This can't be so

26

I wake up to the feeling of four small hands pressing against my face and small giggles when I twitch my nose. Giving in and opening my eyes I see the twins looking down at me and giggling, Joker still asleep.

"What on earth is the time?" I grumble extremely tired as if they could tell me. Glancing at the clock on the wall I see it is only 5am. Welcome to parenthood, no more sleeping in and being extremely tired. Smiling at the cheeky siblings I tap them on the nose lightly causing them to burst into giggles. 

"Shh, don't wake daddy." I cover my lips with a finger and sit up. Slowly getting out of bed I pick up the two toddlers, which sure are an armful and make my way to the kitchen. Placing the pair on the floor I wonder what I can feed them. Searching in the fridge I see a few stay apples and pears, puree it is for them. The pair sit together giggling and trying to push each other over, it's good to see they can sit up on their own, they should be able to eat solids then. Unsure of what Ivy had taught them I figured it will all just be a learning process. Finally I am finished the puree and place it in the fridge to cool while I cuddle them. While Ace is sitting happily on my lap I realise something I should've thought about before... Do they have nappies on?

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After the dramatic cleaning up of both children I realise it is really important that we go shopping for these kids to get everything they need.

"Hey kiddo, I got some nappies for the twins and I have my kids old stroller in the car. Is the boss awake?"

"Thanks and I'm not sure." I say while wiping the kids faces with tissues and wiping their small sticky hands. Taking a look at the clock on the microwave I see that it is somehow now 8am most of the time must've been spent cleaning them up, feeding them and cleaning them up once again.

"Hello my baby killers!" I hear J call out as he walks over and picks Hazel up, I have a feeling she is going to be a daddy's girl. She makes precious little gurgling noises and reaches out a hand to Joker, placing it on his forehead. I could see the love in his eyes that he had for our little girl but what about Ace? 

"We really need to go shopping, I don't think you can really come along."

"Don't be silly, I will wear long sleeves and use some of your foundation stuff to cover up my tattoos and a hat to cover my hair." He doesn't take his eyes off Hazel and an unsure feeling rises in me.

"Well quickly get ready then." I mumble, taking Hazel from him. I feel a level of uncertainty towards his strong connection with my daughter, sure she is his too but I feel like I can't trust him. He is the clown prince of crime for a reason. Looking down at Ace I see he is cuddling the leg of a chair, he needs a teddy.

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Inside the store with the children carefully buckled in the stroller Joker and I look around at all of the different clothes. I decide on picking out mostly yellows and greys for Ace while Joker carries Hazel around looking at pinks, purples and the occasional red. Ace happily sucks on the ear of his new teddy. J seemed genuinely happy looking around with Hazel but didn't pay much attention to our son, I will have to talk to him about that. 

"Hey, I'm gonna go get nappies and stuff like that." I call out to J who just nods while still looking at toys with Hazel.

"It's okay Ace, he will love you too... I hope." Ace doesn't seem at all bothered by the fact he isn't getting affection from his father and just keeps focused on his teddy. Gathering a large collection of nappies, wipes, shampoos, lotions, the list goes on. I hear a commotion and my heart drops, what has Joker gotten himself into? Hurrying to the direction of the noise I desperately search for a flash of Hazels green hair or Jokers pale frame. The moment I see the pair a lump forms in my throat at the sight. I knew I shouldn't have let him come, I knew this would happen! I need to save my daughter.