Anticipation: I wanted a threat that Bruce and Diana couldn't punch their way out of. Also, to show how corrupt the system in Gotham is that even Bruce Wayne could be affected by it. I had no idea my scenario was similar to a true story.
Making the Best of It
Chapter 45
Something happened.
She knew it in her gut.
But he wasn't talking. Something she expected from her father. He was never the type of man that wore his heart on his sleeve. No, he took care of other people, especially her, by listening to her problems and being there for her when she needed him. However, he never allowed such a thing to be done for him. He was a hard man. And old age only made him harder.
Her father stopped being Batman. And Elissa couldn't figure out why. She knew he had a mild heart attack, but she knew her father wouldn't stop being himself. Those men the police arrested for kidnapping Bunny Vreeland weren't talking. No, they were too scared to speak about that night. However, they were delighted to confess to their crimes.
Secretly, she was glad he no longer put himself in life-threatening situations at his age. She slept with relief in her heart knowing her father was asleep under the same roof at night.
Yet, her father walked around looking grim. A hollow man that seemed to have lost his purpose in life and it hurt her to see him like that.
She tried to get him to broach the subject, but the grim look, yet faraway look, he answered him with a simple, "Never again."
His response gave her flashbacks of how bad he was the first time he stopped being Batman. However, this time was different. This time it was worse.
Bruce stumbled into a complete clinical depression, barely being able to get out of bed most days. That left Elissa fearful for her father.
It got so bad that she was tempted to call her mother. But she didn't do that.
To make matters worse, Derek Powers made another play for Wayne Enterprises while Bruce was incapacitated.
It was revealed that Bruce had liquidated much of his shares in the company to build his new batsuit. Which left Wayne Enterprises vulnerable to a hostile takeover. Luckily, Lucius Fox had managed to block Powers from taking the company. It was his final act as CFO as the aging Fox retired shortly after.
A move that demanded a reaction from the depressed Bruce or he would lose his company to a businessman of ill-repute forever.
As Bruce laid in bed, his mind a hurricane of melancholy. His thoughts of that night. A part of him was dead and never coming back. He was uncertain of who he was without the cowl. That night flashed in his mind's eye on a loop. He swore to never don the cowl again, because of his actions… he didn't deserve to wear it.
For he was about to commit the ultimate crime.
Eventually, Elissa felt she didn't have a choice any longer. So, she swallowed her pride and made a phone call… to Virginia.
As the phone rang, she considered hanging up. But then, someone picked it up.
"Hello?" It was a male voice.
Immediately, Elissa bristled, realizing it was Steve Trevor.
"Hello, Trevor." She tried to sound as pleasant as she could be to the man. "It's Elissa."
"Elissa? Hey, how's it going?" The man being as cordial.
"Okay. Can I speak with my mother? It's important," she said with urgency in her voice.
The man was silent for a second before replying. "Uh, I'm sorry, kiddo. You're mom's not here right now."
The teenager instantly felt disheartened by the man's response. "Oh. Do you know how I can get in touch with her. Like I said, it's important," she said urgently.
"I'm afraid she's out of contact for a few weeks," he disappointed her. "Said she was searching for a way back to Themyscira," he explained.
"I see," the teenager uttered automatically. It was disappointing to hear, but perhaps it was a saving grace as she suddenly felt she went out of line calling her mother about her father. "Okay, bye," she said quickly, hanging up on him, wanting to end the conversation.
She left a befuddled Steve listening to the dial tone.
Themyscira
It took years but she had finally done it. She had discovered that her homeland had been transported to another dimension to protect itself from an emergent threat from years ago. Due to this Wonder Woman could not find her way back for so many years. No matter how many times she tried searching, friends and acquaintances offering their aid to track down the island home of the Amazons, proved fruitless.
But now, she knew what had happened and that meant she knew how to get there. Upon Diana's entrance into the alternate dimension, she came face to face with a different, more savage thinking version of her mother, Queen Hippolyta. The main contrast from this woman and the woman whom birthed her held blonde hair.
A battle ensued between Wonder Woman and these savage Amazons. Refusing to raise a hand against her sisters, she fled desiring to learn more about this place and what happened in her absence.
