Embers
One thousand years ago, Queen Selenity of the Silver Millennium made a final wish on her stone of miracles.
She had to send her daughter and court to a new place, and a new time. She sealed them in the crystal and watched as her daughter’s lifeless body was given a second chance.
_
“But I thought we couldn’t-” began Mrs. Kent.
“If I wasn’t a doctor, I would call this a miracle, Martha!”
As she slept that night, her husband beside her and her adopted son in the next room, Martha had a dream – no, a vision. Before her was an angel in white with long silver hair and pure lilac eyes. “Martha Kent, I have chosen you to have my child.”
Martha cried out in terror, “Who are you? What do you want?”
“Peace, my dear child. I am Queen Selenity, Goddess of the Moon, and Empress of the Nine. One thousand years ago, my planet, along with the others in this galaxy fell to a great and terrible evil. I sent my dearest daughter, Serenity to your Earth in your time in order to live a new, happy life. But evil is always in the shadows, and one day she will be called to take her rightful place on the throne. Raise my child as if she were your own, beside your Kryptonian son and teach her wisdom and grace so she may be the light of this universe. She will be born of your blood, but of my soul. Love her, my child, love her!”
Martha shot up in bed, out of breath and with sweat beading on her forehead. Next to her bed, Clark stared at her, eyes unblinking. “Mama, I think I saw an angel.”
She knew then that Clark had been visited by this strange woman too and replied, “Me too, my son. Me too.”
_
Serenity grew up beside her older brother, following him everywhere. Even though Clark was 9 years older than his sister, the two got along splendidly.
“Your sister is really cute, Clark,” said Lana as the two high school students tossed their homework onto the kitchen table.
6 year old Serenity zoomed into the room to take an unoccupied seat with a big smile on her face, “Hi Lana! Can you help me with my homework? Miss Alison said I need to work on my pencilship.”
Lana smiled at Serenity, enticed by her radiance, “Hi Serenity. I think you mean your ‘penmanship.’ I would love to help you.”
After they had finished their homework, and Serenity had successfully written her name thirty times neatly, Serenity stuffed a cookie in her mouth and said, “Guess what?”
“What?” asked Lana.
Serenity swallowed the cookie that she had managed to get pieces of all over her shirt and continued, “Today, I made a new friend. Her name is Barbara and she’s really nice. And guess what? She’s got a baby brother. His name is Peter. But she doesn’t have an older brother. I told her she could borrow Clark, cause he’s old.”
Clark scoffed and then reached to tickle her, “Who are you calling old, squirt?”
_
Clark had flown the coop, and had gone off to college. Martha missed him and missed her late husband even more, but was happy that her youngest was still in the house. Today she had sat in the garden for hours, trying to coax the watermelon seed she had planted early that morning into growing.
“Serenity, honey, you know stuff doesn’t grow overnight. You know it takes a growing season. Come inside for dinner,” Martha called from the window, as she did the dishes.
“It does too grow! It grew, Mom! It grew! Please come look.”
“Seren-”
“Pleeeeeeeeease!” moaned Serenity, “It’s so big already.”
When Martha had indulged her, she had supposed she would be looking at a patch of dirt where Serenity had been pacing for the past few hours. She was surprised to find a watermelon already half grown.
“Goodness!” she exclaimed in shock.
Serenity just stared at her, “It grew.”
_
On her 9thbirthday, they had an unexpected visitor. Clark was home for the summer, glad to be back from Metropolis. He was the one who answered the door.
“I am looking for Martha Kent,” said a tall, tanned woman with deep hair and a very strange and revealing outfit.
“Mom,” called Clark, “There’s someone at the door for you.”
The minute Martha saw her, she knew. “I had thought you would come one day,” Martha said gravely, “Come in.”
“Ma, who is this?” asked Clark.
“Get your sister,” Martha replied.
“But-”
“Now, Clark.”
Reluctantly, the young man fetched his sister from upstairs. The young girl sat down next to her mother, staring at the stranger with interest.
“Who are you?” she asked.
“Serenity,” hissed Martha.
“Oh – er, sorry.”
“It is quite alright, Your Highness.”
“Uh-”
“She doesn’t know,” said Martha, “I never told her.”
“Told me what?” asked Serenity.
“My name is Sailor Pluto, and I am the guardian of Time and Space.”
Serenity blinked owlishly in confusion, “I don’t-”
“I have been watching you mature since you were a babe and your mother sent you to this family.”
“What?” cried Serenity, “I’m adopted?”
“Serenity isn’t adopted. I was there. I remember my mom being pregnant,” Clark argued.
“No, you were not adopted, Your Highness. But your Godly mother sent you to your Earthly mother for you to be born into a new life.”
“Why do you keep calling me that? And what are you talking about?”
“Serenity,” said Martha softly, “I had six miscarriages before I had you, with no chance of fertility. When we conceived, I thought it was a miracle, and it was. I had a dream – a vision, of an angel who told me that I was carrying her child, a child of a God.”
“Is that why…?”
“Yes, Serenity. That’s why you can do all the amazing things that you do”
“But what about Clark?” Serenity asked innocently, “He can fly too. And he’s strong too.”
The green haired woman paused, “Kal-el is from the planet of Krypton. He is the reason that your mother placed you with this family. Both her impress of Martha’s love for him as well as giving you a brother who could take care of you, and understand you.”
“My name is Kal-el?”
Pluto nodded.
“Oh,” Serenity whispered.
“You are old enough now that you must be taught the ways of your people. One hundred thousand souls were brought to this world with you, Your Highness, and they are waiting for you to resurrect the promise land.”
“The promise land?” asked Clark.
“A thousand years ago it was the Silver Millennium,” Pluto said, “Your mother’s kingdom. She was Empress of this Solar System, Queen and Goddess of the Moon. She handed this legacy to you.”
Pluto stood and a purple hole appeared before her. She pulled out a midnight black cat with a crescent moon on her head.
“Do you know who this is?” Pluto asked curiously.
“Er-”
“This is Luna. She was your mother’s best friend. She will be yours, as well as be your advisor for these coming years.”
“Wait-” Clark began.
“Per the wishes of your mother, you will be leaving to live in a Lunarian Monastery with your handmaidens who were princesses in their own right. They were sent to this time and place in order to protect and serve you. I have tracked them down and they have been together waiting for you.”
“Wait-”
“I don’t want to leave!” cried Serenity sadly, pulling her golden hair in frustration.
“I know, Princess,” the woman said sadly, “But your Queen mother knew in her heart that there is strength in you that you must learn to control. If you do not learn to rule your people, or control your gifts, you could hurt those you love. There are those out there that would hurt you, or hurt those that you love and you must learn to protect yourself and control your powers.”
Serenity looked wide-eyed at Clark, remembering when their dad had died in the tornado that had convinced Clark that he should use his abilities for good. “But what about momma?” she asked, “Who’s supposed to protect her if I’m gone?”
“I’ll move back home,” Clark said abruptly.
“No,” denied Martha, “You need to get your education. I can protect myself.”
It turned out she didn’t need to. Kara Zore-El arrived only two years later.
_
Each summer, Serenity returned from the secluded Monastery that lay on the Lohtse face of Mount Everest for one month to see her mother and brother. The first year she came home, she brought back the cat-guardian that had been given to her, and per the agreement of Sailor Pluto, one of her handmaidens. Martha didn’t protest because she wanted her daughter home. When Martha and Clark heard that they would be picking up the two girls at the Metropolis airport, they were surprised.
But they found them at the gate, from a flight leaving directly from Kathmandu. She stood at the gate, with another girl who was the same -in body shape and height, with the same blonde hair and blue eyes. What surprised the Kents the most was not the amount that Serenity had grown but how she looked. It was sweltering in the June heat and yet both she and the other girl were in thick, heavy clothing. Long sleeve dresses without shape, neck covered with hems reaching their toes that were covered in clothe shoes. Their long gowns were white and orange respectively made completely of thick cotton, and were clearly consistent of many layers. The neck of the gown connected to a brocaded doily patterned fabric that came up as a hood over their heads. The only skin visible was their hands and face.
