A/N: So sorry for the long wait! Trust me it will be worth it. This is the next to last chapter. I am working on Chapter 30 now, it won't be nearly as long and will be an introduction to... The next Robin.

It had been hours since Bruce had left the Mountain after filling the others in on Robin's whereabouts. He was walking the halls of his home, he could hear from the living room Conner playing with Wolf. He didn't regret his decision about adopting Conner, it was only a matter of time when he found out his court date to get everything finalized. Bruce gave a slight grin as he stood in the doorway to the living room and watched Conner and Wolf play. He thought about the kitten that was on his way to Gotham from Wyoming he had made the right choice in allowing Dick to finally have a pet. The boy had always wanted a companion of some kind, Bruce had always agreed with Alfred about not allowing pets in his home. But it wouldn't be fair to allow Conner to have his pet and not allow Dick to keep the kitten he rescued.

Heading upstairs he stepped into Dick's room to check on him, the teen was laying down on his back with his casted arm perched on a pillow asleep. Giving him a smile he left the room and went back to the cave to do some work he had been neglecting the past few weeks. He noticed that a few arrests had been made recently by Justice League members who were keeping an eye on the city in his absence.

"Are you going out tonight?"

Bruce glanced over and saw Conner standing there. "Maybe, I'm thinking about it."

"Then go, Dick will be fine. He won't leave again."

"I know he won't, I just worry about him..."

Conner chuckled and told him. "You know if only Clark could see how you're acting."

"Don't even think about it," Bruce told him with a warning in his tone.

Conner turned and went back up the stairs and Bruce went out for a few hours, when he got home he saw both boys asleep soundly in Dick's room.

Weeks later…

Bruce was in the middle of a meeting when a call came in. His secretary came into the meeting and cleared her throat nervously when she got the men's attention.

"Sorry to interrupt Mr. Wayne, but there's a phone call for you. They were very urgent."

Bruce looked around at the waiting businessmen and told her. "Can you take a message?"

"Sorry sir, but they said it's important."

Bruce looked around the room and told the men. "Give me a few moments, sorry."

Lucius gave him an understanding nod and told him. "I'll continue Bruce go take the call."

Bruce walked out of the meeting room and to the receptionist area. "It's not Dick is it?"

"No sir, I didn't think you wanted me to announce who the caller was, CPS is on line 3." She told him with a worried look.

Swallowing hard he went to his office down the hall and shut the door. Picking up the phone he looked down at the flashing line 3 pressing the button he waited for a second then said.

"Hello? This is Bruce Wayne."

"Good morning, Mr. Wayne. This is Ms. May Conner's social worker. I'm pleased to inform you that we have a date set up to finalize his adoption."

Bruce felt relief wash over him as he opened his appointment book. "Great, what date?"

"Would April 3rd be alright? I know you're a busy man but I just want to clarify the date before I set it in stone."

Noticing it was a Monday he sighed when he saw he had an all-day board meeting along with a short trip to New York again for a business deal. He'd be gone most of the week, and he was required to be there in person. Flipping to the next week he saw he was booked again. Letting out a frustrated sigh he told her.

"I'm booked for the first couple weeks, this is frustrating..."

She chuckled slightly and told him. "I understand Mr. Wayne, you want to get this over with and obstacles get in the way. How about the 3rd week in April?"

Bruce saw that the 19th, 20th and 21st were all free. "The 19th-21st look like they are the only days I have open that month." He couldn't believe he had to put something so important on hold because of his business… at one point in his life, he would not have allowed for anything to bother him when it came to his work. Now that he was a father things have changed so much.

He could hear the understanding in her voice as she said. "I understand, how about Friday, April 21st at 9 am? That would give you the entire weekend to be with your boys officially."

"Sounds good, also, I want to hyphenate Conner's name. Conner Kent-Wayne is what I'd like it to be. I did that for Dick too."

"OK, Mr. Wayne, You will need to tell the judge that when you go to court that day."

