Thirty Sixth One Shot:
Stripper
Jace POV:
One of my buddies is getting married and tonight we're out for his bachelor party. His best man decided that strippers was the way to go. It should be an entertaining night.
We got to the club and it was packed. We were seated by the stage and the dancers were dancing, and we ordered a round of drinks. One of the guys called the waitress over.
"Hey, my buddy Frank is getting married and I was wondering if I could buy him a lap dance." He said and she laughed.
"I have a menu of the girls with a description of each of them. I'll bring it over. Pick one out, and let me know." She said and she walked away, grabbed a menu and was back. "Call me over when you made a decision." We nodded and started looking at the list.
"What's your type man?"
"Well, I'd prefer if you got me a girl the total opposite of my future wife."
"So, no blondes." I said and he laughed. "You're missing out."
We looked over it when he landed on a dancer by the name Cherry Pie.
"This one looks good. Redhead, short, one of the most popular in the club. Has about 7 years experience."
"Okay." We called the waitress over.
"Who will it be?"
"Cherry Pie."
"Sorry boys, but she's booked for the next six months solid. She's one of the most popular girls in the club."
"Can you point her out?" I ask and she laughs.
"I'll let her know the reason, and maybe she could squeeze you in." She said as she walked into the back. A few minutes later two women walked out and towards us. When they got to the table my jaw dropped. She was a lot older, and her smile seemed to be even more bright. It had been almost 10 years since we saw each other, and I didn't expect to see her here.
"Boys, meet Cherry Pie. Cherry Pie, this young man is getting married and his buddies wanted to give him a lap dance with you." She smiled and looked around the table until our eyes met.
"Thank you Maia." The waitress left and Clary was alone. "I wish I could fit you in, but I'm booked all night long. Congratulations on the marriage though. She's a lucky girl." Clary said. Her eyes flickered back to mine before she looks back. "I have a private session in 5 minutes, but whatever dancer you decide to go with, it's on the house."
"Thanks Cherry Pie." Frank said and she left. I was completely and utterly shocked at finding out Clary was a stripper. She was the shy girl in high school, who Izzy took under her wing. She started to become more social and eventually we got together and dated for almost 3 years. I watched her walk away and grab a man and walk him into the back room.
Anger flooded my insides, and I walked right over to the room. I opened the curtain and got even more angry. I pulled Clary off him, and punched him right in the face.
"Jace!" Clary shouted. I looked back and she looked pissed. She grabbed me by the arm and pulled me out of the room and across the club into the back room. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Me? You're the stripper here Clary. What the hell happened to you?"
"It's none of your business. You gave up the right to know any of my business when you broke up with me." She spat and I took a seat.
"Why don't you have a real job?"
"This is a real job."
"No. This is a job for dropouts and desperate people. Not you Clare."
"A lot has happened in the last 10 years Jace."
"What could possibly make you so desperate?"
"It's none of your business."
"God damn it Clary. Can you stop being so fucking stubborn for once?"
"You used to love that about me."
"I still do." I mumbled. "This isn't you Clary. This isn't the girl I knew. Are you in trouble?"
"No. I'm not." She simply said.
"So this is by choice?"
"Yes." She said and I opened my mouth to speak but she stopped me. "Jace, this is my place of employment, you can't come in here, and punch my customers."
"Clary."
"I think it would be best if you left." She said. She opened the door. "I'll walk you back." I didn't even have it in me to answer. We walked back to my table, and than she left.
"What the fuck man?" Frank said.
"Do you know her?" Another friend said.
"We dated in high school."
"You looked pissed man."
"I thought that we'd get married one day."
"What happened?"
"I broke up with her."
"Why?"
"We had always planned to go to the same college. But she changed her mind last minute and I was pissed."
"How longs it been?"
"10 years."
"You still got it bad man." They said and I just groaned.
"I can't be here anymore. I'm sorry if I ruined your night, but I have to go."
"Understandable man. Thanks for coming out." He said. I nodded and walked out.
The rest of the night I couldn't get her out of my head. A stripper. She was just a promising student. She always got great grades. The fact that she had gone as low as becoming a stripper was beyond me.
