Author's Note- Hey guys here's a Gotham one-shot.

Disclaimer- I do not own Gotham.

Lee looked ahead at the road in front of her as Jim drove. In the back, strapped in a carseat, two year old Barbara Lee babbled the word Nana over, and over again as she clapped her hands. Lee looked back, and smiled at her. "Are you excited to see grandma, and grandpa again?" Lee asked.

A wide smile spread across Barbara Lee's face, showing her teeth. "Yes!"

Lee chuckled as she turned back to face the road. They were on their way to Lee's parents house to visit for Mother's Day weekend. Lee frowned, she'd debated whether, or not to visit, and was close to telling her mother happy mother's day over the phone had her mom not called, and begged her to come down for the weekend so that they could celebrate in person.

She'd tried to come with an excuse for why they couldn't come; Work, sick, some last minute emergency. But there wasn't one, and Lee didn't have the heart to make something up. So, she told her mom that she'd come down, and stay the weekend. Her mother was delighted, and went over all the things that they would do, such as go shopping, and go to a spa. For dinner they could go out to eat, or maybe Lee's father could start up the grill, and barbecue since the forecast called for it to be sunny, and warm.

Lee couldn't help but smile as she'd listened to her mother's plans over the phone. She missed her, and dad both. Ever since Gotham's reunification with the mainland, Lee hardly visited her parents. But there was a reason for this.

Jim looked over at his wife, and noticed her frown. "You ok?"

Lee nodded slightly, "Yeah", she lied. Then she quickly forced a smile on her face as she turned to face him. Jim didn't pry, and continued driving.

Lee's smile turned back into a frown. As much as she missed her parents she wasn't looking forward to this visit just like she didn't look forward to any of the past visits that she'd had with them since marrying Jim. Things had gotten tense with them over the past two years, especially with her mother.

Lee looked back over at Barbara Lee who was playing with her stuffed bear. She gave her stepdaughther a sad smile before she looked back ahead. Her mom didn't agree with the choices that she'd made. Such as marrying Jim (a man she'd once approved of) who she hated because he'd broken up with Lee back when she was pregnant, and he'd been sent to prison for a crime that he didn't commit. Her mother felt that he was abandoning her even though this wasn't the case.

When Lee had a miscarriage her mother continued to bad-mouth Jim, and stuck with the idea that he was abandoning Lee to deal with things on her own. After Jim had shot, and killed Mario (Lee's first husband) her mother's hatred only grew. Her daughter was finally happy with a good man, and Jim Gordon took that away from her.

Now Lee had tried to explain how none of this was Jim's fault. She'd told her mom that Jim was framed, and had felt like he couldn't be a good father from prison, and that if he could've been there when she'd had the miscarriage then he would've been. As for Mario, he was infected with the Tetch virus, a virus that can make the person infected go mad, and that Jim had saved her life when he'd killed him.

But Lee's mother didn't care about any of these details, and continued to loath Jim. Whenever they visited she'd make snide remarks about him to his face. Lee's father was different, he may not have liked Lee's choices but he loved his daughter, and if she was happy then so was he. If only her mother could be the same way.

"Uh oh", came a small voice in the back.

Lee looked back, and saw that Barbara Lee had dropped her stuffed bear. She smiled as she picked it up, and handed it back to the toddler. As much as it hurt that Lee's mom didn't like Jim it hurt even more that she didn't like Barbara Lee. Her mother had been disappointed when Lee had informed her that she'd married Jim while Gotham was cut off from the world. But she'd became furious when she'd learned that Lee would be helping to raise the child of the woman who'd tried to kill her daughter not once but twice.

It'd broken Lee's heart to see that her mother didn't accept Barbara Lee right away but she'd thought that after a while she'd come around, and learn to love the baby, and accept her as part of the family. This didn't happen though. Each visit Lee's mother made no effort to connect with her step granddaughter; She never asked to hold her, she didn't dote on her the way grandparents are supposed to dote on their grandkids, and whenever she called Lee she never asked to hi to Barbara Lee.

