Chapter 3
7:30 AM March 24th 2003, Wayne Enterprises
Dick leaps out of the car when we pull up to my office building. He has been begging me to take him to where I work for the past two weeks. I explained to Richard that he will probably get pretty bored, but he is still excited.
He is probably more excited about getting out of the manor. This is one of the first outings I've taken Richard on since taking him in. After the press learned that playboy Bruce Wayne became a foster father to a circus orphan, they have been practically stalking me. There are usually a few reporters hanging outside the mansion's fence or my work, waiting to get a picture of Richard. Every once in a while I have been able to sneak Dick out to a park or movie, but this is the first time I have taken Richard to Wayne Enterprises.
It has been a little over a week since I told Dick about wanting to adopt him. I was nervous telling him at first since it wasn't so long ago that Dick's parents died. But Dick seemed comfortable enough with the idea of being adopted once I explained that I am not trying to replace his parents.
The only people who know about the adoption so far is Dick, Alfred and I. I haven't even told the Justice League about Richard. Clark called me once when there were rumors about me fostering in the press, but I told him not to worry. Since then none of the Justice League members have asked me about Richard, so I'm assuming they don't know anything. I'm hoping to keep the adoption quiet for as long as possible. If the press is this excited about me fostering a child, I can only imagine the chaos when they find out I'm adopting Dick.
As Richard and I enter the skyscraper, everyone in the lobby stops what they are doing and stares. Dick doesn't seem to notice and begins spewing questions towards me
"Do you own this whole building? There are a lot of people here, do they all work for you? How many people work here? What do they do all day? Do you know all of them? Do you have an office? If you do, where is it? Is that where we're going?"
I can't help but chuckle at the ambush of never-ending questions. It reminds me of the tour I gave Dick of the manor when he first arrived. I try to answer the questions, but before I can get more than two words out Dick has already moved onto the next one. As I laugh, all the stares in the room turn into either shocked or confusion. It is rare that I ever smile at work, let alone laugh.
Ignoring the stares, I guide Dick over to the elevator and let him press the button to open the doors. Dick is still rambling off questions as the doors open and we enter the elevator.
"What floor do you work on? Can I press the button?"
I smile and reply "Top floor."
Dick eagerly presses the correct button. As the doors close I give all the spectators in the lobby a bat-glare, making them quickly look away in fear. None of them wanting to irritate the boss.
The elevator ride takes a couple minutes, having to stop a couple floors to let people on and off. It is a glass elevator, so Dick keeps himself entertained by staring out the window and asking other passengers what floor they are going to so he can press the button. I should probably tell him not to bother the other riders, but knowing that this will probably be the most exciting part of his day, I let Dick enjoy himself.
Eventually we reach the top floor and get off. I lead Richard down a few hallways, past some curious secretaries, up to a door with my name on it. Next to the door is the desk of my own secretary Mrs. Peters who is currently typing away on her computer.
"Good morning Mr. Wayne" she greets me as she finishes whatever she is typing. Looking down towards Dick she says "You must be Richard. I'm Mrs. Peters, Mr. Wayne's secretary." For the most part Mrs. Peters is a very kind woman, until you get on her bad side. Then she becomes fierce and very stubborn, to the point where she scares some of my upper level management. Being her superior, I have only seen a bit of this side of her from when she is pushing me to go to a meeting or when she thinks I've been slacking off on something for too long. Normally this might irritate a boss, but I admire her valor.
"Hi" Dick replies to Mrs. Peters shyly.
"Anything planned for today Mrs. Peters?" I ask.
"Yes, you have a meeting with a few department heads in about ten minutes, but other than that it is a pretty light day" she answers, returning her attention to her computer.
"Thank you" I say while opening the door to my office.
Dick scurries in and exclaims "Whoa!" My office isn't the most elaborate room you have ever seen. It basically only consists of filling cabinets, bookshelves, and my desk. But it does have a very good view. The outside wall is one giant window that looks over the city with the ocean off in the distance. In the corner I had Mrs. Peters arrange a small area for Dick. It isn't much. Just a table, couple chairs, and a few toys. Enough to hopefully keep him entertained for the day.
