Hey everyone! A Quick Thank you goes to the following peoples:
Thanks Jasmine Scarthing for the great review, I hope you enjoy reading this next Chapter!
Also, Thank You to The Writer Akayla and Drindrak for following the story.
Enjoy the next Chapter :)
"Mummy, look what I found in the room!" Johnny came running out with arms full of cuddly toys, train sets and cars. He put them all on the ornate rug in the living room and began to play 'toy and trains and cars' - original title, I know.
I giggled. He had his moment when he could be a pain but other times I just wanted to live in this memory.
"That's lovely Johnny, mummy will play with you in a minute. I'm just finishing off Granddads party okay?"
The boy looked up from his toys and snapped his head in my directions. "Okay Mumma." He carried on playing.
The days before the party I spent my time constantly on the phone to musicians, caterers and old friends. It's a shame really because many of Dads old friends would have come to the party but they all used the same excuse.
"Jane, he lives in Gotham. I do not want to risk staying out there for a party that someone criminally insane will ruin!" Many of the conversations ended with "Please stay safe, keep a constant eye on Johnny."
At this point I rapidly looked to my boy who was still playing with his toys.
The night before the party I slept in Johnny's room. He seemed a bit on edge when I asked why though.
"Mummy, please stay in my room tonight. I keep seeing a monster coming out the wardrobe." He grabbed my hand tightly and began to tear up. His nails scratched my skin deeply so he obviously wasn't faking.
"It's alright Hun, I'll stay here tonight. No one is in this room that will hurt you." I kissed him on his tear stained cheeks and began reading him a chapter from his favourite book 'Diary of a wimpy kid.' My boy eventually lulled off to sleep, still clutching my hand with desperation that I wouldn't leave. Carefully, I prised his finger off of mine and replaced it with his blanket. Tip toeing out the room I found a rather concerned Bruce Wayne sitting on the sofa. I perched next to him, hoping he would tell me what's wrong.
"Are you okay?"
"The Joker, The Riddler and Scarecrow have escaped for Arkham Asylum." His head fell into his hands, I subtly studied the scaring on his wrists and fingers.
"This is going to sound stupid but who are those people?" Bruce slowly turned to me, his face looking partially stunned and angry.
"Let's start with The Riddler ... He always leaves riddles and ends up killing people in the process. Scarecrow, well he like to gas people which can drive people insane and/or kill them. And The Joker, he's the worst. A big clown with a carved smile who likes to tell the world about everything and everyone he does. He will kill your loved ones if you get too close to him, he will kidnap he prettiest girls and use them against people. All his men die, everyone in his presence will die and ... And I'm worried that the Batman won't be able to protect Gotham with all three on the loose."
I held Bruce's shoulder and hugged him, obviously he had bad experiences with these criminals and I really don't like to see him upset or down.
"I'm sure the Batman can sort them out." I reassured him.
"You don't understand, The Joker is about 55% sure on who the Batman is and will come after her loved ones."
"Bruce, he'll be fine." He brushed a brown piece of hair out of my eyes and stared at them deeply. What was he doing?
"Jane, your blue eyes literally will make men fall to pieces."
"Uhm, okay?" I was so confused, what had gotten into him?
"If anyone came to hurt you or Johnny then I would personally kill them."
"Thanks Bruce, you're a great friend." I hugged him and enjoyed his presence until a glass shattering scream came from Johnny's room.
"MUMMY THE MONSTER CAME BACK!"
Bruce and I shoved the door open to find Johnny with his blanket wrapped around his wrist. His eyes were wide in fear, his jaw almost dropping to the grounds. My boy had made his way into the corner of the bedroom as if he'd been confronted by an intruder. I'd never seem him like this before and quite frankly, I was scared for him.
"Johnny Hunny, it was just a dream." I said, pacing steadily towards the shaking child. He ran to my arms and hugged me tightly. He wouldn't let go, he couldn't let go. Bruce checked the room to see if anyone had come in but the coast was clear.
"What happened Mister?" Bruce asked sitting on his bed and focussing solely on the boys face.
"T...the monster came in a...and woke me up. He said something about killing Mummy and you Uncle Bruce. H...he said I was a toy n...n...not a boy. He...he came over to the bed and g...grabbed my w...wrist. A...and he ... He" Johnny broke down in tears, weeping over my shoulder. I looked to Bruce who once again inspected the room, checking for any monsters or anything that could've caused Johnny's dreams. With a shrug from the billionaire I started to think of options. Dad didn't know we were here yet so I could take him to a doctor or a hospital tomorrow morning?
Johnny at this point was sniffling into my shoulder. I popped the crying boy on the bed and began to study his blanket. Gently unravelling I found blood upon his arm. Shocked, Bruce and I cleaned the wound gently with wool and antiseptic. Johnny would tense every so often from the sharp sting shooting through his arm but he is braver than I would have been. I gasped in horror as to what remained.
"He can't have done this!" I said shakily.
"Jane, no one else has been in this room!" Bruce pointed out,
"No mummy, the monster was in here! And he did this to me!" Johnny cried. I turned to Bruce, my once calm complexion becoming redder and angrier than before.
"How can a four year old boy carve 'I own you Pinnochio' into his own arm? I'm surprised he didn't bleed to death!"
"I understand what you mean but ..."
"But nothing Bruce! You need to go, I'll stay here with Johnny and will do the rest of the time we stay in this house!" I reprimanded. Bruce hurried out the door leaving me to cradle Johnny.
