*J* (the continuation)

Part Forty-Eight: Chapter 379: Missing Money

Joker's POV

Heh-heh. I could see my twin on one knee on a snowy balcony. I didn't have to be a brain surgeon to see he finally found his balls and proposed to Julia. I'm glad. She really is his perfect mate. I'm envious of Jester in this moment. I couldn't propose to my perfect mate because I was technically still married to Harley. Jason might appear to be me, but he was my best man the day the "I do's" were spoken. And those words came out of my mouth...

But, to be fair, I did understand my twins hesitation to take that leap. You see, Jester's first marriage was about two old money families uniting. Jester, because he was adopted, felt obligated to honor the wishes of the family that adopted him. So he married the woman. Made it look believable and everything.

But it was a loveless marriage. And when it became evident that Jester couldn't have kids... well it grew even more stale. Jester didn't even want to adopt the children. That was forced on him too. They were obligated to look like a perfect family for society. But there was absolutely nothing perfect about it.

How do I know, you ask? Sweety, haven't you figured out I'm the fucking Joker yet? The real Joker. The original. Numero uno. And as you know, I've pretty much always known about his existence. I started dropping in on him from time to time when I went to work for Falcone. He's actually the one who tracked him down. Then, once I was the man in charge, I started keeping even closer tabs on my twin. I'm not sure if it was out of love, or out of the gut instinct that I knew, one day, I'd need him. And yes I have found a love for my twin, but love, like respect, is earned. Well, with me anyway.

You know, it's almost comical that I envy Jester, and he envies me. I wonder if we could trade places and resolve that? Or would it still just simply be human nature to want what you don't have, wish to be what you couldn't be, who you couldn't be? Who knows?

But I was truly happy for him. I'm proud of him for finally seeing the truth. About me. About him. Now he sees, we are pretty identical. We always were and have been...And I don't mean looks. Jester was like...my shadow. It follows your path and does everything you do, but it can never quite catch up to you. Oh well, I was the first born, that's all there is to it. I had a head start heh-heh.

I glance over to Alexis with a smile. She too had taken note of the proposal. She wasn't smiling. It's because she is very protective of me. Which, I have to admit, is both odd and wonderful. It's why I know she's my someone. I see her love of me. It shows in everything she does. And most importantly, she didn't want to change me, because to her, I already was perfect. And she had been perfect to me since I saw her standing there in that diner with rain dripping off the ends of her hair... God I would so marry her. I'd do it in every state. Every country in the world. I loved her so much. And now, she was the mother to my son.

I lean in to Alexis, "I wish I could do what Jester just did."

Her eyes meet mine and she tenderly smiles, "Have patience. Our time will come."

I smile a little more as I really take her in, "For having given birth days ago, you are ravishing. I must confess that I want to do very dirt things to you. But alas, it's forbidden..."

Her hand slides under my tie and she gives it a little tug toward her, "I never was very good at following doctors orders," she purrs. I can see how badly she wants to kiss me. But Alexis understands. Harley never did. Being the Joker's lady is a dangerous position to hold. Harley had crazy good luck, this idiot savant thing when it came to getting out of a jam. But Alexis was smarter. She knew how to circumvent things. She prevented a lot from coming to pass.

"Mmmm," I purr back, "I can see neither of us will last six weeks."

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Jester's POV