Title by Melanie Milburne (and is actually The Temporary Mrs. Marchetti).
Chapter Seven
The Temporary Mrs. Todd - Part One
He was on very few people's good lists these days, and he was just getting attention to try and stay relevant. Charities were rejecting his offers of donations; he'd tried to go anonymous to the point where Wayne Enterprises itself developed a new trace on him, and that was how they discovered he tried weaseling his way back in society's graces. Tim and the Foxes had something to do with that, and it was sheer brilliance, causing Bruce to slink back into the hole that was Wayne Manor.
No surprise when Bruce Wayne's demand for his former ward's return against his will showed up virally. The commentators laughed their asses off as he was threatened with the bartender's shotgun if he didn't get his ass out, and then Ric Grayson stood up for himself.
Why can't Bruce wayne ever take no for an answer? one disgruntled person demanded on Twitter. He's like a little brat who was denied something he wanted and last i checked, that's a grown ass man and not some runaway teenager who threw a tantrum.
Another couldn't be further from the truth even if they didn't know everything: he adopts all these kids like an addict and yet didn't know what to do with them?! CPS should just put him on the adoption blacklist.
"No shit," Jason grumbled to that one, then flinched when someone boldly brought up the mentioned old Wayne family butler. Jay's face fell, but moments later, it was gone.
"Jay?"
"I love Alfred, but he's doing this to himself. I'm not blinded by love for him anymore after what his son did to me. He wants to drink himself to death? On him, not me or my brothers. And not you and Cass."
He spoke harshly, but it was justified. "Does that mean you never want to see Alfred again?" Steph asked carefully.
Jason shrugged. "Not really. If I do run into him if he's still around, then I'll tell him he should just accept the outcome regardless of any so-called regrets. He had every chance there was to choose us over Bruce. He's done nothing but stand by and watch, encourage the ongoing status quo, and never made anything right. He never stopped the mean words, the blows, the psychological manipulation." His lips and eyes trembled as if trying not to cry, voice starting to crack. "I...I HATE Alfred as much as I hate Bruce now. I hate Bruce for getting us all together, using our pain and losses, and then throwing us out when he no longer needs us. He used love under the guise of lying when it suited him."
Another time, she would have gasped at the word hate being used for Alfred Pennyworth, but why gasp at the truth?
No more enablers in our new family.
~o~
Generally, Arab weddings would go on for days and consist of rich traditions, and they included both families of the bride and groom.
They managed to get Crystal Brown overseas for a permissible visit from the rehab center, and that meant she got to meet Jason for the first time, not surprised about the vigilante lifestyle since her ex-husband was a literal villain.
Her mom had been shocked when she first told her she was getting married, and to someone that Steph had never mentioned to her until now, so there was definitely a line of questioning. So the truth was in order, and her mother deserved better than being kept in the dark.
"My God, my daughter is already getting married, and I'm just now learning this!" Crystal exclaimed, taking in the looks of Jason and what was left of his injuries, and having been a nurse, she gasped and assessed the best she could. "Dear boy, what the devil happened to you?!" And that warranted a full explanation, because how worse could anything else get even if you kept secrets?
Crystal Brown learned every little dirty secret, and her hatred of Bruce Wayne was a vengeful goddess form, like Pele of Hawaii's deity lore. "If he ever thinks to bribe me with his 'generosity', I'll tell him that he will get a refusal from the rehab center in the future, and everyone in that community will reject him at every turn - not that they aren't already."
Wayne Enterprises lost a tremendous lot ever since Timothy Drake resigned from his position and took back his family company with all the lawyers at his disposal. Now the WE board was rethinking its leadership, and all it would take to remove Bruce Wayne from his family legacy was a major slip-up and more losses than they could take.
Crystal also met Ric, heartbroken that what happened to him brought him to this point, and he was glad there was someone else not trying to make him into someone else. "Even if you never get your memories back," she told him softly, "then you got a family who will just be there for you like you should have had in the beginning. I heard you did so much without asking for anything, but you were taken for granted." Her sadness was all it took to make Ric flinch. "Point is that family means safety, real trust, and having each other's backs. There's a reason animals are said to be better than us," she added with a wink, making all of them chuckle, sadly agreeing with her.
And family didn't involve the people who ruined their lives.
