This is the last chapter of No One's Gonna Love You. This song (hopefully you've listened to one of the versions while reading this) goes well with the story because although this is a humorous piece & family, it's also a love story. Also, the adoption process was cut short because I didn't want to go over a week & it usually takes a while to adopt a kid, what with the home visits & tests & such. I just cut to the chase.

This story isn't all the way over. I have a sequel that I will upload Friday, December 11, 2015 or Monday, December 14, 2015. It's a crossover called Batman's a Grandpa?! Check it out.

So for the last time; enjoy!

NJPNJPNJP

Raven set down her teacup & left the kitchen. She traveled downstairs & went to Charlotte's room. The door opened & she went inside to find the bed empty.

At first she panicked until she remembered that Charlotte had gone to Changeling's room earlier that week when she'd had to use the restroom. Raven could only hope the little girl was there.

She went across the hall & knocked on the door. No one answered. She knocked again. No one answered. She knocked louder. Again, there was no answer.

She punched the button to open the door, hoping it wasn't locked. It wasn't usually but she wasn't one to barge into anyone's inner sanctum. The door opened & she peeked in.

Charlotte was inside alright. She was on the bed with Changeling & Riley. All three were wolves.

Raven stepped inside before the doors shut & walked to the bed. She reached out but before she could touch Charlotte, Changeling moved. She pulled her hand back.

Changeling unfurled himself from his spot & stretched. His mouth opened & his tongue came rolling out as his bones cracked.

Raven frowned at the display. Was any of that necessary?

Changeling laid back down on the bed & opened his eyes. He sat there, staring at her.

Raven stared back but he didn't say or do anything. "Good morning, Changeling."

He rolled onto his back & shifted to his humanoid form. He crossed his legs & put his arms behind his head. "Mornin, Rae."

Her eyes followed his movements & lack thereof of a shirt. "When did she come in?"

"I don't know. I woke up a few hours ago & noticed she was curled up by me." He looked to the top of the bed, where the pillows were.

Raven reached forward & picked up the pup. "Wake up, Charlotte."

"You look nice this morning." He said lazily.

She looked down at her blue hoodie with a black raven on the kangaroo pocket, black slacks & boots. She had a nice shirt on under her hoodie & would take it off when they neared the courthouse but around the Tower, she wanted to wear it. "Thank you, I suppose."

"Aren't you gonna say I look nice this morning?"

She gave him a droll look. "You're nearly naked."

"I can't look good naked?"

She blushed. "Stop that!"

He rolled over & out of the bed, landing on his feet gracefully.

Her mouth went dry.

He stood up slowly & sauntered to her.

Her pulse went crazy.

He came nearer & wrapped his arms around her loosely, giving her plenty of time to pull away.

Her eyes were wide.

"Good morning, Raven." His emerald gaze poured into hers like green molten lava.

His rough voice sent shivers down her spine as it caressed her senses. His nearness drove her mad with longing. His words made no difference, she was hooked. "Good morning, Gar."

He brushed his lips across hers ever so softly. She could barely feel them, which made her focus on the feeling even more. He tightened his grip ever so slightly.

The spell weaving around them was broken by a gentle yawning & Charlotte stretching out. Raven broke away & shifted Charlotte so she was a barrier. "Charlotte?"

The little girl shifted & was human again. She blinked & rubbed her eyes. "Mommy? Daddy? Is it my birthday yet?"

Changeling chuckled. "No, not yet. Tomorrow."

She pouted for a second before her face cleared. "You're gonna adopt me today!"

"Yup!" He took her from Raven & spun her in circles.

"Wee!"

Raven watched them with a slight smile. To think, she was almost too scared to hold onto them. "Okay, stop. I have to get her dressed."

"Aww!" Changeling sulked.

"Aww!" Charlotte pouted again.

"Give her here." Raven held her arms out.

Changeling gave her up. "I guess that means I get more sleep."

"You're going back to sleep?"

"I just need five more minutes."

"You might as well get up now."

"Don't wanna." He shifted into a panther & climbed up on his bed.

Charlotte changed into a baby panther cub.

Changeling walked into a circle a few times before dropping down & closing his eyes.

Charlotte's legs kicked in the air as she tried to get down to join him.

Raven held her tight. "Stop that. Change back so I can get you dressed. I even have a nice clean dress for you."

Charlotte morphed back & Raven left the room.

Changeling watched them with one eye open until the door shut then he closed his eye & set his internal alarm for five minutes.

L~O~V~E•Y~O~U

"What did you put on the invitations?" Raven asked.

"Just that they were invited to a birthday party & to bring things for a two year old. A two year old girl that seemed taken with purple & dresses. I told them what time it started & that it was tomorrow. I said to be discrete." Nightwing listed.

"They don't know anything else?" Changeling speared a bit of chocolate chip pancake.

"I figured we could tell them here."

"Are you excited, Charlie?" Cyborg teased the (for the day) one year old.

She giggled & nodded.

"You're gonna love your cake! It's going to be my masterpiece!"

"Masterpiece."

"Yup! The food's going to be killer! Can't wait!"

"Me neither! How old will I be, Mommy?"

"Two." Raven said.

"I'm going to be two years old!"

Christopher opened his mouth to agree but realized he didn't know how old he was. "Daddy, how old am I?"

"Three." Nightwing munched on his turkey bacon.

"Which one is older?"

"Three."

"I'm older than you, Charlie."

"So?!" Charlotte shouted.

Changeling, Cyborg & Kid Flash fell out laughing. The girls giggled & Nightwing's lips twitched.

"How do you introduce yourself?" Nightwing calmed himself.

"Who?" Christopher stopped pouting & looked at his almost father.

"When you tell people who you are, you introduce yourself. How do you introduce yourself?"

"Oh. I say "Hi, I'm Christopher! What's your name?"." Christopher looked to him for approval.

