Chapter Twelve
The ringing in my alarm, sends my eyes fluttering. Reaching up I slam the off button, sitting up in bed. A long stretch helps my back unkink. Sighing out I raise from my bed, pulling my gym clothes from the dresser I'm off to the bathroom. Brushing my hair out is a chore as it's half way down my back. I throw it into a high pony tail and dress for my morning routine. The sun isn't even up yet as I run on the treadmill completing my 5 mile run. Skipping the elevator always sucks but helps as I walk the 12 flights up.
With my shower and blow drying my hair I manage to stand on my balcony to enjoy the summer sunrise with a cup of herbal tea. I smile as I don't feel the dread of the day. I mean you only turn 24 once. The low meow makes me smile as the white fur ball brushes up against my leg. "I suppose you want breakfast Junie?" I smile petting her. The little creature brings me more joy than I thought it would. A gift from Dick for my 20th birthday. Not wanting me to be alone all the time.
Strolling back into my pent house I graze the back of my sectional as I walk to the kitchen. Her little bell rings as she comes to catch up with me. Pouring the measured half cup of food into the bowl she starts chowing down. I take my fingers down her back as her butt lifts up with the fluffy tail. "Alright, I have to go get dressed." I pat her bottom as I leave her. I throw my towel off into the hamper as I get into my bedroom. Digging through my closet I find a pair of Jean shorts and a navy halter top. Slipping them on, I hear a knock to my door. Rolling my eyes at the 7:30am clock. Slipping in my earrings, I pad barefoot to the front door. Opening it, Dick stands in front of me with the large glass crystal vase full of Lilly's. I smile at him as he walks in. "They're beautiful."
"Happy birthday." He leans over kissing my forehead.
"Thank you." I blush.
"Hang on someone else delivered you flowers." He sits the vase on the marble counter top.
"What?" I look around the corner. The wicker basket sits on the ground outside the door. The wild flowers blooming out of it. I smile picking it up.
"Whose trying to outdo me?" Dick smiles.
"Not sure." I smile as I shut the door. Sitting it on the counter next to Dicks vase, I grab the card. Opening it, it's simple.
To The Morticians Daughter,
Happy birthday
No signature, no initials. Just those words. The letter on the flowers I receive randomly calling me the morticians daughter. It makes me anxious feeling as if someone knows who I am and who my father was. I laugh nervously. "It's the uh mystery man."
"I can get rid of them." Dick looks stern going to grab them.
"No. It's okay." I smile touching the lilac flowers, "they're beautiful. Just wish I knew who he was."
"It's creepy." He rolls his eye. "You have got to stop reading those dark romance novels."
"They're hot. And you're just afraid of competition." I smile.
"Alright Ms. Publisher." He scoffs
"I know Detective." I smile. "So what's the plan today?"
"First thing breakfast." He smiles. He leans down petting my cat. "Hey Junie Bug." He smiles. "Happy gotcha day to you." She purrs at Dicks touch.
"The way she adores you." I roll my eyes.
"You're just afraid of competition." He retorts.
"Oh please." I scoff. "How's Barbara?"
"She's good. Says she'll try to make it to dinner tonight." He smiles as I walk to grab my purse.
"Good. I haven't seen her in a moment." I smile awkwardly.
"I know it's different." He smiles, "you'll get used to it."
I roll my eyes, "yes because ending an engagement with someone is never awkward."
"It just wasn't meant to be." He smiles.
"Still holding out hope my heart will unthaw." I shake my head laughing.
"Maybe." He shoots me a sly smile
"Bye Junie." I smile brushing down her back, "mama will be back soon."
"It's thawed for her." He rolls his eyes as he opens the door.
"You're a nut." I turn looking the door.
We venture into the city to sit at a dinner called Lucky's for breakfast. We catch up on talk as it's been a few weeks since we saw each other. Dick had been busy with Bludhaven crime. "So is it okay if I crash at your place for a bit?" he hesitates, "I have to help Bruce for a little and I hate staying at the manor."
"Yeah that's fine. You're always more than welcomed." I smile. "So who's screwing shit up now?"
"Some new guy." He smirks, "don't know anything but he's trying to make a name for himself.
