Ninety Sixth One Shot:

Stolen

Jace POV:

It was no secret that when I was performing in concert that I kept a small figurine with me at all times. It was always placed right at the base of my microphone stand, and that's where I kept it the whole concert. It was a ritual for me, and everyone knew about it. Besides my autograph, that was the most common thing for people to ask me about. I have never given the real reason why I keep it with me, I normally just stick with the generic 'it brings me good luck' or something similar just to give everyone an answer, and it turns out, they really don't care what I tell them because it will always be brought up. Even interviewers ask about it every time they interview the band.

Truth be told, there are only three people in the world who know the real reason why I keep that figurine next to me during every show. My father knew, because he was the one who gave it to me, Clary, my ex-girlfriend knew, because we were together when I was picked up by the label I'm with now, and I knew. I liked to keep it that way because it was so incredibly personal to me that I didn't want to share that with the world. It was actually Clary's idea that I keep it with me always. When my father first gave it to me, I didn't really understand why he would do it, but once he explained it to me, everything clicked.

Flashback:

My dad told me that we were having dinner together tonight, and I had no idea why. He worked most nights, and we rarely ate dinner together, so this was either a good thing or a bad thing, and with past experiences, I was going to go with bad. Thankfully he told me that Clary could come along as well, so that eased my nerves a lot. I figured if he was inviting my girlfriend to join in the conversation, it couldn't be too horrible.

We were sitting at the table eating together, and I could tell my dad wanted to say whatever was on his mind, but he just kept eating his food. This in turn kind of made the meal a little awkward. I didn't know what to say, he wasn't talking, and Clary had only met him once before and it was only for about 10 minutes. Clary wasn't socially awkward, or anything like this, but there was no way she was going to try and salvage this awkward dinner with a conversation. It was inevitable. When we were done, my dad cleaned up the kitchen and asked us to join him in the living room. We sat there in silence for about 5 minutes before he spoke.

"The reason I wanted to have dinner with you tonight was because I have something to give you." He said and I nodded. He pulled out a small figurine. "Your mom collected these." He said as he handed it to me. "That one was your favorite." He said and I inspected it. It was a small glass figurine of a bear. "She used to have an entire china cabinet of them, and when you were upset she would show you it, and when you saw the bear you calmed down." He explained. "She in turn started calling you her little bear, and it always brought a smile to your face."

"Why are you just telling me about this now?" I asked as I looked at him. "Why not years ago when I first brought her up again?"

"I guess part of me was still trying to bury what happened." He said. "You were a little over a year old. You didn't know what was happening, but I had just lost my wife. My partner since I was 17 years old. I was devastated." He explained. "When you brought it up, it was like I was reliving her death all over again. I kind of just shut down."

"I know." I simply said.

"Since you're trying to pursue music, and everything, I thought it was time that you had something of hers. Something that connected you two." He said. I clutched Clary's hand in mine as I looked back at the small figurine.

"You know, I'm almost 23 years old dad, and you still refuse to tell me how she died." I pointed out. We didn't have much extended family, and those that were still alive didn't reach out to talk to us, and whenever I brought it up, he avoided the question.

"There is a reason for that." He said.

"I'm not a kid anymore dad." I said. "I can handle the truth."

"It's not a pretty truth." He said.

"Why not?" I asked.

"Because you witnessed it." He said and my jaw dropped. "Your mother killed herself Jace." He said and the minute the words left his mouth my heart broke. "She put you in your crib, walked over to the closet, tired a rope around her neck, stood on a chair, and hung herself from one of the rods in the closet." He said. "I came home to you crying your eyes out, and when I followed where you were looking I found her. It was already too late. It had been hours since she did it."

"Why would she do that?" I asked. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper.

"This is what she left behind." He said and I couldn't bring myself to grab it so Clary took it from him. "I don't expect you to read it right now. I just dumped a lot of information on you. Just know, that when you're ready, you have it."

"Thank you Mr. Herondale." Clary said for me and my dad simply nodded.

"I have to get back to work." He said as he stood. "Thank you for taking the time our of your schedule to meet with me." He said and than he left.

"No, thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to have dinner with your son." I muttered sarcastically.

"I love you." I heard from beside me, and when I turned there sat Clary.

"I love you too." I said and she gave me a sweet kiss.

"Come on, let's go home." Clary said and I nodded. We stood up and walked out to the car. Clary took the keys and took us back to our apartment. Everything that I was told tonight was not what I was expecting, and I didn't really know what to do about it.

End of Flashback

That was nearly 5 years ago, and I'm still not entirely sure how to comprehend what happened with my mother. But I can tell you one thing, my music really helped with the grieving process. Some people have journals, well I had sheet music, and some of our most popular songs were written when I was trying to figure out the mystery that was Celine Herondale, and why she chose to kill herself. Of course, nobody knew that.

But my moms death wasn't the only thing I grieved through with my music. About 2 years after I found out the truth, Clary and I ended up breaking up. I wish I could say the outcome of the relationship wasn't a break up, but she seemed pretty set in her decision, and the only thing I could do was agree, and we went our separate ways. I was gaining fame, and she was getting a lot of flak from paparazzi, and fans. One time she was even cornered in a Starbucks and screamed at. I felt terrible about it. She didn't deserve any of that, and in the end, she couldn't and didn't want to deal with it anymore. She had so many haters, simply because she was dating me, and I wasn't going to try and pressure her into staying in a relationship where the consequences were her being harassed. So I sucked it up, and let her end it. No matter how much it killed me to see her walk away.

Music was more than just a job to me. It helped me in so many different ways, and although it has helped my career, I will always appreciate the lessons it taught me, and the ability to help me work through problems, and situations that I probably wouldn't be able to cope with any other way.

