Bruce yawned and felt for Chloe, the space where her body should have been was slightly warm. He heard the sound of someone throwing up. He flew out of bed and burst into the bathroom. "Chloe?" She was leaning against the sink, her skin slightly green. She looked up at him and smiled through the toothpaste. "Are you ok?" he asked. She rinsed and dried her face, "Yea it's always the worst in the morning" He hugged her and she leaned against him. "Sorry I woke you up" she said, words muffled against his chest.
"You didn't."
"Ok. I have to go check in with Perry and deliver the 'news'. So do you want to hang out here until I get back? It shouldn't take long"
"Yea I have to make some calls and arrange for me to stay here for the next 7 or 8 months" he said.
She frowned, "Bruce I was thinking that maybe I should move to Gotham with you and have the baby there. I mean its still pretty much ok for me to go on an airplane."
Bruce shook his head, "No. You have to have the baby here in Metropolis. Lois and Clark want to be here for the birth. What about your job Chloe?"
"I can work from Gotham. I'm more worried about Batman. Can Gotham do without him?"
Her question stung him with the truth. He knew that Gotham would never be safe without him as Batman. Bruce sat on the toilet seat, feeling defeated and torn between the two things he loved Batman and Chloe. She cupped his face in her hands and kissed him. "We can do this Bruce. It's just going to take some getting used to" He tried to smile, but already he retreated into his mind. Chloe suppressed a shiver at how easily he could shut himself away from her. Batman was part of him, and Chloe wasn't sure that she had warmed up to the cold-hearted side of him. Without a word he went into the kitchen to make breakfast. She closed the bathroom door, and slipped of her clothes. The warm water soothed her tense muscles and she melted into the steam.
--
Clark was at his desk glaring at the screen. Lois was out on an assignment and Perry had taken Jimmy into his office to talk about the incident that landed Chloe in the hospital. He glanced at his watch she was late. His mind wandered back to the scolding he got from her. Clark had been rude to both Bruce and Chloe. Maybe, I am being to hard on Bruce. He couldn't help it, just seeing the billionaire touch Chloe made his blood boil. He knew it was envy and jealousy but also he had been Chloe's protector and closest friend her whole life. They had grown up in Smallville. He sighed. I guess I'll have to get used to the idea I'm not the only man in her life anymore.
Chloe burst into the Daily Planet, out of breath and holding a bottle of apple juice. She saw him and walked over to his desk. "Listen Clark, I didn't mean to embarrass you like that but I was so tired of you and Bruce fighting back and forth like children. And did you forget that my hormones are a little out of balance right now?" She pointed to her belly and he saw the blouse she wore revealed a small bump just above her jeans. It wasn't all that noticeable but he saw she was self-conscious about it.
"I'm sorry too. I just didn't expect him to be with you." He said truthfully.
"Yea it was a shock to me too" she sank into a chair next to his.
"What's with the apple juice?" he asked. She dug in her huge purse and sneaked out a cracker to nibble on. "Its for the morning sickness" she explained. Lois walked over to her cousin and boyfriend. "Hey Chlo. You look a little pale" she said worried. Chloe shrugged, "The wonderful world of pregnancy remember" Perry opened his office door and Jimmy walked out looking frightened. Perry spotted Chloe and motioned for her to come into his office. "Good luck" Jimmy, whispered beneath his breath.
--
Bruce walked into a local bookstore and café a couple blocks away from Chloe's apartment. Or is our apartment? He shook his head and pulled the washed out baseball cap over his eyes. If someone recognized him and saw him looking at Pregnancy books, it'd be all over the news. He left his designer suits in the closet and decided instead to wear jeans, a faded shirt and sneakers. He walked over to the pregnancy section, and picked up a book. Becoming a Father, 101 things to know before you hold you child. He flipped through the book and as each paged turned he became more and more pale.
"Overwhelming isn't it?" said a female voice. A young woman with dark hair, almond shaped eyes and a very pregnant belly smiled at him.
"First time father?" she asked politely.
"Yes" he replied.
A little boy ran up to the woman, "Mommy" She fondly ruffled his hair and the little boy scowled. Bruce laughed. "I'm Celina" she offered him her hand. "Steve" he lied, shaking it. "This is Cody. He's going to be a big brother very soon." She smiled at her son. The blonde haired boy stared up at Bruce, "Hi Steve" Bruce smiled.
"First time's the hardest. But if you can make it through the pregnancy then your set for the real thing." Celina offered him.
"I sure hope so." He replied nervously.
"That book you picked out is great for fathers. But you also might want to get this" she handed him a pale green book, Mommy A View Of Your Wife's Changing Body. "My husband read it and it helped him deal with me and my moods while I was pregnant with Cody. Your wife or girlfriend?" she paused hoping he'd correct her.
"Girlfriend." He said.
"Yes well read that and she'll appreciate you a lot more" with that Celina. A man scooped up Cody and he giggled. "Daddy!"
"Hey honey, this is Steve he's going to be a dad. I told him to read that book you read" Celina explained to her husband. The man turned to her, "I'm John. Good luck man. You'll need it"
Celina turned bright pink and swatted him with her hand. "Well nice meeting you Steve" she said and the family of 3 almost 4 walked off to the café. Cody looked back at him, and waved goodbye. Bruce felt his heart melt and waved back. Taking the 2 books he'd picked up, he paid for them and quickly walked back to the apartment.
--
"YOUR WHAT?" screamed Perry.
Chloe glared at him, she didn't like being screamed at. "I'm 3 months pregnant Perry!"
The older man sank into his chair, "Who's the father?"
She frowned at him, "That's none of your business Chief."
"There's been rumors flying ever since you were hospitalized that your carrying Bruce Wayne's child. I thought you ended that with him months ago" he argued.
"Yes, I did exactly 3 months ago. You do the math" she said angry. Perry blinked shocked, and he looked up at her. "Oh no"
Chloe nodded, "Oh yes"
Perry shook his head, "Your taking maternity leave this instant. I don't want you working while pregnant. I'll complete the paper work and-"
"No you won't. I'm working at the Daily Planet until I can't fit through your door." She replied calmly.
"No you're taking a break. This kid's going to be famous Chloe and so are you. Don't you get it your having his child. They'll be photographers everywhere. You should go live in Smallville. It's a quiet town nothing happens there." He commented absently.
Photographers? Fame? Chloe sank into the chair suddenly sick. The room spun. She hadn't thought of that. The doctors had told her to keep a stress free life, but with Bruce Wayne life would never be stress free. "Chief can I just take a break for awhile. Then I'll decide if I'm up to working. I have lots of things to think about and I have to talk to Bruce" she added. "Your with him?" he asked puzzled. "Yes I am and we're struggling to pick a city to have the baby in." she confided in him, Perry could be rude but he was the closest thing to a father. He often treated Lois, Clark and Chloe like his children. Perry sat at his desk and wrinkled his forehead thinking. "My guess is Gotham." He said.
"The city may not be safe but at least there Bruce can provide you with the best doctors around and the Manor I hear is huge." He continued. Chloe smiled, "Thanks Chief" He smiled back and patted her shoulder, "Just take care of yourself Chlo" he said fondly.
--
A/N: I have thought about the sex of the baby and I can't decide. Could you help me out a little? Send your answer in with the Review!