"You know you're going to have a last name now."

"Really?!"

"Yup."

"I do not have a surname. Will Christopher have yours?" Starfire asked.

"You usually put the father's name as the last name. Then again, usually people are married so it doesn't have to come up."

"How will this go anyway?" Changeling stuffed his face. "Like what do we have to do?"

"I assume go to the courthouse & do whatever they tell us."

"I know how it goes." Bumble Bee said. "You go to the courthouse & go to the room they say & the judge oversees you signing your name on the adoption papers. If the kids are young enough, which they are, they'll send you a new birth certificate with your names in the parents' spots."

"How do you know this?!" Cyborg didn't get how she was a fountain of knowledge on this subject.

"I know a lot of stuff."

"But-"

"I know a lot of stuff."

"But-"

"I know a lot of stuff."

He growled. "Keep your secrets!"

"Anyway, you guys have your own problem."

"What will that be?" He was cross & everyone knew it.

"Names. Adoption is legal & you need your legal names. I have no problem putting mine down. Plus I have a last name."

"Is a surname important?" Starfire was easily dismayed.

"In America."

She pouted. "I will not be able to adopt bumgorf Christopher?"

Before Starfire could get even more upset (& before Christopher could begin), Nightwing shook his head. "You just need a last name."

"So does Rave." Cyborg said.

"You can use mine." Changeling slid in nonchalantly.

Raven looked to him quickly. "You would let me use your last name?

"Sure."

She blushed & threw her hood up. "Thank you."

"Welcome." He finished his pancakes & tofu bacon.

"You can use mine if you want, Starfire." Nightwing willed himself to not blush. It was hard but he won the battle… barely.

"Oh thank you, Nightwing!" Starfire threw her arms around his neck.

"Super strength! Super strength!" He gasped.

"I apologize, dear friend." She let him go & he dragged in heaps of air.

"What's my last name going to be, Daddy?" Charlotte asked.

"Logan." Changeling wrapped an arm around her. "Your name's gonna be Charlie Logan."

"Yay!"

"What's my name gonna be, Daddy?" Christopher demanded.

"Chris Grayson." Nightwing said.

"Grayson?" Starfire mulled the name over. "I like it very much."

The corner of his mouth kicked up & he looked down at Christopher. "When you introduce yourself to people, you look them in the eye & hold your hand out. You speak clearly & have a firm handshake."

"Firm." Christopher repeated.

Nightwing held his hand out. Christopher took it. Nightwing shook his hand. "Tell me who you are & how old you are."

"Hi, my name is Christopher Grayson & I'm three?" Christopher tried to remember everything.

Nightwing smiled. "Good."

"Don't forget to kiss the ladies." Kid Flash winked. "Just not Jinx."

"Okay, Uncle." Christopher said.

"Wally." Jinx slipped in before Kid Flash could say anything.

The redhead frowned. "Jinx!"

"Uncle Wally! Uncle Wally!" Both Christopher & Charlotte chanted.

Jinx laughed as Kid Flash turned beet red. "Stop that!"

"Uncle Wally! Uncle Wally!"

He sighed. "I can't wait for you guys to leave…"

L~O~V~E•Y~O~U

"How are we getting to the courthouse?" Bumble Bee asked as everyone conjoined to the common room at ten forty five.

"Everyone has cars. We can just split up." Cyborg told her. "Of course you're riding with me. Rae can go with C & Star will go with 'Wing."

"Are you sure you don't want to come?" Nightwing asked Jinx & Kid Flash.

"We're sure. You'll be back soon enough." Jinx waved them off.

Cyborg put on his holorings & his appearance changed to that of his alias, Stone. He wore a crisp, tan three piece suit.

Nightwing wore a dark blue suit & was leaving his shades on & his hair un-spiky.

Raven wore her black slacks with kitten heels Starfire had forced her into & a ruffled white button up shirt. She used her spell to change her outer appearance.

Starfire herself had a special holoring that turned her orange skin tan, her green eyeballs white & her eyebrows longer & thinner. She wore a ruffled purple sundress with three inch black pumps.

Bumble Bee wore a black & white horizontally stripped sweaterdress with black motorcycle boots & gold hoops in her ears.

Changeling had his holoring on & wore a charcoal suit.

Christopher was wearing a tiny black suit with his hair freshly braided.

Charlotte wore a lavender dress with ruffles & black Mary Janes. She had a white shawl & her hair was in a fresh French braid (Raven decided she liked the one braid better) with a purple ribbon tied in a bow at the end.

Calvin was wearing an onesie with a white snap down shirt & black baby slacks.

The nine were sharp & ready to roll.

They said their goodbyes to the couple on the couch & went down to the garage.

Changeling & Bumble Bee buckled Charlotte & Calvin respectively into the cars but Nightwing came upon a problem. "We don't have a car seat for him. That's illegal."

"I have seen the commercials as well." Starfire commented.

"I can help." Raven conjured a car seat for them.

"Thank you, Friend Raven!"

"Thanks, Rae." Nightwing looked between the car seat & the back seat of his car. "Now how do I put it in?"

"I can help." Changeling offered.

"We'll be here a while." Raven quipped.

Changeling gave her a dark look. "I got this!"

"This won't end well." Nightwing foresaw.

"I swear! I remember how to do this!" Changeling took exactly three minutes to put the car seat in. "I told you I could do it."

"It only took three minutes…"

"But I got it in." That was all that mattered to Changeling.

"Okay, how do I buckle him in it?"

"Easy! You put him in it then you put this between his legs & these go over his arms & you plug them both into this one & slide this into here & voila!"

Nightwing tried to follow the directions. "Is this it?"

Changeling pushed & pulled at the car seat, making Christopher move. "Yup! He's secure!"

