Twenty Second One Shot:

Mistress

Jace POV:

"Alright Aline, I don't know when I'll be home tonight." I said and she walked into the hallway.

"Don't worry, I'll be gone before you get back. I'm meeting Helen anyway. It's our one year anniversary." She says and I can just see how happy she is.

"How long do you think we should stay married? I mean, you're completely happy with Helen, and I'm going to be a eternal bachelor." I said and she laughed.

"Our parents told us that something drastic has to happen in order for us to be able to terminate our marriage." She said and I was thinking.

"Infidelity?" I smirked and she laughed.

"We've both been unfaithful since the day we said 'I do'. And let's be real, we never wanted this marriage. We were forced, but at least we both respect each other's wishes. It's not bad being married to you, but you're more like my brother." She said and I laughed.

"I know what you mean. We'll figure this out later. I'll see you tomorrow."

I walked out and headed to see whoever I was meeting tonight. I can't remember her name, but I think it started with a R, or maybe a T. Who knows.
The date was horrible. Her laugh was annoying, she only talked about herself, and for the first time in my life, when the date was over I dropped her off and left. I headed down the street to a bar to get my mind off how horrible the date was. I take a seat at the bar with my head hanging trying to get the sound of her voice out of my head.

"What can I get for you?" I heard and when I looked up, there was the most beautiful redhead I've ever seen.

"Scotch on the rocks." I said and she laughed, a beautiful and sweet laugh.

"Rough night?" She says as she puts the glass on the table.

"A date from hell." I said and she laughed.

"Well, this ones on me than." She winked and walked to the other side of the bar to serve another customer. I couldn't keep my eyes off of her.

The rest of the night we were flirting, and talking. She was probably one of the coolest girl I've ever met. She was funny, and smart, and sweet, and beautiful. I couldn't get enough. I took out a piece of paper and wrote down my number and slide it across the bar. She looked up at me and smiled.

"Call me sometime." I said and she giggled and nodded.

"Have a good night Jace." I smiled and walked out of the bar feeling happier than I have in awhile.

Time Jump - Four Months Later

Jace POV:

Clary and I have been seeing each other for the past four months and I honestly have never been so happy to be in a relationship. Even Aline said I looked happier. I still haven't told her about Aline yet, but I'm scared that once she knows she'll freak out. I can't lose her.

We were going out tonight and I was actually really nervous. I was planning on telling her that I love her tonight. Crazy to think in four months I fell in love, but I did, and I couldn't picture life without her. I got into my car and headed to her place. When she opened the door she looked drop dead gorgeous. I looked her up and down which caused her to giggle, and start walking towards me. I gave her a quick kiss before we headed to my car.

Dinner was amazing. Honestly, Clary and I fit together so perfectly it was like we were meant for each other. We laughed at the same things, we liked the same music, the same TV shows. It was amazing that we had so much in common.

When dinner was over, I was walking her to her house when we both stopped and lingered for a little. I looked into her emerald green eyes and couldn't take it anymore.

"I love you Clary." I said and her eyes started to pool with tears and a smile broke across her face.

"I love you too." She said and she pressed her lips to mine. We said our goodbyes and I got into my car and headed home. When I got back Aline and Helen were watching TV in the living room. They both looked up at me and smiled.

"What's got you so happy?"

"I told her I loved her tonight." I said and they both screamed and jumped up and hugged me.

"Jace is finally in love." Helen said and I couldn't help but laugh. Helen knew about our situation, and at first she didn't know while she was going to be able to handle it, but she realized she was happier with Aline than not with her and she completely understands now.

"Have you told her?" Aline asks and I shake my head. "You can't put it off forever."

"I don't want her to leave."

"You don't know she'll leave." Helen said and I looked at her.

"You almost left." I said and she gave me a sad smile.

"I'm not going to lie, it's really weird to hear. The person you've been seeing is married. It's shocking, but after she explained everything, I understood. My parents tried to make me straight too. Hers went a little more extreme, but I understood nonetheless. You just have to hope she understands."

"I just, I can't imagine life without her, and I'm afraid she'll leave after she finds out."

