Chapter 9: A Kiss Goodnight

(The music for this chapter begins with "Straighten Up and Fly Right, and ends with "inv(I.i)")

"And you call me crazy for liking pineapple on pizza," Dick was laughing.

"But it's not the same!" I happily cried.

"Oh, no, of course not, it's just dunking perfectly good, crispy fries in wet milkshakes."

"I thought you believed in the juxtaposition?"

"When it makes sense, yeah."

I rolled my eyes and sighed. "Guess we're just destined to disagree forever."

"Hopefully, not about tiramisu," said the waiter, putting the rich confection in between us, two spoons set alongside the porcelain dish which had been dusted with cocoa powder. "Enjoy!"

"Ho ho!" I said, eager to take my first bite. "Yes, please." All of a sudden though, Dick snatched up my spoon. "Hey!" I cried, smiling.

"Nah-ah, you want this back, then I'm gonna need to hear an apology for hurting my feelings."

"But pineapple pizza is gross," I insisted.

He clicked his tongue. "Wrong answer."

"Come on," I whined, reaching for the spoon, but he easily pulled it away. "Dick!" He was laughing now. A silly, childish, cheeky laugh. I let out a huff and plopped my chin onto my hand. "Please?"

"That doesn't sound like an apology to me," he said, taking his spoon and going for the tiramisu. He made me watch, my arms crossed, as he slowly put it into his mouth. "Mmm… that's so good." He was taunting me. I would have dived for the spoon if I wasn't worried about staining or ripping my dress. Alternatively, I could use one of my heels as a weapon. "Spoon's yours anytime you want to start."

"I refuse to indulge in this frivolous nonsense, Sir," I said, sticking my nose in the air, arms still crossed.

"Should I take that as a 'no?'"

"Thou shalt taketh it as a 'nay' forthwith."

"Someone's feeling Shakespearean," he smirked, still holding my spoon. Maybe if I found a blunt object to knock him out with… "Okay, how about a deal?"

I lifted a dramatic eyebrow, willing to listen.

"I'll give you one bite—one bite—just so you can say you've tried it. Alright?"

"…Fine." I gave another defeated sigh and leaned against the table as he scooped up a decent sized portion on his spoon. I watched him lift it, leaning on the table himself, and slowly, he brought it to my lips. It really was delicious. Coffee, chocolate, and cream. What wasn't to love? Especially as I clamped down on the utensil and pulled it out of Dick's hand before he had the chance to blink!

"Hey!"

"Haha!" I cheered, the spoon still sticking out of my mouth!

"That's cheating!"

I simply stuck my tongue out at him, the spoon now resting elegantly in my hand. "Finders, keepers, losers, weepers!" I sang.

"Well, then, this is coming with me," and he grabbed the dessert plate, holding it close as he started eating with the spoon he still had.

"Oh, come on!" I let out another frustrated sigh. I hadn't thought of that. "You are a very sore loser."

"A bit like the pot calling the kettle black, wouldn't you say?"

I, unfortunately, could not think of a very witty retort. But maybe I didn't need words. Perhaps it was time to try something… sneaky.

I kept sitting there, glaring at him, while I mentally directed a small tendril of white to sneak under the table, under his chair, and come up behind him as a man's finger. I made it poke him on the shoulder, as though someone was trying to get his attention. Sure enough, his head turned immediately around, and in that brief second while he was distracted, I sent my spoon across the table and snatched another bite of tiramisu. By the time Dick was looking my way again, I was holding my spoon at mouth level, my cheek bulging slightly.

"What?" I asked, noting his supremely confused expression as he looked from me to the dessert plate which was now missing a large chunk of cream and cake.

"How—?" He started, but couldn't seem to even wrap his head around the question. Then he held the plate even closer, as if defending it from a hungry wolf. "I've got my eye on you," he warned.

"Whatever do you mean?" I asked innocently. He just narrowed his eyes further.