"This is your office!" Dick exclaims as he runs up to the window and presses his hands and head on it. I've discovered that Dick enjoys heights, a lesson I learned while he was swinging from the ballroom's chandelier. It's not surprising, he did grow up with acrobat parents.
"Yup, are you fine with staying in here until I get back from my meeting?"
"Yeah. Alfred gave me some math worksheets to do" Dick say, still looking outside. Alfred has been tutoring the boy during his stay at the manor. It being so late in the school year, and Dick not having any previous formal schooling, Alfred and I thought it would be a better idea to start him in Gotham academy next year. This way the adoption will be finalized and Richard will have more time to adjust to being around Gotham's elite before going to school with their children. I'll be curious to find out what grade they will put Richard in. Even though his education so far has been his parent's homeschooling, he doesn't seem to be behind. In fact quite the opposite. Dick seems to be a couple grades ahead of kids his age.
"Good. I don't know when I will be back though. If you need anything ask Mrs. Peters. Okay?"
"Okay" Dick says nonchalantly, still mesmerized by the window.
Deciding that he is fine, I leave Richard in my office and head towards the conference room. As I pass my secretary I say
"Mrs. Peters, check on Richard every so often while I'm gone."
"You're leaving him alone!" Mrs. Peters has a set of twin boys at home who I've heard can cause quite a bit of havoc.
I shrug, "Richard's a pretty well-behaved kid when he has something to do. There are some toys inside and he also brought some coloring books and homework. Just peak in every once in a while to make sure he isn't hanging from the ceiling fan."
Mrs. Peters gives me a look, trying to decide if I am serious or not, then replies "Will do."
Knowing that Dick is in competent hands, I go off to my meeting.
-A couple hours later-
As the meeting ends, I still have no idea if we actually accomplished anything. Most of the time spent was on two of my department managers who just argued over the operations of working with some Metropolis company. Usually I would get annoyed very quickly by meetings like this and intervene, but today I was too distracted wondering how Dick was doing. Finally after hours of menial bickering from the two employees, I decided to put an end to the meeting.
The math worksheets Alfred gives Dick usually only takes him about half an hour to finish. So the poor child is probably bored out of his mind at the moment. Coloring doesn't hold his interest for too long along with toys, so I expect a he will be pretty whiny when I return.
I pass Mrs. Peters who is currently on the phone. Opening my office door, I am met with a lifeless room. Dick's backpack and toys are in the corner, but Dick is nowhere to be found. Panic rumbles through my body.
"Mrs. Peters"
"Can you please hold for a second," she says to the caller, "Yes Mr. Wayne?"
"Where is Richard?" I ask with urgently, yet trying to remain calm.
"Mr. Fox came by earlier and Richard wanted to see his office" she says nonchalantly before returning to her call.
I rush to the break room, wanting to see for myself that Richard is okay. My worry is short lived though, as I turn the corner I hear Richard's laugh coming from the break room. Relief swells through me as I enter the room and see Richard giggling on a couch. Lucius and a few other executives are standing or sitting around the small child, also laughing.
When Dick sees me, he yells excitedly "Bruce!" and leaps off the couch to run over to me. I smile and pick up the jumping child.
"Hey Dicky, I see you've met some of my executives."
"Yeah, Mr. Fox gave me a tour of the floor." Dick says eagerly, "There are a lot of offices, none as big as yours though. He then took me in here where I met Mr. Andrews, Mr. Lee, Mrs. Lewis and Mr. Hopkins. They work on this floor too."
"Indeed they do," I smirk. "Are you hungry? I was thinking we should go down the street for some pizza for lunch."
Dick's eyes widen with excitement. Alfred and I keep the food around the manor pretty healthy, so it is rare that Dick gets to eat junk food. Dick hasn't complained about it since Alfred's cooking is so good, but it still excites the child whenever I take him out for ice cream or to a more kid oriented restaurant.
"Really!" he exclaims.
