A pause. His expression softened almost imperceptibly, the familiar severity easing at the edges.

Dick froze with his fork halfway to his mouth. Jason slowly turned his head. Tim’s fingers stopped moving across his laptop.

He ended the call. Silence.

The silence that followed was almost impressive. Bruce lowered his glass. Tim stared at Damian as though his brother had just announced that he was secretly an alien. Stephanie’s mouth fell open. Duke looked between Damian and Bruce, apparently waiting for one of them to explain why nobody had reacted normally to the word wife.

Tim shut his laptop.

Jason was laughing so hard he could barely breathe.

Before Bruce could answer, Alfred appeared in the doorway carrying a fresh pot of tea.

Every head turned toward him. Alfred paused. Then, with the calm dignity of a man who had apparently been aware of this entire situation, he set the teapot down.

Jason made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a dying engine. Damian leaned back in his chair, looking profoundly satisfied.