Author's Note: Sorry for the delay, but obviously I had to take some time off writing to read Lady Midnight (twice), and damn I need the next two books immediately! Of course, I had wanted to finish this story before the book came out, but that didn't happen, so we will just pretend we don't know what Clary and Jace are up to cannon-wise. Oh, well. Now, some of you may be upset, but this is it folks, the last chapter of this story! Thank you all for reading/reviewing/favoriting/following, I really appreciate all the support!
"Help! Jace! Help me!" A frustrated Clary hollered from their bed. Within seconds, Jace's golden head peeked into the room.
"Stuck?" he grinned.
"Of course I'm stuck. I feel like a turtle that has flipped onto its shell. Tell your kid it is time to vacate. I am seriously over this." She complained as she continued to roll around on her back struggling to sit up. Jace calmly lifted her into a sitting position and slid her shoes onto her feet. He then took her hands and pulled her into a standing position. Jace leaned down, mindful of his wife's protruding belly pressed against his, and gave her a loving kiss.
"Ouch!" Clary grumbled as the baby gave a swift and powerful kick, nudging Jace backwards.
"That was a good one, buddy! Keep up the good work. We will have you out there beheading demons in no time. Go ahead and finish two more sets of five round house kicks." He crooned at Clary's abdomen.
"By the angel, no! No more kicking practice! I feel like I'm bruised from the inside out, and no more jumping practice, my bladder is going to explode. If you two want to continue training, then I am officially serving the eviction notice!" Clary huffed while Jace just smiled proudly. Clary noticed that Jace spent a large portion of his time smiling these days. Her heart felt like bursting, right along with her belly.
"Always in a hurry, Clary. He will come out when he is good and ready. Quit rushing him. Technically, he still has a week until he's even done baking." He tsked.
"How many times have I told you, Jace. There is absolutely no proof that it is a boy. You have spent all this time calling it a boy, and what if it is a girl? She's going to have a complex!" she responded.
"It is a boy. I have a very strong feeling, and we both know I'm never wrong," he winked.
"I can easily name at least twenty times over the last few years when you have most certainly been wrong." Clary argued.
Jace was gearing up for a very lengthy and witty response when Isabelle strode into the room. "She is right, Jace. While you may be one of the best Shadowhunters of all time, you are still a man, and therefore wrong, a lot." She flung her curtain of inky hair over her shoulder haughtily.
Jace just glared at her, "What do you want, Iz?"
"I was simply stopping by to make sure my niece or nephew hasn't decided to come visit me today?" she asked Clary hopefully.
"Not yet. He or she is still very comfortable, apparently. Why couldn't the angel gift me with the 'go into labor now' rune?" she moaned pitifully.
"Buck up, Fray. This was your decision, so quit complaining. You have no one to blame, but yourself, and Jace. Feel free to take it out viciously out on Jace, but let me get some popcorn first." Simon chimed in from the hallway.
"Always so supportive, Simon. Remind me why I wanted to be your Parabatai again?" she huffed. "Who wants to take a long walk to that Mexican food place I like. I need something spicy. I'll do anything to get this kid to come out!" Clary began waddling towards the elevator.
"Well, you know, I've heard that sex is a great way to induce labor. Lots and lots of very vigorous sex. I am certainly willing to do anything to help, my love." Jace blew a kiss and winked at his wife as she blushed and rolled her eyes.
Despite Clary's best efforts, nothing she had tried had caused her to go into labor. Her due date had come and gone two days ago. Everyone kept telling her how it was very common to go longer with your first child, but she was tired of hearing it. Her tiny body was overly full and beyond uncomfortable. She was miserable and everyone knew it. They were trying to keep their distance in order to avoid her wrath, yet they were all too excited and nervous to stray too terribly far. The stress on her body, lack of sleep, and overbearing company had pushed Clary to her limit. Today, she just felt completely run down. Her whole body felt achy and weak. She felt nauseated and had no appetite. All she wanted to do was lie in bed, but lying down was just too uncomfortable.
Maryse stepped quietly into the room, "Good morning, Clarissa. You don't look so great, how are you feeling?"
"Not great at all, really. I think I'm coming down with something." Clary put her hand against her forehead, as if feeling for a fever.
"Hmm. I think you are in labor!" Maryse's eyes shone brightly with excitement.
"Yeah, it certainly doesn't feel like labor. I'm not having contractions or anything. I think it's just a cold or something, don't get too excited." Clary sighed.
"That's exactly how I felt with Isabelle. Maybe I should go ahead and contact the Silent Brothers, just in case. Do you need anything, dear?"
"Just help me get up, please. I need to go to the bathroom."
Clary had finished wiping herself and was about to flush the toilet when she looked down and noticed a mess of bright red blood in the toilet. Panic immediately blossomed in her chest. Logically, she knew this was her 'bloody show' and it was totally normal, but it also meant that Maryse had been right. She was
finally going into labor. Even after weeks of wanting her pregnancy to end, the reality of the situation had hit her like a ton of bricks and she was suddenly terrified.
