Ok, so I'm done with pranking for the moment. I really, really wanted to do this. I hope you enjoy the chapter!
DISCLAIMER: I don't own YJ, or Paula, or anything recognizable.
Paula
Paula Crock was not quite sure when her life got so complicated. No, actually, she did.
It always was.
But this, this had to take the prize for the most complicated, convoluted situation she had ever been in, and she wasn't even sure what was going on yet. All she knew was that when she got home from her work, there was a wolf pack of people in her living room, and she didn't remember inviting a single one of them over. She quickly glanced around the room, taking note of who was there.
Artemis, but that wasn't really a surprise. Even if she didn't live there anymore, she visited often, usually unannounced.
Nightwing. Slightly more surprising, but he also had taken up the habit of visiting her every now and then.
Ollie. That was surprising.
Roy Harper. Honestly, Paula didn't know him that well, so why he was there was beyond her comprehension. This still wasn't a surprising as the last person though.
Jade. Her little girl, who had left so long ago and never visited since. She had a bag slung over her shoulder, like she wad ready to bolt at any moment.
"What are you all doing here?"
Nightwing stood up and walked over to Paula, wheeling her further into the room. "Artemis and I thought you might want to know some stuff. Ollie tagged along because he was bored and wanted to see your reaction, and we forced Roy and Jade to come. Mostly so you could yell at them."
Paula blinked at the odd reasons. "I'm not going to like what I'm about to hear, am I?"
Nightwing pondered for a moment. "Some of it you will. Some of it you won't."
Paula nodded and sat back. "Well?"
NIghtwing and Artemis glared at Roy and Jade. Roy looked at Jade, clearly at a loss. Jade rolled her eyes. "I quit as Cheshire." she announced. "Quit the criminal thing completely actually. Might as well start off with something you'll approve of."
Tears welled up in Paula's eyes. "Oh Jade." She gasped, rolling up to embrace her in a huge hug. "I'm so proud of you. I hoped that you would see reason." Jade smiled. "Thanks, mom. I'm not becoming a hero though." Paula looked up at her. "What are you going to do then? I don't believe for a moment that you could just settle down in an apartment by yourself. You'd get bored." Jade flushed and looked away. "I… I wouldn't be alone." Confused, Paula looked to Nightwing for an explanation and found both him and Artemis suppressing snickers. Jade sent them a nasty look. "Now, this is where the part you might not completely approve of comes in." Nightwing said. "Jade's married. To Roy. For about two years."
Paula whirled on Jade. "WHAT?" Jade winced. "Mom, it really isn't that big of a deal, we didn't really have a wedding to invite you to, and I left him after about a year, although we've made up. Calm down."
Paula glared at her. "Let me get this straight. You got married without telling me. You then left your marriage and are now back in your marriage?"
Jade nodded wordlessly. Nighwing, Artemis, and Ollie had given up trying to restrain their chuckles. "That isn't even the best part!" Ollie chocked out. Paula turned towards the couple. Jade had turned so that her back faced Roy, and Roy was gently lifting something out of the pack she had slung across her back. Cradling it gently, he turned towards Paula to reveal a baby girl. "Paula, this is Lian Nguyen Harper. Our daughter."
Paula was shocked speechless for a moment. "Jade… you… have a daughter?" Jade nodded and smiled weakly. "Surprise."
That was the wrong thing to say.
"JADE NGUYEN, HOW COULD-" "Harper." "What?" "Jade Nguyen Harper." Paula sighed. "Fine. Jade Nguyen Harper, HOW COULD YOU GET MARRIED AND HAVE A BABY WITHOUT TELLING ME!" "Um.. sorry?" She said meekly. She was spared further yelling, however, as Lian woke up from her nap and yawned. The baby grinned brightly up at everyone and started babbling. Paula immediately softened, and she gently lifted the baby out of Roy's arms and cradled her in her lap. "Hello, granddaughter."
Nightwing and Ollie quietly left as the family began to talk and get to know each other again. They could hear Paula berating Roy and Jade for not telling her, and then settling down and talking.
The Crock family might have been torn apart for years, but it was healing now. Hopefully, Lawrence wouldn't show up and ruin it.
As they were leaving the building, they could hear Paula shriek, "YOU TOOK MY GRANDDAUGHTER ON A RESCUE MISSION TO TIBET!
Ollie and Dick grinned at each other. Yeah, Roy and Jade were screwed.
Oh, poor Jade and Roy. Paula is awesome.
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