"Hello ," Adriana heard Lucius' voice behind her as she took her iron pill while standing in Bruce's kitchen. Bruce was out and she was in his penthouse with Alfred. It was almost 9 in the evening.
"Same to you" she said with a small smile. "Where's Alfred?"
"I believe he went to go and run an errand," he said. "Is Bruce here?"
"No...apparently he's been out all day," she said.
"Apparently," he said. "So you went out?"
"Yes...but please don't tell Bruce," she said. "This day is taking forever to be over..."
The day had been long. The bad news on the television that morning happened. Transforming into Shade see Bruce had happened. Going through the police database and going to the Arkham coroner's office undetected.. It was so much. It felt like five days had passed.
"I went to my house earlier," she said. "I was only at my house a few hours..and I felt like I was going crazy. I kept expecting him to just walk through the door.. I don't know if I can live months like that. He thinks I'm dead. He has no reason to come back."
"If he's even alive, Adriana," Lucius said, as if he was reminding her.
"Do you really think he is dead?" she asked. "Honestly?"
Lucius looked down at his hands, and then back at her. His expression told her, neither yes or no.
"If he was," Lucius said. "What would that change? What would you do?"
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"I mean, your future, Adriana," Lucius said. "Hide a fugitive in your home? How long do you think you could do that? He kidnapped and threatened to kill a child to get to the governor, and he would have killed her because the governor did not show up-"
"I always knew that we couldn't have a future, Lucius," she cut him off. "I always knew it. I just need to know if he is okay-"
"You don't need to know that," Lucius said. "You want to know that. What you need...it to go forward. Live your life, be happy. Find a source happiness that has potential for the future. Wondering about him will cause you nothing but stress. If you worry and wonder about what's happened to him...it will eat you alive, because he's likely to never come back. Again... if he's even alive."
Lucius' words hurt but they were the truth. Most likely, she would never see him again. And even if she did, she would be harboring a fugitive, once again. Her main focus needed to be her health, mental and physical. This desperate desire to want to know what happened would consume her if she didn't let it go as soon as possible.
She hoped that in some way he had changed. That he no longer felt the desire and need to create anarchy and chaos. It was hard to imagine him without those desires since they were almost all he thought about. She hoped that he was willing to leave it all behind and start over somewhere far away where no one knew him. And she would start over here.
When she thought of the possibility of him escaping, leaving the country, starting a new life..she felt an enormous weight lifted off of her shoulders. She wanted him to be free. She couldn't explain in to Lucius or herself, but she knew that he was alive. All she could do now was hope that he had gone away, freeing himself from his past.
.
.
.
Four Months Later
"Wonderful," Dr. Kapoor said during Adriana's ultrasound. "Very strong heartbeat."
"Look at him.." she said, smiling widely as she looked at the screen. "I'm so happy."
"Everything looks perfect," Dr. Kapoor said.
.
.
"There he is," Adriana told Bruce as she showed him her ultrasound that night when he came home from working. "The doctor said everything looks perfect. "
"I'm very happy," Bruce told her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Although..."
"What is it?" she asked.
"I wish you would have told me you were due for an ultrasound today," he said. "I would've loved to have been there."
"Oh..." she said, suddenly feeling a bit guilty. "Sorry...I knew you had work and.."
"This is important to me," he smiled and kissed her. "More important than work."
"Okay," she said. "I think I'm due for one more before the baby comes. I'll let you know when."
"Please do," he said.
"I will, I promise," she smiled.
"What do you say...if we go out for dinner?" he suggested.
"Out?" she asked. She had been going out during the day on her own for a few weeks. Bruce was finally comfortable with it..so he claimed. She was sure he had her being followed by security at all times. They tried to be discreet, but she had seen them a few times.
"Yes...maybe to The Palm?" he asked.
"The Palm...together? In public..?" she wanted to know. "People will assume that.."
"I know," he said.
