Twenty Fourth One Shot:
CIA
Jace POV:
"You're telling me, that the top minds in the CIA, can't stop this hacker from getting into our databases?" I yelled at my technical analyst team. This hacker has been getting into our systems for months, and these idiots can't stop her.
"Sir." One of them spoke up, I still didn't know their names, but he was a geeky looking guy. "I don't know what kind of training she's had, but it's way more advanced than anything we learn in school and through the CIA program. This girl is good."
"So what do you suppose we do?" I asked and everyone looked down, clearly not able to give a sufficient answer.
"We track her down, and hire her." I heard from behind me, and when I turned around Hodge was standing there.
"Seriously sir? You want to hire a hacker?"
"If she's as good as they say, I want her to work for us." He says and I just nod. "Now, who can tell me what we know about her so far?" Hodge asks and the geeky guy stood up. "What's your name?"
"Simon sir."
"Alright Simon, what do we know about her?"
"We know she goes by the name Angel of Darkness. She's been pretty big in the hacking world for about 6 years. She started with really low level stuff, hacking phones, security cameras, car alarms, really petty stuff, until about three years ago, her whole game changed. Her stuff got dark. She started hacking her local police system, I guess she was looking for something. After a couple months she went higher. Started with the FBI, than Homeland and now she's working on us. She's looking for something, but we just don't know what it is."
"Can you track her?"
"Possibly. She bounces her signal from tower to tower, it might take some time but I could get you a general location."
"Do it Simon. And when you get the information tell Jace. I'm making it your mission to find her Agent Herondale."
"Yes sir." I said and he left the room. I turned around and looked at Simon. "You know where my office is. Let me know when you have something." I said and he nodded. I went back to my office and took a seat. Once I find this girl I'm going to nail her ass to the floor.
Time Jump - One Month Later
Jace POV:
It has been a month and we still haven't had any luck finding this hacker. She was good, and the more she evaded us the more I wanted to know her. I was sitting in my office doing paperwork when there was a knock.
"Come in." I said and the door opened to show Simon.
"We found her sir. She's at the corner of 9th and Broadway." He said and I grabbed my things and ran to my car. When I got to the little cafe that was there I went in and surveyed the people. Many people were on their laptops. There was a boy in the corner, clearly not a threat. An older women who looked sketchy but not savvy enough to be that great. Which led me to the redhead in the corner. She was small, and very focused on what she was doing. I walked up, bought two cups of coffee and made my way over to her. I sat down across from her and she looked up at me with piercing green eyes.
"Can I help you?" She asked and I smiled.
"Can't I buy a pretty girl a cup of coffee?" I said and she laughed.
"Sorry pretty boy, but I know your type. You charm them until they are putty in your hands. I'm not falling for it." She said and I couldn't help but smile. She was feisty, I liked it. She grabbed the cup of coffee drank it and gagged at the flavor. "What did you buy?"
"A vanilla latte. Don't girls like that?"
"Maybe basic bitches. Yuck." She said and I couldn't help but enjoy the way here nose scrunched in disgust. "I like my coffee black."
"Is that why you call yourself the Angel of Darkness?" I said and her eyes widened.
"How..." She started but I cut her off. I held up my credentials.
"Agent Herondale. CIA. I'd like to speak with you." I said and she closed her laptop and looked at me.
"Buy me a new cup of coffee, and I'm all ears." She said and I smiled and nodded. I got up, got her a new cup, sat back down and she nodded.
"You've been on our radar for some time angel. My boss thinks he'd like to use your talents at the CIA."
"Don't you have your own set of hackers?"
"Yes, but none as good as you. You've completely confused our best analysts. My boss thinks you'd be a good addition."
"How do you know I'm one of the good guys?" She leaned in and whispered to me. Her voice was low and seductive, and damn did she turn me on.
"You've never done anything that suggests your going to cause a threat to national security. You're looking for something. Clearly something personal to you." I said and she tensed. "I'll give you access to our databases, if you come work for us."
"Why should I trust you?"
"I'm a lot of things angel, but a liar isn't one of them."
"You work for the CIA, your life is a lie."
"I'm no spy. I work for the CIA, but I'm not in the field." I said.
"Than what do you do?"
"I am in charge of the cyber division. I work with said hackers."
"You don't strike me as a hacker." She said and I laughed.
"Don't judge a book by its cover." I said and she nodded. "So, would you like to come to the office?" I said and she drank her coffee contemplating it.
"Sure. I'll go." She said and I nodded. I stood up and he packed her stuff and followed. We got into my car and made our way to my office. When we pulled up and looked confused. "This is your office?"
"This is the institute. It looks shabby, but inside is a whole new level of technology and secrets." I said and she nodded. We walked through the institute and into my office. She took a seat I called Hodge in an a couple minutes later he was there. "Hodge, this is angel." I said and her cheeks flushed red.