I ended up letting him finish most of it, though I noticed he still left one bite on the plate when he set it back down on the table.

It was here that the thought of telling him about my powers came to mind. We'd shared so much tonight already, and we were alone now (I hoped). What would his reaction be? Would he be happy? Concerned? Confused as to why I hadn't mentioned it to anyone sooner? Well, whatever the case, I was sure that it couldn't be too bad. He would understand, and it was high time I get this thing looked at.

I went to open my mouth, but then Dick started laughing to himself.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing, just… I haven't had this much fun since… well, for a long time now. It's nice being able to get away from everything for a little while. Away from work and all the craziness." On the outside, I smiled, beyond happy that he was enjoying himself that much. On the inside, I was suddenly starting to worry that I might never get around to telling him about my big secret. "As you can imagine, I don't get out much. Most of my friends—what am I saying—all of my friends either have an alter ego, were raised by assassins, or got struck by magic lightning that gave them superpowers. I've missed… well… feeling normal." Yup. And away went my chance to tell him, flying over the balcony and crashing into the bay with a spectacular splash.

"I don't mean that in a bad way," he suddenly said. There must have been something in my expression that changed. "Just—"

"Oh, no no, I totally understand," I said, smiling again. "I think I'd feel the same way if I were in your shoes. Actually, normal is a compliment. See, most of my life, I've felt a little… odd, too. Not everyone can say that they travelled most of the United States in a van as a kid. I didn't really have a lot of friends outside of my family for a long time. And when I did see other kids my age… Like I said, normal is a compliment."

His face beamed with warmth and relief. "I'm really glad I met you."

Aw… I think my heart had finally become one, big, goopy puddle, it had melted so much. "I'm glad I met you, too." By now, my confession was largely forgotten, and I vowed that it would stay forgotten for as long as I was able to keep it secret. It didn't matter nearly as much as being able to see that precious face of his.

Before long, Dick was handing his debit card to the waiter and the sun was getting low in the sky. Even if the night had ended there, it still would have been one of the best nights of my life.

"So," said Dick, clearing his throat and rising from his seat. "How would you rate your date experience tonight? Ten stars would be favourable, although eleven is also an option."

I laughed again, feeling my sore sides and cheeks. "It's been… interesting."

"Interesting?" He nervously repeated as I took his arm on the way out. "Like, good interesting, or, weird interesting?"

"Well, I'm taking points off for that kerfuffle over dessert," I said, pulling my shawl a little closer around me. "But all in all… I had a great time." I leaned my head against his arm, taking long, slow blinks as we approached his car. "Definitely the best date I've ever gone on."

"Really?" He asked quickly. He opened the passenger door for me and I stopped to face him.

"Really. Of course, it's not like you had a lot of competition. My last date—my sister Libby was an awkward third-wheel and it turns out the guy only went out with me to be polite, so… anyway." I shook the horrible memory away as I went to climb into the car, but something stopped me. It was a hand at my wrist. Dick was… giving me this look… "What's… is something wrong?" I was scanning his face, trying to figure out why he was looking at me like that. Then, out of nowhere, his hand had risen to my face, gently brushing some of my hair away. His fingertips traced my cheekbone until his palm was cupping the side of my face. My heart was pounding so loud…

Then, his head started moving toward mine, his lips coming to rest on my forehead—his other hand cupping the other side of my face. I could feel his breath… the warmth of his skin on mine… I knew I must have been asking a lot of self control from him, to hold back on what he so clearly wanted to pursue, but I was beyond touched that he still respected my boundaries. It very nearly made me break my promise… for him.

I kept asking myself the same question: how had this happened? How had I gotten here? And still I couldn't answer. There was no way in Heaven or on Earth that I deserved this. I couldn't ever possibly deserve to know such a wonderful human being, who made me feel seen and loved and cared for, let alone deserve his kisses. I didn't even deserve this dress or dinner or having his family come to spy on me. But I had all those things. I had his touch and I had his love, and his kisses, and everything else. It was so unfair that I had so little to give him in return. No, it was worse than unfair, it was horrible.

