Previously...

Right before I went to bed-around 9-I gave myself a pep-talk and fire messaged Jace.

If you ever cared about me in the slightest, meet me outside of Magnus' at 6am tomorrow.

Five minutes later, he replied back. Three little words.

I'll be there

This was the day. Well, morning, but still.

I was showered and dressed by 5:30am. The kids were still asleep, but as soon as I was getting ready to go have someone watch them for me, they woke up.

Elliot sat up, rubbing his eyes, and said, "Where you go momma?" Simon yawned, "Bekfast?" I giggled. My little man. I got on the bed and positioned us so that they were all looking at me. My boys were letting their sisters lean on them. Lilly was fighting to keep her eyes open, while Melody was awake and alert. Just tired.

"OK kids, can you all do me a favor? Mommy has to go and talk to someone for just a little bit. Can you guys please be good and let someone watch you? I'll be right outside, so I won't be far. Do you guys think that you'll be OK? And I won't be long."

Melody's lip started to quiver. "Mommy...no go. Bad man come when you go bye-bye." My heart broke a little. She was just terrified. "Oh honey, the bad man can't get you hear. I promise. Uncle Magnus won't allow it. And I'll be right outside, so I'll see if anyone tried to get in."

I turned to my boys, because they didn't look as terrified as the girls. "Elliot, Simon, can you two watch your sisters for me? You know I'll be right back and everything will be OK. Please boy?" Simon frowned, then said, "We already watch sissies."

Elliot said to him, "No Simon, momma wants us watch sissies like unkys and aunties watch us." Realization spread in his face. "Oh! Like when bad man came?" "Mm-hm." A second later, Simon turned to Lilly-who was at his side-and grinned as he said, "I pwotect you sissy!" I laughed and leaned over to pull all of them into my arms.

They all held onto me as I said, "See? Everything's gonna be fine. So, do you think you guys would be OK if I went just right outside?" They all said yes and I took them to Lucas' room. When they were settled, Lucas whispered, "Do you think this is a good idea Roe?" I whispered back, "I have no choice. It's what I have to do."

By now, it was five till 6. I went out and as soon as I shut the door and turned around, I gasped. He was already sitting on the steps. "Jace! You scared me! I wasn't expecting you here this early." Smirking slightly, he says, "It's not that early."

When my breathing settled, I sat down next to him and sighed. He says, "So, what do you want to talk about Clary? Or should I call you Rowena now?" I have to say, I didn't like the way that sounded coming from his lips. "Clary, please...But, Jace...can we please have a serious talk?"

"That's what I've been trying to have. Though, please continue." I swear, I had the hugest urge to smack him right then. Calm down girl...Remember what you have to do. Talk first, hit later. Sighing, I bit my lip and spoke.

"I need your help. And I don't even know if you'd be willing to or not, because I have some rules. But then again, when did you ever follow rules? I really need your help, but you don't have to and-" "Clary! Look, calm down. Take a deep breath, OK? You sound like you're hyperventilating."

I did? Well, a deep breath later, Jace said, "OK, now just tell me what you need help with. No rambling." While I nodded, I took a deep breath and said, "I need you to help me protect the kids." This didn't surprise him much. "OK" Yay, he said-Wait, what? Why didn't it?

"Jace, you're not...like..." He shrugged nonchalantly. "I had a feeling that you'd do what ever you could to protect them because of Sebastian's return. Including getting my help." Wow. I did not see that coming. My inner Clary said, "Smug bastard...Thinks he knows me..."

"So...you'll do it?" "Yes...But didn't you say that you had some rules?" Oh! That's right. I did.

"Yes. Look, just because I'm asking you to help doesn't mean that I forgive you. We're still not together, and I still don't trust you like I use to. Hell! If I didn't need to believe that you wouldn't hurt them-which I'm still trying to do-I would never let you near them. You can see them and talk to them and all...just don't tell them who you really are. Can you do that Jace?"

Could he? If not, I don't know what I'd do. Well, you're not going to let him see the kids, that's one thing. I heard him let out a deep breath. When I looked at him, he was leaning back with his hands over his face. My ears could hear him though, once his hands moved.

"Clary, I know that I screwed up. Trust me when I say that I've been paying for it. And I'm not going to fuck this up too. I'm going to do what ever I can to make you trust me again. I want to do what ever I can to insure that my kids grow up where I can see them.

If Sebastian thinks that he's going to get them, then he can kill me first. And I'm not going down without a fight. Clary...Thank you. I know you hate me, and if you'd have the last say in it, I'd never even see you or our kids again. But you're letting me help you protect them.

Now, I'm not going to go on and on about everything, but...Will you agree to something for me? Two simple things?"

His little speech had me speech less. He just said...he admitted...Did he really think that way? Did he really believe that he made a mistake? Would he really give up his life for the kids? No...no way. He's not allowed to say something like that to me after everything he's done...

My throat felt tight and I fought back the emotional tears as I nodded and whispered lowly, "What are they?" I was trying dammit! That was the best I could do! You have no idea how hard this is. Just talking to him about the kids...

"Clary...don't run away again. Please. I can't...Just promise me that you won't run away without telling anyone again. Please." I...can do that. I nodded and he did the same. He even sighed with what seemed like relief. Then, he spoke again.

