Authors Note:
Wow, it's been a long time! I knew how I wanted this chapter to go, but forming the words was rather difficult but I'm glad it finally came together! Let me know what you think and leave a review! :)
Twenty Six
Time Jump – Ten Weeks Later
When Jace and Clary walked into the hospital, they had no idea what they were in store for. They made their way to the NICU to visit Beverly but when they walked in the whole place was decked out in decorations. Clary and Jace were both incredibly confused.
"What's going on?" Jace asked the nurse and she had the biggest smile on her face.
"Miss. Beverly gets to go home today." She said and Clary immediately started crying. Jace was completely shocked but in the best way possible.
"Seriously?" Jace asked because Clary was still too distraught to talk.
"Very serious. She's amazing, and healthy. There is no need to keep her any longer." The nurse said and Clary finally got it together.
"I get to take my baby home?" Clary said and Jace put his arm around her and pulled her into him.
"You get to take her home." The nurse said and Clary clung onto Jace and he hugged her back just a tightly.
"Thank you so much." Jace said and the nurse nodded. The made their way over to the incubator that Beverly was in and noticed that she didn't have the oxygen attached anymore, and it made Clary's heart swell.
"I can't believe we get to take her home." Clary said as she took her daughter out of the incubator. She was smiling and breathing perfectly, and it just made Clary cry even more.
"I can't wait to finally be a family." Jace said and Clary looked up at him and smiled. She knew how much this meant to Jace, it means just as much to her, but actually hearing the words felt so surreal.
"You ready for the late nights, and the sleepless nights, and early mornings?" Clary asked him and Jace couldn't help but smile.
"I don't care if I don't sleep for the next 3 years." Jace said and Clary laughed. "We finally get to bring our little girl home. I'll take the good, the bad, the ugly, the gross." Jace said. "As long as she's with us, I don't care what challenges she throws at us."
"I can't wait either." Clary said and at that moment Beverly giggled. "You ready to go home with mommy and daddy baby girl?" Clary cooed and Beverly just smiled. "I can't wait to go home with you either." Clary said as she kissed her head.
"Mr. and Mrs. Lightwood." They heard and they both turned their heads towards the nurse. "You just have to fill out these release forms, and you all can go." She said and Jace grabbed them from her and took a seat next to Clary.
"You ready for the rest of our lives with her?" Clary asked Jace.
"I've been ready for months." Jace asked and Clary couldn't help but smile. Jace filled out all the paperwork and handed it to the nurse.
"We've enjoyed your company these past couple months, but I hope we never have to see you again." The nurse said to Jace.
"I hope that as well." Jace said and she smiled and Jace made his way back to Clary and Beverly. Clary was cooing at their incredibly happy daughter and Jace couldn't even begin to explain how happy today made him. "You ready to go?" Jace asked as he got over to them. He kneeled down in front of Clary and took his daughter's hand in his.
"So ready." Clary said and Jace smiled. He took Beverly out of Clary's hands and she gathered all the things. They had kept a carrier and such there just in case they could take her home sooner than expected, and Jace and Clary were both glad they did. Jace secured Beverly in the carrier and she just was non-stop smiles, which made Jace incredibly happy. "She in there?" Clary asked and Jace smiled.
"She's good." Jace said as he picked it up. They walked out of the hospital and both stopped and looked at each other. "You ready?"
"I can't wait." Clary said. They held hands as they made their way to their car. Jace strapped Beverly into the back and they both got into the car and made their way home. Jace kept peaking in the review mirror to make sure she was okay, and Clary thought it was incredibly endearing. This was going to be one hell of an adventure, but they couldn't wait to experience it together.
When they got home, it all started to sink in. They were now in charge of this little life, and that was extremely terrifying, especially for Clary because she already felt like she let her down. Jace was holding Beverly and made his way into the living room and sat down on the couch. He took her out of the carrier and held her close.
"What if we mess up?" Clary asked after a moment and Jace looked at her.
"We will make mistakes Clare, but that doesn't mean we're going to screw her up." Jace said.
