The Rose and Her Thorns

Monday, December 3rd

Eddie awoke on the futon, Jasper curled under his arm. The kid might have super strength that would rival Superman's, but he had to admit, Jasper was absolutely adorable when asleep. The incredibly Harley-like blue eyes were closed now, a thumb tucked gently into the small three year old's mouth. The twins had asked to sleep in the nursery the night before, saying that they wanted to sleep in an actual bed for once. Of course, Eddie couldn't say no.

The smell of bacon floated up to Nygma and he stood, sliding carefully out from underneath the small boy beneath him. Walking into the kitchen, he found Sunni cooking their normal breakfast. Pancakes, eggs, bacon, and sausage. The milk and some formula was sitting out on the counter, waiting for the boys and Harl. Ivy always had water, so there was nothing sitting out for her. Jaylon and Camden were already up, munching happily on their single strips of bacon.

Jaylon looked up calmly, his eyes portraying a calm that would rival the best of monk gurus. "Hey Eddie."

Edward smiled, tipping his head towards him. "Good Morning Jaylon. Is anybody else up and moving yet?"

Camden responded before his older brother could speak. "Nope. It's just us, you, and Sunni right now."

Sunni shook her head, blond hair pulled back into a braid, the curls not able to be seen through the tightly woven plait. Her eyes were rimmed with black kohl, making the bright color stand out even more. She was naturally pretty, but the kohl made her look all the more beautiful.

"Could you wake up the others again, Eddie? Breakfast's almost ready and I really don't want to wait for them before I eat."

Nygma nodded, secretly rejoicing that he was going to get to wake Ivy up again. Out the door he went, the swagger that had been almost non-existent the past few days now back into his step. It was a simple matter waking up Jasper, as shaking the toddler into conciousness was the easy part. Now would come the harder contenders in the battle of the morning, sometimes making Edward resort to more extreme methods of waking them up.

First came Harley, waking her with whispers of food and her Puddin'. Out of bed the harlequin bounded, dressing quickly and gently waking the little ones up. Eddie left her alone, smiling as Hayden belched fire towards Harley, making her squeal.

The twins came next. Eli was sprawled half-way across the bed, head leaning off of one side as he crossed his brother's legs. Gabe was frowning in his sleep, wriggling to try and get out from under the other boy. Many different ways to wake the twins up flashed through Eddie's mind, each way more devious and hilariously humiliating than the last. Shaking his head, Nygma settled for shaking awareness into the super-powered blonds. He'd already seen enough of the wrong end of super powers to last him a life-time.

Edward then proceeded into Ivy's room. He was treading with caution, trying not to alert the wolves that slept on the floor to his presence. They had taken to sleeping in the floor of the master bedroom, Sunni translating that they loved the warmer room of the house. Tails and flailing limbs were everywhere and it wouldn't do to have Steel take his anger out on another one of his limbs, especially since the last injury had only just healed. The vines had retreated back to their assumed positions, no longer crowding the floor now that Ivy had a new focus, and for that Eddie was grateful.

Tip-toeing up to Ivy's bed, the Riddler gently extended a hand to wake her up. She was facing away from him, but she was curled in the fetal position and snoring gently so Ed knew that she was still asleep. Gently, he placed the extended hand onto Ivy's shoulder, shaking her. "Come on Ivy. You've got to get up. Breakfast's ready and the kids want to see you."

The green villainess stretched, rolling over to face Eddie. She was still asleep, but a smile was plastered to her face as she cuddled into the side of the only other warm body in the room. The man the was the subject of said snuggling was blushing fiercely, vowing that no one would ever know of this, not even Ivy herself. He shook her again, less delicate with it than the last time. "Get up Ivy. The boys want you at the breakfast table."

Finally, bright venomous green eyes fluttered open, revealing that Ivy was awake. Edward had moved her away from his side, so she wouldn't freak out and try to kill him once she awoke. Bright auburn strands of hair were hanging in her face, but it only served to make Ivy all the more tantalizing. The smell of orchids and jasmine filled the room, signalling that Ivy was perfectly calm and happy. Eddie smiled, standing and extending a graceful hand to help Ivy up.

"Might I assist you my lady?"

Ivy rolled her eyes, but she was smiling all the same. "Nygma, you are such a flirt."

"Ah! But the flirtiness is only determined in the eyes of the beholder, my dear. Remember that."

"Of course Edward. Now, would you mind going? I've still gotta change."