"Clary. My name is Clary sir." She said and she stood up.
"Nice to meet you Clary, I'm sure Jace has told you why we tracked you down."
"Yes sir."
"So, would you like to work here?" Hodge asked and I could see her thinking about it.
"Sure." She said and Hodge smiled.
"Wonderful, you start tomorrow. 9 am." Hodge said and left. I turned back around and smiled at Clary.
"I'll see you tomorrow angel." I said and she blushed again. She got up and left my office. The rest of the day was spent doing paperwork and getting everything ready for Clary to start. Working with her was going to be fun, and I was looking forward to it.
Time Jump - Next Day
Clary POV:
I started working for the CIA today and I was nervous as hell. Not to mention Jace, who is my boss is hotter than hell, and who likes flirting with me, is going to be there all day. I had no idea what to wear so I just decided on a pair of jeans, a hoodie and my converse. If they told me to change, I would but as for right now, this is what I'll wear.
I got in a cab and made my way to the institute. When I got there I walked up to the door and realized that I didn't have clearance to get in so I just started knocking. After about 5 minutes the door opened and a nerdy looking guy was staring at me.
"You must be Clary?" He said and I nodded. "Jace told me to come get you. Follow me." He said and I followed him into the institute. We went down a bunch of hallways until we got to a huge room with a bunch of computers, monitors, and a bunch of screens. It was like heaven in there, and I honestly couldn't wait to start working. "Jace's office is up there. He wants to talk before you start. I'm Simon by the way." He said and I nodded and started towards Jace's office. I knock.
"Come in." He said and I opened the door. He looked up and our eyes locked, and those golden orbs made my skin crawl. "I see you took the casual approach."
"I didn't know what to wear, and I noticed yesterday that it was a little chilly in here. I can dress differently tomorrow."
"Don't worry about it, I dress nicely because I have too. My hackers don't have to be subjected to the same torture." He said and I couldn't help but laugh. "So I wanted to talk about your job here, what you'll be doing, and what I promised you." He said and I nodded and took a seat. "There is a problem we're having with Idris." He said and I was confused.
"Uh, what's Idris?"
"It's a man made country that we made a couple years ago. They are starting to rebel against the government and we need to tap into their systems and see what they are planning."
"Okay."
"And about what I promised you, it'll have to be after hours. I don't want the others snooping into your business but I'll be present."
"Okay."
"Alright, your little cube is next to Sherman." He said and I looked at the office.
"You mean Simon?" I said and he looked up.
"Sure. He's relatively new, I haven't gotten his name down yet." He said and I laughed. I got up and made my way out to my desk. I couldn't wait to have access to that information. I was going to find out the truth, if it kills me or not.
Time Jump - Later That Night
Jace POV:
It was nearing 1 am and Clary was still glued to her computer. I had no idea what she was looking for, but it was clearly very important. I wanted to give her as much time as she needed but we had work tomorrow, so it was time to cut her off. I packed up my stuff, and made my way over to her. She was so focused she didn't hear me coming. I looked over her shoulder and saw she was looking for someone by the last name Morgenstern but she wasn't getting very far. All I knew about that information was you needed top level access.
"Who is that?" I said and she nearly jumped 5 feet off the ground.
"Jesus Jace. Don't sneak up on people like that." She said and I couldn't help but laugh. "It doesn't matter who it is, what do you want?"
"It's 1 am, we have work tomorrow. You can pick this up tomorrow." I said and she frowned. She turned around and shut down her computer. "Wanna fill me in?" I said and she scoffed.
"That wasn't part of your promise. You said you have to be here with me, and you are. That's it." She said, and now it was my turn to laugh. I walked towards the door before turning around.
"I just thought you'd like my help. That's all."
"And why would I need your help?" She said as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"Because you need top level access to get into that case." I said and her face paled. "Which you don't have. I do." I said and she looked absolutely defeated. "Come on angel, I'll give you a ride." I said and she soon followed.
"Alright, you can help, but you don't get to ask questions. I'll tell you what I want." She said and I smiled.
"What ever you want angel." I said and we made it to my car. I have come to the conclusion I liked working with Clary, and I was looking forward to more late nights with her.
Time Jump - Four Months Later
Clary POV:
So far I've only gotten the bare minimum of information on Valentine. Jace and I work every single night on securing all the information possible but there are some levels of the information that not even he has access too. It's very frustrating. It was almost midnight one night and I couldn't take it anymore and I screamed and slammed my hands on my desk.
"You alright angel?" Jace asked, and as much as I hated the nickname in the beginning, it made me feel oddly comfortable and safe.
"We've been working on this for four months and we aren't even close." I said and he wheeled his chair over to me.