"Mom! Mom, come here please!" Clary called. She knew Jocelyn would be nearby, as she and Luke had taken to sleeping at the Institute over the last several days.
"What is it, Clary?" Jocelyn glided into the room.
"I'm in labor, Mommy" Clary's lip began to tremble as she tried to hold back tears.
A wide smile spread across Jocelyn's face as she took her daughter into her arms and held her tightly. "Well, it's about time! I know you're scared, baby. Everything will be okay, I promise. Maryse has already notified the bone city. You'll be just fine, sweetheart." She soothed.
"But, it's going to hurt. And then, I'm going to have to take care of a little, tiny, helpless baby. What do I know about taking care of a newborn baby? I've never even had a dog! Who ever thought this was a good idea?" she wailed.
"Yes, Clary, it will hurt. But since when has physical pain ever stopped you from doing anything? It will be hard, painful, and exhausting, but then that pain will end it will all be worth it, I promise. I know you're scared, baby, but this is going to be one of the best days of your life. You'll see."
Clary took a calming breath. "Where's Jace?" she asked her mother.
"I believe he went out with Simon and Alec. Do you want me to have Luke call him?" the older woman replied.
"No, it is okay, I'll call him, thanks. I guess you can let everyone else know though." Clary sat heavily on the bed.
"Try to get some rest while you can, Clary. It is going to be a long day." Jocelyn kissed her forehead and smoothed down her curls.
After Jocelyn left the room, Clary picked up her phone to call her husband. She took a second to try to calm her nerves before pressing the call button.
"Clary? Are you okay?" Jace answered, immediately panicked.
"Well, good morning to you too. I'm fine. I was just calling to check in and see what you were up to?" her voice remained steady, as her leg jumped nervously up and down.
"Alec, Simon, and I ran out to get bagels for everyone. Do you need anything while I'm out?" he asked sweetly.
"Can you get me a cinnamon sugar bagel, lightly toasted, with plain cream cheese?"
"Already done. Anything else?" he responded.
"Oh, and can you come straight home after? I'm in labor." She grinned proudly at herself.
"What? Are you joking? Right now? Hold on, Clary, I'm coming. Squeeze your legs together until I get there!" he hollered.
"Jace, the baby is not coming right this second. It's probably going to take hours and hours." She began, but cut herself off as she realized he had already hung up on her.
When the news had broken, Isabelle had come running into Clary's room with boiling water and clean towels. Then, shortly after, Jace and Simon had come racing back into the Institute like they were on fire. While everyone was trying to be nonchalant about it, they were still obviously hovering. Clary had not been alone for a second. She had tried her best to take a nap, but to no avail. Her excitement, along with everyone else's, had kept her wide awake. Throughout most of the day, Clary had been experiencing irregular and non-painful contractions. So, she spent most of the afternoon hanging out with everyone, trying to relax and keep her mind off of her current situation.
It wasn't until after dinner that the contractions truly began. Clary and Jace were reading in the library, when Clary suddenly bolted upright, "Oh, shit!" she exclaimed.
"What's wrong?" Jace was immediately kneeling in front of her.
"A contraction! Like a really-real contraction, I think." She breathed heavily through the pain.
"Finally! I was beginning to think you were faking it" he mused.
The contractions hit hard and fast. Clary was moved to the infirmary for the Silent Brothers to examine her. Jace paced anxiously in the hallway. Clary had not allowed him in the room. Only Jocelyn had stayed with her. Alec was eyeing Jace warily. Everyone else was waiting in the kitchen for an update.
To Jace it seemed like hours later, in reality it was only ten minutes, before Brother Enoch emerged from the room, "Labor is progressing rapidly now. You may go in and see her."
Jace slowly entered the room as Jocelyn quietly exited. Clary was pacing restlessly before doubling over in pain, gripping the edge of the bed, as a low moan forced its way through her teeth. Jace hated seeing her in pain and knowing he couldn't fix it. He gently rubbed his hands down her back and she tried to breathe her way through the contraction.
"Do not touch me!" she ground out ferociously.
Jace pulled his hands away as if her skin has burned him. "What can I do, Clary? Tell me what you need me to do?" he sounded anguished.
"Simon. Get me Simon!" she bellowed.
Jace couldn't help how much the request stung. He tried fruitlessly to tamp down the jealousy that tore through him, but he did as she requested and brought her parabatai into the room.
"Simon! I need a few Iratzes, a fortitude, and an endurance rune, please!" she begged.
"Will that even work, Clary?" Simon stuttered nervously.
"Just try it. Please? I need you, Parabatai." She beseeched.