The moment Serenity saw her family she smiled brightly, and pulled along the other girl towards them. She hugged them tightly, “I missed you so much.”
She sniffled a little and Clark leaned down and put his forehead to hers, “Did you learn a lot?”
“Yes,” Serenity replied as they left the airport and piled into the pickup truck, “This is Princess Mina of Venus, daughter of Aphrodite.”
Mina curtseyed deeply, “It is a pleasure to have the acquaintance of her highness’s family.”
Serenity nudged her, “Apollo and Artemis aren’t here. You don’t have to do that.”
“Ugh, thank you,” the girl replied collapsing into her seat and fanning herself. “This country is so hot. How could they send us here and not on a vacation in Scotland?”
“Is it cold where you are?” Clark asked from the front. The only thing they knew was that Serenity was in a monastery in Asia. She wasn’t allowed contact with them except for letters, which took a very long time to come.
“Well,” said Serenity, “I would say so. We’re almost 28,000 feet in the air.”
Martha almost swerved in panic, “What!”
“We’re on the Lohtse face, momma. On Everest. It’s the highest mountain in the world – therefore the closest to the Gods.”
“Oh,” replied Martha as if that made any sense at all. “And they couldn’t have given you some summer clothes for here?”
“We aren’t allowed to take these off, momma. That is a rule I will not break, even if Apollo and Artemis aren’t here.”
“Apollo and Artemis as in…”
“The twins, momma. Artemis became Goddess of the Moon while my – er – other mother was absent. She’s my mother’s younger sister. They are teaching us to control our abilities.”
“Is the thick clothing for the weather? It must be very cold.”
“No,” replied Serenity with a shake of her head, “We wore this a thousand years ago too.”
“We are too young to show our skin.”
In turn, Serenity turned beet red, “You have to cover your skin if you’re pure.”
“Oh,” said Martha.
“I don’t get it,” Clark replied.
Martha glared him down.
“Oh,” he replied.
_
The years passed and Clark and Martha watched as little Serenity came back at age 11 and met Kara for the first time. Serenity became taller, more confident, and even more beautiful than she had been. Her skin paled, her hair lost all trace of gold and held firm as the palest shade of white on Earth and her eyes melted into a shocking silver. She was becoming a woman. Then she turned 15… 16… 17… 18. She was a woman, an adult woman.
Martha and Clark attended her day of honor on the mountain, watching as a crown was placed on her head and she was blessed by Artemis and Apollo. Thousands had come to celebrate the next chapter of her life. She was declared finished with her education. She had been given a well-balanced education. She had learned to be a leader, learning economics, politics and strategy. Her religious education was strict but rewarding. She learned the normal education she would have gotten at an elite school along with lessons in the piano, harp, and singing. She had training with the bow and arrow, and sword as well as lessons in physical exercises such as gymnastics, horse riding, swimming and four types of martial arts.
She was done learning all of the things her mother meant for her to be taught and so with a large trunk that held the very few belongings she still had, the Princess was escorted off of the Lohtse Face for the last time.
_
With a small portion of the money, gold and treasures that had been left to her, Serenity purchased an estate on the suburbs of Metropolis. It had been a compromise that she could live in a place only if her brother was near enough to see her. She didn’t complain.
Her ladies took care of the house, and took care of her. Three of her handmaidens, Raye, Princess of Mars; Amara, Princess of Uranus; and Hotaru, Princess of Saturn built a temple for worship in the middle of the garden that Lita, Princess of Jupiter had grown. Amy, Princess of Mercury had created a beautiful fountain, and Mina had installed a horseback riding path. Michelle, Princess of Neptune had furnished the mansion with everything it needed. The mansion was simple and elegant, with nearly everything in the house white with splashes of color in each room. It was beautiful, but plain.
The first time she had left for a public outing, she had come back in fear. People had shamed her in her garb, with people looking at her and then glaring away. Serenity had frowned and asked Mina why the people in the shops and restaurants had seemed to dislike her so immensely.
Mina had just smiled sadly, “Humans fear what they do not know.”
Today she was meeting her big brother Clark at the Daily Planet for lunch. Per rule, two handmaidens had escorted her to the building, and would walk ten paces behind the Princess while she spent time with her brother.
She had stepped into the elevator and smiled at the secretary, “Hi, I’m here to see Clark Kent.”
The secretary looked at her strangely, “I’ll page him. Who did you say you were?”
“Oh. I’m his sister, Serenity Kent.”
Moments later, Clark was hugging her tightly. “There’s someone I want you to meet,” Clark said, “I think you’ll like her. She and I do a lot of features together.”
A dark haired woman in a lilac suit stepped from behind Clark and looked at Serenity thoughtfully before putting her hand forward, “I’m Lois Lane. I also work for the Daily Planet.”
Serenity stared at her hand in confusion before realizing she was supposed to shake it and replied, “I’m Serenity. Clark’s little sister.”
“I thought your only sister was Kara?” questioned Lois.
“Kara is our cousin,” Clark replied easily, “She’s a few years older than Serenity.”
“Did you want to come to lunch with us, Miss Lane?” questioned Serenity politely.
Lois looked startled, “Uh-”
“If you would like to,” Clark said.
“No,” replied Lois, “You two should catch up. I’m sure we will talk more another time. It was nice meeting you, Serenity.”
“It was lovely making your acquaintance, Miss Lane.”
The two headed out the door to a nearby diner, with a traditionally red-clothed Princess Mars and a navy-clothed Princess Uranus trailing a short distance behind.
“Are they going to eat with us?” wondered Clark. He had never really gotten used to the fact that Serenity was followed so closely. Especially when she was with him, after all he was Superman.
“We have already eaten, Mr. Kent,” replied Raye as she looked around diligently.
When the siblings sat in a booth, Princess Mars and Princess Uranus sat at a table that allowed them to see both exits of the restaurant.
“They’re very protective,” Serenity said with a blush, “I know it’s embarrassing.”
“It’s not embarrassing,” said Clark, “If it’s for your safety I don’t care if all of them are around 24/7. As long as you’re safe.”
“What can I get ya?” asked the waitress as she pulled out her pen and pad.
“I’ll take a double club sandwich, side of fries and a coke,” replied the Kansas man.
“A garden salad, with grapes and a water, please,” Serenity said quietly as she handed her menu back.
“Right out,” the waitress replied.
“So, how is it having all this free time?” teased Clark, “What do you do now that you don’t have lessons and prayer all day?”
Serenity gave him a mock affronted look, “I’ll have you know that Raye has achieved High Priestesshood. She has scheduled us for worship three times a day and four on weekends.”
Clark chuckled softly. He didn’t really understand the religious aspect of his sister’s powers. The only thing he knew was that in order for her to use her powers at full strength, and wield her godly abilities, Serenity had to pray in a special tower of some sort of mystical temple. It was very strange for he and his mother, seeing as Martha had raised both of her children Methodist.
“How about you, Clark? How’s your other job?”
Ah, Superman.
“It’s fine,” he replied, “Not all that much to tell.”
“Yes there is,” replied Serenity, “You started a team! That’s so cool. Can I meet them?”
“Are you joking?” Clark asked, stifling laughter.
“No way! Martian Manhunter is a member of my court. I want to meet him. And Wonder Woman is so cool. She kicks butt.”
Clark rolled his eyes, “She’s very strong. Yeah whatever. Next time I have to go to the Watchtower I’ll bring you.”
“And Mina,” Serenity added.
“And Mina,” Clark amended.
“And-”
“No way, kiddo. I can’t have the whole group or Batman would kill me.”
“Okay,” replied Serenity, “Next time.”
Clark laughed, “Next time.”
