Chapter 25

Clary's Past

"Well, that was fun," Jace announced getting into his Ferrari. "I am glad you had a good time Jace. Though I think you were just happy to beat your dad at Monopoly." Clary jested closing the passenger door. Jace grinned even wider. "Did you see his face? It was priceless and then after he lost the rematch." He laughed. Clary shook her head. She wished she could say that Stephen threw the game but Jace had won fair and square. Those two men were competitive and after an hour of watching them go head to head the others lost interest and got started on dinner. Jace and Stephen were still playing by the time dinner was ready. Stephen took one last roll and landed on the last space anyone wanted. He just bought a railroad property and his cash was low. It was enough to bankrupt him. Jace was thrilled and Stephen huffed giving his son a one-hundred-dollar bill from his wallet. Like father like son. It hadn't surprised Clary in the least that they had bet on the game. Jace smiled, took the money and handed it to James telling him to go and put it in his piggy bank. The small boy looked at him in awe before running upstairs to his room at top speed. Stephen was flabbergasted.

Clary was happy that the weekend went by so smoothly. It was nice to see Jace make a connection with his family and even more so with his father. The two were obviously competitive and James seemed to glow when Jace was around. The Herondale's were so welcoming. She just hoped her father and brother were just as welcoming. Jonathan was home on break from his last year of college and her father had invited them to stay at his high-rise condo located in the business district. He didn't seem that excited to hear from her and she hoped she wasn't overstepping her bounds by asking if Jace could stay. She hadn't seen her father in years and the last time she had been to visit when she was just a teenager. Thinking about him brought back painful memories. She was so lost in her head that she must have missed what Jace said. "I'm sorry, what did you say?" she begged. Jace's golden eyes appraised her as he softly took her hand in his. "It's okay Red. You can do this." he encouraged sweetly.

Clary stayed silent squeezing his hand as she watched the buildings out the windows. She hoped he was right. This reunion had been a long time coming and she just hoped that she had the courage to confront her father. She would see him, give him the opportunity to show her that he changed. If things were the same then she would be forced to confront him about it. The thought of confronting her father made her stomach turn. Valentine Morgenstern was a proud and stoic man. He wasn't always so cold but her father had always been intimidating. Leaving the car with the valet, Clary and Jace made their way up to the sixty-second floor. Once they arrived her father opened the door to the lavish sky rise. "Hello." Clary greeted mustering a friendly smiled. Valentine looked his daughter up and down before forcing a smile onto his face. Her heart sank at the familiar expression. It seemed nothing had changed. Stepping forward she wrapped her arms around him in a soft embrace. Her father seemed surprised at the gesture but returned her hug awkwardly. Jace watched in earnest.

"It's been awhile, father," Clary said affectionately. Her father gave her a guanine smile at that. "It has and I see you brought the famous Jace Herondale with you. My son was just telling me how much of a ladies' man you are." Valentine's smile was firm with disapproval. Jace swallowed plastering on his own fake smile. Clary's father was a tall man with platinum white hair. His dark eyes made him look cold and his built gave him an air of importance. He wore a tight dark business suit that made his features look striking. The man was obviously not pleased to see Jace and the feeling was mutual. After all, this was the man who had caused the love of his life great pain. Jace mentally scolded himself at the thought of calling Clary his 'love' but it was true. Despite his cold welcome Jace held out his hand to shake Clary's fathers. Even though her father wasn't in her life it was obvious that Valentine was protective of her. He could at least respect that. "Aye, that but not any longer. No one really compares to Clary." Jace smiled shaking the man's hand firmly. Valentine looked pleased with this response and gestured for them to come in. They would only be staying one night before heading back to Jace's condo. One night was all Clary think she or Jace could handle in this place. They walked through the modern apartment gazing at the beautiful view of the city. Clary stopped unable to take her eyes away from the window. The view of New York city at night was absolutely breathtaking. The view of the city lights by the harbor made everything seem surreal. "Just like her mother," Valentine smiled trying to keep the sadness from his voice.

Clary turned back around blushing. "Sorry." She replied. Her father just grinned in amusement and continued to lead the couple to the spare bedroom. Stepping into the room Clary was not surprised to find it scarcely decorated just like the apartment. It had white walls, minimal artwork, and a King bed. It also had its own attached bathroom. Her father had told her once that this would have been her room if she chose to stay with him. Clary had stayed here last time to visited New York. It was an offer she could tell he was hoping she wouldn't accept. It had been many years ago and she had hoped that enough time would have passed to somehow change things. However, looking at her father now she knew that no amount of time would ever change things for him. He would be in love with her mother until the day he died and she was the spitting image of the women he lost. A constant reminder of what could have been. The only women her father had ever loved. "The chef is finishing up dinner. It will be ready in 20 minutes. Join us when you both are ready." Valentine commanded turning around and leaving the two to unpack.