"What's the name?" I smirk
"Red hood." He rolls his eyes.
"Isn't that an old name?" I ponder
"Yeah. Joker used it first." He sighed bringing up the name, "there's been different variations though."
"Oh how Id love to see him" I smirk as a take a drink of my coffee.
"I know." He sighs. "So what do you want to do next." He changes the subject
"Well as it is 9am. We have a lot of time to kill before dinner tonight." I laugh, "uh. I don't know."
"Come on it's your birthday you get to choose. We can do whatever you want." He smiles. I smirk looking at him. "No not that."
"Fine." I roll my eyes. "But when I get the chance I'm using that crowbar."
"Oh I know." He sighs.
"Let's go." I stand stretching, "I'll drive."
"You're on one if you think I'm letting you drive my corvette." He laughs laying money on the table for our breakfast.
"Party pooper." I roll my eyes. "Let's go get massages." I smile, "your back is killing you anyway." I smile as we walk out.
"I'm sorry Rae." He looks flustered, "I didn't mean to." I feel his wall creep back up.
"It's nice." I smile, "you kinda shut me off after the past 2 years."
"I know. Babs didn't like the whole bond." He admits.
"She just doesn't like the relationship we have." I roll my eyes as we make it out to the parking lot.
"Because she knows I'm still in love with you." He slips in the car as I do. Knowing he's actually referring to himself.
"And she knows I am too?" I smile lightly, not referring to her either.
"Yeah." He shakes his head. "But she knows you're not ready for me yet."
"But she knows someday I will be." I smirk.
He looks at me lightly smiling, "I hope so." He slips his hand to mind lightly squeezing it. He goes to take his hand off of mine, but I grasp it holding it. Lacing my fingers through his, I hold his hand. This is probably the most physical touch we've shared in a long time. He looks at our hands smiling.
Following with the plans for the day, Dick and I make it to a spa. We spend the day getting massages and facials. He put his foot down about getting the facial but sat there as I got one. Finishing up around noon we went back to my place. Dick and I lay on the couch watching tv as I doze off for an afternoon nap. The sunshine through the window feels warm and the purring of Junie drifts my tired eyes to sleep. Her warm white fur weighs me down as she sits on my lap.
The sleep lasts longer than expected and I awake to knocking on my door. Looking over to Dick he is groggy eyes, showing we both dozed off. He stands from the couch as my eyes barely open. Striding to the door he opens it as the chaos plays out.
"Where's the birthday girl!" Victor yells as Gar blows a horn. I look over my shoulder as they come in with Kori carrying a obnoxious amount of balloons. "Happy birthday!" She yells with a cheerful smile.
"Thanks." I smile as Junie gets off of me, startled by the others.
"Ready to party." Garfield holds a large skinny box wrapped in navy wrapping paper. While the others have bags they sit on the table.
"Depends on what kind of party you want" I smile standing from the couch.
"Holy crap you need a cheeseburger." Victor looks at me with his mouth agape. Noticing my slender body. Truth be told, this is the fittest I've ever been. Without the worry of anything besides Junie and work, I workout more. Push my limits and stay fit.
"I eat all the time" I wave him off with a smile.
"Sup Dick." Garfield acknowledges him.
"Not much." He smiles.
"I'm sorry to hear of the end of your engagement." Kori smiles lightly.
"It's fine." He smiles, "all good things must come to an end."
"Junie." Garfield crouches on the ground trying to get her attention.
"We both know she doesn't like anyone but these two, good luck." Victor laughs as Junie hisses at them. For such a gentle creature she really does not like others. "She especially hates you since you morphed into a cat in front of her."
"Hey it was worth a shot." He shrugs.
"How is it 5:30?" I look at the clock. "We dozed for a while." I smirk.
"Good, because we're about to…" Victor wines up his arm yelling, "PARTY!!"
"Whoop whoop!" Kori yells as she twirls in the air floating in her short lilac dress.
"Whose the morticians daughter?" Garfield interrupts the cheering.
"Uh. I suppose me." I blush.
"Who sent them?" Cyborg smiles.
"Her fucking stalker." Dick scoffs. The crowd turns to me in shock, mouths agape. I blush stepping backwards. "How long has he been stalking you?" Cyborg looks concerned.