"Yo man, 7 minutes until show time!" I heard as I was brought out of my thoughts. I nodded at my manager and grabbed Little Bear, yes that's what I named him, and made my way to the back stage. I was super pumped to be performing in Australia tonight. It was one of my favorite countries to play in, and the fans were super intense, but it was great.

I took a deep breath, grabbed my guitar and headed out onto the stage with the rest of the band. Of course the fans started going crazy, and it gave me that insane adrenaline rush that I loved so much. I got to the mic and couldn't help but laugh at some of the posters that I saw people holding up.

"Thank you all for coming tonight. Who is ready to see one wicked show?" I said and everyone cheered. Now, the venue we were playing at wasn't as big as we could have played, but the band and I loved playing small shows has much as we loved playing big shows. There was something about a small show that just felt so intimate. I put Little Bear next to the microphone and we started with out first song. Tonight was going to be a good night.

Time Jump – End Of Show

Jace POV:

The show has been insane, and we made our way off the stage, and than I remembered my figurine. Normally I didn't forget it, but this show was so incredibly nuts, that we were kind of rushed off the stage. I made my way back to the stage and my figurine was gone. I started to have a panic attack. Maybe stage crew picked it up for me, so I went to go find them.

"Hey man." I said and the guy looked at me. "You didn't happen to see a small figurine next to my mic did you?" I asked.

"Sorry man. I didn't see anything like that on the stage at all." He said and he walked away. I took a deep breath. The only logical thing I can think of is that somehow a fan got their hands on it. I made my way back into the back room, grabbed my jacket and decided to take a walk. If I let myself sit still and think about it being gone, I was going to go into a full panic attack, and I didn't need that right now.

Time Jump – One Month Later

Clary POV:

This week has been incredibly frustrating for me. My art collection has been rejected by two galleries, and I was honestly thinking about giving up. I was told by many art critiques that my work was spectacular, but apparently the galleries didn't think the same, and it was really discouraging.

When I got back to my place, there was a box on the front porch. I don't remember ordering anything, but I forget a lot, so I might have. I walked in, threw my keys and the mail on the table and made my way into the living room. I put the box down, and went into the kitchen and grabbed a drink. I grabbed my scissors as well, and went back over to the box. I ripped the tap, and started opening it. My jaw dropped when I saw what was in the packaging, and my eyes filled with tears. A piece of paper fell out, and I picked it up and read it.

Dear Clary,

I stole this for you.

Love you always,

Your biggest fan.

My eyes nearly popped out of my head when I read that. I couldn't believe that someone would still this from Jace and mail it to me. And the fact that this person knows me, and my address was alarming as well. They clearly knew about Jace and I when we were together, but it's been almost 5 years. I can't imagine why this is just happening now, and the fact that there was someone out there who actually liked me, because lets me real, none of his fans were happy that he was in a relationship. But there was only one thing I could do in this situation. Call Alec. I dialed the number and after a few rings he answered.

"If it isn't Clary Fray." He said and I laughed. "What can I do for you?" He asked.

"I have the strangest favor to ask of you." I said and I heard him laugh.

"Bring it on." He said and I started explaining.

Jace POV:

I was still bummed about my missing figurine. I reached out over social media, but so far nobody has come forward knowing anything about it. Without it, I felt like a piece of me was missing on stage.

We were all sitting around getting ready for a sound check and I just let out a huge sigh. I wanted my figurine back, and I wanted an explanation as to why they stole it in the first place.

"You've been mopping for a week Jace." Raphael said. "I get that it meant a lot to you, but people are assholes. It's been a month."

"You don't get it." I said. "It meant more to me than I've ever led on, and the fact that someone would disrespect me that way and take it from me isn't sitting well with me."

"We get it Jace. We can literally see a difference in you." Mark said. "Your music is different, your personality is different, and you're a lot angrier at little shit." He pointed out. "But Raphael is right, it's been a month. If the person who took it had a conscious, they would have returned it by now." He said and I knew he was right, but that didn't make it suck any less.

"Jace, you're getting a call." I heard as our manager held my phone up from the booth.

"Put it on speaker." I said and he nodded, put it on speaker and projected it. "Hello?" I answered.

"Jace, it's Alec." I heard.

"Alec, it's been awhile. Everything okay?" I asked. We haven't spoken in maybe a year, so this was out of the blue for us.

"Everything is fine, can't I just call the person who was my best friend all throughout school?" He asked and I laughed.

"I mean you can, but it's been like a year man." I said and he laughed.

"I know. We both got busy." He said.

"Ain't that the truth." I said.

"Right, so back to why I called." He said. "I'm conferencing someone into this call." He said and I was confused. "You're on Clary." He said and my heart skipped a beat.

"Clary?" I questioned.

"Hey Jace." He said, and even her voice sounded beautiful. I missed it so much.

"Alright, well my job is done, talk soon guys!" He said and than he hung up.

"This is unexpected." I said and Clary laughed.

"Very." She said. "But I didn't have your number anymore, and I figured Alec still did, and it was the only way I could contact you."

"Why did you need to contact me in the first place?" I asked curiously.

"Something came in the mail for me." She said and I was confused.

"What does that have to do with me?" I asked.

"Because I received your figurine." She said and my eyes popped out of your head.

"You have it?" I asked.

"Yea. Someone mailed it to me, with a note, that said they stole it for me, and that they were my biggest fan." She explained. "So now I have to move because they know where I live, and that's creepy."

"I can't believe you have it." I said knowing it was in good hands.

"Neither can I." She said. "I was just wondering where I can mail it so that you get it back." She said.

"We are spending next week in Poland." I said. "I'll text you the address of the hotel we'll be arriving at in the next few days, and I'll pick it up with the concierge guy."

"Sounds good." She said. "And I'll give you a question that I know you'll know the answer to so that he knows you're actually who you say you are and not trying to steal someone else's mail." And I couldn't help but laugh.