"I already failed her. I don't want to do it again." Clary admitted.
"You didn't fail her Clary." Jace said.
"Yes I did. She came into this world 3 months early. She was supposed to have more time. She was supposed to come out healthy. I put her in an incubator and she lived at that hospital for months."
"Listen to me Clarissa Lightwood." Jace said and even though he was using her full names, it made her smile. "You in no way failed out daughter. Sure, she came a little early, but that was due to something you couldn't control." Jace said.
"I'm just scared." Clary said.
"I'm terrified Clary. I know nothing about being a father, but I already love her more than I've loved anything in my life." Jace said.
"Gee thanks." Clary said and Jace laughed.
"You're a close second." Jace said and Clary couldn't help but laugh. "We are going to mess up, but as long as we love her, and provide for her, and show her that she is never alone, that's all she needs." Jace said and Clary was close to crying. "Baby, please don't cry." Jace said and the first tear spilled.
"I'm just really happy she's home." Clary said as she pulled herself together.
"So am I." Jace said and Beverly started to whimper. "I think she's hungry." Clary reached out her hands and Jace handed Beverly over. With no shame, Clary lifted her shirt and Beverly latched on like a pro. Jace put his arm around Clary and she leaned into him as Beverly ate. They both knew this was going to be challenging, but that was parenthood, and even with the fears they were super excited to start being a real family.
~/~/~/~/~/~/~
Izzy and Simon were thrilled that Beverly was home, and the minute they got the call, they both nearly cried. They knew how hard it was for Jace and Clary, and the whole family really. Watching such a small life go through something incredibly difficult was hard.
The minute Izzy hung up the phone with Jace she decided that she didn't want to prolong her wedding to Simon any more. She wanted to be married, and become that boring domestic married couple that their friends made fun of. She realized she didn't need it to be perfect, she just needed Simon, and everything would be perfect.
Today they were heading down to Izzy's parents house because that's where they were having the ceremony. After looking at dozens of places with Magnus, she realized that her parents backyard was perfect, and everything she wanted, which was funny because she'd lived there her whole life and never saw it as anything other than just simply backyard.
"Simon, we have to leave now!" Izzy called upstairs.
"Coming!" Simon called down. After all these years, he knew not to mess with Izzy's schedule, otherwise he'd be in for one angry Izzy, and that was a sight he rarely saw, and for good reasons. Simon walked downstairs where Izzy was waiting and kissed her lightly on the cheek.
"I thought women were supposed to take forever to get ready." Izzy said and Simon laughed.
"I'm afraid I picked up the habit from you my dear." Simon said and Izzy couldn't help but smile.
"Well, we need to get on the road now, because everyone will be at my parents house, and I want to hold my little Beverly." Izzy said and Simon smiled.
"You just want to see her wearing your clothes." Simon said and Izzy laughed.
"It's a perk." Izzy said. "Every picture I get from Clary just makes me want to drive there every day and cuddle her."
"Well, we'll he home for a week an a half, you can cuddle her all you want." Simon said as they got into the car.
The drive took them relatively not time at all, and when they walked into the house they were greeted by their whole family and Izzy and Simon both felt incredibly happy to be apart of this amazing group of people. Izzy's eyes darted towards Beverly, who was happily bouncing up and down on Jace's knee. Seeing Jace in a fatherly role was strange for Izzy, but she saw that glimmer in his eye, and saw how fiercely he loved that little girl. Izzy made her way over and knelt down in front of her.
"Hey there pretty girl." Izzy cooed and Beverly giggled. "She's a happy baby."
"She's a happy baby now." Jace said with a laugh. "You were screaming your lips off last night weren't you baby?" Jace cooed and Izzy smiled.
"That's what babies do Jace." Izzy said and Jace smiled.
"I know, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I will deal with screaming nights every night of the week as long as she's home and healthy." He said and Izzy nodded.
"So she's doing well?" Izzy asked as she played with Beverly's fingers.
