Sorry this took me FOREVER. I'm also sorry if it sounds weird in some places, or if it doesn't make sense, but that is where I mostly struggled with this chapter...
I added clace into this chapter, and I actually added more than I intended, but I hope you like it!
Isabelle woke up to warm sunlight streaming in through the windows, and warming her skin. Simon's arm was still draped around her waist the way they had fallen asleep last night with their bodies fit together perfectly. Her back was to him, so she turned as subtly as she could, so that she was facing him. Simon stirred, but his eyes remained closed, his eyelids fluttering as he dreamed. Izzy reached up with her hand and as lightly as possible, touched his cheek, trailing her fingers along his cheekbone, down his jaw, and finally resting on top of his lips. Just as his eyes were beginning to open, she leaned forward and pressed her mouth to his, closing her eyes as he leaned into the kiss.
Izzy's stomach growled, and she smiled against Simon's lips. "It's not even nine o'clock and already I feel like I could eat an entire cake."
At this, Simon smiled and leaned his forehead against hers. "A cake?"
"Yes." Izzy moved back so that she was sitting up with her back against the headboard, and looked down at her growing stomach. "A big cake." She looked up at Simon again, who still had a huge grin on his face. "Do we have any cake?"
Simon shook his head.
Izzy leaned her head back against the wall and groaned in disappointment. "Do we at least have any frosting?"
Another headshake.
"What about ice cream? We have to have ice cream!"
Simon shrugged and then shook his head again for the third time. "No ice cream." He was still smiling through.
Isabelle glared at him. "This isn't funny, Simon." She said in a very deadly voice.
"Iz, I'll make you some breakfast. How do pancakes sound?" Simon asked hopefully. He was starting to feel a little bad.
She leaned her head back against the wall and sighed again. "No. Any food you say that isn't cake or ice cream is going to reactivate my morning sickness."
Simon reached forward and pressed his hand into hers, making her smile a little bit. "Iz, I don't think it's healthy for either you or the twins to just eat cake...for breakfast."
She looked at him with big dark eyes for a moment, and then a mischievous look crossed her face. Izzy found herself crawling towards him and straddling his waist, then she started talking to him in a seductive voice.
"I'm sure one piece won't hurt. And maybe with a scoop of ice cream. I promise I'll go back to salads after."
Simon rolled his eyes and smirked. "Iz, you may usually be able to seduce your way out of things and to get things from me, but it's not working when you're pregnant with twins. My twins. So, I'll make you toast."
"Fine." Isabelle grumbled while frowning, and then got off of him.
While Simon made toast, Izzy went to her closer and picked out a loose purple sweater to go with some tight black heaves and knee high leather boots. Before pulling her shirt over her head, Izzy looked at how much her stomach had grown since her and Simon had told her parents about the twins a week ago. Magnus was right; the twins were growing quickly. It seemed like she was bigger in the evening than she was in the morning everyday. The sweater was loose enough that it hid her bump, but Izzy didn't like the way it looked, so she changed into a tighter purple shirt that zipped up the front.
"Much better." She said to herself and smiled in the mirror.
"Isabelle!" Simon called for her in the kitchen, and she followed his voice, a disgusted look appearing on her face as the smell of toast wafted through the air. Her stomach churned with each breath, and she really did think she might throw up.
"Simon, I'm not eating that." Izzy mumbled behind her hand.
Simon rolled his eyes and then set the plate in front of her. "There are only two people in this apartment, and one of them can't eat food due to their condition."
Izzy removed her hand from her mouth and scowled at her boyfriend. "Actually, I think that one person is me."
Simon let out a short laugh and then pushed the toast closer to Izzy. "Just eat, Iz. You need to."
And idea popped into Izzy's head. "Put peanut butter on the toast." She demanded, pointing at the plate of untouched bread.
"Why?" Simon asked, cocking his brow curiously.
Isabelle leaned back in her chair and ran her hand through her long hair. "Because I just realized that peanut butter is something else that I'm craving."
Simon shrugged and then grabbed peanut butter from the fridge and started to spread it on the bread. "Don't expect me to spoil you like this after the twins are born; all of my attention will go to them."
"Oh, please, Simon." She scoffed. "You can't keep your hands off of me."
"You might actually be right about that." He said and then he came right up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Because I am just so damn attracted to you." His breath tickled her neck and she leaned into him, turning her head to the side so that she could kiss him.
The sharp ringing of someone's phone broke them apart and Simon went to answer it.
"Clary?" Pause. "Sure, hold on." Simon handed the phone to Izzy and she took it.