"Thank you so much Clary. This means a lot to me." I said.

"I know it does." She said. I was about to say something when I heard another voice.

"Who are you on the phone with babe?" I heard a deep voice and something in me reacted poorly, but she had ever right to move on.

"My senile old grandma, you know she's been doing poorly lately and I'm just trying to talk to her as much as I can before she dies." Clary said without hesitation, which raised a lot of questions, but I had no business asking.

"Oh." He said. "Okay, I have a business meeting all day, so I won't be home for dinner." He said.

"Bye." She said and than groaned. "Okay, so just text me that address, and I'll mail it as soon as I can."

"Thank you." I said again.

"Of course. Well I have to go. I have to go beg and potentially sell my body to get my artwork in a gallery." She said and I laughed. She still had the same amazing sense of humor.

"Just remember, prostitution is illegal, but being a stripper isn't." I said and she laughed.

"Always such wise words from Jace Herondale." She said and I smiled. "Bye Jace."

"Bye Clary." I said and the phone went dead.

"Isn't that your ex?" Mark asked.

"Yup." I simply said.

"She's feistier than I remember." Julian said and I rolled my eyes. "Too bad she isn't single."

"Let's get back to playing gentlemen." I said and they all nodded. Clary and I haven't spoken in 5 years, yet that conversation was as normal and fluid as ever. Everything with Clary always felt right, and that conversation just made me realize how much of an idiot I was for letting her go all those years ago.

Clary POV:

After I hung up with Jace I took a deep breath. Sebastian and I have been together for almost 3 years, and I couldn't take it anymore. I knew he was cheating on me, and I knew that his 'business trips' were to some all-inclusive resort with whatever skank he was banging at the time. I should have left the minute I found out, but I was struggling to become an artist, and I wasn't making enough to keep myself afloat and he offered his place, and since we were dating it seemed like the perfect idea. Now I was just waiting for the perfect opportunity to completely and totally destroy him. It's normally not my style, but nobody gets away with thinking I'm too foolish to see what he's doing to me. I want him to know that I know.

I took another look at the figurine in my hand and smiled to myself. I remember when Stephan gave this to Jace. That day will forever be ingrained in my mind. But what stays with me even more, is the night that Jace finally decided to read the note that Stephan gave to him. I remember because I had to read it to him, and it was the first time I ever saw Jace cry.

Flashback:

I came home to find Jace sitting on the couch with the letter in his hand. He was just staring at it, not moving, breathing shallowly, and I don't even think he was blinking. I sat next to him and put my hand in his arm and that seemed to break him out of whatever trance that he was under.

"Have you read it?" I asked.

"No." Jace said. "I've just been staring at it."

"For how long?" I asked.

"What time is it?" He asked.

"Almost 4." I said.

"A couple hours." He said and I nodded.

"Do you want to read it?" I asked.

"I want to know if it explains why she did it. I want to know the reason why she couldn't stay, why she killed herself right in front of me, why I wasn't enough." He said and I could hear the break in his voice.

"What's stopping you?" I asked.

"The fact that I will finally know why she killed herself." He said. I reached over and took the note from his hand and he looked at me.

"Why don't I read it to you?" I asked and after a few moments he nodded his head. I opened the letter and began reading.

~My dearest Jonathan,

There is no easy way to explain why I am about to do what I am. I have been so lost and sad and lonely for so many years. It bubbles inside me on a daily basis, and no matter what I do, it won't go away. Marrying your father didn't give me a home, having you didn't give me the happiness I thought it would, getting my dream job didn't give me the achievement that I thought it would. Getting everything I've ever wanted didn't make me feel any better about myself, and I can't go on living like this.

But despite how I'm feeling, I want you to know that this has nothing to do with you. You are such a beautiful little boy. My beautiful little boy. You are growing up exceptionally every single day, and I couldn't be prouder of you. You are truly a gift from god, and I cherish you more than you will ever know. I love you Jonathan, so much. So incredibly much. But I am not happy. I wake up every single morning and wish that I hadn't. I see you laughing and giggling, and starting to walk, and I can't help but faking my smile because I know that you need to see it. I know you need me to be happy, but I'm just not. I wish I could be what you need, and I wish there was something in this world that would help me fight this, but there isn't.

I have no idea when your father will give you this letter. I'm assuming it'll be when you're completely grown, and this will be my only chance to tell you: I want you to know that you are an exceptional person. You are going to grow up and change the world in your own way. You are going to find someone who you will spend the rest of your life with. You are going to start a family. You are going to make it, and you are going to enjoy every aspect of your life. I can see it in your beautiful golden eyes. You my dear son are going to be a beacon, you are going to be a lighthouse for someone, you are going to be extraordinary.

You're probably angry, and upset with me. I don't blame you. But I want you to know that what I did, had nothing to do with you. I love you Jonathan, and I will be watching over you every single day. I will be your guardian angel, and I will love you until your very last breath, just as I know you loved me until mine.

Love you always,

Mom~

When I was finished reading the letter, I looked at Jace and he was crying. I put my hand on his shoulder and he broke. I pulled him into me and I just let him cry. I can't even begin to understand the emotions that were running through his mind. My heart was broken after reading that, I can only imagine how his is feeling.

End Of Flashback:

It was an emotional night for us to say the least. Jace was a mess for about a week. It started with pure sadness, and manifested in violent anger, and than somewhere along the line, it became understanding. He had forgiven her for leaving him. He had forgiven her for not being there to watch him grow up, and he had forgiven himself for not being enough to keep her around.

I wish I could sit here and say it was all because of me. That I was the reason that he made it through that terrible experience. That I was his shoulder to cry on, and his biggest confidant, but I wasn't. I was certainly a part of that, but music was a bigger part. He would grieve through his music, and he created some of the best songs I've ever heard because of that pain.

