Meet The Family

Kevin, Bruce, and Alfred walked around the manor afterwards. "So, do you know any good hotels in Gotham?" Kevin asked. "You don't have anywhere to stay?" Bruce asked. "Dad, I only got here a few hours ago," admitted Kevin. "Well you're more than welcome to stay here," said Bruce. "Are you sure?" Kevin asked, "I'd hate to get in the way, or seem like a freeloader like Todd Chavez..."

"Nonsense!" Alfred protested, "You being a freeloader? That's hogwash." Kevin chuckled at Alfred's colorful use of words. "I agree with Alfred," said Bruce, "you're my son. My home is your home. Besides, I've got tons of guest rooms that I haven't even set foot in years." Kevin smiled and said, "Thanks Dad." Later that evening, Kevin unpacked his stuff, and put them into a guest room. He was sitting on his bed, ready to call his mom. Andrea picked up the phone, and said, "Hello?"

"Hey Mom," said Kevin. "Hey Kevin!" Andrea happily said on the phone, "Did you make it to Gotham?"

"Yeah, I made it," confirmed Kevin. "Did you get to meet your father?" Andrea asked on the phone. "Yeah, I did," said Kevin, "gave him the certificate and your letter. I gave him a strand of my hair so he could test my DNA." Andrea chuckled and said, "That sounds like your father alright. Always the detective. How is he?"

"Dad's fine," said Kevin, "he's taking this rather well. He welcomed me to the family. So yeah, it went well." Andrea smiled and said, "I'm glad to hear that. How's his confidant, Alfred?"

"Alfred's doing fine," said Kevin, "I like him. He sure can make a good coffee. How are things in Bellevue?"

"The same as usual," admitted Andrea, "the house is a little bit more quiet. Everyone at church and the Half-Price Bookstore misses you." Kevin half smiled and said, "I miss 'em too. If you see them, tell them I said hi."

"I'll be sure to," promised Andrea, "I'm still praying for you every night." Kevin stroked the cross necklace he wore around his neck and said, "I'll still pray for you too. I love you Mom."

"I love you too Kevin," said Andrea, "I should get some rest." Kevin nodded and said, "Good night Mom." Andrea said on the phone, "Good night dear." Kevin then hung up. He then changed into his pajamas and said his nightly prayer. He prayed for his mom and parents, and then prayed the "Our Father." Once Kevin finished his prayer, he went to bed.

For a few days, Kevin got to know Gotham City a little bit better. Meanwhile, Barbara was dealing with the breakup. She was not a happy person for awhile. When she would go out on patrol as Batgirl, she would take her anger out on the criminals. One day, she was at the gym, taking her anger out on a punching bag. She fantasized that the punching bag was her ex-boyfriend. Suddenly, her cell phone rang. She picked it up and put the phone on speaker. "Yeah?" she asked, panting.

"Miss Gordon, are you occupied?" Alfred asked on the phone. "That depends," panted Barbara, "does punching a bag count?"

"I suppose punching a bag is an occupying hobby," replied Alfred, "the reason I ask is because Master Bruce has called a family meeting."

"Is he going to be there?" Barbara asked, her voice showing minor emotion. "I don't wish to take sides Miss Gordon," said Alfred, "so you can consider me Switzerland. Yes, Master Dick will be there, as will Master Tim. Master Bruce wishes you all come with your suits."

"Great," she muttered sarcastically and kicked the bag. "I'll be there." She added before punching the bag straight up where the face would be. "Very well," said Alfred, "Master Bruce appreciates your cooperation."

"Got it. See you then Alfred," said Barbara, and she hung up. She unwrapped her fists and looked at the bruised knuckles. She scowled and walked off with her things and once she got home, she took a shower. Once she was cleaned, she changed into her Batgirl suit. Meanwhile, at the Batcave, Nightwing and Robin were waiting. "What do you think this meeting is about Dick?" Tim asked. Dick shrugged and said, "You got me Tim." Batgirl walked into the cave calmly. She spotted Dick and didn't react. She just walked over to them and stood next to them. "Hey Batgirl," Robin said innocently, smiling at her, "glad you could make it."

