Archive of Our Own

She laid on her Queen bed, it was past midnight, and she couldn't sleep. 

Tonight, it marks the 7th anniversary of her wedding... And just like the last 2 years, she won't celebrate it.

I mean, how do you celebrate your wedding anniversary without your partner?

Her name is  Barbara Gordon, goes by Babs. 

A high-class reporter, a mother to a 5 years old boy, a daughter, a sister, a free-time superhero........... And an Ex-wife. 

She and her husband got divorced 2 years ago, he moved out, left her and her son back in their home. 

And just like any couple... When it came to their son, after divorce it wasn't an easy decision. 

They had lots of fights, on their son, Wyatt, and who will he be living with at the weekdays and who spend his weekend with.

After lots of arguments, they decided to go to the judge. 

The judge gave them a solution that they both agreed to. A solution that was the best they could think of.

It‘s lines were, 

  Wyatt Thomas Grayson will be staying with his mother Barbara Lee Gordon, and staying with his father,  Richard John Grayson-Wayne on one weekend each month and on the 3 days weekend.

 The ex-couple didn't talk at all... Well except when it came to Wyatt ( like if he was sick, and stuff) They kept it as short as possible... And when they did it wasn't as regular either.

So, when it comes to that one weekend, each one of them knew the schedule. No needed to talk. 

No talking = No screaming match. Easy. 

Babs was cool with that, she is. Really. 

Back to her, in her bedroom... 

She still couldn't sleep. 

Throwing the blanket off her, maybe she is hot? That’s why she can't sleep? 

After few minutes, she felt the sleep coming when her brain thought of remembering those weekends. Today was one of them...

As usual, 

   She will always kiss her son goodbye, and he will walk to the car that is parked in front of the house, where his dad is waiting outside the car to kiss him hello.

Her heart breaks every month when the boy cries, when his father drops him off... he will be clinging to his dad for dear life, he will be begging him to stay, to eat with them, to not let go. but eventually, Dick let him go, promising he will call him later to say good night. ( even his dad has tears in his eyes, Babs didn't forget how emotional he is. )  These nights, the kid won't come out to eat dinner with his mom. 

“ Mommy... Why isn't Daddy with us anymore?” 

“ Wyatt.” 

“ MoMmY!” 

“ Daddy and I... Aren't friends anymore.” 

“ because you fight?” 

“ yes.”

“ will you ever return together?” 

“ *sigh* I don't know Wywy.”

In fact, When people know the couple divorced they always, ALWAYS, presume that it was Babs idea. 

Like they always have thought she was the dominant one in the relationship.

Like they always have said they were just young and fools. 

Like they always have said it’s because they weren't ready. 

  Like they always made assumptions about their divorce reasons. 

Only Bruce, Jim, Wally, and Artemis know half-of-the-truth. 

Babs slammed her face into the pillow, Seriously, why can't she sleep!? She finished all her work! Ate dinner, showered, and did the laundry!! Why can't she sleep? 

She is just so tired... 

After yet another hour, the woman stood up, put on her robe, and walked downstairs to her living room, she opened the chest that was behind her white sofa, inside... It had all the things and memories of her wedding. 

Such as their: 

• Photo Album.
• The USP that has a movie of their wedding day. 
• Her heels.
• His shoes.
• The letters that each left to the other. 
• Her flowers.
• Invitations. 
• And God... So much more. 

Why? 

Why did we divorce? 

Why did I sign it?

Why did I give up right away?

Why didn't we work harder on our marriage? 

What happened? 

Why can't I work up the courage to talk to him? 

This isn't like me- like us! 

We always worked together... This is just so messed up. 

Why can't I move on? 

After calming down, she took the photo album and the USP and turned on her computer, she watched it all. 

She watched herself get ready, she watched him get ready. 

She saw her dad walking her down the aisle.

Their first look. 

Her bridesmaids.

The... The everything. 

She fell asleep on the couch that night and this year... She didn't cry herself to sleep. 

