EIGHT
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Ok, go read chapter 7 before reading this. I replaced the previews with the actual chapter 7, so please go read it.:) Also, the reviews for the previews are also in chapter 7, so yeah.:)
Reviews(for last chapter's):
clarkLover1: Thanks, and yes, there will DEFINITELY be more drama.:)
Disclaimer: You know what? Just look at the disclaimer in the other chapter, and refer to it in the future. That's the solution to the problem.
Recap
And I did, but that doesn't mean I slept peacefully.
Chapter 7
I know I was dreaming. I just know it, because I have very vivid dreams, and this is one of them. I just couldn't believe that my brain had thought this up.
I was in a magnificent ballroom with a gigantic glass dome as a roof. It was clear, and the cloudless, bright, night sky shined through. I looked around, and noticed the tables on the sides, making room for a dance floor. The tables had tablecloths that were the color of gold, while the chairs had golden colored frames and red velvet cushions. On the tables were the finest silverware I had ever seen in my life, and the best china, most likely new. I took in the whole room, and spotted a life-size mirror hanging on one of the walls. I walked over, and gasped at what I saw.
I was wearing a midnight blue one shoulder floor length dress, which hugged my every curve and fit me perfectly. I had on a silver charm bracelet on my left wrist, and there was a gorgeous teardrop shaped sapphire pendant on my neck. The necklace—which was embedded with little diamonds all around— wrapped itself around my neck securely, and it weighed quite a bit. My long hair was all piled on top of my head in a high, messy bun, and a few stray strands of 'black' hair fell out, framing my face.
I bit my lip, confused as to why I was dressed up like this, even in a dream, when someone called my name. I spun around to where the voice was coming from and my eyes widened in surprise.
"Kori?" Richard/Robin said.
He was standing across me, wearing a charcoal grey suit with a dress shirt that was midnight blue, matching my dress. His tie was black, tucked under his dress jacket. His hair was spiked up like when we were teenagers, but was toned down and was just slicked back slightly. His eyes shined with happiness, and he was smiling gently at me. His right arm was extended towards me, palm out, while his left arm was behind his back.
He extended his right arm a little more to signify that he was asking me to come over to him. I walked over to him, vaguely acknowledging that I had high heels on because I was still in shock about seeing him in my dream. I put my hand in his and he pulled me into his arms, catching me when I stumbled.
"Whoa there Kor. No need for falling." He laughed softly and pulled me into his arms once again. He then grasped my right hand in his and put his left arm on my waist, and we started to dance. We waltzed for who knows how long. For me it felt like an eternity, being with him again, even if it is a dream.
To soon though, he stopped us. I looked into his beautiful blue eyes as he leaned towards me. I held my breath, waiting for the moment I would feel his lips, but never did. He leaned away from me, muttering, "I can't. I still love Starfire."
The room and everything in it suddenly vanished, leaving me alone. I looked down to see that I now was wearing some simple blue skinny jeans, a light green short sleeved shirt, and some dark grey ballet flats. The room came into focus, and I figured out where I was immediately. I was looking at my first apartment after running away.
I saw myself at seventeen sitting on the old couch in my tiny living room, trying to calm a newborn Marie down enough so she could go to sleep. I was murmuring to her, singing her quiet lullabies and humming some classic piano melodies softly in her ear. She quieted down slowly but surely until she fell asleep, and my past self smiled. She kissed Marie's little forehead and walked to her nursery, putting her into her crib, and smiled down at her.
"Sleep well, my little angel." I noticed the accent, remembering that I still hadn't perfected my English yet at the time. Then everything faded to black once again.
Then I woke up.
I sat up in bed, eyes wide. After calming myself down with many deep breaths, I looked at the clock on my bedside table. It was 5:38 in the morning, and I woke up at 6:00. I groaned and got up, heading for the bathroom to take a shower.
After getting dressed and putting my hair up to dry, I walked over to Marie's room. I listened for any noise before opening the door, and when I didn't hear anything, I opened it.