I… I think that in that moment… there in the parking lot… as he held me… I would have lassoed the moon for him if he asked.

When he pulled away, I could still feel the wetness of his kiss on my forehead, and I reached to touch his hands, still holding my face tenderly. My own lips felt so… lonely… and my throat felt tight. I knew that if I didn't do something about it soon, I might end up caving.

Holding my breath, I put my hand over my mouth and kissed the fingers. Then, I offered it for him to take. His hands fell away from my face and were instead wrapped around my kiss, which he brought to his lips. Then he kissed me on the back of my hand as well for good measure, before finally allowing me to be lowered into the car, closing the door after me.

I sat alone for the few seconds it took him to walk around to the driver's side, just holding my hand close to my mouth, wondering why I was trembling so much.

When he got in, I was letting out several mystified breaths.

Away we drove, further and further from the restaurant, chasing the bright, setting sun. We weren't headed back the way we had come, though, as I thought we would. I wanted to ask, but… it almost felt like to speak would erase the memory of his kiss and disturb whatever spell he had put over me. I didn't want that. I wanted to keep living in that moment, over and over again, for as long as it remained clear in my mind.

Dick took us to a park and stopped the car just a short distance away from the main entrance.

"Would you like to go for a walk?" He asked, turning to me.

"I'd love to."

He (adorably) asked me to wait for him and he came around to take my hand as I got out of the car. Then I grabbed hold of his hand as we started down the sidewalk together, the hotness of the day being replaced with the coolness of the earth and night sky.

"What are some of your favourite things?" He asked quietly.

Well, I could already think of one, but besides him… "I like… starry skies and… the sound of rivers in the night… I like pink and yellow roses… strawberries… cottonwood seeds drifting in the sunlight… summer rain… and chocolate ice cream. What are some of your favourite things?"

"I like sharing meals with people… I like food, heheh… and the holidays… I like watching snow fall… and the smell of straw… I like being up in high places, watching the city lights… I like… mint chocolate chip ice cream, and old forgotten items… antiques… old books or suitcases—things that have history in them. I like watching the sunrise… and I like swimming… seeing how long I can hold my breath for."

We were fully in the park now, following its curvy path around little hills and trees and flower beds in dire need of some tender love and care. People milled about, walking or sitting or talking, some getting one last game in on the grass before the light faded, and some packing up their picnic blankets for the night.

"What was your mother like?" I asked, grabbing hold of his arm.

"…She could be very stern when she needed to be. She always worked hard—at trapeze, at taking care of me, and making sure our family was happy. But she was also very thoughtful and kind and gentle and… she had a lot of romantic ideas about things… heh… you know… she was actually the one who came up with the name Robin… that was what she used to call me… she said it was because I was born on the first day of spring… like a little robin… always wanting to fly off and explore… What was your mom like?"

"Very quiet. Reserved. She said she didn't have a lot of opinions about things… always busy, cooking or cleaning or homeschooling us kids on the road… but she had a secret fun side… mostly when she would come up with ideas for projects… she played piano… she loved playing checkers… she was always trying to get me to read more… she introduced me to the "Little House on the Prairie" books… taught me how to write in cursive and how to make mosaics and bake pies… but most of the time, she would be hanging in the back of any group she was in, listening or taking photos rather than participating…"

We were walking by a large pond now, all sorts of water foul gliding over its smooth, dark surface. Wind whispered in the trees like the sound of rushing water or rain. The evening light had just begun to fade.

"What were you like as a kid?" Dick asked, matching his footsteps to mine.

"In a sentence: determined to be happy. You?"

"…Hungry for adventure."

"Do you think we would have gotten along?" I asked.

"Well… it depends… would a seven-year-old you be interested in hanging out with an eleven-year-old me?"

