Hello reader's welcome , This story is cross posted on Archive Of Our Own under my same penname .
I cant put in to words how exciting this is, to finally give this story life. Its been rattling in my brain for the past 5 months. This my take on Bruce Wayne having a daughter. If that's not your cup of tea I totally get it. This will be a coming of age story. so get ready for a long read..
This story was very much inspired by the Novel My Life With The Walter Boys.
As well as Family is a Gift by Kymberlyblack on AO3 , So worth the read.
Disclaimer I do not own anything from the DC universe. The honor goes to Warner Media. I am a humble author , I only own my Oc's and the Plot.
" What the Hell Regina?"
Maybe it was the fact once again we were heading to Hell for the Summer… well Gotham to be exact. Its Basically the same place. Gotham is the number one crime capital in America. Not only do they have normal crimes such as theft and murders…they also have crazies that run around wearing brightly colored uniforms. Honest to god goons who work for Villains. Lets not even discuss the furry freak that dresses like a bat. Who just wakes up and thinks yeah that's what this cesspool of a city needs a big ass bat to guard it. This city sucks and I loath it. Its cold, wet and gives of dark slasher vibes. You know the kind of vibes you get as you wait for a killer to pop out of nowhere and stab you?
"I don't understand why we are still doing this? Okay well not We. Me. Why are you making me go spend the summer again with Mr. Wayne" It was a Valid question. Since the age of 6 , my mother would pack my bags and send me to Godforsaken New Jersey to spend time with my "father" allegedly.
It not spoken out loud, whispered absolutely. No one has ever had the balls to question Regina Bennett on her supposed love child with the prince of Gotham.
The Bennet line however small is a well known and wealthy as hell. Bruce Wayne may be the Prince of Gotham but Regina Bennett is la Reina of Texas. As in the whole damn state I cant even wrap my head around the amounts of wealth and business she runs. The name gives her the freedom to have a child with no father claiming it publicly and no one even blinks.
So for all intent and purpose's I am Daphne Elizabeth Bennett. Heir to a mutibillion dollar corporations and industries. No pressure right?
Why then would this man who has never claimed me in any form, keep asking for me to return every summer.
"Daffy, sugar we have this discussion every year. Be mamas good girl and make the most if it? Mr. Wayne is very gracious to host you for the summer." My mother Regina has all the characterizations of a well bred southern belle except the warmth.
She comes from very old money and speaks with a sophisticated air. She's never raised her voice. Her facial expression and tone let me know this discussion should be dropped… she sits beside me in a teal pant suite, her hair in big Texas curls, make up fully done. She's been a size 6 since she made her debut at the 1985 New York Cotillion.
"Host? You mean have me for visitation? Because that's what its called when the secondary parent gets custodial visits with there child."
Regina looks up from her phone cupping my jaw gently. "Sweetheart… somethings are better left unsaid."
I ignore the gentle warning tone
"If he is my father why isn't it said? Everyone knows or suspects… If he didn't want me he wouldn't ask for me every summer and he wouldn't show up for …" My mother soft laughter makes me stop talking.
Her brown eyes look like two shards of ice. My own sapphire hold hers, looking for some small slip of warmth… Perhaps motherly affection in this topic.
"Oh Daffy darling, Who ever said he asked for you? No this is a business transaction. Gotham's Social season is the place to be every summer. The city for all its grime and corruption has taken the place of New York. You are there to network with the future heirs and heiresses." Her words make my stomach twist, perhaps this conversation should have been dropped early on. What child wants to know they are a business transaction.
"As for the awards and recitals. Of course Mr. Wayne showed up. People talk my love, appearances are everything in our world. Do not think for a second it was an act of fatherly love. That man couldn't be a father in a million years. He doesn't have it in him to love anything but his 'life's' work"
Regina looks at me with pity still forcing me to look at her. I wish I could bare my teeth, call her a liar just once, but no I sit meek like a mouse. Praying she cant see inside my soul,and how deeply this hurts me.
