Batman & Catwoman: baby makes 9

3. Moving Forward

Bruce walked in from the family entrance, too exhausted to climb up a million stairs, and too much in a rush. He hung his coat on the hook and toed his shoes off before heading to the carpeted family room.

The tv was playing some movie, but he figured it was just background noise as she sat tucked against one arm of the couch, reading something. They were older now, but he missed seeing her bouncing off the walls. Selina Kyle couldn't sit still long, always enthusiastic. He'd taken that from her.

Bruce sighed at his thoughts and walked into the room. She eyed him as he walked beside her and flopped in the middle of the couch. "Hi."

Selina let him speak first to gauge his temper, then relaxed at his casual tone. "Hey. You came home," she said, putting her book and legs down to sit closer to him.

The late hour was early for Bruce to be home these days. He spent nights out on the city, cleaning it up for kids he might never see.

"Yeah," he said, laying his arm across the back of the couch. He couldn't take his eyes off her, studying her, to convince himself that she was there. "I love you."

Selina smiled, but it didn't go to her heart. "I know."

Bruce shut his eyes in regret as her two word response got to his heart in the worst way. In the past, they were miles apart, but loved each other to the fullest. Now, they were sitting inches apart, but couldn't be farther where it mattered.

Selina leaned her head against the couch and he lazily drew his fingers through her hair. "I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry."

Selina pursed her lips and thumbed over his cheek. "Stop," she asked.

"I mean it," Bruce countered. "I let my anger get between us. You are the last person I wanted to take the brunt of it."

"You're angry because you're taking the weight of the world on your shoulders. Stop making everything your fault. You can't change the past. But we can grow forward if you let go. Come home."

Bruce stilled his hand in her head and she thought he was pulling her in for a kiss, but Bruce wrapped his hands around her, hugging her. "Please don't leave," Gotham's knight sobbed.

Selina felt her breath releasing the tighter Bruce hugged her. She returned the favor caressing her hand up and down his back. "Where am I gonna go, Bruce? You're my home."

Bruce pulled away to hold her face, smiling softly. He put his head on her lap and Selina scooted back to let him lay on the couch. She tapped and skated her fingers aimlessly over his face, through his hair, calming him. Bruce slept that night, and Selina stayed awake watching over him until she couldn't help falling asleep.

In the morning, Bruce woke up on the couch. He wiped his face with both hands to refresh himself, and peeked to find Selina had kept her promise. He crossed his opposite arm to press against the seat to turn himself halfway, watching her sleep. It didn't take long for her to feel the change and slowly opened her eyes to find him staring at her.

"I could get used to this," Bruce said, echoing what she had said when they had woken up the day after their wedding.

Selina scoffed, recognizing the phrase. "Good morning," she said, leaning forward to gently palm his face and kiss him. She moved back too quick for him, and he chased. Selina laughed and he completely flipped himself over, pulling her close while he weighed down against her. He stopped himself before they could get too far.

"Good morning, Alfred," Bruce said over his shoulder and Selina pressed her face in his chest, embarrassed.

"I'll just be in the kitchen, then," Alfred said, no hint of awkwardness in his stoic tone.

Bruce dropped his head to laugh, one arm holding Selina while the other kept him balanced on the sofa. "Nothing he hasn't seen before."

Selina reclined her back on the sofa arm. "Is that what's happening? We're going back to before?"

Bruce kissed her and finally sat up on the couch. "No. There's no going back to before."

Selina sat up with him. He turned his head sideways to her. "We're gonna be better than before," he smiled. "It's gonna take some time, but..."

Selina kissed him. "Time will move faster if we both work together. Where do we start?"

Bruce patted himself onto his feet, shrugging the urge to throw up from a hangover. "Breakfast."

Selina stared at him, dumbfounded. "...Breakfast."

"Breakfast," Bruce confirmed. "I'm going to change out of last night's clothes, and then I'll come make breakfast." He kissed her cheek and jogged upstairs.

Selina got up and and fixed the sitting arrangement before going across to her room on the first floor. Going upstairs had gotten too much for her. And anyway, she was keeping herself busy by extending her business into the jewelry line of art. Of course with her experience, she had quite the eye for telling real from fake, and creativity always came in hand.

She changed and cleaned up, joining Alfred in the family kitchen. "Good morning."

"Good morning. Coffee?"

"Mm, yes please," she said, and flipped her mug that was sitting in the middle of the kitchen table.

Alfred had all the ingredients for breakfast laid out on the counter... next to the blender. That's how he'd been making breakfast for the past few years, if at all. He cracked an egg into the jug and Bruce came into the kitchen.

"Actually, I'll make breakfast today, Alfred," Bruce stopped him. "Have a seat."

Alfred willingly stepped back and joined Selina at the kitchen table. "Defenses ready?" Selina joked, holding up a plate to her face.

Bruce chuckled. "I'll have you know, I'm a graduate from Le Cordon Bleu," he revealed as he took ingredients to the stove.

Selina looked dumbfounded at Alfred. The butler just sipped his tea. "Martial arts... and culinary arts?"

"Round the world. I've gathered many hats," Bruce said as he flipped an omelette.

"Well, since we're trying new things, I think we can trade your cowl for a toque," Selina suggested as she now eagerly awaited his cooking.

"Let's take it one step at a time."