Why are we going to Gotham?" asked Olivia Pennyworth as she watched her father pack up their little apartment.

Alfred looked at his only daughter, sighed, and then said, "I got a job there, and Mr. Wayne has kindly offered us a place. He said you're more than welcome to come along. They have a son your age—you never know, you might make some friends. This is our chance to start over."

Olivia looked down and nodded. The last few years hadn't been kind to her or her father. Her mother had died in a car crash, along with her grandparents. Olivia had only been six years old. Alfred had been left to plan the funeral for his wife and her parents. Olivia knew this move would be a fresh start for them.

She glanced at the ground and murmured, "Okay, Dad."

With that, Olivia walked out of her father's room and into her own. A box filled with books and pictures sat on the floor. She pulled out a suitcase and began packing clothes and anything she would need. Her summer clothes went into separate boxes, and she set aside an outfit for the trip.

"Olivia, do you want to go to the restaurant we always visit before we leave?" her father called from the other room.

A small smile appeared on Olivia's face. "Yes!" she responded.

After finishing her packing, she left her suitcase and bag in her room and placed the boxes outside.

The apartment they lived in was small—two bedrooms and one bathroom. Alfred and Olivia walked down the street to their favourite restaurant, where they ordered their usual meals. Before Minerva Pennyworth's death, father and daughter had often come here for their special outings.

On the way home, they stopped at a store and picked up their favourite candy. Once back at the apartment, they curled up to watch Tomb Raider together.

Partway through the movie, Alfred paused the screen and, in his fatherly tone, said, "Okay, Liv, time for bed. Mr. Wayne is sending his jet for us in the morning."

Olivia groaned, "Come on, Dad! You paused it at the best part. At least let's finish it! And who is this Mr. Wayne anyway? Is he rich?"

Alfred chuckled, "Yes, Mr. Wayne is very rich. And as for finishing the movie... fine, but don't complain about being tired in the morning."

Before long, Olivia had fallen asleep, the credits rolling on the screen. Alfred smiled at his only daughter, reaching for the remote to turn off the TV. Carefully, he picked her up, carried her to bed, and tucked her in before closing the door.

Alone in his bedroom, Alfred sat on the edge of his bed, staring at a picture of his late wife on the wall. It was from their wedding day, next to another photo of them as new parents. Tears welled in his eyes as he whispered, "Minerva... oh, my dear Minerva." He lay down, hoping for a better life for himself and his daughter.

"Dad! Time to wake up!"

Alfred groggily opened his eyes to find a steaming cup of coffee beside him. He sat up, took a grateful sip, and walked into the kitchen, where Olivia was eating toast and drinking juice.

He chuckled to himself—Olivia was only six when she first learned how to make coffee.

After breakfast, Alfred packed up the last of their belongings. A knock at the door signalled the arrival of the movers. Olivia let them in, and soon enough, she and Alfred were on a plane to Gotham City.

When they landed, a car was waiting to take them to Wayne Manor. Olivia gazed out the window as raindrops slid down the glass.

"Gotham looks like London... and that includes the rain," she remarked.

Alfred smiled at his daughter's blunt observation. She wasn't wrong.

The car pulled up in front of the grand Wayne Manor, and Olivia stepped out alongside her father. The massive doors opened to reveal a tall man with brown hair wearing a suit, standing beside a woman with brown hair and striking blue eyes.

The man smiled. "Alfred, it's so nice to see you. Thank you for coming."

Alfred responded warmly, "Thank you, Mr. Wayne. I'd like to introduce my daughter, Olivia."

Thomas Wayne bent down slightly and smiled at the young girl. "Welcome, Olivia. My name is Thomas, and this is my wife, Martha. Bruce, come on out, son."

A boy about Olivia's age stepped forward. Martha placed a hand on his shoulder as he looked at Olivia.

Thomas gestured between them. "Bruce, meet Olivia and Alfred."

Bruce smiled slightly. "Welcome. Do you like Star Wars?"

Olivia's face lit up. "Yes! It's one of my favourite movies!"

Bruce grinned. "Want to watch them?"

Olivia nodded eagerly.

Thomas chuckled. "Go on, then. Have fun."

The two children ran off, laughing and already bonding—unaware that their fates were now intertwined. A friendship was forming, one that would evolve into something much greater.

Something the world would one day fear.

Author note -sorry for not updating sooner. I am going back to this story. And more Batman 2022 stories are coming soon.