I took the figurine still in hand and put it back in the box and sealed it. I looked at my phone, wrote the address down and wrote the question that he was going to answer in order to actually answer in order to get it back and I couldn't help but smile. I knew he would laugh at this question as well, and he would without a doubt no the answer. I put it in my mailbox and went off to beg to get my work in a gallery.

I was annoyed that someone stole his figurine. I was annoyed that someone knew where I lived and mailed it to me. I was annoyed that people could be so heartless and obsessive. But it gave me a reason to speak with Jace again, and I was happy about that.

Time Jump – One Week Later

Jace POV:

We finally made it to the hotel in Poland and I couldn't even begin to express how happy I was that I was going to be getting my figurine back. Playing the shows without it was absolutely horrible. I felt like a piece of me was missing, and I needed it back. We got in late, and walked towards the concierge desk.

"Welcome, how may I help you?" The man asked.

"We're checking in." I said. "We're The Mortal Instruments." I said and he smiled.

"Right. Thank you for choosing our hotel." He said and I smiled.

"Of course. And I was wondering, I was supposed to receive a package, has it arrive?" I asked.

"Just today in fact." He said as he pulled it up form behind the desk. "It came with some weird instructions." He said and I laughed. "Okay, I'm supposed to ask you a question, and if you answer it right, it's all yours."

"Bring it on." I said and he laughed.

"Okay, so it says, 'simply because you are the only person who could possibly answer this question right, and with the proper amount of sarcasm: what is my favorite color?'" He finished and he looked up at me.

"She would." I said with a laugh. "She doesn't have a favorite color. Being an artist, she can't simply choose because it would be betraying the entire spectrum of colors, and she doesn't like picking favorites, or excluding them." I said.

"Wow. You answered that exceptionally well." He said as he handed me the box.

"I know her very well." I said as I picked it up.

"Well, let us know if you need anything. Have a good night boys." He said and we headed upstairs. I couldn't stop smiling because of the question Clary asked. She was right, I did know that answer, and I couldn't forget it even if I tried.

Time Jump – Six Months Later

Clary POV:

I had reached out to a few galleries over in Europe in hopes that I would get luckier than I have been in California. After a month of no news, I figured it was a bust, until one day I got a phone call saying that my work was exactly what they were looking for. To say I was excited would be an understatement, and they asked me to be in London as soon as I could, so I started packing.

I was planning on moving to London as soon as I could, because I had nothing else here. I was getting my work in a gallery. I didn't care where it was, I was going to move and start my life as an artist. It's all I've ever wanted, and I was going to take it while I had it.

I haven't told Sebastian yet. He thinks I'm spending the night in San Diego talking to a gallery about my work. Little does he know that I'm actually still in LA, and I was leaving him and never coming back.

I went out for a little celebration drink by myself. I was proud of myself, and I deserved a celebratory drink! It was nearly 10 at night when I went home. I wasn't drunk or anything, but I was ready to let Sebastian have it. I got back to the house and the lights were on. I opened the door and there Sebastian was, fucking some girl on the couch.

"Why am I not surprised?" I asked and they broke apart.

"Clary, what are you doing home?" Sebastian yelled.

"Came to catch you in the act of course." I said as I closed the front door. "Don't mind me though, I won't be staying long."

"What the hell does that mean?" He asked.

"I'm moving." I simply said.

"Moving? Where?" He asked, clearly mad.

"It doesn't concern you." I said. "This relationship isn't working out. I think we both know that." I said as I gestured to the naked girl on the couch.

"You can't just leave me!" He yelled.

"Too bad Sebastian. I'm already gone." I said. "There will be movers in here tomorrow to collect the rest of my things." I informed him. I went into our room and grabbed the bag of clothes, and the box that I needed. I went back into the living room where the girl was still naked and Sebastian was still confused. "Have a great live Sebastian." I said as I walked out of the house. I felt lighter than I have in years, and I was ready to start living my life again.

Time Jump – Three Months Later

Jace POV:

We were in England for the next week with our shows, and this was the way we were ending. It had been an amazing tour, and I was really upset that it was ending, but I was looking forward to having some down time, and than starting a new album. This life never ends, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

The show was tonight, and I was on energy drink duty. Our shows are always crazy packed and full of energy, and we need to keep that energy up for our fans. It was a beautiful day in London, and I was taking in the city that I missed so much. I went into the store and stocked up on all the energy drinks that I could before walking back through the town square. I was looking down at my feet and I looked up for a second when I spotted red hair. But not any red hair, the red hair that's haunted my dreams since the last time I saw her.

"Clary?" I said and she stopped walking and looked up at me.

"Jace." She said and I made my way over to her.

"What are you doing in London?" I asked and she put her sunglasses on top of her head.

"I live here now." She said and my jaw dropped.

"Really?" I asked and she smiled and nodded.

"Yea. I got my big break a couple months ago, and I didn't have anything holding me back, so I packed up and left." She said.

"What about your boyfriend?" I couldn't help but ask and she scoffed.

"We met and I needed a stable place to live while I tried to get my feet wet in the industry. Things with us ended, and for two years I really struggled trying to make it, and than Sebastian showed up, took interest, had a house, and I thought I'd be an idiot if I didn't get something out of the relationship." She explained. "He was cheating on me practically the whole time. But I had a roof over my head, and food in my mouth."

"Sounds like you aren't too broken up about it." I said and she shook her head.

"He was an asshole." She said. "Like I said, I needed a place to live."

"Well, how has London been treating you?" I asked wanting to get away from the subject of her ex-boyfriend.

"Amazingly!" She said with the biggest smile on her face. "My work is really being admired and taken seriously. I get paid enough to have my own place, and I've meet a few friends since moving here. I'm loving it."

