Haii guys, here's a new chapter!

Clary isn't married but there is a kid in this one. :)

Rella XoXo: Yes, Luke is the dog in Ch2.

ICanExplain: Yeah Rissa and Clary are the same person it's just that her personality toughens up so she changes her nickname.

GUYS I'M TAKING PART IN THE SHAKEDSPEARE SCHOOL PLAY FESTIVAL. WE'RE DOING MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. SHOULD I BE HELENA OR HERMIA?!

Disclaimer: I DON'T OWN THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS, CASSIE CLARE DOES.

Chapter 16: Of New Boyfriends and Past Ones

I was getting my son, Ryan ready for school. "You buckled up?" I asked looking at the rear view mirror.

"Yes mommy." He replied.

Oh Angel… How can something so innocent and pure come from such a… jerk? Will Owen was his name. Six years ago we fell in love. Five years ago I got pregnant. When he found out, he fled. Fled. Left a note about how he couldn't raise a child at 19. Hell, did he think I could then? Alone?! I haven't seen him or heard from him since. Good riddance I suppose.

We arrived shortly at the school and Alicante Primary School and I walked Ryan to his class room.

I bent down to his level, "Alright, I'm gonna pick you up later, wait for me here, what's our number one rule?" I asked.

"Don't talk to strangers." He responded.

"Even if they have dogs?"

"Even if they have a cute puppy."

I smiled. "Give mommy a kiss." He gave me a goodbye hug and kissed my cheek.

"Bye mommy."

"Goodbye Angel." I watched him go up to Sophie Lightwood, his best friend who also happens to be the daughter of my best friend.

"Clary!" That would be her. I wasn't the only one who got pregnant at 19, Izzy did too. I promise it totally wasn't planned. She and Simon are still together, too… She's lucky.

"Hey Iz!" I gave her a hug.

"How's Ryan? He and Sophie are getting closer and closer." He wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

"Oh, no. Don't. They're five, Isabelle!"

"They're soulmates. That's any age."

I rolled my eyes.

"Hey, you're not too old to find yours." She looked down at her watch. "Oh man, I have a meeting I have to get to. By the way, one of my friends from work, Jace, will be picking Soph up later."

"Okay… why are you telling me?" I raised an eyebrow. Yes, I can finally do it!

"So you don't call the police or claim he's kidnapping her. I know what your number one rule is. Ryan tells Soph, Soph tells me. She tells me everything."

"Oh, well enjoy that, in her teenage years it'll be secrets and more secrets."

"Anyway, Jace has golden blonde hair and light brown gold-ish eyes. He might be wearing a suit…" Isabelle works for her father's law firm while I just lounged in the manor estate, Alicante is quite vast and there are manors scattered everywhere near the countryside.

I nodded. "Okay, I'll see you when I see you."

I drove back to the school at 3pm. Ryan and Sophie came out together as they normally do.

"Hey aunt Clary!" She said as she saw me, giving me a hug. We're not related but Isabelle and I are like sisters and we always talked about how we'd have our kids call the other their aunt.

"Hey gorgeous." She had inherited Simon's brown hair and their brown eyes and Izzy's flawless pale skin.

Ryan got my ginger locks and Will's intense blue eyes, though they looked serene on Ryan for now.

Sophie whispered into my ear. "My mommy thinks that Ryan is my soulmate, do you think so?" She pulled away and I saw the look in her eyes…

"Yeah. You're perfect for each other."

She had a huge smile on her face.

I turned to Ryan. "Heya there buddy. So how was school?"

"Sam Verlac was mean to Sophie." Ryan said. "I pushed him into the sandpit." I wanted to laugh, what a gentleman; to defend his lady. But I needed to be mature. It sucks being an adult.

"You shouldn't do that. You have to talk to them, don't use actions. Next time don't push him into a sandpit just tell him to stop."

"Actions speak louder than words, miss." An unfamiliar voice spoke up. I stood up and looked at who it was.

Gold hair, gold eyes, suit… "Jace?"

"You must be Clary." He held out his hand. "Pleasure to meet you."

I shook his hand. "Well, if you didn't just tell me kid that I'm wrong I'm sure it would be."

He chuckled. "I'm sorry." He turned to Ryan. "Don't get into fights, kid. You see, all my advice is great."

I laughed softly.

"You have a nice laugh." He commented.

I gave him a look. "Really? That's the best you've got?"

Then he gave me a look as if to say is that a challenge? "Oh honey I've got a ton of pickup lines for you. You ready?" I smiled and nodded. "I'm not a photographer but I can picture me and you together." Then he gave me a playful wink.

"Ahaha that's good."

"I know right." He said cockily. "Can I get directions?"

"To where?"

"Your heart." He smirked.

"Okay Mr. Flirt. That's enough. Stop flirting with Aunt Clary." Said a small voice. We looked down and saw Sophie.

I cleared my throat. "We should get going."

"Yeah of course. Wouldn't want your husband to find out you've allowed a guy to flirt with you.

