Martha replied, "You are one of our friends, Caroline, either on Earth or in the heavens. You are part of this family.", with a smile, and Poppy and Bruce nodded, "Yeah!", voicing as one before looking at each other with grins, "Oh, jinx!", doing a blur of handshake motions before laughing and smiling.
The family laughed as Jane giggled, and so, so many different things were spoken about, like mentioning how Thomas is doing, and such as the first hour passed, with Alfred paying attention to Jane, before passing her into Poppy and Bruce's area, resting her on a pillow as they played games like peek-a-boo.
Caroline smiled as Alfred snuggled her closer, "Now I can hold you much closer...I really missed you, my dear minx...", and Caroline gave him a warm, small giggle, "I missed you, Alfred...let's make the best of this, indeed...I love you...".
Alfred smiled gently, "I love you too, Caroline...", nuzzling his nose into her hair, shocked that she almost feels so real, yet she looks almost translucent like their daughter, and sure, the smells of her conditioner or just Caroline in her hair isn't there, but the feel of it still is there...
"Do you know that in the heavens, in the afterlife, there are literally many marriages?...Would you really love me so much to be a sort of widow for me until we reunite up there?", Caroline whispered almost quietly yet enough to be only heard by Alfred, causing him to realize why Caroline has been glancing at his ring necklace in the past hour when she thought he didn't notice, and his heart skipped a beat as he remembered what Caroline meant by watching over him...Did she hear and see...his breakdown in the private room, his plans when recounting them to the family in his grief?
"Of course...", Alfred whispered before he chuckled. "And it's widower. Women who have lost their husbands are the widows.", he teased as she blushed. "Well, forgive me, Mr. Pennyworth; I tend to only hear the word 'widow'.", Caroline. teased back.
Alfred laughed softly, "You're very much forgiven, Ms. Jones...", before exhaling deeply, "I never exactly said outright in the public that I was single or taken, since I'm a bit popular, being the Wayne family valet/butler/advisor/chauffeur, but if I am to prove to you that I truly love you so much, I will gladly tell them that in your words, get their asses out. I won't dare let any woman who is thinking of wooing me to get to my family in a matter of money, you can bet on that.", plucking off his ring necklace in a hard snap, and kneeling before Caroline on the floor in front of the couch.
Caroline gasped softly as her hand rested on her heart as Alfred replied, "I know we both want Waylon here to see this too, but if this is the only chance I get to do this, I'll take it because I love you so much beyond belief and faith...Would you be willing to be engaged to me for a long time until I get home to you and Jane, and will you marry me in the heavens above when we have all our loved ones there, and be Caroline Pennyworth if you wish to be, my dear?", as Poppy held up Jane, with the others watching in awe and bittersweet anticipation.
"I do.", Caroline teared up as she took Alfred into a hug before their lips met as they squeezed around each other. Alfred's heart ached with sadness and joy at that moment.
The others cheered bittersweetly with smiles as Jane gave a happy squeal for her parents in Poppy's arms as Poppy clapped quietly yet heartily as best as she could, as Bruce grabbed the old-fashioned Kodiak camera that prints pictures, clicking and turning off the flash as he took the picture of the bittersweet scene.
He took it out to flap it, to give it air, a few moments as Alfred smiled lovingly yet sadly at his fiancée, gently donning his ring into her engagement/marriage finger, relieved that it fits, and that it didn't fall through as it seemed to glow and gleam, and Caroline gave a smile, "It's perfect, Alfred...I love it...", before seeming to hear a voice advising in her head, and she took a deep breath, closing her eyes, and the family gasped in surprise as the ring became a doubleganger suddenly, and the doubleganger ring became more masculine.
Caroline opened her eyes, and smiled with a laugh, "Golly, it worked!", gently taking off the masculine ring, and looked at Alfred, "Promise to always wear it?", donning his engagement/marriage finger, as she realized that they matched each other.
"Of course; I'll never take it off...", Alfred said as she chuckled. "Well, you might have to at some times, but only for a few moments, I'm sure. Wouldn't want it to fall down a shower drain or something, right?", Caroline said as Alfred blushed, "True... I think I'd almost die if that happened.".
Caroline quirked an eyebrow, "Just keep it safe, alright?", and Alfred nodded, "Yes, ma'am.", with a smile before kissing her again on the lips, their hands intertwined together, as he rejoined her on the couch.
Martha and Kel smiled from their other corner of the couch, "They're very lovely on both of you, guys...", as the newly engaged couple blushed with smiles as Bruce replied, "Whoa, even with no flash, it's like you glow like a glowstick!", showing the picture of their kiss and hug during the proposal.
Poppy replied, "Yet you don't look too bright either, you can still be seen well enough, like you're under some white lights. I bet Waylon would appreciate this, and if people ask, it's technically true that Caroline has the excuse of having the glow of a very happy fiancée!".
