☆ For as long as he could remember, he was always alone. Never truly having anyone. Then he ran into her under the street light at the dead of night☆
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It was a late night, nearly dawn. Most of the street was empty in downtown Gotham. Those who were out this late took great risk in running into thugs or other misfortunes. Then again, there were some who really didn't care about what happened to them. Arthur was one of these people. He didn't see much living for. His job, his mother, his purpose.. all slipped through his fingers. All gone. At this point, Arthur had nothing left to live for. He had no life to begin with. He was like a walking husk, not really there. Even the world around him already accepted that he wasn't really there. They never noticed him. Never cared to even glance at him. Who would miss him?
Arthur walked down the dimly lit street, his breath visible by the cool, moist air. It had just rained and now was lightly sprinkling. Just his luck. His dark locks dripped over his shoulder, his hair hanging in his face. He was cold, especially due to his thin frame but of course, that didn't really bother him. Nothing really bothered him. Not anymore. If he was correct, he had a pistol in his room. It was calling to him, aching for him to put the barrel to his temple. It was a tempting though, one he was considering.
Was he really one to think of suicide?
What other choice did he have? He was basically nothing already. No job. No family. Barely any money to cover his medication. Speaking of which.. he hadn't been taking it for a few days. Oh yeah.. that's why Penny.. the pillow.
Arthur shook his head and buried his hands in his pockets. He really shouldn't think about that too much. Every time he thought about Penny he felt a chuckle escape his throat. He shouldn't try to bring more attention to himself than he already did when an episode happened. People stare at him like a freak, daring to ask what the hell he thinks is so funny. Then most of the time Arthur found himself bleeding shortly after.
Was there really no hope in humanity?
"You look like hell.."
Arthur peered up to where he heard a voice. He noticed a feminine figure leaning against a flickering street light, cigarette in hand and a smirk on her scarlet lips. Arthur looked her up and down, noticing her provocative choice in clothing. Even in this whether, she was at a greater risk of catching something.
Ah, she was a prostitute.
"I just got back.." He gave a slightly smirk, a little effort put into it. The whore chuckled, pulling a pack of cigarettes from her jacket and offering him one.
"You look like you could use one." She winked at him. Arthur thought about blowing her off and going home to flirt with death some more but something stopped him.
It had been the first time someone talked to him in weeks. Someone who talked to him willingly. At least she found his joke funny.
Arthur nodded, taking one of the cigarettes and letting her light it for him. He thanked her, taking a drag from the bud. The prostitute leaned against the post once more, taking a deep breath of the fresh rained air. Arthur looked around the empty street. It just seemed to be them.
"Slow night?" He asked, gazing at the woman. She rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"You wouldn't believe it." The smoke dropped from her plump lips. "Ever since the murders in the subway happened.. people don't go out at night."
"Oh.. yeah." Arthur's gaze fell to the pavement.
How could he forget?
"What do you think about them? I mean.. do you think what happened was right?" Arthur looked back up to see the whore's expression. She seemed unfazed by his question and he could see why.
Why the hell would she care?
"Ethics don't really exist in Gotham anymore..I'm not saying that clown is a hero.. but I'm not saying he's a villain either.." She took another drag. "He's just human."
"Human..." Arthur scoffed, running a hand through his wet hair. "Yeah.."
At least she had a neutral opinion on him.
"So.. how much do you charge?" He suddenly asked, taking the prostitute off guard for a moment. She quickly covered her shock with a smirk.
"Usually fifty per hour.. but.." She looked him up and down. "I'll give you half off, just cause you look like you need a break." She flicked her finished cigarette to the ground and snuffed it out with her boot. She made her way over to Arthur and rubbed a hand on his chest. "You live near by?" He nodded. "Promise you won't murder me?"
He seemed to give a genuine chuckle at that. Thank God she had a sense of humor.
