Bouncing Baby Bat Chapter 2 – Bookworm810

Reading Time:
17 Minutes

Chapter 2

In years to come, Bruce would not be able to give you an accurate description of what happened in the minutes following his miracle of a seventh child falling into his arms. Not up to his usual, minuscule detailed, standards at least. He could tell you that the reporters were silent for a moment before exploding with questions, but he could not tell you how long the silence lasted nor what any of the questions were. He knew that somebody and gently taken his arm and was leading him inside the government building the press conference was taking place outside of, but he could not tell you who it was nor where exactly they were leading him. All he could focus on were the bright blue eyes staring up at him with complete trust.

Eventually Bruce became aware of the fact that he was alone and (reluctantly) looked up to take in where exactly his colleagues had taken him. A bathroom? Obviously a dual disabled slash parent’s room with the open space and fold down changing table in the corner. A strange choice in Bruce’s mind as his baby was unlikely to need a diaper change anytime soon and he had nothing to change them into anyway. After a minute he mentally shrugged before heading over to the table anyway. At least he could thoroughly inspect his little one without an audience, find out if he had a sixth son or a second daughter.

A couple of minutes later, Bruce smiled as his redressed his little girl. Another daughter, Cassandra would be ecstatic. Well, all his children would be really. Eventually anyway. Once they got over mocking him for having an adoption addiction so strong even the fey court were feeding it, or however they enviably tried to phase it. Bruce did not even care, the beautiful little girl in front of him made up for any and all teasing that could ever be heaped upon him.

She really was beautiful, if Bruce did say so himself. She was wearing the same silver toned silk gown that all wish babies appear in. Her eyes were the same brilliant blue that Bruce himself hid behind the white-out eyes of his cowl, which was to be expected of a wish baby of a single parent. Such children always take after their parents strongly, some even looking enough alike when grown to almost be considered clones, though in the cases like his own little one the different genders would no doubt lessen that as she grew. She was currently bald due to her young age, though Bruce had no doubt that when her hair did come in it would be the thick jet black of his own.

Wish babies could arrive at a developmental age anywhere between two weeks and seven months, though wish babies got progressively rarer as they approached either end of the spectrum. Bruce’s new miracle looked very much like she was skimming the early end of the spectrum, looking like she was (in Bruce’s admittedly limited experience. He was skilled in many areas, but neonatology was not one of them) around maybe the one-month-old mark. This, Bruce’s paranoid brain stem reminded him, was a good thing. It would make it believable to later ‘reveal’ Bruce’s Wayne’s new wish baby still at an appropriate age at a point after Batman’s never-to-be-seen-again wish baby would have stopped glowing. He would need to create a way to fake a wish baby glow when the time came, something that to his knowledge had never been done before but Bruce did not consider this too big an inconvenience. He had done harder things with less time and smaller stakes before, and nothing could ever be considered too difficult if it was to protect his family.

That he would need to announce his little girl as a wish baby in his civilian identity eventually was never in question. The inspection earlier had revealed her wishmark, the gently glowing gold star that appeared on all wish babies and never fully faded, on her right leg just below her knee. Such marks were completely unique in a way no tattoo or markup could come close to successfully faking despite so many trying to do so, especially in more recent years. It could not be kept hidden for the rest of her life. Even if he could somehow demand that she never wore shorts or short skirts (and of course Bruce already knew if he tried Cass, Steph and Babs would kill him, that is if his newest youngest did not do it herself first) Bruce knew from bitter personal experience that such marks would stubbornly shine though clothes. Even with armoured Kevlar a small amount of light would be visible, much to a younger Bruce’s dismay.