"Okay, let's go, Titans!" Nightwing shut the backdoor.

The adults piled into the three cars & buckled up. Cyborg engaged the cloaking device on the T-car & pulled out first, blasting eighties rock music (at a respectable decimal).

Changeling still had his station on the jazz channel & left it there. But he flew down the bridge.

Nightwing, who was playing Top 40 for Starfire & Christopher, honked his horn & shook his fist.

Raven grabbed Changeling's arm. "Please slow down."

"Sorry." Changeling eased his pace. "I don't even know how to get to the courthouse."

"Just get us there alive."

He pulled over & let Cyborg pass him then got behind him to follow at a sedated pace. "I can manage that."

The trio of cars melded into traffic after coming from the bridge & went to the heart of Jump City.

They found parking spots & climbed out at the courthouse, a large, orange, brick building.

The nine walked inside & saw the hustle & bustle of a busy Friday morning. They walked to a front desk & Nightwing went to see where they were supposed to be going.

The man behind the glass pointed behind them & gave Nightwing instructions. Nightwing came back to the group. "We're due in courtroom 4B. We're waiting for her."

The group turned around & saw a woman in a sharp blue suit. "Her? Why?"

"She's the social worker for them."

"Oh."

He walked over & introduced himself. They spoke for a moment before coming back to the group with her. "This is Emily Adams."

"It's nice to meet you." Emily said. "It's nice to see people willing to take responsibility, even for something they had no hand in."

"Thank you, ma'am." Cyborg inclined his head.

"Come on. I'll show you where we're needed. We can sneak in & wait for the last defendants to finish up." Emily led the way to the courtroom.

Everyone snuck in & sat in the back. Whoever was getting tried was getting their butts handed to them by an irate judge. It wasn't even lunch yet & he was cranky.

"I better not ever see you in this courtroom again or I'll have you sittin behind bars so fast, your head'll spin! Case closed! Get out of my sight!" The judge yelled.

"Yikes!" Cyborg whispered to Bumble Bee, who grimaced herself.

"Glad I didn't mess up." She whispered back.

"Right!"

The courtroom cleared out, including the judge.

"I hope he did something to deserve that!" Changeling turned to Cyborg. "How is it that criminals go through this & still want to do wrong?"

"That's what you would call a tongue lashing." Bumble Bee joked.

"I see!"

"I don't know about criminals but I ain't never doing anything to get that!" Cyborg shook his head. "I thought he was going to throw the gavel!"

"I thought I was the only one to see that!" Nightwing gaped. "He was unnaturally upset!"

"Perhaps it was a repeat offender & the judging was simply incensed to see him again?" Starfire suggested.

"It's not like he committed murder, Star! He let him go so whatever he did couldn't be that bad!" Changeling shook his head.

"Who cares what he did? As long as we don't get in trouble!" Raven had been in awe of the judge in black robes.

Emily chuckled. "Judge Owens has had a reputation for being a hard nose."

"Hard ass more like it." Changeling whispered to Cyborg.

Cyborg snickered.

"Daddy, why was that man so mean to that other man?" Christopher asked.

Changeling & Cyborg fell out laughing.

Nightwing's face went blank as he tried not to join them. "I can't really answer that."

"All rise!" The bailiff yelled. The group popped up. None wanted to be on the receiving end of a brutal tongue lashing. "Judge Owens presiding!"

"What do we have here?" The big man behind the bench adjusted his glasses. "Adoption? Good. Good. Nice to see people wanting to do a good thing."

The group relaxed & sat down.

"Emily Adams I see. Come up & tell me what's going on."

Emily stood up & made her way to the front. She stood in the plaintiff's podium & spoke into the microphone. "These children have been in & out of foster homes their entire lives & were just in an abusive one before their foster mother abandoned them on the Titans' doorstep."

"The Titans? The Titans?"

"Yes, Your Honor."

He made a humming sound in the back of his throat. "Is there any evidence as to the abuse?"

"Yes. The Titans took pictures of the bruising Monday when they called Chief Flynn Egan. Additional evidence was collected when the foster mother's other three children were picked up after being abandoned at the residence for the weekend." She handed the bailiff the pictures.

The judge took the photos & examined them. "So there were three more children abandoned?"

"Yes, Your Honor. A sixteen, a fourteen & a twelve year old."

"& how old are these three?"

"3 years, 24 months & six weeks."

He hummed again. "Where have the children been since they were abandoned?"

"With the Titans. They've been caring for them all week because not only was the home to capacity but also not equipped to handle metahumans, which these three children are."

"Metahumans? No, the home is not equipped to handle them."

"Room opened up last night & we were going to handle it the best way we could but the Titans taking them is a big help."

"Yes. Being metahuman themselves could only improve the situation. But how are they able to care for them? Their jobs are hard & time consuming. Will they have time to devote to caring for them?"

"Yes. Nightwing has assured me that they have worked out a full schedule for the children."

He nodded. "I'd like to speak to the Titans wanting to adopt… Christopher."

Nightwing & Starfire stood up & made their way to the plaintiff stand. Emily went to sit down.

"Why exactly do you want this child? You're children yourselves & have a very demanding occupation. What do you get out of this? Especially a three year old." Judge Owens fixed them with a steely glare.

Nightwing & Starfire looked to each other but Starfire was the one to speak. "I love him. We love him. & I believe he loves us in return."

Judge Owens looked at Nightwing. "& you?"

"She's right. We've only had him for five days but already he's burrowed himself inside us as if we gave him life." Nightwing said.

"Where is the lad?"

Nightwing turned & waved Christopher to him. When the little boy made it to them, he picked him up.

Judge Owens unthawed a bit. "Why do you want them to be your parents?"

"Daddy is nice & he teaches me things. Mommy is nice & she takes care of me." Christopher said in childish innocence.