Once Valentine was gone Clary and Jace began to open their suitcases. "Is your father always so, well cold?" Jace asked hesitantly. Clary shrugged. "When I was younger he wasn't. He would always greet me with a smile, wrap me up in his arms and tell me how beautiful I was. Then the business he worked for began taking off. They gave him a promotion and he began traveling a lot. He wasn't home very much when I was little. That is why my mother ended up leaving him. He was so engrossed with his work and trying to amount something; amount to afford all of this," she said gesturing to their surroundings. "That he lost my mother's love. Being a single parent she could handle but the disappointment and agony of waiting became too much for her. Eventually, she stopped promising us that he would be home for our birthdays or Christmases." Clary sighed. Jace wrapped his arms around her. "I am sorry I asked. You are always so happy. I didn't know." He whispered kissing her sweetly on her temple. Tears brimmed her eyes as she let her body fall into the warmth of her lover's embrace. She had been the strong one holding him for so long she forgot what it felt like to need comforting. The demons of her past were so real and strong that they overpowered her sometimes. Perhaps she could rely on Jace for this kind of thing too?

"My mother tried so hard for so long. Then she finally stopped calling him and making the effort. I think she hoped that he would get the hint but my father is anything if not determined. He was so engrossed in work that he didn't notice. Sure he called us once a week but that became once every two weeks, to once a month. That is why my mother is so protective of me. She was worried that with all your traveling you would hurt me like he hurt her. She loved him so much and it wasn't enough for him." Clary whispered releasing the tears she had been fighting off. Jace felt the tears wet his shirt and the sob shake her body. He clung to her tightly pulling her into his lap as he sat on the bed. Cradling her in his arms he thought about her words at the mall on Christmas day. "Sometimes love isn't enough." She had said. It made sense now. How can someone believe in love when they watched it kill their parents. "By the time he realized his mistake and came home. We were long gone." She continued. "Didn't he try to get your mother back?" Jace asked prodding softly for more details. He had often asked her questions trying to get to know more about her family and childhood. She didn't exactly refuse to answer but she really only gave him the least amount of information possible. No more and no less. Now that she was being open with him right now he knew that she would bottle it all back up if he didn't find out now. Plus, the therapist that Maryse had made him go to when he was younger had told him time and time again that talking is the brain's way of working out things.

"He did. See my mother took us and moved back to California. I think it was that Christmas when I got sick that sent her over the edge." She responded. "You were sick?" Jace asked putting his hand over hers. "Yes. I caught pneumonia and had to go to the hospital. My mother and brother were scared out of their minds. Mom called my father over and over again frantically. The company had changed the insurance and wasn't going to accept me. After an hour of begging and pleading the head, the nurse took pity and fudged some of the paperwork. They admitted me and I remember my brother and my mom sitting next to me in the hospital bed. I feel asleep to the sound of my father's voicemail. I think that is when she knew." Clary sighed softly not bothering to hide the sadness in her voice. "Knew what Clary?" Jace asked softly. "That she couldn't count on him to be there." The green eyed girl muttered. Taking a deep breath Clary relaxed her shoulders. "He had a lady in the home office call the hospital and get everything sorted out. He was in a meeting so he had her tell mom that he would call her tonight to check on my progress but he must have forgotten. I hated him so much after that, Jonathan and I both did." She explained. "As soon as I was better mom packed everything up and moved us to California after the New Year. I don't know how she did it or maybe my father just didn't know that she had left but it was a good year until I saw him again." She whispered. "He didn't call for an entire year?" Jace asked. Clary shook her head. "I don't know, maybe. My mother moved in with her longtime friend Luke. Yes, I know what you are thinking but things weren't like that. My mother only had eyes for my father when we moved in and Luke was respectful. Mom got a job selling paintings, we went to a public school after being in a prestigious private school all of our lives, and everything was in Luke's name. Mom even got us new cell phones on Luke's carrier. Perhaps he did try to call and couldn't get through? I'm not sure but I knew the day that John and I called him that he knew we were missing."

"You and your brother called him?" Jace asked. Clary nodded. "We had been playing and it was a dare. John dared me to call dad and tell him that I had a boyfriend and was knocked up." She laughed softly. Jace rose an eyebrow. "And you did it?" he inquired. Clary smiled brightly looking up at him. "I don't back down from dares." She responded with determination. "So, what happened?" he asked. She sighed. "Well, sparingly he answered. I had the number memorized still. I calmly told him who I was and that I was pregnant and hung up. It was funny at first but then he called back. I was so scared that I made John answer the phone. He talked to dad and told him that it was a joke and that they were fine. Neither of us knew that mom had not spoken to him in a year or told him that we were in California. So, when he asked to talk to mom we handed her the phone. Her face went white and she left the room. Of course, John and I listened to the conversation, at least until the part where mom asked where to send the divorce papers to. That must have woken him up because not even a day later he came to the house." She replied. "I remember that night so vividly. It was raining and he was standing outside the door for at least an hour before mother finally let him come into the house. Luke was gone on a nature hike for the weekend. He was soaking wet and cold. I don't remember him being so stoic but then again I didn't really remember what he looked like that much at all. I remember being surprised that he looked like an older version of John. When you see my brother they really are the spitting image. I look like mom and he looks just like our dad." Clary explained.

