There was a brief pause for a moment before Waylon spoke up again, "Wait, the way you said what you said before... about not knowing the floods, you're not around here, are you?".
Poppy shook her head, "No, my family and I are from Gotham City. We were just spending some time on a family trip around these parts.".
Caroline replied, "I see...How are you feeling, Poppy?", and Poppy replied with a small smile, "Better...just sore and tired and hungry...".
"Good. I have some of my world-famous gumbo, though I have a feeling that Waylon had made it mild for you, since we do gumbo spicy around here...", Caroline smiled, glancing at Waylon who smiled sheepishly, "You aren't wrong...", as Caroline gently put the bowl of gumbo into Waylon's hands.
Caroline replied, "You help this darling, Waylon, and I will be cleaning up the kitchen, and keep an eye out for Poppy's family.", with a nod before leaving the bedroom.
Waylon looked at Poppy, "Please don't freak out if my hands look weird...Can I help spoon-feed you? I know it's embarrassing, but it's just us...", as he knew that the kids often said that it's really humiliating to be helped by an adult when they're helpless in bed.
"Okay...", Poppy sighed with a small nod as he got to work and started to spoon feed her. Honestly, she probably could've at least done that herself, but he was offering and she still felt pretty sore to the point where she'd probably just be uncomfortable trying to do that for the next few hours. "What's... um... if you don't mind me asking...".
"The skin? Extremely rare genetic condition...", Waylon explained. "And now apparently, it's supposed to start getting... more spread out.".
Poppy blinked, "Is that why you were scared of me?", and Waylon sighed deeply, "That obvious, huh?...I know I am supposed to be big because I'm practically 12...But the kids call me all kinds of names...The girls call me weird and the boys call me a freak...I...Mama tries to help, but I tell her no because I know she wants me to be educated and all...But it hurts...it really hurts...feeling like they're scared and angry at me...".
"They're stupid then...", Poppy said matter of fact, and Waylon looked at her in surprise, "You saved me, Wally, and it makes you a good friend in my book.".
Waylon froze, "You...You think I'm a friend?", and Polly smiled, "Well, yeah. I mean, friends watch out for friends...And you are better than those bullies...Trust me, I'm not blind as I'm smarter than anyone my age...".
Waylon's eyes filled with tears, "No...no one ever called me a friend...And no one ever had given me a nickname either...", and Poppy bit her lip, "You don't like it? I can call you Waylon if you want.".
"No, no, I like it...", Waylon gave a small smile. "Just... a lot to take in.", with a nod. "Doesn't seem like a lot...", Poppy gave a small chuckle as Waylon gave a small uplifting huff.
"Yeah, I suppose you're right... just... not something I'm truly used to.", Waylon then helped her with another spoonful. "How old are you?", he asked.
"Five... I look a bit older than I am; Mom says it was because I was a late baby, but part of me thinks it might be something a bit more...", Poppy answered "Like a condition? Similar to mine?", Waylon raised an eyebrow as Poppy nodded.
"Sounds right... I'm just aging slightly faster than I should be?", Poppy then shrugged. "Probably not a bit deal, not like I'm already a grown woman like my mama after so few years.".
Waylon looked a bit surprised, "You have two mothers?", and Poppy flushed as she wasn't supposed to say that as she knew that the situation with her mom and mama was unique, as she was surrounded by her family, yet opposite to her friends in school, it feels like she could tell Waylon anything, though she is still smart not to tell the whole secret as it is not exactly normal.
"I suppose it's my turn to tell you not to freak out, but yeah...I have a mom and a mama...They used to be together with my daddy...They all loved each other...My daddy died when I was in my mama's belly, and Mom was involved in helping Mama to have me as Mom had my big brother, Bruce, but they aren't out in public because Mama is sorta different in ways like you, and Mom is famous in Gotham because of Daddy...Are...are you weirded out about me having two women as mothers, loving each other?", Poppy bit her lip after having another spoonful.
Waylon shook his head, "Not really; yeah, sure, it's not a very public thing but didn't a state up north say that sort of stuff was okay a few months ago?". Poppy vaguely recalled that news. "It's like me in some ways... this...", Waylon motioned to his scales. "Not hurting anyone, so why should your moms be an issue either?".
Poppy exhaled in relief, giving him a tired if brilliant smile, "I appreciate that, Wally...Still, our state, New Jersey doesn't have that yet as far as I know...That other state, if I remember correctly, is Massachusetts. But it's more of a complication for Mom and Mama, and I am not going to betray them for that particular reason as it's personal for them to reveal it...It's a habit for me and Bruce to protect them, next to our uncle, Alfred, and our aunt, Leslie...".
"I think I understand that...Mama...she is my only world...She says that she doesn't need protecting because she protects me, but I want to protect her...I never had a father's love because Mama wanted to be a single mother, something that she wished for years.", Waylon shrugged, not going to traumatize Poppy about his dad being a sperm donor as it's something more PG-Teen.
