A Happy Eventuality Chapter 3
A Happy Eventuality
by Christina A & DebC
Summary: After a lot of soul-searching, Bruce and Grace take their relationship to the next, unexpected level.
Chapter Three
Bruce sat in one of the overstuffed chairs in the library, just opposite the fire. Everyone was gone, except for those who were staying their and they were in bed. Grace had walked up with her parents and Hopeless had walked Chad out. Bruce was watching the fire slowly die in the fireplace while his mind muddled through the events of the day. Overall, it had been a good day… only one confusing dark spot. Which was confusing because he didn’t know what to make of it.
Grace made her way back into the library where Bruce was sitting in their favorite chair. She only paused for a moment, knowing what those worry lines on his forehead meant. She also had a darn good idea as to why they were there. He didn’t understand Chad’s initial reaction. He didn’t understand because there was a lot of the ‘history’ that she’d never told him. Now that they were getting married, it was time he did.
Crossing over to him, she placed herself on his lap and ran a caressing finger over the worry lines on his forehead. “Want to talk about what’s put these here?” she questioned softly.
Bruce’s arms went around her waist out of instinct, and he held her as he continued to watch the fire. His mind worked as he struggled to put to words what was wrong. Finally he looked at her and sighed. “I was just trying to figure what I did or said that upset Chad so badly earlier. And you can’t say he wasn’t, Grace. I know you’ve known him longer, but that wasn’t the guy I have come to know. I just… didn’t think… didn’t anticipate him having a problem, you know, with us.”
Grace sighed and rested her forehead against his. “Okay, first of all, Bruce, it wasn’t anything you said or did. Chad’s mood had nothing to do with you.” When he tried to object or question, she rested a finger to his lips and moved so that she was now sitting in front of him. She wanted him to see her eyes and she wanted to see his. “I’m going to tell you something. Maybe I should have earlier, I don’t know. I just never thought about it, honestly. It didn’t have a bearing on our relationship, so I didn’t give it any import. But then you and Chad became friends and then partners… and maybe even family now.” She sighed and ran her hand across his cheek. “You know that Chad and I were together for years. After high school we decided to attend the same college so that we could be together. After freshman year, we moved into an apartment together off campus. Shortly after that, he asked me to marry him, and I said yes.”
“I see,” Bruce said after a generous silence. Grace was right, in a way, it’s hadn’t had any bearing on their relationship. It wasn’t as if Bruce had ever intended them to become so close in the first place… or expected that one day he’d want to marry her. And secrets… he understood those. “He’s a great guy,” he said honestly, and smiled a little. Chad was a great guy. A good cop and someone Bruce had never hesitated to trust. “What… what happened?”
She inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly, dropping her head for a long moment. There was so much that she’d done that she wasn’t proud of. But Bill and all of that… that wasn’t really her fault. What happened with Chad… well that was. “I wasn’t ready,” she finally explained, looking up at him. “I honestly never thought I was, but I thought that was what was expected of me. I loved him. He loved me. We were supposed to get married, right? But no matter how much I tried, it never felt right. A couple weeks before the wedding, I had a breakdown. It shouldn’t have gotten to that point. I was just… different then… not ready… So I broke down and called everything off.” She sighed. “And you know, Chad understood. He never was cross, he never was angry. He just helped me pack my bags and move to my new apartment. That was it.” She didn’t explain that Chad’s reaction today stemmed from that. Bruce was extremely intelligent, so she wouldn’t have to.
“Grace, love…” Bruce said, reacting to what she’d said and what he’d when he looked into her eyes. He reached out to smooth a strand of hair away from her face. “If it wasn’t right… there shouldn’t have been any pressure to go through with it. You both would have been miserable.” He understood, now, Chad’s reaction. In a way, it was what he’d said, but not because he’d done anything wrong. But Grace… he could tell she still felt remorse for her decisions. She was a passionate, compassionate woman, both of which were reason s Bruce loved her so much.
“I just never wanted to hurt him,” Grace said softly, her voice expressing her emotions. “He was good to me, far better than the one who came after. But you’re right too. It didn’t feel right. I loved him, but forever never really entered my mind.” She reached out for his hands and squeezed them tightly. “This… you… it all feels right. Being with you… being your wife… it’s what Fate had in store for me. I know Chad and I know he’s happy for us, but for a moment, I’m sure, it had to be like some kind of horrible flashback for him. There was just no way around it. He’s supposed to be here… because of Hope and because he’s your friend and partner.” She offered him a genuine smile. “It’s going to be fine; I know it.”
“I’m sure it will be,” Bruce told her. He honestly believed it. There was nothing he was more sure of in the entire world than the depth of their love. She had become a beckon to him in his darkest hours and if any light could breach his darkness, it must have been meant for him. He did feel bad for inadvertently causing Chad any pain, but Grace was right. To not include Chad would have been wrong. Hopeless, for one, would have never forgiven him, but also, Chad was Bruce’s partner and friend. And it was more than obvious that Grace’s parents still looked upon him as one of their own. Chad should have been there, as he was, regardless.