"I would never want to hurt a beautiful creature like you." He said, reaching up and caressing her arm. She was cold to touch, at first making him ponder if she was real. Then he realized that she must have been freezing out here.
"Lead the way, kitten."
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Arthur opened the door to his apartment, gesturing for her to walk in first. She thanked him for holding the door for him and walked in. She kept her guard up just in case of anything but seemed to feel welcome in the flat. Once she heard the door close and lock she turned to face Arthur. He seemed like a zombie, functioning slowly without an conscious. She had seen these kind of men before.
Shortly after paying for her services, they usually blew their brains all over the bedroom walls.
Sometimes with her still in bed.
She had seen a lot of sad men end their demise, renting her to have one more night of passionless love before ending their pathetic lives. And sadly it seemed like Arthur would be one of them. However, unlike those men, she saw it in his eyes. He still had passion for life, whether he believed it or not. He hadn't completely given up. She could tell that maybe this was his way of calling out for help, to see if there was still something left for him. It was sad but she had seen it before.
"So, kitten. Is this your first time?" She asked, crossing her arms. Arthur looked at her, a bit embarrassed. He bashfully nodded, shifting his stance. The whore chuckled and walked over to him. She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck. Arthur melted into her touch, it being so long since he had felt someone's touch, especially a woman's. "There's nothing to be ashamed of, we all started off as virgins at one point." She leaned up and pecked his lips. "You just wanted to save yourself for someone special." She smiled, batting her lashes at him. "I'm glad I can be that special someone."
Arthur leaned down and kissed her softly, the desire to be loved overwhelming him.Her lips were warm, welcoming him. It was real. He never thought he would be sharing his first kiss with a girl of the night. He must have been really desperate. The woman groaned in the kiss, pressing her body against his. Arthur wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer. He always imagined himself losing his virginity to a woman he loved; like a wife or something. Not to some stranger. Christ, he didn't even know her name. Did he need to?
"Shall we take this to the bedroom?" She asked, her lipstick smudged a bit. Arthur nodded, grabbed her hand and leading her to his late mother's room. The woman looked around the house as he led her through it, noticing how the wallpaper and most of the furniture was rather... feminine. A woman must have lived here. Not a wife. He had admitted to being a virgin. Perhaps his mother. She didn't see anyone else in the house. The mother must not be here anymore. It would explain the sadness in Arthur's eyes. He's in mourning.
Arthur closed the bedroom door behind him and slipped of his soaked jacket, letting it fall to the floor. The prostitute smirked, slipping off her own jacket. Arthur noticed her curved frame, her wet clothes clinging to her. The cool air of the bedroom grazed her skin with goosebumps. He was eager to get her in bed and warm her up. He made his way to her and kissed her again, scooting her closer to the bed. She let out a blissful sigh when he layed her down on the cozy comforter. He crawled on top of her and let his hand run up and down her shivering body.
"God, you're beautiful." He muttered, leaning down and kissing her bare shoulders. She hummed, reaching up to caress his face. He leaned into her hand, kissing her palm.
He wasn't going to just have sex with this woman. He was going to make his fist and last time really matter. He was going to make passionate love to her. To the only human being on earth that acknowledged his existence.
They shared a kiss. Then another. And then another.
She could say that she was amused to how gentle he was with her. She half expected him to what to get straight to the point and lose his virginity before ending his life. Would he grab that pistol she noticed on the nightstand and shoot him with her still in his arms? Would he do it before they were even finished? It would make getting her pay easier. Like before, there would be no one to stop her from taking all that left in his wallet. Not like he would be using it.
"Kitten, you're so good with your hands." She sighed a moan, feeling his touch tracing her curves. She leaned up, earning herself another kiss from him. From the way he treated her, she could tell he was a man who was timid and not very experienced with women. She pondered how he would be in bed. If she needed to, she would go as slow as he wanted.
She could at least do that for him in his last moments.
