Chapter Thirteen

Time Jump – Michael's First Birthday

Jace POV:

After I gave Clary's father the money he hasn't come around. We finally felt like we were at a good place and that her past would stay there. Michael's first birthday is in a couple days and the whole family is coming to celebrate with us. Every morning when I kissed my family goodbye I couldn't even begin to describe how incredibly lucky I was to have them. Izzy and Simon got here the other day to help Clary set up for the party. It wasn't going to be huge, but my family was coming, Jonathan was coming, and apparently so was Jordan and his family. He is only turning one, so there isn't need for a party, but we wanted the family here and I was excited. Unfortunately for their arrival I'll be at work, but I can't wait for the end of the day so that I can come home and be with them.

Clary POV:

"How many times have I told you Izzy! He's one, he doesn't need a three layer cake!" I shout from the kitchen. She was seriously going over board, and I had no idea how to rain her in.

"But he only gets one birthday!"

"I'm pretty sure he'll have more than one!" I shout and I hear her groan.

"You know what I meant! He only gets one first birthday!" She said.

"I draw the line at a three layer cake, but he can have a two layer cake." I said and she gave me a quick hug before running from the room. I got into the living room where Michael is playing with a toy and Simon is sitting on the couch. I sit next to him and take a breath. "How in the hell do you contain all her crazy ideas?"

"I let her do whatever she wants. When she's happy, I'm happy." He said and I nodded. "I owe you an apology Clary." He said and I was confused.

"For what? We never spoke before this past year."

"Exactly, I assumed the worst of you, and you are far from it. You're probably one of the most amazing people I've ever met." He said. "I let the rumors tell me who you were, and I'm sorry about that."

"You aren't the first one Simon." I said trying to reassure him that I really didn't care how people viewed me.

"But I do. I was the one who showed the Lightwoods around school on their first day, and I told them to stay far away from you because you were, and I quote 'rotten to the core' and 'not good company to keep'." He said and I laughed.

"Honestly Simon, I never cared how people viewed me. I only cared about Cassie and getting away from that life. I heard the stuff people said about me, and I knew that my reputation was bad. I can't blame you for thinking the way you did about me." I said. "It's been years. I appreciate your apology, and thank you for at least realizing your mistake, but we're good." I said and he smiled. A minute later Cassie came running in followed by Doom and jumped on my lap.

"When are we celebrating?" She yelled.

"Saturday baby."

"What day is it?"

"It's Thursday." I said.

"So I have to wait…" I could tell she was trying to think.

"Two days." I said and she groaned.

"Two whole days?" She asked and I laughed.

"Not two whole days. One whole day, and than half a day." I said and she smiled a little.

"When can Mikey start playing with me?" She asked and I laughed.

"He needs to learn how to walk first. But after that you two can run wild around the house together." I said and she started jumping up and down.

"When is grandma getting here?" Cassie asked and I smiled. I finally felt like Cassie and I had a real family, and just seeing how happy she was meant everything to me.

"They should be here any minute." I said and she hopped off my lap and started running wild. I heard Simon laugh and I looked at him.

"I don't know how you rain in all her energy." He said.

"It took some practice, but it's all worth it when she crashes at night." I said and he nodded. A moment later there was a knock on the door. I got up and when I answered it, the Lightwood family was standing there. I welcomed them all in and they made their way to the rooms they would be staying in while they were here. Once they were done they all made their way into the living room to talk and play with Cassie and Michael. After a few more minutes I hear the doorbell and when I open it up, Jonathan, Jordan, Maia and little Maggie are there. I couldn't contain my excitement and threw myself at Jordan. I hadn't seen him in years and it was so good to see him again.

"Come on, everyone else is here." I said and they nodded and we walked into the living room. "Everyone, I know you already know Jonathan, but this is a very good friend of mine Jordan, his wife Maia, and their daughter Maggie." I said and everyone said hello. "This is my husband's family." I said to them and they all nodded. "I'll show you where you'll be staying." I walked up the stairs and showed them their rooms. I let them settle in and returned downstairs.

When they finally rejoined us we were all catching up on what had happened to us in the past couple months. Especially with Jordan, since I haven't seen him in a couple years. It was great to have him back. Since Sebastian and Raphael are both gone, and I've seen Jon a couple times, it was nice to see another familiar face.

Time Jump – Party

Clary POV:

Michael's party was today and Izzy was stressed. It was actually really funny, and Jace and I couldn't stop laughing at her as she ran around the house. After about an hour she was finally satisfied with how the house looked and everyone was allowed back in. Everyone came in and started eating and mingling and it was really great. Cassie was in Alec's arms talking to Magnus and it was the cutest thing in the world. They were going to make great parents one day, I just know it.

After about an hour it was time for cake and Izzy gathered everyone into the living room and put the cake on the table while Michael was sitting in his highchair smiling and laughing. Jace pulled me into his side before he started speaking.

"Thank you all for coming to this today." Jace started. "I know it's been a really chaotic road but we finally made it to a point where we aren't looking over our shoulders every second." I held him a little tighter at that comment. I knew this was tough for him, but I was happy that we were finally at a spot where we could be happy. "It means the world to us that you would come this far to celebrate Michael's first birthday with us, and I'm sure if Michael knew what was going on he would appreciate it too." Jace said and I couldn't help but smile. He leaned down to Michael and gave him a kiss. "I love you Michael, and I'm so happy that you came into the world a year ago." His words melted my heart but what happened next was amazing.

"Dada!" He said, and Jace laughed. He gave him a huge kiss before standing back up. "Dada!" He said again and everyone laughed.

"Alright everyone. Dig in." I said and Maryse cut the cake and everyone started eating. I had just gotten my piece of cake when the power went out. I was confused and looked at Jace. "What happened?"

"I don't know. I'll go check the power box." Jace said and he walked away. I went to go find some candles but I felt a hand on my shoulder. When I turned around I was greeted with someone I never wanted to see again.

"Clarissa, it's been far too long."

"My father is so dead for this." I said and he laughed. "What do you want Lovelace?"

"Why don't we have a talk." He said and he started dragging me towards the front door. This was going to be interesting.