Christmas Time.

Chapter 4

Damian

When I first went to see Dick, to make sure he wasn't being forced, I wasn't expecting Marinette. And I definitely wasn't expecting to laugh. Laughing felt strange and uncertain, but the next time I came over and watched Marinette laugh, it didn't feel strange anymore.
So I came over more and more. And soon enough Christmas Eve was the next day. Father has been sulking because he not only got yelled at by a strange woman, but because Dick left. Causing Tim and Jason to keep their distance from him as well. Good thing there hasn't been any crime lately, or we would be in serious trouble.

"Uncle Dami!!!" My niece, Mar'i, shouted as she walked into the Manor.
"Hello Mar'i, how was Tameran?"
"It was amazing!! We had all this food and and it was so good!!!" She exclaimed. I smiled and threw her into the air, catching her as she giggled. "You seem happy, Uncle Dami. Anything good happen?" She asked, placing her hands on my shoulders.
"I don't know, yet. I'm still processing." I whispered.
"Ooo!! It's a secret! I'm really good at secrets! Is it a girl?" She asked excitedly.
"Maybe, but I don't know....let's go find your dad." I said and carried her to the living room.

Dick, Kor'i, Mar'i, Jason, Tim, Barbara, Stephanie, Cassandra, and I talked about what we would be doing for Christmas. And bragging about who got the others the best presents. It was whirlwind, and then something seemed to click in Dicks head.
"Do you think Bruce and Alfred would mind if I invited someone to Christmas Eve dinner?" He asked out of no where.
Everyone turned to look at him like he grew a third head.
"Who would you invite?" Barbara asked.
"Do you remember the women that came and yelled at Bruce about the orphanage?"
"Yeah, she was scary. She could rival Damian in scary when mad." Tim said, shuddering.
"She found me at the park when I left here, and she took me to the Orphanage and she said that it would cheer them both up. I didn't realize she was the woman till we got there. The kids lite up with smiled when she walked inside, literally tackling her in a hug. She brought them presents, and they were hand sewn outfits for all the kids. The caretakers said she bought all the decorations that lined the halls, and made sure the caretakers got something as well. And before I knew it, she told me I was staying in the spare room till Kor'i and Mar'i got back. And she told me she wasn't returning to Paris, where her family is, because of the weather.
Her friend called and asked why she wasn't coming back, and she basically said it was either too dangerous, and that she had other things occupying her time. No one in Paris, besides her parents, know she plays the violin. Her reasoning, the praise takes away from the act of playing. She even got Damian to laugh and smile in the three minutes they met. But, she's alone on Christmas, and she really helped me out so I thought I would help her out."

I couldn't help the small smile that played on my lips, but I hid it behind Mar'i and waited for the response. So I watched their reaction carefully, all of them seemed ready to agree. Then Bruce walked in.
"No."
All my siblings simultaneously turned to look at him. Glares aimed, and scowls covering their faces. The smiles that were there a second ago, gone.
"Why not?" Dick hissed.
"Because, she's not family. And she yelled at me in my house. It's disrespectful."
Now it was my turn. "Your just mad that your pride was hurt, and that your secret was blown. Get over yourself." I scoffed, rolling my eyes.
"No! This is my house, my family, and my Christmas! She is not invited! End of story!" Bruce yelled, before walking away.
"Why did Grandpa yell?" Mar'i asked quietly.
"Because he's mad at on of Daddy's friends." Dick said quietly. "And I'm not spending Christmas with a Grinch like him. I'm going back to Marinette's, if you want to come let's go, but I'm not staying here another second." Dick stated, grabbing Mar'i and Kor'is hands and walking out the door.

"Is she really this amazing?" Jason asked.
"She told me she was adopting a little girl at the orphanage. But is waiting till Christmas to make it more special to the child." I whispered as I smiled.
"Alright, I gotta meet this girl. If Damian can laugh and smile in a few minutes, I have to see this." Jason stated, standing with the rest my siblings. Cass smiled before pointing at my then at her heart. And I shrugged.

Dick

I knocked on the door with a smile. In all honesty I hated leaving. And when she opened the door, with slightly red rimmed eyes, I felt even worse.
"Hey guys, what are you doing here? Aren't you suppose to be at Bruce's?" She asked opening the door.
"We were, but things got heated." Kor'i said with a sad smile. "Is it too much to ask if we separate Christmas with you?"
I watched Marinette's reaction, and it went from shock to relief. A smile blooming on her face, as she nodded.
"We also told the rest of my siblings to join if that's ok?" I said, but it came out as a question.
She giggled. "I don't mind. I don't have a ton of room, so some will have to bunk with each other if they do show up. I'll have to go to the store and buy some groceries for food, but we'll make it work." Determination flooding her features.
A few minuets later, there was a knock on the door. I opened it this time, and I saw the rest of my family, besides Bruce and Alfred, standing there. Excited smiles on their faces. And so introductions were made, and get-to-know-yous were passed around. And I smiled. This is how Christmas should be spent.