Seventy Eighth One Shot:

Adoption

Clary POV

Flashback – Age 7

Luke was the only father I've ever known. He was there when I scrapped my knee, at every dance recital even though I hated dancing, and he loved me unconditionally despite being someone else's. And even though I called him Luke, he was still my dad, and nothing would ever change that.

My mom was supposed to pick me up at school, but when Luke pulled up in his car, I was confused but got in nonetheless. We drove home in silence, which wasn't unusual for us. When we got there, I walked inside and my mom was sitting at the kitchen table. I dropped my backpack and walked over and sat in the chair across from here.

"Why didn't you pick me up today?" I asked feeling slightly annoyed because she clearly wasn't busy.

"I asked Luke to because I had to pick something else up." My mom said.

"What did you have to get?" I asked as Luke took a seat next to mom. He grabbed her hand and she looked at him and smiled. "What's going on? Are we moving?" I asked because this was normally how they delivered bad news to me, like when my puppy died. That was a sad day.

"No sweetheart. We actually want to ask you something." Luke said and I nodded. "You know I love you."

"I love you too Luke." I said and he smiled.

"And you know I'm always going to be here for you." He said and I nodded. "Your mom and I have only been married for a couple months, but I've known for awhile that this was something I wanted to do." He said and I was honestly a little confused. He grabbed something and slid it across the table until it was in front of me. I straightened up so that I could see, and when I looked at the papers, they read 'adoption'. I looked up at Luke and my mom who both looked nervous for my reaction.

"You want to adopt me?" I asked and Luke nodded.

"I want to make it official." He said.

"Make what official?" I asked.

"Being your father." He said and I couldn't help but smile.

"I thought you already were." I said and he got the biggest smile on his face and my mom started crying.

"You are so right." He said as he got up and kneeled down in front of me. "But these papers just prove that even more." He said and I smiled.

"Okay." I simply said and he hugged me. Soon my mom came over and hugged me too. Like Luke said, we were officially a family, and it did make a difference.

Jace POV:

Flashback – Age 12

Watching your parents die was a terrible thing to see when you're a 10 year old kid. But what's even worse, is the foster system. I had spent a gran total of 5 months in the system before being placed with the Lightwoods, and at first I wasn't happy about it, but they never gave up on me, and I may only be 12, but I knew how important that was too me. They got this traumatized child, and gave him his space to grieve, but also gave him tough love when he needed it, and I was incredibly grateful for that.

I had just gotten home from school and I grabbed an apple out of the fridge. When I turned around I nearly peed my pants because the whole Lightwood family was standing behind me.

"You scared me." I said and they all smiled.

"Can you come into the living room please?" Maryse asked and I nodded but I feared that this was the talk I've been anxious about for 2 years.

"What's going on?" I asked when we all took a seat.

"There is something we want to discuss with you Jace." Robert said. "As you know, you've been with us for 2 years now." He said and I nodded. "And despite the bumps in the road with you, we all are incredibly grateful for our time together."

"Is this the part where my social worker comes in and takes me away?" I asked and they all looked confused.

"Why would you think that?" Maryse asked.

"This is the part where you tell me 'its been a good run, but our time together has ended' right?" I asked and Maryse started shaking her head.

"No. This is the part where we ask if you wanted us to adopt you." She said and the apple fell out of my hand.

"You want to adopt me?" I asked a little stunned.

"Absolutely." Robert said. "You fit into this family incredibly well. You get along with Alec and Izzy like you have known them your whole life. This family wouldn't be the same without you, and we want to make it official."

"I don't know what to say." I said and they smiled.

"We don't need an answer right away. You can think about it." Maryse said.

"No, I mean, I don't need time to think about it. I'd be honored to be adopted by you, I'm just stunned is all." I said.

"Why?" Robert asked.

"The people in the foster system said it would be a miracle if I got adopted." I said.

"Why is that?" Maryse asked.

"Something about an attitude problem." I said and they laughed.

"Well, you do have one." Maryse said. "But I think Alec and Izzy keep you in line." She said and I looked at them and smiled.

"They do an okay job." I said and Alec gave me a shove.

"But can I keep my last name?" I asked and Maryse and Robert smiled.

"Of course you can." Robert said and I smiled and looked around. I was glad that I got a second chance at a family, and I knew the void in my life would never go away, but I had another family, and I know most 12 year old in the foster system never that chance.

Clary POV:

Flashback - Time Jump – Senior Year in High School

There was something about Jace Herondale that I just couldn't pinpoint. Something that he never showed to the world, but I got tiny glimpses of when I caught him at his house. Being best friends with his sister had it's perks and one of them gave me the chance to observe him in an environment that not many people got the perks of being in.