Eddie blushed as he realized that Ivy was only wearing a belly shirt and a pair of panties. Turning quickly, he nearly ran out of the room, much to Ivy's amusement. Dressing in a pair of comfortable sweat pants that she had swiped from Harley, Ivy brushed her hair and strode down the hall, quite happy. The smell of all the food made her realize that she was hungry, but the sight in Harl's room was enough to make her stop in her tracks.

Harley was trying to put Hayden's clothes on him, staring forlornly off into space and drooling slightly. Currently, the harlequin was trying to force a pair of pants over the little boy's head. Sighing, Ivy strode into the bedroom and deftly plucked the pants from Harley's hands. "Harley, go get some food. Tell Eddie to come help me when you get into the kitchen."

The clown girl gave her friend a radiant smile. "Thanks Red!"

Ivy shook her head as Harl ran out the door, turning back to the little red-head on the bed. He was staring up at her, his uniquely green eyes shining. Something in Ivy turned to goo everytime he did that, making her feel completely at peace and happy. Delicate fingers glanced over the little nine month old's skin, tickling the boy as Ivy worked to dress him. Hayden laughed as she put his clothes on, patting her hands with his own chubby digits and making Ivy smile all the wider.

Edward soon came in, helping to get Miles and Howard ready. Their hands brushed a couple of times, making an akward, but not at all displeasurable, sensation run its way up Ivy's spine. Once they were done, Eddie and Ivy made their way towards the kitchen, Ivy cooing to the small baby cradeled in her arms all the way. Edward smiled at her affectionate nature, watching as the natural mother shone through the plant lady's normally hard outer shell.

Breakfast went without a hitch, Ivy and Sunni feeding the little ones their cereal, in Howard's case a bottle, while the others ate their breakfasts. Sunni seemed unusually dead throughout the entire thing, moving methodically like a robot. Harley must have caught the change as well, because the bubbly blond spoke up while washing the dishes.

"What's the matter Sunshine? You seem down this mornin'."

The fourteen year old sighed. "I'm just missing the fun me and the boys used to have at the mall. Hot Topic and the music shop were my favorite hangouts and now I can't go there anymore."

Harley caught Ivy's eye, sparkling azure crystals pleading with her best friend. The red head sighed, dabbing a bit of drool away from Miles' chin. "Why don't you and Harl go to the mall today? It'd be a good way for you to get a bit of girl time in."

Both Sunni and Harley squealed, making Eddie wince from where he was reading the paper. The younger one ran over to Ivy, hugging her fiercely and whispering thank you's in her ear. Just as soon as the hug started, it stopped, Sunni retreating to grab Harley.

"Come on Harl! Let's get ready to ride!"

Ivy chuckled, shaking her head as she lifted Howard from where he sat in the highchair. Eddie lifted an eyebrow from behind his paper, a small smirk forming on the corner's of his lips. He watched as the plant villianess burped the small baby, a small smile on her ruby lips. Ivy was so much happier with the children, it was hard to not notice the transformation. He folded the thin sheets of newspaper neatly, standing and stretching his lithe frame. His dark eyes sparkled with amusement as he lifted Miles up out of the highchair and sat him down on the floor. The twelve month old clung to Eddie's pj pants, keeping his balance while his Riddling babysitter lifted his slightly younger brother from his highchair.

Turning, he caught Ivy's eye and said nonchalantly, "I'm going to take the boys in with the others."

The green temptress nodded, still cradeling Howard in her arms. "Go on ahead. I'll be with Howard in the greenhouse for about twenty minutes then I'll come and join you."

With that, the pair split up, going into separate rooms. Edward's grin widened as he watched the boys play around him. Ivy had formed a rather unique playpen for the little ones out of plants, the vines soft and pliant so they wouldn't hurt the boys, but sturdy enough that they would hold soundly. He held onto Miles with one hand while he cradeled Hayden with the other. Ever so gently, he placed them into the pen, watching them both carefully as he flopped onto the couch with Gabe and Eli.

Turning rather lazily, he said languidly, "Is there anything on?"

Gabe nodded, his silky blond hair swaying gently. "Yep. NCIS is on. It's one of the episodes with Kate in it instead of Ziva."

Eli agreed with his twin, his hair now spiked with acid green instead of purple, and combined with his customary black. The effect usually gave Edward the weebies, but he had to admit that Eli pulled the look off quite nicely. Of course, the kid had the perfect looks that would go with any style he chose. "I like Kate, but Ziva is so much better. She kicks some serious butt, and she pulls off combat boots."

