Chapter Twenty Three

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Three years later

Logan was growing up so quickly. He had a taste for pyrotechnics and spent lots of time around Arkham collecting tips. He spent lots of time with Harley, Edward and also Joker. Though he was still a little scared of Zsasz, but to be fair, a lot of us were, including me. "Morning sweetie" Jonathan smiled, kissing my cheek. He gave me a knowing smirk and ruffled my hair.

"You're perfect" I smiled tired, looking up at him.

"I know" he smiled back.

"Are the triplets keeping you awake?" he asked concerned, rubbing my cheek. I nodded.

"Connie is the only one who sleeps right through. Vendetta keeps crying and Arachne, don't get me started with her" I replied, rubbing my head. Oh yeah, Jonathan and I had triplets. Three beautiful baby girls. Logan loved his baby sisters, and would play with them, which was always a good thing. Harley had given birth to Jester while I was pregnant again, and Joker adored his son. A successor to the family name! Jester and Logan were good friends, which was a bonus because it kept him busy while the girls kept us busy.

Jonathan's been coping well, but he's starting to have his moments again. Moments where Scarecrow consumes him with anger and hatred, and those moments are the ones where I truly fear for my life. But he knows my fear snow: spiders, fire and losing everybody I care about. He would yell at me, tell me I'm worth;ess and that I don't deserve what I have and then either hit me or hurt me in another way. The makeup won't cover the bruises anymore. I now it's not Jonathan's fault...but lately I've been finding it hard to forgive him.

"Yes well, I think you're taking it all in your stride" he smiled. "Just think, we're a proper little family now. Even if I'm a bit crazy, and also have some criminal tendencies" he chuckled.

"Some?" I laughed. "Just last week you tried to flood Gotham with fear toxin. I was worried they'd send you to prison. Then I remembered that you're crazy and that you'd just get sent back here again"

"I'm not crazy, just a little enthusiastic about my work" he smiled, kissing my cheek.

"Sure" I smiled sarcastically. "Where are the kids anyway?"

"Selina is looking after them with Ivy, because Harley is out shopping" he explained. "She said she needed to get her Mista J something for their anniversary, though I expect his present is a little less...happy" he laughed. I hadn't seen him happy for a while. It was a welcome change. "Now I have some work to attend to, I assume that you're ok. So bye" he smiled, hugging me before walking off to his office. I snuggled into a soft blanket and stood up, still holding the blanket, before walking down to the living room.

"Hi" a voice whispered from somewhere behind me. I knew it.

"Edward, seriously If you're going to talk to me then just talk to be" I rolled my eyes, slumping down on the sofa. He sat opposite me (walking with support from his cane) and smirked.

"I have a little business proposition for you. I think you might be interested" he added, looking at me from behind his glasses. He flicked some of his auburn hair from his face and looked at me. I'd noticed how much he'd matured as his interest in crime increased. He was no longer casual in his appearance but instead wore a green suit. It suited him well...and I found my cheeks flushing red. He raised an eyebrow. "Kristie, you're blushing"

"I know" I sighed, waving my hand to try and cool myself down and stop myself. "So what's this offer?" I asked.

"I know how you really feel about Jonathan. I hear you crying late at night when Scarecrow has hurt you. I know how you're hurting because he is always too busy with work or experiments to spend time with you. So, I have an idea. A genius idea, obviously, it's my idea so it must be brilliant. You need to get away from this place otherwise you'll end up insane like the rest of us...I mean them. Jonathan will easily replace you. I suggest you fake your death, and come and live with me. I have a house away from here, I can offer you a better life" he explained, looking at me the whole time. I shook.

"Edward, Jonathan loves me" I replied, unsure. It sounded too good to be true, as everything was with him. "We have kids to look after, and I'm not going to leave them, or him" I sighed.

"Kristie, can't you see it? He takes you for granted" he questioned me, standing up as he leaned on his cane. "He would rather not have you around, I've heard things. I hear everything, every little rumour, every piece of gossip, and it's not good. Please just consider it...for me"

"F-for you?" I asked, stuttering from nerves.

"Yes, for me" he nodded. "I still think you're beautiful, Kristie, you're like the perfect answer to a perfect riddle" he grinned. I blushed again.

"You really think so?" I asked as he cupped my chin with his hand, tilting my head up to face him.

"I know so. I'm the Riddler, I don't lie" he smiled, kissing me softly. I kissed back, relaxing in his arms instead of tensing like I would with Jonathan or Scarecrow. "All you have to do is write a note explaining that you've left to get some shopping, or something like that, and I'll sort out the rest" he nodded before walking out. "Bye Kristie"

"Bye Edward" I smiled happily. He limped out and I glared at the notepad on the table. I grabbed it and scribbled down a letter full of lies (I was very good at lying) and sighed. I'd leave my kids behind. After I'd finished, I tore the paper from the notepad and placed it on the kitchen table before running to my room to pack.

Jonathan finished his paperwork and had gone to make himself some coffee. He found the note and read through it, a confused expression plastering his face. "What?"

Dear everyone,

Just saying that I've popped out to get some shopping for the kids and other stuff. I'll be back in about an hour so don't worry. If you need anything, just call me!

Kristie X

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