CLXII
Happy Endings
Part Two: The Unexpected Surprise

As an early October sun set once again upon the Pentagon, Bruce Wayne remained with his newly appointed Joint Chiefs of Staff, finalizing the details for his Justice League proposal as well as the security plans for the new White House.

Over the past three days, the bustling government activity in the Pentagon had been a welcome change from the wartime panic of only short days ago - when vengeful Gods had walked the Earth.

Humanity had survived Trigon's vengeance and Darkseid's conquest. And now, the world was slowly putting itself back together, nursing its many wounds. Plans for the new White House and the pending Federal elections were going well. The date had been set and construction firms around the country (and the globe) were attempting to repair the damage Darkseid had done.

Wayne Industries was also rebuilding to become bigger than ever, making Alfred Pennyworth one of the wealthiest stock investors in American history.

WI-screens were popping up across the world thanks to Tim and his team. All major urban centers had been put back online and Bruce calculated that they should have ninety percent of the entire globe back online within the next three days.

Under Tim Drake's guidance, Wayne Industries had reinstated newly designed atmospheric nanites (that could never be used as a weapon) to put the communications sector back online. Trigon had accomplished the task of ridding the Earth of all deadly nanites – the invisible keys to the Engine of Destruction – seconds before Humanity would have been their victim.

Luckily for Bruce, the whole affair had been written off as an attack by Trigon to cripple worldwide communications. It had been established that the eleven million innocent people ruthlessly murdered in Kahndaq had been the victim of a widespread Sarin attack, orchestrated by the League of Assassins.

That part was true.

What was left of the remains of Ra's al Ghul had been located in Kahndaq, trampled by Trigon's horrible demons. Evidence had been found linking the now-defunct League to the summoning of the incredibly powerful Trigon, part of their bio-terrorist agenda to eliminate humanity.

Over the past three days, many of the League's most prominent members had been located and arrested. But there was still one of them that remained at large that deeply concerned Bruce… Talia al Ghul. She had seemingly disappeared with Lady Shiva after their battle with Trigon.

He prayed that Talia would stay disappeared…

After his full pardon by the acting President, Fritz Hollmann had graciously accepted Bruce's offer of employment at Wayne Industries, becoming his CEO of International Development. With the sudden hostile appearances of two omnipotent Gods of evil, citizens across the globe were now demanding closer foreign ties and UN protection. Wayne Industries now had their sights firmly set on worldwide expansion, both to bring the world closer together and protect it from any future threats.

Even the entertainment shows were now interviewing celebrities regarding where they were the day the world went green. Bruce wondered what they would say if only they had known of the final fate of the Green Lantern Corps...

While Bruce and Congress had made some big steps in the last three days, Raven had spanned the stars on a much larger scale.

The Goddess of Hope had been rebuilding order in their Universe.

As Bruce finally dismissed his Chiefs of Staff, ready to return home for the first time in three days, he thought again about his wife and the direction their lives had turned.

Raven had been across the Universe transforming the remaining Green Lanterns into her own new Blue Lantern Corps. She had travelled to twenty distant worlds and met with its people and its leaders, announcing their new Champions of Hope.

And in an act of God-like charity, her Lanterns would share in her own divine power. Like her, they would become Champions of the Gods.

In a way, it was strangely symbolic and reflective of what had been happening on Earth Bruce thought. The will of the individual was being supplanted by the hope of the population. Greed was no longer the motivating desire, but rather the hope for a better tomorrow.

People were looking at the world in a whole new light.

And they were also looking up at the blue skies above.

Where the Justice League's new satellite could easily be seen on a clear day.

The Watchtower had been a much easier task than Bruce had dared to dream possible. As the Goddess of Hope and leader of the Blue Lantern Corps, his wife could do extraordinary things.

With Barbara's help earlier this afternoon, it had taken the pair of sisters only moments to convert the entire abandoned CERN satellite into a fully functioning Justice League headquarters – perfectly in line with everything Bruce had ever hoped for.

As Raven had explained, she and Barbara were able to draw a fantastic amount of power from the hope of the entire world. The satellite itself was a beacon of that hope - the first step towards Earth's place among the stars. The act of transforming the satellite had only manifested that hope, not destroyed it.

