Clary gripped the steering wheel tightly as she drove up the long, curve driveway leading to Kaelie's house. Actually, house wasn't the right word. The building was more mansion-like with tall roman-esque pillars, a large front staircase, and lavish trellises. A lush green yard surrounded the house, and in the middle of the driveway stood a tall marble fountain. Kaelie was a very flashy person, and Clary was not at all surprised by her attention-grabbing home.

As she put the car in park, the large oak front door opened and out stepped Kaelie with CeeCee in tow. To an outsider, it would look like Kaelie was just saving her the trouble of having to walk all the way to the front door and knock. However, Clary knew the message Kaelie was trying to send: Clary was not welcome in her home.

Clary turned off the car and got out to gather CeeCee's things from Kaelie. Kaelie scowled as she approached, sizing her up from head to toe. As Clary took CeeCee's overnight bag from her, Kaelie made sure there was absolutely no physical contact between them.

Clary placed the bag in the trunk between opening the backseat door to put CeeCee in her car seat. Once she had CeeCee buckled up, she closed the door and turned back to Kaelie.

"God," Kaelie scoffed the second the door closed. "You could at least try to put in some effort."

Clary cocked her head to the side. "What do you mean?"

Wordlessly, Kaelie gestured at Clary's attire, causing her to bristle. She didn't see anything wrong with the jeans and plain blue V-neck she was wearing.

"I don't see what my choice in clothing has to do with anything."

Kaelie crossed her arms and curled her lip. "Of course you wouldn't."

"Now what's that supposed to mean?" Clary asked, feeling oddly defensive.

"You are in a completely different world now, Clarissa. Here, we have reputations to uphold. I can't just let my daughter be seen with someone dressed like some commoner. You better dress more appropriately when you take her to school. She needs to make a good impression. Don't embarrass her."

Clary raised an eyebrow. "Embarrass her? She's five. She doesn't care, and she shouldn't."

Kaelie shook her head. "You wouldn't understand. You don't come from money or a good name. You are just some poor, indebted college dropout with a dead mother. There's nobody's reputation for you to ruin."

Clary's face fell. "H-How do you know that?"

"I ran a few background checks, paid the right people."

"You had no right—"

"Oh, pleas! I have every right to know about the woman my child is spending most of her time around."

Taking a deep, calming breath, Clary squared her shoulders. "You know what? I don't have to deal with this. You are not my employer, and I am not going to waste my time with this conversation for any longer. I'll see you in two weeks."

She walked around to the other side of the car as calmly as she could and got in. All she wanted to do was yell at Kaelie, tell her how horrible she was, and let out all her frustrations. But she wasn't about to do that with CeeCee sitting right in the car. The only option she had was to go home and keep her interactions with Kaelie limited.

The next morning, Clary hummed to herself as she flipped over a few pancakes on a skillet. She could hear Dora the Explorer playing in the living room where she had left CeeCee in her pajamas to watch television as she got breakfast ready. Imogen was at the store, Clary having sent her under the pretense that they were out of milk. She had just wanted to do something special for CeeCee on her first day of school, and she knew Imogen wouldn't let her lay a hand on a spatula if she was around.

She looked up as she heard footsteps descending the stairs. Jace approached the kitchen, straightening his tie. He stopped in his tracks when he saw it was Clary in the kitchen.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

She shrugged, placing a stack of pancakes onto a plate. "Making breakfast."

"I can see that. You do know I pay someone else to do that, right?"

She poured more batter into the pan. "Yeah."

He sighed in frustration. "Okay, then why are you doing it?"

Smiling, she placed a plate of pancakes on the counter and slid them towards him. "I wanted to do something nice for CeeCee's first day."

He looked down at the plate apprehensively. "I believe we discussed CeeCee's healthy diet on your first day, Clary."

"We did. They're wheat."

"And the syrup?" he said pointedly.

"Come on, Jace. It's her first day of school ever. That's a pretty big deal. Let her indulge just this once."

He looked at her pensively for a moment. "Alright. Just this once. Don't make a habit of bending my rules, though."

"Thank you," she said before plating another stack of pancakes and calling CeeCee in to eat.

CeeCee sat at the breakfast bar next to her father. "Miss Clary made breakfast," she said excitedly, looking at her plate.

"I know. That was nice of her, wasn't it?" Jace responded, shooting Clary a glance out of the corner of his eye.

"Uh-huh," she said before shoving a forkful of food into her mouth.

Clary smiled, turning around to wash the dishes as CeeCee talked adamantly to Jace about it being her first day of school. Clary was glad that she seemed excited and not scared. CeeCee was looking forward to seeing all her friends more often than just on play dates.

When the pair finished eating, Clary gathered their plates and sent CeeCee to her room to get dressed.

"I want Jordan to drive you today, just so you can get familiar with the route before going on your own," Jace said as she loaded the dishwasher.

"Sounds good," she responded. "Are you sure you don't want to take the morning off and take her?"

Jace smiled sadly at her. "I wish I could. We're just so busy right now and I have meetings with some more investors today that just cannot be moved."

