12. Bereavement.

Simon woke up to the sunlight beaming through the blinds of his windows. Being a vampire that walked in the daylight didn't stop the light from stinging. He brought a hand up and rubbed, before getting fully out of bed, throwing the covers off his leg, and swinging them off the bed. It may have been early, but he needed to see Clary and see how she was doing. Jace was nice enough to text him to let him know she was okay. But everything had happened so fast, and he hasn't even gotten the chance to go see her, due to the fact that he can't enter the Institute. He was sure she was in the infirmary, or else she would have come see him by now.

He blindly made his way to the kitchen where he would dig around the fridge for some blood. He knows he saved some; the crappy part of it would be that it's cold. But it would wake him fully. His roommates were either still asleep, or have left without him for the day. Which he was fine with, today he was going to see if he could see Clary. But when he came into the living room, he was startled by a sleeping figure on his couch. His fangs shot out their sheaths, and he approached the figure with caution. When he was close enough, he realized who it was. Long raven hair, a slim figure, and white skin.

Isabelle.

What was she doing in his apartment, on his sofa? He shook her awake, and she shifted until she somewhat faced him. When her eyes opened, she pulled out a hidden dagger from beneath her covers, making Simon step back with his hands in the air as defense.

"Whoa! It's only me! Put that away!" She rolled her eyes and sat up fully, revealing a pretty red blouse as her top.

"Put away your fangs, that's what startled me!" She retorted.

"It's my apartment!"

"Simon!" He let out a groan and retracted his fangs to their hiding place in his mouth. She sighed and put away her dagger. She pulled her covers off of her, and swung her legs on to the floor. Revealing her high buckle up boots, where the sheath for her dagger was strapped. She wore a black shirt, and black leggings. She was fully dressed, why was she here?

"Mind telling me what you're doing here?" Simon walked passed her and into the kitchen to retrieve his blood.

"I needed a place to crash." She said numbly. "You don't sound happy to see me." Her voice was full of question. Simon downed his drink before answering her. He came back into the walkway between the kitchen and the living room, where he leaned against the wall.

"It's not that." His voice softened. "You surprised me, is all." She forced a smile, and sat back further into the couch while releasing a long sigh. She sounded tired, like she didn't get enough sleep, and the couch did little to help.

"How's Clary?" He finally asked. "Is she alright?" Something in her eyes changed when she looked at him. It made Simon a bit uneasy.

"Of course she's fine!" She said in too much of an optimistic tone. "Why do you care so much?" Why wouldn't he? She's his best friend, and she disappeared for almost two days. Why the hell wouldn't he be worried?

"She's my best friend!" He retaliated. "I don't know about you and your kind, but any normal person cares when someone disappears for a couple of days, due to kidnapping." His voice was dripping with anger for her and her stupid Nephilim ways. He cared for Izzy, hell, may even be falling for her. But it's a little difficult to like someone who is from a race that doesn't understand friendship and family. What's not to understand about it?

"Even if she choses the hotter warrior over her best friend since childhood?" Her voice dripped with venom as she smiled devilishly at him. That struck him deep, but what struck him even deeper was the fact that she even said it.

"Why are you being like this?" He asked genuinely.

"Answer my question first!" She demanded. Simon swallowed, he knew it hurt, it was more hurtful then when he fell and broke his arm at age six, or when he transformed into a vampire, but it also hurt even more to not have a friend.

"Fine!" He said, and stood up straight. "The answer is yes, even if she does chose someone else over me!"

"Why!" She yelled. "I don't get you damn mundanes, you'll forgive even when someone doesn't deserve forgiving!"

"Who are you to judge, Isabelle?" Simon shouted. "God is the only one that does that! Not your pathetic Nephilim race! Besides, Clary didn't do anything wrong!"

"Oh really?" She responded like one of those annoying adults who think they know better, just because you're a kid, and they're adults. "Taking Jace over you wasn't wrong?"

"No it wasn't, because you cannot force someone to love you, Isabelle!" He shouted out of frustration that she just didn't understand. He was hoping that his roommates truly were out; he would feel bad for waking them. "She loves me as a friend, a brother. And as much as I would rather her love me the same way she loves Jace it just doesn't always work out the way you want it. She just doesn't look at me like that! And what am I going to do? Sulk and hate her for something she literally can't help. I'm not going to throw a temper-tantrum because something didn't go my way. I'm not a fucking spoiled brat like you, Isabelle!"

