Clary
Childbirth was no joke. It took hours. Hours of sweat and tears and screaming. So much screaming. But it was all worth it, when the doctors held up that baby girl, so wrinkly and pink, a shock of black hair on her perfect little head.
"Is she okay?" Isabelle rasps, chest heaving as she lies against the pillows. Her skin was flushed a warm pink and her eyelids drooped.
Taking a few steps to where the nurses were measuring and weighing the baby girl, Clary took a long look. She was beautiful, with her large brown eyes and heart shaped face.
"She's perfect, Izzy, perfect,"
When the nurses addressed Izzy, talking about first feeding and calling the father, Clary made her brief exit. Jace had come by at the very beginning, and after much coaxing went home. He had promised to come pick her up when she was ready.
It was nearly seven in the morning, Izzy having been in labor all night. Clary called Jace and when he answered with his groggy morning voice, she couldn't help but smile.
"She's here, God Jace, she's so perfect. Her tiny toes and fingers. And those eyes! So big and brown," she gushes, thinking of the little bundle in the other room.
"You sound like you're in love," he laughs.
"I think I might be," she smiles at the nurse that exits, catching a glimpse of Izzy with her baby in her arms. So small, so precious, doesn't even have a name yet, "I'm going to stay for a bit, help Izzy with a few things. I'll head home later," she says absently.
"Are you sure you don't want me to come by?" he asks. She says no, that she and Izzy were going to talk a few things out, "Okay, I love you," he says.
"I love you too Jace," with that, she hangs up and walks back into the room.
Isabelle
Something about having your baby in your arms makes you feel invincible. All the worries and fears seem to melt away, because you knew, as long as this baby was safe and happy, it would all work out.
"You're the best thing I've ever accomplished," she whispers to her gurgling baby girl, "Mamas been bad, terrible. But you're good, and precious. I love you so much already, and we just met,"
Her skin was silk and she smelled like all things sweet and warm. Jessamine. Her name would be Jessamine Lightwood. It hurt, knowing this little girl had been born to a broken family, but she'd grow up in a patchwork one. Made with love and care to surround her in. The idea let Izzy rest a bit easier.
"How's the little munchkin?" Clary asks as she returns, sliding her phone in her back pocket.
"It's amazing a screw-up like me can make someone so perfect," Izzy said in admiration.
"You're not a screw-up," Clary replies, running a finger down the curve of the babies cheek, "You just make mistakes,"
"You have no idea how grateful I am for you forgiveness, and that you're here. Thank you Clary, with all my heart," Izzy says, looking up at her childhood friend.
"We'll talk about that later," she smiles, "Happy thoughts today. What'd you name her?"
"Jessamine. Jessamine Lightwood," to her credit, Clary did not look surprised. She only smiled warmly down at the sleeping bundle and nodded her head.
"Are you hungry?"
"I'd kill for a KitKat," Izzy moaned, "Magnus has been down my throat about eating healthy. I've been eating kale for Christ sake!"
Clary laughed, Isabelle easily joining in, and for a moment, all things were right in the world.
"Right away Mommy," Clary giggles, "Have you called your mommy?"
"Not yet, I haven't called anyone since yesterday. I'm sure Alec is ripping his hair out right now,"
"I'll grab some coffee and call Magnus. Do you want me to call Maryse too?"
"No, I'll take that bullet, but thank you," Izzy smiles. Clary leaves once more, heading to the cafeteria. Doctors and visitors alike were milling about, getting breakfast, coffee and more. Clary hit the vending machine first, getting all kinds of her and Izzy's favorite before heading to the hot line. She grabbed two muffins and two coffees for her and Izzy.
Just as she was waiting to pay, she heard a husky voice, "What're you in for?" the humor was dry and rough. As was the man before her. He was ruggedly handsome, with his pine green eyes and scruff along his jaw. His doctor scrubs told enough about the dark rings around his eyes.
"Birth," she grins, the startled look he gave her made her laugh as it soon melted into understanding.
"Right, not you," he murmurs, "I'm sorry, I've been up all night,"
"Not fun," she agrees, handing over her card to the cashier. Excepting a bag for all her goodies, she heard him speak once more.
"Would you like to grab lunch later? I get off at three," the doctor grins.
"You shouldn't be getting lunch with anyone except your bed," she scolds lightly, making him chuckle, "Thanks, but I can't,"
"Can I at least get your number? For when I don't look like a Walking Dead extra,"
"I'm sorry, I'm engaged," well, this was awkward. His eyes dropped to her left hand, where her ring did indeed lay.
"My bad," he grins bashfully, "all the good ones are always taken,"
"Not all, bud, not even close," with that she left, heading back up to a particular good one that would indeed be single soon enough.
***Page Break***
Clary was holding baby Jessamine, making the newborn giggle and clap as she spoke to Isabelle. They caught up on work and all they'd missed since their…departure. They were discussing the latest episodes of their favorite show when a knock came at the door.
"Come in!" Izzy called, adjusting her hospital gown. And long behold, in walked Dr. Green eyes.
"Ms. Lightwood? I'm Doctor Hale, I was sent to see how you are faring," he said, looking down at his charts. Clary nudged Izzy, having told her about their little encounter that morning. Izzy smiled brightly at her friend.
