Wayne Manor
The muggy heat of summer has retreated, giving way to the cool and refreshing autumn. The windows in the manor are mostly open, allowing in some cold wind during the day, but they are often closed at night. Alfred walked down the quiet hallway, holding a tray of newly cooked breakfast as the master of the home had yet to come down for breakfast. Turning the doorknob Alfred entered the room, setting the tray down on the dressing table, kept neat and clean daily by the lady of the home.
Bruce was still asleep in bed, prompting Alfred to pull the curtains apart, allowing light into the room and waking him up as well. He groaned in protest but he still got up anyway as Alfred set the silver tray down at the small nightstand. Bruce pulled the blanket away, revealing a fresh set of bandages wrapped around his torso and a new set of bandages wrapped around his right arm. "Morning Alfred." he greeted.
"Since you know that it's already morning you should be having breakfast instead of sleeping about in bed." Alfred sighed. "There's your usual painkillers." he added, motioning at the tray. "Be sure to take them before heading off to Maryland."
As Bruce consumed his breakfast his focus wavered, leading him to glance at the newly redecorated crib. Isabella had delivered safely last night, but at a cost, because just like when she gave birth to their first child she suffered severe bleeding and needed emergency blood transfusions. Finishing up the breakfast and taking the medication Bruce got up and went ahead to prepare for his trip to Baltimore.
The manor was quiet when Bruce came down the stairs, dressed and ready to go. Putting on his navy blue Savile Row-style coat over his usual shirt and pants he checked the keys to the Ducati that Isabella had borrowed him, and he was spoiled for choice between two equally fast motorcycles. She had left the two sets of keys for him in their bedroom, which he had already had them placed in the pocket of his coat before exiting the manor.
"Bruce!" someone called out to him.
He turned, just as Jason and Stephanie were descending the stairs. He stopped.
"Heading out to see Isabella?" asked Stephanie.
"I am." said Bruce, holding in his urge to walk away without saying anything.
"How are you going there?" asked Jason.
"I'm taking Elizabeth's motorcycle." Bruce replied.
"Which Ducati?" Jason's eyes practically sparkled at Bruce's reply.
"It's getting late." Bruce said, dismissing Jason's question.
It was an excuse, after all.
The Ducati was waiting at the foot of the staircase when he reached it, brought over by Montgomery, who was rather reluctant to let him go alone. Isabella favoured the Desmosedici RR, and Bruce felt the same as well after riding with her in Helsinki. Taking the newly repainted navy blue helmet Bruce climbed on the Desmosedici RR and started the engine. This is the closest you can get when it comes to riding outside of the racing circuits, she told him. Lowering the helmet's visor Bruce revved the engine and took off, zooming past the open gates and heading out.
Baltimore, Maryland
The skies were gloomy when Bruce arrived at the flower shop, as he planned, as usual, to buy a bouquet of white roses before visiting Isabella. The shop already had its retractable awning switched on due to the weather. The bell hanging on the door frame sounded when Bruce pushed the door open. A woman was in the shop, dressed in a simple shirt and jeans with her hair tied into a fashionable chignon, held in place by a binyeo, the traditional hairpin often used by Korean ladies. She was holding a bunch of flowers, placing them in buckets filled with water to keep them fresh.
The woman turned on her feet, already sensing that someone was behind her. "Morning Bruce." she smiled.
"Mrs Kim." he said.
Emma Park, Isabella's aunt by marriage, gently placed the flowers on the counter and went ahead to pick out white roses to be wrapped into a delicate bouquet. "Isn't Gotham City close enough for you to pick out roses for Isa?" she asked him.
"I used to." he said. "But after some reporters noticed my presence, some of them literally camped outside the shop to snap photographs of me buying flowers for Eliza."
"So you decided to buy from here?" she glanced at her nephew-by-marriage.
"I could change the location." Bruce said.
"No need." Emma shook her head. "You're perfectly safe here."
As Emma wrapped up the bouquet and as Bruce reached for his wallet she noticed the navy blue pouch embroidered with the intertwining letters of his and Isabella's name. "Xavier was busy last night." she said. "Nobody was around to update me on Isa's condition."
"There's a car crash in the intersection close to John Hopkins." Bruce explained. "Isabella had just given birth but she needed emergency blood transfusions to save her life."
"She'll be ok Bruce." Emma reassured him. "Isa's been through worse."
"I know."
"Tell her I said hi." Emma smiled.
"Will do." said Bruce. "Thanks for the flowers."
Emma nodded and soon returned to rearranging and placing the flowers.
John Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
The hospital was relatively quiet when Bruce arrived on the Ducati, allowing him to breathe a sigh of relief. Parking at the designated parking space for motorcycles he locked the helmet inside the pannier and entered the hospital's main building lobby.
The sweet scent continued to drift from the bouquet as the elevator took him upstairs to the floor housing the maternity ward.
Bruce stepped out of the elevator and approached the room Isabella was staying in and gently opened the door. As this was a private room Isabella was allowed privacy with her and her babies. Bruce smiled as Isabella was still asleep, with her condition already stabilised in the early hours. Placing the flowers in the bouquet Bruce kissed her forehead and sat down on the chair to her left, as their newborn babies slept in the crib to her right.
YOU ARE READING
A Copycat Crime
FanfictionA series of murders that resembled the modus operandi of a famous killer from Gotham City brought the FBI director into contact with his friend and former co-worker, Isabella Reagan.
