Father should also go to the company.
The company he was talking about wasn't Wayne Enterprises; Joseph was currently only a consultant for the Wayne Frontier Laboratory. Joseph was going to teach at Gotham University in the second half of the year, teaching the newly opened Interstellar Navigation, was currently organizing new textbooks. Joseph was also the chairman of Little Reed Medical and had to attend company meetings.
Colt grabbed Birdie's wings and performed a Latin dance in his wheelchair, demonstrating that he was healthy enough to not need parental care, even showed off his magical skill of directing Timothy with just his eyes. He tried to make his parents understand that he didn't need so many people looking after him. Unfortunately, Joseph had suddenly transformed from a workaholic into a family man, Alisa also wanted to take care of her child in every minute detail, leaving Colt to realize that his dreams of a life of independence had gone up in smoke.
Thomas and Ace will come for a follow-up checkup in five days.
Colt demonstrated how to walk briskly without a wheelchair, personally climbed trees to pick fruit for them, filled their trunk to the brim, even performed the eight notes of "Ah."
"Is it that you don't want to speak, or are you just not used to it?" Thomas asked kindly.
With Bruce's face speaking so gently, Colt felt too embarrassed to be perfunctory and could only tell the truth: "Speaking is very tiring; using the Holographic Glasses to vocalize doesn't interfere with communication."
Thomas did not demand that Colt practice speaking; as long as there were no physical issues, Colt would naturally start speaking once he felt it was necessary.
With the doctor's follow-up examination providing assurance, his parents finally relaxed their control over Colt.
Colt decided to accompany Timothy home to visit Jack and Janet, Alisa began preparing for him a day in advance.
A fruit basket, fresh flowers, an antique snuff bottle for Jack, a pearl necklace for Janet.
Alisa repeatedly instructed before departure, "Be respectful and polite. If they ask you questions you don't want to answer, don't pretend you didn't hear them; you can let Timothy answer instead."
“Mom, even if they don't like me, I won't talk back to them.” Colt glanced at Timothy, who was being pulled aside by Joseph to give him instructions in the distance, lowered his voice. “Tim said we won't be living with them in the future; at most, we'll just go back to visit them occasionally. It's also possible they'll be so busy traveling across the universe that we won't see them for years.”
No one could dislike you." Alisa straightened Colt's collar. "Go on, be careful not to let anyone mistreat you.
Timothy folded the wheelchair and placed it in the trunk, then, upon getting into the car, he stuffed the Golden Book—which contained his Leap Mech, uniform, weapons—into Colt's hands.
"I can already walk, it's not like we're going to a fight." Colt had been feeling a bit nervous, but seeing that Timothy was even more nervous than him, he actually relaxed.
Timothy took a deep breath: "Just in case, it's better to be prepared."
When the first red light comes, Timothy said, "If you don't like what they say, I'm not there, just pretend you didn't hear it.."
Colt nodded.
While waiting for the second red light, Timothy was still saying, "The new chef can't cook Chinese food; Janet is only good at using the microwave. If lunch isn't good, just eat less. I brought some snacks.."
Colt continued to nod.
There were no more red lights, the way was clear all the way to Drake Manor. Timothy still hadn't finished speaking: "Janet doesn't know I'm Red Robin, so they might ask about our future plans, like which university we're attending.."
“I know. We'll go to the Interstellar Navigation Academy at Gotham University together, enrolling in September. The new campus is at the old Arkham Asylum.” Colt gave Timothy a hug. “They're out; it's time for us to get off the vehicle.”
Timothy hugged him tightly: "Remember, no matter what their attitude is, it won't affect my love for you."
Colt kissed Timothy's cheek: "I know, but it'll be rude if we don't get off the vehicle."
After ten years of solitude, Colt's social skills had somewhat regressed, but basic communication was still fine; it was just that his speech was quite formal. Since it was originally Text-to-Speech, using formal language was quite normal: "Hello, Uncle, Auntie, it is a pleasure to meet you. I am Tim's friend Colt Reed, just call me Colt."
Colt presented flowers and gifts, complimenting Janet for being even younger and more beautiful than Timothy had described, praising Jack for being kind and amiable.
Jack and Janet's smiles both brightened.
