Starting Over

Making Plans

Author's Note: There's a little vomiting part.....but it's not too bad.

Jace

Clary and Alec are having a private talk. It hurts that they're both more willing to talk to eachother than to me, but I understand. I remember the book I was reading the other day about good fruits for pregnancy. I clean some blue berries and scoop out a bunch of pomegranate seeds.

"Blue berries, pomegranate, and vanilla yogurt," I tell Clary as I hand her the bowl.

"Why blue berries and pomegranates?" Alec questions.

"Berries have vitamin K, calcium, folate, iron, protein, and fiber. Pomegranates have vitamin C, healthy carbohydrates, antioxidants, and fiber. All of those are important for pregnant women to eat," I reply.

"And how do you know this?" Alec asks, a mischievous smile on his face. What? How does he know. I just wanted to make sure I was well informed and didn't accidently do something to hurt Guppie or Clary.....

"I may have, uhhh, read a few pregnancy books," I confess and I feel my cheeks ablaze. Clary doesn't respond. I can't tell what she's thinking, but her forehead crinkled. Then, she takes a deep breath.

"Clary," I comment, sensing something is wrong.

"You're just, you know I'm dragging you down Jace. You're in your prime, you should be going on dates and having fun, not making me food and taking care of me," Clary mumbles.

"Let me guess, he told you that you were lucky that he wanted you. That he had plenty of choices and he settled for you," Alec whispers.

Clary nods slowly, but I'm confused, until Clary speaks. "W...when I was begging for him to stop, he'd tell me that no one else would want me. That I should be thanking him. I....I remember the sick evil smile on his face w...when-" Clary stops and runs to the sink. I can tell she's about to vomit, so I rush after her and collect her hair up gently. Alec doesn't know what to do, but I tell him with my eyes to just stay where he is. Luckily, he understands and nods.

I try not to look at the sink as I can feel her body being thrust forward while vomiting. I remember to plug my nose, as last time, I almost joined her. After a few minutes, Clary stops and tears take over where her morning sickness left off. This time however, I don't think morning was the only sickness that contributed to her vomiting..... I quickly pull her into my chest, not caring if she gets me dirty. My lips brush her forehead. "Shhh, it's okay," I coo.

"I'm going to see mom for a while at the shelter," Alec comments awkwardly. Crap! I totally forget he was here in need of our help. Oxie, my head just went to her.

"I'm sorry Alec. I-" I begin.

"It's okay. I understand. We can catch up later. Take care of our girl," Alec says. I nod. I hear the door close a few minutes later, but I don't let go of Clary.

"So, there's this New Years party," I begin.

"Why do you always invite me to work parties after I throw up?" Clary chuckles lightly. She must come to her senses and realize that she just vomited. She pulls away.

"Is that a no? I know the last one wasn't as...enjoyable, but this one will be better," I try to persuade her.

"I'd love to go. Maybe we could talk details after I brush teeth, get in the shower, brush my hair, and get dressed?" Clary asks. I nod and smile contently. Clary goes to the bathroom upstairs, and I go to the couch to watch some tv.

About thirty minutes later, Clary comes down in a nice, but comfy outfit and sits next to me. "So, this party. It's on New Years?"

"Yeah, it's Monday the 31st and at midnight, it's Tuesday the 1st," I reply.

"I can just wear the dress I wore for Halloween right?" Clary confirms. Annnnd, I'm stuck between a rock a hard place. Logically, Clary's gained some weight. She's been eating regularly and she's been advancing in her pregnancy. The dress probably won't fit, not comfortably at least. But if I tell her that, she might take it the wrong way.....

"I think Sarah would have my head if you showed up in the same dress," I counter.

"Why?" Clary asks shyly.

"Because part of you being my plus one is me making sure you have a dress to wear," I try. "It's just...custom." Clary seems to comtemplate this.

"Okay, but nothing expensive," Clary concedes. "Maybe we could pick it out together. I mean, I know it's your money. I.....I should just be grateful, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"I know. You have every right to have a say in the dress you're going to wear. How about we find one tomorrow?" I suggest. A plan forms in my head. "We can invite Izzy and Alec and go to the mall and-"

"And maybe run into Magnus. I like the way you think," Clary laughs. "But what about today?"

"Well, I think we've had enough excitement for one day," I comment.

"How about we go to your mom's shelter and help out?" Clary offers. She just got sick and she's been having a lot of soreness lately......

"Are you sure you're up for that?" I ask concerned.

"Jace, I think we both know I don't get morning sick very often anymore. It's just, the things he made me do. The things he did. I couldn't stomach it," Clary shudders.

"How about we go there for a few hours, but if you at any time feel like you're not upto it, you can leave?" I counter.

"Deal," Clary smiles and shakes my hand.

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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: 4/6/19