I smirked. "I have this memory… my brother Jonas, he's four years older than me too… one day, in the spring, when I was about seven or eight… he took me out into the backyard to show me something. Our plum tree was in bloom, and he had set up a ladder into the centre of the branches. I was nervous, but he asked me to climb up with him. When we got to the top… there were big, pink blossoms everywhere—all around me—and you could hear the buzzing of the swarm of bees happily collecting their pollen everywhere. It was like one of those 'hold your breath' kind of moments. I'd like to imagine… we would have been something like that… You showing me all the secretly wondrous places in your exciting world."

I could tell that he was smiling without looking.

"Do you like to dance?" He asked as we came to a wide place in the path where the tree cover was so thick, it was beginning to get dark already. There were hardly any people here. Just us, the moon creeping through the branches, and the sound of the pond gently lapping against the shoreline.

"I do," I said, starting to turn toward him.

I let him lead me by the hand, holding my back as if I were about to fall over, and he started stepping lightly in rhythmic circles. It was almost like I didn't even need to think… like he was carrying me through the steps… just floating above the ground. When we were in closed position, his body was so near to mine. Did you know, in another century, the waltz would be considered very scandalous? It was due to… how close you had to be… to your partner…

If he had been a little taller… or perhaps, if I had been a little shorter… I would have rested my head against his chest like Belle did with the Beast. But as it stood now—or rather, as I stood—I would basically need to bend over a bit to rest on him. He was only three inches taller than me, after all.

Then, from out of the darkness, I thought I saw something. Something glowing. There was another. And another. Lots of tiny, yellow/green lights floating through the air, coming toward us. I started looking around, dumbfounded.

"Are those…?" I asked.

"Fireflies."

"I've never seen them in real life before…" I couldn't help but smile as they started flying around us. When Dick would spin me, I would keep my eyes open and turn up to look at them, like Christmas lights blinking in the trees. I couldn't help but try to touch one as he grabbed my waist again, turning us both around. This was downright magical.

I laughed as he spun me again, letting my arm stick out, enjoying the way it felt. My skirt was lightly flapping at my knees, reflecting the lights of the fireflies in its folds.

There may not be any stars in the city sky… but there were in the trees and the grass and in my eyes.

Then, Dick pulled me up into an aerial, holding me by my waist, spinning me around him as we looked into each other's faces, smiling softly. I landed on my feet, arms still on his shoulders. We had stopped moving now, listening to the crickets chirping and the wind tickling the leaves above us.

If only I could make this moment last forever.

"Hey, Brielle?" He almost whispered. "I think I might have thought of another of my favourite things."

"Yeah?" Our noses were touching again.

He swallowed hard, his eyes watching my lips, until he turned them upward. "Why did you decide… to wait?"

"…Because the man I marry…" I breathed, remembering my promise, "…will only receive the best of me… he will get my undivided attention… my unbridled passion… and my unconditional love… I'm not about to give that to just anyone. So please…" I grabbed his hands and held them close, "…please prove to me that you deserve it all. I… want it… to… be you…"

He watched me, his eyes seemingly getting larger the longer he stared. "Okay."

My hands, he lifted up, until they were pressed firmly against his mouth. An elegant kiss on the back of the hand to end the night. I know it's not as dramatically romantic as everything else that had happened… and part of me wishes I had just given in… needing to know what it felt like to fall into him… I wish I could say that we fell madly in love and ran off together—hopped on a train or ran away with the circus—just like in all those old stories… but the truth is… I kept my promise. And I'm glad that I did.

We ended the night by walking quietly together through the park, until we made it back to his car and we held each other's hands during the ride home. My eyes were so heavy, and my feet were sore from wearing those shoes, and my hair was starting to get all frazzled, and I was sure that I'd smeared my makeup a few times over the course of the night, but I didn't care.

The manor lights were on and waiting for us as we pulled up to the front door. I'd slipped off my shoes already and was holding them as Dick helped me out of the car. The concrete steps were cold under my bare feet, but Dick's hand was warm.

