Clary's POV
I wake up early when the faint little cries start chiming through the baby monitor. I reach for the monitor and click to see the camera in the twin's room. Bree is still peacefully asleep in her crib, but Mia is holding on the the side of the crib whimpering. I get up slowly taking a peek at Jace who didn't hear the low whines. I could barely hear them myself. I probably wouldn't have noticed if I hadn't been already awake thinking about how Grayson was going to his first day of school today.
I go into the nursery and walk to Mia's crib. There's just enough light coming in through the windows from the early morning for me to see her clearly.. Her crying almost stops completely when she spots me. Her little arms reach up as I pick her up and hold her close against my chest. The red curls that have started forming on the top of her head are flying in all different directions and her cheeks are blushed. She buries her face in the crook of my neck as I sit down on the rocking chair. Eventually, she falls back asleep while I rock back and forth with ease.
The door opens slowly and I can see Gray standing there rubbing his eyes, blanket in tow. I look over at the clock on the wall. It's a little over 6, I was planning on waking him up at 7.
"What are you doing up?" I as, my voice low so I don't wake the girls. He just shrugs and climbs onto the rocking chair so he can snuggle close to my side. Moments like this one with Gray have become rarer and rarer since the twins got here, so it just makes this so much more precious. "Too excited to sleep?" He nods and I run a hand through his tussled blonde hair.
Apparently, he wasn't that excited since he falls asleep on me just mere seconds later. Now I'm stuck. I have Mia in one arm, but I can't put her in her crib since Gray is now fast asleep on me. I don't want to wake either of them up, so I just relax into the chair and close my eyes. The room get lighter and lighter with every minute that goes by as the sun rises. We only have a few more minutes before we all have to start getting ready for the day. Getting used to early mornings is going to be hard, but it'll be my life for the next 18 years.
Suddenly, Bree begins to wail in her crib. I want to get up and get her, but I am still stuck under my two other kids. They both stir in my arms a little from the loud cries, but neither of them wakes up. I feel kind of bad leaving her in there distressed.
"I'll get her" Just as I try to find a way to get up, Jace walks in to my rescue. Of course, Bree's crying comes to a full stop as soon as Jace grabs her. Things have been better between Bree and I, but I just have to admit that she'll always be a daddy's girl just as Gray is a momma's boy. "So I guess this is a family reunion...".
"He couldn't sleep" I smile at my big boy, "too excited...". I look down and all the doubts I have been having come back into my head. "Do you think he's going to be okay?"
"Clary..." We've had this discussion a hundred times, but I just need one last boost of confidence, "you know he's going to be just fine. He loves school. Plus, he won't even be alone. Rafael will be there too".
I know. I take a deep breath and hand Mia, who's still sleeping, to Jace so I can get Grayson ready for Kindergarten. "Let's do this" I stand up, waking Gray up gently, and plant a soft kiss on Jace's lips.
"Grayson!" I yell from the bottom of the back stairs waiting for him to come have some breakfast before leaving. I quickly put all his materials into his little pirate themed backpack. Pirates are his new thing after robots. Jace comes down with the girls changed, fed, and ready to go, but no Gray.
"He's coming!" He reassures me before I even ask, and he really is.
Gray appears coming down the stairs in his uniform. I try to contain my excitement. He just looks way too cute in his little khaki shorts and blue polo shirt. He's also wearing a light jacket with the school logo and his name inscribed which we got in the mail a few days ago since it's a little chilly this morning and brand new white sneakers with white socks. I can't help but picture the day all three of them have school.
"Come on" I urge him to the table, "eat your pancakes so we can get going!".
He does exactly as I say and before we know it, we're all in the car driving to school. Jace wanted to come along for the first day, but we'll probably alternate on who's driving him to school.
We get to the gate and show our parents or guardian ID to be let in. There's a little bit of traffic on the driveway, but it's not too bad. I understand it's the first day. I can't imagine how long the line of cars is when the High and Middle Schoolers get here. I look out the window and there are already kids walking around campus heading to their classes or just hanging out. They all look happy, which isn't usual for school. I guess they're just happy to see their friends again after summer is so innovative and technological, but they still manage to keep that school like feeling alive. I kind of wish I would have had the opportunity to go to a school like this.
