Growing Up Ed Nygma 3 - A change of heart

Chapter 1

         He's changing... He apologized and hasn't had alcohol in days. I'm not as afraid of him as I was anymore... But he abused me and that can never change. I can never let him influence me, even is he seems like a different man.

         I remind myself as I hear Mr. Kringle and my father talking inside. I'm still comforting Kristen outside, and my mom as well as hers are on either side of us. I finally convince them that everything is okay and that we'd talk to them about it later, so they go inside and I hear my parents talking and cleaning up from dinner. "Kristen... Do you want to spend the night here?" I ask her as she's clearly still shaken; I completely understand what she's going through so I thought it would be a good idea to be in her company for the night. She nods " Okay, let's go ask." I say standing up extending my hand which she takes, Coco going inside with us. I walk over to them all in the kitchen and ask "Mr. Kringle, Mrs. Kringle? Kristen and I were wondering if she could stay the night" I ask hesitantly "Is that okay mom?" I ask my mom after, as they can all clearly see the state that Kristen is in " of course Eddie Bear." My mom says sweetly as Mrs. Kringle nods " Of course Eddie " she says "Thank you so much. I smile as I take Kristen's hand, Once the Kringles leave and we finish cleaning up, we get upstairs "Can I borrow your pajamas ?" she asks. "Of course my love." I give her my shirt and pajama bottoms " Thank you." She says when she leaves the room to go change . I change into my second set of pajamas and go to brush my teeth, Kristen had already been on her way back to my room when my mom called her into her room " Kristen,can I talk to you?" she asked, Kristen nodded and went in the room to which my mom closed the door. I finish washing up and go over to the door to hear what they're talking about:

" Come sit down." My mom says, I can only assume Kristen sits down on her bed with her

"What is it, Mrs. Nygma?" Kristen asks

"You can tell me what happened on the porch, I've dealt with it with Edward since he was Six...."

"I... I hear voices like Edward does. When my mom mentioned Arkham Asylum.... I panicked. I know my voices are like your sons and I'm scared I have the same disorder." Kristen said shakily, I wanted to come in but I knew better.

"Kristen.....I don't know if Ed told you but he's going to Arkham for help...I could see if you can come with us" My mom says. I've never heard this news before, so It takes everything in my power not to barge in, but I try put my emotions aside to listen to their conversation

"I.. I'll be okay Mrs. Nygma.." Kristen lies

" Kristen. It would make it much easier on Edward.....please." my mom says

It goes silent for a moment, "Can you talk to my mom about this? I'm afraid to." Kristen says, now accepting the fact that she needs help

" Of course, I'll call her right away" my mom says, I hear them hug and then I hear footsteps come to the door; I quickly go back into my room

        Kristen walks in my room" you okay?" I ask "Yeah I'm... Fine. It's just y-your mom knows about me." she says. I nod "I heard Kristen... I also heard my mom talk about.. Arkham." I say worriedly as I sit on the bed. Kristen nods then asks " Where am I sleeping?" My parents had forgotten to set up an air mattress for Kristen, I don't even know if we have one....were they expecting her to sleep on the floor? The couch even? "Maybe just.. Here?" I ask gesturing beside me "sure....." Kristen says getting in the bed with me. I get up to turn the light off and then come back, pulling the blanket over us both "Kristen, I'm sorry you have to go through all of this. I don't know why the universe chose us out of all people.." I say looking up at the ceiling "Me neither Edward...but I'm glad we're together to help each other." She says snuggling into my side, putting her head and her left arm over my chest " I love you Edward. Goodnight." Kristen says quietly, closing her eyes. "I love you too Kristen." I say lightly kissing the top of her head. I can faintly hear my mom on the phone in the other room with who I assume to be Mrs. Kringle, but I'm too exhausted to eavesdrop on another conversation. Kristen and I both drift off to sleep.