"So… you wanna do this again some time?" He asked, giving me a lop-sided grin.

"Just say when. I'll be waiting."

"How do you always do that?"

"Do what?"

"You always say… these perfect things…"

"Well… I'm a writer… I made a living out of saying nonsense. It's just that, usually, no one else is around to hear me."

"I'm here."

And again, it became clear that he wanted to give me a kiss… but he held back and just smiled at me.

"Goodnight, Pinky."

"Goodnight, Dick."

He started walking away, leaving me there at the top of a small flight of stairs, and as I watched him go, I couldn't help but feel a desperately sad ache in my chest.

"Dick!" I called without thinking. Then, suddenly, my feet were just running. He barely had time to turn around, let alone understand what was happening, when I had him in a big bear hug, leaning into him, burying my face into his shoulder, holding on for dear life. His arms wrapped around me like a solid wall, so strong I was sure that no wild beast could tear it down. "Thank you for a wonderful night."

I pulled away from him just enough that I could see his face, and then, stealing my courage once again, I gave him a gentle smooch on the tip of his nose before smiling and slipping away, running back up the steps. My hand was on the door knob when I looked back. He was still standing there, just… watching me. The same way he'd been watching me all night. The way I hoped he would keep watching me for the rest of my life. Oh, please… please let that be my future.

With one little wave goodbye, I opened the door and stepped inside, closing it gently behind me. I felt so giddy I could jump in the air, or run the length of Gotham, or sing every love song ever written, and still I wouldn't get tired. I couldn't wait until I saw him again, and again and again and again.

I twirled across the foyer floor, remembering the way it felt when he held me in his arms. Was this even real life? Was it just a fantasy? Before I let myself start singing Bohemian Rhapsody, I told myself, "No. This is reality. A wonderful, amazing, splendid reality."

I skipped up the stairs and made for my room, thinking that sleep would be nice, but there was no way I'd be able to after tonight.

I flicked on the light and—

I found myself confronted by Stephanie, Tim, Jason, Duke, Damian, Barbara, and Cassandra. (Though, the last two I didn't know the names of at the time.) They were all standing or sitting there in my room, watching me. Their expressions ranged from Damian (scowling and arms crossed) to Stephanie (biting her smiling lip, clearly wanting to talk about everything.)

"Hello again," I said nervously, unsure of what else to say. "I see you shaved," I nodded at Stephanie.

What exactly were they doing here? Was I in trouble?

"I'll admit, I was… impressed you caught on so quick," said Barbara from her wheelchair. "Despite someone's best efforts." She glanced at Steph as she said that part. "But more to the point…"

"You're dating our brother," said Jason, his expression somewhere between Damian and Stephanie. "So you'd better have meant all those pretty little things you said."

"Because if you break his heart…" said Tim seriously.

"You answer to us," Damian finished.

Oh boy… okay… I swallowed, realising that I suddenly had a lot to live up to. I mean, I had meant it when I said those things, but now, all of a sudden, there was outside pressure to perform. Oh crumbs… I hated outside pressure… especially when that pressure was coming from a group of crime-fighting vigilantes who looked like they could kill me easily. But their protectiveness was for a good reason… right? And anyway, this was Dick's family. I wanted nothing more than to impress them and reassure them that I had only the best intentions for him.

"Of course," I said solemnly, looking each and every one of them over. "I'd expect nothing less."

"Oh really?" Barbara snorted from her wheelchair. "You've known him for, what, a week?"

Well, it sounded like a short amount of time when she said it like that.

"Normally, we wouldn't do this, but seeing as how you're in the unique position of already knowing his secret identity, and by extension, us—" said Tim, revealing a small desk with a device set on top of it. "—we have a few questions."

"Oh, leave her alone, guys," Stephanie blurted, and she jumped forward, living up to her patronus quite alarmingly. "So spill—what happened after you left the restaurant? I need details!"