Clary POV:
After my run in with Jace, I gave the customer he punched a free dance. The nerve of him to come in here and do that was unbelievable. He broke up with me. He dumped me. Ugh. Boys. When I was finally done, I changed and packed up my things. I made my way to the hospital to visit my mom. I got there and went straight to her room. I was there for about an hour before the doctor came in.
"Hello Clary."
"Hey Dr. Carstairs. I have the money for the next round of treatments."
"Very well. The next round should start next week at some point."
"How is she doing?"
"The chemo is really damaging her organs right now, but I think with the new dosage it won't be as bad. Right now the good thing is the cancer isn't spreading." I nod and he leaves the room. I look back at my mom and sigh. I make myself comfy on the couch and drift off hoping that something goes right for me this month.
Time Jump – One Month Later
Jace POV:
I was still reeling about what happened at the strip club last month. I am going home this weekend to talk to Izzy and Alec. I know I didn't keep in contact but I didn't know if they did, and I was desperate to find out what was going on, and what caused her to become a stripper.
When I got to Izzy's house, I knocked on the door and Simon answered. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Of all the people to get married, I never expected it to be Simon and Izzy. Nonetheless, they have been married for almost 8 years, with two kids, so they are clearly living the life that I always dreamed of with Clary. I walked in and gave Izzy and Alec both hugs before we sat on the couch.
"What is this about Jace? You sounded so upset."
"Guess who I ran into last month?" I said and they all shook their head. "Clary."
"You're kidding!" Alec said and I laughed.
"And you'll never guess where." They were silent again. "A strip club. She's a stripper. A popular one at that." I said and Alec and Izzy looked shocked but Simon didn't. "Did you know Simon?"
"I knew she took up a rather unconventional job years ago. She didn't tell me what, or where, but that she would be fine, and I didn't question her. Clary has always known what she was doing."
"But a stripper? I mean, she had such a promising future." Izzy said.
"Do you know why she bailed on our plans to go to UCLA together?" I asked Simon and he sighed.
"You know how her dad died senior year, and it killed her mom?" He said and I nodded. "She wanted to be closer to her."
"Why didn't she just tell me that?"
"At the time, her mom was in the middle of getting tested. She had been feeling sick for weeks, and had no idea why." Simon explained and I nodded. "She ended up going to a community college for a year before she had to drop out."
"Why?"
"Her mom was diagnosed with cancer." My eyes widened and Izzy and Alec looked just as shocked. "Clary dropped and used all her college tuition to pay for treatments."
"So why is she a stripper?"
"Despite having a really low reputation, stripping makes a lot of money, and the last time I spoke with her, she had sold everything to pay for her mom. It was a last resort. Clearly, she got good, and she probably makes a couple grand a night, and cancer treatments aren't cheap."
"Why didn't you tell me any of this Simon?" Izzy asked.
"I wanted too. I asked her if I could, but she didn't want anyone to know how desperate she was. The poor girl has absolutely nothing, and the only family she has left, is basically in comatose and showing no signs of progress."
"What about Jonathan?" I ask and he looks confused.
"You didn't hear?"
"I blocked out everything relating to New York, and Clary when we broke up."
"He was killed. He got involved with some gang, and eventually couldn't pay back some debt and was murdered."
"How long ago?"
"Almost 5 years." He said and I sighed.
"Why didn't she come to me? I would have done anything for her."
"You can't blame her for that one. When she told you she wasn't going to UCLA anymore you freaked. You wouldn't let her explain. You broke up with her, and were on the next flight out. I wouldn't have told you anything about my life either after that." Izzy said and I could see her point. We were silent for a moment before Izzy spoke again. "You still love her don't you?"
"I never stopped. After UCLA I moved back, but our paths never crossed no matter how much I wished they had. Not having her in my life, has been the hardest thing I've ever had to go through."
"So go and tell her that."
"She was pissed at me last month. I punched one of her customers in the face." I said and they all laughed.
"No, go somewhere that she isn't working, and talk. Tell her how you feel, apologize and maybe you can get back together." Izzy said and I nodded. "Are you staying for dinner?"