"Doctor said she is progressing wonderfully. She will be behind other babies until the age of two, maybe even longer, but the doctors assure us that when compared to other preemies, she's doing exceptional." Jace said with such pride.
"Well, she is a Lightwood, and we are extremely stubborn and determined people." Izzy said and Jace laughed.
"You got that right, plus she's going to be a mini Clary, and that girl is as stubborn as a mule." Jace said and Izzy laughed. Beverly started to fuss and Clary made her way over to us.
"Feeding time little one." Clary said as Jace handed her over to Clary.
"I'll miss you." Izzy cooed and Clary laughed.
"Once I'm done, she's all yours." Clary said and Izzy smiled. Clary made her way upstairs to feed Beverly and Izzy looked back at Jace.
"She looks great in my clothes doesn't she?" Izzy asked and Jace laughed.
"They do fit her rather well. Which is nice." Jace said. "When we first put her in a onsie, she was swimming in it."
"I bet. She's a peanut." Izzy said and Jace simply nodded.
"And you've dressed her for the next couple years, and since we're the prototype for all your new ideas, we don't have to buy clothes, so thank you for that." Jace said and Izzy laughed.
"Anything for you brother." Izzy said. When Clary finally came back down, she handed Beverly over to Izzy who never wanted to let the child go. Izzy would be lying if she said she didn't want children soon. She wanted to be a mother so badly, and just seeing how happy Beverly made Jace and Clary made her want one even more.
"Look at this cutie." Simon said and Izzy smiled. "Oh and look, Beverly is here too." She cooed and she giggled.
"Uncle Simon didn't mean it, you're defiantly the cutest one here." Izzy cooed at the baby who was oblivious to everything but wore her cute gummy smile.
"Alec, Magnus, and Max just arrived." Simon said and Izzy nodded. They walked in and Max immediately ran towards Izzy to see Beverly. Izzy loved how much Max loved his cousin, and how sweet he was towards her.
"Sorry we're late. Max threw a tantrum." Alec said and Simon laughed.
"No worries. Izzy has been soaking up Beverly time." Simon said and Alec laughed.
"Of course she is." Alec said. "She is a cutie."
"Yea." Simon agreed.
Everyone ate dinner and caught up with each other and Beverly was passed around so everyone got equal time with her. Of course Izzy hogged her most of the night, but she just couldn't help it. She loved the little girl so much, and wanted nothing but to cuddle her forever.
By the time 10 rolled around, everyone was getting ready to leave. Beverly was asleep, and Max passed out, and it had been a long day. Izzy and Simon said their goodbyes, and made their way up to Izzy's old room. They got ready for bed and crawled under the covers. It was silent for some time before Izzy broke it.
"Can we start trying to have a kid after we get married." She said bluntly and it caught Simon off guard but he still smiled from ear to ear knowing that she wanted a family soon.
"We can do whatever you want babe." Simon said and Izzy smiled.
"I love you." Izzy said as her eyes started to droop.
"I love you too Iz." Simon said and Izzy was consumed by darkness. Simon felt her breathing even out and he kissed the top of her head. He was marrying this girl next week, and it still seemed for surreal to him, but he wouldn't have it any other way.
~/~/~/~/~/~/~
It was the day of Izzy's wedding, and Alec couldn't believe his little sister was actually getting married. It seemed like yesterday he was scaring boys away from her, and now she was going to be someone's wife. He knocked on her door, and hear faint 'come in'. When Alec opened the door, he was awestruck with how beautiful Izzy looked. She had always been a beautiful girl, but today she looked ethereal.
"Izzy, you are gorgeous." Alec said and Izzy smiled.
"You don't think its too much?" Izzy asked.
"Not at all. This is you, and Simon loves who you are." Alec said and Izzy smiled.
"Is everyone here?" Izzy asked.
"Yup. When you're ready, the ceremony will start." Alec said and she nodded. She looked in the mirror one more time.
"I think I'm ready." She said and Alec smiled.
"Dad is waiting at the bottom of the stairs." Alec said and Izzy smiled. Alec left the room and made his down the stairs where Robert was.
"Is she almost ready?" Robert asked.
