I thought i posted the entire chapter but when I checked it seemed to get cut in half. I dunno if that was like this before or what, but i'm putting this chapter up again and hopefully the entire thing will be up. Please enjoy!
L.L.A.P
~Laces
Chpt.14
Livy refused to cry.
Jason, Roy, and Kor'i went on a mission and would be back in about a week. Livy wanted to go with them, but Jason refused, noting how it was a mission more dangerous than usual and Livy was still healing from a fractured ulna that she received after getting into a scuffle with some Gotham maniac. Her arm was still resting uncomfortably in a sling.
That wasn't why Livy's heart ached though. In three days, it would be Christmas. Now, Livy wasn't in love with the Christmas season, but she enjoyed spending time with Jason. Christmas was a time for family, and Jason was all the family she ever needed.
However, this year he was gone and Livy felt a bit empty. She stared at the safe house she was in. There were no decorations, no Christmas tree, not even a sting of lights.
Once Jason had left, Livy had figured that the next closest family she had would be her Tio Ramon, however he was spending the holiday in Puerto Rico.
With seeing her Uncle being a no go, Livy thought she could see Selina. The woman was practically an aunt to her. Unfortunately, Selina was currently off the grid, on the down low because she stole some artifact.
Livy thought that she might be able to spend the holidays with Lancy in Philadelphia, which wasn't too far away, but Lancy had traveled with her family to visit more relatives in North Carolina.
That only left her with one other option.
Bruce Wayne's Family.
Yes, she and Damian were on much better speaking terms with each other, but she still felt uncomfortable in the manor, especially when Bruce was around.
So, Livy didn't plan on spending the holidays with them, either.
"Looks like I'm spending Christmas alone." Livy whispered to herself. She felt her eyes getting glossy, but she refused to let herself cry.
Just then her cell phone buzzed, drawling Livy's attention to the device. It was a text from Carter that said:
Hey Livy you down w/ meeting up at my place for a gift exchange b4 I go to NYC to visit the fam? I'm free all day
Livy rapidly texted back,
I'll b there soon.
She didn't want to be left alone. Sure, she knew that Carter would be leaving, but some company for a short period of time was better than no company at all.
Grabbing the present she wrapped for him, Livy was bounding out the door towards the direction of Carter's apartment.
~*~*~*~*~Later~*~*~*~*~
"Cookies!" Carter exclaimed in joy, staring down at the gift Livy had given him. He had mentioned several times how he loved sweet things, especially cookies. Livy had made them herself, after reading a cookbook with some recipes she wanted to try.
"I might need to hide these from my sisters. I swear, they can smell sugar a mile away." He laughed, then handed Livy a present wrapped in red.
Livy had told him prior to the meeting how it wasn't a good idea to give her things since she would most likely have to leave it behind. However, Carter vehemently refused to let Livy give him a present and not give her anything in return.
Tearing away the red wrapping paper, Livy revealed a tattered book. It was definitely beaten up, but Livy enjoyed the feel of the withered cover in her fingers.
"The Outsiders?"
"I figured that you might like it. I know how you like to read." Carter grinned, and Livy smiled back.
The Outsiders, by S. E. Hinton.
Livy had briefly read the book before awhile back but it was left behind somewhere in the Middle East. She couldn't even remember if she had finished it.
"Thank you. Thank you very much." Livy smiled, gripping the book.
"No problem! Merry Christmas Livy…" Carters eyes widened when he noticed a tear run down the girl's cheek. "Livy? What's wrong. Hey?" Carter was staring at the Livy, trying to understand why she was so distressed.
"I'm sorry. I'm fine. I-it's alright." Livy clutched the book tighter. Honestly, she didn't know entirely why she was crying either.
The first thought that came to her mind when she looked at the book was,
At least I won't be completely alone this Christmas. I'll have S. E. Hinton to keep my company. The thought was supposed to be an optimistic one, but turned into something depressing, reminding her how she was going to be alone this Christmas.