Jace was a cool, and cocky jock that had all the girls swooning at his feet, but also had incredibly grades, and looks any guy would kill for. He was like a 12 out of 10 on the hotness scale, but I could tell he was incredibly guarded. I wanted to figure that out, but I doubt he'd open up to me about it.

I was walking to my car at the end of the day when I noticed Jace sitting at a picnic table in the outside lunch area. Curiosity got the best of me, and I made my way over and sat down across from him. He looked up and seemed to surprised that I was there, but I smiled and than he smiled and there were no awkward feelings, which was good.

"Penny for your thoughts?" I asked and he laughed.

"I think I'm good." He said.

"Come on, something is going on up there." I said as I pointed to his head. "Sometimes talking it out gives you clarity."

"I'm not really trying to figure something out. Just more of reminiscing." He said and I nodded.

"About?" I probed and he smiled.

"You don't give up do you?" He said and I shook my head.

"My mother says my worst quality is my stubbornness, but I guess I could have worse." I said and he laughed.

"Today is actually the anniversary of something, and I just keep thinking about how if it didn't happen, I wouldn't be here today." He said.

"Something good, or something bad?" I asked.

"Both." He said. He paused for a minute looking like he was debating on telling me, but eventually he let out a breath and gave in. "When I was 10 I witnessed my parents murder."

"Holy shit." I said because I just couldn't believe it.

"I was in the foster system for 5 months before being placed with the Lightwoods." He said avoiding eye contact. "On this day when I was 12 they asked me if I would like to be adopted."

"That's great." I said. "Well, the circumstances in which you ended up with the Lightwoods is rather shitty, but aftermath is pretty exciting." I said with a huge smile because I know how meaningful that is.

"Yea. I just don't know where I'd be without the Lightwoods. I was told I'd never get adopted let alone stay with a family for more than 6 months because of my attitude problem." He said and I nodded. "I owe them everything."

"I know how you feel. My stepdad adopted me when I was 7, and to this day I still can't believe he took in another man's child and cared for me like I was his own." I said because it's always nice to know you aren't alone.

"I didn't know you were adopted." He said seeming a little shocked.

"Yea. According to my mom, my real father was a dead beat. My stepdad did more for me than he ever did, and I never really thought I would ever be a kid that was adopted because in my little kid mind, Luke was already my dad, but he wanted to make it official, and when the papers came, I felt like a hole I didn't even know existed was filled." I said and he nodded.

"I know what you mean. I came home from school one day and Maryse and Robert handed them to me, and I automatically felt lighter. I belonged to a family again, and I didn't realize how much that weighed on me until I held those papers in my hand." He said and I smiled.

"And look at you now." I said and he laughed.

"I've come a long way. I used to be unbearable." He said and I laughed.

"You? Nooooooo." I said and he smiled.

"Can I ask you something totally out of the blue." He said after a moment.
"Of course." I said.

"Would you like to go out with me?" He asked and I think I was temporarily paralyzed from his question.

"Uh….what?" I said and he laughed.

"Would you like to go out with me?" He repeated.

"Like on a date?" I asked.

"Yes." He simply said.

"Why?" I asked and I immediately regretted it. Why was I questioning this?

"Because I like you." He said honestly. "There is something about you Clary that drives me wild, and I've been wanting to ask you out since sophomore year, but I didn't know if you were interested."

"If you just put a glass up to Izzy's door, this problem could have been solved years ago." I said and he laughed.

"So was that a yes?" He asked and I laughed.

"Yes." I said and he smiled.

"Great. Saturday night?" He asked.

"Sounds perfect." I said as I stood up. "I should head home." I said and he nodded.

"I'll get your number from Izzy and I'll text you." He said and I nodded.

"Sounds good. Bye Jace." I said.

"Bye Clary." He said and I walked to my car. It took everything in me not to jump for joy when he asked me out, but I was excited and I couldn't wait until Saturday night.

Time Jump – Present Time

Jace POV:

"Kids, if you don't hurry up, you'll be late to school!" I called up the stairs. A moment later footsteps started sounding and I heard them running down the stairs. Clary and I had been married for about 10 years now, and because of our strong feelings towards adoption, and the injustices of the foster system, we were foster parents to 7 kids, not including our own daughter, who was 5 and absolutely loved her siblings. Some people think we're crazy, but in our mind, there was nothing crazy about giving kids a home.

"Can I have money for lunch?" Mark asked and I reached into my pocket and handed him a 10.

"I expect change." I said and he nodded.

"Everyone in the car or I leave without you." Helen called, and all the kids filed out of the kitchen as Clary handed them their lunches. Once they were gone, the house was quiet.

"Peace and quiet." I said and as if on cue, Octavian stars crying.

"You jinxed us babe." Clary said as she went upstairs to retrieve the crying baby.