"Could be a woman." Garfield injects
"A few years." Dick rolls his eyes, "and no it's a man. He's pretty good at hacking because all the cameras are off when he delivers or purchases shit. I just caught a glimpse of his figure in a window from a camera across the street one time. Dude wore a mask."
"That's like scary." Kori looks to the flowers, "they're beautiful though."
"Don't you start it either. Masked men are not hot." Dick grumbles.
"Sure you are." I wink. Walking to the fridge I pull out beers as the conversation continues.
"Maybe it's a coworker." Victor guesses.
"Or a neighbor." Kori throws her guess in.
"Maybe it's the ghost of Jason Todd." Garfield smirks. The whole room goes quiet. Dicks head lurches forward and the look on his face says what the fuck dude. I smirk at Garfield.
"I've thought that before." I smile, "but he had a different pet name for me."
"What was it?" Kori asks softly knowing we don't discuss Jason. It's been an unwritten rule since his passing. Since everyone found out I had been with the former boy wonder. Knowing I lost my shit when he died.
"Dark girl." I smile softly. "I'm not sure what the Mortician's Daughter means. And I haven't cared enough to look into it." The crowd nods not wanting to ask or say anything else, "so what the hell is in that box." I laugh at Garfield's present.
"Wanna open it?" He laughs. Victor gives a worry look and I know whatever is in the box, he was advised against. My curiosity spikes with the crowd and I smile nodding yes. It can't be that bad, I tell myself as I tear the wrapping paper.
My laugh bursts out as I unwrap the paper revealing the box. Dicks cheeks have a hint of red as his embarrassment flashes. Garfield steps back worried by his look. "This is great. Let's put it up." I laugh.
"You like it?" Garfield says in surprise.
"You said I needed to make this a party pad right?" I laugh. "I love it."
"Well I guess I'll install it." Victor sighs.
"A stripper pole, really?" Dick smirks.
"Maybe I'll get good and show you something fun." I smirk. His expression is golden as the words roll out of my mouth.
Finishing the installation we order in pizza and play music as everyone tests out the pole. By far Dick is the best. Figures with his gymnastic abilities and flexible body. He spins upside down on the pole as if weightless with a smirk on his face. Kori doesn't get the concept and uses her powers to hold herself around the pole barely hung on with her fingertips as she floats. Beastboy made a running jump but quickly fell face first onto the floor. My turn goes better than expected as I can hold myself up on it, spinning around. Trying to be bold I flip my leg out, which sends my body slamming downwards. Catching myself I laugh. "I guess it needs some work" I laugh.
The night goes on with chatter and beer. Enjoying the company, the night ends too soon. The crowd disbands and I'm left in my kitchen putting pizza boxes into trash bags as Junie yowls alerting me of the current time and the need for bed. I smile at her. Dick walks in dressed in his uniform. The tight black uniform forms to his muscles, defining them all. I smirk as he walks past and I notice how nice his ass looks in the suit. Slipping on his mask in the mirror he turns looking at me. Noticing my eyes molesting him, he shoots me a crooked grin. "Do you want me to bend over to give you a better view of it?" His words full of lust.
"No, no." I wave him off, "wouldn't want that to interfere with my book boyfriends asses." Even with the mask on I can sense his eyes rolling.
"You're ridiculous." He smirks. "I'll see you in the morning Rae." He walks to the balcony and disappears out the door.
Watching him leave I feel a sense of loneliness I have tried to ward off. The impact having all my friends with me today shows. Readying for bed I turn off the lights of my home, leading the way to my bedroom with Junie in tow. Slipping into a nightshirt and taking my jeans off, I crawl into my bed with Junie already curled up in her princess tower. I smile as she watches me settle. My guardian angel. Rolling over I plug my phone in as the midnight screen shows. Before I shut off the light I smile looking at the photo on my nightstand.
"I had a good birthday." I smile, "would have been better with you here." His photo sits with his smile, staring back at me. "Good night." I kiss my fingers, touching his face. Clicking off the light I lay in bed thinking of the day. Allowing myself short amount of time to wonder how much today would be different with Jason here. How different life would be.
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Happy holidays to everyone!!!