Jace's POV
I lie in bed late at night unable to sleep. It's been a few weeks since Gray's birthday, and every day is another day closer to meeting my baby girls. It's been hard for me to sleep ever since Clary has been having Braxton Hicks contractions. To her this is no big deal, but to me it's just a reminder that the girls could be here any day now. Clary has been a little moody lately, but I know it's because she's uncomfortable now that her belly is as big as it can get. She even had a huge fight with Izzy about not wanting a baby shower since we have everything we need, and I had to step in. Izzy wasn't very happy that I took Clary's side, but I much rather have an angry Isabel than an angry pregnant Clary. I've been doing everything in my power to help make her more comfortable. I even called Jocelyn to come stay in the guest house and help Clary when I can't be here for her.
The door creeks open slowly and I push myself to sit up.
"Daddy?" I hear Gray checking to see if I'm awake as he tugs at the sheets.
"It's late GrayGray" I look down. He stands on the edge of the bed in his dinosaur pajamas and holding on to his blanket. "You should be in bed".
"I just wanted to see if they were here yet" he pouts knowing he could get in trouble for being out of bed this late at night.
"Who?" I question confused.
"Sisters" he answers concerned. He's been asking almost every single day if they are here yet. It breaks my heart to se his sad little face when I tell him he has to wait a little longer.
"No" I shake my head and reach down to help him get on the bed. He lies next to me, snuggling close, and I wrap my arm around him. "You really want to see them, don't you?"
"I want to play with them" he smiles, "and teach them how to play Mary had a little lamb on the piano, and how to swing on your own, and how to do the monkey bars, and build Legos with them, and tell them that Vanilla Ice Cream is always better".
"You know Gray" i don't want to burst his bubble, but I don't want him to be disappointed going to be such and amazing big brother. "When your sisters get here, they're going to be very very little. We have to be gentle and very careful with them. They won't be able to play with you for some time".
"Oh" the smiles fades from his face.
"But they still need their big brother" I encourage, "and they love very very much"
"I know" he smiles again reassuringly, "and I love the too"
"How much?" I tease
"To the moon and back!" He laughs and I tickle him.
I hold them there right next to me taking in every last moment of having him as an only child.
"Can I stay here tonight?" He asks knowing Clary would say no. I understand that he needs to learn that he's supposed to sleep in his own bed and it get him used to coming over to our bed, but one night can't hurt. "Please"
"Just for tonight Gray" I agree, "okay?".
"Okay" he sighs pleased, "can you sing?"
"What song?" I ask running a hand through his blonde hair, my hair.
"Mm..." He thinks, "Firecracker".
I nod and start singing. I don't know if he realizes this song is supposed to be for him and about him, but he has sure taken a liking to it. Slowly, his eyelids become heavy with sleep over his eyes, but he fights it. I sing, like a whisper in his ears, tracing soft circles on his back as he lies on his stomach. Eventually, his eyes flutter closed and he falls asleep. His small chest rises and falls with every deep breath, which feels warm on my side.
My eyes start closing as well, when suddenly Clary jerks up and gasps awake. He breathes heavily for a few seconds, and all the sleepiness disappears from within me.
"Hey what's wrong?" I sit up as well and place my hand gently on her back.
"Just Braxton Hicks" she shakes her head, "I'm just uncomfortable".
"Is there anything I can do?" I feel really bad for her.
"No" she takes a deep breath, "I'm fine". She looks at Gray and frowns, "what's Gray doing here?"
"He came in asking about his sisters" I smile and look down at him for a second, "then he fell asleep".
"Oh" she lies back down and closes her eyes. I do the same, but I don't fall asleep. I can't fall asleep. There's something in my head that won't allow me.
It's only been about 5 minutes when she jerks up again and winces. She frowns, breathing heavily, for a few seconds before she turns and stares at me. "Jace" her eyes widen, "I think these aren't false alarms anymore".