Judge Owens gave the bailiff a sheath of paper. "Sign where indicated & your birth certificate will be in the mail in two weeks."

Starfire began hovering. Nightwing put his hand on her shoulder & pushed down.

The bailiff gave them the papers & a pen.

Emily came back to show them where to sign. She signed the witness line first.

Nightwing signed Richard Grayson.

Starfire signed Koriand'r Grayson.

They both dated it & the bailiff took the papers back & gave them to the judge. Judge Owens banged the gavel. "I now pronounce you, mother & father."

The others in the room clapped.

Judge Owens went through his notes. "I'd like to speak to the Titans wanting to adopt… Charlotte."

Nightwing took Starfire & Christopher to sit down as Changeling took Raven & Charlotte to the stand.

"What makes you think you can care for a two year old?" Judge Owens looked at them shrewdly.

"I had the best father in the whole world so if I just copy everything he did, Charlie won't have any complaints." Changeling said.

"The whole world, huh?"

"Yes, sir. I want to be just like him."

"& you, Miss?"

Raven didn't anticipate talking but did so. "I had the worst father in creation. Everything he did, I won't do."

"What about your mother?"

"She was distant. I grew up in a temple."

"Pacifist?" He raised a brow.

"Yes, Your Honor."

He nodded. "I see here that her birthday is tomorrow."

"We're having a party." Changeling brightened.

Judge Owens looked at Charlotte, who clutched Changeling harder at his stare. "Do you like these people?"

Charlotte nodded. "Mommy & Daddy."

Judge Owens gave the bailiff another sheath of paper. "Sign where indicated & your birth certificate will be in the mail in two weeks."

The bailiff gave them the pages.

Changeling signed Garfield Logan.

Raven signed Raven Logan.

Emily signed the witness line & gave the papers back to the bailiff & he took them back to the judge.

The judge banged his gavel. "You are now Mother & Father. You may sit down."

They went to sit.

"I'd like to speak to the Titans wanting to adopt… Unnamed." He frowned. "This child doesn't have a name?"

"No, Your Honor." Emily said.

"Actually, he does." Bumble Bee spoke up as she & Cyborg reached the podium. "It's Calvin."

"You named him?" Judge Owens' eyes widened.

"Yes, I did."

"When?"

"Monday."

"& what do you want his name to be?" He picked up a pen.

"Calvin Zachariah Beecher."

"What?!" Cyborg looked at her like she lied. "No way! His name is Calvin Elway Stone!"

"Elway?! Not even!"

Nightwing facepalmed as Changeling bit his lip to keep from laughing & drew blood.

The judge banged his gavel. "Give me a name. Now!"

"His name will never be Elway!" Bumble Bee snapped.

"Fine! How about a compromise? You name him for his middle name & he gets my last name?"

"Whatever." She huffed.

Cyborg glared at her.

"Name?!" Judge Owens bit off.

"Calvin Zachariah Stone." Bumble Bee said.

Judge Owens made a note of it. "Why do you want to be his parents? You can't even agree on a name for him."

"I love this baby more than life itself." She spoke immediately. "I will compromise on a lot to keep him safe & happy."

"Me too. Little Man is family & you always have family's back." Cyborg agreed.

"Does this baby even like you?" Judge Owens raised a brow.

"If your bailiff would be so kind as to hold Cal, you'll see." Bumble Bee blinked innocently.

The bailiff blinked in shock. "Me?"

Judge Owens waved him on.

The bailiff took the baby & instantly he started crying. Thunder sounded. The bailiff was freaked out.

"Those are his powers. They're emotion based & if he's not happy, he makes storms." Bumble Bee bragged.

"Give that child back." Judge Owens commanded

The bailiff was all too happy to hand the infant over.

Bumble Bee bounced him & cooed at him to get him to calm down.

Judge Owens held out the last sheath of papers. "Sign where indicated & your birth certificate will be in the mail in two weeks."

The bailiff dropped the paper on the podium & jumped back away from Calvin.

Bumble Bee happily signed Karen Beecher while Cyborg signed his name, Victor Stone. Emily signed the witness line.

"You're now parents. Now get out & keep those kids happy!" Judge Owens banged his gavel.

Emily shook each of their hands before leaving. "Congratulations!"

"Thank you." Nightwing told her before leading his team outside so the next people could go.

"I say we celebrate." Cyborg rubbed his hands.

"It's eleven forty five. What can we do?" Changeling wanted to know.

"May we go to the "r" & "s" for toys?" Starfire pleaded.

"What?" Bumble Bee was so lost.

"She means Toys'R'Us." Raven decoded.

"Oh!" Bumble Bee hefted Calvin high against her shoulder. "I was so confused!"

"Yeah, let's go to Toys'R'Us!" Changeling was up for it.

Nightwing thought about it. "We have room in the budget for a toy run."

L~O~V~E•Y~O~U

Kid Flash turned around. "You guys were gone for a long time."

"We stopped at a toy store." Nightwing brought packages over & set them by the bay window.

"& you bought all those?" Jinx leaned over the back of the sofa.

"Everyone will have their own basket of toys." Starfire explained.

"It was Bumble Bee's idea." Raven pointed.

"It was something I read in an article once. I look at them time to time for decorating tips & ideas." Bumble Bee waved away the praise.

"How are you going to set them up?" Jinx wanted to know.

"We bought these big baskets for their toys to go in. Chris has orange, Charlie has purple & Cal has red."

"That was a fight." Changeling snickered. "Cy wanted blue."

"But it's not about our favorite colors but colors they like."

"He's six weeks old!" Cyborg burst out with. "He won't know!"

"If I can't have my favorite color, you can't have yours! It's only fair!"

"The judge was right." Changeling grinned. "You can't agree on anything."

"I really thought we were sunk when he said that." Cyborg laughed.

