Legendary

The next day I slept in. You'd think that after all this time, somebody would have come up with a way to make high heels keep from hurting your feet, but alas, we're still slaves to our physiology. Damian also slept in and read me some reviews of the party as I snuggled in. "'The newly renovated Valkyrie Building is an astonishing Art Deco confection. With the exterior cleaned and restored, the only hints of its transformation from the street are the pencil cypresses marking the elegant entryway, and the glow from stained glass panels in the windows after dusk. Inside, however, Sabine Jones of Midmarch and Savil has bestowed on the building a glamour and grandeur that it may not have possessed when it was new. Jones credits the owner of the building, Alex Barnes of Valkyrie: Adventures in Architecture, with the vision and insistence on luxury. There's a clever mix of retail businesses, including an outpost of the well-respected coffeeshop Barnraising, an old fashioned ice cream parlor, a couple of restaurants with different price points, clothing, a jeweler, and a quality stationer. Office space is available on the higher floors, and the occupancy rate is an astonishing 90%. Shopper Miranda Dunst praised the elegance of the building and said she'd be returning for Christmas shopping because she felt special there. Broadway star Otieno Arendse said he'd worked in theaters less grand and welcoming and enjoyed the special touches like the doorman. Mayor Jun-Seo Han praised Barnes for her vision and pointed out a number of new property sales on the street as a sign of revitalization for this part of Hell's Kitchen.'"

"Oh, here's one you'll really like, Petal," he said, switching to another publication. "They've got a great picture of you cutting the cake and smiling. "Property owner Alex Barnes wore a stunning Steve Rogers original for the opening of the Valkyrie Building, but all the partners of Valkyrie: Adventures in Architecture looked as beautiful as they are talented at the Grand Opening celebration. Touches of Old Hollywood glamour marked the event, like the giant spotlights outside...' "City legend Damian Wayne, handsome in a tuxedo, accompanied his equally accomplished wife to the opening of her first significant project--"

"That's true, you are quite handsome in a tuxedo," I interrupted, and he laughed. He read a few more excerpts that highlighted not only my role but those of my partners. Everybody got their due: Dagny's public garden was praised, Serena's work with the difficult, oddly spaced interior of the building, Carol's craftsmanship, the way Margaret had shepherded the project through the city permitting and zoning process, Karen's construction management prowess, and Aslyn's work with contracts and leases was mentioned, as well as her role as CFO. Martha's PR efforts were described too in glowing terms. One of the journalists was awestruck by the magnificence of our offices, especially the conference room and the view over the garden from the back balconies. My actual valkyrie wing feather was pointed out, as was the fact that the only valkyries on earth were in business together--'as nimble in their thinking and work as they were in the air' Damian read, and I laughed. Karen, Aslyn, and Margaret were characterized as honorary valkyries.

Alfred made a special sit-down breakfast to celebrate--pancakes, thick cut bacon, strawberries, and orange juice in the fine crystal flutes. I stopped for coffee when I got to work, and Lucy, the manager for this location, congratulated me on the party and told me that the coffee cart was going to make its maiden voyage soon; it would go around midmorning and midafternoon and have some pastries that were only sold on the cart. So I had a bonus coffee and a raspberry-filled croissant an hour later. I didn't need lunch.

Our receptionist, a sleek Scottish woman named Agatha, noted an immediate uptick in calls to the business and scheduled more meetings than we'd had in our entire first month. I personally was asked to submit a proposal for the latest restoration of the New York City Public Library.

A couple of weeks later, we hosted the health fair in the garden. We all took turns volunteering and I sprung for lunch for the health professionals performing the exams and diagnostic tests. It was crisp but not too cold, and only partly cloudy. The press provided some coverage of the event, including that we hoped it would be an annual occurrence, and the clinic was pleased; it also received a spike in donations.

