I'd love you if I could

Ch 1- If it had gone differently

A/N: So, as promised, after 5 reviews I would post the first chapter. Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I got 12 reviews instead of 5 ! I thought it mignt be fun to write a trailer since I've seen it in a couple of stories. It actually helped me think of ideas. So I've come up with a conclusion. Trailers are helpful. lol I might update tomorrow, cause I'll be starting to write the second chapter after posting this. First chapter of a story on May 21, 2011. Coincedence? :)

Love is so short, forgetting is so long.

Jace trudged down the stairs groggily, awakened by the small giggles of the child downstairs. Once he got down to the dining room, the tinkling laughter grew more prominent.

"Good morning, my little angel"

"morning daddy" She greeted with a shrill voice. Jace smiled and went to make himself some breakfast. No cereal he thought as he looked at the empty cupboard. Walking down the hall he passed a calendar. The calendar that had a specific date circled. The calendar that marked the exact date Clary had left. The day his heart broke into a million pieces and was never the same again.

5 years ago

Jace walked around the institute. What was taking Clary so long to get groceries? Finally, after 15 minutes of pacing back and forth he heard the elevator chime announcing Clary's arrival, ending his stressful line of thoughts. He watched Clary step out of the elevator with a strange look on her face.

"Clary? Baby, what's wrong?" he asked concerned.

"Nothing," just then, the newborn gave out a loud cry that echoed off the walls of the institute. "Clarabelle's crying, I'm gonna go check on her," and she hurried off in the other direction. Jace shrugged and went to the his and Clary's room. The room, that was previously only occupied by Jace, filled with wedding pictures and drawings now that Clary shared it. After about 10 minutes, the crying had stopped but Clary was still in the room, 20 minutes after. He went to check on her just in case anything happened. She was still just getting the hang of her skills. Passing by, he heard a hushed whisper.

"Remember, I'll always love you, you and your daddy. You'll always be in my heart, no matter where I am. I have to do this. I'm so sorry." What was she talking about? Just then he heard footsteps aproaching the door so he quickly went into the next room. The library. She entered with Clarabelle still clutched tightly in her arms knowing that Jace must be studying up on new species of demons, a different kind of fighting technique, or researching. Clary studied Jace's expression. He looked confused, something was bothering him. She knew what he was feeling just by looking at his face. The way his eyebrows knit in concentration, and when that adventurous sparkle in his eyes dimmed.

"Where were you?"

"Getting groceries, " she said nervously.

"Why'd you take so long?"

"W-well there was a long line," she stammered her voice getting higher and higher making it seem like she was asking a question.

"Stop lying Clary, I can see it in your eyes," She knew this was a chance, and she took it.

"I'm not! If you think you know me so goddamn well, you don't!" Startled by her outburst, Jace immediately felt guilty.

"I'm sorry, I'm just worried about you," He stepped closer to her and put a comforting hand on her arm which she swatted away.

"You know what Jace, I can't do this anymore," She cried and shoved the tiny pink bundle into Jace's arms.

"Wha-what do you mean? We can make this work." He stammered and he NEVER stammered.

"We can't make this work. We aren't gonna work. It's just too hard, and I'm sick and tired of this life."

"No, Clary, don't just throw everything away. What about everything we've been through. You can't just give up on us. What about Clarabelle?"

"I'm sure you can take care of her. Just-just tell her that I love her. And it's that. Everything we've been through. I never wanted this life. But you all just had to involve me in it. Never asked me what I want."

"Clary, we can get through this, it doesn't have to be this way."

"No, I don't love you anymore." And that was when Jace's heart shattered. The look of pure agony on his face was evident on his face and almost made Clary turn back. Almost. But she couldn't.

"There's someone else,"She knew he would make that assumption.

"That's none of your fucking buisiness." His face was not filled with rage. But it was the only way he could let her go. She had gotten this far, she couldn't give up now. Clary looked back once more ,whispered an I love you into the wind and fled, leaving Jace shocked and contained with sadness now that the words were sinking in.

He always wondered what would've happened if things were different. If she had stayed. Would they be happy? Belle, him and Clary? Those were questions that would never be answered, and he knew it but that couldn't keep him from wondering. Maybe they would have a happy ending if things had gone differently.

Clary breathed in the fresh air standing on the balcony of her apartment. She sighed. Today was the day. The day she made the decision that filled her life with regret and sorrow. In her hand, she held a picture of her, Jace, and newborn baby Clarabelle. They had decided on the name Clarabelle from Isabelle and Clary's names. She smiled remembering the day she threw the name book on Jace's bed frustrated when she couldn't find a perfect name and when Jace came over to comfort her. Suddenly the doorbell rang, interrupting Clary's thoughts. She opened the door and gasped,shocked at the person standing behind it.