Four Years Later

Simon really hated working late. Even after four years of marriage he didn't like losing an entire evening with Izzy, especially now, but if he didn't get this report in before the weekend there would be hell to pay. So here he was on a Friday night after 6pm still at his desk. Simon had already decided never to put it off again no matter how much he'd rather be doing something else. Very soon staying late would be even less appealing and Simon knew he needed to get better at time management.

Surely, he had at least one friend who was good at it and could give him advice. Jace might have a few time management tricks up his sleeve after so many years or balancing childcare with his career. Simon already knew Clary wasn't any good at crossing things off her to do list and was likely relying on her fiance for that. Yes, those two idiots were still engaged. Four years later and still engaged. Maia and Jordan had at least tied the knot earlier this year. It had been a beautiful sunset wedding on a beach in Greece and the maid of honour had planned at least half of it. The thought made Simon simple. As the best man, Simon had significantly less to do at Jordan's wedding than his wife but he knew she liked it that way and if she was happy, Simon was happy. In fact, he should probably ask Izzy about time management ideas or maybe Jordan. He didn't want to bother Izzy right now. Jordan always seemed quite organized with his school work life balance. Simon didn't think anyone could be in school that long and not have their time management skills figured out. Then again he supposed some students did manage to get by with the whole 'finish their paper at the last minute' strategy. It had been so long since they'd been in school together, Simon couldn't quite remember if Jordan was the last minute type of student or the organized one. He made a mental note to ask at the next opportunity. Simon knew Magnus had once been brilliant at time management. Simon remembered back when he was a kid, Magnus was always working at least two jobs. Managing your time around two jobs had to be complicated. Simon suspected that Magnus had been slowly losing this skill over the years of his marriage to Alec. Magnus seemed to be getting used to the secure feeling that came with knowing even if you didn't have an income it wouldn't cost you your house. Simon knew how he felt. It wasn't like his in-laws paid his bills, but Simon knew if they were in crisis or if something awful happened, Robert and Maryse would never let Izzy lose her home. In a way it was like having really really good totally free universally applicable insurance. Simon chuckled at his own wording.

Then he blinked and remembered that he was supposed to be working so he could leave. Stupid goldfish brain didn't want to concentrate which Simon thought was fair since technically work was over just not for him today because last week Simon hadn't gotten the job done.

With a deep sigh, Simon forced himself to get back to work. He was almost done then he could go home and make sure he never had to stay late again.

Just one last edit to go and he could send the horrid report and make a run home to Izzy as fast as the speed limits would allow.

Knock, knock, knock. The sound was coming from the other side of his office door.

"Come in," Simon said automatically. He was used to coworkers coming and going with questions throughout the work day. He had no idea anyone else was still here at this time of night.

The door opened and a woman walked in. Simon recognized her as someone who worked down the hall but he was having a hard time remembering her name. Was it Jessica? No, that wasn't quite right.

"I thought I saw your light on," she said.

"Just finishing up," Simon replied. "Do you need something before I go?"

She was giving him the oddest look. Simon couldn't quite figure it out, but he was sure she'd never looked at him like that during business hours before. He was starting to think maybe her name was Jessica and he was just second guessing his memory because it was late and he was tired.

"You could say that," maybe Jessica replied. She was moving closer, walking slowly but somehow blocking the door. Simon didn't know why but his instinct at that moment was to run which didn't make any sense. He wasn't in any danger.

"Still having problems with the new software?" Simon asked, trying to remember the most common questions he'd been getting over the last few weeks.

"Nope," she replied. "Got that working on day one."

Simon chuckled. "I wish I could say the same about everyone else."

He hadn't said anything funny, but she laughed. It was so strange. Simon wanted out of his conversation, but he still hadn't submitted his report and she was blocking the door.

"You've worked here a while now," probably Jessica began. Simon was far too awkward at this point to actually ask her if he had her name right.

"I remember the first day you showed up." She giggled again and Simon felt utterly lost despite sitting in his very familiar desk chair. "You were so nervous. You said it was the first adult job you'd ever had."

"Oh yeah," Simon replied. Her words had actually sparked a bit of a memory for him. "I meant a career level job but nervous Simon doesn't exactly know how to phrase things well." Why was she just describing an event he attended? Was she concerned about his memory? This didn't make any sense. He laughed nervously and added, "Tell me something I don't know." It was meant to be rhetorical, but to his surprise she answered.

"I wanted you back then too," Jessica stated, moving another step closer before coming to sit on his desk with her legs crossed. Simon was now at eye level with the very revealing slit in her skirt.

"I'm married," Simon reminded her. He was trying not to stare but she was making it extremely difficult.

She just shrugged and leaned in closer. "So am I," she said.

"Okay well I'm happily married," Simon replied.

"I'm not sure I believe you anymore," Jessica countered.

Simon forced his eyes forward to his computer screen. "I have a bit more work to do so if there is nothing work related you'd like to discuss then I'll have to ask you to leave."