She also showed her sympathy for "poor Damian" who scrunched up his face at the phrase and indignantly held his chin up, stating he wasn't so fragile when taken away from his failure of a sperm donor - and who cared more about monsters than innocent people. That was when Talia later shared some tea and sweets with her while discussing ideas to rejuvenate Park Row, restoring it to its name instead of the degrading Crime Alley.
Crystal was elated and in tears when her daughter and future son-in-law shared their plans, telling them she was proud of them both and looked forward to it, but also worried because of a certain man.
Speaking of which, Jason planned to put one foot back into Gotham, and that included setting some frenemies in Oswald Cobblepot's old establishment, who would be under League protection once this got back to Batman's ears.
"That means I have to go back, but Red Hood has to be put aside. I got to let everyone I trust in Crime Alley know, so that they don't suspect that the new faces are 'some more rich assholes who want to help only to toss money and forget'," Jason stated with a hard glow in his eyes, showing his determination. "And once we're settled in, then I can announce candidacy for Mayor in the next election."
That last one took them all off-guard. It might have already been settled, but the latest fiery complaints against Batman were making waves.
"We pay our hard-earned tax dollars on all the damages he and his playmates caused every day, every week, and so on!"
"We never feel safe, and those privileged asswipes got all the security there is. My kids can't play outside if they want to, and we're not alone in this. But then again, this has been going on for decades."
"Batman took me into custody all because I shot a crook in the leg for trying to mug me. He ruined my life all because I was defending myself. Jim Gordon isn't my favorite person, either, because he vouches for the damned criminal."
"My daughter was kidnapped, but she'd wanted RED HOOD to rescue her, so she threw something at the Bat when he tried to pick her up, screaming at him for being a monster. He threw her to the cops after telling her she's a little fanatic in the making! Said she needed looking over, all because she asked for a monster's help than the real savior!"
"My boys used to worship him, but now he traumatized them for life. We just tossed out all Batman merch; I suggest others do the same."
"He tells us, the ones who he forcefully 'saved' from traffickers who profited off our suffering, that we are nothing without him. F$&! him! We need someone better than him. He's just saying he's all of Gotham because he needs to stay relevant; otherwise, he's nothing. He's just useless without what he does."
"Batman is a fake! He's not all of Gotham; WE are! He's been called a delusional vigilante for a long time, and now it's true!"
All of this, yeah, was going on for ages, and finally being taken seriously. Some politicians were fighting now, but that was a mixed bag itself. That brought in a proposed new law that was being blocked at every turn that quelled the fruit growing on the tree that was the citizens of Gotham who took to calling this new face to the public.
The Batman Act would issue arrest of anyone who donned the Batman cape and cowl.
When that would be in effect, Bruce Wayne - not that everyone knew - would have no choice but to cease putting on the costume, and if he did, the citizens of Gotham were free to call law enforcement or act to protect themselves. Rare cases included both crook and victim getting together to stop him.
~o~
During the course of the wedding plans, more great news continued to rise, citizens following through with Superman's advice many months ago. They set traps for the Bat and banded together for self-defense, even when Rogues came near their territory.
He evaded every single one of them, but not even the police could catch him on the Mayor's orders. He'd even ordered Commissioner Gordon to stand down, because all of Gotham's children would turn on him, and that would bring his reputation to shambles more than it already was.
Steph finally spoke to Barbara about this.
"He's changing the tide. Dad is putting out all-points bulletins, but he feels responsible. He's guilty by association, so he's telling me now that he should have gone through with killing Joker himself when he had the chance, and long before that, he should have had the Batman hunted down and arrested after the mob was finished."
"Did Bats ever try to see him in person?" Stephanie asked, knowing the answer before the full response.
Babs snorted. "Yeah, I even hacked in and got some of the conversation. Dad told him to get lost, the Bat signal taken down, and if he ever saw him again, he'd shoot him in the face even if it meant running out of rounds, and wouldn't stop until he was dead. All bets are off. Because he's a dad, he knew abuse when he saw it." She thickly chuckled. "I wish I got a video for B's reaction and froze it into a picture."
The call ended because there was supervision to make on the wedding details. Stephanie was excited to see everything come together. It was a short-term arrangement, but traditions were in order.
They underwent the tolbe first, which involved the bride, groom, and their families gathering together so that Jason could formally ask her hand in marriage even though he'd done so already, but that didn't happen since it was a thing of the past, but that didn't stop them from getting together to chill and talk plans. This time, he presented her with the wedding rings they'd wear. Both were simple gold. Following that, even though Stephanie Brown and Jason Todd weren't Muslim, they read the Quran.