Out of all his children, only his eldest and now his youngest were wish babies. Bruce didn’t know if it was a medical or personal reason that stopped John and Mary Greyson from having a child naturally (from what little Bruce knew, he doubted that a pregnant acrobat could perform, not being able to perform meant not getting paid and Bruce doubted European travelling circuses back then had much in the way of maternity leave), but it meant that one Dick Greyson was one very well loved wish baby. This was not something the family ever hid, indeed Dick’s wishmark could be seen cheerfully glowing on his left shoulder blade in more than one promotional poster. When Dick had first started insisting that Robin patrol with Batman (and when said Batman, his far beyond top-of-the-line security systems and his possibly omniscient, ex-special forces godfather all failed to stop Robin from sneaking out to go on patrol), Bruce was an emotional mess. Not just because there was a nine-year-old following him around Gotham looking for criminals. But because there was a nine-year-old following him around Gotham looking for criminals with a distinctive mark that might lead anyone researching prodigal young gymnasts right to Dick true identity shining right through his uniform. This was not in any way helped by Dick flat out refusing to wear more layers to help cover the mark better, or even darker colours. The best Bruce could do was stay as close to the boy as he could and pray that none of his rouges got a proper look at the mark. Really it was a miracle Bruce’s hair did not go completely grey in the three months it took Bruce in invent a new armour weave that his little menace found acceptable, let alone all the years with the rest of his troublesome children.

Bruce sighed. Maybe his new daughter would be less of a nuisance than the rest of his brood. Probably not, but a man could hope, couldn’t he?

His daughter needed a name. Bruce frowned, this was a new experience for him. All his other children already came with names. How was he supposed to just make up something that would be part of his child’s self-image for the rest of their lives (or at least until they got old enough to legally change it if he did a poor enough job choosing) on the spot like this? It was impossible, how did other parents do this all the time and make it look so easy. He had never even thought about…

Wait. there was a time when he thought about it. When he was young, before his parents died, when the world still seemed fair to a naïve little boy who had never known true loss. He had come up with two names that he’d decided with that innocent certainty of children everywhere would be what he would name his future children. The name he had chosen for a boy was certainly out. Gender neutral names might be coming into style, but Thomas Bruce was still firmly a no. Even if she had been a girl with Damian middle name and Duke’s last both being Thomas… No, much too confusing. The name he had once happily told his other he would name his future daughter however, that might just be a different story. He hadn’t even considered the name in years, barely remembered he’d once dreamed of using it but now looking at those sleepy little eyes looking up at him, he could not think of a better name.

With another smile, Bruce picked up his little girl and started for the door. It was time to go home and introduce his family to their newest member. He could not wait to see their reactions.

BBB – BBB – BBB

Superman stood outside the bathroom door trying not to fidget, or to give into the temptation to focus either his super-hearing or his x-ray vision on the two inside. On his colleague, his friend Batman, and his new child. Batman’s child. Batman’s wish baby child. Oh Rao, Clark could barely believe it. Batman, a father, who would have thought? From the shocked and awed look on his friend’s face (what could be seen of it anyway), Clark would be willing to bet that Batman himself had not expected this. Clark had never seen the man so out of it as when he led him inside away from the reporters. Hence leading Batman to the bathroom, so his fellow hero could take a moment to himself and his baby and get his head back on straight. Not that anyone could blame Batman for being so shocked, the man had just gone from single vigilante of the night to a father in just a few seconds. Batman’s whole life was about to change; Clark knew, he had been there himself what felt like not so long ago. To bad Jon was so much older than Batman’s new baby, Clark was sure the two would have been so cute together on playdates!

In a effort to respect Batman’s privacy, Clark took a moment to look around at how his fellow heroes were handling this new and surprising situation.

Hal was looking almost more shocked than Batman did as he stood closest to the exit, but he never-the-less was actively using his ring to create a barrier over the doors through which Clark can hear more than one reporter still yelling questions. Arthur stood next to him with his arms crossed, glaring through the green construct. Clark remembered the many complaints the King of Atlantis made when his son was born last year, about how certain nobles and advisors seemed to think they had more rights to access the young prince than the parents. No doubt Arthur was seeing something similar happening here and was determined to protect Batman’s privacy as much as possible. Shayera was standing on Hal’s over side, also glaring while gripping her mace. She was clearly also ready to defend the door, but Clark was willing to bet it was less sympathy for Batman and more Shayera’s general distain for the press that was keeping her there. As a reporter himself, Clark could understand how compelling a story today was turning into, but really considering all that Batman did for the world surely he was due at least his privacy in this time. Besides considering some the questions… Clark wince as a particularly harshly worded question about Batman’s suitability as a parent came through. Forget sympathy for his fellow reporters, they were acting like rabid dogs, if they got past the barrier he would let Shayera have at them.

