Chapter Text
It's mother's day today. And I'm standing in a mall department store staring at greeting cards. Is a card really enough to celebrate your mother? God what am I doing…?
“She's not even my mom” I mumble to myself. So why am I here trying to find her a gift? I decided that a card is way too boring and I walk around to see what else I can buy as a gift. Agh why am I doing this..?!
I start walking a little faster.
The sale signs around the mall are annoying. There's a lot of promos for restaurants for mothers day… actually what if I just get her her food? Okay maybe I'll get her a cake in case I can't find anything.
My eyes dart around the mall. There's so many people, my eyes land on random people shopping and minding themselves.
That guy's stressed, he can't decide on a gift and he's short on time, lemme guess he's gonna reach for the mug… yup. Guess that makes two of us panicking and not knowing what to get.
In the sea of people I managed to walk into the electronic part of the mall. Wait what if I get her a computer? No, that's stupid. She already has so many screens in the clocktower… plus I don't have the money. Ugh why are there so many people?! It's too loud!
I walk faster to a hallway leading to a supply closet for the mall staff.
I'm not supposed to be here but it's the only place that doesn't have so many people… okay time for a new plan. I sit down on the floor while I rethink this entire thing. It's my first mother’s day, she'll understand… I know she will…
I don't know how long I was thinking but I must've taken some time, it's already sunset. AND I STILL DON'T HAVE ANYTHING!
Okay okay calm down Cassandra… you can do this!
I start walking in a ransom direction and I find a small flower shop. I guess flowers would be a nice present, right?
When I enter a little bell rings and the girl behind the counter greets me. She seems nice, she moves gently around the flowers.
I'll ask her for some flowers “Uhm.. I'm looking for some flowers for–”
“Lemme guess, your mom? Don't worry, we got a lot of new bouquets here.” wow. She just cut me off. That's… fine I guess. I take a look at the bouquets around the shop. “Oh by the way if you wanted a custom bouquet we can't really do that right now… we're kinda booked so you're gonna have to choose from the premade ones.”
“Oh. Uhm okay I guess a lot of people get their moms flowers for mother's day, huh?”
“Oh you won't believe how many people buy at the last minute. No offense by the way.”
“None taken” I don't really know why I'm buying a gift anyway.
Suddenly a bouquet caught my attention.
“Is this for sale?” I ask while pointing to the bouquet.
“Oh yes actually! We made that just for today! Special mother's day thing y'know. Each flower has a meaning in it”
That's.. new. I didn't know flowers would have meanings.
“Really? What do these flowers mean?”
“Well the lilies are for purity and admiration, the carnations are traditional mother's day flowers, white orchids meaning beauty and strength, bells of Ireland for good luck and… I think that's it!”
Wow okay. It's perfect.
“I'll take it”
Well I bought the bouquet but it's still missing something… and I need to hurry. It's REALLY getting late.
Maybe…
A letter?
Yeah that's good, I think…
I quickly get to my apartment and sit down at my desk with a pen and paper. Okay how do I start this..? Think Cass think!
I spend a good minute just staring at the paper and thinking about everything Barbara has done for me… before I knew it my hand started moving on its own. Writing down my thoughts and emotions on the paper.
I finally finished the letter. I hope she'll like it. I head over to the clocktower, the bouquet with the letter I wrote stuck to it in hand. It's already dark and Batman should have already started his patrol, meaning Baba should be there.
I slowly open the door and I find her there. In front of all her screens. I hide the gift behind me. She turns her head at the sound of the door opening.
“Oh Cass! I didn't expect to see you today”
She turns her wheelchair around, facing away from the screens.
“Oh one sec, Bruce there's some criminal activity by city hall, might wanna check that out.”
She says into her microphone.
“Anyway what are you doing here Cass? Not going on patrol today?”
“No uhm I'm going on patrol later I just..”
It's hard to talk, I'm getting nervous. I take a deep breath and just force it out.
“I brought you something”
“Oh? What's the occasion?” She says and she pushes her wheelchair closer to me.
I close my eyes and show her the bouquet.
“Happy mother's day, Babs. I know you aren't really my mother but you're like a mother to me.”
It's quiet. I don't want to open my eyes.
“Cass…”
Her voice is shaky. I'm scared. I open my eyes. And… she's crying…? Oh no oh no no no
“Uhm I.. you don't have to take it if you want–”
I was cut off by her hugging me. I don't move for a second and then I hug her back.
“You really think of me that way..?”
She asks, her voice sincere.
“Yes.”
I reply and she just starts sobbing.
“Oh my god Cass! I love you so much!”
When she finally releases me from her embrace her eyes are still watery. I start to speak up again.
“This is my first mother's day that I'm celebrating and I wanted to celebrate it with you. You really are like a mother to me.”
She smiles and takes the bouquet with the letter from me before hugging me again.
“This is the first mother's day I'm celebrating as a mother, and I'm glad you see me that way.”
I hug her back and lean into her embrace. I like hugging her, it's warm.