A/N—Here is the long awaited epilogue. Thank you to The-Lady-Isis for her helpful suggestions when I had trouble figuring out how to write this ending. And as always thank to my wonderful beta Hepburn who added magic little touches to make this story a better read. Please read and review.

Disclaimer—All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,

Let your heart be light

From now on,

Our troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,

Make the Yule-tide gay,

From now on,

Our troubles will be miles away.

Here we are as in olden days,

Happy golden days of yore.

Faithful friends who are dear to us

Gather near to us once more.

Through the years

We all will be together,

If the Fates allow

Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.

And have yourself A merry little Christmas now.—Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

Chapter 26—Epilogue

Cassandra Cain (soon to become Wayne once the adoption was finalized) smiled as she finished the last chapter of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Granted it was an abridged edition modified for young readers, but for eleven-year-old Cass being able to read a book and enjoy a story was such a new pleasure in a life that was once bleak and dangerous.

Donna had said that it was divine providence that brought Cassandra to her new family and her new role as Batgirl. She had also told Cass later that she had seen her in a dream once long ago but had never really thought about it until Barbara and she brought the unconscious and homeless girl to the Cave a week before Barbara retired the Batgirl mantle to go to the Police Academy.

Cass could barely speak until J'onn fixed the synapses in her brain and her new mom, Diana, soon taught her to read and a whole new world of imagination opened up to the girl. Cassandra now had all the love she'd never had before and she helped stop crime with the talents she had mastered in her other life. She loved her new family. While she found it easy to call Diana, mom, considering she had never had a mother before it was taking her a little more time to call Bruce, dad. He was fine with it as neither Dick nor Tim ever really called him dad. She had never referred to David Cain as anything but father. He was never a dad to her like Bruce was and she figured with time it would become natural to call him that.

She reached over to the table next her and lifted the cup of hot cocoa that Alfred had made her. Hot cocoa had to be one of the best things ever invented, she thought as she sipped the delicious drink and enjoyed looking at the sparkling Christmas tree. She had never celebrated Christmas before or any holiday for that matter so having a Christmas tree with presents underneath it was a new and exciting experience. Her mom called Christmas, Saturnalia, and said that Christmas was basically co-opted from the pagans and anyone could celebrate regardless of their religion. No one in the household really celebrated the religious aspects of the holiday but they all enjoyed being together with family and friends and sharing joy, presents and good food.

Cass turned her head toward the archway leading into the main living room and saw Donna and Dick passionately kissing under the mistletoe. It was something they seemed to do often regardless if there was a plant over their head. Cass didn't quite understand why but she knew that they loved each other like Diana and Bruce loved each other.

She was about to turn away when she heard, "Jeez you two get a room. Seriously I think I need to gouge out my eyes and maybe ask Zatanna for a mind wipe before walking around this house. Between you guys and Bruce and Diana, EW, you're just creeping me right out!" Tim said which made Cass laugh softly. Tim was always so funny. Humor was another new thing she had learned about and mostly from Tim, Dick and Donna.

"Hiya squirt! Finish your book?" Tim asked with a smile as he sat on the arm of her chair and messed up her short dark hair making her laugh again. Cass loved having Tim and Dick as brothers. They had helped make her a true part of this rather unusual family. They understood her and she doubted that she would have fit in anywhere else.

"Yes and I liked the story but I don't understand why Mom was calling Bruce a Scrooge yesterday. He is nothing but generous with his money. He gives to orphans and other charities all the time," Cass said confused.

Donna laughed and quickly explained, "She didn't mean that he wasn't generous. She was just mad that he wouldn't take her to Lois and Clark's Christmas Party in Metropolis."

"But she shouldn't be traveling. The baby is due anytime now," Cass stated logically and almost verbatim what Bruce had said to Diana.

Tim coughed, "Hormones," which earned him a slap on the back of his head from Donna. There was no denying though that Diana had been less than rational this past week as her due date came and went and the baby hadn't been born. She was growing steadily more impatient each day especially when her perfect feet and ankles started to swell. They all knew that she felt bloated and tired and for someone like Diana, who in her lifetime had hardly ever been ill, it wasn't easy to handle. The only people not to feel her wrath in the past few days had been Alfred and Cass. Alfred because her was practically psychic in meeting Diana's needs and wants and Cass, who instinctively could perfectly read Diana body language, and used her quiet nature to soothe Diana's nerves. Also their time spent reading together seemed to distract Diana from her worries.