_
“This is so cool,” squealed the orange-clad Princess, “Thanks for bringing me!”
“Amara was going to kill you with her eyes,” Serenity replied as she followed her caped brother closely. “She’s been wanting to challenge Hawkgirl to an arm wrestling match.”
“She’s going to poison my morning tea,” Mina agreed.
The two stopped as soon as Superman stopped and pulled the two young women in front of him. Next to his hulking six and half foot frame, the five-foot tall girls looked like children. Serenity shuffled next to Mina and wished again that she had inherited her mother’s tall, willowy frame.
“Justice League,” Superman said, “This is my sister Serenity and her cousin Mina.”
In that moment, J’onn kneeled and Wonder Woman followed quickly.
Flash looked at them both in confusion, “Uh-”
“Your Highness,” J’onn replied in pleasure, “I did not know- I had thought that I was the last of… It is a high honor that one such as me would not have seen in their future. I am J’onn Jones-”
“A Martian,” Serenity finished, “In fact you are not the last Martian. Princess Mars is alive, and serving as the High Priestess of my court. You are most well met, J’onn Jones.”
“I am Diana of Themyscira, daughter of Hippolyta. It is an honor to be in your presence, Your Highness. Blessed Be,” she prayed.
“Blessed Be,” Serenity, Mina and the Martian replied.
“What the hell just happened?” asked Hawkgirl in confusion.
At her words, the strangely clothed young women both did a strange gesture with their hands over their heads.
Superman intervened, “My sister has been begging to meet you all for a while. She’s pretty irritating, so I brought her. Serenity, Mina, this is Green Lantern, The Flash, Hawkgirl, and Batman.”
Mina looked dazzled.
“So, are either of you single?” Flash said, with a grin towards the girls.
Serenity flushed a deep red in horror, but Mina winked back, “I’m the daughter of Aphrodite. I’m always single.”
“I am so confused,” Green Lantern said.
Wonder Woman looked at her teammates and replied, “This is Princess Serenity of the Moon, the heir of the Silver Millennium and Goddess of the Moon. Beside her is Princess Mina of Venus, Daughter of Aphrodite.”
“I didn’t understand any of that,” said Flash.
“Wait – I’m confused. Superman, you’re a prince?”
“Uh – no.”
“Superman is adopted,” Serenity spoke seriously. At their silence she laughed, “I’m kidding. We were both taken in by the same Earth family. He’s nine years older than me and we’re not blood related, just related in bond,” at this, Serenity hugged her brother tightly, who patted her veil covered head lightly.
Batman hadn’t spoken and was still looking at them closely when Serenity moved to stand next to him. He was nearly as tall as Superman, and just as muscular. She could tell that his jaw was defined and even though she couldn’t see his eyes, she knew that with lips like his he was a very attractive man, “You’re Batman.”
“An astute observation.”
Mina narrowed her eyes but Serenity looked at her pointedly.
“Can I visit you in Gotham?”
Superman groaned, “Serenity, please don’t pester them. Or they’ll kick me off the team.”
“They can’t kick you off,” Serenity said, “You’re too much of a dork without them to make you look cooler.”
“Hey!”
Serenity looked at Batman closely, “I bet you have dark hair.”
Batman continued to stare without replying.
“You know, just a hunch I have.” She and Mina turned to the rest of the group, “It was very nice meeting you all, but Princess Venus and I have evening worship. I will see you all soon. I’m not a busy person, so please come see me. It would be nice to have more friends. Superman signed me up to take college courses but they don’t start for another month.”
Wonder Woman smiled, “I would like more female friends. I have heard that the humans have something called a ‘shopping mall’.”
Serenity smiled, “I haven’t been to a shopping mall in a very long time. I do enjoy trying shoes on, though. We should certainly explore Metropolis Mall. My brother tells me that you and I have much to talk about.”
“Hey!” exclaimed Superman, “I didn’t tell her that. Or anything else. Quit meddling you spore.”
“Ha,” laughed Mina, “Daughter of Aphrodite, remember?”
“Wait-”
“Are you guys dating?” hollered The Flash.
“Why you,” ground out Superman to Serenity who smiled back brilliantly and tugged on his cape lightly.
“Anyways,” she said as the others waved their goodbyes and returned to their duties, Serenity whispered to Batman, “The invitation is always open. I just got a phone so I don’t actually know the number, but Superman can give you my number. Especially you, Mr. Wayne.”
He barely held in his surprise.
_
With Luna curled up on her bed already sound asleep, Serenity sat down at her vanity, allowing Princess Saturn to slowly comb through her hair.
“And you enjoyed yourself, Princess?”
“Very much so, Hotaru.”
Hotaru smiled but paused braiding Serenity’s hair for bed, “It’s okay to be lonely, Princess. It is only natural that you should crave another kind of companionship than what we can give you.”
Serenity sighed, “Is it that obvious?”
“No,” whispered Hotaru as she carefully unbuttoned the fastens to Serenity’s cotton day dress. “I can just see a woman in love.”
“I have been dreaming of him for half of my life, Hotaru. But he does not seem to recognize me.”
Hotaru pulled the dress over Serenity’s head and placed it to the side, leaving the girl in long undergarments that covered her legs and arms. She helped pull these off too, watching as the Princess’s skin goose pebbled in the evening chill and the girl crossed her arms across her chest to keep a little warmer. “You should pray to your mother, Princess,” Hotaru said as she pulled a long sleeve, turtle necked sleeping dress over her head. She pulled the blankets back and helped her into bed before sliding into the other side of the bed. It was her night to protect the Princess in this unfamiliar place and so she looked around the room carefully one last time before slowly falling asleep.
_
He had climbed the trellis and paused when he saw her. By his estimation it was past two in the morning, but he was surprised to see her carefully climbing from her bed. He’d met her only a few hours prior but there had been something that he couldn’t put his finger on. At first, he thought he might be suspicious of her, that she wasn’t as innocent as she was letting on. After all, Superman had presented her as his cute kid sister who seemed like she still needed someone to hold her hand as she crossed the street.
He had spent the next few hours getting as much information about her as possible. With his advanced computer system, he still hadn’t gotten his hands on all that much. She’d been enrolled in public school until the age of 9, when she had left for homeschooling. Her records had shown yearly trips from Kathmandu to Metropolis and back. There was no record of her doing anything in Nepal except that she always left on June 1stand returned again on August 1st. Each trip she had been seated first class, with one other girl seated beside her.
She had turned 18 this year, and had been accepted into the program for International Relations and Diplomacy at the University of Metropolis. Her tuition for the coming year had been paid in full, but not by the parents on her birth certificate. Her tuition, along with the tuitions of several other girls, had been paid by a redacted trust that had agreed to sponsor each of them. The donor had paid in cash, bringing all 52,000$ of each girl’s tuition in US dollars.
His interest was peaked.
There was no real estate under her name, but a quick search of the other girls who had had their tuition paid for had helped him discover that there was a mansion outside of Metropolis under the name Trista Meioh. That search became fruitless pretty quickly, because officially Trista Meioh didn’t even exist.
That’s how he had ended up outside of her window late at night. He wanted answers.
“My lord,” she whispered softly into the chilled air. When there was no response she continued, “I know that you are out there, Mr. Wayne.”
He dropped onto the balcony, his imposing body standing before her. He drank in the sight of her. Her head was exposed, and for the first time he saw her hair, long, and white, braided so long that it pooled onto the floor around her.
Serenity looked away from his intense gaze, “I know you mean me no shame,” she whispered, “But my chaperone is asleep and I have never been alone in the presence of a man.”
He ignored her studiously, “How did you know?”
Serenity looked taken aback, “Because I know you.”
“We’ve never met before last night.”
Serenity smiled lightly, “We have, Bruce,” and then she stepped back into her room and closed the balcony doors, pointedly closing the curtains.