Bruce gave a slight grin and replied. "Thank you for calling, will you be in the courtroom with us that day?"

"I can't make it, but I don't really need to be present in this case. Good luck to you and your sons."

Bruce felt as though a weight was finally being lifted off his chest, this was finally happening after all of these months. It seemed like a year or two had passed instead of a matter of months. He looked over at the clock and saw that the meeting had a little while left before they took a break for lunch. Getting up he went to the meeting with the intentions of leaving work during lunch.

Dick saw Conner coming up the hall between classes and met up with him. "Hey, I gotta stay after school to work on my Science project. I text Bruce but he hasn't responded yet."

Conner shook his head and looked at the smaller boy's casted arm. "I'm still surprised Bruce let you come back to school so quick. But I'll tell him if you don't hear from him beforehand."

The two boys walked quietly to the lunch room and stood in line. About 5 to 10 minutes later while they were waiting they heard an overhead page.

"Richard Grayson and Conner Kent, please report to the office."

Both boys looked at each other and walked quickly towards the office.

"What happened? Did we do something wrong?" Conner asked worriedly.

Shaking his head Dick told him. "No, if we were in trouble the principal would have paged not the receptionist."

They went up a small round of steps then around a corner, Dick frowned when he saw Bruce standing just outside the office door. To both boys surprise, he had that smirk he was so well known for on his face.

"What's going on Bruce? Is Alfred OK?" Dick asked concerned.

Nodding Bruce replied. "He's fine Dick, I got an interesting phone call just a little bit ago and I have another meeting this afternoon so it is going to be late when I get home to tell you. We have a date finally."

Conner's eyes lit up as he asked hopefully. "An adoption date?"

Nodding his head Bruce replied back. "Yes, the 21st of April. I came in to make arrangements for you two to be out of school for that week. I know it's less than a month away but I wanted to be ready for it."

Dick's eyes grew wide. "Seriously! 2 weeks off from school! This is awesome! Easter Break is the week before." He added that in seeing Bruce's confusion.

"Then you two will be rested up for the following week then when you go back to school. I didn't feel this sort of news would be best given over the phone. That and my meeting this afternoon."

"This is so awesome! Does Alfred know?" Dick asked quickly.

"Yes, I called him before I got here."

"So you called him but came to give us the news in person…" Dick told him slyly.

Bruce chuckled and told Dick. "I'm complicated you know that. You two better run on to lunch before your next class and I will see you both this evening some time."

Both boys hurried off after telling Bruce good-bye, he knew it was just a matter of time and their lives were going to change forever…

The week of Easter…

When Dick looked at his calendar that morning he couldn't believe that in just over a week he'd have a permanent big brother. It was hard to believe how much his life had changed since his parent's deaths. He had been an only child for 13 years and now at 14 was officially getting an older brother.

With Easter fast approaching Conner couldn't understand what all the fuss was over a large rabbit giving out eggs and chocolate. Dick tried to explain the tradition but to no avail. Alfred sat him down and explained the entire thing, the true story of Easter. Unfortunately, it confused him again because he wanted to know how anyone could get a rabbit story out of a resurrection story.

The kitten that Adam and Gervis had promised to bring back to Dick arrived a few days after Adam had called. Dick named him after his mother's favorite cartoon character from the 90's, Garfield. The orange tabby cat roamed the halls of Wayne Manor and always found new places to find mischief. The humor really began when Wolf met the new member of the family. The tiny 2-pound kitten was terrified of the massive wolf hybrid. Wolf, on the other hand, was curious of the new member and would attempt to check the little guy out only to receive a scratch on his nose or get hissed at.

Bruce just kept saying they would get along eventually. Alfred appeared as though he was not impressed with the newest member of the family, but when no one was looking the old man could be found petting the small creature and talking to it.

Dick kept his promise and took full responsibility for the cat, he made it part of his morning routine to clean out the litter box and feed him before school.

As he reminisced about how much had changed over the past several months he didn't hear his door open.

"Dick?" Conner asked as he walked into the room. The younger boy hadn't answered when he knocked so he came in.

