Song: See What I've become - Zack Hemsey

Henry had a few close friends in the US right before he left, most notably, Thomas Wayne & his wife Martha. Henry Lacroix and Thomas Wayne's friendship was the kind of bond that transcended the mere passage of time. Originating in the shared streets of their New Jersey neighborhood, their lives were intertwined long before either man rose to prominence. Both had attended the same high school, sharing dreams that stretched beyond their studies. The Lacroix family's philanthropic endeavors in New Jersey paved the way for Henry and Thomas to cultivate values centered around community and benevolence, values that would later define their respective legacies.

Henry stood by Thomas's side as his best man when both were just stepping into the responsibilities that their futures would demand. Their weddings were held mere weeks apart, celebrating unions that promised new beginnings. As life ushered them into the roles of family men, their children, Alderic and Bruce, were born into a world where their fathers' histories promised them a friendship as firm as the one preceding them.

The Wayne and Lacroix families frequently visited each other, with Henry and Isabel bringing their children to the Wayne estate in Gotham. These visits became cherished memories for Alexandra, who, at the tender age of eight, met a slightly older Bruce. An instant camaraderie was sparked between Alderich and Bruce, mirroring their fathers' deep connection. Celine and Bruce, drawn together by youthful affection, began a tender romance that bloomed with each visit.

However, the brutal and sudden murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne shattered the tranquility of both families. The news reached the Lacroixs on a cold evening, just as they gathered for a family dinner. Henry's reaction was visceral—a collapse to his knees, a profound grief for a friend who was more like a brother. The decision to attend the funeral was immediate, driven by a deep need to honor their lifelong friends.

As they arrived at the church on that dreary day, the skies above Gotham wept, mirroring the sorrow that gripped their hearts. Exiting the black limousine, the solemnity of the moment enveloped the family. Isabel held tightly to Damien and Alexandra, each step towards the church doors heavy with sorrow. Henry, with a steadying hand, guided Xavier and Celine, their young faces etched with confusion and grief. Alderich, being the oldest, followed close behind, his expression a mask of stoic responsibility as he took in the gathered media and mourners.

The media swarmed around them, desperate for a statement from a family so closely tied to the Waynes. "Henry Lacroix! What do you have to say about the murder of the Waynes?" the reporters shouted, thrusting microphones forward in a frenzy.

With Gotham's elite gathered, Henry maintained composure, shielding his children from the prying cameras. Inside the church, the sight of Bruce, now a young boy lost in the shadow of his parents' towering legacy, was heart-wrenching. Henry, protective and paternal, extended a comforting arm around Bruce, while Alfred, the loyal butler, stood stoically by.

During the eulogy, the raw emotions of the moment were palpable. Henry's offer to adopt Bruce was gently refused by the boy, who wished to remain in the city that housed his parents' memories. Despite this, Henry insisted on keeping in constant contact, ensuring Bruce was not left to navigate his grief alone. Celine, her letters to Bruce undeterred by his withdrawal, continued to reach out, her words a silent testament to a bond that refused to break.

Inside the solemn confines of the church, as the echoes of the eulogy faded into a heavy silence, Henry Lacroix encountered Carmine Falcone amidst the mourners. Though Falcone was a figure of considerable influence in Gotham, his presence at the funeral was a poignant reminder of the complex interweaving of city politics and personal grief. Henry's acquaintance with Falcone was minimal and cordial at best, but the undercurrents of Gotham's power dynamics were not lost on him.

As Falcone approached, extending his hand, Henry's face momentarily contorted—a subtle interplay of emotions that betrayed his discomfort. It was a swift mask of mourning that slipped over his features, smoothing the edges of his initial reaction. To an onlooker, it would appear as a visage shaped by grief; however, Alexandra, keenly observant and sensitive to her father's nuances, could discern the underlying tension.

"I'm deeply sorry for your loss, Henry," Falcone's voice was smooth, almost rehearsed, carrying an undertone of solemnity that bordered on sincerity. "Thomas was a man of great integrity and vision. His passing is a loss not just for his family but for all of Gotham."

Henry nodded stiffly. His response measured. "Thank you, Carmine. Your presence here is... appreciated," he managed, his tone carefully neutral, avoiding any hint of the animosity that briefly flickered in his eyes. The handshake was brief, the contact minimal, yet laden with an unspoken acknowledgment of each other's roles in this city's narrative.

As Falcone moved away, mingling with other guests, Henry's gaze followed him for a moment, pondering the intricacies of relationships formed not out of friendship but of necessity and mutual recognition of power. Turning back to his family, he quickly recomposed himself, his expression once again that of a bereaved friend and a protective father, shielding his children from the complexities of adult grievances.

This brief encounter, though fleeting, was a stark reminder of the layers of alliances and enmities that threaded through Gotham's elite, even in moments of shared loss. It was a lesson not lost on Alexandra, who watched the exchange with a growing awareness of the burdens her father carried, not just for his family, but for the legacy he upheld.