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Jun 24, 2022

Back to You Chapter 8

Being stuck in a house with your ex-husband is rough. Remembering the fight that ended your marriage and made you move back to a hidden magical island is worse.

Read Back to You Chapter 8 Now : https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14077571/8/Back-to-You

May 20 – 11 years ago. 20:13

Diana

The silence that fills the room is both welcome and a relief. The last forty eight hours have been eventful, but now that I am home, wrapped in one of the blankets Alfred gifted to me last Christmas, I want nothing more than to sleep for days.

The book that lays on my lap goes forgotten as I close my eyes and take a deep breath, curling into the small sofa in the room. I gently pat my pocket, making sure my phone is there, before I relax once more. Damian and Tim are out on patrol - they know to call me should they need help. Alfred is somewhere in the manor, tending to other matters. And Bruce? Bruce is out with Clark and Jonathon and the baby.

Yesterday at Penelope's birthday party, Clark had suggested taking the kids for the day to give Lois and I a night to ourselves. Bruce was all too willing to agree, knowing I had been having a difficult time these last few weeks. I had gotten sick, then the baby had, and I hadn't heard from my mother in a while. Being a first time mother to a growing baby was exhilarating, but exhausting. My only other experience with children had been with Tim and Damian, but both were old enough to take care of their own basic needs by the time I had met them. Penelope depended on me for everything. I was so grateful Bruce was so supportive though.

My phone beeps from my pocket, forcing my eyes to shoot open. When I pull it from my pocket and check the screen, I see a text from Lois.

L:You think we can persuade our husbands to make this a monthly thing?

I let out a chuckle and type out a response.

D: It's the least they can do.

I wait a few seconds, a smile already on my face when I hear my phone beep once more and Lois' response flashes across the screen.

L: Considering I probably still have bruises from Jon kicking me all hours of the night when I was pregnant, I think I can guilt Clark into a few more nights.

D: Sounds like a plan.

Lois responds with a thumbs up emoji. I place the phone on the arm of the sofa beside my head and curl back into the piece of furniture, closing my eyes, tempting myself with the thought of a well deserved nap. That temptation, however, is cut short when I hear someone walk into the room.

My eyes open and I see Bruce walk into the room. The diaper bag is strapped on his shoulder. In his arms is our sleeping daughter who, as of yesterday, is now one. I can't believe how fast time has flown, but it seems like yesterday I was sitting on this same sofa, my hand on the belly that kept her safe from the world, wondering who she would look like.

Bruce carefully sets Penelope into the small loveseat beside the sofa, making sure she is far enough away from the edge that she won't fall off in her sleep, before he steps back quietly. He places the diaper bag onto the ground beside the love seat's legs and lets out a tired sigh. When he's certain she's not going to wake, he turns to face me, bends down, and kisses the crown of my head.

"Hi," he greets. "How was your day?"

I stretch out my legs and sit up, giving Bruce the room to take a seat. When he sits I lean against him and pull the blanket closer to my body. "It was very relaxing," I finally answer. Bruce wraps an arm around my shoulders and holds me close, letting out a content sigh when my head falls to his chest. "Thank you."

He nods. "Of course," he says. "You've been doing so much these last few months, and then taking care of Penelope at night while I'm out. You deserve much more than one night to yourself."

He kisses the top of my head and I relax further into his chest. We sit in silence for a few moments, each basking in the comfort being here around each other brings. I thank the gods each and every morning for bringing Bruce into my life. Not only is he my husband and a wonderful father, he's my best friend.

"How was the day with Clark and Jon?" I ask. I watch as Bruce pinches the bridge of his nose, his shoulders slumping as the exhaustion begins to hit him. I can see he's clenching his jaw, the beginnings of a headache starting to show through.

"It was good," he answers. He closes his eyes and leans his head back. "Jon is starting to show his powers and poor Clark is losing his marbles trying to keep up."

I let out a chuckle. Both Clark and I have powers, it was only a matter of time before one of our children began to show some kind of extraordinary abilities. Gods help us if my little Penelope develops them as well. She's already so much of a handful, stubborn like both Bruce and I, but incredibly smart. Although I might be a bit biased.

"Gods help us if Penelope develops powers."

Bruce lifts his head back and opens his eyes, terror hidden in his eyes at the thought. He glances over my shoulder at the love seat where the baby sleeps and shakes his head, hoping he will never have to deal with what Clark is currently going through. "And to think Clark wants another one."

I let out a chuckle and nod against Bruce's chest. It was one of the things Lois and I had talked about today. She had confided in me that as much as she loved her son, she was not sure she wanted another child. It was a conversation she and Clark still needed to have in depth, but I knew Clark would be happy with the family he had, regardless of how many children he and Lois ended up having.