What I found was Marie curled up in her bed, fast asleep. I smiled, looking down at my little angel. She had a peaceful expression on her face, and she smiled slightly. I smiled myself and sat down on her bed, close to her. Her hair was spread out on her pillow, and a few stray locks of her hair were on her face. I gently took those strands away from her face and caressed her cheek. She was my little baby girl, my beautiful daughter.
I didn't want to wake her up, since she looked so relaxed, but I had to. She had to go to the daycare, and I had to go to work. "Marie, Marie, wake up sweetie." She began to stir, and slowly, she opened her eyes. She smiled once she saw me and stretched her arms. She yawned and sat up in her bed.
"Hi mommy," she told me. I smiled again.
"Hi baby. Did you sleep well?"
She was suddenly wide awake, her eyes going wide with excitement. "Mommy, guess what!" she asked me, delighted by something.
"What Marie?" I asked, curious as to why she was suddenly enthusiastic.
"I dreamed of daddy!" she squealed.
'Oh no,' I thought. I shook my head and exhaled.
"Are you sure it was your daddy, honey?" I asked. She had probably dreamt of someone who she thought perfect to be her father, that's all.
She nodded vigorously. "Yes mommy."
"Ok then. What did your daddy look like?" 'Please don't say blue eyes and black hair; please don't say blue eyes and black hair,' I thought desperately.
She thought for a minute, then said, "He had black hair and blue eyes mommy."
Well, then. It was settled. She had dreamt of Robin. I sighed and put on a smile. "What was the dream about, sweetie?" I asked. My curiosity got the better of me this time.
She then began talking rapidly, and I somehow managed to understand everything. "Daddy took me to the park for a picnic, and then I went to play, and then he bought us ice cream, and then I wanted a puppy so he got me a puppy that I named Princess, and then I played with Princess at the park, and then we went home and you and daddy hugged and kissed, and then my dream ended." She said excitedly.
Now I was surprised. Partly because she said all of that without stopping to breathe, partly because now I know she has vivid dreams like I do, and partly because she knew what her dad looked like, whether she actually knew it or not. Now, if they met, she would automatically know Richard was her father.
'Can my life get any more complicated?' I asked myself. It was like the universe is against me. I sighed and looked at Marie. She was clueless, just an innocent three year old who believes she dreamt of her father, and actually did.
"Okay Marie. Time to get dressed." I got up from sitting on her bed and smiled at her. She sprang up from her bed and ran to her drawers. She came out a while later holding a pink shirt that said 'angel' and some light blue capris. I nodded my approval, and left the room, knowing that Marie wanted her privacy to get dressed.
A few minutes later, she came out ready to leave. I collected my things and we left the apartment.
WAYNWAYNWAYNWAYN
After leaving the house, I drove us to a diner that was down the street. I always used to go eat there when I was pregnant with Marie, and I was friends with everyone there. After Marie was born, I began bringing her too, and now everyone there loves her.
I parked close to the diner and got out. I helped Marie out of her seat and we walked over to the front doors. As soon as we walked in, I heard some waitresses near us say, "Hi Kori and Marie."
I smiled and said, "Hi everyone." Marie smiled widely at all of them and said hi too, but louder. I shook my head, smiling at how my daughter acted.
We were quickly seated at a booth, and one of the waitresses that I first met when I came here came up to us. Her name was Marlyn, and she was one of the waitresses who would bring me extra mustard when I would come, and still does. I smiled at her as she reached our table.
"Hey Kori," she told me, hugging me. "Hi, you little cutie." She hugged Marie too, and both the comment and the hug made her giggle as she returned it. Marlyn straightened herself and got her notepad out. "So, what will you two want to drink today?" she asked us.
"Hi Marlyn, and I'll have a decaf." I said, smiling at her again. She nodded and wrote it down.
"And what'll you have, Marie?" she asked her. Marie thought about it for a moment before replying.
"Apple juice please," she told Marlyn. She nodded again and wrote that down too.
