Chapter 57: Time Jump. This was a tough chapter to write. Back to New York and Clary is a bit of a mess. Duh. A little Simon and Izzy at the end. Clary's going to really need her friends. You know I can't let her be okay, right? Remember the rating is MA.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Mention of drugs, abuse, and non-con
I do not own any of the characters, only the illustrious Cassandra Clare owns them. I do, however, own this particular story, so please don't be lame and copy/paste it elsewhere.
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Previously: "I am not your wife, Jonathan. You never asked me… I never said yes. I'm going to have this fucking sham of a marriage annulled when I get back to New York, so go fuck yourself. You'll never touch me again."
Six Weeks Later
Clary pulled her knees up to her chest, in her overstuffed chair and took a sip of her peppermint tea. It wasn't helping. Her stomach rolled and she felt nervous. Sick. She pulled her throw around her shoulders and set her cup back on the table. I can never seem to get warm enough, even in May. She sighed and looked out at the vast city, through the large windows of her penthouse. New York City. Brooklyn. Home. She still had a difficult time believing she was safe– that she had actually escaped from Idris. From him. It certainly didn't feel like it had already been almost two months. She felt paranoid and had nightmares about all of it. Every single night. She had been diagnosed with PTSD, high anxiety, depression, panic attacks… duh. Her new therapist, Camille, told her that it was normal to feel that way. That she had been through multiple traumas and she needed to let herself process everything before she could start to heal. Processing everything was the hardest part about being back home. Clary just didn't want to do it. She wanted to pretend none of it had happened. But, that wasn't healthy. So, she tried her best. Clary picked up her cup and took another sip of tea, inhaling the peppermint aroma. Is this how mom felt after she escaped from Valentine?
She wanted to forget everything she had endured at the hands of the Morgensterns, but it was impossible. Between the NYPD interviews, debriefing the FBI, the lawyers, her therapist, and her friends, she had been stretched quite thin emotionally. She didn't want to revisit the mind games, the druggings, captivity, the rapes, the violence, her complicated feelings… and Stockholm Syndrome. Yes, she had been diagnosed with a low-level version of that as well… I called that. It was all very triggering and exhausting. She felt shame, anger, fear, guilt… filthy. Her therapy sessions left her feeling drained and emotional. They stirred up her darkest fears and made her moody. How can anyone stand me?
Her phone buzzed on the table. It was probably her lawyer, Maia Roberts. She would be bringing the annulment papers over to sign and finalize today. Then, since he was unable to contest them, based on the criminal complaints, named in the filing, copies would be electronically delivered to Jonathan Morgenstern's lawyers in Idris. All assets inherited from her Mother's holdings in Idris would be returned. He had no choice or say in the decision to annul the marriage. No power. She will finally be free of him and any perceived hold he still thinks he has on her or her legacy. Fucking psycho. Clary checked the text. It was Maia. "I'm on my way up". Clary stood up, stretched and straightened her clothes. She wore a black jersey bodysuit with a flowy pair of colorful, watercolor print pants. Her hair was French braided and hung down her back. She walked to the foyer of her penthouse and entered a code in the keypad next to the elevator, so that Maia could get in. She took a shaky breath, her stomach churning nervously. Swallowing her nausea down, she stepped back a few feet to wait for the elevator doors to open and bumped into a solid wall of muscle. Jace.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and Clary smiled, melting back against him. He leaned his head down, nuzzling her neck. "Good morning, sweetheart. Why didn't you wake me? I woke up and you were gone… no morning kisses?" Clary giggled and turned around to face him, and tilted her head back. "You looked so peaceful, baby. And I did kiss you. You just slept through it." He hummed, leaned down, pressing his lips against hers. "Are you feeling better today, sweetheart? Or is your stomach still bothering you?" Clary sighed, deepening the kiss and running her hands through his golden curls. "I'm better now, Jace. In your arms." She had missed this so much, while in Idris.
Her fear of Jonathan's retribution… being taken again was one of the reasons she gave her apartment to Izzy and Simon when she returned. They wanted to move in together, as their wedding approached, and Clary never wanted to sleep there again. Win-win. So, she purchased a penthouse a few blocks away, with private security. Being wealthy had certain perks and she was able to move in quickly, after returning to New York. Will Herondale had vetted her security guards himself and she trusted them implicitly. She hardly ever saw them, but knew they were there, which made her feel safer, more hidden. It helped that Jace had moved in with her. There was never even a question about that. She had been terrified of being alone after escaping Idris with Jace and Will's team. Jace had been at her side every step of the way and had eagerly comforted her, held her, listened to her, soothed her through her nightmares and panic attacks. He had been her constant. Her rock. They still hadn't made love since she escaped from Idris. Her therapist discouraged it, suggesting it could interfere with her progress, which hadn't been very good so far. So they lived together, snuggled, kissed, and shared a bed, but no sex. Clary wasn't sure how much longer she could hold out, and it was obvious how much Jace missed and wanted her. He had been, of course, accommodating and patient because he truly loved her. And I love him. I think it's time for us to take that step forward, regardless of what Camille thinks. I just need him.