"Yes really" I tease, ignoring the raised eyebrows from Lucius and the other executives. "How about you go to the bathroom and then we'll leave."
Richard groans as I set him on the floor, "I don't need to go."
"Well try" I say sternly. From previous incidents I've learned that if I don't make Richard use the bathroom before leaving somewhere, I have to listen to him whine about needing to go the entire trip. Besides I'd rather have him use my offices private restroom that I know is clean than the one at the pizza parlor.
Another groan escapes Richard's mouth before he grumbles "Fine" and dashes out of the break room.
"Richard don't run insi…eh" I try to say before he disappears around the corner, heading to my office.
From the couch Lucius begins chuckling and says "Good kid you have there Mr. Wayne."
"I like to think so" I state simply.
"Seems to like you a lot" Mrs. Lewis says.
"Does that surprise you?" I ask raising an eyebrow.
Mrs. Lewis laughs, "Very. I never thought of you as the fatherly type."
"I'm not Richard's father" I assert, not wanting to overstep my bounds with Dick. It isn't my place to try to force Richard or anyone else to view me as Dick's father. If Dick views me like that someday, that would be great. But I would never force it.
"Could have fooled me" Lucius states. "The boy obviously adores you, and from the look you had on your face when talking to him, you care about him too."
Mr. Andrews adds, "Not to mention he looks just like you."
The last comment surprises me. What Lucius said doesn't, of course I care for Richard. But this is the first time anyone has said we look alike. I guess we do have similar qualities. Blue eyes, black hair, even a few facial structure details. I'm not quite sure how I feel about that.
"Bruce you coming?" Dick's voice sounds from the end of the hallway. Looking in that direction, I see Dick is waiting for me, inching towards the elevator.
I smirk, "Coming chum." As I leave the break room, I can't help but notice the grins coming from the executives.
8:32 PM April 22nd 2003, Gotham Royal Hotel
Selina leans over in her seat and gives me a kiss on the cheek.
"Ewwww Selina that's gross" Dick whines. He is currently sitting across from Selina and me in the limo.
Selina and I smirk at Dick's disgusted blushing face. Selina laughs "What this?" giving me another kiss on the cheek.
Dick groans "Yeah."
"Well then you will hate this" I say pulling Selina in for a kiss on the lips.
"Ah!" the squirming child shrieks, covering his eyes. "Stop!"
Selina and I laugh. Selina teases "You know Dick, someday you will be kissing your own girlfriend."
Dick puts his hands down and rolls his eyes. "You sound just like Joey."
"Joey?" I ask.
"He and his younger sister Jasmine were part of the maintenance crew for the circus." Dick explains, "They used to watch me when my parents would go on a date or needed to practice their part of our act. Joey always kissed girls who would come to see the circus. Whenever I would tell him to stop, he would tell me I'd understand when I'm older when I find my 'amore.' Whatever that means."
"Sounds like a charmer." Selina smirks.
I introduced Selina and Richard about a month after Dick began living at the manor. When I first told Selina about the boy coming to live with me, she appeared surprised but didn't question my actions. I had to cut back on our dates, but she was pretty understanding. We just met up more while I was on patrol.
After a few weeks of hearing about her, Dick asked if he could meet Selina. So I invited her over for dinner one night and the two hit it off instantly. Ever since then, it has been quite common for Selina to visit the manor a couple times a week.
Today is the first time I am taking Richard to a public function, a benefit for the Gotham Children's Hospital held at Gotham Royal Hotel. I'm a bit nervous about how the other guests and press will treat the boy. Selina insisted on coming with to help keep an eye on Dick. Plus most of Gotham's elite have learned not to mess with her ever since I started bringing her to events and a senator's wife made the mistake of calling Selina 'sewer trash.' I still smirk remembering the look on his face as Selina chewed him out.
Richard on the other hand was thrilled when he found out he was going to a 'fancy party.' The entire ride to the hotel he has been squirming in his seat with excitement.
We eventually make it to the event. I sigh when I see how many paparazzi are swarming the building. Luckily the fundraiser doesn't allow the reporters inside the event, not wanting them to bother the guests.
