One Hundred and Three One Shot:
Recordings
Clary POV:
"What is going to happen now?" I ask the doctor as the tears stream down my face.
"His hearing and sight are completely gone. They will come back, there is no sign that they are gone forever, but he's going to need a lot of attention and care to handle his life until they come back fully." The doctor said.
"And how long until that happens?" I ask.
"It's different for every patient." He said. "I've seen patients who only need a couple months to recover, and someone have taken years." He explains. "It's all up to Jace, and how well he's being taken care of."
"Thank you so much." I said and he nodded before walking away.
I sat in the waiting room, because I'm not family, and waited for his parents to come back out. I couldn't believe this happened, especially to Jace. The kid has been luckier than anyone I've ever met, and unfortunately this time he wasn't so lucky. Stupid slippery roads. I was sitting there waiting when I saw his bottle blonde girl friend running into the hospital in her stripper heels and short dress.
"Where is he?" She demanded.
"He's resting." I said. "Only family is allowed in right now."
"What are you still doing here?" She asked as she folded her arms around her obvious fake chest.
"I wanted to speak to his parents before I left." I said and she huffed and sat down and start filing her nails and popping her gun. I couldn't believe he had been in a relationship with her for nearly 2 years. It was disgusting how blind he was to her obvious flaws and manipulative ways. No pun intended. After about 20 minutes I see Celine and Stephen walking down the hallway. I stood up and Kaelie followed.
"How is he?" I asked.
"Sleeping for now." Celine said.
"Can I see him?" Kaelie whined. Celine fought the urge to roll her eyes and nodded.
"Room 140." She said, and Kaelie went running off.
"I can't wait until Jace gets a brain and dumps her." She said and I laughed. "Are you caught up?" She asked.
"Yea. I talked to his doctor." I said and she nodded. I was trying to pull myself together but I just couldn't anymore, and my eyes filled with tears. "Oh sweetie." She said as she pulled me into her and I just sobbed. "He's going to be okay. Jace is a fighter, and he will overcome this."
"I just hate seeing him vulnerable." I admitted. "He's always the strong one."
"But now you have to be the strong one." She said.
"I'm sure Kaelie will want to be the strong one." I said and she laughed.
"We all know after 5 minutes she's going to get board." She said and I laughed. "Stephen and I hate to do this, considering he's our baby boy, but we have to be home by tomorrow." She said and I nodded. "We have a redeye out of here tonight, but keep us in the loop."
"Of course Celine. I'll give you daily progress reports." I said she smiled.
"We should go pack and everything." She told Stephen and he nodded.
"Text us when he gets out." Celine said and I nodded. She kissed my forehead, and Stephen kissed the top of my head and they left the hospital. Figures the weekend they come into visit, shit happens. I walked down the hallway and into the room where Kaelie was sitting next to Jace. I just stood in the doorway for a couple minutes before I walked over to the nurses station.
"Excuse me." I said and the nurse looked up. "I have a few questions and I was hoping that you could answer them."
"Sure thing sweetie. What's on your mind?" She asked.
"My friend, the one who is currently deaf and blind." I said and she nodded. "How do I communicate with him?" I asked.
"Well, he can still talk, so unfortunately you're going to have to be doing all the work." She said and I nodded. "What we like to do is introduce a sort of palm reading." She said and I nodded. "You write on his palm and he figures it out that way. Two taps in the center of the palm means yes, and one tap means no. It might take him some time to get used to it, but he'll get the hang of it."
"Thank you." I said and she nodded.
"No problem sweetie." She said and I made my way back into the room where Kaelie was talking to the doctor.
"But like, he can't hear me at all?" She asked.
"No." The doctor said. "Tomorrow we are going to start teaching him out to communicate with palm reading. You're more than welcome to sit in and try it with him."
"Okay." She said in a unenthusiastic attitude. The doctor left and I walked in. "What are you doing here?" She asked.
"His parents asked if I would stay with him for tonight." I said, even though it wasn't technically true.
"Whatever. I have to go." She said as she grabbed her purse and sashayed out of the room. I rolled my eyes and took a seat in the chair and closed my eyes.
Time Jump – Tomorrow
Clary POV:
I woke up in the early morning when the doctor came in because Jace woke up. He looked utterly confused, and I've never seen his beautiful gold eyes look so vacant. The doctor started writing something on his palm and he seemed to calm down a little.
"Hospital?" Jace said. The doctor tapped twice in the center of his palm. "That means yes?" The doctor tapped twice, and continued writing. "I'm blind and deaf?" He asked and the doctor tapped twice. "For how long?" He asked. In that moment Kaelie came walking in. The doctor started writing. "Kaelie?" He asked and the doctor tapped twice.
This went on for about 15 minutes. The doctor taught Kaelie how to do it considering she can't even write her own name half the time. Jace seemed happy that she was there, and I would never understand how he found her attractive, and good company to be. I could barely tolerate the girl, but than again she was dating my biggest crush, and she didn't particularly like it.
When everything got sorted, Jace was actually allowed to leave today, and Kaelie apparently told him that she was going to be staying with him and taking care of him, which I thought was a bunch of bullshit. I left and called Celine immediately.
"Hello?" She answered.
