Epilogue
Looking Back
Jack's POV
I was sitting out on the sidewalk of Brooklyn, New York. A light rain was falling, and I was feeling calm and content, which was unusual, since I had just learned the biggest secret ever kept from me. In all my fifteen years, I had never been so shocked, and somewhat appalled. But, now, for some messed up reason, I was feeling quite calm, and I now understood. I understood why certain things had happened over the last fifteen years. I understood why my parents weren't married, and why my dad didn't ever want to marry. I knew why he had scars, and why he was so strange. At I admit, it had scared me senseless, and to know why he was like that… At first I had been enraged, screaming at my mother why she had even chosen to have a child with him. I wondered still vaguely how my friends would react if they ever knew… If they ever knew my father, my dad, the man who was supposed to protect me, was the Joker.
I was snapped out of my thoughts by the sound of the door opening behind me. I turned slowly towards it, brushing my straight, blonde hair out of my brown eyes. My fourteen year old sister, Twila Harleen, was standing there, her black hair tied back in a loose ponytail. God, how she looked like our mother… She was the spitting image of her, but had been blessed with out father's height. She was standing there, her arms crossed, and her face set; the same face she made when she was about to get mad at me.
"Mom wants you back inside Jack! She says she wants to talk to you!" Her surprisingly bright green eyes flashed as she said this, as if daring me to contradict her.
I pouted, and she jumped. I knew when I did that, I looked like my Dad, like exactly like him. I shook my head, exhaling loudly. "Twi, I don't want to talk to her right now, 'kay? I need time to think! Geez…" I turned away and she stomped down the stairs, sitting next to me on the curb. I glanced at her, and she gave me an evil look. This particular look was the glare of death. It used to terrify me, but now I was barely fazed by it.
I sighed, "Look Twi, I just figured out our dad was a mass murderer fifteen years ago! I mean, come on! How would that make you feel?"
She rolled her eyes. "I don't care! I've known for almost two years now! And he's our dad Jack! What's the problem? He loves us and mom, end of story. Build a bridge, and get over it!" I groaned as she used her favorite, and most pathetic, insult ever.
Suddenly it dawned on me. "Hang on, Hang on, you knew?! And you never told me?!"
She shrugged, "Mom thought it was best if you didn't know just yet. She was gonna wait 'till you were eighteen, but I talked her outta it."
I blinked, "Why?"
"Why what?"
I gritted my teeth. "Why did she wait, and why did you talk her out of it?"
She smirked, "Well, we all knew how close you and dad are, so we didn't want to ruin your childhood by telling you that, and I thought it was best if you know now, so as not to screw up your adulthood!"
I gave her an annoyed look, but I could see her point. "Okay, whatever Twi, look, where's dad? I want to confront, eh, talk to him."
She raised a pale eyebrow. "He's out on the roof, weirdo that he is… Honestly, how can he stand it up there? It's so high!"
I wasn't even listening to her. I got up and walked back inside our duplex, and down the hall to the closet I knew had a ladder that led to the roof. Before I opened if, I was interrupted by a call from the kitchen.
"Jack? Is that you? Come here please." I groaned. Of all the times she had to call, why now? I slouched back to the kitchen, and found my mom sitting at the table. Her black hair, like Twi's, was in its signature ponytail, and she looked up as I came in. She was wearing straight, brown jeans, and a white blouse. She reminded me vaguely of an attorney. Her pale face was tired looking, and her black eyes were dull. She continued to stare at me, until seeming to come back to reality, and shook her head.
"Jack, look, I wanted to tell you okay? I just didn't know how!" She chewed her fingernail; one of her annoying habits, and regarded me with those black eyes. I was reminded of a hawk when she looked at me like that. I fidgeted on the spot, trying my hardest not to run. I felt my cheeks flame as she watched me.
"Jack, I love you, and therefore I had a reason not to tell you sooner!" She looked like she was in real agony, and her face was drawn and worn. She took a deep breath and walked over to me and hugged me. The top of her head reached the tip of my nose, and she sighed as she hugged me. I had surpassed her in height ages ago.
I pulled away from her hug. "Look mom, I know dad loves you. I see it all the time! It's just weird thinking he could have done such horrible things…"
She smiled, "You're a teenager, so it's normal for you to feel so shocked. I know how close you two are, were."
"We're still close!" I snapped, and her smile slipped off her face to replace it with a small "O" of surprise.
She then smiled, "I'll bet you want to talk to him eh? Well he's on the roof like always… Knock yourself out…" She chuckled and turned away, retreating to the sink where she began to wash some plates. I gritted my teeth, and returned to the hallway, opened the door, and went to see the Joker. No, I went to see my dad.
Lara's POV
I kept my back turned until I was sure Jack had gone to see the Joker. I felt hot tears sting my eyes as I heard the front door open again, and Twi came into the kitchen. She walked up behind me and hugged me.
"Mom, are you okay?"
I nodded slowly, "I just wish I had been able to tell him sooner…" I muttered, mentally kicking myself for that one.
