Read bottom please!

Previously...

As we walked, the kids clung to us as we went upstairs. They were covered in dirt and smelt like dust. Their terror was unbearable for me. But hopefully they'd calm down after getting cleaned up.

Hopefully...and I pray that Magnus lets us stay here till we find a place to go.

The kids weren't hurt at all. Just dirty. So, after Maddy and cleaned them up, we put them in my bed and tried to get them to sleep. Exhausted kids plus warm, comfy bed equals sleep quick. There was no way in hell I was leaving them alone, so Maddy stayed up there. The boys would tell her everything later. Right now, I had to get down there and talk to Magnus.

As I was going down the stairs ((AN-pretend that his apt. is 2 floors and as many rooms as he wants)) I noticed that I was shaking. That made me almost laugh. Guess I'm in shock or something. I did come close to losing my kids and my family though.

Downstairs, Magnus and Lucas were the only ones in the living room. As soon as I walked in, they both jumped up. Lucas came over and caressed my face, looking worried to death. "Are you OK? Are you hurt? Roe, are you alright?" I place my hand on his arms. "I'm fine Lucas. Just...shaken up."

We go over and sit on the couch across from Magnus. Who hands me a small bottle with some dark liquid in it. "Just take it. It'll help with your nerves." I simply nodded and chugged it. Then, it was serious Magnus time. "What happened Clarissa and why did you bring you and yours here?"

Lucas put his arm around my waist and squeezed gently. My body just leaned into his as I spoke. "When we were in Idris...I had decided to talk with Jace." Lucas tensed, but I continued. "So, we talked. When...we were talking, we started to argue. And, well...I slipped up and said the word 'children' instead of 'child'. I ran off and then the meeting started. That dammed bastard Kevin told everyone that I'm Clary. What if I hadn't told them? It would've ruined everything!

It's besides the point, but, guys...Nothing's safe anymore. In the meeting, right after he told them about me...He told us who Maryse is working for. And he's after me and the kids. That's why he was at the house! That's why he attacked! He's suppose to be dead!"

My body was shaking with silent sobs. Lucas pulled me into his chest and rocked me. "Shh, it's OK Roe. Who? You gotta tell me who's after you and the kids or else I can't protect you." I pulled away and cried out, "But you can't! No one can!"

Magnus -who I half forgot was here- demands, "Who Clary?" I face him and whisper, "Sebastian. He's not dead. He's back." From the look on his face, he didn't believe me. "There's no way. Jace killed him. We'd know if he had lived." I stood up and almost yelled, "But we never found his body, remember!"

We had a stare down until I finally looked up, bit my lip, then looked back at him. My voice was quiet. "Magnus, look, I know you don't want to be put in the middle of this, but please. He knew where I was. He knows about the kids. I have no where to go. Just let my family stay here and-and I'll leave. I'll leave and never bother you again. Just help me keep the ones I love from Sebastian."

That...was my deepest fear. I'd do anything to keep them from him. Even let Jace in their lives. A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G. Magnus must have seen that in my eyes because he nodded. "You and your family have my word that you can stay here until further notice. And I will do what I can to protect your children and family. Sebastian will not harm them as long as they're in my home."

The shock that he was actually saying what I didn't think he'd say took over. I basically leaped to him and wrapped my arms around him in a tight hug. He tensed, then hugged back awkwardly, then pulled away coughing nervously.

"Well, you have thought of what you're going to do when Jace figures out you're here, haven't you?" "I've been a little preoccupied. But, I know it's too much to ask you to not let him in here, isn't it?" My sad smile didn't faze him.

"Yes I'm afraid. As long as he doesn't get on my bad side, he's aloud here. And Alec does not, nor will he ever be, not aloud in my home. That's one rule as solid as my hair." Oh Magnus! I laughed and it felt so good. Was that bad of me to be happy to laugh at a time like this?

Was it worse that I came up with a comeback? "It ain't that hard when you're with Alec doing Angel knows what in your room!" Winking his cat like eye at me, "Every room you mean, green eyes." The room filled with laughter until I heard Elliot shrieking, "MOMMA!"

That night, I didn't sleep. I held my kids in my arms and just watched them. They were my entire world. If you'd had asked me five years ago where I saw my life now, I would've said in collage working for some degree in art. Life could've been so different if I had never went to Pandemonium that night. Or if I had just waited until I was older to have sex with Jace. But...I don't regret anything. Sure, I wish I had been older when I had kids, but I wouldn't change it.

And...even though it's hard to admit...I don't regret the decision to leave Jace and the other. It hurt for a while, but I did the right thing. My kids are around people who love them unconditionally, they are happy and healthy, and if the bastard hadn't returned, they'd have a safe home.

But does it make me a bad mother for not wanting their father in their lives?