                                                                    -0-0-0-

Next month:- 

Babs was running around like crazy. She was trying to put her hair into a pun and putting a dark red lipstick, and closing her zipper, and putting on her heels. All at once. 

While making sure that Wyatt had packed everything. 

This shouldn't happen to her. 

She was Barbara Gordon! The Batgirl! The damn scary Oracle!!! 

And she overslept. 

*sigh*

“ MOMMY!!! I can't find my phone!!” the 5 years old kid came down looking for his mom, “ it’s in my bedroom sweetie! Next to mine!! And bring it with you, please?” Babs yelled from the kitchen, “ K mom!” he ran up to her room. 

His parents’ room. 

He loved it so much... It had pastel gray walls and white furniture, ( side tables, bed frame, the doors and the closets, and the table at the end of the bed.) the curtains were pink, and the couch was baby blue, and a TV in front of the couch. 

Recently, there was a photo that Wyatt has never seen before. 

A photo of his Mommy and Daddy. 

He loved this photo so much. 

It was Dick and Babs in front of a lake, with a beautiful wooden wedding arch, with peach fabric and flowers and greenery. 

The photo was taken during sunset. 

The now just married couple were in front of the arch, the groom was holding the bride’s waist and her hands were on his chest, while he was kissing her head.

Wyatt wants to see his parents together, and happy. 

“ WYATT!!!” He heard his mom calling him, suddenly, he remembered why is he here, he took both phones and went downstairs with a “ COMING MOMMY!!” 

                                                                    -0-0-0-

Her son was ready. 

She was not. 

But that’s ok. 

He was sitting on the stairs with his backpack and his Batgirl and Nightwing plush in his hands while following his mom’s movements with his head.

He looked at his phone.

His lock screen was a photo of him and his mom, the home screen was him and his dad, He opened the messages app... He opened his dad’s contact, and he was starting at it.

He must be at it for long because he heard, “ dude... You ok?” he looked up to see his Uncle Wally, in the background was his worried Mom and his Aunt Artemis, “ Uncle.” the kid hugged his uncle’s neck, “ Hey there buddy. I missed you.” 

Wally kissed Wyatt’s blond hair. 

Babs wondered from where did he took the blond hair, he had a blue dazzling eyes just like his dad, his skin was like her’s, a peachy color. 

Artemis rested her hand on the child's back, “ Hey kiddo.” Arty gave him a huge grin, “ Auntie!!!” the 5 years old cheered, and hugged her, still at his uncle’s hold, he and Wally are close. Very close than a normal Uncle and Nephew relationship. 

Babs thought because he can't see his dad much, and Wally and Art always babysit him when she needs a getaway or busy. 

And besides, Wally West is an Uncle material... It’s hard not to love him. 

“ you ok dude? You seemed... Sad.” Wally moved Wyatt’s long bangs away from his eyes, the said kid was looking down, “ Baby tell us what is going on, we won't be mad!” Babs said, coming closer to the duo, “ Daddy... Daddy didn't answer my good night text.” he cried, as he hugged Wally.

“ wait, when was that?” Artemis asked, she took the kid's phone to see, that the text was delivered at 9:02 p.m last night. “Umm... Spanish?” she asked looking at the red-haired female and male, “ Sure?” 

“<< I don't want to worry you Babs, or anything. But last night, few blocks down from our place there was a shooting.>>” Artemis spook in Spanish, “ << what does have that to do with the whole deal?>>” Wally asked dumbly, “ <<Baywatch! He is a police officer! Duh!>>” the archer hissed at him, “ << oooooh... So you think because he was busy he didn't answer the phone?>>” The speedster nodded, he placed a kiss at the kid sitting in his lap, “ << Right. Or that he was injured.>>” Wally said.

“ << so, Dick is down?>>” Babs finally brook the silence, Wyatt slammed his head into his Uncle's shoulder, he was bored... It annoyed him to no end that the adults were speaking in a language he doesn't know, “ Mommy! Why didn't Daddy answer meeeeeeee!!?” the child whined. 