I sit there in shock for a few seconds. Is this really it? I knew it was coming, but I never imagined it how it would happen. This time tomorrow, there be two little girls in this world. Two little girls Clary and I created. I snap out of my thoughts and realize we have to get moving.
"I'll go tell your mom that we're headed to the hospital" I jump out of bed and throw some clothes on. Then I go back and help Clary get up so she can change into something a little more presentable. "I'll be right back" I kiss her forehead and head out.
The short path between the main house and the guest house is dark and cold since its the middle of the night, but I'm not really worried about that right now. I knock on the door hard a couple of times after ringing the bell. Jocelyn opens the door slowly, squinting, with her robe on.
"Clary thinks she's in labor" I explain before she can even ask, "I'm going to take her down to the hospital". She immediately reacts and we both start walking back to the house, "Gray's asleep in our room. I'll call Maryce and ask if she can come over to look after him so you can go to the hospital too". We walk in and Clary's already ready to go with the hospital bag and everything.
"You ready?" I ask just in case taking the bag from her hands, she just nods.
"I'll be there soon baby" Jocelyn gives her a big hug and a kiss, "you can do this".
"Let's go then" I sigh and we move towards the door.
"Mommy?" Gray's soft voice stops us. He stands on the stairs rubbing his eyes and looking confused. He hugs his blanket tightly.
"Come here buddy" Clary waves at him and he finishes wobbling down the stairs, "you're going to stay here with Grandma Jocelyn for a little while okay?"
"What's going on?" He looks around the room for some answers.
"Your sisters might be coming today" Clary says and I pick him up so she doesn't have to kneel down to talk to him comfortably.
"Really?" I can feel his excitement.
"Yes" Clary chuckles at his reaction, "but you have to be a little patient, and you have to be good"
"I promise I'll be good mommy" he hugs her.
"We'll see you in a little bit" Clary whispers and places a kiss on his cheek. I put him down and he runs over to Jocelyn. They wave goodbye as we head out of the house and to the hospital.
"You're almost there Clary" Dr. Hannes encourages after checking Clary for the 6th time since we've been here, "it's time to meet your girls". She smiles and everyone in the room starts getting ready.
It's been hours. We got here at 2:30 at night and it's almost 9 in the morning now. I haven't slept, but I don't think I'd be able to sleep anyway. I stand by her head so she can hold my hand as she pushes. Clary had honestly been a rock. Jocelyn is in the waiting room. She's been helping us through it all, but they said only one person could be in here with Clary. Isabel and Simon are also out there, but we haven't seen them.
"Okay Clary" Dr. Hannes gets into position, "with your next contraction start pushing".
And so she does as she's told. Her nails dig into the skin of my hand as she gives in all her strength.
Suddenly, Clary let's out a low scream and the room is filled with the sound of crying. I change my focus to the doctor instead of Clary and spot a little tiny very red baby in the arms of the nurse. It's so little I can't even believe it's real. I want to go look at her closely, but we're not done yet.
"Now let's get baby B out here" Dr. Hannes turns back to Clary and prepares again.
This time it was different. Clary had to push a little harder, sweat dripping on her forehea. When the baby comes out, Clary throws herself back and gasps.
The baby isn't the same this time. Shes still little and tiny, but she is more purple than red. She cries for about a seconds and everyone rushes around her.
"Her oxygen levels are low" one of the nurses says.
"What's going on? Clary cries pushing herself up to a sitting position.
"Take her to the NICU" Hannes barks getting up once she's done tending to Clary and checking on baby B. They put her in a little clear bassinet and start rolling her out of the room.
"Jace! Jace!" Clary grabs my arm, "Go with her! Don't leave her alone!"
She didn't have to tell me to do that since I was already starting to move. Without thinking it twice, I'm out of the room and following my baby girl to the NICU.
VOTING IS CLOSED! All the votes have been counted and we have our two names. They'll be revealed in the next chapter. I'm pretty sure it's something not everyone is expecting, but I hope you're not disappointed with the results.
See you next chapter!