"I'm sorry if I'm not that good.." Arthur said, unbuttoning his shirt. The woman underneath his furrowed her brows and shook her head.
"Don't be sorry, kitten. This is your first time.. just take it as slow as you'd like."
"Can you.. tell me you love me?"
The question rung out softly, followed by a groan of thunder from outside. It seemed like the storm was starting back up again. The woman stared up at Arthur for a moment. She hadn't received a request like that before. Men didn't ask for her love. They asked for her time and body. Nothing more from her.
She could do that for him.
"Yes, kitten. I can do that." She smiled, helping him slip his shirt off of him. She studied his thin frame, being able to see every definition of his bones and muscle. It ached her to see such a sweet man in such pain. "Sweet little kitten.."My adoring kitten." Her hands ghosted his chest, afraid that if she touched him he would crumble. Arthur sat up, reaching down and tugging at her short dress. She sat up and let him unzip the back of it. He slowly pulled her dress off of her, realizing that she didn't have any undergarments on. He would have been shy about it if he hadn't already known what the woman anatomy looked like due to pornography. The thing that did catch his eye were the strange scars on her hips and abdomen.
Stretch marks.
He dare ask if she had children. It could be an explanation to why she worked on the streets. Not just for herself but for her children. To think that she literally had to sell her backside in order to take care of her family ached his heart. It never crossed his mind that maybe she was a victim too. Countless men being her children's fathers. What a terrible thing to think about.
"Do you have kids?" He blurted out suddenly, quickly silencing himself. He hadn't meant to ask that so suddenly. The woman seemed to be taken back by his question. There was hint of sadness in her eyes. Arthur instantly felt regret for asking. She quickly covered up the sorrowed look with a smirk and shrugged.
"None that are living.." She said, leaning in and kissing him. Try as she might, the thought would linger in his head.
She didn't have anyone either.
"Let's not worry about me." She pulled him from his thoughts, lightly pushing him onto his back. She crawled onto him, unbuckling his belt and undoing his pants. Arthur felt his groin throb with need. It had always been him touching himself, never touched by another. Not willing at least. "My, my, kitten. You've got quite the package." She teased, pulling his pants off of him, along with his underwear. Arthur shuttered at the cold air, his length springing free from the constructing pants. The whore moaned at the sight of his large length, excitement causing her to moisten. She leaned down and kissed the tip of his cock. Arthur took in a sharp inhale when she made contact with his sex.
"Fuck." He groaned, looking down to watch her plump lips rub against him, the red lipstick smearing a bit. "I need you.."
"I love you." The woman stated, remembering his request. She eased herself down onto him, the head of his dick pressing at her folds. Arthur tensed, gazing up at her with a glazed over look. She moaned, sitting her hips down, taking him fully in. Arthur cried out, taking a hold of her hips.
"J-Jesus Fuck!" He panted, overwhelmed with pleasure. The woman chuckled, rocking back and forth, adjusting and getting comfortable.
"Doesn't that feel good, kitten? Like a nice, warm hug?" She leaned over him, pressing her lips to his. Arthur groaned, enjoying the feeling of her around his hard length. He could stay like this forever.
"Yes!" He tilted his head back, feeling as though his eyes would roll back into his skull. This was way better than his right hand.
"You just relax while I take good care of you." She whispered to him, sitting up and beginning to move her hips at a steady rhythm. Arthur felt like he could cum at any moment. He would need to hold on, cherishing this moment, just for a little longer.
"Goddamn." He huffed, his eyes roaming her body. Her breasts bounced with each movement. He couldn't help himself. He reached up and caressed her breasts, massaging and groping them. He loved the noises she made while he did so. "Fuck, mommy."
"Is that what you want to call me? Mommy?" The woman smirked, bucking her hips at him. Arthur grunted, nodding rapidly as he played with her bosoms. "Mommy loves you, sweetheart."
"Arthur." He moaned. "T-That's my name- Fuck!" She was hitting all the right places, his pleasure building and building.