“ baby... I really don't know what is the reason... But, I am sure that he didn't do it on purpose!” Babs crouched down and took her son’s tiny hands in hers, “ we both know that Daddy is a cop, right?” the blue-eyed kid nodded, and Babs nodded with him, “ exactly! Daddy was busy yesterday night stopping the bad guys. That’s why he wasn't able to answer your text honey.” she creased his cheek, “ I am sure he is sorry. Your dad is-” she stopped talking to think what to say... 

She does have feelings towards him, soooo...

“ -a hero Wywy. I am sure he feels bad about not answering you, but trust me, he is such a sweetheart. K?”

The couple in the room shared a look, “ Babs? You ok?” Artemis placed her hand on her best friend’s shoulder, “ yes. Thank you both for... Looking after him... I appreciate it. But I gotta go now. Love you, Wyatt! I will come back! Promise!” 

Just like that, the red-haired woman left her house. 

The red male, and the blond woman, and the blond child all shared a look, “ WHO WANTS TO VISIT DICKIE!!!!????” Wally yelled on top of his lungs, “ really!?” the said man’s child eyes lightened up with joy, his Uncle nodded, “ yeP.” 

                                                                    -0-0-0-

Parking their car outside their best friend’s house, Wally and Artemis glanced at each other, then at the kid on the backseat. 

The drive all the way from Babs’s house to Dick’s is a long one.

The kid was asleep, in the back seat, his head leaning on his shoulder small snores coming out, Arty looked at her husband, and sighed, “ Is this really a good idea? We both know Dick is injured-” 

“ relax babe. If he isn't here we can just make up something for Wyatt and come back after few days.” he turned off the car, and got out, he opened the back seat and wakes the blond boy up from his nap. 

“ Wywy? We are here, “ the kid shot up too fast to be safe, he got out from the car and ran towards the white door, he knocked on the door eagerly, he can't wait a month until he sees his dad! 

His godparents were behind him, with concern and uncertain looks on this faces, after 5 minutes Artemis spook gently, “ Maybe Dad is at work, we can come back tomorrow, ok?” Wyatt was on average of tears again, “ But I wanna see Daddy.” he let out a sob. 

“ I am sorry buddy, as Arty said, we can come back tomorrow-” 

Wally’s words were cut off by the door opening, “ Wally?” 

“ oh hey, dude.” Wally waved awkwardly at his best friend, “ DADDY!!!” the child jumped at his father giving him a bear hug, “ Hey buddy, ” Dick winced, the couple looked at him with concerned looks, he mouthed, ‘ I am fine’

He clearly did NOT look fine, he was wearing his sleeping robe, pair of gray sweatpants, and a thin-looking sky blue T-shirt, his hair was messy, bags were under his eyes. 

The said man was hugging his son, he crouched down to look deeply at his son’s eyes, he kissed his forehead and hugged him again, “ I missed you” the black-haired man said, as he kissed his son's head again, “ missed you.” kissed him, “ missed you.” the man started to cry as he kissed his head again. 

“ missed you too.” 

The couple saw the bandages peeking from the rob’s sleeves and on his ankle, “ looks like the shooting was rougher more than the news let out.” Artemis whispered to Wally, who nodded, “ yeah, we really need to take Wyatt with us home, Dick can't take care of the kid and himself.” he whispered back. 

Their attention went back to the father and son duo, slowly the older stood back, Dick looked at them and said: “ come in!”

                                                                    -0-0-0-

They all sat in Dick’s living room, the Spitfire couple sat down on the sofa when their best friend took his sleeping pillow and blanket of it, “ go on! Take a seat!!” he engorged them when they sat down, he left the living room, going to the kitchen probably. 

Wyatt started the TV, “ Auntie, want to play?” he asked holding the controller out to Arty, “ no thanks, buddy...” 

“ S’ok, Uncle?”