_
Clark was reporting about the annual Wayne Corp’s Gotham Orphanage charity event, and needed a date. Normally he would take Lois so that they could get a good scoop, but Lois was on an assignment in National City about Supergirl (he laughed). So, being a good brother, he chose to take his favorite (and only) little sister.
When he had called her he could practically hear her surprise over the phone, “Clark, I received an invitation in the mail already. How strange! I must have made an impression.”
Clark glowered, but agreed to use his extra ticket to bring along Princess Uranus. He’d specified her because he had heard she hated most men, and he thought that it would help keep Bruce away from his sister. Bruce Wayne was a playboy, and had no business inviting his baby sister anywhere. He might have been Batman but he was also a billionaire playboy who always had a new woman on his arm each week. He had met the two ladies in front of the Manor. As usual, his sister was dressed in white while her handmaiden was dressed in a deep navy. Unlike usual, her dress was far more elegant than it usually was. Instead of the thick burlap type cotton she usually wore, this dress was made of a light, airy chiffon, with lace sleeves and a lace veil. Behind her, Princess Uranus was in a similar dress in satin with her head covered.
Serenity hugged her other handmaidens before sliding into the backseat of the car, allowing Amara to sit in the front.
As they stood in line for their bags to be checked, Clark pulled a press pass out for Amara who took it gratefully and placed it around her neck. Serenity took out her ticket and handed it to the guard as he scanned her bag. Soon they were in the event hall looking for seats.
“Sere, you don’t have a press pass. Go take a nicer seat. Look, I think I see-”
“Hello Clark,” came a silky voice from behind them.
Clark, Amara and Serenity all turned to see a tuxedo clad Bruce Wayne.
“Who is this beside you? A friend?”
Clark gave him a pointedly sarcastic look, “Really?”
“He’s just messing with you, Clark,” said Serenity as she tugged on him, “He came to visit m-”
“You did what?” growled Clark.
“Clark, please. He was just coming to say hi-”
Bruce gave an alluring smile, “I’ve saved a seat for you, Miss Kent; next to the Governor of Gotham and myself. She was very interested to meet my friend.”
Serenity turned and looked to where the woman was sitting.
“Wha-” began Clark.
“She’s very pushy and I’ve been trying to get her off my case for six months,” Bruce began.
“He wants me to be his date so he can get rid of the fangirls,” Serenity finished.
“That is most improper,” Amara said, “You will not be seen on the hand of Her Highness without stating your intentions.” Her gaze was heated and Serenity could tell she was barely keeping control of her temper.
Bruce lowered his voice, “I have it on good authority that the Injustice League may be preparing an attack on this event, but the information came too late to cancel. I can’t be entertaining a woman while on high alert.”
“I must object,” Amara retorted succinctly, “I should take Her Highness and go.”
Serenity frowned but replied to both Amara and Clark’s concerned gaze, “If it’s for the children…” Then gave her brother a hug, “Bye, Clark,” She took Bruce’s arm and let him lead her away to the front table.
“Madam Governor,” Bruce greeted as he pulled out Serenity’s chair.
The Princess sat down carefully, with her back straight and her head high.
“This is Serenity Kent, my date for this evening.”
“Is that right?” the red-haired woman replied, “Interesting.”
“That is correct,” Serenity began, “I am most pleased to be here tonight. My own father died when I was very young, and I have felt a call to the cause ever since.”
The Governor huffed and focused her attention on the auction.
About three-quarters of the way through the event, the lights went out.
“Excuse me,” Bruce whispered into Serenity’s ear as he disappeared.
From across the room, Amara was on high alert and rushed to take the vacated seat next to Serenity.
Joker appeared, with his prank flowers at the ready.
Serenity looked at him in slight fear, and then watched as Batman came out of nowhere and growled at him, “Leave, Joker, Trickster, Grodd, Penguin. This is a private event.”
“Is it?” Joker asked, “Where’s my invitation? I’m private!”
“If you don’t leave willingly then I will force you to leave.”
“Where’s the fun in that?” Joker cackled and then sent out his laughing gas on a few of the patrons.
Serenity shrank into her chair, more out of fear of unwanted attention than of being attacked. Unfortunately, Penguin’s eyes zoomed straight to her.
“Look at the pretty lady that Billionaire Playboy Bruce Wayne brought tonight, everyone!”
The entire room turned to stare at Serenity who could feel an unwanted red flush begin to climb up her neck. Amara took her hand under the table.
“What’s your name?” Penguin asked
Serenity stared back at him silently but defiantly. Amara squeezed her hand.
Batman took that moment to engage Joker and punched him square in the jaw.
Moments later, Superman and Wonder Woman appeared on the scene, and Serenity watched as three members of the team took down four members of the Injustice League.
_
“I thought we might talk,” Bruce said as soon as the event was ending, “Without distractions.”
“There are plenty of distractions,” Serenity denied.
“There are now. But I would like to see you – tonight. Come to my house.”
Serenity hesitated and looked at Amara who was watching her carefully, “I cannot go unescorted.”
“Bring your friend then,” Bruce said.
“I really must protest, Your Highness,” said Amara from behind Serenity, “It is most improper.”
“It will be fine, Amara. Mr. Wayne would never seek to shame me.”
Amara looked at her doubtfully but responded, “If it is Her Highness’s wish.”
Bruce called for his limousine and helped Serenity in carefully, and watching as Amara slid into the front of the limo with the driver.
“Do they always hover like that?” he asked.
Serenity smiled, “They are my protection. The only reason that I was allowed to leave the monastery was because my handmaidens would be leaving with me.”
“You have more than one?” Bruce wondered.
Serenity shifted in her seat, “I have eight Holy Handmaidens. Well, technically seven and a half, since one is still in training.”
“Are they all priestesses too?”
Serenity looked at him strangely before understanding came before her, “I am not a priestess of any sort, Mr. Wayne. Handmaidens are what you would call Ladies in Waiting. I was taught the ways of my people in a monastery because it is the only place on the planet made of Lunarian prayer stone. My people worship the creator, the All Mighty One, but I am no priestess.”
“And your garb?” Bruce questioned as he helped her out of the vehicle and towards his mansion, “Both times we’ve met you’ve been covered completely.”
“It is a promise to the All Mighty One. ‘Upon a virgin’s visage only He should gaze’ Magellan 1.49. Only the Creator may see the beauty of a woman who is unwed.”
“So, when you marry, you won’t dress this way anymore?”
“I will,” corrected Serenity. “We wear plain cotton dress that we have made ourselves in order to appreciate the sacrifice of the All Mighty to create the universe. It’s sort of an idea of modesty – and the only thing that changes after marriage is that your husband may see you too. Only for very important events do we dress in clothing of splendor. ‘For ye shall bare threads from thine own flesh in mine name’. Andromeda, 2.11. If you’re this interested, you should come to prayer.”
“Er-” He didn’t want to say he didn’t believe so he kept silent.
“You don’t have to. But it’s a lovely experience either way. Clark came once, and enjoyed it.”
“I guess,” Bruce replied, “But we need to discuss something else.”
“What would that be?”
“Who is Prince Endymion?”
_
Her first semester of university went by quickly. She got straight As, made Dean’s List and was offered a merit scholarship for her academic excellence.
Clark had officially started dating Diana and Serenity was thrilled. She and Kara had talked about it on the phone for hours. Diana had come to visit her several times and they had explored Metropolis together.
Which was why that day was so unexpected.
She hadn’t been there. She’d been volunteering at Metropolis Children’s Hospital when the news had said Superman was dead.
“No,” she had whispered frantically, running out of the hospital to see the disaster outside with Princess Neptune.
She watched as Wonder Woman lifted up Toy Man, ready to kill him for his act of violence.
There were tears in her eyes as she fell to the ground, crying out in anguish.
“Princess,” whispered Neptune, “I am so sorry. Princess? Please.”
“Call Kara. Call my mother and Kara!” whimpered Serenity.