Infiltrating the capital city and then the palace, the Amazing Amazon found her mother, the true Queen Hippolyta shackled by the imposter Hippolyta.
The royals of Themyscira led a revolt against these imposters and retook the capital and freed their sisters.
Shortly after, Queen Hippolyta initiated the spells that restored their home and brought it back to the correct dimension. When the danger had died down, the celebrations started up.
Simultaneously, as the celebrations were underway, a mother and daughter reconnected.
Both wearing chitons, discarding their battle garb, for something to match the levity of the occasion. Diana held her mother tightly, which the woman returned wholeheartedly. It felt like an eternity since they had seen one another.
So much had happened to the daughter that she needed her mother. She needed the advice from one mother to another.
"I missed you so much, Mother," Diana expressed earnestly, almost on the brink of tears.
"As have I, my daughter," Hippolyta said with such kindness in her voice, that sent Diana back in time to when she was a child.
When they pulled apart to gaze into each other's eyes to see how much the other had changed over the years, Hippolyta could tell that something was wrong with her daughter.
"Is everything alright, Diana?" A worried Hippolyta asked. She placed a comforting hand on the younger woman's cheek. "Tell me, my child." She encouraged her gently.
"I have a daughter," she expressed proudly, and a bit nervously, fearing her mother's reaction.
After a long minute, the Queen of the Amazons uttered, "I have a granddaughter." At first it was filled with the sound of surprise and then elation. The older Amazon smiled an opened mouth smile, at the prospect of a grandchild.
Diana felt a bit at ease due to her mother's positive reaction. However, it swiftly changed when Hippolyta inquired, "That man you escorted, is he the father?" she said with an inquisitory gaze.
"Oh, no. I mean he and I are together, but well… her father and I are separated," she explained into the broadest sense.
"I see," the raven-haired queen replied in understanding. "Now," she suddenly said, she patted a chair. "Sit. Regale me with tales of my granddaughter," she demanded. Taking the fact of being a grandmother quite well and eager to learn more.
A delighted Diana took a seat next to her mother. With a smile, she started. "Her name is Elissa. She is almost sixteen and she… she is amazing, mother. I finally understand why you pushed me so hard when I was her age. You saw my potential. And I see that with my own daughter," she explained with pride in her voice.
The queen smiled. Eager to meet Elissa.
"She is such a kind soul," she spoke with delight. "Although, she can hold a grudge when she is angered," she chuckled nervously, hinting at the wedge between the two.
"She loves the arts, she is so gifted," she shook her head with pride. "She loves animals. She possesses a keen mind, mother. I have no doubt that she will be smarter than myself or her father," she expressed with hopefulness while her mother listened intently.
The hopefulness caused a lump to form in her throat. She choked up a sob, as she realized she hadn't seen her daughter in almost a year. She finally grasped that her daughter didn't want anything to do with her. Elissa barely wanted to be in the same room as her. Whenever they were supposed to have their time together, Elissa would conveniently have other plans. She tried to be understanding, her daughter was growing up and had her own friends and a life that didn't involve her. But it still hurt.
"Diana?" Her mother noted the change in her. "What's wrong?" She inquired worriedly.
"I fear I have lost her," she expressed sadly. She turned to her mother, tears in her eyes.
Her mother instantly reached for her, offering comfort. Her thumb wiping away stray tears, while Diana embraced her mother, which Hippolyta returned wholeheartedly.
This was what the Amazing Amazon needed. She needed her mother's comfort and advice. Some things only a mother could balm.
"What happened, my child?" Hippolyta asked soothingly. Her hand rubbing her daughter's back attempting to sooth her woes.
Diana opened her mouth to respond, however, nothing came out as she just couldn't speak the words, the hurt too profound.
It was only when Hippolyta kindly wiped the tears from her daughter's cheeks, flashing back to when Diana was a child. It was a comforting nostalgia trip that eased the Amazing Amazon's hurt heart.
"I… I hurt her," she confessed, tears in her blue eyes.
The two women were facing one another, while they held hands. The Queen mother gifted her daughter some of her strength.