"I think Lois is just happy with the one, though."

"And what about you?"

"What about me?" I ask.

"Would you want more kids?" he asks me carefully.

I pull away from Bruce's chest and look him in the eye. Bruce and I had discussed children only a handful of times, partially because he already had four sons, two of whom still lived at home. I thought Bruce would be content enough with the boys, and being an Amazon, I wasn't sure I could have kids. We had barely been married a few months when I discovered I was pregnant, and although Penelope had been a surprise, she was the best thing that had happened to me. She tied our family together.

From the moment she was born, Penelope had everyone wrapped around her finger. Even Dick and Jason would visit more than they had the previous year, wanting to make sure they spent time, in Jason's words "corrupting the little Wayne".

Having a baby was a wonderful thing, but much like Lois, I wasn't sure where I stood with trying for another. Bruce and I were so busy with the League. Wayne Enterprises was hitting some crucial mergings and the Themysciran Embassy was finally making headway. Adding another baby to the mix would be difficult.

"I love you, Bruce. And I love the boys, and Penelope. I would love to have more kids with you, but I'm so exhausted, and we're both so busy, I can't even think of another baby just yet."

Bruce nods and chuckles. "I completely agree," he says as he leans forward to place a kiss on my lips. "We can bring this up when this one isn't keeping us up at all hours of the night." I nod and kiss his lips once more. "I love you," he tells me, mumbling against my lips.

"I love you too," I whisper back.

The front doorbell rings throughout the manor forcing Bruce and I to pull away from each other. He glances toward the door to the great room. I look over my shoulder at the sleeping baby, watching with bated breath to see if the sound woke her. She shifts in her sleep and her eyes flutter open, before her lips part and she begins to whine, grumpiness settling in now that she's been woken - she gets that from her father.

Bruce is on his feet and out of the room before whomever our night visitor is can ring the doorbell again. I don't watch him leave. Instead I stand from the sofa, letting the blanket fall to the cushions Bruce and I had occupied, and take the few steps needed to reach her temporary bed.

Penelope lifts her head and looks around the room. When she sees me standing beside the loveseat, she sits up and raises her arms, her little voice repeating one of the four words she knows. "Mama," she says as she scoots dangerously close to the edge of the cushion.

"Woah there little one," I say as I scoop her up into my arms. I clutch her tightly in my arms, giving her a kiss on the cheek as she happily claps her hands on my cheeks, before I set her down on the hardwood floor.

"Dada?" she asks. Her little head scans the room, the black curls on her head bouncing as she looks around for her father.

"He'll be right back," I say. She moves to stand, pushing herself from the floor until she is upright. Her little knees wobble for a second before she steadies herself. When she's sure she won't fall, she takes a step toward the door, ready to find Bruce herself.

I watch with a smile on my face as Penelope takes a step, then another. She wobbles every now and then, her little legs still trying to get used to the task of keeping her upright. She takes one more step, however her legs have had enough, and she falls, landing on the hardwood floor with a small thump.

I reach down and pick her up into my arms, continuing to smile as she begins to chew on her hands. "That was wonderful, Penelope," I say in a soft voice. My hand comes up to cradle the back of her head, my fingers stroking the soft wisps of hair found there. I kiss the side of her head, my heart soaring when she lays her head gently on my shoulder and lets out a small sigh.

This little girl has stolen my heart far more than I could have ever imagined. It's such a gift to be her mother, and I couldn't imagine my life any other way.

At that moment Bruce walks into the room. His eyebrows are furrowed and his eyes shift back and forth, the way they do when he is lost in thought. Behind him is a face I know all too well, having spent countless nights under her study, training for a war my mother never hoped would come.

Antiope's eyes widen when she glances up and sees me. She follows Bruce into the room and stops in front of me. "Your highness," she says as she falls to one knee and bows her head.

"Antiope," I say, adjusting Penelope on my hip so she can look at our guest. Penelope claps when she sees Bruce come to stop beside me, his hand on my hip, nervous. He can sense something is wrong - we both can. In the years I've been here on Man's World, Antiope has visited only a handful of times, usually accompanied by Mother. But she's never made the journey alone.

Antiope looks up, her eyes meeting the toddler in my arms. "Princesses," she says, nodding toward me and my daughter. "I am sorry to intrude at this hour. But I bring news of Themyscira."

Penelope begins to fuss in my arms, struggling to get down onto the floor where Antiope stands from her bow of greeting. Bruce releases my hip and opens his arms, inviting the toddler to join him. Penelope accepts and leans toward Bruce, clapping her hands over his cheeks with an excited "Dada'' when he kisses her forehead.