As the limo pulls up, I take in a deep breath before the driver opens the door. Putting on my best 'Brucie' smile as Selina likes to call it, I step out to hundreds of flashing cameras. First I help Selina out of the limo. She gives me a kiss on the cheek for pictures, before moving out of the way for Richard. As she takes a few steps away, I take a moment to admire her. As usual, Selina looks amazing. Tonight she picked a black sliming dress with white beads scattered around the top and down the side, looking a bit like stars in the night. Her dark brown hair is swept to the side with loose curls. Lastly I leant her a few items from my family's jewelry, a simple necklace and earing set. Her face is what draws me in though. She chose a light amount of make-up except a semi-dramatic eye, her natural beauty shining.
A small hand tugs on my pant leg, pulling my attention away from my beautiful girlfriend. Looking down, I see Dick's excited face beaming up at me. I smile in return and help the small boy out of the limo, closing the door behind him.
The second Richard comes into view, the already rowdy crowd bursts into a chaos of questions and camera flashes. At first Dick is taken aback by the sudden uproar, but it doesn't faze him too much, being used to crowds from the circus.
The three of us make out way to the hotel doors. Along the way the reports shout questions at us such as, "Mr. Wayne, why did you take in a circus child?" "Richard, what is it like living with Mr. Wayne?" "Mr. Wayne, how long are you planning on keeping the boy?" We ignore the reporters and finally get to the doors.
"That went well" Selina whispers in my ear.
"Now for the worst part" I reply, looking over the full room of Gotham's upper class. We just entered, and already people are giving Dick weird looks. Thankfully Dick seems oblivious to the attention he is receiving. I notice a group of four women whispering and pointing at the boy. When they see me glaring at them, the four quickly scurry away.
Selina smirks and says, "It will be fine. C'mon now."
She begins to pull me towards the ballroom, Dick trailing next to me. Before we make it, a man (I think a city official) and his wife block our path.
"Bruce, how have you been?" he exclaims, shaking my hand.
"Fine, how about you?" I say politely. I still can't remember this guy's name.
"Fine, Fine. Selina lovely as always."
"Thank you" Selina smiles.
"This must be Richard!" the woman coos. "Oh Bruce he's so cute." Out of the corner of my eye, I see Dick blush. He does look pretty adorable tonight. The suit I bought him is similar to my own and his usually messy hair is combed back, making his big eye's more visible.
"Thank you" Dick nervously mumbles.
"So Richard how do you like living with Mr. Wayne?"
"I like it" Dick murmurs.
"Not very talkative are you" the man slyly grins. "Must be hard interacting with normal people after living in the circus."
I put a hand on Dick's head protectively and say "He's just a bit overwhelmed. If you'd please excuse us." I push our way away from the couple, finished with that conversation.
Around us people are whispering and pointing. I hear a couple women gossiping
"I bet the kid will be gone in a week."
"I don't know. We said that about the girlfriend and she is still around."
"Please. He will eventually become bored and dump them both."
I'm about to snap at the woman, but Selina beats me to it by sending the group a fuming glare. The women immediately stop.
Richard must have started noticing the adults scowling and whispering, because he is currently staring at the ground and shuffling his feet nervously. He physically flinches from a snotty comment made a few feet away. I kneel down to Dick's eye-level and take ahold of his hands to gain his attention. Slowly Dick looks up from the ground and looks me in the eye.
"Don't listen to any of the mean things people are saying; none of it is true" I assure. "If you get uncomfortable or someone upsets you, just tell me. Okay?"
Dick slowly nods his head in response. I smile comfortingly at the boy and stand back up. As I do another couple comes over to talk to us. This time I recognize them as Brad and Celia Orsher. I'm actually relieved, Mr. and Mrs. Orsher are pretty nice people. Brad is a family lawyer and Celia teaches at the school Richard will be attending next year.
"Bruce, Selina, it is nice to see you." Mr. Orsher greets before turning to Dick, "Hello, you must be Richard. I'm Mr. Orsher and this is my wife Celia, I know Mr. Wayne. How are you this evening?" Brad bends a bit to shake Dick's hand.