"Sure." I said and she smiled. I don't get back here as often as I should, and I have missed Alec and Izzy. They may only like 45 minutes away, but I'm always so busy with business and often forget to check in every now and than.
Time Jump – One Week Later
Clary POV:
I was walking out of the coffee shop, when I bumped into someone. When I looked up and was met with a familiar set of gold eyes. This is so not what I planned to do with my day off.
"What are you doing here Jace?" I asked.
"I talked to Simon." He said and my face fell. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"You broke my heart Jace. I was going to tell you everything, about my mom, and about UCLA and you never gave me the chance. I was going to let you cool off for a day, but when I went to your house they told me you had already left for California. I figured if you really loved me, you wouldn't have left like that, and you would have listened to me."
"I thought you didn't want to be together anymore." He said and I sighed.
"I wanted nothing more than to be with you Jace. I was so completely in love with you. I would have followed you anywhere. What you wanted, I wanted, and when I got the news about my mom, the only person I wanted was you. I still had your things, and I cried into your hoodie for days. When I found out Jonathan was dead, the only person I wanted by my side at his funeral was you. Do you know how much it killed me that I lost you?"
"Clary, you could have called." He said and I laughed.
"I shouldn't have had too. You should have called. You should have checked up on me, you should have tried to at least see if I was okay." I said and he looked completely defeated. "I have to go."
"Are you uh working tonight?"
"No. It's my night off. I'm going to go sit in my moms hospital room, and read a book." I said and I started walking away.
"Where do you live?" He called and I stopped.
"Currently, I either sleep in the club, or in the hospital."
"What about your house?"
"I had to sell it to pay for her treatments." I said and his eyes widened.
"Can I see you again?" He asks and I think about it for a moment. As much as I really hate what he did to me 10 years ago, I have dreamed of this moment for so long.
"I get off work tomorrow at 11, and I'll be at the hospital. If it's too late, that's okay, but if you want to see me, that's where I'll be."
"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow." He said and I smiled and turned and walked away. I got back to the hospital and took a seat and scooted it closer to my moms bed.
"You'll never guess who I ran into mom. Jace. Of all the people in this city, I had to run into my ex-boyfriend." I said to her sleeping body. "He's coming here tomorrow. He wanted to see me, and as much as I want to hate him, I just can't." I said and I grabbed her hand. "Do you think it's stupid of me to still be in love with him?" I asked and I lowered my head on her bed. "I wish you were here to talk to mom. I miss you." I said as a tear fell from my eye.
Time Jump – Tomorrow Night
Jace POV:
I was working late on a project so that I could focus on something other than seeing Clary tonight. I didn't think I'd be this nervous, but being around her again, did something to me, and I knew she probably hated me, but I needed to talk to her, and see her, and apologize until I'm blue in the face.
When I looked at the clock, it was almost 11:45. I didn't realize I was working so late and I grabbed my jacket and ran to my car. I practically sped to the hospital and when I walked in I went to the nurses station.
"Jocelyn Morgenstern?"
"Room 134." She said and I went off to find the room. The door was closed and when I looked in the window I saw Clary sleeping in a chair. I slowly opened the door, and made my way inside. There was a couch near the window, and I knew that Clary would wake up with a stiff neck if she continued to sleep there, so I scooped her up and placed her on the couch. I put the blanket over her and gave her a kiss on the temple. I took the seat she was sitting in and looked and Jocelyn.
Clary POV:
I heard a voice talking and when I opened my eyes I saw Jace sitting in the chair talking to my mom. I closed my eyes in case he looked back so I could listen to his conversation.
"I know you probably hated me after what I did to Clary, you never were my biggest fan." He said and I knew that it probably hurt him just as much as it hurt me. "I was an asshole, and I threw away the best girl in the world. I honestly never thought I'd see her again." He laughs a little. "You have one hell of a daughter Jocelyn. I don't know where that little redhead got all her courage, but I know for a fact, she is still the strongest woman I've ever met." He leaned forward and put his head in his hands. "I want you to know that I never did stop loving her. I picked up the phone to call her hundreds of times, but I was too much of a coward to dial her number." He said and I opened my eyes now. "She will forever be the only one for me, and I know she'll probably never forgive me, but I would wait until my very last breath for her." He said and I sat up.