"Diana is just anxious about the baby being late and she is not always thinking straight. I will be so happy Monday when Leslie induces her labor," Dick said quietly and received nods and looks of complete agreement from the others in the room.

As if knowing she was being talked about, Diana entered the room and smiled at her family. Cassandra relaxed as she could tell from her mom's body language that Diana was really in a calm and good mood. But the others were nervous, as they had seen Diana's mood change on a dime this past week.

"I just got a call from Leslie saying she will be stopping by later today after she closes the clinic. That means that Barbara, Shayera and John, Wally and Linda, Lois and Clark, J'onn and Ming and even Artemis will be here to spend sometime together today. Dick and Donna don't you think it will be a wonderful time to announce your engagement?" she asked with a happy smile.

Donna looked at her smiling sister and then at the beautiful diamond ring on her left hand. Dick had asked her to marry him last night, and she was still a bit overwhelmed even though she'd had visions of their wedding and life together.

The past five months for the two of them had been very good. They'd had their ups and downs as they learned to live together. Dick had given his loft and his role as protector of Bludhaven to Helena Bertinelli. The Huntress had at first been shocked but she was more than happy to take over and she and her new husband, Vic Sage were certainly a dynamic duo. She liked having her own turf so to speak and the Question was an incredible detective in his own right and together they had done an excellent job of bringing down a drug ring last month. Helena had enjoyed taking the, as she put it, pieces of scum off of the street. Dick knew that Bludhaven was in good hands and Bruce had even started calling them when he needed assistance.

After returning from New Cronus, Dick and Donna had immediately started searching for their new home and had found the right space in an old factory building in the heart of Greenwich Village. They bought the entire top floor and Donna quickly designed a beautiful home. It was modern but with neo classical elements that reminded Donna of her home on Themyscira. It suited the couple perfectly as they had private access to the roof, which aided them in their nighttime activities.

Dick and Donna were happy with their new life together but they had definitely had their share of fights. Donna had had to come to terms with Dick not being a morning person and Dick had had to come to terms with the fact that Donna was an anytime person. She had boundless energy and he realized that she needed to be constantly channeling that energy into something or she would drive him crazy as he learned after she finished the loft. Lucky for him classes started and soon Donna was sculpting, painting and roaming New York taking pictures of anything that caught her eye. Dick realized that as much as she was an Amazon and superhero she was an artist as well.

Law school and his study group consumed much of Dick's time, so they had started patrolling together just so they could spend time together. New York was different than Gotham and Bludhaven and having Donna's meta abilities often helped rather than hindered. While he was clearly the better detective, Donna's abilities helped him in situations where he couldn't plan out all the contingencies. They worked well as a team, having come a long way from Donna's early days in the League.

So last night while they were taking a break and drinking coffee atop the Brooklyn Bridge, Dick had pulled a beautiful diamond ring from his gauntlet as said simply, "Marry me."

Donna had just smiled and said, "Yes," as a few tears leaked from her eyes. It had been the perfect proposal she thought. She wasn't one for champagne and flowers. All she needed was the man she loved. She already knew they would be together forever, if not in reality considering Dick would die one day, but always in her heart. They sealed the deal with a kiss before deciding to head home.

They planned for the wedding to take place after Dick finished law school and they were both very happy. Diana had been ecstatic when they arrived this morning and told everyone the news and it had taken her mind of the fact that the baby had not yet come at least for the past few hours. For that fact alone everyone else in the house was ecstatic.

They all heard the grandfather clock opening in the hallway and walked in to see John and Shayera. Shayera looked beautiful in a green maternity dress. Her bump was smaller than Diana's as her baby wasn't due until February. John had finished training the new recruits and had returned as the Green Lantern of sector 2814. Kyle had returned to Oa and to his infinite joy last month found out that his girlfriend Jen had not been killed but taken prisoner. The Green Lantern Corps. were able to rescue her and they were both happy to be together again. John was just happy that they could raise their son (Clark had told him it was a boy even though Shayera didn't want to know the sex) on Earth.

