"Mommy! Wake up!" I awoke to the screaming of my four children.
"I am, I am!" I whispered. Miley ran into my room and jumped onto me. In result I have four kids on top of me, Miley was quickly followed by Andria, Lexie, and Jack.
"Park today?" Lexie asked, while Jack started running in circles, pretending to play football. He always had loved sports, but I could afford them. And, even if I could, I can't afford a car to take them in, and then Lexie would want to swim, Andria would do gymnastics, and Miley would join cheer again.
At one point they all did soccer, but over time it was too hard for me. They all ended up on separate teams, with different practices and games everyday. I couldn't get all of them to where they needed to be without a car, and being a waitress, along with my other job, wasn't enough to support a car.
"Yes Lexie, today we are going to the park. I'll pick out your clothes but then I need to shower. Can you guys get yourself dressed?" I asked my four, three year olds. They all nodded excited to get out of the house to go somewhere besides the neighbors or Takis.
I walk through our small 4 room apartment. My room, the kids room, the bathroom, and the split living room and kitchen. It was small, but it worked for us. Once I reached the kids room, I walked over to their dresser and opened Miley's drawer. It was probably going to be the most organized so I was relieved. I picked out her tight blue skinny jeans, a white long sleeve shirt, and a cream colored cardigan.
Miley was the more stylish one, she picked up on my style a lot, well the one I changed to after Jace and I separated. I cringe thinking his name. Almost as much as I do when the girls go crazy saying his looks are to die for to. And all I can do is think, about what else was perfect about him.
For Alex, I grab a pair of leggings and a tshirt that says 'Just keep running', that was actually Andria's, but now she grew out of it. Alex preferred more layer back clothes, she was the most like I was before I had them.
Then their was Andria who, in my opinion, had the most flawless body. Even at three years old she has already had the type of body that would be like Izzys. All of her cloths were in the closet because she preferred dresses and skirts. I quickly decided on white tights with her neon pink, flowered dress. I gave her one of Miley's white cardigans to put over it and walked over to get Jack clothes.
I decide to give him regular jeans and a black tshirt. He reminded me so much of Jace, the way he laughed, the way he dressed, even his looks took after Jace.
I looked at my kids faces. Andria had my red hair and Jaces gold eyes. Alex has Jaces golden hair and my eyes, Miley had all my features, and was basically my mini twin. Jack was an exact replica of Jace, I had seen pictures of him when he was younger, this was it in real life.
Once I saw they were all getting dressed I went to the bathroom, I start taking my clothes off and to my surprise Andria couldn't get her tights on. I heard her screaming my name but I just ignored her, I take quick showers she can wait.
The warm water flushed against my back and once I rinsed out all the shampoo and conditioner, I hopped out of the shower. Before I got to my room I stopped by the kids room, with my towel still wrapped around me.
"Help me." Andria sighed with her tights wrapped around her hand and feet.
Once I got her untangled I made sure everyone else was okay, they were so I went to get dressed.
I threw on my black, skinny jean and a pale blue tank top. I remembered we were going to the park so I put on a tan sweater over it.
"Ok, guys put your sneakers on. Except you, Andria. Put your sandals on, and Miley if you want to."
"I no wear shows."Jack said tiredly.
"Yes Jack, put your sneakers on we don't go to the park." I said. His smile drifted, as he went to put his sneakers on.
Another reason we don't go to the park often is because I get all these looks from people, since I'm younger than everyone else. It bothers me, so much. But they love going, and when they start school in two years I want them to know people.
I pull the stroller out of the closet and Miley and Jack get in first, since it only holds two people. Halfway there they will switch spots. It was our routine, everywhere we went, it was routine. When we went to Takis to when we went to the store, it was something they always did.
"Ok, Miley, Jack. It's time to switch." I said pulling the stroller to the side, but Miley was sleeping. I let her sit still and Jack gets up to walk. Alexandria sits down and I carry Andria on my hip. Once we did arrive everyone went running, except Miley who was still sound asleep.
"Come on baby, wake up. We're at the park." I said her, whilst shaking her gently. Her eyes flutter open and she quickly runs to join the others. I walk to the nearest bench and sit down with the stroller at my side.
My sketch book is sitting on my lap and I start drawing what I see, first I sketch the upper left hand corner, where a bunch of kids are on the playground. Then in the lower left corner their is a bunch of people having picnics. I look over at two people who catch my eyes, they are kissing fiercely, leaving me in disgust. Their are kids here, but whatever. I focus on their drawing more, something about it seems familiar. Then it hits me.
I stand up to move benches, before they notice me. But I'm too late. Izzy is already running to me screaming my name, while Simon just looks at her in disregard.
"Clary! Where have you been!?" She screams. I told everyone, except Simon, that I was at college and haven't seen anyone since. Everyone thought I was accepted into an extraordinary art school at 15.
"Uhm, well..." I look at Simon and he just looks at me terrified, probably of Izzy."I've been here, I like 3 blocks away."
"I thought you were at college!?" I shake my head. "So you dropped out of school?" I nod.
"I've been busy. Really busy." Simon nods trying to keep me from telling her, but I have to.
"Doing what, Clary, I've missed you!"
"Well," as if on cue, Jack runs up to me.
"Football?" He asked not minding Izzy and Simon. I shake my head.