"Mommy doesn't have a husband." Ryan cut in. "Or boyfriend."

Jace raised his eyebrows. "Really? Now why would a beautiful young lady like you not have a partner to help you raise your child?"

"Well, I did… till he skipped town and left me pregnant."

His eyes softened. "I'm sorry about that."

"It's okay." I started to walk away, holding Ryan's hand when Jace called out.

"One more. I seem to have lost my phone number. Can I have yours?"

"That's so cheesy!" I laughed. "Do you have a pen?"

He swiped a pen from his pocket and I wrote my number on the back of his hand.

"Use responsibly." I winked.

"Will do, Miss."

"Mommy, I wanna go home!" Ryan said shaking me out of the trance I was in.

"Okay, bye Sophie. Bye Jace."

They waved goodbye.

"Do you like him, Mommy?" Ryan asked.

"Um... well yeah. Yeah I do. He seems like a nice guy."

"Just like you did with my dad?"

"No… I hardly know Jace, Ryan."

"I want a dad, mommy."

"I know. Me too." I didn't want him to grow up without a father figure to be there for him for all those times that a child just needs a dad. But it's not exactly that easy to find someone who will accept that you have a child from someone else.

We got into the car and drove home.

Three days later, Jace called me.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Clary. It's Jace."

"Oh, hey! Wow you actually called."

"Yep. I'm not a jerk! So I was thinking, do you wanna like, go on a um… a date? On, uh Saturday?"

I raised an eyebrow. He was stuttering… He didn't seem like the kind of guy to stutter. "Yeah, sure. Where to? And when?"

"To this restaurant called Java Jones. I'll pick you up at 7?"

"Alright, I'll text you my address."

"See you then."

I was familiar with Java Jones. It was an average restaurant but with amazing food. Kind of unexpected from Jace who wears a suit and is a big shot lawyer.

I had texted him my address yesterday and no I'm preparing what to wear, unlike Isabelle I don't take 4 hours to decide.

I picked a sheer white button up blouse, wearing a light pink bandeau underneath, and light blue ripped skinny jeans with light pink high heels. My hair was straightened and worn down.

Ryan was at Isabelle's for today since I didn't really want to have to pay and look for a baby sitter.

I heard the door bell and hurried down the stairs. I put my phone and wallet, just in case, into my Michael Kors purse that I put on across my body.

"Hey," He greeted with a smile.

"Hiya." We walked to his fancy car.

"Nice… um, manor." He commented.

"Thanks. It's been in the family for generations."

When we arrived we talked and talked.

"It feels good to be with someone in a nice restaurant as opposed to business meetings and such." He commented.

"Yeah, you must be sick of those."

"You know, you're really pretty."

"Thanks. You know you're really cheesy."

"Yeah. Wait, what? I was thinking you'd say I was really hot…"

I shook my head. "You're really vain. I know that."

"So… what's your story?"

"With Ryan? I already told you…" I don't know why I told him. I just felt like I could trust him.

"Well, it was a summary. I can tell that you're still hurting. You know why? Coz you've bottled it all up inside. Believe me, I've been there, done that."

"You got pregnant too?"

He laughed sarcastically. "Very funny." Then he stood up and held out a hand. "Wanna get out of here?"

I had finished my food and we had already paid so I took his hand.

We didn't do what you think… We just walked and talked.

"His name was Will Owen. My uh… high school sweetheart. I think he may have gone back to Wales but all I know is that he's long gone. We were together for a year. Then a few months after the anniversary I found out I was pregnant. I loved him and I thought that he'd be… understanding. Guess I was wrong since he left, with nothing but a note saying I'm sorry, I can't raise a child, not at this day and age. Sucks to be left behind."

"Like I said. I've been there… I didn't get her pregnant and I'm not the one who left her… She left me. She was cheating on me with this guy called Nathaniel Gray. Never knew she was so unhappy with me. We were together for 7 months but it doesn't mean it didn't hurt."

"Guess we've both lost past lovers." I held his hand and he laced his fingers through mine.

"Yeah…" He leaned in and kissed me softly.

Jace and I have been together for 2 months, time has definitely gone by. Ryan was all good with Jace since Jace takes him out to do all sorts of things which I appreciate.

"Hey!" It was Jace, I met him by the foyer and gave him a hug.

"Where's Ryan?" I asked as I let go.

"He's at Isabelle's. I was thinking that we could get some alone time tonight."

I smirked and wrapped my arms around him, reaching up and kissing him.

I felt his hands wander then suddenly my feet were off the ground and automatically wrapped around his waist. Jace started to walk up the stairs and I held on for dear life.

"Oh my God, Jace."

"Don't worry, honey. I've got you."

We actually made it to my bedroom when he carefully dropped me onto the bed.

He took off my loose tank top, throwing it to the back of the room, leaving me in my bra and shorts. Then he took off his shirt placing it by me.

And then the mood was ruined.

