Twenty Seventh One Shot:
Surrogate
Clary POV:
"How are you doing sweetheart?" Alec asked as I emerged from my room. They had asked me to be their surrogate almost a year ago, and Magnus and Alec have been there for me so much in the past 4 years, that it was an honor to be asked.
"I'm good, and so is the little one." I rubbed my belly and I saw Magnus smile.
"Can't you give us a hint as to what we're having?" Magnus said and I laughed.
"You both wanted to be surprised. And I'm not spoiling it because you're both impatient." I said and they groaned. "You two already know what the baby will look like. Why does it matter if it's a boy or a girl?"
"So I can start decorating the nursery!" I heard from the other room and Izzy walked in with a stranger behind her.
"I can't tell you because than when you start the nursery, they will peek, and than it will be ruined. The baby shower is in a month. You'll survive." I said and everyone groaned, except the stranger. He laughed a little.
"Oh sorry. Clary, this is my other brother Jace." Izzy said and I nodded. "Jace this is Clary, the surrogate to Alec and Magnus's baby, and my best friend!" Izzy said.
"Nice to meet you Clary." Jace said and his voice sounded like honey.
"You too." I said and I winced. I walked over to Alec and Magnus, grabbed both their hands and rested them on my belly. They loved feeling the little one move, and I made sure they felt it whenever they were in the same room.
"So, what are the odds that this baby has red hair?" Jace asked and I laughed.
"Absolutely zero." I said and he looked confused. "They didn't use my egg." I said and we all took our seats in the living room.
"Why is that?"
"There was something weird about giving Magnus and Alec my child." I said and everyone nodded. "I was all for being an incubator for the little one, but I wasn't all for my eggs being used, so they went and found an egg donor that they thought would be perfect. Since Magnus is so obsessed with Alec's blue eyes, they had to find a woman who had blue eyes, and since they were using Alec's sperm, the possibility of the baby having blue eyes is greater."
"Why didn't you want to use Magnus's sperm?" Jace asked and I looked at Magnus and he was too focused on my belly so I thought I'd answer.
"Magnus has a list of health problems in his family, and he didn't want that to be passed down to the baby. Alec has a great record of health, and they really want a healthy baby."
"Makes sense." Jace said and a timer went off. Alec and Magnus got up and went into the kitchen, and Izzy's phone rang so she excused herself, so that left Jace and I. "So, how long have you known Alec and Magnus?"
"Almost 4 years."
"Makes sense why we've never met." He said and I nodded. "So, what do you do for a living?" He asked and I wanted to lie, but I guess I could tell him as little of the truth as possible.
"I work for the NYPD." I said and his eyes widened. "I know I don't look like a cop. I get that all the time."
"I just really wasn't expecting it. What do you do for them?"
"I'm a homicide detective, and sometimes they ask me to be the sketch artist." I said and he nodded. "Obviously not at the moment. I took the 9 months off so I could grow this little girl." I said and than I froze. "Shit. Don't tell them." I said and he laughed.
"I won't tell a soul." He said and I nodded.
"What about you?"
"I took over the family business."
"I didn't know the Lightwoods had a family business."
"No, my original family business."
"Oh? You're not really related?" I ask and he shakes his head.
"I was adopted when I was 15. In order to become the new CEO of my fathers company I had to graduate from college with a business degree, and have at least 3 years under my belt. It was all laid out in his will. So, when I was 26, I packed up my belongings, moved to England and took over."
"That takes some guts. Moving to a new place."
"It was challenging. But worth it." He said and I nodded. "England has given me a lot."
"Do you have a family back home?" I ask and he shakes his head.
"No. I was married for a brief period of time, but no kids."
"If it's not too personal, what happened to your wife?" I ask and he looks down at his hands.
"Apparently I'm a workaholic, and she needed a little extra on the side." He said and I couldn't believe it.
"What a bitch." I said and he laughed. "Not to be rude or anything, but how could she possibly cheat on you? Was the man like Chris Hemsworth or something?" I said and he smirked. God he was gorgeous, but a relationship, or even a fling wasn't in the cards at the moment.
"I appreciate the subtle compliment, but no. He was actually my VP. Apparently he was willing to put work a side for her." He said and my eyes widened. "I want to do my father proud, and this company was everything to him, and if I'm not running it properly I feel like I'm failing him." He said and I completely understood.
"I understand. If it makes you feel any better, she's an idiot. I've known you for all of 2 hours, and I can tell you're a great guy." I said and he smiled. I real smile. He was about to speak when Alec and Magnus walked back into the room.
"Dinner is ready." Alec said and Jace and I nodded before they went back into the kitchen. I looked at Jace and smiled.