"That's really good." I said and she smiled. "Well, we have a show tonight, and I was on energy drink duty, and if I'm not back soon, the guys will start going crazy."

"Good luck tonight." She said.

"Thanks." I said and we both parted ways. My heart was racing after that conversation and for the rest of the night, I couldn't get her out of my head.

Clary POV:

After talking with Jace I couldn't get him out of my head. He's grown up a lot in the last 5 years. I didn't even know it was possible, but he looked even better than he did before. Like, he was gorgeous when we started dating, and he has only gotten even more attractive. Literally, I didn't think it was possible, but I am disproven yet again.

I got back to my place and kicked my shoes off and clicked the button to see if I had any messages on my home phone. Yes I got one, yes I love it, no I will never get rid of it.

"You have 3 new messages." The voice said. "Message one: 'hey Clare, it's Simon, just wanted to let you know that Izzy and I are planning a party for Audrey's birthday. It's in a couple months, so just call me back and let me know'. Second message: 'hey Clare, it's Tessa, Jem and I were going to grab some dinner tonight and we wanted to know if you would join! Call me back.' Third message: 'it's me, Simon again, Izzy wanted me to tell you that she loves you and she misses you, and that she hopes London is giving you….wait, what did you hope London is giving her Izzy? Sexy sexy men! Right, she hopes London is giving you sexy sexy man. Alright, call me back. Bye'." I couldn't help but laugh at the messages. I decide that I'm going to call Tessa first.

"Hello?" She answers on the second ring.

"Hey girl, what's up?" I asked.

"Hey, Jem and I were wondering if you'd like to catch up for dinner. Jem's best friend is in for some business and we're all hanging out." She said.

"Sounds fun." I said.

"Cool. Meet at our favorite restaurant at 6." She said.

"You got it." I said and we hun up. I looked at the clock and it was only 1 in the afternoon, and I was up late last night working on a painting, so I was going to take a nap before I went out tonight. When I laid down and closed my eyes, Jace flooded my memory, just like he used too, and this time, I never wanted it to stop.

Time Jump – Later That Night

Clary POV:

I got the restaurant and saw Tessa and Jem immediately. I made my way over to them and gave them both hugs before taking my seat.

"Clary, this is Will, my best friend." Jem said. "Will, this is Clary. She just moved here a couple months ago."

"How are you liking London so far Clary?" He asked.

"It's amazing. I never want to leave." I said with a smile.

"I know what you mean. Traveling all the time sucks, plus it takes me away from my family." He said and I nodded.

"What do you do for work?" I asked.

"I run the family company." He said.

"That sounds prestigious." I said.

"Well you know Herondale Inc. is the biggest company in Europe." He said and my jaw dropped.

"Wait, Herondale?" I asked and he nodded.

"You've heard of us?" He asked.

"I used to date a Herondale." I said.

"Really? I don't remember you at any family functions." He said.

"I didn't even know he had any family left." I said honestly because Jace never talked about it.

"Who was it?" He asked.

"Jace Herondale." I said. "The son of Stephan and Celine Herondale."

"Makes sense." He said. "Stephan was disowned for marrying Celine." Will explained. "Apparently she wasn't worthy enough to dear old Imogen Herondale."

"That's awful." I said.

"I haven't even met Jace, although I thought his name was Jonathan." He said and I laughed.

"He hates the name Jonathan." I said. "He prefers to be called Jace."

"Good to know you know my own cousin better than I do." He said.

"We dated for years." I said honestly.

"You know, I think I vaguely remember Imogen talking about Jonathan one time." He said and he looked like he was remembering a distant memory. "I guess Stephan tried to reach out and mend the broken relationship. He told her that Jonathan, or Jace was doing extremely well, and that he was thinking about marrying this girl." He said and I sucked in a breath. "Stephan asked Imogen for the family ring. Jace really wanted to give it to his girlfriend. You." He said and my eyes immediately filled with tears. "But Imogen refused. She never approved of Celine, and that kinda made Jace dead to her."

"That's awful." I said, even though it wasn't the first thing I wanted to ask about.

"She's not a very nurturing woman." He admitted. "She's very cold, and very stuck in her ways."

"Did your side of the family even go to Celine's funeral?" I asked and he looked down.

"No." He said. "Imogen threatened to cut everyone off if they went."

"How can someone be such a heartless bitch?" I asked.

"I have no idea. I see her once a year." He said. "She might still consider me a Herondale, but I've disappointed her enough as it is."

"How so?" I asked.

"I'm not married with kids." He said and I saw the quick look he gave to Tessa and Jem.

"Is there…..?" I questioned as I pointed between the three of them.

"There is no love triangle." Will said. "If that was what you were asking." I simply nodded. "Jem and I simply fell in love with the same woman." He said and I saw Tessa bow her head. "Jem knew her first. It wasn't my place to try and steal her away."

"Will." Tessa said but he held his hand up.

"You need to stop apologizing for this Tessa." Will said. "I've accepted it. And I've moved on."

"Really?" She said as her eyes light up.

"Yea. Her name is Sophia." He said. "I met her when I was on business in Denmark." He explained. "I'd love for you two to come out and visit and meet her."

"We'd love too!" Tessa said with the biggest smile on her face. I couldn't help but get what he said about Jace's grandmother out of my head, and I thought I'd try something insane.

"Will, do you think you could do me a favor?" I asked.

"Depends on what it is." He said.

"I want to speak with Imogen." I said and his eyes nearly popped out of his head.

"Why on earth would you want to do that?" He asked.

"What happened with Celine, destroyed Jace." I said. "It took him years to grieve a mother he never knew." I explained. "It really tore his relationship up with his dad, and he didn't have any family there for him because nobody would talk to him." I said. "I want to speak with her personally and just figure out why."

"I can try, but she's pretty stubborn." He said and I smiled.

"You don't know me very well." I simply said.