"And...my other request...We have to talk about before. No fighting, no yelling...just talking. We have to talk like reasonable adults. Now, it doesn't have to be now, or even today. But sometime soon. Can you do that? I think we owe it to each other to talk."

Man! This was even harder than I had thought it would be! All I wanted to happen was for him to help me keep the kids safe. No conditions, no being open with the other...And I wanted to act like I was over us. That I didn't still love him...

But angel if I did.

I stood up. Jace watched me carefully. "Jace, we'll talk, OK? Now, this conversation's over." Stay in control Clary...Don't let him know that you're close to crying. That you're still weak when it comes to him...Oh man! STOP thinking about that!

Jace stood up next to me and just nodded again. His face was cold, serious, and all Jace. But then, it changed slightly. Now, he was cautious as he spoke. "When can I see them? How...how many are there?" Wonderful. Wonder how he's going to take this...

"Jace, I'm going to tell you right now that I adopted one of the kids. She was my best friend Adreona's daughter. But...she died having her. Lilly is my daughter. And If you don't treat her like your own, I will make you sorry. I'm the only parent that girl has." I'd be dammed if he treated her any differently than he would the others.

After a moment, he nods. "OK. So...how many kids do we have?" Oh no! He had no right to say 'we'. I don't care if we were stranded on a deserted island and that was all we had to talk about. They were mine! "I have four kids in total."

Now, I'm going to be honest when I say that his reaction was p-r-i-c-e-l-e-s-s! His jaw to the floor, eyes wide as dinner plates, and pale as snow! It took everything I had in me to not bust out laughing. He even had to sit back down.

Because I'm a nice person-even to jerks like him-I sat down next to him and said, "Breath Jace. I know it's a lot to take in, but it's true. I gave birth to two boys and a girl." That didn't help him much, but the look in his eyes...made me keep talking.

"My first born was Elliot Nickolas. Then there was, Simon Quin. And, finally, there's my Melody Grace. They all have red-blond hair and golden green eyes. Jace, breath. You look like you're going to pass out." I never thought I'd say that to him.

So quietly that I almost didn't hear him, he said, "I really fucked up." Then, before I could say anything, he looks at me with his head cocked to the side, then shakes it. What? "Um, why did you look at me and shake your head?"

"I just can't see you pregnant with 3 babies. You're so...tiny." I glared. "And? Got a problem with it?" He snickered and said, "No." I stood up and put my hands on my hips. "Jace, look, I gotta go back inside. Do you want to go see everyone now or later?"

He gasped slightly, then nodded. Silently, he followed me up the steps. At the door, I paused and said, "Just so you know, you're not going to be very popular in here with anyone. My family hates you, especially Lucas." Jace just nodded again and I saw something in his eyes.

Though, it only lasted for just a second, I was pure rage and dare I say...jealously?

I opened the door and led him. The first thing I heard was a thomp and Sam say softly, "Stupid fudging table." I giggled and followed the sound of his voice. When I found him, he had just made it in the kitchen. He saw me and smiled. "You're up early."

And then he saw Jace. His smile turned into a glare and he almost growled, "What's he doing here?" I sighed. "I'll explain later, after breakfast. Are the others up?"

Still glaring at Jace, he said, "No. Just me." I went over and punched him in the arm. He yelled, "What the heck Roe!" "Stop glaring! It's rude!"

I stretched my arms and said, "Well, since y'all are up, you can help me fix breakfast. Ah-ah! No ' buts'. Jace, get in the fridge and get me the milk and butter. Sam, get me the flour and some bacon out of the deep freezer. Let move it boys. I want to be done before everyone gets up."

(Once the food's ready...)

Well, other than the boys not speaking to one another and the constant glares, we worked pretty efficiently. I made pancakes, eggs, bacon, toast, and of course, coffee. There was enough food here to fill up everyone-hopefully.

As soon as I set the plate of eggs down, I turn to Sam and say, "Go wake up everyone. Careful when you go to Magnus' room though. He probably has some charm on it." He pouted and I kissed his cheek and smacked his butt. Which, earned me a gasp. I giggled and said, "Get a move on."

Sam left and I saw Jace staring at me like he didn't know what he was seeing. "What are you looking at?" "You're just...so different." I glared. "Yeah, that happens to people after three years."

Before he could say another word, Joe yells, "YES! Roe's famous pancakes!" That's Joe... Then, Erik yells, "Don't even think about it Joe!" And there's Erik...When will they ever grow up? They were the first one's to come into the kitchen-wrestling, of course.

They saw Jace and froze. Before any words were said, Mike, Maddy walked in. I sighed and said, "Guys, even though you've probably already figured this out, this is Jace. Now! Before you say anything, he's agreed to help us protect the kids. That's the only reason he's here."

They continued to glare as Magnus came in sighing, "I smell food. Oh, hello Jace. Joining us for breakfast?" He nodded. "Yes. I suppose I am."

Everyone silently took a seat at the table. And, as soon as everyone was seated, Lucas and Sam came in with the kids.

Oh yes. The moment of truth.

Hey! Well, here is it. Now you can blame FF this time for me not updating...it wouldn't let me upload :(

But! THANK YOU ALL! This story has 100 REVIEWS! I totally freaked and ran around my house like a crazy person when i realized it.

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