"Do you mind helping me up?" I asked and he laughed and I reached my hands out and he grabbed them and hoisted me up. We were as close as we could be with my belly in the middle. I was staring into his golden eyes, and it seemed like he leaned in before we heard a door slam opened, and we broke apart.
"Clare, that was Simon, he said he needs you at the precinct tomorrow morning for a case." Izzy said and I nodded and she walked into the kitchen. I looked back at Jace and took a deep breath.
"I don't know what that was, but it can't happen again." I said and he looked a little hurt. "Thanks for helping me up." I said and I hurried into the kitchen. He looked stunned, and my head was spinning. I've never felt that way around a person, but now isn't the time. I need to stay focused.
Jace POV:
Dinner was good, I had missed everyone. I make it a point to come home every couple years to visit, but it's been getting harder and harder to come back with the company. Clary gave me the cold shoulder the rest of dinner, and once it was over she went straight to her room saying she was tired and needed to lie down. What happened in the living room was weird, I had never felt that kind of pull towards someone before. I don't even know what I was thinking when I leaned in. We just met, I have no business trying to kiss her. For all I know she has a boyfriend, although I can't imagine a guy being okay with his girlfriend giving birth to someone else's child. When dinner was over, and Izzy and I left. I was staying with her for a little, before I went to visit Maryse and Robert. I was planning on staying for a month, and I didn't want to put anyone out longer than necessary. When I got back to Izzy's, I went to her guest bedroom, plopped down on the bed and started thinking about Clary. There was something about her, I didn't know what, but I wanted to find out.
Time Jump – One Month Later
Jace POV:
I have been here for a month, and I was currently at Maryse and Robert's house. They had always enjoyed my visits, and I always enjoyed coming home. England may have been my home for the past 8 years, but this was always going to be my real home. It was almost noon and I was going to the cemetery. It had been so long since I had visited Max, and since today was the anniversary, I felt like I needed to go see him. I walked up to the headstone and looked at it. It still didn't seem real, even after all these years. I wish I could get that day out of my head, but I still have nightmares, and I still can't help but feel guilty. I was pulled out of my memories when I felt a hand snake around my waist. When I looked to my right Izzy was standing there.
"I didn't expect you to be here." She said.
"I haven't been back in years, and I would have regretted not coming if I didn't." I said and she gripped my waist tighter.
"It wasn't your fault Jace."
"Yes it was Iz."
"You were hit by a drunk driver. You did everything you could to try and protect him."
"I still could have done more."
"Jace, it's been 15 years. You can't keep carrying this guilt around with you."
"I think about him every single day."
"So do I, but he wouldn't want you to dwell on that day. He would want you to remember when you would play football with him, or read to him, or watch movies with him." She put her hand under my chin and pulled my face to face her. "Remember the good memories Jace, don't remember that horrible day. We almost lost you that day too, and I for one, am glad one of you is still with us." She leaned up and kissed me on the cheek. "I'm meeting Simon for lunch soon, don't stay out here all day." She gave me a hug which I returned and than headed back to her car.
I stood there staring at the headstone for who knows how long. I wanted to say something but I couldn't find the right words to express just how sorry I was, or how guilty I felt. Everything I though just seemed wrong, and he didn't deserve my jumbled thoughts. I was pulled out of my head when my phone rang. I pulled it out and looked at it, and it was an unknown number.
"Hello?"
"Jace." I heard someone say and she sounded like she was in a lot of pain.
"Um, who is this?" I asked and I heard a scream.
"It's Clary. Something is wrong." She said and she cried out in pain and I started towards my car. "I was sitting on the couch when I felt a sharp pain. Jace, I need to go to the hospital. I called everyone else but nobody picked up."
"I'm on my way. I'll be there in 10 minutes." I said and hung up. I didn't care how many laws I was breaking, I needed to get to Clary. When I got to their building, I ran up the stairs and when I walked into the apartment Clary was on the floor. She was crying and holding her stomach, and I helped her up and got her in the car. I sped to the hospital and walked us in in a panic. "We need help. Please, something is wrong." I said and a couple nurses were on us in a minute. Clary grabbed my hand and looked scared shitless.
"Don't leave me." She said and I nodded.
"Never."
"How far along is she?" The one nurse asked me.
"8 months." I said and she nodded. They wheeled us into a room and the one nurse stopped me.
"Only family."
"I'm her husband." I said. Clary looked scared that they weren't going to let me in, and I figured lying wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. The nurse nodded and I went right back to Clary's side. I turned to another nurse. "I think you should call Alec Lightwood-Bane and Magnus Lightwood-Bane immediately."
"What do they have to do with this?"
"She's their surrogate. This baby is theirs." I said and she nodded and left the room. I turned my attention back to Clary and she was crying, and sweating and she looked absolutely terrified.