Further in, Barry was literally vibrating in place as he talked excitedly with J’onn was listening with a small smile on his usually passive face. Barry, Clark knew, loved children. He and his wife had practically raised their nephew and Clark suspected they were actively trying for children of their own. J’onn, Clark might have worried about about being envious, with the death of the Martin’s own daughter and majority of his race. Might have, if not for the sincere congratulations Clark himself when he himself received his own wish baby son nine years ago. J’onn would no doubt bestow the same congratulations on their friend when he recovered from the shock and rejoined their team in the lobby.

Oliver and Dinah was standing slightly apart from the others. Dinah, Clark could see was trying to be happy for Batman but she could not quite hide the pout on her face. She must have thought that as one of the few (was it a few? Were there any couples out amongst the reporters?) couples in attendance she and Oliver would have stood a good a chance of being chosen. Having been passed over for the seemingly antisocial Batman was clearly a disappointment to her. Her husband on the other hand Clark thought looked a little relieved, which Clark thought was understandable. Oliver was trying to repair his relationships with both of his boys and was making progress, but clearly the man was doubting if he was ready to take on the responsibly for a newborn even if his wife thought they could do it.

Diana was standing there with a small smile on her face. Her hand was resting almost absentmindedly on her stomach where, Clark knew from years of fighting together and having to tend to each other’s various wounds, Diana’s own wishmark lay beneath the enchanted armour. Diana herself was one of the earliest known wish babies, though Zeus had apparently tried to claim credit for several centuries before the Amazons learnt the truth. Since in the that time no other wish babies had been delivered to Themyscira because the Amazons didn’t know they could wish for children of their own, well from what Clark had been told it was lucky Zeus was a god and thus immortal, because more than one of those women were more than willing to kill him. As a result Diana often expressed that she felt a deep kinship with her fellow wish babies which when combined with joy for their friend was obviously leaving the princess feeling delighted by today’s events.

“Really, can you believe it?” Barry excitedly asked the room at large, seeming too excited to keep his conversation to just one person. “Batsy a father! Are pigs suddenly flying or what?”

“Not that I can see, but there’s still time I suppose.” Hal joked, half turning to look back into the room. The barrier stayed up.

“Be nice, both of you.” Diana admonished. “This is a big day for our friend, and I’m sure he’s feeling overwhelmed enough without you making jokes at his expense.”

Arthur nodded. “A child is a huge responsibly that changes your whole life. Even with months of warning, Mera and myself still felt out of our depth when junior arrived, and that was with an entire castle of staff tripping over themselves to offer their help. I can’t imagine how it must feel having a baby suddenly thrust on you with no warning like this.”

“It’s certainly an experience, that’s for sure.” Clark said with a smile, remembering with sudden clarity holding Jon in his arms for the first time. “I’m sure Batman will do fine.”

“Will he?” Dinah asked with a frown even as Oliver tried to subtlety gesture at his wife not to say anything. “You think Batman will be fine? Does he even know anything about children?”

“He is quite protective over children” J’onn spoke. “Whenever one is encountered on a mission he gives all his focus to ensuring their safety, even over his own.”

“I’m not doubting his commitment as a hero J’onn, nor his character.” Dinah said a little defensibly. “But protecting a random child on a mission is one thing, raising one is another. And from everything we know about him, he’ll be doing so as a single parent.”

“I’m a single parent, Black Canary, should the fey not given me Jon?” Clark asked pointedly.

“No, of course not, that’s not what I meant.” Dinah shuttered out before taking a deep breath to compose herself. “We all know you’re a wonderful parent Superman, I’m just worried that Batman will be doing this all alone. None of us know enough about who he is outside the mask to help him and as far as we know, he doesn’t have any family.”

“Then we help him in the mask.” Diana spoke up firmly. “We give what advice we can, we offer to cover patrolling Gotham when he needs time off, take up meeting with the government in his stead. Whatever we can to help out friend adjust and bond with his new blessing.”