"You should have called." I said and he jumped. He turned around and smiled. "I would have talked to you for hours, or seconds if that's what you wanted. I'd do anything to listen to your voice." I said and he joined me on the couch. "I'm actually extremely pathetic."
"No you aren't." He said and I laughed.
"Actually, I am. I went to visit Izzy when she had Maddie. It was one of the rare times I went to visit, but she fell asleep and Simon was out, and the phone started ringing. I let it go to voice mail, and it was you. I replayed that message a dozen times just to hear your voice."
"If it makes you feel less pathetic, I saved the last voicemail you left me, and listened to it all the time." He said and I laughed.
"It does make me feel less pathetic." I said and he smiled.
"Good."
"Did you mean it?" I asked and I could see he was confused. "When you said you still loved me?"
"Absolutely." He said and my heart started racing. "I never stopped Clare. You were always the one for me."
"I want to hate you Jace." I start. "I want to hate you for what you did to me. I want to hate you for leaving me, and never calling, never texting, never writing. I want to hate you so much. But I can't." I said and I sigh. "You broke me, but I also know that there wasn't anyone who could love me the way you did."
"I am so sorry Clary."
"I know you are. I know you are because you never apologize unless you truly mean it. I know because I can hear it in your voice. I can see it in your eyes, and I can just feel it." I said and I looked into his eyes. "I can't keep being strong Jace." I said and I a tear fell and he pulled me into a hug. "I'm so tired, and I'm so done."
"It's going to be okay Clary."
"I'm so tired of not having a real life. I'm so done with being felt up by horny guys, and being gawked at. I'm so tired of the way my life has been for the past couple years. I just want it to stop."
"Let me help you Clary." He said and I pulled away. "You know I would do everything and anything for you."
"You were right. That isn't me, and it never was. I hate showing off my body, and I hate being looked at as a sex toy. I absolutely hate my job but it's the only thing that pays well enough to afford this." I kept going. I was hyperventilating at this point and Jace was rubbing circles on my back to calm me down. After some time I was finally able to control my breathing. I sat back up and wiped away the tears. It was silent for a while before Jace spoke.
"Let's get married." He said and I think my mind stopped.
"What?"
"Let's get married, and than your mothers bills would be taken care of by my company."
"How?"
"She's a dependent on you correct?" He asked and I nodded. "Dependents are covered in our medical coverage. We get married, she becomes a dependent on me as well, and her treatment and hospital bill is covered."
"Why would you do that for me?"
"I have been in love with you Clary for 13 years, and I always thought that we would be getting married. When we were leaving for college and I broke up with you, I was broken as well. I would have married you in high school if your mom wasn't so against our relationship."
"You'd marry a stripper?" I asked and he laughed.
"No. I'd marry Clary Morgenstern. The comic book nerd, and artist, and coffee addict, and one of the smartest girls I've ever met. Being a stripper isn't who you are. It's what you did to provide for your mom."
"If we get married, do I have to keep stripping?" I ask and he shakes his head.
"I would never allow my wife to be man handled by other men."
"You're sure about this?" I ask and he takes my hand.
"I have always wanted to marry you Clary. I am never letting you go ever again." He said and I couldn't help but smile. I leaned over and pressed my lips to his and all that chemistry came flooding back. It was like we had never separated, and I missed it so much. When we broke apart I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face.
"You know what this means?" I ask and he shakes his head. "Izzy is going to freak."
"You mean you're in?" He asked shocked and I smile and nod. He stands up and picks me up and I wrap my legs around his torso and he spins us around. I pull back and press my lips to his. When he breaks apart he smiles. "I love you Clary."
"I love you too Jace." I said and he kissed me again. I may be completely insane, or off my rocker but in the past 10 years, this was the easiest decision that I've ever had to make. I always loved Jace, and I knew that I would always need him, and for him to feel the same way means the world to me.