The Blackthorn children have been with us since Octavian was 4 months old. His second birthday was next week, and we were planning on asking the kids if they wouldn't mind us adopting them. Although Helen, the oldest of the siblings was going to be 18 soon, Clary and I still wanted to make it official. We wanted to give those kids a home. We loved them more than anything, and we couldn't picture life without them.

We were first introduced to the Blackthorn's when Livia and Tiberius were brought up in a conversation. We had been looking to foster, and the woman mention twins that were in need of a home. Clary and I took one look at each other, and knew immediately we wanted to take them in, and help them. When they showed up, they were scared. They were 9 years old, and terrified they would be split up, but Clary and I vowed that would never happen. It took them about 3 months to open up to us, and when we found out they had 5 more siblings, Clary and I knew we had to find them. We talked to the woman who introduced us to Livia and Tiberius, and she told us that she would track them down, and let us know as soon as she heard anything.

About a week after we got in contact with her, she called me back and told me that she had located all 5 of the siblings, and if we wanted to bring Livia and Tiberius to the group home that they were currently at to spend the afternoon with them we could, and of course Clary and I jumped at that opportunity. When we got there, we noticed that the oldest was in her teens and the youngest little boy was only a couple months old.

Helen, the oldest sister was only 15 at the time, and trying her hardest to keep her family together. I mean you could see it in her eyes that she just wanted to keep them all together, and it broke my heart that they weren't. Mark was the second oldest, at 14. He reminded me of myself when I was young, but I couldn't blame him at all. Julian was the next one and he was 12, almost 13, and he was a shy kid. Took 45 minutes into the visit for him to engage with Clary and I but we didn't push. Drusilla was the next one and she was 7. She was shy as well. Never leaving Helen's side, and when she was asked a question, she always looked to Helen for permission to answer. And Octavian, sweet little Octavian was only 4 months old, and just the cutest little thing. Our visit with them lasted hours and when it was time for us to leave, you could see how torn they were to be separated from Livia and Tiberius again, but they were thankful they had a home. When we got home, and got the kids in bed, Clary and instantly knew what we had to do, and I still remember it like yesterday.

Flashback – Operation Foster Blackthorn

We got to the group home and Clary and I were anxious to see the kids again. It had only been 3 days since our last visit, but Clary and I could tell Livia and Tiberius missed their siblings, and it only made our driving force to foster them that much greater. When we walked into the meeting area, Livia and Tiberius bolted to their siblings. Clary and I walked over hand in hand and took a seat as we listened to them talk.

"Thank you for bringing them back." Helen said and I smiled.

"It was our pleasure." I said.

"This means the world to us." Helen said and I smiled knowing that I was making a difference.

"Unfortunately this is the last visit we hope to make." I said and I saw her face fall. She was holding back tears, you could tell. "Clary and I talked about it, and we talked to Livia and Tiberius's social worker, and we were wondering if you and your siblings would like to come live with us." I said and her jaw dropped.

"You want to foster all 7 of us?" Helen asked completely stunned.

"Yea. We want you all together." I said and she broke down crying. Clary grabbed Octavian from her arms and I pulled her into me as she cried. After a few moments she settled down and we broke apart.

"This isn't a joke right?" She asked.

"No joke. We want all 7 of you to live with us." I said and she turned to her siblings.

"Did you hear that guys? We get to be a family again." She said and my heart swelled as the siblings embraced. I looked at Clary and I knew this was going to be one hell of a journey but it was going to be amazing.

End of Flashback

Clary came back down with only Octavian, and he had the biggest smile on his face. She sat down next me and put Octavian on the floor and he started playing with is blocks. Clary cuddled into my side as we watched Octavian play. Clary and I both knew fostering those kids was the best decision we've ever made, and wouldn't change it for the world.

Time Jump – Day of Octavian's Party

Clary POV:

I wasn't nervous about asking the kids about the adoption until today. I don't know why it was hitting me so hard, but I just couldn't stop pacing, or shaking, or eating honestly, and it was driving me crazy that we had to wait so long.

When everyone arrived at the house, Octavian's party was in full swing. Our families bonded with the kids immediately, and accepted them with open arms and that was something that proved even more that this was the right decision.

When the party was almost over, it was Jace and I's time to sit the kids down, and tell them what we wanted to do. They looked nervous, but I still think that I was more nervous because I didn't know how they were going to take it.

"Well, as you all know, you've been with us for almost 2 years now." Jace said and the kids nodded. "There isn't anything we wouldn't do for you, and I think you've figured that out by the looks of your Christmas lists every year." Jace said and the room laughed. "This year, we wanted to do something special for you." Jace said as he handed out all the boxes. "We hope you like it." He said and they started to open it. I stood there in anticipation trying to gauge their reaction.

"Are you serious?" Helen asked first as her eyes filled with tears.

"So serious." I said and she looked at her siblings who also looked shocked.

"What is it?" Maryse asked. Jace and I kept this a secret from everyone because we thought it would be more entertaining.