Her eyes froze in shock at his words. Simon couldn't help but smile to himself, knowing that he had hit her deep. It felt good; he wasn't going to lie about that. He cares about Isabelle deeply, but telling any of those stupid shadowhunters off felt amazing. He watched her regain herself, and shrugs like she was shaking off all the embarrassment he caused her.

"Tell me then," She started up again, he couldn't help to roll his eyes. "If she never met Jace, never met any of us; do you think you two would be together now? Answer honestly, Simon." He has pictured it so many times; he and Clary walking the halls at their school holding hands, Eric patting him on the back for finally getting out his feelings, going to homecoming, going to prom, getting married, having children.

"Yes." He said softly. "I do." She let out a sigh, a sigh that says I have sympathy for you, but also says; I have sympathy for you, because you are pathetic.

"Well, let me tell you what I think." She said. "I disagree, I think Clary has only ever seen you as a brother whether Jace is there or not. If she saw you as anything else, she would've been more jealous of your girlfriends, and of me. But she wasn't. I think someone else would've come along and took her from you if Jace didn't. I also think that if you two did end up together it would be more of a back up. Like; 'if we're not married by age thirty-five lets get married' sort of thing. Just bringing up the real world, baby."

Simon looked at her in shock, and possibly sadness too. Maybe she was right, Clary never saw him like that. Whether Jace was there or not. He decided to let go of the subject, he really didn't want to talk about it anymore, not to mention he was still concerned on why Isabelle was on his couch, and why she is being so resentful against Clary all of the sudden.

"What is the matter?" He finally asked her. "Why are you bitchy?"

"I'm always bitchy." She retorted.

"Okay," He nodded. "Why are you ten times more bitchy today?" He decided to act like Jace for once. Her eyes adverted to him, and she glared for a moment before finally answering.

"I shouldn't of come here," she said. "You're only going to stick up for her."

"Whose to say that?" He went over and sat down next to her. "I'll be honest regardless. If she's wrong, then I'll say it, but if she isn't then I wont say she's wrong. Again Isabelle, you can't always have what you want. So what happened?" She sucked in a breath like she was ready to take a dive and began explaining the whole thing.

She told him about the fact that Clary was in fact kidnapped, that she had rescued a little boy who had been kidnapped by the same guy five years ago. Then she went on to tell him that the boy was completely traumatized, and stabbed her. After she finished the whole story, detail-to-detail, he sat there frozen, trying to take it all in.

Who could do that to a boy? Raise him like that; take him away from his family. Then he stabbed someone? He turned his head to see that she was watching him closely, waiting for a response.

"And you're angry, because Clary is still trying to defend this boy after he stabbed you?"

"YES!" She snapped. Simon put both his hands up in defense.

"Okay, okay!" He scooted a tiny bit away from her as if it would shield him from any damage she could inflict upon him. "Clary was always like that." He continued. She looked at him curiously. "One time she found a bunny in the woods by Luke's farm. It had a broken leg; she refused to believe it was done for. She nursed that thing back to health in no time. We were only seven. The funny thing is, I know it was grateful." Isabelle rolled her eyes.

"Why?"

"Because till this day it comes back to say hi, whenever we're their." He said softly. "He isn't afraid of her at all, it comes waltzing back every time it knows she's there."

She looked speechless at first; she turned her head away and seemed to be focused on the blank wall across the living room. Simon watched her for a few minutes before finally saying something else. "I understand why you're angry." He said. "But she has her reasons. She doesn't think what he did was right; she wants to teach him that what he did was wrong. That's all." She still said nothing, the only thing she did was look down into her lap.

"Look at it this way…" He paused and spoke softly. "That could've been you." She finally looked at him, her eyes filled with confusion.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"He was just an innocent little boy playing in his backyard when a stranger barged into his life, and destroyed everything he knew and loved. If that never happened, he would be normal. Going to school, making friends, fighting with his parents, or not fighting with them. He would be just some kid we pass on the street every day. Just assuming he's another happy child. But one stranger can come take away all of that in one swift moment. He didn't choose his fate. Someone else did. Just like a stranger came into your life, took away your little brother, and ruined your parents marriage." He finally finished his little speech, and watched as Isabelle's eyes filled with tears. It was rare when she showed her vulnerable side, but when she did, he had to admit… it was beautiful.