"But sometimes...", Waylon then sighed as he shook his head. "Things would be so much easier without... this...", he referred to his condition once more. "And I know, she tells me not to worry about that, she cares for me all the same...".
Poppy took another spoonful of gumbo and smiled, "She loves you no matter what you look like...After all, she raised you from a baby, didn't she?", and Waylon nodded.
"See? So, you shouldn't be afraid of yourself...You should be proud of yourself...You swam through a swelling river, for me!", Poppy declared, and Waylon was taken aback by this remarkable girl...
Waylon's smile grew as he chuckled a bit, "I guess I did...", and Poppy giggled, "And besides, even with my eyes and all, green is my favorite color...You look good in green, even if they are only tinted here and there...".
Waylon exhaled, "I never...Mama says that I'm handsome, but I think all mothers say that...But nobody ever exactly said that before...", and Poppy smirked, "Well, you should get used to it because I'm your friend, Wally. And if my big brother has anything to say about it, I'm gonna set him straight!", knowing that Bruce has been overprotective sometimes, taking after their father occasionally in place.
Waylon's heart sped up a bit, astounded of Poppy, somehow not seeing her as annoying, but rather...not a sweet darling in his mama's words, but like a bright light he couldn't get enough of, and only smiled as he kept helping feed her for a while, perhaps 30 minutes, having small conversation before they heard faint calls from the river.
Poppy gasped with tears, "Mom!", and started to move before wincing with a hiss at the sore pain in her body as Waylon reassured her, "Easy, Poppy, it's a bit too much right now...I'll tell Mama to flag them down, okay?".
Poppy nodded, "Okay...", with a sigh as she rested back in the bed, and Waylon moved, stepping into the kitchen as Caroline replied, "Do you hear that? Sounds like people.", as she was getting on her boots.
Waylon said, "Poppy says it's her family. I got her. Go flag them down before they pass by our place, Mama.", reassuring his mom, and Caroline smiled, kissing him on the forehead, "Good boy. I'll be right back.", grabbing a towel, and headed out from the screen door, across the porch, and down the stairs.
"How much further?", Alfred said as he glanced around. "Mistress Martha, forgive me for speaking my mind with this one but I'm starting to lose hope, I'm afraid.".
"She... please, Kel... anything, don't tell me it's still nothing...", Martha whispered before Kel took another whiff of the air. "STOP!", Kel shouted as Alfred practically hit the brakes for the boat; or in that case, killed the motor.
Martha gasped, "What is it? Did you find her scent?", and Kel sniffed hard, "That side, row!", pointing a hand, and Bruce rowed immediately as the motor was shut down, turning into Kel's commanded direction, heading to the shoreline which is the west side of their perspective about the river as they had been heading downriver.
Kel kept sniffing, "Poppy left the branch...a young, teenage boy, close to Bruce's age, swam through the river, saving her before she went down, heading here." as the boat rowed closer and closer to the shoreline.
"They're close?", Bruce asked as Kel nodded. "Yes... not sure if Poppy's still alive though...", she admitted. "But that's certainly her.". Her eyes then widened, "Someone is coming, I can smell it from downwind... Martha... should I vanish?".
Martha nodded, "Yeah, better safe than sorry.", and Kel nodded and then took a deep breath as Martha zoomed back into her, and then Kel shrunk back into Martha under a minute. Martha opened her eyes, hearing a voice getting closer, looking to see a woman waving a towel, "Hello! Are you alright?!".
Martha called back, "Yes! Pardon me, but have you seen a young girl, around the age of 5, with light green eyes and goes by the name of Poppy?", and the woman gasped in relief, "Thank goodness! You're the Wayne folks, yes, I have Poppy recovering in my home.", getting closer as she blinked in confusion, "I thought I saw and heard four people since your silhouettes in the sun were a bit hard to make out, though I was hearing your voices, especially one who was loud at one point despite the calls earlier I heard faintly, was that all of you calling for Poppy?".
Martha nodded. "Yes, yes, it was.", she explained as the woman responded with a nod of her own. "We're not too far away from my place. I'm sure she wants to see you all as soon as possible.", she smiled as the others were having a great mental sigh of relief at hearing that Poppy was okay.
The woman replied, "I'm Caroline Jones. Let's tie your boat, folks.", and Alfred threw her the rope, and she grabbed it, guiding it to a half-shabby dock, "We don't get many visitors.", tying it to one of the poles, and Alfred walked out to help Martha out, and then Bruce followed.
Martha looked at Caroline with concern, "How bad?", as they took upon a quick walk, and Caroline replied, "After my son saved Poppy and brought her home, pardon my manners, but I had to strip her out of those soaked clothes before she would have gotten sick, changing her into some fresh clothes and cleaning her up...The little darling was rather in awful shape, but miraculously, she hadn't received truly bad injuries, just really sore and minorly bruised and exhausted...Flash floods aren't friendly, as they truly hide dangerous debris and all, but yet I have to say that an angel must have been watching over her.", with a little smile.
