Chapter Four

Time Jump- Day of Trial

Clary POV:

Today was the day of the trial and the Lightwoods and Simon were all here to support me. My mother and brother however were a no show, surprise surprise. The trial started with the prosecution asking Sebastian's parents questions about me.

"So Tom, how would you describe Sebastian?"

"He was a great kid. He was smart, athletic, and sociable. He was loved by everyone he ever met."

"And the same goes for Clary? She found all of the qualities on Sebastian?"

"I think so. Sebastian never really brought her around much."

"Why is that?"

"Sebastian never brought his girlfriends around us. It was just how he was."

"And when did you find out about the pregnancy?"

"About three months after she gave birth."

"And how did you feel?"

"I felt like she wanted to keep this a secret from us."

"Why is that?"

"So she could keep the child all to herself."

"I have no further questions." My lawyer didn't have any question so he was allowed to leave the stand. Next my lawyer called up Alec."

"Mr. Lightwood, how long have you known Clary?"

"Since the beginning of the school year."

"And how did you find out about her daughter?"

"She told me, I have been raising my younger brother who is the same age as her daughter so we bonded over the connection of being a single and young parent."

"How is Clary with her daughter?"

"Amazing. You can really tell she loves that little girl more than anything."

"How do you feel about how Clary is balancing being a mother and a student at just 17?"

"Remarkable. I don't know how she does it sometimes. She is a very stubborn girl, and she likes to do everything for her daughter by herself but she also knows when to ask for help."

"So her relationship with her daughter is a good one?"

"Absolutely. They are inseparable. When Clary walks into the room where her daughter is, they both get this look on their faces like two pieces have just been reunited."

"Thank you Mr. Lightwood." Alec was allowed to get down and Simon was called up.

"Mr. Lewis, how long have you known Clary?"

"We have been friends since we were 8."

"And you recently you two fell out of contact is that correct?"

"Yes."

"And why is that?"

"Because she started dating Sebastian."

"You sound like you didn't like him."

"I hated him."

"Why is that?"

"He was a douche. He didn't care about anyone's feelings but his own. And he took advantage of Clary's innocent mind."

"By taking advantage you mean he forced himself on her?"

"No, not that way. That was consensual. I mean he saw Clary and knew she could be won over by sweetness and attention and that's exactly what he did." He looked right at me. "I've known her my whole life, she doesn't have a mean bone in her body. She takes everyone for their word and she never looks at the negative in people. She honestly believed Sebastian was a great person because of how he treated her, but it was all just an act."

"Thank you Mr. Lewis." Simon got off the stand and I was called by his parents lawyer.

"Ms. Morgenstern, how long were and Sebastian together?"

"We were together for about six months."

"And how was it?"

"It was great. He made me feel like the only girl in the world. He made me feel special and loved."

"And how did he act when you told him you were pregnant?"

"He told me that the baby couldn't possibly be his. He stormed out of my house. I curled up in a ball on the floor and cried for hours."

"How did you feel when you learned about Sebastian's death?"

"I cried even harder."

"Why?"

"He was the father of my unborn child. I knew the baby was his. And I knew maybe one day he would come around and when he did he could be apart of her life."

"Why did you move?"

"My mom lost her job and got a new one here so we moved."

"Did you think about how his parents would react?"

"Honestly no. I was bullied so much when my school found out I was pregnant and everyone started blaming me for his death. I wanted to get out of there and when my mom got a job here, it was the perfect opportunity. And it's not like they every came knocking on my door to meet her."

"But they are her grandparents."

"Yes, but she is my daughter and I was doing what I thought was best for her and me."

"But you didn't have the righ…" I immediately cut her off.

"I had every right to take my daughter to a new and better environment. I love my daughter more than anything. I would go to the ends of the earth to give her the best life possible. I may only be 17, but I am a damn good mother. I am there when she is sick, I am there when she can't sleep at night, I sing her to sleep, I I put food on her plate, I play with her, I I do everything I am suppose to do. I got to school, I watch her, and I sure as hell make sure that she knows how much she is loved by me." By the end of my speech I am crying.

"Alright, you may step down." I step down and make my way over to my seat. The judge tells us there will be a short recess and when court gets back in session there would be a verdict. We all make our way out to the hallway and I take a seat a let out a deep breath. Jace sits next to me and rubs my back. 30 minutes later the judge calls us back in and I sit waiting anxiously.

"This case is very close to home for me," the judge states. "My daughter also had a child in high school and I know how hard it can be. I see how much you love your daughter Ms. Morgenstern. I can see it when you talk, and I can see it when someone even tries to come at her. I admire your strength in hard times. I understand why you did what you did. But I wanted to make sure, so I did my own research. And I didn't like what I found." He looks at Sebastian's parents. "Your son wasn't the golden boy you described him to be. He had multiple run ins with the law and he was quite a heartbreaker to the female population. He didn't have any regard to a woman's feelings. You never met his girlfriends because he never wanted them to get too attached so when he broke up with them it was a clean break, but he didn't have that opportunity to do that with Clary because she got pregnant. He was mad enough to leave this poor girl at 15, because he thought the kid wasn't his. I have no reason to separate Ms. Morgenstern from her daughter. She had proven to be a great mother who has a good group of friends who have her and her daughters back. If Ms. Morgenstern wants to grant you permission to see her daughter, you may, but you won't get custody. Case dismissed." I nearly fell to the ground as I cried when I felt Jace's arms wrap around me. I cried into his shoulder for a couple minutes until I could control my emotions.

"You did it Clare. You did it."

"Where is Olivia? I need to see my baby."

"She's out in the hallway with Izzy." I walk out and I pick up Olivia and hug her tight and cry a little more. I got my baby girl and nothing else mattered in that moment.