"Want me to take lots of pictures?"

"I'd really appreciate it."

They both looked up as CeeCee returned to the kitchen. She had put on her school uniform, which consisted of black slacks, a white button, navy blazer, and navy and white striped tie. Clary had pulled CeeCee's hair back into a ponytail earlier, and there was now a plaid scrunchy helping secure it.

Clary glanced at Jace, who had an expression of pride on his face. She excused herself, feeling like she should give the pair a moment alone together. A child's first day of kindergarten is an important milestone, and Clary felt slightly like she was intruding on what should be a private moment between parent and child.

She went into her room to quickly change into a pair of jeans and a plain t-shirt, similar to what she had worn the previous day. She threw on a pair of Converse before going into CeeCee's room to grab her backpack. The room still hadn't been finished, but she had plans to complete it while CeeCee was at school and her play date after.

When she walked back into the living room, CeeCee was sitting on the couch watching Dora again with Jordan now sitting next to her. Jace was nowhere to be seen, so she assumed he had left. She picked the remote up from the coffee table and clicked off the television.

"Ready to go?" she asked.

CeeCee jumped off the couch, nodding enthusiastically. Clary took her hand as they followed Jordan down to the parking garage. She buckled CeeCee into her car seat and sat down next to her. As Jordan made the drive to the school, Clary mentally mapped the route.

Jordan pulled the car into the parking lot of one of the most extravagant school buildings. The building was three stories high and made completely our of old brick. There were tall, arching windows covering the façade and a large grass lawn encircled the entire thing.

Once Clary helped CeeCee out of the car, she looked around at all the other students. She noticed quite a few of the younger ones also had nannies with them, and she realized just how much she stuck out. She had picked out her outfit just to spite Kaelie, but now she was finding herself slightly regretting the situation. The other nannies were dressed extremely professionally in suits and slacks or pencil skirts with blouses and blazers. She felt multiple pairs of eyes on her as she led CeeCee into the building.

She made sure to take plenty of pictures of CeeCee on their way to her classroom. She had planned on giving CeeCee a first-day-of-school pep talk in the hallway, but she ran into the classroom as soon as they arrived, throwing a quick goodbye to Clary. She was at least glad that she wasn't at all nervous or worried about starting kindergarten.

Clary was washing out her brushes, having finally finished CeeCee's room, when her alarm went off, letting her know it was time to pick CeeCee up from school. She left the brushes on the sink to dry and grabbed her things to leave, not changing out of her paint-spattered clothing. Jordan was already waiting at the car for her when she got down to the garage. He quirked an eyebrow at her, but she just shook her head in response.

They were silent on the car ride there, and Jordan stayed in the car while she waited for CeeCee by the large front doors. She ignored the stares she was receiving from other parents and caregivers as she waited. She had been so focused on finishing CeeCee's room that she had lost track, and she didn't want to risk being late by taking the time to change clothes.

When CeeCee finally emerged with a group of students, the corners of Clary's mouth turned down. The little girl had changed part of her uniform. She was now wearing a navy plaid skirt instead of the black slacks she had on earlier. The Ninja Turtle backpack had also been replaced by a Disney fairies one.

"What happened to the stuff you left the house with?" she asked as she took CeeCee's hand.

The little girl shrugged. "Mommy came by and had me change."

Clary stiffened slightly. "She did?"

"Yep."

"Interesting," Clary said as they got into the car. "How do you feel about that?"

"I miss my Ninja Turtles."

Clary tucked a stray strand of hair behind CeeCee's ear. "We can get you replacements later this week, sweetie. Anyway, how was school?"

CeeCee chattered excitedly the whole drive to her friend's house. She told Clary about how nice her teacher was and that she made lots of new friends. She said story time was her favorite part of the day and she couldn't wait to go back tomorrow to hear a new story.

Clary dropped CeeCee off for her play date, and as soon as she was back in the car, she told Jordan to take her to Kaelie's. He seemed taken aback and asked if she was sure, but she wasn't about to change her mind. She knew she should be keeping her distance from the woman, but she couldn't let her continue to control CeeCee like she was doing.

Jordan drove excruciatingly slowly to Kaelie's house, and Clary knew it was on purpose. He thought it was a terrible idea and was giving Clary time to change her mind, but she stood her ground. The second he stopped the car in her driveway, she was out, telling him to stay there.

She stomped up the steps and banged her fist on the front door. It swung open to reveal a timid looking maid who remained halfway behind the door. "Miss Whitewillow isn't expecting any company," the girl said.

"Yes, this is more of an impromptu visit," Clary explained as she stepped into the foyer. "Could you please go get Kaelie for me?"

The girl nodded before scampering off, and Clary looked around at her surroundings. The foyer was just as extravagant as the outside of Kaelie's home. The floors were a freshly polished marble and two grand stairs cases broke off from the foyer. Between the stairs, on the ceiling, hung a grand crystal chandelier and the walls held various pieces of artwork. Everything about the foyer screamed money, and it was only the entrance to the home. Clary wondered what the rest of the house looked like.