They also placed great importance on today's meeting; they dressed formally, gave the house a thorough cleaning, prepared a welcome backdrop made of fresh flowers and balloons in the living room.
They were equally cautious with the topics they chose, only asking which university he would attend and what major he would study, before praising Interstellar Navigation for its bright future. They also tactfully mentioned that Colt could relax in his wheelchair and didn't need to maintain exhausting social etiquette at home.
Lunch was sumptuous, featuring the Chinese dishes Colt likes, Janet had personally baked a cake, which wasn't burnt.
After lunch, Timothy took Colt back to his room to rest.
As soon as the door was closed, Colt jumped onto Timothy's back and pressed him for answers, "How did you describe me to your parents? They looked like they thought I was a cripple. When they saw I could stand up and communicate with people, they were as surprised as if they'd pulled a secret figure from a blind box."
Timothy smiled, "It's just about lowering their expectations; once they meet the real you, it will be much easier for them to accept you."
You're actually playing psychological games with your parents," Colt gave him a roll of the eyes, "Have you been saying a lot of bad things about me?
Timothy smiled even more smugly: "There's no need to say anything bad; they'll just search for it online. The fact that you've been sick for ten years isn't a secret. I only need to frown and shake my head when they ask, letting a melancholy, worried expression cross my face, they'll imagine the worst-case scenarios themselves."
In short, meeting the parents was a great success.
Upon parting, Jack and Janet gave Colt a watch and an armored car with an aviation-grade metal shell.
Janet instructed Timothy, "It's much safer for you two to drive this car back. I'll bring the sports car when I visit Colt's parents tomorrow."
The armored SUV was not suitable for driving in the city, their safety was not so easily threatened, but the two of them did not refuse Janet's kindness.
At Oak Tree Manor, robots were changing the curtains, while Joseph was tidying up the study.
Tim, take Colt to your little cottage; the house is too messy." Alisa put down the shopping list and then instructed Colt, "Wake up early tomorrow to pick fruit and flowers; I've arranged for our two families to have lunch together with Janet.
"Tomorrow? That's too soon!" Colt thought that when Janet said "see you tomorrow," she was just using it as a figure of speech; he hadn't expected it to actually be tomorrow.
The First Alien Expeditionary Team sets off at the end of May. Janet and the others have already signed up, they need to join the team for training in advance," Joseph said, pushing a cart full of books out of the elevator. "I'm also going to Mars to attend a meeting, Alisa is going to Africa to check on the Reader Hope School over there. You should meet up early to discuss your matters, so it isn't difficult for you to meet up later.
Alright, that makes sense.
Colt looked at the contents of the box. "Dad, where do you plan to throw my notes?"
Joseph handed the cart to Colt, "Your Ghost and Nightingale Home."
Colt winked, reminding his father to keep his voice down. His mother didn't know about Timothy's other identity, let alone that he was Ghost.
"Is there anything I can help with?" Timothy said, taking off his coat and rolling up his shirt sleeves.
"There's a whole wall of notes in the study; move them all to your little cottage." Dad gave orders without any politeness.
Timothy followed Joseph upstairs, while Colt tossed the cart aside and nudged his way over to Alisa's side.
Mom, what are you all planning to talk about tomorrow?
Alisa picked up the shopping list, "About you and Tim."
Colt pressed for details: "The specifics."
Alisa said while drafting a menu, "For example, a prenuptial agreement.."
Colt interrupted his mother's words: "We aren't planning on getting married yet!"
Alisa looked up and rolled her eyes at him. "You think that if you wear the ring on a necklace around your neck, I won't find out?"
He said it's just a regular gift, not a formal proposal." Colt pressed his hand over the ring through the clothes. "We aren't even nineteen yet; it's too early to talk about marriage.
It's fine, you two talk about yours, we'll talk about ours." Alisa patted Colt's head. "Bruce has notarized his will, saying he wants to leave the company to Tim. Our family's assets are also quite substantial; to prevent any major complications if you two get impulsive and suddenly register your marriage, your father and I both believe it's necessary to discuss this clearly in advance.
"We won't have any conflicts," Colt countered.
I believe you are all responsible children, but no one can say for certain what the future holds," Alisa shook her head. "Regarding the prenuptial agreement, do you have any demands?
"We won't have any conflicts," Colt insisted.