"Do you like it when I take your whole cock in me, Arthur?"
"Yes, very much." He watched as she bounced on his dick, watching his shaft disappear every time she came down on him. It made him ready to burst each time. "Mommy!"
"Not just yet, sweetheart." The woman stopped bucking, sliding himself out of her, much to Arthur's displeasure. His throbbing shift was missing the comfort of her warm, welcoming pussy. "Do you have protection?" She asked. Arthur sat dazed for a moment before nodding his head. Yeah, he believed he had some lying around. Arthur turned to the nightstand and opened the drawer. The whore peeked in to notice a few prescription bottles and pistol boxes holding ammo.
Mental illness. That explained it.
Arthur searched through the drawer, finally stumbling upon and small box of condoms. Just his luck. He didn't remember purchasing them but they were sealed closed, never used. He opened the box and grabbed one of the wrappers. He wondered for a moment; should he even look at the expiration date just in case? However he quickly pushed the thought away, eager to get back to love making. He pulled the wrapper open with his teeth and sat up on his knees, sliding the condom on. The woman smirked and layed on her back.
"Take me, Arthur. I need you inside me." She sighed a moan, opening her legs for him. Arthur, feeling an animalistic instinct take over him, crawled between her legs and slammed his hips into her. Anything to feel her around him. She cried out, clinging onto him as he began thrusting in and out of her. The condom sure did take away from of the pleasure that he had felt before, when she was fucking him raw. "Oh Arthur! yes! Just like that, baby!"
"Jesus, you're so fucking tight!" Arthur grunted, taking a hold of the headboard and pounding her harder. He watched as her breasts bounced and her expression melt into a sense of euphoria. She was hitting cloud nine. "Tell me you love me."
"Oh I love you, Arthur! I love it when you fuck me like this!" She had to admit, his sudden change in behavior excited her. He started off as a timid man who craved her touch, now he was a starving animal that needed to breed her. "You're so good, Arthur! The best I've ever had!" Was she being a little over dramatic about it? Maybe but was she lying? No.
"Fuck, you're mine! This tight cunt is mine!" He took a hold on her thigh, raising it to where her knee was against her chest. She cried out as he repeatedly slam into her cervix. Did it hurt? Yes but the pain didn't quite bother her. Not anymore.
Her body changed after her first child.
"Oh Fuck! God, Arthur I Love You!" She practically screamed. Arthur grunted, digging his nails into her thigh as he let himself roll over the edge and ejaculate.
"Fuck, Mommy!" His cock throbbed, cumming inside the constricted latex, not realizing that the intense movement cause the already weakened material to tear.
Arthur fell into the woman, heavily panting. She gave an exhausted chuckle, brushing his hair out of his face. She gently rubbed his back and hummed in delight. She hoped his first time was one to remember. Arthur sighed and rolled over onto his back beside her. He took a moment to catch his breath. The woman snuggled up to him, laying her head on his chest. She felt his arm wrap around her, holding her close. Arthur didn't realize that she was doing this to make him comfortable. if she had learned anything from past experiences, it was best for her to do this. That way it wasn't so hard for the man to pull the trigger.
He would die with a beautiful woman holding him. Loving him as he went.
And she was right.
Arthur let out a shaken sigh, reaching over and grabbing the pistol. She closed her eyes and traced random patterns on his chest. She didn't want to watch him do it. She didn't want him to do it at all. From what she could tell he had a lot of problems; mentally, physically and emotionally. He was a broken man but did he really have to do this. She head him cock the gun and point the barrel against the underside of his chin. It would be quick. The pain would stop. She would hear a ringing in her ears for a while but he wouldn't be in any pain.
Arthur closed his eyes, a faint smile on his face. He would go out happily.
He tightened his grip on the trigger. Someone stopped him. He felt the warmth of her hand against his, tugging at him to pull the gun away. He gazed down at her. He could see the tears in her tears. She shook her head.