"So things went well?" Jinx wanted to know.

"They're adopted!" Bumble Bee cheered.

Jinx & Kid Flash were on their feet instantly. "Yes!"

"So we're going to change out of these clothes &-" The doors opened, cutting Changeling off.

Terra skipped down the steps. "Hey, guys!"

"T, look! We gots kids!" Changeling excitedly hefted Charlotte up.

She laughed. "Nightwing told me! I can't believe you guys have kids! It's crazy!"

"Tell us about it." Cyborg smirked. "Come meet the kids."

She walked over. "Sure!"

"Say hi, Chris." Nightwing prodded his new son.

"Hi! I'm Chris Grayson & I'm three years old!" Christopher took her hand & kissed it.

"Aww!" She smiled. "He's so cute!"

"I know!" Starfire gushed.

"This is Charlie." Changeling tickled the little girl to get her to smile. She was still extraordinarily shy.

"Hi, Charlie." Terra waved.

Charlotte's smile vanished.

Raven's lips twitched. Was she like that with new people? No wonder no one wanted to meet her. "Charlotte, say hi."

Charlotte gave her a particular look that meant no.

"Don't you want to at least wave to her?" Changeling prodded.

Charlotte shook her head.

"Come on, Charlie! Just wave!" Christopher thrust his hand forward & showed her how.

Charlotte glared at him so tough, Raven was proud. "No."

Christopher dropped his hand & pouted.

Nightwing coughed into his fist to keep from laughing.

"Don't you want to introduce yourself to Terra?" Bumble Bee hoped she didn't glare at her.

"No." Charlotte refused.

"She is the nice." Starfire tried.

"No."

"Come on, Charlie!" Cyborg frowned. "It's not nice to snub people."

"What's snub mean?"

"It means ignoring them."

Charlotte appeared to think it over. "No."

Nightwing & Raven made eye contact & laughed optically.

"Okay, we won't make you say hi. You can say it whenever you feel comfortable." Changeling patted her stomach.

Charlotte wrapped her arms around his head.

"This is Cal. He's not going to like you any better." Bumble Bee shrugged.

"He's not?" Terra felt a little bad. She liked kids well enough. Too bad only one of them seemed to like her back.

"We can try but it's not likely."

"Don't have him flip out." Cyborg put up a hand. "It gives me a headache to hear him scream."

"Plus I think it might give him separation anxiety." Jinx piped up.

"Separation anxiety?" Bumble Bee worried.

"You keep giving him away. It's gotta freak him out."

"Now I feel bad."

"It's what I'm here for." She shrugged. Bumble Bee sent a spark of electricity her way. "Ow!"

"Hmm."

"Well you guys look nice." Terra said to ease the slight tension.

"We just came back from the courthouse." Nightwing lifted a shoulder. "We're about to go change."

"Yeah. No one wants to be stuck in these monkey suits all day." Changeling added.

"Once we're changed, we can play tea party." Raven told Charlotte. She had an idea.

Charlotte finally smiled. "Yay!"

L~O~V~E•Y~O~U

Charlotte stared up at her mom. "You tricked me."

Raven kept the smile off her face. "You like grape juice. Terra likes grape juice. Don't you want to play tea party?"

"Fine." She huffed.

"Now ask her if she wants some tea."

"But it's juice." Charlotte stared at her.

"Pretend it's tea." Raven deadpanned.

"Would you like some tea, Terra?"

Terra smiled. "Yes, thank you."

Charlotte poured the "tea" the way Raven had showed her. "You're welcome."

"You guys have been playing tea party every day this week?" She looked to the girls all around Charlotte's room.

"Since Wednesday." Bumble Bee said. "It's been fun."

"Cool. What do you talk about?"

"Well we were talking about Rae here & Changeling." Jinx said slyly as she looked at Raven.

Raven was not amused. "Stop it."

"Raven took a bite out of that Asparagus stalk."

Raven glared at her & was seriously contemplating throwing her into a different dimension.

"What does that mean?" Terra was confused.

"It means they hooked up." Jinx rolled her eyes.

"No way!" Terra's eyes were wide. "Finally!"

Raven turned her glare on her.

"What?! You guys needed to get together. It was painful to watch. At least you're dating now."

"When I say hooked up, I mean hooked up!" Jinx stirred the pot.

If looks could kill… Raven gave into the urge & slapped Jinx's arm. "Stop!"

"I'm just saying!" Jinx rubbed her arm.

"Cease instigating, friend Jinx." Starfire chastised.

"Better quit before she zaps you in another world." Bumble Bee smirked.

"Okay, I quit." Jinx pouted.

Charlotte patted Terra's hand. When the blonde looked over, she waved slightly. "Hi."

L~O~V~E•Y~O~U

"Guess what?"

"What?" Charlotte asked.

Changeling bopped her nose. "When you wake up in the morning, it'll be your birthday."

"Yay!"

Raven tucked the covers around her. "You've had your story & your two songs. Go to sleep."

"Do I have to, Mommy?"

"Yes, you do."

"The faster you go to sleep, the sooner you can wake up." Changeling reminded her.

"Okay, Daddy." Charlotte slouched down in bed. "Goodnight, Daddy."

"Goodnight, Charlie."

"Goodnight, Mommy."

"Goodnight, Charlotte." Raven repeated.

"I love you."

Raven's eyebrows rose. "I love you, too."

"I love you, Daddy."

"Love you, too Princess." He kissed her forehead.

Raven kissed her cheek.

Both left the room, turning off the light on the way.

Changeling faced Raven after the door closed. "See you in the morning?" He set his guitar on the ground.

"Yes. Goodnight, Changeling."

He gave her a look.

"Goodnight, Gar."

He smiled. "Goodnight, Raven." He kissed her cheek before going into his room.