Clary reluctantly pulled away from a pouting Jace, as the elevator doors dinged and opened. Maia Roberts smiled at them and sauntered in. She wore a gorgeous light yellow pantsuit that complemented her beautiful, dark complexion. Her hair was pulled up on top of her head in an elegant twist. She was all class. The lawyer pulled her designer sunglasses off and looked the couple over. "You two are entirely too pretty together. It's really disgusting!" She laughed and winked at Clary and set her leather briefcase on the kitchen island. Clary really liked Maia, who had been recommended by Tessa, and they had become close friends. Jace pulled out stools for them to sit and brought the coffee pot over, pouring a fresh cup for Maia. She reached out and hugged Clary tightly. "I'm so proud of you, Clary. Today you will be free and clear of that pig. I'm just so glad I got to help." Clary smiled at her and sat next to her at the counter. "Me too, Maia. Now… where the hell do I sign?" The lawyer smirked and pulled out a small stack of paperwork.
They discussed things while Maia pointed for Clary to sign her initials or signature, throughout the annulment packet. They had easily been granted the annulment by the state of New York, based on her traumatic experiences– being brought to Idris under false pretenses, fraud, false imprisonment of an American citizen, kidnapping, coercion, domestic violence, sexual assault, and so on. Jace wrapped his arm around Clary after she signed the last document and closed the packet, kissing her temple. "Baby, I have to get ready to go to work. Love you." Clary hummed, kissed his cheek and he walked to their bedroom. Maia watched him walk away and scooped up the finalized annulment and tucked it in her briefcase.
The lawyer took a deep breath and frowned, pulling out another file. Clary raised her eyebrows at Maia. She looks worried. "Clary, my office received this file from Ruth Brightman in Idris. She claimed to be your nurse at Morgenstern Manor." Clary's eyes widened. Ruth. Is she safe? "Yes, I know her. She tried to help me…" Clary took the file from Maia and opened it. "Clary, it's your medical file from the SUV accident. She took pictures and sent it via email. It details your treatments… the surgery on your head, your ankle sprain, broken arm. Um– she highlighted something." Clary gasped and started to tremble, as she read the highlighted section over and over. That fucking monster. Of everything he'd done to her, she felt the most betrayed by this. The most violated. Maia put her arm around Clary, whispering soothing, supportive words to her. I want him dead.
Clary looked at the file again, reading the comments written by Dr. Pontmercy, and felt a blanket of nausea and dizziness overtake her. "...night of the SUV accident, the patient was rushed to the medical unit on Morgenstern Manor and diagnosed with a broken right radius, acute high right ankle sprain, a mild subdural hematoma, and concussion. All were treated, per protocol with positive prognoses… Additionally, per the request of the patient's husband, Jonathan Morgenstern, the patient's IUD was removed. The patient should be fine to try to conceive after two weeks of recovery…" Clary covered her mouth, stifling her scream and jumped off the stool, knocking it over. She ran to the kitchen sink and vomited. She grabbed a paper towel and wiped her mouth, turning to Maia. "This stays between us, okay? I need to get my bearings… I need to think. I- I need Izzy." Maia nodded and hugged Clary tightly. "Okay, sweetie. I'm going to go file the annulment now. I'll text you when it's done. If you need anything, Clary, call me. I mean it." With one last hug, Maia left.
Clary returned to her chair by the windows and covered up. She heard Jace's shower turn off in their bedroom. Clary swallowed the lump in her throat. Don't cry. Almost two weeks to the day, after her accident, after he secretly had her IUD removed, she and Jonathan had sex… a lot of it. He had been insatiable, on her almost constantly… several times a day and night until she escaped. Had he planned on getting her pregnant? Disgusting pig. Am I fucking pregnant? Clary had felt off for the past week and had yet to have a period, since her return. That wasn't unusual though. She had the IUD for so long that her periods had almost diminished entirely. It wasn't out of the ordinary to go a few months without one, especially with the amount of stress she'd experienced.