"You taught her well, huh?" she told me, referring to Marie's manners. Laughing, I nodded. "I'll be back in a few minutes with your drinks, alright?" She told us. We both nodded and she left.
Our drinks came back a few minutes later, just like we were promised. I ordered a vegetable omelet—with mustard on the side— and Marie ordered the kid's spaghetti. We ate slowly, since it was way too early for me to go to work or for Marie to go to her daycare. The last time I had checked my phone—which had been a few seconds before— it had been 7:56.
I knew we couldn't stay there until it was 9:00, though. Close to 8:30, Marie and I stood up and we walked over to the front desk to pay. There, I was greeted by the manager, Samantha, or Sam. She smiled once she saw us.
"Hi guys. I take it you two enjoyed your breakfast?" she asked us. I nodded.
"Like always Sammie." I smiled at her and paid for everything, and we said our goodbyes.
I drove Marie and me to the park where we would stay for about half an hour, and then we would go. Marie ran to the sandbox immediately after getting out of the car, and I walked behind her, keeping an eye on her. I sat on a bench close by and pulled out my old iPod. I plugged in the earphones and turned it on. I randomly picked a song, and relaxed. The song had been a classical song, so I settled myself better on the bench and looked out for Marie.
What felt like minutes later, my phone started vibrating. I picked it up and noticed that it was time to go.
"Marie! It's time to go!" She stopped playing and ran over to me, hyper yet again.
"Ok mommy." She giggled and skipped to the car. Curious, I walked behind her.
"Marie," I asked her. She turned around, clearly happy. "Why are you happy honey?"
She giggled again. "This is where daddy took me in my dream, mommy!" She said happily.
'Yup, she had vivid dreams like me,' I thought. "Really sweetie?" I asked her.
She nodded quickly. "Yes mommy." She smiled at me.
I got her in her seat and we were soon off to Sunnyville Daycare. After getting Marie out of her seat, saying goodbye to Marie, Jessica, and everyone else, I was driving to work. The whole time I was dropping off Marie, I wasn't paying attention. I was thinking of my dream, and I couldn't stop thinking about it. What did it mean, when Richard appeared, and when I saw myself as a new mother?
I shook my head, not wanting to think of it anymore. I had to concentrate on work, and work only.
I arrived at Wayne Enterprises and parked my car in a spot close to the door. I said good morning to everyone I saw and soon I was in front of Richard's office. I took a deep breath and walked in. I smiled at him and sat down in my own chair. He smiled back and looked at the papers in front of him until I spoke up.
"Hello and good morning Richard. I'm sorry that I had to leave on my first day, but my daughter got into trouble and I had to pick her up. I didn't have a babysitter available, so I had to stay with her. It won't happen again today, I assure you." I told him.
He smiled. "Hello and good morning to you too Kori. It's fine, and from what you told me yesterday, she's a handful. I don't mind at all that you have to pick her up, actually, so it's ok."
I smiled gratefully. I then motioned to all the papers on both our desks. "I think we should start working, don't you think?" I said with another smile.
He chuckled and nodded. We both started on our work, and I lost track of the time. I guess he did too, since he looked very concentrated on his work. Not that I was looking or anything.
Apparently, I focused on the work myself, because I had to have my name called.
"Kori?"
I looked up, my eyes wide. Richard had called me, just like in my dream. He looked confused, but either way continued. "It's lunch time." I blinked for a second. I looked at my phone, which I had next to me, and nodded after checking the time. I got up, stretched, and picked up my things.
"Kori?" I looked up again. I wasn't surprised anymore, but either way, I wasn't expecting it. "Do you want to come to eat lunch with me and some of my friends? Since you're new, I think it'd be good. There will also be my friend's wives/girlfriends there, so you won't be alone. How about it?" He asked. I thought about it, wondering if it would be good or not, and in the end I nodded.
"Ok. I'll go." He smiled at me, and then gestured to the door.
"Let us leave, then." I smiled at that comment, and we left the office.
