True Beauty

Bonus Chapter

"Welcome home, Lindsey!" Grandma Holling called out as I entered the manor with my suitcase rolling behind me.

"Happy Holidays Grandma," Lindsey said as her grandmother gave her a warm hug. 

Lindsey had just finished another semester at City University of New York. She was studying visual arts with the goal of being an art teacher. She was almost finished with her degree but came back to Gotham to visit her grandparents for the holidays.

"I'm so glad that I was the first person to say hello to you in Gotham," Grandma Holling said.

"I can't say that is true," Damian said as he walked in the door behind me.

Damian and I were still dating after five years. He finished his degree at Gotham Business University in three years and has been working with his father at Wayne Enterprises since. And he still parades around Gotham as Robin at night when he doesn't come surprise me at my dorm and takes me on spontaneous dates.

"Now how come we don't see you anymore, Damian. You've been in Gotham this entire time and it takes Lindsey coming home for you to come see us," Grandma Holling said with her hands on her hips, looking up at the man in his handsome suit.

"Yup," Damian said shortly. "Besides, I saw you at the annual Christmas Charity Gala last week."

"Well I didn't see you!" Grandma Holling pouted.

Damian told me he avoided my Grandmother all night. But he did say hello to my Grandfather. My Grandmother is not at the level of socialization that Damian would want to spend time with her.

Damian and I went up to my room, with my suitcases to unpack them. Once dinner rolled around, I was unpacked and hanging out with Damian.

We joined Grandma and Grandpa Holling at the dinner table for super.

"So next week is the Gotham Christmas Gala, on Christmas Eve too. Would you like to come, Lindsey? I'm sure you're already invited, Damian."

"I'd love to come!" I said. "But I can get my own dress."

All the galas I've gone to in the past, Grandma Holling has bought me an expensive and over-the-top dress. I was done with them. I just want something simple from now on.

"Fine. But my designer can still make you something," Grandma Holling said.

But the dress would never be worn. I woke up not feeling great. I was puking and had the most painful headache of my life. I was bed-bound the entire day. 

By the time my grandparents were leaving the gala, I was up and moving, but still not feeling well.

"I'm so sorry you're not feeling well, Lindsey," Grandma Holling said as she and I walked to the entrance.

"It's alright. They'll always be another gala to attend," I said.

"If you need anything, we have security still around," Grandma Holling said.

"I can get anything I need. Now you two have fun. Have a good night," I said.

"Well be back in time to open presents tomorrow morning, alright?" Grandma Holling said.

"Well of course. We're not young anymore," Grandpa Holling laughed.

"Young at heart, Grandpa. That's all that counts."

I waved goodbye and went to the kitchen for some soup. Such a great Christmas Eve. Damian offered to come over, but I don't want to risk him getting sick.

Once I ate my soup, I went back upstairs. Only to be knocked out as soon as I entered my room.

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