"Clary is the most stubborn person I've ever met." Tessa said with a laugh.

"I'll do my best." He said and I smiled. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for Jace. Even 5 years later, he means a lot to me, and I needed to do this.

Time Jump – One Week Later

Clary POV:

Will called me last night and said that he set up a meeting with Imogen. I was nervous as hell considering I'm going in there for an 'art consultation' but I'm not leaving until I get some answers.

The place was huge, and I couldn't help but be intimated by it. I knocked on the door and waited for it to open, which only increase my anxiety. I took a deep breath and it finally opened and behind it stood a maid.

"My name is Clarissa Fray, I'm here to speak with Imogen Herondale." I said and she nodded and let me in. She took my coat and than left me alone in the foyer.

"Miss. Fray." I heard and I looked up to see a man standing at the top of the stairs. "If you'll follow me." I nodded and made my way up to him. We walked down a hallway before he stopped in front of a door. "Mrs. Herondale will see you now." He said and I opened the door. A woman sat at a desk, with a cup of hot tea ready for me. I made my way in and sat down.

"My grandson says you're a fairly new artist, but you're promising." She said. No introductions, and I felt a chill go straight to my bones.

"Yes Mrs. Herondale." I said. "I just moved to London a few months ago to pursue my dream of being an artist." I explained and she nodded.

We sat there for an hour talking about what she wanted, and honestly it seemed incredibly reasonable, and something I could certainly do. I was surprised because I thought she was going to want some Victorian piece that might have been impossible for me, but this I could handle.

"Let me know what it's finished." She said and I nodded but I didn't get up. "Are you waiting for something?" She asked.

"I came here for another reason as well." I simply said.

"And what might that be?" She asked.

"Stephan Herondale." I said and her body stiffened.

"What about my son?" She asked.

"I used to date his son. Jonathan." I said.

"And?" She asked.

"I just want to know why you didn't go to Celine's funeral." I said.

"That's none of your business." She said curtly.

"That's where you're wrong." I said. "I watched Jace beat himself up for years over his mothers death. After Stephan told him what really happened, he was devastated. He nearly fell into a black hole of depression. I was lucky to get him out and the help that he needed." I said.

"And that has to do with me how?" She asked.

"He's your grandson." I said.

"He might carry the Herondale name, but he is no grandson of mine." She said venomously.

"Did you even care about him?" I asked. "Did you ever wonder how he was doing, or how your son was doing after he lost the one person who meant the world to him?" I asked but she was stoic. "Celine killed herself. She hung herself in the closet, right in front of Jace. He was a year old and he witnessed his mothers suicide." I said. "Did you ever wonder how Stephan was coping with finding his son crying as he stared at his dead mothers body?"

"Enough." She yelled.

"No." I yelled back as I stood up. "Jace is the most amazing man I've ever met." I said. "And Stephan is pretty spectacular too, but you wouldn't know who Jace even was if I brought him in here with me." I said. "Have you ever lost someone unexpectedly Imogen?" I asked and she just stared at me.

"My husband." She finally said. "Dropped dead of a heart attack while we were at church one Sunday."

"And how did you feel?" I asked.

"Like my entire world fell apart." She said honestly.

"How did you grieve your husband?" I asked.

"My family stayed for a couple weeks to make sure everything was taken care of." She said.

"Imagine how Stephan felt." I said. "His wife just killed herself, and he was left with a one year old little boy, and he didn't have anyone there for him." I explained. "He was devastated, and it ruined both of them."

"What do you mean?" She asked, and I could tell I was getting to her.

"Stephan rarely came home." I said. "Jace was lucky if he ate one meal a month with his father. He never went to his sporting events, wasn't there when Jace went to prom, he didn't even drop him off at college." I explained. "Jace might as well of been living on his own. They barely had a relationship for a very long time."

"What changed?" She asked.

"Jace realized that despite how distant his father is, that he was his only family left." I said. "Jace had Stephan, and Stephan had Jace, and in the end, it didn't matter how many meals they shared, or how many football games he made it too. They were family, and they were never going to turn their backs on each other." I said.

"Why are you here?" She asked, and it was not what I was expecting to hear. "You said you used to date Jonathan, if you two aren't together anymore, why are you here fighting his battles?" She asked.

"Because I would do anything for Jace." I said. "We may not be together anymore, but that doesn't mean I don't still care about him." I said. it was quiet for quite some time before she spoke.

"Do you think you could get him here?" She asked.

"I can try." I said. "As long as you don't say a single mean thing to him." I said. "He can blow a gasket at you, but you can't retaliate."

"I won't be yelled at in my home." She demanded.

"You let me do it." I said. "Why not your own grandson?" I asked. There was no answer. "Jace has never been the type of person to blow up."

"Next week. Wednesday, noon. We'll have tea." She said.

"I'll make it happen." I said as I got up and left the room. This might take some strategizing, but I was going to make it work.

Time Jump – Two Days Later

Jace POV:

I was out again, but this time I was simply just enjoying out time off. The tour ended and it was insane, and of course I was sad that it ended, but I was so stoked that it went as well as it did.

"Jace!" I heard and when I turned around there stood Clary.

"Hey, what's up?" I asked as she made her way over to me.

"I was wondering, since we're both in London now, and we haven't really seen each other in years, that maybe we could catch up." She said.

"Uh, sure. When?" I asked.

"Wednesday." She said. "Noon."

"I think I can make it." I said and she smiled. "Where should I meet you?" I asked. She pulled out a piece of paper and started writing, before handing it to me.

"Meet me here." She said and I smiled.

"Sounds good." I said.

"Great. See you next week Jace." She said before walking off. After she was gone it dawned on me. I had a lunch date with Clary. After years of thinking about what have happened if we stayed together, this was happening. I was shocked, and slightly terrified.

