The Rose and Her Thorns
Ivy and Eddie sat in silence for a while. It wasn't uncomfortable, but something seemed to be missing. Not even turning on the television and watching the news seemed to help. Although Ivy wasn't about to complain, as she was leaning against Ed's side. He was surprisingly warm, and she almost began to purr as he stroked his thumb across her arm. A sudden burst of noise coming from down the hallway reminded them both of what was missing; the kids and Harley weren't there.
A slight twinge of regret stabbed at Ivy as she listened to the racascious laughter eminating from the sterile halls. She hadn't even told them where she was going. Great; the feeling of guilt was now gnawing at her insides and it wouldn't let her go. Eddie must have known what she was thinking, and he squeezed her as hard as his injury would allow. "If you're really that worried about them, call and tell the boys where you are."
"How did you know I was thinking about the boys?"
Eddie smirked, the image of his old Riddler self shining through. "I've been living with you for almost two weeks Ivy. I know the look you get when you start worrying about the boys."
The suggestion was agreeable, so Ivy decided to grab her cellphone off of the bedside table. But something kept her from doing so. The noise; it was growing louder and forming into distinguishable voices. Voices that the villainess recognized, to be exact. Silently, she pressed into Eddie's side, stopping when she felt him wince beneath her. It was that gut-feeling that made Ivy stay where she was.
Gradually, a single voice rose above the rest, making Ivy smile. She would know that high-pitched Jersey accent anywhere. Harley soon marched in the room, the boys hot on her heels. Eli and Gabe were smiling at Eddie and Ivy, sniggering behind their hands from time to time. Jaylon and Camden followed them, a grin plastered to both of their faces. Harley was carrying Hayden and Howard, Miles walking shakily beside her with Jasper as his aid.
The harlequin had a slightly pompous smirk on her face as she sang out, "Surprise Red! I brought the boys to come see you and Ed!"
Eli snorted, saying mischievously, "Ya. She just didn't count on Mom and Riddles gettin' cozy on the bed!"
To emphasize his twin's point, Gabe started to make kissy faces, batting his eyelashes ridiculously. They then put their arms around each other and began to sing in an incredibly falsetto voice, "Ivy and Eddie sittn' in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G! First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes Riddles in a baby carriage!"
They started to laugh uproarously, falling to the sterile floor and leaning against each other as they giggled. Ivy leapt off the bed, her face flushed furiously. "That isn't funny! And we're in a public place, so you better straighten up!"
Immediately, the giggles stopped, the twins getting to their feet and looking at their Mom nervously. The slightly miffed woman ran her fingers through her hair and murmured, "Sorry boys. I'm just a little tired."
Toddling up to her, Jasper and Miles stared up at Ivy with large innocent eyes. The twelve month old wasn't completely articulate yet, but what he said made perfect sense to all the others in the room. "It's o'tay Mommy. We lo'es you anyway."
With a giggle, the auburn haired woman swept the little boys up into her arms, planting a gentle kiss on each of their foreheads. "Mommy loves you too, ya little imps! But don't you think that Eddie needs some love too?"
Jasper nodded soberly, his baby blue eyes shining. Miles was as stoic as ever, leaning into Ivy as she held him. Ever so gently, she sat both of them down, whispering something in their ears. The pair leapt up onto the bed, snuggling into Edward's side carefully and turning their gazes on the television above. The others soon joined, until the small hospital bed was swarmed with boys. Only Howard and Hayden remained with the women, firmly held in Harley's grasp.
Concern filled Ivy's face as she noticed that Sunni was missing. She turned to Harley, whispering so that the others wouldn't over-hear their conversation. "Where's Sunni?"
The blond hesitated slightly, looking everywhere but at Ivy. "Somethin's off Red. Sunni was, like, half-dead when we left. She didn't wanna come or anythin'. Do ya think that somethin's wrong with her?"
Turning to look at the door, Ivy replied, "I don't know, but I'm going to find out. I'll be back in a little while. Make sure the boys don't destroy anything that we might have to pay for."
Ivy's House~9:00 a.m.
Sunni sat on the couch, staring ahead at the wall. She hadn't bothered to dress for the day, prefering to stay in her pajamas. The old t-shirt and flanel pants did nothing to stop her horrified shivering though, and the pack stared at her anxiously. Steel and Snow were snuggled up close to her, hoping that she'd find some comfort from their presence. Fang and Thalia sat in front of her, speaking to the traumatized girl soothingly.
Come on Sunni. You did what you had to last night. If you hadn't have done it, those men might have killed Ivy and Eddie.
Fang's right, dear. You need to stop beating yourself up over what happened.
