The Christmas lights wrapped around Magnus' neck was a little distracting, Jace observed, especially when paired with a pair of felt reindeer horns and a very scandalous and revealing shiny gold shirt that was incredibly unsuitable for today's weather. Alec, next to him, looked remarkably like Magnus' shadow, in his dark sweater and pants and just slightly shorter build.
Isabelle, unsurprisingly, was in a very short and utterly Isabelle style red dress that shimmered at the bottom and was laced with tiny green and silver bells. Simon was wearing a band t-shirt and a Santa hat, almost unnoticeable behind Isabelle's glittery outfit.
And Clary was beautiful. Someone, presumably Isabelle, had forced some red lipstick on her that matched her sweater, though she kept on wiping in off distastefully when she thought no-one was looking. Jace though this was the most adorable thing in the world.
Countless presents waited below the Christmas tree, about seventy percent of them baby clothes from Jocelyn and Maryse. Jace'd been a little confused as to what to get Clary this year; she appeared to already own every single art supply on earth, but after checking with Simon that she would enjoy the gift he'd gotten her, he was satisfied. He'd also managed to keep it a secret for a whole week. He was very proud of himself.
"It's five in the morning," Alec said. "Why are we all dressed up like we're about to parade Santa around Brooklyn on a floating strip club?"
"What a lovely picture you just gave me," Simon remarked dryly.
"I bet he'll like that," Jace said. "Santa Claus loves strip clubs."
"Because," Magnus said, rolling his eyes at Jace and Simon. "We're getting in the Christmas spirit."
"By wearing weird and inappropriate clothing?" Clary inquired. "Because that's not how most people do it."
"It is how we do it," Isabelle pointed out.
"You mean it's how you and Magnus do it." Jace said.
"Enough," Magnus said. "We're here to be Chrismassy. So let's sing a Christmas Carol! I'll have the solo, of course-"
Everyone groaned.
"What?" Magnus said, frowning. "I'm an amazing singer. You're not suggesting Jace should have it, are you?"
Jace narrowed his eyes at Magnus dangerously.
"Okay," Clary said brightly. "What about we open presents!"
~~~~
Dawn was approaching; Clary could see the golden light that sprayed over the tops of skyscrapers, dusting New York with sprinkles of gold. It was only fitting, seeing as it was Christmas morning.
Clary smiled, leaning her head on Jace's shoulder. "How much longer will we stay here?"
In truth, she didn't want to leave. Even as morning descended and the sleeping city awoke and stirred up the noise and smoke again. Everything was beautiful from the sky. She felt almost like an Angel, separate and light, but reality kept tugging her back down every time she tried to escape.
"However long you want," Jace said, smiling back down at her. "But I think we should check on Isabelle and Magnus. He could cover her in glitter at any moment."
"You know, I think Magnus would object to your opinion of him as a walking haphazard glitter machine," Clary said, laughing "Though much can be said about his opinion of you as a pie-baking seraph blade with arrogance issues and a mutual disliking of Chairman Meow."
He smiled, but doubt quickly clouded his features, and he looked just behind her, where his eyes laded on an apparent enemy, because he narrowed his eyes, putting a hand on the seraph blade at his waist. "Clary. Clary you have to wake up. Something's happening, and I don't know if- MAGNUS! Stay-"
"Jace? Jace!" She tugged at the darkness that pulled him out, away from her, until it consumed her too.
~~~~
"Clary," Someone was saying. "Wake up! We're opening the presents!"
"O-oh. Sorry. I think I just dozed off-" She broke off as a sharp pain cut through. "I think-"
Jace rushed to help her as she cried out again. Something was wrong, very wrong- he could see the clear expression of pain on her face as she gripped his wrist.
"Jace,"
The baby was meant to be due sometime around January, he knew, but not like this- on Christmas, no, it wasn't possible- Clary made another sound of agonizing pain, but this time it hurt Jace too, a thousand daggers at his heart. By now the others had gathered around her, wide-eyed; Jace shouted orders about the Silent Brothers to them.
Someone had awoken Jocelyn and Maryse; they rushed to her now, telling her how to cope and other things, and Jace had never felt so helpless in his life.
~~~~
Jace threw himself against the door again, but it only cracked his wrists. He thought he felt something shatter. He didn't care.
Because Clary was behind that door, and she was giving birth, and they'd denied him access. They'd denied everyone access, but Jace was the only one injuring himself.
"Jace," Isabelle pleaded. "Stop. If Clary were here, she-"
"But she's not here," He said angrily, snarling at her. "And she's in pain, and they won't-"
His voice squeaked, and he choked back tears. He couldn't cry.
"Jace," Isabelle said, her voice softer now. "It's okay, you can-"
He interrupted her by making a choking noise at the back of his throat, and soon he was in her arms, full-on weeping. Isabelle didn't think she'd ever seen him cry so hard, and she felt his raw pain.
Simon was pacing restlessly, weaving his fingers in and out of his hair, and Alec was drumming the palms of his hands against the stone wall of the institute, so distant that even Jace couldn't access him. Someone might say he was thinking about Magnus, who was aiding the silent brothers, but Isabelle knew he was terrified for Clary; they all were.
Hours passed, and Isabelle got scared. She didn't know how long everything was supposed to take, didn't know anything right now, but everyone seemed the same.
Simon took a deep breath. "Okay- we need to stop this. It isn't helping anyone."
It was strange, Jace thought, that he was the one taking charge now, but he silently obeyed, only half aware of his actions as he stopped punching the lock in the door. It was sealed by a rune, anyway.
"Alec," He whispered. "How long has it been?"
Alec was the one with the watch; he slowly lifted his shaking hand to reveal it had been nine hours, forty six minutes and thirty eight seconds.
Jace took his pairabatai's hand, fingering the watch. "Give that to me,"
Alec gave him the watch, then continued his palm-drumming.
Jace took the watch between his thumb and fore-finger, counting each second. Forty- six, forty- seven.
~~~~
"Jace?" Maryse asked softly, opening the door. "Jace, she's asking for you,"
Jace lept from the corner where he had been crouching with the watch, rushing into the room.
"C-Clary? Are y-you-" He was shaking all over, and took a deep breath.
Clary was tired, but strong enough to reach out and gently pat his head. Only then did he notice the tiny being in her hands
He felt the air rush out of him. "I-is that-?"
"You can hold her," Clary said, smiling.
Jace slowly reached out and gently scooped the baby from her hands. She was crying, and he was too, he realized, even more than outside.
The baby opened her eyes, and Jace saw the most beautiful blue for the first time, and fell in love all over again. She had a small tuft of hair on the top of her head, the same colour as Clary's. He took a deep breath.
"She's beautiful," Was all he could say, and she was, the most beautiful thing Jace had ever seen. He started crying again.
Clary leaned over to place a small kiss on her forehead. "You've got snot all over your face," She observed after.
"By the Angel," Jace said, putting a hand to his cheek and realizing she was right. "This will not do good things for my reputation."
Clary laughed softly. "I'll have to ask Isabelle to take a photo of that,"
Jace turned his attention back to the baby. "What are we going to call her?"
"Lily? Not after the vampire, Lily, but-"
"Lily Jane Herondale," Jace murmured. "What do you think?"
Clary exhaled. "Perfect."
"She's going to look amazing in her new badass leather gear jacket,"
Jace could've sworn the red-haired blue-eyed baby smiled.
~~~~
Merry belated Christmas everyone! I hope you had an amazing holiday full of love and books.
Did you see the thing I did with the name (LILY COLLINS!!) :)