Chapter 13 – Honey, I'm Home

It was noon by the time Selina showered, agonized over which outfit went best with groveling, and mustered the courage to pull up the driveway at 1007 Mountain Drive. She didn't call ahead, didn't give any concern as to whether Bruce was home in the middle of the day. If he wasn't, she'd simply sit and wait until he was. Alfred could be counted on to keep her comfortable in the meantime.

Even if she had to sit in that library for twelve hours, she'd do it. She'd never been more committed to anything in her life.

Though surprised by her arrival, Alfred lapsed into his gracious host role with little difficulty. He was quick to inform her that Bruce would likely return around six; he was also careful to refrain from smiling too broadly in her presence. In true decorum, he withheld his gleeful expressions for behind the pantry door.

A considerate butler would have contacted his master at work, alerting him to expect a visitor. Alfred knew this. Yet he also knew that this opportunity was as rare as they came, and he may never get another chance to see the look on Bruce's face when he walked through the door.

Which is what Bruce did at three-thirty, not six o-clock.

Alfred was elbow-deep cleaning toilets upstairs. So much for witnessing Bruce's reaction.

Downstairs, Selina had just opened the refrigerator, shifting elaborate platters of food around in search of a modest snack. The stainless steel door obscured her from Bruce's view as he walked in, flung his briefcase on the dinette, and sighed.

"If there's a ginger ale in there, I'll take one," he requested, sitting down heavily. "And some aspirin too."

Something crashed, sending spattered bits of food all over the floor. Bruce heard a distinctly female voice curse under her breath.

"Alfred?...that's not you in there, is it?" he crept toward the appliance. Just as he reached for the handle, Selina flung it shut, sending him off-balance as he tripped over the mess and braced himself against the doors… accidentally trapping Selina between his arms.

"What in the world…!" he exhaled in disbelief, thinking he was hallucinating. "What are you doing here?"

Without a word, Selina contorted to reach into her back pocket. Bruce stepped back to read aloud the folded piece of paper she handed to him:

"Dear Ms. Kyle, this letter serves to inform you that Rogers County records have confirmed the identity and current address of your estranged sibling, Maggie Brooks. Enclosed is all relevant information for your reference. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact our office."

Selina stared intently at his blue eyes. There was an unmistakable glint of satisfaction there.

"Short and to the point," he commented to himself. "Such a short message for something so big."

Before Selina could speak next, the kitchen door opened and Dick tossed his own backpack on the table next to Bruce's. He was about to walk straight through when he did a double-take at the two adults standing in a very odd arrangement. Bruce caught the boy's confused look and interjected.

"Dick, welcome home. This is… this is Selina," he said simply. "Selina, this is my adopted son, Dick."

Bouncing his eyes between the two of them, Dick stood as still as a statue for a half a minute.

"Are either of you gonna clean that up?" he finally spoke, pointing to the glass-and-mashed-potato disaster in which they were standing.

"If not us, then Alfred will," Bruce joked. "Any homework tonight?"

"Nope!" Dick announced cheerfully as he grabbed a muffin from the counter.

"Then head on upstairs. I'll see you later," Bruce said pointedly.

Throwing one last curious look over his shoulder, Dick complied, leaving them alone once more. And how thrilling it felt to be alone together, after the small eternity they'd spent apart. The awkward, messy circumstances of this reunion mattered little to either of them.

All that mattered was the thin, creased paper which Bruce now held. It said far more than the few dozen words printed in basic Times font. It was, in effect, Selina's apology. It was the single greatest gift she'd ever received. It was incontrovertible proof that reconciliation was mere moments away.

The profundity of it all left Selina speechless. Thankfully, Bruce had ample composure.

"Did you see yesterday's article?" he asked.

Selina nodded.

"Timing is everything," Bruce chuckled, looking down at the letter. "I had no idea you'd receive this today."

"The timing isn't the most amazing part," Selina timidly spoke. "You doing these things for people you barely know… that's unbelievable."

"For the right people, it's not so difficult," he met her gaze.

"Thank you," she whispered. If Bruce had been waiting for those two magic words, she wasn't sure, but they triggered something in him that couldn't be stopped. Without hesitating, he cupped her chin in his hands and firmly kissed her mouth. The afternoon sun warmed the sides of their cheeks, elevating each sensation.

When at last they drew apart, Selina flinched in embarrassment upon noticing Alfred standing in the doorway. Rubber gloves on his hands and a cleaning caddy at his feet, he was trying to blend into the background so as to enjoy the show a while longer.

"You know, Dick's bedroom is a disaster," Bruce jibed. "Shouldn't you be off cleaning it?"

"In due time," smirked Alfred. "I see I have a more pressing cleanup to perform in here."

"So you do," Bruce laughed, stepping aside with Selina.

"Sorry about that!" Selina grimaced.

Bending down, Alfred shot a knowing glance up at her. "Miss Kyle, if you'd seen half the messes I've cleaned for Master Bruce over the years, you'd know this is nothing."

Selina knew exactly what Alfred was alluding to. Bruce provided a self-conscious smirk as confirmation.

"Tell me Miss Kyle, has Master Bruce invited you to stay for dinner?" Alfred casually asked.

"I was just about to," declared Bruce.

Selina refolded the letter and returned it to her pocket, smiling. "And I was just about to accept."