Thanks for all of the comments guys/girls!
/
Rocket woke up early-ish the next morning. Roy's bedroom was small and simple but she didn't need anything else. It was half seven and the sun was already coming in the tattered blinds. She was about to probably drift back to sleep when the sound of voices caught her attention. Roy and Lian were already up... With a yawn she got out of bed and stretched. Before walking barefoot towards the living room.
She stopped in the doorway. Roy wasn't awake but Lian was. She was currently busy mucking around with a black marker pen, drawing on either the couch or Roy she couldn't quite make out which. Kaldur watched the little girl with a warm smile. He was dressed in civilian clothes and kneeling on the floor not far away from the father and daughter. Lian burst out with laughter, Kaldur signalled her to be quiet.
"We do not wish to wake up your father." Whispered Kaldur
"Ok..." Laughed the little girl climbing into the Atlantean's arms
"He will not be pleased when he discovers this..."
"I know..." Said the little girl "Hey uncle Kal, did you beat up all the baddies?"
"It was a draw."
"I was cheering for you!" Announced the girl "Next time, I'll come along and help."
"I am sure you will..." Said Kaldur
"I'm happy to see you again uncle Kal..."
It was somewhat unreal for Raquel to see a little girl cuddling up to Kaldur even more so seeing Kaldur's warm, proud and almost fatherly smile. She almost screamed out "Kaldur, you're going to be a father." but held herself back and instead watched. Although the others might not be able to see it, she now had definite proof that deep down Black Manta's son hadn't quite lost all of his kindness.
Kaldur raised his eyes from the child and spotted Raquel in the doorway. He looked shocked, she offered him a warm smile. After a moment he returned it to her. Sensing that hug time was over Lian let go of the Atlantean.
"Hello..." Said Kaldur
"Hi..."
"It has been a while."
"Two months..."
"That long? I believed it was much less..."
"It's good to see you..."
"You too..."
"I... You kno- Oh forget it! Come here you big lug!"
Kaldur opened his arms as Raquel rushed him. The Atlantean spun around as she gave him the hug and almost knocking him off of his feet. It felt so good to be back in his arms again. She felt safe, like nothing could hurt her and all her troubles just faded away. She looked up into his overjoyed eyes and kissed him. She caught Lian smiling out of the corner of her eye.
"Hey! Hey!" Roy had been woken up by all the commotion "Not in front of the kid!"
"I don't mind." Said Lian "It's like in all of the movies."
"Yeah? Well all the same..." Roy got out of bed "Nice to see you Kaldur."
"You too Roy."
"Why are you two starring at my face?" Asked the archer
"I suggest you look in the mirror." Advised Kaldur
Roy looked puzzled and went over to the mirror in the corner of the room before yelling in surprise and horror. He had a pair of glasses drawn onto his face as well as a moustache by Lian. The little girl looked at the two other adults and smiled mischievously. Kaldur laughed and patted her on the head. God, he'd make such a good dad... Thought Raquel. Roy washed his face a few times in the sink but was unable to get the larks off of his face.
"How long is this going to stay here?" He asked
"It should ware off in a few days..." Said Kaldur with a smile, his face suddenly became more serious "You called me..."
"We've got a problem..." Said Roy
"What?" Asked Kaldur, looking worried
"I got kicked off of the league..." Said Rocket
"I am sorry..." He said sympathetically "Why has this happened?"
"They found out about you and me..."
"No..."
Kaldur looked at his feet in shame. He had never intended to get his friend in so much trouble... This was all his fault, if he hadn't met her that night in Venice, she'd still be part of the league.
"How did they discover that?" Asked the Atlantean
"Well, Kaldur I've got something to tell you-"
"I just came round to pay the family a visit..." Said a voice from the door "I wasn't expecting this place to have turned into a social meeting."
"Mommy!"
Lian rushed her mother and gave her a large hug. Cheshire was in civilian clothes as well. Her long black hair was the same length and colour as her daughter. In fact asides the difference in eye colour they were almost identical. She hugged back her daughter before looking at Rocket with a puzzled expression. Roy walked over to his girlfriend and received a kiss. Lian stuck her toungue out in disgust.
"How come it's fine is your uncle and aunty kiss but you don't like it when me and your mother kiss?" Asked Roy after breaking away
"Cause when they kiss it's romantic when you and mom kiss it's beurk!"
"What's with the crowd anyway?" Asked Cheshire
They spent a moment explaining everything to Cheshire who suddenly became very comprehensive. Raquel couldn't help but think that it was a bit of a coincidence that both Kaldur and the assassin had turned up within a few moments of each other... She soon got her answer.
"Who's the unlucky person?" Asked Roy suddenly
"The mayor of Gotham's giving a speech tonight..." Said Cheshire "We've been ordered to take him out."
"What's the mayor ever done to you lot?" Asked Rocket
"He is not human." Kaldur explained "We must retrieve the rogue Krolotan, this will be the not very discrete way of doing that..."
"Oh." Rocket understood
"So you guys are just chilling here until you've got to go?" Asked Roy
"Not quite..." Said Cheshire "I do actually love my little family here and wanted to pay em' a visit."
They talked for a bit before eventually Rocket and Kaldur sensed that Roy and Lian would best be left with Cheshire as they obviously needed some family bonding time. Instead Kaldur brought her onto the roof for a private discussion. They were far away from the centre of the city from where they were and cold on top of the building. Rocket stuck her hands in her pockets and shivered before sitting on the wall next to Kaldur. Despite the hight neither were scared Rocket could fly so falling wasn't a big worry.
"I am sorry..." Said Kaldur breaking the silence "It is my fault."
"Don't worry... I'd probably of been kicked off for getting in over my head anyhow..."
"All the same... I apologize."
"What about your dad? How did he react."
"He cared very little, he asked me if I truly loved you but asides from that he could not of cared less."
"That's good..."
"You should stay with Roy, he is able to hide very well from the League..."
Rocket nodded. She looked at her feet, should she tell him? Kaldur's watch or something suddenly beeped he looked down startled. Rocket instantly understood. It was time for him to go... He looked down sadly at her and kissed her on the forehead. She followed him back into the main room where Cheshire too was getting ready to leave.
"No getting yourselves killed!" Ordered Roy
"Do not worry..." Said Kaldur
"Cheshire you make sure Kaldur doesn't end up as Sushi!" Said Rocket
"And Kaldur you make sure that Cheshire keeps all 9 of her lives!" Said Roy
With a cat's smile Cheshire quietened her boyfriend with another kiss to the lips and kissed her daughter on the forehead. Kaldur gave Rocket a warm hug and a kiss on the neck before both left silently.
"Does it get any easier?" Asked Rocket fighting back tears
"No..." Roy answered simply.
It was later that night when Rocket was awoke by something on her head. She panicked briefly but felt another hand pin her down. The other gently stocked some of her hair out of her eyes. As she slowly became used to the darkness she was able to better make out the form of Kaldur.
"Hush now..." He told her "Go back to sleep..."
"Kal?"
"We got the Krolotan." He explained "I just came to say goodbye..."
"Stay..."
"I'll be gone by the time you next wake up." He said reluctantly
"Then I'll sleep forever..." She told him
Kaldur gave her a sad smile before gently lying next to her in the bed. He gently placed both of his arms around her and she fell back into a deep sleep. Feeling far safer than she ever had before.