Simon carefully applied the requested runes as quickly as he could before the next contraction took hold. Clary gave a sigh of relief and was finally able to lie down. Simon hugged Clary tightly before leaving the room to join the others.
Jace sat beside Clary running through his fingers through her curls as she crunched on some ice chips. The runes had dulled the pain enough for Clary to rest and prepare herself for what was to come. Jace was uncharacteristically silent. On the one hand, he was incredibly excited. He had been waiting for this day for what felt like forever. Finally, he was going to have an actual family member of his own flesh and blood. He couldn't wait to see this perfect creation of half him and half Clary. On the other hand, he was beyond terrified. What if something went wrong? What if something happened to the baby, or Clary, or both of them? He didn't know if he could survive that. Even with the most modern medicine, people still died during child birth all the time, and they didn't have modern equipment or physicians, just the two Silent Brothers. He felt guilty for being scared and didn't want to voice his feelings to his wife. What right did he have to be afraid when it was Clary doing all of the hard work and putting her life on the line, once again. He should be reassuring her that there was nothing to be scared of, not the other way around. He honestly wished Jocelyn would come back in so he could return to his furious pacing in the hallway, but he would never tell Clary that. He was trying his best to play the role of supportive husband, but it was getting increasingly harder as the hours passed.
"Jace?" Clary questioned meekly.
"Mmm?" he answered.
"What if there is poop? I am so worried that there will be poop. Can you just stay up by my head, please? I really don't want you to see everything going on down there." She rushed out as her cheeks flared.
"Why in the hell would there be shit, Clary?" Jace asked completely confused.
"Because a lot of the time shit happens, literally, during childbirth! I mean you are just pushing and pushing down there, and it is kind of hard to push in one place and not the other, since they are so close together!" she whimpered miserably.
"By the angel, Clary. If you shit in this room, that is it. I'm done. Immediate Divorce!" he tried to hold back a laugh.
"Jace!" she squealed, "This is not funny. I am being completely serious here. I am really concerned about this."
"Clary, I will stay right here. Whatever happens will happen. All I care about is that at the end of the day, you and our baby are healthy. Okay?" he pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"Okay." She whispered with watery eyes. "Well, I think you should go get Brother Enoch, because I think I need to start pushing."
Several hours later, everyone was gathered in the library. Alec was leaning against the fireplace and continually glancing at his phone to check the time. Magnus was lounging in an arm chair. Isabelle and Simon were sprawled out on the floor with Max. Luke and Jocelyn were sitting close together on the sofa, with Jocelyn's leg bouncing up and down frantically. Maryse sat primly behind the desk. Robert stood by the door with his arms crossed over his chest.
"God, this is taking for-ev-er. I mean really, you don't have a rune to speed this up? Clearly adoption is a much better way to go." Magnus drawled while playing with his nails in boredom.
"Until you push a big fat baby out of our tiny lady parts, you do not get to complain." Isabelle grumbled as she played blocks with Max.
"I just hope she's doing okay. We haven't heard anything in a while. Maybe I should go check on her? See if she needs anything?" Jocelyn was alight with nervous energy and fear for her only daughter.
"She's in good hands, Jocelyn. You know how these things go. If they needed you, they would come ask for you. Everything is fine." Luke gathered his wife into his arms.
"I can tell you she's not dead at least." Simon added.
"Fabulous, Sherwood. Thanks for that uplifting update." Magnus clapped sarcastically.
"Well the nursery is ready. I rewashed all the linens today. Oh, and I am also claiming now that I am going to hold the baby first, as a grandmother should." Maryse stated arrogantly.
"Now just hang on one minute, Maryse. I am the baby's grandfather and also the Inquisitor, so clearly I should be first." Robert gathered himself to his full height in an attempt to intimidate his ex-wife.
"Quit squabbling you two. You are both out of your god damned minds. I am the only actual blood related grandparent this baby has, and I am also the mother of the mother, so without a doubt I will be the first to hold this baby. Do not even try to argue. I will use bodily force if necessary." Jocelyn cut in with a deadly glare towards the Lightwoods.
Isabelle and Alec slowly made their way towards their parents, as if they were protecting them from with waif-like red head. Simon's head was looking back and forth between the two groups comically.
Magnus stood and walked his son towards the door, "Come on Max, I think we need a snack. Nobody needs to watch this pissing contest."
Before he could exit, Brother Enoch glided soundlessly into the room "The baby has arrived. Mother and baby are stable. You may all go in now." His eerie voice flooded into everyone's mind and then he turned and exited the room just as quietly as he had entered.
The families piled into the room as gently and quietly as they could manage. Clary was pale, sweaty, and exhausted, but the look of absolute love and joy on her face was unmistakable as she lay in bed propped against numerous pillows. A small bundle lay wrapped in her arms as she smiled down at it. Jace was lying lightly beside her on the bed with his arm slung over her shoulders. He also peered down at the small bundle with a look of absolute awe and adoration.
