Starting Over

Making Plans

Jace

I hear footsteps coming down the stairs. They must be done talking. I put some milk in a pot. "Jace," Alec calls.

"In the kitchen," I reply. Alec and Clary walk into the kitchen.

"The milk should be warm enough in a few minutes," I explain.

"Do you have any mini marshmallows?" Alec asks.

"Probably, check the cupboard," I reply. Clary seems quiet. Does she still think we're going to hurt her?

"Jace, could we, uhhh, talk," Clary quietly mumbles. I nod, and walk next to her. What does she want to talk about?

"What's on your mind?" I ask.

"Alec, he told me about when he went to college," Clary begins. "He said you helped him." I see where she's going.

"I did," I honestly reply.

"C..could...would....will you help me please?" Clary asks nervously.

"Of course," I gently assure her.

"I want to get better," Clary quietly mumbles.

"I'll be with you, you don't have to do this alone," I promise her.

"I found the mini marshmallows," Alec announces as he renters the kitchen.

"Alec, when's the next support group?" Clary asks quietly.

Alec smiles genuinly. "It's tomorrow night," Alec answers.

"I'd like to go," Clary whispers.

"I can pick you up at 5:30, take you there and after, I'll drive you back here," Alec offers.

"Thank you, I'd appreciate that," Clary comments. We bring our hot chocolate to the table.

"Clary, when's the last time you went shopping?" I question as we drink our drinks.

"About three years ago," Clary mumbles. Three years! Izzy wouldn't last three weeks without buying more clothes.

"Tomorrow we should go shopping. My sister Izzy would happily come with us. We can get a few baby things and some clothes for you," I offer.

"Are you sure?" Clary asks hesitantly. "I have clothes and I'm only 2 months along."

"I just checked, I don't work tomorrow either, so can I go too?" Alec asks hopefully.

"As long as Clary's okay with it, you know you're always welcome with me," I assure Alec.

"Clary, what do you say?" Alec questions.

"You can come, but we can't spend very much. I'm not worth it," Clary quietly replies.

"Clary, I can promise you, one day you'll realize you are. You'll realize you're worth more than all of the money in the world," I respond. "I'll make sure of it."

"It's getting late, so I'm going to leave. What time are we shopping tomorrow?" Alec asks.

"About 9 in the morning, does that work for you Clary?" I confirm. Clary nods. Alec leaves, locking the door behind him. Clary and I go upstairs together, but I go to my room and she goes to hers.

The Next Morning

I wake up early, so I can make Clary breakfast. I throw on a shirt and pants, since I sleep in my underwear. Then, I carefully walk down the stairs, so I don't wake her up. I grab a pan and make some scrambled eggs. I put some bread in the toaster. Then, I cut some fruit and put it in a bowl.

I hear an awful sound coming from upstairs, so I turn off the stove and rush upstairs. It's coming from the bathroom. Clary's probably in there? Should I go in? What if she's sick or hurt? I gently knock on the door. "Clary, I'm going to come in, okay?" I ask concerned. When I don't hear any protest, I slowly open the door. I find Clary, hunched over the toilet, vomiting. She's holding her hair with one hand and her stomach with the other.

I carefully grab her hair from her. Clary tenses. "Shh, it's Jace. I've got your hair," I gently explain.

"I'm sorry," Clary barely whispers. Sorry? Why is she sorry?

"Sorry for what?" I ask confused.

"I...I'm sorry if I woke you. I'm sorry that I'm taking up your bathroom. I'm sorry I'm making a mess. I'm sorry you have to deal with me," Clary rants. "I'm sor-"

"Hey," I gently interrupt her. "You don't have to be sorry. You're pregnant, morning sickness isn't something you can control." Suddenly, Clary faces the toilet bowl and goes through the motions of vomiting but she only  dry heaves. After I'm sure she's done, I get a washcloth and wet it with warm water.

"Thank you," Clary takes the washcloth. I grab my extra toothbrush and put some toothpaste on it for her.

"I'm going to leave you to clean yourself up. Come down when you're ready," I call.

About ten minutes later, I hear footsteps approach me. Clary comes down. "I made you breakfast. I'm sure you aren't very hungry now, but maybe you could eat a little. We'll be shopping for a while today if Izzy has anything to say about it."

Knock knock

"That must be Izzy and Alec," I explain as I walk to the door.

I open it and Izzy hugs me. "How's my big brother?" Izzy asks.

"I'm good," I smile. We walk into the kitchen. Clary has a few pieces of fruit in a bowl. At least she's eating something.

"Jace! Is this your girlfriend?!" Izzy squeals. "I knew you'd get over that Kaelie slut."

"Uhhh, no. This is Clary, she's the girl were going shopping with today. She's a....friend," I clarify.

"Wait, she's the girl you gave my coat to?" Izzy teases, crossing her arms with a stern look on her face.

"Y....you can have it. I don't need it," Clary quietly whimpers. Izzy's mad act crumbles.

"I was just joking hun," Izzy gently explains. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to worry you." Alec grabs some eggs from the pan.

"Thanks for the breakfast Jace," Alec smirks.

"You're welcome," I reply, rolling my eyes.

"It's nice to meet you Clary," Izzy comments. She holds her hand out.

"It's nice to meet you as well Izzy," Clary smiles, shaking her hand.

"I think I'm going to like you," Izzy replies. Clary nods and smiles.

"Me too," Clary responds.

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

I do not own any of the Mortal Instruments books, materials, etc. All credit belongs to Cassandra Clare.

Author's Note:
I hope you all like it! Please leave comments, votes, and feedback. I'm going to update, when I do and it'll be random.

Originally posted: 12/28/18