Artemis, who had transported into the cave from the Watchtower, followed them. She was only going to spend a few hours with her sisters before transporting back. Orion and she had taken monitor duty for Christmas as neither celebrated the holiday and they had the Watchtower virtually to themselves. Strangely their fierce personalities seemed to compliment each other. Orion often said that the thing he liked best about Artemis was he could be as blunt and gruff as he wanted and she just took in stride. He also appreciated that he always knew where he stood with her. She would just slap him if he mad her angry and sometimes he found himself starting a fight because he loved how passionately she fought back.

Artemis loved him for the way he always treated her as an equal and with honor and respect. She never thought she would trust a man so much and she was no longer ashamed of the fact that she was completely in love with him. The one hurdle she hadn't crossed yet though was telling her mother that she had taken a lover and a mate. She couldn't yet face her disappointment but the truth was that Phillipus was right. She needed to honor her own dreams and wishes and one of those wishes was to be with Orion. She had been accepted on New Genesis and Highfather had expressed his joy at Orion finding love again. She just hoped that some day Antiope would accept the love Artemis had with Orion. Like Orion said, they had forever.

Diana hugged her Amazon sister and greeted her. "I am so glad you could come and have dinner with us sister."

Artemis just patted Diana's belly. "I see that the Lady Artemis has not yet seen fit to relieve you of the burden of carrying this child."

Diana eyes narrowed at Artemis's comment and she said harshly, "And I see that you still haven't seen fit to tell your mother about the MAN in your life."

"It is not that easy…" Artemis said but was cut off by an angry Diana.

"It was not easy for me either but I told my mother right away that I was in love with Bruce. Waiting isn't going to make Antiope any happier when she finds out!" Diana yelled.

"I wanted to make sure that the relationship would workout…" Artemis said.

"No, you are a coward who is afraid her mommy won't love her anymore. To think I felt shame from you for falling in love…what a joke!" Diana hissed.

Donna, as the only other person there that spoke Themysciran, which both Diana and Artemis were speaking, decided to intervene.

"Diana you are right, she should tell her mother," Donna soothed as she looked at Shayera who moved closer to the irate Amazon.

"Artemis I can understand your fears but your mother truly loves you. She will eventually forgive you and understand that you had to make a choice to suit your own life. Now come with me and have some lovely refreshments that Alfred has prepared. Have you ever seen a Christmas tree before?" she asked as she guided her angry sister Amazon into the living room.

Diana sighed in frustration and then grimaced in pain as she felt the twinge again in her lower back followed by some strong kicks from the baby.

Shayera noticed the grimace and asked, "Di are you all right?"

"Yes, just a little lower back pain. The baby also seems a bit restless today. I will just be happy when it is over," she replied.

"You and me both, sister," Shayera said as she rubbed her own protruding stomach. "This one kicks like an elephant."

Diana laughed loudly as what Sheyera said made her feel better. She was happy to have her friends and family around. Her mother was coming tomorrow and promised to stay until the baby came. John and Shayera headed into the living room as Bruce was coming down the stairs. He looked at his radiant wife and smiled his smile that was for her only. As he reached her he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. He could never get enough of her but was interrupted by a hard kick in the stomach.

"She certainly has your strength," he said with a smirk as he bent down to converse with his daughter. "Sweetheart, why do you have to kick daddy so hard when he loves you so?"

Diana giggled at his antics and it was moments like these that she almost forgot that Bruce was Batman.

"Bruce, you are being ridiculous," she said while still giggling.

"And you love it, Princess," he replied and kissed her again only to be interrupted this time by the doorbell.

They opened the door to Barbara, Wally, Linda, J'onn (in human guise) and Ming. Many hugs and Merry Christmases followed and soon they all headed toward the living room where, much to Wally's joy, Alfred was serving hors d'oeuvres. The sound of laughter and joy soon filled the room as Dick and Donna told everyone about their engagement and Barbara and Linda took time to admire Donna's ring.