I knew there would be talk about us, as soon as I accepted the job. Humans just adored gossip, and this is something I knew they wouldn't be able to resist. That's why I was expecting all the whispers that had started as soon as everyone noticed Richard and I walking together out of the office. I tried to not pay attention to them, but it proved hard, since most of them were about the possibility that we were dating. I really wished that were true, but it sadly isn't, and I have to suck it up and smile.
We approached the parking lot and he said, "Let's go in my car. I'll take you to where my friends and I eat." I nodded, and he walked us over to his car. We got in, and he sent a text to someone, and then put his phone back in his jacket. I don't know how he does that, but I guess he has pockets or something.
He started the car and began to drive. It was silent the whole way, and it gave me time to think. Now that I wasn't working, I could focus back on my dream. Now that I think about it, I kind of get why I dreamt that. I saw Robin again, as a different person, and because I know that he doesn't know who I actually am, I'm afraid of what will happen if he falls in love with Kori. I bit my lip and stared out the window, watching everything pass by us.
Although he thought I didn't know where we were going, I had a pretty good idea. My predictions were confirmed when he parked on the side of the road, across from the place where Cyborg, Raven, Beast Boy, Robin, and I would go eat often. The Pizza Place. I allowed myself a small smile as I got out of the car. We walked inside, and ordered our pizzas. Robin chose the simple pepperoni, while I choose the combo. I was tempted to tale out some mustard packets that I had on me at the moment, but thought better of it. It would be too obvious, and he'd figure it out.
We walked up to the second floor, and approached the table the Teen Titans would always sit at. There were now more chairs for more people, but nonetheless, it was still the same. I had to hold back a gasp of surprise when I saw who was sitting on that table. They turned to us, and I saw them all.
Beast Boy, Raven, Bumblebee, Kid Flash, Cyborg, and Jinx. I carefully kept my face from showing any emotion besides friendliness as they all looked at me.
"Hi guys. This is Kori Anders. She's new to the city, so I thought I'd invite her to come eat with us so she'd meet new people." Richard/Robin said. I saw from the corner of my eye that Cyborg, Kid Flash, and Beast Boy wagged their eyebrows at Richard, who just rolled his eyes.
Richard turned to me. "Ok, so Kori, meet Garfield and Rachel Logan," Beast Boy and Raven. They got married. Who knew? "Victor and Karen Stone," Cyborg and Bumblebee. "Wally West, and Jennifer Terrington." Kid Flash and Jinx.
I waved to all of them and said, "It's nice meeting you all."
"It's nice meeting you too, Kori," Karen/Bumblebee told me. We smiled at each other.
"Why don't we sit down instead of standing around? I'd like to eat my pizza." Richard/Robin suddenly said. I nodded and we sat down. Just when we were about to eat our pizzas though, Wally and Jenny stood up.
"We have an announcement to make," She said. Everyone looked at them. Jenny took a deep breath and raised her left hand, showing a ring on her ring finger, and said, "Wally and I are getting married!"
I immediately went to her hand to examine the ring, and Karen did the same thing.
"It's just so beautiful, Jen! Congrats!" Karen all but squealed to Jenny. She smiled and looked down at the ring.
"Thanks."
"I agree. It's breathtaking!" I said. Jenny turned to me and smiled also.
"Thanks Kori." She told me. I returned the smile.
"No problem." Karen suddenly stood up, dragging everyone up with her. She hugged Jenny, congratulating her again. I hugged her next, and I murmured a word of congrats also. She just hugged me tighter.
Then Rachel/Raven came over and hugged Jenny too. Once they broke apart, Rachel asked, "So, who's going to be the maid of honor?"
Jenny shrugged. "I don't know yet. He just proposed yesterday afternoon, I didn't think about that until now."
"Well, now you have time to think about it." Rachel paused for a second. "What do you have planned for the wedding?"
Jenny thought about it for a bit, before finally nodding. "Yeah, now that I'm thinking about it."