"Hey, Livy? You're still crying." Carter placed a hand on her shoulder and brought her in to his chest in a hug. "What's wrong? What's going on?"
"It's nothing. It's just stupid."
"It's not stupid if it's making you cry." Carter stated seriously. "Tell me, what's the matter? What's wrong?"
"I… I'm going to be alone for Christmas." She whispered. "Because of my arm injury, I couldn't go with my Dad on a mission. My uncle left for Puerto Rico. My pseudo aunt is off the grid. My one friend is visiting family in North Carolina. I-I'm just going to be alone. I don't want to be alone, but I am going to be."
"What about your boyfriend? Couldn't you stay with his family?" Carter inquired.
"His Dad and I don't get along very well and… I dunno. I feel like Christmas with the Waynes wouldn't be very welcoming."
"They're sort of your family, and I'm sure it beat being alone. You should give 'em a call and ask." Carter grasped his phone and handed it to Livy.
"You want me to call them now?" she questioned, and Carter chuckled.
"There's no better time than the present."
With a sigh, Livy dialed Damian's number, and waited for an answer.
"H-hey Damian."
"Livy? Are you alright? You sound different."
"No. No. I'm good. I was just wondering… well… can I stay with you for the holidays… if that's alright."
"Of course. I will talk to my father about it, but you should definitely come here for the Holidays. Has your father left?"
"Yes. Since I injured my arm he didn't want me going with him." Livy informed, looking down at her arm resting in the sling with disdain.
"So you're completely alone in the safe house?"
"Well… yes." Livy sighed heavily.
"I'll have Alfred prepare the guest room and you can stay here with us. I'll come by to pick you up in about an hour." With that, Damian hung up, and Livy sat, staring at the phone.
"See? You won't be alone with Christmas." Carter grinned.
"Yes…" Livy slowly started to smile. "That's nice… that I won't be alone." Livy gave Carter a strong hug, taking the man off guard, but he didn't mind.
"What was that for?" he inquired once she released him from her grip.
"A thanks for making me call them. I needed that push." She grinned, then stood, ready to head back to the safe house so she could pack some things.
"Not a problem." Carter grinned and then helped Livy put her jacket back on. "Merry Christmas, and thanks for the cookies."
"Merry Christmas, Carter. Thanks for everything." With that, Livy disappeared into the streets, heading back to the safe house.
~*~*~*~*~Later~*~*~*~*~
"Do you need help with your bag?" Damian inquired, looking at the beaten up bag that Livy had over her shoulder on the arm that wasn't injured. Damian couldn't help but notice how this bag was larger than most bags she brought on the rare occasions she would be over at the mansion. Usually she'd carry a plastic bag containing some clothes, a book, a toothbrush, and a comb. That was it.
"It's fine. I can carry it." Livy informed with a small smile. Livy slid into the front seat of the car, next to Damian who was at the driver's seat.
"You sounded nervous when you called. You do know that you are always welcome to come over to the mansion, right?"
"… I don't want to force myself into your family." Livy whispered. "I don't want to just pop up and expect a warm welcome and greeting. Have the time I feel like Bruce thinks I'm gonna blow up the place and turn evil, the other half I feel like he's trying to by the grandfather I never had which just leaves me confused…"
"Do not feel like you are forcing yourself into the family. You are family. Jason is part of the family, and you are Jason's daughter, thus also making you part of the family. Not to mention that you are my girlfriend. This family is not just my family, it is yours too."
Livy smiled a bit at the statement and how strongly Damian delivered it. She appreciate the sentiment, but Livy still felt distant from this family that was apparently hers. However, she wasn't going to argue with Damian about it.
"Thank you, Damian." She grinned. He smiled back at her, giving the girl a brief kiss on the cheek, and continued driving.
Damian turned on the radio to some Christmas music, making Livy smile a bit. She knew that Damian most likely wouldn't sing along, due to him not singing often despite his nice voice, but she enjoyed the music.
It was an Elvis Christmas music marathon, which made Livy smile even more.