"Yea. She should be down in a minute." Alec said and he nodded. Alec made his way over to the other groomsmen, and than the bridesmaids made their way in. Since Clary was the maid of honor, and Alec was the best man, they were walking together and Alec couldn't help but laugh that Jace couldn't' walk with his own wife. He was stuck with a girl that Izzy met in college who was clearly into him, and talked a lot.
The music started and they made their way down the aisle. When it was Izzy's turn, Alec looked at Simon, and he couldn't help but smile at how awestruck Simon looked at the sight of Izzy, and he knew that Simon would always protect his little sister, and if he didn't, he would have Alec to answer too.
Time Jump – Later That Night
The reception was in full swing and everyone was having an amazing time. Alec was currently sitting at the table watching everyone dance when Max came over and sat on his lap. He was dancing the night away, and Alec guessed he was in need of a break. Magnus joined Alec a few moment later, and it turned into a nice family gathering because soon everyone was huddled in a circle talking.
"When am I getting my brother daddy?" Max asked and Alec looked at Magnus. They hadn't told their family they were in the process of adopting again.
"A brother?" Izzy asked.
"Uh, I guess we have some news for you all." Alec said.
"You're adopting another child?" Maryse asked.
"Yes. We are currently in the process of adopting another boy. He's about 5." Magnus explained.
"Well where is he?" Robert asked.
"Buenos Aires." Magnus said.
"Please explain." Jace asked and Alec laughed and looked at Magnus.
"A couple months ago, I was in Buenos Aires on business and I took a day to explore the city." Magnus explained. "When I was walking I noticed a little boy following me. At first I didn't think anything of it, but after an hour, I decided to ask him if he was lost." Magnus said. "When I asked if he'd like me to take him back to his home, he nodded, and I told him to led the way. He led me to a dumpster he was sleeping next too, and my heart broke." Magnus said and Alec took his hand in his. "I brought him to the equivalent of Child Protective Services, and asked if he was an orphan or a run away. They had no information on him, and he didn't even remember having parents. I couldn't do nothing, so I asked if I had a chance of adopting."
"And they just said yes?" Izzy asked.
"No. They wanted to meet us as a family to see if we were suitable." Magnus explained. "We went down a week later and Max and him bonded instantly. They told us that we needed to go through the process, and than we could bring him home."
"How long until he's here?" Clary asked.
"The paperwork should be done next week, and than we go and get him." Alec said. "Max has been bugging us since we went to meet him about him coming home."
"I just want my brother." Max said and it was the sweetest thing everyone heard.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Maryse asked.
"Because everyone was worried about Beverly, and in the middle of planning Izzy's wedding, I didn't need to as something else to your already long list. Plus it's not like he was here. He had to stay in Argentina until the paperwork was finished." Alec explained. "We were going to tell you after the wedding was over." He said and everyone nodded.
"What's his name?" Robert asked.
"Rafael, but he prefers to be called Rafe." Magnus said and everyone nodded again.
"Well, we can't wait to meet him." Robert said and Alec and Magnus smiled.
"He's the sweetest boy. He's pretty shy around people, but once he warms up to you, he one of the nicest kids." Magnus explained.
"This family just keeps getting bigger and bigger." Maryse said with the biggest smile on her face. The family talked a little more about the newest additions, both Simon and Rafe, and Alec couldn't help but smile at how excited everyone was to meet him. Max had fallen asleep in Alec's arms, and they decided to take in the house so he could sleep peacefully. Alec tucked him in and kissed his head followed by Magnus.
"Night daddy." Max said sleepily.
"Night Maxy." Alec said.
"Night Papa." Max said and Magnus smiled.
"Night Blueberry." Magnus said and than Max was out light a light. Magnus took Alec's hand in his and they went back to the reception. The rest of the night both Magnus and Alec couldn't stop smiling and thinking about Rafe. They were excited about getting a new addition, and how happy they were that they were so receptive of Rafe without even meeting him yet. Everything was falling into place, and they couldn't wait to start living as one big happy family.