"Clary!" Izzy exclaimed into the phone.
"Izzy!" The other girl nearly screamed on the other line. "I'm taking you shopping today! Don't bring Simon because Alec and Magnus want to take him and Jace to the tux shop to get fitted for suits."
"The wedding is almost five months away, why do they need suits now?" Izzy asked, confused.
"Don't ask me! It's not my wedding!" Clary huffed.
"Okay, well, I'll go shopping with you. I need to get some new boots anyway." Izzy narrowed her eyes at her boots, which were scuffed and stained.
"No! We're not shopping for you! We're shopping for the twins!" Clary said it like it were the most obvious thing.
"Clary, that's not necessary. My mother probably already bought out all of the baby stores in New York last week."
"Well, I'm going to find you something." Clary said, determined. "When is your baby shower?"
Izzy smacked her forehead and laughed, completely unaware of the fact that a baby shower should happen. "I never thought about having one until you just now brought it up."
"By the Angel. Pregnant women and their minds." Clary muttered.
"I can hear you." Izzy said, teasing her.
"Okay, well, I'm going to get Maia, and we are going to throw you one!"
"Please don't throw anything at me; I'm pregnant." Izzy complained dramatically.
"Yeah, and we can all tell." Clary laughed into the phone, and before Izzy could retort something back, Clary sighed and started to say good bye. "I'll pick you up in three hours. Be ready!"
"Okay, bye." Izzy pressed the 'end' button on the phone and then handed it back to Simon. He looked questioningly at her, asking what Clary wanted. "She's taking me shopping in a few hours." Simon opened his mouth as if to add on, but Izzy pressed a finger to his lips, silencing him. "She said to not let you come with me because Alec and Magnus are taking you and Jace shopping for tuxedos."
"Aren't they not getting married for like five months?" He asked, confused.
Izzy shrugged. "That's what I asked, but whatever; Magnus and Alec can do whatever they want."
Simon nodded and then leaned down to rest his chin on her shoulder. He turned to plant a kiss on her cheek, but she turned at the same time to that their lips came together. Simon felt Izzy shake with laughter against his lips, and he pulled away smiling. "What?"
"You're so cute." She giggled, cupping his neck with her hand.
"I'm cute?" He smirked. "I thought I was sexy."
Isabelle laughed harder, leaning into Simon's chest. Her eyes grew watery as the laughing continued.
Simon's brows pulled together in confusion. "What's so funny? Am I not sexy to you?"
Izzy finally stopped laughing so much, and looked at him through her teary dark eyes. "No, you are sexy." Suddenly her eyes widened as if she just realized something. "If I call you sexy will you get me cake?"
Simon raised his eyebrows incredulously. "Will you say it genuinely? LIke you mean it?"
Izzy nodded her head.
"No."
"What?" She flipped out. "You totally had me going there!"
This time, it was Simon who laughed, but Izzy just scowled at him. However, before she could snap at him, he pointed towards the toast. "Eat the toast I made for you!"
Izzy placed her hands on her stomach and shook her head. "The twins don't want toast, they want cake, and you said you would take care of all of us."
Simon threw his hands up in the air, exasperated. "I will get you cake later."
Izzy rubbed her stomach and smiled sweetly. "When is 'later'?"
Simon rolled his eyes. "I don't know, Iz. Maybe after the twins are born."
Izzy groaned. "SIMON."
"I think you should eat your toast and then take a nap because you must be tired; you are acting so crazy.
"It's the hormones!" She exclaimed. "I'm not crazy, the twins are."
"You mean Simon One and Simon Two." Simon smirked at Izzy and then moved away from her so that he could go sit down on the couch in the living room. Izzy grabbed her plate of toast and followed him.
"We're not naming the boys Simon One and Simon Two." She stated plainly. Her stomach churned at the thought of consuming the toast, but at the same time, it told her that she was hungry and needed to eat, so she picked up one piece and put it in her mouth. The peanut butter would have been good if it wasn't on the toast, but the bread nearly made her gag.
"Well, what do you want to name them?" Simon asked, pulling her towards him. He put one arm around her shoulders so that his hand could hold hers right over her heart, and his other hand went right over the babies. Izzy gave up on the piece of toast and placed her other hand over his.
"Something that's not too common, but also not something that nobody has ever heard of." Izzy said. She traced little patterns on the back of Simon's hand with her finger, and she felt him shake it a little bit as if it was tickling him. "I like Liam and Kaden."
Simon ran his fingers through her hair and draped it over one of her shoulders. "I like those names." He commented, moving his hand in small circles across her stomach.