Grace smiled brightly letting go of Bruce’s hands and moving back into his lap. Running her finger along his hairline, she leaned in and kissed him gently. “At least when you talk to him tonight, you’ll know where he’s coming from, although really he seemed much better after Dad talked to him. Which he did when they both left the room. Dad thinks he’s so sneaky but really, he’s such an open book.” She kissed him again, pulling away and noticing that the worry lines weren’t nearly as deep now. “Mostly better now?” she asked, knowing he wouldn’t be all better until he talked to Chad too.
“Mostly better,” he conceded, pulling her in for another soft kiss. She was right; he was going to talk to Chad tonight. Talking to the man was unavoidable if they were to work together. Not that he had even considered avoiding Chad in the first place. He had wanted to know why Chad’s reaction to their news had been less than everyone else’s so he would know what to do to make it better. Of course, now he knew there was nothing he could do to make amends for what had upset his friend. It was, however, something he understand very well. The sudden flash of an unbidden memory, reminding you of a path you’d stumbled blindly down once before.
He did not blame Grace for her actions, as what he’d said was exactly how he truly felt: it would’ve been torture on both Grace and Chad had they gone through with a marriage that wasn’t right for both of them. Not only that, but had she gone through with marrying Chad Harris, it was highly likely that they never would have met at all; and as much as Bruce was worried about Chad, he was also a bit selfish when it came to Grace O’Neil. He needed her, like other people needed air.
“I’ll talk to him,” he said, voicing something that they both knew was inevitable. He wasn’t, however, as worried as he had been earlier. Grace had told him, and now a lot of things made so much more sense: not only Chad’s reaction to the engagement, but Constance’s and just about everyone else’s at the knowledge that Bruce not only knew Chad Harris in the first place but thought highly of him. Respected him, even. And Bruce did respect Chad, a lot.
She rested her head on his shoulder, tracing small patterns on his chest with her index finger. She had always been a firm believer that there was nothing that the two of them couldn’t work through if they simply talked to one another. Complete and total honesty worked best for both of them. This was another case in point. She hadn’t told him earlier because it hadn’t been of consequence. Now that it was, she openly told him the entire truth of the situation. “He’ll appreciate it,” she finally said. “Chad will appreciate it, and you’ll feel better.” She flattened her hand upon his chest and smiled to herself. In a way, Bruce shared a bond with Chad that he didn’t share with anyone else. There was a level of trust between them that came from putting their lives in each others hands. She snuggled into him even more. He was going to have to leave soon, but she wasn’t going to begrudge herself another moment or two of cuddling.
*****
Bruce was the first one in the Batcave that night, which surprised him as he and Grace had spent quite a while snuggling in the library after their discussion. Then again, it didn’t surprise him in the least. Although Chad had recently made it a habit of coming down and training before they patrolled, Bruce couldn’t blame him for not sticking around the Manor this night. He couldn’t even begin to think how weird it must have been for him to hear Bruce’s announcement. Not now that he knew why it might have been so weird. Still, Bruce had noticed he’d been more cheerful after he and George disappeared after dinner. Hoping that was a good sign, he began to prepare for the patrol.
Chad used the remote on the secret entrance and drove his car into the cave. One of these days, he was going to have to break down and buy a new vehicle. As was pointed out to him, having a captain drive such a crappy vehicle didn’t ‘look’ too good. He’d just shrugged it off and went on with business. But there were certain pressures that went with the promotion. It was going to take some getting used to.
Speaking of which… he parked his car in the customary spot and slid out easily. He was worried about seeing Bruce, at least initially. He hadn’t behaved the best today and knew that he’d probably caused his partner, and friend, a lot of confusion. That hadn’t been his intent… he’d just been confused and needed to think. He had little doubt that Bruce would want to talk about it. As he walked in to get changed, he was presented with Bruce’s back. Unbuttoning his shirt, he said, “Hey, sorry I’m late. I went home and there were a ton of messages on the machine.” It wasn’t a lie either. They were going to have to issue him a pager… soon. He doubted he’d be able to last without one.
Bruce finished pulling on Batman’s suit, but not the cowl or cape. “Should try an unlisted number,” he suggested, joking, although he knew it wasn’t an option for Chad as a new captain. Not that going unlisted actually helped. Bruce still got enough phone messages in a day to be overwhelming. Chad went from a lowly street patroller to captain in so short a time, it was no doubt a hundred times worse for him… being in demand.