"He's being released today." I said.
"Thank god." She said.
"Kaelie offered to stay with him and take care of him, but I trust her as far as I can throw her and with her fake tits, I don't think I can lift her." I said and she burst out laughing.
"You've always been too good for my son." She said and I laughed.
"I'll look after him. Don't worry." I said.
"I never do when you're with him." She said. "We'll talk later."
"Bye Celine." I said and we hung up. I took a deep calming breath before going back into his room. They were giving him the papers that he needed so that he could be released from the hospital, and I didn't care if it pissed Kaelie off, I was going to follow them back to his place, although we did live in the same building, on the same floor, right across the hall from each other. So technically I would just be 'going home' but I knew she knew that wasn't true.
As I suspected, the moment she realized that I was following her, she tried to ditch me. Lucky for me, she wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, so I could keep up relatively easily. When we pulled into the parking garage we got out and Kaelie glared at me.
"What's your problem stalker?" She hissed.
"Me?" I faked shock. "I was just coming home." I said in a fake sweet voice and she growled like the gremlin she is, and helped Jace out of the car. I followed them up to our floor and I watched as she led him into her place. I walked into mine and sighed as I leaned against the door. I didn't trust Jace in her care, and I was going to be keeping an eye on here for the entirety of his blind and deaf life.
Time Jump – Four Days Later
Clary POV:
I heard Jace's door slam, and when I walked out I saw Kaelie practically sprinting down the hallway with her bag.
"Where the hell do you think you're going?" I yelled after her.
"I have a life you know. I can't be his babysitter." She said.
"That's exactly what he needs right now." I said.
"I'm 23 years old." She said.
"Try 26. You aren't fooling anyone sweetheart." I said and she scoffed.
"It doesn't matter, I'm too young for this." She said.
"You're just going to leave him?" I asked. "He seemed really happy that you were going to be taking care of him."
"He won't know. It's not like he can see or hear me." She said.
"You're a real bitch. You know that right?" I said and she laughed, flipped me off, and kept walking. I walked back into my apartment, and grabbed some things and headed over to his apartment. When I opened the door, he was sitting on the couch looking around.
"Kaelie?" He called. "Is that you? I felt a vibration." He said. I walked over and took his hand in mine.
"A-R-E / Y-O-U / O-K-A-Y?" I wrote on his hand.
"Yea, I'm a little hungry though." He said.
"P-A-N-C-A-K-E-S?" I wrote.
"You can make pancakes?" He asked with a laugh. I tapped twice. "Pancakes it is than."
I got up and walked to the kitchen. I wanted to tell him that Kaelie was a bitch and flaked but he didn't need that on top of everything that was going on, so I was going to take care of him, and if he thought I was Kaelie, he could. I just wanted him to get better, and finding out your girlfriend is an ungrateful bitch wasn't going to help the healing process. I was going to do this for Jace, no matter what.
Time Jump – Two Months Later
Clary POV:
I've been living with Jace since the day Kaelie walked out, and I had to say. I loved it. It was everything I ever imagined it would be and more. I got to cuddle him at night, and take care of him. It was amazing. I hated that he thought I was Kaelie, but the doctors said that he is making progress, and that his attitude is a huge contributing factor for that, so I was going to keep doing what I'm doing, and hope that he gets better.
I decided about a week after I started looking after Jace that I was going to keep a recorded diary for him so that when he gets his hearing and sight back he can relive the time he was deaf and blind in case he wanted too. It was also kinda a way to prove to him that I was the one looking after him. I don't know if it was more for him or me, but I liked doing it.
"S-O / W-H-A-T / W-O-U-L-D / Y-O-U / L-I-K-E / T-O / D-O / T-O-D-A-Y?" I wrote as I spoke so the recording could pick it up.
"I'd really like to go to the park. Is that plausible?" He asked.
"A-L-W-A-Y-S." I said and he smiled. We got dressed and we headed towards the park. I led him to a park bench and we sat there and Jace breathed in the fresh air. It was chilly out, but neither of us minded.
"Excuse me." I heard and I turned around and saw a lady standing there. "Are you Clary Fray?" She asked.
"I am." I said a little shocked that she knew my name.
"I'm a huge fan of your work." She said and my jaw dropped.
"You've seen my work?" I asked.
"Yes." She said with so much excitement in her eyes. "I go to all the galleries that feature unknown talent. You're one of my favorites, and frankly I don't think you get enough recognition for your work." She said and I was truly flattered.
"Thank you so much." I said and she smiled.
"Would you mind signing something for me?" She asked.
"I'd be honored." I said. She dug in her bag and pulled out a pamphlet from one of the galleries that my work is featured in. I signed the front, and since it was my first signing, I decided to give her something extra special. I flipped to the page where my work was shown. "What's your name?" I asked.
"I'm Maureen." She said.
Dear Maureen,
Thanks for being a fan and the recipient of my first ever autograph.
Clary Fray.
I handed it back to her and she squealed.
"Thank you so much." She said as she skipped away.
I had to admit. That felt amazing. It's everything I've ever wanted. People to appreciate and connect with my art, and I might not be in a major gallery now, but that wasn't stopping people from viewing my art, and that's what I wanted. I wanted people to feel it with me, and if that one girl is the only one who does, I'll be satisfied (although being a huge gallery would be nice too).