"I think they like them too; they're moving a lot." Izzy sighed, her lips curving up into a sleepy smile. "I'm tired." She mumbled.
"What about Max-you just woke up!" Simon exclaimed.
Izzy shook her head and frowned. "Maybe Max for a middle name but not for a first name." Her eyes started getting watery but she continued talking in a strong, solid voice.
Simon just looked at her, furrowing his brows in concern. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just might throw up." She replied. Her hand covered her mouth as her stomach lurched and she gagged.
"Woah there." Simon was about to place a hand on her back and lead her to the bathroom, but she was already on her way, her hair flying behind her as she hurried back to the kitchen. Apparently the bathroom was too far away.
Simon started to get up, but Izzy held a hand up to stop him from where she was bent over the sink.
"I'm fine." Her voice was strained, and it sounded like maybe she was crying. "Seriously, don't come over here."
Simon stood up anyway, but instead of going over to Izzy, he went to the cabinet and pulled out a paper towel that she could wipe her mouth on. When he closed the cabinet, she was still leaning over the sink with her eyes closed. Simon pulled loose strands of hair away from her now sweaty face and patted her back.
"Please, don't touch me." Isabelle snapped.
Simon pulled away from her, hurt, but hiding it on his face.
Izzy finally finished and splashed cold water on her face, sighing as the substance cooled her hot skin. She took the paper towel from Simon and wiped her mouth and face with it then looked at him, guilt washing over her.
"I'm sorry." She whispered. Her hands covered her face as her back hit the counter, and Simon appeared right by her as the tears started.
"Why are you crying? What's wrong?" He pulled her into his arms and held her to him as she sobbed, her tears soaking his shirt.
"I can't do it. I can't be a mom; what was I thinking? I'm seventeen!" She sank to the floor into Simon's lap and he held her with her arms wrapped around his neck and her cheek rested on his chest. Finally, her tears stopped and she was just sniffling, her eyes red and puffy.
"Iz, you're not in this by yourself; I'm here for you, and so are our families." Simon kissed her temple when she started to cry again. "It's okay, we're going to be fine. You and I are going to be great parents and Liam and Kaden will be the best things that ever happened to us."
Izzy stopped crying and pressed the heels of her palms to her eyes. When she removed then, her eyes were shining, but the tears were gone. "Do you really think so?"
Simon nodded, kissing her cheek. "You are probably the strongest person I have ever met, and when you believe in something, you don't quit until you get it. You are going to be an incredible mother because you care so much for those you love and I can already see how my much you love the boys right now."
Some small tears slipped out of her eyes and Simon quickly wiped them away, pushing loose hair out if her eyes in the process.
"What are you thinking?" He asked.
"I'm thinking that I am the luckiest girl in the world to have a boyfriend who is still so nice and thoughtful even though I am being the biggest bitch." Izzy laughed softly and before Simon could respond, she kissed him, smiling against his lips.
"I love you."
"Oh, shit! Simon, I'm sorry, I just threw up." She covered her mouth with both of her hands, but Simon pulled them away.
"I don't care." He said and kissed her on the mouth.
...
"I can't believe Simon's going to be a dad. It feels like just yesterday we were listening to Eric's awful poetry in Java Jones." Clary was sitting on the windowsill in Jace's room with her sketchbook balanced on her knees. The sky was cloudy and the pale light was shining through the window on Clary, lighting up her already firey red hair.
Jace pulled a shirt on over his head, shaking out his damp hair. A smirk descended on his lips as he snuck across the room towards Clary and then pounced on her.
Her entire body jumped and her book went flying, hitting the window with a loud thud.
"Dammit, Jace!" She shouted, scowling. Her eyes flashed irritatedly at him, but Jace just smiled, grinning from ear to ear. "Were you trying to push me through the window?!"
"I would never hurt you Clare...Clare-Bear."
Clary bursted out laughing so hard, she had to place her hands on Jace's chest to keep from falling over onto the floor. "Clare-Bear?!" She managed to choke out.
Jace pulled grabbed her waist and pulled her towards him. Clary stopped laughing, but instead blushed and giggled. "You're so beautiful." He whispered, touching her face lightly with the tips of his fingers. He smiled again when she blushed some more; he could tell her this everyday and she'd never get used to it. And Jace knew it.
Clary's went up his arms to rest on his shoulders, and she leaned into him, resting her cheek on his chest while moving her arms around his waist.
"I can't believe I'm already going to be an uncle." Jace breathed, his breath warm on the top of her head. "I thought that maybe it would be at least ten years until any of us had a baby."
