The heart of the joker

Chapter 21

Once I got to my old flat I knocked on the door, Ash opened it with a smile, 

"Hey! how are you?"

"..I need to talk to you"

"whats wrong? come in"

she let me in and we sat on the sofa together. She goes to grab my hand but I move it, 

"you've lied to me"

"what no-"

"just listen, okay?"she nods, "you and Bruce, you've both lied to me. I remember what really happened that night, Bruce was the one who tried to attack me, Joker was trying to save me"

"Bruce was only trying to make you see you were with someone bad! trying to help you!"Ash cried, 

"by forcing himself onto me? hitting me round the head and chaining me up in the basement"

Her face didn't change as I spoke, I gasped, 

"you knew..didn't you..you knew everything that happened..."

"Bruce is better for you..money, status..everything.."

"were you ever going to tell me the truth?"

she just looked down, 

"you weren't..what a friend you are..you pulled me away from the man I love and stuck me with someone I hate."

"please..just leave the joker behind..he's left you..Bruce loves you"

"he may love me but I don't love him. I'm calling the wedding off."

"if thats what you want.."she sighs, "im going to get a drink, do you want one?"

"just a glass of water please"

she nods and seconds later shes back. I take a sip of the water and suddenly everything goes blurry and fuzzy, 

"Ash what have you done?"

"im so sorry..but this is better for you..."

then I black out.

I blink my eyes open and I look around. I'm in my old room. Slowly I sit up and see my wedding dress hanging up on the door. Then Ash bursts through, 

"morning!!"

"what happened last night?"

"you got fairly drunk at the hendo"she chuckles, 

I can't remember anything from last night, Ash pulls up and pushes me into the bathroom, 

"freshen up!"

After having a shower a make up artist and hair stylist show up and do their jobs. Looking in the mirror I smiled, 

"I love it"

My fringe was slicked back by a flower crown and I had red lipstick and a simple winged eyeliner

the women smile and leave. Finally Ash helps me into my wedding dress. The dress had sleeves but it sat on the sides of my shoulders with a V neck style top in lace, the sleeves were thin material, the middle of the dress looked like a band, finally the dressed flowed down, only a little bit of shape to it. It was simple but beautiful.

I added some jewelry and my shows were white, flat ballerinas, as I can't walk in heels to save my life. Ash stood back, looking at me. Her hand came up to cover her mouth, 

"you look stunning.."

"thank you.."

then there was a beeping out side. "thats our ride"

I nod and take a deep breath. Me and Ash step outside to see an old style, cream coloured, convertible, decorated with ribbon and flowers. Laughing we got in the back, heading to the church.

We get there and my breath is taken, this is really happening. We go through a back entrance so I'm not seen yet, 

"I'm just going to freshen up quickly"I say to Ash, 

She grins and nods. Walking into the bathroom I wet my hands and lightly dab my forehead, not messing any of the make up, up. Suddenly theres a pain in my head for a few seconds then its gone. Memories of yesterday flood through my mind,

"..Ash drugged me.."

My heart started beating, I can't do this.I have to...Bruce is better anyway..right?

"Ryder?"Ash calls, 

"Yeah, I'm coming"

I walk out and I take Ash's arm, she is going to be the one to give me away because my parents are dead. She walked me up the isle as the traditonal music was played. Bruce smiled and took my hand once I got to him, I forced a smile onto my face. The Priest clears his throat lightly, 

"We gather here to unite these two people in marriage."Looking at Bruce he then says, "Do you Bruce Wayne pledge to share you life openly with Ryder Samson, and 

to speak the truth in love? Do you promise to honor and tenderly
care for her, cherish and encourage her, stand
with her, through sorrows and joys, hardships and triumphs for all
the days of your lives?"

Looking at me with a big smile he says, "I do"

the Priest nods and turns to me, "Do you Bruce Wayne pledge to share you life openly with Ryder Samson, andto speak the truth in love? Do you promise to honor and tenderly 

care for her, cherish and encourage her, stand
with her, through sorrows and joys, hardships and triumphs for all
the days of your life?"

Bruce looks at me and smiles, "I do"

The Priest then turns to me, "Do you Ryder Samson pledge to share your life openly with Bruce Wayne, and to speak the truth in love? Do you promise to honor and tenderly care for him, cherish and encourage him, stand with him, through sorrows and joys, hardships and triumphs for all the days of your life?"

Swallowing quickly, I felt everyone looking at me, 

"I..I.."