"Santa bring my baby back to me
Santa bring my baby back to me
I don't need a lot of presents
To make my Christmas bright
I just need my baby's arms
Wound around me tight
Oh oh Santa hear my plea
Santa bring my baby back to me
Santa bring my baby back to me"
To Livy's surprise, Damian was softly singing, and when she looked over at him, he was looking at her out of the corner of his eye, a small smirk on his face.
"The Christmas tree is ready
The candles all aglow
But with my baby far away
The good is mistletoe
Oh oh Santa, hear my plea
Santa bring my baby back to me
Santa bring my baby back to me"
~*~*~*~*~Later~*~*~*~*~
"Livy! It's been forever!" Dick exclaimed the moment he laid eyes on the girl. He scooped her up in his arms, spinning her around, then gripped her in a tight hug.
"I got so excited when little D said that you'd be staying with us for Christmas." He grinned, then smirked when he whispered, "I even put up some mistletoe and gave a little present to Damian early."
"Grayson!" Damian exclaimed in alarm, his cheeks burning red.
"A good looking boy your age could always use some extra condoms. Besides, these are flavored." Dick laughed at how embarrassed and angered Damian looked.
"Dick, Damian and I…"
"Shh, I don't want to know what the two of you do in bed." It was Livy's turn for her face to burn crimson red and Jason laughed whole heartedly.
"I managed to make two teenagers blush today!" he smiled victoriously. Before Damian could make an attempt to throw anything at his older brother, Alfred entered the room in his calm manner.
"Little miss, it is wonderful to see you." He grinned, and Livy smiled back at him. She honestly missed Alfred, the kind man reminding her of a grandfather more than a butler.
"It's great to see you too, Alfred." Livy smiled, hugging the man tightly. It caught Alfred off guard for a moment, but he returned the hug with a small smile.
"Shall I lead you to your room?" he questioned, and Livy nodded.
"Yes, please." The girl chatted with the man about little things on the way up to the room Alfred prepared. It was just little things like how cold the weather was and what books they had read. Livy was pleased to learn that Alfred had yet to buy himself the next book in the series he was reading. Safely tucked in her bag was that book, along with the other presents Livy had bought everyone. Livy originally planned to leave it at their doorstep or in the mail, but since she was staying with them, she figured that she might as well do it in person.
I hope they like everything I got them. Livy thought with some worry. They were hard to buy for since they were wealthy, but Livy hoped that her presents would be good enough.
Alfred brought her to the room, and Livy immediately collapsed on the bed.
"Alfred, no matter where I stay or go, these beds are always the softest somehow." She sighed, and Alfred chuckled.
"That is good to hear. You should really stay over more often." Alfred smiled.
"I would hate to impose." Livy smiled. "Besides, I don't think that Jason would like that very much." The moment Jason's name left her mouth, Livy's joyful demeanor deflated a bit.
Alfred slowly sat next to Livy on the bed and looked her in the eye.
"Miss Livy, don't ever feel like you are imposing yourself on us. We are all glad to see you. You are family after all." Alfred stated with a small smile.
"Thank you, Alfred. Sorry about that, I shouldn't be sad, right? I should be happy I'm here." Livy slowly grinned.
"We wish for you to be happy, but please don't feel like you need to block your father out of your mind. This time of year brings about memories that you shouldn't try to forget." Alfred gave her a comforting smile. "Alright?"
"Alright, thanks Alfred." Livy nodded.
"Now, let's head back downstairs. I'm sure Master Richard is excited to catch up with you, and Master Timothy should be here soon as well."
~*~*~*~*~Later~*~*~*~*~
Tim arrived around dinner time. The only ones at the dinner table were Dick, Damian, and Livy since Bruce had yet to come back from work.
"Timmy!" Dick exclaimed happily, getting up from the table and engulfing the boy in a large hug.
"Hello." Tim breathed heavily from the bone crushing hug.
"This is great! We're going to have almost the whole family here for the holidays." Dick grinned.
"Hey, Livy." Tim waved as best as he could while still in Dick's tight hug.