She was now visibly and undeniably pregnant. They both knew that people would assume that the baby was his.
"I'm okay with their assumptions," Bruce said. "We don't have to confirm anything publicly. It will all just be speculation, which I am used to. I don't want it to make you feel any pressure to be with me though."
"It's alright," she said. "You're right...we'll just let them make their assumptions. The truth isn't their business."
Adriana looked through the clothing she had recently acquired from an upscale maternity store. It was the finally summer and it was a warm night. She pulled out a bright turquoise colored strapless tube dress. Her hair had seemed to be growing two inches a month since she was pregnant and she hadn't had a haircut since. Her hair was very long and went past her hips. She put on a pair of low white heels and found a lightweight shawl, that was also white.
"Wow," Bruce said as soon as he saw her. "You look...phenomenal. That's a nice dress."
"Thanks," she said. "I just need to put on some makeup and then I'll be ready to go."
"You don't need it," he said. "But I'll wait in the living room."
She smiled. "Thanks, give me fifteen minutes."
When they arrived at The Palm restaurant, Adriana could already tell by the look on the hostess' face that they would be getting a lot of attention. Bruce Wayne, out on a date with a pregnant woman.
"Everyone's staring," she whispered once they got to their table and he pulled out her seat.
" Indeed," he whispered back.
"I swear I just saw someone take a photo," she remarked as the waiter poured their water.
"Hope you don't mind being in the newspaper tomorrow," he said. "With who know what said about us."
"Right," she said.
She felt a thought her rising in her mind. A thought that she hadn't had in weeks. She thought of the Joker. She was finally at a place where she was not thinking about him every single day. When Bruce mentioned to them being in the newspaper he came into her mind. It would be official, it would be public knowledge that she was alive and well. Before the Joker was arrested Adriana knew for sure that he believed that she was dead. Now it would be publicly printed that she was not.
Perhaps it didn't really matter. Maybe he was gone for good it was busy starting a new life on the other side of the world. There was no evidence that he was anywhere around. There was no sign that he was still alive, and certainly not reading Gotham's newspaper every day. And for sure not the celebrity gossip sections.
She had been back to her home several times over the last few months. There was absolutely no indication that he had ever been there or had ever come looking for her. If he was by some miracle still alive, all she could do was hope that wherever he was, that he was happy or at least content. She imagined him on an island, some place peaceful and beautiful. That was what she wanted for him.
.
.
.
"That chicken parmigiana was so good," Adriana said as she took off her earrings.
"It was," Bruce said and loosened his tie.
"And that Caesar salad," she said and sat on the couch and started trying to use one foot to remove the shoe on the opposite foot.
"Let me," he said and knelt in front of her to pull off her shoes.
"Thanks," she laughed and leaned back.
"My pleasure," he said as he slowly removed her other shoe.
"So, what do you think they'll say in the news tomorrow?" she asked.
"Hm..." he said. "Something along the lines of...Bruce Wayne Expecting First Child With A Mystery Woman."
"Oh boy," she said as he stood up.
"I hope it won't bother you too much. That's what the classier newspapers will say. Of course there may be tabloids as well making up, only God knows what."
"It's fine," she said. "I'm tough. I can handle some rumors."
She smiled at Bruce and he smiled back.
"Can you help me up?" she asked and placed her arms out in front of her.
He pulled her to her feet and wrapped his arms around her. She moved to standing on the tips of her toes to give him a kiss. He was fully receptive of her kiss and moved his hands to her hair.
The dark, clear night in Gotham was visible through the tall glass windows beside them. Even though they had been inside with the air conditioning for a few minutes, she could see that his skin was still warm and balmy. His deep brown hair had a similar glow.
"I should," he said quickly. "Go and have a shower. Have an early day tomorrow."
"Oh.." she said. She was hoping they could spend a bit more time together but he looked anxious all of a sudden. "Okay."