"There is only one way to find out Jace." Aline says and I nod. I make my way to my bedroom and plop on the bed. I really don't want to lose Clary, but I can't keep this to myself anymore. She deserves to know, and I will tell her. Eventually.

Time Jump - Two Months Later

Jace POV:

I was completely in love with Clary, and I've been putting off telling her about Aline but I just I feel sick to my stomach lying to her. I absolutely hate it, and I need to tell her soon.

Tonight we were going out to celebrate being together for six months. We were at a very dance and expensive restaurant, and after the night was over I was going to tell her.

We had an amazing time, just like we always do. We shared a bottle of wine, laughed, talked, and when we got back to my place things go heated really fast. Clothes were flying in every direction, and the next thing I know she's screaming out my name and I've never felt so satisfied in my life. We're laying together in my bed after, and she's drawing circles on my bare chest, and my hand is resting on her lower back, and I decide that it's now or never.

"Clary." I said and she hums in response. "There's something I haven't told you yet." I said and she propped herself up on her elbows. "I'm married." I said and her eyes widened.

"You're what?" She yelled as she jumped out of the bed.

"I'm married." I said again and now she frantically looking for her clothes.

"You're married? And you were just not going to tell me? That's sick. How could you do that to your wife?" She yells as she starts dressing.

"You don't understand. Let me explain." I say but she cuts me off.

"There is nothing to explain. I've been dating a married man. I've been sleeping with a married man. Oh my god, we had sex in your bed. I fell in love with a married man." She says and she grabs the rest of her stuff and heads for the door. "Lose my number Jace. I can't believe you would do that to your poor wife. You're a cheater, a liar, and I can't even begin to describe how much I hate you." She said and she slammed the door. I put my head in my hands and shook my head. Eventually I got dressed and went into the kitchen. Aline was there making some coffee.

"What's wrong?"

"I told her."

"And?"

"She freaked. She wouldn't let me explain. She called me a cheater, and a liar. She told me to lose her number. I really fucked up Aline." I said and she came over and gave me a hug.

"I'm so sorry Jace." She said and I nodded. The only woman I've ever loved thought so poorly of me, and I had no way of getting her back.

Time Jump - Two Years Later

Clary POV:

"Come on sweetheart, we have to meet up with Aunt Izzy in 25 minutes." I said as my two year old daughter walked into the living room. Eleanor, or Elle for short, was born 9 months after Jace told me he was married. Figures I get knocked up by a married man. God I was so stupid to think a man like him was actually available.

"Coming momma." She said as she skips into the living room. She resembled Jace so much. She had his beautiful blonde hair, and his features with my green eyes. She was beautiful, and the light of my life. I don't know what I'd do without her. We got to the restaurant and Izzy was already waiting. She knew what happened, and about Elle's father, and she supported me when everyone else left. I couldn't thank her enough. We were walking out of the restaurant when we ran into a couple of women.

"I'm so sorry." I said as I helped her pick up her bag. When I stood up she looked at me, and her facial expression changed from confusion to recognition.

"It's okay, your name wouldn't happen to be Clary would it?" She asked and I was shocked. I looked at Izzy, and than down to Elle, and back to this strange women.

"Uh, have we met before?" I ask and she laughs.

"No. My name is Aline, and I'm pretty sure you were the one who was with Jace while we were married." She said and my eyes widened. How the hell do I run into the women who was married to my ex? Just my luck. I look at Iz, and back at Aline.

"Iz, can you take Elle over there for a moment?" I ask and Iz nods and takes Elle away from us. "I am so sorry about that. I had no idea he was married, and as soon as I found out I left him. I apologize and if I caused any problems within your marriage, I promise it wasn't my intention. I would never intentionally date a married man." I rambled and she just laughed.

"I really wish you would have let him explain." She said and now I was confused. She looked over to where Iz and Elle were. "Is she his?" She asks and I nod. "I can see the similarities. She's beautiful." She says and I can't help but smile.

"Why aren't you pissed at me?" I ask and she smiles at me.

"We were married, for about four years, but not willingly." She says and now I'm really confused. "I really wish you would have let him explain. I'm a lesbian." She said and my jaw dropped. "This is Helen, my wife."