"We'll get there. This case was clearly very confidential. The CIA wants this case to be gone, so they really secured it, but we can't give up that easily." He said and it made me feel better. "I know you said I couldn't ask questions, but why is this guy so important?" He asked and I bit my lip, which clearly did something to him. "I mean, this guy wasn't the nicest. Multiple counts of domestic violence, murder, treason, insider stock trading. Like, he's literally committed every felony known to mankind. Why are you so interested?" He asked and I knew I was going to have to tell him eventually.
"He's my father." I said and Jace sucked in a deep breath. "He disappeared almost 10 years ago, and I've been trying to find him ever since."
"Why? He's dangerous." Jace said as he wheeled closer to me and our knees were touching, and it made my skin ignite.
"I think he killed my mom."
"You think he'd do that?" Jace asked and I nodded.
"Those domestic violence incidents, they were because of me." I said and I lifted up my shirt to show him the scar. "My mom was getting ready to leave him, but the next week her car was found in a ditch, and the suspected foul play, but Valentine disappeared."
"How old were you?"
"14." I said and he grabbed my hands.
"What happened to you?"
"Went into the system. Bounced around from home to home until I ran away when I was 16. I lived on the streets for two years, getting odd hacking jobs. When I turned 18, I got a job found an apartment, and have been doing odd jobs ever since."
"Damn." He said and I looked into his golden eyes.
"What about you? You know my life story. What's yours?"
"Simple really. Rich parents. Boarding school. Yale education. Got a job here. I've been lucky in life. I can't complain. That's really all there is to me."
"I don't believe it. Everyone has something they don't like about their life." I said and he looked down and started playing with my fingers, and it oddly felt really good, so I let him keep going.
"I guess I didn't have the perfect life that everyone thought. Dad cheated on my mom. My mom stayed regardless, they fought a lot, dinners were silent, they stayed in separate bedrooms. I volunteered to go to boarding school in high school because I didn't want to live there anymore."
"I think that sucks more than having no family at all." I said as he looked back up at me.
"It wasn't pleasant. I met my best friend at that boarding school. I would spend summers with him, and his family. I feel like I'm more apart of their family than I do in my own."
"At least you found good people. I never had the chance at that. Unless to count homeless Joe who let me sleep in his area from time to time family, I had no one." I said and he laughed at that. He looked at the computer and sighed.
"It's almost 2, we've been here for hours. Let's pick this back up tomorrow." He said and I nodded. "I'll give you a ride home angel." I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face. I followed him out to his car and he drove me home. When we pulled up to my apartment I lingered for a moment. I turned to him and smiled.
"Thank you for listening. I've never had someone to open up to before. It felt nice to get that off my chest."
"If you ever need to vent, I'm all ears angel." He said and I smiled. I leaned over and kissed his cheek.
"Goodnight Jace." I said and he smiled.
"Night angel." He said and I got out. I walked up to my apartment, opened the door and than closed it and leaned against it. I have no idea what possessed me to kiss his cheek but it felt right. I threw my bag on the ground and went to the fridge to get a snack. When I turned around there were three men standing there.
"Hello Clarissa, it's been awhile." The one said and he stepped into the light and my eyes widened.
"Valentine."
"Is that anyway to greet your father?" He said and I growled. "Jonathan, Sebastian, grab her." He said and I ran. I started throwing things all over my apartment to show there was a struggle. Someone grabbed my ankle and I slammed my head against the ground and my lip split. I was being pulled and I was reaching to anything to hold myself to my apartment. "Come Clarissa, we have a lot to discuss." He said and something went over my mouth and before I knew it darkness was taking me over.
Time Jump - Next Day
Jace POV:
I was sitting in the office waiting for Clary to come in. I don't know what was happening to me, but that simple kiss on the cheek was driving me crazy. Her lips were against my body, and I wanted them there again. I looked at my phone and noticed Clary was 15 minutes late. I knew she walked to work so maybe she had something hold her up, I'll give her some lenience. 15 more minutes later and Clary still wasn't here. I grabbed my keys and went to Hodge's office.
"Hey Hodge, Clary is late and I feel like something is wrong. Can I go check out her apartment?"
"She could have just slept late Jace."
"Clary doesn't sleep. And if she does its for like 2 hours at a time." I said and Hodge's eyes narrowed.
"Very well, be back before 10:30." He said and I nodded and headed to my car. I drove to Clary's apartment and when I walked up to her place her door was opened. I walked in and her place was trashed. Books, flowers, glass was all over the floor. I walked over to the kitchen and there was blood and scratch marks and in the ground. I immediately pulled my phone out and called Hodge.
"Hello?"
"Hodge, we have a problem." I said and he hung up and I assumed he was on his way over. 10 minutes later he was walking into her place.
"What the hell?" He said and I looked at him. I knew I was going to have to tell him what Clary and I had been doing at work.