"Sorry, I didn't mean for that to come out so abruptly," he said. "Just...really need a good night of sleep."
.
.
.
"What's this I hear in the news about you getting some chick pregnant?" Bruce's friend Eric asked him.
He had known Eric since he was a student at Yale University. Eric had also come from a wealthy family. Bruce and Eric weren't especially close, and kept in touch only a few times a year. But what they had in common and could always talk about was women. Eric was in town for a few days on business and had stopped by Bruce's office to visit him.
" I heard something in the news," Eric clarified as he looked up the article on his phone.
"I'm seeing someone...and yes she's pregnant," Bruce said, wanting to give nothing else away.
"So is it serious?" Eric asked.
"We'll see," Bruce said. "I'm hoping so."
"Is she trying to tie you down? Persuade you to marry her because you knocked her up? Don't fall for it man-" Eric said as he found the article he was looking for. "On second thought..."
"What?" Bruce asked.
"I see," Eric laughed. "Yea...that's a fine female specimen. She'll give you a good looking kid at least. Get a prenup for sure."
"We're nowhere near that," Bruce said. "She's not pressuring me for anything, trust me."
"Whatever you say," Eric said. "You got any other pictures of her? I can only see the side of her face here."
"Yep," Bruce said and scrolled through his phone, pulling up a picture and handing it to Eric.
"Damn," Eric said. "Yeah if I had to pick a chick to share some genes with...good choice. Definitely a MILF."
Bruce laughed to himself. He and Eric had always been so similar, and always understood each other and saw eye to eye. But now Bruce felt like he had outgrown his old friend and was actually tired of this conversation. Eric still only cared about looks, and Bruce actually for once wanted to talk about more. He wanted to talk about her personality, her character, things she had said to make him laugh or feel better after a draining day.
"Who's this with her?" Eric asked after scrolling to another picture.
"That's her sister," Bruce said when Eric showed him the photo.
"You have her number?"
"She's not single. She's engaged."
"Too bad," Eric said. "Reminds me of that hot Moroccan model...damn what was her name? Remember, we were in Naples.."
"I don't remember her name" Bruce said.
"Me either. But man was she wild," Eric laughed. "So...tell me about her. Your pregnant girlfriend."
"What do you want to know?" Bruce asked, finally excited to talk about Adriana.
"Is it true what they say about pregnant women? Highest sex drive?" Eric laughed.
"Hmm," Bruce said. "I thought you were going to ask me about her."
"I am asking, bro," Eric said. "And you know, just because her sister in engaged doesn't mean I can't take a shot."
"No," Bruce said.
"Why? Is it because they're sisters? You don't want us to be sleeping with sisters?" Eric started to laugh. "They look like half sisters, so it doesn't really matter."
"It's not because they're sisters," Bruce said. "It's because she's engaged and doesn't live here in Gotham. They're not half sisters." He certainly wasn't going to tell Eric that Harri was from the same city he was, Chicago. "She values her relationship, which important."
"Fine, man," Eric laughed to lighten the mood. "You sound really serious about this one."
"I am," Bruce said.
"Damn," Eric said. "So what's that like? How did this one finally convince you...Bruce Wayne to give up what we both know you want most in the world? The ladies of the world..A wide variety of...let's see how many I can recall Russian, French, Brazilian, Swedish, Ukranian-"
"I get the point."
"Australian...Thai...Italan...Korean...oh and that one Albanian chick," Eric went on.
Bruce sighed.
"Colombian...Kenyan...Egyptian-" Eric continued.
"I care about her," Bruce interrupted.
Eric looked surprised and amused.
"Yes," Bruce said. "I actually...have very strong feelings for her."
"Wow, man, never thought I'd see the day," Eric said. "I keep thinking I should settle down but ehh...we're still young."
"Yes..." Bruce said. "Yes you are."
.
.
.
"How was your day?" Adriana asked Bruce when he returned home.