"But you and Jace." I said and she put her hand up to stop me.

"Let me explain everything before you ask questions." She says and I nod. "My parent's didn't approve of my lifestyle. They thought if I got married, it would turn me straight. I tried to explain that that's not how it works, but they refused to believe me. Jace's parents wanted grandchildren. Badly. So our parents worked out a deal. We would get married, and fulfilled all of their wishes. It was horrible. Jace and I were more like roommates than a couple. Sure we were married, but from the day we said 'I do' we were both completely unfaithful to each other. We had a routine. Monday, Wednesday, Friday he got to bring whoever he wanted home, and I got Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and Sunday was off limits." She said and I was shocked. "We never wanted to be married, but our parents told us we were only allowed to get divorced for a drastic occasion." She said and I nodded. I was still very confused. "About a year and a half ago we faked a pregnancy. We told our parents that I was two months pregnant and everyone was thrilled. A month later I had a 'miscarriage' and it completely tore our marriage apart. We got divorced shortly after and I moved away from my parents, married Helen, and I've been happy ever since."

"So, you were never in love with Jace?" I ask and she laughed.

"No. He is like a brother to me. We are still great friends. We get together every once in a while to catch up but we've never been involved. The only semi romantic contact we've ever had was the kiss on our wedding day. He's a good kisser, but I still don't swing that way." She said and I looked at her wife.

"And you were okay with that arrangement?" I asked.

"It was strange at first. It took her awhile to tell me about Jace, but once she explained everything I understood. My mom tried to turn me straight as well. It was a weird situation, but I wasn't ruining a marriage, my girlfriend just happened to be married. I thought about leaving, but I realized that I was happier with Aline, than without her, and I could deal with her having a husband." She said and I nodded.

"Look, Jace was completely in love with you. I had never seen him so happy in my life. When you left he was completely broken. I know it was hard hearing that he was married. Trust me. But he never thought he would ever fall in love. He was in the marriage because his parents were getting tired of his bachelor lifestyle, but when he met you, everything clicked for him. He was smiling more, he was laughing more, he wasn't such an asshole to people. I know you were pissed at him for keeping it a secret, but he did it because he loved you, and he couldn't picture his life without you." She said and I was shocked. She dug in her purse and pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to me. "This is his new address. If you want to talk to him, and let him know that you know the truth now, and that he has a daughter. I think you both deserve to get your happily ever after." She said. Her and her wife walked into the restaurant leaving me completely shocked . Soon Izzy joined me and tapped me on the shoulder.

"What was that about?" She asked and I looked at her.

"Apparently they were in an arranged marriage that neither of them wanted to be in. They both cared about marriage but just not with each other. They weren't allowed to get divorced unless something drastic happened so they faked a miscarriage and got divorced. That was her wife, Helen, and I completely threw away the most important relationship I've ever had because I didn't let him explain it to me." I said and Izzy gave me a hug.

"That's not your fault. You were in shock, it's completely understandable that you reacted that way." She said and I nodded.

"Can you take Elle for the rest of the day. She gave me his address, and I just I need to see him." I said and Izzy nodded. I leaned down and got to eye level with Elle. "Hey baby, I have to go talk to someone really quickly, can you stay with Aunt Izzy until I come back." I asked and she nodded. "I love you."

"I love you too." She said and I gave her a kiss.

I got into my car and started on my way to Jace's house. I was nervous the whole ride over there. I haven't seen him in two years, and even though I was pissed when I left, I never stopped loving him. How could I stop when I had his kid? I pulled up to an amazing house, with a wrap around porch, and a swing hanging from the tree. It was picture perfect. I cut the engine and walked up to the front door. I hesitated before I knocked. A moment later the door opened and there stood Jace, in all his gorgeous glory, and I couldn't stop my knees from buckling, but I caught myself.

"Clary." He said and I smiled.

"Hi Jace." I said and he motioned for me to come in. He led me to the kitchen.

"Would you like some coffee?" He asked and I nodded. He got me a cup and sat down across the table from me. "What are you doing here?" He asks as I look down at my mug.