Lee's sister had two kids of her own, and their mother adored them. It was obvious that based on the way Lee's mom treated them, and the way she treated Barbara Lee when they were all together that she intented for Barbara Lee to be seen as an outsider. Some kid that Lee helped to look after. Not one of her grandkids.

Lee loved her mother but she hated the way she treated her family. She put up with it everytime they visit because the visits are short, and sparse. As a result Lee didn't see a point in starting a fight, and possibly risk losing her parents in the process.

She stared at her phone, and saw that it wouldn't be much longer until they arrived at her parents. Her heart started pounding, and she could feel a metallic taste in her mouth. She always felt anxious before a visit to see her parents, her mother's attitude giving her great anxiety, and she wanted nothing more than for them to end quickly.

They finally arrived at Lee's parents house. Jim carried Barbara Lee as they walked up the front porch steps. Lee knocked, the door opened, and she was greeted with the smiles of her mom, and dad.

There was a huge gasp as both her parents engulfed her into a hug. "Lee!" Elizabeth (Lee's mother) said as she hugged her.

"Hi mom, happy Mother's Day", Lee smiled.

Her father Eric was just as happy to see her. "Long time no see sweetheart", he said as he hugged her tight.

After a while the three broke apart. Elizabeth looked over, and glared at Jim. "Hello Jim", she said coldly.

"Mrs. Thompkins", Jim replied.

Barbara Lee, not noticing the tension brewing between Elizabeth, and Jim reached out to Elizabeth for a hug. Elizabeth didn't acknowledge the toddler, and turned around, and headed inside. Lee took Barbara Lee from Jim. "I got her", Lee quietly said then she turned back around to follow her parents inside.

As the day wore on Lee's heartbeat showed no sign of slowing down. Even as she sat in an armchair, her heart continued to beat at an abnormal rate, there was still a metallic taste in her mouth, and now she started to feel discomfort in the pit of her stomach. Her face was pale as she sinked deep into the chair.

Elizabeth noticed, "Are you alright dear?" She asked with concern.

Lee smiled, and quickly nodded her head as she sat back up. "Yeah, it's just been a long day", she explained. That wasn't exactly a lie. Her mother had a full weekend planned, first they'd went out shopping (like she'd wanted to) where she filled Lee in on her sister, and her family.

Then she made Lee tell her everything that was happening in her own life, such as work. Lee had tried telling her mom about how things were going with the clinic in the Narrows but her mother didn't wanna hear about any of that. So, Lee told her about her work at the hospital which bored her mom because nothing exciting seemed to happen, it was always the same boring stuff.

Lee had wanted to roll her eyes at her mother's criticism but fought the urge. After Elizabeth was done dragging her daughter through the mall they returned home, and began preparing dinner. While they waited for it to finish cooking, all the adults headed to the small living room for small talk.

Elizabeth was sitting on the couch, while Eric sat in his recliner. Jim sat near Lee on the opposite side of her parents in another armchair. Elizabeth eyed Jim. "So, Jim, how's your job as commissioner going?"

"Good".

Elizabeth smirked, "You know I am still surprised that they let you be commissioner. What with everything you've done, it's a miracle that you weren't kicked off the force", she said. Her voice was pleasant but her words were anything but friendly.

Jim glared at her as he tried to think of a good counter. Lee spoke up, "Mom, you know Jim has done a lot of good things, while Gotham was cut off from the mainland Jim helped keep everything together", she explained.

Elizabeth glared, "He got people killed Lee. You even told me that a building full of people got blown up, and they all died because he said they'd be safe there!" she countered.

Lee didn't know what to say, and she didn't want to argue so she just sinked back into her chair as her heart raced. She clenched the arm of the chair thinking maybe that would ease her discomfort, it did not. Meanwhile Jim just stared at Elizabeth, he was used to her snide remarks, and therefore tried not to let it bother him too much. But boy was it hard.