"What did he say when your mother let him in?" Jace prodded pushing a strand of hair from her damp face. Clary had stopped crying but pain still laced her features. Taking another deep breath, she concentrated. "That part I don't remember so well. Mom sent us out of the room. I do recall him begging and pleading for her to forgive him, though. It wasn't until mom told him that she was divorcing him and that she had fallen in love with someone else that he finally gave up. I thought she was just saying that to hurt him but I saw the way my mother looked at Luke. The man worshiped her and she took care of him. I don't think they had acted on anything but the feelings were there. It was the only time I ever saw my father cry. I don't think he ever stopped loving her. If my mother came to him right now asking him to take her back and try again. He would probably take her back in a heartbeat. I think…" Clary stuttered. "I think that is why he didn't want me. I look so much like her that it is a constant reminder of the women he lost." She finished sadly. "Oh, Clary." Jace began but was interrupted by a light knock on the bedroom door. Clary rose from his lap, drying her face. "Come in," she replied.

The door slowly opened revealing a tall, muscular, white-haired young man. "Hey Clyde," she announced looking at the redhead. At first, Jace thought her father had come back after changing his clothes but no. This man was younger, it had to be her brother Jonathan. Clary smiled sadly. Jace looked at the young man. Jonathan Morgenstern was really the splitting image of his father. They had the same hair, cold demeanor, and similar body build. The only difference was that Jonathan like his sister had inherited their mother's green eyes. Those eyes looked at him bitterly before turning a loving smile to his sister. Clearly blaming him for making her upset. "Hey Bonnie, long time no see. I came to tell you that dinner is ready." Jonathan smiled taking a step forward and wrapping his arms protectively around her. The motion seemed off and a little too intimate to be a hug you received from a sibling. Clary seemed to sense it too and lightly broke the embrace. "You know mom was right to give us those nicknames. I was just telling Jace how we were always getting into trouble one way or another." She smiled tugging Jace towards her by the arm. "Oh yes. Jonathan, this is my boyfriend Jace. Jace this is my brother Jonathan. Also affectionately known as Clyde, Casper, and my favorite Bone Head." She smiled introducing them. Jace stuck out his hand and shook Jonathan's. The shake was cold like his fathers and like Valentine, there seemed to be a bitter dislike rolling off of him. Jace didn't know what he had done to make her brother hate him so much and he honestly didn't care. "Only Clary gets to call me bone head. Though I do seem to remember you answering to princess, "he grinned taking her hand and kissing it. "You still remember that silly game?" she laughed. "The one where you were the trapped princess and I saved you? I remember you making me play it over and over again. You even made me dress up for our wedding." He replied warmly. "Jace you wouldn't believe the things I put Jonathan through. One time I made him dress up and pretend to marry me. The suit, cake and ring in all." She giggled once more. "Mom was so mad that we stole Aunt Atmie's birthday cupcakes." She added. "Not as mad as she was that I stole her old wedding band out of her jewelry box." He chimed.

"Wedding cupcakes? Did you make him kiss you?" Jace smiled putting on the best happy face he could muster. There was something about Jonathan that seemed off and made him uneasy. Still, Clary was infinitely happier now than she was a few minutes ago. She looked away from him turning bright red. "Yep, on the lips too." She replied nervously. Jace watched Jonathan's eyes close before walking towards the door. His face wore a weird expression. One he was trying his best to hid from his sister but it didn't get past Jace. He didn't like the man at all. Normally Jace didn't care to give many people a second thought. He either liked them or couldn't be bothered. It had been awhile since he had met someone that he disliked right off the bat. "Father sent me to tell you that dinner was ready. We should go before he gets mad. He hates cold food." The platinum blonde spoke leaving the room. "I wonder what's wrong with him?" Jace asked. Clary shrugged. "Probably just mad I told another someone about losing my first kiss to my brother." She replied. "Shall we go sweetheart?" she asked. Jace offered her his arm. "Yes, my queen." He teased.

Authors Note: Thank you for the reviews. I am happy that you all are liking the updates. To Alex, no I will not be posting the original chapters. The reason is that I have changed so many things that they don't flow entirely with the rest of the story at the moment. Another is the count, detail and style are off. The original starts each new dialogue on a separate line, which annoys me and is one of the reasons why I chose to go back and rewrite this. Believe it or not, this chapter is chapter 11 in the original which should give you some insight how much I have added to this story. Just be patient peeps, I'm working on it.