And that was important.

It even had a teleporter!

So while he had deeply missed his wife, Bruce knew that Raven's decision to found the Blue Lantern Corps had also been necessary for their marriage. It would spread out her power as a Goddess and Champion across the Universe to twenty-one other heroic individuals. If she were to remain as an omnipotent Goddess, she would be lost to him.

So while Raven was still powerful beyond human comprehension - especially when she spoke the magic word 'Shazam!' to become the crimson-skinned goddess and Champion - Bruce doubted that she could stand-to-toe with entities like Darkseid now.

But the combined might of the Blue Lantern Corps could.

Dear God how he wanted her back.

And then, as if his wife could sense his aching desire for her across the country (and indeed, she could), the familiar black smoke suddenly appeared to awaken him from his daydreams.

When his magical wife suddenly materialized before him, Bruce Wayne thanked his own lucky stars. After three days of putting America back on track, he wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed with this incredible woman and sleep in tomorrow.

"You called, my love? Are you ready to go?"

"I've never been more ready… These constant meetings and conferences are really taking it out of me. It would be nice if you could rebuild this country as easily as you did the CERN satellite this afternoon, Raven."

"I could… but then that hope you have worked so hard to instil would be corrupted, my love."

She wrapped him in her arms and kissed him softly on the cheek while he held her tightly, enjoying the soft feel of the beautiful dress she was wearing. Raven grinned at him like a schoolgirl and beamed…

"I have baked you a cake! Happy Birthday, Bruce!"

Bruce couldn't help but stop and think about the absurdity of that for a second.

This incredibly powerful Goddess, who had just travelled across the Universe for the past three days to establish and empower her own Blue Lantern Corps - an army of aliens that could engage interstellar forces of destruction - had just informed him that she had spent the last few hours in their kitchen doing menial kitchen labour… for him.

"You baked?... But Raven, Alfred could have…"

Raven pouted a little.

"Yes he could have… but then, that cake would not be from me. It would be from Alfred."

Bruce rushed in to make the save.

"Honestly sweetheart, I'm truly touched and honoured that you would do that for me… after everything you've already done. You're beyond amazing… Is it chocolate?"

Raven smiled in earnest again, a wave of happiness rushing through Bruce. He had the feeling that she enjoyed baking for him.

"Of course, dearest. How could I break such an important Bruce Wayne tradition?"

Raven had obviously consulted with Alfred regarding Bruce's favourite Birthday custom. As far back as he could remember, Bruce always had chocolate cake and icing for his birthday, complete with all the candles and a birthday wish if he were able to blow them out.

Truly, Alfred made one of the best chocolate cakes in the world. There was no doubt that young Raven had a very large cake pan to fill compared to Alfred's talent for delicacies, but she also had a wonderful and generous teacher to help her.

As he fondly fantasized about the mouth-watering taste of Alfred's chocolate cake, Bruce suddenly caught his wife fixing his tie and then straightening his collar. For any other wife in the world, this may have been a common occurrence, not worthy of consideration. For his wife, it was the first time she had ever taken an interest in his clothes.

And it meant that something was up…

"Raven… my love… You didn't arrange a surprise birthday party for me, did you?"

Raven looked at him, surprised and slightly offended.

"…What makes you say that, my love?"

"Well, for one thing, you're fixing my tie. Secondly, you look absolutely stunning in that formal evening wear. You look like you're dressed for a party."

"Oh that… I must confess, with Alfred's assistance, I'm developing a taste for these earthly fashions... Do you approve?"

The familiar blue hooded robe and arm-mittens had been replaced by a spectacular low-cut, blue dress with three rows of pearls strung around her slender neck. The pearls were a beautiful contrast against wavy, black hair which spilled loosely across her naked shoulders.

As he slowly looked down past the curves of the dress, black nylons shimmered along spectacular legs that were capped by small, black high heel shoes - so that Bruce didn't tower over her quite as much as normal.

Raven looked stunning.

