Chapter Thirty Eight

Time Jump-Arden Six Months Pregnant

Clary POV:

Arden was six months pregnant today and we were going to the doctors because she was feeling some discomfort, along with fatigue, and nausea. I didn't want to risk anything so I talked to Dr. Paige and she said it was best if Arden went in for a check up. I was internally freaking out. I didn't want anything to happen to Arden or my grandchild.

Jace had taken Parker to the playground with the twins. Parker was freaking out about Arden and him coming with us today would have caused both of them more stress. Jace thought taking him away from the house would calm him down a bit, and as much as Arden didn't want to admit it, he was freaking her out even more. Seeing him stressed caused her to stress even more.

Arden said school had gotten better but there would always be those girls who had to say shit uncalled for. Thankfully Parker, Jackson, Landon Molly, and Reagan were all there for her. Arden was a tough girl, and I knew she could handle it but it was also stressing her out, which wasn't good for the baby.

We made it to the hospital and were taken back immediately. Being a doctor in this hospital was especially helpful when it came to appointments, we never had to wait long.

"Good morning Clary, and Arden. How are you feeling today?" Dr. Paige asked Arden.

"I feel alright."

"Can you please describe some of the symptoms you've been experiencing?"

"Yea. I've been really tired, and really nauseous. I also am constantly thirsty. And I pee so often. Like my mom said more than any pregnant woman she's seen. My vision also gets blurry sometimes." She was writing something down and looked back up at Arden.

"From what I hear it sounds like you've developed gestational diabetes Arden." My jaw dropped.

"How?" Arden asks as her hand goes over her belly.

"It just means that your body isn't producing enough insulin, and we can treat it. In most cases it goes away after birth."

"What is going to happen to Arden?"

"I would actually like to keep her here for the duration of her pregnancy. On bed rest. I think it is the best for Arden and the baby, plus I can monitor her progress." I could see the sad look on Arden's face, but if this was what's best, it was what we were going to do.

"Alright." Arden said. "If it's what's best for my baby, let's do it."

"Alright Arden, I'm gonna set you up right now. Let me go get you a room and I'll be back in a minute." Dr. Paige got up and left the room. I took Arden's hand and squeezed it a little.

"Are you okay baby?"

"It just sucks. I'm gonna be here for three months mom."

"I know baby, but if it's what's best for both of you, it's what has to be done."

"I know. How am I going to tell Parker?"

"I'll do that sweetie. I'm gonna go home after you're set up and grab you some clothes, and the essentials and let the family know what's going on." She looked back down at her belly and sighed. "What's wrong baby?"

"Am I going to graduate mom? If I'm stuck here for three months I'm missing the last month of school."

"I'll get you a tutor and you'll be homeschooled. You will graduate with your brothers baby. I promise you." Dr. Paige came back and led us to Arden's. She set her up on some machines and did some precautionary tests. "Alright baby. I'll be back in about an hour. Probably with the gang. Everything is going to be alright Arden."

"Okay. Bye mom. Love you."

"I love you too baby." I kissed her cheek and headed to my car. When I got inside I took a deep breath and let myself process everything that had just happened. I cried for about 5 minutes before I composed myself and started my car and headed home. I was preparing myself the entire way home for how the boys were going to react. They were all super protective of Arden, and that was Parkers little girl. I got home and walked inside to see everyone sitting in the living room, chatting and playing with Oliver. When they heard the door open all their focus shifted towards me.

"Where's Arden babe?" Jace asked and everyone got dead silent. I took a deep breath before speaking.

"Arden has to stay at the hospital on bed rest, while Dr. Paige monitors her for the duration of her pregnancy." I said and saw the sad looking faces of the whole family.

"Is she okay?" Parker asks.

"She has gestational diabetes. Her body isn't producing enough insulin, and Dr. Paige wants to monitor it throughout the rest of her pregnancy so it doesn't harm the baby." I saw Parker's face fall and I went over to him and hugged him. "She'll be okay Parker. It's just a precaution. It is easily treated and should go away after she gives birth. I came back to get some things for her. I'm going back if you all would like to join me."

"Of course mom. She needs us." Jackson said and immediately jumped up and started getting ready.

"Alright, I need to get some of her clothes."

"I'll do that Clary." Parker says. "She's been sleeping in my clothes lately, she says they are more comfortable than hers." I smiled, and took a quick peak at Jace, who had a smirk on his face. I was the same way when I was pregnant. Always taking Jace's shirts to sleep in or lounge around in.

"Thanks Parker. Can you also grab her toothbrush and stuff from your bathroom?" He nodded and headed upstairs. "Jackson and Landon, you guys can head over now if you want. I'm sure she would love to see you two right now." They nodded and headed out the door. "Jace, can you go clean up Harper and Peyton so we can get going soon?" He nodded and picked up both girls and made his way to their room.

"Mom?" I heard from behind me and saw McKenzie.

"Yes sweetie?"

