"This is..." Adriana said as she took a few steps. It was her first time walking after having her son. "Way more unpleasant that I thought it would be."
"It's okay," Bruce said and held onto her arm. "We'll just walk to the next door there and then turn around and go back to the room."
"Okay," she said. "We're almost there."
"Yes," he said.
"So.." she said, wanting to talk. "You don't have work today?"
"I don't have to be anywhere but here," he said and kissed her as they turned to walk in the opposite direction.
"I was just wondering," she said. "Will you tell everyone?"
"If you're okay with it," he said. "I'm so happy, I don't know how I'll keep it to myself...but if you want me to be discreet for now I can."
"No.." she said. "It's okay. You can let them know."
"Are you sure?" he asked. "Once I tell my co-workers...the world knows."
"I know," she said. "I don't mind."
They finally returned to the room and Adriana sat on the bed and looked over to where the baby was sleeping. She had only left him for five minutes and it felt like an eternity. The doctor was looking over her chart and smiled at her.
"Good job," he said. "I'm happy you're feeling well enough to walk. If you feel strong enough, you can try it again in a few hours."
"Okay, I will," she said.
"Arsenio Thomas Wayne," Bruce smiled down at the sleeping baby. Adriana had given the baby Bruce's father's name as a middle name, and Bruce was overjoyed. "I wish I could show him to everyone."
"Eventually," Adriana laughed. "But not while he's one day old."
"I know," he said. "Look at him, sleeping. So precious."
"Mmhmm," Adriana said and placed her hand gently on the baby and whispered to him. "Te quiero mucho, mucho, mucho...muchisimo.." I love you so much.
.
.
.
"Oh, sweetheart," Adriana's mother said and picked up the baby.
"Soy tu abuelo," Adriana's father said sweetly and looked at him I'm your grandfather. "Arsenio...muy buen nombre." Arsenio, a very good name.
"I can't believe you're a mom..for six days so far," Harri said. "Mommy Adriana."
Harri had just come back from her week long honeymoon, and her parents had come along to come and see the baby.
"Stop," Adriana laughed. "You'll be Mommy Harri soon enough."
"He looks like you, a little," Adriana's mother observed and looked at her. "Maybe...not much like Bruce though."
"No... he didn't get much of Bruce but.." Harri said. "He's so cute."
"Thanks," Adriana said.
"Yes," her mother agreed. "Very handsome boy."
She wondered how obvious it would be, as he grew, that he didn't resemble Bruce. And Adriana could tell that even her family could see, her son didn't resemble her much either. She decided it didn't matter. This moment was far too blissful to spend it worrying about the future.
"Are you sure you'll be ready to walk down the aisle in two weeks?" Harri asked. "I can't imagine..."
"Honestly..." Adriana said. "I though I would be but now...I don't feel like going out or being around people much. I just want to stay in. Me, and Bruce, and the baby...just us."
"Yes, that's how it is at first," her mother said.
"But we have planned the wedding for two weeks from now," Adriana said. "Maybe I'll feel more outgoing by then."
"So...what does the dress look like?" Harri asked.
"I don't know, I'm going to pick it Thursday," Adriana said.
"Two days from now?" Harri asked.
"No..next week," Adriana said.
"Two days before the wedding!" Adriana's mother laughed. "Well, you cut it close."
"I mean..it's just a dress, it's not that serious," Adriana told them.
"Girl, you know the media is going to be all over this wedding," Harri told her. "You have to slay."
"Slay?" Adriana said. "I feel like childbirth just slayed me."
"You look great though... Minus this messy hair," Harri said. "You're going to blow everyone away."
"I hadn't thought about the media part of it..." Adriana admitted.
"Don't worry about them," her father said.
"I won't," she told him.
"Will you two go on a honeymoon?" Harri asked.
"No.." Adriana said. "I don't think I want to leave my little Arsenio just yet. I'm not ready."
"I understand," her mother said. "But if you want to go away for just a little while, your father and I would be happy to take care of him a few days."
"Thanks," Adriana replied. "I'll think about it."
.
.
.
"I thought you said you were a size 6," Harri said once she finished helping Adriana into the first dress she decided to try on. "That's what you said, right?"
"I am," Adriana said. "I mean...I was when I was pregnant."
"No," Harri said. "This is too big."
"Are you sure it's not an 8?"
"Positive," Harri said.
"It's tight in the chest-"Adriana said.
"That's because you're breastfeeding," Harri said. "You're definitely a size 4."
"Size down?" the associate at the boutique asked them.
