Chapter 69: The end is nigh. Lots of lamenting and bedside crying. Poor Clary and mini-Clary. A surprise from an old character may make some of you smile… a little gift to one of my favorite readers. I'm getting ready to wrap this story up. FINALLY. Buckle up...
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Rated M. Threats of violence with guns.
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.
Thank you for the follows, likes, and reviews! It really means a lot!
Previously: "Will growled and locked eyes with Jace as Alec cursed loudly. "...Okay, little cousin. We'll do this your way. Just watch your smartass mouth and stay fucking alive. I couldn't face Nana if anything happened to her second favorite grandson. We'll see you inside. Don't be dead then."
Jonathan threw the door of the helicopter open, as soon as it landed in the courtyard, running down the ramp towards the front entrance of Morgenstern Manor. He had received an emergency call from Pontmercy, telling him that Clarissa had gone into early labor with complications. 'Preeclampsia with placental abruption' and a dislocated shoulder. He had missed the call, three hours passing, as he had been in a long business meeting. He had anxiously called the doctor back and Pontmercy told him that before being given anesthesia, Clarissa claimed that Nate violently attacked her, attempting to ravage her, and slammed her against a wall. Dead. He told Jonathan that the physical trauma triggered placental abruption, severely endangering Clarissa and their baby… that the surgeons performed an emergency cesarean to save them both, but there were complications. I may lose them. Rushing through the grand hall, he ran down the side stairs to the medical unit. During the helicopter ride, he had ordered Emil to find Nate and secure him in a cell. Nathaniel Nightshade was a dead man. I don't care about his family's status amongst the high-Idrians. He attacked my wife. Hurt her. If the remaining Nightshades dare to complain, I will kill them as well.
Jonathan rushed down a long hall toward the maternity unit, finding Emil and a team of his men waiting at the entrance. Emil looked tense. "Sir, I have several things to debrief you on. I'm sorry, but now. Please–" Jonathan growled and nodded, indicating that he should hurry. Emil quickly went on to tell him that Nate Nightshade was found dead, by two bullets to the head, at one of the farmhouses after calling for the ambulance that brought Clarissa. They were only able to question two of the EMT's, as the third, David, was missing. Apparently they had never seen Nightshade, and had been held at gunpoint by a small group of men, who seemed quite concerned with the welfare of his Clarissa, ensuring she quickly be taken to the manor. Emil went on to inform him that there had been a security failure on the stonewall near the barn and he believed it may be the Herondale's. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Jonathan wiped his face with his hand and stared at Emil dangerously. "Got it, Pangborn. I'm assuming you have our men searching the grounds and tightening security, right? Is there anything else before I go see about my wife? I would speak quickly, if I were you." Emil nodded. "Yes, sir, I've ordered everything you've said. The last thing is that Simon Lewis was caught trying to escape… he's been secured again, but we also caught who was trying to rescue him… it's Alec Lightwood." Jonathan laughed humorlessly. "I think it may be time to follow through and kill them all. Whether she hates me for it or not– but, put a pin in that for now. Good work, Pangborn." Jonathan took a deep breath. Think. Herondale won't be far from Clarissa.