Our lunch with Bucky and his new lady had to be postponed, but we had them out to the house the weekend after the health fair. Nessa Richardson turned out to be as sharp and articulate as she appeared on TV, but softened with a lively sense of humor and charm, and she seemed neither overly awed by Bucky's reputation or looking to get something out of their association. Even better, I saw real affection in the way she leaned toward him when he spoke and unconsciously twined her fingers with his as we hung out in the library. She was pleased to meet Eira and laughed at the rest of the menagerie, including Signy, tucked in on the top perch of her new sixteen-foot cat tree. Carol had outdone herself; it worked both as a cat tree and a sinuous abstract artwork. I was effusive about her when I spoke with my uncle the next day and could hear the smile in his voice when he spoke of her. I was relieved; I really wanted to like whoever Bucky got involved with.

The next week, I went to the clinic in the tower and got started on the medication that would enable me to see if I could have a normal pregnancy. Mentally, I crossed my fingers so hard I got a cramp that it would work. Damian was a wonderful father.

Things were going well for my other friends, too. Jarvis, Tony's father figure, turned up after some adventures and assumed control of Tony and Ann's house. Hiring was ongoing at the labs; they were working on projects large and small and Tony Stark was making his name all over again. I gloated; my investment was really starting to pay off, but I was happier about seeing my friends succeed on such a big scale, proud of my husband's innovative business leadership, and a small amount of nose-thumbing in the direction of Howard Stark, whose weapons business was struggling. He was starting to try new avenues of research and development, but he was firmly behind the curve. Emma didn't have much to say about Howard, but Steve told me once that Howard had changed a great deal from the man Steve had known.

Damian and I started to receive more invitations to events in the New Society; too many to accept and still have time at home. There's a certain point of public notice where you start receiving recognition because people know your name rather than anything you actually do, and we'd gone past that tipping point. It was kind of a pain, tell the truth. Designers started to come calling, wanting to dress me for the events, and although Steve was my preferred go-to guy, there was no harm and a lot of benefit to wearing other designers' work. And I cultivated relationships with the jewelers, too, from up and coming individuals to the historically important houses like Faberge, Van Cleef and Arpels, and Harry Winston. It was a way to head off Damian from amassing another collection. In that I wasn't entirely successful, but the gifts of jewelry were a lot less frequent. He understood I'd rather have his time than a shiny thing.

At the beginning of November, the Batmen hosted the senior members of the Justice League who didn't have duties elsewhere for some sort of crime fighting conference, and Daniel asked Damian and me if we could host a few guests in our house. We agreed, of course, and Alfred prepared suites for Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Flash. Daniel and Bruce had Superman, Green Arrow, Hawkman, Hawkwoman, Black Canary, and Green Lantern. Martian Manhunter was staying up in the fortress in orbit above the eastern US to monitor for threats. And while the Earth hadn't been attacked for decades, there was no point in being too complacent.

Alfred had just left to escort Aquaman and Flash to their rooms when Wonder Woman arrived, so I took her case and showed her up to the room with the my childhood bed in it. She seemed interested to learn it was a family heirloom and complimented the elegance of the room. I showed her how to play with the wall color and left her to get settled in. She was the first one down, however, and we sat chatting until the boys came down. Damian had been held up a little and would meet us at the main house for dinner. Wonder Woman told me to call her Diana and asked questions about Valhalla and Ragnarok. She was functionally immortal, being a person who didn't have to bother with evolution but was the defining example of creationism, and as such she'd seen the world change during the time I'd been dead. She was an excellent conversationalist. By the time Flash and Aquaman sauntered in, we were well on our way to becoming friends. As we started up the path to the main house, I thanked her and Aquaman for coming to the opening of the Valkyrie Building. They both said they'd had a good time, that they liked the building. Aquaman said additionally that he'd found his wife a pretty pair of earrings. We found everyone else gathering in the library and Alfred working with Alan to serve drinks and pass canapes. I looked around; as fond as I was of this library, I liked the one in my own house better.

Diana introduced me to Black Canary before taking me on a tour of the other Justice League power hitters. Hawkman and Hawkwoman were a little standoffish, but Green Lantern was pretty relaxed and Green Arrow and Superman were nice. Bruce came over with Damian, who had a kiss for me, and my drink. Superman surprised me when he told me that the Justice League would be making an announcement shortly that they were going to pull the Hall of Justice out of mothballs, so to speak, and invited Valkyrie to put in a bid. Flash was really excited about the advances in technology, "When I was active before the Return, we couldn't get a decent WiFi signal throughout the whole hall. I'm really hoping that I'll be able to text now."