**The next morning...**

The kids would start screaming if I wasn't in their sights. So, someone was with me all the time to help. It was usually Lucas, but his brothers helped too. In all honesty, I was glad that he was willing to help me with them still. We hadn't talked about the whole Jace thing, but I had a feeling that he'd support me in any decision I made. What ever that may be.

After breakfast, Magnus pulled me aside and said, "Just a fair warning, Alexander will be coming over. I told him not to tell Jace where you were, but there's no guarantee." I sighed. "Thanks Magnus." I just can't take Jace right now. No way no how.

I didn't tell my family about the chance of Jace coming, but I did try to make sure that the kids were always upstairs. If Jace would try to just show up, at least I didn't have to worry about him seeing the kids. Ever since that talk we had though, I've been having an internal battle with myself. Like my heart and mind were at ear with each other.

My heart wanted to take him back. It wanted to take him back and have everything be normal. To have a family. A father for my kids, a husband for me. Everything the way it's suppose to be.

My mind, on the other hand, wanted him as far as humanly possible. For him to just go away and never plague my life with him again.

But, I put that out of my thoughts and went to play with the kids. Melody stayed within reaching distance to me though. My poor baby girl was just terrified at the thought of me going anywhere. It was almost as if she believed I'd disappear.

The boys acted OK, but were the same. And Lilly, well, even though she wasn't even a year yet, she knew something was up. Sure, she'd play with her siblings and laugh and smile, but if she saw me shifting around, she would look over at me.

So, I' know I'm ranting the same thing over and over. My point is that I can't even go to the bathroom unless I either take them all with me, or leave the door open so they could see me. Around noon, Alec made it over. He talked to Magnus, then he brought him up to meet the kids.

As soon as he walked in the room, he froze. Just seeing the look of pure shock on his face made me giggle. The kids noticed and looked over at Alec. My first thought was, 'Oh no! What if they freak?' But the kids didn't Elliot came over to me and said as he pointed to Alec, "Momma, hoo dat?"

My smile was huge. "That, sweetie, is your uncle Alec. Go say hi." He and Simon actually went over to where Alec was standing. Simon smiled, but it was Elliot that shocked us all by sticking his little hand out and saying, "Hi unky Awek! I'm Ewiot."

So incredibly, unfathomably, unbelievably adorable! And then Simon did the same thing! Alec recovered from his shock and shook each of the boys' hands with a giant smile. "Well hello boys. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." Simon pulled Alec over to me and his sisters.

When they were close to us, I realized that Melody was hiding behind me and Lilly had crawled over to me. Elliot said to Alec, "This is mommy and Liwy. Melly shy, so she hidin'. Melly! Unky Awec won't herwt us!" She poked her head around me. Quietly, she said, "R-reawy?"

Simon nodded his head enthusiastically. "Yes! Tell her unky Awec!" True enough, Alec smiled and stuck his hand out to my frightened daughter. "Hello Melody. I promise that I'm not going to hurt you or your family. I would never. Has anyone told you that you're very beautiful?"

That made her smile and take a step towards him. "Reawy?" "Oh yes. Maybe more beautiful than your mommy." She made a shocked face. "No! Momma's the bootafuwest!" We all laughed.

Alec stayed with me while the kids played. We talked and then when we put the kids down for a nap later, he told me what happened after I left. "Yeah, when you pulled out your phone and made that call, we were all shocked. Especially Kevin.

Anyway, while you were talking to Lucas-I think-I knew something was wrong. When you said that Sed-he was at your home, I think I was still in shock. And then you left before any of us could do anything. Dad was the first one to react. He yelled, 'where is she!' and then we all focused.

Kevin yelled, "Guards! I want every single Shadow-hunter we have to report to Clarissa's home! NOW!" We all ran. Some portal opened and at least fifteen Shadow-hunters all ran threw. The Instatute was...Clary, the good news is that the damage the fire did wasn't bad. Everything's fine and still standing. But he got away. We're going to get him though. No one messes with my family."

I smiled gently at him. There's my good old Alec. I just hope he's right. Sebastian can't be aloud to live. Not now, not ever. And especially not when he's already tried to go after my kids. That bastard will die and I'll fight anyone who tried to take my right to kill him away.

Sorry it's short guys! I actually had to just fight myself to think of this chapter. Anyhow, I need a bit of help. You see, I know what's going to happen later on, but not at the current moment.

So, since you all are such wonderful people, I would like to hear some of your ideas. And if you'd like, I'm more than welcome in someone helping me with new ideas for the story.

P.S.-I'll try my best to update at least once a week. If not, then just a few more days. It'll be a little bit before the next chapter's posted, unless I hear some great ideas.

P.P.S.-Reviews are always welcome :)

~Jess