"Glad to see you too Robin," said Batgirl as she smiled and ruffled his hair a little, "do you know why he called us?" Tim shrugged and said, "No clue."

"Your guess is as good as ours," said Dick. Alfred saw everyone was here. He gave the nod, and Batman then came in. "I'm glad you could all take time out of your busy schedule to meet with me," he said. "Why did you call us?" Barbara asked, putting her hands on her hips, ignoring Dick's comment. Bruce took off his mask and said, "I consider you all family. And I shouldn't hide secrets from all of you. 25 years ago, you may as well have heard that Andrea Beaumont came back as The Phantasm to exact revenge on the Red Hood gang."

"Wasn't Joker part of that gang?" asked Nightwing. "Yes, he was," confirmed Bruce, "Andrea was my first love. We tried to reconcile, but it didn't work out. But it turns out... We conceived a son." Nightwing and Robin were shocked. "So that kid is your son?" Babs remembered reading the story. "Kevin Beaumont right?" She recalled the moment where he had said his name perfectly. She had put two and two together. "Yes, that's his name," confirmed Bruce. "Is he here right now?" Dick jokingly asked. "Yes," replied Bruce, "would you like to meet him?" Barbara shrugged. "Why not." She nodded and shifted her weight to one leg. She hadn't looked at or reacted to anything Dick had said or done since she got there. If she did, she would have probably punched him but the fact that Bruce's son was in the cave made her curious. "Does he know our identities?"

"Not yet," said Bruce, "when he comes in, I want you to take off your masks and introduce yourselves to him."

"Got it," said Robin.

"You can come out now," said Bruce. Kevin then got out from his hiding spot, behind the Tyrannosaurus Rex robot. Kevin waved at Nightwing, Batgirl, and Robin, smiling. Babs gave him a respectful nod and a small smile. She wasn't exactly in the happiest mood at the moment but as soon as she saw Tim and Dick move their hands toward their faces she did as well, slipping off her cowl. "Kevin, this is Dick Grayson, the original Robin," said Bruce. "They call me Nightwing now," said Dick. "Nice to meet you again," said Kevin. "And this is Barbara Gordon, AKA Batgirl," said Bruce. Kevin blushed when he shook Barbara's hand because she was really attractive to Kevin. "Guess I caught your name," joked Kevin as he winked at her. Babs chuckled lightly and gave him a real smile. "You did." She told him and returned her hand to her hip. "You all need to swear on the graves of my mother and father that you will not reveal this to anyone," said Bruce, "I want this secret to be private."

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone," promised Tim. "This secret won't leave the cave," promised Dick. "I swear." Barbara promised Bruce, nodding at him, and she looked at Kevin. "And don't worry, I won't tell anyone your identities," promised Kevin, trying to keep a straight face. Though it was hard to when looking at Barbara. He was doing his best to hide his blush. Barbara had noticed by now that he was having a hard time keeping a neutral face and was constantly glancing at her. "Thanks Kevin," she said, smiling a little. At that moment, Kevin instantly liked Barbara. There was a notification that stated Mr. Freeze was robbing a jewelry store. "We better stop him," said Batman as he looked for Freeze's location. Babs tugged on her cowl and ran toward him. She looked at the monitor and pointed at the location. "There. Main Street and Johnson Ave." she said and typed in the coordinates. "I'll make my way there now."

"Do you want one of us to accompany you?" offered Bruce. "I can handle Freeze." She told Bruce and got on her bike. "I'll call you if I need back up." She said and drove off. "Wow, she's tough," said Kevin, admiring her spirit. "Yeah, she's a real keeper," joked Dick. "Why didn't you keep her?" Kevin asked back. "Ooh, burn!" Tim said, laughing. Dick felt he deserved that comeback. "Boys... I can hear you." Babs smirked as her voice rang through the monitor's speakers. She kept her tone light but at the moment she despised Dick. "Sorry Babs, you won't hear any witty banter from us," promised Kevin. "You gonna suit up Kevin?" Nightwing asked, assuming Kevin had a suit and a codename. "Nah, I'll take a raincheck," said Kevin. "Let's go," said Batman as he, Nightwing, and Tim left the Batcave.

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