I grinned as Hawkman sighed. "You're supposed to be working when you're in the hall, Flash, not goofing off. Sometimes I fear you don't take your responsibilities seriously."

"Just because I don't have a stick up my ass and my sense of humor is intact doesn't mean that I'm not serious, Hawkman," Flash fired back.

Bruce sighed too. "Knock it off, you two," he directed, wading in to the disagreement between his peers. I was diverted from the squabble by the arrival of Dick and Barbara. Damian joined me as I drifted over.

"They're at it all ready?" Dick asked sotto voice as he accepted a glass of juice from Alan after Barbara was served hers. She was lovely, all glowing in her pregnancy. Damian rolled his eyes.

"Just like old times," he grumbled. Alfred allowed them a little time to drink their juice before Alan came in and announced dinner. Alfred walked Barbara in to dinner, catching up with her. Dick offered me his arm, and Damian snagged Diana. I didn't get to spend enough time with Barbara and Dick anymore.

After dinner, all the heroes prepared to go down to the bat cave and I told Damian that I'd see him at home. "You should come with us," Black Canary said to me. "You may not be League, but you are a hero."

"This is League business," Hawkman objected. "Socialize on your own time." Superman frowned.

"We are here to work to strengthen the League, physically, mentally, and emotionally," he said thoughtfully. "Incorporate the new heroes into the League, expand our protection and assistance. To do that we need information and experience. And Alex could teach us much."

"She's not even a super," Hawkwoman sniffed. I decided I didn't like her either.

"Well, while I was fighting to save this world and everything in the Nine Realms, you were doing what, exactly?" I said, feigning pleasantry. She scowled at me.

"You lack the dedication to the heroes' way," she snapped.

"Oh, please," I said. "I was the hand to hand instructor for the Avengers for decades, preparing them for combat. I spent my afterlife as a hero in the fabled Valhalla with Ragnarok always on my mind. Daily scrimmages, frequent fights with the other afterlife of heroes. I was a valkyrie because of my skill and gifts. I was a chooser of the slain, Odin's chosen battlemaid. I taught Thor's children and mastered many weapons, forging some of the finest blades in the Nine Realms. And Odin chose me to lead the valkyries. I fight with sword, spear, javelin, bow and arrow, knives, anything that comes to hand, and my bare hands. Weapons that take skill to wield. In Valhalla I would have had the right and the duty to kill you for questioning my merits, and it is only your status as a guest in this house that prevents me from doing so," I said evenly. And I snapped out my wings, fully extending them so that everybody could view their magnificence. (If I say so myself.) Neither she nor Hawkman could repress their gasps. "And my wings are real, not a metal construct," I snapped. Their wings were made of Nth metal, which had anti-grav properties. "They are a symbol of my status as a valkyrie, given by Odin but maintained through a bond with the World Tree, that which supports the Nine Realms. So don't stand there and tell me I'm not worthy to be in your company because my mutations only make me enhanced, not super." I crossed my arms, staring her down, and scoffed. "You couldn't keep up with me. Either of you." I folded my wings around me, hooking the claws, and narrowed my eyes at both Hawk-people. Hawkwoman dropped her eyes first, so I focused on Hawkman. He blinked first and flushed a dull, thwarted red.

"We're wasting time," he said shortly.

"That is so cool!" Flash said, coming forward to look. "I thought you'd all lost them."

"Others did... I just didn't say anything different." I shrugged under my nice wings and felt Damian's hand on my back, rubbing gently.

"League members all have their own gifts and strengths," he said. "But you should never discount somebody just because they make different choices. You have no idea the breadth of her gifts or the extent of her strengths. Or the sacrifices that she's made."

"Indeed," Superman said. "I would appreciate your input and thoughts." Bruce nodded and gestured me toward the elevator. Daniel held the door for me and we were joined by the first group of heroes.

Aquaman struck a conversation comparing flight to riding the great currents of the oceans as we waited for everyone to come down. And when the group walked into the conference room (honestly, mine was much nicer) Diana took the seat beside me. The group listened as I began to reply to Superman's questions about conditioning and training exercises.