#ch: tessa gray

[celias]

Will and Tessa Herondale, The Last Hours

❝You are not old. Even when you are eighty, you will be my beautiful Will.❞

ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ʙɪʀᴛʜᴅᴀʏ, ᴛᴡᴇᴇᴛʏ! ❦ @purplebass

[durwaen]

aesthetic gif set: tessa gray from the infernal devices

“One must always be careful of books," said Tessa, "and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us.”

[inabcck]

@authcrwriites's Will sent: “ My off putting looks, awkward demeanor, and strange behavior have captivated you. ”

It took Tessa a moment to process what Will was saying and about himself of all people when he was hardly any of those things. He was handsome to look at which was one of the first things she noticed about him, his demeanor was a bit more broody than awkward, and his behavior seemed standard for males she has found. So it was with a roll of her eyes and a playful smile she addressed him with now. "Why how did you guess, Mister Herondale? Was it the way I bat my eyes at you or perhaps how you never fail to make me smile?" She couldn't help herself in giggling now finding this all a bit silly.

[beansprean]

Spoilers for ch 22 of "The Circular Conundrum"...

Excerpt from chapter 22 of “The Circular Conundrum” by @soontobecyborg!! I adore this series and you should, too.

(ID in alt and under cut)

ID: 1a. Close up of the Guide’s gloved hands holding a plain shoebox with a silver-gold bow on top. She says, “Now there is one more gift…” 1b. Wide shot of the Guide standing in her usual black hat, blouse, and long skirt, holding the box and saying “It’s just a little something Tessa and Quinn snuck through airport security.” She smirks at the box and playfully spins it and throws it up in the air a few times. Behind her, Tessa, dressed in a leather jacket and skirt, plays at a sappy smile, one hand pressed to her chest. Quinn, dressed in a long black tee shirt dress, has an arm around Tessa and smirks at the scene. In the foreground, Guillermo looks up and over his shoulder at them in curiosity, the top of child Colin’s head visible at his side. The Guide continues, “You probably don’t even want it after all the amazing gifts you’ve just gotten.” 1c. Close up of the box in the Guide’s hands again as she concludes, “Maybe I’ll throw it in the fire…” The box immediately shakes and screeches in complaint. 1d. Zoom out as Guillermo, wearing a striped shirt with rolled sleeves, suspenders, green chinos, and his new Rolex rainbow Daytona watch, stands up and snatches the box from the Guide’s hands, clutching it close and staring down at it in shock. He asks urgently, “How long has he been in there?!” The Guide cackles and replies, “A few hours.” 1e. Bust shot of Guillermo as he lifts the lid of the box, snapping his head up as what was inside zooms out with an audible flap of wings.

2a. The motion lines from the box lead to a poof of smoke as Nandor appears back in human form, wearing the brown kaftan and diamonds patterned overcoat from season 4 episode 1. He spreads his arms out wide and grins, announcing, “Surprise!” 2b. Repeat. Guillermo launches into frame and onto Nandor, arms thrown around his neck and legs kicked up in the air, sending Nandor stumbling back in surprise. 2c. Zoom in to their embrace, Guillermo’s back to the viewer with his arms and legs locked around Nandor. Nandor brings his arms tightly around Guillermo to press him even closer, eyes closed in bliss and nose buried behind his ear. The background erupts into happy yellow bubbles. 2d. Close up of Guillermo’s face buried in Nandor’s hair, trembling with emotion, eyes tightly shut and glasses knocked askew. 2e. Close up of Nandor’s face buried in Guillermo’s shoulder, looking like he has exhaled for the first time in months.

3a. Wide reaction shot of the rest of the room. In the foreground, Laszlo is sitting on a loveseat in a dark red suit jacket with a red pussybow and red and black striped pants, hands laced together in his lap and smirking. Child Colin sits leaning against him in a green tee shirt, idly humming and not paying attention. Nadja stands behind them in her red and black striped dress from season 4 episode 1, one hand on her hip and the other raised to her mouth in a fist as she pointedly and loudly fake-coughs into it. Derek stands in the background in a leather jacket and dark gray button up with a chain necklace, awkwardly smiling with his arms held straight down at his sides. The Guide is leaning casually against his shoulder with a smile, arms crossed, as she watches the embrace with as much interest as Laszlo. 3b. Close up of Nandor and Guillermo in profile as they break apart, gazes locked. Nandor has one hand pressed to Guillermo's arm and the other cradling his cheek, smiling down at him with aching softness and love as he says, "Happy birthday, Guillermo." Guillermo looks up at him in wonder, smiling like he can't believe it, hands sliding down from Nandor's shoulders. He breathes out, "You came." 3c. Close up of Nandor as he straightens with a silly grin, waving his hand around nonchalantly. He replies, " Of course! You did promise to do something on your next birthday where I could attend also." 3d. Close up of both in profile as Nandor grins down at Guillermo teasingly, continuing, "So here I am. Attending." He boops Guillermo's nose with one finger. Guillermo, hands pressed to Nandor's chest, just gazes up at him happily. 3e. Repeat. Guillermo surges up on his tiptoes and presses his mouth joyously to Nandor's, one hand clutching at the back of his neck and the other reaching around his shoulder to press him closer. Nandor's eyes fly open in brief shock.

