Starting Over

Guppie

Author's Note: Thank you BellaSH13 for helping me come up with the names.

Clary

In The Hotel Room

Jace opens the door, and I quickly get inside behind him. I haven't spoken unless necessary since Jace said we were going to talk when we got here. Is he going to kick me out? Hurt me? Make me leave now? Will I be able to get my stuff from his house first? I still have the spread of newspaper about the maid job. It's in my bra, so I always have it with me. I raise my head high and prepare for whatever he's going to say.

"Clary, I don't know what that was," Jace sighs heavily. "Why, just help me to understand." I wasn't expecting that.....

"Understand?" I ask confused.

"You asked to go with the other girls and then you asked to eat," Jace answers.

"I know I asked for too much. I'm sorry," I sincerely apologize.

Jace rakes his hands over his face and threw his hair. He's angry.... "I should've known better, I'm sorry," I try again.

"Stop apologizing Clary," Jace erupts. "What do you think you did wrong?" Is this a quiz? Sebastian would make me tell him want I did wrong and then punish me, so maybe this is the same.

"I talked too much, and I ate too much," I reply, almost certain that is what Jace is looking for.

Jace simply stares at me. "Someone has fed you those lines. You didn't just think them up on your own," Jace urges. I remain silent. Jace sighs. "Let's call it a night."

"Do you want me to leave?" I ask quietly.

"Leave, what, ugh, Clary just go to bed," Jace growls. I nod and climb into the bed quickly. I turn away from him and close my eyes. I slow my breathing down, so he thinks I'm sleeping and doesn't get any more angry. Jace let's out an exasperated breath. "Clary, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be so harsh. It's just....hard for me. I know you've had bad experiences, but I'm not that person. Whoever it was who did those awful things to you, it wasn't me." No one's ever wanted me, neither does Jace. I'm just being a burden. He doesn't want to deal with me anymore. He's getting sick of it. I should leave him alone. He's given me so much already. And so my plan to leave begins.

The Next Morning

I wake up and take a shower early, so I don't mess with Jace's morning routine. I sit down and start the note I've decided to write to Jace and Alec. They deserve an explanation. As I'm finishing Alec's, I hear Jace stir. I quickly fold the papers and put them in my pocket.

"We have to be at the breakfast by 8:30," Jace informs me. I nod and look at the clock. It's 7:23

Jace stretches a bit and then he walks toward me. "Clary, about last night, I'm sorry. The thought of somebody getting mad at you for 'talking too much' or 'eating too much ' angers me. God knows what else you've been through. I," Jace hesitates, "I wish you'd just talk to me."

"I want to," I whisper, "but it's hard for me to talk about and it's hard to trust people with that stuff."

"It might help to talk," Jace lingers.  Why is he doing this? Why does he even care? Ugh! How do I know he isn't going to hurt me, maybe not physically. What if kicks me out after I tell him about Sebastian....and that stuff?

"Why?" I simply ask.

"I figure it's about time you had someone on your side. I'm not going anywhere Clary," Jace responds, his hands spread wide like an eagle as he walks to the bathroom to get ready.

Our bags are packed and a hotel employee is taking them to Jace's car. "It's time," Jace says. I nod and we link arms. Silently, we walk to breakfast.

Several Hours Later

We finally get to Jace's house. I'm exhausted. I forgot how much business people like to talk. My feet are throbbing, but I haven't bothered Jace. He deserves to have fun. "What are you thinking about for dinner?" Jace asks.

"I'll make something, just let me go to the bathroom first," I comment. Jace shakes his head and his eyes close briefly.

"I meant, what do you want. I'm ordering food," Jace explains.

"Uh, whatever you want," I reply.

"Does Guppie have any preferences?" Jace smirks.

"Guppie," I ask confused.

"Like you have a neutral nickname for the baby that's better?" Jace counters with playful sas.

I can't help but laugh. "I do! I call the baby 'bean,'" I reply.

"Bean, is Guppie going to be burrito once he or she is born? Bean isn't better than Guppie," Jace counters.

"Is too," I stick my tongue out.

"You think so," Jace challenges. I nod confidently. Jace pulls his phone out. Are we done playing? Maybe he just bored....... I turn and go up the stairs, hiding my disappointment. "Clary," Jace gestures for me to stay. He puts his phone on speaker as we listen to the dial tone.

"Alec, I need your help here," Jace says.

"With?" Alec questions.

"Clary and I need you to tell us which is better. Guppie" Jace says enthusiastically, "or Bean."

"What are you talking about?" Alec asks confused.

I burst into laughter. Jace sure has great conversation starters. "Okay, so Jace asked what Guppie wanted for dinner. I had the same reaction as you, confusion. Jace explained that it is his gender neutral name for the baby in my stomach. He took it a step further and challenged me. I of course told him that Bean is a better nickname. Bascially, we need you to break the tie. So, which nickname is better for my baby, Bean or Guppie?" I ask serious.

"Honestly," Alec hesitates, "I always refer to the baby as Bug."

"Bug!" I shout. "That's sooooooooooooo cute!"

"Well, I'm calling the baby Guppie, it'll be our special thing," Jace says defensively. Okay....

"I'll call the baby Bean and Uncle Alec, you can call the baby Bug, that way everyone has a special name," I offer. Jace's face saddens, but he quickly puts his smile back on. Hmm, I wonder what that was about?

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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: 2/16/19