"I went to the Watchtower today to have a check-up."

Dick looked up from the meal he had been thoroughly enjoying. Kori had gone all out with her cooking. But as he looked across the table at her, he noticed she had barely touched her own meal. Had simply been moving it around her plate and now after speaking was sitting there twisting her hands together. Dick dropped his fork as his muscles stiffened.

"Have you been feeling worse?" For days now, Kori had been waking up and running to the bathroom. And many times the smell of food set off the same reaction. He would often join her, holding her hair and rubbing her back while her stomach emptied itself.

Kori shook her head. "No, but not feeling any better either. It's been a week and nothing has changed."

"Well, did they find out what was wrong?"

"I suppose in a manner of speaking they did." She continued to look at her hands, now in her lap as she said, "Richard, I have something to tell you…"

His heart missed a beat, beginning to fear the worst at her hesitancy to get out whatever was bothering her. "Kori? What's wrong?"

"I… nothing is wrong exactly… just unexpected…"

He rose from his chair and went over to her, drawing her up too. He took her hands in his and she finally met his eye.

"I'm pregnant, Richard. We're going to have a baby."

Dick stood there, his mind a blank, staring, uncomprehending. Slowly he said, "A baby?"

Kori nodded, looking unsure at his reaction.

"So human and Tamaranean biology are compatible…" he spoke dazedly, "We had been wondering…"

Then reality seemed to rush forward all at once and her words became crystal clear. "We're going to be parents. Kori this is wonderful!" He grabbed her in a hug and danced around with her until she started laughing.

"You're pleased then?"

He looked at her quizzically. "Of course I am! You didn't think otherwise, did you?"

Her smile dimmed and worry filled her face. "I don't know, I mean the child will be half human, half alien, we don't know what that will mean. Just because I can become pregnant doesn't mean there won't be unforeseen complications. What… what if something happens in the months ahead, during the child's development? Or at the birth?"

Dick reached up to cup her face in his hands. "Hey, hey, let's not start inventing problems. We've got time; we've got the best doctors who understand alien biology up at Watchtower. We have to go into this positively. Look at Clark and Lois! Their son is nearly nine and he's doing just fine. It's even looking like he might have inherited his father's physiology after all."

"Yes but we know how similar Kryptonian and human biology are. Tamaraneans are completely different, from our looks to our digestive tracts!"

He wiggled his eyebrows at her, "Hey I always thought your biology was just fine…"

Kori pursed her lips at him, "Dick…"

He leaned upward and kissed her on the nose. "I'm sorry. I just think it's too early for us to worry. We don't want undue stress on the baby. And, my star, would X'hal allow you to become pregnant if this baby couldn't be born healthy and grow up fine?"

Kori's eyes met his as she took a deep breath. "A baby. Our baby."

He grinned at her. "A family for us."

Though her smile was smaller, she did seem to be warming to the idea, as she leaned into him, laying her cheek on the top of his head. Relaxing, he wrapped his arms around his wife, willing her his strength.

Dick held Kori's hand as Anna ran the camera over her stomach. They turned to the monitor to see an image take form on it. A little humanoid being.

"That's a… our…" There was sudden pressure on his hand and he looked at Kori, whose whole face had lighted up with joy.

Her eyes turned to his. "Our baby."

Dick turned back to the monitor, taking in the clear definition of a hand, limbs, even little fingers and toes. "The baby looks okay." He turned to the other woman, "Are they?"

Anna smiled and nodded, "The baby is perfectly healthy and growing normally. There don't appear to be any complications from the differing biologies."

Dick felt himself and Kori both relax at these words. It had been a few months now, surely problems would have already arisen if there were to be any. Perhaps they'd be safe in sharing their news with others now.

"Would you like to know if it's a boy or a girl? I can tell you."

Dick was shaking his head as Kori answered, "No, we'd like it to be a surprise."

As the meal began to settle down and Alfred began bringing in dessert, Dick sat up straighter, catching everyone's attention. "Hey guys, Kori and I have an announcement we wish to make." When all eyes were on them and quiet had fallen, he turned to his wife seated next to him.

She moved, a smile gracing her perfect features as she revealed, "We're going to be having a baby."

Tim immediately exclaimed, "What? I didn't know it was possible!"

While Jason was apparently muttering something about how they should have realized earlier something was amiss because of Kori's recent choices in more moderate clothing.

Dick chuckled. "Neither did we, until Kori went to Watchtower for a check-up." He reached over and took Kori's hand, giving her a small smile. "We didn't want to tell anyone until we were sure the baby was in the clear. We didn't know what to expect."

"Oh, congratulations, Master Richard and Miss Kori! A little one, imagine that!" The butler was beaming at the two of them as they grinned back at him.

"Thanks Alfie."

Tim was still reeling from the news but something seemed to click as he nudged an elbow into the quiet man next to him, crowing "Grandpa Bruce!" in delight.

Dick watched his expression, or lack thereof, carefully, not sure how Bruce would react to such news. Things had been slowly reaching a more solid footing between the two of them. And while Bruce had originally dismissed Dick and Kori's relationship as something that could never work or would fade in time, he had finally come around to her. Once and a while even cracking a smile at her exuberance.

Bruce met Dick's gaze and he was surprised to see uncertainty there. The man looked between Dick and his daughter-in-law before allowing himself a smile. "I'm happy for you two. You deserve this."

Grinning back at the man who had become like a father to him, knowing how much feeling was in those two, short sentences, Dick turned to his left. Damian had also been quiet, as Dick thought he might. He was sure the boy's thoughts were on what this news would mean for him. Someone new, who would monopolize Dick's time and energy, and would ultimately keep him closer to Blüdhaven.

