Chapter 1
The Bat-Signal flared across our screens, a familiar intrusion. I was lounging on the couch in the manor, Dick’s legs serving as a makeshift footrest. “We are *not* naming our baby Dick Jr.,” I stated flatly. Bruce sat opposite me, already anticipating my next point.
“Or Bruce,” I added, preemptively shutting down his potential counter-argument. The expression on his face confirmed my prediction.
“I like Grace for a girl, Blake for a boy,” Bruce offered.
“Bu—,” I began to protest.
“I like the names,” I conceded, leveling a pointed look at Dick and Bruce. “They’re nice.”
“They’re *nice* names!” Bruce echoed, while Dick added, “Whatever you want, dear.” A smile tugged at my lips.
“Good. I’ll let you two pick the middle names.”
“Grace Mary Grayson,” Dick said after a moment’s thought.
“Blake Thomas Grayson,” Bruce added with a small smile. “After my father.”
“I love them both,” I breathed softly, reaching for their hands. “I’m so excited.”
The surge of affection was cut short by the urgent summons of the Bat-Signal. I sprang up, sliding down the pole behind the changing curtain. Emerging, I noticed the concerned looks from the boys.
“What?”
“Charlie, we don’t know if you should be patrolling,” Dick said hesitantly.
“You joking, right?” I raised an eyebrow. “I’m pregnant. I get it. I’ll be careful, but until I’m showing, I plan on fighting.” I crossed my arms, a familiar warning in my stance. “Now let’s go.” We piled into the Batmobile and sped off.
We were already a few blocks from the bank when we parked in an alley. Grappling up, I landed in the lobby.
“What’s the problem?” I asked the officers.
“Poison Ivy is robbing the bank downtown. She’s taken hostages.”
“That sucks,” I muttered under my breath, checking my utility belt. “Where the hell are my gummy worms?” I growled, turning to Nightwing and Batman. They exchanged sheepish glances. “We’ll discuss this elsewhere.”
Turning to the officers, I plastered a bright smile on my face. “Nothing I can’t handle. Let’s go, boys.” I launched off the edge, grappling towards the bank. A few minutes later I landed, waiting for Bruce and Dick to catch up. I held out my hand. “Give me my candy.”
“Tweety, we think you’re eating too many of those lately. It’s worrisome—,” Bruce began.
“Now!” I snapped. They produced bags of gummy worms, tossing them at me. I caught them, shoving one into my compartment and aggressively nibbling on the other. “Let’s go.”
They seemed to snap out of their reverie, resuming the mission. We all moved in sync. As Dick grappled to secure the hostages, I swung into the main vault, creating a diversion.
“Ivy, are ya here?” I sang, dropping to the ground. The best distraction, I found, was pure chaos. She was already rifling through the vault’s contents, turning around abruptly when I popped up waving happily. “Helloooo.”
Without a reply, she launched a volley of vines at me.
“Well, how rude. I just said hello,” I sang, flipping away from the plants. They came closer, closer.
A vine whipped towards my stomach. A hand shot out, grabbing me mid-air, grappling me away. Looking down, I saw Bruce had silently neutralized Ivy. Success.
“She almost hit your stomach!” Dick shrieked.
“Calm down, I would have dodged it.”
“Calm down! CALM DOWN!” He exploded. “That’s my baby in there too! I want him or her safe! I want them to grow up healthy and strong! They can’t do that if you’re getting hurt and taking unnecessary risks!” He finally breathed after his rant.
I stepped forward, placing a hand on his cheek. “I understand.”
“And if that’s what you want, then I’ll play it safe for a while. I’ll chill in the bioship on missions. I’ll stay out of the way,” I promised. He wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me into a hug.
“Thank you,” he whispered.
“I’m sorry I made you worry so much. It was selfish of me.”
“If I was in your place, I’d do the same.”
“I know. That’s why I feel better about sitting out. I know you’d do it for me if I was uncomfortable with something.” I said softly into his chest.
“Come on, let’s go home.”
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