The Rose and Her Thorns
It was so...white here. Sunni was standing in an area, everything surrounding her covered in a thick mist, blocking out everything in sight. Experimentally, she called out, voice falling feeble in the heavily muffled air. Then the scene began to shift.
Familiar blue walls came into view, filling the teen's heart with an aching dread. A little twin-bed with bright green sheets sat in the middle of the room, and on the very edge of the bed sat Jaylon. The boy was completely serene, chocolate brown eyes filled with a light that was incredibly warm. He smiled, a comfort radiating from the simple movement.
"Hey Sunni."
Emotions of all kinds slammed into the girl's heart as she looked at her younger brother. Confusion; happiness; sadness; pain; they all assaulted her as Sunni fell to her knees. No. No. This couldn't be real. Jay-Jay was dead! This was a dream. A stupid dream that was nothing more than a trick to make her cry.
"Jay-Jay? Is that you?"
The boy that looked more like an angel now kept on smiling, nodding his dark head. "Yep. The nice man upstairs told me to talk to ya."
Okay, now her head hurt. So God, the big man, the big kahona, had told her six year old brother to talk to her in a dream. WOW this was freaky. "Jaylon, what did you need to talk about?"
"Stop crying for me Sissy. I'm okay. I'm happy."
Tears now began to pool in Sunni's eyes as she listened. "It's so hard Jay-Jay. I should've been there to protect you! It should've been me!"
Sunni now began to openly sob, collapsing onto the soft gray carpet. Silently, the little angel boy stood and went to his sister, hugging her with small, soft arms. "It's okay Sissy. I promise. It's not your fault."
What seemed like forever passed before the girl calmed herself, clutching onto her younger brother. He smelled just like he had in life; green apple candy and baby powder. "I'm so sorry Jay-Jay. I'm so sorry."
"It's alright Sunni. Just tell Mommy that I love her too and that she doesn't have to worry."
"Okay Buddy. I love you."
"I love you too."
And just like that, Sunni woke up.
With wild eyes and tangled hair the teen sat bolt upright on the couch, displacing a rather comfortable Thalia. From the floor Harley, Camden, and Jasper looked up, staring as their sister awoke violently. Hazel eyes locked onto the harlequin's blue ones. "Harley, where's Mom and Eddie?"
Confused, but with a little hint of mischief gleaming through on her face, the clowny girl answered, "They're in the master bedroom. Johnny just went in there a minute ago, and he said it wasn't pretty."
Rolling her eyes, Sunni leapt lightly off the couch and went down the hall. Drake called to her as she passed, his deep voice growling.
Where are you going?
To the bedroom.
I wouldn't do that.
Why?
Never mind. You'll see.
Oh, Sunni did see. Opening the door, the girl was assaulted by the most disturbing scene of her life. First, she noticed Akin whimpering on the floor, muttering something about finding his happy place. Then she saw the actual disturbing part. Ivy and Eddie were snogging on the bed, eyes closed as they tongued each other. Her eyes were glued to the scene as the woman she'd come to know as a mom moaned into Eddie's mouth, shoving him down on the sheets and trying to strip him.
Suddenly, her voice came back and Sunni started to shout as her eyelids twitched. "WHAT THE HELL!"
Immediately, the pair shot up, releasing each other to stare wide-eyed at the excited girl. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TWO DOING! HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN THAT THERE ARE CHILDREN IN THE HOUSE? GET UP AND GET INTO THE LIVING ROOM!"
Ivy was indignated as she frowned at her daughter. "Sunni! I..."
"MARCH!"
The two shot like bullets out of the bed, rushing into the living room. Akin slunk up close to Sunni, his huge white head low. You have no idea how glad I am to see you.
They are so gonna get it.
Hallelujah, praise the Father Wolf! I'm free!
1111111111
After much shouting and general ragging on their hormones and ages, Sunni finally let Ivy and Eddie free from her clutches. The babies had by now woken up from there naps, and were cuddling on the couch with the two, although, Miles wanted to sit with Jonathan. God knows why, as the man had a skeletal frame that was so uncomfortable to sit against or on.
But the twelve month old didn't mind. He seemed to have taken a shine to the Scarecrow, even if he was about as cuddly as a porcupine. Now, as the family sat together in the living room, Ivy finally spoke.
"I never knew that she could freak out like that."
Everyone laughed at that, making the green woman blush. Cuddling into Eddie's side, Howard in her arms, Ivy pouted at the mockery. A gentle squeeze from the Riddler made Ivy smile at her own comment. Even the wolves seemed to be chuckling, each one letting off a wheezing sneeze.
Then Sunni spoke.
"You know that lawyer from the hospital? He said that the mansion was still mine, and so was Dad's company."
THAT shut everyone up. Wide-eyes stared at the teen, nearly bugging out of the boy's heads. Ziva spoke to Sunni telepathically, her normal spunky attitude shining through. Yay! We're gonna live in a bigger house!
Oh shut up Ziva. I don't know if Mom'll say yes or not.
Silence pervaded the air. Then..."Why don't we just move back into that mansion?"
Eddie's question was sensible. The mansion did have more room than the house did, but Ivy was really attached to it, especially the greenhouse. Almost as if he read Ivy's mind, Eli pipped up and said, "The mansion has a greenhouse too, Mom. We could always move your plants there."
More silence. Ivy then responded. "That's a wonderful idea baby. We could always use the space."
With a great whoop and hollar, Harley leapt up, screaming, "We're gonna live in a mansion! We're gonna live in a mansion!"
And as the harlequin danced with the boys, Ivy watched with a smile. She loved those boys so much. And now, as she felt Eddie's arm squeeze her shoulder lovingly, a wave of happiness pulsed through Ivy's heart. So this was what heaven was like for Jay-Jay.
Maybe he was in a better place after all. And as she felt a gentle kiss on her temple, Ivy definitely knew that everything was just fine.