Clary looked up at him curiously, and breathed in deeply, loving the smell of him fresh out of the shower. "Are you excited? About being an uncle, I mean?"
Jace moved strands of hair behind her ear and then cupped her cheek with his hand.
"I don't know...I'm kind of nervous. The twins are boys and a lot of guys tend to not like me."
Clary laughed. "That's because you're so cocky and every girl is in love with you, guys are just jealous."
"Jealousy, huh?" Jace quirked an eyebrow at her. "I knew that would be the answer. Jealousy is always the answer."
Clary smirked and then leaned in to place a kiss on his cheek. "Make sure that you don't let any other girls look at you; I'm the only one who is allowed to be in love with you."
Jace pulled her closer to him and she felt her arms tighten around his torso. "Of course. You belong to me and I belong to you."
Clary smiled, her green eyes brightening. "I love you."
"I love you too." His lips crashed down on hers with bruising force and his fingers dug into her waist. Clary responded with a soft moan against his lips that made Jace pick her up and carry her across the room to the bed, where he laid her down and then crawled on top of her.
Clary's fingers were playing at the hem of his shirt, occasionally brushing his bare skin underneath, making Jace press closer to her. Finally, she ripped his shirt off and began running her hands along his chest, over his toned muscles. Their mouths were hot against each other's and pretty soon Clary's shirt was off too, and they were both lying in a tangled mess of limbs in only their undergarments.
"Jace..." Clary's voice was husky as he trailed kisses all over her throat and collarbones and his hands scrabbled to unclasp her bra-
"JACE HERONDALE, IF YOU DON'T GET OUT HERE RIGHT THIS SECOND, I WILL TURN YOU INTO A DUCK." Magnus's voice was loud and booming as he banged on the bedroom door.
Jace immediately backed off of Clary and started putting his clothes back on.
"Shit, I forgot we're going to get tuxes." He mumbled grumpily.
Clary sat up and started to pull her shirt over her head. "I've go to go and pick up Izzy, so I guess we'll see each other later." She got off of the bed and went over to Jace, who pulled her in for a long, passionate kiss.
"See you later." He murmured into her ear.
"Love you." Clary smiled back.
…
"Izzy, why did you have to have boys? Look at all these cute outfits for girls! All the boy clothing looks the same." Clary huffed out as she and Isabelle looked at the tiny onesies and shirts.
Isabelle laughed at Clary's words and rolled her eyes. "It's not like I got to choose, Clary. And there are such cute things for boys, what are you talking about?" Isabelle picked up a gray onesie and read the words on it before turning it to Clary. "This one's cute: 'I'm not chubby, it's all muscle.'" She read out loud.
Clary's jaw fell open and she breathed out in awe. "Omg, Izzy, you have to get that! It's so adorable!"
Izzy giggled and was about to pick out a smaller one when Clary grabbed it out of her hands and held it behind her back. "Clary!" She grabbed for it, frowning, but Clary only smirked.
"Izzy, you're not going to believe this, but I just might have found a really adorable present for the boys!" Clary cupped her mouth with her free hand and then leaned in to whisper in Isabelle's ear. "Pretend you didn't find this, and you have no idea it existed so that when you open it at the baby shower, you can act all surprised."
Isabelle's lips curved into a smile and she laughed softly at her friend's words. "You're sweet Clary; you don't have to get me anything."
Clary's eyebrows raised. "But I know you want me to, so I am." She smiled and then backed away slowly towards the cashier, still with the hand holding the onesie behind her back.
Just as Izzy was about to turn back to the shelf of clothing, a very familiar voice called out her name. "Isabelle!"
She whipped around, confusion spreading across her face until her eyes focused on a blonde girl across the store, making her way over to Izzy. Her eyes were completely blue and Izzy recognized her immediately. Kaelie.
"Hey, Kaelie! What are you doing here?" Izzy asked incredulously. The other girl was skinny as Hell; obviously not pregnant.
Kaelie's face broke into a broad smile before she replied. "I could ask you the same thing." Then she glanced down for a split second and was about to look up when her eyes caught sight of Izzy's slightly expanded stomach. "Oh, wow."
Izzy felt her cheeks burn, but she brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear and smiled back anyway. "Yeah...wow."
Kaelie snapped out of her daze and raised her eyes back to Izzy's, still seeming shocked. "I mean, I haven't seen you in a while, but I didn't think that you and Simon were...this close." She clasped her hands together and laughed nervously. Izzy noticed a blush creeping up her neck, and she looked down at her shoes for a short moment before replying.
