(A/N): Hey everyone! I am extremely sorry that I haven't updated in so long! things have just been super busy and I found that I am having a really hard time writing my final chapters, this story is my baby and I'm not ready for it to grow up and leave the nest *sniffles*. I want to thank everyone for the support I have gotten while writing this story, you guys made me love this whole experience and want to continue writing so I hope you guy continue to read my stories. I am working on a new one, its already posted on my page, and I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed writing it. I hope you enjoy this chapter, lots of fluff before the angst ;) and please as always please leave a review so I know what you think of the story. As an aspiring writer I need to know what areas I need to improve in and your opinions help! Thanks again for all the support! -Darkrubie
"What?" Kori giggled, the look on Richards face was priceless.
"Damn it! I squeezed too hard didn't I?" Richard panicked.
Kori laughed and said "No you dork but I suggest we go to the hospital."
"Right!" Dick said as he ran around like a chicken with its head cut off.
Kori giggled and grabbed their hospital bag, next she went and got her purse and yelled for Richard to grab the keys. He come sprinting out of the kitchen with the keys jingling in his hand and takes the bags from Kori. By the time she lumbers down the steps Dick had already loaded everything up and had the car running so he ran over to her to help her to the car. When Kori is seated she feels a contraction start, it's over in just a couple of moments and was actually pretty bearable.
"These contractions actually aren't that bad." Kori said with a smile as Richard got into the car.
"Good, hopefully it will stay that way during our 20 minute drive." Richard smiled at her.
As luck would have it, the contractions got more and more painful with each one so by the time they made it to the hospital, Kori was practically screaming. They got there just in the knick of time because as Dick helped Kori out of her seat he noticed a little bit of blood, he panicked and hooked his arms behind her legs and carried her into the hospital. Most people wouldn't have been able to carry a big duffle bag and a heavily pregnant woman but Dick did it with no issues. They happened to catch Kori's doctor as they entered the front door and he was able to get Kori a wheelchair and swiftly move her to the operating room. Kori was temporarily separated from Richard as she was prepped for surgery and he scrubbed up. After a few minutes she began to worry about where he was and the nurses noted how her heat rate went up.
"Kori I'm going to need you to take a deep breath." A nurse requested as she placed an oxygen mask over Kori's face.
"Where's Richard? I can't do this without him." She cried.
"Don't worry Hun, he is just scrubbing up, gotta make sure everything is nice and clean for when your baby comes out." The kind nurse said.
Just then Dick burst through the door and was at Kori's side in an instant.
"Sorry it took so long, I had to call Rachel and let her know that Mar'i was on her way." He said with a huff as if he hadn't had a chance to take a moment and breathe.
Tears slid down Kori's cheek as she looked at Richard and she said "Richard I love you and despite the bad times, I'm glad this happened to us."
Dick grinned and kissed her
"I love you too and I'm glad they happened too. I am so excited to start our life as a happy and whole family."
Kori felt a tug on her abdomen and grimaced. She wished she could see what was happening but there was a curtain blocking her view of her lower half.
"Sorry Kori, you are probably going to feel some pressure." Their doctor said.
After a few minutes of dick whispering words of love and encouragement to Kori they heard a small wail and Mar'i was placed on Kori's chest. Tears instantly came to their eyes as they looked down at their beautiful daughter. Mar'i Grayson came into the world weighting 7lbs 5oz and was 21 inches long. She had Dicks jet black hair and Kori's green eyes. Mar'i stopped her whines as soon as she was placed on Kori's chest and she gazed up at her new parents.
Kori cuddled her close and whispered "Hello my beautiful little girl, oh look at how tiny she is Richard!"
Dick couldn't take his eyes off them. Mar'i wasn't the only beautiful one there and he thought his heart would burst from all the love and pride he felt at that moment. He kissed Kori's temple and hugged both of his girls close. They were in their own blissful world and they didn't even notice the nurse taking a photo for them on the digital camera they brought to the hospital.
"Would you like to hold her?" Kori asked.
She giggled when he hesitated
"You are not going to break her, silly, just cradle her and watch her head."
