AN: HELLO ALL OF YOU BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE.

I apologize for this stuff. My updates have been weird. AND DID ANYONE ELSE WATCH 50 SHADES OF GREY.

THAT STUFF WAS... ajdk hokdhaljkd adljka.

IDK. It was interesting. Tell me what you guys thought of it. I watched it with my sister and we laughed so hard and I have no idea why.

Alright. So, also, I have a new story up for those who didn't notice. It's called Serendipity and it's the first time I'm writing something based on my feelings and things that have happened to me. Huh. Go read it if you want to and tell me what you think.

ANYWAYS

ENJOY.

-Clary P.O.V-

All of my friends and family are gathered in a loose circle around my daughter. I can name every single person in this room: first name, second name, last name. Hands down. No problem. Though we're not here to play spin the bottle or to do something as juvenile as just talk. No. We're all here for the, slightly under 5 foot, 11 year old girl in the center.

Her inquisitive eyes dart around warily. She frequently turns around to look at her sister in the corner of the room. Every time Charlie turns to Jordyn, the younger of the twins gives her an encouraging smile and a slight wave.

"Baby?" I begin softly. Large golden orbs meet mine, an fiery hot sun on cool, calming green grass. "Do you have anything to say before we start asking you questions?"

Long aureate curls bounce back and forth as my daughter silently shakes her head, biting her full bottom lip.

I take in a deep breath of air and release slowly through my nose.

"Okay, sweetie," Isabelle clears her throat and blinks quickly. "Do you want to tell us what happened one more time so Uncle Simon can hear it?"

"Do I really have to recount these events, again, Mom?" Charlotte pouts petulantly and absently picks at her cuticles.

"Yes, honey," I give her a tight smile. "Just one more time."

My first-born daughter turns to her twin. Jordyn just gives her another reassuring smile and waves her hand dismissively. Sighing, Charlie begins to repeat, verbatim, what she's told us many times before. As Charlotte nears the end of her story, we all begin to carefully scrutinize Simon's reaction. His warm chocolate brown eyes grow cold and get wider behind his thick frames.

Jace, who's sitting cross-legged beside me, motions for Charlie to walk towards him. Without hesitation, she settles on her father's lap, curling up tightly. Her breathing soon becomes steady and we all realize that the clutches of sleep have caught her.

"So what do we do now?" Charlie's twins stands up, adjusting her leather jacket smoothly. We all stare at the confident little girl, leather jacket on her shoulders, combat boots on her feet.

"We put her," Jace points to Charlotte's sleeping form draped over his lap, "to bed."

"And after that?"

Jace shrugs.

"Who knows? I guess we just hope that this never happens again, right?"

Everyone nods simultaneously.

"Can I just ask a question?" My second-born daughter turns to me, her brow furrowed.

"What is it, sweetie?"

"Why are you guys all gathered in a circle? You look like a cult."

I perch on the edge of the sofa, talking quietly with Seelie and Jon.

"So are you guys pregnant yet?" I whisper eagerly.

Seelie sighs and shakes her head morosely.

"Unfortunately not," Jonathan looks down at his shoes. "Though we're trying."

I grin at my brother before patting Seelie's knee comfortingly.

"It'll happen guys, don't worry."

My brother's wife just nods her head but suddenly lights up.

"Speaking of which, when's Jack due? It feels like you've been pregnant for forever, Clare."

I chuckle.

"It feels that way too, sometimes. I'm a little more than ready for him to get his lazy butt out of here."

Seelie laughs, a light, tinkly laugh that sounds familiarly like a bell. My brother chuckles lowly. I can feel a looming presence hanging over me. Strong tattooed arms wrap themselves around my shoulders. Soft lips touch my temple and I smile sheepishly when I feel golden hair against the back of my neck.

"Hey, baby," he whispers in my ear. "Can I talk to you?"

I nod compliantly, excusing myself from my conversation with Jon and Seelie. Seelie gives me an eyebrow wiggle and I wink back at her.

Jace tugs my arm through winding hallways until he gets to the study. Gesturing for me to sit on his lap, I do so and bury my face in his neck.

"What's up, Dickhead?" I stare up into his eyes innocently, using his nickname from years ago.

He chuckles lightly.

"Just needed to talk, Tiny," he reciprocates my teasing and I shoot a mock glare in his direction. Though he holds his hands up in surrender, I smack his arm regardless.

"Ow, Red," he grumbles. "Rude, much."

"Talk," I urge him.

Sighing, he runs a hand through his, already, messy hair.

"Maryse and Robert," he begins slowly. Groaning, I bury my face deeper into his shoulder.

The Lightwood parents have had multiple problems over the past 5 years. Affairs, mentions of divorce, drugs, alcohol, you name it. Of course, the Lightwood children don't talk about their parents as frequently as they used to 10 years ago. Thye're ashamed of them, though I'd think that they'd be a little too old to be having all of these problems.

"What about them?" I ask cautiously, attempting to assess Jace's expression. As usual, his face is a blank slate. That means it's pretty serious, from what I've witnessed before.

"Overdose," is the one word Jace mutters into my hair before I shoot up, waddling back and forth through the library. Tears are stinging at my eyes.

"Death?"

Jace shakes his head.

I breathe a sigh of relief.

"Who was it?"

"Maryse."

"Of course it was," I mumble. "Anti-depressants?"

Jace nods his head.

"Do Alec and Isabelle know?"

Jace shakes his head.

"No wonder," I roll my eyes. To be honest, I think that I'm only this panicked because the kids have a risk of losing one of their grandparents.

"Robert told them to call me. Clary, I have to go."

My feet come to a halt and I slowly turn to face my boyfriend.

"How long?" I whisper, pressing my lips together.

"Only long enough for Maryse to be somewhat okay again," Jace's eyes are pleading.

"Where?"

"Alaska."

I press my hands to my face, shaking my head rapidly.

"I don't know how the girls are going to take it but fine. If it means she'll get better, then go."

Jace lets out a breath and stands up to hug me.

"When?"

"Monday."

It's Saturday.

"You better tell them yourselves," I warn him. "I'm going to have my hands full with Charlotte and Jordyn already. And then we've got to think of Jack. You better be here when he decides that he wants to bring himself into the world." I throw my hands up in exasperation after pushing away from him.

"I'm sorry, Clare," he whispers. "If I miss it, I'll never forgive myself."

"And I'll never forgive you."

AN: Once again, I apologize greatly for the infrequent updates. I've been losing inspiration because I haven't had music for a while (long story) but I found it again today so here you go.

And I hope the quality of my writing has improved because I realized how much it SUCKED and took a Writer's Workshop and all of that.

Basically.

LOVE YOU GUYS SO SO SO SO SO MUCH.

-Sosebo