My dear little broccolis💚💚💚

~ Well, here is theist chapter of part one. I know that many of you expected to see a Jace or Clary's point-of-view, but for what I want to happen next, iii decided to make it as Valentine's. Plus there is this little thing that I really wanted from Valentine's perspective. And. Well, this is also the last update of the year, which I made that since I am not much of a party girl, I figured, maybe some of you aren't as well and wanted something to read for the new year.

~ Also, I created a playlist on Spotify with the music that help me write the stories I update. I will refresh the playlist every week. It is called "Fanfics for my little Broccolis. Mina Lisly"

~ Anyway, I hope that you will like this chapter. And I am sorry, but it is three am where I am and I have to work tomorrow, so I won't be replying to your messages. Sorry, I just can't, I am fighting to keep my eyes open.

~ Anyway, enough chitchat, I will let you read this update, and will impatiently wait to read your thoughts on it.

Love, Mina💚💚💚

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Chapter 38: Farewell & New Beginning (2,1K)

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Live Your Life - T.I feat. Rihanna

La Valse A Mille Temps - Jacques Brel

More Piya - Devdas

Mistral Gagnant - Renaud

Will - Mika Nakashima

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Valentine's PoV

With love, Valentine watched his daughter nervously glancing once again all around her to see if Jace was finally arriving. They have been in the airport for more than half an hour, and he was still nowhere to be found. Over the past couple of weeks, Clary had staid with Jace, though she still made a point on calling Valentine every day around her bedtime, and to have a few lunch dates with him.

Valentine had to admit that he had quickly grown accustomed to Clary's presence when she came live with him and Lily, and that he had been scared that the fact she would go to stay with Jace would made distance grow between them; but it didn't. It even seemed like she felt a little bit more open to share things with him, even though neither of them ever broached the topic that was Jace. Which always felt like a weight to Valentine since Clary used to talk to him about her boyfriend when she only view him as her friend, and not her father.

Still, Valentine noticed a few things of his own concerning Jace while Clary was staying with him. First, he would actually arrive to work looking more relaxed and rested than when Clary was ling with Valentine. Not that he cut short his hours to spend more time with Clary and away from work; but Jace simply seemed more relaxed just by spending a few hours a night with Clary.

And no matter how open minded he had tried to be about Clary going to stay her last few days in the US with her boyfriend, Valentine couldn't help but think about some practical things. Which he shared with his wife, nightly asking her if him condoning underage sexual relationship was making him a good father. After all, why else would Jace seem to be in such a good mood after a night spent with his girlfriend? And of course, Lily always had the sane answer. She repeated over and over that Jace would never touch Clary before she would be eighteen. He was a lawyer after all. She also added something that had the merit to appease Valentine's worries, it was the fact that, even without knowing her age, Jace never pushed Clary toward that line before. So it was only natural to assume that now that he knew about the age limit, he would try even less to have sex with her.

Valentine had to admit that he was surprised that Jace actually told Clary to go. He, himself had decided to not pressure her in any direction and support her wether she wanted to follow him, or stay in the US. But he also knew that had Clary decided to stay in the US, it would have been solely for Jace. He knew that she was not planning to open her bakery for another year for business reasons, so it would have been only for Jace if Clary had decided that she did not want to leave the American soil.

For a moment, Valentine even thought that Jace would follow them to London. The very same day that followed the night when Valentine found Jace cuddling with Clary in her bed; Jace turned down the promotion that had been offered to him, and resigned with a leave of two weeks. So at first, Valentine thought that Jace had decided to try his best in London as well, and follow Clary there. But when he mindlessly told Clary about his assistant resignation during one of their lunch date, Clary told Valentine that Jace had been offered a job elsewhere. Which made Valentine curious. Not only because Jace was his soon-to-be former Assistant, but also because he was dating his daughter and that meant that Valentine had to get interested in his life, no matter what.

Especially since Valentine noticed on Jace's fourth left finger a ring that had never been there before. And it wasn't just the ring that retained Valentine's attention on it; it was also the fact that every time Clary's name would be mentioned, Jace would mindlessly touch that ring. After noticing the ring, the first thing Valentine did when he saw his daughter again was to check her fingers. But Clary had never been a jewel kind of girl, and so she wasn't wearing any ring.

Suddenly, Jace appeared among the crowd, startling Valentine out of his thoughts when his daughter had a little jolt of relief and brightly smiled to her boyfriend. It was obvious that Jace just came straight after work, everything in his demeanour indicating it; and as soon as Clary was in the reach of his arms, he hugged her and gave her a kiss. Valentine looked away, reminding himself that the few times Clary and Jace had been with him together, Jace never shied away to show Clary how he felt about her because Valentine would be there. And though he didn't like to admit it, Valentine liked this side of Jace. The fact that he would still put Clary first, even if it meant antagonising to himself her father.

In order to give Clary and her boyfriend some privacy, Valentine registered them and their luggage for it was their turn, and left them together to talk. And as the desk lady check Clary's and his passport, Valentine suddenly find himself wishing that Lily would be here with him to support him like she did in the car.

Lily was supposed to join them in London by the end of the month, just to give her enough time to settle everything she needed to back at her work place. And that's why they all had lunch together at a fancy restaurant in the centre of town, with Kaelie and Mrs Herondale as well. Kaelie seemed very excited for Clary, and the two girls had already plans toes each other again by the end of next month, Kaelie stating that she would Christmas shop in London in order to get original this year.

When he was finished with the registration, Valentine waled back to his daughter, whom he heard say with a very soothing voice that was usually used for children: "Smile. I'm not walking the plank. I'm just taking the plane."

