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-:-

Time was moving agonizingly slow as the evening went on. As it got later into the evening, Charlotte began to worry when the Wayne's hadn't returned home. Alfred told her she had no reason to be worried and explained said he dropped them off at the restaurant and from there they were to be heading to the movie theatre near by. He had also explained that he wasn't expecting a phone call home for Thomas had decided to give him the night off and insisted they would take a taxi home. By eleven o'clock, Charlotte had decided to retire for the evening. After wishing Alfred a good evening, she set out a piece of pie for Bruce when they returned home and headed off to bed.

It was creeping up to one in the morning and Charlotte couldn't sleep. The Wayne's had yet to return home and it wasn't like them to not call and let them know where they were or if there was a change in their plans. The clock read 1:05 AM when the phone rang throughout the manor. The noise stopped after the third ring indicating Alfred had answered. After a couple of minutes Charlotte was slipping out of bed to check what was going on but before she could make it to her door she felt the front door of the manor close and then the sound of an engine. She looked out of the window just in time to see the car pulling away from the estate. The sinking feeling in Charlotte's gut got worse once the vehicle was out of sight. She really hoped the phone call was only the Wayne's calling for a ride home but doubt was festering in the back of her mind.

It was almost three before Charlotte heard the sound of tires pulling up in front of the mansion. Throwing on a house coat over top her nightgown, she made her way to the front door. As she entered the foyer, Alfred was gently pushing Bruce inside. One look at the boy and Charlotte was in tears. No words needed to be said between them for her to know whatever happened was not good and by the look on both of the male's faces she knew there was no hope of Thomas and Martha returning home. Bruce's face looked void of all emotions, unsure how to process the events of his evening, it wasn't until Charlotte pulled him into her arms did he finally break down. Crying, screaming for the return of his parents.

The woman felt a hand rest between her shoulder blades causing her to look up from where she had her head buried in Bruce's neck and was greeted by grey eyes staring back into hers. The look Alfred gave her spoke thousands of unsaid words, for a man who rarely showed emotions his face was full of sorrow. Usually he would make a comment about the tears and the way she was caressing Bruce but tonight was an exception. Tonight it was needed.

None of them went to bed after that. Eventually Alfred was able to move Charlotte and Bruce into one of the many sitting areas where all three of them stayed until it was late enough in the morning to start making phone calls concerning the deaths of the Waynes. The nanny was sat on one side of the couch with Bruce laying across the rest of it curled up at her side. Occasionally one of them would doze off but never for long. Once the sun rose, Alfred had given up on trying to make the two of them sleep and instead brought Charlotte coffee to help keep her away as well as tea for Bruce.

"It's all I can think of. Every time I close my eyes all I see is them just lying on the pavement." Hearing Bruce's voice startled Charlotte for a moment, she had spaced out and the boy had been so quiet since they both stopped crying that she almost forget he was still in the same room.

"Honey, you don't need to talk about it if you don't want to," she said placing the coffee cup she held in her hand down on the table before wrapping her arm around the boy's shoulder and pulling him back into her side.

Bruce leaned his head against her. "I feel like if I talk about it maybe I can make more sense about it. I should have done something, but instead I just stood there. I was scared."

"Nothing about what happened makes sense, Bruce. You cannot blame what happened on yourself. There was honestly nothing you could have done. You're a twelve year old boy - you couldn't stop a man with a gun even if you wanted to. As much as it pains me to say this, all I can think right now is 'Thank god you're okay.'"

"A part of me still can't believe this is real. I think my parents are going to walk through the door any minute," he replied, his voice sounding lost. Broken.

"I think we all keep hoping that."

The silence took over for them again. It didn't feel necessary for them to fill the air with needless chatter. Both were more comfortable being quiet. Neither were sure how long it was before Alfred returned to the sitting room - both having lost the concept of time.

"I am sorry for the interruption, Master Bruce but the lawyer will be here this afternoon to read your parents will and have asked both Miss O'Brien and I to be there."

Bruce sat up straight as Alfred spoke, making Charlotte feel upset over the loss of contact with the boy. Not only was she providing comfort for Bruce but he was providing comfort for her as well, whether he knew it or not.

"Very well, Alfred. Thank you," said Bruce politely.

