Dictated.

[dorkwonder]

What a month this has been, huh? I don't remember much of what happened earlier in the month. Everything after the first couple of days is a blur to me. I remember a lot of yelling, scribbling, and I think...I hurt someone. If I did, I'm really sorry.

[Sighs, and there's soft cooing in the background.]

At least the month is almost over with. I'd say "hopefully the next month will be better", but I don't want to tempt fate. Instead, I'm going to say I hope everyone's recovering and healing up. Speaking of which, I wanted to thank everyone who helped out with the recovery effort in the City and is still helping out.


[Spam for the Bathaus]

[What a day this turned out to be. Tim had originally planned to let Steph and Ezio spend the next couple of hours with Jack. He had decided to subscribe to the "keep your friends close and your enemies closer" ideology. Instead, everything became intense almost to the point of violence. So much for Ezio behaving himself around the baby. He is willing to bet ten out of ten doctors would agree, yelling and threatening violence around a baby is not a good idea.

Thankfully, Jack is with him now and safe. As much as he had wanted to turn around and kick Ezio in the teeth, he wasn't going to put Jack at risk. He'd rather Jack get to meet Cass and spend sometime with her.]

Comments

[hellofist]

[Now she pushes back, a look of surprise on her face. Does he even understand what he's saying, what he's telling her? After a lifetime of wanting a family, she's going to get one? It seems impossible, but his body language is filled with nothing but honesty. He's telling the truth.

She can't help the tears that come once it sets in. She has a family, she has a home in her future. She hugs him again, face pressed into his shoulder so he and Jack can't see her crying.]

[dorkwonder]

[Tim's trying to remember the timeline in his head. During his father's attack, which he now knows lead to his death, Bruce had attempted to adopt him and he had rejected the offer. Maybe he had been adopted before Cass. Working through his altered memories feels like trying to swim through a muddy lake.

However, he clearly remembers all of them being at the manor together and their daily routine, or at least what resembled a daily routine for all of them.]

You and I both live with Bruce together. Alfred serves us breakfast in the morning with tea. You and I train whenever we're both there around the same time in the evening, and of course you kick my butt." Raises a hand to the back of her head, gently running his fingers through her hair.

[hellofist]

[What he's describing sounds like a dream, the exact thing she never really let herself hope for. She likes living in Bludhaven, seeing Brenda and Zero every day and the feeling of having her very own city, but living with Bruce permanently? Having Alfred's tea every morning?

She tightens her grip on Tim a little bit more, wondering if he realizes how huge what he's telling her is.]

Good to know... one thing doesn't change.

[dorkwonder]

[He does, which is why he elaborated on he. Tim figured she'd want more details, so she could imagine it in her head. Tilts his head, giving her a kiss on the top of hers.]

I miss Alfred's tea. I've tried duplicating it here, but it still doesn't compare/

[hellofist]

I gave up, just started... wishing for assam.

[She's pulled herself together now, so she finally leans away from him after leaning up to kiss his cheek.]

Maybe he'll come here. Him and Bruce.

[dorkwonder]

Maybe. Bruce has been here before, including a really old Bruce. He's the one one who originally owned Ace.

[hellofist]

[Speaking of Ace...]

Is he yours? Or Stephanie's?

[dorkwonder]

Both of ours. We share him.

[hellofist]

Should treat him better. What if... I wasn't there?

[Her tone isn't particularly harsh and her expression stays open, not judgmental. It's just a statement of fact, for Cass. They can't understand Ace the way she does and she's not the only one that's missed them terribly while they've been away.]

[dorkwonder]

[Tim blinks, looking surprised.]

Ace always comes with us whenever we go somewhere. I've seen him follow you around quite a bit and I was worried about the baby doing something to annoy him, so I figured you wouldn't mind having him around. But I assumed a lot, I should have asked you first.

[hellofist]

Just... give him big bone, or something.

[It's a good thing dogs are so easy, treats and ear scratches will probably fix everything.]

So... baby, huh?

[dorkwonder]

I'll do just that, and finish adding the renovation to his dog house.

[Most spoiled dog ever.]

Yeah, baby. [Holds Jack up to Cass.] His name's Jack.

[hellofist]

[She puts her hand out, offering it like she would to a dog. How do baby?]

Hi, Jack.

[dorkwonder]

[the baby coos happily, reaching out for one of Cass' fingers.]

Poor little guy's had a rough day.

[hellofist]

He'll be okay. [She's watching Jack closely, picking up on all the things his body is saying.] Really loves you.

[dorkwonder]

Oh yeah? [Responds softly, looking down at Jack.]

The castle named him after my father. Sometimes I wonder if this is the way I used to look up at him.

[hellofist]

[Oh Tim. Careful not to make Jack let go of her hand, she moves in again to put her other arm around Tim to hug him again.]

Probably did. Bet you were... just as sweet then, as now.

[dorkwonder]

[Leans into Cass, this time around turning to her for comfort.]

I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. [Attempts to keep his own emotions at bay with a light joke.]

[hellofist]

It's good. Very good.

[She hugs him tighter, one hand going up to the back of his head to stroke his hair.]

You're Robin, Robins are... automatically good.

[dorkwonder]

[Thinks back to what he wanted to tell Cass when they had their make up, but he never got around to it because he was still feeling raw at the time.]

And while I'm here, I'll be your Robin.

[hellofist]

[It's hard not to first think of him smearing his own blood across his face to make himself a mask while telling her he'd be her Robin, but she shoves the memory aside, replaces it with this. Wrapped in his arms in a place they feel safe. She buries her face against his shoulder again.]

Keep saying... such good stuff, to me. Feel spoiled now.

[dorkwonder]

You deserve being spoiled for awhile. [Places a small kiss on her cheek.]

Hopefully, you're okay with a Red Robin.

[hellofist]

Think I can... make due, with you.

[Definitely teasing. She kisses his cheek in return, hand against the opposite side of his face as she just looks up at him for a moment. In a matter of minutes, he's given her a family and the side kick she's wanted ever since she knew who Robin was and what a family was supposed to look like.]

Love you, Tim.

[dorkwonder]

Good to hear.

[Grins at her, giving her a playful nudge. Jack coos happily despite Steph not being around, seemingly pleased that his dad is finally relaxing.

The look he gives Cass is a gentle one, displaying his affection for her.]

Love you, too, Cass.

[hellofist]

[She had expected to not like having to deal with babies, that they would make her uncomfortable considering her own childhood, but it's impossible not to like Jack. He coos and she pulls away from Tim and smiles at Jack now, reaching out to smooth his hair away from his face.]

He's happy now. Cause you are.