(A/N): Yay another chapter up :) Still accepting requests for new stories, just private message me your request! I have posted a new story that I already love and I'm excited to write and I would love it if you guys could take a gander. As always enjoy and please leave a review so I know what I need to improve or change. Thanks! -Darkrubie
"So what did Bruce want?" Rachel asked, noting Richard and Kori's flushed faces.
"He just wanted to congratulate me." Kori replied.
Rachel gave her a questioning look.
"That doesn't seem like something he would do." She trailed off when she noticed Kori's scowl
"X'hal! Why is it so crazy that he wanted to congratulate us! He even hugged us at the door!" Everyone's mouth hung open when Kori said that.
"Ugh you guys are impossible, Alfred could you pass me a glass? It's in the cabinet behind you." Kori said, hoping to change the subject.
"Oh allow me; what would you like to drink?" Kori sighed, her irritation rising. "I got it; I just need a glass please." She said, hoping to hide the frustration in her voice.
She was getting tired of everyone treating her as an invalid and just wanted to go back to how things used to be. All the stress from the week just seemed to finally be getting to her and Kori felt like she was about go into a hormonal rage. Deep inside her brain she knew she was acting nutty but she didn't really care at the moment. Richard picked up on the tension rolling off of Kori and quickly grabbed her a glass. She got some water and gulped it down; the coolness sliding down her throat seemed to help her relax. She took a few more minutes to get her emotions under control.
"You know, if you're up to it I think we should call Karen because boy do I have some news to share and I want to tell you about my trip." Rachel said with a warm smile.
Kori felt herself begin to relax at the sound of Rachel's voice.
"I'd love to but would you mind if I took a nap first? This has been a long day."
"Of course." Rachel said without blinking,
Kori looked exhausted not just physically but emotionally as well.
"I'll call Karen and tell her to come over at 5:00. Is that ok with you?" She continued.
"Yeah, thanks Rachel, I could really use some girl time." Kori said with a smile.
She put her glass in the sink and began to walk out of the kitchen.
"Hey Kor, mind if I walk you to your room?" Richard called out, taking long strides to try and catch up with her.
"Not at all." She smiled up at him.
"Thanks, I kinda wanted to talk to you." He said with a lopsided grin as he followed her up the stairs.
"Oh? About what?" Kori asked as they reached her room.
"Here let's go inside and talk." Richard said as he pulled her inside.
Kori went over and sat on the bed while Richard shut the door.
"I know you felt that spark when we kissed down there." Richard said as he turned to face Kori. Kori couldn't deny it; it was just as heavenly as the first time they kissed.
"And if I did?" Kori asked.
"Well I was hoping that maybe you could give me one more shot at a proper date? Kori I would do anything for you to take me back and I can see that I moved way to fast before. I am willing to take it slow this time. So what do you say? Will you do me the honour of going out with me? Is love for us to be a family.." Richard said.
Kori sat there for a while as she thought. She wanted so desperately to say yes but this part in the back of her brain kept nagging about what Richard had done to her and how much he hurt her.
"I'm sorry." She finally said and the disappointment on Richards face stabbed at her heart. "Woah before you get all sulky, let me finish. I was going to apologize for thinking so long; I would enjoy a date very much." Kori finished a smile.
Richard's entire face lit up and he bounded over to Kori and pulled her into his embrace. He hugged her and gave her a quick kiss before he turned to leave.
"I'll make sure you won't regret this Kori, this will be the best night of your life!" He called as he opened the door.
He quickly jogged down the steps as he pulled his phone out to make the plans. Kori went over to the door and closed it while she giggled. It was so heartwarming when Richard was happy. Kori went over to the bed to lie down but after lying under the covered for a while, she realized that all she could think a kit was the date and she knew that a nap was futile.
"So what is this news?!" Karen shouted to the girls as she walked into the house.
"Oh yes Rachel I have been dying to know!" Kori wholeheartedly agreed from her seat in the living room with a pint of ice cream in her hand.
"Ok Karen come sit down." Rachel said.
"Oh if she is making us sit, it must be big." Karen said as her eyes widened.
"Well you'll never know unless you sit down." Rachel drawled.
Once everyone was seated Rachel took a deep breath and began. "So you remember how I caught him at the jewelry store with Tara? Well it turns out he was there looking for an engagement ring for-" Rachel was interrupted by Karen's gasp
"That little grass stain was going to propose to Tara while dating you?" She nearly shouted.
"No now shut up and stop interrupting me." Rachel said with a glare.
