The Flightless

Something Old; Something New

Fate arrives with Oswald sometime later. The war around Gotham has quieted down for the most part. Jim and Barbara work in tandem to smooth things over even further. As for my family, we enjoy the silence.

Well, other than Dinah's crying. Oswald usually takes the nightshift while I take the mornings. He does what he can to support and cherish me. I really do see the effort he makes. It prepares the space in my heart to welcome him in once again. We spend the days together, enjoying the new addition to this family of ours. I wish we could spend more time focusing on each other, but we're too enthralled with the infant. And yet, even without a chance for us to completely heal, I feel the most like myself since Butch's death.

"I'm going for a walk. This baby weight has to go at some point," I say, sliding on my hoodie. "Can you watch her?"

She sleeps soundly in her father's arms, so of course. It's easy for him to agree and send me off on my own.

As soon as my feet hit the concrete driveway, I take off. It's been a whole nine months since I could use my powers freely. I run at superhuman speed through the woods, past ponds, and rivers, and find myself nearing the edge of Earth-2's Gotham City.

I don't stop. I leap up the fire escape of the nearest building and continue my sprint. My legs carry me building over building. One by one, I watch the gaps in between the skyscrapers pass in second intervals between my feet.

I finally jog to halt once I've reached the other side of the city. I tilt my head up to the grey sky and unleash a freeing scream. Rain drizzles down from the heavens. It cleanses my skin and spirit. Sera Gordon, The Cardinal, has returned.

The downpour grows into a roaring thunderstorm on my way back. I duck into a small pizza shop to wait it out. After ordering a pepperoni slice, I settle into a booth. As good as it feels to be on my own, I miss my husband and baby.

"Why did you want to meet here, my dear?" It's Oswald. He must've followed me from the mansion.

The hood stays on top of my head as I turn. "What do you mean? I didn't—" A gasp stops my sentence.

Oswald Cobblepot, but not my Oswald Cobblepot slides into a booth across the pizza joint. His booth mate is Edward Nygma. Both men are dressed to the highest attire. Ed dons his bright green outfit. Penguin is decked out in his over-the-top coat and gloves and spikey hair. I spare glances when I can.

"This is where we had our first date," Nygma clarifies. "I thought it sentimental on our first anniversary."

I check the date on my watch. Oswald and I got married a year ago today, and I hadn't even noticed. On this Earth, Edward truly must've replaced me.

Penguin takes his husband's hands. "How thoughtful of you. I love it, Edward."

Os looks happy. Much happier than he has been with me over the last few months. I suppose he has earned my trust again. I've left him with Dinah, for heaven's sake. Who am I to claim I don't trust him?

"I love you, Oswald."

Who am I to proclaim I don't love him, either? Not once has my heart drifted from my husband. He has always held my most vulnerable artifact in his palms. Yes, I love him and I'm ready to tell him.

"I love you too."

I exit the booth and walk past them, making sure to keep my head down. Edward grabs my wrist.

"Who are you?" He demands. "I saw you looking at us."

I pitch my voice to sound like anyone else's. "Nobody. Congratulations on your anniversary."