"Of course, Master Bruce," the butler replied with a nod before looking towards the woman. "Perhaps it would be best for Charlotte to change out of her nightwear before the time comes."

It was only then did Charlotte remember her state of undress. Even though her house coat covered most of her body the nightgown her wore underneath did not. The woman went a subtle shade of pink. "I'll… Go do that right now."

She felt guilty for leaving Bruce by himself, he was barely showing any emotion it was hard to tell if he was going to break down again.

-:-

The lawyer was at the manor by noon with the last Will and Testament as well as several other papers that needed to be looked at. They were all seated in Thomas's study - Alfred, Bruce, and Charlotte on one couch with the lawyer sat across from them in an armchair.

"I am truly sorry for your loss, Mister Wayne," the man said as he pulled a folder out of his brief case.

"Thank you," Bruce replied with a slight nod of his head, his voice void of any emotion.

"Are we ready to begin?" The lawyer asked looking at the two adults beside the young Wayne. Both Alfred and Charlotte were silent but nodded their heads in reply. "Very well then."

"Last Will and Testament of Thomas Wayne. I, Thomas Wayne of 1007 Mountain Drive, Wayne Manor, Gotham City declare this as my last Will and Testament. I hereby revoke, annul and cancel all wills and codicils previously made by me, either jointly or severally. I declare I am of legal age to make this will and that I am sound of mind.

I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my wife, Martha Wayne as Executor. If this Executor is unable or unwilling to serve, then I appoint Alfred Pennyworth as alternate Executor, to pay my just debts, funeral and testamentary expenses. I give all my tangible personal property and all policies and proceeds of insurance covering such property, to my wife, Martha. If she does not survive me, I give that property to those of son, Bruce should he survive me.I give all my residences, subject to any mortgages or encumbrances thereon, and all policies and proceeds of insurance covering such property, to my wife, Martha. If she does not survive me, I give that property to my son, Bruce.

I bequeath my shares in Wayne Enterprises to my son, Bruce should he survive me, in hopes of running the family company once he reaches the age of 18.

I bequeath both Charlotte O'Brien and Alfred Pennyworth x amount of money upon my death so they can both live comfortable lifestyles, if they predecease me their shares are to go back into the pot.

If my spouse and I shall die under such circumstances that the order of our deaths cannot be readily ascertained, my spouse shall be deemed to have predeceased me. No person, other than my spouse, shall be deemed to have survived me if such person dies within 30 days after my death. This article modifies all provisions of this will accordingly. If my husband does not survive me and I leave minor children surviving me, I appoint as guardian of the person and property of my minor children my dear friends, Charlotte O'Brien and Alfred Pennyworth. They shall have custody of my minor children, and shall serve without bond."

"The rest is just the signatures of Mister Wayne's witnesses but there are also letters addressed to both Mister Pennyworth and Miss O'Brien."

"Is there any letter for me?"Bruce asked curiously.

"I am sorry Mister Wayne, there was no letter left for you before the time of your parent's passing."
Bruce was quiet for the rest of the appointment.

Charlotte and Alfred said goodbye to the lawyer shortly after he finished reading through the will, making an appointment to meet with the two again to finish up paperwork in regards to Bruce's guardianship as well as the money that was left to each of them.

Bruce sat very still on the couch, it pained Charlotte to see him that way. Usually he was so full of life but it all seemed to be hiding behind a mask. She stood in front of the boy gently brushing her hand through his hair. "I know it's the last thing you want to think about, but you need to eat Bruce."
Bruce leaned away from her touch and pushed her hand away. "I'm not hungry, Charlotte."

Her hand went back to her side. "I hear you, kiddo. But you need to at least eat something small. I don't care if it's soup, crackers, a piece of bread or even a piece of pie."

"No thank you. I would like to be left alone now, Charlotte," he said looking up to the nanny with a blank expression.

His request had taken her aback. She had never known Bruce to treat her coolly, and she understood the situation but she could help but feel it was very uncharacteristic of him. All she managed to get out was a, "Yes. Of course."

Charlotte made her way out of the room but was stopped at the door by Bruce's voice. "Charlotte?"

"Yes?" she replied, turning her head to look at him.

"Please tell Alfred that I wish to be left alone, as well."

With a shake of her head she sighed and repeated the words she heard Alfred use a thousand times. "Of course, Master Bruce."

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