The sound of heels clicking on the floor alerted Clary to the fact that someone was approaching. Kaelie strode in, a scowl affixed to her face. She stopped a few inches away from Clary, placing her hands on her hips and narrowing her eyes.

"What the hell are you doing here?" she snarled.

Clary straightened her back and crossed her arms, not about to let Kaelie intimidate her. "I came here to ask you what your problem is."

"What my problem is? I'm not the one showing up announced to someone else's home!"

"Why did you come to CeeCee's school, in the middle of the day might I add, and make her change?"

"She was dressed inappropriately."

"She was wearing the proper uniform!" Clary threw her hands up in the air in exasperation. "What was it? The fact that she was wearing pants? Was that not ladylike enough for you?"

"Exactly." Kaelie turned up her nose. "Plus that atrocious backpack. The second I received a called about what my daughter was wearing, I knew I had to get down there."

Clary scoffed. "Do you seriously have people spying on your daughter? She's only five! What the fuck are you going to do when she grows up? Follow her around yourself?"

"If that's what it takes." She fixed her gaze back on Clary. "And do not even get me started on you. Did you wear that to pick her up? We have already a discussion about your choices in attire, and I really do not care to have it again."

Clary put up a hand, signaling to Kaelie to stop talking. "I am not here to talk about me. You can throw whatever bitchy comments you want my way. I'm a big girl and I can handle it. I am here to discuss CeeCee. You can't treat her the way you do! She's a child for God's sake."

"I know she is a child. I'm trying to mold her into a proper member of society. I can't have her running around dressed like a boy!"

"She can dress however she likes! You can't stifle her like this, Kaelie. As her mother, you should be supporting her, not tearing her down. I don't know what kind of deranged house you grew up in, but I refuse to watch you hurt this little girl the way you are."

"You are not her mother, Miss Fray. You have no say in how I raise my daughter."

"Considering you're doing an absolutely shitty job, I'm taking it upon myself to intervene so you don't completely destroy CeeCee's life."

"I want you out of my house, Clarissa. I will not allow you to come here and talk to me like this," Kaelie said, her voice shaking slightly. "And I will be informing Jace about this little stunt of yours."

"Go ahead, Kaelie. I'm sure he'll be very interested in hearing what you did to your daughter today."

Clary walked behind CeeCee, her hands covering the little girl's eyes as they entered her room. When she dropped her hands, CeeCee looked around the room in silent awe, her mouth wide open. Clary had finally finished the room, and she felt pretty good about the job she did. The walls were painted purple and green, and the wall where the princess had been now had a painting of the Ninja Turtles on it. Her bedding was now purple and green striped to match the walls, as were the drapes over her window. Clary had also placed a new backpack and school supplies on the bed for her.

CeeCee whirled around and threw her arms around Clary's abdomen. "Thank you, Miss Clary!"

"I'm glad you like it," Clary said, looking down affectionately at her.

There was a light knock on the open door and Clary turned to see Jace standing in the doorway. He had removed his tie and jacket and the first few buttons of his shirt were undone with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His tired eyes scanned the room.

"You finished," he stated.

"Um, yeah," she responded.

"Can I see you in my office for a moment?" he asked.

She cocked her head to the side in confusion, but nodded. She turned to Cee and knelt down in front of her. "Sweetie, can you brush your teeth and get your PJs on for me? I'll come tuck you in in a few."

She then followed Jace out of the room and up to his office. He was silent the whole way, and she got an unsettling feeling in the pit of her stomach. Having her boss call her into his office didn't seem like a good sign to her, and she had a feeling it was all going to come back to Kaelie.

He gestured for her to sit in the chair on the other side of the desk. She sat down and watched as he took his seat, placing his forearms on the desk and clasping his hands.

"So, I got an interesting call from Kaelie today," he said.

"Listen, Jace—" she started.

He put a hand up in the air to stop her. "You were completely out of line showing up at her home like that."

"I get that, but I couldn't just let her treat CeeCee like that!"

"It's not your place, Clary. Kaelie is her mother. Not you. You do not get a say in how she is raised."

"But—"

"Don't do it again. Your job was clearly outlined in the contract you signed. Do not stray from that, or we may have to reevaluate your position."

Her eyes widened. "Jace—"

"Do you understand?" He cut her off once again.

"I understand completely, Mr. Herondale," she said, satisfied with the look of surprise that appeared on his face when she addressed him by his last name. "Excuse me, but I need to go get Miss Herondale to bed."

She heard him sigh and start to say her name, but she ignored it as she walked out. The worry about the possibility of losing her job was overpowered by the annoyance she felt. Not that long ago, Jace was agreeing with her about Kaelie's terrible parenting. But now all of the sudden he was siding with Kaelie? Even just this morning he had been okay with her simple rule breaking. She was racking her brain trying to figure out what the hell had happened. Did he not fully understand the impact Kaelie's actions were having on CeeCee? She didn't know how long she could refrain from intervening again, but she was going to try her best to follow Jace's orders.

Junior year of college is hard, but I'm trying my best to keep up on this story.