He hung his shirt off and began toeing off his shoes as he worked on his belt buckle. “Actually thought of that. But low captain on the totem pole and all.” He chuckled. “I already told the Commissioner they were going to have to issue me a pager. Sometimes things can’t wait until I get home at night.” He pushed his shoes into the locker they’d provided for him and quickly removed his pants. After placing them on the hook he moved over to his suit and began dressing, pausing halfway through, he said, “Look, about earlier. I’m sorry about that.” He knew he wouldn’t have to go into details. He knew Bruce was observant enough to catch what had happened. Neither of them were idiots… and there was too much respect between them to pretend it didn’t happen.
Bruce nodded, expecting as much from Chad. “Not necessary, Chad,” he said, his hand pausing as it reached for his cape and cowl. “If anything, I’m the one who owes you the apologies. Grace… we talked and she told me about what happened before…. between you two.” He bowed his head a little and then looked up. “It wasn’t my intention to cause you any discomfort, my friend. If I’d known before… I would have warned you last night or something.” He would have, even though it would have put one more person in the know on this important secret. But there no way, in Bruce’s mind, he could have excused Chad not having been invited tonight, since everyone else was there.
Chad made a waving motion with his hand. “No need to apologize, Bruce, really. It was a surprise, but I reacted badly to it. In a way, I guess I kind of understand Grace’s reaction to me dating Hope now. What happened with Grace… it was a lifetime ago.” He turned to face Bruce. “I have never lied to you, and I won’t start now. I loved Grace. When she broke off the engagement, it hurt, but I understood. I loved her enough to let her go because it’s what she needed. When I saw the two of you together, after the abduction, I knew that she was where she belonged. I still think that. And I love Hope. I think we both ended up where we belonged all along. It was a moment, but it passed. I’m just sorry if I put a damper on any of this for you.”
“Not a damper,” Bruce told him honestly. He couldn’t think of anything that would truly dampen the warmth he felt at knowing that Grace loved him and wanted to be with him forever. “Just… concern… because I didn’t know why you’d reacted as you did. I can’t say as I blame you any for it, Chad.” He sat down on a bench nearby and reached for his boots, though he didn’t put them on. “Truth is, when Grace told me tonight, a lot of things made sense. Like why the Blaires literally freaked out when they found out that I knew you and was fine with you still being in Grace’s life. It never dawned on me not to be, though, and to be honest, it still doesn’t. I know you loved Grace… I’m sure you still do in a way. Can’t see how anyone could *not* love her, but I might be biased.” Here he grinned up at Chad a bit.
Chad smiled as well. He grabbed the rest of his uniform and sat on the bench as well. “Oh, I think there will always be something there. I would be lying to everyone if I said I felt nothing. I know she and I will always be friends… connected in a way. Though she’s not in my world anymore, she’ll always be Grace.” He pulled on a boot. “But I have an entirely new world as well. That’s what Dad reminded me about tonight. Nothing like a nice swift kick in the pants to help you remember what’s truly important in a given situation. And believe me, George O’Neil so wears the boots that can do it too.”
Bruce believed. He remembered all too well what if felt like to take the phone from Grace and verbally reassure George O’Neil that his daughter was safe and well. That she would be safe for some time to come. And he remembered knowing instinctively that there would be consequences if he failed to keep his word that went beyond losing Grace. “Tell me about it,” he agreed with a rueful chuckle. “George O’Neil was the first time I ever felt intimidated by the father of someone I was dating. First time we met… Grace’s birthday… I was so nervous I’d make the wrong impression. Never,” he reiterated. “that never happened before.”
Chad nodded. “I was 15.” He held up his hand, showing Bruce the palm. “My hands were so sweaty I had to wipe them on my pants three times before I shook his hand. I was shaking; I was so nervous. It’s just the presence he has about him. Everyone knew too, about Judy.” Chad said the last bit very softly. “He was protective of Gracie and Hope before, but after that… after Grace’s period of rebellion, he pulled in the reins on her tight and was very strict about who either girl saw. So I knew, if I blew my first impression, there wouldn’t be a second.” Chad smiled widely. It was a genuine smile too. He just realized that he and Bruce had something else in common. One day, they were going to be family… brothers. “I’d say, we both passed the ‘George O’Neil’ test. That’s something to feel good about.”
“Yeah, it really is” Bruce agreed, and started to pull on his boots. Although the conversation had veered from its original intent, Bruce felt better somehow. He and Chad were partners, friends, and if Bruce was reading the signs between Chad and Hope right, someday brothers-in-law. Family. It wouldn’t do to have them encumbered by old feelings and weirdness. But Bruce was certain now that they wouldn’t be.
Chad finished dressing and slipped the Wraith’s cowl over his face. Normally, when he did that, he slipped into his other persona as well. But for a moment tonight, he lingered to say, “I’ll take on anyone in the world… BUT George O’Neil.” He couldn’t help but stand a bit taller before laughing. He honestly felt better too. There had been a moment of weirdness when he first came in, but it was long gone now. Things fell back into place easily… were better than before actually.