"No more.." She simply said, her eyes begging him to put the pistol down. Arthur furrowed his brows.
Why did she care?
Arthur let her bring his hand away, allowed her to take the pistol from him and setting it back down on the nightstand. She turned her attention back to him, brushing her hand against his cheek.
"Did you want them?" He asked her, his mind lingering back to what she said.
None that are living.
"I don't know." She gazed down, laying her head on his chest again. Arthur reached up and held her hand that sat on his chest. He squeezed it softly. "I know that I didn't want them dead.. but I couldn't.. I couldn't keep them. They would have hated me."
"Why do you think they would hate you. You're their mother." Arthur leaned down, kissing her head.
It appeared he wasn't the only one that needed comfort.
"They would of had to live on the streets.. living among the garbage and filth that is Gotham.. while other children get to live under a roof and live happily..I couldn't give them that.." There was a hiccup of emotions spouting from her voice. She was crying. "I couldn't even give them a peaceful death." She began to sob, clinging onto Arthur. Arthur held her close, brushing her hair and cooing to her.
"You did what you had to.."
"No.. I didn't have to do it.." She shook her head. "I-I didn't have to do it.. I wanted to.. I wanted their pain to stop.." She slowly sat up, bringing the sheet to cover her nude body. Arthur sat up with her. She stared at him, warm tears running down her cheek. He could see the torment she carried behind her gaze. She had demons of her own she was trying to beat. "I had to do it.. for them.. I had to put just enough pressure.. for them to stop squirming.."
Arthur felt himself grow uneasy. The realization that she wasn't talking about an appointment.
She wasn't talking about abortion.
Arthur felt himself cover his mouth in shock, his gaze never breathing from her. She sobbed into the sheets.
"I-I see.." He didn't realize he was shaking. He sat before a broken woman who took the life of her own child so that they would not bare her sins. "Listen.." He reached over and bought her shaking form back to him, holding her. "I know what it's like to uh.. take a life.."
The prostitute hiccuped, wiping her face with her arm and looking up at Arthur. He was trying to make her feel better, which she at least appreciated, even if it wasn't working. He was trying.
"Y-You do?" She asked. Arthur nodded.
"I uh.. you know the subway murders.." He didn't know why he was confessing this to her. She was a whore on the street that was about to be covered in his brain matter moments ago. Maybe in a way, he knew she felt the same way he did.
Alone.
"That was you?" The woman asked, not in the least bit cautious or nervous by his confession.
"Yeah.. I'm uh.. the killer clown they're all talking about." He peered down for a bit, ready to handle her rejection and he fleeing his flat. However, he heard her chuckle instead. He looked up to see her wiping her tears and laughing.
"I don't know why I feel like I can tell you anything.." She scoffed, smiling at him with red, puffy eyes. "It feels like I've known you for years.." She admitted, reaching over and holding his hand. Arthur smiled. A genuine one.
"I feel like I've know you for years too.."
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She declined his money, stating that he didn't owe her anything. Arthur insisted however, assuring her that she needed it more than him. She was afraid that if she left the apartment he would take that pistol and put himself out of misery with her gone. He said that if it made her feel better that she could take the gun with her. She did. They came to an agreement that they would like to see each other again. She told him that he knew where to find her. Under the street light. He kept that in mind.
He wanted to see her again, real soon.
As bad as it sounded, he felt like she was the only thing to fill the emptiness in his life. He was desperate but she made him happy. Truly happy. Pathetic, isn't it? That he had to find love in payment for a escort. That he had to pay someone to take his virginity. That he would gladly spend what was left of his money on a whore. He didn't care. It wasn't like he was trying to impress anyone. Not like they noticed him. No, it was just her. She didn't run. She didn't shun him once he told her about his crimes. She wasn't so perfect either but like she said, 'she's human'.
He never saw her after that night.
He would stand by her street light, waiting for her.
She never came.