I turn my attention back to Antiope who is watching Bruce with narrowed eyes. I may know everything about Bruce, but to the General who stands in front of me, he is still a stranger. She doesn't trust him. The feeling is mutual. It does not matter that I am married to Bruce. To the Amazons, he is still an outsider who keeps his secrets fairly guarded.

"Whatever news you have of Themyscira, you can say in front of my husband," I say, trying to clear the air. Mother was usually the one who kept the hostility with the Amazons at a minimum. The fact that she is absent sends a terrible feeling to my gut.

Antiope nods. "Yes, Princess," she says, bowing her head once more. She removes the helmet on her head, letting the water from tonight's downpour drip onto the rug she stands on, and lets out a sigh. "Your Mother has been missing for two weeks," she finally says. "We fear our Queen is dead."

The news hits me harder than I expected. There's a crushing weight on my chest and my knees buckle. What does she mean Mother has been missing? Why was I not told of this sooner? How can The Amazons assume she is dead. Mother is resilient. There must be another explanation.

Bruce's hand falls to the small of my back, bringing me out of my thoughts. I turn to my husband and give him a small nod, silently thanking him for pulling me out of the panic Antiope's news has given me. "What do you mean Mother is missing?" I ask. "Why was I not informed earlier?"

Antiope takes another breath. "Queen Hippolyta was on her way to visit you, your highness. She did not want an escort for this trip, so I stayed back and watched the island. When she did not return, we sent out a search party."

"What about the portal?" I ask.

Antiope shakes her head. "For days none of the Amazons could cross it. Today it gave way and I came straight here, but I fear the Queen is nowhere to be found. We can only assume the worst."

I turn to grab the shoes near the sofa, pulling them onto my feet. If my mother is out there, I intend to find her. After all, she went missing trying to visit me. "I will help in the search," I say. I turn to Bruce who only clutches Penelope close to his tense body. He knows something I don't. When I turn to Antiope, she is staring at me with sad eyes. "Antiope, we need to search for Mother," I say, trying to get the blonde woman to move. The sooner we find Mother, the better. She is not used to Man's World as I am.

The room is silent. Tension rises as Bruce stares at Antiope, who stares back at him with a ferocity I've seen only in a fight. Finally Bruce clears his throat and shakes his head. "You didn't come to search for Hippolyta," Bruce accuses. His eyes narrow at the woman across from him and his nostrils flare.

"No," Antiope confesses. She shifts her eyes from Bruce to me. "Diana, you are the rightful heir to the throne. And Themyscira needs a Queen now more than ever."

XXXXXXX

"Are you crazy?"

I turn to Bruce, my eyes narrowed as I stare at the man clutching his ribs. The dark circle under his eyes remind me why my decision is the right one, even if my heart is screaming that it is wrong. "I'm not crazy, Bruce," I say, my voice harsh. I watch as he growls and stands from the bed, his face twisting in pain as he places a hand on the nightstand, steadying his thrown balance.

"You want to go back to the island that hates men," he says. His voice tries to hide the pain, both physical and emotional, but I can see through his façade. "You do know I can't come with you, neither can any of the boys."

I say nothing as I toss another bag onto the edge of the bed and fill it with items I may need for the next few days. "Bruce, I don't know what to do," I confess. When Antiope told me Themyscira needed a new Queen and I was next in line for the throne, I nearly had a heart attack. I had a life here, with Bruce, and Alfred, the boys, and the League. I couldn't possibly leave them. But I was first and foremost an Amazon. I at least owed it to The Amazons to search for my mother or establish another Queen. I at least owed it to the island to make sure they were taken care of in Mother's absence.

Bruce watches as I grab a few items of clothing from the closet and walk back to the bed. "You appoint someone to be Queen until we can figure out something, together," he says. His hands grip my wrists, stopping me from placing anything in the bag. "You don't just leave your family."

I let out a sigh, trying not to let my emotions get to me. In the four days since Antiope came to deliver the news of Mother's disappearance, Bruce and I have been walking on eggshells, avoiding the conversation all together. I suppose he assumed I wouldn't even consider the possibility of at least trying to help my people. But I had a duty to the Amazons. I could not ignore them to fend for themselves.

"Bruce," I say, my voice softer. I fear if I speak any louder I might burst into the tears I have hidden away for the last few days. "They are also my family. And I have a duty to my people," I say. I watch as he shakes his head, his teeth gritting as the movement irritates his latest injury from galavanting through Gotham at night. "That duty outweighs my own happiness here."

