A Basket Full of Bats

Leaving the Nursery

During those first few months it seemed that Richard would never get better, get stronger, but it had been happening all the while. When he hit four pounds they switched him to an open aired crib. Then one day, it seemed almost surreal but Bruce would never forget it.

"Why don't you take him for a walk," the doctor suggested unhooking the nasal cannula. "Go for about an hour. We'll check double check his oxygen levels when you get back."

Bruce could hear the others getting ready for their days. He look down at Richard who he held in an ordinary cradle hold like an ordinary baby. He was swaddled and not currently attached to anything but a tiny portable apnea alarm that was tucked under his blankets. "I can just... Go outside with him?"

"He's never seen birds or grass or trees. Go for a walk," encouraged the doctor.

"Not just outside the nursery, outside the house?" confirmed Bruce incredulous.

Nurse Amy giggled at him. "Would you like me to take a picture, Mr. Wayne?"

Bruce nodded with looking rather shell shocked.

"Actually, I've got a better idea," she opened the nursery door. "Jason?" she called happily. "I could use a hand with something. Do you know how to work a camera?"

Jason came and stopped noticing at once that Richard was completely untethered. Despite the fact that Nurse Amy had sounded cheerful Jason went white.

"He's fine," Bruce reassured instantly. Bruce knelt down so Jason could see. Richard was chewing his blankey. He looked up at Jason curious.

"Can I hold him?" Asked Jason at once.

"Nope. I got dibs this time," insisted Bruce with a smile. "We're going to go for a walk. We're going outside. Nurse Amy thought you could take a picture or two."

^ᴕ^

From that day on the days didn't seem to drag anymore. Time flew. Every family changes with the introduction of a new member.

Terry soon returned to Japan but the leave time he'd spent in Batman's shoes had created bonds with an extended family that he'd barely known before. He never missed the major holidays anymore.

Damian had someone that loved him unconditionally and had been taught from birth not to take his harsh seeming words to heart. He'd flunked out of economics and it hadn't been the end of the world.

"Your switching from business to veterinary medicine?" Bruce asked with raised eyebrows.

Damian nodded stiffly, feeding Richard who was enthusiastically banging his high chair to make his Cheerios jump. "If you had any common sense you would cease vibrating your food onto the floor. Bouncing while you eat results in mashed sweet potato up your nose. It is an unflattering look for you Richard. Open up. I am not doing the airplane. Open your mouth."

Stephanie would look back on her teenage years and know that doing the right thing doesn't always come in an easy package. She'd also know that sometimes doing the right thing had unexpected personal rewards. She had her body back in record time and had woven life long bonds with good people into her life. In the beginning she'd been gifted a family by Tim and Bruce when her life had hit rock bottom and she was 16 pregnant and homeless. She felt more like she'd earned her new family with Spoiler and with Richard.

Richard would hold a special place in her heart her whole life through. Very few people would understand when she said, he's my baby brother. He always will be. When Steph thought of Richard laughing and playing, she could think of her daughter and believe she was alright out there somewhere.