Authors Note:

After reading all the reviews, I felt like I should answer some of your questions! Sebastian is NOT the father (He will appear later though) As for the father, he is some made up character from my head. Clary's eldest is only 8, so she got pregnant at 17, and than had Tara at 19, and the twins at 22. They weren't married, but she had nowhere else to go. Jace doesn't have a girlfriend. He has ex's that will appear in later chapters, but he is currently single. As for the chapters, I have no idea how many it will be right now. When I have a better estimate, I will let you all know! I'm so glad you like this story, and I appreciate all your wonderful reviews!

Chapter Four

Time Jump – Christmas

Jace POV:

Clary was still in a coma and the kids were still with me. Apparently Clary has no family, and I was the only one willing to keep four kids together, so they were more than welcome to stay. We actually have our routine down pretty well. Shelly, and Tara had school at 8 am, and Zack and Brad had to be at the sitter at 9, so by the time 9:30 I was in the office, and I would leave at 3:30 to pick the girls up, and than I pick up the boys and come home. When I have to work late at the office Magnus normally gets them or Izzy, and they stay with them until I get home. Everyone has been super helpful, even Alec has helped out, and I was actually really nice. On Saturday's we visit Clary, and I knew the kids were worried, and so was I. She was making no progress, and every time they would ask when she would wake up, and I didn't have a definite answer for them, and I just couldn't stand to see the disappointment on their faces.

Christmas was tomorrow and I was getting some last minute shopping done. I had gotten the kids each 15 gifts each, and I got the biggest Christmas tree I had ever gotten, and the house smelled like pine tree, and Christmas cookies. I loved having them around, and even though the circumstances sucked, I'm glad I got this time with them. I got up super early to make the kids breakfast. After about an hour I heard footsteps coming down the stairs and when I turned around I was greeted with four pairs of eyes.

"Good morning." I said and they all smiled.

"Morning!"

"Merry Christmas!" Zack shouted and I smiled.

"One more day buddy." I said and he shrugged and took a seat.

"Are we visiting mommy on Christmas Jace?" Tara asked and set the pancakes down in front of them.

"Of course. We're going to go over and open presents with her." I said and they all good really excited.

"We get presents?" Brad shouted and I smiled.

"Of course."

"We never got presents before." They said and I couldn't help but feel sad.

"Why not?"

"Mom never had enough money." Shelly started. "Before the twins were born we lived in New Mexico with my dad. He said we didn't deserve presents."

"Tara, Zack, and Brad can you go get changed, we're going out to lunch with Izzy and Alec today." They nod and leave which leaves Shelly and I.

"How bad did it get when you were younger?" I asked and she looked down.

"I know my mom was young when she had me, and that her and my dad stayed together because she had nowhere else to go."

"Where are your grandparents?"

"Died when my mom was 12. She went into the system, and when she met my dad, he took her in."

"Where is your father?" I ask and she sighed.

"Dead."

"What happened?"

"She killed him." She said and my jaw dropped. "Can I go get changed now?"

"Of course." I said and she hopped off the stool and went upstairs. I couldn't believe what she just told me. An 8 year old shouldn't have to know any of that. She should be coloring a picture of a happy family, and running around in the yard, and blowing bubbles, not helping take care of her siblings while Clary works her ass off to give them a meal. Spending these two weeks with these kids really gives me a new perspective on life. I never thought that I would ever want this life. I thought I would be a bachelor forever. I was content with my life, and I was okay with who I was, and I was fine with never finding someone who I would settle down with, but after looking after these kids, I couldn't picture my life without them. When they were done getting changed we piled in the car and made our way to the restaurant. Izzy and Alec were already there and they greeted the kids with a hug. We sat down and waited for the waitress to take our order.

"Welcome to China Jade, can I start you off with something to drink?" She said as she eyed me up.

"Coffee for the adults and, what would you kids like?"

"I want soda!" Zack shouted.

"I don't think your mom would like that very much." I said and he sank back into his chair.

"Can I have apple juice?" Tara asked and she nodded.

"Can I have orange juice?" Shelly asked and she nodded again.

"Zack, Brad, what would you like?"

"Do you have chocolate milk?" Brad asked and Zack's eyes lit up.

"Yes we do."

"I'll have that!" Zack and Brad said in unison. She laughed and walked away. She came back rather quickly and set down the drinks.

"You have beautiful kids." She said and I smiled.

"They take after their mother." I said and she smiled at walked away. Lunch went by great, and when we got home they all went into the living room to watch a movie. I was excited for tomorrow, and for the first time in my life, I was truly happy at where I was. The only thing that would make it better, would be if Clary woke up.

Time Jump – The Next Day

Jace POV:

It was Christmas an di was sound asleep when I heard my door burst open, and than I had four people on top of me. I opened my eyes to see Shelly, Tara, Zack, and Brad all smiling like crazy on my bed.

"Good morning." I said and they laughed.

"Merry Christmas!" Zack shouted and I smiled.

"Merry Christmas. You ready for today?" They all nodded and I laughed. "Go grab the presents you got for your mom, and get changed. We'll have breakfast, and than we'll go to the hospital." They all nodded and jumped off my bed. I got up, got changed, and went downstairs to start breakfast. The kids were down moments later bouncing up and down. I knew they were excited, you could see it all over their faces. Once breakfast was over, we got in the car and headed towards the hospital.

I had all their presents there already, and when we walked in they nearly screamed. They ran over to the fake Christmas tree and started looking for their names. I grabbed all their girls and put them under the mini tree we got for Clary. Izzy, and Alec, and Magnus all showed up an hour later and we sat down and watched them open all their gifts. The pure joy that was on their faces was amazing. These kids have had a tough couple weeks, and to see them this happy, even if it is for a moment, was totally worth it.

Dinner time rolled around and I figured it was time to leave for the day. Maryse and Robert were hosting Christmas dinner, and they invited me and the kids. I think Max and Shelly would get along, since they are the same age, and being around more than just me was probably going to be a good thing for them.

"Alright kids. It's time to go." I said and they all got up. "Let's say goodbye to your mother." They all walked over to me, and I picked up Shelly. She gave Clary a kiss on the forehead and I put her down. Once all the kids gave Clary a kiss we left.

We got to Maryse and Robert's and the kids immediately ran into the other room to watch whatever movie Max was watching. I followed Maryse and Robert into the kitchen. It was quiet for a moment before Maryse broke it.

"How are they?" She asked.

"As good as they can be I think. I know they are sad and worried, but they cover it up pretty well."

"Have they contacted any immediate family?"

"I talked to Shelly yesterday about that."

"She's only 8 Jace, I doubt she knows much."

"She knew enough."

"What does that mean?"

"I asked about her grandparents. They died before she was born, and I asked about her father, and he's dead too. She literally has nobody, and neither do they."

"That's horrible." Robert said and I nodded. "Well, I'm glad they could have a Christmas with us. They deserve it."

"They deserve the world." I said and Maryse and Robert smiled. I left the kitchen and went into the living room to join them. I sat on the couch and Tara immediately climbed on my lap. It had really become her thing. Whenever we sat somewhere she was always stationed in my lap, and I actually really loved it. She curled up and rested her head on my chest and I took a deep breath and sat back. There wasn't a day that went by that I didn't pray that Clary would wake up. These kids don't deserve to live without her.