Summary: Clary works at a department store, and has for years. Everyday was the same, and Clary didn't mind it, until one day, something unexpected happened, and created a friendship with a little girl, and something more with her father.

Snippet One – Mine Too

Jace and Clary

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Clary was at work like she is every day, and it was time for their daily morning meeting. It took place somewhere in the store, but the location changed all the time. Today they were in section where they sold books. There was a good amount of people in this morning meeting, and Clary was paying minimal attention when she felt someone pull on her leg, confused, Clary looked down, and there stood a little girl.

"Do you like this?" She asked as she held up a small teddy bear.

"Celine." Clary heard someone whisper yell, but it was pointless at that point, the meeting had been interrupted.

"It's okay." Clary assured him as she kneeled down. "I really like it sweetie." Clary told her honestly.

"I wanna get it for my mommy." She said as she looked at the bear.

"I think your mommy will love it." Clary said to her.

"I hope so." She said. "She's in Heaven." She said and Clary's heart broke, and she heard the low gasp her colleagues all gave.

"You wanna know something?" Clary asked and she nodded. "My mommy is in Heaven too."

"Really?" She asked, and Clary nodded. "Do you miss her?"

"Every single minute of every single day." Clary said truthfully.

"I miss my mommy too." She said. "She was the best."

"I bet she was." Clary smiled.

"Does it make you cry? That she isn't here anymore?" She asked me. Kids always asked the most profound questions.

"Of course." Clary said. "What about you?"

"Yea." She said sadly.

"It's okay to cry." Clary told her.

"Kids at school make fun of me because I cry." She said as she looked down. Clary put her finger under her chin and lifted so her eyes met her own.

"Kids can be mean." Clary said and the little girl nodded in agreement. "But you know what I always tell myself?" She asked and Celine shook her head. "I always tell myself that if they were in my position, they would be crying too."

"Does it help?" She asked curiously.

"It does." Clary said. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around her neck and hugged Clary. Clary couldn't help but hug her back and smile.

She walked back to her father, and Clary stood back up. The whole circle of employees looked stunned at the interaction that just took place. Clary assumed it would be kinda confusing, considering she never told anyone about her personal life. It was quiet for a little too long, before someone tapped Clary on the shoulder. She turned around, and there stood a customer who needed some help, so Clary stepped away from the awkward tension that was building, to help her out.

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The conversation that Celine just had with the employee was something Jace was incomplete shock over. Celine was always super friendly, and her going up to a random person to ask their opinion wasn't abnormal, but the conversation she just had, was abnormal, and Jace was scared she would make the employee uncomfortable, but they had a very nice, and healthy conversation about something morbid, and he couldn't believe it.

The only thing Jace could do was go up to the manager (the man who was talking when Celine interrupted) and thank him for his employee being so kind, and open to talking about their personal struggles.

"I'm really sorry that we interrupted your meeting." Jace began when he made his way up to the manager. "But I just wanted to thank you for having such a kind and caring employee that my daughter found comfort in."

"Clary is one of our most genuine and compassionate employees." The manager said. "I'm glad that she was able to comfort your daughter in a time where I can only imagine is a hard one."

"Thank you." Jace said before taking Celine's hand in his own. They started walking away from the group to get what they really came into the store for, when the bumped into Clary once again.

"I'm so sorry." She said before looking up.

"It's okay, I was hoping we would bump into each other again." Jace said honestly.

"Really?" Clary asked, surprised.

"I just wanted to thank you, for what you said to Celine, and taking your time to do that for her." Jace explained.

"It was my pleasure." Clary smiled. Jace knew this was going to be sudden, but he had no idea when he would ever see her again.

"Can I take you out? As a thank you." Jace blurted out, and Clary's eyes nearly popped out of her head.

"That's not necessary." Clary said, completely taken aback by his question.

"I promise I'm not a creep." Jace said and Clary laughed. "But I would like to take you out." This was very unorthodox for Clary, but at the end of the day, if it wasn't a great date, they didn't have to see each other again.

"Okay. When were you thinking?" Clary finally asked, and Jace was thrilled.

"My sister is taking Celine for the weekend, how about Saturday night?" Jace asked her.

"I'm free Saturday." Clary said, happy that Saturday's were her scheduled days off.

"Great." Jace said as he dug around in his pocket and pulled out his business card. "This is my number, please don't be afraid to use it." He smiled and so did Clary.

"Daddy, I'm hungry." Celine said and Jace looked down at his daughter.

"Okay, why don't we buy the teddy bear, go give it to mommy, and get some food. Does that sound good?" He asked and she nodded enthusiastically. "Well, it was a pleasure to meet you Clary."

"You as well." Clary smiled.

Jace took Celine's hand in his and they walked away. Celine giggled, turned around and waved goodbye to Clary, who gladly waved back. When they were out of sight, Clary looked down at the business card.

She definitely wasn't going to be afraid to use this number.

End.