Chapter Twenty-One
Time Jump-Carter's First Birthday
Clary POV:
Today was Carter's first birthday and I honestly can't believe a year has passed since he was born. It seems like the other day Jace and I were packing up everything and moving to Italy, and now we were celebrating our child's first birthday. We weren't doing anything big, I had taken the day off from work so that we could spend the day together. There would be a small cake but honestly all Carter was going to do was slam his hands into it, but what's a birthday without a cake?
I was standing in the bakery when I got that nauseous feeling again, the same one I got in the mall that one day with Izzy. On my way home I decided to pick up some tests. I was a week late, but it never really dawned on me that I could be pregnant. When I got home Jace was in the kitchen with Carter finishing lunch. I put the cake down, kissed my boys and went up to our room. I went into the bathroom and pulled out the two pregnancy tests. After the three minutes were up and I looked at both of them. Positive. We were going to have another child. I jumped up and down, I was so excited. When I went downstairs Jace was cleaning up after Carter and I couldn't get the giant smile off my face.
"You look extra happy today babe." Jace said as he kissed my cheek.
"Well, it is Carter's first birthday. How can you not smile when this cutie is turning 1 and getting a little sibling." I said in my baby voice, even though he couldn't hear me I couldn't resist talking in a baby voice around him. Once I heard a plate drop, I turned around to see Jace standing by the sink with a shocked look on his face.
"Really?"
"Really. I just took two tests, both positive." Before I could say another word Jace scooped me up and spun me around.
"How far along?"
"I think only a couple weeks. I'll set up an appointment with my doctor for sometimes this week."
"This is so exciting! Now, we have two amazing things to celebrate today." He kissed me and I kissed him back. "I love you so much Clary."
"I love you too Jace, and I can't wait to have your second baby." I rubbed my hands over my nonexistent baby bump, but I knew he or she was in there cooking. His hands were immediately on mine and his forehead was resting on mine. Tears started welling up in my eyes as I looked into his. He smiles and kissed my nose as the tears spilled out of my eyes as I smiled at him. We stood there embracing until we felt Carter walk up and hug our legs. We both looked down and smiled at our little boy. I picked him up and leaned back into Jace's side as Carter hugged both Jace and I. He knew something exciting was happening, he had the biggest smile on his face. The rest of the day was just as exciting as the beginning. As I predicted Carted slammed his hands into the cake. We FaceTimed with the family and told them the good news. They were all really excited for us. Everything was turning out to be extremely perfect.
Time Jump-Six Months
Clary POV:
I'm almost 7 months pregnant when commander calls me in for a meeting. I dress in my maternity fatigues and make my way to his office. I have no idea what he wants to talk about considering I can't be deployed while pregnant. I get there about 10 minutes early and I'm sitting outside his office while rubbing my belly and bouncing my leg up and down. When I was finally called into his office I was sweating through my uniform and I was a nervous wreck.
"Intelligence Analyst Clarissa Herondale, please, have a seat." I took my seat and kept bouncing. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm good. Tired, but I'm getting through it."
"Do you know what you're having?"
"It's a girl." I smile and rub my belly again. I couldn't help but smile at the thought of having a little girl.
"Congratulations. I want to talk about the possibility of you moving back to Fort Hamilton."
"Why sir?"
"About a month ago we had a mole on base. There was a mishap with the security team and at one point we had no guards and some civilians get on base and they ended up injuring a couple dependents. It was an inside job but so far nobody ahs been able to find the person behind the mole. I know you're history with computers. According to the University of Arizona you were pretty handy with hacking, although not normally sought after, I really want to catch the person who was behind this. We can't have our bases vulnerable to attacks. This time it was just injuries, but next time it could be death." The whole time he was talking all I could think about was Simon and Izzy, they lived on that base and it could easily be them who are injured.
"I'll have to talk to my husband. When do you need an answer?"
"By the end of the week."
"Will do sir."
"Thank you for stopping by Herondale." We saluted and I made my way back to my car and headed home. I walk in to see Jace and Carter playing with some building blocks.
"Hey babe. How was your meeting?" Jace says and I pick up Carter and place him on my lap.
"Interesting. They want me back in Fort Hamilton."
"Really?"
"Yea, apparently there is a security breach and it was an inside job. They haven't been able to locate the source so they want me to poke around. And make the security better. I mean, I'm still pregnant for another three months, and I'll be out of commission for another 6 or so after she's born so I'm not deploying anytime soon. Plus, Simon and Izzy live there, and apparently there have been injuries, and I don't want them getting hurt. If I can help, I want too." I looked at Jace as I let Carter down. "We've lived here for two years. It's been completely amazing, and I've loved every minute of it, but if we're back in New York everyone can see Carter and our little girl more, you can go back to work with Alec, and spend more time with Will. I think it would be good for us."
"I think you're absolutely right. When do we have to leave?"
"I don't know. I have to tell my commander my answer by the end of the week, and we'll take it from there."
"Sounds good babe. Let's go out to lunch and celebrate!"
"Sounds great. Let me go change and we can leave." I stand up from the couch and run upstairs to change out of my uniform. Jace and I grabbed one of Carter's hands and made our way out to the car. Driving to the restaurant I couldn't help but smile. Nothing could ever really bring this family down. We were going to have an amazing life in the states and I couldn't wait to be closer to my family.