Just because she was showing just how human she truly was.

0o0o0

Alec had come over and warned us that Maryse was taking the high road and contacting the Clave. It made Jace worry, but for some odd reason, I wasn't worried in the least. Alec did confirm it would take time before they would respond, mostly because they had more important things to do. Probably by that time, mom and Luke will be home from their honeymoon, and it'll be way passed Christmas. I know they will come eventually, but at least we have the time to coach Adam into shape. That way we can prove we'd be great guardians for him.

Days went by, and soon weeks. He was learning so well. We started off by teaching him sign language. Every day we would take him to the park, or outside in my back yard, and make him pick out things, and tell us what they were in sign language. He was getting it! And it made me thrilled. We could finally communicate with him!

Mom sent me a letter telling me to spend Thanksgiving with the Lightwoods, that she was sorry for the delay. I was actually somewhat thrilled. I know that when they return I am in for it. Not to mention they deserved a long vacation. But Angel knows that Jace, Adam and I aren't spending Thanksgiving with the Lightwoods, we have been disowned for the time being. Magnus comes by quite often to check on us, and Adam; who has taken quite a liking to Magnus. I think it's because he brings him candy every time he comes. Which is starting to somewhat get on my nerves. I want the kid to gain weight, but I don't want him to get fat! Speaking of which; he has been gaining a little weight, thank the Angel! Because whenever Jace and I took him to the park, I could tell other parents thought we were starving him. They gave us weird looks, and I could tell that they were whispering to their children to not play with him.

Bitches! Who does that! That's okay, Jace and I played with him.

We take turns reading to him every night, so far Adam's favorite book is To Kill A Mockingbird. Which thrills me since it's one of my favorites as well. He still only has the couple of outfits that I had bought him weeks ago, so sometimes I let him wear my band T's since Jace's clothes would be like tents on him. Simon had contacted me a few times, and I told him that as much as I missed him, it would be best if he waits a while before he comes over. I know he'll only startle Adam. Angel knows Magnus did in the beginning. Adam is still on the I'll kill you if you mess with me side. I know because a little boy on the playground was making fun of my red hair, and teasing him for being mute.

"You know what you are? Deaf and dumb!" The kid told him, which was a big mistake on his part.

Adam isn't deaf, but he sure as hell isn't a weakling either, because he punched that boy's jaw clear off his face. I was worried at first because the mother was furious, but Magnus took care of it. Jace and I had to sit down with Adam and explain to him that because he cannot feel pain, he can cause severe damage to others when he fights, and that it's best for him not to. Of course Jace couldn't help cheering him on

I saw him smile largely for the first time, and that was when he was curiously examining my guitar. I haven't learned much on it, but I told him that Simon would teach him one day. It made him smile so big that I learned that he has dimples. I never knew, because he would never completely smile for us.

Magnus and Simon decided to somehow search public records and find out when his birthday was for me, today would be the first day that Simon gets to meet him.

0o0o0

"What does that say?" I asked Adam pointing at the book. He looked down at it, and wrinkled his nose, before signing what he was reading.

My cat has nine lives; I know this cause he always lands on his feet.

"Good!" I said to him. And took the book from him, and closing it for the day. He tugged at my shirt, and I looked at him;

Do cats really have nine lives?

I laughed at him, and shook my head. "No, it's a common misconception. They have magnificent reflexes, that's why they always land on their feet."

So, if a kitten is born, and is run over by a car it dies?

"Very gruesome, but yes." I answered him.

Good! He said. Because I was going to say that's not fair!

I laughed at that, when I heard a hard knock on the front door. I started putting away half his stuff, then said he was done for the day, and that if he finished putting away the rest of his schoolbooks he could go play. He smiled and obeyed, while I went to the door. Simon and Magnus were there with a big box of stuff. "We got everything you could possibly need." Simon said holding the heavy box. I let them in, Simon wobbling around with the box due to how heavy it was. "You know, I still don't understand why you couldn't help carry this, Magnus." Simon said with strain in his voice as he put the box down on the counter.

"Darling, these nails are brand new paint, I can't take the risk, I'm sorry. Besides your scrawny bod could use a muscle tone." Completely ignoring them, I went straight for the box pulling out things one by one.