4a. Repeat. Nandor gets with the program quickly, closing his eyes and pressing his hand to the dip in Guillermo's waist as he returns the kiss with something like relief. Guillermo laces his fingers together at the back of Nandor's neck. 4b. Repeat. They turn slightly, deepening the kiss as one of Guillermo's hands slides down to cup Nandor's cheek and the other makes a fist in his hair. Both of Nandor's large hands slide up Guillermo's back, desperate to touch anything he can. 4c. Extreme closeup on Nandor's face as Guillermo licks into his mouth, Nandor's eyes flying wide open and bulging in shock. 4d. Zoom out to full body as Nandor suddenly grips Guillermo's arms in both hands and pushes him back to break the kiss, much to the latter's shock. Nandor throws his head back, eyes watering profusely, tongue out and fully on fire, screaming "Owowow ow ow!!" 4e. Repeat. Nandor runs off frantically, arms straight out in front of him, trailing smoke and licks of flame. Guillermo stands frozen in place, an anxious sweat forming on his brow as he brings one hand to his mouth in shock. He mumbles to himself, "Oh no, the holy water." Nandor shouts back, "Mmmm-mmm-mmm!" /end ID

[choicesficwriterscreations]

Thank you to our creators who have submitted their Top 5 fics of 2023! I know this is a terribly difficult task. After all, I did it myself! But I've always felt this list was the more important of the two - it's not about the numbers; it's about the works that nourished their creator's souls and brought them joy. So, thanks to each of you for sharing with us! Links to all stories can be found below the break!

@aallotarenunelma ✒️

Moonlit Hearts (IL/ID Crossover/AU) - Original Characters

Childhood Memories (ILW) - Lincoln McQuoid x NB!MC

Close to the Flame (ILW) - Lincoln McQuoid x NB!MC

Another Sun Will Rise (ILITW) - Dan Pierce x MC

Indigo Blood (ID) - Cas Harlow x MC

@angelasscribbles ✒️

The DeFacto Queen (TRR) Ⓜ️ - Drake x MC, Liam x MC

A Fervid Fixation (TRR) Ⓜ️ - Drake Walker x MC

The Dark Kingdom (TRR) Ⓜ️ - Drake x MC, Liam x MC

In Your Room Masterlist (TRR) Ⓜ️ - Drake Walker x Leo Rys

Laws End (TRR) Ⓜ️- Drake Walker x MC, Liam Rys x MC

@baldwinboy5ive 🎨and ✒️

Aerin Prison Visit (BOLAS) 🎨- Aerin Valleros x F!MC

The Right Path (BOLAS) ✒️- Aerin Valleros x F!MC

Name on the Wall (BOLAS) ✒️- Aerin Valleros x F!MC

Bye-Bye Baldur (BOLAS) 🎨- Aerin Valleros

Aerin x Raine Fanart (BOLAS) 🎨- Aerin Valeros x MC

@cariantha ✒️

All He Wanted (OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

Hey Stranger (OH) Ⓜ️ - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

For You, I Will (OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

War & Peace (OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

A Solid Strategy (OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

@coffeeheartaddict2 ✒️

Everybody Hurts Sometimes, Ch. 7 Ⓜ️(OH) - Ethan Ramsey, MC

Love in all Forms (OH) - Ethan Ramsey, F!OC, Tobias Carrick

Power to Overcome (OH) - F!MC, Aurora Emery

Everybody Hurts Sometimes, Ch. 15 Ⓜ️(OH) - Ethan Ramsey, etc.