The days blurred as she lay in her bed in silence. Her maidens had not left her side, but watched as she barely held on. Kara had flown from National City to get her mother from Smallville and they both decided to stay in Serenity’s house to prepare for the funeral. The mood in the house was dim at best, and Serenity felt a piece of her heart was missing.
She barely cried. Bruce hadn’t come to the house at all, but Diana, heartbroken, slept in Serenity’s bed each night. Diana was broken, and the tears would not dry.
Serenity, Kara, and Martha sat in the pew watching as the world mourned for Superman. They were mourning for Clark. Clark Joseph Kent.
“How?” whispered Serenity as she held her mother, crying. “How did this happen?”
“Clark,” Martha cried as she grasped her daughter closer.
“You’ve got some nerve showing up here!” yelled Lois as she attacked Lex Luthor.
Serenity glowered at him, still angry over the pain that the man had put her brother through.
“You have no right!” she cried out, “No right to make a mockery of our loss by showing your face here!”
“I will miss him too,” Luthor whispered.
“Where is Batman?” wondered someone from behind them as she watched the members of the Justice League carry her brother’s casket to be interred.
Serenity shrank even more. Where was Bruce?
_
-DATE
-PROPOSAL
As Mina slipped the dress over her head, Serenity teared up.
“it’s happening,” Serenity whispered, “It’s finally happening.”
“You’re getting married,” crowed her mother, “You’re getting married.”
Her handmaidens wore matching chiffon bridal gowns, in their own colors. Dick, Clark, J’onn, Barry, and Arthur were the “groomsmen” for the ceremony.
As Serenity walked down the aisle she took in the many people in the audience. It was a smaller affair than the second ceremony that press and photographers were allowed at would be.
Clark was smiling encouragingly and Diana was grinning widely in the audience next to Shayera Hall, Oliver Queen, and Felicity Smoak. Every single person who knew that Bruce Wayne was Batman was in the audience.
“This ceremony will now begin,” spoke an authoritative voice, “As protocol requires, it will be performed first in High Lunarian, and then in The Common Tongue, just as I speak now.” Lunarian sounded like music. It flowed beautifully, with long vowels and a lyrical rhythm.
In the back row, Serenity watched as her brethren – Zeus, Aphrodite, Hera – nodded in encouragement.
“I am Princess Raye, daughter of the God of War, Ares; High Priestess of Mars, and of the Holy Lunarian Empire. I have been anointed the right to perform this union, vested by the All Mighty One himself.”
“Who does give this maiden to her groom today?” Raye asked in Lunarian, and then again in English.
“I do, as materfamilias,” the Sun God, Apollo said, “Give this maiden to her groom today.”
“Can you as her guardian, promise she has been kept pure, as has been her promise to the All Mighty One?”
“I can promise that this maiden has been kept pure.”
Raye turned to Bruce, “Can you as her groom, promise that your bride has been kept pure?”
“I can promise this.”
“Then, as materfamilias, you must now release this bride from her promise,” Raye spoke to Artemis.
Artemis smiled softly at Serenity, and then covered her head, “Princess Serenity of Luna, I release you from your promise.”
A golden glow came from his hand and then shrunk into a shocking silver.
“I must now remind you of your second oath before the All Mighty One, Princess Serenity of Luna. Although you are no longer expected to be pure, you must follow the second oath. You shall not in any form or capacity allow those aside from your husband, mother, father, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, husband’s mother, father, sisters, brothers, sons, and daughters from seeing a maid’s visage. Will you follow this law until the day which you die?”
“I will,” said Serenity clearly.
“Very well,” spoke Raye. “Then we shall begin the ritual.”
Bruce and Serenity both kneeled at an altar, in front of a tall stone that was surrounded by a deep pool of crystal blue water.
“Princess Serenity, rise.”
She did.
“Do you, Princess Serenity plight thee troth to this man?”
“I do plight my troth.”
“Bruce Wayne, rise.”
He did.
“Do you, Bruce Wayne plight thee troth to this maiden?”
“I do plight my troth.”
Raye took a step back, “You may now enter the water.”
They did so.
“You are now married.”
The audience cheered.
_
After the limo had sped away, and the private jet had landed on a secluded island owned by Wayne Enterprises, Serenity was granted her first moment as Mrs. Bruce Wayne. He had led her into the open-aired bungalow, helping her find her footing across the sand and into the house.
Bruce had never been one for big, romantic gestures, and so what Serenity found was special. There were dozens of red roses, in vases on the floor, strewn across every surface. The ambiance was increased with the votives that were lit to give a glow across the walls.
He touched the small of her back and leaned in to whisper in her ear, “Are you ready?”
Serenity flushed and felt a throb that had become a constant in the last few months. She nodded jerkily and allowed Bruce to shakily walk her towards the bedroom. She was nervous, but ready – excited, but scared. Bruce paused to open the double doors to the bedroom and Serenity saw the rose petals covering the floors and the sheets of the bed. Everything in the room besides the rose petals was white, showing in stark against the petals.
Bruce turned to gaze at her and Serenity felt herself blushing again.
“Do you need a moment? This doesn’t have to happen now. We can wait until you’re ready.”
“I’m ready,” insisted Serenity, and she reached up towards him, her barely five-foot frame barely coming to his chest. He leaned down and kissed her. It was chaste but Serenity made it more. She wanted this. She was ready. She had pledged herself to the All Mighty One, and today she would be honoring that oath – the one of purity until marriage.
She broke off the kiss to catch her breath and at that moment she did something she had never done before a man. She pulled off her veil. It took her a moment, but as soon as it was off, Bruce was overwhelmed by her blinding white locks that were tied close to her head in a halo of thick braids.
Serenity reached for his shirt, anxious to finally see his chest. She’d seen him in his armor, and she knew that this could only be better than what she had already seen before. As she tried to unbutton his shirt and fumbled to reach the higher buttons, Bruce chuckled and unbuttoned his shirt himself.
“I love you,” he whispered as he began to kneel to her height.
Serenity put her hands on his cheeks and leaned in, “I love you more.”
“Impossible,” he replied and kissed her again.
This time Serenity was more prepared and she began to reach behind her to undo the buttons she had painstakingly sewn onto the dress.
“Turn around,” Bruce insisted in a rasp.
Serenity immediately complied and began to feel her husband unbutton the back of her dress. Seconds later, she turned back and allowed him to push the sleeves off of her arms. The dress fell to the floor, leaving her in her undergarments. Her body was still covered, with the long cotton pants and shirt that always covered her arms, neck and ankles.
“Are you sure?” he whispered one last time.
“Positive,” she replied with confidence.
He reached his hands to her hipbones and began to pull the undershirt up. She raised her arms and only seconds later, the shirt was on the other side of the room, leaving Serenity’s breasts naked to the air.
She reached down to cross her arms, but Bruce stopped her. “You have nothing to be ashamed of.”
In that moment, Serenity became self-conscious, frantically replying, “I-I know I’m mostly flat chested – and I- I’ve been trying to gain weight. I know I’m too skinny, and-”
Bruce kissed her gently, “You are beautiful. You are my princess, my dream. My Moon and Stars.” He kissed down her neck, sucking gently on her collarbone before resting his attention to her breasts. They were petite, just like her, with dusty pink tips that had become hard in the night air. He wanted them in his mouth.
Serenity groaned when she felt his lips on her chest, and then gasped in embarrassment. He looked up at her in silent affirmation as her brought his fingers to the waist of her underpants. “I’m ready,” she repeated again and in that second she felt him push his fingers down her legs, taking her cotton leggings with him.
He appraised her, like a fine sculpture, memorizing her curves and lines. His eyes zeroed in at the prize he sought after. She was wet, dripping, excited.
“Tell me how everything makes you feel,” Bruce said.