Richard carefully took Mar'i into his arms and wanted to melt right there when she looked him in the eyes and made little grunting sounds. She let out a mew and Richard instantly looked to Kori for help. She smiled at him and said
"Don't worry she is fine." That seemed to help him relax.
"Ok you three, its time to move you to the recovery room. Your friends are here so whenever you're ready, we can send them back." The nurse said as she began to wheel Kori out of the operating theatre.
20 minutes they were settled in and ready for visitors. Kori laughed as she heard Vic and Gar wrestling over who would get to hold the baby first. She heard their simultaneous "Ow!" And saw Rachel and Karen stroll in with Vic and Gar shuffling behind, rubbing the backs of their heads.
"We put them in their place." Karen explained which made Kori and Dick laugh.
"Ok I am ready to see my little niece!" Karen exclaimed Rachel and Karen darted over to Kori's bed and both let out an "Awww!" when they saw Mar'i.
"May I hold her?" Rachel asked.
"Of course." Kori said as she carefully passed Mar'i over.
"I'm next!" Gar screeched which earned him a glare.
"Sorry." He sheepishly apologized.
"I would like to hold her next though."
"Uh huh grass stain! Big brother privileges, I get the next turn." Vic said with a smug smile which disappeared when he saw the look on Karens face.
"Umm the next turn after Karen I mean." He amended.
Kori and Richard laughed. They all took turns cooing over the baby until she started to fuss.
Rachel, whom was holding her again, passed her back to Kori and said "She really is beautiful, you guys are going to make great parents."
Kori smiled as Dick sat next to her and pulled her into his embrace, he kissed her temple and said "Thanks Rae, I'm glad you were all able to make it."
He looked down sat Mar'i, who was now rooting at her momma's chest, and said
"Well, looks like she is hungry so I think visiting time is over. You guys should come to the house tomorrow when we bring her home."
The group agreed and said more well wishes and goodbyes than left the new family to bond.
Nighttime approached too quickly and soon a nurse was at Kori's side to take Mar'i to the nursery.
"Oh must she go? I wish to spend more time with her." Kori complained.
The nurse gave an understanding smile
"I know Hun but trust me, you just went through quite the ordeal and you need to rest up. You'll want a full night of sleep if you intend on going home tomorrow and you guys have the rest of your lives to spend with her."
She looked at Kori's disappointed face and caved "Well, if you really want her to stay I guess that can be arranged. Let me bring a cot in for her." The nurse finished with a smile. Kori's face brightened and she pulled the nurse in for a bone crushing hug.
"Oh thank you! How can I ever thank you!"
The nurse let out a strangled sound "Um not crushing me would be nice."
Kori quickly released her and sheepishly smiled
"I apologize."
"No problem, ill just go get the cot." She smiled at Kori and left to do what she said.
A few minutes later Richard strolled into the room. He pulled a brown bag out from inside his jacket and tossed to to Kori.
"I figured you'd like something other than hospital food."
Kori's face lit up as she pulled the fries out of the bag
"Oh you have no idea how much I have wanted these! You are the best!" She exclaimed which made Richard grin.
He lifted Mar'i off the bed and laid next to Kori with the grunting infant in his arms.
Dick chuckled "She sounds like a little piggy."
This made Kori laugh "She eats like one too." She said as she shoved a handful of fries in her mouth.
Dick chuckled again and mumbled "I see where she gets it."
"What?" Kori asked.
Richard quickly looked up at her "Oh nothing just musing out loud." He said with a sheepish grin.
Kori stared at him for a beat and finally shrugged her shoulders and went back to her food. The nurse came in as Kori was placing a couple if fries in her mouth which made Kori freeze.
The nurse laughed and said "Don't worry, I won't tell. The food here is horrible so I don't blame you. Now here is the cot and if you have any issues just push the call button and someone will come assist you. Good night."