She looked radiant and sophisticated. All thoughts of a surprise Birthday party were now dashed beneath hormones he had forgotten he had. He wasn't even sure if he could wait until after dessert to have this gorgeous woman all to himself.

"Suddenly Mrs. Wayne, I not feeling quite so tired… Let's go and have some of that cake. And then… after dessert, we can start our own new birthday tradition…"

Bruce winked at her with an eye he didn't have three days ago.

Raven got agonizingly close to him again.

"And who better than I to answer those hopes and prayers, my love? But first the cake, Mr. Wayne. I'm anxious to see what you think of your wife's culinary skills. Old traditions first, and then new traditions later."

Hopelessly in love with his wife, Bruce watched as the black, sulphurous smoke surrounded them once again. It was finally time to go home with the woman he loved. Time to go home, have some chocolate cake, and then carry Raven into their bed...

They arrived into a sudden chorus of...

"Surprise!"

Bruce stood stunned for an instant until he realized that Raven had arranged a surprise Birthday party for him!

As he looked around in wonder, he saw Barbara Gordon with a sharp-dressed Clark, Princess Diana of Themyscira in white robes, Tim Drake and Fritz Hollmann in party hats, Commissioner James Gordon, and General Johnson surrounding them. They all blew into party horns after they had yelled out 'Surprise!'.

Standing on the other side of the room were his friends from other worlds. Scott Free looked elegant in his white tuxedo while his wife Barda left none of her feminine charms concealed in a tight-fitting, red dress with an wide-open back.

Beside them stood the New God Lightray (who also wore a white tuxedo) and his battle-scarred lover Orion who had opted for a simple white T-Shirt with jeans. Bruce had never realized how large the massive arms of this new King of Apokolips actually were… or how pronounced the scars had been. A warrior amongst Gods.

And they were all here for his Birthday.

Bruce quickly wiped a tear from his eye.

"Wow… Well done everyone! I really didn't expect this. Thank you for joining us, and thank you Raven."

Everyone clapped enthusiastically as Bruce took his wife in his arms and kissed her full on the lips… while a sudden clap of thunder suddenly shook Wayne manor.

"Frightful storm out there," spoke Alfred from the dining hall. "Now that our host and hostess have arrived, I am happy to announce that dinner is served. Please take your seats."

Alfred and the team of chefs he had brought in had truly outdone themselves. The guests were treated to the finest food in Gotham that night. The feast was punctuated by flashes of lightning and cracks of thunder seen throughout the windows of the mansion. As Alfred had said, it was indeed quite a storm.

After the excellent meal, coffee, drinks and tea were served before the final Pièce de Résistance…. As Alfred dimmed the lights, Mrs. Wayne wheeled out a large chocolate cake, topped with thirty-three brightly lit candles, directly in front of Bruce.

"Make a Birthday wish, dearest. If you can blow out all those candles, I'll make it come true."

"I'm not sure what to wish for anymore, Raven… It seems it's all come true.

Raven leaned in and lovingly whispered into her husband's ear.

"With hope, anything is possible, my love. Wish for what your heart seeks."

His heart sought so many things… but in its deepest corner, there was still one regret that Bruce could never let go. After all they had accomplished, all they had done and the lives they had saved, there was still one great sadness that weighed in his heart.

There was one guest that should have been here with them tonight.

Bruce made the wish that his son could be with them and blew with all his might.

Using his last ounce of breath, he managed to blow out every last candle. Thirty-three candles were a lot to blow out, but he hadn't missed a year yet.

And the cake was wonderful. Truly, there was nothing his wife could not do. And he told her so.

When they had finished, General Tyrexius Johnson stood up from his chair and spoke to the group.

"Mr. President and Mrs. Wayne… I would like to thank you for graciously including me in this wonderful evening. I'm afraid I will have to ask Mrs. Wayne's assistance to return to Washington shortly… My own gift to President Wayne is that he gets to take a well-deserved day off tomorrow, which means that I get to cover for him. But before I go, Congress wanted me to pass a little something along to you, Bruce and Raven…"

General Johnson retrieved something from his coat. At first, Bruce thought it was a jewellery box. However, when Tyrexius opened the box, he was surprised to find it contained a gold coin with the image of both himself and Raven embossed onto it.