After the doctor examined Clary they said they needed to induce her immediately. It was best for the baby and her, and Clary nodded but I knew she wanted Alec and Magnus there with her, but unfortunately I was all she had, and I wasn't going to let her go through this alone. Clary may have been giving me the cold shoulder over the past month, but nobody should have to go through this alone, and I still felt that incredibly strong connection to her.
"Alright Clary, I'm going to break your water, and it's going to hurt, but the sooner we start the process, the sooner the pain will end." The doctor said and Clary nodded. I squeezed her hand and leaned done and whispered in her ear.
"You can do this Clary, and I'm going to be here the whole entire time." I felt her nod, and I kissed her temple.
After they broke her water the contractions started and Clary let out blood-curtailing scream that echoed through the whole hospital. She was in so much pain, and I knew she was worried about the baby, but man seeing her like this really sucked. Nobody informed me if Alec and Magnus had been notified but I guess I'd worry about that after Clary was comfortable. An hour later the doctor came back in to examine her.
"You're ready to push Clary. When I count to three, I want you to push as hard as you can." Clary nodded and she grabbed my hand and I put my other arm around her shoulders. "One, two, three." The doctor said and Clary started pushing. I can honestly say I never thought I'd be in this position, especially with a girl who didn't particularly like me, and with my brothers baby, but here I am, and I was prepared.
"Come on Clare, you're almost there." I said and she pushed even harder.
"One more giant push Clary, I can see the head." Clary screamed at the top of her lungs, while probably breaking my hand, and pushing as hard as she could possibly push. A minute later cries filled the room and Clary leaned back and started crying. I pulled her into my chest and she grabbed my shirt and cried.
"I am so incredibly proud of you Clary." I said and she smiled and I gave her a kiss on the top of her head. The nurse came back over with a big bundle and handed her to Clary. She had Alec's jet black hair and crystal blue eyes. She was beautiful. I gave Clary one more kiss. "I'm going to see if Alec and Magnus made it." I said and she nodded. I was about to leave when she spoke.
"Jace." She said and I turned around. "Thank you for being here. I don't think I could have done that alone."
"Of course Clare." I said and I walked out of the room. I went into the waiting room and saw Alec sitting down with his head in his hands, and Magnus was pacing. I cleared my throat and they both looked up and ran over to me.
"How are they? Are they okay? Is Clary okay? What happened? They wouldn't let us back. Something about her husband being there with her." Alec said.
"One question at a time." I said and I put a hand on each of their shoulders. "Clary is fine, your baby is fine, I'm not exactly sure what happened. I was too panicked to ask. I told them I was the husband because Clary looked absolutely terrified and they wouldn't let me back if I wasn't family. I told them to call you two immediately. I didn't know they wouldn't let you back there." I said and they nodded.
"Can we see them?" Magnus asked and I nodded.
"Follow me." I said and I started walking towards Clary's room. I opened the door and saw Clary sitting there with the baby. Seeing her with that child just made the connection I felt with her so much more powerful. I wanted to know why she was freezing me out, but now wasn't the time for my problems. Alec and Magnus rushed over to her and gave her a hug.
"You scared us biscuit." Magnus said and she laughed.
"I'm so sorry. I tried to call you both first, but neither of you picked up. I tired Izzy, than Simon, and finally I found Jace's number and thankfully he got me here." She said as she smiled at me. "I'd like you to meet your daughter." Clary said and she handed her over to Alec.
"She's perfect. She looks just like you Alec." Magnus said and Alec started crying. I was proud of my brother, he always wanted a family, and I'm glad he finally got that.
"What are we going to name her?" Alec asked.
"Madeline Clarissa Lightwood-Bane." Magnus said and Alec smiled.
"It's perfect."
"You guys don't have to name her after me. I was honored to carry her for 8 months, the fact that you choose me to do it is enough."
"You just went through the scariest thing ever Clare, and you went through all that pain for us, for our daughter. We had always planned on naming her after you. This just solidified it."
"Well, I did do it naturally." Clary said and everyone laughed.
"Yea, I think my hand can attest to that." I said and Alec and Magnus looked at my direction.
"Thank you so much Jace. I don't know what would have happened if you didn't step in." Alec said and I walked over to him and wrapped my arm around his shoulder and took Madeline's hand in mine.
"Anything for your family man. I'm just glad I could help." I said and he nodded. "I have to go though, I was suppose to have a business meeting about" I looked at my watch. "2 hours ago, and now I have to go tell them why I ditched it."
"Thank you Jace." Clary said and I smiled.
"It was no problem. Congratulations guys, and I'm glad you're okay Clary." I said and I walked out of the room and headed to my car. That was probably the most intense thing I've ever been through, but I'd do it all again for Clary.