"Hi Tim." Livy smiled. Tim was able to break free of Dick's hug, and headed to hug Livy. However, Damian shot the boy a glare and got in between the two.
"Don't you dare think about touching her, Drake." He spat.
"Honestly, it was just a mission. We were undercover." Tim sighed. "I wouldn't dream of doing anything to her for real. I'm still healing from the beating you and her Dad gave me afterwards."
Damian was still glaring at Tim, but Livy lightly pushed him to the side.
"Damian, calm down." she sighed. Livy was comforted that her father and boyfriend were protective of her, but it was annoying when she couldn't even hug a friend.
"It's great to see you again, Tim." Livy smiled, hugging the man, and he hugged her back.
"So now we're just waiting for Bruce to get back!" Dick exclaimed happily. "Then everyone will be here!"
Livy smiled, but she felt a bit anxious. She always felt a tad nervous when she knew she'd be seeing Bruce. Due to her and Bruce's differences, she hoped that they wouldn't clash too often while she was staying there.
"Who's up for a game of monopoly?" Dick grinned with excitement. No one could deny him a game and Dick met no resistance as he set up the board.
"I call the hotrod!" Dick exclaimed. It then became a battle between Damian, Livy, and Tim as to who was getting the battle ship.
~*~*~*~*~Later~*~*~*~*~
"Livy, you and Damian were not supposed to team up and make deals with each other. That's cheating." Dick pouted after Livy finished borrowing some cash from Damian to build another hotel.
"It's not cheating, it is playing the game, Grayson." Damian snarked.
"I only have one freaking dollar!" Dick whined, then looked over at Tim. "Timmy, help me out."
"I'm barely fairing myself. How would teaming up with you benefit me?" Tim questioned, and Dick sighed heavily, knowing that aside from a dollar, Dick had absolutely nothing to offer.
"Monopoly? Shouldn't you be patrolling?" everyone looked up to see Bruce looming in the doorway.
"Hey, Bruce!" Dick smiled. "Don't worry. We all agreed to head out on patrol at eight."
"It's eighty thirty." Bruce stated calmly. Everyone at the table shared a look, then sprung up from the table and ran to get their costumes on.
"Livy?" the girl froze for a moment, then looked up at Bruce.
"Hello, Bruce." She nodded.
"I heard that you would be spending the holidays here." He stated, and she nodded.
"Yes. Damian said that it was alright-"
"I know." Bruce nodded, then gave her a small smile. "I am happy to hear that you will be here." Bruce's eyes then went to Livy's arm that was in the sling. "You should stay with Alfred instead of patrolling. You don't want that arm getting any worse."
Livy almost forgot about her arm. She let out a heavy sigh, but nodded.
"Alright Bruce, thanks." Bruce left the room and Livy glared down at her arm in the sling.
"Looks like you will be stuck with me for the night." Alfred grinned as he walked into the room. "Do you want to help me make cookies?"
Livy smiled, following the butler into the kitchen.
~*~*~*~*~The Next Day~*~*~*~*~
Despite the comfortable bed, sleeping was hard for Livy, and that was mainly due to her injury. She often fell asleep on the right side of her body, however, since her right arm was in a sling, she found it difficult to get comfortable going to sleep.
Waking up was an entirely different story.
She felt warm, and despite being on the left side of her body, she was very comfortable. And to top it all off, someone was slowly stroking her hair.
Livy didn't even need to open her eyes to know that it was Damian. He had woken her up the same way before, by gently running his finger through her hair and massaging her scalp.
"Don't ever stop doing this." Livy mumbled into her pillow, still a bit drowsy.
"Wouldn't dream of it." Damian chuckled in a soft voice, his tone less rigid and hard as it usually was.
"How was patrol?" Livy inquired, her eyes still closed as she hummed as Damian continued to message her head.
"Fine. nothing much went on, however, I like to think it is because of the Holiday spirit. It is Christmas eve, you know."