"Her father and I were arguing. At times we bring out the worst of us when we argue," she explained. "But he just knows what to say to anger me. And when I responded, I said some awful things that Elissa walked in on."
Diana stared into her mother's eyes; her lips quivered in pain. "And now she wants nothing to do with me," she revealed with a sob following. Bowing her head, silently shedding tears as she broke down in front of her mother. Hippolyta wordlessly embraced her daughter tightly. Comforting her daughter in her warm embrace, processing what she had learned and using her ages old wisdom to offer her daughter some desperately needed advice.
After a few minutes of crying on Diana's part, Hippolyta maternally patted her back, before pulling back. "Diana," she began with that regal tone that she used that brokered no arguments nor inaction. "As your mother and your queen, I am ordering you to mend your relationship with my granddaughter," she commanded, leaving the Amazon princess speechless.
"How?" The younger woman couldn't help but ask.
"You continue to try until she has found the strength to forgive you. Just keep trying to be her mother," she said reassuringly.
This was what she needed. What she had sought out her island home. She needed her mother's love and advice. And her mother's words struck her resolve and renewed her deflating resolve.
"Yes, Mother." Diana replied with a smile and love in his heart.
They embraced once more, sharing smiles.
"And I want to meet her," Hippolyta quickly uttered.
"As soon as I fix our relationship, Mother." The raven-haired woman promised.
"Good," the queen nodded in agreement.
Wayne Manor
He lay in his bed, a vacant look in his eyes, a graying beard formed on his face. Bags under his eyes, he couldn't recall the last time he got out of bed, but he didn't care. Because within his mind, devastating words echoed within his mind on a loop.
'You failed.'
The fact that he betrayed his vows and gave up the mission had broken him. The will to live seemed to be fleeting.
Nothing mattered to him but those words. His vows to the spirits of his parents went unfulfilled, but worst of all, he disgraced himself.
It would have been better if he had just keeled over that night instead of doing what he did.
But no, he would always struggle and suffer for the mission.
He was nothing without the cowl. He judged himself unworthy to wear after his heinous actions at the airfield. Yet without it, a part of him was dead.
This went on for days but was interminable to Bruce, as he was lost in his depressed mind.
Until… after some urging from Alfred, he robotically got out of bed. When he left his bedroom and bathed, Lucius Fox, after scheming with Alfred, ambushed him at home.
"Bruce, I need to speak with," he said urgently.
The younger man stared at him blankly and wordlessly.
Seeing the man lack of reaction, Lucius blurted out.
"Derek Powers will have control of Wayne Enterprises in the next six months," the dark-skinned man warned him.
Of course, Bruce remained stoic.
"I am not at the company anymore, Bruce. I retired."
The older man seemed saddened to go but it was time. He wanted to spend the last years of his life with his family. And no one, not even Bruce Wayne could fault him for that. A sympathetic Lucius said, "Look, I know you are going through a rough time, but without me, there isn't anyone to stand in Powers' way of taking the company."
The lack of reaction from Bruce only tested the older man's patience. "Bruce… it's still your company. Your name on the door, do you really want someone like Derek Powers throwing dirt on your family's legacy," he argued.
Bruce's brow furrowed in response.
His family name. The name his parents held before him, the name his children will hold after him.
The company meant little to him. The name besides the manor itself was all he had left of his parents, and he would be damned before he let anyone disparage them.
With a deep exhale, Bruce spoke for the first time. "Lucius," said man was a bit startled at the response. "I need to count on you one last time," he said with such determination that it brought a smile to the older man's face.
"Sure thing, Mr. Wayne."
The fire inside him wasn't out yet. And his resolve was peerless.
Wayne Enterprises
Derek Powers entered the boardroom with a savvy swagger in his step. He was smug as he had enough votes to merge Wayne Enterprises with Powers Technologies, something he had been wanting since he got onto Wayne's board. He was glad that Wayne and his loyal lacky Fox were out of the picture.
He could already see the money coming his way.
However, the excitement left his face when he saw Fox and Wayne sitting at the conference table.