"There is something you should know Hodge."
"What's that?"
"Clary and I had been..." I started and he cut me off.
"I don't care if you're hooking up with one of your hackers Jace. That's not my business, or my problem."
"No, that's not what I was going to say. Clary and I have been staying late at the office and looking up information about Valentine Morgenstern." I said and his eyes widened.
"Why would you drag that case up Jace?"
"He is Clary's father. That's why she was hacking all those government databases. She thinks he killed her mother and she wanted to find him."
"Valentine is a ruthless man Jace. You don't want to cross him."
"I think he has Clary. Hodge, we have to look for her." I said, I was pleading and Hodge knew I didn't plead.
"Let's get back to the institute. We can have your whole unit looking into this." He said and I nodded. We left and got back to the institute and I gathered my men.
"Alright everyone, forget your latest projects for a little, one of ours has been abducted, and we're going to get her back." I said and everyone nodded. "I want you all looking into those who used to be loyal to a man by the name of Valentine Morgenstern. He had a group called The Circle back in the day. I want to know the names of everyone who was involved and whatever they've been up to in the last couple years." I said and everyone got to work. I was going to find Clary, no matter what.
Time Jump - Two Weeks Later
Clary POV:
I was chained to this wall yet again, and I still had no idea how I was going to get out. I'm pretty sure I had several broken ribs, and a possible concussion, but if I don't get out I'll get it even worse. Just then I heard footsteps, when I looked up Sebastian was standing there.
"Hey baby, ready for your second round of punishment for the day?" He said in his seductive voice. He started unbuttoning his shirt and he walked towards me. He stripped my jeans off and I cringed. I tried to block out his hands on my body, I tried to go to my happy place. Jace. I imagined it was him with his hands on my and his lips trailing down my stomach. By the time it was over I felt completely and totally used. Just like I do every time he comes down here. He left and a few moments later Jonathan came down.
"Valentine wants you." He said and I take a deep breath. He unchains me and drags me into another room. Valentine is standing there with a whip in his hands looking more sadistic than before.
"Daughter." He said and he shortened the distance. I closed my eyes and felt the whip his my bare skin over and over again. After at least 25 whips I start to lose consciousness, and black out.
Time Jump - Two Weeks Later
Jace POV:
It's been a month since Clary was abducted and I was filled with pent up rage. Every time we came close to finding something it turned out to be dummy information. I was getting so frustrated. I had my head in my hands when I heard someone yell my name.
"JACE!" I heard and my head whipped up. "I found something. I am so sure this is real too." Simon said and I ran to his cube. "I've been tracking cell phones for the past week, and normally they change them but I think they got someone new who doesn't know the system. He's been at this address everyday from 3-6 am. I think he's the night guard for when everyone else goes home."
"You better hope this is right Simon." I said and he looked at me.
"I'm almost 100% sure this information is real." He said and I nodded. I looked at the clock. It was almost 5 in the morning. We had time. "Alright, send me the address, I'm going to go get here."
"I'll call the FBI, they will back you." He said and I nodded. "Jace." He said and I turned around. "Bring her back." He said and I nodded. I got into my car and drove to the address. When I got there it was a house in the middle of nowhere. I waited for my back up and 5 minutes later I had s.w.a.t and at least 7 other agents working the perimeter. I grabbed my gun, and organized s.w.a.t to start storming the house.
When we got inside there was no sign of activity. We checked every room but there was no sign of her. I was starting to lose hope. I started walking towards the door when I stepped on a part of the floor that didn't sound like the rest of the floor. I removed the rug and saw a trap door.
"Over here!" I yelled and soon s.w.a.t was around me. They took bolt cutters and snapped the lock right off. I opened the door, climbed down the latter and turned my flashlight on. There was a cage at the end of the tunnel. I walked towards it and when I got there I saw Clary laying on the ground chained to the wall. I immediately rushed over. The door was locked. "I need those bolt cutters!" I yelled and soon more people were down there with me. They cut off the lock and I rushed in. I went over to check for a pulse, and it was faint. "We need medical fast." I yelled and everyone went. I moved her hair out of her face. "You have to stay with me angel. You can't leave me." Before I knew it she was being helicoptered out of the house and I was standing on the ground watching her go. I got in my car and headed to the hospital they were taking her too. When I walked in I went straight to the nurses station. "Clary Fray. She was just brought in."
"Relationship?"
"Husband." I said and she nodded.
"Clary Fray was taken into surgery to stop the internal bleeding. I'll let you know when she is out." She said and I nodded. I took a seat in the waiting room, praying she was going to make it. I had my head in my hands when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up and saw Alec and Izzy standing there.
"What are you guys doing here?"
"Hodge called, said you were distraught, and needed someone. We got on the first plane."
"You guys didn't need to do that."