Time Jump – Wednesday

Clary POV:

There was a knock on my door and I might have opened it a little too soon, but I was pretty excited for today. I didn't know how Jace was going to react, but I was still pretty excited nonetheless.

"Glad you made it." I said and he smiled. "Let's go." I said as I pushed him out of the doorway and over to my car.

"Where are we going?" He asked as we got in.

"You'll see." I said as I started driving.

The car ride was filled with light conversation, and I had to admit, this was everything I thought it was going to be and I never wanted it to come to an end. Part of me thought about skipping Imogen and just driving around with him, but we needed to do this.

I pulled up to the house and I could tell that Jace was confused, but he didn't ask any questions, which was nice. We walked up to the door and I knocked. It opened, our coats were gone and we were being escorted to the back patio for tea. When we got back there, Imogen was sitting in a chair with her tea already made. I walked over and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"Is this him?" She asked as she pointed to Jace.

"Yes." I simply said.

"What's going on here?" Jace asked.

"My name is Imogen Herondale." She said and I heard her suck in a deep breath. "And I'm your grandmother."

"What the hell." He said. "Why did you bring me here?" He asked me, and I knew he wasn't very happy.

"Because I think you need to clear the air." I said.

"That isn't your decision to make." Jace said. "She should have come to me. Come to us." Jace said. "Not the other way around." He said.

"But I brought you two together." I said.

"Which brings me to another question. How do you two know each other?" He asked.

"I met you cousin, Will Herondale, a few weeks ago." I said. "I asked him to introduce us."

"Why?" Jace asked.

"Because there is bad blood in this family, and you have the opportunity to make it right." I said. "Take that chance."

"Clary." Jace said.

"Look, my family was torn apart because of a family feud as well." I reminded him. "I can't ever try and make amends with them. You can." I said. "Don't take that for granted." Jace huffed but took a seat nonetheless. "I'll be back later."

"Wait, you're leaving me here?" I heard Jace shout.

"This isn't my family feud." I said before leaving the room. This was the right thing to do, I hope Jace saw that.

Jace POV:

I couldn't believe that Clary did this. She had no reason to bring me here, and put me in this position. Especially with a topic that is still extremely sensitive to me.

"Jonathan."

"Jace." I cut her off. "I prefer to be called Jace."

"Fine, Jace." She corrected herself. "I'm sure you're extremely unhappy with me at the moment."

"Try pissed grandmother." I said with as much malice as I could muster.

"Fine, you're pissed." She said and I could tell she didn't like the word. "And you have every right to be."

"Damn right I do." I said.

"Please Jonathan, your language is atrocious." She said. "There are so many things that I've done wrong in my life. Cutting your father out was one of them, but it was too late to repair the damage when I finally figured it out."

"No it wasn't." I said. "Who cares how much time went by. He's your son, and as pissed off as he is with you, he would have listened, because that's the kind of man he is."

"I know that. I did raise him." She said.

"I wouldn't know." I said honestly. "He doesn't talk about you. Ever." I pointed out. "I didn't even know I had any family until I found out the real reason my mother died."

"I've done a lot of thinking." She said. "Every since Clarissa came to visit, I've had a lot of time to rethink my decisions." She said and just the fact that she called Clary Clarissa threw me off.

"About what?" I asked.

"I can't control everything." She said. "I tried, and I failed miserably. I wanted the Herondale name to live on forever, and be a powerful name, and now I have your moronic cousin running the company, and he's keeping it running, but he should be more qualified, and I think he just likes to use the private jet to go places that aren't work related." She said and I couldn't help but laugh at that. "Clarissa told me you're in a band, and you're quite popular. Tell me about it?" She asked.

"Are you serious?" I asked.

"Very." She said. "You said it yourself, if I would have just come and talked to your father, he would have heard me out." She said. "I'm here to hear you out, and get to know you Jace." She said. "I'm trying to mend this broken bridge with you first."

"Why not my dad?" I asked.

"I have 29 years to catch up with you." She said. "I have 34 years to fix with him." She said and I just nodded.

We sat there and talked for nearly two hours before I was finished telling her about my band. It was weird knowing that she was my grandmother, when for the 29 years I've been on this planet I never knew who she was. I knew we had a long way to go, but this was a start, and I couldn't believe Clary was right, yet again, about what I needed.

"I should probably go and find Clary." I said as I stood up.

"Hold on." She said and I retook my seat. She reached inside a drawer and picked something up. "Years ago your father reached out to me." She said. "He said that you were very serious about your girlfriend at the time, who I'm assuming was Clarissa." She said and I nodded. "We have a tradition in this family that the son gets the family ring and gives it to his future bride." She explained as she handed me the ring. "I never gave it to your father because I disproved of his choice of brides." She said. "But you have yourself a good one out there."

"We aren't together anymore." I said.

"Than change that." She said.

"Grandmother, we were together for awhile, and we've been apart for nearly 6 years." I said. "There is a lot of time lost."

"You don't want to wake up and realize you've spent 34 years away from the ones you love." She said. "You have a chance, a really good chance, at making it up to her, and mending that relationship. Take that chance Jace." She said and I nodded.

"Thank you for talking to me grandmother." I said as I stood up.

"No, thank you for taking the time to talk to me." She said.

"Maybe we can get together another time." I said.

"I'd like that." She said and at that moment, a knock came at the door, and when it opened there stood Clary.

"I was getting ready to call the police. I thought one of you killed the other with how long that talk lasted." She said and I laughed.

"Nope. Just catching up." I said.

"So, I'm not in trouble?" She asked and I smiled and shook my head.

"Quite the opposite." I said and she looked confused. "I'll see you soon grandmother." I said and she smiled.

"Absolutely, and I can't wait to see that painting Clarissa!" She said and Clary smiled.

"It's almost done!" She called back before we left the house. We got in the car and started driving.