Bruce was shaved and sitting at the head of the table. When he saw Derek Powers, he spoke to the board. "Good we can start."
"What is this?" A shaken Powers asked, taking a seat.
"Oh, we are just finalizing a removal from the board and company," Bruce responded, calmly.
"And Mr. Fox is here because…?" He trailed off as he and the rest of the board understood that Lucius had already retired.
"Oh, Mr. Fox is my adviser for this meeting," Bruce answered with a savvy tone.
"And just whom is being removed?" Powers inquired with a raised eyebrow.
Bruce looked up from the file before him. "You," he revealed.
"What?!" Powers bit out.
"If you look before you are detailed records showcasing your illicit dealings of arms with gang members as well as illegal business dealings all reported to police. And following our bylaws the board can and will remove anyone with just crimes weighted against them," Bruce explained.
"I still how my shares," Powers rebuked. "Besides, you don't have the controlling interest anyone."
"As of eight a.m. this morning I have bought them back."
Fox interjected, "And with my shares, Mr. Wayne is now at sixty percent of shares."
"Now considering Derek Powers' illegal activities, which the board has been made aware of, I am calling for Derek Powers' removal from Wayne Enterprises effective immediately. All in favor?" He called to the board members.
One by one hands went up and the life vanished from Powers' face as he was just removed from the board.
Powers exited the building fuming just in time for the police to arrive and take him in for questioning.
While Bruce was glad that Powers was essentially removed from his company, he knew it was far from over with the shady mogul. One victory at a time was all Bruce could assure himself.
Wayne Manor
Elissa was glad that her father seemed to be back to his old self again. Or at least out of his funk. And as a dutiful daughter she made certain he took his medication, with an added heart medication added to his schedule.
Of course, she was still a teenager and at times teenagers wanted unreasonable things.
"Hey, Dad." Elissa greeted said man in the living room. Bruce had his leg up on a footrest, an ice pack wrapped around his knee.
"Yes," the man replied, head perking up from the papers in his hands.
The teenager seemed to be beaming with sweetness. "Can I get tattoo?"
The man rose an eyebrow in response, perplexed by such a request. "No," he readily denied, and went back to his work.
"Why?" She protested.
She loomed over him, infuriated at his refusal.
"Because it is a frivolous purchase, and a little thing called illegal," he rebuked a tad harshly. "You're too young to have one," he maintained.
"What happened to my body, my choice," she argued.
"Not the same thing," the man countered.
"Come on!" Elissa argued, hands thrusting out. "Cleo's friend, Gabriel, has one," she reasoned.
"Good for him," Bruce nonchalantly countered.
"Cleo's thinking of getting one," Elissa mentioned quickly.
"The answer is no, Elissa," her father stated strongly. His tone was firm and immovable.
Sensing defeat, a sulking Elissa scoffed, "Mom has a tattoo," she muttered as she left the living room, leaving a bewildered Bruce, as he wondered how Elissa knew about the tattoo.
November. A time where the seasons are changing, and a holiday for being thankful for what one was given. However, in Wayne Manor it pertains to the birth of Bruce Wayne's only daughter.
And the teenager was beaming brightly at the prospect of turning sixteen. And she couldn't wait to turn sixteen, anticipation welling up inside her.
With only a few weeks left before her birthday, she started dropping hints about what she wanted the most for her special day.
She met her father in his study, working diligently to regain full control of his company before Powers tried to retaliate. Said man was already facing some charges for his illicit affairs as well as facing scrutiny for his Peacekeepers following an injunction against using them for the city. Nakano was also facing scrutiny as the governor had gotten involved following lawyers getting involved.
Bruce got some satisfaction as there was some justice in this town.
"Hey," Elissa greeted warmly entering his office.
"Hello," the man uttered guardedly at her warm greeting. Especially at how close they were to her birthday.
She approached him giddily and took a seat before him.
"Are you busy?" She inquired with concern.
"Constantly," he uttered dryly.
His response deflated her perkiness. "Oh."
"What's up?"
She quickly came back to life and shifted in her seat, "Well, I wanted to tell you what I wanted for my birthday," she said quickly.
"And?"
