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‘Beloved!’
Bruce jolted awake, eyes snapping open at his wife’s shout. He squinted as the sun’s rays hit his eyes, glancing around for Talia. He was met with an empty and still bedroom, the sheets on Talia’s side still tangled, but cool to the touch. Frowning, he sat up and wracked his brain, trying to remember where she was.
‘Beloved!’
Footsteps sounded in the hall before Talia burst into the room, flinging the door open with a loud bang. She was practically glowing with happiness, a kind Bruce had only ever seen when she had revealed that she was pregnant, a brilliant smile on her lips.
‘Talia,’ he greeted sleepily, unable to help the smile pulling at his lips as she leapt onto the bed, crawling over to him.
‘Bruce,’ she returned, smiling brightly and leaning in for a kiss.
‘So what is it?’ Bruce asked once they parted. ‘You’re practically glowing.’
Talia scoffed at his teasing, smacking his shoulder playfully. Bruce laughed, pulling her on top of him for a deeper kiss. She grabbed his neck and pulled him close as he raised his hands to rest on her swollen belly.
They parted after a minute, resting their foreheads together and smiling. ‘I have news,’ said Talia, voice trembling with excitement. ‘From my latest check-up.’
Bruce tilted his head, feeling excitement course through him, along with an unwanted frisson of worry. ‘Everything is all good?’ he asked, unable to help himself.
Her gaze softened. ‘Of course,’ she said, gently but firmly. ‘I would tell you if something was amiss.’
Bruce looked down sheepishly. ‘Sorry,’ he muttered. Talia laughed and kissed his cheek.
‘It’s all right, beloved,’ she said. ‘I understand why you worry. Just know that I will come to you if needed, okay?’
He smiled. ‘Okay.’
Her eyes crinkled at the corners, sparkling brightly as she continued. ‘As I was saying previously, I had gone to my check-up earlier. And...’ She bit her lip, looking down. Her frame trembled.
‘And?’ Bruce prompted gently.
She looked up, her smile stretching from ear to ear. ‘We are going to need a bigger cradle.’
He blinked, slowly. He knit his brow, trying to figure out what that could mean, and the meaning of her words dawned on him. His eyes widened, and he couldn’t help the way his mouth fell open. ‘Are you...?’ His words caught in his throat, and he pressed against the firmness of her stomach.
She nodded, tears collecting in her lashes. ‘It’s twins,’ she whispered, trembling. ‘Beloved, we’re having twins.’
The air left his lungs in a breathless gasp. His eyes burned as he took in her words. ‘Twins,’ he repeated.
‘Twins,’ she confirmed. They stared at each other for a long moment before Bruce let out a breathless laugh. Talia joined him, flinging herself into his arms. He squeezed tight, burying his nose in the crook of her shoulder. Her form shook with happy sobs, and he wasn’t far behind, tears sliding down his cheeks.
‘Oh my God,’ he mumbled into her neck. ‘We’re having twins.’ He could hardly believe it, feeling so happy he could burst.
Talia laughed wetly. ‘We are.’ She pulled back, smiling. He brushed the tears from her cheeks, and in turn, she wiped away his own.
He returned his hands to her stomach, and Talia pressed her hand on top of his, their wedding bands gleaming in the light. He did not know how long he stayed there, entranced by their hands on her curved stomach and the gleam of their rings, only pulling out of it when Talia leaned forward, capturing his lips in a kiss.
It was slow and gentle, passionate and loving, everything he adored about Talia. He put his hands on her hips and pulled her close, her own arms wrapping around his broad shoulders, noses bumping against one another.
‘We still do not know whether they are identical or fraternal,’ she murmured against his mouth. ‘What do you think they will be?’
‘I’m not sure,’ he replied, ‘but I think whatever they are, I have a bad feeling Dick will be calling them Bat-twins,’ he joked.
She threw her head back and laughed, and he was suddenly overcome by a burst of fierce adoration for this brilliant woman. He loved her, so much it nearly hurt, and he was so, so happy.
He leaned forward and kissed her again, wanting nothing more than to stay in this moment with her forever. But they had to breathe sometime, and when they did, Talia asked, ‘How do you think Richard will regard the news?’
He hummed thoughtfully. ‘I’m sure Dick will be thrilled to be a big brother of two,’ he mused. ‘I just hope he won’t feel like he’s being replaced.’
Dick and he had had a long, awkward conversation when he had brought news of Talia and her pregnancy. Bruce struggled with Dick’s anger at first, before the boy revealed the clue that told Bruce he was just afraid. The rest of their talk was spent reassuring him that yes, he still wanted Dick around, no, he wasn’t going to send him away, and no, Dick, you aren’t going to be teaching a baby how to fly on the trapeze. Alfred had nodded approvingly once they were done, so he must have done something right...
He sat up straight, eyes widening. Alfred. ‘Oh God, we’re going to have to tell Alfred, he’ll kill me if we forget him, and I’m sure Ra’s will want to know as well. I’ll also have to let Alfred know to double the baby supplies, and see about taking time off from Batman—’ Talia pressed a finger to his lips, and he quieted instantly.
‘Let us stay here for a moment,’ she whispered. ‘I want to spend time with you.’
He smiled. ‘All right,’ he said, lowering himself down. He pulled her against his chest, burying his nose in her hair, breathing in her scent of jasmine and rose of taif.
‘I love you,’ he breathed. It was still hard, saying those words, but Talia made everything a little bit easier.
She snuggled in deeper. ‘And I love you,’ she said.