"Well? Tell us!" Karen said. We all sat down close together so we could talk. Jenny was in the middle, I was on her left side, Karen on her right, and Rachel on Karen's right.
"I'm thinking of a slightly extravagant wedding, not that big, but not small either." She thought more, and then said, "And I want my bouquet to have purple and yellow flowers." She looked at us. "Is that weird?"
Karen and I quickly assured her that it wasn't, with Rachel to occasionally commenting, helping us reassure Jenny.
"Ok, y'all. Let's sit down and enjoy our food, since we have to go to work after." I heard Victor/Cyborg say. The guys sat down, and even though I tried not to listen in, I couldn't resist.
"Dick, what do you think of her? She's pretty beautiful, and just what you need." Wally/Kid Flash whispered. I heard Richard sigh.
"You three are never going to leave me alone, huh?" Richard sighed again.
"Guys, she's just a friend. I just met her yesterday, and there is no way I'm dating someone right now or in the near future." He whispered back. All three sighed too.
"Let's just eat our pizzas, because we need to get back to work after this." Richard told them quietly. Apparently, they all agreed, because they began to eat.
The rest of lunch went by smoothly. Karen and I talked to Jenny about her wedding, with Rachel commenting every now and then. I heard Victor and Garfield/Beast Boy arguing over what they always did— vegetarians versus carnivores. I smiled at that. Things were still the same. Wally and Richard were talking about their work, and how they were doing. That made me smile also. It was nice to know that Richard hadn't stopped talking to people after I left.
By the time lunch ended, I already had a spot to be one the bridesmaids, as well as Karen and Rachel, and Karen and I had helped Jenny sort out the small details for her wedding. Karen, Jenny, Rachel, and I had decided we'd eat just the four of us tomorrow for lunch, and we just needed to tell the people across us.
"Well, it's time to go back to work." Richard said, standing up. Garfield and Wally groaned, and Victor, Karen, Rachel, and I stood up too.
"Yeah, I think it's time to go back. Come on Wally, get up." Wally did as Jenny said, and brushed off the crumbs on his shirt.
Garfield also stood up and we all started to say our goodbyes. I hugged and said goodbye to Karen, Rae, and Jenny, and then waved to Gar, Vic and Wally.
"It was a pleasure meeting all of you. When you're new and don't go out much, it's hard to meet people." I told everyone with a smile. They all smiled back and nodded.
"The pleasure was ours, Kori. I think it's good I met you today, since now I have enough bridesmaids." Jenny said, smiling.
I smiled back. "Yeah it is, isn't it? I'm glad I met you too, since now I know more people. And knowing more people is better than not knowing anyone." Jenny nodded at that, and Rachel came over to her.
"I agree with Jennifer, it was great meeting you today. I hope to see you soon." She smiled at me, and then turned to Richard. "Right, Dick?"
He shrugged. "If Kori wants to come, then ok. You have to ask her, not me." Rachel smiled and told me, "That's what I wanted to hear. We already talked it over and yes, she's coming to eat with us every day at lunch." I nodded.
"With just you girls or all of us as a group?" Garfield asked her.
"Both. She'll eat with us, and when you four manage to ask us, we'll eat all together." Rachel answered him, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, how about this, from now on, we all eat together. When you four," Victor motioned to us, "want to eat without us," he gestured to them, "just tell us, and we'll be set. Sounds like a plan?" We all nodded, and after saying goodbye again, we went our separate ways to get back to work. While walking to the car, I started up a conversation to prevent any awkward silences.
"Thank you for this. The only people I know here are the ones that work at Marie's daycare and the waitresses at a diner close to my apartment. It was nice to meet new people, because everyone needs a social life." I smiled at saying this, and I noticed that he smiled too. We were already in the car, and he started up the engine.
"It's fine. I knew you'd get along with them. They're all very friendly and welcoming, especially Karen and Jen. The guys are goofballs, they always have been, but they actually have a serious side, believe it or not. Rachel, she's very quiet, but a good friend. All in all, they're good people." Richard told me. I nodded.
