The Heirs

Chapter 117: Ian Louis Starkweather

CLARY

It's been a week since Jace came back to our lives.. But in those days we haven't talk about the wedding.. It's like the both of us avoiding the topic, in my case I was waiting for Ian.. I still wanna talk to him about this after all that we've been through together.. Ian will always be a part of the family, he earned it.. 

Ian is coming over today, he just got back to his business trip last night and told me he will come by first thing in the morning.. He already heard the news and told me that he also met Valentine when he arrived last night..

It was only 8 in the morning when I hear the soft voice coming from Christine's room.. I hop out of the bed thinking that Ian and Penelope already arrived. Jace on the other hand is nowhere, I bet he's somewhere in the house.. 

I went to Christine's room and saw Penny and Jace on the other side with the Twins.. The connecting door wide opened.. 

"Mommy!!!!" Penny greeted me with a huge grin, and ran towards me.. I knelt down and gave her a hug.. 

"How you been Penny? Did you bring me souvenirs?" I ask her.. 

She nodded and holds my hand, "yeah.. Daddy's downstairs with grandfather Stephen and grandmother Celine..." she tells me, I nodded and glance at Jace who was now carrying little Christine..

"Jace.. This is Ian's daughter, Penny.." I introduced her to him.. Jace smiled at her "Hello..." Jace greets her awkwardly.

"Mommy, told me that you're quite charming... Mommy must be lying.." Penny says cheekily.. Jace frowned and glance at Clary.. Clary shrugs and let out a low chuckle..

"He must be nervous Penny..." I tell her.. Penny giggled, "I'll hold Penelope.. While the both of you tidy yourself up..." she tells them, Jace puts Christine down and glance at her..

"Oh... right, I forgot to tell you Christine's full name.." I tell him leaving the kids behind, shutting the door..

Jace nodded and sat on the edge of the bed, "Christine Penelope Fate Herondale.. I got her second name from Penny..." she explained..

"Fate?" Jace says the name lovingly..

"Yeah..." 

"Christine Penelope Fate Herondale....." Jace says again..

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The both of us arrived downstairs and I directly lead Jace to the kitchen telling him that Ian loves to cook. We both arrived there and I saw Ian with the family. I felt Jace stiffened a little bit though when we entered the kitchen.. 

The atmosphere was lovely and I can't get enough of this..

"Ian.." I say strutting towards him leaving Jace to greet his mother and father..

Ian engulfs me into a hug and unconsciously gave me a peck on the lips.. I stiffened for a little and as he pulls away I look back and saw how shock Jace was..

I cleared my throat to say something but Ian beats me to it, "Oh.. I'm sorry I guess old habits die hard.." he shrugs.. I glared at him and playfully smack him on his arm.

"Old habits your ass.." I tell him.. 

Stephen and Penny let out a chuckle, "Ian.. You really have to tease my son..." Stephen says, I look at Jace with my sorry face..

Ian approached him, he held his hand up and introduced himself, "Ian Starkweather... You must be Jace.." he says with a smile..

"Daddy!! You're so rude.." Penny snickered..

Jace shake his hand firmly, "it's finally nice to meet you..." he simply says and sat on one of the stool bar chair..

Pretty soon the breakfast is served and we started to eat.. Jace is warming up little by little to Ian. They started talking about the company and Stephen from time to time will tease how Jace should work to his side together with William.. 

"He still has Jem you know and Tessa.. The Herondales are in good hands.." Jace says stating the obvious that if it wasn't for Jem, William won't even make it.. We're actually quite surprise that Jem really did last long. Even though Tessa and him gotten divorce 2 years ago, their relationship didn't change.. The three of them are in good relationship even though William didn't ask Tessa to marry him...

"So are you planning to move in London?" This time it was Celine who asked the question.. I glance at Jace confusingly.. It's not that I don't want to move but I forgot how the main office is in London.. But I don't wanna leave New York..

"Clary and I haven't really talk about it.." Jace simply says. 

He's right we never talked about it. 

"Then when are you getting married?" Mom asks all of a sudden.. 

I let out a sigh and glance at Ian, he stares back at me and smiled..

"We haven't talk about that also.. Where's Dad anyway? Why is he not visiting?" I ask changing the subject..

"Dad's in the hotel.. He must be busy" Bass simply says..

"I'll go there later.. I'm going to bring the kids.." I tell them.

Hours later I told Jace that I need to talk to Ian.. He agreed and let me be. Reassuring me that he wasn't angry at him for kissing me earlier. He also tells me that he appreciate that Ian is close to the family.. 

"I can see why you loved him, Clary.." he simply says, holding both of my hands.. He brings my right hand to his lips and kissed my palm..

"I can't let go of you though..." I tell him.. He nodded and hugged me.

"We'll talk also after.." he says.. I nodded and left him to tend the kids together with Penny.. The adults already left for work together with Bass.. Jon on the other hand is busy being a new dad.. Seeing him hold his new born daughter is actually quite a sight, I envy him though. I really wanna see Jace holding a new born baby..

I strut towards Ian's room and knocked, he muttered a come in and I entered.. 

"We should talk.." I blurted it out. He chuckled and gesture for me to come closer.. 

He was sitting on the bed reading some paper works, I stood right beside him staring at his eyes.. 

"Were you waiting for me?" he simply asks, holding my hand..

"Yeah..." 

"Well.. We both know that you've been waiting for this.. I wanted to tell you, the moment Christine was born I already set you free... But I really want to stay by your side, I wanted to be there when the twins grow up.. I also wanted to be there for Christine.. You see I was never there for Penny. I thought that this will eased my feelings.. Whenever I see Christine, I know.. I know that no matter what you won't end up in my arms... So yes Clary, it's fine.. Marry him.. You love him.." He tells me with such tone that it made me cry..

I sobbed for a good 10 mins or so in his arms.. Hugging him dearly like he will vanish after this day, "you don't have to worry about me.. I'll stay.. I actually love the company.. Even though Aloysius has been bothering me to marry someone.. But I don't think I can..." he tells me as he pulls away from me..

"I'll be fine..." he says again.. Giving me a peck on the forehead. 

He'll be fine.. I know that, but how about Penny. I thought to myself.. It's not that being a single dad is bad, but still.. I want him to find someone that will love him dearly..

"Penny will be fine.. We'll come and go as usual... You really don't have to worry." 

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