Christmas eve. Livy thought. Jason would've taken me out to get Brunch. He tries to do that every Christmas eve.
"Are you alright?" Damian's voice held concern and Livy figured that she was most likely frowning.
"I'm fine." Livy smiled a bit, opening her eyes to look up at Damian. "Is Alfred making breakfast?" she inquired quickly, trying to move away from the subject of her being alright.
"Actually, father is taking us out to Brunch." I froze for a moment, staring at Damian in disbelief.
"He… he's taking us out to Brunch?" she slowly questioned, and Damian looked at her, puzzled by Livy's odd behavior.
"Yes. It's a tradition he started with Grayson." He informed, and Livy nodded slowly.
I guess that's why Jason took me out to brunch. Bruce did it with him, so he was doing it with me. she thought.
"I guess I should get changed then." Livy chuckled, siting up from the bed.
"Do you need help? Your sling looks difficult to maneuver with." Damian stated, and Livy smiled as she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.
"I can manage, but thanks." Damian nodded, and left Livy some privacy for her to get changed.
Midway through putting her jeans on, Livy stumbled and fell to the ground.
"Damn arm." She growled.
~*~*~*~*~Later~*~*~*~*~
"So then I was like, 'Okay Slade, try it' and then he found out that I disassembled the bombs. I'm sure the look on his face under the mask was priceless!" Dick laughed.
Livy enjoyed brunch with the Waynes, but she didn't contribute much to the conversation unless she felt it very necessary.
She found herself zoning out a bit, thinking back to previous Christmas eve brunches with Jason. How Jason would always order the greasiest food on the menu and would laugh loudly when telling his stories of the past.
"Livy? Hey, Livy?" the girl snapped out of her thoughts and looked up at Dick, who was calling her name.
"You okay?" he questioned, and everyone's eyes seemed to be on her. She felt Damian grab her hand from under the table and he gave it a squeeze, trying to comfort her.
"Yeah. I'm fine. just a bit out of it." Livy chuckled sheepishly.
"We were all just discussing what our first words to Bruce were." Dick informed.
"Well, I'm pretty sure my first words to him were me stuttering his name in fear." Livy laughed a bit, thinking back to when she first met Bruce. She bumped into him on a rooftop after being chased by Damian.
"Not quite." Bruce stated, and Livy looked at the man perplexed.
"If it wasn't me stuttering 'B-batman?' it was probably me yelling at you to let me go." Livy informed, but Bruce shook his head.
"No."
"Then what was it?" Livy pressed, curious as to what Bruce was thinking of.
"When I was undercover I got hurt and was away from any transportation to get help. Since I was undercover as a criminal, I figured that it would be a good idea to go to a place criminals talked about where they were healed and sure enough, I came to your adopted mother's doorstep."
Bruce stood in the doorway dressed as criminal Matches Malone. However, something in his plan went wrong which wounded up with him having a bullet in his arm and stomach.
He staggered to the door and knocked.
"Livy, can you get the door? Mommy's busy." He heard a voice from the other side of the door, and then a pitter patter of small footsteps.
A little girl opened the door, looked at the man, then looked back at her mother, who was stitching up a man.
"Mommy, this guy's bleeding a lot. I think he got shot." The girl exclaimed.
"Do you think you can tend to him?" the woman inquired and the girl nodded.
"Yes, mommy." With that, the girl grabbed Bruce's hand and led him into the home and laid him onto a couch.
"I'm going to patch you up, sir. It might hurt but you'll get better. Don't worry." She smiled, then got to work.
"Livy, your first words to me were, 'I'm going to patch you up, sir. It might hurt but you'll get better. Don't worry.' I met you when you were very young." Bruce informed.
Livy stared at Bruce in shock. She hardly remembered that, having healed many men who knocked on the door.
"Have you always known?" Livy inquired.
"Once I found out who your adopted mother was, I knew it was you." Bruce shrugged with a small smile.
"That's kinda cool." Dick grinned, looking between Livy and Bruce. "I'm sure neither of you thought at the time that you'd be spending the holidays together."