"We're not. I mean, we are, it's just that this wasn't planned. We're not married or anything, I'm just pregnant." She stumbled nervously around for her words, and felt her face heat up yet again. A quiet awkward moment passed with both of the girls looking down before Isabelle finally cleared her throat, breaking the silence. "So, what are you doing here?"
"My friend's daughter is having her third birthday this Saturday, so I thought I would stop by here and see if there was anything she would like."
"Yes, what do three year olds want at their age? I know a thirteen year old girl would want makeup...maybe a cell phone, but a three year old?" Isabelle looked at Kaelie, questioningly.
Kaelie smirked and then laughed shortly. "The parents want you to get them clothes, but the toddler wants toys. Dear, God, Isabelle, you look so confused."
Izzy's brow furrowed in confusion, and Kaelie continued, still smiling.
"You look clueless; like you know nothing about kids."
Isabelle scowled and her hand went to her stomach instinctively. "Kaelie, what are you saying? That I'll be a bad mom?"
"No, no. Don't get all hostile on me now. I was just going to say that maybe you should get a little bit more experience before your baby is born."
Izzy's frown deepened when she thought about Max, and she looked away from Kaelie's deep blue eyes. "I got plenty of experience from being an older sister."
Kalie sighed. "That's different; Max wasn't your child, but this baby" she pointed to Izzy's stomach, "is yours."
Isabelle rolled her eyes. Her feet were starting to hurt after walking around different shops with Clary for hours, she was hungry, her head was starting to ache, and on top of all that, she was exhausted.
"Kaelie, I'm not trying to have a go at you, I'm just really tired." Izzy raised a hand to her head and then closed her eyes momentarily as her vision blurred unexpectedly.
"Isabelle, are you alright?" Kaelie placed her hand on Izzy's shoulder, concerned at the sudden paleness of her friend.
Izzy blinked and then opened her eyes. The light suddenly seemed brighter than it was before, making the dull ache in her head pound harder. "I-I'm just tired."
Kaelie's hand moved up Isabelle's arm and she felt her cheek. Her hand was cool against Izzy's cheek which was burning, and now beginning to turn splotchy red.
"You don't look okay..."
Dark spots were starting to form at the edge of Izzy's vision, and she reached out to hold on to something as the room started to spin. She was faintly aware of Clary returning and then hers and Kaelie's voices laced with concern before everything went black.
...
When Isabelle opened her eyes, she saw four pairs of eyes watching her; one was cat eyes, one was blue all over, one was bright green, and another was chocolate brown, all looking down at her with relief washing out the concern.
"Isabelle!" When she looked down, she saw that Simon's hand was pressed into hers, and that there was an IV in her forearm, that seemed to be pumping a clear liquid into her.
Izzy raises her free hand up to her face to rub her eyes. "What happened?" She mumbled sleepily.
Magnus, who was standing at the foot of her bed, sat down by her feet and placed a hand on her foot. "You're very dehydrated. Or at least you were when you were in the store, but now, you're a lot better." He patted her foot and smiled comfortingly at her when she frowned. "I did a few tests, and I checked the twins, everything is fine. Just don't forget to drink water because with the twins, not enough water isn't safe."
Simon's hand was squeezing hers, and when she turned towards him, he leaned forward so that he could press his lips to her forehead. "I was so worried." He cupped the back of her neck with his hand and they stayed there, foreheads pressed together until Kaelie cleared her throat.
"Are you...okay, Isabelle?" She asked tentatively. Her eyes were still filled with worry.
"Kaelie, I'm fine, thank you." Isabelle pulled away from Simon, but still kept her hand in his, holding tightly.
"God, you just fainted right as Clary came back over and I was so worried, I thought that maybe it was something really, really serious."
Clary's eyes were wide and she looked a bit scared, but at Kaelie's words, her lips pulled down into a frown. "It is serious, Kaelie."
Kaelie looked somewhat startled, but when she opened her mouth to reply, Magnus interrupted her.
"Why don't you two leave while I check on her." Magnus said to Clary and Kaelie while gesturing to Izzy. The two girls nodded slowly and the bid Izzy a 'get better' before heading out of the door. "Isabelle, do you mind if I do a quick ultrasound now that you are awake?" Magnus asked.
Izzy shrugged. "Go ahead."
Simon helped her move into a more comfortable position by shifting the pillows behind her back as Magnus left the room and then came back, holding an ancient looking book in his hands. It appeared to be a spell book.
Isabelle's eyes narrowed in confusion. "Where's the ultrasound?" She asked, sitting up.
