Prologue:
February 19th, 2016
Sydney sat in her father's lap as he told the story of the Mortal War again. On how they fought against the evil Valentine Morgenstern. Sydney looked up at her father with her mother's curious green eyes.
"Daddy, why was Valentine so evil?" She asked.
Jace ran a hand through his daughter's matching golden blond hair like his. "Some say he was born that way, some say he was made."
"But do you know Daddy? Do you know why?"
Jace took a deep breath, talking about his adoptive father wasn't always the easiest for him, but as he saw his daughter's curiosity to know more he told her. "His father was killed by werewolves, and I think he just snapped. Maybe in a way he was created and not born, but I don't think a person like that could be made. I feel he was born evil as well."
Syd rested her head against Jace's chest. He always loved talking to his daughter, the curiosity to know more about things reminded him of himself at points. He always talked about the Mortal War, but never the Dark War. She wasn't old enough or quite ready to understand why Nephilim fought Nephilim.
Jace felt something jump on his back. A familiar face with red hair and gold eyes. Sydney's twin brother Cade. Sydney hopped out of her father's lap and ran off with her brother out into the yard. Jace watched as the Herondale children leaped around with gley he loved to see them so happy. It reminded of him when he was younger and he played with his imaginary friend that Valentine knew nothing about. A very pregnant Clary sat down next to Jace. Jace set his hand on Clary's baby bump.
"I was thinking." Clary started. "That we already have two Herondales and since there is no one to pass on the Fairchild or Morgenstern name on-"
"Why do you care about the Morgenstern name?" Jace interrupted.
"I-I don't."
"Clary." Jace looked at his wife. "It's fine that you do. I understand. Since Jonathan had his life ripped away from him, he wasn't able to pass on the family name. I understand."
"So are you okay then? With giving our new child the Morgenstern name?"
Jace studied all of Clary's features. He took her hands and held them softly in his. "He can have any name you so desire him to have. It doesn't make him any less mine."
Clary smiled at her husband and leaned her head on his shoulder. They sat in silence for awhile just watching their children play.
Sydney and Cade were playing Shadowhunter. Though they were too young to be actual Shadowhunters or train to be one doesn't mean they didn't pretend. They bashed the toy wooden swords together starting the sword play. Syd was blessed with Jace's reflexes was able to avoid Cade's attacks. Cade however was blessed with Jace's speed and was able to get Sydney off her feet, with a sweep of his leg. The six year olds were now eye to eye sword to sword.
"It ends here Morgenstern." She pretended to play as Jace.
"You'll never have me Herondale." Cade rebuttled as he played Valentine.
Now Clary and Jace never told the kids that Valentine had killed Jace, and Clary rose Jace back up from the dead with the help of Raziel. Sydney charged at her brother while he blocked the attack. Cade lifted Sydney's sword up with the flat of his wooden blade. He used the stunned time to go in for the kill, but Sydney's moved out of the way. Cade stumbled forward and Sydney went in for the kill.
Her brother faked died as She stand above him as the victor of this round. She looked over at her parents as she gave them a round of applause. She bowed with a smile on her face. Only if she knew that what was yet to come.