There was an awkward silence as Barbara Lee toddled into the living room. Elizabeth stood up, "I better go check on dinner", she quietly said. She walked out of the room.

Lee wanted to say something. To demand that her mother interact with Barbara Lee, and treat her like one of the family. But she didn't say anything, she couldn't. She didn't want to start a fight.

We just have to make it to tomorrow. We'll celebrate Mother's Day then I'll go home with my family, Lee thought to herself.

Yes, the day was almost over, and tomorrow the visit was sure to wrap up quickly, and when that happened they'd leave. She wouldn't have to see her mom again, until the next visit that is. But that wouldn't be for a long time, possibly.

That night Jim, Lee, and Barbara Lee were preparing for bed. They were staying in a guestroom. There were two beds, one for her, and Jim, and the other was for Barbara Lee. Elizabeth entered the room, unannounced, she coughed to let them know of her presence.

Jim, and Lee looked up. Barbara Lee went up to hug Elizabeth's leg but she moved it away.

"How are you all settling in?" Elizabeth asked.

"Uh good", Lee answered.

Jim picked up Barbara Lee. "Come on slugger, let's go call mommy before we go to bed", he said.

Barbara Lee cheered as they left the room. Lee smiled before she quickly frowned again. Elizabeth made a disapproving sound as she started rummaging through Lee's suitcase.

"Does it bother you that he still talks to his ex?" Elizabeth asked.

"No, they have a daughter together. They have to talk to each other", Lee explained.

"I understand that but the way you describe it, it seems like they're still friendly", Elizabeth said.

Lee started feeling uneasy, "Well it's important that we're all friends. It makes it easier for Barbara Lee", she said. Go away, why wouldn't she go away? Stop talking bad about her husband. You don't have to like him, just respect him, and Barbara Lee.

Elizabeth snorted, "Imagine being friends with the woman who tried to kill you, twice", she muttered.

Lee didn't say anything, she just continued to watch as her mother went through her things. Finally Elizabeth pulled something out of Lee's suitcase. It was a mother's day card, it had a picture of Barbara Lee on it as she smiled at the camera, and had the words 'Happy Mother's Day' written at the top in crayon.

Elizabeth stared at it. "Did Barbara make this?"

Lee's head perked up, "Yeah, she made it at daycare", she answered.

Elizabeth flipped it over back, and forth before her eyes settled on the picture of Barbara Lee. "Has she started preschool yet?"

Lee swallowed as she wondered where this conversation was headed, "N-No not until next year", she stammered.

"How is she doing? Is she well behaved?"

Lee nodded, "Yes, she's actually the most well behaved child at daycare. The people there love her. She doesn't cause any trouble, and hardly throws a tantrum. She's smart too, she can already count to 20, and she can even read a page out of one of the children's books", she proudly but quietly said.

Elizabeth just looked at Barbara Lee's picture, "So, Barbara is doing well, what a surprise", she mumbled.

At the moment something in Lee snapped. "I'm sorry, what did you just say?" She asked with a glare.

Elizabeth looked at her in confusion, "What?" She asked.

"Don't play dumb mom, I heard what you said about Barbara Lee", Lee angrily said.

Elizabeth still looked confused, "That I'm surprised that Barbara is doing well?" She asked.

Lee scoffed as she rolled her eyes, and shook her head. "Unbelievable", she said under her breath as she rubbed her temple. She turned around, and faced the wall before glaring back at her mother. "This has got to stop".

"What!" Elizabeth asked.

Lee gestured to her, "You, and your attitude towards my family!" she said.

"Lee-"

"Jim, you're always critising Jim for things he had no control over, and bringing up mistakes that he has apologized for over, and over again but you don't care. Well guess what mom? I'm not perfect either. I've done some horrible things, and he still loves me. He never throws my mistakes in my face like you're always throwing his in his face. Jim is a good man, and a great husband, and father. You need to recognize that", Lee said.

Elizabeth held up her hands in a calming gesture, "Ok, alright, I'm sorry Lee. I'll try harder", she gently said.