"Nice, huh? Congress had it put together today. It's the Congressional Gold Medal in case you're wondering... They wanted me to read something on their behalf as well."

The elderly General pulled a speech from his pocket and then carefully put on his reading glasses.

"Ahem… We present this Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of the United States Congress to the President and the First Lady – Bruce and Raven Wayne - whose invaluable contributions to American culture and history during these times of worldwide devastation have allowed the American people, and indeed the citizens of the world, to embrace a new era of peace and prosperity.

For the remarkable leadership and courage demonstrated by the President and First Lady, the Congress of the United States of America offers our highest honour and our humble thanks…

And so on…

There's a couple more paragraphs, but I'll just leave you the letter. The bottom line is that without you fine folks, there wouldn't be an America left standing to hand out these nice medals, now would there?"

"Hear, hear!" Commissioner James Gordon stood and led a round of standing ovations for their hosts - as another loud thunder boom joined in, echoing off the large halls of Wayne Manor.

"See? Even the heavens above are clapping with us," joked the Commissioner as he suddenly fumbled in his breast pocket, retrieving an antiquated ,vibrating cell phone.

Barbara Gordon (who was seated beside her father) shot him an icy stare as he answered the phone which was impossible to ignore.

"Sorry Babs… it's my emergency phone."

James Gordon excused himself for a moment to take the call while the Waynes and their guests studied the golden Congressional Medal and thanked the General… until the Commissioner returned a moment later.

"I'm sorry folks… I may have to catch a ride with General Johnson. Apparently, our forensics lab was just struck by lightning… Powers out. Seems one of our police scientists was working late and got hit as well… But they tell me he's OK. I really should get back to the station though... I really do apologize. Ah, Mrs. Wayne, would you mind?"

Barbara Gordon grimaced at her father while Raven Wayne graciously smiled.

"Of course not, Commissioner… Thank you for joining us on short notice. I do hope he's alright."

"Truly, it has been an honour and a pleasure, Mrs. Wayne. I have no idea why Bruce kept you a secret for so long. You've been a wonderful hostess. And I will be sure to keep you updated on Mr. Allen's recovery."

With his super hearing, Clark was able to hear Barbara quietly utter under her breath.

"Gosh Dad, gush much?"

After cheerful good-byes, Raven teleported both James Gordon back to his office and Tyrexius Johnson back to his home in Washington. The severe lightning strike upon the Forensics Lab had been unfortunate, but she gathered that Dr. Barry Allen had not been permanently injured.

Fate often did work in mysterious ways.

When Raven returned, Diana was ready to present her gift to Bruce… a collection of Amazonian tales and legends scribed by their greatest philosophers. It contained legends forgotten by time and tales no one outside of Themyscira had ever been privileged to hear. And although it was written in ancient Latin, Bruce was sure that his wife would be able to translate it.

All in all, it was a wonderful gift.

"And…" continued Diana, "My mother has decreed that as I have been honoured by the Gods, that I should represent the Nation of the Amazons in this world - and also all worlds beyond. I am allowed to join the Justice League!"

Bruce was thrilled to have Wonder-Woman in the League… and told her that. The Amazon Princess was not only incredibly strong, she was also smart. Armed with a magical sword, shield, tiara, bracers and lasso probably wouldn't hurt their chances either.

Clark slowly stepped forward.

"Bruce… I hope you don't mind, but Barbara and I left our contribution in the Watchtower. I know it's not much of a Birthday present, but we wanted to remember our fallen… the ones that couldn't be here tonight. We've constructed a Hall with five twenty-foot-tall titanium statues, so that we can pay our respects to those who shared our vision and paid the ultimate price."

Bruce reached out and shook the Kryptonian's hand and smiled. He then quietly embraced Barbara and smiled… and took a deep breath.

"Thank you both. I regret I was not able to attend the funeral for Jor-El. I was on that rooftop when he saved us all from Ra's al Ghul. May I ask which statues you have added to this memorial, so that we can have a moment to remember them?"

They all solemnly bowed their heads while Clark answered.