"That's true." Livy nodded.
The Brunch continued on with Dick laughing and Livy entering the conversation every so often. She knew that Damian and Alfred both told her that this was her family too, but she still couldn't help but feel like an outsider.
~*~*~*~*~Later~*~*~*~*~
That night, Livy was staring at the Christmas tree that Dick proudly decorated earlier in the week. She was sitting next to Tim, who was reading, while she stared at the tree, sipping the hot chocolate Alfred had made.
"You guys don't put up paper snowflakes?" Livy inquired, and Tim looked up from his book.
"What?"
"I just noticed that the tree and other places throughout the manor don't have paper snowflakes. You guys don't put them up?" she inquired. However, she immediately wanted to face palm herself.
Of course they don't put up snowflakes. That wasn't something Jason taught to me. That was something I taught to Jason, since my mommy taught it to me. Livy thought.
Tim closed his book, left the room, and promptly returned with some scissors and pieces of paper.
"I never made paper snowflakes before, but it sounds like fun. Can you teach me?" Tim inquired, and Livy smiled, taking the paper and scissors in her hand.
She went about showing Tim how to fold the paper and how to cut different types of patterns into the paper. In no time, they had a small pile of snowflakes going.
"What are you two doing?" Dick inquired, walking into the room.
"Making paper snowflakes." Tim grinned.
"Paper snowflakes? I haven't made them since I was a kid! Let me grab some extra scissors and I'll join you."
In a matter of seconds Dick was back in the room with scissors, cutting away at some paper.
Next to join the group was Alfred, who took great pride in his handiwork, being able to make very small intricate designs.
"Why is everyone making paper confetti?" Damian questioned, walking into the room.
"Damian, we're making paper snowflakes!" Dick exclaimed with excitement. "Wanna join?"
"Tt. Sounds like a frivolous waste of paper if you ask me." Damian grumbled, crossing his arms. Livy looked up at him smiling while Damian glared down at her. They stared at each other that way for several moment until Damian sighed,
"I'll be back. Let me get a pair of scissors."
The last person to join was Bruce. He walked into the room silently, noticed what was going on, then brought out a pair of scissors and joined the family.
"What do we do with all these snowflakes once we're done?" Damian inquired, and Livy shrugged.
"Well, I'd usually put them on the tree or throughout the house." She informed.
Soon enough, the group was hanging up paper snowflakes on the tree, in the windows, and on the walls.
Livy didn't want to admit it out loud, but she definitely felt more part of the family when they were done.
~*~*~*~*~Later~*~*~*~*~
When Bruce, Dick, Tim, and Damian went out for patrol, Livy found herself with Alfred again.
"Hey Alfred, I'm going to head out to a friend of mine in Blackgate. I gotta wish him a Merry Christmas." Livy informed.
"I'll drive you there. It is terribly cold outside and I have some things I want to do as well." Alfred informed.
They rode in a more simple looking car, and Livy sat in the front with Alfred. Usually, Alfred would have insisted that she sit in the back, but he remembered her fear of smaller spaces and how she was more comfortable in the front seat.
They stopped at Blackgate, and Alfred stayed in the car while Livy made her way to the prison.
"Livy! Long time no see! I've missed you." Sitting on the other side of the glass was Maxwell Boyer. Criminal, but old time friend.
"Hey Max, I thought that I'd wish you a Merry Christmas. I'd give you a present, but I don't think they'd let you keep anything I'd give." Livy said, but Max laughed.
"Aw, Livy. It's fine. Seeing you is the best Christmas present ever." He grinned. "Anyway, what's going on? I see your arm's in a sling. How'd that happen? Oh, and how's lover robin doing?"
Livy talked and she was happy to see Max again. She always enjoyed talking to him and he always enjoyed a visit from her.
When their time was up, Livy gave a wave.
"See you later, Max. Merry Christmas."
"Thanks Livy. Merry Christmas to you too." He smiled.
Once back in the car, Alfred started driving them to a busier part of Gotham.
