It's a Herondale family fic - in TWO parts this time! Oooh~. (It didn't have to be, but I like it better this way. :P) Thank you to depthsofthemind for requesting and inspiring me to write this; I hope you like it.
Post-CP2. Spoilers if you haven't read the epilogue. Fluffy family reunions.
Lucie Herondale loves her father's stories, especially the one about a brave, blue-eyed girl who fights monsters. To her knowledge, there's only one version, but a surprising visit from someone proves that that is not the case.
Disclaimer: I do not own TID, as Cassandra Clare has that honor.
Lucie Herondale was impatient. Her father had not told her a bedtime story yet, as he had promised earlier that night. This family ritual was normally given to her mother, Tessa, but she was nursing James back to health and would not leave his room. James was still feverish from staying out in the pouring rain with his cousins for too long, even when their mother had called him to come inside and dry off at least five times. Lucie fidgeted, eager for her father to take her in his lap, her favorite seat in the whole world. There, she would listen with her full attention and wide eyes as he shared tales of enchanted princesses and gallant knights. But he was late this time; Lucie was already in her nightgown and had drawn the covers up to her waist, the best position to be in, just in case she fell asleep partway through the tale. What was taking her father so long? He would have to be punished.
Footsteps outside in the hallway made Lucie's heart beat with excitement; she recognized the steady pattern of steps her father's feet made. Lucie had a brilliant idea; she ducked under the covers when Will knocked on her bedroom door.
"Lucie?" Will's voice called from the other side.
Giggling loudly, Lucie said nothing as the door opened and in stepped Will, still wearing his vest and thick boots. He had come home from his trip later than expected. Glancing around for his little girl, he chuckled to himself when he saw a little mound covered in sheets and thick blankets on his daughter's bed. So, she wanted to play; he would entertain her.
"By the Angel, I wonder where Lucie is. I must say she is an excellent hider, a very useful skill to have as the greatest little Shadowhunter in all of Britain." Will declared in his theatre voice. He strolled around her room in large steps, loud enough for Lucie to know exactly where he was. She could not suppress her laughter; she loved it when her father changed tones for different characters when he was telling stories or playing with her.
Will stopped on the right side of her bed and knelt down to look under it.
"I got you!" Will said, but then loudly let out a sigh of defeat when he saw nothing but darkness and cobwebs. Lucie took her chance. With a war cry loud enough to earn her a scolding from her mother, she flung the covers off and pounced onto her father's back. Will gave a cry of surprise and began to laugh, his sound joining his daughter's in filling the room. Having experience in girls flinging themselves at him (though they were never this tiny or with twin braids in their hair), Will expertly guided a flailing Lucie into his strong arms. Though she tried to squirm free, she squealed with delight. When their laughing subsided, Will kissed Lucie's cheek. He set her down on the bed, grinning as he repeated "I found you."
Lucie grinned back. "No, I found you because I'm the best Shadowhunter in all of Britain!"
"Yes, you are, Lucie. And one of the bravest girls I know." Will sat down next to Lucie, who had already settled under the covers again, although they were a bit messy looking.
"Tell me a bedtime story, Dad! A new one!"
"What do you want to hear about tonight?"
"A brave girl who fights monsters," Lucie answered immediately.
"Like you?" Will asked, his blue eyes shining.
"Like me." Lucie echoed back.
Will thought for a moment, hesitant to begin immediately. It was a simple request. Lucie had asked for more extravagant ones before, ones that even with the help of Tessa did not satisfy Lucie's imagination completely. There was one story he knew that matched what Lucie wanted perfectly, but that tale did not have the same happy ending she was used to hearing. But Lucie's look of eagerness expelled any doubts Will had of telling her a different tale. He would, however, change the ending. The last thing he wanted to do was give her night terrors of dying siblings, especially since James was still bed-ridden and ill.
Taking a deep breath, Will began Lucie's bedtime story.
"Once upon a time, there was a little boy who lived with his parents and two sisters. With her dark blue eyes and thick black curls, the boy's elder sister was one of the bravest girls he knew..."
A/N: There's fanart of Will with James and Tessa with Lucie. Now, I want to see Will with Lucie and Tessa with James. Can someone make this happen please? And how about the Lightwood children? When do we get to see what all of Gabriel and Gideon's kids look like? I love all reviews, large or small, so feel free to drop one!