"Adoption papers." Helen said. "They want to adopt us. All of us."

"You 7 have been apart of this family for 2 years. We wouldn't be who we are without you." I explained. "And we know you're going to be 18 soon Helen, but nothing would make us happier if we made this official."

"I don't know what to say." Helen said and I smiled.

"That's okay." Jace said. "You can give us an answer in a few days if you need too."

"No, my answer is yes. 100% yes, I'm just shocked." Helen said.

"We both know that feeling." I said and Jace laughed.

"You've given us everything." Helen said. "You brought our family back together. You gave us a roof, food, love, support, encouragement, a future." She said and I smiled. "We can never repay you for that."

"You don't owe us a thing." Jace said. "Taking you 7 in, was the best decision we've ever made." He explained. "Never think that you owe us anything."

"I love you guys." Helen said and she walked over and hugged us. And pretty soon the rest of the kids joined in.

"We love you all. More than you possibly know." I said. When we broke apart I looked at them and couldn't help but smile.

"All you have to do is sign them, and we submit them and wait for it to be official." Jace said and they all smiled.

"Does anyone have a pen?" Helen asked and I handed them a pen. The handed it down the line and all signed their papers, accept Octavian. "Thank you."

"You are very welcome." Jace said as he pressed a kiss to her temple.

The rest of the day went by incredibly well. All the kids were smiling, and talking about how excited they were to finally be adopted. I leaned into Jace's side as he pressed his lips to my head. Adopting 7 kids is tough for anyone, but we were some of the lucky people who had the resources to make it possible without being burdened with the financial aspect and everything. Jace had everything from his parents, plus what the Lightwoods gave him when they adopted him, every kid had their own room, and the older ones even had their own bathroom. We made sure these kids were taken care of because Jace knew how terrible the system was, and we both knew the importance of family. Nothing was ever too much for them.

When the party was over, the family left and Jace and I were cleaning up the mess that they all left. We didn't mind, and Mark and Helen helped so it didn't take too long. The rest of the kids were sitting in the living room watching a movie when the doorbell rang. I looked at Jace and he was just as confused.

"Are you expecting anyone?" I asked.

"Not that I know of." Jace said.

"That's actually for me." Helen said. "I haven't told you this because I didn't know how you'd react but I've been seeing someone."

"That's wonderful." I said. "For how long?"

"A couple months." She said. "I'll go get the door." She said and she left the room. I heard the front door open and than close and a few moments later she walked back in the room with another girl, I was shocked but only for a second. "Jace, Clary, this is Aline, my girlfriend." Helen said sounding kinda scared.

"It's nice to meet you Aline." Jace said. "You just missed the party." He said with a laugh and she smiled.

"Helen wanted to introduce me to her parents first." Aline said and I sucked in a breath. It was something else to be called her parents even though that's how Jace and I felt.

"Well, we have cake left over, and the kids are in the living room watching a movie if you'd like to stay." I said and she smiled and I could tell Helen got more relaxed.

"I'd love too." Aline said.

"Come on, let's go introduce you to my siblings." Helen said and she took her hand in her and led her out of the kitchen. Jace and I followed after just to make sure the kids were behaving. "Everyone, I'd like you to meet my girlfriend, Aline. Aline these are my siblings." Helen said.

"You have a lot of siblings." She said and Helen laughed.

"Yea." Helen simply said as she named them all and Aline nodded as she took it all in.

"Can we have popcorn?" Drusilla asked and I smiled.

"Of course." I said and I went into the kitchen and popped a bag and got them all separate bowls and popped another bag because one was never enough. I walked back into the living room and handed them out and when I gave one to Aline she seemed surprised. "Welcome to the family." I simply said and she smiled and took the bowl. Helen had the biggest smile on her face and I looked at Jace and sat on his lap as we continued to watch whatever movie was playing. Looking around and seeing the kids smiling, eating popcorn, and talking about the events of the movie made my heart incredibly full. Adoption was something that impacted Jace and I immensely, and to see that we made that same impact on 7 other kids was something that would never get old. If there was anything Jace and I knew about adoption and family, it was that blood didn't make you family, love did, and Jace and I loved those kids, plus out own more than anything else in the world. Our family was huge, but complete and Jace and I would forever be grateful that they came into our lives and changed it for the better.

Authors Note:

Okay, so I am such a sap and was watching videos on youtube about kids asking their step parent or foster parent if they would adopt them, and I just had to write a one shot about adoption! Especially because in the actual series, Jace and Clary both had people who weren't family but treated them like family, and I thought that was important to incorporate that into this story! Plus, I also think that adoption and fostering is some of the most incredibly acts of kindness, and love that someone can show to a child who feels like they don't have anyone, and show them that was someones cares, and someone loves them, and thats what I wanted to portray that in this story! So let me know what you think, and leave a review! :)