She stood in the hallway for a moment, fighting a blush & willing her powers into submission. She had to get over his affection if they were going to make it. Every little thing couldn't make her go crazy.

She went to her room & prepared for bed. The kiss played a role in her mind the entire time…

L~O~V~E•Y~O~U

"Happy birthday, Charlie!" Everyone shouted when Raven came through the doors with her.

The little girl clutched her face in happiness. "Yay!"

Raven sat her in her seat & finished making the eggs.

"Today is going to be bananas!" Cyborg said. "Are you excited?"

Charlotte nodded. "Yes!"

"Everything is set & on schedule. You'll be happy." Nightwing told her.

"Thank you." She said shyly.

"Is it somebody's birthday today?!"

Charlotte turned to view Changeling in the doorway. "Daddy!"

"Wazzup!" He sauntered over.

"It's my birthday."

"Happy birthday, birthday princess!" He pinched her cheek softly. "How old are you? How old are you? How old are you? How old are you? Are you one? Are you two? This is where you stop me."

"Stop!" Charlotte giggled.

"Alright! You're two!" He held his hand up for a high-five.

She slapped his hand. "When is my party?"

"When the big hand gets on the eleven."

Charlotte looked at him like he was crazy.

"That's right. You can't count. When the big hand gets on the two stick looking numbers."

She held a thumb up.

L~O~V~E•Y~O~U

Charlotte looked to the clock but the big hand was on the eight. She didn't know that but it wasn't anywhere near the two "stick looking numbers".

"Training!" Nightwing called out.

"Who's going to watch the vertically challenged?" Jinx asked.

"Cal's asleep at the moment so Kid & Starfire."

"Yay!" Starfire, Kid Flash & the kids cheered.

L~O~V~E•Y~O~U

Charlotte looked to the clock & saw it was near the nine. She still didn't know what that meant but she knew that it wasn't time for her party.

L~O~V~E•Y~O~U

Charlotte looked to the clock & saw it was ten. Not yet but it was getting closer.

Kid Flash & Nightwing set up tables for gifts & food while Cyborg started cooking & Starfire & Bumble Bee began decorating.

Purple balloons were blown up, purple streamers were hung, the Little Mermaid decals went up, it was on.

Jinx & Changeling helped Cyborg in the kitchen while Terra & Raven watched the children. Now that he'd gotten used to the Titans (more or less), Calvin didn't just scream when someone else was near him. He also didn't cry (as much) when he was set down.

Charlotte looked around at the common room & how it was coming together. She found it beautiful. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Raven told her.

L~O~V~E•Y~O~U

The big hand landed on the eleven & Charlotte torpedoed into her father. "The arrow is on the two stick looking numbers!"

Changeling laughed. "You're right."

The doorbell rang.

"& that may be company now." He fixed her bow.

She wrapped her arms around his neck & laid her head on his shoulder. "People."

"Yeah, people."

Starfire went to get the door. She missed Cyborg putting the cake (red velvet with purple cream cheese frosting) on the table. She came back with Titans East; Kole, Jericho, Aqualad, Argent, Speedy, Cheshire, Hot Spot & Mas y Menos.

"Why are we here?" Speedy demanded as soon as he made it through the doors.

Hot Spot looked around. "So this is a party for a two year old? It's very purple. You sure it isn't for Starfire?"

Starfire set her hands on her hips with an attitude. "Hmpm!"

"Guys, meet Charlie. It's her birthday." Changeling walked over & showed them the little girl.

She buried her face in his neck.

"She's really shy." He chuckled.

"You're throwing a party for a baby?" Cheshire rolled her eyes. "Why?"

"What kind of dad would I be if I didn't throw my daughter a party for her second birthday?"

"Daughter?!" Argent's mouth hung open.

Nightwing told the whole story again. "We adopted them yesterday."

"Say hello, Christopher." Starfire dragged the little boy over.

Christopher went to Cheshire first & kissed her hand. "Hi, I'm Chris Grayson & I'm three."

"Little charmer." She said.

Speedy sulked.

Christopher went to Kole next. "Hi, I'm Christopher Grayson & I'm three years old."

Kole melted. "Aww!"

Christopher went to Argent & introduced himself again. He kissed her hand, too.

Hot Spot nodded. "Respect, little man."

"This is Cheshire, Kole & Argent." Nightwing introduced him to the girls. "& this is Aqualad, Speedy, Hot Spot, Jericho, Mas & Menos."

Christopher waved. "Hi!"

Changeling set Charlotte down & pushed her towards Mas. "Say hi."

"No." Charlotte went to Menos & looked up at him. "No."

The twins looked at each other. They understood English perfectly & could even speak it now (albeit with a thick accent). They knew she was saying no.

She went to Hot Spot. She just shook her head. "No."

Speedy stuck his hand out once she got to him. "Howdy, little lady."

"No." She went passed him to Aqualad.

The other guys laughed.

Charlotte leaned forward & sniffed Aqualad's knee.

His brow swung up.

She pointed at him. "Fishy!"

Changeling laughed loud & hard.

Raven slapped the back of his head. "Behave."

It was hard for him to stop laughing but he did. "Sorry, Aqua."

Aqualad's brow remained up. "I smell like fish. She's just being honest."

Charlotte went to Jericho & stared at him. He stared back. She leaned forward & sniffed him but he smell crisp & clean. She looked at him but he didn't do anything.

"He can't speak, Charlie." Kole explained.

Charlotte's mouth fell open & she hugged his legs.

Jericho patted her head.

She didn't let him go.

"Charlie? Charlie?" Changeling tried to get her attention but she wasn't paying him any mind. He pouted. "Charlie?"

Raven went to retrieve her but she held on with super strength. "Charlotte, let Jericho go!"

"Mine!" Charlotte held on.

"Isn't today her birthday? Can the terrible twos hit that fast?" Hot Spot teased.