"I'm a little hungry." Jace said out of nowhere.
"W-H-E-R-E / W-O-U-L-D / Y-O-U / L-I-K-E / T-O / G-O?" I asked as I wrote.
"Taki's." He said and I laughed.
"T-A-K-I-S / I-T / I-S." I said and he smiled we got up and I made our way to Taki's. thankfully it was close to the park, and when we got there, I noticed that Kaelie wasn't working, thank god. We took our seats and the waitress came over.
"What can I get for you?" She asked.
"W-H-A-T / W-O-U-L-D / Y-O-U / L-I-K-E?" I asked.
"Coconut pancakes with an orange juice and coffee." He said and I smiled.
"And for you?" She asked me.
"Can I just have some chicken noodle soup with a side of bread and iced tea please?" I asked.
"Sweetened or unsweetened?" She asked.
"Sweetened please." She took our menus and left.
"I / D-O-N-T / K-N-O-W / H-O-W / T-H-E-S-E / P-E-O-P-L-E / D-O-N-T / K-N-O-W / Y-O-U-R / O-R-D-E-R / B-Y / H-E-A-R-T / Y-E-T." I said and he laughed.
"Beats me." He said. "You work here, you should ask." He said and I sighed.
"If only you knew it was me, and not Kaelie." I said. "I-L-L / G-E-T / O-N / T-H-A-T." I wrote and he laughed.
"You'll have to let me know what they say." He says.
"I / W-I-L-L." I wrote and he smiled.
We ate and had a casual conversation. I wanted so badly to tell him it was me, but I just couldn't. It was nice though, this weekend his parents were coming in, and I would going out on a much needed night with Izzy. Not that I minded taking care of Jace, I actually really loved it, but I needed some girl time, and some major advice.
Time Jump – Weekend
Clary POV:
"Thank you for looking after him Clary." Celine said. "I knew that girlfriend of his was a dud."
"Jace doesn't know its me." I said. "He still thinks its Kaelie taking care of him."
"Why haven't you told him yet?" She asked.
"The doctor said that he was progressing and his attitude is a huge part of that, and I want him to get better, and if him thinking I'm Kaelie is helping, that's what I'm going to do."
"Oh sweetie." She said and I smiled. "Wait, so you do everything that Kaelie would do?" She asked.
"If you're asking is he's wanted sex, he hasn't." I said and she laughed. "I do sleep in the same bed as him though."
"He's going to find out eventually." She said.
"But not from you." I said and she laughed. "Now, he comes with a few instructions." I said and she laughed.
"I feel like I'm taking him home from the hospital for the first time all over again." She said and I laughed.
"He spends most of his time sitting in the living room, but every couple hours he has to move other wise his muscles get stiff. Normally what I do is give him a 30 minutes back and shoulder massage to keep them loose every 2 hours." I said.
"Well shit." She said and I laughed.
"Also, I make him get up every 2 hours and take a lap around the apartment, but I alternate that with the back massages. So if he get s back massage at 2, he walks at 3, and than massage at 4, and he walks at 5." I explained.
"You've got this down to science." She said and I smiled.
"It took some trial and error that's for sure." I said. "He eats dinner at 6, but he stands at the breakfast bar for that, just to keep him loose. Shower is at 9, so that he can be asleep by 11." I said. "He should have no problems with the shower since I've labeled everything with different textures so he can feel them out, all you have to do is go in and help him sit, and than help him when he's done."
"Damn girl. You should be a nurse." She said and I laughed.
"If he wants to shave, you have to do that yourself." I said. "I don't trust that blind man with a razor." I said and she laughed. "Since he can't hear anymore, and he can't use the sound of rain to calm him down at night, there is a homemade blanket under his mattress that vibrates the bed."
"Did you make it?" She asks.
"Yea. I found that it lulls him to sleep." I explained. "Turn it on low and if that's not working, medium normally does the trick."
"You are too good to be true Clary Fray." She said and I smiled.
"I should be home around 2 or 3. Who knows with Izzy. It's been awhile since we've gotten together." I said.
"Go out and have fun sweetheart. You deserve it." She said and I hugged her. I went over to Jace and kneeled down next to him.
"I-M / G-O-I-N-G / O-U-T / F-O-R / A / F-E-W / H-O-U-R-S /B-U-T / I / G-A-V-E / Y-O-U-R / M-O-M / A-L-L / T-H-E / I-N-S-T-R-U-C-T-I-O-N-S." I paused so that he could comprehend it all and he nodded. "I / S-H-O-U-L-D / B-E / B-A-C-K / L-A-T-E-R / T-O-N-I-G-H-T."
"Okay, have a great time." He said. "I love you." He said and I sighed.
"I / L-O-V-E / Y-O-U / T-O-O." I said and I looked at Celine. "What? It's true. I do love him."
"I know you do sweetie." She said. I stood up and pressed my lips to his forehead before walking out of the apartment and over to mine. I took a deep breath and started getting ready for my night.
Time Jump – Later That Night
Clary POV:
"I think you should just tell him." Izzy said as we stood at the bar waiting for our drinks.
