Lunatics (Gotham)

Reunions and Regrets

The courtroom was painfully silent as he spoke in front of the crowd. His voice; full of rage and disgust. Eyed narrowed at his kids, who sat at the bench with tears in their eyes.

The past half hour of trial had been pretty difficult for both.

Nearly thirteen years of parental abuse...

Thirteen.

A million things raced inside her mind as she stared at the man. She watched every single expression he made as he revealed his truth. There was no remorse. No guilt. That had taken her back a bit. Only a day ago, that same man was cursing Edward out for trying to take her away. He tried to drag her back into the broken home.

Today, that same man didn't exist.

It was an act. Reese knew that well. A man like her father was capable of playing a role. One to guilt trip her. To make her feel remorseful for waking out of his life. She didn't give into his tricks because she had no desire, not a single intention to forgive him. He had left scars engraved on every inch of her.

The man in front of her didn't seem to want to get better. It's obvious he had given up. Instead of feeling sadness, all Reese felt was pity.

"No, I don't feel guilt for what I did."

Those words crumbled her heart into tiny little pieces. She heard the lawyers arguing over whether it was acceptable for him to plead insanity. Her head hung low with embarrassment and disappointment.

"Do you love your kids, Mr. Nashton?"

"I regret them"

A painful whimper escaped her lips and she shut her eyes tightly. Edward frowned and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. He pulled her into his chest and rested his cheek on top of her head. Tears welled his eyes but they didn't fall as he heard his little sister struggle not to cry. His heart ached but all he could do was pull her closer to him.

His arms squeezed her softly, rocking her body to try to calm the girl. Her hands turned into fists as he clutched his jacket tightly. It was killing her inside.

"It's okay" he whispered "I'm right here, baby"

Time passes slowly in the court but a time came when the judge had finally finalized a decision. They waited.

"It has been decided that Mister Robert Nashton is guilty as charged." The lawyer stated reading off of a paper in his hands. He proceeded to read that the incarceration time would be 15 years.

Edward could not help be angered. That wasn't enough imprisonment time for his father. Then again he knew first hand, whilst working for the GCPD, that the law in Gotham wasn't the best. People were pretty darn incompetent.

"In addition, Mister Edward Nashton has been granted full custody of sixteen year old Reese Nashton"

A relieved breath left their lips. The siblings hugged each other tightly and couldn't help but smile. They could finally breathe.

That was probably the happiest day of Edward's life. He finally was able to take face of his sister the way he had always intended to do.

••▪••

A knock on her cell door sounded, waking her up from a nap. Her eyes squinted as it took her time to get used to the afternoon light. Her nose scrunched as drowsiness still washed over her.

"Nygma. Visitor"

She sighed upon hearing Nick and stood up, walking over to the door. Staggering was evident with each step she took. Her eyes met with those of the guard and the door opened. The two men faced her and they couldn't help but frown.