The doorbell rang and Jace groaned. "What great timing…" He grunted.

"I'm not expecting anyone…" I mumbled putting on his t-shirt as the doorbell rang again. I hurried down the stairs, Jace following after me.

I opened the door and my jaw practically dropped to the floor.

William Owen.

I did the only thing that felt logical at the time and slammed the door in his face.

Jace frowned. "Who is it?"

"Ex-boyfriend. Father of Ryan." I whispered.

"Claryy! I know you're there! Open the door."

"What the hell do I do?" I asked Jace.

"Open the door."

And so I did. Then I slapped him.

"How dare you. What the hell do you think you're doing here?!"

"I know I shouldn't have left you. I realise that now. I just… I couldn't raise a child."

"And what? You think I could? I was 19! You're older than me by two years. What the hell, Will."

"I know… But I'm the irresponsible one, we both know that."

"Yeah. That's what got me pregnant. Now you should leave."

I was about to close the door again but then Will yelled, "I want to see my son."

"Alright that's it." I heard Jace mumble, I stepped aside as he walked through the door and gave Will a well-deserved punch in the jaw. "Get outta here, jerk."

"Hiding behind a new lover huh, Clary? Like I said, I want to see my son. I have the right to."

"You lost that right when you left." I spat.

Jace pushed him way roughly. "Leave."

And he did.

We both went back inside. "He can't like… sue me or whatever to get custody of Ryan, right?"

"You've got the best lawyer at your side, baby. So you're safe."

I decided to call Isabelle; I didn't want Ryan to come here in case he shows up.

"Izzy, can Ryan stay there for a while longer? Will's in town and he doesn't know that Ryan's there, I wanna keep it that way."

"Yeah, sure. That's not a problem. Max's old clothes are somewhere here so he can borrow them. What's Will doing back here?"

"He wants Ryan."

"You're not… gonna give let him have Ryan are you?"

"No. Of course not."

ISABELLE POV

"Well I won't let Will anywhere near Ryan." I answered. "Okay, bye."

"What?" I heard a small voice behind me as I ended the call.

"Ryan… uh did you hear all that?"

"My… my dad's here?" He asked.

"Yes. But, you don't want to meet him. He's a horrible man who left your mom."

"But… he doesn't want to meet me? At all?"

I was about to answer no but then I saw his face and how his eyes held hope.

"He does… but your mother doesn't want him to see you. After all that he's done… you're mother's still quite angry."

"Can you please talk to her? I want to see my dad. Please Aunt Isabelle?!" He gave me those puppy dog eyes that are impossible for me to resist.

"Okay. I'll talk to her later. I'm sure everything will be fine."

CLARY POV

"Absolutely not. I am not going to allow him anywhere near my son."

Isabelle asked me to meet up with her at Seraph Bakes but I didn't expect her to ask this of me.

"Clarissa, he has a right to know who his father is."

"But Isabelle…" I couldn't really come up with a reasonable explanation, I was being selfish. I didn't want Ryan to spend so much time with Will that he'll prefer him. It's always been just the two of us.

I sighed. "Alright. I'll call Will." I was able to find out where he was staying with the help of Alec, Izzy's brother, who is great at finding people since he is a police officer.

Later…

We were at Taki's, we as in me and Ryan, waiting for Will. Oh Angel, I can't believe I;m doing this.

He's gonna stand us up.

He's gonna be a disappointment.

I raised Ryan's hope.

Ryan's gonna be heart–

Then he walked through the door.

He's here?! Damn. I mean… yay.

"Clary." He greeted.

"William. This is Ryan."

Ryan looked up at him with a huge smile.

"Hey little guy."

"Hi!"

"You can call me dad if you want."

Dad? Uh, no I don't think so. "Why don't we stick to Will for now. Don't want anyone's hopes to be too high only to be crushed because of a certain someone."

Will sighed. "Well, why don't we go to the park?"

"Ryan has hay fever. And it's spring; not good for him."

"Oh come on, mom. Just this once."

I thought for a moment then took a deep breath. Why am I even trying? He wants to be with Will. "Okay, fine. Just meet me back at my house, later. I'll be with Jace."

Ryan gave me a hug. "Thank you mom."

"He's in good hands, Clary." Jace said as he hugged me from behind. I was making mac and cheese, not sure if Will would be spending dinner here. Oh Angel please no.

"How would you know that?" I asked.

"Well you fell in love with the guy in the past, right? There has to be a few good qualities about him."

I gave a small hint of a smile. This guy…. He's so accepting. That I have a past, that I loved someone before him, that I had a child with said someone.

He's definitely a keeper.

"Damn right, I am." Jace whispered into my neck.

I didn't even notice that I said that last part out loud.

"I love you." I said.

"I love you too."

Yeah... It was a sudden end. I was sooo stuck on how to end this chapter. Does anyone have any ideas?

:) :) Any more suggestions?

Please review!

Till next time ~ Liz Ashley xxx