"You've been attending work events alone for a while now," maybe Jessica reminded him. "How is that happily married?"

"What it is is none of your business," Simon snapped back.

She was getting way too close for comfort. Simon decided enough was enough and stood up. If she insisted on sitting at his desk and showing off her skin then he would just remove himself from the desk, even if it was his desk.

"You can't be that happy if she isn't coming to any of your events anymore," she whined or at least to Simon it sounded like a whine. He was sure she was trying to flirt but the entire situation was so beyond uncomfortable for him sex was quite literally the last thing on his mind.

"I promise," Simon said, standing four feet away now. "It isn't what you think. We are very happy and this is never going to happen."

"I'm not asking for much really," Jessica tried again. "Just a great night or even a fun hour."

"Nothing you've described is worth risking my marriage for," Simon told her kindly. "When I say never. I mean quite literally when the sun grows cold and the stars fall out of the sky."

"Fine," she said with a sign. She stood up and moved away from his desk. Clearly disappointed but also willing to accept his no.

"Thanks," Simon said awkwardly. "You know I've never been in a position to turn anyone down before. This is actually kinda a big moment for me."

"You don't give yourself enough credit," Jessica replied. "You are a good guy Simon. I hope your wife knows how lucky she is."

"I know how lucky I am to have her," Simon answered.

Now that she'd moved away, Simon sat back at his desk. Screw looking over the report one last time. He hit send. He was going home to Izzy.

"Don't sell yourself short," Jessica told him as she headed towards the door.

"Right back at you," Simon told her. "If things aren't right at home, do something about it."

"Nothing can be done," she replied.

"Bull shit," Simon snapped back rather more aggressively than he'd intended to. "There is always something that can be done."

She just smiled politely and left, closing the door behind her. Simon hoped that whatever was going on with her that she put in the effort to fix it. It wasn't his place to ask for details or help but he believed everyone deserved to find their own happinesses.

Collecting his coat from the hook on the wall, Simon headed out. He had done everything in his power to not look at the beautiful tan legs of the woman who had just thrown herself at him, but alas Simon was still all worked up. He knew he wasn't getting lucky tonight however. Maybe a cold shower was in order?

On the short drive home, Simon couldn't help but think about what it had felt like to be on the receiving end of unwanted romantic interest. So many times both before and after he'd married Isabelle he'd witnessed such types of unwanted romantic interest. Usually the guy in question ignored him even after they were both wearing wedding bands. It had always made Simon feel unworthy of Izzy at least a little, no matter how much Izzy told him it meant nothing.

Now he knew what it was like to be on the other end of it and honestly it wasn't all that pleasant. It felt like the whole experience had cured whatever insecurities he had buried deep inside. He felt lighter, even if only slightly. Rejecting someone was by no means worse than being rejected but it wasn't fun either.

Simon pulled into his driveway. It was still new this whole having a driveway thing, but given the circumstances his in-laws had insisted. When the Lightwoods wanted you to be a homeowner by golly that's what ya did. He had at least consoled himself that he paid the mortgage even if he hadn't contributed much to the down payment. Of course, Izzy had been the main influence on picking the house. Simon knew he'd like anything she chose but he also just wasn't the type to get overly attached to buildings. It mattered more to Izzy so he'd given her final say. Simon had just been excited that they had enough rooms for him to have a small office in the basement. Jordan had taken to calling it a 'man cave' but Simon preferred office.

Walking in his front door, Simon called out to his wife before setting down his things. He heard her voice and followed it until he ended up downstairs. Izzy was sitting on the couch rewatching one of her favourite shows.

"Let me guess," Simon smiled as he came to sit beside her. "Poldark."

"The period costumes give it away," Izzy told him. She paused the show to face him before speaking again. "Did you manage to get your report in?"

"I did," Simon said. "Didn't edit it though so we will see what they say on monday."

"You didn't need to rush home for me," Izzy said. "You should have edited it."

"That wasn't it," Simon said. He'd known even before thinking of the question that he was going to tell Izzy everything that happened, but now that he was faced with actually forming the sentences he wasn't sure if there was a good or bad way to explain it.

"Why then?" Izzy asked. "Did your computer crash?"

"Computers fine," Simon answered. "It was way weirder than that. A coworker hit on me."

Izzy looked at him clearly trying to read this mind. "I'm not sure whether I should congratulate you or just give you a pissed off look."

"Neither would be great," Simon chuckled.

"You look a little too pleased with yourself," Izzy grumbled.

"Can't help it," Simon smiled. "It's flattering and it gives me a little bit of insight into what it's been like for you all these years."

"Oh yeah, being hit on all the time is great," Izzy said with considerable sarcasm.

"It's really not," Simon agreed, shuffling over to snuggle up to her on the couch. "It's actually a lot of work. People do not like hearing no."

"No they do not," Izzy agreed.

