A Piece of Heaven

Disclaimer all characters belong to Christopher Nolan and DC Comics

Somber cast of shadow hung over Alfred Pennyworth's wrinkled and drawn face, Alfred moved silently through the crowds. His shoulders felt heavy with the weight of guilt, he carries, blue eyes held rivers of his own tears. He walked to his reserved table, head hanging down as words of regret become etched upon his brow.

The waiter pulled out the chair and he gently nodded as his withered body settled down, and then he sipped his drink, taking his time to recollect the cherished moments he shared with the boy that he comfort through those dark years and helped lift him up from the abyss. He closed his eyes and saw the image of the marble gravestone with the name of his treasured promise gleaming in the rays of December sunlight, The red roses started to wither away.

He heard the sparkling laughter and conversations of couples sitting around him, families experiencing new moments of life.

Glimmers of happiness and all the things he wished the young man he loved would discover none of that mattered now his once hopeful soul has withered into a shroud of bitter and anguished sorrow. And he wished he could take those cold words, all back and tell his lifelong friend, Bruce Wayne that he loved him as a son.

His teary gaze glanced over at a young couple seated at the table across. The recurring fantasy he held dear in his wounded heart for all those seven years. He felt those images enter his weary mind and he found himself fighting against all emotions to catch a peek at their faces.

Inside, he knew they are strangers. They always were.

Alfred quickly finished his drink, folded his newspaper and took out his wallet.

Suddenly a familiar sense ached through his stiff bones as he heard the sound of blissful laughter a few tables over.

Bracing himself for yet another painful disappointment, Alfred glanced over at an attractive couple who were not strangers at all.

He felt time and it all the beating moments of his breaking heart becomes steady, he stared at the shafts of pure light shining over the person he thought he would never see again on this earth. Bruce Wayne.

He thought he was staring into a heavenly vision.

Bruce with surreal peace spread over his handsome, chiseled features give a gentle smile, a simple nod. He whispered under his breath. "I made it Alfred."

His crisp hazel eyes watched his old friend and father's unconditional love gleam across like a golden woven tapestry, rich, full and mended.

Alfred rose from the table, and then stuffed his wallet into his coat's pocket and smiled, knowing that he would treasure this moment forever... Knowing that the man he first heard his cries echo through the halls of Wayne Manor finally was living beyond the darkness.

That small moment was the greatest gift a father could receive from his son.

He watched Bruce turn his attention back to a beautiful brunette in cobalt blue summer dress and white pearls around her graceful neck, and when the young woman turned slightly, he remembered seeing her once before dressed a feathery maid he met in the kitchen.

"Selina," he murmured with a faint smirk, and then noticed a slightly round baby bump she was trying to hide underneath her dress. When she lifted her hand, a sparkling diamond ring captured the sunlight.

I liked to imagine that one day I'd look across the tables and see you. Sitting there with your wife. Perhaps some children. You wouldn't say anything to me, both we'd both know-that you'd made it. That you were happy.

Alfred gave one last look at the couple and departed with a spring in the step. But he decided not to look back.

Selina Kyle looked tenderly into her fiancée's endearing hazel green eyes, and placed her delicate hand gently over the top of his.

"You should go after him, Bruce." she said, in a low whisper.

Bruce dropped his head for a moment, staring fixated on her engagement ring as her fingers brush over his knuckles, everything froze for a moment, he blocked out the faint sounds of background noise from couples dining around their table. He finally exhaled a calm, deep breath and lifted his loving gaze at Selina the mother of his growing child and soon be his wife.

His smooth lips parted as he kept them locked into Selina's dark eyes, and finally answered her.

"There is nothing more that I need to say to him, Selina." he explained and let out a cleansing breath. "He's knows that I'm finally happy and finally having a life beyond the cave. I don't need to go after him. His wish came true. That's all that matters."

Selina sat comfortably back, and crossed her arms over her swollen belly, frowning and narrowing her eyes to her ring.

"Are you happy, handsome?" she asked, her face a little dark and complex as he watched a change in her mood.

"You're going to regret not talking to him. He was a father to you. I never knew my father, Bruce. You're just going to let this man who raised you from a boy let away out of your life without knowing the truth that I see in your eyes. You need to go after him and tell him. Because you might not get a chance the next time. You and I both know it."

Bruce looked down at his growing child, and lightly smiled "This isn't easy for me, Selina."

"Nothing ever is, handsome," she replied with a gentle purr in her voice, she then pushed back her chair, stood up, and his eyes stared at her with weariness. "If you don't get your ass out of that chair and go after him... I'll personally drag you to him."

"Let me ask you something, Selina," Bruce straightened from the table. "Why is talking to Alfred so important to you?" He raised one eyebrow. "I understand that you feel like affecting me, but it's nothing for you get all worked up about. I'm still the same man, whether I speak to Alfred again or not."

Selina shook her head sadly. "It's not about you, Bruce. It's about our family. Alfred is the only family you have. I want your old friend to take on the role of being a grandfather to our kids?"

Bruce's hazel eyes widen. "Kids?" he asked with a surprised tone.

She walked over to him, placed her hand on his jagged cheek. "I'm carrying twins. I found this morning. I regretted not telling you sooner. We're having a boy and a girl."

Bruce closed his eyes and felt tears dripping down the curves of his face. Selina wiped the tears from his eyes and pressed herself against him. He embraced his strong arms around her and held her tightly against him, both hearts pounded the same rhythm.

He looked tenderly into her eyes and she run a finger over his lips, before she could slip out of his arms, he covered her mouth in a soft kiss and pulled his lips away. He cradled her face in his hands and pressed a kiss on her forehead.

"Thank you, Selina."

"Thank you?" she repeated with an eyebrow arched. " For what?"

"For giving me everything," he answered, rubbing her stomach. 'And so much more."

She kissed him hard on the lips and took his hand, pulling him away from the table.

"Come on. Let's go, Wayne."

"Where are we going, Selina ?" He asked, feeling her hand squeezing tighter against his.

"I'm not spoiling anything." she purred with a grin. "You'll just have to trust me."

Bruce smirked lightly and said against her ear with a low rasp, "Lead the way, Miss Kyle."