The one thing that doesn't stop no matter what happens is time itself. Life goes on even if the reasons to live seem to be lost, even then the wheel of time keeps spinning and new reasons are found eventually. Ultimately, everything adjusts as time passes.

For the Waynes, the Beaumonts and Helena herself, things began to adjust with time too.

With Tim's return, everything had started to go back on the usual track. It took some time but him and Dora sorted out everything between themselves because both loved each other and letting go of one another was quite difficult for them.

Tim had made Luke and Steph sort out their issues as well and they had patched up their relationship. The only difference was that Bruce had forbidden him to go out on patrol which at first had ensued quite a reaction from him but later on he had had adjusted.

Since Damian had been doing all his detective work in his absence, he had started to join him often in the cases he dealt with in the cave. By that, the bond between the two had begun to improve and Tim had gotten more expressive of his appreciation for the younger boy.

It made Dami's heart swell to see the boy appreciate him and be friendlier towards him but he still kept up his mean facade in front of the others so as not to send them in a shock of why he was being too civil to Timothy Drake.

Right then, Tim had taken Dora to Bludhaven because she had been missing her mother and Lucas a lot. So Alex was alone at home after shop hours ended as Susan, Eliza and Tyler had left too.

The kitchen had been cleared up and he was in the balcony, thinking what else to do to keep himself occupied when his phone rang.

Seeing Helena's contact visible on the screen, a soft smile spread on his face as he received the call, "hey Len."

"My sweet lovely squirrel, what are you up to?" Her voice greeted him and he could hear the cheerfulness from her tone which made his smile widen despite the fact that he was feeling rather sad on his own.

"Nothing much," he replied, "in fact I've been getting bored."

"Oh perfect."

He laughed, "I said I'm getting bored and you reply with a perfect?"

"Well that means I have the perfect solution to your boredom. I'll be at your place in a short while," she added, a light laugh punctuating her remark as well.

"Okay and what's the solution?"

"Don't ruin the surprise, sweetheart. Wait for me."

The call disconnected and Alex went down the stairs to open the door when she came. Shortly after, he heard a knock and went to open up knowing it would be Helena.

True enough, he opened the door to see Helena and she had crossed her wrists at the back of his neck as he pulled her close in a hug. When she let go, her grey eyes flickered over the surroundings, noticing that it was unusually quiet.

"Where's Dora?" She asked, realizing that Al was alone at home.

"She went to Bludhaven to meet Mum and Luke," he replied, "that's exactly why I was getting bored because usually she's around to keep me company."

Her eyes gleamed playfully, "no worries, you won't get bored any longer."

"And that reminds me, you claimed to have a perfect solution to my boredom," he remarked, locking the door and switched off the kitchen lights as he followed her upstairs.

"And that perfect solution is my presence here, isn't it?" She had turned to face him, catching him by surprise as she kissed his cheek.

His hand closed on to her wrist, pulling her back towards him as he connected their lips together in a sweet lingering kiss.

It was the sort of kiss she loved most; tender and affectionate, enriched with sincerity that she hadn't felt from any other person before.

"No seriously, I did bring something for you," she mumbled when they broke off the kiss at last, "let's go to the balcony."

"Alright."

The balcony wasn't locked as he had already been there so the two stepped outside in the cold night air. A gentle breeze was blowing and it was rather tranquil outside in the balcony.

Alex knew that was exactly why it was Dora's favorite spot in their home and he too loved the calmness it offered.

"Have you had dinner yet?" She asked as the question took him by surprise.

"Not yet."

"Great, sit down then."

They had opened up a rug to spread out on the ground and Al fetched the cushions though he returned Helena was taking out packed boxes from her bag.

"Hey, did you bring dinner?"

"I cooked," she looked up, a smile playing upon her lips, "I was getting bored at home too so I thought why not pack a little picnic for both of us. Actually, I brought some for Dora too but just now found out that she isn't here."

He sat down across from her looking at the food she had brought, "this looks really tasty. And don't worry, Dora hasn't gone for long. She will come back tomorrow evening so we could save her share for her too."

Helena nodded, lifting off the lid and placed in the spoons. "Now before you go to fetch crockery, I suggest you to stay here and eat like this. Gives an even more of a picnic feeling."

He smiled, "alright, however you please."

She raised an eyebrow, gesturing him to take the first bite which he did so shortly after.

Grey eyes focused on him intently waiting for his reaction.

Alex silently ate and Helena was a bit dubious seeing that he didn't say or express anything. But soon as he had finished the first bite, a smile broke out on his face making it light up.

"Helena, this is really delicious."

"It is?"

"Yeah. Now come on, you haven't started eating yet."

She laughed, "oh of course. I was a bit dubious of how you might find the taste since you're such an excellent cook. Do you know the Ching family in Chinatown still miss your cooking skills."

"They do? You've been visiting them?" He was honestly surprised to hear that.

"Yes I have. Next time why don't you come with me too and we'll both help them out with their stall at the weekend?"

He agreed, "sounds great. Probably after Dora comes back we'll go visit them."

"Sure."

Dinner being done, they packed up the box again but Helena didn't let him go down to wash everything just yet, asking him to stay in the balcony a little longer.

The weather was pleasantly cool that night and as the two sat together out in the balcony, the soothing atmosphere felt even better.

"Alexander..."

He hummed in reply, his arms holding her close as the two were looking up at the dark night sky dotted with stars.

"I'm really glad to have you in my life."

He pulled her close and his lips brushed against her cheek delicately, "me too."

There was a while of silence in between them which was broken at last when Helena turned to face him, her hands cupping his cheeks tenderly and her grey eyes looked down in gentle honey irises.

His lips parted as if to say something but she beat him to it.

"I love you, Alexander," she confessed, "I love you more than I can ever tell you and there's no one else I would ever let this close to me."

His eyes were soft as he nodded, "I love you too, Helena. And I'm honored I'm one of the special few who you let this close to you."

"Special few? No. You're the only one."

A light chuckle escaped him, "are you saying I'm your Mister Right then? The only one for you?"

Her features broke into a loving smile as she leaned closer, connecting their lips together, "you're my sweet squirrel, my Alexander... And for me, you're perfect. Not just right but perfect."

He knew he was far from perfect but right then as she said it with so much conviction, he felt as if they had finally overcome everything that had threatened their relationship earlier.

They had begun to trust one another and slowly but steadily they were strengthening their relationship built on that trust and care for each other.

"For me, you are also perfect," he replied, knowing full well that he truly meant those words, "and I love you too and will keep loving you no matter what life brings on for us."

***