"He missed you," she told him. And he did, too. Ever since Rae had brought EJ over for the first time since the start of Topher's recovery, EJ had wanted Topher to hold him. That first night, after his evening feeding, EJ had even fallen asleep in Topher's arms. It was one of the most beautiful things Rae had ever seen, and basically cemented all the love that Rae had for her boyfriend. "He is totally your sidekick," she said, leaning over to hand EJ to Topher with a smile. "Your snuggly sidekick," Rae paused, laughing softly when EJ immediately leaned against Topher's shoulder and hugged him.
It was astounding, how good EJ was being about his costume. He had barely even tried to take his own mask off, and when he did, she'd just put it in the diaper bag. She offered her son his pacifier and watched as he sat up and grabbed the item in one hand and popped it into his mouth. He turned and looked at Topher now, tilting his head curiously. Not afraid of the mask, just amused and curious. "I think he approves of Batman as much as me," she mused.
As far as costumes went, Rae was aware that wearing leather was a lucky turn of events. It was chilly, but she barely felt any of it in what she was wearing. And, of course, there was the already-discussed chest-benefits. "We both should, I think. Because we both look damn good right now." She glanced down and then back up at him. "And EJ is totally the best Robin that any Batman has ever seen," she added. "Hey, if there's any day for you to abuse that power, it's today. Today's your day, love. For many reasons," she added. Beyond his birthday two days ago. He'd know what she meant. She made an incredulous face. "Oh god, leaps and bounds," she nodded seriously. "All I can think of is American Psycho. Creepy creeper. You, though? You're just hot as hell."
The time away from him had done a lot of things to Rae, and most of them weren't all that good. But if there was one good thing that it did, it was that it proved exactly how much she'd grown to love him; grown to need him. Without a word of explanation, she stepped forward and kissed him quickly, softly. "I love you," she reiterated without explanation.
The speed with which he answered made her laugh a little bit, and she nodded her head. "You know, I thought it might've been," she mused. "So why don't you follow me and I'll take you to it." There was still a little bit of nervousness to the gift; it was Elliot's motorcycle, and she wondered if maybe he'd think it was too big a gift or something. But... he deserved it. She needed for him to have it, and she knew, deep down in the center of her heart, that he'd love it.
She led him in the direction of the garage, though she knew for a fact that he'd been there a few times since coming out of his lockdown, but instead of going in the door, she walked around the back; to the door to the alley-path to the nearby guard tower. She'd hidden the bike there.
"Why don't... why don't you go in first?" she asked him, turning the knob and holding the door open. He'd know what it was. It was the only thing in there.