Caroline looked surprised to realize that she isn't invisible or even translucent in the picture, like she assumed spirits to be, then again, Halloween has been helping her being mostly real since it's Halloween magic. "C-could you do that again, with Jane in the mix while we play some of your birthday presents of your games? I don't want Alfred to forget...Oh, don't get me wrong, I know you're sharp and intelligent in mind, Alfred, but well, was there history of Alzheimer's Disease in your family or something?", looking back at her fiancé...God, her fiancé...First time she ever thought that ever.
"Not that I'm aware of.", Alfred said. "But that is a very good idea. Here, give us back Jane... we have to take at least one family photo together while we still have the chance. I refuse to let that slip away!", Alfred said as Bruce nodded.
Poppy gently gave Jane into Alfred's arms warmly as Jane gurgled happily, nuzzling into her daddy's chest, and Caroline laughed, leaning into Alfred's side contently, "I think she is going to be a daddy's girl no matter what...", as Alfred tweaked Jane's nose warmly as she giggled.
Bruce took the picture as Alfred chuckled, "Can you blame me? I'm literally wrapped around her little finger...", as his finger was grasped by Jane's searching hand, "Yes, yes, you got my finger, Janey-girl...", with a laugh, as another picture was taken moments later.
Poppy smiled, grabbing some games from her presents, while Bruce gave the camera to Martha, and so, the rest of the second hour and quarter passed of playing games, and taking pictures to the limit the camera was able to take, of the family taking turns to play and hold Jane.
Martha cooed over Jane, as Kel made silly faces to make Jane laugh, "Who's the bravest baby? You are...", while Poppy and Bruce organized the photos, ones for Alfred, ones for Waylon, and a few spare ones for themselves and their moms.
Jane giggled and gurgled before she blinked, feeling the vague feeling of urgency yet still faint as Caroline felt it too, glancing at the clock, and Alfred whispered, looking the same way, "45 minutes until midnight...".
Caroline nodded, "Yes...I don't want to be rude, my friends, but I...I want to spend the best I could in the remaining minutes in Alfred's bed.", as Jane cried out hungrily, reaching for Caroline from Martha's lap.
Bruce blinked, "I thought spirits and angels can't really eat...", and Caroline replied, "Oh, they, we can't really, but we still have the memories of sensational eating and tasting, and besides, we do eat because we want to feel it, and Jane is the same way, through there's no actual milk, it's a desire, and so it's simulated with some energy replacement of milk, and besides, I do want to breastfeed her, if that makes sense.".
"Of course.", Martha nodded. "You can use my bed if you wish, it is the largest in the house after all.", with a wry smile. "Ma'am, you really can't offer us that... that would just feel... wrong.", Alfred told her.
"Nonsense, Alfred, you, Caroline and Jane are all family, and if I wish to offer you these final moments in one of the most comfortable beds in the house; then I'm damn well going to offer and won't take no for an answer.", Martha huffed.
Caroline laughed, "Is that me or Kel rubbing off on you?", and Martha blushed, "Both, maybe?", as Kel chuckled, kissing her on the lips, "Fair enough, Martha.".
Alfred exhaled, looking at Caroline, "Well, do you want my bed or Martha's bed?", and Caroline replied, "Yours, Alfred...We will leave the blankets covered as I just want to snuggle with you and breastfeed Jane...We're engaged, after all...I apologize for not taking your offer, Martha, but honestly, since Alfred is a brother-in-law to you, it's a bit weird to use my sister's bed.".
Poppy replied, "Caroline's got a point, Mom...And besides, Alfred's bedroom got still a really nice view of the grounds, not just as nice as your view.", and Martha sighed a bit before smiling, "Very well. Come on, let's not waste time by dawdling like this. I really missed your infamous hugs, Caroline. Can we hug you?".
Caroline smiled warmly yet sadly, "You don't have to ask me twice, Martha...Kids, you first...You two must be getting tired, even if you are recently 18, you are still a child, Bruce.", looking at Bruce with a raised eyebrow, opening her arms.
Bruce rolled his eyes for a moment before he relented and nodded before he and Poppy walked up to hug Caroline. "I don't want this to end...", Poppy whispered. She never got much of a chance to say that before since she had just been born when Thomas came, but this time... and it still didn't feel as right to her... not without Waylon.
Caroline shushed her, kissing Poppy's forehead, "Oh, buttercup, it's going to be alright...Why, I'm good friends with your dad, and he's very proud of you and Bruce...And as for Waylon, sooner or later, you will see him again.".