After her orgasm, he knew that she was wet enough to handle him. He brought the tip of his cock to her lips and began to push as gently as he could. He felt her stiffen up slightly and take in a breath.
“Relax, princess. It will hurt more if you tense up.”
“I know. I just-”
“Are you sure you’re ready?”
“Yes!” she forced out quickly. “Stop asking me that.”
He continued to guide himself in until he met resistance. “This is going to hurt, my love.” He pushed in quickly, hoping for the pain to be over faster and was unsurprised by Serenity’s sharp cry. He had known it would be painful for her, and was struggling to keep himself still as she relaxed from the pain.
It was only a few moments later when Serenity relaxed and signaled that she was ready to continue. He began to pull himself out slowly and then pushed himself back in. Serenity was grimacing but wasn’t crying in pain anymore.
By the time he had pulled out and pushed back in a dozen times, Serenity had completely relaxed and had begun to breath heavier.
“Bru-Bruce,” she groaned, “It feels so- It’s too much.” There were tears leaking from her eyes, but he knew they were tears of pleasure because she was panting now and so he reached down to where they were connected and fingered her clit. She bucked her hips and gasped, as he leaned down to suck on her nipples again.
“You’re doing great,” he whispered, as he picked up the pace. He felt her constrict around him and knew-
“Oh! Goodness!” she gasped and stiffened in pleasure as he finished deep within her.
He didn’t collapse, but allowed himself to lay by her side, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her temple lightly.
“How do you feel?” he asked quietly, as he could see her eyes drooping from exhaustion.
“Mmm,” she sleepily whispered back, “perfect.”
He fell asleep gazing at her face.
_
That morning, Michelle had come to gather the sheets while the newlyweds were in the shower, forced to give confirmation of the consummation to Raye who would offer it up to the All Mighty One in a week long fire of celebration.
Serenity was sore as she stood under the spray in the shower. Apparently it was only her because as her beautiful husband was rubbing shampoo into her scalp she could feel his hardness raising against her belly.
The water rinsed the soap out of her hair and she reached her arms up for him to come closer so she could kiss him.
“I’m so happy,” she whispered.
“I know,” he caressed back, letting his fingers run down her back and sides in comfort.
She looked down and saw Bruce jr staring her back and couldn’t avert her eyes.
“Do you want to touch it?” he breathed as he noticed her attention.
“Can I?” she asked, “I still hurt but I want-”
“Baby, I would love for you to touch it.”
She reached a hand out carefully, touching the head and surprised by the texture.
Bruce sucked in a breath.
“Will you show me?” she asked, and allowed Bruce to put this hand over hers and guide her.
They were late for breakfast.
_
Bruce had watched in mesmerization as Serenity put on a linen long sleeved undershirt, and linen underpants followed by a long linen dress that looked breathable but had no shape and fell over her like a sack. He had waited so long to see what was under those layers, and had not been disappointed. She braided her hair as quickly as possible, looping the length of unbraided hair around a hook at the vanity. Considering how much hair she had, he was impressed it only took her a few minutes.
“Bruce,” she called to him as she ate a banana at breakfast, “can we go to the beach?”
“We can do whatever you want,” he said as he stared at her unashamedly appraising her beauty. He wanted her to be healed because he had something in mind that hewanted to do.
So, yeah. They could go to the beach. He would love to go to the beach. The beach was a great idea. He fucking loved the beach. They could have sex on the beach.
As they sat on a soft bed with pillows on the beach, Bruce couldn’t help but stare as Serenity snored quietly under the canopy, arms curled around his chest.
She was beautiful.
_
There were paparazzi waiting for them when they landed in Gotham. Serenity, still unused to press attention clung to Bruce carefully.
“Mrs. Wayne – where did you go?”
“Is it true you brought others with you on your honeymoon?”
“How was your honeymoon?”
She studiously ignored them and then allowed Bruce to help her along with Michelle and Amy into the limo.
When they arrived at Wayne Mansion, Alfred greeted them with water and Serenity’s cat-friend, Luna.
“It is nice to see you, Miss Serenity. I thought Master Bruce would never marry.”
Bruce ignored Alfred’s sass and began to show Serenity around.
“And, this is our room. Mina and Setsuna came by while we were away and brought all of your things. They put everything away in this closet that I had built for you,” he indicated, opening the door that revealed a walk in closet full of white dresses and white shoes and veils.
“Now that we’re home I have to go to work during the day. I usually leave here at 8 and I return by 4. Most days, I won’t be gone the entire day.”
Serenity shuffled her feet, already sort of loathing the idea of him being gone all day.
“Since you’ve got summer break from school right now, myself, Mina and Lita completed a daily schedule for you so that you don’t get bored in the house. Mina has moved in permanently down the hall, and you and she will have breakfast together every day. After that you have morning prayer with Raye, who has graciously converted one of the empty guesthouses into a temple for you. I set up a volunteer job for you at Gotham Orphanage from 9-12 every morning. A car will come pick you up for lunch with me and then I’ll teach you how to run Wayne Enterprises until we leave. Then we can do whatever you want to do for the rest of the day. Of course you don’t have to do this, but Mina knows you like to keep busy.”
Most girls would have been put off by how Bruce had taken charge of her schedule, but Serenity found it to be very thoughtful. He knew she was secretly terrified of loneliness, and had been dreading the idea of being in the house alone for hours at a time. She hadn’t slept in a bed alone since she was 10.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
She thanked him again.
_
She wasn’t supposed to visit him at work that day, so when she arrived he was concerned.
“Are you okay? Did something happen?”
“I have something to tell you.”
Bruce looked at her, with an expression that had her back peddling.
“It’s good news. It’s good!”
She hugged him close and took his palm and pressed it- “We’re having a baby,” she whispered.
Bruce stiffened and he was taken back to that moment – the moment where he was left alone. He heard his mother- “Martha!”-. Serenity must have felt him because she took his face into her palms. “It’s going to be okay. Our baby will be fine. We will be fine. I’ll be fine.”
“We’ll be fine,” he whispered back.
“Bruce, we’re having a baby.”
“A baby,” he marveled, “A baby.”
_
When she told her handmaidens, they cried. That week Bruce learned that it was tradition to give an expecting mother maternity clothing, with protective runes sewn into them. There was a new rack of white gowns in materials such as linen, burlap, and cotton. Lita, who was excellent at sewing made Serenity four gowns of varying sizes. She was only just growing into one of the gowns made for when she was approaching four months when their lives would be taking another turn.
“Mistress Serenity?” Alfred began, “Master Bruce has informed me that Wayne Manor will have a guest for an unknown period of time.”
“Oh,” said Serenity, “Who is it? Did you tell Mina already?”
“Master Bruce told me he would explain when he arrived.”
“Alright,” hesitated Serenity, “Would you make the guest bedroom presentable?”
It was only twenty minutes later when she heard the faint rumble of her husband’s vehicle speed around the house and underneath the structure into the cave.
“Is the guest with my husband, Alfred?”
“He is, Mistress Serenity.”
“Well,” said Serenity, “Come along.”
She waited for her husband to come up from his cave with Alfred and the guest patiently with Mina.
“Maybe he has a hot, single friend,” Mina suggested.
“He’d never bring home a single male while you live in the house.”
“Hey, I follow the rules.”
“That’s not all you follow,” Serenity said drily, “I spotted you last week following that guy around in Whole Foods.”
“Caught me,” Mina shrugged, “I’m single and ready to mingle, Sere.”
“Serenity,” Bruce said gruffly, his bat suit removed and a normal suit in his place, “We will be having a house guest for a period of time. I’m unsure of-”
Before he could finish, a boy around nine stepped from the shadows of the hallway and into the room.
Serenity’s heart froze.
Those eyes, that hair, that chin…
Mina gasped and watched in horror as Serenity covered her mouth in surprise.
“Is-” she began fruitlessly.
“This is my son, Serenity. His name is Damien.”