Then Donna asked about Wally and Linda's upcoming wedding and their plans as the doorbell rang again. Diana waved off Alfred and went to answer it herself. She opened the door to see Clark and a very round Lois. She wasn't due until March but she was almost bigger than Diana. Turns out that IVF worked really well for the pair as they were expecting twins.

"Merry Christmas and thanks for coming out on Christmas Eve," Diana greeted as they entered the foyer.

"Are you kidding, I wouldn't miss seeing my best friends for Christmas. Besides, Bruce is loaning us his private jet so that we can see Ma and Pa tomorrow," Clark said as he bent down to hug Diana.

Diana gave a sudden gasp as the twinge in her back became a full-blown contraction and a sudden gush of water ran down her legs.

Lois noticed her paling face first and said, "Di, are you all right."

Diana looked at her in shock as she screeched, "My water just broke!"

"Great Scott!" Clark said as his face paled. Lois on the other hand got straight down to business.

"Have you been having contractions for very long? Smallville, make yourself useful and get Bruce and J'onn," she ordered.

"I have been having back pain on and off all day," Diana replied.

"I think those were contractions Di, sometimes they start in the back. I think we should get you to the LDR room where J'onn can examine you," Lois said as she put her arm around her friend and led her toward the room Bruce had built just for this occasion.

Lois had just seated Diana on the hospital bed when Bruce, J'onn and Donna entered the room. J'onn quickly went to the sink to wash his hands and Donna took a blue hospital gown out of a drawer and helped Diana change into it while Lois collected her soiled clothing and jewelry the latter of which she handed to Bruce who placed it in a drawer by the bed.

When changed, Diana returned to the bed, spreading her legs and sliding down so J'onn could examine her.

"Your water is broken and you are one centimeter dilated. I am going to put the fetal monitor on now and check the baby's vitals. To state the obvious it looks like you are going to be a mother soon," he said with a smile and received a nervous smile from Diana.

As soon as the monitor was attached another contraction hit. Diana breathed through the pain as J'onn checked the baby's vitals.

"The baby is doing fine," J'onn stated. "We will monitor you over the next few hours to see how you are progressing."

"Thanks J'onn," Diana replied.

Over the next few hours they stuck to the birth plan that Diana and Bruce had worked out. Bruce had researched all the natural techniques currently used for pain management in labor and found them sorely lacking. Instead for the past few months Diana and he had practiced various forms of meditation and self-hypnosis to deal with her labor pain. Diana had also asked Donna to help and for a while everything was good. Diana walked around the room with both of them pausing as a contraction would hit.

Leslie arrived and took turns with J'onn monitoring her progress but after five hours Diana was only at three centimeters and her contractions where not increasing so Leslie and J'onn agreed that she needed pitocin. They hooked her up to an IV, which also pumped fluids into her body and gave her a measured dosage.

For Diana the pain went from zero to ninety, in sixty seconds. All her warrior training, all the meditation techniques and every mental barrier she every used to deal with pain all fell away. Suddenly Bruce and Donna speaking to her in calm voices irritated the crap out of her.

She turned to her beloved husband and sister and stated in a harsh tone, "Get out! I want to be alone. This is all your fault Bruce!"

"But Diana…" Bruce began.

Diana screamed several nasty curses in Themysciran that made Donna jump and Bruce pale and yelled, "I! SAID! GET! OUT! Don't make me remove you in pieces! Because by Gaia I WILL!"

They left and Diana, dragging her IV with her, went to the iPod set up in the room and started Mendelssohn's Italian Symphony. She went to the large whirlpool tub and filled it with warm water and added several drops of lavender essential oil before removing her gown and sinking into the water. She inhaled the soothing scent as she groaned through another contraction. She lost herself in the music and massaging jets of water. She sat forward with her knees bent and spread open to allow room for her belly as lying back was too uncomfortable. She was soon a symphony herself as she moaned through the pain. She had no idea how long this went on but she was pulled from her fog when she heard Leslie yelling in the hallway.

