The Midnight Case

Chapter 4 : A hand in matrimony

Leaning against the walls of the warehouse the five of us shared glances with the three males dressed as vigilantes. For Camilla and Adrian, they didn't know who is he but they definitely know Bruce Wayne. "How long do we attempt to wait here?" Camilla said, fishing out her Swiss army knife and toys with the blade.

"Camilla, it's fine." Adrian insisted. "After all, I find reciting Sokrates in silence is much more peaceful." Glaring at him she returned to toying with her knife again.

"Sorry," I begun.

"Who are they?" A smile, was my respond.

"Camilla Von Accola, Adrian Castellanos." I said.

"They're cousins." Chris said it, plain and simple.

"Christian." I said. "Regroup back at the coordinates I sent. Take Mark VI back but be sure no one is looking. No jeopardizing our ID, discretion is in order."

"What about you?"

"You know very well. Briefing." Chris groaned in approval and signalled them to leave. "That went well." I mused.

"How did you know Sionis is going to attack?" Bruce asked, his boots pounding against the metal as he stepped towards me.

"I have been through a haystack of information." I only explained. Haystack is the code word Bruce and I used to hint at Adam's identity as his surname is Haynes. "He gave my father the slip and I was sent here." Nodding in solemn he then turned to the both of them.

"I have something to discuss with her." He said calmly. "Call if you need anything." Then we jumped off the roof, landing on another rooftop. We repeated the same thing, until we reached the rooftop of an ancient clock tower.

"Is there something worth seeing here?" Asked in a whisper but eyes still raised to met his gaze. He didn't respond but he tapped on his gauntlet and a few of those tiles lifted upwards with a heavy groan and slid aside in opposite directions. Dropping in after him we're greeted with an interior decorated as a cozy and warm apartment unit. "Sorry, I don't get what you mean." I whispered again. Turning on his heels the cape flapped in silence as he moved past the wooden floor panels that creaked, towards a bookcase. The bookcase has only a few deco items and a Shakespeare bust and Bruce pushed the bust's head upwards. Bright white lasers shot out, scanning him from head to toe.

"Identity confirmed." A robotic voice came out of nowhere. Then a whirlwind later the lights went out, the bookcases descended. A wooden panel locked them into place as three holographic screens flickered into life and a computer panel emerged from a false bottom. Typing away on the panel Bruce logged onto the computer and started to work. Seeing this I paced in silence while waiting for him but he paused.

"I've bought this base for us." He said. "If we had the time to fight crime together." He said, in a way of proposing something. A hint of nervousness was felt in his voice the moment when he stopped working.

"What are you trying to imply?" Asked again in a whisper as I lowered my hood, the long black locks tumbling down my shoulders. Then he locked the screens to not let people see inwards. Padding towards me on the wooden panels his every step became nervous. Until he reached me and held my hand in his, his pair of blue irises piercing my gazes when he removed the cowl.

"I promised your grandmother to take care of you when the time she couldn't. I have been pondering on this question for weeks." My gazes faltered, searching for clues to his question. "Now is my time to get things done." His gazes met with mine as he held them tighter. "Will you, Isabella Mace, give me your hand in matrimony?" My gaze stopped to falter as I saw determination and hope in his eyes, the will and courage he had mustered to ask me this question.

"Yes, yes I will." I replied. "I will give you my hand in matrimony." Our smiles crept up on our lips as he removed the glove and slid a silver engagement ring on my left ring finger. Sharing a kiss I now know that we didn't lose our love for each other when we're apart. I looked at the engagement ring again, the small diamond glinting under the lights from the computer screens. "I swear my fidelity to you. Now and always." I said in a whisper but he can hear it.

"So do I. I swear it, now and always." He said, taking my hand in his. Then we kissed another time, we didn't have time to share one because of our duties and now in this moment we cherished it together, for love and happiness.