"So Alfred, why are you out tonight? Last minute Christmas shopping?" Livy inquired.
"No." Alfred shook his head, but smiled when he parked the car. "It's something I do every year."
Livy followed Alfred until she heard Music. There was a small choir of men, women, and children singing on the sidewalk.
Alfred and Livy listened to the music, and Livy smiled happily, remembering how Jason would belt the words of Christmas songs with joy.
After the song, an older gentleman turned and looked at Alfred.
"Alf! I was afraid you wouldn't join tonight!" he laughed.
"I would never miss this." Alfred grinned, then looked at Livy. "This is a friend of mine, Livy." He informed. "Livy, this is Mister Jack Porter." He informed.
"Just Jack will do." The man laughed. "Join us, Livy. We're about to do a rousing song of Jingle bells." He laughed, and Livy and Alfred joined in the singing with the choir.
"Jingle bells! Jingle bells! Jingle all the way! Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh. Jingle bells! Jingle bells! Jingle all the way! Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh!"
~*~*~*~*~The Next Day~*~*~*~*~
Livy woke up to Dick shaking her awake. He was gentle with not hurting her already injured arm, but he shook every other part of her body violently.
"Wake up, Livy! It's Christmas! Time for presents!" he exclaimed joyfully, reminding Livy of a hyper toddler.
"I'm up." Livy yawned, trying to pry Dick off of her. Once Dick saw that she was awake, he sprinted off to Tim's room.
"TIMMY IT'S CHRISTMAS!" he exclaimed down the hall.
Livy looked over at her bag and brought it with her downstairs, where Alfred and Damian were already awake.
"I am sorry, Livy." Damian yawned. "I should have warned you about Dick. He does this every year."
"It's alright." Livy shrugged. "Are we putting presents under the tree?" she inquired, and Damian looked at her with surprise.
"You bought us all presents?" he questioned, and Livy shrugged.
"Just some small stuff. You guys are pretty hard to shop for." Livy smirked, then placed the presents she brought under the tree.
Soon enough, everyone was downstairs, including Dick, who was buzzing with excitement.
"Present time!" he exclaimed with excitement.
They all sat around the Christmas tree and exchanged gifts. Livy was pleased that Alfred was delighted to receive the book he wanted. She had gotten Tim a deck of magic playing cards since she knew he was a tad addicted to the game. She had gotten Dick a gift card to starbucks, knowing about the man's addiction to coffee. She gave Damian a Bruce Lee poster, knowing how his old one got ripped not too long ago. Lastly, she gave Bruce a handmade scarf, since he always looked cold.
Livy felt bad about only giving Bruce a scarf, but what could she possibly give billionaire Bruce Wayne? She figured that a handmade scarf would at least show that she put some effort into it.
"Thank you, Livy." Bruce smiled at his gift. Livy then received gifts from the others. She received books from Tim, Dick, and Alfred. She wasn't upset in the least, in fact, she was ecstatic.
I can't wait to start reading these! Livy thought.
Damian's gift to her was a bracelet he clearly made himself with the words habibti written into it.
"Thank you, Damian." Livy smiled, putting on the bracelet, and pecking him on the cheek. Lastly was Bruce's gift.
She opened up the wrapping paper, and her eyes widened in shock.
It was a photo album.
She slowly flipped through the pages to see pictures of both her adopted and biological mother. There was even several pictures with her and her adopted mother and a few of Indira holding her as a newborn.
"I searched around the city and was able to find those pictures." Bruce informed. "Since you move a lot, you can keep the album here for safe keeping."
Livy was speechless, looking at the pictures. Tears started to well up in her eyes and she looked up at Bruce.
"Thank you." She whispered. "Thank you so much."
Then Bruce did something that really surprised her.
He hugged her.
"Merry Christmas, Livy." He whispered. She then felt everyone else crowding around and getting in on the hug.
"Merry Christmas!" Dick smiled happily.
Livy did still miss Jason, but she was happy that she was able to spend her Christmas with family.