Clary jumped and squealed when she felt hands on her shoulders. Jace. "Shit, baby. Sorry! I didn't mean to startle you." He sat on the armrest of her chair and put his hands around her face, leaning in to kiss her. Clary returned his kisses, rubbing his arms. "I have to go, sweetheart. It's my first day back after my leave of absence. I have a lot of stuff to catch up on with Alec, Robert, and Maryse. Are you okay by yourself today?" Clary smiled tightly and nodded her head. "I'm okay, Jace. I'm going to give Izzy a call and see if she can come over, while you're at work. Her semester's over and we need to… catch up." Jace hummed and kissed her again. She watched him go over to the closet, secure his sidearm in his shoulder holster and pull his jacket on. The elevator door opened and he looked back at her. "I love you so much, Clary Fray." She smiled, her eyes welling with tears. "I love you too, Jace Herondale." After Jace closed the door Clary took a deep, shaky breath. Pulling out her phone, she called Izzy. Don't freak out. Don't freak out. Answers first.
Clary stepped out of the Town Car in front of her old apartment building and smiled at her driver and security guard. Aaron was a former Navy Seal, turned private security guard. Will had recommended him and his New York team for Clary's protection until she no longer needed it. I have no idea when I won't need them. Aaron was quite tall and muscular, built like a professional wrestler, with thick dark blonde hair and a full beard. He was intimidating as hell to look at, but to Clary, he was a big teddy bear. "Thanks, Aaron. I'm going up to Izzy's and will call you when I need to leave. It should only be a few hours, okay?" Aaron nodded and smiled at her. "No worries, Miss Fairchild. I'll be wherever you need me as soon as you need me. Have a nice visit with your friends." Clary nodded and walked into the building towards the elevator. Clary still wasn't used to being called "Miss Fairchild". She had chosen to take back her family name, by legally changing hers from Fray to Fairchild. It was an homage to her legacy, her dear mother, and the grandparents she never got the chance to know. Jonathan doesn't get to take that away from me.
Clary smiled when her former apartment door swung open to reveal her oldest and dearest friend, Simon Lewis. He ran his hand through his tousled brown curls and smiled brightly at her, shaking his head. Clary giggled as he pulled her into the apartment, quickly wrapping her in his arms and swinging her around, before setting her back down. "It's been too long, Fray. I haven't seen you in almost two weeks. Not cool. Please don't shut me out." He took Clary's black cardigan and hung it in the closet. Clary's smile faded and she looked down. "I know, Si. I'm sorry… I've just been– you know." Clary had been turning down invitations to go out with her friends, afraid to be exposed out in public. Just afraid. Camille told her at her last session that she needed to try to go out with her friends, like she used to… that holing up in her penthouse was counterproductive to her healing. She was right. Just being here with Simon was already helping.
Simon nodded in understanding, took her hand in his and led her to the living room, where they both flopped down on the couch. He wrapped an arm around her and she leaned against him, looking down at his Zelda t-shirt. She missed being with Simon and Izzy and felt a lump rise in her throat. Clary was embarrassed that the first time she had seen them in weeks was when she needed their help. She hated feeling vulnerable and needy– and was bone-tired of being Jonathan Morgenstern's fucking victim. But, she still needed a pregnancy test and couldn't be alone to do it. Izzy had gladly offered to help her, advising her to come to her apartment while she went and got some tests. Simon pointed the remote at the television and Clary smiled sadly when she saw her favorite Harry Potter movie start. "Izzy will be home from the drugstore soon, Clary. Then you can take the test, okay? She said you told her to tell me everything… she did. I'm so fucking sorry, Clare. What that bastard did– I-I'm here for you… Always." Simon's voice broke and he hugged her closer. Clary nodded and her shoulders shook as she cried into his shirt. Simon stroked her hair and murmured sweet comforts against her head, holding his dearest friend tightly.
Clary sniffled and wiped her tears away, looking up as she heard the front door open. Isabelle Lightwood, her other best friend, quickly walked into the living room with a paper bag in her hand. Izzy looked gorgeous as always in a bright magenta Capri jumpsuit with espadrille sandals. Her long silky black hair was pulled into a high ponytail that swished behind her as she walked to the couch. Izzy shook her head, her eyes welling with tears as she dropped onto the couch on Clary's other side. She wrapped her arms around Clary, with Simon doing the same, both encircling their best friend. "Oh Clare... I love you so much, honey. No matter what happens, I'm here for you. We all are. Just let me know when you're ready to do this." Clary blinked away her tears and nodded at Izzy, then looked at the paper bag on the coffee table. "I'm ready Iz. Let's do this." Clary and Izzy stood, took the bag and went to the bathroom together, hand in hand.