"I don't want to hinder his progress." I said.
"I think you're using that as an excuse." She said. "You've liked him for how long? It's time you own up to your feelings and let him know what you've been doing for him these past few months." She said and I looked past her for a split second and my jaw dropped.
"No fucking way." I said.
"I'm serious Clare….."
"That whore." I cut Izzy off.
"Who?" She asked.
"Jace's girlfriend." I said as I turned her around and pointed her out. "Tonguing Sebastian."
"Ew." She said and I walked right over to them and split them apart.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" I yelled.
"I think the more appropriate question is what the fuck is wrong with you." Kaelie said.
"Your boyfriend is currently battling his way back to health and you're cheating on him?" I asked.
"I needed to live a little." She said. "I'll go back when he gets his hearing and sight back." She said.
"Un fucking believable." I said. "You're a despicable human being, you know that right?" I said.
"And yet Jace still picked me over you." She said in a snide voice. "How does that feel? Constantly getting friend zoned? Must suck."
"You are so fucking done once Jace gets his hearing and sight back." I said.
"Who is he going to believe? The devoted girlfriend who nursed him back to health, or you?" She asked.
"How did you know?" I asked.
"One of my co-workers saw you two together at Taki's and said that he was talking to you like it was me." She said. "You didn't tell him that I left, who is the stupid bitch now?"
"I don't want to hinder his progress." I said.
"Whatever shortcake. The point is, he thinks its me, and that's all that matters." She said and smirked at me.
"Come on Clare." Izzy said. "Let's go." She said.
"No." I said as I turned back towards her. "Let's get fucking wasted."
"You don't need to tell me twice." She said and we took shots and started going hard.
Time Jump – Later That Night
Celine POV:
I heard someone fumbling with the keys to the door and it woke me up. I got up just as the door opened and in walked a very drunk Clary, and a somewhat drunk Izzy.
"What the hell happened?" I asked.
"Clary saw Kaelie making out with some dick we all went to high school with and just lost it." Izzy explained.
"What a bitch." I said as Izzy put Clary on the couch.
"She just wanted to let go, and she got wasted." Izzy said. "I finally managed to drag her out of the bar."
"Thanks for getting her back here safely." I said.
"Of course." She said. "I should be heading home."
"You can't drive like this sweetheart." I said.
"My boyfriend is picking me up." She said and I nodded.
When Izzy left I went over and got medicine and some water and than went over to Clary. I sat her up and handed them to her.
"Why doesn't he see me?" She asked. "I've always been there. No matter what." She slurred and I brushed her hair away from her eyes.
"Boys can be dense." I said.
"I've been in love with him since high school." She said and I sighed.
"I think you should tell him." I said, she started crying. She took her medicine and than laid down on the couch without saying another word. I let her sleep and made a make shift bed on the ground. I always knew she loved my son, and I always thought she would be good for him, but I wasn't going to interfere. This was their business, and I was going to let them figure it out themselves.
Time Jump – Next Morning
Clary POV:
I woke up with a killer headache, and I was confused. I sat up and noticed that I was in the living room of Jace's apartment. I looked around and Celine was in the kitchen making food. I got up and walked over to her, and she handed me a cup of black coffee.
"Thanks." I said and she smiled.
"Of course sweetie." She said and I took a seat.
"What happened?" I asked.
"Long story short, you caught Kaelie cheating on my son, you lost it, got wasted." She said.
"Shit." I said.
"Stephen and I are leaving soon, please don't let that tramp back into his life." She said and I smiled.
"I'll let Jace decide for himself. He's a big boy." I said and she nodded.
"At least tell him the truth." She said.
"I'll think about it." I said. In that moment Jace walked into the kitchen.
"I smell bacon." He said and I laughed. I walked over to him and took his hand in mine.
"I-L-L / G-R-A-B / Y-O-U / A / P-L-A-T-E." I said.
"Thanks. How was your night?" He asked. I got his plate and set it in front of him and took his hand again.
"I-T / W-A-S / F-I-N-E / J-U-S-T / C-A-T-C-H-I-N-G / U-P / W-I-T-H / O-L-D / F-R-I-E-N-D-S." I said.
"Good. You deserve it after all you do for me." He said and I smiled.
"You don't know the half of it." I said. He started eating his food and Celine looked at me. "It's not the right move Celine."
"It's better than no move at all." She said. I sat back down and continued to drink my coffee. I knew she was right, but Jace's health came first.
Time Jump – Two Months Later
Clary POV:
Jace and I were enjoying a rainy day inside. He was playing with some texture thing that I bought him, and I was reading a book. It was peaceful until he broke the silence.
"Has your hair always smelled like strawberries?" He asked. I put my book down and grabbed his hand.
"W-H-A-T?" I asked.
"Your hair. It smells like strawberries. I never noticed that before." He said.
"M-U-S-T / B-E / Y-O-U-R / H-E-I-G-H-T-E-N-E-D / S-E-N-S-E / O-F / S-M-E-L-L." I said.
"I like it." He said. "A lot. It makes me feel at home."
"T-H-A-T-S / G-O-O-D." I said.
"Don't ever change." He said. "You're perfect just the way you are. Especially these last four months. I know I must be a burden, but I appreciate you so much for sticking with it." He said and I started crying. "I love you."