"You're my best friend Jace, and Hodge sounded serious. What happened?"
"This girl I work with was abducted by her murderous father a month ago, we found her but I don't know if she'll make it."
"She must be pretty special." Izzy said and I nodded.
"She is. I've never been so captivated by anyone before. I didn't have the chance to tell her before she was taken."
"Think positively." Izzy said and I nodded. We say there for a few more hours before more people showed up.
"Jace." I heard and I looked up and Simon was standing there.
"What are you doing here Simon?"
"Hodge told us you found her, and he also asked me to bring you an extra pair of clothes. Said yours were bloody." He handed me the bag I keep in my office and I nodded. "Any news?"
"None. I've been sitting here for hours." I said and he nodded.
"Need anything? Coffee, energy drink, food?" He asked and I nodded.
"Coffee would be great."I said and he nodded.
"I'll come with you." Izzy said. "I hate hospitals and I've been here for too long." She said and Simon looked star struck. She nodded and they walked out. I put my head back in my hands.
"Mr. Fray." I nurse called and my head whipped up. "Clary just got out of surgery. It was touch and go for awhile, but she's stable, and in her room if you'd like to go see her. Room 118." She said and I nodded. She walked away and I looked back at Alec.
"Mr. Fray?" He said and I laughed.
"I told them we were married. I thought it was the best way to see her."
"I'll let Izzy know when she gets back. Go see her." Alec said and I nodded and started making my way to her room. When I walked in she was attached to all types of machines and it broke my heart. I walked over, moved a chair to the side of her bed and grabbed her hand.
"Please wake up angel." I said and I laid my head on her bed without letting go of her hand. Before I knew it sleep was consuming me and I let it take me over.
Time Jump - A Week Later
Clary POV:
I heard an annoying beeping as I opened my eyes. It was bright. Extremely bright. I blinked a couple times and I tried to move my body. I was in a lot of pain and everything hurt. I tried to move my hands but one of them was being restrained by something. When I looked down a saw a blonde head rested on the bed. I smiled, waking up and knowing Jace was there was all I wanted. I moved my other arm and weaved my fingers in his hair. He started to stir and when he lifted his head up she blinked a couple times before they widened.
"It is so good to see those beautiful eyes angel."
"You can't get rid of me that easy pretty boy." I said and he smiled. He leaned over me a planted a kiss on my forehead. "How long have I been out?"
"A week." He said and my eyes widened. "They did a bunch of tests on you Clary."
"Did they do a rape kit?" I asked and he nodded.
"Yea. They did." He sounded completely defeated and I hated that.
"I'm sorry." I said and he looked at me with a shocked expression.
"Why are you sorry?"
"This is all my fault. If I wasn't so invested he wouldn't have found me. Sebastian wouldn't have forced himself on me." I said and a tear slipped out of my eye.
"You're seriously blaming yourself for being raped?" He asked and I shrugged. He got up and joined me on the bed. "Nothing was your fault."
"I kept picturing you." I said in a low whisper.
"What?"
"When he was kissing me and touching me. I pretended it was you. He was trying to break me, but I figured if I pictured you doing those things to me, it would be more bearable."
"Was it?"
"Yes. It was." I said and he put his arm around me and I leaned into his side. We stayed like that for awhile before a nurse walked in. Jace excused himself to give us some privacy. Once the door was shut the nurse spoke.
"You have an amazing husband." She said and I was confused. "He hasn't left your side since you were brought in." She said and I nodded.
"I'm a lucky one." I said and she smiled. She took all my vitals and left. A moment later Jace walked back in with jello. He joined me back on the bed, like it was the most natural thing in the world. It took me forever to eat my jello but Jace stayed with me the whole time. Before I knew it sleep was consuming me but I was fighting it as hard as I could and I felt Jace laugh.
"Sleep angel." He said as he planted a kiss on the top of my head.
"Stay with me." I said and he pulled me closer.
"I'll never leave." He said and I smiled and closed my eyes. Feeling more safe than I have in my whole life.
Time Jump - Two Weeks Later
Jace POV:
Clary was being released today and I was filling out all the paperwork for her. Izzy was helping her get dressed and Alec was getting the car ready. Once everything was done, Clary got into the wheel chair and I wheeled her out to the car. I lifted her up and put her seat belt up. Izzy got in the front and I stayed in the back with Clary.
"Where too?" Alec asked.
"My place." I said and Clary's eyes widened. "Your place is still trashed, and I figured I could take better care of you if we were in the same place." I said and she smiled and put her head on my shoulder.
When we got to my house I picked Clary up and made our way inside. I walked upstairs and put her in the guest bedroom. Izzy had made it more girly, and I grabbed a few things from her place to make it feel more homey. Once I placed her on the bed, I was going to let her rest so I started to walk away when she grabbed my hand.