"A birth certificate." I said out loud as I pulled it out.

Adam Bryant Bristoll

Born: April 07 1998 11:15PM To: James Michael Bristoll
Maria Elizabeth Bristoll

Weight: 7 lbs 9 oz

"So he is eleven!" I shouted so Jace could hear me from the other room. When I did that he came walking around the corner, dusting off his hands, and putting them in his pockets.

"When is his birthday?" He asked.

"April seventh."

"Damn." Jace whispered. Simon looked at him curiously.

"What?" Simon asked.

"That's only five months from now." Simon shrugged his shoulder a bit.

"So? That's far away to me."

"No it's not!" Jace retaliated. "He's almost twelve years old." I knew what Jace was saying, he was almost a teenager. Which was kind of weird. He was tall, but he still looked so young to me. Not to mention we're teenagers ourselves. He's like a little brother to us, not a child.

"I'm still not seeing how five months is short to you." Simon's tone dripped with sarcasm.

"It may seem long, Daylighter. But before we know it five months will pass and it'll be April."

"I'm still not understanding why the date concerns you so much." Jace's jaw flexed, and his fists tightened. I hated being in the same room with these two, and to be one hundred percent honest, Simon is usually the instigator.

"I am just overwhelmed by the fact that our boy is almost a teenager!" The fact that Jace put a lot of emphasis on the word our made me smile. He was fully embracing the fact that Adam was now ours, and that we were a family.

"Overwhelmed with raising a child? Doesn't surprise me. Can't even imagine what it'll be like when Clary actually gets pregnant." I watched Simon quiver at the thought, and I rolled my eyes. I saw Jace get angry, and was going to attempt at getting in Simon's face when a smaller figure stood between them.

Adam was standing in between them, and glaring up at Simon. I saw Simon become nervous and step back, at first I couldn't understand why until I saw that Adam was holding a fork tightly in his grip, obviously threatening Simon with it.

"Hehehe" Jace chuckled. "Looks like my boy has got my back!"

"Jace!" I shouted. "Don't encourage him!" I walked over to Adam, and took the fork from his hand. "This," I said. "Is for eating your food, not hurting people!" I said sternly. He looked up at me through his upper brow, and under his bangs. He brought his fist up against his chest, rubbing it in circular motions. "I know you're sorry, but you can't hurt people. Okay?" He nodded. I looked at Simon and apologized. He looked a little flabbergasted, but he'd be okay. I looked at Adam and told him to apologize to Simon. His eyes widened.

Why?

"Because you don't threaten people! It's wrong!" He crossed him arms and pouted.

Make him apologize to Jace, and I'll apologize!

Jace chuckled from behind him. I glared at him, and his smirked slipped off his face. Simon was looking at all of us, not understanding what Adam was saying. I huffed and agreed.

"Simon, apologize to Jace!"

"What!-Why?" He whined.

"Because Adam is right, you were being disrespectful, so if he apologizes than you need to." Simon groaned at looked at Jace who batted his eyes at him.

"mmsorrymm."

"What was that?" Jace asked. "I didn't hear it."

"I said I'm sorry!" Simon shouted. Adam smugly grinned until he saw the look on my face and wiped it away.

"Now you apologize to Simon, Adam." Adam looked at Simon sincerely, and began signing his apology.

I'm sorry I threatened to kill you with a fork.

"What did he say?" Asked Simon.

"He said that he's sorry he threatened to kill you with a fork." I answered.

"um… it's okay I guess." Simon answered awkwardly. Adam smiled and went to leave when I stopped him.

"Adam wait." He stopped and turned around; I motioned him to come here. He obeyed and stood by the table where we had the box. I pulled out something that I would hope that he would remember. It was a stuffed puppy with a missing ear, and nose. She knew it must've belonged to him.

"Do you remember this?" I asked him. He gently took it from me, and looked at it closely, I watched as images flashed before his eyes, before slowly hugging it to his chest tightly, like someone was going to take it from him. There was a pen and paper on the table, he turned to it and wrote….

His name is Champ…

I read the note and looked back at Adam who was now holding the stuffed animal tightly with his thumb in his mouth and tears running down his face….

AN: I changed Adam's last name to the original film's last name for the boy. I didn't like mine. So for those who notice the change.

Other than that... REVIEW! :D