I pull my wrists from Bruce's grip, ignoring the look of pain on his face as he backs up and leans against the dresser. "And what about my happiness?" he asks. "What about the boys? Alfred's?" I don't look at him as I zip up the bag, placing it beside the backpack on the floor.

Of course I've thought of all of them. It's the only thing I've been thinking of. But I can't let their feelings distract me from what I must do. It's the only choice, whether I like it or not.

When I don't answer Bruce lets out a frustrated sigh. "What about Penelope?" he asks. "Have you even thought of what it would mean leaving her to go back?"

That forces me to pause, the realization that another argument is ahead of us. If Bruce was anyone else, if Bruce didn't have a death wish every night, I would not worry about leaving her with the only family she's known since the day she was born. But if I have learned anything these last few years, it's the bruises that line his back, the stitches over his eyebrows, the bandages keeping his broken ribs in place, are not the first. Nor will they be the last.

Bruce is methodical. Bruce prepares for every fight he's in, but even he can't prepare for the unexpected. That realization was made all too real two nights ago. I can't leave her with someone who disregards his own health and wellbeing. I can't leave her with someone who very well may kill himself by morning tomorrow all in the name of saving Gotham. Bruce has little disregard for his life when it comes to his precious city.

I turn to glance at Bruce over my shoulder. His face softens as he realizes what my silence implies. "You don't intend on leaving her," he states. It's not a question. We both already know my answer.

I don't say anything. I don't need to.

"You're not taking my daughter from me," he says, his voice growing angry.

I say nothing as I stand to my feet and let out a sigh. This is hard enough without Bruce standing there, constantly reminding me of why I should stay. But I know what's right, what's needed. Without a word I step out of the room, hoping he won't follow me, fearing if he sees the tears falling down my cheeks he'll be able to convince me to stay.

XXXXXXX

May 20. Present Day. Wayne Manor. 08:53

I take another bite of the apple in my hand, my leg bouncing as the nerves continue to wreck my stomach. Last night was another night of restlessness. I'm starting to worry being back in Gotham has everything to do with my lack of sleep - perhaps it's the guilt. Either way, exhaustion weighs heavy on me and I have to remind myself I'm going because Penelope wants me to. No other reason.

"Seems someone is quite nervous."

I pause my apple eating mid chew and look at my kitchen companion. Alfred gives me a questioning glare as he pours both of us a hot cup of breakfast tea. I only nod my head as I continue to chew my bite of apple, eventually swallowing the piece of fruit. "Is it that obvious?" I ask, taking another bite from the large apple.

Alfred nods. "If you're not careful, I suspect your insistent bouncing is going to burn a hole right through the kitchen tile." He lets out a chuckle and places the kettle back on the stove. "What has you so tense, Ms. Diana," he asks. He places one of the cups of tea down in front of me and wipes down the counter where a few splashes of water have fallen.

I take another large bite of the apple in my hand, finishing off the piece of fruit. I thank Alfred for the tea and toss the core into the trash. Carefully lifting the cup to my lips, I take a small sip, the calming liquid bringing a sense of familiarity and peace. Alfred always sends Penelope home with a container of tea, a small note attached each and every time, but it never compares.

Moments like these, where it was just Alfred and I sharing the space and secrets, are what I miss the most. I never grew up with a father, but if I had, I would have loved him to be like Alfred. The man is so kind, so patient, and I can tell he loves Bruce and the boys as if they were his own flesh and blood. He's the one person I kept in contact with, but not nearly as much as I should have. Letters and notes back and forth don't do justice to a late night conversation filled with laughter and hugs.

"It's been a long, long time since I've ridden a roller coaster," I confess. When Bruce and I had first begun dating, I enjoyed the thrill of the amusement parks he would take me to. I was always the first to join the boys on a new ride, the adrenaline coursing through my body rivaled that of a good fight, only there were no bruises or cuts to clean after.

Alfred lets out a small chuckle. "Ah, yes," he says as he turns to grab his own cup of tea that has been steeping on the counter. "I do remember you and Master Bruce used to fancy the amusement parks."

I nod and take another sip from my cup. He raises an eyebrow and glances at me with a curious look over his teacup as he takes another sip. "Always too much for my old body," he says with a shrug. "Although I do believe it'll be easier on the stomach than this emotional rollercoaster you and Master Bruce seem to find yourselves currently in."

He keeps his teacup raised in an attempt to hide his wicked smile, but I know the man far better than he thinks. He's conspiring with Penelope, has been since the moment she was born. Alfred wants me back in Gotham nearly as much as my daughter does. I don't have the heart to tell him it's not going to happen.

"I haven't the faintest idea what you mean," I whisper as I take a sip of my tea, trying to tear my eyes from the Englishman.