"Yes angel?" I said and she smiled and pulled me to her. I kneeled down so we were eye level. She bit her lip, which drove me crazy, before she put her hand behind my head and crashed our lips together. I had pictured kissing her for awhile now, but this completely destroyed anything I could imagine. This kiss was filled with passion, and urgency, and electricity. After a few minutes we pulled away and she had a smile on her face.
"Thank you. For everything." She said and I pressed my lips back to hers again.
"Anything for you angel." I said and I stood up and walked towards the door, but before I left I turned around. "Once you're 100%, I'm taking you out." I said and she giggled.
"I'll hold you too that pretty boy." I smiled and closed the door behind me. I couldn't get the smile off my face. I went into the kitchen and started making lunch. I was going to enjoy Clary living with me.
Time Jump - Two Years Later
Clary POV:
"Jace!" I yelled brought the house. "We're going to be late for dinner with Izzy and Simon if we don't leave now!"
"I'm coming!" He yelled back and I laughed. Since that day he brought me home I haven't left. We've been together ever since and I loved every minute of it. I secretly called this dinner with them, but Jace thinks they have an announcement for us. I found out last week that I'm almost two months pregnant, and I was going to surprise them at dinner. Izzy and I had become the best of friends after she stayed to help Jace, and a year ago she moved back to the city for work, and her and Simon have been getting pretty close. They were different, but a great couple. I was pulled out of my thoughts when Jace snaked his arms around my waist. "Ready?"
"Yes." I said and we walked out and got into the car. We showed up to the restaurant and Izzy and Simon were waiting for us. We were seated shortly and ordered our food before Jace spoke.
"So, why did you want to have dinner guys?" He said and Izzy and Simon were clearly very confused.
"Clary organized this dinner." Izzy said and now Jace was confused. Everyone looked at me and I smiled.
"Okay, so I lied. Izzy and Simon didn't have something to tell us, but I have something to tell all of you." I said and they were all listening curiously. "I'm pregnant." I said and their eyes widened. Izzy was the first one to break out of the trance.
"Oh my god!" She squealed and I couldn't help but laugh. "How far along are you?"
"I'm almost two months." I said and by this time Jace broke out of the trance.
"I'm going to be a dad?" He said and I smiled.
"Yea you are." I said and he slammed his lips to mine. When we broke apart we were both smiling.
"I can't believe you're pregnant." He said and I laughed.
"I was shocked when the doctor told me. I haven't had any symptoms yet, but he said I could just be a late bloomer."
"This is so exciting! I can't wait to go baby shopping." Izzy said and I started laughing. I saw movement out of the corner of my eye and when I looked at Jace he was placing a small box in front of me. I looked at him as my eyes filled with tears.
"I was going to use this opportunity to ask you to marry me." He said and my hands flew over my mouth. "I love you more than I ever thought possible Clary. There isn't anyone else in this world that I want to be with. I can't wait to start our family, and I can't wait to make you my wife either. So, angel, will you marry me?" He said and now the tears were flowing, damn hormones.
"Of course." I finally got out. He slipped my ring onto my finger and pressed his lips to mine again. When we broke apart I rested my forehead against his. "I love you Jace."
"I love you too Clare." He said and I knew this was going to be the start of an amazing life.
Time Jump - Five Years Later
Clary POV:
"Savannah Grace Herondale! Get back here this instant!" I yelled at my five year old daughter. She walked back into the room with her hands behind her back. "Can you please tell me how your brother got tied to the couch?"
"He called me stupid." She said and I sighed. I leaned down and took her hands in mine.
"He's 3 baby. He doesn't know what that means." I said and she looked at me with her fathers golden eyes.
"But it wasn't nice."
"I know, so next time, tell me, and I'll deal with him okay?" I said and she nodded. "Can I have a kiss?" I asked and she smiled and gave me a kiss on the lips just as the door opened and Jace walked in.
"Daddy!" Savannah cheered and she ran into his arms.
"Hey princess." He said as he picked her up. He walked over to me and gave me a kiss. "Hey angel." He said and I couldn't help but smile. "Where's the little guy?" Jace asked and I forgot.
"Shit. He's still tied to the couch." I said and I ran over to untie him.
"Why was he tied to the couch?"
"Ask your little princess." I said and Savannah buried her head into his neck. "Are you okay baby?" He nodded and I gave him a kiss and he went back to playing with his blocks. I walked over to Jace and he was giving Savannah a million kisses and she was giggling.
"What's for dinner?" He asked as he put her down and she ran to play with her dolls.
"I was thinking about ordering something tonight. I don't feel like cooking, and you had a long day." I said as I snaked my arms around his waist and pulled him into me.
"Sounds good to me." He said as he gave me another kiss. We stood there kissing for a minute or two before someone yelled.
