Married To The Clown

Chapter Thirty 'Going Back'

Three years later
Pauline's was heart pounding out her chest painfully.
What was Athena thinking?!
She was going to get herself killed!
Pauline needed to stop this nonsense and confront her daughter before it was too late. She had been trying all week to discourage Athena but that girl was too stubborn for her own good.
This child was going to be the death of her!
Pauline was getting old now she didn't need all this worry and panic on her shoulders.

Walking up the stairs she debated how she was going to start this conversation without ensuring an argument like the last time. 25 years old and Athena still sucked at being an adult but after everything she had been through it was normal for her to be more sensitive than other people.
Three years had passed and Pauline still didn't understand how Jack or Joker whatever his name was could do this to her baby, his wife, the woman he supposedly loved and vowed to protect.

Finally reaching Athena's room she hesitantly knocked on the door.
"Athena can I come in sweetheart?" She called out while gathering her bearings.
"Yeah of course mom!" Athena called out breathlessly.
Opening the door she caught sight of her daughter jumping up and down on her overly packed suitcase.

"Having trouble?" Pauline laughed walking over towards the bed.

"Mom can you help me please?! I've been struggling to close this piece of crap for the last hour!" Athena exclaimed still bouncing up and down frantically.
"Of course! Now hold still numpty!" Pauline demanded making Athena pout but do as she ordered.
Reaching around Pauline quickly zipped up the suitcase, shaking her head at how easy it was.
"There you go!" She smiled patting the flustered brunettes cheek.
"Thanks mom!" Athena grinned jumping down and hauling the case off the bed with a soft grunt.

"Athena can we talk?" Pauline spoke up after a few moments of silence.
"Mom is this about me going back to Gotham?" Athena sighed raising her hand to rub her temple.
This conversation always led to the biggest arguments between the pair which greatly upset her because she loved her mom and just wanted her to understand her reasons for doing what she was about to do.
"I'm not here to fight, please just sit down dear" Pauline smiled taking a seat on the bed and gently gesturing Athena to follow.
Nodding her head Athena took a seat next to her mom and stared into the walls.
"I don't want you to go!"
"I know mom"
"It's dangerous Athena!"
" I know mom!"

"No I don't think you do Athena! Your life is at stake! For crying out loud you spent a year in the hospital recovering after trying to jump from a roof because of him. Jack warned you that if you came back you would die! Is that what you want?! Do you want him to tear you apart once more? You can't go back, you'll fall apart again! There's too many bad memories there Athena, you won't be able to cope!" Pauline exclaimed with tears in her eyes.

"Joker warned me mom. That monster isn't Jack anymore! I know how dangerous this is and I know my death is a probability but I have to go. Ashley is getting married and I promised I'd be there mom. This is important to her and I will not let that clown ruin it! You underestimate me mom, I can cope! I'm stronger than ever, nothing and I mean nothing could break me like that again." Athena smiled grabbing her mother's hand reassuringly.

"Athena please! What if something happens?! The thought is unbearable" Pauline sniffles squeezing her daughters delicate hand.
"Mom I'll only be gone for two weeks and then I'll be on the next plane home I promise! If I lay low he won't have a clue that I'm there. It's only for the wedding and then I'm gone" Athena cooed like she was talking to an upset newborn.
"You better ring me every hour on the dot!" Pauline sobbed pulling Athena into her arms.
"I promise mom! Don't worry all will be well" Athena giggled before kissing her moms cheek.

"I suppose one good thing will come out of it. You'll be able to catch up with Erin!" Pauline smiled but it slowly faded as her daughters face twisted in anger.
"I have nothing to say to her!" Athena spat.
"Athena" Pauline sighed sadly.
"No mom! Three years, Three years! Not once has she called or even messaged to say hello or ask how I was. For all she knows I could be dead in a ditch! Best friend HA! Don't make me laugh! As far as I'm concerned she's now a stranger and I have nothing to say to her. I will remain polite on for Ashley but if she thinks things can go back to the way they were then she's got another thing coming!" Athena ranted with a bitter taste in her mouth.

"Ok honey it's your life, I can't change your mind" Pauline sighed.
"We better get downstairs, my taxi will be arriving shortly" Athena pointed out standing up from the bed and grabbing her suitcase.
"This soon! Well let's go then" Pauline whispered putting a brace smile on her face and walking towards the door.
Athena followed on, her head low in guilt.
She felt bad that she was putting her mom through this but it was something she needed to do. Not just for Ashley but to conquer and face up to her fears. Athena needed to bury the past and she could only do it in Gotham.

Athena waited in the living room with her parents for a while until a loud beep came from outside.
"I guess this is it!" She said standing up and facing her parents.
Jumping up from her seat Pauline latched onto her daughter like she was the only source of oxygen.
"Please be careful honey, I love you!" She cried kissing Athena cheek.
"I will mom, I love you too" Athena whispered before pulling away and turning to face her dad.
'If he gives you any trouble you tell me and I'll snap his scrawny little neck" her dad sneered darkly.
"Of course dad, I love you!" Athena giggled reaching up and kissing his cheek.
"I love you too, now go and have fun!" He smiled patting her head.
Smiling back Athena grabbed her suitcase and made her way to the front door.

Once outside she turned back to her parents.
"I'll see you in two weeks, I love you!" Athena grinned.
"We love you too!" Her parents smiled trying their best to cover the worry they internally felt.
Turning around Athena headed down the garden path to the taxi where the driver greeted her and took her luggage. Thanking him she climbed into the taxi and looked at the window.
As the driver took off she waved at her parents until they were out of sight. Leaning back Athena let out a sigh.
"Gotham here I come"