Luckily the door to the kitchen opens and Clark steps into the room, followed by his son. Gods, I will never get over how old Jon is, nor how much he looks like his father. "Good morning," Clark says cheerily, greeting Alfred with a smile. He places a hand on my shoulder and gives it a small squeeze. It's a small gesture, but it conveys what he wants me to know. He forgives my long absence.

Yesterday, after helping in San Francisco, Clark and Wally sat me down and we talked. I told them of everything that had happened - of my mother's disappearance, of the Amazons needing a Queen. I told them how everyone's spirits had been crushed, and some of my sisters had begun to doubt Themyscira and its ability to keep them safe. It took a long time for the Amazons to come to terms with my mother being gone, even longer for me, but soon we found our way, and they all welcomed me to the throne with open arms.

They sat with open ears, accepting the answers to all their questions. They knew it was hard for me to leave the League, and even harder to leave Bruce, so they didn't push much on the topic of my estranged husband. It was a short talk, with Clark needing to go back to the farm, and me needing to get back to the manor for a proper shower, as the quick rinse of my face in one of the bathrooms of the Watchtower had done nothing to rid me of the smell of smoke.

We said our goodbyes and I had promised myself they needed to at least be offered the courtesy of a letter or two, as I had done with Alfred. I couldn't shut them out as I had the rest of the world.

"Ah, Mister Kent," Alfred greets, offering the older of the two men a smile. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"

Clark shrugs and glances at his son. "Just using the transporter in the cave," he says casually.

Alfred nods. "And young Mister Jonathan, good morning. Master Damian wanted me to let you know he would be in the garden with Master Tim and Miss Penelope."

Jon nods and thanks Alfred. He then turns to his father and nods, before he rushes out of the room.

"Let me know if you guys need anything," Clark says as he pushes the fake glasses back onto his face. "I'll be in Metropolis for the day." With that he walks out of the room, once again leaving Alfred and I to stare at each other in comfortable silence.

"That boy is the splitting image of his father," Alfred says.

I nod in agreement. I drink the last bit of tea left in my cup and cradle the cup, knowing if I put it down Alfred will snatch it up and clean it. I don't want to give the older man any more work than he already has. I can clean my own dishes.

Alfred eyes the cup in my hand, his mouth twisting into a smirk as his eyes meet mine. I only shake my head and hold on to the item, watching as he sips his tea in silence.

The kitchen door opens up once more, only it isn't Clark and Jon that step into the room, it is Bruce.

He strides into the room, his hand absentmindedly stroking his beard as he focuses on the shelf behind us. Something is on his mind.

"Good morning, Master Bruce," Alfred chimes. He watches as Bruce turns to face him, his face relaxing when he sees his oldest friend.

"Morning," Bruce says, his voice groggy. He's tired. He must've had a late night out in Gotham.

He turns to face me. His face tightens when he sees me sitting at the breakfast bar. "Tim, Damian, and Jon are heading out now. PJ wants to go with you and me," he says. I give him a nod, watching as he turns toward the refrigerator and opens the door. "Dick and Jason will meet us there."

Bruce closes the door to the refrigerator and places a bottle of water on the counter in front of me. He carefully wipes the condensation from the bottle that has lingered on his hand onto his jeans and opens one of the drawers, shuffles around, and pulls out a foil packet. "Here," is all he says when he hands me the small packet.

I accept the small packet, letting my fingers play with the rough edges. "What's this?" I ask, my eyebrow raised in confusion.

"You get motion sickness," is his short answer. "This'll keep your stomach calm."

I let out a small chuckle. "You know I can fly, right?" I ask. I keep myself in more motion than the average human.

Bruce shakes his head. "Yes, but doing too many loopty loops makes you want to throw up all that amusement park priced food I so graciously pay for." He watches as I shake my head and let out a sigh. He's not wrong. I always loved the roller coasters, but they didn't always love me. The fact that he still remembers this little detail mesmerizes me. "Unless that's changed and this is something I no longer know about you," he adds.

I watch as he flashes me a smirk and crosses his hands over his chest. Without a word I tear open the packet and pop the pill into my mouth before I grab the bottle of water. I quickly hop off the stool I sit on and walk out of the room, trying to ignore the smirk Alfred is flashing from behind his coffee mug. I hear Bruce chuckle as the door closes and I roll my eyes. This day is going to be a long one, and I don't know how it's going to feel spending it with Bruce, pretending we're a happy family. Hopefully I can get lost in the park and avoid him all together.

#WonderBat #Back to You #Fanfiction Friday #bruce x diana #divorcedcouple #blendedfamily

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