Afterwards Bruce stumbled into his car, Alfred looked at him strangely. His tie and collar were askew but the old man didn't ask not sure if he wanted to know. Bruce looked back as they pulled out of the driveway. Chloe smiled at him from the doorway, her features full of satisfaction. She waved goodbye and blew him a kiss, before going back inside. He couldn't help but smile, knowing she would fall asleep again after all the activities they had done earlier.
----
Chloe munched on a pickle, and walked around the house in her barely fitting jeans. Her stomach bulged out in front of her, and she fiddled with her bra that didn't fit either.
"Alfred?" she called out from the top of the stairs.
The old man appeared almost instantly, "Yes?"
"Can you start the car? I want to do some shopping. My clothes don't fit anymore," she said.
"Certainly Miss" he disappeared and moments later she heard one of the many cars that Bruce owned start up. She went into her room, and grabbed her purse. Thinking about it she also grabbed her sunglasses and a hat, just in case she needed to hide.
----
The red head laughed with her co-worker and glanced up at the door, as two customers walked in. The first was an old man, he wore a black suit and behind him was a petite woman with a round belly, and blonde hair tied up in a ponytail. "Hello welcome to Mommy Inc. I'm Jen can I help you with anything?" the red head asked her politely. The blonde woman and especially the old man looked vaguely familiar, where had she seen that face before?
"Yes. I need maternity clothes and bras, as you can tell I'm getting a little to big for mine" Chloe said, laughing.
Jen smiled at her, "Right this way" Jen led her to the back of the store, where dresses and pants were cut especially for pregnant women. "How far along are you?" she asked Chloe. "Almost 6 months" Jen handed her a couple of pants and shirts to try on and escorted her to the fitting rooms. Chloe shut the door, and began undressing. Her feet were swollen in her shoes, and her belly seemed heavy as she wiggled into a pair of dark denim pants. Next she tried on a lacy white bra, and over it went a yellow empire style blouse. She walked out and looked into the mirror, her pregnant figure looked good. Jen smiled, "You look fabulous"
"Thanks" she replied.
"Miss Chloe?" Alfred emerged into the fitting area holding her cellphone open "It's Master Wayne"
She hopped off the platform and took the phone from him, "Hello?"
"Hey Chloe. I heard your shopping for clothes?" Bruce asked on the other line.
She smiled at his voice, "Yes I am. I'm thinking about living in dresses for the rest of the pregnancy. Pants aren't very comfy anymore although I did find a pair I liked"
"Whatever makes you comfortable. I have a surprise for you waiting at the house." He said mysteriously.
"What is it?" she asked, her eyes sparkling. She always loved his surprises.
"Can't tell you sweetheart. Just wait until you get home. When you buy the clothes Alfred will give you one of my credit cards, and you are free to use it on whatever."
"No. Bruce that's not necessary I have money." She argued.
"Chlo please just use my card. It's not about depending on me, because I know that's what your thinking. You're my fiancé, and your having my baby girl so I want to provide for you" he said firmly.
She sighed, "Alright. I'll see you when you get home, which would be at what time exactly?"
Bruce paused, "Late."
"What do you mean late? How late?" she asked.
"I have a ton of work to catch up on, I'll make it home as soon as I can. If you need anything just give me a call. Alfred will look after you. I love you. Bye" he hung up.
Chloe stared at her phone, suddenly very lonely. She gave her phone to Alfred and went into the fitting room to try on more clothes. Halfway through picking out a new wardrobe, Jen gasped. "Your Chloe Sullivan!"
"Yes." She replied looking at a dress.
"OH MY GOD! CINDY!" Jen hollered to her co-worker. The woman with black hair appeared. "What?" she said annoyed. "It's Bruce Wayne's fiancé!" Jen said excited. Cindy stared at Chloe she smiled nervously at her. "OH MY GOD!" Cindy shouted, she raced over to her and shook her hand. "It's an honor to have you shop in our store" Cindy said, out of breath.