"U-um," I stuttered, not sure of what to say.

"Oooh, did you go someplace quiet? To be alone?" Jason prodded, coming over and smirking.

My face was starting to burn up again. "U-uh…"

"Enough," said Cassandra, bonking the two of them on their heads. Then she gave a quick, little smile at me. "Sorry."

"No, don't be sorry, this is an interrogation," said Barbara, still frowning. "Damian?"

He came over and took me by the arm, leading me over to the chair by the table and sitting me down. Then he and Tim hooked me up to their lie detector and I swallowed, not sure what to expect next. All I did know was that if I wanted to get through this, I'd probably just need to be as earnest and sincere as possible. Just like I'd been doing since the day I arrived. I breathed in, and they started.

"Where are you from, Brielle Blanchette?" Damian asked, leaning over the table. "If that is your real name."

"My name is Brielle Blanchette, and I was born in Del Norte County California." The lie detector didn't seem to do anything differently, so that was a good sign.

"And how, exactly, did you meet Dick?" Barbara asked. I noticed Stephanie excitedly nodding at that question.

I thought back. Then I blushed. "I was…" Come on, be sincere and honest. "Bruce had just brought me back to the Batcave and I was singing to myself. I do that sometimes when I'm nervous or scared or alone… and when I turned around, he was just… there. We started talking, and… he seemed… nice." Suddenly the lie detector started doing something.

"Aha! I knew it!" Barbara suddenly cried, but whatever she was thinking, I knew it wasn't true.

I braced myself, my whole being feeling warm with embarrassment. "Okay, fine! He was totally drop-dead gorgeous and I think I fell in love with him right then and there!" I let my head fall to the table with a loud THUNK. The lie detector didn't go off.

I heard Jason make some sort of amused sound. "Oooh, hoo hoo! Someone's a smitten kitten!"

"Looks like you were wrong about that one," Duke said, nudging Barbara who folded her arms and grumbled something under her breath.

I just sat there, head down on the table, regretting all of my life decisions.

That's when Damian drew everyone's attention again by slamming his fist down on the table. "What are your plans for Grayson?"

"Pla-plans?" I stuttered, staring at him now. Oh boy… my mind was already racing… "U-u-uh…"

"Well?" Barbara asked, narrowing her eyes.

I gulped, feeling my face get warmer and warmer with every second. "You really want to know?" They all kept watching me, expectantly. "Okay… since you want the honest truth…" Oooooh, this was going to sound grossly sappy. "I… I want… what I really want… is… to marry him… settle down someplace nice… have kids… make him happy… grow old together…" I had my head down so low that it was almost on the table again. When would the torment end!?

The lie detector remained silent.

"Dang," said Duke. Then he whispered something that I didn't hear.

That didn't seem to be enough for Barbara. "What about Haley? You didn't seem all that happy to learn about one of the sweetest dogs on the planet."

"It's not my fault I don't like dogs," I said, getting somewhat defensive. "I didn't grow up around them! And if you'd nearly been bitten several times as a kid, you'd feel the same way!"

Barbara made a face. A tight-lipped, narrow eyed sort of look. The lie detector hadn't budged.

"Is Dick a good kisser?"

"Steph!" Tim cried.

"I'm just curious!" She wailed.

"Feel free not to answer that, or just forget you ever heard it in the first place," said Tim, rubbing his eyes.

"No, now I'm curious too. Is Dick a good kisser?" Jason asked.

"Guys. Focus," Barbara urged them, giving Jason a good WHACK in the ribs with her elbow. "Last question." I straightened in my seat, glad that this was almost over. "Did you really mean everything you said tonight?"

I thought back.

Everything I had said… about him being wonderful and the best person I had ever met… about tonight being one of the best nights of my life… and in the park… when I'd said that I wanted to give everything I had… and I wanted to give it to him…

"Yes."

The lie detector was steady.

The others seemed at least a little surprised.