Clary POV:
After Jace left, I couldn't help but feel sad that he wasn't there anymore. I knew freezing him out was the right move. I needed to stay focused on this case. I couldn't risk bringing him into this mess. He has his whole life ahead of him, and I wasn't going to risk that. If this turned out to be a successful mission, I would explain everything to him and hopefully he would be understanding, and maybe we could try, but for right now, the cold shoulder was all he was going to get.
I looked over at Alec and Magnus and they looked absolutely amazing holding that little girl. It's going to be weird not being pregnant, but they had been waiting for her arrival for so long that I knew I would get over it eventually. I was about to say something when the doctor walked in.
"These must be the proud new fathers." She said as she looked over at Alec and Magnus and they nodded. "Where is your husband dear?"
"Oh, he had work. Some international business meeting he missed so he had to go settle it. I told him to go, I know how important his work is." I said like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"You're very lucky. Most men wouldn't be okay with their wife carrying another man's child." She said and I smiled.
"Alec is actually his brother." I said and Alec waved. "So, he was very understanding. I wouldn't have met him if it wasn't for Alec, so he kinda owed him." I said and she laughed.
"Alright sweetie, everything looks good, so you should be discharged tomorrow morning." She said and she turned to Alec and Magnus. "Congratulations on the baby." She said and she left the room. Alec and Magnus were immediately at my side.
"So, how long have you and Jace been married?" Magnus said and I laughed.
"I couldn't give it away." I said and they laughed.
"If it's any conciliation, I think you two would be good for each other." Alec said and Magnus nodded along.
"Nope. I need to focus on work. I can't let this case slip away because you two want to play matchmaker."
"You never do anything for yourself Clary. I mean, you just gave us a baby, the least you could do is give my brother a chance." Alec said and I looked down at my hands.
"I can't get him involved in this Alec." I said and I looked up at them. "You know after I get the all clear I'm going back to work, I'll be undercover for a couple months, doing god knows what. I can't have someone here. If I don't come back, I don't want to leave someone behind."
"That's why you've been giving him the cold shoulder?" Alec said and I nodded. "You should at least tell him."
"You know I can't do that Alec. He'll never be okay with it." I said and Alec gave me a sad expression. "Who would be okay with their girlfriend going undercover as a prostitute to bust the biggest human trafficking ring on the east coast?" They both didn't say anything and I nodded. "Exactly. Let him find a nice girl, with a normal job, who can cook him dinner every night, and give him a family."
"He doesn't want that. He wants you."
"No he doesn't."
"Oh biscuit. He hasn't been able to shut up about you since you met. He's leaving in a week." Magnus said and I looked at them. "Who knows when he'll come back."
"Doesn't he come back every couple years?"
"This is the first time he's come home in 6 years. He can be sporadic." Alec said and I nodded.
"Maybe it's for the best." I said and Alec was about to protest but I but him off. "I just can't be in a relationship right now guys. No matter how great of a guy Jace is, it just wouldn't work. Maybe in a couple years, when I get out of the undercover scene, but right now I need to stay focused."
"Alright biscuit." Magnus said. "We'll let you rest. We love you Clare."
"I love you guys too." I said and they each gave me a kiss on the head. They sat in a two chairs with Madeline and I closed my eyes and started rifting off to sleep with Jace on my mind.
Time Jump – Four Months Later
Clary POV:
My undercover assignment had been really tough. Living like a prostitute was horrible. I missed my bed, I missed my friends, I missed Jace. After he left I couldn't help but feel a void missing in my life. He didn't call, he didn't write, it was like he didn't exist. I hated it. He tried so hard to get me to like him, and it was working, but I had to shut him down. I couldn't string him along. I just couldn't leave him to worry about me. The only person that I had contact with was Alec, and that's because he's my advisor. I give him all the info I've collected, and than we part ways. We talk maybe once every two weeks, and it sucked.
I was standing on one of my normal corners, it was half past midnight when a black cat pulled up. The person inside rolled the window down and called me over. I did my slutty walk, and bent down in the window of his car. I recognized him immediately. It was Sebastian, the guy I've been hoping would come around eventually.
"What do you charge these days Little Red?" He said and it took everything in my not to roll my eyes at the stupid nickname he gave me.
"Whatever you want handsome." I flirted back and he got an evil smirk on his face. I heard the door unlock and I opened it and got in. When I closed the door, it immediately locked. Shit, I'm in trouble was the last thing I thought before a cloth was put over my nose and mouth, and than blackness took me over.
Time Jump - Three Days Later
Alec POV:
I was freaking out. Clary and I were supposed to meet up two days ago to exchange info but she never showed, which is highly unusual for Clary. I was pacing in my office, and I decided i needed to call Magnus and Simon in. Once they were both there I took a deep breath.