"I / L-O-V-E / Y-O-U / T-O-O." I said and he smiled and went back to playing with his toy. I got up and walked into the kitchen, and just cried. After about 15 minutes, I composed myself and made my way back into the living room. I took a seat and picked my book back up like nothing had happened.
Time Jump – Two Months Later
Clary POV:
I went to get groceries for Jace and I, and when I was on my way back to his place, I wasn't prepared to see what I did. I walked in and Kaelie and Jace were in the living room. Jace was looking at her, like really looking at her. I took a deep breath and walked in.
"Clary, I can see." He said and I smiled. I gave him a thumbs up as well, and he did it back. Kaelie handed him a notebook and that's how they started talking. Kaelie recommended that they go to the doctor to get evaluated and Jace couldn't agree faster. They sped out of there faster than a speeding bullet and left me to put the groceries away. After I did that, I gathered my things and went back to my place. He didn't need me anymore, and clearly Kaelie was going to take all the credit, and I couldn't stop her without possibly hindering Jace'e progress. So I was going to stay silent, and watch him heal from a distance.
Time Jump – One Month Later
Jace POV:
My sight has come back, and my hearing was getting there. So far I could hear out of my left ear, but my right ear still made everything sound muffled but the doctors were very optimistic about my recovery, and that just made me feel better. Kaelie and I were cuddled on the couch watching TV. I didn't realize how much I missed it, but she did such a good job at keeping me busy those 6 months I was handicapped and that just solidified my love for her.
"Hey babe, can you give me one of those back massages you do?" I asked and she looked at me with confusion.
"I just got my nails done." She said. "I don't want to ruin them."
"Okay." I said and she curled back into my side. I kissed the top of her head and we continued to watch TV.
Time Jump – A Couple Days Later
Jace POV:
"Are you sure you want to do this man?" Alec asked as I looked for rings.
"I've never been so sure of anything in my life Alec." I said. "She took care of me for months on end when I was deaf and blind. That kind of love is something that eternal. I know it." I explained.
"Hey man, if you're happy, than I'm happy for you." He said and I smiled. I wanted to get Kaelie the biggest ring I could afford because she deserved it.
Alec POV:
After Jace and I left the jewelers I had 5 missed calls from Izzy. I got in my car and decided to call her back.
"What took you so long?" She answered.
"I was helping Jace pick out an engagement ring for Kaelie." I said.
"He's asking her to marry him?!" She shouted.
"Yea. He said that what she did for him when he was blind and deaf was the definition of eternal love." I explained.
"That lying whore." She said.
"What are you talking about?" I asked.
"Clary took care of him." She said. "Kaelie bolted after 4 days, and Clary took it upon herself to take care of him."
"Why didn't she tell him that?" I asked.
"Clary didn't want to hinder his progress. The doctor said his attitude was everything, and Clary thought is she told him that Kaelie bolted, he was sink into a depression. And you know how much Clary loves him. She didn't want that for him, so she pretended." She explains.
"Holy shit." I said.
"You can't tell him though." She said.
"Why not? He's about to ask the wrong person to marry him." I said.
"It's Clary's business to tell. Not ours. I've tried to convince her, but you know how stubborn she is." She said.
"Ugh. This couldn't be worse." I said.
"Tell me about it." She said. "Okay, well I was just going to invite you and Magnus out to dinner with Simon and I."
"We'd love too." I said.
"Great. 7 o'clock." She said.
"See you there." I said and we hung up. I rested my head on my steering wheel and thought about what Jace was about to do. He was about to make the biggest mistake of his life, and he didn't even know it.
Time Jump – One Week Later
Jace POV:
I was getting my apartment all set up for proposing to Kaelie. I was super nervous, but I knew this was the right move. Everything was perfect, and than I heard the knock on the door. I fixed my tie and headed over to the door. I took a deep breath before opening it, but only to see Clary standing there.
"Clary, what are you doing here?" I asked.
"Your mom tried calling, but you didn't answer so she called me." She said.
"What about?" I asked.
"She left something here when she was visiting last." She said. "She needs it ASAP." She said.
"Do you know where she left it?" I asked.
"She said that it would probably be between the couch cushions." She said and I laughed.
"Sounds like mom." I said and she laughed. "Go have a look." I said. She passed by me and something smelled familiar.
"What's the special occasion?" She asked as she looked.
"I'm going to ask Kaelie to marry me tonight." I said and her whole body froze.
"Really?" She asked.
"Really. After everything she did for me, she deserves a rock." I laughed and Clary just nodded.
"Found it." She said as she straightened up. "I'll leave you too it." She said as she walked past me again. The smell lingered in my nose for a few seconds.
"Strawberries." I whispered.
"What?" She asked.
"Nothing." I said. "Tell my mom I'm sorry I didn't pick up."
"Of course." She said. "Have a nice night." She said before disappearing into her room. I closed my front door and thought about that smell. It was so familiar. So normal. Like I've been smelling it for so long. There was another knock on the door, and I pushed the thought out of my head and opened it and this time, there stood Kaelie. She walked in and gave me a kiss, and she smelled like tanning spray, and hairspray.
