Three Blossoms (TMI)

Chapter 6

        A month had passed since Clary had first admitted her pregnancy to Jace. Afterwards, she'd called Isabelle to explain to her, with much excitement, how well Jace had taken it and how the both of them were looking forward to it. She also asked Isabelle to keep the pregnancy a secret until she was ready to reveal it.

        "That's great!" Isabelle had exclaimed over the phone. Clary beamed brightly that day, and spoke to Jace often about the plans for their baby.

        But it was now - a month later. Clary's pregnant status was beginning to show, as her stomach was beginning to swell with life; she had yet to tell her family and her friends. She stood in the doorway, waiting on Jace, who was preparing himself in their bedroom still.

        "Jace, do I have to? I'd really rather not," Clary called nervously, peeking her head in the doorway to look at Jace. He was fumbling with his Sensor on the dresser, and looked up her, giving her a small smile.

        "Clary, stop worrying so much. It's okay, really. We'll tell Jocelyn and Luke and even Simon, if you're comfortable with that. They might be shocked but I'm sure they'll be happy and congratulating," Jace comforted, pacing over to Clary. He gently hugged her, wrapping his arms around her waist rather carefully.

        "Okay," Clary sighed, smiling into Jace's shirt. She returned the hug, her own strong arms wrapping briefly around Jace's middle, her head pressed to his chest. "I'm just afraid they'll disown me or something."

        "They won't! You're not sixteen anymore. You're a legal adult now in both the Nephilim world and the mundie world, so they have no control over you. It's your call, and you've already said you're keeping the baby," Jace murmured in a soothing tone.

        "I guess you're right about that. C'mon, I want to tell Simon first. I'd rather take a cab, too, since I'm so tired I don't want to walk," Clary answered, releasing her grip around Jace. She grabbed his hand roughly, smiling a little, and flew out the front door.

        "So much for being tired," Jace laughed, hailing a cab on the suburban street. It was rare to find such a taxi in the neighborhood, but the two turned a blind eye. Clary climbed in, dragging Jace with her.

        "You brought a weapon, right?" Clary whispered into Jace's ear, so that the taxi driver couldn't hear. "In case we encounter a demon or something," she added, blushing slightly.

        "Yeah," he whispered back, nodding his head. "It's in my inside pocket."

        "Good."

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        "We're here," the gruff voice of the driver announced. He turned, his eyes blank and expressionless. "Sir? Ma'am? Please exit the taxi. Your total's $7.50, by the way."

        "Thanks," Clary sighed with relief. She let Jace exit the taxi first, and waited patiently for him to scoot out. "Go, Jace, I'll be out in a second," she instructed him.

        "Sure," he replied, shuffling out further. He stood on the sidewalk, waiting for Clary, but watched as the taxi door automatically swung shut, as if it were enchanted.

        "Jace...? Um, excuse me, sir, but the door's closed and I can't get out-," Clary began, but let out a short scream as the man turned to her with white eyes. She blanked, her face pale, and reached for the closest thing in the taxi - a forgotten and forlorn-looking book - and smashed the driver's head over with it.

        "Clarissa Fray," the demon snarled, reaching its gnarled hands for her. The book had certainly disorientated it, but this was no time to be sure.