Serenity blinked and then swallowed to keep her pride, “I- Yes, of course,” she would not be embarrassed, “Hello, Damien. I am Serenity,” She pulled six-year-old Serena, four-year-old from Stella, and three-year-old Cepheus from behind her skirts, “This is Serena, Stella, and Cepheus. They’re your siblings.”
“Damien,” Bruce stated with a calculated look, “This is my wife, Serenity and her cousin, Mina. You are to treat her with respect. She is for all intents and purposes, your step-mother.”
“I have a mother,” Damien said in irritation.
“No one is replacing Talia,” Bruce said, “But, Serenity is my wife and she deserves your respect.”
Damien said nothing and Bruce stepped forward with purpose. He looked at Serenity intensely and placed his hand gently where their child was quickly growing.
“Your step-mother is expecting. Please don’t needlessly bother her,” Bruce continued.
“Whatever,” Damien said as Alfred showed him to his room. Mina quickly made herself sparse.
Serenity and Bruce barely argued.
“You could have called me to prepare me.”
“I know.”
“You made a fool out of me.”
“I know. It won’t happen again.”
“It had better not happen again.”
“You know what I meant. I didn’t know.”
She sighed, “I know.”
“If I had known, I would have told you.”
_
Damien woke up early to train, but was surprised to find that the rest of the house was already awake. When he turned to the clock beside him, he noted that the sun would probably rise soon.
As he made his way to the kitchen, he could hear chatter that immediately grated on his nerves.
“Yes and-” he couldn’t recognize what was being said.
“- and she booked me for three meetings in a row, which is frustrating to say the least but-”
Were they going between two different languages?
“Daddy, I want-”
“What do we say?-”
He stood just beyond the doorway, thinking he wouldn’t be noticed.
“Damien, are you going to come in?”
He made himself known with a roll of his eyes.
The youngest of the tinsel-haired girls pulled on Bruce – his father’s– dressing robe to gain his attention back and said something he couldn’t recognize.
It didn’t sound like a Latin based language. He knew French, Spanish and Italian. It wasn’t Germanic, and it certainly was not an Asian language. He thought it might have sounded a bit like Hebrew if he strained his ears.
“Good morning, Damien,” said his tinsel haired –eye roll- half-sister, Serena, “Mommy made us pancakes to celebrate getting a big brother.”
“She’s not my mother,” Damien retorted.
The room went silent.
“Damien, come with me outside,” said Bruce evenly.
“Bruce it’s-” began his step-mother.
“Now,” Bruce demanded.
Serenity went quiet, turned to Serena, Stella, and Cepheus and then spoke something in that same unfamiliar language with a few English words mixed in.
Damien and Bruce spoke outside.
“I told you quite clearly not to disrespect your step-mother.”
“Yeah, whatever.”
_
Damien joined Serenity, Stella, Serena and Cepheus for breakfast, and unhappily ate his pancakes
Serenity rubbed her belly, enjoying the taste of the hummus Alfred had prepared from Lita’s recipe.
“Did it come out well, Miss Serenity?”
She swallowed and hummed lightly, “Delicious, Alfred. I woke up last night with a terrible craving and made Bruce go to the store to get me hummus, pita and celery, but it just wasn’t as good as the homemade stuff.”
“When Mistress Martha was expecting she quite enjoyed carrots and boiled eggs, Miss Serenity.”
At the mention of eggs, Serenity turned a sallow green and put down her fork. “Oh my… Please excuse me,” she whimpered before making a mad dash to the bathroom.
“Isn’t morning sickness supposed to end in the second trimester?” Mina wondered aloud.
“It depends on the woman,” came a voice from the doorway.
Mina turned and smiled, embracing a group of woman walking in.
“Amy!” exclaimed Cepheus, holding his arms out to be picked up.
“Alfred,” said one, “Hotaru sent me with a new set of herbs to transplant into the garden. She told me you would know exactly where to put them.”
Amy did a double take before looking at Damien closely. “And who is this, Mina?”
“This is Damien, Bruce’s son.”
The women went quiet, “Damien, this is Amy, Lita, and Raye.”
Damien looked unconcerned.
“Where is her highness?” questioned Raye, “Morning prayer starts in exactly thirty-two minutes. I see that you three are all prepared. Her Grace Stella is already in her prayer robes. Her highness should take the same measures.”
“She will be back momentarily.”
At that moment, Serenity walked back into the room, hugging her friends.
“Come, Princess,” said Raye, “We have prayer.”
Serenity leaned in at the table and smiled at her stepson, “Damien, will you be okay alone for a while? Alfred is here and once I’m done with prayer, I promised Bruce that I would bring you all to the beach while it’s still warm for a swim.”
Stella cheered and hugged Serena excitedly while Cepheus exclaimed his excitement.
Damien shrugged but could only think of one word: Princess?
_
“And you packed the umbrella as well, Alfred?” Serenity asked as the elder man began to drive them towards the beach.
“Yes, Miss Serenity.”
“Damian, this is Hotaru. I brought her along today because she’s around your age and I think you’ll get along famously. This is Ceres, Juno, Pallas, and Vesta.”
Damien stared at the girl who like his stepmother(eye roll) was covered head to toe in gauze-like purple material between him and his runt half-sister, Serena, and the four other girls in the same strange clothes.
He was even more irritated that Nightwing (what kind of name was that anyway?) was joining them for their beach day.
“I’m Hotaru,” said the petite girl with pale skin, “Handmaiden of Saturn.”
Okay.
Dick looked at him expectantly, “Aren’t you going to say something? Anything? You’re being rude.”
“My name is Damian.”
Serenity just shrugged.
Dick smiled at her, “So, Momma bear, how are you?”
“Would you stop calling me that?” Serenity groaned.
“Bruce says that you’ll be finding out the sex at your next appointment,” Dick replied good naturedly, “How does Uncle Clark feel about that? Anxious to settle down?”
Serenity blushed heatedly, “Well, he is excited to get another niece or a nephew. Not that he already didn’t have some – after all he has Serena, Stella, Cepheus, you, and Tim.”
“Who’s Tim?” asked Damian haughtily.
Serenity smiled, “Bruce’s other ward, like Dick. Tim is away at boarding school in Rhode Island.”
“Hey,” said Dick, “How come he gets to live in Happy Harbor and I had to stay in Gotham?”
“You know what they say,” Serenity replied genially, “Parents make the most mistakes with the first child.”
Damian held in his annoyance until they got to the beach. His stepmother was insisting that he put on some kind of white liquid, and was being generally irritating.
“If you don’t put it on, you’ll get burnt, Damian,” Serenity said, as she adjusted her big floppy hat around her headdress.
“Don’t you ever wear normal clothes?” Damian answered in irritation, “Aren’t people supposed to enter water in swim wear? What are you going to do, wade through the surf in burlap?”
Serenity sighed as Dick and Hotaru both began to cry out in outrage. “Dick, Hotaru, leave us.”
Hotaru followed the order immediately, and convinced Dick to walk away, but stayed close by.
“Damian,” Serenity said, “I know that this has been hard for you. I know that it’s not a great situation, and I know that you’re angry. I know that you’re upset that your grandfather Rest his Soul died and you’re mad because Bruce won’t let you pursue any leads. I know you’re mad that he’s left you with me to babysit you and you’re confused and maybe a little afraid.”
“I’m not afra-”
“It’s okay,” Serenity cut in. She put her hand to her back and knelt down slowly before hugging the boy close, “I’m not your mother. I’m not going to take her place, or even try to do that. But your father loves you – even if he hasn’t said it. And I love you just as much as I love Dick, Tim, and Jason Rest His Soul. You’re Bruce’s son, and so you’re my son too. In a few months you’re going to be a big brother, but that doesn't mean that Bruce will love you any less. He was so happy that he met you, and you will always have a place in our home and in our hearts, okay?” Serenity paused, “Bruce is a complicated man. He likes solving puzzles, but he is one himself. I know your mother told you about his parents. He grew up a scarred man from that. My mother sent me to this planet for me to be raised by a nice family who would love me and teach me to appreciate humans with all of their faults. I grew up in Kansas, and then later moved not far from you – on the Lohtse Face. I lived the most important years of my life in a monastery so that I could have my spiritual education.”