Jace parks the car in the same lot as when we came to see the school,the only difference is that now there are a lot more cars and people around. We get out like every other family here and walk Gray into the building. Early Learning parents are invited to come to their kids classroom on the first day, but they aren't encouraged to do so any other time to get the kids used to being without their parents (unless there's a special circumstance). The hallway is crowded his differently aged adults. There are young parents like us, but there are also older parents that already have grayish hairs highlighting their hair. These mothers look so much more down to earth than the ones from the snobby preschool. I'm pretty sure they won't be a lot better, but at least they won't be worse.
"Hello" the same young woman we met earlier this year greets us at the classroom doorway. gray holds onto my hand tightly, and Jace carries both girls one in each arm. "I'm Ms. Whitewillow" now I remember her name, "I'll be your sons teacher for Kindergarten". She kneels down to Grayson's level and opens her binder, "what's your name?".
"Grayson Jonathan Herondale" Gray answers straightforward and the teacher looks for something in the binder.
"It's very nice to meet you Grayson" she smiles and places a colorful sticker with his name on it on his shirt, "we're going to have lots of fun this year". She stands back up and turns to us now. "Feel free to check out the classroom for a little bit, and grab a schedule on your way out".
"Rafa" Gray suddenly yells, let's go of my hand and runs back from where we came. That's when I notice Magnus, Alec and Raf coming into the room. He hugs Raf tightly and they start showing each other their new backpacks. Raf already has a sticker on his shirt, which means they already met the teacher. Jace greets Alec, who's holding almost a year old Max in his arms, with a hard pat on the back and I give Magnus a hug. Magnus immediately reaches for one of the girls and ends up tossing Bree up in the air a few times as she giggles.
"So you know each other?" Ms Whitewillow steps in and asks.
"We're like brothers" Alec states and Jace nods in agreement, "these two are practically cousins"
"That's nice to know" she smiles awkwardly and writes something down.
"How come?" I question taking Bree from Magnus's arms.
"It's nothing to worry about" she shakes her head truly smiling this time, "It's nice for kids this age to have friends already. It can be pretty scary for them. However, we try to keep siblings and friends sitting in different sides of the room just so they can socialize with other kids and not just between themselves".
"That'll be good for them" Magnus agrees and we all realize that she's right.
"I have a feeling they are going to be just fine" she says joyfully before walking off.
"I was thinking maybe we could take the kids out for ice cream afterwards..." Jace changes the topic knowing the comment might have made some of us uncomfortable. I do agree with what Ms. Whitewillow is saying, but it still worries me how Gfay might react. He's always been very social, but having Raf there might close him off a little. I gues we'll just have to wait and see how it goes. We say goodbye to Gray who's already distracted with Raf playing with some toys and reassure him we'll be back in a little while just like when he was in Preschool. Magnus and Alec do the same with Raf, who had a rough time when he began preschool. Raf has been through a lot so he was really nervous on his first day, but he seems to be doing fine today.
We leave them playing in their classroom and head outside. Before heading to our cars, we stand there and look around at the school. I can't help but remember holding him in my arms for the first time, when he learned to walk, to talk, the potty training, all the tantrums. He's grown up so much, not to mention how he's changed since Jace has been a part of his life. He's such a sweet little boy, and a great big brother.
"Raf?" Max questions in Alec's arms frowning.
"He's staying here for a little while" Magnus explains, but I'm pretty sure he's doesn't fully understand it. I am glad the twins are still too young to even question where their brother is. I have a feeling Max is going to be asking that question more than a few times throughout the day.
"Oh" I feel someone bump into me slightly. I turn around to see a young woman, still older than me, but not as much as the other moms. Being a 22 year old dropping your kid off at Kindergarten, you will get some looks. I've just learned to ignore them over time. "I'm sorry" she smiles kindly to my surprise. "First day, huh?"
"Yeah" I chuckle, "is it that obvious?"
"You just have that new soccer mom glow" she jokes and I laugh. "I'm Lydia. My daughter Arden is starting Kindergarten, but my son Mason is already in second grade. Do you have a three?" Threes is what they call the daycare for 3 year olds. They also have Fours for the preschoolers.
"My son is in Kindergarten actually" I smile understanding why people often think my son is younger than he is before they meet him, "his name is Grayson".
"Don't worry" she shakes her head, "I was a young mother too. The looks don't last forever".
"Thanks" that actually makes me feel a little better. I always try to ignore them, but hearing it from someone who's gone through the same thing is like music to my ears.
"I guess I'll see you around then" she coos at Mia who's still in my arms.