"Wow. You went all out." She said and I smiled.
"My girl deserves it." I said as I pulled her chair out.
"You're the best." She said and I served our dinner.
We sat there and talked, but there was something nagging me in the back of my mind. Something that I literally couldn't escape. When I asked Kaelie to give me that back massage she looked confused, and that smell, I remember it so vividly but no from Kaelie. Once we were done our dinner, I decided to test a theory.
"Kaelie, I know this might sound like a weird request, but I kinda miss it." I said.
"The mind blowing sex?" She asked with a devilish smirk on her lips.
"No." I said as I held my hand out. "Can you just write on my hand again?" I asked.
"What for? You can see and hear again." She said.
"Please humor me." I said and she took my hand as she rolled her eyes and wrote on my palm. I closed my eyes, but all I could feel was the plastic of her fake nails. It wasn't what I had been used too.
"Is that it?" She asked and I opened my eyes.
"Yea. That's all I needed." I said and she gave me that smirk again.
"So, how about we take this evening to the bedroom?" She asked.
"There was a reason for this dinner." I said. "I don't think this is going to work out Kaelie." I said and her jaw dropped.
"You're breaking up with me?" She practically yelled.
"I am. I've done a lot of thinking, and I think it's the right move." I said and she pushed her chair out roughly, causing it to crash.
"I can't believe this. After all I've done for you." She said. She grabbed her bag and stormed out of the apartment. I heard her heels clicking all the way down the hall. I leaned my hands in my head and shook my head. How could I have been so wrong?
"Don't tell me she didn't accept?" I heard and when I looked up there stood Clary with suitcases.
"I backed out." I said honestly. "It didn't feel right after all."
"I'm sorry." She said.
"Where are you going?" I asked as I stood up.
"I'm going to visit my parents for a few days." She said. "I miss them, and I kinda just need to get out of the city for a few days. Get my inspiration back." She said and I nodded.
"Safe travels." I said.
"Thanks." She said as she walked down the hallway. I walked back into the apartment and blew out the candles and made my way to my room. I laid on my bed and just thought about the last six months. I needed a long shower.
I went into the bathroom and turned the water on and started to strip. When I stepped in I just let the hot water take all my stress away. I didn't even know why I was so stressed, I guess it was more confusion. It didn't add up and I hated that. When I got out I went into my dresser and grabbed a pair of shorts and when I went to close it, I kinda slammed it and I heard something crash. I went to the bottom drawer that I didn't use, I opened it, and there sat CD's. There were labeled. I picked them up and sat on my bed. I picked my laptop up and put the one that had a '1' on it and hit play.
Recording 1:
"I can't do anything." I heard myself say. "I'm so fucking useless."
"You aren't useless." I heard a voice say, a familiar voice. It was Clary. "You're just adjusting to your new life."
"Well, I don't like it." I complained. "It's pointless."
"No it isn't." Clary said. "You're adjusting. Give it time."
"I'm sorry if I'm such a burden." I said.
"You could never be a burden to me Jace." Clary said. "What would you like to do today?" She asked.
"Honestly, I just want to sit by the window, and smell the rain." I said.
"That is something we can do." Clary said.
"I love the rain. I wish I could hear it." I said.
"You'll be able to again." Clary said.
"How are you optimistic?" I asked.
"I guess I just have a lot of faith in you." Clary said.
"Or you're delusional." I said and she laughed.
"Optimistic, delusional, what's the difference?" She asked and I laughed.
"Absolutely nothing if you ask me." I said and we seemed to fall into a comfortable silence.
The tape continued on like that for the rest of the day, until I heard her say goodnight to me. My jaw was practically on the bed by now. It was Clary. I had been Clary who had been there for me for all those months nurturing me, and giving me the hope that I needed. I'm so stupid.
When that tape was done, I popped in the next one. There were a lot of CD's. She made one for every single day. I was deaf and blind for 6 months. That's roughly like 180 some days. I couldn't believe she did this for me.
Time Jump – Days Later
Jace POV:
Recording 61:
"So, what would you like to do today?" Clary asked.
"I'd really like to go to the park. Is that plausible?" I asked.
"Always." Clary said. We didn't talk the entire time we went to the park, probably because she was guiding me and that would have been a huge challenge to try and talk to me while walking me through a park.
"Excuse me." A small voice said. "Are you Clary Fray?" She asked.
"I am." Clary said, she sounded pretty shocked.
"I'm a huge fan of your work." She said and it made me proud that Clary was getting recognized.
"You've seen my work?" Clary asked a little dumbfounded.
"Yes." She said with so much excitement in her voice. "I go to all the galleries that feature unknown talent. You're one of my favorites, and frankly I don't think you get enough recognition for your work." She said.
"Thank you so much." Clary said and I could hear how much it meant to her in her voice.
"Would you mind signing something for me?" She asked.
"I'd be honored." Clary said. There was noise in the background, something I couldn't really pick up from the CD. "What's your name?" Clary asked.
"I'm Maureen." She said. "Thank you so much." She said as she squealed.
I couldn't be prouder of Clary. I always knew that her work deserved to be featured, and to know that she was getting recognized for it, made me incredibly proud of all her hard work, and dedication to the craft that she loved so much.