"Mommy! Cole called me stupid again." I sighed and was about to go handle it when Jace stopped me.
"You handled them all day. This is a job for dad. You go order us something." He said and I gave him a small kiss before he walked into the living room. I walked over to the phone thinking about how different my life was. I never imagined this is where I'd be, but I absolutely love it.
Time Jump - Fifteen Years Later
Jace POV:
These last fifteen years have been absolutely amazing. Clary and I are still happier than can be, and our kids are doing amazing. Savannah is 20, and off at school, Cole is 18, and really looking forward to getting out of high school, and the twins are 14. They can't wait to start high school, as much as Cole tells them it's a complete and utter waste of time, they are still excited. It was thanksgiving and everyone was going to be home, and I had invited my parents, and the Lightwoods, and we were going to have a big family dinner for the very first time. It was hard to get everyone together, but Clary had asked everyone months ago and they all made time, and she was really excited. She was finally getting that family experience she lost, and I loved seeing her so happy. I walked into the house and it smelled like heaven. I put my stuff down and walked into the kitchen and saw Clary cooking. I walked over and grabbed her by the hips and put her on the counter.
"Well hello." She said as she placed her arms around my neck.
"I missed you." I said and I gave her a kiss.
"You had a half day Jace. It's barely even 2:45." She said and I laughed.
"Am I not allowed to miss my wife?" I said and she giggled.
"Of course you are. I missed you too." She said as she gave me a kiss. We stayed like that until we heard a scream. We broke apart and looked to see who it was and Hannah, and Megan were standing there looking horrified.
"Gross. Can't you do that behind closed doors?" Megan asked and we laughed.
"You don't have to watch." Clary said and they groaned.
"We came to tell you that grandma and grandpa just showed up." Hannah said and Clary hopped off the counter.
"Help them with their things. You know what bedrooms they will be staying in." Clary said and they nodded and walked away. A moment later my parents walked in.
"Lovely seeing you again Jace and Clary." My mom said as she came over and gave us both a kiss.
"It's lovely to see you again too Celine." Clary said. My mom had told her countless times that she was allowed to call her mom, but after I explained Clary's family past, my mom let it go. Clary didn't feel comfortable calling anyone mom or dad. "Hannah and Megan put your stuff in your rooms. It's the second door on the left upstairs, and Stephen's room is fourth door on the right." Clary said and they nodded. They left to go unpack, they might be here for a couple days but they know how to pack. Clary went back to cooking and I went and settled down into the living room and turned on the TV. An hour later the doorbell rang. I got up and opened the door and the Lightwoods were standing there.
"Welcome." I said as gave them all a hug. "Clary is in the kitchen Iz, and Hannah and Megan will show you where you're staying." I said and they all nodded. I walked back into the living room where Cole was now sitting. I sat down next to him and we were watching something on TV when we heard screaming. We turned around and Izzy and Clary were jumping up and down.
"Please keep it down!" I yelled back and they laughed.
"Sorry babe, just exciting news over here!" Clary said so I got up as walked into the kitchen.
"What's so exciting?"
"Alec has a boyfriend!" Izzy said and my jaw dropped.
"Really?" I asked and she nodded.
"Did he finally come out to your parents?"
"Yea. A couple months ago. They took some time to warm up to the idea, but they're cool with it now. I just met him last week! He's great!" Izzy said and I couldn't help but smile.
"When do I get to meet him?" I asked and Izzy laughed.
"Maybe in." She started as she looked at her watch. "Two hours. He invited him."
"Good. Other wise I'd use my CIA skills and track him down." I said and Clary laughed.
"Alright, out of my kitchen!" Clary said and Izzy and I both left. I went back into the living room where everyone was congregated. We sat there and waiting until Clary gave us the go ahead to eat.
By the time 5 rolled around we were all starving. Clary still hadn't emerged from the kitchen, and I wasn't going in there and risking her throwing a spatula at my head. After another 25 minutes we finally heard footsteps.
"Alright everyone, dinner is ready, and the table is set. Dig in." She said and everyone rushed into the kitchen. I stayed behind so I could talk to Clary. She started walking towards the kitchen I grabbed her hand and pulled her back to me. "What's wrong?"
"I thought I should warn you now, I heard Savannah explaining to Maryse and Robert about what she's studying at school, and I thought I heard her mention Valentine." I said and her eyes widened. "I'm not completely sure, but I didn't want you to be blind sided."
"Thanks Jace." She said and she got on her tippy toes and gave me a quick kiss. She pulled away and I put my arm around her shoulder and guided her into the dinning room. Everyone had already had their plates ready and waiting for Clary and I to get there. "Alright everyone, before you start I just want to say one thing. Thank you all for making time to come here for thanksgiving. It really means a lot to Jace and I, and even if this doesn't happen all the time, I'm glad we have tonight." Clary said and everyone smiled.
