Someone is always watching

Chapter 34

Tuesday, Jason Blood's house Gotham

"Walk us through the whole day, you might remember more details than you usually do," Jason Blood handed her a drink and sat in front of her, "stop at any point."

Flashback 16th birthday

Happy birthday to you!!!

"Come on make a wish," William told his daughter.

"I've got everything I need right here," she smiled at her family.

"I could use an extra birthday wish," Joe teased her threatening to blow her candles.

"Hey you already got your sweet 16!" Nerissa nudged him away, "okay," she closed her eyes, 'I don't ever want things to change' as she blew her candles.

"You only get one, so I hope you made count," Joe slipped his arm around her waist and brought her in for a hug, as he always did.

"I did," she smiled kissing his cheek, "I want cake now."

"I'll cut the cake, open your presents," Carmen said happily.

"There you go, this one's from me and your aunt," Brandon Adington handed her a velvet box.

"Thank you," she hugged him and went to hug Clarice who kept her at arm's length.

"I think I'm coming down with something, don't want to ruin your trip."

"Sure," Nerissa opened the box to see a single pearl golden chain necklace, "it's amazing." She immediately wore it.

"Well you're a young woman now, your first pearl should come from your family," Brandon smiled drinking his brandy.

"Thank you uncle Brandon, aunt Clarice, I really love it," she smiled reaching for her mom's present.

"Now, I know it's still soon but," Carmen warned as she handed her husband the plates of cake.

"Okay, I'm a bit worried," she unwrapped the rectangular box and opened it to unveil a stethoscope, "oh wow."

"It's my first one, I had it fixed and all of course but I wanted you to have it," Carmen smiled proudly.

"Thank you mom," Nerissa hugged her mom tight, she hadn't told her she wasn't going to apply to med school, ever.

"Dr. Nerissa Clare, I love the sound of it," Carmen smiled going back to the cake.

"Yeah," Nerissa and Joe exchanged a look.

"Baby girl I forgot my gift in the office come with me," William and Nerissa went to the office. Once the office door was locked.

"Do you think she saw my face? I loved her gift but dad how am I supposed to tell her?" Nerissa panicked.

"You'll choose your own path, now," he reached for a ring box in his pocket.

"I thought you said-"

"Yeah, I just don't want Clarice to see," William made a face that never failed to make Nerissa laugh, "this is for you, it's a family heirloom never take it off, it's part of who you are."

"Okay," she slid the ring on her ring finger and admired it, "it's beautiful thank you dad."

"Better than the pearl?"

"I'd take smelly old socks from you over diamonds," she said truthfully hugging her dad.

"I love you baby girl."

"I love you too dad," she sighed, "thank you for choosing me."

"You're our daughter, just because you're adopted doesn't mean anything, you've always been our daughter and you always will be. Now you get another gift because you're my favorite person in this whole world and we can't have them asking questions," he gave her another box.