CLARY'S POV
Jace is hunched over Noah's crib with one hand inside it, playing with Noah. He hears me stair and turns his head towards me. I find myself smiling. He sits down on the side of the bed and my stomach feels fuzzy. Then, I start laughing. Just laughing. I keep laughing until Jace is laughing with me. And we are both huddled together laughing at nothing. We both calm down and he takes my hand. I knaw on the inside of my cheek and pull myself out of the bed. Noah is babbling in his crib with a small lock of hair of gold hair clutched in his small hand. I pick him up out of the crib and hold him. He is still small for a 12 week old baby, but he'll grow. I know he will. I kiss his forehead and turn to Jace. Who was staring at me. I raise an eyebrow at him and he chuckles. "We have two children," I hint at him to go get Emily. "Right," he rolls his eyes and strides out the door. Noah stretches his arms out and coos, demanding attention. "Hungry? You haven't had a bottle since yesterday. You slept like a- well- a baby," I laugh and close the door behind me as I head down to the kitchen. Simon stumbles out of Izzy's bedroom door. His shirt half on, hair ruffled, and eyes dazed. He opens his mouth to come up with a excuse."Don't. I really don't want to hear it," I say and walk past him. "Good morning, Noah. Lovely to see you. You know,Clary," I stop and turn around. "I am sure if he could talk he would stand up for me," he argues and I roll my eyes. "Good thing he can't talk yet," I laugh.
The kitchen is empty. I put Noah in a baby chair and start making a bottle. He sits and waits quietly for me to be finished. I start to screw on the cap and a low explosion knocks me off my feet. I fix myself and retrive Noah from his chair. Emily. I grab whats left in the bottle and cap it. I adjust Noah and the bottle in my arms and head to Emily's room. Jace finds me first. He whispers something to Emily kisses me on the cheek and pulls a seraph blade from his belt, whispering an angel's name. "I love you," he yells over his shoulder as he runs to find the cause of the explosion. "I love you too," I mutter and gently take Emily's hand.
I slip out the back door with Emily and Noah. I don't want them close to whatever started this. Emily doesn't protest for whatever reason and Noah is sucking away at the bottle. I huddle us behind a tree that isn't too far from the Institute. I sit down with my back against the rough surface of the bark and Emily sits in front of me. I brush a lock of brown hair from her eyes. "What did daddy whisper to you?" I ask her. "Not to tell you," she giggles. I smile and look back to the Institute. The noises of fighting have stopped. We should go back, but I don't want to. Out here, I don't feel so helpless. Not just a teen mom that can't fight.
We didn't stay alone for long, Jace found us eventually. He walks up to the tree and leans over us, casting a shadow over our faces. "What was it?" I ask and rise. "A Vetis," he watches me carefully, like I might explode. I wince at the sight of the grey, scaly creature attacking the Institute's walls. I nod and he doesn't look away. "Do you need to talk?" he asks me gently. "Later," I look to Emily, she's found a ladybug on a blade of grass. He nods and takes Noah from me.
Izzy and Simon immediately notice our need for privacy and take Noah and Emily, so Jace and I head to his room. He closes the door and I sit on the bed. "What's wrong?" he asks. "Every time something happens I have to stay back. I haven't fought or trained for almost three months. I can barely remember anything about being in battle. And I just-ugh," I sigh and put my face in my hands. It sounds so pathetic. "Clary, we're growing up. That means we aren't going to do the same things as when you first came to the Institute. I understand that you want to fight but, our kids need there mother," he takes a shaky breath "We can either be parents or Shadowhunters,"
"You still fight and train all the time," I say, my voice begining to rise.
"That's different,"
"Different how?" I am almost yelling at him.
"I am trying to protect you! I am trying to not let the people I love get hurt! And I have loved you not fighing, I don't have to constantly check to see if the love of my life is bleeding out under a Raum demon!" he screams. His control on his emotions, fraying. Tears rim his eyes and his cheeks are flushed.
"How do you think I feel? You running off without a second thought right into the path of danger? Leaving me with our kids!" tears are rushing down my cheeks.
"It's the only way I can protect you," he breathes. He's calmed down now and he is holding me. I am in his arms, crying. I feel so small.
I calm down and my sobs turn into hiccups. He caresses my hair until I completely calm down.
"I'm sorry," he says, his face close to mine. My eyes are closed, I suspect his are open. "You've done nothing wrong," I utter. "I've left you alone. That's already so wrong, despite the other things I've done," he says. "I don't even care. I love you. That's all that matters," I pull away and hold his muscular forearms. He chuckles and kisses my cheekbone. "You've changed a lot since Valentine's return," I remark. "Good change?" he asks, cocking his head to the side. "Yeah," I smile.
Emily runs up to Jace and he catches her and spins her around once. Noah has fallen asleep in Simon's arms and is drooling on the sleeve of his black shirt. "I may be shorter than your fiance but I could get in a few good punches before he totally takes me down," he mutters with a wink. "No punches will be necessary that I can't do myself," I roll my eyes and take Noah from his arms. "All clever jokes aside. Are you okay?" he asks. "I- we're fine," I say and laugh. "You've got a little something on your shirt," I inform him. He looks down and smirks. He pulls his shirt off. Yes, you heard me. Right there. Jace and Izzy look at his bare torso. Jace smirks and removes his shirt. "Man! For all the Double Big Macs you eat, you don't look too bad," Simon tells Jace. "Not to bad yourself, Hawkeye," Jace rolls his eyes. "When will the nicknames stop?" he complains as he meanders up the stairs. "Once you pass my number of demon kills," Jace hollars back. "Challenge accepted," Simon slams the door shut. "I'll go help him find another shirt," Izzy smirks and leaves.
I'm sorry if this is the last update for a little bit. This next chapter is going to be a HUGE plot twist. Sorry. The fact that this story is getting a lot of reads is sinking in and I am super happy. I love you all. Bueeee.
