Always

Prologue

Happy birthday

As I sit in the kitchen with Jocelyn waiting on clary to get back. I let my head wonder on how 'there's a hole other world I kept from you' conversation would go. Normally I'd stay far from these types of things but Jocelyn thought me being there would
help her understand more. Jocelyn adopted me when I was nine and clary was eight.

She never lied to her about my adoption but Since being here, I always knew my job was to protect clary from harm. I never had a childhood. Never got to be a kid, never really got to enjoy mundane life. I had to protect her with my life. I knew Jocelyn loved me and she cared deeply for me but she didn't let me be a kid. I had to learn fast how to control myself and how to handle stressful situations to make sure I could get clary to safety at all times. Never got time to grieve my family but I no longer blame Jocelyn for this. I started to understand this was a blessing in disguise. I lost a brother but gained a sister, a best friend. I would die and live for my little sister.

As my thoughts deepened, I heard the door open and closed behind someone as I turn a redhead with a small frame, wearing her normal jeans and tie walked over and wrapped her arms around my medium frame. Excited to see me back from my occasional trip from home. "Happy birthday Clary." I say with smile on my face. As she lets go of me and makes her way over to her mother. She had the biggest smile on her face. "Happy birthday hunny." Jocelyn said holding a perfectly wrapped present in her hands.

She hands the present over the redhead and watches closely as she opens it. "It's called a stele." Jocelyn stated looking intently at the stele in her hand. I noticed the confusion writing on clary's face but before I could even open my mouth clary spoke.

"What is it, like, a paperweight?" She asked with that confusion written all over her face.

" No, it's much more than that. It's very ancient. I want you to have it. It's a family heirloom. I gave one to Taylie when she turned eighteen." She said turning to me, moving her eyes trying to get me to say something.

"Yeah clary, I have mine in my room." I say shrugging my shoulders. I honestly didn't know what to say to her without telling everything that goes behind the artifact she's holding.

"You know, it's weird... I doodled something that looked like this this morning. I must have seen this around the house somewhere." Clary said with a even more confused look on her face.

" honey, I need to." Jocelyn started but soon interrupted by clary's phone. After a few minutes she hangs up the phone and looks at us.

"It was Simon, he's on his way. Tay, you still coming with us?" She turn to me with that look she had that I could never say no to.

"Yeah, I'm coming but please don't leave me by myself though." I say sighing.

" of course I won't. I'd never do that to you!" Clary states with a huge smile on her face.

Jocelyn turned back to clary.

"But we need to talk." Jocelyn said with a bit of a frown.

"I can't right now. I gotta change. I'm going to see Champagne Enema tonight." Clary stated with a smile tugging at her lips.

"What?" Jocelyn quickly questioned.

"Yeah, I know. It's a new band name. But simon and marueen are taking me out after." Clary answered her her mother's question.

"But it's .... It's you 18th birthday, and uh everything is going to change for you now." Jocelyn tried to get her to stay home.

"Mom, I'm going to be fine, we can have breakfast tomorrow and we can talk okay!" Clary stated. After she turn to her room with a faster walk than normal and changed.

walking out in the black top that Dot bought her and a light colored jeans than she grabbed the stele on the counter. As soon as I turn to change out of my black leggings and my gray sweatshirt. I heard someone open and close the door and I changed my mind. As the person got closer I saw luke. Luke is definitely my father figure. His whole focus was teaching me what he learned. He made the whole transformation easier. It was a hard time for me and he helped me through it. He was the one who taught me sometimes being quiet and just watching and listening will get me more information than asking questions.

"I'm sorry I'm late, captains got me on those murders cases." I hear Luke yell from the door and he takes off his jacket and walks in with a white bag, with a birthday present I assumed inside. He hands the bag to clary.

"Happy birthday kiddo." Luke says with a smile. She opens a to see spray Paint boxes full of different colors. "If I catch any of that paint on city walls, I will arrest you." He says trying to hide his smile
After a few minutes of talking and laughing Simon came through the door.

we left laughing and enjoying each other's company. I wish I knew what was going to happen. I wouldn't have left the house that night and I wouldn't have let her leave either.

A/n: I wanted to say I hope you enjoy and love this first chapter. I know I loved writing it. Taylie is definitely a character you need to wait and see. She is a shy character who needs time to grow but when she pops she's gonna pop😂

I want your guys opinions on how Alec and Taylies relationship is going to go. I know I honestly don't know. I want them to end up together but I want them to have a more mature relationship and show their love in a different was from Jace and clary!!!

Finished:1/18/24
Word:1034