They made a small huddle and whispered back and forth hastily, looking almost embarrassed by the time they had finished their little sibling convo.

"Okay then," said Jason. "Guess that's that." Not that everyone looked as though they shared the sentiment. One red-head in particular.

Tim unhooked me and started packing up the device while Stephanie came over again. "Sorry about these paranoid knuckleheads," she smiled. "I tried to talk them out of it."

"It was your idea!" Duke countered.

"I have a lot of ideas! People usually don't act on them!"

I tried to smile as I stood up.

"So," Tim coughed. "No hard feelings?"

I made something of a bewildered face. "Well, it's certainly the first time someone's strapped a lie detector to my chest."

"A necessary precaution in our line of work," Damian sniffed.

"Right. Of course," I nodded, although that didn't keep me from feeling at least a little like these guys were wound too tight. Everyone seemed to be heading toward the door now.

"But we seriously need to get together again soon!" Stephanie smiled. "I'll call or text or… send Alfred, I don't know."

"He's not a carrier pigeon, you know," said Tim, carrying the lie detector out of the room.

"See you tomorrow," said Damian, although it sounded almost more like a threat, like so many of his comments usually did.

"'Night, sunshine," Jason said slyly. "Say 'hi' to Dickie for me."

"Goodnight. Sorry for the trouble," Duke apologised.

Cassandra just waved on her way out.

That just left…

We were alone now, her and me. She was lingering behind on purpose.

"Listen…" she said seriously, and I gave her my undivided attention. She didn't seem angry, just cross, and it didn't take a genius to figure out that I was the one she was cross with. "…you may have everyone else fooled, but I've got my eye on you. So you'd better hope you don't screw up."

Jeez. What was her deal? I thought I'd done everything right.

"Dick really is one of the most wonderful people in the world…" She was wheeling herself out now, and she stopped just a few paces beside me, her expression stony. "…you don't deserve him."

Boom.

Do you hear that?

That's the sound of my insides… shattering.

She left without another word, letting the door hang open.

I… wasn't sure… what to do next.

Numbly, I walked over and closed the door. Then I stood there… hand on the wood… replaying that sentence in my mind.

"You don't deserve him."

Funny… I'd been thinking the same thing… but now… hearing it from someone else… someone like Barbara… a member of Dick's family… boy… that stung.

I didn't know if there was a way to convince her otherwise… but at that moment, it wasn't her whom I was terribly concerned with convincing.

I wandered back to my closet, taking off my nice dress and hanging it up. I put my shoes back in their box exactly as I found them. I gingerly put away the necklace and the bracelet back where they belonged. Then I grabbed the least expensive pair of pyjamas that I owned… that I had been given… and fell down on the bed.

I sniffed.

Was it true?

It was, wasn't it?

I didn't deserve him. I'd said as much.

Seriously, what had I done to deserve him? Literally nothing.

I felt my chin start to quiver, but I held it back.

No. Not this time. I wasn't about to just take that. It was within my power to earn his love, wasn't it? There were plenty of things I could do to prove to everyone that I wasn't just some random girl he happened to fall in love with. There had to be more to it than that.

I spotted the bouquet of roses sitting on my nightstand in a glass vase. I hadn't even noticed before, but there was a little note attached to it.

"Something pretty for someone even prettier. ~Dick."

I was staring at those flowers now as I laid on the bed, hugging one of the pillows. Tonight had been as close to perfect as it was possible to be. But now that it was over… after I had been forcibly dragged down from cloud nine… it felt hard to relive anything from the past few hours. These were the moments you learn to hold onto. The moments that end up lasting a lifetime. I never wanted to forget how it had felt hugging him outside the front door. Or dancing in the park. Or kissing in the parking lot. Or talking and laughing at the restaurant. Or singing in the car. Or… standing in the foyer, seeing Dick in that suit for the very first time. But I just couldn't think about them without hearing Barbara's voice in my head…

"You don't deserve him."

End of Arc 1.