"The Meeting"

Nightwing was devastated. Christopher wanted to meet his biological father and the man was available for the boy's seventh birthday. Nightwing wanted to scream and curse, just knowing he was going to lose his son.

Starfire wasn't that fond of it either and had taken to crying whenever she saw her baby boy.

On the day of Christopher's birthday, the little boy woke up happy but his parents woke up with dread.

Christopher went around hugging everyone at the breakfast table. They wished him a happy birthday but knew of his parents' distress.

Thankfully the kids didn't.

"You're gonna like my present, Chris." Charlotte told him.

"Me too! Me too!" Calvin wanted to be heard.

"Too! Too!" Sebastian and Marco chanted.

Christopher smiled. "Thanks, guys!"

They each gave him a hug.

The parents thought it was so cute.

Even as their hearts sank at what this day would bring, Nightwing and Starfire were gladdened by the person their son was and was becoming.

""

Christopher didn't even care about his birthday party but made sure to thank everyone for coming/sending a gift.

Bruce Wayne (Batman) narrowed his eyes on his grandson. "Why is he looking around? What is he looking for?"

Nightwing sighed. "It's not a what."

Bruce frowned. "Who is he looking for?"

Nightwing had to force the words from his tight mouth. "His father."

Bruce snapped his head in Nightwing's direction. "His what?!"

"His biological father." Nightwing sulked. "He's been asking about him."

"So?!"

Nightwing blinked. "So? Chris has been asking questions about his birth father."

"And you answered them?!"

"Yes!"

"I can't believe this!" Bruce paced in a tight circle. "Why'd you open this can of worms?!"

"What are you talking about? He's my son. If there's something I can do for him, I will."

"What if this man wants to take him away?"

It wasn't like Nightwing hadn't thought that question a million times but it still punched him in the heart. "I have to do right by Chris. Even if it hurts me."

On one hand, Bruce was proud of the father Nightwing was. But on the other? he felt Nightwing was being foolish.

""

Starfire was also with a parent. She was with Rita Farr (Elasti-Girl), crying on her shoulder about her son leaving her.

Rita rubbed the redhead's back. "Chris isn't going anywhere."

"But-!" Starfire wailed.

"No buts. Chris loves you. He just wants to see where he comes from."

Starfire simply sobbed.

""

Christopher blew out the candles on his cake. Everyone clapped as Nightwing began cutting into it. Christopher beamed up at his dad until something told him to look across the yard.