Jonathan furiously entered the antechamber of the surgery suite and was met by Dr. Pontmercy. The doctor's eyes widened and he rushed over to Jonathan. Why does he look so fucking nervous. Oh god. Jonathan reached forward and grabbed the front of the doctor's white coat and walked him backwards to the wall. He glared down at him. "I just came from the recovery room. She's not there. Where is my wife, Pontmercy? The baby? What's going on? Tell me–" The man nodded and held up his hands. "The baby is fine, Jonathan– a beautiful, rosy, strong little girl. Just over 5 lbs– a good size, considering her prematurity. The neonatal team evaluated her and she will not require specialized care. She's a miracle, Jonathan. So lucky… uh–" Jonathan smiled and exhaled. Thank god. "What about Clarissa, Pontmercy?" The doctor began to tremble. "The procedure went well, Jonathan. The surgeons were successful. But, they had to put her under general anesthesia, due to the gravity of her emergency. She lost a lot of blood by the time she arrived and was still hemorrhaging. They were finally able to stop the bleeding. But–"
Jonathan's heart began to pound and he started shaking the man. "But what? Spit it out, Pontmercy before I crush your skull–" The man cringed and sputtered. "We can't rouse her from the anesthesia. She should be awake, it's been hours. S-she won't wake up. The surgeons have ordered fluids, blood transfusions and monitoring, but she's in a coma." No. No… My Clarissa. "I-It happens sometimes. It was a lot for her to go through, sir… we are doing our best– but we just have to wait for her to wake up. She has been moved up to your room to recover, as we thought you'd want that– your newborn as well. I had her transferred up by some guards, her nurses, a doctor, and one of the EMT's." Jonathan growled, released Pontmercy, and fumbled for his phone. That must be the missing EMT… He put his phone to his ear, as he hurried upstairs to his wife and child. "Emil. Double security around my rooms and the nursery. And find Jace Herondale, dammit."
Jace blinked his tears away and lifted Clary's limp hands to his lips. Lowering his surgical mask he kissed her fingers, whispering against them. "Baby, I'm here. Please wake up… I need to take you home." Jace knew that getting her home wouldn't happen anytime soon. Even if she was awake, the trauma to her body was profound. She had lost so much blood. The doctors were shocked she lived and wanted her to stay in bed as she healed. They don't know her… what she's been through. What she is made of. She'll come back to me. With everything she had been through today, she looked so beautiful. The nurses and a few women cleaned her, washed her hair, and dressed her in a purple silk nightgown. They had removed her Fairchild pendant and replaced it with her old Morgenstern one. She will not be pleased. I'll find it for you, baby. Her emerald wedding ring had been removed and left on her bedside table, because her fingers were swollen with all of the fluids. She was hooked up to monitors and IV's, receiving blood and fluids. Jace had waited, pretending to stock medical equipment, in the hallway with the guards, still disguised as 'David the EMT'. On the ambulance ride to Morgenstern Manor, Jace had given David the choice of giving him his vest, cap, glasses, and mask or getting shot in the face. David had wisely decided to comply and make his leave as soon as they arrived at the manor. The armed guards barely even looked at him, so nervous about Clary's condition and the possible collateral wrath from Jonathan. Jace heard a tiny mewling sound and turned to look behind him. It's her.
Nurse Christine walked in from the attached nursery, cuddling a swaddled little bundle. Clary's tiny precious daughter. Ours. Jace hadn't even been able to see her yet. "David? Is that your name? What are you doing? Get up and out in the hall. We've been told to expect Mr. Morgenstern any minute. H-he's weird about men being near her… even medical personnel." Jace stood up and cleared his throat. "Of course, I was just p-praying for her. Poor thing… I have a few more items to set up. I'll stay out of Mr. Morgenstern's way. I promise." Christine looked at him with a strange expression then nodded and walked up to the bed, laying the tiny baby next to Clary's still form on the bed. Jace leaned closer to take a look at her. Christine gently took the tiny pink hat off of her head and Jace's eyes filled with tears when he saw a shock of red curls, crowning the wee beauty… her tiny pink lips and rosy cheeks. A mini Clary. So beautiful. Wake up to meet her, baby. Christine pulled out a light purple cap and put it on her little head, as she slept beside Clary. Jace cleared his throat and walked across the room, opening a refrigerator and clumsily stocked it with IV bags of saline and blood, as well as baby formula. Jace sighed sadly, looking at the bottles. Clary wanted to breastfeed her baby. Wake up, my love. Please.
Jace heard a gasp at the door and secured his mask, peeking over his shoulder as he pretended to write on a clipboard. The nurse had just settled Clary's baby in a bassinet, at the end of the bed, when Amatis came rushing to Clary's bedside, ignoring Jace and the nurse, and sat on the bed. Fuck. It's psycho traitor aunt. Jace started to sneak up behind her when he heard Amatis speak. "Oh no, no–Clary, sweet niece. Wake up… your precious little baby needs you, girl. I-I'm so sorry for what I did, Clary. Fight… you are your father's daughter. I'm here– me. I won't let you down again–" Jace watched Amatis suspiciously. She sounded as if she regretted betraying Clary the night we escaped. Can we trust her? Doubtful. Jace shut the refrigerator door and picked up the empty box when she whirled around from Clary and locked her wild eyes on him. Amatis tilted her head at him then jumped when a voice boomed from the door. Emil Pangborn walked in, crossing his arms. "Amatis, he's coming now. You should give him privacy with his wife and child. Go." Jace watched quietly as Amatis started humming a mindless tune and leaned down to kiss Clary's forehead. "Welcome home, little mama niece. Such a perfectly lovely couple… now a perfect family. Auntie Amatis is here, pretty girl." Emil grimaced at her as she twirled away from Clary, her back to him, pausing at the bassinet. The crazed look melted from her face and she smiled tightly, sadly looking down at her tiny great niece. She is faking it. She raised her head and locked eyes with Jace across the room and winked at him, before she rushed out the door. She knows it's me. Shit. Emil cleared his throat. "You. Get the fuck out of here and go check-in with the medical team downstairs. The boss is coming… you can finish your work later." Jace nodded and quickly exited the room, evading Emil's eyes. Jace made his way down the hall and turned left down another long, dark hall. I'm not checking in with anyone. I need a place to hide. He froze when he felt the distinct muzzle of a gun press against the back of his head. "Why Hello, Detective Herondale." Jace raised his hands and sighed. "Why hello, Amatis. How's it going?" He heard her chuckle lightly, un-cocking the gun and pulling it away from his head. "Oh you know– living the dream. Turn around, Jace. We should talk." Jace slowly turned around and looked into the very sane eyes of Amatis Graymark.
Jonathan stood in the doorway to his– their room. He watched the nurse, Christine, applying lip balm to his unconscious wife, speaking softly and soothingly to her, then pressing a button. He heard the blood-pressure cuff engage around Clary's arm. Christine moved over to the IV pole, hanging a second bag of blood and removing the empty one. Jonathan jumped and his heart began to pound, when he heard a tiny cry from the bassinet at the end of the bed. It's her. Our daughter. Why am I so scared? He slowly approached the bed, not looking at the bassinet. Christine looked up at him and smiled nervously, giving him space to see Clary as she worked. Jonathan looked down on his unconscious wife and swallowed the lump forming in his throat. She looked so small, delicate… vulnerable. I did this to her.
He spoke quietly to the nurse, his eyes not leaving Clary. "Leave us." From the corner of his eye, he saw the nurse quickly pull a cushioned rocking chair up to the side of the bed near the bassinet, then set a small baby bottle on the bedside table. "Yes sir. Uh– the baby will need her bottle soon, when she awakens." She quickly started the IV pump and scurried into the nursery. When he heard the nursery door close he stared down at his wife. She looked beautiful. Her crimson curls had been arranged meticulously on the black silk pillows, her cheeks rosy from the infusions. He noticed her freckles had darkened from being outside earlier. Her pink lips were parted and freshly glossed, as if waiting for a kiss. Jonathan dropped to his knees next to the bed and gently kissed her warm lips, then laid his head against Clary's chest. Wrapping his long arms around her, he sobbed. "I love you, Clarissa." She must have been so frightened. He thought back to how he had treated her that morning. How he had upset her. She had complained of pains, but he hadn't done anything other than tell her he would fuck her again later. I was so selfish. So Sebastian. "Clarissa– forgive me. I didn't mean it. I didn't think Nate would hurt you– Please wake up…" He heard her heart beating through the silk of her nightgown. He looked at the bassinet out of the corner of his eye and sniffed. "My love, she's here now. I can't meet her without you. I-I don't know how to act with her… we need you." He lifted his head from her chest when he heard a mewling sound and small, persistent cry from the bassinet. It's her. She's awake.
Jonathan quickly stood up and wiped his eyes when he heard the nurse come back in. She cleared her throat and looked at Jonathan. "Would you like to hold your daughter, sir? S-she's hungry." Jonathan walked to the end of the bed and finally looked upon his daughter. She was tightly wrapped in a sage and lavender swaddle blanket, with a finely knit matching lavender cap. She was rosy and pursed her lips, making a sucking sound. She wants her mother's breast. He tilted his head curiously and reached down, gently pulling off her hat. He gasped and smiled, tears pricking his eyes, as fine silken red curls bounced out of the hat. So pretty. She looks like her mother… so much hair. My daughter. I love her so much. Tearing his eyes from his daughter, he looked at the nurse nervously. "Yes, I'd like– Please."
The nurse motioned to the rocker next to the bassinet and Jonathan quickly sat down. She nervously sat a thick pillow onto Jonathan's lap, laid a cloth over his shoulder, then before he knew it, placed his daughter into his arms. Jonathan stared down at her and began to rock, slipping the warmed bottle into her mouth. The baby wiggled and whined, acclimating to the rubber nipple and sucking hard. "She's stunning, so strong, Clarissa. Just like you…" He looked over at his wife's sleeping form. She looked so small under the lush covers, surrounded by pillows. "Wake up, love. We need you." All I need is Clarissa to wake up, then we'll be the family we're meant to be. Forever. Once she sees our perfect daughter, she'll have to love me. She'll stay. She will have no other choice. Smiling he continued to rock, humming as he cuddled the delicate newborn against his chest, reveling in the high pitched grunts and smacking sounds she made while eating. My daughter. My wife. My family. Mine.
The Next Day
Will Herondale smirked and secured the cuffs on the two unconscious guards and took their keys. The silly bitches actually thought they could take me. Dragging the thugs into a utility closet, Will closed the door, then continued to walk down the hallway to the cells where Alec and Simon Lewis were being held. Jace had called him last night, with the most interesting tale about Amatis Graymark. Apparently, over the past six months, she had slowly, mostly recovered from the brain-scrambling by Valentine, Dr. Pontmercy, and Jonathan… faking her insanity for quite a while. I wonder what 'mostly' means. She knew Jonathan planned to kidnap Clary and bring her back to Morgenstern Manor to await the birth of their child. That Jonathan wanker just doesn't understand the word NO. She had kept her reclaimed clarity to herself to be able to help Clary when the time came… redeem herself. We'll see about that. I have no qualms about putting a bullet in her head if she turns on Clary again.
Jace indicated that Amatis has a hidden hideout on the Morgenstern Estate and that they were to hole up there and prepare for when it was safe to get Clary and her baby out of here. Wise idea, since Morgenstern had doubled down on security in his private wing, where Jace said Clary and her daughter were being kept. Apparently, there was some new security wall sealing that wing of the manor from everything else. It was something Jonathan had installed after they rescued Clary, months before. They'd need to figure out how to breach it, of course. He had forgotten to tell his little cousin that he had recently acquired a new inside person that is quite eager to help Clary. Nurse Christine was easy to persuade. He'd barely had to use his charms. She had followed Clary's annulment case quite closely and was a secret supporter of her endeavor to be free. And quite a looker too. She told him that even if she awoke, Clary would have to recover from her surgery a bit before she would be able to run, if she had to. Will's heart had sunk. She would need her strength. Christine had promised to keep Will abreast of any changes in Clary's condition. It's all we can do for now, unless we can sneak in and just fucking kill Morgenstern. I like that idea better…
Will unlocked, then walked into the cells holding Alec and Lewis, flipping the lights on. In the first cell, Alec stood tall and angry, with his fists in front of him ready to fight. In the second, Simon Lewis stood shaking with fury, his face bloody, one eye sealed shut, one arm in a cast, the other holding a broken chair leg as a weapon. Will raised his eyebrows in approval. Jace had told him Lewis was useless, but as Clary's best friend, not expendable. "Mr. Lewis, I presume. I'm Will Herondale. I think my cousin may have underestimated you… it seems the nerd may have some bite after all." Simon blew out an annoyed breath and looked at Alec through the glass. "Jesus Christ, Lightwood… There are two of them? Two fucking Herondales… I just can't." Alec nodded and laughed. "Good to see you, Will. Now get us the fuck out of here." Will smirked and unlocked their cells, handing them the guns he had swiped from the guards. "Okay, boys. Follow me… we have quite a weird meeting to get to with Jace, Jem, and Amatis Graymark. I'll tell you everything on the way." Alec and Simon locked eyes in confusion, following Will down the hall.
Two Days Later
Jonathan stood vigilantly at the bottom of Clary's bed, his arms crossed. Pontmercy was injecting fluid into Clarissa's IV. It was an experimental drug concoction that the doctor had quickly developed, hoping it would stimulate her to wake. It also contained a drug to keep her calm– susceptible to suggestion. Malleable, especially in her weakened state. Herondale was still out there somewhere, biding his time. I know it. He had assured Jonathan that it wouldn't pass into breast milk and harm his daughter, if Clary were to feed her. The nurse had just checked her incision site, changed her dressing, informing him that she was healing well. She was no longer on the monitors, per Pontmercy's new orders. He smiled and nodded at her, telling her to go. The nurse, Christine, flicked her eyes nervously at Pontmercy and left. Jonathan watched her leave, narrowing his eyes, then looked back at his wife. It had been almost three days since their daughter was born and Clarissa was still asleep. The Beauty Team had just left after bathing Clarissa thoroughly and making her up for the day. They had cleaned her teeth, then changed her into a white floral silk nightgown. The silken top was trimmed with delicate lace, spaghetti straps, and low cut, exposing the tops of her full breasts. She looked like his very own Sleeping Beauty and he was mildly ashamed to feel aroused as he gazed at her. He was tempted to cup and squeeze her breasts… kiss and bury his face between them. Stop thinking like a horny teenager. Jonathan cleared his throat and shook his head. She even holds me in her thrall, this very minute… in a fucking coma. Jesus.
Pontmercy had told Jonathan that Clarissa's milk was coming in. If she didn't wake up soon and nurse the baby, they would have to give her drugs to diminish production to avoid infection. Pontmercy stepped back and disposed of the syringe, sighing. "Now we wait, sir. I shall give you privacy. I have faith it shall work…soon." Jonathan turned to the doctor and gave him a cold look. "You had better hope it does, Pontmercy. I grow tired of your failures. Now. I suspect Nurse Christine may not approve of your methods, not unlike Nurse Ruth. Something is off with her. Please follow up on that. I will not tolerate another breach." Dr. Pontmercy pursed his lips and nodded, taking his leave. Jonathan watched him leave as the nanny peeked in from the nursery to tell him the baby was still sleeping in her crib. "The Baby" His daughter had yet to be named. Another thing I cannot do without you, Clarissa. She needs her name. She needs her mother.
Jonathan sat down on the bed, next to his sleeping wife and fluffed the pillows around her, then laid back against them with her. Lacing his fingers through hers, he raised them to his lips. Just as he kissed them, her hand closed around his and he heard a light moan. Jonathan gasped and sat up, looking at Clary. Her brow was creased and she rubbed her lips together, whimpering. Yes. Thank god. Jonathan cupped her face in his hands, kissing her lips and cheeks excitedly. "Clarissa, darling. Wake up, love. Come back to me. Please." She's waking up.