"President Lois Lane… for her bold vision, conviction, and compassion.

My own father Jor-El… for his willing sacrifice that allowed his son and all of humanity the chance to live.

The Phantom Stranger… for his resolute courage and indomitable spirit in the face of overwhelming adversity.

Shazam the Wizard… to show us that even the blackest heart, when shown the light of forgiveness, may yet find salvation.

And Arella, Raven's mother… to show us that the power of Love is stronger than the greatest of all Evils."

They stood in silence for a moment while Bruce wiped another tear from his eye. They had all lost someone close to them. Bruce remembered his own monument to Captain Richard Grayson that stood between the Gotham Towers.

"If you don't mind Clark… I would like to add one more."

"Of course Bruce… Who would you…?"

At that exact moment, the unmistakable din of a Boom Tube opening could be heard just outside of the Manor's main entryway. They all peered at one another as the front doorbell rang.

"Now who could that be at this hour?..." asked Alfred (to no one in particular) as he began to make his way towards the front hallway. How strange that security had not called. Perhaps a friend of the Free's?

Raven quickly stepped in front of an advancing Alfred to place a firm hand on his shoulder, stopping the old servant in his tracks. She smiled at the butler.

"I expect that will be my gift arriving, Alfred… Please old friend, allow Bruce to answer his own door this one time."

Bruce looked around at his other guests, specifically the New Gods, for any indication of what this surprise could be. Their faces were as blank as his own. He then looked at Raven who only ushered him towards the main entryway with a mischievous grin.

Bruce tried to piece it together. Judging from the Boom Tube outside of his door, Raven's gift must have arrived from New Genesis. But what would she have brought him from New Genesis? Were more New Gods arriving?

Bruce had made his way halfway to the front door - with Raven and Alfred trailing like kids just behind him - when the doorbell rang again once more.

"Just a minute, please..." called out Bruce who quickened his pace. Judging from the downpour of the storm outside, he could understand the visitor's impatience. It was one of those loud storm's Gotham was infamous for. Maybe it wasn't New Gods.

When he finally arrived at the large oaken doors, Bruce undid the latch and swung it slowly open to reveal the last person he had ever expected to see again.

And yet there he was.

Huddled for warmth in white boxer shorts and a soaked undershirt stood a very wet and miserable Captain Richard Grayson.

Richard Grayson… Exactly as he was the last time Bruce had seen him… completely alive and staring at back at him impatiently… seemingly oblivious to the fact that he had died.

"Bruce, are you alright?… Are you going to invite me in?"

As much as he tried, Bruce was totally unable to speak. Words would not come.

The master of Wayne Manor fell to his knees and then suddenly reached out, embracing the younger man, unwilling to let him go for fear that Death would reclaim his lost son. Upon contact, the acting President could no longer contain his tears, openly sobbing and holding a very confused Richard Grayson.

Behind them, Raven had to personally support Alfred from tumbling over as the old man almost fainted. She guided him to a bench so that he could sit down, and then wrapped her arms around him to comfort the older gentleman. For all intensive purposes, Alfred looked as though he had just seen a ghost, instead of the young man who was being tightly embraced by Bruce.

The sudden emotions displayed by Bruce and Alfred were matched only by Dick's astonishment at this tearful and heartfelt greeting. He had been totally taken by surprise.

"Ahhh… Bruce… Look, I'm really sorry about yesterday and all… I'm sorry for what I said about Raven, I was totally wrong... But… do you think you could tell me how I got here? I'm not sure what just happened."

Bruce then held his ward firmly at arm's length… staring intently with reddened, teary eyes.

"Richard… You… You were dead."

Dick Grayson looked back at Bruce, not sure if his adopted father had gone crazy or was joking.

"Ahhh… No… I was about to cut open the missile in Kahndaq and then 'Poof', it all went black. I had this strange dream about a white-haired woman with eyes like Raven, and then I woke up and there was this big tunnel of light and noise and somebody pushed me into it and… well… here I am… in my underwear…. And cold. Now… May I please come in?"