The night before the wedding, the bride-to-be got a henna, which took hours and limited a lot of things she could have done. At least the food was exquisite, and being fed by both her mother and a few ladies. She was a princess in all but name, and she hella enjoyed it.
She got a clashing yet harmonizing pairing of a phoenix and two butterflies on each hand. "Two butterflies are for a long and happy marriage. Suppose something good can come out of this," Talia told her with a warm smile.
Butterflies for freedom and new beginnings.
Phoenix for rebirth.
And both befitted her and the young man about to become her husband.
The wedding itself took place on Jason's birthday.
It took place within the garden and fountain. Maybe because this was where they spent a lot of time together when she wasn't training and himself healing, this was as personal a spot it could get. And it was intimate and sentimental because they had Crystal, Tim, Damian, Ric, Barbara flown in so she could share the moment - and resulted in a somewhat wary moment between her and Jason - and Superman and Wonder Woman came, along with Roy, Oliver, Dinah, and little Lian. The documents had been completed yesterday, passports, and a legal resurrection of Jason Todd that had to be kept under wraps, along with viable evidence of where he'd been all these years.
"I can't wait to see Brucie's face once he finds out, and nothing he can do," Steph whispered to Jason, giggling with him. Then she leaned up, doing the one thing she wasn't afraid to, both because he needed it and because her wilder instincts wanted to have the first intimate, though chaste, contact with the one she'd take vows with today.
She kissed him on the cheek, gently, over the spot where Batman's iron fist broke his cheekbone.
He stiffened, and that made her double back a little. "Damn, I should have asked?" Steph asked. Jason laughed a little, shaking his head and calming her down.
"No, just that...never mind." There was something behind that, but she decided to put that on the shelf for now.
He'd been in a relationship with a flight attendant, she'd heard, but what about that Artemis on his missing team? I'll ask him in the future if he wants me to.
Now she was in her dress, veil, and jewelry, and everyone's eyes on her she took in: Cass's eyes shone with tears she masterfully held in, Ric's grin close enough to the way he used to and Barbara holding his hand in hers while wiping her eyes with a tissue after taking off her glasses, Tim came close to losing himself at the sight of her, Damian nodded with his knowing smirk, and Crystal who walked her up to Jason whispered she was beautiful and a princess. Clark Kent smiled and bowed his head once, lips quivering as he couldn't keep his emotions in check; that made him Bruce's opposite in almost every way.
The Arrow family, Lian giggling and waving among them, gave her waves and tooth-baring smiles as their congrats.
"You're a queen in the making," Diana breathed to her when she passed the Amazon. Then she glanced in the direction of the man waiting before the fountain for her, Talia the lady herself beside him.
Okay, in a traditional Arab wedding, heads were required to be covered, but it was optional now. Talia was garbed in emerald green and gold, the end of the gown's skirt patterned with beading sewn to resemble native architecture, the semi-sheer sleeves and bodice strewn with embroidered leaves and flora; her hair was covered by a scarf shimmering with paisley scrolls.
The sacred Katb el-Kitab, or wedding ceremony, was short and sweet, mainly consisting of the marriage conditions being read, such as how a man should honor his wife and the wife herself respecting her husband. The contract had already been signed before today, but it was presented as proof to the witnesses.
And it was deemed official after Talia and Crystal put their names on. Generally, two of the eldest men in the family would do this, but neither the bride nor the groom's father deserved the honor.
It's...it's real.
We're really married.
They didn't have their first kiss as man and wife, because once the nikah signing ceremony was through, it wasn't allowed. Personally, Steph thought it was ridiculous to deprive the couple of intimacy, but then again, they were gonna have a room of their own after this. That was gonna be a tad awkward, thinking about THAT.
Why was she so embarrassed? They'd gotten to be quite close lately, the boys getting together to beat each other at video games and burgers and everything they'd used to do together. Jason's long bone fractures had sealed, as did his shinbone. For the latter, the bruises were fading to a faint yellow, the painkillers prescribed doing their wonders for him. In short, he was physically well again except for some limitations if he ever went back out into the field.