"Yes," Harri answered for Adriana. "She's a size 4...D top..and actually, can we get something more...spectacular? I mean, this is her wedding to Bruce Wayne, she had to bring it-"
"Whatever you find that will fit will be nice," Adriana cut Harri off and the associate nodded and walked away to look for something else.
"I'm telling you," Harri said. "You're marrying the most eligible bachelor on the planet right now. You'll want to look amazing when they show you on the news."
"Okay.." Adriana said unenthused.
"But you look amazing though," Harri said. "Like seriously, your workouts must be intense. You're slimmer than me."
"I've been working out a lot when Arsenio takes his naps," Adriana said. "It feels so good to be able to move again..kickboxing and sparring and running on the treadmill, lifting weights-"
"Yikes, I hate that stuff," Harri laughed. "But good for you."
"Thanks," Adriana said and noticed the associate returning with another dress.
Adriana tried on the strapless gown. It fit very securely around the waist and flowed out down to the floor. The embroidery looked like vines, leaves and flowers in bright while which cascaded down into the creamy colored base of the dress.
"This one!" Harri said immediately when she saw it. "This is it!"
"I think you're right," Adriana said.
"You look like a princess," Harri said, sounding like she was about to cry.
"Harri..come on," Adriana said. "Don't make me cry..."
"Okay, okay," Harri said and fanned her face quickly. "We'll take this one. And she's getting married in two days-"
"We're aware," the associate said sweetly. "We can have it adjusted to fit perfectly by tomorrow afternoon."
"Perfect," Harri said and began to help Adriana out of the dress after the associate took measurements. "You don't even look like you just had a baby. Maybe there is something to this kickboxing and sparring thing."
"I feel like I did though," Adriana said. "Took a lot out of me."
"Well, now you can get married and then rest and take a break..enjoy your life and your new baby, and husband," Harri said while the associate took the dress and left them.
"Yeah," Adriana said and nodded.
"Hey..." Harri said and placed a hand on Adriana's shoulder. "Are you okay?"
"Yes," Adriana said. "It's all a bit stressful, but I'll get through it."
"Okay," Harri said. "Are you sure that's it? You seem a bit down.."
"I'm fine," Adriana assured her. "After the wedding and all the commotion is over, I'll feel much better."
"Okay, sis," Harri said. "I'm going to go to the lobby, and you get dressed. I'll wait for you."
"Okay, I'll be quick," Adriana said.
.
.
"You didn't tell me you were arrested!" Harri said to Adriana that night over the phone.
Harri and Adriana's parents were staying in Bruce's hotel, free of charge, while they were in Gotham. Harri was a few floors below where Adriana was, in Bruce's penthouse.
"What are you talking about?" Adriana asked as she breastfed Arsenio.
"You attacked some woman and destroyed her shop?" Harri said.
"Oh..shit..." Adriana replied. "I mean...sugar!" she said.
"Sugar?" Harri asked, confused.
"I cursed in front of the baby," Adriana told her and looked down at Arsenio as she nursed him.
"Girl, he's too little to know what you're saying," Harri said.
"How did you know about the arrest?" Adriana asked.
"Some sleazy news show has your mugshot and all, and a video clip of you breaking shit," Harri said. "You went off."
"Yeah..that woman is horrible," Adriana said. "Madame Twyla. She-"
"She what?" Harri asked.
Adriana couldn't answer. She was looking down at her beautiful baby. If she had never met Madame Twyla..maybe she wouldn't even have him. She would have never poisoned both herself and the Joker that first night that started it all.
"Nothing," Adriana said. "I'm just...so upset that they did this. Bruce doesn't even know...I mean if it's on the news then he knows now... Sugar!"
Adriana heard the front door shut.
"I have to go," she said to Harri. "I think that's Bruce..."
"Okay...good luck," Harri said and hung up.
Adriana held onto Arsenio who was still nursing and walked out of their bedroom and made the long walk to the living room.
"Hi.." she said to Bruce, who was taking off his jacket. "I assume you've seen the news."
"Yes," he said and loosened his tie before removing it.
"So...Bruce..." she said. "I'm sorry.."
"Is this what you meant?" he asked. "When I proposed, you told me you had some secret and you had done something wrong and couldn't tell me?"
She looked away from his face and down at the crisp, white shirt that he was wearing. She saw him walking closer, still unable to look him in the eyes.
"Adriana," he said, his voice low and even. "Talk to me."
"I...I don't know what happened," she said. "She gave me some potions or concoctions and they affected me..they made me act out of character sometimes."