We drove back to Wayne Enterprises, the whole time talking to each other. When we got back, we went up to the sixteenth floor, still conversing. We ignored everyone around us, who were gossiping again.
We sat down in our respectful desks after shutting the door to the office, and got down to work again.
WAYNWAYNWAYNWAYN
I looked at my phone a while later to find out that there was less than a minute left to go home. I began packing up my belongings, putting them back in my handbag, and I stood up. I looked up to see that Richard was doing the same thing.
"Well, it's time to go home, huh?" He said. I nodded and stretched a little.
"Yup. Time to go home and relax for a little while." I smiled.
'With Marie, though, there is no rest,' I thought.
We walked to the elevator in comfortable silence, and when we reached the parking lot, we said goodbye and went our separate ways. I went to Jessica's house, since we made an agreement that when the daycare hours were over, she would watch over her until I came for her at five.
I arrived and rang the doorbell. After a few seconds and after hearing a bit of shuffling, the door opened, and Jessica appeared. She put a finger over her mouth, and I knew that Marie was asleep. I smiled and followed her to the living room, where I saw my little girl curled up on the couch, fast asleep.
I smiled tenderly and mouthed a thank you to Jess, who in turn smiled and nodded. I picked up Marie as quietly as I could, careful to not wake her, and carried her over to the car. I carefully put the safety belts on her and closed the door as quietly as possible. I turned to Jess, who was standing close to the car.
"Thank you for taking care of her while I was at work Jess," I said gratefully.
She waved it off. "No problem Kori. Marie wasn't a big worry, actually. She was quiet, obedient, and when I turned on the TV for her, she asked me if she could watch a Batman movie. After finding it on Netflix for her, she sat on the couch and watched it until she fell asleep. Then you came in." She smiled at me.
I sighed, relieved. "So she didn't jump around or run around the house at all?" I asked.
She shook her head. "Nope. I made sure not to give her any sugar, just like you told me." She smiled again. I hugged her.
"Thanks again Jess." I told her.
"Don't mention it, Kori." She smiled again. "Now go home, because I think Marie would like to sleep in her bed and you too." I nodded and waved goodbye as I drove away from her house.
When we arrived at the apartment, I carried Marie over to the door. When I was walking into the living room, she woke up. She looked confused, but when she saw me, she smiled sleepily.
"Hi mommy," she said. I smiled down at her.
"Hi baby. Ready to go to sleep?" I asked her. She nodded, and I put her down on the floor. I walked over to the kitchen, Marie close behind me. I pulled out two bowls and spoons. Then I took out the cereal and milk. I served us both and we ate while watching some cartoons in the living room. When we were done, I put the bowls in the sink, turned off the TV and stood up.
"Come on Marie. Let's go get your bath ready," I told her. She got up also and we walked over to the bathroom. While I prepared her bath, she brushed her teeth. After the bath and getting dressed in her PJ's, I tucked her in for the night. I kissed her forehead and smiled.
"Good night baby," I said softly. Marie was already falling asleep, her eyes closing and then opening, trying to stay awake. She smiled sleepily at me.
"Night mommy." She closed her eyes and was asleep in less than a minute. I smiled fondly at her and left the room, turning on the nightlight on my way out.
I brushed my teeth myself and took a shower, letting the water calm me. I began relaxing and I almost fell asleep in the shower. I got out and dressed in the tank top and sweat pants I used for pajamas. I went under the covers and tried to forget all the events that happened today so I could at least try to sleep peacefully.
There it is! I hope you liked this, because I made it longer than usual for you guys.:) Sorry for not updating sooner, but the end of the year, finals, and stress didn't leave time for me to write this chapter. But It's out!
PLEASE REVIEW! That's all I ask.
PS: PLEASE go check out my Jimmy Neutron fanfic, "What Hurts The Most." It's angsty, dramatic, and there's romance too!Lol.:D
BYEZ PEOPLEZ! UNTIL NEXT CHAPTER!