The show was still paused and Simon took the opportunity to turn to his wife and kiss her sweetly. Izzy's lips were soft and tasted slightly like hickory sticks. It made him smile.

"I love you," he told her. "So much."

"I know," she said, burying her face in his shoulder. "I love you too."

Simon wrapped his arms around her. It was a task that was getting more and more difficult each day, but Simon always made the effort. As he pulled out of the hug he looked around for the hickory sticks. When he didn't see them he asked Izzy where she'd stashed them.

"How did you know?" she asked.

"It's all in the kiss, my love," Simon chuckled. "Now I want some."

Looking only slightly sheepish, Izzy reached over to the side of the couch Simon wasn't sitting on and pulled her arm back holding a bag of hickory sticks. She'd clearly hidden them between the couch and end table when she'd heard him arrive home.

"Thanks," Simon said as he put his hand in the bag. "You know you don't have to hide them from me. This is normal."

"Urg! I've never been so hungry!" Izzy whined. "I hate it. I'm fat and ravenous and and-"

"And beautiful," Simon added.

"Oh I am definitely not that anymore," Izzy scoffed.

"You are always beautiful to me," Simon reminded her. He'd been making a point to remind her of this since the first day she'd thrown up her lunch, but he had a feeling she didn't believe him.

"I can't see my feet anymore," Izzy whined. "And I waddle. I waddle like a whale."

"Whales can't waddle," Simon told her kindly.

"Oh whatever," Izzy grumbled. "You know what I meant."

"Won't be long now," Simon told her.

"It's already been too long," Izzy groaned. "I want this thing out of me!"

"I'm sure she wants out just as badly," Simon smiled. "There's a big exciting world for her to see."

"And best of all once she's out of me I can hand her to someone else and sleep without her kicking me in the ribs," Izzy commented.

Simon chuckled. "Excellent plan," he told her. "Between my mother and both your parents plus the eager uncles this kid is gonna have a major posse."

"I'm not sure I would have been on board with the 'have a baby' plan if not for the posse," Izzy admitted. "Kids I think we could handle but babies and toddlers require a village or so Tessa and Jace keep telling me and I'm inclined to believe them."

"They do know what they are talking about in that area," Simon chuckled.

"Their village is smaller," Izzy said. "I'm hoping that means this will be easier for us then them."

"Just keep telling yourself that," Simon answered. Izzy's reply was just a frustrated noise.

Neither of them spoke for a moment. Simon thought Izzy might turn her show back on, but then she brought them back to the previous topic.

"Not being hit on randomly is probably the only perk of this whole pregnancy thing," Izzy observed. "That and I seem to suddenly never get pimples."

"Do you miss it?" Simon asked.

"I don't think anyone would ever miss pimples."

"Haha," Simon replied sarcastically. "You know what I meant. Do you miss being hit on?"

"Not in the least," Izzy replied. "What I do miss is my feet… and sex. I miss sex."

"You know we could have sex if you wanted," Simon reminded her.

"Let me rephrase," Izzy countered. "I miss my sex drive. I had it back for a minute there in my second trimester but third trimester killed it, dead."

Simon couldn't help but chuckle. "Fair," he laughed.

This time when the conversation lulled, Izzy did turn her show back on. Simon watched it with her for a hour or so, ignoring the eighteenth century drama in favour of massaging his wife's feet. Once Izzy had had enough, he got up and left her to finish the show.

First Simon went upstairs to change out of his work clothes. Then he inspected the kitchen and tidied up, running the dishwasher. There were only a couple items of clothing left that Izzy could wear. She was refusing to replace her entire wardrobe on sheer principle so Simon found himself washing her huge maternity jumpers every week. He didn't mind though. It was really all he could do at this point. Until their daughter was born, it was the mama show.

The idea of impending fatherhood was rather exciting while also quite nerve racking. The strangest part however was how not-real it still felt. He could see the little kicks in his wifes belly and yet it seemed unreal to him that there was a tiny human in there. His daughter. They still didn't have a name. Izzy insisted she'd know what her daughter's name was supposed to be once she held the baby so right now they just had a rather long list of maybe names.

Walking into the completed nursery, Simon collected the small stuffed bunny he'd come in to get. Carrying the bunny back downstairs and outside, Simon arrived at his wife's car and opened the backseat door. Climbing in he placed the stuffed bunny in the newborn car seat that he'd installed just last week. Simon was still taking his vehicle back and forth to work so they hadn't installed a seat in his car yet. Simon placed the bunny in the car seat and practiced buckling all the crazy buckles that would one day protect his daughter on her very first car ride. He wasn't sure why he kept practicing this, but somehow it made him feel better. He couldn't do much to help yet but at least he knew how the car seats worked and how to safely buckle a small baby sized stuffed bunny into one.

Only two epilogues left to go! Boy am I ready to be done with this story. It's been way too long. I also started working on another story this morning that's a re-write of a really old one so that should be fun. The next two epilouges are both NEW POVs and then I will upload my big author's note/timeline at the end as well.