"Clary is missing." I said and their jaws dropped.
"What do you mean missing?"
"I mean, we were supposed to meet two days ago to trade info and she never showed. Clary doesn't miss anything. Something is wrong. I know it."
"So, what do we do?" Magnus said.
"Call in back up." I said and they nodded. I pulled my phone out and dialed Izzy.
"Hey Alec, what's up?"
"How fast can you get to the precinct?"
"Uh, like 10 minutes. Why?"
"I need you."
"I'm with someone right now, can't it wait?"
"Who could you possibly be with? Simon is here with me?" She was about to say something but I didn't have time. "Iz, I really need you."
"Okay. I'll be there soon." I hung up and looked at Magnus and Simon.
"She'll be here soon." I said and they nodded. Thankfully 10 minutes later Izzy walked in, followed by Jace. "What are you doing in the states?"
"I had a conference over the weekend and I needed a place to stay."
"You could have stayed with us."
"I didn't want to run into Clary." He said and I felt awful. Maybe it was a good thing he was here.
"Why are we here Alec?" Izzy said impatiently.
"What I'm about to tell you is supposed to be confidential, but I'm desperate." I said and they looked confused. "Clary has been on an undercover assignment for the past four months."
"Doing what?" Izzy asked.
"She's been undercover as a prostitute in the hopes of getting the attention of Sebastian Verlac." I said and I saw Jace tense. "Years ago we got wind of a human trafficking ring based out of the east coast. We tried undercover before but no one was able to infiltrate." I said and I pulled out a picture. "Sebastian had a thing for redheads. A couple months later Clary transferred to the station and I knew she was our chance. I made her wear a brown wig wherever she went so that Sebastian didn't recognize her. We were building the case for years, and than it went cold. We figured at some point they'd get sloppy and we would get a trail." I said and I pulled out another picture. "Sebastian was frequently seen getting prostitutes from 4 different corners. Some would come back, others disappeared." I looked around at the group and they looked worried. "This all picked back up while Clary was pregnant with Madeline. So after she was cleared to go back to work she was going straight undercover. She worked those 4 corners for months, and ever time we'd meet she wasn't any closer." I took a deep breath. "We were supposed to meet two days ago and she never showed. I went to her last corner, and one of the girls said they saw her get into a black car three nights ago, and she never came back. Her tracker has been turned off, she has no cellphone, and I have no idea where the hell she was taken." I looked back around the group. "I know you two aren't cops, and I know you aren't either Magnus, but I need help."
"What are we supposed to do?" Izzy asked.
"She can't be filed as a missing persons because technically she doesn't exist, so as much as I'd love to get about 15 uniforms in on this, I can't take them away from their work. I just need help. Magnus, you run the bar that a lot of our undercovers go too, maybe you could ask around, and get information. Simon, I need you to keep an eye out for missing prostitutes in the area. They've been going missing for years. Someone has to of noticed. Izzy, maybe you could go around as say she was a close friend and you're worried. See if the other prostitutes know anything else." I said and I turned to Jace. "You have a lot of connections here in New York, maybe one of them has met Sebastian, or knows him. I need a little lead."
"No problem man." He said and I know he's worried. I walked over to him and whispered. "This is why Clary was giving you the cold shoulder. She knew something like this could happen."
"She didn't want to leave anything behind if something happened." He said and I nodded. "Well, we're getting her back, and than I'm not letting her go." He said and I smiled. Everyone got to work and I tried anything to get her last location. She had to be in New York, she had to be.
Time Jump - One Month Later
Alec POV:
It had been a month and still no sign of Clary. It was driving us all crazy not knowing where she was. Every lead ended up at a dead end and I was so close to pulling my hair out. It was around 2 am, and everyone but Magnus was still at the station. He went back to watch Madeline, but we all couldn't stop until we were literally falling asleep on the table.
We were going over any possible new evidence when my phone started to ring. Whoever calls at 2 am is absolutely crazy, and when I looked at my phone it was an unknown number. I motioned for everyone to be silent and I put my phone on speaker.
"Hello?"
"Alec?" I heard Clary whisper and I let out a breath.
"Clary, where the hell are you?"
"Right now I'm in a cage. I've been stuck in here for a month."
"Do you know where 'here' is?" I ask and I start tracking the call.
"Not a clue. I stole this phone off one of the guards. I had to wait until they switched to call. They have the most fucked up schedules." I was about to say something when I heard talking.
"Well well well, if it isn't my favorite redhead." The man said, and I assumed it was Sebastian.
"What do I owe this pleasure Sebastian?" I heard Clary say in a seductive voice and I saw Jace tense.
