About an hour later, Hope arrived with the doctor to the decrepit duplex. Harley opened the front door for the two women and led them into the living room. Hope had pre-warned the doctor of the situation and of Harley's appearance, but she still looked nervous and wide-eyed as she walked into the home of the notorious Joker.
"Hello Harleen, I'm Doctor White. Your sister told me a little about your situation and I'm happy to be of any help to you."
The women sat on the couch and Harley sat in the opposite chair. Harley gave a nervous glance to Hope. She wasn't used to meeting with strangers and didn't appreciate the judgment that accompanied people from outside the criminal underworld of Gotham. It reminded her of just how abnormal her life had become. Hope gave Harley an encouraging nod.
"So Harleen, tell me a little about the type of birth you picture for your little one."
"Um, well, I haven't really thought about it. I don't think Mista J will let me go to a hospital. So I think a home birth, if that's ok?"
"Mister J?", the doctor asked.
"My husband, The Joker. I thought my sister mentioned-"
Hope turned to the doctor, "My sister generally refers to her husband in nicknames. Saying The Joker all the time is a bit of a mouthful." She giggled forcefully.
The doctor nodded and turned back to Harley. "Absolutely Harleen, lots of women do home births and as long as you aren't high risk, it shouldn't be a problem. I'll give you some pamphlets before I go. Now, how far along do you think you are? When was your last period?"
Harley shrugged, "I don't know, doc. I don't really think to track it. Maybe a couple months ago."
"Well I did bring my portable ultrasound machine with me so I can estimate a due date for you, but it may fluctuate a little."
Harley nodded.
The doctor continued, "I need to ask you some personal questions. I ask all my patients and please be as honest as you can. Do you have any concerns? Bleeding? Cramping?" The doctor pulled out her iPad and awaited Harley's answers.
"No. Nothing like that.", Harley responded.
"Good, good. Any symptoms? Morning sickness? Food aversions?"
"I'm tired a lot and I throw up all the time."
The doctor chuckled and nodded, "Very normal and also good signs! Okay, any history of drinking or drug use?"
Harley's eyes darted to Hope. Hope was unaware of any of Harley's illegal vices and she was also interested in the answer. Harley bit her lip and was silent.
The doctor spoke up, "It's okay, Harleen. It's important that you're honest with me here. I'm not going to rat you out to the cops or anything."
"Well, sometimes I have a glass of wine."
"No problem at all. In fact I always tell my patients that one glass of red wine a week is acceptable in my book."
Harley chuckled nervously. "That's not all though. I've dabbled with cocaine."
Hope's eyes widened as she looked away from Harley.
The doctor put on a smile, "Okay, about how often have you used and how did you use it? When was the last time?"
"I usually snort it. Um, it depended on how often Mista J brought it to me. Sometimes I would have it a few times a week, but other times I would go a month between uses. The last time I used was the day before I found out I was pregnant."
The doctor nodded, "Harleen, I would encourage you to not use anymore especially while pregnant. It can have a very negative impact on the baby. You could go into early labor or lose the baby. Are you experiencing any withdrawal symptoms?"
"I don't typically experience many symptoms except migraines. I've had one for the last couple days, but today it's just a regular headache."
The doctor nodded. "Withdrawal may get worse or you may be one of the lucky ones who doesn't experience many symptoms. From what you've told me, I'm guessing it will be the latter. However, if you need a referral to a rehab program, I can help you."
Hope was seething on the inside. That man has ruined her sweet innocent sister in more ways than she knew.
"Harleen, I know this may be a sensitive subject. But can you tell me if your husband, well, if he abuses you? Physically?", the doctor asked in a subdued voice, leaning towards Harley.
Harleen chuckled and then upon seeing the two women's concern, she began laughing and covered her mouth. "Oh doc, come on now.", she giggled. "Look at me!" Harley wiped a tear from her eye. "I know, I know, it's not funny. But, I'm married to The Joker!"
"Harleen, please. Don't take this the wrong way, but there are options for you. There are safe places. You don't have to be here. You're not stuck in this situation-"
"Okay, look, I don't need to see you if you're just going to pester me about leaving my husband, who I love more than anything, by the way. I'm well aware that my situation is unusual by your standards. But I ain't goin' anywhere. He'd find me anyway."
