The Gift

By Misty Fortner

A Robin and Raven Story

To my reviewers:

I am very sorry this took so long. But here is the final chapter of The Gift.

Insanely Unstable, Tecna, Guardian of Azarath, Calda Pesca492, smile90000, Guybrush007, Delirium24, ravenrogue19, raerob4ever, ravenslair,vam-girl, DarkShadows01, WillowSpikey – Thank you all. I hope you like the ending and it gets Robin back in your good graces.

Dennisud – Thanks. I'm glad you liked it. My love for Teen Titans came by accident; I honestly couldn't even tell you who was in the Justice League. Though, I can see that adding to the drama of the chapter.

Pureangel86, Cherished18 – No star wasn't kidnapped or with Raven. She was crying on someone's shoulder. That's all I'm saying. Who, that shall be revealed in the story.

RaeRurounifan – hope you didn't go crazy, and I'm glad the future surprised you. I am really glad you enjoyed the story.

Robin and raven 4 ever – Thanks, and again I take compliments on being able to bring you to tears.

SweetNCrazieSugarmuffin – That's ok about the review, I completely understand. I debated about Stars reaction, but I think her kind heart would have forgiven them. Esp with Winter on the way, I think the idea of a baby in the Tower was a melting point for her heart.

Yessy – Thanks for both reviews. Yes I thought the part where I made Robin jealous of Trigon funny and moving. It kinda shows that even villains can care about someone. Kinda like Kitty and Killer Moth.

Enkaime Katina – Read on and find out. :D

Chimmylex0ne – thanks. Sorry about the errors, but spelling and grammar have never been strong points for me. I wish I had someone who could do good proofreading work before I post, because I suck at it. I am glad you enjoyed the plot.

Lolopixie – thanks. Yeah it was hard on Winter. I really enjoyed writing her, because she was a little girl, but she had such a dark story. But I think that's what makes her such an enjoyable character.

Chapter 12 – Greatest Gift of All

Through the window I can see snow begin to fall
Knowing you're in love with me is the greatest gift of all

Robin was a nervous wreck. How was he supposed to apologize for the stupid way he'd been acting? Would she even forgive him? He paced back and forth in the living area of Arella's place on Azarath. Finally the waiting was over, Raven walked into the room.

"My mother said it was important that I speak to you now. What is it? I want to go spend more time with Winter."

Robin looked into Raven's eyes. They starred coldly back into his. He stuttered trying to find his words. "Uh… I… Ah Raven… Do you ... Um… I know I've hurt you."

"Yes Robin, you have hurt many people these past couple days. What about it?" she said in a monotone voice.

Robin sighed. She wasn't going to make this easy on him, not that he blamed her. He had been really cruel and insensitive to her, their child, and Star. Finally, he looked at his shoes and mumbled "Raven, I'm really sorry"

Raven glared at Robin, "What was that I couldn't hear you?"

Robin looked back up and saw the clock behind Raven. He only had 12 minutes before midnight. He had to do this quickly and he couldn't drag it on. Finally he cleared his throat and looked into the eyes of the violet haired sorceress. "Look Raven, I've been an idiot about the pregnancy. Winter is our child, and if you are going to have her, then I want to be a part of your lives." There he had said it. He impatiently waited for her reaction.

"What made you change your mind?" she asked in her usual monotone voice.

"Seeing what would happen if I didn't. I was afraid I would be a bad father and that some villain would use her in his attempts to take over the world. But when I saw Slade kill you, and then seeing our beautiful teenage daughter…." Robin stopped mid sentence when he saw Raven's reaction. "Your mom didn't tell you, did she?"

Raven shook her head no. She sat down on the couch. "What were you saying about Winter as a teenager?"

Robin shook his head, he assumed she had known. He really didn't want to tell her, but he knew she would force him. Sadly he looked at her, "Your mother put me through a Charles Dickens's story. Only instead of ghosts I had had visitors from key people in my life. Bruce came and showed me my last Christmas with my family. I realized how I am becoming a lot like my father, even though he died when I was so young. Starfire took me to next years Christmas, Winter's first. You were working two jobs to take care of her, and Slade came to the gas station where you were working and proposed to you. When you turned him down, he said he would marry your mother and raise Winter as his new apprentice, and he killed you."

Raven gasped. Her voice was filled with remorse at first, and then became firmer as she finishes saying "No wonder the Winter from the future relished the time with us. She never really had us. Finish the story Robin."

"You would rather not no, I promise you."

"Tell me!"

Robin closed his eyes and then quickly opened them again after he momentarily flashed back to the horror from the future. "Your father used Winter as a new portal into our world. He protected her from Slade and became a father figure to her. She killed our friends and me."

Raven shook her head, as silent tears fell from her eyes. It was very painful to imagine her little girl as Slade's pawn. "I won't keep you from our daughter; I know every child should have two parents who love her."