"It's been a while since I've seen you." He said as he moved closer. "I missed you." We heard him give her a kiss, and we heard her giggle and I could tell Jace was about to lose it. "Also, the boss wants to see you. I've talked so much about you, he wants to see the girl who caught my attention."
"I'm finally meeting the parents?" Clary said in a flirty tone and we heard him laugh.
"Something like that babe." We heard chains rattling and low talking until we heard a huge door slam. "Valentine, I've brought her." We hear and a sharp intake of breath from Clary.
"Well well well, you do look like Jocelyn." We heard this Valentine say. The machine binged, stating we had her location.
"Shit." We heard Clary and I ended the call.
"Why did you do that?" Jace practically yells.
"She's in trouble and we'll be more use getting there than listening to her conversation." I say as I grab my keys. "Let's go get her back."
Clary POV:
I looked at the man in front of me, and I knew immediately who it was. Valentine. Aka, my father. I have seen pictures but my mom never really talked about him. He walked up to me and smiled.
"Welcome daughter."
"I don't think we're on that level quite yet Valentine." I said and he smirked.
"You're feisty, no wonder Sebastian likes you. He has a thing for, wild girls." He said and my skin crawled. "Search her." Valentine said and two men walked over and started searching me.
"The least you could do is buy me dinner first." I said and Valentine laughed, the two men, not so much. They found the cell phone, grabbed it and smashed it. Hopefully Alec traced our call before that, cause I'm in deep shit if he didn't find me.
"So sweet daughter of mine, are you prepared to enter in the family business?"
"You mean the business of illegally transporting women across boarders and state lines to potentially sell them into slavery?" I said and he looked surprised.
"You know what we do here?"
"I've been stuck in a cage down there for a month. I talk to the other women. Women who have been getting moved around for years."
"They get food and water."
"Twice a week. Despite what men think, women aren't dogs."
"I beg to differ. You must tame a bitch before you release her." Sebastian said and I rolled my eyes.
"This empire will be yours one day, you might want to get used to it." He said and I took a step for step towards him and the two men who searched me stepped closer to me. I looked at them and they both had weapons. The one had a knife, the other a gun. I looked back at Valentine and smiled.
"You know, I applaud your work these past two decades. You've clearly put in a lot of work with this human trafficking ring you got going on. More work than you put into your family for that matter." I said and I stepped closer and the two guards followed, which is exactly what I wanted. "But I'm afraid that I don't want to do this daddy." I said and I snatched the knife and stabbed the one guard in the heart, I grabbed the other guard, stabbed him and got his gun. I turned it back to Sebastian and Valentine. Thank god for the academy training. I may have looked fragile but I was always underestimated.
"You're being defiant." Valentine yelled and I laughed.
"No, I'm doing my job." I said and I shot Sebastian in his stomach. He fell to the ground and proceeded to bleed.
"You narc." He hissed and I smiled.
"Any last words daddy?" I said and he lunged at me. I shot and it hit him in the stomach and he fell on top of me. I pushed him off of me and looked at them. Sebastian was unconscious but breathing, and Valentine was trying to talk.
"You're just like your mother. You never appreciated what I did for our family."
"You aren't my father. You may have given me some genetics, but you aren't my father." I said and I started walking back in the direction. When I opened the door I saw a door at the end of the hallway that had light coming out of the bottom. I ran towards it and opened it. The sunlight hurt my eyes, but when I finally opened them I saw all the cop cars pulling up. Alec jumped out of the one and I walked over to him, and gave him a hug.
"Are you okay Clary?" He said as he took in my appearance.
"You should see the other guys." I said and I laughed. The chief came up to us.
"Status?"
"Downstairs there are cages of women. The youngest looks about 15, and the oldest is maybe 45. Valentine Morgenstern is the ring leader. I shot him, along with his right hand man Sebastian. They might be alive, I'm not sure. I killed two guards as well. They are at the end of the hall." I said and he went back to talk to the rest of the unit. I finally noticed three other people standing behind Alec. Simon, Izzy, and...Jace. I walked up and hugged Simon, and than Izzy practically attacked me.
"Oh my god Clary!" She said. "I am so glad you're okay! Don't ever scare me like that again!" She said and I laughed.
"I'll try my hardest." I said and he looked at me.
"You look like a hooker." She said and I smiled.
"Prostitute Izzy. Hookers get paid more. Although, from what I learned on the streets, I would make a great escort. Some men will pay top dollar to create their redhead fantasy." I said and she gagged.
"Gross."
"Maybe, but it pays well." I said and I hugged her again. Jace was standing away from the group, and I looked at them and I nodded over to Jace and they stepped away to give us a minute. "Hey."
"Hey." He said back and he looked relieved. "I'm so glad you're okay."
"When did you come back?" I asked.
"A month ago. That's when I found out. You could have told me." He said and I shook my head.
