Laugh Lines

Birth and Death

~And then I come to find everything's O.K.

Seen this all before but that was yesterday.

I try to make it through the messes that I've made

So I can enjoy the life here that I've made~

~Staind~

The last time Joker had been inside Gotham General, it had looked different. It was not this shining new building. The city really should be grateful that he had delivered them a clean new facility. The last one seemed older, full of the ghosts of all the people who had died there since its construction however long ago. This place was ready to be filled with new ghosts. The thought brought on a bout of giggles he had to suppress.

He had woken up from his nice nap earlier with a phone call from Ace. Apparently, his brilliant wife had rescued herself. He had gotten up and showered, he couldn't show up to the hospital with paint on his face and hands could he?

He dressed in a plain T-shirt and jeans, pulling on a hoodie even though it was mid-summer. He grabbed the things that his wife said she would need for the baby, she had packed the bag and had them ready for weeks. He loaded the car and started the quick drive to the hospital.

He parked and got out of the car, the only thing he was bringing up with him right now was her bag. It had her phone and wallet and of course, her .22. He felt better knowing she had it within reach. He had made his way up the stairs, not wanting to be locked in an elevator with random people, plus cardio was good, keeps the body strong. He pulled the door open on the fifth floor and stepped into a small waiting area. There was a row of chairs against one wall, and a set of double doors to go through. He walked over and hit the call button.

A disembodied voice answered. "Labor and delivery, can I help you?"

"I need to get to room 523, my wife is there." The door buzzed loudly and he moved inside.

"Sir, you will need these." She handed him a paper gown and mask. He put them on without argument. "She is being prepped for delivery now."

Joker's eyebrows shot up in surprise, but he nodded and moved to the hall the nurse pointed him to. Near the end was room 523. He pushed open the door and saw people moving everywhere. His eyes were only for his wife who looked a bit nervous, her small body surrounded by wires and tubes.

He moved towards her and tossed her bag on the chair that sat against the wall.

"You okay?" he asked.

She smiled. "I'm good, I got pain medicine about an hour ago. I was scared you wouldn't make it in time." She said.

He moved the mask from his face and kissed her. The relief he felt made his head spin. He pulled away and once the paper mask was back in place, he spoke.

"I cleaned up and headed this way as soon as Ace called. I grabbed the baby stuff you said you'd need, it's in the car."

"I love you." She said with a goofy smile on her face.

His eyes shot her direction, then moved back to the chaos of the room. "Yeah, well, I don't hate you." He said, watching the people move around. She laughed, the sound was amazing.

Joker was pulled out of his happy place by the doctor moving up to talk to Peach. "We need to check you again to see if we are ready to push." He explained.

Joker watched as the doc stood next to the bed, one hand on Peach's knee, as the other began to reach under the blue paper blanket. What the fuck was he checking? The doctor moved back and smiled. "We are ready, I could feel the head low, and hopefully a few pushes should do it. Are you ready?"