"You will never be Wayne Daphne…regardless if the whole world knows. He will never claim you. You are a Bennett my love. The heir to our line, be satisfied with that." She finally lets me pull away, I turn to the window.
"I'm not asking to be a Wayne mama. I was merely stating facts. The situation is odd... Shall we go over the season?" I pull out my Chrome book pulling up my planer. Regina smiles running her manicured nails through my long black curls.
Our car pulls in to our private hanger, JT the head of my security team is waiting for us near the private plane we will be taking. JT if you guessed is ex special forces standing 6'2 blonde hair and green eyes. He wears the typical black suite sunglasses with black cowboy boots. The other members of the team Jim, Larry and Frank are already on the move loading my bags and doing any other last minute task.
"This is a little much for a few months?" I've always only had two security members with me traveling. JT looks to my mother beside me, they both share a look. What ever is exchanged JT isn't for it. I can tell by the tension in his shoulder and frown.
"Ms Macdonald will be going with you this round. Along with being presented this social season you are expected to keep up with classes, dance and the few jobs Margie has picked up for you. Remember your are extension of me. Everything you do will be watched. No mistakes. A Bennett.."
"Is perfection. I know mama. I've been trained my whole life. Its as easy as breathing."
My mother smiles and looks me over. I am wearing a designer cream colored sweater vest over a light pink polo. Light tan pleated skirt and cream colored pumps. I dress in bright happy colors in protest of Gotham's dreary climate. My dark curls are held back by a head band and pearls adorn my ears and neck. I look every bit upper-class princess. What I would give to wear jeans and a hoodie.
Regina reaches in to the front portion of her suite pulling out a small black hand gun. If that wasn't enough of a shock she hands it to me.
"Why are you handing that to me?" I look at it as if it is a snake. What the hell Regina is all I can think. Who hands a soon to be teen a gun. "Is that loaded? I don't have a holder…. This isn't legal. Where do I even carry it?"
"Its just a precaution. Especially after last years scare. No one needs to know Daphne. This is a last resort sugar. Now be a good girl and take the gun. It's a 9mm Springfield Hellcat. JT has your conceal carry harness and will be instructing you on how to use it along with basic self defense."
I wrap my hand around the metal it feels coldto the touch and lighter than I Thought it would be. Yeah there's no way dad , Mr. Wayne isn't going to freak out about this. Regina gives me a hug and sends me on my way as if she didn't just had me a gun.
Thank God for Ms Macdonald's she takes one look at my absolutely done facial expression and takes the gun from my hand, handing it off to JT. Muttering to herself in Gaelic as she sits.
JT sits across from me in the plush chair. His large frame stretches out. "Ready for summer little bit?"
I glower these next three months will be the most stress inducing portions of my life. JT merely laughs at my reaction. "Come now Daffy Duck… three months is enough time to have some fun. I bet you make some great memories"
I snort unlady like and pull up my kindle on the chrome book. " Mr Wayne is beyond awkward with me. Richard is normally absent but oh so exhausting when he is around. I try to avoid him when I can. Then there's Jason, Mr. Wayne's newest adopted son. Hes a feral gremlin, I cant prove it but I know he dropped the paint bomb on me last year… it took days to get the dye off my skin."
JT snickers, unfortunately he was there for the following prank war that followed. It came to head at the Wayne's annual garden tea party.
Jason splattered mud on my white sun dress and I may or may not have shoved him into the large fountain on my way to change. Jason being the little shit he is pulled me in with him…. Did I mention I was in white? The entire dress was see through.
Refusing to cry , Jason tried to help when he realized my distress aand the very awkward situation he placed me in. I punched him right in the nose as he tried to apologize and walked away. Head held high looking like a drowned kitten. My shoes squelched all the way back to my room. Only then did I give in to the childish urge to cry over the sheer embarrassment.