"I ran into Aline today." I said and I heard him catch his breath. "I met her wife, Helen. They're a lovely couple." I said and I looked up at him. "I'm so sorry I never let you explain." I said and he reached over and grabbed my hand and my stomach flipped.

"I'm sorry I lied to you, I just I couldn't lose you, but I also couldn't keep lying to you. And it was a 50/50 shot at how you would react. I talked to Aline and Helen about it, and they told me to just tell you, and see how you reacted." He said and I felt awful. "I took a chance, and I can't blame you for reacting the way you did."

"But you tried to explain, you tried to stop me and I said awful things to you." I said and I couldn't stop the tear the left my eye. "I said I hated you. I called you horrible things."

"It's okay Clary. I was a liar, and a cheater. Aline and I had a routine. We knew the consequences of what we were doing if we ever found someone who we truly cared about. Everything was a shot in the dark. I never thought I'd fall in love, but than I met you and everything changed. I get if you don't trust me, and I get that it's been a long two years. So many things have changed, but I never stopped loving you. I don't think I ever can." He said and when I looked into his eyes I could see that he was being completely honest. "Look, I'd love to start over. Get to know each other again, go out on some dates, and maybe get back to where we were before." He said and it was all I ever wanted to hear. "That is, if that's what you want too." He said and I couldn't help but smile.

"I don't think we can start over exactly." I said and he looked confused.

"What do you mean?"

"There is something I need to tell you. Something that will change your life forever." I said and he looked scared.

"Please don't tell me you're married." He said and I laughed.

"No, not married, not dating, not even looking honestly." I said and he smiled.

"So, what is it?" He asked and I took a deep breath.

"We have a daughter." I said and his jaw dropped.

"What?"

"The night you told me you were married, if you remember correctly we had a lot of sex." I said and he laughed. "Once was in the shower and it was unprotected. I didn't think anything of it until maybe two months later when I couldn't keep anything down. I went to the doctor and found out."

"What's her name?" He asked and I took out my phone and showed him a picture.

"Her name is Eleanor, but I call her Elle."

"That's an old name." He said and I nodded.

"It's a family name. Thought it was appropriate." I said and he nodded.

"She's beautiful. Can I meet her?" He asked and I nodded. I took my phone back and dialed Izzy's number.

"Hello?" She said.

"Hey Iz, I need a favor."

"What's up?"

"I'm going to text you an address, can you bring Elle to it?" I asked.

"You told him?"

"Yea, we talked about everything, and after hearing his side, and Aline's side today, there is no reason that he shouldn't get to meet his daughter."

"Alright, text me, and I'll be there as soon as I can." We said goodbye, I texted her the address, and Jace and I waited. Thirty minutes later there was a knock on the door. I looked at Jace and he looked nervous. I got up and went to the door and opened it.

"Mommy!" Elle called as she ran into my legs.

"Hi baby." I said as I gave her a kiss. I looked back up at Iz. "Thank you so much. I'll text you later to give you all the details."

"Of course. Good luck." She said as she made her way back to her car. I picked Elle up and walked into the kitchen. Jace was standing there looking incredibly nervous. I walked over and stood in front of him.

"Elle, I want you to meet someone." I said and she nodded. "This is your daddy." I said and she looked at me.

"Really?" She asked and I smiled.

"Really." I said and she looked between us before she jumped out of my arms and into his. He caught her and she threw her arms around his neck.

"Hi daddy." She said and my heart melted.

"Hi sweetheart." He said and she leaned back and gave him a huge kiss.

"Mommy, I'm hungry." She said and I laughed.

"Ask daddy for some food, we're in his house." I said and she smiled.

"Daddy, I'm hungry." She said which caused us both to laugh.

"What do you like to eat?" He asked and she started thinking about it.

"Mac and cheese!" She said and I shook my head. That girl was obsessed.

"Alright." He said as he put her down. "Grace!" He called and a woman entered the room. "Could you please take Elle and make her your famous mac and cheese?" He asked and she nodded. Elle ran right over to her and they disappeared behind the door.

"You have a chef?"

"Yea. I'm rich, and I never learned how to cook. You remember my last house, it was quite extravagant."

