Ace lay in her bed curled up cuddling her toy clown. It was warm and cosy under the blanket but she was having trouble getting to sleep.
There was a storm outside with howling gales, thunder crashing and lightning flashing. It wasn't exactly a pleasant noise to listen to and the loud sounds and flashes were keeping her awake.
"I'm ok...I'm ok" Sasha whispered to herself trying to fight the tears. When she was young she had gotten stuck in a lightning storm alone after she got separated from her parents since then she had developed an acute fear of storms.
Suddenly a branch whacked her window hard and the lightning rumbled making her jump. She leapt out of bed as fast as her legs could carry her to her parents room not caring about what time it was.
In parents room
Bud and Lou were in the corner cuddled up together. They were sleeping peacefully cackling as they had sweet dreams.
The Joker was fast asleep dreaming of the day he would take over Gotham with an iron fist of fear and hatred. Harley would be his queen and Ace his heir to one day walk in his footsteps.
Harley was cuddled up to Joker dreaming of the happy life she would have as Ace grew up being beautiful and strong. The Joker would protect them both and make them smile no matter what.
Suddenly there was a gentle knock against the door awakening them from their peaceful slumber. Bud and Lou stirred and began wagging their tails gently.
"Enter" The Joker grumbled sleepily.
Sasha opened the door nervously. She was wearing her blue Pyjama's with bunnies on them. Her eyes were filled with fear and unhappy tears that threatened to fall but she kept them back in order to look brave.
Harley sat up sleepily and smiled at Sasha "Hey sweetie something wrong?" she said kindly.
"I'm scared..." she said shakily peering at her father.
The Joker sat up and leaned against the backrest of the bed. He was tired but he wasn't going to leave his daughter feeling like this.
"Acey...C'mere" The Joker said patting the bed beside him.
Sasha walked towards the bed quietly and sat beside him. She peered up at him with her big blue eyes waiting to hear his reaction.
The Joker reached out and stroked Sasha's hair gently "Poor Acey...you don't do well during storms eh?".
"Yeah...Poor thing been scared of thunder since that time we went on that country walk and we got separated" Harley said sincerely.
Sasha felt safe around her father. Whenever she was sad he seemed to make her feel better and always make her smile. Tears spilled over her cheeks gently as she thought about how much she loved them both.
"Now ,now don't cry my little jester" The Joker cooed gently wiping her tears away with his thumb.
"Sorry daddy" Sasha sniffed tearfully.
"Harls I'm gonna take Acey back to bed you stay here and keep the bed warm" The Joker said firmly.
"Kay Puddin" Harley yawned and then cuddled up under the covers again.
The Joker picked up Sasha and carried her back to her own room holding her close and stroking her back gently.
Ace clung to his vest gently enjoying his warmth and familiar scent of cologne and chemicals. He may have been scary and wicked in the eyes of others but to her he was a loving father whom she admired greatly.
In bedroom
"Ok sweets nice and cosy" The Joker said fondly tucking Sasha under the covers.
"I don't like the storm it's too noisy and scary" Sasha sniffed fresh tears spilling over.
"I know but it will pass eventually" The Joker said gently kissing her cheek.
"Don't go daddy I'm scared" she begged grabbing his hand her eyes huge and begging.
The Joker smiled "You wanna hear a story?" He said gently.
Sasha nodded she liked her father's stories. They were exciting and made her laugh when Batman lost or got hurt. She hated him so seeing him in pain was rather enjoyable in her mind.
The Joker sat on a chair beside her bed and folded his arms "Ok kiddo listen well coz this story is a very valuable part of your history" he said smiling.
Sasha held Psycho tightly and peered at him wide eyed and curious. She loved his stories and was very disappointed when he didn't have time.
"Once upon a time a long time ago I was locked up in a cold dark place called Arkham. One day a beautiful doctor named Harleen Quinzelle became my doctor..."he began slowly.
Later
The Joker closed Sasha's bedroom door gazing at her fondly as she slept. Her face was peaceful and a warm smile was spread across her face.
"Sweet dreams my little Jester" The Joker whispered closing the door. He made his way to the bedroom slowly thinking about Ace's gentle face. She was a good kid and worked hard to live up to their expectations but was dearly loved.
When he reached the bedroom he was annoyed to see Harley fast asleep. She was cute when she was sleeping but he had hoped she would wait for him. Groaning crossly he approached the bed and climbed under the sheets.
He turned onto his side facing towards the Hyena's who smiled at him "Goodnight boys" he chuckled.
Suddenly Harley cuddled up to The Joker wrapping her arm around his waist and entwining her legs around him. She moaned quietly in her sleep but he couldn't make it out which annoyed him but she was too cute.
"My girls..." The Joker thought to himself and fell asleep at last. Batman could say any wicked stuff about him but he had 2 beautiful girls in his life that made him smile and taught him about love and laughter.