"What are the two of you doing out here. Your supposed to be helping her with her labor not standing around like idiots while she writhes alone in pain!"

"But Leslie…" Bruce began only to be interrupted by the irate doctor.

"Don't but Leslie me, Bruce Wayne. Get in there and help your wife or so help me…"

Diana looked up as the door opened and a chastised Bruce and Donna entered.

"Sit in the corner and be quiet and I let you know when I need you," Diana said in an annoyed tone. Bruce and Donna did as they were told and Diana again lost herself in the fog of music and pain until Leslie came to check on her.

They helped her out of the tub and back into her gown and back into the bed. Leslie reattached the fetal monitor and then checked Diana's progress.

"Five centimeters. Were half way there, the baby should be here soon," Leslie said with a smile as Diana fought back tears. She was a warrior, she knew pain but what she was going through was beyond that physically and emotionally. She didn't think she could take anymore. Bruce seeing her misery pulled her into a comforting hug.

"Sweetheart I know you can do it and everything is going to be okay," he said in a soothing voice.

"I want an epidural," Diana whined and to her embarrassment she started crying.

"We've been through this Princess, you can't have an epidural because you need to be able to control your strength when pushing the baby out," Bruce stated.

"Why didn't Athena just keep my powers until this was over?" Diana moaned.

"Because it would had made you too vulnerable darling and besides you will probably appreciate having your rapid healing abilities when this is over," Bruce replied.

"Bruce stop using logic I am too miserable to see reason," she pouted as she rested against him.

Bruce helped her to focus and manage the pain for the next few hours as the contractions got harder and came closer together.

"It is going to be worth the pain when we have our daughter," Diana said wearily as she rested against Bruce.

"Absolutely Princess," Bruce concurred.

"Shut up you ass, you are not the one in pain," Diana said a moment later as a fierce contraction hit.

"I know darling, now breathe and think of the white sands of Themyscira, go to your happy place," he said calmly as her held her in his arms.

Themyscira had ceased to be Diana's "happy place" hours ago. Diana's "happy place" now was here in Bruce's arms, smelling his scent and hearing his wonderfully soothing baritone voice. Diana felt bile rise in her throat and bawled, "I think I am going to be sick."

Quicker than the Flash, Bruce grabbed a bowl off the side table and held it under Diana's chin as she threw-up. He called to J'onn and Leslie and then gently wiped Diana's mouth and face when she finished. Donna, who had been sitting quietly nearby feeling guilty and grateful that their soul bond did extend sharing labor, rushed to the side of the bed.

"Something is wrong?" he screamed.

"It is okay. It is not uncommon for some woman to get nauseated as they transition. Actually it is probably a good sign as she is probably ready to push," Leslie stated.

Sure enough Diana did feel an overwhelming urge to push but didn't as she waited for Leslie to check her. "You are at ten plus, so it looks like we are good to go." Donna and Bruce moved into position on each side of Diana.

J'onn went to the fetal monitor and looked at the data then said, "Leslie the baby's heart rate is dropping with her contractions."

"Oh no, is something wrong," Diana said as panic rushed through her.

"Settle down. The umbilical cord is probably across the baby's neck. We can fix it quite easily especially with a Martian who can phase through things," Leslie stated calmly as J'onn phased his hand into Diana's body and carefully moved the cord to a better position. Fighting the urge to push while he did this was excruciating as the next contraction hit but she managed.

J'onn went back to the monitor. "The baby's heart rate is now fine. You may now push with the next contraction."

Thank The Lady Artemis, Diana thought. I just have to push the baby out and then I can die.

"Diana, when the next contraction comes bear down gently. You must control how hard you push," Leslie stated and Diana nodded.

A moment later a contraction hit and Diana carefully bore down. It felt so good to push through the pain. It was a blessed relief after the miserable hours of labor.

"Very good Diana, that was perfect," Leslie stated. "She is in the birth canal. J'onn how are her vitals."

"Good," he replied.

Ten minutes later after Leslie carefully suctioned her mouth a soft cry filled the room. Leslie carefully set the baby girl on Diana's chest as she dealt with the cord and afterbirth.

