Why We're Here

Christmas With The Bats

"You look like Santa threw up on you."
Dick grinned from his position leaning against the doorframe. It was Christmas Eve, and the two of us were supposed to go over to The Manor. Dick decided that a reindeer sweater with blinking Christmas lights and red and white striped pants didn't look terrible. To make matters worse, he came complete with a green hat with a red bow.
"You're just jealous because my sweater is cooler than yours," he grinned.
I rolled my eyes. Mine was a simple Christmas Story sweater, complete with an embroidered leg lamp. It was nothing compared to Dick.
"There is no such thing as jealousy when it comes to that thing," I shoved the last present in my bag, "Seriously, you look like a walking Christmas decoration."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"It wasn't meant to be."
Dick chuckled, "Come on, Lucy, stop complaining about my clothes and let's get going. I don't want Jason to eat all of Alfred's cookies."
"I think we should be more worried about him drinking the eggnog."
I followed Dick out the front door of my apartment. We left the building, making our way towards The Manor.
"Please," Dick snorted, "I seem to remember a certain thirteen year old blacking out by the tree."
I felt my cheeks go red. Back then, I had no idea Alfred put actual alcohol in the eggnog. I had about ten cups, and that was a lot for a thirteen year old. After I blacked out by the tree, it fell on me. I still have a scar from one of the ornaments.
"At least I never tried to get Superman to x-ray my presents," I mumbled.
Dick laughed. We both made it out into the snowy streets. The Manor wasn't far, meaning I wouldn't have to be cold for long. I kept a solid grip on my bag, as did Dick with his.
"So," Dick grinned at me, "Is your imaginary girlfriend coming for a visit?"
I glared at him, "Clara is very real. And, yes, she's going to visit her grandma in the nursing home, and then she'll be over by dinner time."
"I can't wait to meet her."
The tone in his voice and the grin across his lips made me worried. I shot him my best death glare, "Don't you dare do anything to embarrass me."
"Or what?"
"Or, you'll live to regret it."
"Your threats don't work on me, I could pin you in a second," Dick retorted.
I sneered, "Yeah, right."
"It's true, and you know it."
"Sure says the liar."
"Who here actually fights crime?"
"Fight me," I replied, "I will fight you."
"Name a time," Dick grinned.
Both of us stared at each other before bursting out in laughter. We made it to The Manor just a few minutes later. As soon as the lights were in sight, I became excited. I was sick and tired of the snow and of being cold. I wanted to sit in front of the fireplace and drink eggnog.
Dick knocked on the door. Alfred quickly answered, smiling at both of us, "Master Dick, Miss Lucille, I'm surprised you're not late."
"Me too," Dick grinned, "Lucy took forever to get her stuff together."
"At least I don't look like a walking Christmas tree," I muttered.
Alfred laughed. I set my bag of presents on the nearby table before turning to give the old man a hug. He gratefully accepted it.
"Merry Christmas, Alfie."
"Merry Christmas, Miss Lucille."
"Ditto," Dick winked.
Alfred smiled. I gathered my bag of presents once again before going to put them underneath the tree. Jason was there, delicately trying to unwrap the corner of one of the larger presents. When Alfred came in, he clicked his tongue, "Master Jason, I'd advise you not to open your presents prematurely."
Jason quickly jumped back. I dumped my presents beneath the tree before ruffling his hair, "Merry Christmas, Jay."
"Get off," he pushed my hand away.
I detected the tiniest smile on his lips. Dick came up behind him and surprised the boy by lifting him off the ground. The younger male struggled, "Put me down, Dick!"
"Merry Christmas, little wing!"
"Put me down!"
"Dick, put him down."
All of us glanced at the door. Bruce had arrived, buttoning the last of his suit buttons. Dick put Jason back on the ground. As soon as his feet touched carpet, Jason quickly took several steps away from Dick.
"Merry Christmas, Brucie!" Dick exclaimed.