"Wait a second, Jack. Go play a bit longer."
"Is he... Jaces?" I nod.
"So are Miley, Andria, and Alexandria." She drops her jaw.
"But you never told me! I could be teaching them how to dress! Well. We will have a but of a late start since they are, what three?" I nod.
"Izzy, my kids will not be you Barbie dolls." She pouts and actually stomps her foot.
Isabelle lightwood stomped her seven inch heel at me.
"Did you really stomp your foot.?"I laughe dat her and she pouted more.
I walk over to grab all the kids, when they see me they all run to me. I see at least 4 people look at me in disgust or whisper to another person, I shrug it off even though it really gets t me sometimes.
"Kids, I want you to meet a very good friend of mine. And you should know that she will probably use you as a Barbie doll, and it's likely she will basically live with us."
Izzy walked towards us but they ignored her instead they ran over to Simon.
"Uncle Simon!"
"Uncle?" Izzy asked. "You knew about this?" He nodded.
"Can you come over today?"
"Actually that's a great idea, then Clary can go to work!" He said winking at me. The kids don't know that I work at a strip club, and I don't plan on telling them. I will quit when they have an understanding of it. I don't particularly like working their, but I get a lot of money, and that's what I need to support four kids and myself.
"Izzy, want a job? You can work with me!" I see Simons eyes go wide.
"No. Izzy, I do not approve." Simon says.
"Uhm clary, where do you work?" She asks.
"Full time? Takis. Part time, well uhm you know where." I said eyeing the kids. One good thing about my job was the hot guys who usually didn't where shirts.
"Oh, our virgin Clary, lost her virginity and got a real job!" I nodded proud of myself.
"Mommy, I'm hungry." Andria says.
"Ok baby, we'll go to Takis, I have to work anyways." I said.
"Clary? You bring your kids to work?" I nod, they like it enough, they can sleep on the couch since I usually work the night shift.
"Well, today I'm watching them. I have to get to know my nieces."
"Well, I have the day shift at Takis so really, it's not a big deal. And Simons watching them tonight." I said trying not to force Izzy into this.
"I'm watching them, I don't care what you say. I'll be at you house at 9 to pick you up. Dress good." She said before walking back to pack her stuff up.
"Ok, babies, Izzy will be watching you guys today and Simon tonight. Is that ok?" The four of them smiled and ran to hug Izzy, causing her to step back, and learn their names.
On the walk to Takis I saw him I didn't look twice, but I would recognize home anywhere. It's the biggest regret I will ever hold. This caused me to walk faster and arrive at work early. I am in charg of 8 tables today, and I'm taking on Kaelies 6. Really it isn't that many to handle, especially during the day.
That was, until Jace walked in and sat at one of the tables I was working. Since I was the only person catering I had no choice but to serve him, or ignore him. I decide I can ignore him until my shifts over. My eyes wander to the clock... In 3 hours.
Twenty minutes pass and I still haven't gone to Jace, but he saw me and I keep catching him staring me down. But if I go over their I will feel obliged to tell him everything, even though he is famous, and kiss him. If I talk to him all I will think about is my lips on his. Similar to how my three year old daughters do. If only they knew that, one he was their father. And two that I've put more that just my lips on him.
I'm picking up somebody's coffee when Jace approaches me.
"I thought I left on good terms with you. I'm in town for the weekend, maybe we could talk? Not about a relationship, I get it that's over. But what we've been up to?" Raising four kids that you made and don't know exist, I think.
"Yeah, uh, sure but I'm usually busy." I said, "we have to plan ahead."
"Ok, well come sit down with me, we can pick a day or two, and some times." This probably will end bad.
"Well tonight I'm working her until eight o'clock. And then I'll probably leave around nine again, and get home around two." I said. "But tomorrow, I only work from 8 at night, until 1:30 in the morning." Hopefully he didn't ask about my other job.
"Ok, where's this other job. And you don't have anything tomorrow?"
"Well, I can't tell you without explaining a bunch of other things because it will feel wrong, but maybe I can tell you tomorrow? But I can't tell you a time yet, let me see what Simons doing." I regretted that as soon as I said it.
"Wait why do you need Simon?"
."I'll explain more tomorrow, but for now, I want to make sure he doesn't want to hang out." I defend myself.
Sorry if you hate me, can you watch kids tomorrow? If so what time?~Clary
I text him and wait for a response. I feel my phone buzz and immediately grab it.
Of course I don't hate you! And I'll have them all day tomorrow, Iz wants me to take them to the mall with her, wanna tag along?~ Si
I laughed and Jace gives "me a look of curiosity.
"Izzy." I say.
A"I didn't know you kept in touch. Did everyone but me?"
"Well, Simon kept in touch with Iz and I, but we didn't keep in touch until yesterday. It's a long story that I will explain tomorrow."
"What about Alec? And Magnus?" I sigh.
"Well, they adopted two little boys and moved to Florida I haven't talked to the since-" I stopped to think. He called around the kids birthday so about 7 months ago. " around seven months."
"What! What if theyre not ok? And how did you remember that? How long it was, I mean." Uhhhh.
"They're fine. And it happened wround a day that will be explained tomorrow."
"Ok, there is know way that one thing you tell me changed this much." Both of us are getting ready to leave so I finalize our conversation.
"Closer to four things."