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Arthur sat on his couch and looked at a blank screen. Another boring day. He hardly knew that a year went by like nothing. A self employed clown that got away with murder, living in the same flat all his life and had still yet to kill himself. What a joke.
He was able to run himself a small business as a party clown; of course with some major adjustments such as a change in costume. He invested in a bright red suit.. one that reminded him of her lips. So red, so ravishing. He kept his standard makeup, some changed here and there and instead of the old itchy wig he would temporary color his hair green for his acts. It wasn't much but he was able to keep his home.
It was just him.
Arthur didn't mind much. Occasionally he would rent a hooker in order to fill the emptiness inside him but it wasn't like it was before. Not like it was with her. He would always remember their night together. When he stumbled upon her on a rainy night and brought her home. She didn't just take his virginity that night. She might as well have taken his heart as well.
He couldn't stop thinking about her.
What happened to her?
There was a knock at the door.
Arthur gazed at his apartment door, pondering if he should even bother. However, he could hear a faint wailing just outside. Was there a kid outside? Arthur got up from the couch and walked over to the door. Yeah, he could hear it more clearly now. It was a child crying. Confused, he peeked through the double sided hole.
He must have been dreaming.
There she was, on his door step.
Arthur unlocked the door and opened it.
"You.." Was all he could muster. He was shocked to find her here. She looked stressed, tired.. not as vibrant since the last time he saw her.
"Hey, Arthur.." She weakly smiled at him.
"Hey, uh.."
He didn't even know her name.
She stood before him, a very young child in her arms. A wailing baby that looked not even half a year old. Maybe even a few months. Arthur looked at the child and then at her, realization hitting him.
"Oh shit.. Is that.. mine?"
"Yeah..."
"Come in, by all means.." He opened the door further, gesturing for her in come in. She thanked him, walking in. He closed the door and peered at the screaming baby in her arms. "So uh.. that explains why you've been gone.."
"I know.. I know." The woman gave a sigh, running a hand through her hair as she tried comforting her child. "Not many men want to rent a pregnant whore.. not that attractive, ya know." She chuckled, cradling the new born. Arthur nervously rubbed the back of his neck.
"Um.. why didn't you just come to me when you found out.."
"Because.. well.. at first I wasn't sure.. but due to the whole.. slow nights and you were the last one to sleep with me." She groaned, her headache coming in waves now. "What ever brand of condom you used.. they suck.."
"Here.. do you want me to uh.. hold them?" He awkwardly gestured to the child.
It was his child after all. At least that's what the whore was implying. For all he knew, she was lying or didn't really know.
"Yes please.." She sighed, walking over to Arthur and handing him their child. Arthur took the baby and gently cradled them. "If you're.. unsure we can always do a DNA test I just.. I knew you would be understanding-"
"Don't worry about it.." Arthur stated, flashing her a smile. He was just glad she she came back. "Here, let's go sit on the couch. You look exhausted." He brought a hand to her back, leading her to the living room. She looked around the apartment.
It hadn't changed since she was last here. It was like she never left.
She sat on the couch. Arthur tended to the child by pacing around the living room while the woman took a deep breath.
He got it. He really did. He understood how she felt.
"So uh.. is it a boy or girl?"
"A boy."
"What's his name?" He asked, making goofy faces at the baby. It seemed to somewhat work but the child still whined for attention.
"I uh.." The woman started, nervously shifting in her seat. Arthur looked at her confused. Apparently that was not the question he should have asked. She was visibly upset. "I didn't name him.."
"H-How old is he?"
"About two months.."
"Jesus, why didn't you come to me sooner? If you were so certain I was the father than you could have come to me.."
"I didn't think you wanted him.." The woman stated. Arthur furrowed his brows. "I mean, Jesus Arthur.. last time we met you were planning on putting a bullet in your skull.. you didn't seem like you needed the stress of a child and I didn't think.." She went for silent for a moment, he voice cracking.