Bruce smiled, "And to you, Dick."
I smiled brightly. Everybody I loved, save for Barbara and Clara, were in one room together. There were no costumes, no masked villains, just us, together as a family. It was a beautiful moment, one I wish I could stay in forever.
"Miss Lucille," Alfred came up behind me, "When, may I ask, should your friend be arriving?"
Jason spun around, "You mean her imaginary girlfriend?"
"Why does everybody think she's imaginary?" I asked, "Clara, my very real and very human girlfriend, is supposed to be here before six."
Alfred nodded, but Dick and Jason exchanged knowing glances. I could tell the two of them were planning something. Bruce noticed it too.
"I'm sure she is a nice girl," Bruce glared at Jason and Dick, "And we will behave in a dignified manner."
Jason frowned while Dick simply chuckled. I glared at both of them. Dick smiled innocently, "We would never do anything to embarrass poor Lucy."
"Try anything and I'll burn all of your presents," I threatened.
They only laughed. Oddly, I found myself smiling as well. Despite how annoying they may be, they were still my brothers, and I loved them.
What was more, I was beginning to realize they loved me too. The conversation with Selina had been rolling over in my mind. It was stupid to ever even think that they might not want them around. Especially now when we were all smiling and laughing together.
"When can we open presents?" Jason whined.
Bruce smiled slightly, "I suppose we could now, we will wait for Clara to eat."
Jason cheered and rushed to the tree. Dick was close behind him, with me a few feet behind them. Bruce and Alfred took up the rear, settling on the nearby couch.
Jason handed out the presents. Dick and I each got three, Bruce got four, and Alfred got five. Jason instantly tore into his while the rest of us took our time.
"Cool!" Jason held up his new grappling hook, "It's even got a batarang holder!"
Bruce smiled slightly. Dick held up a new bo staff, complete with electrified endings. I have to admit, Bruce knew what to get that would be useful rather than fun. He even got me boots with the ability to conceal two knives inside the lining.
"Just what I've always wanted," I smiled.
Jason opened his present from me, one of those remote control helicopters. I had painted it to look like Batwing. As soon as he opened it, he laughed, "This is awesome! Can I fly it?"
"How about you wait until the snow passes, then you can fly it outside," Bruce suggested.
Bruce opened his first present, the one from me. He pulled out his new Superman pajamas and sent me a glare. I responded by laughing.
"Hey, it's perfect for you," Dick grinned.
Bruce rolled his eyes, but I could see the smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Next, Alfred opened a couple of presents. He loved the new gloves Dick got him, and the Dickinson leather bound books I got him. He even loved the shiny new shoes from Jason.
When it was my turn, I opened up the present from Dick. Inside was a Superman plush doll. I pulled it out with a scowl on my face, "Oh, hardy har har, very funny, Dick."
"I knew you'd love it," Dick grinned.
I had half a mind to pummel him, but then I felt what was inside of the doll. It was actually a stress ball, but in doll form. A bigger grin spread across my face, "Okay, I take it back, I actually love it."
"Knew it."
When presents were finished, we all thanked each other. I tucked my stress doll, boots, and the super swiss army knife from Jason in my bag. As I did, Alfred brought out the eggnog.
"Whoa!" Dick exclaimed, stepping in front of me, "Don't let Lucy near it, we don't want a repeat."
I glared at him. I was about to say something, but the doorbell rang.
"I believe that may be a Miss Gable," Alfred went to answer it.
Jason grinned evilly, "Oh, this will be fun."
"If anybody does anything stupid, presents will be burned!" I exclaimed, "Don't test me!"
"What a lovely house."
Clara's voice came from the front hall. I felt my anxiety triple, but I swallowed it. Hurrying in that direction, I spun around and shot a warning glare to my two brothers. They simply laughed.
Alfred was helping Clara take off her coat. When she saw me, she smiled.
"Glad you could find the place," I stated, grinning.