"I spent most of the time in the bedroom, so I wasn't focused on the rest of the house." I said and he laughed. "Listen, I am sorry it took so long to tell you about Elle, but as you can imagine, I wasn't really happy with you. But I want you to take a paternity test, and get you on her birth certificate, and hopefully we can be a family." I said and before I knew it I was being scooped up into a hug.

"You're serious?" He said and I nodded.

"I never got over you either Jace. Leaving was the hardest thing I've ever done, but I felt gross, and horrible because I thought I was ruining your marriage. I love you Jace, and I'd love to maybe not start off where we left off, but pretty close." I said and he pressed his lips to mine.

"I love you." He said and I couldn't help but smile.

"I love you too." I said and I kissed him again. We stood there like that for a couple minutes before someone ran into our legs. Elle was holding onto us and smiling while looking up. Jace leaned down and picked her up. Seeing them together was the most amazing sight in the world, and I couldn't wait to start being a family.

Time Jump – Six Months Later

Clary POV:

The past six months have been amazing. After Jace got the paternity test done, which of course proved that he was the father, he was put on her birth certificate and we legally changed Elle's last name from Fray to Herondale. I know it seems like it's fast, but she's his daughter, and I have no reservations when it comes to our future. Jace and I were meant to be, and I knew that the moment he told me that he loved me.

I was on my way home, which was now Jace's house, and when I opened the door there was an overwhelming serge of the most amazing smell I've ever smelled. I walked into the kitchen and saw the table set up beautifully. Jace was standing there in a suit, looking gorgeous as always, and I stopped dead in my tracks.

"What's going on?" I asked and he held out his hand.

"Well, I know we just got back together, but this would be our three year anniversary if we stayed together. This might be rushing it to some people, but there isn't anyone else in the world who I would rather be with." He said and he kneeled in front of me and my hands flew over my mouth. "Clarissa Fray, I love you, more than I ever thought possible, and I love our life together, our family, and I can't even being to describe how happy I am. So, will you do the honor of becoming my wife?" He said and I couldn't stop the tears.

"Yes!" I shout and he laughs. He slips the ring on my finger and pulls me close to him and slams our lips together. We stay like that for a moment before we hear a throat clear. We break apart to see Grace standing there holding our dinner. We laugh, and take our seats, and than I realize that Elle isn't there. "Where is Elle?"

"I asked Izzy to take her for the night. I wanted tonight to be all about us." He said and I couldn't help but smile. We ate dinner, and started talking about the wedding, and our life together and nothing seemed more perfect than this moment. I was excited to see where it went.

Time Jump – Seven Years Later

Jace POV:

The last seven years have been amazing. We got married a year after we got engaged, and it was absolutely perfect. My parents were surprised. They didn't know how I could move on so fast after Aline, but I just lied and told them that Clary and I had a brief affair when I was still married after the miscarriage, which resulted in her getting pregnant. They were disappointed in me for being unfaithful to Aline, but they knew that we were struggling after losing the baby, and once they met Elle, they couldn't have been more thrilled with our engagement. Clary didn't like lying to them, but she also understood that it needed to be done in order to protect Aline. Two years ago Clary gave birth to our second child, Trevor, and he was as cute as a button. He had my golden eyes and Clary's red hair. They were the two best kids I could ever have asked for. I never knew what it was like to be with someone who loved you unconditionally, who drove you to be your absolute best, and someone who fit into ever single crevasse of who you are, but that was Clary for me. We fit together perfectly, and we wanted to see each other thrive and succeed. She was the perfect wife, and the perfect mother, and the perfect person to carry my last name. I wouldn't want it to be anybody else. She was meant to be Clarissa Herondale, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

Authors Note:

This one shot was requested by a couple different people. PhantomFanfics, and two guests wanted one where Clary is Jace's mistress. I didn't want to write two stories so similar, so I took both ideas and blended them together! I'm sorry if it doesn't live up to your expectations, but I have a lot of requests and I thought combining all three of those requests would be better for me! Please let me know what you think! If you have any other ideas, shoot me a message, or leave a review! :)