"Drugs?" he assumed.
"No!" she said. "No.."
She lifted Arsenio to burp him and covered her chest.
"Adriana..this is a big deal to the public," he said. "We're getting married tomorrow-"
"I'm sorry...I know I've embarrassed you and I know you must be really angry with me-"
"Sweetheart," he stopped her. "I'm not embarrassed. And I'm certainly not angry. I just wish you would have told me. Nothing you do could ever embarrass or anger me. I love you. I'm just concerned because I don't want you to feel ashamed or bothered. They're going to talk about this a lot and try to shame you. You will have to ignore them.."
Adriana rubbed Arsenio's back and looked Bruce in the eyes. His deep brown eyes were loving, comforting, and made her forget all about the drama and likely thousands of people around this city that were thinking horrible things about her right now. She couldn't believe how she'd forgotten to mention the incident. It would become quite the scandal, but Bruce didn't seem to mind.
"I don't deserve you," she said, finally.
"I'm the lucky one," Bruce answered and kissed her.
.
.
.
"You look so beautiful, Adriana," Aymara told Adriana.
She was wearing her wedding gown, her hair was done and her makeup had just been finished. The entire process took almost three hours and Adriana was happy that the baby had slept through most of it. Harri was holding him and Sidi was looking at Adriana and smiling.
"Yes," Sidi said. "You do."
"Thanks," Adriana said. "I'm so happy you two are here."
"And I'm sure you can see how happy we are to be here," Sidi said.
"Well, you're both smiling pretty hard," Adriana laughed.
"So," Sidi said. "Is everything as it was now?"
"Well Arsenio doesn't sleep through the night yet so..." Adriana said.
"Hmm..." Sidi said. "I actually meant, with your gift."
"Oh...right," Adriana said. "My gift."
"Has it returned? Since you have given birth?" Sidi asked.
"No...it hasn't," Adriana answered. "Wow... I mean I hadn't thought about it at all.."
"Interesting," Sidi said. "It will likely be back soon. So...nothing? No thoughts? Even in childbirth?"
"While I was giving birth?" Adriana asked.
"Yes," Sidi said. "Anything?"
"Well..." Adriana tried to remember. "I remember a lot of pain.."
"That is normal," Sidi said.
"Actually," Adriana said and thought about the moment Arsenio came into the world. "My heart rate went up and I saw like...fire all around me. Flames. Like I was burning up."
"Hmmm..." Sidi said and crossed her arms slowly. "Anything else?"
"No.." Adriana said.
"Did you feel pain from the fire?" Sidi wanted to know.
"Well...it felt hot like it was burning me," she told Sidi. "The doctor said I had a fever for a moment-"
"Oh..." Sidi said, sitting slowly. "This is not good."
"What do you mean?" Harri said, her hand moving slowly on the baby's back.
"Your gift is back.." Sidi said. "If you are feeling physical symptoms from your visions..it will only get worse. We will have to remove it soon-"
"But it's not back," Adriana said. "That only happened for like five seconds. And since then I don't hear a single thought at all. Nothing."
"Mhmm.." Sidi said. "Soon. We will have to take care of it."
"Whatever you say, when I have time I guess," Adriana said and stood up. "It's time. Time to tie the knot."
"Indeed," Aymara smiled.
.
.
.
Adriana held her father's arm with one of hers and her bouquet with the other. She could hear music playing behind the door. The church was enormous and Adriana knew that there were a couple hundred people there. She knew almost none of them, and suddenly she felt a bit nervous. Worried. Anxious.
Her father seemed to sense it and rubbed her arm to comfort her.
She smiled at him and gave him a kiss on the cheek and the door in front of them began to open. Adriana looked ahead, seeing the aisle and hearing the shuffle of everyone in the room turning in their seats to look at her. Her nerves were taking over and she immediately looked down at the floor as she and her father took the first few steps.
Were they all thinking about the crazy video footage of her destroying Madame Twyla's shop? Did they all think she was crazy? At that moment, she wished he had her gift. She wanted to know everything..even though based on the news and social media it was obvious. Most people thought she was insane, violent, a gold digger..
She looked ahead, finally and saw Bruce and his black tuxedo. Immediately, her worries went away when she saw his face. She didn't care what anyone thought. She knew that she loved him. He was looking at her with such awe, it made her want to cry. As she and her father arrived at the alter, she began to smile.
Her father placed her hand in Bruce's and she took a step up to stand beside him.