"It was alright," Bruce answered. "How was yours?"
"Well, I went shopping for some candles and some snacks," she said. "Then I tried to take a nap but this little boy was moving around too much."
"Is he still moving now?" Bruce asked.
"A little," she said and placed Bruce's hands on her stomach. "See? He's not sleepy at all, but I am."
"What does it feel like?" Bruce asked as he felt the movement in her abdomen. "To have someone moving around in there."
"I don't know," she replied. "It's kind of crazy right? A tiny human in there kicking around. It's not uncomfortable but it definitely keeps me from sleeping. Maybe he'll tire out soon."
"He's very energetic," Bruce nodded.
"I think he's craving oranges," Adriana said and went to finish slicing the four pieces of fruit on the counter.
"I had a visit from an old friend today at work," Bruce said.
"Really? Who?" she asked.
"His name is Eric Warrington," Bruce said.
"Oh, from Yale," she nodded.
"How did you-" he asked. "Oh, right. I'm surprised you remember him from my memories, even though you can't hear thoughts now. We're not especially close."
"But you've been friends a long time, if I remember correctly," she said.
"Yes, we have," Bruce answered.
"How was it? Seeing him again?" she asked.
"It's crazy...to feel like you've outgrown a friendship. At least, that's what I felt when trying to talk to him about you," Bruce said. "He said some things..."
"What did he say?" she asked.
"He only seemed interested in your physical appearance, and Harri's. And-"
"How does he know what Harri looks like?" she asked him.
"I showed him a picture of you two."
"Ahh..." she nodded and picked up one of the orange slices to eat it.
"One day he'll grow up," Bruce said. "Or maybe not."
"So, you feel like you're growing up?" she asked and walked over to him.
"In a way," he smiled and gave her a kiss.
"Growing up is kind of boring isn't it?" she laughed.
"No," he said as if the answer was obvious. "I'm learning a lot about myself. And you."
"Like what?" she asked.
"Like..." he said and kissed her again. "That I trust you. That no one knows me better than you and it is likely no one ever will."
"You mean, because I've seen you're entire past," she said.
"That's part of it," he said. "You've seen the good and the bad."
"Mhmm," she hummed as they kissed more.
"You taste like orange zest," he laughed. "Very sweet and fresh."
She smiled in the kissing and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
"You smell like Armani cologne," she laughed. "Very nice and fresh."
"Thank you," he said, holding her waist and looking into her eyes. She wanted to kiss him again but he backed away and moved over the other side of the counter, taking the knife that she had been cutting with placing it into the dishwasher, trying to look busy.
"Bruce.." she said quietly, patiently. "Is something wrong?"
"No," he said. "Not at all."
"Okay..." she walked over and placed her hand on his lower back. "Because if something is, you can tell me."
"Everything's fine," he said and kissed her quickly. "I just need to go hop in the shower and get a presentation ready for next week-"
He was already leaving the kitchen before he finished the sentence.
"Do I.. gross you out or something?" she asked.
"What?" he turned around.
"I don't know," she said. "Every time I kiss you, you run off and are taking like five showers a day-"
"No, no, no, no," he said quickly, interrupting her and looked as if he made a mistake. "No I'm not grossed out at all...it's actually the opposite."
" What does that mean?" she asked.
"The showers help, if they're cold enough. Do you know what I mean?" he explained.
"Ohh..." she said, suddenly realizing what he was saying. "Sorry.."
"No..I don't mind," he said. "I mean..I miss having sex, sure. But in a way, I guess I'm getting used to it. I feel like I am sharper at my work and my mind isn't so distracted. Well...except for when you're right in front of me of course."
"I see," she said. "So...that's it? You just take an icy shower every few hours?"
"Well that and of course," he said. "I have to...clear the pipes now and again."
Adriana smiled and tucked her hair behind her ear.
"You've become a very patient man, Bruce," she smiled and gave him a soft kiss.