"Can I get my driver's license?" she said quickly, her heartbeat elevating, worried that he would say no.
The man looked at her stone-faced, the two were silent, which caused Elissa to become apprehensive. Dread rising inside her.
"No."
He answered curtly.
His response hurt her deeply. She thought she deserved to have a license. Her reasons were personal and reasonable. She wanted to be an adult, something that she felt that she was. And she was at the age to get one. Besides, she wouldn't have to wait around for an Uber or have Alfred drive her around.
"But… why?" She said with hurt in her voice.
"Because I'm not trusting a sixteen-year-old behind the wheel," Bruce said briskly.
"But Cleo's just got hers," the dark-haired teen argued.
"Good for her. But I'm not her father," Bruce argued.
Elissa pouted at her father's stance.
A thought popped into the teenager's head. "Damian was driving when he was ten!" She argued fiercely at how unfair her father was being.
He should have expected her to throw that in his face but that was different. A different time, a different life.
"Okay," he sighed in resignation. "How about this: after your birthday we can get your permit. However," Elissa, who was perking up at her father's resignation, swallowed nervously, "your midterms are coming up. Pass all of them and we will sign you up for lessons," he proposed to her.
The teen grinned broadly, "Okay!" She chirped. Passing her midterms would be easy.
"Uphold your end, young lady," he warned her, pointing a finger at her as a warning.
She didn't care about the warning. All she heard was that she would be getting her license!
She squealed, ran behind her father's desk, and gave him a big kiss on the cheek. "Thanks, Dad!"
She hugged him tightly, that provoked a small smile out of the man.
She left the study after that, a wide smile on her lips. Her thoughts of driving swirled in her mind. She considered driving freedom and trust, things that she felt she earned.
Plus, she was getting tired of Uber and Alfred chauffeuring her everywhere.
She got on the phone and called Cleo. As soon as Elissa heard her best friend's voice, she started. "Cleo, my dad said yes!" She squealed into her phone, Cleo in turn squealed into her ear in excitement.
Bruce leaned back in his chair, sighing, he took off his glasses. He used his forefinger and thumb to rub his eyes. He was thankful that Elissa didn't further protest about driving. He wondered why he wanted to treat her differently than Damian. Of course, he didn't teach Damian to drive. That experience was fulfilled by his mother Talia. He sighed again. He knew why. It was why she was raised differently than the others. He wanted to give her a good normal life.
Yet, the notion of her behind the wheel made him realize… he wasn't ready for her to grow up. She was still his little girl. God, it felt like she was still in pigtails and demanding piggyback rides.
He chuckled at the memory.
She wasn't a little girl anymore. But to him, she always would be.
Days later she found her father in her study once more, seeing him hard at work, she was tempted to speak with him at another time, however, her father knew she was hovering at the open door of his study.
"Yes?" He said without looking up from the papers he was examining.
Prompted by him, the teenager entered quickly and took a seat at his desk.
"What's up?"
"I just wanted to let you know grandpa and I finished planning my party," she explained.
"Okay. What are we looking at?" He scribbled something down on paper.
"Just family and some friends," she answered casually. "Cleo, of course. Maybe her parents, if you want to talk with them," she reasoned.
"Sure. Marcus and I can talk stock tips," he said glibly, his mouth twitched upward.
Elissa shared a grin with him.
The man paused, setting his pen down and a contemplative expression etched itself on his face.
"What about that girl from school?" He paused, trying to think about the girl. "Brie?" He guessed the girl's name.
"You mean Brittany?" Elissa wondered.
"I think that was her name. Weren't you telling me about her the other day?" He inquired.
The usual cheery Elissa turned deadpan. "You mean the mean girl you started calling me 'Weirdo Wayne' since middle school?"
"Oh."
Her father suddenly realized he goofed.
"Yeah, no. Brittany isn't invited. She is such a total b- "
"Ahem!" Bruce cleared his throat loudly cutting her off and gave her a stern look.
"Brat. She is such a brat to me," she stated rigidly. She preferred to call Brittany what she was—a bitch.
A pleased Bruce nodded his head. He then turned the conversation to something more important. "Your mother will be there," he swiftly mentioned.