"It's okay Bubba, mummy believes you."
"I just don't want to see the monster again!" He cried hysterically. I lifted him to face me, his eyes a pool in which I could easily drown in.
"What did the monster look like Baby?"
"A scary Clown"
It was the evening of the party. I had told the staff that offered to work what to do, how to serve and how to greet the guests that came. Luckily, Bruce had organised all of Dads new friends to come as well as me getting some old family and friends to turn up too. The whole day involved me running up and down from the room with banners, balloons, presents and other party things. Johnny had spent the day with Bruce, he had offered to take him suit shopping and to visit Wayne towers and the cinema. I couldn't refuse an offer like that, especially when Johnny's eyes became big black holes.
I'd finally set up the grand ballroom when Johnny came running through eventually skidding like a rocker on his knees. I giggled at his innocence only to fall over laughing when Bruce did the same thing. They quickly gathered the late gifts on the table and began welcoming guests. Bruce casually pulled me aside and handed me three large boxes.
"Now, I know you said I shouldn't buy you anything but ..."
"Bruce please say this stuff isn't expensive?!"
"Well, it's Armani and Johnny's got a suit to match!" He laughed deeply. "Look, you two go up to the room to get ready and I'll keep Alfred busy until everyone arrives."
I leant over and kissed him on the cheek, "thank you" is all I whispered. Grabbing Johnny by the hand we ran upstairs to get ready.
A quick slick of gel and my boy had suddenly turned into a little man. His suit made his eyes pop and with the matching shoes you could have mistaken him for a Beckham boy! He waited outside my room for me to get ready.
I had thrown the boxes Bruce had given me on the regal bed in a rush to get Johnny ready. I carefully prised open the first box to reveal a floor length, shimmering navy dress. The diamonds around the heart shaped neck line gave the dress a more classy character. It was beautiful. It was perfect. It was made for me?! The label had my name hand stitched into it with the short caption 'a one of a kind' underneath. I squealed in excitement and quickly changed into it.
The second box contained heels that outshone a millions stars. With the dress I felt like Cinderella however I'm sure that I will make it past midnight. The third box contained the matching bracelet and earrings; both were adorn with pearls. Walking out toward Johnny with my hair and make up done, I knew I was about to be taken to the ball by my Prince Charming. We slowly walked down stairs and waited inside the ballroom for my Dad. Many friends from England had arrived in their best get up as well as well trusted friends from Gotham itself. The room went quiet as we heard footsteps echoing towards the door and my fathers usually tone of voice.
"Master Wayne, why must I go to the ballroom?" He whined subtly.
"I spilt my champagne on the floor and in my condition, I couldn't possibly mop it up." I rolled my eyes and laughed along with the other guests.
"So you're getting me to clean it?"
"Well Alfred, no one can make a floor shine like you!"
The doors opened and the whole room shouted together.
"SURPRISE, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALFRED!"
My dad just stood there in shock. He didn't speak. He didn't even gesture anything but I noticed the small tears form in his eye. Johnny and I ran over to him and gave him a massive hug. The tears stopped but he squeezed us for so long that I thought my eyes were going to pop out of my head. Bruce gestured towards the string quartet who began playing a soft and sweet melody. I guided Alfred over to the arm chairs by the fire.
"Ohh Darling, I've missed you so much! I have so much to tell yet so much to hide. You look beautiful, just like your mother!"
"I'm surprised you remember what she looks like!"
"How could I forget what the most beautiful woman in the world looks like? Has she still got her short bob which perfectly frames her face?"
"Ohh yeah."
"What about her eyes, do they still sparkle like a million diamonds?"
"Of course"
"And are her lips still perfectly plump with the tinge of red that marks the way she stole my heart?" I giggle as Bruce approached.
"Wow Alfred, I never thought you could be so deep?" We all laughed but I still cringed a little. C'mon, it's alway creepy when parents talk about each other romantically.
"GRANDPA GUESS WHAT?" Johnny ran over and jumped on Dads lap. "I have been sooooooooooooooooo busy today! I went into Gotham with Uncle Bruce, he took me to his work and showed me what he does and it's very boring. He also took me suit shopping and bought Mummy this pretty dress and he also took me to ... OHH what's it called? Ohh yeah? Arkham a smile un ."
"What?" Is all I could utter. Bruce's face did not change, he continued to smile at my boy. I viciously grabbed his arm and pulled him away from where they were sitting.
"You took Johnny to Arkham?" I whispered furiously
"Look, Jane I know you're mad but ..."
"But nothing, my boy is not crazy! Someone must have done that to him! What would make you think a four year old could do that to himself?"
"It wasn't the carvings I was worried about." His calm tones only made me more angry.
"Then what? It's bad enough Johnny has got these scars, what else could have happened to him?"
Bruce looked concerned. His eyes dropped and his smile faded.
"Well, I noticed a lump in his arm and went to get it checked out. He has a tracker chip in his arm and the doctor and I aren't sure why."
"Ohh God!" My knees buckled and I collapsed into Bruce's arms. He held me while I realised the situation.
"W...w...who did this to my boy?" Half terrified, half angry I tried to climb out of Bruce's arms only to fall lower.
"My guess is obvious. I think the Joker has had access into this building and your son is ..."
"What? My son is what?"
"A ticking time bomb."