"Didn't think what."
"I didn't think they would make it.." The tears started to form. "I tried to stop it.. I tried to miscar-" She couldn't bring herself to say it. She covered her mouth and looked away, ashamed to be called the child's mother. Arthur felt his chest grow heavy.
How scared and alone she must have felt during all that time. Carrying his child, birthing him alone.. She didn't know what else to do. All she knew was that the child would be miserable and that only death would put them at peace. He hated to think that she tried to cause the child harm. His child.
Arthur glanced down at the baby boy. The boy was restless, bothered by the lack of aid. He had been screaming for a long time it looked, his cheeks rosy and voice starting to weaken. Arthur could see it in the child's green eyes. It was his baby boy. He had his eyes. Arthur instantly felt that parental instinct take over, something the woman before had yet to feel. Perhaps she never grew attached to her children and that's why she did what she did. Or perhaps she did feel it and that's why she thought taking them out of the cruel world was better for them. Because she loved them and knew they would find comfort in death. Arthur cooed at the baby, rocking him back and forth.
"When was the last time you fed him?" He asked, gazing back at the woman. She was dabbing her tears away, regaining control over her emotions.
"This morning. I-I don't know what else to do.. he just keeps crying and I don't know what to do, Arthur.." She looked up at him. "That's why I came here.. to uh.. well I think he'd be much happier with you.."
"You were just gonna leave him here?" Arthur walked over and sat beside her. She shamefully nodded, looking away. "Abandoning him wouldn't make him happy. Believe me.. I know what that's like.." Arthur offered her to take the child back. "And uh.. it's past noon.. that's why he's crying.. he's hungry."
Arthur was amazed how she didn't accidentally starve the child to death.
"See? You know what to do.. he'd be much happier with you." She took the child back and tended to him by breastfeeding. The screaming immediately stopped. They both sighed in relief.
"He doesn't have to be with just one of us.." Arthur scooted closer and wrapped an arm around her. The woman looked down at her son, a small smile forming on her lips. Arthur reached over and caressed his son's head, that warm feeling in his chest returning.
His son.
His baby boy.
He was a father.
"He deserves both parents.. we owe him that much.." Arthur didn't realize that he had tears running down his cheeks. "We might not have much.." He looked at the mother of his child, seeing the tender look in her eyes as she gazed down at their baby. She could learn to be a good mother. She just needed guidance. "but we can give it our all so that he is happy.."
"Arthur.." She gazed at him, unsure what to say next.
"He saved me." Arthur stated, his vision clouded. "You saved me that night.. You stopped me and now.. I have a purpose. I have something to look forward to everyday.. I have a reason to be here now. For you. For him." Arthur stood up, a jolt of excitement coursing through him. He hopped up, a spring in his step. "I had never been happy in my entire fucking life until you.. I held on every day in hopes that I'd see you again... instead you come here.. with him and now it's life I have found a reason to live. I found happiness.." In a sudden burst of confidence he dropped to one knee and grabbed her hand. "Marry me."
"W-What!" The woman let out a surprised chuckle, gazing down at Arthur. This was all so sudden.
"I'll work harder. You can stop having to selling yourself. You can stay here with the baby. I'll work as much as I can to provide for you. Doesn't that sound easier than trying to provide for him on your own?"
"I-I don't know what to say, Arthur.." She was stunned.
But it sounded so lovely.
"Say yes.." Arthur smiled, squeezing her hand. She let out a delighted hum, nodding her head. "Yeah?"
"Yeah!"
Arthur sprung to his feet, overjoyed.
Not only did he gain a son but a wife as well.
"Mrs. Fleck.." Arthur sat beside her and embraced her. He chuckled to himself. "Um... I never did catch your name.." They both laughed at this. The woman leaned over and kissed Arthur's cheek.
"It's _____." She trailed her kisses up to his ear, nibbling on it. "But you can always call me mommy."