Clary's POV
I close my eyes pretending that I hadn't just told him everything. Jace was always the one person I could be completely honest with, I guess that never really went away. I open my eyes again and Jace looks like he's about to explode.
"When did you find out?" He asks through his teeth.
"The same night you told me you were leaving" I choke back tears and hold Gray tight against me.
His eyes slam shut and his closes into a tight fist. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"I couldn't" tears start streaming down my face, "you were getting everything you had ever wanted. A baby would have just ruined everything"
"Clary I would have stayed" he raises his voice as all the muscles in his body tense, "I would have stayed because this is my child too"
"Shh" I point to Gray who is still fast asleep, "please don't yell"
"I'm not yelling" he whispers realizing he had yelled before. He takes a moment to take a deep breath and relax. "You should have told me, Clary"
"I couldn't do that to you" I know what I did was wrong, but everything happened so hecticly.
"So instead you just decide to never tell me?" He asks raising an eyebrow.
"It wasn't supposed to get this far" I explain, "I was going to tell you before he was born, but then your career took off and your face was all over the country". I stop and look down at Gray for a second, "I didn't know what to do". That wasn't the whole story, but he didn't need to know all the details. I know he wants to yell, to fight, to get all his frustration out, but he's doing his best to stay calm.
"What's his name?" He slightly derails the conversation.
"Grayson" I sigh, "Grayson Jonathan Herondale"
He remains quiet with his face in his hands. This is going to change everything, but I have to think of what is best for Gray.
"Look Jace" I start, "I understand if you want to forget this ever happened, but if you want to get to know him that's alright with me too"
"Forget this ever happened" he shakes his head, "are you crazy? I am not my father. I obviously want to get to know him."
"How long are you here for?" I try thinking of ways to make this work which makes my head hurt.
"I have a show here this weekend" he stars and I know where he's going with this.
"But then you go back on tour, right?" I finish his thought and he looks surprised.
"How'd you know that?"
"Did you think I had completely forgotten about you?" I smile, "I still follow Rogue Kingdom, and Gray really loves your music. I always imagine it's because deep down he knew it was you". He smiles back.
"My tour is done in a week though" he sighs, "maybe I could come here when it's over"
"I think that's a good idea" I agree, my arms sore from carrying Gray for so long.
We just stare at each other for a good 20 seconds which would usually be awkward, but not with Jace. He's older, I can clearly see that on his face, but his eyes I can see he's still the sweet innocent 17 year old boy I fell in love with. I shift trying to balance Gray's weight.
"Can I hold him?" He stretches his arms out.
"Ahh..." I think for a second. He's fast asleep, I guess it would be alright, "yeah"
He reaches down and takes him out of my arms. Gray shifts for a second, but then he makes himself comfortable in Jace's arms. I never thought I'd see this.
"I'll go see if your shirts dry" I go to the bathroom and leave him for a moment to take it all in. The shirt is dry, but I still take a few minutes to get back. I stand in the back looking without him knowing.
"Hey little man" He pressed his cheek close to Gray's head and whispers, "It's me, your dad". No matter if the news keeps saying Jace is a drunk and a womanizer, he really hasn't changed one bit. "I know I haven't been around" he takes a deep breath, "but I promise I'll be here for you from now on". I smile to myself before walking towards him to give him his shirt and take Gray back.
We exchange phone numbers, before heading out now that the rain has cleared up. We say goodbye and part ways. As I am putting Gray into his car seat I hear Jace calling my name.
"Clary, wait!" I turn around and see him running towards me, "wait"
"What is it Jace?" I ask confused.
"The concert's this Saturday at 5 in the evening" he points out. "Please come" he pleads, "please?"
I get a sudden flashback to that night in the garage. I always regretted not seeing him off. I can't make that mistake twice, but things are different now.
"Jace I can't" I shake my head, "I don't have anyone to watch Gray"
"Bring him" he insists and I frown, "you said he like our music. You just have to show up and I'll get you in"
"Yeah but..." I begin to say
"Please Clary" he begs, "promise me you'll come"
I take a deep breath and think it all over again. I can't leave him hanging again, "ok, I'll be there".
"Great" he smiles, "I'll see you then". He turns around and runs off before the rain hits again.
I stare at him until I can't see him anymore. This is going to be interesting.
Jace's POV
I take the long way back to the hotel after convincing Clary to come to the concert. I don't care it's still drizzling out, I have to clear my mind before going back into the hotel room with the guys. Is this really happening? After a while, it starts raining heavily again and I have to go up.
I walk into the room and the guys cheer and heckle once they see me. I look over for a second and wave hello, but keep walking through the suite and into my own room. They were all sitting around the living room with some girls I didn't recognize, drinking. Eric was extremely drunk from the way he looked, Declan had a girl clinging to him like a monkey, Gage was passed out on one of the couches, and Alec was messing with Eric. There were also a couple of other girls out there, including Isabelle, Alec's sister, who was joining us for the final week of the tour. Out of all the guys on the band, Alec is the one who I know the best. We've been friends since before I can remember and his parents always treated me like their son when my parents weren't around for me.
I close the door behind me, but it immediately opens up again when Alec comes into the room.
"What's up man?" He asks as I change into dry clothes.
"Nothing" I lie
"Then let's go" he urged me, "there's this girl out there who's been dying to meet the great Jace Herondale".
"I really don't feel like partying tonight" I pull a clean shirt on.
"Oh come on Jace" he insists and it pisses me off.
"I said I don't want to go" I burst out a little louder than I should have. I sit down on the bed and bury my face in my hands.
"What's taking you guys so long?" Izzy come in cheerily, but her mood changes when she sees me, "what's wrong? and don't say nothing!".
"I...umm..." I stutter building up the courage to admit it, "I ran into Clary today".
Their eyes grow in surprise and they both take a step forwards.
"Clary?" Alec asks the obvious, "as in Clary the one you were going to marry in High School Clary?"
"Obviously" Izzy slaps his arm.
"Look man" Alec begins again, "I know she was your first love and all, but Clary is part of your past. You can't just go back and fall in love with her all over again".
"I can't just forget about her again?" I shake my head afraid to explain why.
"That is not your life anymore" Alec tries to convince me.
"She has a son" I say seeing if they catch on.
"Wow!" Izzy looks down, "Clary with a baby"
"Yeah" I laugh to myself, "but that's not all of it". I take a breath. I haven't even been able to process this yet. "She has a four year old son" I admit and I can see it in their faces that they realize where this is going, "my son..."