…Chapter 5…

Riley's POV

Five years, no contact. Only Alfred maybe once or twice a year to check in or tell me something of importance. But I knew that when Alfred came, something was wrong. But Alfred would always take me aside and tell me, never bring a letter. What could be so hard to say?…

I walked on the beach, the sun was slowly setting. Dark clouds were approaching, the wind was beginning to kick up, the scent of the ocean and rain mixed in the air. This all creating a foreboding feeling inside as I opened the letter.

I looked down at the letter for the first time, just a folded piece of paper with "Riley" on it. It was his handwriting, he had written it just days before. It's weird how the tiniest things can make you feel joy. I held the letter close for minute, taking a breath; I closed my eyes composing myself.

I opened my eyes and slowly unfolded the letter, my breath hitched as I began reading.

Dear Riley,

I miss you and Zoë every moment of every day. I wish I could be there with you. I'm sorry for every thing that has happened to us, I take full responsibility. I wish I had run away with you and Zoë, never looking back. But I had to stay here, and it hurts me every day to know that somewhere out there, you're feeling the same pain. You can't wait for me Riley. I'll always have to stay here, and you there. Please Riley, move on. Find a father for Zoë; she needs a man in her life that can help her how I never can. I want you to love again, I know you can. I want you to be happy and live a long life. With me, that is no longer possible. I have made so many mistakes in my life; the biggest was letting the two of you slip away. I'm sorry for everything I have done to you. You were and always will be the most extraordinary, beautiful person I ever knew but I can't hold on anymore. By holding on, I would be hurting the two most important people in my life. Please listen to me Riley.

I'll always love you both,

Bruce

I was speechless; I didn't know what to think. I slowly sat down on the sand, trying to breath. It felt like all the life in me had been sucked out. What does he mean I can't wait for him? Zoë has a father! HE'S her father; she doesn't need anyone else but him. What does he mean he can't hold on? If I can then he defiantly can. I don't care what he says… I love him… I love Bruce Wayne. I will never love anyone else the way I love him.

I'll wait until the end of time for him; I don't care what he says. He's not thinking straight… what could have happened to make him think like this? … He's lying. He is lying though his teeth, I know him and unless he changed somehow, he's lying. Something bad must have happened, he's taking desperate measures an—

And it hit me… I stood up and went straight to the house. Alfred was waiting in the kitchen.

"He's back isn't he? That's why Bruce sent this. That's why he wants me to move on," I said seriously.

"Bruce said that he felt it was time for you and Zoë to live life an—"

"For the love of God Alfred just tell me the truth," I said slightly raising my voice.

He didn't know what to say so he simply nodded his head yes.

My hand flew to my mouth, "No…" I said under my breath.

"I'm sorry Riley…" he looked down, "My flight leaves in an hour, I'll be heading back to Gotham… for good."

I looked at him, "But… you mean…" I closed my eyes, "What about Zoë? Huh? What do I tell her when she asks why you stopped visiting? Do you expect her to just forget you? And does Bruce honestly expect me to let go of all this, of everything I've fought for the past five years. I love him Alfred, and I don't care if we can never be together. Tell Bruce that there is no way in hell that I'm 'moving on,'" I said trying to control my anger.

"Riley, this is out of your hands. We all know what would happen if Brian Masters found you. He's stronger now, and we can't fool him again," Alfred said standing up.

"I—…" I was trying to compose myself, knowing that Alfred was right, "Tell Bruce… that I don't care what it takes. I will die before I let that man get near my family…."

Alfred began to protest but I stopped him as I heard footsteps coming into the kitchen.

Zoë came around the corner rubbing her eyes and yawning.

"Momsy I'm tired…" she barely got out before yawning again.

"Okay darling," I said picking her up, she rested her head on my shoulder, "Uncle Alfred has to leave soon so why don't you give him a hug."

Zoë reached for Alfred as he took her and hugged her.

"When are you coming back Uncle Alfred?" she asked groggily.

Alfred looked at me, I didn't want him to lie but at the same time the truth would break her heart.

"Well… I'm not sure. Someday though, I promise," he said to her.

She smiled, "Pinky promise?"

He laughed lightly, "Of course," he said as they pinky swear'd.

"I'll miss you Uncle Alfred," she said hugging him again.

"I'll miss you too Zoë, I'll miss you too," he said with a tear in his eye.

Alfred sat Zoë down as we hugged once more.

Zoë was holding onto my side.

I then got an idea, "Alfred can you wait one moment before you go, I just remembered something."

He nodded as I darted for the office. Shuffling through the desk for a pen and paper. I finally found one.

On the paper I simply wrote:

Bruce,

I love you. She loves you. I won't listen to you because I know what your heart is truly saying. We'll beat him this time; he won't walk away without a scratch. He might be stronger now but so are we. We'll beat him together, because we're a family. I miss you more with each sunrise and sunset.

Forever Your Love,

Riley

I then folded it, and wrote his name on the front. I wish I could see him again, hold him in my arms. I wish we could be a real family—

But for now, this will do. Letters back and forth are the closest personal communication. Why we hadn't thought of it sooner I don't know. I took a deep breathe, held the letter to my heart, lightly kissed it, "I love you Bruce Wayne," I said under my breathe trying not to cry.

I ran back to the kitchen handing it to Alfred, he looked at it and nodded to me knowing exactly what it was.

I then realized that Zoë wasn't there, "Where's Zo—"

As if on cue she came around the corner with a paper in her hand, "Here ya go Uncle Alfred," she said handing it to him, "I made it today for you," she said sweetly.

"Why thank you Zoë," he smiled, "I shall keep it right here," he said putting the picture in the same pocket as the letter I'd given him, "I really must be going," he said hugging Zoë who was standing next to him.

I hugged him again, "We'll miss you," I said.

"I'll miss you guys too," he smiled weakly as we headed for the door.

We stood on the porch as Alfred went to his car, he looked back, "Be careful, looks like a storms coming," he said.

In more ways than one… I thought.

We watched as Alfred drove away, none of us knowing when our next encounter would be.

I had picked up Zoë and was holding her close.

"Momsy, is Uncle Alfred ever gonna come back?" she asked looking up at me drowsily.

"… Someday baby…" I then ran my hand through her hair as she rested her hand again on my shoulder, "Some day."

I then turned for the door and went inside locking the door behind us.

I took Zoë up to her room, got her into her pajama's and tucked her in.

"I love you Momsy," Zoë said.

"And I love you Zoë," I smiled kissing her cheek.

I then stood up, turned on her night-light and headed for the door as I heard a voice behind me.

"Momsy," I turned to look at her, "Can I have a bedtime story?"

I went back to her side, "Of course, I think can think up a pretty good fairy tale," I smiled.

"I don't want a fairy tale Momsy," she said.

I was slightly taken back, "Okay, well did you have any in mind?"

"Can you tell me a story about you and Daddy?" she looking up at me with those big blue eyes….