended, they lay in each others arms, panting, looking longingly into each other's eyes, but too exhausted for more. Cissie felt Tim's hand stroking her side. It was rough, yet gentle on her skin. Likewise she admired his body, honed to perfection after all his years as Robin. Tim took her hand gently in his and brought it to his mouth, kissing it, gently brushing his lips over her knuckles, all the while maintaining the gaze they shared. It was all Cissie had in her not to melt right then and there.
"I've been thinking," Tim began, "I'd like you to meet my family."
He smiled at her expression of shock. "You're dad?" She asked. She regretted asking that as soon as she saw Tim's face darken. She knew his relationship with his dad was tense.
"I'm afraid Dad is too busy to bother himself with my personal life," Tim said tersely. He lightened though and continued, "No, I was talking about my real family, uh...you remember Dick Grayson from the Chistmas party?" Cissie nodded. "Well he and his family have helped me through a lot over the years and..." he touched Cissie's face, "I want them to know how much I love you."
Cissie blushed bright red and tackled her lover. They weren't getting any sleep that night.
Tim had insisted that dinner be informal, for Cissie's sake, so they agreed to meet at Dick and Babs' house in Blüdhaven. It was also a means of protecting the others' secret identities. Since Tim had mentioned being so close to Dick it made more sense to meet at his home rather than at the manor. Bruce and Selina were still invited, of course, and Alfred insisted on preparing the meal even if it wasn't in his own home. Selina wouldn't be coming, though. Tensions had risen even higher between her and Bruce as he threw himself even more obsessively into his role as Batman. Selina had even moved out of the manor into one of the penthouses downtown. Tim worried that the lack of female presence might be unsettling for Cissie, but then remembered that as a part of the Arrow family she was probably used to it.
Tim pulled his car into the Gordon-Grayson driveway. Cissie had been very quiet the last leg of the trip. Tim stopped the car, put into park and then leaned over to Cissie. "You okay?" he asked, concerned, his hand on the headrest behind her.
"Yeah," she replied quietly. "Just nervous I guess. Meeting the family and all. I hope I'm not too much of a disappointment." She sighed that last bit.
Tim shook his head. He did not understand Cissie sometimes. She was gorgeous and intelligent and one of the best archers in the world. She probably didn't have Ollie beat yet, but she was probably on par with Roy and Connor probably took place after her. They'd had this conversation before, though. He just smiled reassuringly and said, "You could never be a disappointment." He got the kiss he was hoping for.
They moseyed to the door hand in hand. Not long after Tim had rung the door bell, the door swung open and Tim found himself being tackled by the junior bats. "Uncle Tim!" Jimmy and Mary exclaimed.
"Whoa, hey kids," Tim grappled with them before finally getting control and holding each under each of his arms.
Jimmy quieted down when he saw Cissie and whispered to Tim, "Pretty lady."
Tim smiled and rolled his eyes. "You are so your father's son." The twins just giggled.
Cissie wasn't sure what to do when the kids tackled Tim. She recognized them, of course, from the Christmas party. Watching Tim with them though sent a warm fuzzy feeling through her body. "He'll make a great dad someday," she caught herself thinking, then blushed furiously.
Jimmy had whispered something in Tim's ear to which Tim replied, "You are so your father's son. But yeah, she is a pretty lady." Their eyes locked and Tim leaned in and kissed Cissie chastely, but enough to ignite the passion between them.
"Hey, not in front of the kids," a female voice said. Tim and Cissie broke their kiss as a woman with hair as red as Jimmy's approached in a wheelchair. "Hi, you must be Cissie," the red head extended her hand. "I'm Barbara. Or Babs. Or Hey you. Whichever you prefer actually."
Cissie laughed as she shook Barbara's hand. "Pleased to meet you." Tim had told her about Barbara's chair, but it still surprised Cissie. Maybe it was because Barbara was so vital, so unlike what one thinks of a person in a wheelchair.
"Master Richard!" a distinguished sounding voice rose from the kitchen. There was much clattering of pots and pans before Dick Grayson emerged from the kitchen.
