Three Blossoms (TMI)

Chapter 3

        Clary stood before Simon and Isabelle's house, the red-painted door looming over her. She knocked softly, heeding the warning that the baby was asleep from Simon. She waited, looking around the porch. Thanks to Simon's tendencies to be messy, the porch's hanging swing's cushions were everywhere. Clary frowned, leaning over and rearranging the pillows - a habit she'd picked up from Jace - so that they were perfectly aligned with the porchswing.

        "You must've gotten that habit from Jace," Simon observed from behind. Clary jumped, unexpecting his sudden appearance. He stood half-in the doorway, half-out. "I knew he'd have some good effect on you," he teased.

        "You scared me," Clary glared, frowning. She walked over, dusting herself off lightly. "Don't do that ever again, Simon Lewis," she scolded. He waved dismissively, a large grin on his face.

        "Fine, fine. Oh, yes, come in. Be quiet, too. She's still asleep," Simon warned, stepping to the side to allow Clary to slip in. He waved his arm in the direction of the living room, which, as always, was a mess, thanks to Simon's habits (yet again).

        "You're so messy," Clary observed, sitting delicately on the only clean couch in the room. Simon sat in a wooden rocking chair opposite of the couch. "You should probably clean this up. Otherwise, Isabelle might get mad," she warned him, a teasing and playful tone slipping into her voice.

        "She doesn't usually mind," he shrugged. "We clean it every week. It just gets trashed sometimes," he amended, putting forth the house (and himself) in its (his) best light.

        "Sure," Clary mumbled, leaning back against the couch. "So," she began with ease, looking over at Simon. "What's up? And by 'what's up?' I mean what's the baby's name, how's life going for you, and how the band is doing," she interpreted, a smug smile shadowing her face.

        "Ah," Simon laughed. "Her name's Kathryn. Isabelle picked it out. I don't mind it at all; it's a nice name," he paused, waiting to see if Clary had any feedback.

        "Of course. I like it too," Clary interjected. "When she gets back from slaying or whatever, give her my congratulations. I heard she had a rather rough birth. Oh, and add that 'Kathryn' is a very nice name indeed," she smiled softly.

        "Yes, yes, of course. But I've never understood what goes on between you-," he began, but was swiftly cut off by Clary's quick sentence.

        "It's called 'friendship.' It's a 'girl thing,' as Jace explains it," she explained briefly, but quickly gestured for Simon to finish.

        "We had that once. Kinda grew apart, if that makes sense. But that's okay; we're still good friends. Anyways," he went on, "life's good. As usual. Nothing unusual has happened yet. Yet. We never know, with both you and Jace being friends," he smiled thinly. "Band's doing well. We recently sold out a café," he shrugged. "Now, what about you, hmm...?"

        "Jace and I? We're fine, of course. And, as you may've heard, no kid yet. I don't know if Jace would like a baby," she sighed drastically.

        Clary had always wanted a child of her own - she wanted a bond between her and her offspring no one else understood, to hold and care for one of her own. She wanted to have a connection that ran deeper than blood, one that came only in children. Despite her begging, however, Jace simply did not want a child. Though he claimed they were too much work, Clary could always tell he was only scared of what kind of world the child would grow up in, despite both Valentine and Sebastian being long dead. And, despite her constant pointing out that both of them were long gone, Jace never agreed to bringing a child into the world.

        "Hmm," Simon sighed. "I know you want a kid, Clary. I'd offer to let you take Kathryn, but Isabelle would probably kill me and stick my head on the mailbox," he joked almost weakly. He shook his head slowly, sighing deeply. "But other than the whole babies-fiasco, you two are like two blossoms on one tree," he observed to himself, rather quietly.

        "Yeah... I think the only thing standing in the way of a baby, though, is Jace's own fear. He's afraid that - well, two things. One, that the child would grow up in a horrendous world. Even though I constantly convince him that the world isn't too bad, and that both Valentine and Sebastian are gone, he never wants a kid. And, well, two... he's afraid he won't be a good dad," Clary confided, her bright green eyes sad. She looked down, hands clasped in her lap. She loved kids, and was rather disappointed that Jace would never allow children in their home.

        "Aww," Simon said, sympathy in his voice. For once, Clary didn't absolutely despite his sympathy. Usually she was offended by such a tone in anyone's voice, even Jace's or Simon's, but for now she ignored it. "I'm sorry, Clary," Simon offered helpfully.

        "Thanks, Simon." She looked at her mobile's screen. The digital clock read 10:08 AM. She looked up frantically, a small smile on her face. "Simon? It's nearly five past ten. I've gotta run."

        "Oh, really? Well, see you, Clary - maybe stop by later to see Kathryn with Jace, would you please?" Simon asked, standing up swiftly to dismiss Clary. He walked through the kitchen to the front door and held it open for her.

        "Sure," she replied warmly before she zipped through the open door. "Thanks for having me over," she called as she rushed down the New York sidewalk. She smiled up at Simon gratefully, feeling content and joyful at seeing her pleasant childhood friend.

        "You're welcome. Thanks for dropping by," he replied, watching Clary scurry down the walkway. He shut the door closed, unaware that it was rather quite loud. The distinctive and sharp cry of a baby pierced his delicate vampire ears, wailing throughout the house. "Oh, no," he moaned. He ran up the stairs to tend to young Kathryn, only to find the baby's eyes go black for just a second.

        Positive it was just his imagination, he tended to the child quickly.

Author's Note: Eheh. I don't really like dropping Author's Notes here and there, but I guess I'll just slip this in.

I hope you guys are enjoying the story so far - it's my first fanfiction, after all, and I'm kind of worried some people aren't enjoying it so far.