"No time for an ultrasound; I can see them though, without it." Magnus sat down on the edge of her bed again, and began flipping through the pages, his brows furrowed in deep concentration.
Isabelle's heart began to race when she realized what Magnus meant. Was something wrong?! She was about to open her mouth and ask, but Simon beat her to it, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"What do you mean: no time for an ultrasound?" He asked.
"Don't worry about it; everything will be fine. I just need to change Baby B's position. Right now because of your dehydration, the amniotic fluid in your womb has gone down, and Baby B is pressed up against the side, which could cause deformations."
"Oh..." Isabelle felt a soft panic bubbling up in her throat, but she forced it down, willing herself to not be hysterical over the circumstance.
Simon's hand tightened on Isabelle's and he nodded curtly at Magnus to continue. "Do your thing." He said awkwardly.
Isabelle pulled her shirt up, her fingers lingering on her stomach for a few seconds. She hadn't felt the twins move all day, but now, she was aware of a slight nudging feeling near the bottom left side of her stomach.
"Which baby-" Simon began to ask, but Magnus cut him off.
"Shadowhunter." He answered, placing his hands on Izzy's belly. Magnus's eyes closed and then, suddenly, a softly glowing blue light emitted from his hands, making Izzy gasp with surprise.
"Your hands are so warm." She smiled and closed her eyes, leaning back on the pillows contentedly.
"Are you actually getting pleasure from this?" Simon cocked an eyebrow curiously at his girlfriend, who looked like she was floating on cloud nine.
"It feels like a stomach massage, which is nice after all of those cramps." She replied, sighing.
"Okay, Izzy. You might feel a slight pain as I move the baby, but it will hopefully just feel like very strong fetal movement. You ready?" Magnus's eyes were open again, but only to slits. His hands were still blue against Izzy's belly, and the nudge on the bottom of her abdomen was starting to feel less.
"Yeah..."
Her grasp tightened on Simon's hand as a sharp pain ripped through her stomach, making her cry out. Fortunately, it was over almost as soon as it had started, and Izzy released her grip on Simon, who rubbed his hand, wincing.
She giggled when she saw his scowl. "Sorry, Simon."
He smiled warmly, seeming to have forgotten the pain after seeing Isabelle smile again. "It's fine."
Izzy turned her attention on Magnus, who had finally pulled his hands away, and was beginning to stand up.
"How is Baby B?" She asked him, sitting back up.
"He is doing great now; nothing to worry about."
Isabelle let out a relieved sigh and rubbed her stomach lightly.
"I have a question for you, Isabelle." Magnus cleared his throat, making Izzy and Simon look at him expectantly. "You sang at Luke and Jocelyn's wedding, and you were amazing."
Isabelle felt the blood rush into her cheeks. "Thank you, Magnus." She smiled, and then looked at Simon, who raised his eyebrows at her. "But, I'm not amazing."
Magnus gasped and placed his hand over his heart in mock surprise. "No need to be so humble all the time; you are exquisite. And I want you to sing at Alec and mine's engagement party. And then, I want you to sing at our wedding in a few months."
Simon smiled broadly at Izzy, his eyes lighting up. "You should do it! You are amazing."
Isabelle just scowled and was about to reply to both of them when Magnus interrupted with a wave of his hand. "If you're worried about too many people-you know, stage fright and all- you shouldn't worry because it's going to be tiny."
Isabelle laughed sourly and then replied, "If there are going to be such few people, then why do you want me to sing? I'm assuming you want me there as your guest and as entertainment, so why should I entertain fifteen people?"
"15?!" Magnus laughed shortly and then was serious again. "More like 100 people."
Isabelle gasped. "You want me to sing in front of 100 people?"
"Iz, I'm sure not everyone will show up." Simon said in a low, calming voice.
Magnus shook his head. "No, Alec and I invited around 149 people, and we've gotten 49 no's, so 100 people will be there. And no worries, Iz; you only know like half of the people there. So, if you really do suck, you won't have to worry about seeing the rest of the guests ever again."
Izzy glared in Magnus's direction, her eyes darkening menacingly. "Is that supposed to make me feel better?"
"Yes?"
She groaned. "Since when does my brother have 100 friends?"
Magnus rolled his eyes and then patted Isabelle on the arm. "He doesn't. Alec on has about seven friends; five, if you don't count siblings or fiancées. The other 142 people are my friends." Magnus paused and then squinted his eyes up at the ceiling thoughtfully. "Well, no...because we have to include Robert and Maryse...and Luke and Jocelyn..."
Izzy threw her hands up and gave in to Magnus, but mostly just because she did not want to argue with him. "Fine, I'll do it."