She chuckled, "Yes, because it's difficult to find the giant mansion with a huge W on the front gate."
Both of us laughed. Alfred cocked a tiny smile as he hung up Clara's coat. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and kissed her forehead before gesturing to Alfred, "Clara, this is Alfred."
"Nice to meet you."
"You as well, Miss Gable."
"Oh, please," Clara smiled, "Call me Clara."
Alfred smiled as well. So far, things were going great, but Alfred wasn't the one I had to worry about. I lead Clara towards the main living room, all the while silently praying Dick and Jason would be cool.
When we arrived in the living room, we found Dick leaning against the wall while Jason knelt by the tree. Bruce was sitting on the couch, but stood as soon as he noticed Clara.
"Clara, this is Bruce," I introduced, "Bruce, this is my girlfriend, Clara Gable."
"Nice to meet you, Mister Wayne," Clara smiled.
Bruce smiled as well, "Please, call me Bruce. It's a pleasure to meet you as well."
Clara beamed. Dick appeared behind Bruce, sporting a suave smile. He stuck his hand out and said, "And I'm Richard, but my friends call me Dick."
"Clarice, but everybody calls me Clara."
Dick laughed, "I like you already."
A broad smile crossed my face. Dick was the one I was most worried about, and he was on his best behavior. Clara even seemed to like him. Jason came up beside the two of them.
"This is Jason," I introduced.
Clara smiled, "Hi, I'm Clara."
"Hi," Jason replied, "I was told not to embarrass Louie."
Clara didn't know how to reply. I shot Jason a look before saying, "Not that there's anything he could say."
"What about-"
"Jason," Bruce interrupted, "Be nice."
Jason shut his lips. Moments later, Alfred stepped into the room, "Masters and Misses, dinner is served."
"Thank you, Alfred," Bruce replied, "Come, we will have a proper discussion over dinner."
***
"So, you're an engineering student like Lucy?" Bruce asked.
Clara nodded, "We're in the same class."
"Do you know how to build a death ray?" Jason asked, "Or a laser gun?"
Clara blinked, "Um, no? I don't think they cover weapons of mass destruction in the course."
"Bummer."
"What do you learn in those things?" Dick asked.
"Gadgets and gears. Mostly how stuff works."
Bruce, at the head of the table, pulled his phone out of his pocket. I could see lights flashing against his black suit. He knitted his eyebrows and sighed, "I do apologize, Clara, but I have to excuse myself. Duty calls."
Clara nodded nicely. Bruce stood up, glanced at me, and left. Jason quickly shoveled his food down and followed. I watched them go, sighing deeply. Clara thought he meant work at Wayne Enterprises, but Dick and I knew the truth. I glanced at him, and he gave me a sympathetic smile.
"How about dessert?" Dick asked, "I'll go help Alfred get the cookies."
He stood and left. Clara glanced at me, "I don't think they like me."
"What? Nonsense," I replied, "Bruce and Jason might have issues showing their emotions, but I can promise they like you."
"But, he left early, with a lame excuse too."
I placed a hand on her shoulder, "He wasn't lying. Wayne Enterprises deals in tons of technology and stuff, things that any supervillain would want. As we all know, gotham is full of them. It's difficult for him to get through a full meal without being called to work."
I hated lying to her, I hated lying in general, but it was for her own good. Besides, I didn't need another secret identity lecture. Maybe one day, I would tell Clara who I was and who Bruce is, but not yet. Not until I know this relationship is going to work.
"Wow, I had no idea it was that bad," Clara mumbled.
I shrugged, "It's just one of those things, I guess. You kind of get used to it, it doesn't mean he doesn't like you."
Clara smiled. Dick and Alfred came in moments later with the cookies. Bruce and Jason didn't come back, with Alfred making the excuse that Jason had a stomachache. For the rest of the night, it was just Alfred, Dick, Clara, and me, but it was still a wonderful Christmas.
One of the best yet.