Even in her mind, Sunni's voice was rough and hoarse. She sounded like a china doll that was about to shatter into a million pieces at any second. I killed all those men guys. And I liked it. They were actual people, and I tore them to shreds like it was nothing. I even threatened Harley.
Now Akin stepped up, firm and gentle just like his father, Fang, was. Everyone makes mistakes, Sunni. The mistake doesn't matter. It's what you do afterwards that makes a difference.
Wise words, my son.
Thank you Father.
Sunni snapped up, her eyes bright, angry, and full of tears. You don't get it! I swore to protect my family. Harley's part of my family now and I came this close to ripping her throat out along with Joker's! I'm not me anymore. I'm turning into this evil, horrible monster and I don't like that.
None of the wolves responded, but Snow snuggled in closer, resting her delicate head on Sunni's lap. Surprisingly, it was Drake who spoke next. The deep voice of the dark wolf was quiet, but it rang with power and authority. Sunni. I know that it's difficult, but you've got to get through it. Without you, those boys don't have anything but the villains.
That was all Drake got out before the sound of tires filled the air. Sunni didn't move. Whoever was there didn't concern her anymore. She just wanted to curl up in a ball and die.
Ivy entered the house, her eyes resting on the teenager curled up with the wolves. Slowly, Ivy walked forward, concerned by the completely robotic posture Sunni had taken. The pack of wolves parted before her as she strode towards the girl, Snow whimpering from where she rested on Sunni's lap.
"Sunni, are you alright sweety?"
The hazel-green eyes that were always so vibrant were now dead, staring blankly at Ivy. Carefully, Ivy lifted her hands up to Sunni's shoulders, shaking some sense into the teen. "Come on honey. What's the matter?"
Suddenly, Sunni lashed out, shoving Ivy to the ground. From the floor the woman stared up at her adopted daughter, stunned. The amber was back, angrily flashing for a moment as Sunni snarled. Whispering, Ivy tried to calm her down. "Sweetie, calm down."
Recognition flashed in Sunni's eyes and she dropped like a stone to the couch. She was shaking, sobbs wracking her thin frame as she leaned against Steel. Ivy leapt up from the floor, hugging Sunni fiercly.
"Shush. It's okay. It's okay."
"No it's not! I'm a monster. A monster."
Ivy curled up on the couch with Sunni, rocking the crying girl back and forth gently. Sunni sobbed uncontrollably, burying her face in her Mom's shoulder. "I'm sorry Mommy. I'm so sorry."
"Stop. You didn't mean to. It's alright."
They sat there for a while, the green villainess rocking her adopted daughter silently, trying to quiet her. After what seemed like a lifetime, Sunni pulled away and wiped her eyes. Her breath came in hitches, but she spoke clearly.
"Thanks."
"You're welcome. Now, why don't we go see Eddie?"
Sunni gave a watery smile, standing up from the couch and saying. "I'd like that."
The Hospital~9:30
Harley Quinn; if anyone in Gotham could use a single word to describe her, it would be childish. The woman had a Ph.D in psychology, was a successful doctor at Arkham for a while. But when she went nuts, the woman's psyche transformed into that of a seven year old's. Harley loved dolls and puppies and kittens and anything else taht she found to be cute or incredibly adorable.
Right now, that childishness came through. Harley was sitting on the floor with the kids, watching a cartoon with utmost attention. Her blond pigtails were under constant attack from Hayden and Howard, the small boys slapping them playfully as their caretaker watched Invader Zim. The others sat on the bed, either watching the cartoon or chatting with Edward. He might have been under a morphine drip, but the Riddler was fully alert and just as intelligent as he'd always been.
"My chest hurts a little bit, but the morphine keeps it from being too bad."
Eli nodded, looking down at the neatly sewn gashes on his arm. The paramedics had missed his injuries, but one of the nurses had nearly thrown a fit when she saw all the blood on his arm, and had whisked him away to stitch him up. It was painful, but nothing that he couldn't handle. His twin was examining the bandages around Eddie's torso, trying to see through the gauze to the wounds beneath.
"Did they get them out?"
"Oh yeah. I have them here in a jar if you want to keep 'em."
"No. I don't think I want to keep a coupla' bullet's that have been in my caretaker's chest."
A call buzzed through on the cellphone, making everyone in the room jump. Eli snatched it from the bedside table, opening it up and saying. "Hello?"
Ivy's voice came through, nervous and wavey. "Eli? Sweetheart, your sister and I are on our way there. Would you tell Harley that we're bringing food for you guys?"
"Sure Mom. How soon can you get here?"
"It'll be about ten minutes. I love you."
"Love you too. Bye."
Hanging up the phone, Eli relayed the info to the others. From the floor, Harley waved her hand, mumbling something. Edward sighed.
Why did women have to be difficult?