He saw the interest fade from her face. When she opened her face, no doubt protesting, he interjected.
"She's your mother. It's your birthday. She's coming," he stated matter-of-factly.
The teenager started pouting but knew her father wouldn't budge. Her mother had always been present for her birthday, but that was when she was little and not a teenager who didn't really want to hang out with her parents. Especially her mother after everything.
"Okay," she said sullenly. She left without a word, leaving less happy than when she entered. She was oblivious to her father's shaking of his head in disappointment.
Later, Diana arrived at the manor. She knocked on the door to the large house. She waited patiently as Alfred answered the door pleasantly.
He greeted her warmly. "Hello, Miss Diana."
"Hello, Alfred," she returned with equal warmth and a smile.
Even after her and Bruce's relationship ended, the aging man always treated her with respect and affection as ever. To him, she would always be part of this family. He was disappointed towards Bruce and how he had let such an amazing woman go. But that was neither here nor there as he was too old to try and play matchmaker. It was up to them to fix the mess they had made.
"How are things?" She inquired causally.
"Oh, busy." He shrugged, with a knowing grin. He stepped aside and gestured for her to enter.
"Is Bruce here?" She questioned.
"In the study," he answered. "Would you like me to inform him that you are here?"
"No," she shook her head. "I know the way," she said politely. The man in return nodded kindly and went about his business.
As she strolled through the halls that she spent years living in, she couldn't help but recall fond memories of her life here.
A phantom smile formed on her face as she recalled when Elissa was a child, and her sweet laughter filled the halls as she was playing tag with her mother.
She paused at the door of the study, watching thoughtfully as the father of her daughter sat at his desk. Glasses were on his face, concentration etched on his wrinkled face. His dexterous hands were carefully working on a ship in a bottle before him.
A hobby the billionaire had taken up to take his mind off subjects that were forbidden to him forever.
It took him a moment to notice her. "Diana?" He said in confusion, pausing his work.
"Can I speak with you?" she asked carefully.
"Sure." He set his tools down and gestured to her to come in.
His aging eyes followed her as she strode through the room. To the detriment of his gaze, he made her self-conscious, tucking some hair over her ear.
When she gracefully took a seat before him, she decided to get to the reason for her visit. "I wanted to talk to you about Elissa's birthday," she revealed to him.
"Oh?" The man uttered intently.
"Yes. I wanted to know what we were doing?" She inquired. She unintentionally gave off a feeling of being left out, and to be honest she was, due to not living at the manor anymore.
The man cleared his throat, adjusted in his seat. "Well, she wants a small party at the house. Family and some friends," he explained, he took his glasses off.
"She's not getting a car, Bruce." Diana stated in no uncertain terms.
"Of course not," the man shrugged. "She hasn't even gotten a permit yet." He sighed, and continued, "Although, she does want to drive," he told her.
"Of goddess," the raven-haired woman bemoaned, leaning back in her seat. It wasn't a criticism of her daughter's abilities it was just that she wasn't ready for her to grow up.
Recovering, the Amazon wanted to let him know what they should agree on. "I just want us to agree that a sixteen-year-old shouldn't have a Porsche," she said matter-of-factly.
"She'll get a Jeep and love it," the man grumbled. He understood where she was coming from, and he was inclined to agree with her. "I have plenty of cars in the garage. She can have one of them," he suggested. He thought it was ridiculous that a teenager would be gifted an expensive sports car.
"Good," she sighed in relief. The two were in silence for a long moment. Simply staring at one another until the awkwardness became too much.
"I… I'm not certain on what to get her," she sadly admitted. "It was easy when she was little. Art supplies, toys, books. But I… I don't know what her interests are anymore. She wants nothing to do with me. I barely can get ten words out of her," she uttered miserably.
She glanced at her folded hands in her lap gloomily.
Having a thought, she suggested an idea. "Maybe a gift from Themyscira? She used to love my stories of home," the fond memory brought a smile to the raven-haired woman's lips.
"Maybe," Bruce responded. "Elissa's in the dining room if you want to ask her about it," he proposed.