"Can you pull over?" I asked her and she nodded before pulling the car over.

"Is everything okay?" She asked.

"Yes." I said. "I want to thank you for doing this." I said and she looked at me. "I don't know how you do it, but you always know what I need. It's amazing."

"I know you Jace." She said. "Better than anyone does." She said and I nodded because it was true. "I couldn't let this opportunity pass by without trying to do something."

"Why are you so perfect?" I asked and she blushed. "Seriously Clary, breaking up was the stupidest thing we've ever done." I said and her eyes widened. "And I know you know it's true."

"We were at two different places in life Jace." She said. "It made sense at the time."

"But it doesn't make sense now." I said.

"What are you saying?" She asked.

"I'm saying I want you back." I said bluntly. "More than I've ever wanted anything." I explained. "I don't know if you knew this, but I was planning on proposing to you a couple months before we broke up." I said and her cheeks turned red immediately. "I wanted it so badly, and than it just went sideways." I admitted. "These 6 years have been lonely, and now that I have you back in my life somewhat, I don't want to let you go."

"Jace." She said and I pulled out the ring that my grandmother just gave me.

"I want you Clary. I wanted you 6 years ago, and I still want you." I said before she could say anything else. "I love you, I've always loved you, I'll always love you, and I'll love you after I die." I rambled. "Please."

"Are you done yet?" She asked and I nodded. "I've been waiting for the day for you to ask me to marry you." She said and my heart nearly stopped. "Breaking up was tough, but not having you in my life at all was tougher." She said. "I never stopped loving you Jace."

"We should have never broken up." I said and she laughed.

"We needed to at the time." She said. "It was better for both of us, but that didn't mean it was over forever, just for a period of time."

"Well, I'm never letting you go for another period of time ever again." I said and she laughed. she gave me her left hand and I slipped the ring on.

"You have yourself a deal Herondale." She said as she leaned over and kissed me. Kissing Clary was like coming home after a long vacation. Sweet, and welcoming. Something I was never going to get tired of.

Time Jump – Eight Years Later

Clary POV:

Jace and I were on our way to Imogen's house to have a cup of tea. I was so incredibly happy that their relationship mended the way that it did, and that they have their family back together again. It took a few weeks for Stephan to come around, but when he finally did, I could tell that this was the family's time to mend, and I was super happy they got that chance.

A lot has changed in the last 8 years. Jace and I got married like 6 months after he asked. It was long overdue and we didn't want to wait any longer. We wanted, and needed to be married more than anyone knew, and a huge ceremony just wasn't what we wanted. Friends, family, and that was it. Everything was perfect, and I still get butterflies thinking about that day.

But the most insane news is that Jace and I have 5 incredibly rambunctious kids now. Now, we were planning on having two to three. It seemed plausible, and reasonable. We had out first one, Caleb, and he was just perfect. He was the happiest baby I've ever seen, and Jace and I were completely and totally in love with him.

When we went to have kid number two, Caleb was almost 2 years old, and we thought the age gap would be perfect. They would grow up together, and be the best of friends. Yea, well what Jace and I weren't expecting was quadruplets. To say we were shocked at the ultrasound would be an understatement. Lane, Penn, Tate, and Valen were born and our lives got hectic.

Having a 7 year old, and than four 5 year olds was insane. I don't know how Jace and I did it most days, but somehow everything got accomplished and when we got to bed each night, we were exhausted. It also didn't help that I was completely outnumbered in the gender department. Having 4 sons, and 1 daughter was tough. Valen was my little shadow. She followed my everywhere, and always listened to me. Caleb was a pretty chill child. Normally wanting to do whatever Jace was doing, but Lane, Penn, and Tate were monsters, and more often than not, didn't listen to a word I said, and I prayed that they would grow out of it.

"Grandmom Imogen!" I heard Caleb call, which pulled me from my mind.

"How is my little grandson doing?" Imogen said as she hugged him.

"I'm not little anymore grandmom." Caleb said and Imogen smiled.

"Hi grandmom." Jace said as he gave her a kiss, and I followed.

"How are you two doing?" She asked.

"Stressed." I said honestly. "I'm about to pull my hair out."

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"Just the kids and the paintings are not letting me get enough sleep." I said.

"I keep telling her to just take a break from the work for a little while and rest." Jace said.

"I like that idea." Imogen said.

"I need to work." I said.

"I can support the family Clary." Jace said as he took my hand in his. "You work so hard, you need a break."

"I can step away from being a painter, I can't however step away from being a mom." I said. "I'll always have that title."

"That doesn't mean you can't go on a vacation." Jace said.

"You really want to watch our five kids without me?" I asked and he laughed.

"You do it everyday, giving you a week off, and giving me all the responsibility won't kill them." He said and I laughed.

"Okay, I'll take you up on the offer, but you can't call me when you have a question." I said and he laughed.

"I got this Clare." He said with his signature smirk.

"MOM!" I heard. "Tate bit me!" Valen yelled.

"No I didn't!" Tate called back.

"Yes you did!" Valen snapped back.

"Did not!" Tate yelled.

"Did too!" She yelled.

"What are you staring at?" I said to Jace. "They need a mediator."

"Dad to the rescue." He said as he got up and went over to the arguing children. I grabbed my tea and started sipping.

"It should be one interesting week." I heard Imogen say and I laughed. I looked back at Jace who was settling the dispute and couldn't help but smile. It may have taken a while to get to this point, but we were here and that's all that mattered. So much time was stolen from us, but we got it back, and I couldn't be happier with my life.

Authors Note:

I have no idea where this one came from. It was either requested, or from my head and I just don't remember, but I hope that you all enjoy it! Let me know what you think and leave a review! :)

PS: Sorry it took me so long to update with another story, life just got in the way, but I'm back now, so I will try to get back in the swing of things! :)