Recording 64:
"Thank you for looking after him Clary." My mom said. "I knew that girlfriend of his was a dud."
"Jace doesn't know its me." Clary said. "He still thinks its Kaelie taking care of him."
"Why haven't you told him yet?" My mom asked.
"The doctor said that he was progressing and his attitude is a huge part of that, and I want him to get better, and if him thinking I'm Kaelie is helping, that's what I'm going to do." Clary said and I shook my head. She was always super selfless. Always putting others first.
"Oh sweetie." My mom said. "Wait, so you do everything that Kaelie would do?" She asked, and that was something I never even thought of.
"If you're asking is he's wanted sex, he hasn't." Clary said and my mom laughed. "I do sleep in the same bed as him though."
"He's going to find out eventually." My mom said.
"But not from you." Clary said and my mom laughed again. "Now, he comes with a few instructions." Clary said and I couldn't help but laugh along with my mom.
"I feel like I'm taking him home from the hospital for the first time all over again." My mom said and Clary laughed.
"He spends most of his time sitting in the living room, but every couple hours he has to move other wise his muscles get stiff. Normally what I do is give him a 30 minutes back and shoulder massage to keep them loose every 2 hours." Clary explained and it shocked me.
"Well shit." My mom said. Clearly she was shocked just like me.
"Also, I make him get up every 2 hours and take a lap around the apartment, but I alternate that with the back massages. So if he get s back massage at 2, he walks at 3, and than massage at 4, and he walks at 5." She explained, which explains why Kaelie looked at me with confusion about the back massage, that was all Clary.
"You've got this down to science." My mom commented.
"It took some trial and error that's for sure." Clary said. "He eats dinner at 6, but he stands at the breakfast bar for that, just to keep him loose. Shower is at 9, so that he can be asleep by 11." Clary further said. "He should have no problems with the shower since I've labeled everything with different textures so he can feel them out, all you have to do is go in and help him sit, and than help him when he's done."
"Damn girl. You should be a nurse." My mom said and Clary laughed.
"If he wants to shave, you have to do that yourself." Clary said. "I don't trust that blind man with a razor." She said and my mom laughed and I couldn't stop the smile that speak across my face. "Since he can't hear anymore, and he can't use the sound of rain to calm him down at night, there is a homemade blanket under his mattress that vibrates the bed."
"Did you make it?" My mom asks.
"Yea. I found that it lulls him to sleep." Clary explained, and I was truly amazed. "Turn it on low and if that's not working, medium normally does the trick."
"You are too good to be true Clary Fray." My mom said, and I wholeheartedly agreed with her.
"I should be home around 2 or 3. Who knows with Izzy. It's been awhile since we've gotten together." Clary said.
"Go out and have fun sweetheart. You deserve it." My mom said ad I agreed 100%, Clary had been putting so much effort into me.
"I'm going out for a few hours, but I gave your mom all the instructions." Clary said and she paused. "I should be back later tonight." She said.
"Okay, have a great time." I heard myself say. "I love you." I said and she sighed.
"I love you too." Clary said. "What? It's true. I do love him." She said, I assumed she was talking to my mom.
"I know you do sweetie." My mom said and that's where it ends.
I couldn't believe Clary had been doing all that for me. Everything I thought during that period was a lie. Clary had basically gone from my best friend to my caregiver and here I am about to propose to Kaelie thinking she did all that stuff for me. I should have known it wasn't her, she's never been that compassionate.
I was about to put the other disk in, when there was a knock on my door. I got up, stretched out, and wen to open it. When I did, Izzy and Alec ran into my apartment.
"You need to break it off with Kaelie." Izzy shouted. "Clary was the one taking care of you. Kaelie bolted after four days, and Clary didn't want to tell you because she didn't ant ti hinder your progress." She said in one breath.
"Izzy." I said calmly. "I know."
"What?" She asked. "How?"
"There was something off the other night when I was planning on asking her." I said. "So I asked her if she would write on my palms again, like she did for those 6 months, but when she did, it wasn't the hands that I was used too." I explained. "So I broke it off. I didn't even propose. After she stormed after here, I took a shower. I accidently slammed my dressed drawer, and I heard a small crash. I looked at the bottom drawer, and there were CD's. Clary documented the whole 6 months of our conversations."
"Have you told her you know?" Alec asked.
"She went to visit her parents." I said. "And I've kinda been binge listening to them."
"Damn that girl is smart." Izzy said and I nodded. "So, what are you going to do?" She asked.
"I don't really know." I said honestly.
"You told me when you were looking at rings, that what Kaelie did for you those 6 months was eternal love." Alec said. "Now that you know it was Clary, does that change?" He asked.
"No." I simply said.
"Than I think you already know what to do." He said.
"But how do I just break that barrier?" I asked.
"Please, Clary has been waiting for you to make a move since high school." Izzy said. "All you have to do is say, 'hey Clare, lets do this' and I guarantee she'll know what you mean, and jump into your arms." Izzy explained.
"I don't even know when she gets back." I said and in that moment I heard the keys across the hall.
"Great timing." Izzy said and suddenly everything felt real. "Go get your girl." She said and I took a deep breath and walked over and out of my apartment and into hers.