For a fraction of a second, Diana seemed fearful before she turned hopeful. "Good. I just hope that I can get more than ten words out of her," she stood with a sigh. She turned back the man, "Thank you," she uttered pleasantly. Flashing him a smile that provoked a tiny one from him.
She found her daughter working hard studying, oblivious to her mother's presence. Diana watched Elissa for a bit, content to see her studying hard.
Until eventually, she decided to interject knowing she may not get an opportunity later.
As she approached, the dark-haired teen noticed her, surprise written on her young face. Diana herself held a hint of surprise, panicking and beginning to have second thoughts.
Yet, she retained her resolve and took a seat at the table. Under Elissa's suspicious eyes, Diana held her head up high.
"What?" Elissa intoned, sounding rather annoyed at being interrupted from her schoolwork. Especially when she had promised to pass all her midterms and in return she can start learning to drive.
Summoning her resolve, her mother began. "Your birthday is coming up. And I wanted to know what you wanted for your birthday?" She said uneasily, considering birthday gifts were supposed to be a surprise.
"Uh… Dad's already promised I can start driver's ed," her daughter explained awkwardly.
"Your father told me," the woman assured. "But I thought I could get you something else."
Elissa stared at her mother for a hard minute until she shrugged. "No. I think I'm good," she replied innocently.
She heard her mother inhale deeply before asking, "What about an Amazonian gift? I have just recently returned home to Themyscira, and I thought you would like something from there," she suggested.
"What? Like a sword?"
"Something along like that, yes." An eager Diana replied.
Elissa frowned, deep in thought. "I'm not really the sword type, mom." She rejected politely.
"Oh," a slightly hurt Diana replied. Recovering quickly, "What about something else from Themyscira?"
A patient yet blunt Elissa, exhaled through her nose deeply. Dropping her pen onto her textbook, she stated to her mother. "Mom, I don't really have any interest in Themyscira."
"What?" A shocked Diana responded. "But you used to love my stories of Themyscira," she stammered.
"I was a kid then," the teenager rebutted. "I don't have any interest in it. It's not for me," she reasoned, giving her mother a mild shrug.
Her hurt mother leaned back in her seat dumbfounded. All this time, all the stories about myths and sisterhood and her only daughter doesn't care about it.
She… She couldn't believe that her relationship with her daughter was in such an awful state.
Her mother opened yet no words came out. It took her several tries to get the words out. "I found a way back to my homeland," she began. "My mother—your grandmother wants to meet you," she told the dark-haired teen.
Elissa was dumbstruck at first. But then she replied, "I'm too busy," she said readily, picking up her pen and got back to the books.
"Just like that?"
A skeptical Diana intoned.
The teen paused, a look of uncertainty in her blue eyes, and then she recovered. "Yeah. I have school, and the clinic," she explained, unable to meet her mother's gaze.
"Then you are refusing to meet your grandmother. Not as a favor to me, but to meet the rest of your family," she spoke so stoically, that made Elissa feel small.
"Yes," the girl replied, nervously biting her lip.
Her mother's cool gaze upon her was chilling. And then, she abruptly left her daughter alone at the table with such disappointment directed at her for being such a selfish little girl.
The daughter of Wonder Woman didn't look up from her books until her mother was certainly gone from the manor. A miserable expression on her face. The reason for not wanting to meet her grandmother wasn't for any petulant reason. Or because she just wanted to stick it to her mother some more for abandoning her family.
It was all about Elissa. And how inadequate she felt that she was. Here she was the daughter of Wonder Woman. And she wasn't a fighter at all. She knew she was descended from warriors with high ideals, but when comparing herself to them—her Aunt Donna and all the other Wonders out there…
She felt that her grandmother would view her as a disappointment.
She was too afraid to learn that she was inferior to such an incredible society of women.
Although, the thought of her grandmother—Queen Hippolyta—did make her curious. Wondering if the stories she heard as a little girl were accurate to the woman.
Wayne Manor
It was the day of Elissa's birthday, and the party was in full swing inside the ballroom. Balloons, streamers, decorated the ballroom. Several tables for friends and family. A table of gifts stationed behind the buffet table, music in the background.
