"Alfred, I know it's late, but could you make up a room for Selina? She will be staying with us for the time being."
"Of course, Master Wayne." Alfred said, turning and making his way out of the room.
Selina narrowed her eyes at Bruce. "I didn't agree to stay here."
Bruce sighed and rubbed his temples. "Go get some rest. We'll talk more about this in the morning."
For a moment it looked like Selina was going to keep arguing, but after minute she turned and head for the door. Before she could walk away Bruce grabbed her hand. She looked back questioningly.
"Please Selina. Please don't run off with her. I know you would never want your choices taken away from you. So don't take mine."
She stared at him for second before nodding. "I promise."
Bruce smiled and pulled her in to hug her. At first she was stiff, but after a moment she softened and hugged him back.
"I really missed you." He said into her hair. He was now about six inches taller than her. She couldn't remember when that had happened.
"I missed you too nerd."
"I was terrified that something had happened to you. That someone had hurt you."
"Nah, you know me. I'm too quick to catch."
"I caught you." He smiled.
"Yeah, well don't get cocky. I'm a little heavier than I'm used to right now. In a few months I'll be back to being better than you at everything."
"Sure, whatever you say Cat."
Selina smiled at her childhood name. "Nobody else calls me that."
Bruce shrugged. "It fits you. It always has."
"Goodnight Bruce." She said as she backed away from him. He watched until she walked out the door before walking to his desk and sitting down. Tonight had gotten way crazier than he had planned. He had fallen asleep worried about Selina and now, well, he was still worried about her. He looked up at the knock on his door. Alfred stood there, staring at him. Bruce sat back, preparing for the lecture.
"Is it yours?"
"Yes."
"How do you know? You can't be sure. You'll have to get a blood test when it's born."
"She. When she's born. And I don't need a blood test, I know she's mine."
"Bruce, be realistic. I know how you feel about Miss Kyle, but you are blinded by your feelings. She's a felon. I know that she cares about you but she could be looking for a payout. Who knows who the real father could be?"
"Alfred, stop. I know that I'm the father. About six months ago Selina and I had unprotected sex. It was both of our first times."
"How could you be so stupid? Why would you do that?"
"It wasn't exactly planned. We went out for Selina's birthday and we were having a good time. I parked the car near the docks and, well, it just happened."
"Let me guess, it was her idea? I bet this was her plan the whole time. Her big scheme to get the money she needs. One last job. I'm sure-"
"Enough!" Bruce shouted, slamming his fist onto the table. "This is not Selina's fault. She doesn't want anything from me. She didn't even want me to find out." Bruce sat back and rubbed his face with both of his hands. "She wants to give the baby up for adoption."
Alfred sighed. "Yes, that's probably for the best."
"What?" Bruce frowned incredulously. "We aren't doing it. I'm not doing it. I'm keeping the baby. Whether Selina wants to stay or not, I'm going to be a father to my daughter."
"Bruce you don't know the first thing about being a parent, let alone a single one."
"I'll learn."
"This isn't something you can learn from a book. This is hard. This means giving up everything."
"You're wrong. I can be a parent and still do the things I've always wanted to do. It'll just take a little longer. You can't ask me to give her up Alfred."
Alfred stood there staring at him for a long time before eventually nodding.
"Very well, it's your choice. Just sleep on it and you and Miss Kyle can discuss it in the morning."
Bruce nodded, wanting Alfred to leave so he could be alone. "Thank you Alfred. Goodnight."
"Goodnight Master Wayne." Alfred said as he walked out the door.
Bruce wasn't sure how long he sat in that chair staring into the fireplace. He had to plan. To find a way to fix everything and make it ok. To make Selina realize he could be a parent, that he could be good enough for her and their baby. As he sat there thinking about what Selina had said something occurred to him that made him sit up straighter. Had she said she loved him? He was trying to remember, to bring back that flicker of a memory. He had been heated at the time and they were arguing back and forth so quickly. He couldn't remember. He sat back, frustrated and confused. Perhaps she hadn't. Perhaps that was only wishful thinking.
He sat there for a while longer until the faint light of morning began to show through the curtains. He jumped up and grabbed his coat from the couch and his keys from the table before heading to the door. He knew what he had to do.
Selina lay in the dark room and stared at the ceiling. She should never have come back here. It had been a selfish and foolish move. She had wanted to see him so bad, but at what cost? He would never let this go. He would never let this baby go. She rolled over and tried to find a comfortable position, not that there was one anymore. Maybe she could make him see how difficult this was going to be. Maybe then he would see that adoption was their best option. That was her only hope. She considered just slipping out in the middle of the night, but she knew she couldn't do that now. It would be the same as if someone came in here right now, strapped her to the bed, and forced the baby out of her. If they took away her options. She couldn't do that to Bruce. He would never forgive her and he would never want to see her again. She was too selfish for that. She would talk to him in the morning and explain to him all of the duties that come along with parenting. Hopefully then he would see it her way.
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