The couple said good night and as soon as the door closed they went back to loving on their child. An hour passed and Kori finished feeding Mar'i so she put her in her cot as Richard turn the lights off. He crawled up into Kori's bed and pulled her into his embrace and they soon fell asleep. An hour and a half later Mar'i woke the couple up with a wail which cause Richard to jump out of bed and fall on his face. Kori giggled and went over to pick Mar'i up.
"It is ok my little angel, momma is here."
Mar'i quieted down a bit at the sound of Kori's voice but continued to whimper. Kori began the routine checklist of things she could be upset about.
"Your diaper is fine, you're perfectly swaddled so you must be hungry." She attempted to feed Mar'i but the infant refused. Kori now began to worry. This had never happened. Richard could sense Kori's panic and figured he would have a go at figuring out what was wrong with Mar'i. He gingerly Took her from Kori's arms a laid down on the bed. He motioned for Kori to join him and she hesitantly did. Richard put Mar'i on the bed between them and gently rocked her. Mar'i's whimpers slowly stopped and the couple looked down to see their daughter sleeping peacefully. Kori smiled at Richard and they both laid there staring into each others eyes as they fell asleep. Mar'i awoke and demanded to be feed a. Hour later and Richard groaned.
"Is it too late to put her in the nursery?" He jokingly said which earned him a light smack on the chest.
It was finally time to checkout of the hospital and Kori was so excited. She was ready to go home and begin her new life as a mother. Richard was walking along side Kori, who was unfortunately in a wheelchair, carrying Mar'i. She hated this hospital policy. They were soon at the entrance and Richard gave Kori a quick peck on the cheek as he handed her Mar'i than quickly jogged off to grab the car. Little did he know that somehow the press had gotten wind of what was new in his life and when he pulled up to the hospital entrance he saw nothing but a swarm of reporters and flashes of the cameras. When he opened the car door he could hear his daughter screaming which made his heart clench and he sprinted to the mob. He started pushing his way through the reporters, not caring if he hurt someone or not. He only wanted to get to his daughter and the love of his life. He caught a flash of red hair and made his way towards it
"Kori!" He called out which made Kori whip her head around and Richards heart clenched again when he saw the look of panic on her face.
She was using her body to shield Mar'i from the onslaught of reporters. He grabbed her hand and took the infant carrier from her.
"I dare someone to mess with me." Richard thought to himself.
He pulled Kori close to him and shielded her with his body. He got Kori and Mar'i into the car and turned to the reporters.
They were all shouting questions at him and he finally shouted "Enough! I hope you are happy. You just frightened the love of my life and our child. There's your scoop now leave!"
After his outburst he turned and got into the car and drove off. He looked back at Kori and saw her shaking.
"I am so sorry. I don't know how they found out. Someone in the hospital must have leaked it."
Kori broke into a sob "Oh Richard that was truly terrifying."
"I know. I am so sorry."
They pulled up to the house and Richard bolted out of his seat and opened the back door for Kori. He pulled Kori up into a hug and simply held her while she calmed down. When her sniffles stopped he pulled back and wiped her tears away.
"I vow to make sure that never happens again."
Kori nodded in agreement and Richard pulled away so he could grab Mar'i and take her into the house. They walked up the front steps together and when the opened the door and stepped into the house all their friends jumped out and yelled "Surprise!" Kori squealed in excitement and Richard grinned.
"Leave it to our friends to help brighten our day." He thought to himself. Bruce was even there, standing in the kitchen doorway with Alfred. The room got quiet as he walked over to the couple.
"Where is my new granddaughter?" He asked in a stoic voice.
Kori grinned and took Mar'i out of the carrier and handed Mar'i to Bruce. Bruce looked down at the little girl and instantly melted when his eyes connected with Mar'is. A tear slid down his face as he held her which made Richard smile as he pulled Kori to his side. After a few moments Bruce walked over to the couch and sat down with her.
Gar walked up and asked "May I hold her?"
This earned him a glair from Bruce that said "I'd like to see you pry her from me." which made everyone laugh. Richard thought about how everything in his life was going perfectly and it couldn't get better. Too bad for him, perfection never lasts long.
Next chapter: someone from the past threatens to ruin our new happy family.