Adriana was in a daze, lost in Bruce's eyes as they repeated their vows. She could tell he was just as elated as they both took turns speaking.
"...to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish from this day forward, till death do us part.."
.
.
.
"You are the most beautiful woman in the world," Bruce whispered to Adriana as they finished dancing at the reception.
"You're too sweet," she whispered. "I love you."
"I love you too."
The guests ate and danced and drank. Hours passed and Adriana finally gave in and had two sips of champagne. She was getting so tired that the night was becoming a bit of a blur. Bruce pulled her away from the crowded room and out onto a balcony. The weather was surprisingly warm for the last day of September.
"I have a surprise for you," he said.
"Oh?" she said and wrapped her arms around him. "Are we going to sneak away now and go to sleep? That sounds amazing."
"Well...close," he said.
"What is it?" she smiled.
"I know we agreed we wouldn't do a honeymoon," he said. "But...Aymara and Harri agreed to stay to watch the baby. However, If you want he can come with us-"
"Oh...a trip," she said.
"Quebec," he said. "Just for a day."
"Let's do it," she said, wanting to get away from the city of Gotham, from people, and from the party.
"Really?" Bruce said, sounding relieved. "Thank you, baby. I just wanted up to get away for a bit."
"It's a good idea," she said. "And Harri could take care of Arsenio...but how long are we going to be away from him exactly?"
"We could leave tonight and come back tomorrow evening," he said. "Or earlier. It's up to you."
"Okay," she said, feeling like this was the biggest decision ever, to leave the baby again. Even for the three hours that they had been at the reception, she was missing him like crazy, but she knew that he was okay and taken care of.
"Great," he said and gave her a kiss. "I'll go and let the pilot know. We could leave in the next twenty minutes. I'm sure the guests won't even notice we're gone."
"Hahaha," Adriana laughed. "Well I'm going to say goodnight to my family and I have to go see the baby before I go and pump a bit more milk for him to last at least until we get back."
"Okay," Bruce said and gave her another kiss.
.
.
.
"I feel bad you missed the whole reception," Adriana said to Harri, who was changing Arsenio's diaper.
"I don't mind," Harri said and the spoke in a higher sweeter voice, while looking at the baby. "Not at all. I'm having a great time."
"I missed you so much," Adriana said and touched his cheek. "Maybe...maybe I should stay-"
"No," Harri said. "He will be fine. You just pump some more milk for him, and we will be okay."
"Okay.." Adriana said hesitantly. "But what if he needs me-"
"I got this, seriously," Harri said. "You don't trust me?"
"I do...I just miss my baby already," she said.
"Don't worry, sis," Harri told her. "I promise I will take great care of him and you can call me any time with facetime and you can see him, okay? You deserve a mini vacation."
"Yeah..yeah..alright," she said and found the breast pump and was thankful that her reception dress was a lot easier to lower in the front than the wedding gown.
"He is seriously so cute, Adriana," Harri said and smiled at the baby who was looking at her and smiling sleepily. "He has little dimples. Where did he get dimples? Did someone on Bruce's side have them?"
"I'm not sure but...," she said. "That's why I don't want to leave him. He's adorable."
"Your mommy and daddy love you so much," Harri said to Arsenio. "And so does your Tía Harri."
When Adriana was done with the pump, Harri began to wash her hands and store the breast milk in the refrigerator.
"This is such a nice hotel," Harri said. "I guess Bruce owns this one too."
"Yes," Adriana said. They were in a penthouse suite in another luxury hotel in the city. The suite had a changing table and one of the guest rooms had been transformed into a nursery, just for the night. Adriana held the baby, who was falling asleep.
"Actually," Harri said. "I guess I should say, you and Bruce own it."
"Oh...right," Adriana said.
"By the wayyyy," Harri said from the kitchen area. "I know this is probably inappropriate to ask right now, but what kind of prenup do you guys have?"
"What?" Adriana asked. "We don't have one."
"Huh?" Harri asked. "Yes you do. Of course you do."
"No...we don't. He didn't ask for one," Adriana shrugged and kissed her baby.
"Adriana," Harri said. "Come on. That's crazy. He didn't ask you to sign anything recently and maybe it slipped your mind?"
"No. Nothing," she said and smelled the baby's hair. She loved how he smelled.
"Wow..." Harri said. "I'm speechless. Maybe he's still getting the postnup together."
"Hmm...maybe," Adriana said, not really caring.
"Well, anyways," Harri said and reached to take the baby.
"Wait...just a few more minutes," she said and held him.