Dick, seeming glad to be gaining some good attention, shakes Mr. Orsher's hand. "Fine, how about you?" he asks.
"I am good thank you"
Celia turns to Selina and I, "We haven't seen you two around for quite a while."
I shrug, "Busier than usual."
"Understandably" Celia laughs. "Oh Selina, you have to come to the next tea Courtney Ellis puts on" she pleads.
"No way, you'd have to kill me first" Selina jokes. Celia, being one of the more down to earth woman at these parties, quickly bonded with Selina. They and another woman, Olivia Arnold, often find each other at functions to laugh about the ridiculous behavior of some of the trophy wives. Mrs. Orsher and often gets invited by other wives from Brad's firm to small parties, and has been trying to convince Selina and Olivia to go with her.
"Please, those women are driving me crazy. Last time all they did was gossip about their kids getting cast in the elementary school play. I had to bite my tongue the entire time so I wouldn't spill that any kid who signs up gets cast, even if they don't have any talent."
Selina laughs, "Why don't you make Olivia go with. Those women approve of her more than me."
"Mrs. Ellis 'banned' her after Olivia pointed out that Courtney isn't a real blonde."
"You know, you could just not go" Selina reasons.
"I wouldn't but our kids like to play together and that is the only time those women will do big playdates" Celia sighs.
"All of that for a playdate?" I ask.
"You'll understand soon enough Bruce" Mr. Orsher smirks. "There has been a rumor going around certain paperwork that was just filed at the courthouse." I know immediately what he is talking about, a couple weeks ago I turned in Dick's adoption papers. "Got a hearing date yet?" Brad asks.
"Yes in a few months" I answer.
"Oh Bruce that's wonderful!" Mrs. Orsher exclaims.
"Look, I don't want this getting out to the press yet so…" I begin before Brad interrupts me.
"We wouldn't dream of telling anyone." Brad looks down to speak to Dick, "So Richard are you starting school next year?"
"Yeah" the boy nods his head eagerly. "Bruce says I'm going to Gotham Academy."
Mrs. Orsher chuckles, "Well that's good. I actually work there Richard. What grade will you be going into?"
Dick gives her a confused look. I answer the question, "He has been homeschooled up to this point. This summer the school will give him a test to see what grade he belongs in."
"I see" Celia says. "What is your favorite subject?" she asks Dick.
"Alfred just taught me about fractions. I really like those" Dick beams.
Celia blinks in surprise, "Fractions, we don't teach those until fourth grade." The couple looks at Selina and I stunned.
Selina smiles and says, "He's a smart one."
"Apparently" Celia grins. "I teach fifth grade, maybe I'll have him as a student in the next couple years."
"I can only imagine those parent teacher conferences" Brad jokes.
"What?" I ask confused.
"Well I can just picture these two" he points to Celia and Selina, "chatting away in her classroom about all the other unruly parents that go through that school" Brad laughs.
"Why would…Oh" I say realizing his mistake.
"Hey Dicky," Selina says quickly, distracting Richard. "I see there is some chocolate cake at the food table, why don't you go get a slice."
Dick scrunches his eyebrows, confused as too his dismissal. But once he sees the dessert Selina was referring to, he excitedly makes his way over to the table. The Orshers, realizing their mistake, begin apologizing.
"I'm so sorry" Celia begins. "You two being together for quite a while and Selina always talking about spending time with Richard, I just thought…"
"It is quite alright" Selina comforts her friend. "It was a simple mistake. Yes I have been spending a lot of time with Dick, but legally Bruce will be his only guardian."
"I see" Celia responds. An awkward silence passes through the group, until the band begins playing a waltz. Then Mrs. Orsher looks over to her husband and says, "Oh, I love this song. Let's go dance."
"Sure sweetheart" Brad agrees. "We will see you again some time."
"Nice seeing you both" I reply before they make their way to the dance floor.