Damian looked at her with suspicion.
“I grew up like you,” Serenity put forth, “I’m a princess, and I am the only heir to my kingdom. I was raised with great responsibility and I was raised to be the best, to achieve what could not be achieved, and to master all things without effort. Eight women were chosen to guide me through my life, and to protect me from the dangers of my station,” Serenity turned towards Hotaru and then back at Damian, “Hotaru, like Mina, and the other women you met today, is a Handmaiden of the Holy Lunarian Empire. She too is a princess. She is the Princess of Saturn, the soldier of death and rebirth. That small girl who is the same age as you, has the power to destroy whole planets with a thought. Yet her duty is to protect me. One day, she will die in that duty. She will die protecting me because that is the life that destiny has planned for her. I do not like it, and I will mourn her loss, but I will know that she would have seen her death as nothing in comparison to me living on. That is what your grandfather thought before he passed on, Damian. He weighed the price and you were more important.” Serenity pulled him into her arms again and then looked at him deeply, “And I know that Bruce would make that decision for us, any day.”
_
They would be posing for ‘Thirty under Thirty: Modern Royalty’ in a highly anticipated book that would be published later in the year.
“-Luthor will be posing with Mercy. Bruce Wayne will be posing with his wife, Serenity Wayne, and their four children,” said the executive producer as she helped the groups find their places.
A young woman with an earpiece and a clipboard raced to Bruce, Serenity and Damien and smiled, “Hi! I’m Lisa and I’ll be helping you with your photo shoot today. You’ll be photographed first, and then interviewed. Have you considered any themes?”
“Black and white,” Bruce said with charm, “Damien and I will be wearing black suits and Mrs. Wayne will be wearing a white gown she has brought with her.”
“We have many white dresses, Mrs. Wayne, if you would prefer to see something new.”
“No, thank you,” Serenity replied. “I made my dress and I’ve been looking forward to wearing it.”
Lisa looked at her in awe, “You make your own clothes, Mrs. Wayne?”
“Everything I wear,” Serenity affirmed.
Lisa placed the family in their own dressing quarters, where Bruce helped Damien into a black suit that they had had made for him before the event. Serenity sat patiently as the makeup artist asked her what look she wanted. She had told the hair stylist she was not necessary, after all, her hair wouldn’t be seen.
“Natural please,” Serenity replied politely. When the woman had left, Bruce, who was already dressed, helped Serenity change. She might have only been four months along, but her balance was already skewed, what with her petite frame. With her undergarments on, Bruce helped her step into her dress, and then buttoned the back of it up dutifully as she focused on putting her headdress on.
Lisa arrived to bring them to the room that they would be photographed in. They would be posing in a library, with Serenity seated, Damien standing beside her, and Bruce standing behind the pair.
Lisa had gaped when she saw the dress in all of its splendor, “You made that yourself, Mrs. Wayne?”
Serenity looked down at the creation she wore and smiled slightly, “I did. Damien helped me keep track of the pins. Isn’t that right?” The dress had taken three weeks of work, and she was determined to wear it again. Like all of her dresses, this one was full length, white, and full sleeved. The dress was made of many layers of sheer chiffon, with an empire waist. The sleeves and the back of the dress were covered in lace that Serenity had made herself, with a floral design that continued in her neck and headdress. Her neck was covered by the lace as well, which was opaque.
The boy nodded as he stepped closer.
At least one of the three of them wanted to be there.
_
It was a normal night. She’d finished evening prayer with Raye. Slowly, the girls had begun to move into the house. Lita was now cooking full-time in the manor and Amara and Michelle were still teaching young Hotaru the intricacies of her duties.
Bruce had gotten home at a normal hour. Things were quieter than usual in Gotham, but not quite enough to warrant suspicion. He’d crawled into bed next to his wife around midnight and had fallen asleep without struggle.
At four that morning he woke up to a piercing shriek that had him shooting up from his bed in seconds.
It took him a second more to realize the sound was coming from beside him.
“What is it? What’s wrong? What happened?” he cried over her screaming. He heard a rush of feet storming down the hall.
“It –AH it hurts! Bruce! Oh my-” she let out another wail and Bruce frantically pulled back the covers to find-
The door shot open.
“Call a helicopter!” shrieked Bruce to Alfred, who was still in his sleep clothes. The man rushed away in seconds.
Mina, Amy and Hotaru swarmed in with demanding questions.
“What happened?” Mina cried.
Over Serenity’s wailing, Ami checked her pulse and examined the source of the bleeding that Bruce had discovered. She looked gravely at both Bruce and Mina before shaking her head.
“They’ll be arriving in a few moments, Sir,” Alfred said.
“Please get the children,” Bruce said, “drop them off to Clark tonight.”
“I will do that immediately, Sir.”
_
“It doesn’t look good,” the doctor said, “We’ve barely managed to keep your sons in their home. Mrs. Wayne is severely underweight. To carry to term she will need to gain at least another 30 pounds.”
“Underweight? She’s been trying so hard to gain the necessary weight. Our doctor said she was doing really well.”
The woman before him smiled sadly, “Your wife’s current weight is only 112 pounds, which is barely in the correct range before pregnancy. I read on her chart that this was a twenty pound weight gain – which is good versus where she started, but not good enough to carry to term.”
“What can we do? Can we just get some extra weight on her?”
“We’ve put her on fluids and have come up with a strict dietary regiment that she must adhere to in order to gain healthy weight. That combined with complete bedrest should allow us to keep your boys in until at least 35 weeks.”
_
“Alfred, Amy and Lita have used the guidelines given by the doctor to put together meals for you each day. You’ll have 5 meals a day, and Amy has measured out both water and Pedialyte in order to keep your fluids and electrolytes high.”
“Okay,” whispered Serenity miserably from the bed.
“The girls will be staying in here with you, rotating daily.”
“But-” Serenity began.
“You know what the doctor said,” Bruce said sternly, “No intercourse.”
“But, we don’t… I don’t want to wake up without you in the morning.”
“I’ll be here. But we won’t be doing anything. At all. Sleep only.”
_
Clark threw down the newspaper in irritation, “Seriously?” He said to Gerty in the office, “Stop writing this shit about my sister.”
“The public has a right to know,” Gerty began.
Clark cut her off quickly, “It’s no one’s business that my sister almost had a fucking miscarriage.”
The room went silent.
“Many women-”
“Gerty, shut up,” cut in Lois.
“I can’t believe you think it’s okay to write this utter crap. That’s my sister. My sister, who was so excited that they were expecting almost lost twins and you decided to write about it in a gossip column?”
“The people of Gotham want to know that Serenity Wayne is a normal woman, that tragedies happen to her.”
“That's great for the people of Gotham,” Clark said, “But the people of Gotham should know that my sister, and my nephews could have died last night. Died. The people of Gotham should know that when she arrived at the hospital she had lost so much blood that her lips were purple. They should know that my girlfriend and I had to babysit my nieces and nephews because with my sister and brother-in-law at the hospital, they would have been left alone in the house. Hell – they should know that my sister was a miracle because our mother had six miscarriages before she had Serenity. Is that what the people of Gotham want to know, Gerty? That my sister may never be able to have children again? Go fuck yourself,” he spat venomously before storming away angrily.
_
Barry shifted the box of vegetables that Iris had packed for him, helping to push it onto the kitchen table.
“I know Serenity will really appreciate this,” Lita said, “Did you want to visit her for a little while? She gets really bored cooped up in there all day.”
“Er-”
“Mina and Amy are up there but I know Serenity misses having you around.”