Diana stared into the blinking gray eyes of her daughter and she felt as though her heart would burst from the rush of love. She stroked the raven fuzz on the top of her head then bent and kissed her. Diana turned to Bruce and saw the same love shining in his eyes. It was a miracle that they had brought into this world together. Diana forgot about her exhaustion in the joy of the moment.

"She is so beautiful and precious," Donna stated as tears ran down her face. She loved her niece immediately and could hardly wait to hold her but she knew Bruce and Diana needed time to be with their daughter. Besides there was a houseful of people waiting to hear the news.

She slipped away unnoticed and entered the living room were everyone was waiting. Artemis was gone as she had to return to the Watchtower to relieve Orion but everyone else was there.

"The baby is born and she is beautiful and healthy," Donna stated as everyone cheered. Dick pulled her into his arms and kissed her passionately in his happiness. Just then the clock struck midnight and a chorus of Merry Christmases filled the room. Everyone's heart was light in that moment. Being superheroes had taught most of them to truly appreciate when good things happened and to be doubly glad when friends and family surrounded them at these wondrous times.

A half hour later Leslie came out and said, "Both mother and baby are doing fine and they are ready for visitors. I would like you to go in small groups. The happy parents have requested that Grandpa Alfred and the little one's godparents come first. So Dick, Donna and Alfred don't keep the little princess waiting."

The entered the LDR room to see a smiling Bruce and Diana with Diana holding the neatly swaddled baby girl. Alfred couldn't contain his emotions with his usual British reserve and smiled hugely as they handed him the precious bundle.

"By the way guys, Merry Christmas," Dick stated. "It looks like our little one came in under the wire and is a Christmas Eve baby."

"Merry Christmas to you too Dick," Bruce replied. "And Julia deserves her own special day to be born."

"Julia, sir?" Alfred asked.

"Yes, Julia Penelope Wayne. We decided against naming her after our mothers. She deserves a name all her own and not feel that she should measure up to anyone else," Diana stated.

Dick gave Donna a piercing look before saying, "So that is why you have been obsessed with that song. You knew!"

Both Bruce and Diana looked at Donna in shock. "But how did you know? We hadn't decided on her name until today," Diana questioned.

Donna smiled. "I have visions as you well know and they aren't all bad. So Alfred can I hold the little squishy now?"

He smiled and handed little Julia to her aunt. Donna started at the angelic sleeping face and started to sing in soft but beautiful voice.

Half of what I say is meaningless

But I say it just to reach you,

Julia

Julia, Julia, Ocean-Child, calls me

So I sing a song of love, Julia

Julia, seashell eyes, windy smile, calls me

So I sing a song of love, Julia

Her hair of floating sky is shimmering, glimmering,

In the sun

Julia, Julia, morning moon, touch me

So I sing a song of love, Julia

When I cannot sing my heart

I can only speak my mind, Julia

Julia, sleeping sand, silent cloud, touch me

So I sing a song of love, Julia

Hum hum hum...calls me

So I sing a song of love for Julia

Donna smiled as she finished and Dick actually found himself brushing away a tear from his eye. The moment had been beautiful and if he didn't already love Donna with all his heart he would have now. Donna snuggled the baby close for another moment before handing the future emissary of peace, not just for the world but the entire galaxy, to her godfather. The love she saw in Dick's eyes as he looked at his new sister made Donna's heart swell as more tears rolled down her face. She was just so happy to be alive to share this moment with her family and the man who owned her heart. And she also knew that Julia's future would be amazing.

THE END

A/N 2—This is the end of Troia and I want to thank everyone who stuck with this story as it took me a long time to finish it. I am planning a few short stories in this universe. One will be Cassandra's story and how she became a part of the WonderBat family. I am planning a series of one-shots centered around Dick and Donna (similar in concept to Sushi Ocean by the dear Lady Isis) and Artemis' confession to Antiope. I have no other plans at the moment for a sequel. If you have any words to inspire the Dick/Donna series please go ahead and PM me.

I will be finishing my unfinished stories as well and I have some plans for new stories featuring Bruce and Diana. I hope you have enjoyed this story as much as I have enjoyed writing it. Peace—DaisyJane