Dinner went by really well, of course my parents avoided each other but there were so much people there, that it didn't ruin the atmosphere. Clary had gotten desert ready and just when I thought we had gotten through dinner, my mother asked about Savannah's classes at school.
"Oh they are great grandma. I have this one class that focuses on the worst criminals in history, and some of these guys are so horrible I don't even understand how they had were even civilized. A lot of them had families, and children."
"Who has been the most interesting one so far?" My dad asked.
"Last week we learned about a man named Valentine Morgenstern." She said and I saw Clary tense. Nobody but me and Simon knew about him, and she wanted to keep it that way. "He had a wife and a daughter, and he had a completely secret life apart from them. I don't understand how his wife couldn't see who he was. I mean, you live with the man, and you have his child and you can't see how sick and twisted he was. I mean, he beat his daughter, who does that?" She said and Clary stood up and everyone looked at her.
"Clary dear, are you alright?" My mother asked and she opened her mouth to speak but nothing came out, she looked like she was about to cry. She looked at me and I nodded, and she left. Everyone was confused, and I took a deep breath and stood up.
"I'm not going to explain right now why Clary is so upset. She'll tell you when she's ready, but just give her some space right now and I promise when she's ready, she'll tell you." I said and everyone nodded and went back to eating and talking. "If you guys don't mind, I'm going to go see if she's alright." Everyone nodded again and I made my way up to our room. I opened the door and saw Clary sitting on the bed wiping her tears. I walk over and get on the bed with her and pull her into my lap and she let it out. I rubbed her back until she started to calm down. She picked her head up off my shoulder and looked at me.
"I'm sorry." She said and I couldn't help but laugh.
"Why are you sorry?"
"For the way I acted."
"You have nothing to apologize for that. Savannah was saying some pretty harsh things, and it's understandable that you'd react that way. I thought we were safe, and I'm sorry it was brought up."
"I think it's time we tell them. But just them, I don't think I could tell your families yet." She said and I nodded. We stayed like that for a while until there was a knock on the door.
"Come in." I said and the door opened and revealed our kids. They looked at the situation and they were about to close the door. "Wait a minute!" I said and they stopped moving.
"We just thought you'd want to be left alone." Cole said and I smiled.
"Actually we wanted to talk to all of you. Please, join us." I said and they nodded. They came in and shut the door behind them and gathered on the bed. "Is everyone else in bed?"
"Yea. We all cleaned up and did the dishes and than we just decided to call it a night."
"Thank you for cleaning up." I said and they nodded. Clary sat up but didn't remove herself from my lap. "We tried to hide this from you kids, but since Hannah and Megan are 14, we think you're all old enough to hear this now." I said and they all nodded. I pulled Clary closer to me, and she took a deep breath.
"The reason I got to upset at dinner was because Valentine Morgenstern is my father." I said and all of their jaws dropped. "I never wanted you guys to have to know the truth of my childhood. It was hard, and painful, and I didn't want any of you to have to hear those details of what I went through."
"Mom." Savannah said but Clary held up her hand.
"Don't worry about it Savannah, you had no idea, and honestly I wasn't expecting him to be in the curriculum at your school." Clary said and Savannah scooted over to us and hugged Clary. I couldn't resist so I grabbed her and pulled her into my lap as well, thankfully she got Clary's height, and was able to fit on my lap as well.
"I'm sorry mom. I can't believe you went through that, and that you had to deal with him."
"He disappeared 14 years ago, and I only saw him for a month when I was 24. Other than that, I don't really consider him my father." Clary said and Savannah nodded. We sat there soaking up the moment when Cole spoke.
"We love you mom, and I want you to know that you and dad are the best parents in the world, and I couldn't picture being part of a better family." He said and Clary reached out her hand and he scooted closer to us as well. Clary wrapped her arm around him and brought him into a hug. I reached my arm out around Savannah and Hannah and Megan crawled towards us. We gave each other a big family hug and than all pulled apart.
"I'm really sorry mom." Savannah said and Clary smiled.
"It's really okay. Just a little shocking. I'm good though, I have your amazing dad, and you four amazing kids, and my family staying with us. That's all I need. I have laid to rest that part of my life." Clary said and the kids got up, gave Clary a kiss, said their goodnights, and left. Clary was still on my lap, and she looked up at me and smiled. "I love you."
"I love you too." I said and I gave her a kiss. Life was good, and Clary and I had an amazing life together, with amazing kids, and an amazing extended family. We were happy, and we were together, and that's all I've ever wanted, and I was happy to share my life with her.
Authors Note:
This one shot was requested by "No Name" and I had a lot of fun writing this story, and I love how it turned out. I hope you love it as much as I do, and I hope it lived up to your expectations! Let me know what you think, leave a review with a suggestion, or shoot me a message! :)