Shaking his head Dick glanced over and told him. "Sorry, got lost in thought for a sec there. What's up?"

"Alfred says breakfast will be ready soon. What are you thinking about so seriously?"

"Thinking about everything that has changed in the past several years since my parent's died. Becoming an orphan, then getting taken in by the richest man in town, becoming Robin, and now I'm going to be some one's brother. I've even seen a change in Bruce in the past several years, at first he seemed so kind and concerned, then he got distant and cold. But once I became Robin it's like he totally flipped on me. He used to work till all hours of the evening or night and not come home till morning. From what I've been told he was a playboy who had a new girl every weekend. You know, since I've been here I think there has only been one girl over? She still comes by but not as often."

Frowning a little the taller boy sat on Dick's bed. "Who is she?"

Dick chuckled a little and told him. "Now don't go freaking out on me, but her name is Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman."

"Seriously? He's dating a villain?"

"Well sort of, the relationship goes way back to before he became Batman and her Catwoman, he knew her when he was our age. But when he went away when he was 14 to start his training Selina disappeared only to reappear years later as the villainess Catwoman. It took Bruce a while until he found out who she really was. I'm not sure she knows who he is but even if she does it doesn't seem to bother her."

Conner shook his head and then told him. "Wow, that's crazy. As far as I know, Clark isn't dating anyone… hopefully, he's not dating a villain too."

"He's not, he's dating Lois from the newspaper office. They've been going out for years, and what's funny is she hasn't made the connection yet. Funny how those glasses seem to mask his identity so well."

Conner shook his head and then stood up. "We better get to breakfast before Alfred or Bruce come up here."

Without a word Dick got up and followed Conner out of the room, they went down the staircase and to the dining room where Bruce was sitting at the table with a cup of coffee reading the paper.

Looking up he gave them a grin and said. "Good morning boys."

"Morning Bruce," Dick told him as he sat across from him and Conner sat on the other side of Dick and just nodded his head.

Alfred came in with their breakfast and smiled at the small family, it was getting harder to remember a time when this house was so dark and dreary. Back when it was just himself and Bruce, now there were two teenage boys.

Wolf and Garfield came running into the room at the smell of food. The orange cat jumped up on the table and ran the length towards the three males. Bruce glared at him and told him firmly. "Get down, you know better than that."

The kitten meowed a protest but jumped down and onto a chair next to his boy but concentrating mostly on the plate of food.

Alfred shook his head and looked at the small creature. "Cats do not belong at the table Master Dick."

Dick shook his head as he turned to his little friend. "Get down boy, you know better."

The little kitten put his ears back, gave a small meow of protest and jumped down rubbing up against Dick's legs.

Alfred had gone to the kitchen and brought back the bowl of cat food, shaking it Garfield scampered off after the butler.

"You would think he's like Wolf and can actually understand what we are saying to him," Conner remarked.

"Animals are strange like that," Bruce commented as he took a sip of his coffee.

They all ate in silence, Bruce looked up after he was finished and told the boys. "Boys, I have to go to the office for a little while today so I want you both to be on your best behavior."

"I can't misbehave too much with a busted arm," Dick told him flatly.

Shaking his head Bruce just ignored the comment and told Dick. "If you feel up to it would you file the Justice League report for me this morning. It shouldn't take too long, then I want you to get some rest."

"Sure," Dick said as he took a long drink from his orange juice.

Since he stepped down as Robin he had found out he was still very useful in crime fighting by filing reports and running errands for the league. It didn't bother him one bit, he was even doing better in school.

After breakfast was over Bruce went to work, Conner took Wolf outside and Dick went to the Batcave to work on files.

As he sat there he began to think about the past again and how much things had changed. He didn't feel guilty about stepping down as Robin but part of him wanted to create a new and better persona. Someone who was similar to Batman but not as scary. He remembered a story Clark had told him once when he babysat, about a superhero on Krypton.

I wonder if Bruce ever did any research on Krypton? I'm sure he did...