"There's nothing to be excited about," Jace immediately retorted, his face dark and his brows strongly furrowed. For a second, Valentine froze, trying to understand what he was making in the conversation; when he finally understood something vital. Something that explained why Clary never considered asking Jace to follow her, or why Jace didn't propose to go to London with her. Jace was a nervous flyer. And by the pallor of his face, Valentine could even tell that 'nervous' was an understatement. Jace seemed terrified of flights.

"Everything is going to be okay," Clary assured with her most calming and soothing tone, caressing Jace's cheek; but that didn't make Jace seem any less tense. He actually took her hand in his, resting his forehead against her before she said something that Valentine found very disturbing: "And now that you're finished with the Tribunal, don't let Starkweather get the best of you. You make your points and demands, and don't let him get the best of you."

"I know what you're trying to do," Jace grumbled under his breath, straightening up while Clary innocently beamed at him with a smile that Valentine had never seen on her face. Not that he wanted to, for it was obvious that it was a smile she reserved only for Jace. "And I'm sorry to tell you that it's not working," He added at her failed attempt to make him forget about his fear.

With a little cough, Valentine let them know that they should start walking to the embarkation room, and all during the way, Clary talked about her friend, Mrs Herondale, and all the recommendations this one had given her about settling in a new country. Valentine knew that if Clary chose this topic, it was because Mrs Herondale was someone that both of them knew, and so none of them would feel outcast from the conversation. Though it was mainly a monologue from Clary's part, with Jace and Valentine alternatively making a noise to prove they were listening.

Once they reached the border for visitors, Jace swiftly glanced at Valentine before looking down at Clary; and once again, Valentine gave them privacy, not without giving Clary her passport for her to pass whenever her farewell with Jace would be over.

For ten minutes, Valentine sat on of the chairs in front of the improvised bar, endlessly stirring his coffee, but never drinking it; and wondering if he should have told Clary to stay. After all, the idea of going abroad only came in the picture because he was going. So why should he impose that on her? He knew that she was excited to go to London. There were many things that she wanted to do, personally, or professionally; but what would a real good father would have done?

Suddenly, Clary sat next to him, a small smile on her lips; and for another five minutes, they stayed in one of those silences that Valentine hated so much. They still had plenty of things to learn about one another, but they were too afraid to ask.

"Is Jace a nervous flyer?" he suddenly questioned, decided to finally officially take this step into his daughter's love life. Clary turned her head to Valentine, her wet green eyes showing a slight surprised before she nodded. "Did you want to stay with him?"

She frowned at that, before explaining: "I do. But … I also want to go to London. It's actually something I've always wanted to do, ever since I was little. Of course, now it's for different reasons. But … if Jace hadn't been in the picture, I wouldn't even had questioned the fact that I should go or not to London. So … here I am."

Valentine nodded, giving back his attention to his coffee while Clary ordered a lemonade. But then, something she said earlier came back to him: "Does Jace have a new case against Starkweather?"

"What?" She seemed to think a little about it, before understanding lit up her face and she explained with a light tone: "Oh, no. It's just that Jace is going to work with Starkwether as his new associate."

"And what do you think of that?" Valentine asked, curious of the answer.

"I think it's a great opportunity for him. And kind of an honour since Starkweather is the one whooshed him to join him," She earnestly said, making Valentine look at his daughter in a whole new light.

Rare were the persons who would manage to separate a lawyer from a person, especially when that said lawyer represented their worst nightmare. But Clary seemed to be one of those rare souls who knew that a lawyer's case didn't have to follow him everywhere. She even seemed genuinely excited for Jace and this opportunity that was given to him.

"It is a great opportunity indeed. And Jace is very lucky to have you," Valentine stated, not really thinking about what he was saying and mostly recalling the several times Jace praised his girlfriend for not minding him being a workaholic.

"This is so weird," Clary suddenly said, making Valentine snap his head to her:

"What is?"

"You, talking about Jace as my boyfriend. I don't know, usually you treat this topic as if it's taboo, so I figured you didn't want to get involved in that part of my life," She explained and making Valentine feel like an idiot. He had tried not to intrude and to give her space, but it ended up looking all wrong and making her feel like he was indifferent concerning this part of her life. Well, that was for sure, it wouldn't be this year that he would receive a father of the year mug.

"I didn't handle that very well, did I?" He painfully uttered, stating the obvious. But Clary actually smiled and shook her head as she let her father know:

"It's okay. I think it's what makes you a good Dad. The fact that you're trying and failing, but that you still admit that you screwed up. At least, it shows me that you're a real human, and not some fantasy I conjured in my head."

Valentine smiled back, amazed by this capacity that Clary had to always see the bright side. But what mostly warmed his heart and made him fly above cloud nine was the word she used to refer to him. Dad. Never before she had used this word, and finally this was what he was to her. He was her Dad.

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💚Your thoughts and opinions are always welcomed💚

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~ So yup, just to make it clear, Clary just decided that shed go to London with Valentine. And Jace strongly encouraged her in that decision. He is the one who helped her make the decision, actually.

~ Anyway, question times:

` 1. So, what did you think of this last chapter? Don't worry, part 2 is coming soon.

` 2. Which story do you want me to focus on, next? Mistakes, Playing With Fire, Behind The Curtains?

` 3. What do you think will happen next?

` 4. What was your favourite part?

Anyway, Cassandra Clare owns the names of the characters from the Mortal Instruments franchise, everything else is mine.

Kiss💋 Kiss💋 Bang🔫 Bang🔫.