"Jace." Clary said as I closed her front door. Izzy was a creep, and I needed this to be between us. "What are you doing here?" She asked.
"I found the CD's." I said and she took a deep breath and nodded. "I can't believe you did that for me."
"You're my best friend Jace." She said. "I wanted you to get better."
"And you're in love with me." I said and her cheeks flared.
"And I'm in love with you." She said. I walked over to her and cupped her face.
"I'm in love with you too Clary." I said and her eyes filled with tears. "I don't know why it took me so long to see it, but I'm in love with you Clarissa Fray." I didn't wait for her to respond. I slammed my lips to hers and everything now felt right. When I pulled away I couldn't help but smile. "Thank you. For being there for me always."
"Anything for you Jace." She said and I breathed in and that sweet scent of strawberries filled my head.
"Strawberries." I said and she laughed. "I can't believe I never picked up on that scent before."
"You didn't have ears or eyes for 6 months. You could smell like a basset hound after about 2 weeks." She said.
"Really?" I asked and she laughed and nodded.
"Every morning I made you something different, just to keep it interesting. The days I made French toast, you were in the kitchen before I could even help you through the hallways. It was like clock work too." She said and I laughed.
"I love you Clary Fray." I said and she smiled.
"I love you too Jace Herondale." She said and my lips were back on her immediately. I had come home, and I loved it.
Time Jump – Two Years Later
Clary POV:
After we confessed out love for each other, Jace and I kind moved at warp speed. It had been a long time coming anyway, so we didn't feel the need to prolong it. We basically had a shotgun wedding, just without the pregnancy. I had Izzy set it up in 3 months, and it was absolutely perfect. Family and friends, and Jace. What more could I have asked for?
After our wedding, I moved all my stuff into Jace's apartment. Simply for the fact that it was bigger. We were planning on moving, but while we were looking, we wanted to live together like most married couples. We found a place like 6 months after we got married, and got it, and moved. Everything in our relationship has been fast, but neither of us cared. We knew this was a forever kind of love, and with all the build up, it was time we got the ball rolling.
And with the speedy wedding, and speedy move, comes a speedy pregnancy. It was everything Jace and I ever wanted, and we were completely blissed out in happiness. Our beautiful baby girl was a year old, and just the happiest baby ever. We kept the gender a secret from our family, which killed them. We told them the name, but we had picked a unisex name which really pissed them off. Of course, it wasn't exactly intentional, but found the name and fell in love with it, it just so happened it could be for a boy or girl.
Reed Lynn Herondale was born August 28th, and Jace and I truly couldn't be more in love with her even if we tried. It was impossible not to be in love with that redheaded, golden eyed, baby. And it wasn't just us, but it was everyone. We were all taken by her, and damn did she know it.
We were meeting everyone today at Taki's to celebrate her first birthday. Jace's parents were coming in and so were mine. We were all coming together to celebrate this perfect baby's birthday and I couldn't wait to have the whole family together. Everyone was already there when we got there. My mom immediately reached for Reed, and I happily handed her over. I knew her and Celine were going to be holding her the majority of the time since they didn't get to see her as often as they would like. I didn't mind. I loved that they loved her so much.
Jace and I took our seats, and we were talking when the one waitress I didn't want to see came over to take our orders. She scowled at me the entire time and I just couldn't help but smile the whole time. When she got to me, I smiled and I knew she wanted to say something but couldn't.
"I'll have a burger and fries with a vanilla milkshake, and our little girl will have a cup of applesauce." I said, making sure I enunciated the word 'out' making it known that Jace and I had a baby.
"I'll be right back out with your order." She said with gritted teeth. I smiled to myself as I watched her walk away.
"Territorial." I heard Jace whisper in my ear and I couldn't help but laugh. "I like it." He said with a growl and I couldn't stop the blush that crept across my face.
"Mama!" I heard and I turned to see Reed reaching for me. "Mama!" She said and I and I reached out and took her out of Celine's arms.
"Your first words." I said as I hugged her tightly. Kaelie came back over with our drinks and while she was handing them out Reed looked at Jace.
"Dada!" She said and Jace got the biggest smile on her face.
"I'll take second place to you any day." He said to me and he kissed my cheek. I looked up to Kaelie and got a wicked smile on my face.
"By the way." I said to her and she looked at me. I covered Reed's ears and smirked at Kaelie. "I got out of the fucking friend zone. But how's it feel to still be a whore?" I asked. She huffed and stomped away like a preteen not getting their way.
"What was that about?" Jace asked. I looked at him and cupped his face and smiled. I took his hand in mine and he smiled.
"T-H-A-T-S / A / S-T-O-R-Y / F-O-R / A / D-I-F-F-E-R-E-N-T /D-A-Y."
Authors Note:
Okay, so a guest requested this last night at 11:30, and I got so inspired that I stopped writing the one host I am currently writing and wrote this one. I can't tell you how great this prompt was because I literally just sat down and wrote it within hours, and I haven't had that happen in sometime! So, here is to you 'guest'! I hope that it was everything you wanted and more!
Also, I got the idea about palm reading because of Emma and Julian talk in the books! If anyone was curious. Let me know what you think and leave a review! :)