Dick made fast work of filing away the Justice League reports than did his own research.

He did find a file on Superman while searching through the Batcomputer.

As he clicked through and read over the files marked Krypton Heroes he didn't hear someone entering the cave until…

"What are you looking at?"

Dick jumped half out of the seat and spun around to see Conner standing behind him. Spinning around he looked up at his older brother.

"Just curious about something."

Conner studied the screen for a moment before replying. "It looks like you're studying a superhero."

Conner pulled over another chair and sat down facing Dick. "What's going on? Are you regretting your decision about stepping down?"

Dick shook his head and told him. "Not exactly, Clark told me this story a long time ago about heroes that used to live on Krypton that would protect the citizens there..."

"He was just a baby when he left. How would he know this?"

Letting out a sigh Dick told him. "When Krypton was being destroyed, Clark's mother and father put him in a spaceship and sent him into outer space. His ship came to Earth and crashed on a field in Kansas. That's where he met the Kent's. Not having any children of their own they took Clark in and raised him. Our sun in this solar system gave him the abilities he has today, the red sun that orbits Krypton makes him like the citizens of Earth. Also, his father made a history video about the planet before putting him on the ship."

"So that's why Bruce has that device in the training room?"

"Yes, so you don't severely hurt anyone during training. I thought we explained that to you already?"

Shrugging Conner told him. "I think you did, but with the way things have been lately I must have forgotten."

"Understandable." Dick turned back to the computer and clicked on one of the superheroes that were on the screen.

"This is the persona I'm thinking of going with."

"Nightwing? That's a funny name."

"Oh, and Superboy is much better?"

"Funny, so this is who you're thinking of becoming? When?"

Dick let out a sigh and told him honestly. "Don't know, I'm still stepping down for a while. So probably within the next few years, I have to create the costume first. I'll have Alfred help with it, but I think this is who I wanna be. I mean it kinda fits with the whole dynamic duo thing for Gotham. Batman and Nightwing."

Cringing slightly Conner replied back. "I like Batman and Robin better but hey, it's your call."

They were silent for several minutes as Dick brought up another file that would enable him to create a virtual design of his new costume. As he worked he was aware of Conner watching him but it didn't bother him.

After several moments Conner spoke. "Dick, can I ask you something?"

Dick stopped what he was doing and turned in his seat to face the taller boy. "What's up?"

Conner looked down hesitantly then asked. "Does it feel any different once you're adopted? I know I probably asked before but..."

Dick gave a slight grin and replied. "I understand, in some ways yeah you do feel different. Or at least I did anyway. When I first moved in with Bruce it was temporary until a permanent family could be found. But over time Bruce and I bonded, and I really didn't wanna leave. Then I found out about his secret identity… By that point I had been here for several months, Bruce was home more often and we spent some time together whether it be playing basketball, or in his case, he called it 'hand-eye coordination training'. It took little over a year and a half before he made the final decision to adopt me though. He was nervous that it was something I didn't want, but in all fairness, I was hoping he would have done it much sooner. Anyway, when the papers were signed and my last name changed from Grayson to Grayson-Wayne I felt like nothing could take me away from the one place that felt like home since my parent's died. I knew CPS could swoop in and take me away any given day, so knowing that I was adopted was setting it in stone that I couldn't be taken away ever. Bruce is a good man, it took a while before he got a hang of being a father figure. But I wouldn't trade him for anyone else in the world. Not because he made me a superhero or because he found justice for my parent's murder, but because he made me feel safe and secure where the Detention Center made me scared. I was so scared the day Bruce got me out of that place. I remember many nights Alfred had to force me to come out of my room. There was one night, Bruce must have been out as Batman because when he got home he was sweaty and was in sweatpants and a white tee-shirt. He clearly hadn't taken a shower because he had dirt on his face and arms, and had changed in a hurry. He came rushing into my room worried and kept asking me what was wrong."

They were silent again for a few moments before Conner spoke up. "Wow, he really turned into a good dad didn't he?"