Changeling worried. "I don't know."

"Who wants to hold the screaming baby?" Bumble Bee asked.

"Screaming baby?" Cheshire wanted to make sure she heard that right.

"He doesn't like anybody but me & Sparky holding him." She held the calm baby out so they could see him.

"Aww! He's so cute!" Kole cooed in his face.

Calvin just looked at her.

Argent laughed. "He's quite unimpressed, love."

"I see!" Kole set her hands on her hips. "So Bee? How are you going to have a baby & he's here & you're in Steel City? Or is he coming with us?"

"No." Cyborg shook his head. "My son is not leaving."

Bumble Bee smirked. "Calm down, Sparky. No, I'm staying here. I figure I would be better suited here. With them."

"Them?" Cheshire teased. "It's not just for the baby?"

Cyborg put his arm around Bumble Bee. "Yes, them. Us. We're dating now."

"We are?" Bumble Bee didn't get that memo.

"Yup." Cyborg hoped she'd say yes.

She looked at him for a long time before shrugging. "Cool."

He beamed.

"Rae & I are together." Changeling finally pried Charlotte away from Jericho.

"No way!" Argent exploded.

Cheshire grinned. "It's about time!"

"Hallelujah!" Kole breathed.

Raven side-eyed them all. "Shut up!"

The trio giggled.

"You can tell us more at Girls Night." Kole soothed.

"Whatever." Raven resolved to tell them nothing.

"This is a birthday party & we're talking about relationships! Let's party!" Speedy shouted.

"Whoo!" Changeling lifted Charlotte in the air & shook her. He was happy when she giggled. "The entertainment should be here any second!"

The doorbell rang.

"See?"

"I'll get it." Kid Flash was a blur.

"Put your gifts on the table & we can get started." Raven told Titans East.

They dumped their loads on the table & went to get food then sat down.

The guests were mingling & talking amongst themselves when Kid Flash returned with the entertainment.

"Look, Charlie!" Changeling pointed. "Someone wants to say hi to you!"

Charlotte peeked over the back of the couch & her face exploded. Her eyes lit up & widened, her mouth fell open & she gasped.

The entertainment was an Ariel lookalike. The young woman walked into the room & searched for the guest of honor. "Where's the birthday girl?"

Charlotte stomped her feet in excitement. "Me! Me!"

"Ariel" giggled. "Princess Charlie I presume?"

"I'm a princess?" Charlotte gaped.

"Ariel" set a plastic tiara on her head. "You are now."

Charlotte screamed.

The other guests chuckled at her happiness. "Ariel" walked around the couch & stood in front of her. "Would you like to sing with me?"

Charlotte's mouth fell open.

"Say yes!" Changeling laughed.

"Yes, please!"

Raven smiled as the two started singing Part of Your World. She couldn't believe she was so jealous of this lady. "Ariel" made Charlotte happy & that made Raven happy.

L~O~V~E•Y~O~U

"Charlie, you have to let Ariel leave." Changeling pried Charlotte away from the actress.

"But I want her to stay!" She wailed.

"She's done her time. She has to go to another little girl's party."

She pouted. "But I want her to stay here forever!"

Jericho's hands moved quickly.

"Jericho says that he'll make a video of you singing & dancing to the Little Mermaid music. It'll be a fun thing to do together."

Charlotte thought it over. "I sing?"

Jericho nodded.

"Okay. Bye, Ariel." Charlotte let the woman go & waved sadly.

"Aww. Goodbye, Princess Charlie." "Ariel" smiled at her.

Nightwing put his hand on her back. "I'll see you out."

"Thank you." The two left.

"Don't you want to open your presents?" Changeling picked up Charlotte.

"I want Uncle Jericho to help me." Charlotte looked to the blond.

"Call me Joe." Jericho signed.

"He says call him Joe." Kole told her.

"Okay, Uncle Joey." Charlotte kicked her feet to be set down then reached up for Jericho's hand. She tugged him to the table ladened with gifts & pointed to a top one.

Jericho picked it up & gave it to her.

"Wait!" Starfire held out a hand. "We must take the photographs!"

Jericho set Charlotte on the sofa & she set the present between her legs.

"Smile." Changeling prodded her.

Charlotte smiled.

Starfire took the picture. "We must take a photograph of you opening the present."

"Good ahead, Charlie." Cyborg encouraged. "Rip that paper!"

Charlotte ripped the paper off the box. She opened the box & pulled out a doll. The doll was large & plush with brown yarn hair & button eyes. She poked an eye.

"I've never bought anything for a two year old but the chick at the toy store said these were all the rage." Cheshire said.

"Thank you." Charlotte set the doll down. "I'll name her… Lolli."

"Lolli?" Changeling frowned. Raven punched his arm. "I mean that's good!"

Speedy went to get his gift & gave it to Charlotte. "I think you'll like my present better."

Charlotte ripped off the paper & tore through the box. She lifted out jars of playdoh. "What is it?"

"It's playdoh. You make stuff out of it & it smells crazy."

"Thank you." She kicked her feet.

"You're welcome, kid."

Jericho got up & she nearly followed him (but Changeling held her to her spot). Jericho returned with a box & gave it to her.

She beamed & tore into it. She looked to Raven. "Look, Mommy!"

Raven looked over & saw it was a tea party set. "What do you say?"

"Thank you, Uncle Joey!"

"You're welcome." Jericho signed.

"He says you're welcome." Kole said. "Here. Open my present next."

Charlotte opened the gift. "What is it?"

"A jump rope. You skip with it. I'll show you how later."

"Thank you."

"Ooh! Open mine next!" Cyborg shouted.

"Okay, Uncle Vic." Charlotte pushed the other gifts away from her.

Cyborg picked her up & took her to a big cardboard box by the gifts table. He set her down & ripped the cardboard away. "Tada!"