"I'll see you around" we part ways as she goes into the building and I head for the car.
"Who was that?" Jace asks when we're getting the twins into their car seats. It's a bit crowded back here since we have three car seats in the middle row of the car. I guess someday one of the kids will sit in the very back to make it more comfortable, but for now Gray climbs over to his forward facing seat in the middle of the other two.
"Her name was Lydia" I explain, "her daughter's in Gray's class".
"Oh" he says understandingly.
"She was really nice" we close the doors and head to our own seats. I'm driving this time.
"Look at you" he jokes, "you've already made your first friend from kindergarten".
"Shut up" I chuckle as I pull out of the parking lot.
Grayson's POV
After momma and daddy leave, Raf and I play with the toy cars in the back of the classroom. There are fewer kids here than back at preschool, but I haven't talked to any of them.
"Did everyone find their hooks?" Ms. Whitewillow asks and everyone responds back with a loud yes. Dad helped me find mine. It has a hook to hang my backpack and my jacket and then my name written in pretty letters on the top. "Now let's play a game" she continues, "how fast can you find the seat with your name on it?". Everyone runs immediately into their seats.
I find mine in the front of the room on close to the window. It's a square table with 3 other kids sit as well. There's two girls and on other boy. I look around the room and spot Raf. He's sitting towards the back and close to the door on the other side of the room. I'm a little sad he isn't on my table.
The teacher starts talking again and I rest my head on my arms because I'm sad. I can hear her saying something about how we're all going to learn a lot this year and have fun, but I don't want to do that without Raf. She gives a paper with a picture of kids for us to color in and places a bucket of colors on each one of the tables. I immediately reach for the green and grab it before seeing that the other boy wanted the green too.
"Here" I offer him the colored pencil, "you can use it".
"Thank you" he's smiles happy, "I'm Parker".
"Grayson" I tell him my name. "But most people call me Gray"
"Nice to meet you Gray" he starts coloring in the picture and I grab another colored pencil. I have a friend. When the bell rings after lunch and it's time for recess, we all run out to the playground. Parker comes with me and we go play with Raf.
"This is Parker" I say to Raf, "He's in my table. He's my new friend".
"I'm Raf" he says to Parker and we all head out to play on the monkey bars.
Clary's POV
Once we get home, Jace leaves for some meeting with Maia and the band. I'm left alone with the twins, but without Gray here it's feels a little too calm. Not that I'm not enjoying a little peace, but I do miss my little firecracker.
When the twins are asleep, I finally have time to read the schedule we got this morning at the school. It's basically more of an evaluation plan than a schedule. It points out what the kids are going to be working on throughout the year. Gray will have swimming lessons every Tuesday and Thursday, and Gym Class every Wednesday starting next week. We're waiting for Gray to decide whether he wants to take Karate, Soccer or Music so we can sign him up. I pin the part where it says what days they have special events or don't have school on our kitchen cork board before heading up to get whichever twin I just heard wake up through the baby monitor.
The day goes by faster than I expected. Before I know it, I'm back on the school driveway waiting for Gray to get out of class. The guy at the guardhouse asks to see my parent's school ID and types something into the computer before he says Grayson's name into a microphone. I'm use sing this is how they let the teachers now when the kids can go.
When I finally get to the front of the school, Gray runs up to the car with his backpack on his back, his jacket tied around his waist and Ms Whitewilloe waving goodbye behind him. He climbs over to his seat and buckles himself in. We might have to move him to the back so it's easier for him.
"How was your day?" I ask cautiously just in case.
"Really good" he answers excitedly with a big smile.
"Did you do anything fun?" We drive out of the school and start our way home.
"We colored" he starts thinking about what they did, "and I got a sticker for saying my ABCs, and I met a new friend. His name is Parker and he's on my table".
"What about Raf?" I have a feeling it all went well.
"He's not on my table" he says go grouchy, "but we played together in recess".
"That's good" I smile to myself, "Did you like it?"
"Yes!" He raises his voice and I know he'll be excited to come back tomorrow.
IMPORTANT!
After the next chapter there will be a time skip. So I wanted to ask if anyone wanted any specific ages they want the kids to be?
I really enjoy when at can get everyone involved in the process, so I want to know what do you want to happen in the following chapters!?
Thank you for all your support. Make sure to leave a juicy Review and click that Follow/Favorite button.
Wedding bells are ringing... I'll se y'all next chapter!