To be honest it wasn't even the laughter of the few who saw me in a see through dress until JT had handed me his suite jacket .. No it was the sheer awful look of disappoint on Bruce's face as I punched Jason…… Regina had not been pleased with me.
"Cut the boys some Slack Daphne. Haven't you ever heard boys pull on the hair of girls they like?"
" I punched him last year…. I think that ship has sailed….plus Richard is like an adult…that weird JT"
JT just chuckled shrugging green eyes filled with mischief. "You'd be surprised little bit , that left hand left Jason love struck."
My face erupts in to flames. Words escape me for some reason
"JT leave my wee lassie alone noo." Ms Macdonald throws her knitting at the man. Causing both of us to laugh at her fussing. Maybe these three months wouldn't be so bad.
Landing in to Wayne's private airport. Wasn't so bad, However as soon as we landed the heavens opened and the rain poured down.
Two vehicle wait for us in the hanger. A black Mercedes Escalade and a Rolls Royce Phantom
Alfred Pennyworth stands to attention by the Rolls Royce. Stepping down the steps my heels click. I have my bag and I know Jim, Larry and Frank are already grabbing all the luggage to pile it in the Escalade trunk.
My bags will go in the Rolls Royce.
"Ms.Bennett I am delighted to see you dear child. You've grown even more lovely" Alfred might be the Wayne's in title. He will always be the grandfather I never had. I greet him warmly with a hug. He always smells like peppermint and rosemary.
"Alfred its so good to see you again." Alfred is taller than me by several inches and has a head full of grey hair. He wears the usual butler get up. Behind Him the car door opens. Out steps Bruce Wayne, he's taller than JT and way more muscular.
Many have said I am his carbon copy in female form. Aside from my eyes , there a darker shade of blue. A gift from Martha Wayne my grandmother. He's dressed in a dark Navy suite black hair well groomed.
"Welcome Daphne. I trust your flight went smooth?"
I nod.. My first instinct is to hug him. I want to hug him. He's my dad… Regina's words from earlier play through my head. So I smile instead and ask how he's been. JT and Ms Macdonald come over and save me before I can make a bigger idiot of my self.
"Mr. Wayne, Ms Bennett everything is set and ready to go. Jim will be driving the other Veh. Ms MacDonald's the front passenger seat has been left open for you." JT said
"Thank you kindly dearie…" Ms Macdonalds grey eyes twinkle as she looks at me and Bruce. "Lovely to see you again Bruce. Lassie enjoy some time with your Da I will see you at the manor to help you get settled" she walks away as if she hasn't just spoken taboo out loud. When I say it isn't talked about.. It isn't talked about.
I look panicked up and Bruce but he's looking down at me so fondly.
"She was just joking, Mr. Wayne" I shift nervously
Bruce lays a gentle had on my shoulder " Daphne, it's fine. I am excited to spend time with my daughter"
My face must have shown my shock. What twilight zone had I stepped in to. Bruce is frowning looking at me unsure.
"I ugh..well, we don't talk about it. Everyone knows that I'm your daughter…. No one speaks about it… we don't speak about it…..I've spent 8 summers with you and you've never ever brought it up… I thought it might be taboo for you to."
I'm so grateful Alfred and JT are in the car because my face is red and my voice is cracking.
"Daphne look at me please. I don't know what gave you the impression that you are taboo. You are my daughter and It gives me great joy to be your father."
"Yeah?... I mean I'm happy you're my dad to.. Does this mean we can stop being awkward around each other"
Bruce lets a small laugh and leads us to the car.
"We'll work on it. Lets get you home and settled"
JT catches my eye in the rear view mirror and sends me a wink. So maybe he was right, new memories and possibly good things could happen this summer.
Regardless of the pouring rain and being in the worst city of America. I can't wipe the biggest smile off my face.
Thank you so much for reading . Please leave a review always working to hone my craft.
Next chapter we enter Wayne Manor and Explore Daphne dynamic with the boys as well as Bruce's new game plan in parenting.