Magnus's eyes brightened, and he threw his arms around Isabelle, hugging her tightly. "Thank you!" He pulled away, a serious look on his face. "I have a list of songs you're going to sing, and you can add three songs of your choice to that list. I need you to start practicing in a week or so because the party will probably be in about a month." Magnus smiled again when Izzy groaned and covered her face with her hands. "Try not to stress; it's bad for the twins."
"Magnus, I've had enough of you." She mumbled, almost inaudibly beneath her fingers. "Thanks for your help with the twins, but please leave before I punch you in the face."
Simon laughed at Magnus's sudden frown before he nodded curtly and then left the room, the door clicking silently behind him.
Izzy moved one of her fingers so that one of her dark eyes was visible under her hands, and she looked at Simon. "Is he gone?" She whispered.
"Yes." Simon pulled her hands away from her face and then leaned down to plant a kiss on her lips. He pulled back slowly when he felt her lips smile against his, and then her body started shaking with laughter.
"What?" Simon asked, looking down at her strangely. "What's so funny?"
Izzy stopped laughing just enough so that she could answer him. "I want cake."
Simon sighed, but smirked in the process. "Why is that funny?"
Isabelle let out another fit of laughter before she replied. "Because I am going to whip your ass if you don't get me some. Also, I might throw up." She was still laughing when she said this, but something in her eyes told Simon she was serious, so he agreed to get her some, and then kissed her on the cheek before leaving the room.
...
"Thanks for the strawberry shortcake." Izzy crawled into Simon's lap and then swung her legs around his hips. "You know, there's something else I want right now..." She whispered against his neck, her lips just barely brushing against his cool skin.
Simon stifled a groan and then pulled his neck away from Izzy's lips hesitantly.
"It's almost midnight and Magnus said you need to rest."
Isabelle frowned but her mouth quivered as if she were trying to not smile. "I don't want to have sex with you, I just want peanut butter."
Simon's eyes widened in surprise, and his mouth opened slightly. "You...want peanut butter?!" He spluttered, clearly not expecting this answer from her.
Izzy laughed and then leaned her forehead against his. "No, you idiot. I want you." She murmured.
Simon pushed against her and suddenly he was overwhelmed with the feel of her in his arms, warm and soft, and the scent of her gardenia perfume, and beneath all of that, blood. He still remembered the taste of it; Simon usually drank blood regularly, so he hasn't drank from Izzy since that night in Magnus's apartment. But now, after all the panic over Izzy being dehydrated all day, Simon realized how thirsty he was. He jerked back just as his lips touched Izzy's and his fangs slid out, catching on his bottom lip.
"Simon." She pulled him back to her, and then pushed him back so that she was on top of him, her hair falling down around them like a silky black curtain.
"Isabelle." Simon tried to move out from underneath her, but she had him pinned down, and even with his vampire strength, he was no match for her years of shadowhunter training.
"It's okay, Si. I know you're hungry." Izzy pulled her bathrobe off of her shoulders, and Simon ran his hands over her soft skin, feeling the scars beneath his fingers. She sighed, and then pulled her robe all the way off, revealing the black slip she was wearing the fell just above mid thighs. "Go ahead." Isabelle leaned down and trailed her fingers from his collar bone to his lips. His fangs had retracted now, and the cut on his lip healed, but there was a thin line of drying blood on his chin that Izzy wiped away with her finger. She pressed her lips so his neck, slowly making her way up to his mouth, and was rewarded with a soft groan from Simon. His hands found their way to her hair, and he pressed into her so that there was no space left between them.
"I won't bite you." Simon's voice was strangled against her lips, but she just kissed him harder, making him shut up.
"Just do it." Izzy grumbled.
Simon's hands roamed up her back, pulling at the straps of her slip. One of them slipped off of her shoulders and she shuddered as his lips brushed the exposed skin.
"Simon..."
His fangs slid out again, and he fell back onto the pillows, gently pushing Izzy off of him. She sat up beside him and watched as his fangs slid back in. Veins stood out big and blue under his pale skin and he breathed in deeply, although Izzy knew he didn't need to.
"I told you no." Simon grumbled. But he wasn't looking at her, he was looking at the ceiling.
Isabelle raised her hands to her face and then sighed loudly. "Why not?"
Simon leaned up so that he was on his elbows, looking down at her incredulously. "Why not?! You're pregnant!"
Izzy rolled her eyes and turned her back towards him. She yanked the straps back up onto her shoulders then swung her legs over the side of the bed so that she was sitting up with her back still to him. "You don't get to use that excuse for yourself."