“ why don't wait for Dad, yeah? He was the best player in the whole group back in the day.” Wally said, patting a place next to him so Wyatt can sit.

Dick came back with a tray that was filled with orange juice cups, he sat it on the coffee table and started to give the cups to everyone, “ thanks, dude.” Wally smiled at him as he gulped down all the juice. 

“ of course!” the electric blue-eyed man smiled back at him taking his own cup and started to drink it, “ sorry we woke you up.” Artemis gave him a sheepish smile, “ you kidding me? Seeing you guys and my son is way more important than me napping.” 

The man ruffled his son’s hair, “ I didn't see him over a month! Babs... Babs, she canceled our weekend. Saying that she was busy and she couldn't make him ready so I can pick him up, ” he sighed, running his left hand on his face, Wally noted the ring on his ring finger, “ dude... I don’t recall that umm... You Love wearing accessories...” the red-haired man said. 

“ hmm?” his best friend looked at him as he tried to stop the yawn that came to him, “ the ring?” the blonde woman pointed. 

“ oh... It’s... My wedding ring.” the cop sighed as he turned the ring around his finger, “ Yougotmarriedsincewhenwhoisshewhydidn'tyoutellmewhereisshe?” Wally pouted and crossed his arms on top of his chest, “ Uncle Wally is so funny.” the 5 years old laughed. “ Wally man come on! Why will I ever get re-married? I meant my ring from my and Babs wedding.” 

“ you still love her.” it wasn't a question, it was a statement. 

“ well, yea. I can't possibly not love her.” the younger said, “ but, pal... You are the one who divorced her... If you do love her, why won't you talk to her? Why divorce in the first time?”

                                                                    -0-0-0-

“ oh, God.” Babs sighed when she saw her phone. 

“ you ok?” asked her friend, Emma, “ well, yeah, it was my best friends texting me telling me that they took him to my ex-husband’s house to hang out and he won't leave. So, I have to pick him up.” Babs gave a long exhale. 

“ Hmm, and that's bad?” asked Emma, “ YES! OF COURSE!” the green-eyed woman threw her hands up, “ you are wearing your wedding ring and engagement ring. You are still in love with him just admit it!” the black woman sighed, she put her hand on her friend's hand, “ Marrige is hard, Divorce is hard too. Choose your hard, Luv.” 

                                                                    -0-0-0-

That weekend:- 

Babs finished earlier than she thought she would, so she went to her ex-husband’s house to pick up her baby. 

When she arrived, she saw from the window her husband chasing their son while both were laughing, Babs smiled warmly at them. 

She felt awful when she stood outside her car, and was about to ruin the fun that the boys are having, she already did that last month, she didn't want to do it again. 

But, stuff has to be done, don't they? 

She knocked on the door with a heavy heart. 

She heard her husband’s calling out of breath calling a cheery “COMING!!!” 

when he opened the door wearing pajama's pants and a some band T-shirt, his hair was devilish and he had chocolate on his cheeks, he had a huge grin on until he locked eyes with her, “ oh. Hello Barbara.” his tone was flat, empty from any emotions, that was there a moment ago.

“ Richard.” she greeted back. 

“ Daddy, you want me to brush your hair! I have taken stuff from mommy’s drawer!! We have- Daddy?” Wyatt came behind his dad, in a smaller state like his dad, “ hey Wywy!” Babs crouched down, her hair was down in perfect curls, pink lipgloss, and black heels with a long coffee-like-color coat, with a flowy short white dress. 

“ MOMMY!!!” The blonde kid ran to his mom and gave her a big hug, his hugs are just like his dad. 

After it, Babs said, “ go on and pack your stuff so we can go home.” Wyatt nodded, his head was cast down. 

When the kid walked inside, “ you can't just take him like that!!” the father exclaimed. 

“ oh?” Babs raised her eyebrow questioning him, “ and why?” she crossed her arms on her chest, “ because he is my son too! And I deserve to have time with him!” Dick yelled at her.