Jason barked out a laugh, "Aww the demon spawn is jealous! You worried Goldie is replacing you?"

Dick shot a warning look at Jason before turning back to his youngest brother. "Dami, don't you know the saying?"

Damian turned, arching an eyebrow at him.

"They say it takes a village to raise a child. So Kori and I are going to need all the help you can give us."

Dick watched as Damian's chin rose, his arrogant expression returning. "Well of course. You often find yourself at a loss without me Grayson."

Dick just rolled his eyes before enveloping the boy in a hug he didn't try to squirm out of.

"There have been rumors circulating you and Kori are expecting. Care to comment?"

Dick laughed, flashing his most winning smile. By now he was used to how often these interviews turned from professional happenings to his personal life, and was better prepared on how much he was willing to give away. "One day I'm going to learn how you reporters get your information."

The woman's mouth dropped open as she gasped, "You mean it's true?"

Dick nodded, "It is. Kori's a couple months along now. We've asked not to know the gender until the child is born, so I can't tell you much except the child is healthy."

"Then this is something you were planning for?"

He chuckled, "Oh no, it was an absolute surprise to the both of us. But the most welcome shock we could have asked for."

"I'm ready; I just need you to zip me up."

Dick looked up from the couch where he had been waiting, perusing a magazine, and felt his jaw drop.

Kori stood there in a beautiful lilac knee-length dress which hung from the neck, leaving her shoulders bare. The near form-fitting material accentuated the roundness of her stomach she proudly liked to show off.

Finding his voice and his feet, he said, "Wow, I can see why the studio is eager for you to do a maternity line." She smiled as she turned around, presenting the open back to him. He tugged the zipper up, completing the outfit.

But before she could turn around he put his hands on her waist and spoke. "Mrs. Grayson, I do believe you are the most beautiful woman in the universe." He kissed her lightly on the shoulder then proceeded to travel up to her neck.

She giggled at the feather-light touches of his lips, before turning and reaching out for his face. "Well Mr. Grayson, I've always thought you were rather handsome myself." She drew him in for a slow kiss he never wanted to end, but eventually they broke apart, both a little breathless, their faces still close together.

Dick lightly placed his hand on her stomach. "And you get more beautiful every day." He moved in to capture her lips again but she moved her face out of reach.

"If we keep this up we'll never get out the door."

His lips quirked up, "And that would be a bad thing?"

She laughed softly, pushing lightly back from him. "I was under the impression this was a charity event Bruce expected us to be at?"

"I doubt he'll ever notice whether we were there or not."

Kori quirked an eyebrow at him, "First, you absolutely know Tim will notice and undoubtedly say something, whether he intends to or not. And second, wasn't Bruce hoping to introduce you to a few new business partners? They might feel slighted if you don't put in an appearance."

His lower lip came out as he pouted at her. "Why do you always have to make such well-reasoned arguments?"

Kori smiled, "Because sometimes you need to be kept on track, no?"

"Alright, alright." He grabbed his dress jacket from the couch and helped Kori slide the shawl around her shoulders, before wrapping an arm around her as they headed for the door.

Dick would have thought he'd be used to the smell by now. One of Kori's favorite Tamaranean meals, a pasta dish, while wafting a gourmet smell to any of the species, gave off a most repugnant odor to humans. He was glad of the hood above the stove which seemed to keep most of the smell from wafting out. He had never received any complaints from the other building's residents and hoped to keep it that way. Briefly, Dick wondered what their child would think of the smell.

After many pleas by Kori years ago, he had finally relented and tried the dish. And had to admit, if one could get past the cooking fumes, it was a scrumptious dish, though he abstained from the healthy amount of mustard she added. With her growing pregnancy, Kori had been craving it often and Dick was glad he had taken the time over the years to learn how to make many of her native dishes.

"Dick! Come here, quick!"

He rushed out of the kitchen, a towel draped over his shoulder, and to his wife's side where was lounging on the couch in the living room. He immediately looked around, heart pounding, as to the reason for her abrupt calls.

"What's wrong?"

She laughed. "Nothing." She reached out towards him, "Give me your hand, quick!"

He sat next to her, confused, but obediently gave her his hand which she immediately directed onto her rounded stomach. "Daddy's here, little one."

They sat there for a minute with nothing happening, until he finally felt a small force against his palm.

He started to draw his hand back in surprise but Kori held it there. She turned shining eyes to him. "Our baby is kicking!"

He looked at her in wonder, then at the life growing within her. They had created this. Despite all their misgivings, all their worries, the reports told them the baby was healthy and growing as expected. And eventually this baby would join them out in the world. Soon they'd be able to snuggle this little being, a combination of two species, the very essence of their love made physical, close.

He leaned forward to press a kiss to Kori's stomach, before he spoke to their child. "Daddy can't wait to meet you little one." His heart swelled with his love for them both as he felt the child kick again, as if in response to his words.

Dick reached out and brushed sweat-slicked hair back from his wife's exhausted face as he sat beside her on the bed. He looked at the small bundle in her arms, their daughter only minutes old and felt he couldn't love two people more than he did right now.

He reached out a finger to stroke the baby's soft cheek. Her skin appeared to be a mixture of the both of them; lighter than her mother's, but darker than his own. She already had slight black curls on her head and when she opened her eyes, they were just Kori's shade of green.

"She's beautiful. Just like her mama."

Kori smiled at him tiredly, accepting his kiss on her cheek, before looking back at the baby. "She needs a name."

He put his arm around her, wanting to remember this moment forever. "You know how much I like your idea."

They gazed at the little girl, who had snuggled down into her blanket and immediately fallen asleep, exhausted by her little adventure into the world.

"Mar'i, she is then. Mar'i Grayson. Our little Starshine."