Shit, she was being clinical again. She was excited and should just enjoy this. Her new husband was someone she was associated with and had immense plans for great change with. That was something to look forward to. They both were gonna benefit from each other, but also...Jason Todd was nothing like Bruce Wayne ever mentioned. The cautionary tale she and Tim were given was nothing but bullshit. Bruce believed what he wanted, and Steph had gotten to know the real Jason.
The one who had the softest soul beneath the layers of steel that Crime Alley smashed into and onto him.
What was a bonus was how ruggedly gorgeous he was. She would have been scolded for taking his looks into account, but it was a natural reaction and always had been for everyone. She wasn't ashamed to feel something towards Jason.
~o~
The reception was always something to look forward to after weddings. Great food and drink, music, and dancing.
The walima was hosted by the groom's family, so Talia covering it meant it was an intimate extravagance and held in the ballroom reserved for political dances and mingling. Stephanie's breath was blown away by its beauty. The symbolic arches and pillars of snowy ivory turned creamy by the light of the great crystal chandelier accented with red jewels around the bases, the pillars themselves touched with enclosing lotuses of gold that could blind you if the sun touched them. How funny is it that I've gotten addicted to Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines?
How had she grown to call this place a second home? This land of astonishing, whimsical mystique enriched with honor and tradition? The hidden fortress within the mountains overlooking the sea of emerald streaked with turquoise blue rivers?
Stephanie was in her room changing into her second dress when she couldn't stop admiring the two rings now on her finger, showing the world she was a woman taken. For Islamic couples - and she and Jay weren't by heritage - they were first put on the right hands before moving them to the left, though they were an exception. And the fact the red-purple stones were alexandrite, shifting between the colors of Spoiler AND Red Hood...a source of happiness within oneself to boost self-confidence and self-esteem...
It was small enough to not be overwhelmingly flashy, but also neatly the size of her finger and glittered even when the light didn't touch it. And with that combined with the ruby and diamond earrings shaped like dragonflies and the calla lily-looking bauble now around her collarbones - set with diamonds on the flower's side and rubies on the opposite - she would have achieved icon status if she were Hollywood royalty. That could be said for the second, lighter dress of translucent sequin with its ruched off-shoulder bodice and a calla silhouette, and her thick, sleekly groomed curls down her back, accented with a headband of glistening stars.
Truly fit for a princess in all but name.
She felt her throat and heart seize together, but not in a way that was gonna kill her. The loving compliments from her mom, Cass, and Barbara made the tears burn the corners and threaten to slide down her cheeks, ruin her makeup which needed additional touch-ups. She had been given a mauve and rosy palette, with her lips painted a soft earthy hue making her skin glow, her cheeks softly blushing with an iridescent shimmer, and her eyeshadow a subtle smoke.
She was about to put on more of the new perfume from Crystal when Tim came in, knocking first. He halted as soon as he saw her. "Damn, Steph," he croaked. "You look like a - like a -" His voice failed him, but that meant the world than whatever Jason might or might not say when he saw her. "Sorry, but I got something you need to hear. Ladies?" he asked the rest of them.
"What is it, Tim?" Barbara asked, wheeling over while still in her smoky blue, ruched turtleneck dress and dangling seashell, Biwa pearl, and chain tassel earrings. Her eyes narrowed with suspicion.
"Yes, is it the one whose name is forbidden like Satan himself?" Crystal demanded, arms folded across her chest.
Cass took her place next to Stephanie, the bride linking her hand into her best friend's. And while the air had been festive and ongoing with anticipation after the fun was over, the combustion blew the lid.
Someone had ousted that Bruce Wayne was funding Batman's crusade, and now the FBI was getting involved.
The whistleblower was Alfred Pennyworth, the faithful butler.
Jason's admission of hating both Bruce AND Alfred is thanks to AO3's RDI's "Around and Around: No More", the second chapter.
I didn't read comics, again, but the tidbits I found out were this: Joker apparently leaked that Bruce Wayne supported Batman, and then it came to a head when the government would be closely watching WayneCorp finances, and Bruce himself lost a huge chunk of his billions. That also meant he could no longer use his family inheritance, but go back to the basics, so to speak. However... (devilish wink)
The Arabic wedding traditions came from "Modern Arabic Wedding Traditions & Customs You Should Know" from The Knot online.
Stephanie's henna design and the earrings are thanks to Henna Moon's "Henna Designs and Their Meanings" - two butterflies for a long and happy marriage, the phoenix for rebirth and regeneration, and the dragonfly to fly free of false illusion. :3
REVIEW!