"You would have been okay being in a relationship with me, knowing full well that I was going undercover as a prostitute? Letting men touch me? Smack my ass? Get a little handsy? Let them kiss me?" I was going to continue but he cut me off.
"Alright, I don't need anymore images." He said and I nodded.
"Exactly. I needed to go into this with absolutely nothing." I said and he nodded. "I hated giving you the cold shoulder, but I needed to focus. I needed to get inside of this thing, and I couldn't afford to get distracted."
"So, I would have been a distraction?" He asked and I laughed.
"Please, I know you own a mirror." I said and he now laughed. "If we got involved I would have been so focused on you, and our new relationship, and when you left I would have missed you more than I already did, and my head wouldn't have been in on this case and I spent years gathering information and I needed it to be successful."
"I understand. I do, but it just sucked. You weren't giving me a chance and I had no idea why. I thought you didn't like that I was married before, or that I was Alec's brother, or that I lived in a different country. I was trying so hard to figure out what I did that made me so uninteresting to you." He said and I laughed.
"Well, first off, I don't care if you were married before. I look at that as a win. Alec was actually trying to get me to tell you everything, he thought we'd make a good couple, and living in a different country is challenging but not impossible." I said and I moved closer to him. "I mean you liked me while I was pregnant with your brothers child, I think that trumps any reason you had." I said and he laughed. He leaned in but I backed away and he looked upset. "I would love to kiss you, but I haven't brushed my teeth, or had a shower in over a month. I feel like I need a 3 hour shower to feel human again." I said and he laughed. "Plus, I'm starving."
"When was the last time you ate?"
"Four days ago. They only feed you twice a week." I said and his eyes widened.
"How about I take you home, you shower, brush your teeth, do whatever you need to do to feel human again, and than I'll take you out to eat." He said and I smiled.
"I would love that." I said and he nodded. We turned back to the group and they were all staring and smiling from ear to ear. We explained what was going on and we got into the car and headed back to the precinct, where Jace and I got into his car and made our way to my place. We walked in and I went right to the bathroom. I told Jace to make himself at home, and I'd be out in 10 minutes.
Jace POV:
After Clary went to the bathroom I sat down in her living room. The place was a mess, and it took everything in me not to clean it for her. I saw a book sitting on the coffee table and I picked it up and it was filled with sketches. I remember her telling me she was sometimes the sketch artist for the NYPD, and I could see why, she was amazing. I was flipping through the book and before I knew it the bathroom door was opening. I looked back and Clary looked like she was back to her normal self. I smiled and she made her way over to me.
"You know, I never know how much I took toothpaste for granted, but now that I know what it feels like to not brush my teeth for a month, I will never underappreciate it ever again." She said and I laughed. I grabbed her hand and pulled down onto my lap. I smiled and put my hand behind her head and pulled her lips to mine. This kiss was everything I imagined it would be. It was perfect, just like her, and in this moment there wasn't anything else I wanted to be doing. Eventually we pulled apart and she had the biggest smile on her face, and she started getting up, and I pouted, and she laughed.
"We can do whatever you want after we eat. I'm so hungry." She said and I smiled and nodded. I grabbed my keys off the table, grabbed her hand and we walked to my car. On our way to the restaurant, I couldn't help but steal glances at Clary, she was absolutely beautiful, and I was finally getting that chance that I wanted. I couldn't wait to see where this headed.
Time Jump – One Year Later
Clary POV:
A couple months ago I had moved to England and moved in with Jace. We had spent the majority of our relationship skyping, and talking on the phone and we both hated it. On occasion when he had a business meeting, or a conference in the states, he would spend every free minute with me, but it still wasn't enough. I missed him, and hearing his voice versus falling asleep next to him were two totally different things, and I wasn't satisfied with being apart.
One night I was home alone, watching the news and I realized that there was crime in England too, it wasn't just New York that had it, and England was the only place where Jace's company was located, and it was really a no brainer. I called Jace the next day and told him that I was willing to move to England, if that's what he wanted and he jumped at the opportunity. I started packing immediately and shipped all my stuff over to his place. Saying goodbye to Alec, Magnus, Simon and Izzy, and little baby Madeline was the hardest thing I've ever had to do, but they all knew that I wasn't happy there anymore. They all promised to come and visit, and even though I never asked Jace, I knew he would always welcome them.
Which brings us to present day. I'm still unpacking things, and getting everything organized. Jace liked things a certain way, and his OCD could be out of control at times, but I loved him for it. The last of the stuff was supposed to be here today, and I was just sitting around waiting for the door to ring. I was excited. We were getting a new bed, and I was so happy. Jace had a tough time parting ways with his, but it wasn't big enough for both of us, and I promised that we would break in the new bed when it arrived and he was all for that. Finally the door knocked and I ran to it. The bed was there with a bunch of men, I directed them to the bedroom, and within an hour they had it set up and they were taking the old bed out. I was so excited, and than I realized that we didn't have an color scheme for the bedroom, and I wanted it ready for when Jace came home so I figured I'd stop by his office and ask.
