The Beast Within

Chapter Thirty-Two: Make Every Second Count

Jerome rolled over and looked at his wife who was sleeping peacefully next to him, he gently caressed her cheek and saw the corner of her mouth twitch and he smirked, he pounced on top of her causing her to giggle, he laid between her legs and grinned "you little faker" she playfully rolled her eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck loosely "you woke me up.. don't blame me" "nice try" she grinned at him and he kissed her lips lightly "okay.. so maybe I like it when you do cute things when you think I'm asleep.. sue me" he gripped her waist and quickly flipped them so she was straddling him.

They were currently staying at Ed and Oswald's for a week after their honeymoon, the kids said they weren't ready to leave so Jerome decided to take a little more time off, they only arrived late last night and they hadn't seen the kids in two weeks, the door to the room they were staying in flew open and in ran two small red headed children and both parents smiled brightly "mommy, daddy!" they said excited and they lifted their kids onto the bed "awh.. hello my darlings" Nyssa said kissing their cheeks as they cuddled her "hey! where's my love?" Jerome complained and the kids giggled and jumped onto him snuggling him "I missed you daddy!" Crimson said and he kissed her head "I missed you more daddy!" Jason said and Nyssa playfully rolled her eyes "guess I know who the favorite is" Jerome grinned "jealous?" she lightly slapped his chest and kissed Jason then Crimson's cheeks.

There was a small knock on the door "good morning newly weds" Oswald said as Ed followed him in, Nyssa beamed brightly and jumped out of bed and hugged them tightly "I've missed you guys so much!" "sorry we didn't see you in last night.. it was quite late" "no problem pengy.. we got around the place just fine" Jerome said lifting Jason into his lap "I know the place isn't as exquisite as the houses in Gotham.. but it's comfortable" Oswald said humbly and Nyssa giggled "it's beautiful Ozzy" she went to hug him but suddenly stopped when her mouth suddenly went dry "Nyss.. are you okay?" Ed asked, she took a deep breath trying to hold off "mhm.. I'm just fi-" before she could finish her stomach twisted and she ran to the toilet.

Jerome felt his annoyance grow with the situation and he rolled his eyes in a pissed off manner that made Oswald and Ed raise their eyebrows, Jerome threw the covers off him and went to Nyssa's suitcase and grabbed her toothbrush and toothpaste then handed it to her, Oswald stood shocked and Ed stood with his mouth open "Nyssa will explain it later" Jerome said with annoyance laced in his tone and quickly left the room leaving Ed and Oswald confused and baffled.

Jerome sat outside with a cigarette in between his lips, he knew it wasn't the baby or Nyssa's fault, but he couldn't help but be pissed off and mad with the situation, his wife was carrying not only another man's child, but his twin brother's, he hated it, he didn't hate his wife or the baby and he'd treat it as his own, but he was still mad, he heard the chair next to him scooch and a body sat beside him, they reached their hand out and he handed them his packet of smokes and they lit one "didn't expect you to smoke, rid" Ed chuckled "how else am I supposed to deal with married life?" Jerome laugh scoffed "tell me about it.. I'm not even a month into my marriage and shit's going wrong" Ed gave him a sympathetic look "Nyssa told me.. I'm sorry" Jerome tried to play it off with a cackle and a shake of his head.

"What can you do?" "this must be hard for you" Jerome shrugged and took a big draw of his smoke and blew it out "I just gotta get over it.. there's nothing else I can do.. we weren't together and I love her too much to leave her" "doesn't mean you have to like the situation" "I don't fucking like it.. you think I want to start my marriage off with my wife carrying my brother's kid? spoiler alert.. I don't" Ed nodded "who would've thought this was where we'd end up" Jerome smiled "you know rid.. if I could go back and do it all again exactly the same.. I would in a heartbeat" Ed smiled and placed his hand on Jerome's shoulder "me too.. we got it pretty good out of this life we got offered" "I got more than I deserve.. that's for sure" "you deserve to be happy Jerome.. you had a bad childhood.. but you don't not deserve an incredible woman like Nyssa.. or should I say Mrs Valeska" Jerome smiled brightly at hearing that "I still can't believe she's my wife.. it feels like some cruel joke and everything's just going to disappear any second" "then you better make every second count" the back door slid open and Jerome eyed his wife up and down and noticed her pained expression and shot to his feet "what's wrong?" she held her stomach with a terrified look "Jerome.. I'm bleeding" Ed shot up and ran to her and Jerome picked her up bridal style "rid-" "go, we can watch the kids" Jerome nodded and ran to the car and gently placed her in her seat.