Martha blushed at the thought as she was almost laughing at how right Caroline was. It took about two minutes before the door opened up ant the trio followed Caroline in. "Poppy!", Bruce cried out first as he rushed to where Poppy was resting.
Poppy's eyes sparkled in tears and a happy smile, "Brucie!", raising her arms, ignoring the sore pain as Bruce hugged her gently, sitting on the edge of the bed, "Oh, Poppy, I'm sorry! I'm sorry that I couldn't reach out farther!".
"Bruce Thomas Wayne, it isn't your fault! We didn't know that a flash flood was gonna happen like that! If you had gone, who would have told Mom and Mama and Alfred?! I'm okay, Brucie, and besides, who would know if you had joined me? The branch wouldn't possibly hold us together.", Poppy glared at him.
Bruce bit his lip, "But...but..", and Poppy huffed, "No buts! You were being a good big brother, telling Mom and Mama and Alfred, and you came here for me, and I love you, and I would always forgive you, and that's it! Got it?".
"I keep forgetting that you are smarter than anyone thinks...", Bruce chuckled, smiling, "Alright, alright...I'm just relieved that you're safe and okay...I love you, Poppy, even if you are an imp of a sister sometimes.".
Poppy laughed, "Well, somebody gotta keep you on your toes, big brother.", and Bruce smiled before a sob called out, "Poppy!", and Bruce pulled back as Poppy reached out with tears, "Mommy!", smiling as Martha ran across the room, landing into one edge of the bed, gently hugging her yet kissing her all over, "Oh, my baby!", tears falling as she and Poppy didn't notice the whoosh of Kel's astral form as she was emotional too, dropping to her knees on the floor next to the other edge of the bed, and wrapping her arms gently around Poppy, kissing Poppy too, rumbling with purrs, deaf to the faint gasps of Caroline and Waylon as Alfred and Bruce's eyes widened in fear and worry with a slight forgiveness for Kel's impromptu move since after all, Kel gave birth to Poppy yet scared for Caroline's reactions, ready to stop her if she calls the cops, through out here in the middle of somewhere far away from town, it might be a moot point.
Waylon, hiding in the shadows as he was not used to so many people at once in his room, was in awe and shock to see a literal green giant woman, realizing what Poppy said about her mama being different in ways like him...Now he can see why her mama and mom loves Poppy together, and maybe they were protecting her and Bruce from the outrage and such if anybody discovered a green giant woman dating a normal-skinned, average woman, which is why they never went out in public.
Alfred was keeping his eyes on Caroline for a moment before she took a deep breath, "So... I was right... there was four of you...".
"It's... complicated, miss.", Alfred said as Caroline smiled, "Well, I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't say that I had my own life without some abnormal effects... Waylon, you can come out... where are you?".
Waylon stepped out from the shadows, biting his lip, "Here, Mama...", and he looked at Bruce and then presumably, Poppy's uncle in Alfred, nervously as he tried not to reach to itch his skin patches and slightly growing scales away to oblivion.
Bruce blinked in surprise before replying, "So, you were the boy who saved my baby sister, aren't ya?", with a raised eyebrow, as Wayne was stunned for a moment, expecting more...more vulgar words from Bruce and repulsion, like many big brothers of girls he saw at school near him, but this...this is new.
He gulped, nodding, "Yes, sir. Waylon Jones. I...I ain't a monster even if I look like one, I swear, and Ma taught me better than that...", not knowing that Kel slightly perked her hearing at that word, not expecting it to come from someone else labeling themselves in that word.
Bruce quickly wrapped his arms around Waylon and squeezed tight. "Thank you...", Bruce was trying to hold back tears at that moment. "Thank you so much for saving my sister...".
Waylon was taken aback for a moment before hesitantly hugging Bruce back, "Y-You're welcome. I would have done it all over again as Poppy is a self-claimed friend, and friends look out for each other...", pulling back with a glance at Poppy who beamed proudly at him through her huddle with her mom and mama.
Kel kissed Poppy on the head, "Oh, my Poppy-pup! You were so brave! Try not to scare us ever again, Penelope Kel Wayne...We were so distressed...", and Poppy replied, "I'm sorry, Mama...I'm really sorry I scared you and Mom...I really thought I was alone...until I realized I wasn't the whole time...Daddy was a hero again...He saved me too...I know you told me, Mama, Mommy, that he loves me, but there was a part of me...that I didn't believe it until he was with me...He really loves me, doesn't he?".
Martha kissed Poppy's forehead, "Oh, sweetheart, yes, he wouldn't have been with you if he didn't love you...He truly loves you, Poppy...", and Poppy gave a small smile, "I know that now...I just...I wish I would say those words face to face like my other friends in school does with their dads...'I love you, Daddy!', you know?", now realizing how much Thomas was more than a face, more than a semi-stranger in the home videos, the photos, the drawings from Bruce's childhood, the portrait, and the stories.