"As I was saying, he was looking for an engagement ring for me." Karen was about to say something when Rachel glared at her, effectively shutting Karen up. "I guess he wanted a girls opinion on rings so he asked Tara for help."
"But why her? You and Tara are total opposites and don't have the same taste in anything. And why didn't he ask us?" Kori asked.
"Well this is Gar we are talking about, he isn't the brightest bulb in the tanning bed." Karen said with a chuckle.
"He said he didn't want you guys to tell me about it and he thought all girls liked the same kind of jewelry, you know, flashy." Rachel continued.
Kori giggled "Rachel you hate flashy jewelry."
Rachel smiled and replied "I know but oh well lets continue with the story. I guess he called Dick and Vic and they had a guys night out and while they were out he told them everything. Dick and Vic then begun scheming up ways to get us back together which is when Dick told me I was going on vacation. I thought he was just trying to get me out of the house so he could talk to Kori but when I got to the airport I saw Gar standing at the gate waiting for me."
Kori gave an "Awwwwe!"
While Karen snorted and said "I'm shocked you didn't leave."
Rachel gave some what of a sheepish grin and said "I tried, I told him I didn't want to see him and threatened to kick his ass to hell and back but he kept trying to convince me to go on the trip and he would show me that it was worth it. I am chalking it up to temporary insanity that I agreed to go but looking back, I'm sure glad I did." Rachel finished
"So did he propose?" Kori asked.
Rachel answered by holding up her left hand and showing off the ebony opal ring that sat on her ring finger. Kori and Karen squealed and tackled Rachel into a group hug and for once, Rachel let it happen. Well for a few moments at least. She finally detached herself from the two and watched as they continued to squeal and hug. Rachel noticed the tears in Kori's eyes and became concerned.
"Kori this is a happy moment, why the tears?" She asked.
Kori pulled Rachel into a bone crushing hug
"I'm just so happy for you!" She wailed.
Karen snickered "Geez Kori, hormonal much?"
Kori pulled away from Rachel and tried to stop the tears as she wiped her face.
"Oh I apologize, I am just so happy." Kori said, still blubbering.
"It's ok Kori, Karen was just playing, this a happy occasion and I'd be worried if you didn't cry." Rachel said with a warm smile.
Karen looked at the two other girls.
"Look at us, one is getting married, the other has a baby on the way and I wouldn't be surprised if Vic was working up the nerve to ask me to marry him." She said with a laugh. "We are so grown up now!"
The girls burst into laughter and hugged one last time. After a couple of heartbeats they decided to sit back down and continue their girl talk.
"So Kori, what up with you and Richard?" Karen asked with eager eyes.
"There isn't much as of now. There were some complications with the baby while Rachel was gone and the doctor has put me on bed rest. Richard was going to help me but now that Rachel is back, I wouldn't be surprised if he went back to Gotham." Kori answered with a gloomy look on her face.
"Nonsense Kori, there's no way he'd leave you and the baby here alone." Karen said with a hard look "And if he did, we'd have to drag his ass back here." She continued.
"Well I hope he does actually want to be here." Kori said and her face suddenly brightened
"He did ask me on a date earlier." Rachel and Karen beamed at Kori
"That's great!" Karen said "Where is he staying?" She asked.
"At a hotel. He was going to stay here while Rachel was away but now she has returned and I don't think he wants to step on anyone's toes." Kori answered.
"Actually that was the next news I was going to tell you.. I'm moving in with Gar." Rachel said.
"Oh Rachel that is glorious!" Kori said with true excitement but it quickly turned to panic.
"But I do not have a place of my own yet." She mumbled.
Rachel smiled at her.
"Do you really think I would kick you out? I am keeping this apartment until you are able to find a place of your own. You know from what I've heard Dick is looking for an apartment, maybe you can be his roommate." Rachel suggested with a blank face.
Karen however could see right though Rachel's face and knew what she was planning.
"Hmm, I guess that could be an idea." Kori thought out loud.
A flash of excitement passed through Rachel's eyes as she found her plan coming together.
"I will have to think about it. I will miss having you as a roommate though." Kori said as tears started welling up in her eyes.
"Oh I will too but we will be in the same city now and we will see each other all the time." Rachel said as she gave Kori a quick hug.
"True." Kori finally agreed.
The girls continued to chat about their boys and their plans for the future well into the night and as they settled down to sleep, Kori thought of her upcoming date and fantasized about living with Richard.
Next chapter: Bed rest life and the date!