Dick is about 18... Babs is about the same age, older or younger I don't know.... Dami is 10.... Jay is 17... Tim is 16... Cass is 15... Steph is the same age.... blah blah blah.... and I can't tell you the ages of Bruce or Alfred, because you know, that just wouldn't be polite :)

I DO NOT OWN THIS PICTURE!

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"Um... Alfred, can you gather the family?  Jason, Tim, Cass, Damian, Barbara, Steph... and you might want to bring over Wally, Garth, Donna, and Roy too.  Oh, and Betty may want to be here.  Will you do that please?" Bruce asked Alfred, being nice because he hated to tell his family the news.  The news that could break him down.

"Yes, of course Master Bruce.  Just one question... where is Master Richard in this picture?" Alfred asked, his hand already on the buzzer, telling Tim, Cass, Jason, and Damian to please come down.  He moved to the kitchen ready to call the others.

"The announcement I'm about to make is about Dick, so... just tell them to get ready."  Bruce felt terrible having to be the one to do this.  Having to be the one to break the news.

----

Bruce stood at the head of the table, wondering why the heck did he ever have to do this.... but someone had to tell them anyway, "Um... guys, can I have your attention?"

No one was listening, so Bruce took the moment to soak in what had them so occupied.

Jason was having some inside joke with Tim and Damian, who were both laughing.  Something about 'plane incident 68....'  Nearby, Steph was laughing at Cass, who was glaring at Tim about something or another.  Barbara was smiling  as Alfred was telling her a story complete with hand motions.  He could see Wally and Roy linking arms and singing about narwhals.  Donna and Garth seemed to be occupied staring at the picture of the bat on the wall and giggling about it.

Bruce sighed and took a deep breath, "I have an announcement to make!"

The room immediately quieted, because whenever Bruce said something, you needed to shut your mouth.  Or you might be kicked out a window.

"What's this about Father?" Damian asked, bored already, "And why are Richard's friends here?"

"This announcement is about Dick..." Bruce began hoarsely, "You might want to sit down for this."

"It can't be that bad!" Jason said, standing up and smoking his cigarette.

"It is." Bruce said, hardly able to stand up with the thought of his oldest in mind.

"Well are you going to tell us already?" Steph asked impatiently.

"It's better that you say things straight out.  Not beat around the bush." Cass said, also looking slightly peeved.

"Let Bruce have a chance to talk!" Barbara snapped at her girlfriends, "And where's Dick?"

Everybody looked at Bruce expectantly.  So Bruce just said, simply, "Dick's dead."