Bad move Grayson. Bad move.

“ Ah! No. No, I don't even want you close to him.” the mother said, just as the child came again with his backpack his eyes were red-rimmed, he hugged his dad’s legs kissed him right there ( like above his knee), before he went to his mom’s car. 

Babs didn't say anything else to her ex-husband, she turned in her heels and followed her son “ FINE! WALK AWAY!!!! IGNORE ME LIKE YOU ALWAYS DO!!!” the man yelled when he said his last words a thunder sound was heard, and the rain started to fall on them.

“ what do you want Richard?” Babs turned to meet his eyes, “ I want my son!” he said like it was the most obvious thing ever, “ oh? Really? If you did then, why did bring the divorce papers? Why did you leave?” she cried out, “ I... I just want-” he was cut off by her, ”JUST TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT, RICHARD JOHN!!!!” Babs screamed tears escaped her eyes. 

He took a deep breath, “ I made it clear back in the day, if you didn't want the divorce you should said so! You agreed on it, I am not the only one to blame!” Dick yelled. 

They were arguing at night, in the rain.

*sigh* 

They stared at each other’s eyes, before the male sighed, “ you didn't want me, Babs. You didn't want our marriage.” he leaned on the door frame, “ It always your work and our kid- and I am not saying you are a bad mom. No. Wyatt always talks about you... And you are a great reporter-” he smiled at her, “- I love your work, I loved you, and-” he choked, “ -you didn't have time of us. Me and you, I felt like I was the only one who worked on our relationship! We always argued on the subject when I bring it up!! I felt like I was just living there, and being a cop means not being home much, but when am, you are busy- the point is, that I thought why not make it official?!?!” the man pulled his hair, he was crying openly to her, “ Do you think I LOvEd when I divorce you? When I left? When I have to say goodbye to our son and see your face with a frown every month? That I didn't want to hug and make you BOTH feel batter?” 

The woman was crying, she felt the hurt, she just now felt it. 

“ You want to keep Wyatt to yourself, I respect that even if it is destroying me. You do not even want to communicate with me  -then and now-  KILLS ME!!” Dick gasped, as he cried, “ but it does not matter. You don't want me around, and that’s fine! It will make it easier for me...”

“ what do you mean?” the woman asked, her voice just above a whisper, somehow it was hired over the thunder,  “ I... Am asked to... To move and work for another department, I didn't agree yet.” he sighed, “ now that you made it clear that you don't want me near our son... I... Please just let me have one last day with him... It will be hard to come and visit when I am in another country.” 

When the red-haired woman didn't replay, he gave the crying child in the car a flying kiss before he turned around, going back to his home. 

When he took a hold of the door handle, Babs  ran as fast as she could and threw her arms around her husband’s neck, so they were in a hugging from behind, “ please Pixie, please.” She felt a lump in her throat, “ I can't... I love you, ” she sobbed, “ I missed us too, I am sorry, I really am sorry.” 

He was deathly still until he spook his voice was quiet, “ what made you changed your mind?” he asked, “ I can't come back and break my heart.” he whispered, “ I... I missed you. Every day! I would just wear my wedding to remember you. I can't continue like this... I can't move on! Please...” she rested her forehead on his shoulder, “Also, the fact that we will be over forever when you close that door... You are my love, my one and only. Me and our son need you... Give me another chance, please?”

Her arms were tight around his chest and shoulders, he took one of her hands into his and kissed it, “ yes.” he whispered, he turned around and whipped her tears, “ yes, I can give you.” he nodded, “ Thank you, thank you... I love you.”

“ love you more.”

Maybe it was wrong, maybe they shouldn't be doing this, but they kissed.

Long, deep, and it spoke wonders.

Wyatt was laughing with happiness when he got out from the car and huge his parents’ legs, because he was sure that his mommy and daddy and him will be a family again.

( a year later, Dick re-proposed to Babs, and Wyatt and both agreed... Let’s just say, that family lived happily ever after.) 

THE END!