"I hear you and I'm not about to overstep my welcome here, but I just couldn't leave without saying it."
"I appreciate your concern, doctor.", Harley winked.
"Shall we take a peek inside? If you're far along enough, we will may be able to see the little sweetheart."
Harley nodded and walked over to the couch as directed. She laid down and lifted her tank top. The doctor kneeled beside her and set the small machine on the coffee table. It looked like a chunky laptop. As the doctor smeared the warm gel on Harley's stomach, Hope stood behind the couch and gripped Harley's hand. The twins looked at each other and smiled. As the doctor probed Harley's belly, clouded images popped up on the screen. Suddenly, there it was, the little gummy bear-shaped blob.
"There it is, ladies. I'm estimating Harley to be about 8 weeks along. Everything looks really good from what I can see here."
As they watched the little flicker of a heartbeat, they heard a car pull up outside.
"It's probably just one of the guys coming back for supplies.", Harley said absentmindedly as she watched the screen in wonder.
The doctor looked nervously to the window at the front of the house, but couldn't see the car. Footsteps pounded up the front steps and the front door opened. All three women's eyes shot to the door as The Joker walked inside. He was wearing his purple suit and painted face. He walked in a few steps toward the living room. The floorboards creaked in the silent room, silent except for the whooshing sound coming from the monitor. His face was stoic as his eyes drifted between the three of them. He pulled the cigarette from his mouth and gestured toward them, "Whadda we have here?"
The doctor pulled the equipment back in her bag quickly. Harley sat up, pulling her hurt over her tummy that was still sticky with the gel. Hope stood up straight and kept her eyes on the man.
"Hi daddy. This is Doctor White. She's gonna be keeping an eye on me and the, uh, well me.", Harley said quickly.
He took another puff and then extinguished the cigarette in the nearby ashtray. He grunted in acknowledgment. The doctor stood up and her fingers were wrapped tightly around the handle of her medical bag. "Nice to meet you, Mr Joker.", the doctor said as she nervously pushed her a tendril of dark hair behind her ear. "I was just finishing up here with your sweet wife here."
"Yeah, she's a real peach.", he sneered.
The doctor turned and left a card with Harley and scurried out the front door as quickly as she could.
"What's goin' on, Harl?", he asked as he furrowed his brow.
Hope took a step towards him, "Harleen is receiving prenatal care, Joker. She needs this if she's going to remain healthy." She was shaking with anger still after her earlier conversation with Harley. He was even more of a monster than she realized.
He stepped towards Hope, now towering over her. "You're welcome."
"Excuse me?", Hope said sounding exacerbated.
"I heard about your lit-tle plan. This is all for you, dear sister.", he gestured to Harley. "So, you're welcome."
Hope rubbed the bridge of her nose and sighed. "Listen, Joker-"
"Mmmhmm."
"Let Harleen come stay with me until she has the baby. I'll look after her and you won't have to deal with the pregnancy. It's obvious you are against this whole thing anyway."
The Joker chuckled. "Is that what you want Harley-girl?" He walked towards Harley who was still sitting on the couch. "You wanna go live with sister? You wanna leave me?"
"No, Mista J! Honest! I wanna stay here with you!" Harley panicked and gave Hope a disapproving look for springing this idea out of nowhere.
The Joker turned to Hope. "I think it's time for you to go now."
"Harleen, my invitation is always open. You can come stay with me if you need to. I'll keep you safe."
The Joker rolled his eyes. "She's fine with me here. She always has been. You're being dramatic. Listen, I don't care if you have your little chats on the phone and talk about that as long as I don't have to hear about it. But I don't want these little doc visits happening under my roof again. If you must, Harley can go to your house for them. Got it?"
Hope nodded. "Fine." She hugged Harley tight before she turned and left to take the scared doctor home.
Harley jumped up and walked up to J. "Sorry about all that, daddy. You're home early. Want me to make ya some coffee?" She ran her hands up and down his chest.
"This jacket is missing a button." He took off his suit coat and placed it in her hands before walking upstairs to his office.
She held the coat tight, breathing in his scent as she watched him walk away.