Twi giggled, "Well, at least Daddy's over it, right? You helped him!" I smirked at her words. True, I had really helped the Joker overcome his psychotic behavior, but I still thought it was all him. I loved him, and our family could see that. Well okay, not my family, meaning my parents, but everyone else could. We had been living in Brooklyn for the past fifteen years, and now we were happy as could be, as corny as that seemed.
I broke away from Twi, and walked down the hall to the door I knew led to the roof. I wasn't going to spy, well okay, I was, but I just wanted to make sure Jack wouldn't do anything rash.
Twi was following me. "Mom? Where ya goin'?"
I turned back, "I'm just going to see your father and your brother. Make sure everything is okay, alright?" She nodded and muttered something inaudible, so I ignored it.
I went up the stairs, and peeked through the sheer glass window on the door, to see the Joker and Jack sitting on the edge of the roof talking. Jack looked upset, and the Joker looked astonishingly calm. Jack suddenly stood up, and so did the Joker. I could see Jack was yelling at him, but I couldn't hear what they were saying. The Joker was talking calmly, which looked odd since he was wearing his signature makeup, and long purple coat. Jack was shaking, and he looked about ready to blow. He pale face was getting redder with each passing second.
The suddenly, his shoulder's slumped, and the Joker hugged him. I was in fascination as Jack cried on his father's shoulder. Now they were coming back, but I didn't move. The door opened, and Jack walked right past me with a small, watery smile.
I gave the Joker an incredulous look. "What did you do?"
He giggled, "What? Can't you just trust me for once?" He pulled me into him and kissed me on the lips. I felt a blush creep up my cheeks, and he laughed. "You shouldn't blush so much gorgeous, pale suits you better!" I playfully punched him in the arm, and he smirked. Then he took my hand and kissed it. "Jack gets it now Lara, he knows that no matter what I did in the past, I'll always be his dad and love him."
I felt happy tears sting my eyes. "Such an emotional response, is that normal? For you I mean?"
He giggled and tickled me, making me squeal. Even after fifteen years, it still felt like we were in our twenties. It still felt like we were young, like when we had first met. I was so happy that I had him. Even thought he was weird sometimes, I still couldn't get over the fact that, after what seemed like a millennium…
I was finally happy.
AN: THE END!! Woo kay well there ya go guys! It's over -sniff sniff- Ima gonna cry! Geez… It was so much fun writing this story, and I am SO glad you guys liked it so much!! I think I might actually cry… :'(
Oh and by the way, YES THERE WILL BE A SEQUEL! Just give me a few days to prepare kay guys? XD
THANK YOUS
Ayshieka: OMG, you are FAB! I am so glad that you liked this story so much and that you gave me such awesome ideas! I really don't know if I could've finished this story without you being there to crack the whip! Or point the knife…hehe. You are great, thank you SO much!!
Chelsea Grin: Man, where do I begin? One, I am SO glad you and I are friends now! I love talking with you about our Joker fantasies XD We are such nerds. I also love when you gave me ideas, and sharing your story with me :)
Joanda05: You are such a sweetie! Thank you for letting me use Brooklyn on my story! Now the Joker really WILL be your neighbor! XD
Spooky Mulder: You are AWESOME! I am so glad you loved this story sooo much! I love how enthusiastic you are always about it! :D
Lexa: Kay, well I don't know who you are in real life, but you have been here since the beginning, and for that I am SO grateful! I love your input!! –HUG-
MugglebornPrincesa: You are so cool! I feel so honored to have your comments pop up all the time! I like the ideas you gave me, and I do believe I will use them in the sequel! :) Your comments are inspiring, and I feel so very privileged that you read it!
Deadly Elegance: DUDE! I am so happy you read this! You are one of my fav authors, so I was all OMG when you liked my story! :D :D :D :D Thank you so much!
Captain Kris: I am so happy you liked this story so much! Your comments are always very encouraging, and they really helped me to continue my writing! :D
Kagemori: Hee hee, I love how you liked the funny parts so much! XD
Padme4000: Oh wow, you really seem to be a Joker fanatic! I'm just glad I was able to provide a story you liked so much! :D :D :D
Laurenmlbc: Yay! Your comments were cute, and I am so glad you liked it this much! I always look to your comments for support!
Anyway, I apologize if I have missed any recurring reviews… But I'd to let you ALL know that your support has helped me immensely, and that I only hope you guys'll be around for the sequel! Which is called "This is the Last Night You'll Spend Alone" :D It's gonna be about life when Jack and Twi (yes, I used my own name XD) are growing up and what happens and stuff. Probably only a few chapters, mostly fluff, some angst and partial drama XD Also, I found the music that helped me write this was Coldplay, Madonna, Loreena McKennit, Skillit, and Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, just some thoughts for you guys iffya want inspiration! XD Anyway, without further gilding the lily, and with no more ado, I give to you, my first completed story, and my most successful one…
IF I COULD MELT YOUR HEART!
The End
I bid you all, ADIEU!
Twi. M