Colt was unhappy, turning around to push a cart full of notebooks back to the next room.
Not long after, Timothy also returned pushing a cart full of notebooks, followed by two robots carrying boxes.
The two of them organized the notes together, labeling the spines, writing codes, scanning the contents into the computer.
How do you plan to handle them?
Did Dad tell you?
The two asked at the same time, then looked at each other.
Are you talking about the prenuptial agreement issue?
I'll open a holographic library online, so anyone interested can come and take a look.
The two of them answered simultaneously once again.
Colt leaned back and covered his face with the notebook. "What Mom said makes a lot of sense, but why do we have to consider these things so early? There's no Dream Station anymore, no Shared Dream, yet we're already discussing such realistic issues. Can't we just let the dream last a little longer?"
We have to face reality; only by accepting reality can we endure," Timothy said, peeling the notebook off his face and touching his lips. "But we don't need to make such a sharp distinction.
Colt opened his eyes and looked at him.
Timothy cupped his face and kissed him again. "They can draft whatever agreement they want; we don't need to argue with them. Once they are at ease, we'll sign a new agreement to render it void."
Legally speaking, it is feasible.
Timothy's practice of being two-faced is quite practiced.
"If Wayne Enterprises were to be inherited by you, the prenuptial agreement would be void, you would suffer a great loss," Colt reminded him.
Timothy narrowed his eyes. "You think we'll separate?"
Colt thought for a moment, then shook his head.
So, the agreement is just a few pieces of paper, meant to put the family's minds at ease and save them the trouble of making a fuss." Timothy pulled Colt up. "Have you thought it through?
Yeah." Colt paused, then smiled again. "I don't know why, but discussing this with you gives me a sense of security. It's as if we are moving forward, ahead of us is a road that is visible and straight.
I think this is happiness." Timothy also looked at him and smiled. "Our parents are using their own ways to make the road ahead of us smoother.
Life is truly different with a mother and without one.
Early the next morning, the two were woken up early by Alisa, each carried a basket to pick fresh fruit and flowers. Birdie was also ordered to drive away the birds in the yard to prevent them from dirtying the ground with their droppings or leaving souvenirs for the guests.
Jack and Janet arrived a little after nine in the morning, while Martha and Alfred were only five minutes late.
They brought lawyers, not just one, but a whole team of them.
Martha apologized: "Bruce really can't find the time, since Thomas couldn't make it back from Mars, he has let Alfred represent him with full authority."
Colt glanced at the steady and reliable Timothy, as his hand was squeezed in comfort, his racing heart slowly began to settle.
He turned to pick up the dessert platter, while Timothy went to brew coffee.
These people clearly didn't sleep well last night and needed coffee to wake them up.
The negotiation process was unexpectedly harmonious, completely different from the premarital asset division that Colt had imagined.
Jack and Janet brought out the contracts for the companies, foundations, real estate that Timothy had gifted them after his resurrection. The two of them believed that Drake Industries had once gone bankrupt and that it was Timothy who had saved it and helped it flourish, so they decided to keep only a 10% stake for their retirement, along with Drake Manor, return everything else to Timothy.
As for Joseph and Alisa, they also believed that Little Reed Medical was established by Colt, so they would only keep a 10% stake for their retirement, transfer the rest to Colt's name. However, Alisa would separately manage the Little Reed Charity Foundation and would continue to oversee the Reader Hope Schools located across the globe.
As for Martha and Alfred, Alfred spoke on behalf of Bruce, stating that the notarized will would not change for the time being, but the future was uncertain. Therefore, he allocated 20% of the shares of Wayne Enterprises, giving 10% each to Timothy and Colt. Regardless of whether they marry or break up in the future, this 20% of shares will belong to them permanently.
The lawyers were busy drafting contracts, while Colt quietly left the study to get some fresh air on the terrace.
Timothy walked up to his side and gave his shoulder a squeeze. "Too much wealth overloading your brain?"
No, I'm very calm. Money is just numbers to me." Colt coolly pushed up his Holographic Glasses. "Even if the money in my account hit zero, the knowledge in my brain remains; I can earn more money at any time.
Timothy couldn't help but chuckle softly, leaning in to whisper, "So that's what it feels like to be surrounded by love—your brain is activating its emotional regulation mechanism?"
Colt remained silent.