Because of You

Chapter 2 - Living in Wayne

Life for the Waynes hasn't been easy. Years of playing dress-up and Police-Robber in a much more serious form had them addicted to the way of life. 

Bruce Wayne, especially, a man known for his poise, kept having uncontrollable urges to take his role of Batman once again. Looking at his calendar had left him wondering: Has it been one year already?

25th March. He could still remember that dreadful day as if it were yesterday. He could still feel the gentle breeze that blew over his face, once the villains had fallen. He could still hear the deadly screams of the civilians he couldn't save. Despite everything, Bruce had to admit, though his life was as dramatic as a soap opera, that had to be the most traumatic thing he had witnessed.

Deep in thought, he did not hear the opening of his office door, until a voice brought him back to reality. 

"Dad," his second son called out, his blue eyes trained on him in amusement, "Need a map to figure out where your head's at?" he joked.

At the prominent scowl on his dad's face, Jason laughed, "There's a company meeting in the WE Tech room. Special courtesy to moi," he bowed dramatically.

Bruce sighed, rolling his eyes fondly at the boy. He may be thirty-two, but maturity had still not dawned on him yet. Still, Bruce was happy. After his resurrection through the Lazarus Pit, the boy was close to insane. He had been healing. The boy, who is now a man, had been through a roller coaster, just like him, yet he managed to smile widely. The call of 'Dad' started about two years ago, when Batman faced a near-death experience in his battle against The Joker.

Getting up from his office, in the Wayne Enterprises, top floor, Bruce found his way to the Tech room, to find most of his family already there. It was funny really, Company Meeting was synonymous to Family Meeting in the Wayne household. That was probably the most normal thing about them. Bruce had unwittingly, given away the leadership of his company to his children. All of them headed one of the company branches.

Once all of them came in, the mostly black hair, blue-eyed family stood at one end of the room, as they watched Jason set down a series of chairs and connecting them with wires. 

"What are you up to, Todd?" the grumpy voice of Damian echoed through the large room.

"You would like to find out, wouldn't you, Demon Spawn?" he grinned at his rude brother, looking suspiciously mischievous.

"Yes, I would, actually," he snarkily replied, "We each left our quarters to be here for some stupid reason, Todd, don't test my patience."

Looking satisfied with his handiwork, Jason stood up and looked at each of us with a smile. 

"Take a seat," he commented, pointing to the chairs he just set up. there were eleven of them, enough for every occupant of the room.

Sighing slightly most of them relented. Bruce was the first. The Round-table Conference in Metropolis meant that Selena was not attending this meeting or whatever it was. Cassandra followed, continuously looking at her wristwatch in anticipation. So did Barbara, Dick and Carrie.

While most held skeptical looks, few of them protested.

"Why should we listen to you?" Tim asked.

"Ya," Stephanie agreed, "Jace is up to no good when he has that sultry smile on his face."

"Todd," Damien warned, "If I end up regretting this, I swear to God, you better watch your ba-"