"Is Arden going to be okay?" I could see the fear in her eyes and I pulled her into a hug.

"Of course she is baby. Like I said, Dr. Paige is just trying to minimize the possibility of something going wrong. Arden is okay, and so is the baby." She nodded and pulled away from me. "Now, why don't you go grab your shoes and we'll head over to see her." She nodded and went to her room to get her things.

"Mom." I turn around and see Kelly, Skylar and Oliver. "We're gonna head home. It's almost time for his nap, but we'll visit Arden sometimes tomorrow."

"Of course baby. Go take care of my grandbaby." They stood up, I hugged them both and kissed Oliver and they headed home.

I sat down on the couch as Jace entered the room with the twins. He put them down on the floor and they started playing with their toys and he joined me on the couch.

"How are you doing Clare?" He asked as he stroked my hair.

"I'm holing up. I cried before I get here. I tried not to do it in front of Arden, she just looked so scared and I didn't want her to see me cry. But she's my baby, and I can't just sit and watch her go through something like this."

"I know baby, but she's tough, and she'll get through this." He kissed my cheek. "What are we going to do about school? They have a month left, and she's in the hospital."

"I'm gonna get her a tutor and she's going to be homeschooled. She wants to graduate with her brothers, and that's what's going to happen."

"Alright, let's get the Parker, twins and McKenzie in the car and go see our baby." He got up and reached out his hand and I took it. Parker came down the stairs a couple minutes later with McKenzie. I grabbed Peyton and Jace grabbed Harper and we made our way over to the hospital.

When we got there, I directed them to Arden's room and as we were approaching we all heard laughter. I smiled and opened the door to see Jackson and Landon both sitting on the bed with Arden laughing. She was holding her stomach and had tears running down her cheeks. It was a nice sight to see, and it made me want to cry seeing Jackson and Landon taking good care of Arden.

Once we entered the room Arden looked over and locked eyes with Parker. Jackson and Landon got up and Parker took a seat next to Arden and put his hand on her belly and kissed her temple. I leaned into Jace and smiled at my daughter knowing that everything was going to be all right.

We stayed at the hospital until visiting hours were over. Harper and Peyton were passed out on Jace and I, and McKenzie looked like she was going to pass out any minute. Parker got permission from Dr. Paige that he was allowed to stay the night and I think it calmed Arden down a lot, knowing she didn't have to sleep alone. Jackson and Landon both kissed Arden on the cheek, and patted Parker on the back as they left to head home with McKenzie.

"Alright baby, we're gonna head home. We'll be back at some point tomorrow. Skylar and Kelly will also be here at some point tomorrow. If anything happens, text us Parker."

"I will Clary."

"Alright, I love you." I leaned over and kissed her head. And took a step back.

"Oh baby." Jace said and tears started to form in Arden's eyes. "Don't cry baby. I love you, it's just really hard to see you in this position right now." She looked down at her hands and a few tears escaped her eyes. Jace had wiped them away and lifted her chin so their eyes met. "I love you baby girl." He kissed her head.

"I love you too daddy." He placed a stray hair behind her ear and smiled and said goodnight. We walked out to our car and placed Harper and Peyton in the back and got in and sighed in unison.

"I love you Jace." He intertwined our fingers and I looked at those gold orbs and smiled.

"I love you too Clary." We kissed and made our way home. We walked in to see Molly and Reagan sitting on the couch with Landon and Jackson. They waved and Jace and I made our way upstairs, got the twins ready for bed and put them in their beds and made our way back downstairs.

"Hello ladies, what are you doing here this late? Oh and is McKenzie in bed boys?" I asked and they nod.

"Jackson and Landon told us about Arden." Molly said as she grabbed Jackson's hand. She was about to continue but Landon cut her off.

"Mom, I don't know how to handle this news." Landon said as he looked at Reagan. "So we asked them here to just talk it out, see if it would process if we said it out loud."

"Did it help?"

"No. It just made me angrier. Why did this have to happen to Arden?" Landon said.

"It's just how pregnancy works baby. Sometimes these things can't be controlled. But she will be fine. Dr. Paige just wants to keep a close eye on Arden because she is my daughter. I did the same for her daughter when she was going through treatment. We kind of have a deal. We take care of each others kids, and this is her keeping that deal. Arden and the baby will be okay." I looked at both is my sons and saw how much this was effecting them. "Would you ladies like to stay the night?" Both Jackson and Landon's heads snapped towards me with a glimmer of hope in them.

"We'd love too Mrs. Herondale. Thank you." Jackson and Landon both got up and hugged me and thanked me.

"Well, the night is still sorta young, and it's a Friday night. And although you kids probably have a lot more entertaining things to do tonight, how about we all just watch a movie and relax." I said as I sat on the couch.

"I think that is exactly what we need mom." Jackson said as he got up and chose a movie. He ended up picking Remember the Titans. We sat there on the couch and just enjoyed each others company and tried to forget all the craziness that happened today.