"I'm faring well, my friend here," she patted Clary's knee, "has been extraordinary help,"
When he looked up, his face flushed a delicate shade of pink, "Glad to hear that," he says, deceptively calm. He was wholly professional as he looked over Izzy's charts and answered her questions about the baby and her own recovery.
"I think I'm going to change out of this paper gown," she grins, moving to the bathroom with the bag she had packed and brought.
"Well, if there's nothing else…" Dr. Hale said, moving towards the door.
"There is," Clary mused, still holding a now sleeping Jessamine. She continued when he turned with a confused look, "She is one of the good ones,"
He looks pointedly at the baby, obviously belonging to 'the good one' she speaks of.
"Nearly single mother. A really good woman,"
His eyes softened as he looks to the closed door, hearing Izzy humming softly to herself, "I'll keep that in mind,"
***Page Break***
Leave it to Alexander Lightwood, best big brother and uncle in the world, to cut his vacation short and jet on the next plane to be with his sister. He burst into the hospital room at nearly five o clock, nose burnt and skin rosy from being out in the sun. He was wearing a white collared shirt, all the buttons on the wrong holes with a pair of worn blue jeans.
"Magnus…is…parking…the car," he rasps, pushing his sweaty hair out of his face, bracing his hands on his knees.
"Hey Alec," Clary grins, closing the magazine she was holding. She had been reading one of the columns out loud as Izzy tried her hand at changing a diaper.
"Clary?" he says surprised, taking another step into the room, "Pardon my manners, but where's Simon? Shouldn't he be here?"
"He's been…detained by work," Izzy said bitterly, "But Clary has been amazing," she grins broadly at the redhead, making Alec wonder if he'd entered a twilight zone. He truly had not been on vacation more than a few days.
"Come meet your niece, Uncle Alec," Izzy smiles, holding baby Jessamine out to him. With tender hands, he grabbed the baby girl and gathered her close to his chest, smiling at the gurgling noises she made. Her pudgy hands grabbed at his collar, pulling it into her mouth.
"She's beautiful," he whispers, "She looks just like Izzy did, when mom brought her home,"
Clary watched as the Lightwood siblings smiled, tears in their eyes, and decided to give them some time. Leaving the hospital room, she found Magnus getting off the elevator with his own kids, too little boys talking and laughing.
"Clary!" Magnus calls, waving a hand.
"Hey," she grins, hugging the man, before smiling at the two boys, "Who are the handsomest boys around?"
The smaller giggled and hid behind his older brother, who spoke for them both, "I'm Raphael, and this is Max," he smiled back fondly at his little brother, "He's shy around pretty girls," Clary's eyes shot to Magnus as she smirked. He only laughed before ushering them to the room Izzy was staying.
When he phone rang, it was Will.
"Hey clare-bear," he yelled into the phone. She heard a voice in the background, "You don't have to yell, she's on speaker,"
"Hi Will, hey Tessa," she smiles.
"Jace has sent us to abduct you and bring you home," Will replies. She once again heard Tessa, "Why do you say it like that? We're just picking her up,"
"Thank guys, but I have my car," she responds, seeing Magnus leave the room and head in the direction of the cafeteria.
"We know, I'll drive it back. I'm sure you must be exhausted," Tessa said. It was true. Clary had not slept a wink in nearly two days, but the excitement over the baby had kept her up. Now, talking and sitting on one of the waiting room couches, her eyes were heavy and burning.
"You're right, thank you," she yawns.
"We'll be there in ten clare bear," with that, the call ended and Clary made her way to say goodbye. Alec was sitting by the window with the baby in his arms, his boys on either side. They gazed at the baby, their new cousin, with wonder and curiosity.
"I'm going to head home," Clary announced.
"Okay," Izzy looked sad to see her go, "Thank you for staying with me all night and today,"
"You're welcome," Clary smiles, leaning in to hug the girl. She smelled like she always did, the faintest bit of coconut with a fresh undertone.
"Thank you, for being here when no one else was," Alec said from behind her. His eyes said more than his words ever could and Clary only nodded. Knowing him for most of her life, Clary knew Alec was a man of few words.
"I'll come back tomorrow, if you want," she offers Izzy.
"Yes! I'm being discharged tomorrow. We can grab lunch," Isabelle was bouncing in bed.
"You just had a baby, you should go home and rest," Alec said. At the mention of 'home' Izzy deflated a bit. Clary was a breath away from suggesting she go stay with her and Jace. But it wouldn't be practical. All the baby stuff was in the house, Izzy had told her, as well as Izzy's. They would just have to do with visits.
"We can pick up McDonalds on the way home," Clary whispered conspiratorially, the way the always used to. Then she grabbed her bag and made her way to the door.
"Love you Clary!" Isabelle called out, eyes wide and hopeful.
"Love you too Izzy,"
AN: AWWWW! Don't babies always bring people together!
I know it's weird and odd, the way they are acting around each other. But the angle is that, Izzy is genuinely sorry and wants her friend back. Clary sees this as a way to move forward and heal; forgiving those that did her wrong. For her, Izzy is the easier choice.