He managed to peel his eyes away from his new baby long enough to look up as everyone waited anxiously, "As I'm sure it will be a surprise to no one that I was absolutely right, as always, and Clary brought my son safely into the world at 8:07 pm. He is 7 Lbs 4 oz, 20 inches long, and astonishingly good looking, which is also not the least bit surprising. And he is hung like a horse, naturally." He flashed a broad smile. The room broke out in a chorus of voices.
"Jace!" Clary admonished quietly.
"Another boy! How wonderful!" Maryse cooed.
"The Herondales are making a comeback!" Robert crowed.
"How are you feeling, baby?" Jocelyn asked.
"I am so happy for you two. Life will certainly never be the same." Luke grinned at the couple.
"Congratulations guys!" Alec smiled kindly.
"Good work, Biscuit! Yay, Max, you have a new cousin!" Magnus applauded.
"Oh, come on, Fray! I had fifty on a girl!" Simon shot a wink at his parabatai.
"That's great and all, but what is his name?" Isabelle demanded.
"Well, everyone, we'd like to officially introduce you to our son, Lewis Alexander Herondale." Clary announced proudly.
Simon blinked rapidly, "Wow, guys! I would have never expected something like that. I'm honored, truly." He cleared his throat, "Does that mean my firstborn has to be named Fray?"
Alec flushed as he stepped forward and clasped Jace in a one-armed hug and gave Clary a quick kiss on the cheek, "Thank you. That is a very special honor."
"We felt it was only right to honor two of the most important men in our lives, and since both mine and Clary's father situations were a bit sketchy, we decided parabatai were the way to go. We can only hope that he will be as lucky as we have been to be blessed with a parabatai." Jace admitted self-consciously.
Clary scooted herself up in the bed as she turned the baby towards the crowd and pushed back the blanket. His skin was still a bit pink and blotchy, but his tiny head was covered in a fine layer of soft golden wisps. His cheeks were round and plump. He slowly opened his eyes and blinked dazedly. His eyes were a typical baby blue, although emerald green flecks were already sneaking through. It wouldn't be long until they mirrored his mother's. He was absolutely perfect. Everyone oohed and ahh-ed over the new addition.
"Alright, Mom, would you like to hold your grandson?" Clary beamed at Jocelyn.
"Of course!" Jocelyn shot a triumphant smirk at Maryse as she held her arms out for the baby.
Maryse and Robert both stepped forward as if to intervene when Luke stepped in front of them and shot them a quick, "Not now."
"Simon, my boy, do you have that fancy watch of yours? I believe it's time to start timing everyone again. Jocelyn, your four minutes starts now!" Robert declared decisively.
"Here we go again." Magnus muttered darkly.
Each family member took their four minutes to snuggle the tiny baby boy. They were beginning to argue over 'Round 2' when Lewis began to wail dolefully.
"Alright, this round of 'Pass the baby' has come to an end. I need to feed him, and then we all need to try to get some rest. I'm sure we will need plenty of help, so we will let you know when you are needed. Goodnight, thank you all and we love you." Clary decreed.
Everyone said their goodnights and slowly left the room. Jace centered himself in the bed, propped against the headboard. Cary settled herself in between his legs with her back to his chest. She snuggled their newborn son to her bosom as he sucked greedily.
"Ahh, a 'breast man', I see. Atta boy! You are most certainly my son, then." Jace snickered.
"Don't be gross. And if you were truly a 'breast man', then I don't think I would have been your chosen partner, since I have very little." Clary frowned.
"I guess you're right," he continued quickly before Clary could insert her indignant protest, "I'm actually a 'Clary man' because, baby, you have exactly everything I want." He kissed her cheek with a flourish.
"Now you're just being gross and cheesy." She rolled her eyes.
"Seriously, Clary, I love you more than I could have ever imagined loving anyone. I thank the angel every day that we were both at Pandemonium that night. I spent so many years thinking 'to love is to destroy' until you came along and showed me the truth. And now look at us; we are a family, Clary. We have the most beautiful, perfect child. I feel like my heart is going to explode. I never thought I could love anyone so completely and instantaneously. All I can say is thank you. Thank you for choosing me and sticking with me through everything. Thank you for marrying me. Thank you for baring my son. Thank you for giving me everything I've ever needed and so much more. I love you Clarissa Adele Herondale, and I love you Lewis Alexander Herondale."
Clary leaned her head back and looked at him with a broad smile on her face, "I love you too Jace Herondale. I think it's a reasonable conclusion that perhaps it was always fate's plan to bring us together. We know we are better together than apart, and this little man right here proves that we were meant to do something great together." She cooed down at her dozing son while gently rubbing her finger long his soft cheek.
"I can't imagine our lives being any more perfect than they are right now." Jace sighed happily as Clary agreed silently.