"What are you talking about?" Simon's voice softened and his hand touched her shoulder. Izzy pushed off of the bed and stood up, then swung around to face him.
"Nobody lets me do anything. I'm not disabled you know. I'm not sick. You're right, I am pregnant, but I'm still perfectly capable." Her eyes were dark, but still glowing with anger at the same time.
Simon was at her side in one swift movement, placing both of his hands on her waist. "I don't think that you're incapable." He murmured, bringing his lips close to her ear. His hands tightened on her waist and pulled her closer to him. "I think that you are beautiful and perfect and you are going to be the best mother to our kids. I'm not going to die if I don't bite you tonight, Iz. You think so much about me-I'm flattered, of course- but you need to think more about you and the twins. I know you're worried about and the twins, but leave the worrying up to me. Besides..." He put a strand of hair behind her ear, and then brushed his fingers against her cheek. "It's bad for the twins."
"Everybody is just so obsessed with saying that to me." Isabelle glared, but then smiled when Simon pulled her even closer to him.
"You better get used to it because you're going to be hearing it for the next four months."
Izzy sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm sorry for being so hotheaded. You are just being the most helpful boyfriend, trying to make me comfortable, and buying me cake." She giggled.
"Anything for the person I love most." He kissed her, and then backed her up so that they were both falling onto the bed with her under him.
A deep tingling sensation started at the base of Izzy's spine and traveled all the way up to her chest, where it swelled and spread throughout her entire body.
"I love you so much." She managed to gasp in between his kisses. Her fingers were tugging on his hair, teeth were catching on lips, and her legs locked around his waist, keeping him right over her.
"I know you do." Simon kissed her neck, and he felt her nails dig into his back, dragging and clawing with every kiss and caress.
"Wait." Izzy pushed away from him and sat up, covering her stomach with her hands. It felt like the twins were fighting or dancing around inside of her. They wouldn't stop moving, causing series of small flutters in her belly.
"What?" Concern flitted in Simon's eyes and he rolled off of Izzy so that he could be sitting up next to her leaning against the headboard. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. But the twins won't stop moving. It's like every time you touch me, they start doing summersaults." Her hands moved over the silky black fabric that covered her stomach and she frowned.
Simon pulled her against his chest and then reached down so that his hands were resting on top of hers over her stomach. He kissed her temple and heard her sigh with content.
"Wow." Izzy shook a little bit with surprise. "It literally is every time you touch me."
Simon gently moved her hands away so that his hands were resting on her bump. "I still think it's unfair that I can't feel them."
Izzy laughed and then turned her gaze to his eyes. "It's not unfair; they're inside of me."
Simon moved out from under her and scooted down on the bed, bringing his head closer to her abdomen. "Hey, buddies." He said in the softest voice he could muster. "Your mother has been giving me such a hard time, but I make sure to give her everything she wants because otherwise, she will take her beautiful golden whip and hurt me."
Isabelle ran her thumb along his jaw and smiled down lovingly at him. "I would never hurt you, Si. I love you too much for that."
Simon smirked and then cupped his mouth like be was whispering a secret to the twins. "She says that now, but wait until you guys get bigger and start to take a toll on her back."
"Simon!" Izzy hissed, smacking him on the arm.
"Too bad you two can't see how much she abuses me." He murmured under his breath.
"Simon." Izzy groaned and tugged on his shirt sleeve. "Kiss them goodnight and then come back to me."
He turned his head and looked at his girlfriend, who was smiling mischievously at him, and trailing her fingers in his hair.
Simon turned back to her stomach and leaned down to kiss it. With one last soft caress, he whispered, "I love you." and then crawled back to Izzy.
"Okay, it's past midnight; time for bed."
"I can't sleep." Izzy mumbled, moving her hands back to her stomach absentmindedly.
"You haven't even tried to go to sleep." Simon's voice was muffled against the pillows and he closed his eyes, sleep overtaking him. "Just close your eyes and sleep will come."
Izzy wrapped her arm over his waist and turned onto her side so that she could entwine her fingers with his. "Fine." She grumbled to his back, and finally closed her eyes. "I love you."
"I love you too."
...
I know Jace, Alec, Robert, and Maryse should have probably been there when Izzy woke up, but they completely slipped my mind when I was writing, so I'm really sorry about that!
I know it's been a while since I updated last, but this chapter took me forever, and I honestly did not mean for it to be this long. Wow, okay...I'm sorry it took me so long to get it out, I just wanted to make it as smooth as possible.
thanks for the reviews! the next chapter will probably be posted in a week or so...
-H.