Poppy nodded, "I'm going to rip him a good one when we're alone in a room like you, Caroline!", with a determined huff, and Caroline chuckled, "Atta girl...", proud of her, and knew that Waylon had a little crush on her and prayed that Waylon will get his head straight. She will make sure her nudges and such on her son will work to her plans if she can help it!
"I am gonna miss you, Caroline...You have been a beacon of light for this family.", Bruce replied softly, and Caroline smiled, "I know...You keep being yourself, Bruce.", rubbing his back with a kiss to his forehead.
Bruce nodded, "I sure will, Caroline, and tell Dad that we love him, would you?", and Caroline nodded, "You know I will.", and then the kids left her, hugging Alfred and then their mothers before heading to their bedrooms as it was indeed late for them, even Bruce.
Kel went next, hugging Caroline gently yet firmly, "I'm glad to say that I never regret having a sister in you, Caroline, like Martha does. I'll keep looking out for Waylon best as I could, through he's smart to fool my nose, but he's bound to forget sometime!", with a nod.
"I hope so too... I... I'd try to say something to him... but that boy is just that age when he's so damn stubborn.", Caroline sighed as Kel gave a small smile, "Hopefully...".
Caroline hugged her back, "You take care of this family, protect them like a mama wolf, huh?", with a small smile, and Kel nodded, "You know it.", before walking back to Martha, vanishing back into her mind after kissing her on the lips and ruffling Jane's little tuft, earning a half-attempted glare at Kel who laughed.
Caroline chuckled, "Kel has been doing a wonderful job on her patrols, Martha, from where I have been watching...All that mediation and realizing what life is truly is with this family, making memories, I think your and her control has been super well, from all those years.", as Martha came closer, passing Jane with a kiss to her forehead into Alfred's arms nearby, freeing her arms to hug Caroline.
"Yeah... but even after all these years, we've still got our troubles at times.", Martha admitted. "Believe me when I say this... sometime soon, the two of you will be perfectly in sync... achieving what you hope; and finally start making a true difference in this city.", Caroline told them.
Martha knew that Caroline is telling the truth as she is looking at her in the eyes, knowing that Kel is watching from inside her mind, and Martha smiled, "Somehow, I believe you, Caroline...I'm going to miss you, dear sister...Alfred got a good one in you...and my niece is so adorable...".
Caroline hugged her, "I know...Trust in yourself, Martha...things will turn out alright in the end, you will see...And you two, don't you worry, Thomas still is very much in love with you guys, and if that day comes with you two into sync, into one, he will be watching with anticipation.".
Martha's eyes teared up a bit as she heard Kel's brief relieved sob in her mind, and she smiled, "Thank you, Caroline...We definitely needed to hear that.", before letting go with a sniffle and a wipe of her hand, and passing Alfred with a small smile, and then headed to her master bedroom.
Jane gave out another hungry cry, and Alfred gave a small smile, "Come on, let's not waste time...", unable to stop looking at the clock, seeing that they still got 35 minutes left until midnight, and so, he passed Jane into Caroline's arm, gently taking her other hand, leading her to his bedroom which is not far from the family hallway of the family wing.
Alfred opened and closed the door like a gentleman, watching Caroline head to his bed naturally, and went to rest above the blankets and sheets as his heart skipped a beat, taking her beloved side like she used to do back in the shack which was on the left, and opened her shirt top to free her breast as Jane immediately latched into the nipple.
He breathed softly as he joined her, "You...you really have been watching over me, haven't you? You know my room like the back of your hand, and you know where you...I...kept this side empty in honor of you...", in awe of the beautiful sight of his daughter feeding from his fiancée, even if it's not real breast milk, it's incredible as it's the first time he is seeing this...
He always had left Martha and Kel in privacy when she, and then eventually Kel, fed Bruce and Poppy as he's a gentleman and respectful of boundaries...but now boundaries are gone...
"I thank you for that, Alfred... it was always nice to know just how much you still loved me... even after I was gone...", Caroline sighed as Alfred hugged her once more from the side.
Alfred murmured, "I would always love you...After all, we're engaged...perhaps for an awfully long time, but I'll find my way home to you and Jane...Speaking of which, you are really casual about feeding her...I always stayed away in privacy and respecting my boundaries as Martha was and is the lady of the house, and eventually Kel as well, to serve as it wasn't proper to even disturb such an intimate moment...".
Caroline snuggled into him, glancing at her suckling daughter upon her breast with a smile, "Down south, people didn't care too much about intimate moments since they care more about putting bread on the table and making ways to keep through hurricane season and wintertime, and besides, being out of town some ways down the river helped out too as there was only few visitors like the mailman or the distant neighbors across the river or such...Feeding Waylon out on the porch while listening to nature was one of my most favorite memories during the day, and then of course, in bed at night. Are you alright about this? This is the first time you're seeing this, aren't you?", biting her lip a bit.