Effie's loss had hit him harder than he had ever imagined that it would. Her funeral had been private, but lavish. He had made Harley attend with him since Jonathan wasn't around to console him. Though the clown wasn't his most favorite face it was still nice to know that she agreed to be there for him.
It was held in the orchard behind the stables at Arkham, and he laid her to rest beneath one of the apple trees. The orchards had always been one of Eddie's favorite places. Something about the unending rows of fruit trees instilled some form of peace within him.
A moment of comfort was rare as of late.
Strolling aimlessly down the sidewalk, Eddie shuffled. He frowned. Everything in the shop windows reminded him of his baby girl. All of the gems and trinkets, every bauble and shiny. Oh how miserable he was without his family!
Even the pirate seemed to have vanished. Edward had been growing to like Killian, he was an acceptable choice to pair with his daughter. Unlike that meddling scientist.
And if things couldn't get worse, Edward spotted a familiar crop of blonde hair from across the street. That face in the reflection of the shop window was unmistakable.
That was Annie, Tony Stark's little plaything. He remembered shooting the girl down in the street, and the moment she had dropped the car on him. That little bitch seemed to be doing just fine. A full recovery. Oh this was looking promising.
Crossing the street, Edward's long legs picked up in stride and he closed the distance between them with little effort on his part. He peered into the window, standing just behind Annie, "Looking for something special?" He purred, knowing she would remember him. How could she not?