Time Jump – Two Months Later
Clary POV:
I was completely right when I said Izzy would freak. She started planning the whole wedding, but when Jace and I told her that we were just going to get married at the courthouse she didn't speak to us for a few days. She eventually got over it when the wedding rolled around and she was there supporting us. Being married to Jace was everything I thought it would be and so much more. It felt like we fell right back into the pattern we were in in high school. It was like the 10 years in the middle never happened. Jace was completely right and his company was now paying my mothers medical bills. It took so much stress off, and I never stepped foot back into that club after Cherry Pie's farewell show. As much as Jace was against it, I had to do it in order to leave. It was in the contract. Of course Jace showed up, and for my potion on audience participation I grabbed him. If I was going to give a farewell lap dance to anyone it was going to be Jace. And he enjoyed it immensely. Later that night I even gave him an encore.
Things have been extremely normal since that night. I got a part time job at a bookstore while I went back to school. It wasn't anything big, but I loved it. Being around all these books, and not having to wear a matching bra and pantie set was extremely rewarding. Although I still wear them around the house for Jace's eyes only, that's the only time I get back into my Cherry Pie character. He secretly loves it, and I secretly love getting into character for him.
I just finished work, and was heading home. It had been a long day, and I was ready to get into a pair of sweats and curl up on the couch with some hot tea and watch TV. When I walked in the house smelled wonderful, and I made my way into the kitchen and saw Jace standing there cooking. I couldn't help but smile and love my life with him. It had been a tough road, but here we are, and I couldn't be happier with everything.
Time Jump – One Year Later
Clary POV:
I was walking in the door after a boring day when my phone started ringing. I dug around in my bag to find it. When I did, I recognized the hospital's number. My heart sank.
"Hello?" I hesitantly say.
"Clarissa Morgenstern?"
"Yes?"
"I think it would be a good idea to come down to the hospital." The woman on the other end says and I drop everything I'm holding.
"What's wrong?"
"Your mother took a turn for the worse last night, and we aren't sure how much longer she's going to hold on." She said and I start sobbing.
"Alright." I said and I hung up. I sunk down to the floor and cried until I realized I had to get to the hospital. I knew I couldn't drive, and Jace would kill me if something happened, so I dialed his number. After a few rings he picked up.
"Hey babe, now really isn't a great time." He said and I started to cry again.
"Jace." I barely got out.
"Clary? What's wrong?" He asked a little more alert.
"I just got a call from the hospital. They basically told me to come down and say my final goodbyes to my mom, and I knew you'd be upset if I drove myself in this state, I know you're busy but I was wondering if you could take me."
"I'll be right there." He said and he hung up, and curled up on the floor crying waiting for him to come home. Before I knew it, I was being lifted off the floor and carried to the car. Jace set me down, and got in but didn't start the car. "Clary?"
"Yes?"
"It's going to be okay." He said and I just nodded. We made it to the hospital and went straight to her room. She was barely breathing, and her heart rate was very low. I knew this was the end. There was no denying it. I went over and grabbed her hand and Jace came and stood behind me as he placed both hands on my shoulders. Neither of us moved as we waited for my mom to take her last breath. Thirty minutes went by and her breathing got more spread out, and her heart monitor reached and all time low. A moment later, she took a deep breath, and that was it. Her heart monitor flat lined. I put my head down on the bed and started crying. The last person in my family, gone and I was devastated. After a couple minutes I felt myself being lifted off the chair. I looked up and my eyes locked with Jace's.
"They have to do some things with her, and I don't think you want to be here for that." He said and I nodded. He walked me out to the waiting room and he sat down and placed me on his lap. After a few minutes of silence he spoke. "What do you want to do?"
"I want to go home." I said and he pressed his lips to my forehead.
"Okay. Lets go home." He said and he picked me up once more and started towards the car. It was in that moment that I realized that I still had a family. I still had someone who loved me more than anything and wanted nothing but the best for me. I know I'm going to be sad for a long time, but as long as I have Jace, I knew that I would never be alone.
Authors Note:
This one shot was requested by a guest, and I hope that I lived up to your expectations! I hope you all have enjoyed the one shots I have written thus far, and know that I am nowhere near done! There are still so many requests that I have not yet written! Let me know what you think, and leave a review! :)
