~.: "Sorry" :.~
~.: Halsey :.~
~.: De's POV :.~
I couldn't decide whether I was hurt or angry as Aria threw my arms off of her before fleeing down the hall, her hands over her eyes to cover up her tears.
"Aria, wait! I was only trying to help-" When I attempted to run after her, Dick put a hand on my shoulder to stop me. I gave him a confused glance before reluctantly relaxing against his side as my shoulders slumped helplessly while he held me close in reassurance.
"She's pushing everyone away, babe- give her some time to herself..." Dick murmured softly, gently kissing my cheek as we walked toward our bedroom. Wally was standing helplessly at Addy's doorway, his head against the door in defeat as he groaned softly under his breath. Dick and I exchanged a glance before Dick sighed, running a stressful hand through his hair as he approached his best friend, "Wall... I don't think she's coming out anytime soon..."
I chewed my bottom lip thoughtfully before entering the bedroom I shared with Dick. As soon as I walked into the room, Bella rushed to my side, flinging her arms around my waist as she hugged me tightly while Alyssa hung several paces back with her head lowered guiltily as she sat plopped down on the bedroom floor. I stroked Bella's head gently before crossing over to Brodie's crib and picking him up to rock him in my embrace as he whimpered softly. Going back over to the mattress, Bella follows after me and we sit together amongst the pillows and blankets whereas Alyssa is content to stay in the floor, messing with the carpet underneath her.
"Why is Auntie Aria upset at you, De?" Bella mumbled, playing with my hair as I hum softly to Brodie and cuddle him close to my chest, "Is she still your best friend? And why was she yelling at my Daddy?" Sighing, I tiredly turn my gaze to Bella and attempted a small smile in reassurance, partly to reassure myself.
"Aria.. is just having problems right now," I explained softly, stroking Brodie's cheek gently, "She just needs some space. And even if she is upset at me, she and I will always be friends. Aria yelled at Nightwing mainly because she felt like he was trying to control her life; she didn't like that a whole lot..." As I finish explaining, Bella purses her lips before laying down on her stomach beside me and laying her head on my knee while I rock Brodie gently.
"Daddy was just trying to protect Auntie Aria," Alyssa suddenly stated, angrily clutching at her dress as she glared at the floor, "She shouldn't be mad at him when he just wants to help," I cocked my head at her, raining an eyebrow at her mild hostility toward Aria.
"It's normal for siblings to disagree, Alyssa-" I gently reminded her, reaching out to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear, "Nightwing and Aria always argue but they will always love each other," As I finish saying that, Dick walks in with Wally and Amelia lets out a happy cry at seeing her dad in the room. Catching sight of me and our children, Dick smiles softly and crosses the room to join us on the mattress.
"Everything go okay while I was in the hall with Wally?" He murmured gently, leaning toward me and kissing my lips before reaching down and picking up Alyssa who eagerly melts into his embrace, snuggling her face into his chest contentedly. When I'm just about to answer, Bella flashes Alyssa a jealous pout and attempts to sit in Dick's lap as well but Alyssa pushes her away which causes the two of them to get into an argument while Dick backs off slightly.
"Hey, chill out- you're going to upset Brodie," I irritably huffed, scuffling away from the twins and crossing over to Brodie's crib before laying him down carefully.
"I should be sitting in Daddy's lap!" Bella whined, stomping her feet in irritation while Dick frowns slightly at her reaction, "I'm more important! Me, me, me!!" In response to her fit, Alyssa lifts her head to glare at her twin and I hurriedly jump in between the two twins, swooping Bella into my embrace before Alyssa could cause any harm. Seeing my reaction, Alyssa whimpers and hides her face in her father's chest once more while Dick and I exchange exasperated glances.
"I'm glad I don't have twins to deal with," Wally suddenly comments, briefly breaking the tension between the twins, "I'd lose my sanity," Dick scowls at the comment and rolls his eyes unamusedly.
"That's not funny, Wally," I murmured, rubbing Bella's back as she stuck her tongue out at Alyssa who's refusing to look in our direction.