"He's getting there. At first, he had no clue as to what he was doing. But after all these years he's getting better at showing emotions..."

Conner gave him a look. "Conner please, you know what I mean, he may not show it… a lot of the time but once he opens up and gets used to things he is actually not bad to live with."

Trying to use his broken arm to type was beginning to wear him out, standing up he told Conner. "I better go lay down for a little bit. Arm's starting to hurt. I'll leave the file up if you want to read up on Krypton. After all, you are a Kryptonian."

Conner took his seat after the younger boy left and read over the file for a little bit before Alfred called him for lunch. He wondered what the future was going to hold once he was adopted…

The following week, April 21…

Dick adjusted his tie one more time before going down the grand staircase to the front hall to meet Bruce and Conner. Today was the big day, he was nervous and excited at the same time. The last time he had to get dressed up to go into a courtroom was the day he got adopted. His cast was finally off and now he just had his arm in a sling.

Alfred came in the front door just as Dick came down the last step. "Ah Master Dick, how are you this morning?"

"Ok, I guess, so today's the official day that Conner becomes a permanent part of this thing isn't it?"

"If the word you are searching for is 'family' then yes Master Dick it is."

Dick and Alfred walked over to the bench by the stairs and sat down, they were silent for several moments before Dick asked.

"Do you think Bruce will adopt any more kids?"

Giving the teen a kind look Alfred told him gently. "It's possible, but one does not know what the future lies in store for us. I never imagined Master Bruce ever taking in even one child let alone two."

Dick didn't know what to say about that, he looked up when he heard Bruce coming down the stairs.

"Are you two just about ready?"

Dick stood up and replied as Bruce walked up to them. "Yep, so is Clark going to be there too?"

Shrugging Bruce replied. "He told me he would, but then again who knows."

"You don't think he'll change his mind do you?" Dick asked worriedly.

"Not a chance kiddo."

Bruce walked back to the banister and said loudly. "Conner, come on, we don't want to be late."

He didn't have to shout to be heard thankfully. Moments later Conner came down the stairs, Bruce could see the boy was nervous.

"It will be alright Conner. This shouldn't take more than half an hour at best alright?"

"Yeah, and that's after they call our names. When I got adopted it took longer because there was a lot of court cases going on at the same time." Dick chimed in.

"What exactly will happen? I mean when they call us in?" Conner asked as they all walked out to the car and got in.

Bruce gave Alfred a glance as the old man got behind the wheel, at least he could answer the question this time. When he adopted Dick he had no clue what was going to take place.

"Well, the judge will swear us in, have me state my name and our address. My attorney will state our names and why this adoption is taking place. He will make sure you are aware that this is permanent and that I can provide you with proper care. He will ask you a few questions and they are not hard ones at all. Then after that, the judge will decree the adoption is final and ask if you have any belongings of value, for you, my answer will be no. For Dick, he has some of his parent's belongings that are in storage for when he grows up. You will get a new birth certificate along with a new name, well the last name that is. But my plan is to keep your last name Kent but add a hyphen plus Wayne on the end like Dick has Grayson-Wayne at the end of his."

Conner absorbed the information like a sponge, he felt himself relax and replied. "That doesn't sound too bad. What about Clark? Will they ask him any questions?"

"Most likely, they will be terminating his parental rights," Bruce answered honestly.

Conner looked out the window at the passing trees and felt himself relax once again. Dick chuckled a little and told Conner.

"Dude, it's not so bad, you have nothing to be whelmed about. Clark will lose his parental rights and Bruce adopts you, it's no big deal."

"Thanks, I guess I'm just nervous."

"That's normal, I was nervous too," Dick replied.

Twenty minutes later they pulled up to the courthouse, walking in they found what floor they needed to be on and waited outside. Bruce's lawyer walked up and told them.

"I'm surprised you called me Bruce. You didn't when it came to Richard's adoption."

