Harley: Little Mind, Big Heart 🌈🧸💕

Chapter 25: Safe in Their Arms

Harley's eyes fluttered open, and she blinked against the soft morning light filtering through the windows. For a moment, she couldn't remember how she'd gotten home, but the comforting warmth surrounding her made her feel safe. She was in her bed, tucked beneath soft blankets, the faint scent of lavender from Sophie's perfume lingering in the air.

Her pacifier rested in her mouth, and the familiar rhythm of her sucking calmed her, grounding her back in her little space. She could hear soft voices outside her room—Kate and Sophie, most likely. They were always close by when she needed them.

She snuggled deeper into the blankets, rubbing her cheek against the fabric. But as she shifted, the events from last night came flooding back. Joker. The streets. The kind stranger who had helped her. The sheer terror she'd felt when she saw him again. Her heart gave a little jolt, and she pulled the blankets tighter around herself, trying to push those thoughts away.

"Mama?" she mumbled softly, her voice muffled by the pacifier.

Almost immediately, the door creaked open, and Sophie stepped inside with a soft smile. "Morning, sweetheart," she cooed, making her way over to the bed. "You feeling okay?"

Harley reached up with her arms, wordlessly asking to be picked up. Sophie didn't hesitate, scooping her into her arms and holding her close. The feeling of being cradled against Sophie's chest was exactly what Harley needed to chase away the lingering fear. She buried her face in Sophie's neck, breathing in her familiar scent, feeling so small and protected.

Sophie sat down on the bed, rocking Harley gently in her lap. "You had a tough night, baby girl," she murmured, pressing a kiss to Harley's temple. "But you're safe now. Mama and Mommie are here, okay?"

Harley nodded slowly, her thumb playing with the soft edge of Sophie's shirt. She pulled back a little, her blue eyes wide with worry as she looked up at Sophie. "W-Where's Mama?" she asked around her paci, her voice barely a whisper.

Sophie's smile softened, and she stroked Harley's hair soothingly. "Mama's in the kitchen, baby. She's making breakfast for you. She'll be in here soon, I promise."

Harley nodded again, comforted by that thought. Sophie continued to rock her, humming softly, and the tension slowly eased out of Harley's small body. She leaned her head against Sophie's shoulder, sucking on her paci, feeling safe in the gentle rhythm of Sophie's movements.

A few minutes later, Kate appeared in the doorway, carrying a tray of food. Her smile brightened when she saw Harley snuggled in Sophie's arms. "There's my girl," Kate said, her voice warm and soothing as she crossed the room to sit beside them on the bed.

Harley's eyes lit up when she saw Kate, and she reached out her hand toward her. "Mama!" she mumbled excitedly, her paci bobbing in her mouth as she wiggled a little in Sophie's lap.

Kate chuckled and set the tray down on the nightstand before pulling Harley into her arms. "Hey, baby girl," she murmured, kissing her forehead. "How's my little troublemaker doing this morning?"

Harley giggled softly, tucking her head against Kate's chest as she clung to her. "Safe wif you," she whispered, her words a little slurred from the pacifier.

Kate's heart melted at the sound, and she kissed Harley again, this time on her cheek. "You're always safe with us, sweetie. We'll never let anything happen to you."

Harley's thumb brushed against the pacifier in her mouth, her fingers twitching with a bit of leftover nervous energy. "Joker's scary..." she mumbled, her voice tiny.

Sophie and Kate exchanged a glance over Harley's head, their expressions grim. Kate tightened her hold on Harley, rocking her slightly. "I know, honey. But he's not going to hurt you. We won't let him near you ever again."

"I pwomise, Mama," Harley said, her eyes wide and trusting. "I won't go see him."

Kate smiled down at her, cupping her cheek. "I know you won't, baby girl. You're smart, and you're brave."

As Kate and Sophie continued to comfort her, Harley relaxed completely into the safety of their arms, her fears beginning to fade away. Sophie leaned over to grab the tray of food from the nightstand, carefully balancing it on her lap. "I made your favorite, sweetheart—pancakes with extra syrup."

Harley's eyes lit up, and she bounced a little in Kate's lap. "Pancakes! Yay!" she squealed around her paci, her small hands clapping together in excitement.

Sophie laughed, cutting up the pancakes into bite-sized pieces. She set a plate in front of Harley, who reached out eagerly. Kate held onto her gently, making sure she didn't spill anything, while Sophie fed her the first few bites.

"Mmmm," Harley hummed happily, chewing on the sweet pancake. "Mommie, this so yummy!"

Sophie beamed at her. "I'm glad you like it, baby."

They spent the rest of the morning like that—Harley nestled comfortably between Kate and Sophie, eating her breakfast and soaking up all the love and attention they gave her. By the time the plate was empty, Harley's face was smeared with syrup, but she didn't care. All that mattered was the warmth and safety she felt with her caregivers.

Once breakfast was over, Kate and Sophie helped her out of bed, leading her to the living room. Harley immediately toddled over to her playpen, grabbing her favorite stuffed animal—a little bat plushie Kate had given her—and plopped down inside. She hugged the plushie tight to her chest, giggling softly as she kicked her legs.

Kate and Sophie watched her from the couch, their hearts swelling with affection for the little girl they loved so much. "She's doing better today," Kate said softly, leaning her head on Sophie's shoulder.

Sophie nodded, her eyes never leaving Harley as she played happily in her own little world. "Yeah, but we'll need to keep an eye on her. She's still shaken up from last night."

"We'll take care of her," Kate murmured, wrapping an arm around Sophie. "Together."

Meanwhile, Mary and Luke were at home, taking care of Ivy. The little green-haired girl lay peacefully in her crib, sucking on her pacifier as she drifted in and out of sleep. Mary sat beside her, stroking her hair gently while Luke adjusted the sensory gloves they had designed for her.

"She's so fragile," Mary whispered, glancing up at Luke. "It's hard to believe someone with so much power could be so... delicate."

Luke nodded, his eyes soft as he looked down at Ivy. "She's special, that's for sure. But we'll protect her, just like Kate and Sophie protect Harley."

Mary smiled and leaned her head against Luke's shoulder. "We're all in this together. Our little family."

As Ivy continued to sleep, the love and care surrounding her was palpable. Just like Harley, she had found a safe place with caregivers who would do anything to keep her happy and healthy.

And in this moment, all was right in their little corner of Gotham.