I walked up to his building and it was huge. This company was absolutely incredible, and I was so proud of what Jace had accomplished. His father would be proud, I know he would, and even though Jace things everything still needs to be done perfectly, I think he needs to give himself a little more credit. I walked up to the receptionists desk and waited for her to get off the phone.
"I'm sorry about that, what can I do for you?" She asked with a smile.
"I was wondering if you could tell me where Jace Herondale's office is." I ask and she looks at a booklet.
"Do you have an appointment?"
"No, but.."
"I'm sorry miss, no appointment, no meeting. He's a very busy man." She said and I could see the slight admiration for Jace in her eyes, she was probably attracted to him, which I couldn't blame her for, he was hot, and everyone knew it.
"He told me I never needed an appointment." I said and she looked confused. "My name is Clarissa Fray, he told me I was always welcome." I said and her eyes widened as she looked for something else.
"I'm sorry Miss. Fray. His office is down the hall on the left." She said and I thanked her and started walking towards his office. I could see through the window that he was working hard; I was about to knock when someone stopped me.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." She said and I looked confused.
"Why not?"
"He's a bit of a workaholic, he doesn't like to be bothered." She said and I was still looking at her with confusion. "I've never seen you around before. Are you new here?"
"No. I don't work here. I work with the British police."
"But you don't sound British."
"I'm from America." I said and she nodded. "How do you know he doesn't like being bothered?" I ask wondering who she was exactly.
"I used to be married to him." She said and my eyes widened. "He never allowed me to visit him at work. And he always came home late, and he always brought work home." She said and I was still surprised.
"Do you work here?" I ask and she smiled.
"No, I'm here visiting my husband." She said and I nodded. The bitch married the side piece. What a dick move. I thought as I knocked on the door she opened her mouth to protest, when Jace opened the door.
"Hey." He said as he kissed me. "What are you doing here?" He asked before his eyes landed on the other girls. "Kaelie."
"Jace." She said but she still didn't move. I turned my attention back to Jace and smiled.
"The bed came!" I said and he laughed. "And I realized that we have no colors picked out for the bedroom, and I wanted your opinion." I said and he leaned against the doorframe.
"What color do you think the bedroom should be?" He asked and I smiled even wider.
"I was thinking we could paint it grey, and than the bedding could be maybe a light blue or something." I said and he nodded.
"Sounds perfect." He says, and this woman is still standing there. "You go get everything, and I'll be home in about two hours, I'll cook, and we can break in the bed like you promised." He said and I giggled and nodded. "I have to get back to work, but I'll see you at home. Love you."
"Love you too." He gave me one more kiss before he shut the door. I turned around and Kaelie was still standing there. "Yes?"
"How did you do that?" She asked sounding completely amazed.
"Do what?"
"Completely grab his attention. He was never that attentive to me. He barely even noticed we were married for three years." She huffed. "He was always so focused on work."
"Oh, he is still focused on work. Some nights he comes home and locks himself in his study until odd hours of the night."
"How do you do it?" She asks and I smile.
"I'm in love with him. I understand this company means everything to him. I get the late hours. He has to deal with my weird hours. We just make sure we make time for each other. It's hard, but it's worth it." I said and she nodded. "It was nice meeting you, but I have some errands to run." She said bye and I made my way to the store to pick up pain and bedding. It took longer than anticipated but when I got home Jace was in the kitchen cooking. I walked over to him and snaked my arms around his waist and he turned around and smiled. "I love you." I said and he smiled.
"I love you too." He leaned now and kissed. "Now let's eat, cause I don't plan on leaving that bedroom for the rest of the weekend." He said and I couldn't help but giggle and nod along. I had never realized how amazing it felt to come home to someone every night, but doing that with Jace was something I never wanted to end, and I was extremely happy where our life was taking us, and that we finally ended up here.
Authors Note:
This one shot was requested by CityOfClace01, and I hope you enjoy it! I tried to figure out where to take this story for a couple days, but the other night I finally had an idea, and I ran with it! I hope it's everything you hoped for, I really enjoyed writing this piece! Also, I am a fan of your stories as well! "I'll Be There For You" is one of my favs! (Sorry other readers, but I had to let CityOFClace01 know :) Let me know what you think and leave a review! The next one I'm going to start on is a teacher/student story because there has been multiplerequests on that, and after that I'm going to start working on the Prank War one! I think I have a good idea for that one, but I'm not sure! :)