A soaked Dick Grayson managed to finally step inside the foyer away from the raging storm when Alfred suddenly found the strength to rise and embrace the young man in his arms - as the tears of joy streamed down his own cheeks. Bruce closed the doors behind them, fearful that this gift from Heaven would be sucked back into the darkness once more.

"Oh Geez, Alfred… Not you too."

Still, Dick willingly hugged his old friend back.

"You're real… Merciful God above… You're real. Welcome home, Master Dick!"

As Alfred continued to hug Dick tightly, Bruce suddenly joined in once more, as the three men embraced like generations of a family after a war. Stuck in the middle of this tight embrace, and now staring pleadingly at Raven, Richard Grayson spoke an ardent plea…

"Raven… Could someone… please… tell me… what's going on? Have Bruce and Alfred… been drinking?"

Raven stepped over to loosen the embrace of the two older men and placed her hand on Richard's cheek. When she did, Dick noticed immediately that there was something different about Raven, not just the dress, but she seemed… powerful. Really, really powerful.

"Bruce is correct Richard. You did die in Kahndaq. Had Fate not been rewritten, you would have remained dead. You are here because I was given three wishes, and my first wish from the Past was that I would be allowed to go back in time to save you."

"But that's crazy Raven, I didn't die. I'm alive. I just blacked out for a bit…"

"In this time, you have been dead for a week Richard Grayson. The device in Kahndaq was nothing more than a devious trap by Lex Luthor that detonated when your laser torches pierced its hull. Many died in the resulting explosion and the world faced the wrath of two Gods.

The white-haired woman that you dreamed of was the Goddess of the Past… Urd, who allowed me to go back in time and teleport you out of your stealth suit, milliseconds before the bomb exploded. Your thread had been suspended from that very moment until my friend Izaya sent you back to us."

A booming and wise voice from beyond the foyer spoke to them.

"Aye young mortal… After your step-mother brought my own son Scott Free back from the Dead and then saved my other son Orion from deadly Darkseid, this small favour was the least I could do."

Richard looked up the hallway, to see a large, older, bearded man in robes with one arm around a man in a white tuxedo and the other around a muscular, red-headed man in a T-Shirt and jeans. Although Dick had never really accepted it, Raven (even though she was younger than he was) was his step-mother.

Dick slowly stepped forward towards Raven.

"Raven… Is it true? Was I really dead?"

Raven smiled graciously at him, and somehow he felt blessed by it.

"Not anymore."

Richard did something he had never done before.

He took his smaller step-mother into his arms and embraced her tightly. He felt Raven's own happiness blast through him as soon as he did. There were a thousand questions racing through his mind, but for now, it was enough to know that he was alive and that the woman who had married his adopted-father, the woman whom he had only doubted, had performed the impossible and wished him back from the dead.

"Thank you, Raven… for everything. Bruce loves you so very much… and that should have been all I ever needed to know."

As Raven embraced him back, Dick felt another pair of strong arms surround the pair of them as Bruce joined in.

"Raven… Richard… This is the best Birthday present that any man could have ever wished for."

A shout from the hallway prepared them for a certain red-head's onslaught.

"Dick!... Oh, my God! It really is you!"

They were almost bowled over when Barbara Gordon flew into them from across the hallway, tears running down her blue eyes, tightly gripping the young man who had finally returned home.

A young man who would begin his life anew.

Author's Note:

Remember when Raven returned the Source that her father Trigon had stolen to the Realm of Fate, that she was granted a wish by each of the three Norns. Her wish from Verdandi (Goddess of the Present) was that Scott Free be resurrected and her wish from Skuld (Goddess of the Future) was given to Darkseid which resulted in his demise.

Now you know what Raven's wish from Urd was!

So as not to affect the threads of Fate from the past week, Richard was kept in a dream-like stasis under Urd's protection. Izaya the Highfather then retrieved an awakened Richard and Boom-Tubed him directly to the front doors of Wayne Manor.

Fans of DC Comics should recognize the name Barry Allen. He is the fastest man alive after all…

My story is wrapping up, but I can still envision all the love triangle possibilities between Richard, Barbara and Clark.

Especially when you learn who Dick becomes next chapter.