Starting Over

Christmas Eve Morning

Author's Note: Thank you nrspjo1234 for reading my books! I really appreciate your support. I know this is two updates in two days, but homework has been low and I've been inspired this week. Please don't expect this to be my new updating frequency as it isn't. I usually try to update once a week.

Jace

I wake up and decide to take a shower. As I'm lathering the shampoo in my hair, my mind wanders to Saturday.

"Jace, Clary, what are you two doing here?" Alec asks, rounding the corner.

"We were just leaving," I manage through clenched teeth.

"Whoa, Jace, calm down," Alec comments.

"What happened Clary?" Alec asks her gently

"Dr. Barnes d...doesn't like me and  Jace and him fought. Then, Maryse took him to her office and Jace is mad, but he's not mad at me. I think we're leaving now," Clary summarizes. I nod in agreement.

Alec gives me a well talk about this later look and I nod. "Okay, you two better get going then," Alec suggests.

"Bye Alec," Clary smiles.

"Bye brother," I greet. Then, we go home.

I hear Clary's door open and smile happily. I know it probably sounds pathetic, but this will be our first Christmas together. I mean, we aren't dating or anything, but still. I step out of the shower, dry off, and get dressed. Then, I go downstairs to find Clary. We're going to my mom's house in a little while. I turn to go into the living room when I crash into something. Clary, crap! My arms go around her waist to hold her steady. I quickly assess for any injuries. "I'm so sorry. I'm such a clutz," I apologize. What if I hurt her or Guppie?! I have to be more careful!

"It's okay, I'm okay," Clary assures me. "Now, I need about 15 minutes, and I'll be ready to go."

I sit on the couch and watch some random movie about two pilots and their trip into war. Clary walks into the living room dressed and ready to go. "Are you ready?" I ask curiously.

"Yep," Clary pops her lips. We go to my car, and I put Clary's and my overnight bags in the back. Then, I drive us to my mom's.

"Jace," Clary quietly mumbles. I nod, keeping my eyes on the road. "Can we listen to the radio?"

"Of course, just put on whatever you want to," I gesture to the radio at the stop light. Clary's soft hand slowly makes it way to the nob and adjusts it until she finds a station she likes. It isn't Christmas music.....I've never met anyone who doesn't listen to Christmas music during the Christmas season. Not even Rudolph or Frosty the Snowman......

"You don't like Christmas music?" I ask cautiously.

Clary tenses. "I never really had a family growing up. The only Christmas' I celebrated were with him and....let's just say he's forever ruined the happy ones with......o...other ones."

"Do you want me to head back? My mom would understand-" I begin.

Clary blushes slightly. "Well, I.....I was hoping, you know if it's not too much trouble, if maybe......we could make some new memories." I would love that. She deserves to finally be happy. To finally have a family to celebrate Christmas with. Clary looks down. "B..but I don't know what I was thinking. I...I'm not family, I'm still alone. I shouldn't be crashing your family traditions. I....I'm sorry Jace." I can hear the tears fall from her eyes. I put the car in park as we've just arrived at my mom's and reach over to her. I move the middle counsel and pull her close to me.

"You have nothing to be sorry about. You're wrong about being alone though. You have Izzy, you have my mom, you have Alec, you have Guppie, and you have me," I explain. Clary doesn't respond. "You have a family now, to celebrate Christmas with. A family who lo-cares about you. You are not alone, not anymore." I almost said love. Holy. Do I love her? I hear Clary's sniffles. Not now! Focus!

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you cry more," I apologize.

"H...happy tears," Clary manages.

"You're so cute when you're all emotional with your pregnancy hormones," I comment. Shit, what did I just say? Shit! Please don't realize what I said. Please don't realize.....

"Pregnancy hormones," Clary pouts. "A baby is developing inside me. I'm incubating a life. I'm sorry if I cry sometimes."

"I didn't mean to offend you," I reply. I'm like seventy-three point nine percent sure we're joking.

"Only ice cream will fix this injustice," Clary smiles mischievously.

"Luckily for you, I know for a fact there's ice cream inside that house," I respond as I point to my mom's house. "But you'll have to eat a meal first," Clary pouts. "Mom's rules." I deflect blame and put my hands up in surrender.

"We should go inside," Clary giggles. I nod and we head inside.

Knock knock

"Jace, you don't have to knock, just come in," my mom yells. "My hands are a little busy."

I follow her voice to the kitchen and Clary follows me. "Ah, Clary," my mom begins. "I think we got off to a bad start...."

"No, it's okay ma'am," Clary quickly assures her.

"No, it's not. Your family and you thought I wouldn't like you. You thought I'd hate you and pick some asshole doctor over the girl my s-over the girl who has become important to my sons, daughter, and I," my mom covers. She almost told her! Ugh! Crap! That was too close! What if she asks about that later?! I'm totally screwed.....

"Really, it's okay, I just misunderstood," Clary blushes slightly.

"So who's up for decorating cookies for tomorrow?" Mom asks.

Izzy walks in with Alec it tow. "I'm so glad you three made it!" Izzy squeals.

"Thank you," Clary smiles. There's a silence after she answers.

"So, who wants to decorate cookies?" Mom echoes.

"I'm making the ham," Alec says.

"And I'm making the potatoes, gravy, carrots, and fruit salad," Izzy comments. "Mom, Clary, and you are on desserts."

"Actually, I'm on present wrapping. Mom said I had to wrap everyone's but mine. You know, my phenomenal rapping skills and all. After I finish, I can help with desserts though," I reply.

"So, it looks like it's just you and me for a little while," Mom says to Clary.

"Mom, she might not be up to it, i-" I begin.

"Nonsense, I'm going to eat tomorrow, I should contribute," Clary interrupts me.

"Fine, how about you keep me company and help a little but mostly sit and talk to me. I can tell you some adorable stories about Jace," Mom smirks. That evil woman.....Great, tell the girl I'm trying to get to like me about my experience with nudity when I was 3 or something.

"You go wrap presents Jace, I'll keep Clary occupied," mom shoos me. What have I gotten myself into?

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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: 4/10/19