Eddie snorted at the boys, finding their rather crude arguement insignificant. He would never say it out loud, but that's what the Riddler's genius mind always percieved shows like this as. Jaylon and Camden were in an arguement over something, the older boy floating just out of his brother's reach. Frowning, Edward called out, "Jaylon get down now."

The six year old turned to him, protest shining in his dark mahogany eyes. "He'll hit me if I come down!"

A glare was fixed on the five year old. "Camden, come here."

Sticking his tongue out at his older brother, Camden sullenly obliged, sitting next to Edward as he wrapped an arm around the boy's shoulders. Jaylon descended from the ceiling, the slight wave that had developed while he was in flight disappearing. He turned and began to watch the T.V show, signalling that all was well once again. Steel and Fang trotted into the room, the latter of the two leaping lightly up onto the couch to rest with Eddie.

Sunni and Harley soon came flouncing in, all dolled up and dressed to go. Sunni had unwoven her hair, letting the long blond locks fall down her back to her waist. Dark jeans, high heeled boots, and a tight Three Days Grace t-shirt offset the light color of her hair. Harley was grinning from ear to ear, traditional ponytails bouncing cheerfully. Shorts and a light blue t-shirt were all she wore, but the harlequin wore the simple outfit well.

"Ready to go Eddie! Tell Ivy me and Harl are off!"

Eli exploded up, reaching the two in a blink of an eye. "What do you mean you're off?"

Harley leaned down to his level, hugging him slightly before letting go and explaining. "Me and your sister are just gonna have a little girl time together okay? It's nothin' personal."

Skeptical, Eli raised a brow. "Do I get to go with you next time?"

Another bright smile. "A'course ya do sport."

"Good." He turned, waving them off as he leapt back onto the couch. "Have fun guys and try not yourselves killed."

Sunni rolled her eyes at her younger brother. "We will, oh wise brother mine. See ya Ed."

"Bye."

Before they left, Sunni turned to Snow, who had trotted into the room as they had been talking.

Hey Snow! You wanna come with me and Harl to the mall? The boys said no, but I wanted to ask you anyways.

Sure Sunni! It'll be fun!

Alrighty then. Let's go.

Pulling an old leather collar and a rope down from a hook, Sunni slipped them over the white wolf's head. Snow balked at first, but calmed once Sunni explained that she couldn't come with them if she didn't wear it. Catching a glimpse of Harley's questioning look, the fourteen year old explained. "She wants to come with us. I hope that's alright with you?"

Harley nodded, opening the door wide for the girl and her wolf to pass through. Out the door they went, Eddie watching after them with his trademark smug smile. Those girls were going to tear the town down.

Ivy's Greenhouse; twenty minutes previous

Ivy entered the greenhouse with Howard, the foliage around her swirling as soon as she stepped onto the soil. Vines slithered towards her, soft tendrils snaking out to stroke their mistress' pale skin. Howard grinned, giggling at the colorful flowers that were on the plants surrounding him. He extended a pudgy hand, a light glow surounding it as he stroked the leaves of a nearby rhodondenron. His eyes were sharp and metallic now, but not at all cold.

Noticing the strange appearance in her youngest charge, Ivy looked at the flower he had touched, only to find that it had doubled in size, looking healthier than ever. It was amazing! Howard could make anything organic regenerate with a touch, a revolution in science that could possibly change the world! Of course, some years would have to pass before anything could be done with the little boy's gift, but it was still incredible.

Howard kept on grinning, turning back to Ivy with a laugh. He leaned into her shoulder, sucking on a thumb and watching as she made her rounds through the greenhouse. She talked to the foliage around her, a bright grin lighting the air around her. Mel, her giant Venus flytrap, was always happy to see her, so he growled warmly. It was a very endearing motion for his plant goddess.

"Hey Mel. How have you been doing baby? I've been pretty busy lately."

Mel wrapped a couple of vines around Ivy's shoulders, cradeling his "mommy" carefully. He growled a response to Ivy, signalling that he missed her and the others. Ivy just smiled wider and said that she'd bring the others in more often. The responding purr was so deep that it rattled through Ivy's chest, perfectly displaying the behemoth plant's pleasure.

"I love you too, baby. I wonder what the others are doing though?"