"Okay," Harri smiled.
After several more minutes, Adriana finally handed the baby over. He was sound asleep.
"He's a good sleeper," Harri said.
"Yes," Adriana agreed and gazed at him.
"Now you, leave before you change your mind," Harri said and waved Adriana away. "Aymara is coming up soon too, so we will both be watching over him and making sure he's safe and fed and loved and warm. Okay?"
"Alright, " Adriana nodded and kissed the baby on his head several times before leaving.
.
.
.
Adriana walked down a long hall with tall enormous elegant mirrors stretching up to the ceiling. She could hear the party several yards away. She had changed into cream colored pants and a cream colored sating button up blouse. A large portion of the hotel was off limits to guets and was totally empty for privacy for the reception. She and Bruce would say goodnight to their guests and finally leave. She took a deep breath and kept walking..but then she noticed something. A glimmer...
She turned quickly and saw it, a man turning a corner very quickly. He was wearing a mask...the gold mask she had seen the Joker wearing at the masquerade ball so many months ago. She was beyond confused but her body and voice seemed to react before her mind could.
"Hey!" she shouted and ran after the man who went out onto another balcony and down some stairs into the gardens behind the hotel.
It was very dark outside and Adriana tried to follow him through the path which led through many trees and flower beds.
"Hello, beautiful," she heard a familiar voice behind her.
She turned quickly and saw the masked man. She recognized the voice.
"Damien?" she asked.
"Good guess," he said and removed the mask. He was wearing a black suit, and apparently he had crashed the reception. She had no idea how he had managed to get past security.
"What...what the hell are you doing?" she asked him.
He held the mask in his hand and looked at it. "I could ask you the same thing."
"I'm...having my wedding reception! What does it look like! And you weren't invited," she said.
"I know," he said. "Do you recognize this mask?"
She barely looked at it.
"No," she answered.
"I think you do.." he said and walked close to her. "I must say...you look phenomenal. Having babies agrees with you."
"Damien, what the hell do you want?" she asked.
"This mask..." he said. "Belonged to the Joker."
She was quiet.
"I found it in one of his storage units," he said.
"So?" she said.
"According to one of my colleagues," he said. "This is the mask he saw a man wearing at the masquerade ball...hmm what was it...close to a year ago."
Adriana crossed her arm.
"Was it him?" he asked. "And don't lie to me."
"I don't have to answer to you," she said.
"Adriana," he said. "Believe it or not, I don't want to harm you or anything. I'm just trying to understand. What happened?"
"You think I know the Joker?" she asked.
"I know you do," he said. "I have proof. This mask is his. It was found with him things. Just tell me where he is and he can never hurt you again. I will end him."
"I don't know him, and I don't know where he is," she said. She wished she could read his mind, but she was in the dark.
"Adriana...come on," Damien said.
"Why do you think I know him? Just because of some stupid mask? That's your proof? For you to come here and torment me?" she asked.
"Actually..." he said and pulled some folded papers out of his jacket.
"What?" she asked.
"You had paint on your face," he said. "The night after you were arrested."
"No I didn't," she said.
"You did," he said.
"You're making something out of nothing," she said. "Putting pieces together that don't make sense-"
"Adriana, I don't know why you're protecting him," Damien said. "After what he did to you. I know the Joker was seeing a woman, and that woman was you. He... Corrupted you somehow Adriana. And I know you must be ashamed. But it's not your fault. I just want to bring him to justice."
"He didn't do anything to me, I told you-" she said.
"He did, baby," Damien said. "I know you can't see it because...I don't know. He manipulated you, or you are ashamed or...perhaps you have trained yourself to try to forget it."
"You have no proof of what you're talking about," she said. "You sound crazy."
"Yes," he said. "I know I sound crazy. All the dots connected but I didn't have any tangible proof linking you...to him. And I have it."
"Oh?" she asked as if amused.
"Yep," he said and held pulled papers out of his jacket. "Do you know what this is?"
She didn't answer.
"The paternity test we did...has all the alleles listed..." he said. "The ones that determined I'm not the father of your child."
"So? What does that have to do with anything?" she asked.
"Well.." Damien said. "I still have connections at the police. It wasn't hard to get the Joker's DNA. It was even easier to find someone willing to run an assessment comparing the genetic material to your child's."
Adriana felt herself becoming lightheaded.
"Which determined...there was a ninety nine...point nine, nine, nine, nine..." he started speaking and she realized he had memorized the number of nines. "..nine...nine...nine...percent chance, that he is the father of your child."