Desire Ⓜ️(OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

@inlocusmads ✒️

Past Lives (COP) - Trystan Thorne x F!MC

Music for the Lost (and Found) (COP) - Trystan Thorne x F!MC

The Feverish Itch (Guinevere) - Guinevere, Queen Artura, F!Lancelot

Cross Your Heart and Set it Ablaze (COP) Trystan Thorne x F~!MC

The Bow That Burned Bright (BOLAS) - F!Elf!MC, Kade

@jerzwriter ✒️

A Mother's Journal Ⓜ️(WTD) - Eli Sipes

What's Forever For Ⓜ️(OH/AU) - Tobias Carrick, F!MC

Breathe Again (COP) - Trystan Thorne x F!MC

A Bit Dark (OH) - F!MC x F!OC

I Do, Me Too (OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

@ladylamrian ✒️

Welcome to the World of Night (NB) - NB Side Characters

A Meeting in Wyoming (NB) - Nik Ryder x F!MC

Towards the Future (NB) - Nik Ryder x F!MC

Duty & Pleasure (NB) - Nik Ryder x F!MC

Sweet & Tender Hearts (NB) - Original Characters

@liaromancewriter ✒️

La Vie Avec Toi (OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC, Sienna Trinh x M!OC

Late Shift (OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

The Reluctant Valentine (OH) - Sienna Trinh x M!OC

When the Clock Strikes Twelve (OH/AU) - Sienna Trinh x M!OC

Breaking News (OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

@moominofthevalley ✒️

The Haunting, Part 1 (COP) - Trystan Thorne x F!MC

Turpentine (COP) - Trystan Thorne x F!MC

The Girl With the Glass (COP) - Trystan Thorne x F!MC

I Will (COP) - Trystan Thorne x F!MC

Future Days (COP) - Trystan Thorne x F!MC

@peonierose ✒️

Wildflower (OH) - Keiki Lahela x M!OC

Kintsugi (OH) - Original Characters

Summer's Kiss (OH) - Bryce Lahela x F!OC

I'm a Sucker for You (OH) - Bryce Lahela x F!OC

Rose All Day (OH) - Bryce Lahela, Keiki Lahela, OCs

@stars-are-within-me ✒️

The Rain (COP) - Trystan Thorne x F!MC

Reflections (BOLAS) - Aerin Valleros

A Day Off (COP) - Trystan Thorne x MC

In the Gray (COP) - Eveline Goncharov, Maksim Thorne, etc.

The Lonely Prince (BOLAS) - Aerin Valleros x MC

@storyofmychoices ✒️

Shadows & Deceptions: A Royal Murder Mystery (Crossover/AU)

Can I Have This Dance? (OH) - Bryce Lahela x F!OC

Shadows of Hope (BOLAS) - Mal Volari x F!MC

The Quest for Daenarya (BOLAS) - Mal Volari x F!MC

Dealing with a Narcissist (COP) - Trystan Thorne x F!MC

@tessa-liam ✒️

Smoke & Mirrors, Ch. 11 Ⓜ️(TRR) - Liam Rys x MC

Cappadocia Ⓜ️ (TRR) - Liam Rys x MC

Marabelle, Ch. 2 Ⓜ️ (TRR) - Liam Rys x F!OC

Turning the Page, Ch. 5 Ⓜ️ (TRR) - Liam Rys x F!OC

Ti Amo Molto Ⓜ️ (TRR) - Liam Rys x MC

@trappedinfanfiction ✒️

Fast Break, Epilogue (OH/AU) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

What's in a Name? (COP) - Trystan Thorne

Crossroads Ⓜ️(OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

By Your Side (COP) - Trystan Thorne x F!MC

A New Neighbor (COP) - Trystan Thorne x F!MC

@zealouscanonindeer ✒️

Dangerous Games Ⓜ️ (OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

Naughty & Nice (OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

Like Whom? (OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

Roots (OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

Drunken Nights (OH) - Ethan Ramsey x F!MC

[thevagabondexpress]

Charlotte put her face in her hands the way she did when she was trying very hard to calm down. She took several deep breaths and looked up again. "Alright," she said. "I'll go and inform Miss Gray. I have to tell her about August anyhow." She offered me a pleading look. "Promise me nobody will get killed at dinner?" I couldn't promise, but I nodded anyway.

—Ch. 6 of hand of oak, hand of iron. We're officially on track with TID canon. Tessa's here!

@faithfromanewperspective @tleeaves @ibrushmyteeth-donttellanyone @quantummeep @litanyofthemartyrs @chaoticpotatodemon poke me if you want in or out of the tag list

[justastrugglinghotchocolate]

Playlist For The Losing Game

They’re separated by character and are vaguely ordered by story progression. Since I didn’t have to write a whole lot for them, Dorian and Henry’s are quite short.

(I suggest reading up to ch 12 before opening because this is full of spoilers.)

Dorian

Million Miles Away from Belle (Kazue Mika’s Español ver because the lyrics hit way harder)

Lovesong- Beabadoobee

I Secretly Love U- Snail’s House- Seycara Ver.

Soulmate that wasn’t meant to be- Jess Benko

Credits Song for My Death- vivivivivi -Rasmodeus Q music box ver.

Henry

I Don’t Really Like Your Boyfriend- Avenue Beat

Up To No Good- The Hoosiers

You Get Me So High- The Neighborhood

Watching Him Fade Away- