Chapter 71: The end is nigh. Clary meets her daughter and the ball gets rolling.
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Rated M. Non-Con elements. Drugs.
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: "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."
Clary's eyes fluttered open, then closed again at the blinding light. "Welcome back, Clarissa. Can you hear me?" Pontmercy. The freak leaned over her face, smiling. She jumped when she felt a blood pressure cuff begin to squeeze her arm. "I can hear you. Get the fuck out of my face, Pontmercy. Where am I? W-what happened?" Freak. She heard him chuckle and her eyes flew wide as he clicked off the penlight he'd been shining in her eyes. She remembered Pontmercy and his sick neurological experiments… how he helped destroy Amatis' mind. The pain his drugs had inflicted on her. He tried to take and warp my memories. I don't want him near me. Blinking, she looked around. Shit. I'm back in my bedroom at Morgenstern Manor. Clary tried to sit up then fell back against her pillows, groaning as she felt a deep burning pain low in her abdomen. Her head felt groggy, she couldn't concentrate, and her limbs felt heavy. Pontmercy turned and began injecting something into her IV line. "Don't try to sit up, Clarissa. I'm giving you something for the… pain. You need to rest and recuperate now… think about how much you love your husband. Jonathan has been standing vigil at your bedside. He's been so worried." Jonathan? Recuperate? From what? My baby.
Clary gasped as she remembered Nate shoving her against a wall, pain, her water breaking, so much blood… They had been in the barn. How did I get here? Nate must have brought me. Why can't I remember? Clary put her hands across her abdomen, expecting to find comfort from her round belly, but found nothing. "Wh-what happened? Where's my baby? Tell me! Give her to me!" Screaming, Clary threw the covers off of her and pulled up her nightgown just above her pubic bone, across her lower abdomen was surgical dressing, bandages, and tape. She was wearing large mesh underwear and a menstrual pad. My baby. Too early. He took my baby. Pontmercy and a nurse held her wrists, pushing her back down as Clary struggled to get up and sobbed. "Clarissa, calm down. You're going to tear your incision–" Clary cried out as Pontmercy suddenly flew backwards onto the floor, a very angry Jonathan glowering down at him. "Don't touch my wife you fool. Get the fuck out of here before I snap both of your necks." Trembling, Clary pulled her covers back up and fell back against the pillows. Her incision pain was fading, as the medication took effect. She watched Pontmercy and the nurse scramble from the room as Jonathan stood tall and locked eyes with her. "Clarissa– welcome back, love." Panting and mumbling she closed her eyes, shaking her head, running her hands up and down her flatter stomach. Where's my baby? She felt buzzed, strange, detached… must be the pain med. She heard Jonathan moving about the room, as hot tears streamed down her face. I don't have the energy to fight him. She felt the bed dip beside her, terror wracking her body. She opened her eyes and looked up at him. "Where is she, Jonathan? Did Nate hurt her? He tried to force me to– So much blood. Is she– is she– Where's my baby?" Something must have happened to her. Oh god… Why can't I remember?
Sobbing, Clary went limp as she felt Jonathan's arms wrap around her and pull her against his chest. He shushed her, nuzzling his face into her neck, cooing soothing words, running his hands up and down her back. "Shh. Clarissa, our daughter is fine. You've been asleep for three days, darling. We were unable to wake you after your C-section, my love. You scared me so. But, she's fine. Perfect… waiting to meet her mother." Clary's heart began to race with relief and excitement. She whimpered and clutched the front of his shirt. Jonathan pulled back and cupped her face in his hands, brushing her tears away with his thumbs. Pressing his lips against hers, he murmured against them. "Now, now, love. No more crying. You want to look your best to meet our daughter." He kissed her tenderly and rubbed his nose across her face. "I've missed you." Clary allowed the kiss, trying not to shudder, afraid he would withhold her baby. I just need to see her.
Gasping, Clary jumped back from him, feeling a strange stinging sensation in her breasts. She pressed her hands against her chest and blushed. "I– I think my milk just came in… uh–" she heard a tiny cry behind him. It's her. Chuckling, Jonathan looked at her chest, lustfully bit his lip, and turned from her. She heard him speak low to somebody. When he turned back to her, he held a tiny pink bundle, with a shock of bright red curls on her head, in his large arms. Clary gasped in joy and looked up at Jonathan, smiling, reaching for her. He grinned back at her nodding, with shining eyes, and gently placed her daughter into her arms for the first time. Clary barely noticed him reaching to the straps of her nightgown, pulling them down, exposing her breasts.
Clary had never felt anything as consuming and powerful as the burst of love and joy she experienced when she looked into the beautiful dark eyes of her daughter. Is this how my mother felt when she first met me? "She's hungry, Clarissa. She hasn't fed well these past few days. I think she was waiting for you, love." Jonathan hummed, nuzzling her neck, kissing her jaw, as she wondered at her precious daughter. Barely hearing him, Clary cuddled the baby closer and leaned down, kissing her silken curls and inhaling her sweet scent. "Hello, my heart. I'm so sorry I wasn't awake to meet you first, but Mommy is so happy to meet you now, Celine Jocelyn Fairchild. I love you so much." Jonathan cleared his throat. "Celine Jocelyn Fairchild Morgenstern, darling. A perfect name for our beautiful daughter, Clarissa." Little Celine began to wiggle and pout her lips, making smacking sounds. Clary giggled, swallowed the lump forming in her throat, and began feeding her daughter for the first time. Baby Celine latched onto her breast eagerly and made tiny pleased grunting sounds. Clary sighed, relishing the relief nursing her newborn brought her. Jonathan continued to hover, gently kissing Clary's neck and shoulder as she fed their child. Clary blatantly ignored his romantic overtures, the drugs numbing her to anything but her daughter. I can't deal with him and his perversion right now. I'm too tired. I need to focus on her. When Celine finished, he placed a soft burp cloth over Clary's naked shoulder, his hand stroking her bare breast. Brushing his hand away impatiently, Clary sighed and put Celine to her shoulder, gently patting her back. "Enough Jonathan. Just stop it. I'm too exhausted to fight you today. Please." How will I ever get us out of here, little one? He'll never let us go now. Never.
Two Days Later.
Jonathan climbed onto the bed, laying beside Clary, his arm propped on his elbow. He reached forward and stroked a few wayward curls from her forehead. Clary had fallen asleep with an icepack on her incision, exhausted after feeding their daughter and walking around the room. His precious Celine had drunk her fill from both of her mother's perfect, milk swollen breasts and would be ready for more in a few hours. She is so strong, like her mother. After Clary fell asleep he had the nanny take Celine to the nursery to sleep, so he could be alone with his wife. Clarissa had quickly adapted to burping and changing her, as if she'd done it a thousand times, but still barely acknowledged him. He had stuck close to his wife in their quarters and nursery, since she awoke. Stealing kisses, touching her, trying to get her to respond to him at all. She never fought him when he hugged or kissed her or fondled her breasts, just simply went limp and waited for him to finish, then went about her day. I hate it when she ignores me. She's still angry with me, I suppose. Let her be. She's stuck here and will come around. He knew the drugs and painkillers made her more passive and drowsy, but still herself. The herself that didn't want to be near him. Pontmercy had offered to administer his experimental Mental Conversion therapy cocktail to wipe and manipulate her memories again. Jonathan had refused, not wanting to traumatize her anymore… for now.
Jonathan looked up when Nurse Christine walked into the room from the nursery. She nervously cleared her throat. "I'm here to check her incision and change her dressing, I'll try not to wake her. We're all so happy that she recovered from her sleep, sir." Jonathan sat up and nodded his permission. He had assigned a few of his men to follow Christine when she wasn't with Clary. There was something off about her, but he didn't know what yet. He suspected she may be working with the Herondale's. He and his men had yet to find their hideout, but Jonathan knew he was somewhere on the estate. He hoped she would slip up and he could get to Jace Herondale. We'll see.
Jonathan got up and walked to the window, looking out over his estate, as Christine cleaned and redressed Clary's incision. He heard Christine whispering to Clary and the covers rustling. Turning back around, he quickly came up to the bed to see Clary staring impassively at him. Christine cleared her throat. "She's healing well, sir. The dressing can be removed in a few days." Christine rearranged her pillows and looked nervously at Clary. "Christine, I want you to remove my IV now. I no longer wish to have special "pain" medicine from Dr. Pontmercy. It dulls me too much. I shall only accept oral Ibuprofen from now on. If I require anything stronger I shall request it." Christine swallowed and flicked her eyes to Jonathan. Smiling tightly, he nodded at the nurse, giving permission. Clary watched, ignoring him, as Christine removed the IV and dressed the site. She's showing her fire again. I'm getting her back sooner than I thought.
When she finished, Christine looked at him. "It's important that she ambulate regularly, now that she's back to us, sir. No stairs, of course yet. But the fresh air would especially be helpful. Might I suggest the gardens? It's been such a warm autumn and there are still many flowers left. If you want I can take her and the baby out later… and she can explore the gardens–" Jonathan narrowed his eyes at her and smiled. "We shall see. Thank you, Christine. You may go." Christine swallowed and nodded, quickly leaving the room. Yep. She's a traitor… Now she can lead me to the others.
Clary watched Jonathan walk out of the room and furiously text someone. Pulling back the covers she got out of bed and rushed to the wardrobe. This was the first day her incision didn't throb and she wasn't drugged. Fucking Pontmercy. Jonathan's bitch. She raised her eyebrows when she saw most of her maternity clothes had already been replaced by normal clothing. For a psycho, he certainly is efficient. Clary quickly removed her nightgown and pulled on a pair of black leggings and a purple fleece top. I have to hurry. Christine said to get to the garden today and wait for a sign. What kind of sign? A bullet between Jonathan's eyes would be nice. Stepping into a pair of mid calf suede boots, she secured the small gun against her ankle Christine had slipped into the bed with her. Can I really shoot someone? Shaking, she tucked the phone Christine gave her into her other boot. Jonathan had stepped into the hallway and she could hear his voice fading as he walked further away, talking on his phone. Shit. I have to get Celine. Christine said the nanny's Team Morgenstern, so I have to be tough. Clary smiled to herself, thinking about her precious baby girl, and walked into the nursery. We have to go.
The nanny sat in a chair reading as Celine slept. She looked up, her eyes wide. "Oh hello! Can I help you Mrs. Morgenstern?" Clary quickly closed the door to the nursery and rushed to her. "Y-yes. I'm taking my daughter for a walk. I need her diaper bag, fleece outerwear, and her stroller. Where are these items?" The nanny shook her head nervously. "I don't think that's a good idea, Mrs.-" Clary leaned close into the nanny's face, hissing angrily. "It wasn't a fucking question! Get me these things now or do I have to have my husband remind you who's in charge…" The nanny stood up suddenly and scurried about gathering Clary's requested items. Yikes. That was effective. Clary leaned over the crib, zipping Celine into a thick green fleece, and slipping a matching hat onto her head. She gently laid the baby in the stroller, placed a paci into her mouth, slipped a baby sling inside the diaper bag, and covered her with a soft blanket. "We don't want her to get cold, love." Clary jumped and spun around when she heard Jonathan directly behind her. Reaching forward he grabbed her hips and pulled her closer. "Where are you running off to, Clarissa?" Shit.
Clary pushed his hands off of her hips and looked up at him. His black eyes glittered angrily at her when she stepped away from him. "I want to go outside to the gardens. I need to get out of our room– fresh air Jonathan… I almost died. Celine may need to nurse, so I'm taking her in the stroller. Please, Jon. Let me. I'll keep it short." Jonathan sighed and looked past Clary into the stroller, smiling lovingly down at the sleeping newborn. Clary's heart began to pound. Taking a deep breath, Jonathan returned his gaze to her, his expression darkening suddenly. He stepped forward, wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her against him. Clary didn't fight him this time. Don't trigger him. "Kiss me first, Clarissa. I haven't had a real kiss from you in so long. I almost lost you, love. Then you can go on your walk. I have a meeting, but Amatis can go with you…" Amatis? Crap. Clary sighed and smiled tightly up at him, nodding. Just a kiss.
Jonathan hummed and slid his hands up the side of her body, gently squeezed her breasts, then cupped her face in his hands. Clary yelped and pushed against his chest, as he slammed his mouth against hers hungrily, forcing his tongue into her mouth. Trying not to cringe, she allowed his hands to wander over her body as he plundered her mouth, stealing her breath. Just get it over with. Clary trembled as he pulled back from her, then pressed his forehead to hers, rolling his arousal against her stomach. "Now that's a kiss. I can't wait until you're recovered Clarissa. Pontmercy says six more weeks. I shall enjoy being inside of you again, kitten. Maybe I'll even put another baby in you. I know I'll enjoy trying. I think you will too." Pig. Clary jerked away from him and grabbed the stroller handle, avoiding his lecherous gaze. "Please don't do such things in front of Celine, Jonathan. I-it's not appropriate." Turning, she pushed the stroller out into the hallway. She heard him chuckle darkly as she rushed towards the elevator. "Remember to stay where the guards can see you, Clarissa… or I'll have to punish you." Clary gripped the stroller tightly, her knuckles turning white. Fuck you, Sebastian.
The elevator doors opened to the great hall and Clary saw Amatis waiting for her by the front entrance. Her heart sank. She hadn't seen her aunt at all since she woke up and didn't really want to. She betrayed me. Shot Jace. She's insane. Jonathan and Pontmercy destroyed her. How am I going to escape with her there? Clary wasn't even sure if this was her escape. All Christine had been able to tell her while she slipped a gun and phone in her hand was to go to the garden and wait for something. But what? Clary hadn't been able to use the phone yet to call Jace because of all the cameras. She didn't dare. Christine had told her that she wasn't alone at Morgenstern Manor, that she had more allies than she knew. Amatis grinned at her, jumped up and down and clapped her hands. Reaching into the closet, she pulled out a large hooded jacket. "Clary! Little niece mama. I'm so glad to see you–" The guards side eyed Amatis and moved away from the door, smiling at Clary and nodding. She makes them nervous. Join the club, assholes. Clary fake smiled at them and exited the hall, with Amatis chirping away at her. Clary refused to look at her or speak. I have to lose her somehow. As they made their way to the other side of the courtyard, Amatis suddenly stopped, grabbing Clary's hand and the handle of the stroller.
Startled, Clary stopped and looked at her aunt with wide eyes. "Clary, it's me. Look at me. I'm me… not– I've recovered. Jonathan and Dr. Potfuckup don't know. They think I'm– still think that they destroyed me. I'm getting you and my brother's granddaughter out of here, honey. Now… so, let's pretend to take a small stroll, shall we. Someone's waiting for you in the garden." Jace? Clary stared hard at her aunt, her eyes welling with tears, then nodded, whispering. "Welcome back, Amatis. Thank you." Amatis smiled back at her and took the stroller, looping her arm through Clary's and led her to the garden.
Jace looked at Alec, as they both quickly zipped up the black and red security vests and put on black ball caps. They looked exactly like the rest of Morgenstern's security team now. Just epically hotter. Alec snorted and rolled his eyes at Jace. Did I say that out loud? They had easily overpowered the two guards in the garden and rendered them unconscious. Binding and gagging them, the two detectives dragged them into a shed behind a tall wall of flowered shrubs. Jace looked down at his phone. "Will says Christine texted that Clary and the baby will be out here soon with Amatis. He, Jem, and Lewis are in place for the distraction. Jonathan should be in the basement for his weekly meeting, according to our source." Alec looked at Jace and nodded. "I'm ready, brother. Let's get your girl and get home." Home. With our baby. It had been days since he had seen Clary. She had been in a coma then and his heart was broken. Amatis had hidden them in an old bunkhouse on the estate. Christine had let them know two days ago that Clary was awake and should make a full recovery. They had gathered equipment and planned to cause a diversion while taking Clary and her baby out of here. Today was that day. Jace and Alec walked side by side, pretending to patrol the gardens, waiting for Clary to make an appearance. Christine had given Clary a phone that had a tracker in it. Jace opened his phone and saw that Clary was on the move, near the front entrance of the manor, headed towards the gardens. He quickly texted Will Clary's location. Jace's heart began to pound and he looked at Alec. "Get ready Alec. As soon as she gets here, shit's going to hit the fan." Alec looked past Jace and grinned. "I guess that means now, bro." Jace spun around just in time to see the love of his life turn the corner. Clary gasped and walked quickly towards him.
Jace broke out into a run, closing the distance between them, then stopped before crushing her to him. Clary put a hand up and finger to her lips, shushing him and pointing down. Hanging around her neck and wrapped around her was a sling with her tiny baby inside, cuddled against her chest. She looks so tired. Clary reached her hands out and cupped his face, pulling his mouth to hers. Jace groaned and kissed her fiercely, his hand dropping down, laying protectively across her baby. "Pulling back he stroked her face. "Hi baby. Are you ready to get out of here? Again?" Clary smiled up at him, tears leaking from the corner of her eyes. "Yes, my love. Please. Take us home." Jace turned and wrapped an arm around Clary and looked at Alec. Alec nodded and leaned forward, kissing Clary's cheek, peeking down at the tiny baby in the sling. "Oh my, Clary. What a beauty. Let's get her home." Clary sniffled and nodded up at him. Flanking her other side, Alec and Jace led Clary through the back of the garden, where a large black SUV, with tinted windows waited for them.
Tessa Gray rolled the driver side window down and Clary covered her mouth, laughing. "Hello, Clary. Surprise! I'm here to drive you out of here again, love. Hop in and strap that wee one in. We need to roll." Jace helped Clary into the back, then secured her baby into the awaiting car seat. Jace slipped into the other side, keeping the baby between them. Alec got in the passenger seat and Tessa started the engine. "How on earth can she sleep through all of this?" Clary slumped against the seat and smiled lovingly down at her daughter, "Easy, babe. She's completely milk drunk. I fed her on my way to you… She started crying and Amatis helped me sling her and she ate while I walked." Jace smirked at her and nodded. "Resourceful woman, sweetheart. I love you." Clary smiled sadly at him. "I love you too. I hope Amatis gets away." Jace nodded solemnly, then reached forward and slapped Alec on the back. "Do it, Alec. It's time." Alec nodded and pulled out his phone. "We've got her and the baby, Will. Fucking do it." Clary furrowed her brow and looked between Alec and Jace. Jace reached down and cupped his hands over Celine's ears. "Do what?" Clary jumped and screamed as a loud explosion ripped through the air, back at Morgenstern Manor. Tessa peeled out the SUV and started driving them around the garden, heading towards the front gates of the Morgenstern Estate. "It's about five miles to the front gates, hopefully everyone will be too busy sifting through the useless carcasses of Morgenstern's crew to bother us. Don't worry Clary, Will and Jem made sure the servants were cleared out. We're swinging past to get the guys by the stables. Hold tight." Clary's mouth hung open in shock as she saw smoke and flames billowing from the back of the manor. It seemed to be coming from Jonathan's private offices, where he would have had his meeting. Clary's lip began to quiver and she started to cry. Is he dead? Am I free? Clary looked down at her sleeping daughter. Is her father dead? Guilt creeped into her heart. Jace reached across and took her hands in his, kissing her knuckles. "Stop it, Clary. No guilt. He didn't deserve her or you. You're both free." Clary sniffed and cleared her throat, nodding. Clary and Jace jumped when Tessa suddenly slammed on the brakes, stopping the SUV cold, just outside of the garden entrance. "Oh shit. Oh no. NO!" Clary leaned forward to look through the windshield, following Tessa's eyes and screamed.