A/N: So last time with the coding and stuff I can't believe y'all still managed to read that but thanks for all the wonderful comments they make me happy:)

Here's the next chapter, hope you like it!

Z

Disclaimer: Some characters and names are not from my brain but from Cassandra Clare's T-T.

Chapter 9

Clary POV

The next day, Clary woke up disoriented when she realized she wasn't in her room. She lay on the couch from where she was sketching, waiting for the washing machine to finish so that she could fold it before going to sleep. Looking down at the blanket, Clary stared at it for a few seconds because she was sure she hadn't planned on sleeping out here. Suddenly her cheeks began to flame up when she realized that Jace must've found her like this.

"He must think I'm slacking off like crazy now great job Clary," she muttered to herself as she quickly got up. Deciding to grab an apple for breakfast, she then went to go get dressed and start her chores.

As Clary was sweeping the floors, she heard a door open as Jace walked in already fully dressed and not looking at all dishevelled from sleep. He glanced up from the papers he was holding and smiled when he saw she was awake. She had no idea why but that was enough to make her stomach do a little flip.

"Good morning Clary, it's nice to see you awake," he says with that same smile on his face. She refused to respond, knowing that she would say something stupid. Opting to just smile in return, she continued to sweep the floor as he moved past her into the kitchen. That is until she realized that it's her job to cook for him.

"Please wait Mr. Herondale! I mean Jace! Can I get anything for you? Is there anything you want in particular?" she exclaimed, scrambling to move past him before he could object. But what surprised her, even more, is that he began to laugh. His laugh was deep and Clary found that she liked the noise.

"You have enough work on your plate right now. I'm sorry for laughing but you looked so concerned that I was going into the kitchen it looked as if you were preventing the next world war," he joked as the chuckles began to die down. Clary couldn't help but smile at that and she began to help him fix breakfast.

Eventually, the kids were dropped back home because they were adamant about wanting to meet their uncles and aunts for dinner that night. Even though they weren't related by blood, Clary could see a lot of similarities between Robert and Maryse and Jace. Jace's busy way of walking, especially when he was in a rush, was a carbon copy of the bustling woman. Kind-hearted as she may be, Maryse walked with a purpose and direction and wasted no time in getting where she needed to go.

Once they left, Clary decided to get started on cooking dinner. Jace had said that four people would be joining them, so she decided to cook a little it extra in case someone had an extra-large appetite. School had already ended, leaving the older kids with a lot of empty time on their hands. She had decided that they could spare some time from staying locked in their rooms for half the day. Before they could drop their plates from lunch in the sink and scuttle off to their rooms, Clary called out to them, "Oi, you two. Come back here. Today you're gonna help me make dinner for your uncles and aunts, alright." The looks of offence that were on their faces were enough for Clary to laugh but she had to suppress her smile if she wanted them to actually listen to her.

Emmy obviously began to push back. "What?! It's your job to cook anyways not ours. Jace she can't make us do this can she?" she then whipped around to look at her uncle, who clearly wasn't going to be any help. He himself was laughing as he said "Sorry Ems but she actually can. Besides, it'll be good for you guys to help around the house more now that school is over."

Ezra knew that there was no fighting it now that Clary and Jace were both on the same side. His usual smile was back on his face as he bounced over to Clary, saying, "I'll help Clary!" slowing down, a small crease formed between his eyebrows, "But I don't really know how to,"

Smiling, she ruffled his hair before turning to his older sister and calling out, "You yourself told me that you can cook. So come on, show me what you can do," Clary smiled and crossed her fingers. With a sigh, the eldest child followed in her sibling's footsteps. With Lu and sitting on one of the bar stools and watching, Clary didn't have to worry about keeping her entertained as she cooks. Laurel had already dragged Jace downstairs for a tea party, which he seemed happy to go for. Clary and the older two kids ended up having a lot of fun. Ezra really wasn't kidding when he said he didn't know anything in the kitchen but by the end of it, he had enough sense to know that you don't use a plastic bowl on the stove. Emmy was a huge help and was smiling and laughing right along with them by the end of it too. She seemed to forget that she disliked her nanny and Clary was glad to get to know her a little better.

After having a quick lunch together, she finally decided to let the older two go. Jace also disappeared to his study, muttering something about finishing up some papers. Clary decided to put the younger two down for a nap so that they wouldn't be grumpy when their family came over. Lu was as sweet as ever and went fell asleep with a big toothy smile and a sleepy "night clawie lub you," before she drifted off. Laurel was a whole different ball game. Before Clary even entered the room, she could see that this would be a problem. Everything from Laurel's closet was strewn across the floor; bags, clothes, toys, you name it. And right in the middle of it was Laurel, big tears rolling down her face.

After she made her way over to the child, Clary crouched down to her level. "Hey there. Wanna tell me what's wrong?" she said in a gentle tone. That seemed to calm her down a bit. Through the tears and the hiccups, she told Clary how she had a special dress picked out but now she couldn't find it.

It took a solid 30 minutes to finally put Laurel down for her nap and by the end of it Clary was almost in tears herself. She still had a lot to do before the guests arrived and the setback in her schedule was beginning to make her panic.

A/N: Guys I'm so sorry for the short chapter I looked at this after leaving it for 3 months and I have no idea where I was going with it so I just ended it quick rather than ruin it lolol I'll try and start another one soon pls stay safe:))