Charlotte's mouth fell open. "It's a car!"

"Yes, little lady, it's a car!" Cyborg had stayed up every night that week making it. It was a miniature T-car in purple. "It doesn't use gas of course but it's electric & can fly. What do you think?"

"I love it!" She threw her arms around his leg. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

"Whoa! She has a car!" Christopher whispered to his mom.

Starfire giggled. "Indeed."

"I wanna ride in it!" Charlotte yelled.

"Ask your mama." Cyborg patted her head.

"Mommy? Can I drive?" She turned hopeful eyes on her mother.

Raven blinked. She couldn't find a fault yet but had a feeling one was coming. "Yes."

"Yay!" Charlotte opened the door on the driver's side & got in. She shut the door & banged on the steering wheel.

Cyborg laughed & opened the door. "You gotta turn it on. Here are the keys." He opened the tiny glovebox & took the large key out. He showed her how to insert the key in the ignition & how to roll down the windows.

"Vroom!" She shouted.

The guys laughed.

"The radio works & you have cup holders for your sippy cup. The windows work. & if you push the red button, you'll be able to fly." Cyborg explained.

Charlotte pushed the button & the wheels turned in & thrusters came out. The car started hovering in midair. She clapped. "Yay!"

"Hey, Charlie? Wanna race?" Kid Flash wiggled his eyebrows.

"Yes!"

"Okay, just hold your hands like this & try to keep the wheel straight. This leg is to go & this leg is to stop." Cyborg continued explaining. "Pull this level to one to park, two for reverse, three for go & four for turbo."

"You put turbo on a child's car?!" Bumble Bee looked at him like he was crazy.

"Yes. She also has a level for neutral but she'll never use it."

"Hopefully she doesn't use turbo." Nightwing cracked.

"I'm making one for Chris, too but it won't be done for about a week. I don't have any orange paint."

"Yay!" Christopher cheered.

"Okay, try her out, Charlie."

"Ready?" Kid Flash leaned on his hands.

"I'll be the judge." Jinx stood up. "One! Two! Three! Go!"

They were off! Charlotte was fast. Kid Flash just jogged so she could keep up but she was fast. Too fast. She ran into the wall.

The car bumped into the wall, lurching her forward. The car stayed in the air, hovering & waiting for her command.

Charlotte started crying.

Changeling & Raven were at her side in an instant. Raven lifted her out of the car & hugged her tightly. "Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

Charlotte shook her head & held onto Raven's neck.

Changeling rubbed her back. "I think she was just stunned."

"I'll just put the car up." Cyborg pushed the red button again & the car gently landed on the floor. He rolled it out of the way.

"Good present, bro." Changeling knew he felt bad.

Cyborg just breathed deeply.

"How about you open my gift next, Charlie?" Bumble Bee asked. "I know you'll like it."

Raven went to sit down next to Jericho & Kole. "Can one of you get it?"

"It has my name on it." Bumble Bee told them.

Kole went to retrieve it then brought it to Raven.

Raven unwrapped the present since Charlotte was still wrapped around her. She opened the gift box & lifted out a bathrobe & slippers. They had fish & mermaid decals all over them. "Look, Charlotte. It's the Little Mermaid bathrobe & slippers."

Charlotte looked behind her & saw the gift. Her eyes widened & she gasped. "Thank you, Aunt Karen!"

Bumble Bee chuckled. "You're welcome, sweetheart."

"Feeling better?" Changeling asked.

Charlotte nodded.

"Good. How about you open the rest of the presents after you blow the candles out?" Cyborg suggested. "Anything to take away my guilt."

"It's not your fault." Changeling said.

"Yeah, if anything, it's Wally's." Jinx set her chin in her hand.

"What?!" Kid Flash gaped.

"You challenged a two year old to a race."

He blinked at her for a minute before he hung his head. "My bad, Charlie. I didn't mean for you to get hurt."

"It's okay, Uncle Wally." Charlotte looked to Cyborg. "I want cake."

"Alright!" Cyborg cheered. "Let me light the candles & bring it over!"

"Need any help, Cy?" Nightwing asked.

"Yeah, I need a lighter."

Nightwing pulled one from his pocket.

Cyborg raised an eyebrow as he reached for it. "Do I want to know why you have one ready?"

"Let's leave it at I'm always prepared."

"Got it." Cyborg lit two candles & brought the cake over to the table in front of the couch. "Okay, everybody! Get together & we'll sing!"

The others leaned closer. "Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear Charlie! Happy birthday to you!"

She leaned forward & blew out her candles amidst applause.

L~O~V~E•Y~O~U

"This is a pretty great party, love." Argent said.

"Everyone stuck to their duties & performed them well." Raven waved off the praise. At the moment, the guests were playing games & eating. It was a nice time had by all with music on low.

"I can't believe you guys have kids now."

"I can't believe her & Changeling finally hooked up." Cheshire smirked.

Raven glared at Bumble Bee, who raised her hands in surrender. "I didn't go into details."

"Ugh!" Raven rolled her eyes. "I'm doomed to go into detail about this, aren't I?"

"We want all the dirty details." Cheshire grinned.

Raven rolled her eyes again before going over to the couch, where the kids & boys were playing Lava. "You are easily amused."

"It's fun!" Hot Spot yelled. "I haven't played this game in years! It's good for the imagination!"

"Imagination!" Christopher shouted as he jumped on Nightwing.

The eighteen year old laughed as he fell on the floor. "Ah! I'm in the lava!"

"I'll save you, Daddy!"

"What?!"

The party stopped at the yell & turned to face the monitor, which showed the Justice League. Who were in a state of angered shock. At least Batman was.

Nightwing gulped. This would not end well…

Thank you all for the support this has gotten. Don't forget to check out Batman's a Grandpa?!