Robin's eyes enlarged. No this wasn't going right. Hadn't he said he wanted to be a part of both of their lives? Had she decided that she didn't love him? He only had five minutes to correct this now. Desperate to figure out what to say to convince her that they could work, he pulled out the bag of souvenirs from his 'visions'. He placed the rose and pacifier on a table and pulled out the box. He had never even opened it to see what was in it. He opened it and smiled. A beautiful diamond ring was in the box, with a small blue stone in it.

Robin fell to one knee. "Raven, I made the biggest mistake of my life when I treated you and our daughter so badly. I will be a part of her life no matter what your answer to this question is, but I hope you will still let me be a part of your life. Raven, I want to go to sleep by your side every night and wake up with you every morning. Life is short, and we never know what tomorrow may bring. Will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

A new tear fell from Raven's eye, but this one was greeted by a smile from her lips. "It's an engagement ring and a mother's ring. It has our daughter's birthstone in it. Yes Robin, I can't wait to be your wife." Robin slid the ring on her finger, and Raven threw her eyes around him and the pair shared a passionate kiss. In the background, chimes rang letting the household know that it was no longer Christmas day. When the two finally pulled away from the kiss they were applauded by a room full of admirers.

The pair smiled at each other, and then looked around. They were surrounded by the many people in their lives that they cared for. Beast Boy and Cyborg had high-fived each other, Arella was hugging Bruce Wayne and crying tears of joy, and Starfire was holding hands with Red Star. Finally Robin spoke up, "Look everyone, I know I have been very difficult lately. I'm sorry I for the way I've been acting, but I have realized my mistake. I hope you will all join Raven and I at our wedding, but I want to spend some more time making up with my fiancé so bye."

As everyone was leaving, Robin grabbed Starfire. "Look Star, I hadn't really apologized to you yet. I am very sorry that I let things happen the way they did."

"I understand, and I'm glad that you two found happiness. I wish you would have told me before hand, but Red has let me cry on his shoulders. I'm very happy to have him in my life. I'm going to talk to Cy about finding a way to help him live safely hear with us, so maybe their will be another wedding shortly after yours."

The three of them smiled, and Starfire walked out. Starfire went to Arella. She found Arella sitting with Bruce and Winter. "Why did Robin and Raven seem to not remember what has all happened? They didn't even come to see their daughter before she left."

"They don't remember, Starfire. We were granted the miracle of Christmas to change their hearts, but they aren't allowed to retain the knowledge gained. Their will be no record of Winter even being in this time. Raven, Robin and anyone else that were exposed to Winter have already been forced to 'unremember" her. You remember it as does Bruce, because you showed them. Within the next week, when the Christmas spirit goes away we will all forget what we were shown also. Their hearts were truly changed and it will not return to the old way, but they won't remember what changed the situation.

"Oh, Will I remember forgiving them?"

"Yes, because you truly forgave them in your heart with Red Stars help."

Alone again, Robin and Raven drew close again, but they were interrupted before they could begin their kiss by a man with a white beard in a red suit.

"Santa?" The lovebirds said in unison.

"I am proud of you both. You have both truly learned something this holiday. You have learned that to give and receive true love is a wonderful thing. I was unsure if after the heartbreak in both of your pasts if you two could ever truly find love and happiness, but I know you two will be happy."

"But Santa isn't real." Raven replied. "Who are you?"

"I am real to everyone who knows the true spirit of Christmas. You have learned that this year. I also want you to remember the love that keeps you warm on a cold winter's night is the greatest gift of all." At that the man disappeared.

"Winter," Raven said. "That would be a beautiful name for our daughter."

"I agree," said Robin as he pulled the mother of his child into a warm embrace including the kiss he had tried to retrieve before they had been interrupted again.

THE END

I hope this was enjoyed and I look forward to reading the reviews on the ending. I have 3 other stories that I have in my head to write eventually.

Two are Teen Titan stories:

The Invitation – (Not sure if oneshot or chapter) – Its been 4 years since Raven left the Titans, and now she's been asked to be a bridesmaid in Starfire's wedding. How will she ever make it through watching the man she loves marry another woman? Raven agrees to help herself find closure, but does she know what she's getting herself into?

Gone With The Titans – Oneshot – Parody of Gone With The Wind, starring the Titans. This was more something I was told that could not be done and actually work right, but I disagree. Control Freak, in an effort to stop the Titans, traps them in a 4 hour long movie that in fictional time lasts over 10 years. How will the Titans escape the Old South.

And for Harry Potter Fan Fic readers

Hidden Lies (Chapter 1 to be posted soon)

Severus Snape is on the run. Draco Malfoy is being hunted by the Dark Lord. Harry received a letter asking him to finish his magical education, before trying to fight Voldemort, so the threesome returns for one final year. The new DoDA teacher is new mystery to be solved. Includes spoilers for all books.