Chloe nodded, but looked for Alfred all the commotion was bringing a crowd into the store. He maneuvered over to her and pulled her forward. "Can I pay for these?" Chloe asked Jen. The red head beamed, and hurriedly walked her over to the register. She rang up the items, and put them in bags. "That'll be three hundred seventy six dollars with fifty nine cents."
She handed over Bruce's credit card not even registering the total amount, and looked around the store. It seemed that Cindy had told everybody she was here, people crowded the windows eager for a look at Chloe. Jen handed her the card back and thanked her again on shopping at her store. Quickly, Alfred grabbed the bags and started towards the car with Chloe in behind him. She slipped into the car and shut the door, finally able to breathe. Alfred loaded the bags in the trunk and got in the driver's seat. "Where to?" he asked her.
Her stomach grumbled, "How about a buffet? My treat." Alfred smiled at her, and drove.
-----
Bruce rubbed tapped his pen on the desk, as he read the papers in front of him. A knock on the door startled him. "Yes?"
Lucius stepped into his office face worried. In his hands there was a file. Bruce stood, "Lucius is everything all right?" His good friend shook his head, "No. It's the Joker. He's at it again."
----
Chloe struggled to stand up, the weight of her belly pushing her back into the seat of the car. Alfred helped her stand, and she laughed. "This is ridiculous," she mumbled, walking into the house. At the front doorway there was a big box, with a pink ribbon. My present, she remembered and waddled to the box.
Hope you like it. Love and kisses
Bruce
She smiled and faintly traced his signature before setting the card aside. With a pull the ribbon slid away and the box bloomed open. Inside was a crib completely set up and waiting for a baby. "Oh Alfred look!" she shouted circling the crib. The woodwork was white and the headboard was etched with flowers and vines. On the side a small jewelry box danged from a string. She undid the knot and opened the box. Resting inside was a silver necklace the pendant was a gorgeous emerald. Realizing it matched her engagement ring she put it on.
----
Bruce raced home, not waiting for Alfred to pick him up. He had to get to Chloe. The Joker had been spotted on the outskirts of town, in an abandoned factory. Lucius had also hacked into the police database and extracted information on the Joker's latest "shopping spree" According to the report several cans of gasoline and explosives had been stolen. That was enough to alarm anyone. In addition two employees at Gotham General had been murdered, although who exactly was responsible was unknown. One of them had been, the secretary for Dr. Arlee. The other was a plain janitor. No doubt the Joker wanted something inside Gotham General. As he parked in the driveway he pondered what the mad man wanted. Money? No the Joker was above that. Hostages? Possibly, but for a greater purpose obviously. People were pawns in the Clown's eyes.
He gripped the wheel one last time, and exhaled. Making Chloe worry was something he had to avoid. So instead he forced his body to relax and walked inside. "Hello Master Bruce" Alfred said warmly. He smiled at the old man. The kitten they had adopted was purring and rubbing his head against Bruce's leg. "So you don't hate me," he said laughing and petting its head. The kitten licked his hands, as Bruce scooped him up. "Where's your mommy?" he mumbled.
"She's in the kitchen," Alfred answered.
"Ah of course."
Bruce sneaked up on her. She was sitting on one of the stools eating ice cream and-he double checked-pickles. "Mmm looks delicious," he murmured against her ear. She jumped and whirled around. Her eyes lit up, "Bruce" She smiled at him before placing a kiss on his lips, "I loved your surprise"
"The one for the baby or for yourself" he asked, teasingly.
"Both." She replied, showing off her necklace.
"Good. Where's the crib?" he asked. "You didn't carry it up the stairs did you?"
She shook her head, "No it's in the living room." She looked into his eyes, and saw a spark of fear.
"Bruce is something wrong?" she asked him, holding her hand up to his cheek. "No, nothing Chloe. Just a little tired. Stressful day is all" he soothed. Was it her imagination or did he sound to convincing? She left it alone, knowing he'd tell her what was bothering him sooner or later.