"It's not just Jim either, it's Barbara Lee too. I'm sick of you treating her like an outsider".

Elizabeth looked offended when Lee said that. As if she'd just been accused of a crime. Elizabeth scoffed, "I-I do not treat Barbara like an outsider", she said.

"Yes you do mom, you hate her", Lee said.

"You're being ridiculous".

"No, I'm not. Whenever you call you never ask to speak to her, you don't hug her, and whenever she comes into the same room as you, you leave. Another thing, stop calling her Barbara".

Elizabeth glared at her, "But her name is Barbara", she countered.

Lee glared back, "No her name is Barbara Lee, not Barbara, stop trying to separate her from me", she said.

"I'm not trying to separate her from you!"

"Yes you are mom. Barbara Lee is my family which makes her your family too. But you can't even acknowledge her with a simple hello. The way you treat her is disgusting, and I'm sick of putting up with it. You need to start treating Barbara Lee like one of your grandchildren".

"But she's not one of my grandchildren!"

"She is too one of your grandchildren!" Lee yelled.

There was silence between them. "Maybe this would all be easier if you had a child of your own", Elizabeth finally said.

Tears filled Lee's eyes, and one ran down her cheek. Lee wiped it away as she sniffed, "Mom, you know that's never going to happen", she said as her voice cracked.

There was a pause. "You, and dad are the only grandparents Barbara Lee has", Lee said in a soft voice.

"Well that's not my fault!"

"It's not her fault either!"

There was another pause as Lee closed her eyes, and sighed. "Barbara Lee loves you so much. On the way over here she kept saying 'Nana, Nana' how do you think she's gonna feel when she grows up, and realizes that you don't feel the same way?" Lee asked as she opened her eyes. More tears started running down her face but she didn't wipe them away.

Elizabeth didn't answer. Lee sighed again, "If something doesn't change after this visit then you won't see me again", she said. Then she walked past her mother to go find her husband, and daughter.

There was no spa day the next afternoon like Elizabeth had originally planned. Instead Eric fired up the grill, and barbecued. Throughout the day Lee couldn't help but notice her mother speaking more kindly to Jim. She even picked up Barbara Lee a few times, and smiled at her.

After giving Elizabeth her mother's day gift, Lee, Jim, and Barbara Lee decided to head back to Gotham. Outside, Lee hugged her parents goodbye. "Be safe", Eric said.

Lee smiled at him, "We will dad", she said.

"Bye sweetheart", Elizabeth said warmly.

"Bye mom", Lee said quietly.

Jim was already sitting in the driver's seat when Elizabeth turned her attention to him. "Goodbye Jim", she said.

Jim said goodbye, and waited for Lee. Lee was about to strap Barbara Lee into her carseat when she started reaching for Elizabeth. Elizabeth picked her up, "Goodbye Barbara Lee", she said as she hugged her then she handed her back to her daughter.

Lee just smiled at her mom then she strapped Barbara Lee in before getting in the passenger's side of the car. Jim drove away as Lee's parents waved goodbye. Jim stared at the road, "That was different", he noted.

Lee was still smiling, "It was", she agreed. As she looked ahead she noticed that her heart was beating at a normal pace, and the metallic taste in her mouth was no more. Things finally felt right, and she was looking forward to the next visit.

Author's Note- I'm back, did you like it? This is my first time writing in months so I want your guys honest opinions, have I gotten better, worse, or am I the same? To be honest I have had this story stuck in my head for about three years now. I could never seem to find a time to post it as Mother's Day kept passing, and this is a Mother's Day story. Anyways, I've missed writing, and don't worry I do plan on finishing up Blackmailed for those of you who are fans of that story. By the way I am still a JimBabs fan but when I came up with this story it seemed too good to not write so I had to write it. Another thing, was my dialogue good? Did you enjoy Lee's interaction with her family? Were you happy to see her finally stick up to her mother? Tell me what you think in the reviews, and thanks for reading.