“All right, Justice League Paternity leave has started up again.” Barry cheered. Clark smiled, remembering all the help his team had given him when he received Jon nine years ago. He had been rightfully overwhelmed himself what with suddenly both becoming a father and losing the woman he once truly thought he would one day marry. It had been such a relief to know he had a team who would help protect the world while he was sorting out his own world. Hopefully, Batman would appreciate the help just as much.

Before anyone else could say anything, the bathroom door opened and Batman stepped out. His baby was shuggled happily in his arms and there was still a smile on his face.

Clark tried not to stare. And if he did stare it was only because a smiling Batman was so rare. It could not possibility be because a smiling Batman, let alone a smiling Batman holding an itty-bitty baby was strangely attractive. No of course not.

BBB – BBB – BBB

Bruce blinked, thankfully hidden behind the cowl, at his hoard and co-workers as they stared at him in seeming shocked. They were the ones to lead him here, why did they seem so surprised to see him exit? Bruce swore, no matter how many years he worked with these people he would never truly understand them, and that was a difficult thing for the Batan to admit.

“You feeling okay there Spooky.” Hal broke the silence. Behind the Lantern a green barrier construct was keeping the likely still rabid reporters at bay. It seemed for once Bruce owed the man something and so did not respond to the detested nickname with the Bat Glare^TM (how does Dick keep getting these things patented?) it deserved.

“Fine.” Bruce answered shortly. “I’ll be going now. There is a zeta tube two streets over. If you would be so kind to continue to distract the reporters I’ll slip out the back way without them noticing.”

“What, now?” Barry asked, looking unreasonably shocked in Bruce’s opinion. They didn’t actually expect him to continue the press conference after all this did they? Oh gid, did they?!?  “You’re not even going to introduce us?”

“No.” Bruce said shortly, pulling his daughter in closer. Okay, they wanted to get to know his baby. He could understand that to a degree, she was perfect after all. But couldn’t these people understand that he needed to get her back to the safety of his home? That she had family who were no doubt even waiting anxiously to meet her?

Bruce tried to ignore the pitiful sight of a group of grown superheroes pouting at him in unison. It was hard, like and entire army of Titus begging him for a treat Damian would insist the dog could not have.

“Can we at least know if you have been blessed with a son or daughter my friend?” J’onn asked with far more dignity than any of their colleagues were currently showing.

Well, Bruce supposed that was not too much to ask. Half the population was female after all, it could not be used to narrow down identities too much.

“A daughter.” Bruce answered, to the immediate beaming of Diana and a smug look from Shayera. The others looked quite pleased as well, which was kind of weird since she was his daughter, but whatever. They were always weird people anyway, you didn’t put on a costume to fight crime if you were totally sane as Bruce was well aware.

“Are you sure the zeta tube is safe for her?” Clark asked worriedly. “I can fly you to Gotham.”

“I could run you over.” Barry offered quickly, looking far too eager for someone who called Gotham a ‘cesspit’ just last month. The speedster had found the watchtower was strangely empty of all his favourite snacks for two weeks afterwards, and still seemingly had no idea why.

“You want me to expose my delicate baby daughter to the extremely damaging windshear the two of you produce over the extensively tested, including on the effects they may have on newborns, zeta tubes?” Bruce demanded, pulling his baby ever closer. He would protect her from these idiots.

“You had them tested for newborns?” Oliver asked in true bewilderment. Oh, did he forget to tell them that? No, he was sure it was in the report he produced when the zeta tubes were first installed, they must just not have read it again. Again. Sign, at least his children took the time to read his reports. Most of them. Well, Tim at least.

“Oh course, there was always the possibility that one day we would need to evacuate a population that might include newborns through them. I had to be sure they would be safe first.”

“Always prepared, my friend.” Diana said, sounding fond. At least someone here apricated his efforts. “You take your small blessing home, we will keep the press’ attention here long enough for you make a clean escape.”

Bruce nodded before ducking down the corridor and out of sight. Naturally, being the stealth master he was is was easy for him to make it to the zeta tube without any undue attention. Soon he was programming the zeta to take him directly to the Batcave^TM (seriously Dick, how?).

Where, again naturally, he was immediately greeted by oh so familiar and oh so mocking voice.

“Really, Old Man, really? Don’t you have enough of us?”