Elissa was laughing with Cleo, the birthday girl wearing a black dress and matching heels, wearing diamond earrings and a matching necklace. Her raven locks curly and ornate.
Clark and Lois were there, as well as the rest of the Wayne family.
Bruce mused that we don't see much of each other anymore outside of special occasions. He chalked it up to being busy rather than just being unable to be in the same room as him anymore.
A deep-in conversation Elissa paused when she felt someone tap her shoulder.
Turning her head, her face lit up in excitement. "Aunt Donna!" She cried in enthusiasm hugging her aunt tightly.
"Hey," Donna said with a smile, hugging her niece tightly.
The warm hug broke, and the older woman gazed at her niece. "Look at you," she said proudly. "So beautiful," she marveled.
"Thanks," a blushing Elissa replied. "I'm so glad you made it," she gushed. "I haven't seen you in so long," she mentioned.
"I'm sorry," Donna said apologetically. "Work just keeps me so busy."
"I understand," the teenager said readily.
It was then that Donna noticed Cleo. "Hello," she greeted the other teenager. "I'm Elissa's aunt Donna,' she introduced herself.
"Hi," Cleo said meekly. She knew who this woman was—really was. As she knew about Elissa's powers and who her mother was. She never really had a conversation with Elissa's mother, but now that she was speaking with her aunt, who was a superhero known as Troia.
Cleo always found the Amazon heroes to be badasses. Unfortunately, the stars in her eyes left her tongue-tied.
From afar, Diana was seated at a table alone, her eyes glued to her daughter having a deep conversation with Donna.
A phantom smile appeared on her red lips, taking in the party.
She turned her head, just in time to note that Bruce took a seat next to her.
He grunted, taking a seat, his cane leaning against the table. "You okay?" He questioned, having noticed her all by her lonesome.
"Fine," she replied. "Just taking a breather," she said nonchalantly.
The parents watched as their little girl was almost all grown up. Both fondly thought that not that long ago she was in pigtails and demanded that her mother take her flying.
Both chuckled at the fond memories of their daughter, both unaware of the other's thoughts.
Bruce glanced toward Diana as she watched Elissa dancing with Dick and Cleo. He recalled how tenuous the relationship between mother and daughter was, and he thought an olive branch was in order.
"In a few weeks, Elissa's going to get her learner's permit," he announced, not looking at the woman.
Curious, the Amazon turned to the man. "Okay," she uttered.
"When she gets it, do you want to be the one to take her driving?" he offered, surprising the woman.
"What about you? I thought she would want her lessons to be with you," she reasoned. She was in disbelief at such a suggestion.
"No," he said with a teasing grin. "I have enough gray hairs," he chuckled, to which the woman joined him.
When the shared laugh faded, the woman held a pensive expression. "Would she even want to learn from me?" Both knew Elissa didn't want to be around her. And learning from her seemed like something Elissa would throw a fit about.
"I am striving to keep control of my company. Elissa will understand," he intoned. "And Alfred is too busy as well. So, she can either take or leave it," he said firmly.
The raven-haired woman contemplated the idea for a moment. Honestly, she jumped at the chance to have some time with her daughter.
"Thank you," she uttered gratefully, she placed her hand atop his and giving it an appreciative squeeze.
All Bruce did was nod his head and return to watch their little girl have a great time.
Hours passed, and most of the out-of-town guests had left, while those locally were still hanging around for a little longer.
Bruce was sitting down, his leg up. His knee was starting to act up again, so he needed to sit down. Elissa was approaching, out of breath, and took a seat next to him.
"Having too much fun?" the man teased her.
"Yeah," the teenager laughed.
"Good birthday?"
His daughter beamed at him with a dazzling smile. "The best." She gave him a grateful kiss on the cheek and leaned her head on his shoulder.
Which brought a smile to the man's face, putting his arm around his little girl.
NEXT: High School Never Ends (Couldn't think of a better title)
I have concluded that this story will be completed just shy of 50. But I will know more as we progress. And those anxiously awaiting Wonderbat, have no fear the next couple of chapters will answer your prays.