"Alright, alright already!" Turning, Dick saw Cissie and Tim had arrived. "Hey, guest of honor is here!" He crossed the room. "Well come on in. Here, let me take your coats." Dick took Cissie and Tim's coats and plopped them onto the twins. "Alright, you two, you know what to do." The twins giggled and wandered off toward the guest bedroom barely missing the obstacles in the way.
Cissie giggled. "They're adorable."
"They get it from their Mom," Dick bent down and kissed his wife on the cheek.
Barbara rolled her eyes. "You be careful, Cissie. Timmy here takes after his 'big brother.'"
Cissie smiled. "I can see that already." She turned to her boyfriend. "Timmy?"
Tim blushed bright red. "Thanks, Babs."
"Aww, did we embarrass widdle Timmy," Dick teased Tim, ruffling his hair.
"Hey! Quit it!" Tim tackled Dick and the "brothers" went tumbling down to the floor together. It was at this moment the twins arrived again.
Mary yelled, "Geronimo!" and jumped into the fun and games. Giggling, Jimmy followed her.
Cissie found this entire episode absolutely hilarious and did not even try to conceal her laughter. Barbara laughed too, confiding to Cissie, "You know, people don't realize that the twins aren't my only children."
"Ahem," a quiet voice beckoned from the doorway. It was so quiet, and yet it stopped Tim and Dick in their tracks. "If the greeting rituals have been carried out properly now, h'orderves are served in the living room."
"Uh, thanks Alfie," Tim.
"Thanks, Alfred," Dick echoed the younger man beneath him.
Essentially giving the "children" the cold shoulder, Alfred turned to regard the ladies. "Ah, Miss Cissie. It is a pleasure to finally meet you," the gentleman's gentleman smiled and nodded to Cissie.
"The pleasure's mine," Cissie responded. All this formality made her feel like a princess. The most she got at home was Bonnie whining for a cigarette and Roy burping as a welcome home.
It hadn't been long before Bruce Wayne showed up. Cissie noticed that he wasn't acting nearly as airheaded as he had the first time she met him, but he was charming nonetheless. He apologized for Selina not being able to make it as she had other things to attend to, but Cissie sensed there was more to it than that.
At dinner Bruce had gone on and on about his daughter, Martha. Cissie noticed the glances Barbara, Dick and Tim exchanged. There was more to this family that met the eye.
After dinner, Tim was practically dragged off by the twins to play. Dick and Barbara had exchanged a look and Dick had escorted Bruce into the den to "chat." Alfred kept at his duties in the kitchen, leaving Cissie alone with Barbara.
"I don't know about you, Cissie, but I could use some fresh air," Barbara rolled toward the sliding patio doors, pressing a button causing the doors to open. "Care to join me?"
"Don't mind if I do," Cissie smiled. She joined Barbara out on the patio.
"You and Tim have been together awhile now."
Cissie smiled. "Yes."
"You're all he talks about you know."
Cissie blushed. "Not really!"
"Oh yeah, constantly. I'm telling you girl, he worships the ground you walk on."
Cissie grinned ear to ear and blushed even deeper. "He's not so bad himself."
Barbara quirked an eyebrow. "That's an understatement."
Cissie brought her eyes to meet Barbara's emerald eyes. "I know."
Barbara nodded. "Cissie, we all care for Tim. And we've seen him get hurt. By his family. Friends. And in...other situations." Cissie nodded, knowing what Barbara meant. Barbara continued, "He sometimes doesn't believe us, but we all love him like a part of the family. He really is Dick's little brother, and Uncle Tim to the kids."
Cissie smiles. "I know. He talks about you guys all the time."
Barbara smiled bitterly. "Yes, well. Tim's real family has been somewhat lacking in their abilities to provide moral support for Tim."
Cissie squeezed Barbara's shoulder. "You're his real family now. Trust me."
Barbara's eyes danced. "Yes." She took a moment to take in the love and sincerity in Cissie's eyes. "I have a feeling you're his family now too."
Cissie blushed. Just then Tim popped his head out on the patio. "Hey babe," he called softly. "You about ready to go? You've got work in the morning after all."
Cissie sighed. "Time to go already?" She turned to Barbara. "Thanks for having us over, it was so good to meet you."
"The pleasure's all mine. You bring her back here Timmy. Visit lots."
Tim just smiled a million watt smile. "I will. Don't worry, I will."