As soon as the other couple leaves, the awkward silence returns between Selina and me. Finally after a couple minutes I ask her, "Would you like to dance."
"Yeah" she says a bit uncomfortably. "That would be nice."
I escort her onto the dance floor. We join in on the waltz, but neither of us can look the other in the eye. We both just stare off into the distance, thinking.
I have thought of asking Selina about also adopting Dick with me. But had dismissed the idea for a few reasons. First because we aren't married, even if I have passed many jewelry stores thinking about picking up a ring. We just aren't there yet. Secondly I didn't know if Selina wanted children. Sure Dick and her have a good relationship, but there is a difference between getting along with your boyfriend's future son and wanting to be his parent.
Selina and I spend a few songs awkwardly dancing, until I excuse myself to use the restroom. Selina gives a small nod in response, still lost in thought.
As I exit the men's bathroom, I begin milling around the party. A few guests try to speak with me, some being woman intenting on flirting, but I brush them off saying I was looking for Selina and Dick. Not able to find either, I begin to get a bit worried.
Suddenly a crash sounds from the other side of the ballroom. Looking over, I see a woman, waiter and child on the ground. Next to them is a tray and broken drink glasses, which the waiter must have been holding when he fell, causing the loud noise.
"You little brat!" the woman screeches, getting up. "Why weren't you looking where you were going!?"
"I was just standing there." A small voice says; I recognize it as Dicks. "You ran into me."
"Eh! You're the circus brat."
I begin to make my way over, ready to yell at the woman. When I see her hand raise, about to slap Dick who is now in tears, I quicken my pace.
Before I get there though, someone hisses "DON'T YOU DARE!" Selina appears next to the woman and snatches her hand before it hits Dick. The woman's eyes widen in fear at the fuming Selina. Selina releases her clutch on the woman's hand and turns her attention to Dick on the floor. Within seconds she scoops up the crying child into her arms and begins rubbing his back comfortingly. As I finally approach the two, I hear Selina cooing
"It's okay kitten. Shhhh, you're okay."
"Hey" I say, gaining their attention. Dick is clinging onto Selina, still crying a bit. "Are you okay?" I ask concerned.
Dick slowly nods but tearfully asks, "Can we go home?"
"Of course kitten" Selina answers. "Bruce call Alfred."
I nod and pull out my phone as Selina carries Dick towards the exit. Before I leave to make my call, I help up the fallen waiter, then turn my attention to the woman.
"Don't you ever try to pull anything like that again" I sneer, "and if I hear you speak to my son that way again, you will be sorry."
Leaving the frightened woman in my dust, I follow Selina and call Alfred.
-On the way back to Wayne Manor-
Dick didn't let go of Selina until we were back in the limo. Unfortunately we had to pass the loud crowd of reporter who had found out what had happened. I just put my arm around Selina, blocking her and Dick as much as I could from the cameras and noise.
As we sat down inside the limo, Dick still insisted on sitting in Selina's lap. After a few minutes, exhaustion set in and he fell asleep in her arms. I offered to let him lie on the seat, but Selina shook her head no. She is currently staring at the sleeping boy, every once in a while brushing a stray hair away. I am seated across from her, watching them both.
"I want to go to the conferences" she says.
"What?"
"The parent teacher conferences. Even if I'm not legally parent legally, I still want to go. I want to know how he's doing, see his classroom, ask his teacher questions. If you're alright with it, I want to go."
I nod in agreement, "He would want you there" after a few seconds I add "I would like you there as well."
Selina looks up at me, her eyes dazzling, "Really?" She asks.
"Yeah" I answer.
Minutes pass in silence. Selina returns her attention to sleeping Dick and kisses him on the forehead. I smile at the scene.
"Would you have wanted to be a part of his adoption?" I ask.
Selina hesitate, "We've haven't even been dating for a year Bruce. Sharing a child is a big step, are we there yet?"
I don't respond. We both know the answer.
"If we do get there, would you want to be his legal parent?" I ask.
"Yes, I would" she says thoughtfully. "I would like to be there for him before that too though."
"I'd like that" I smile.