Bruce shook the man's hand and told him firmly. "That's because there was no chance of someone changing their mind. I still don't think Clark will but you never know with him, Lois could persuade him. Dick was an orphan which made the adoption easier."

"That's true, it is easier when the child is an orphan compared to a child with a living relative." The older man looked over at Conner and introduced himself.

"Hi there young man, my name is Robert Harris, I'll be helping with your adoption."

Conner looked at the man's hand for a second then took it firmly and shook it. "Nice to meet you, thanks."

"You're welcome, well I'm going to go check on the proceedings, I will call you Bruce when it's your turn."

Robert went into the courtroom and came back half an hour later. He saw Clark Kent sitting with Bruce, Dick, Conner, and Alfred.

"You must be Mr. Kent. Nice to meet you."

Clark took his hand, he had met this man before and wasn't too fond of him, but keeping up appearances he smiled and said. "Likewise."

"They're ready Bruce."

Bruce got to his feet and looked down at his boys, he could see the worry in Conner's blue eyes as he slowly got to his feet, Dick was already standing with Clark on the other side. Bruce gave the boy a small grin before following his lawyer into the courtroom.

After swearing in everyone took their seats. Clark sat alone at one long wooden table while Conner, Dick, Bruce, and Robert sat at another long table. Alfred sat behind them watching.

Robert turned to Bruce. "Would you introduce yourself please."

"Bruce Wayne."

Once prompted by the attorney Clark said as well. "I'm Clark Kent, Conner Kent's father."

Clark knew he was obligated to say that, even though he really didn't want to.

The attorney then turned to the boys. Dick introduced himself then it was Conner's turn. "C-Conner Kent..."

Robert smiled and told him. "It's alright to be nervous. How old are you, Conner."

Hesitating for a second he looked between Bruce and Clark at first before saying. "16."

"Would you like Mr. Wayne to adopt you?"

"Yes, sir." Came the fast reply.

"You are aware that being adopted is permanent? That there is no turning back once the papers are signed?"

"Yes, sir." Conner felt himself relax a little.

Robert then turned to Bruce and asked. "You will provide this child with a loving home, that you are financially stable and can care for him for the remainder of his youth?"

"Yes, sir," Bruce answered.

The attorney then turned to Clark and asked. "You wish to have your parental rights removed correct? To place this young man in the care of Mr. Wayne?"

Clark noticed a worried expression cross Conner's face as he hesitated for a second before stating. "Yes, sir.

The judge then announced. "Very well, Clark Kent, I hear by remove your rights as a parent." Banging the grovel caused Conner to jump a little in his seat.

Clark then signed a paper and handed it back to the attorney to give to the judge.

The attorney then hands Bruce some papers which he signs. The attorney then askes. "Do you wish to have Conner's name changed?"

"Yes sir, but I wish for it to be hyphened like I had Richard's name Grayson-Wayne I wish for Conner's to be Kent-Wayne."

Bruce filled in the name change and signed the adoption papers officially.

Conner watched Bruce as the man handed the paper back to his lawyer who in turn gave it to the judge. The older man smiled kindly and announced that Conner Kent-Wayne was his official name now and that he was adopted officially into the Wayne family.

Clark had been there the day Dick was adopted, so this wasn't anything new to him. He just didn't feel satisfied with letting Conner be adopted. Part of him wanted to take the boy back, but then again Conner probably didn't want anything to do with him for how he acted in the past year. Knowing he would still see the team almost on a daily basis it didn't bother him.

As the family wrapped up the adoption then left the courthouse Bruce felt like his family was complete. He Didn't care that he was a single man raising two teenagers, he loved them both with all his heart.

As they got into the limo Dick's questions still hung over the young boy's head: Would Bruce adopt for the third time? If he did then who would it be? A girl this time? Or another boy?

Bruce looked over at his two sons and felt relief that this was finally over. Now I just hope we don't have any more problems in the future…

A/N: I did the best I could with details of how an adoption process goes. I have never witnessed one, I went off an adoption sight that gave a briefing on how the process goes so let me know what you think!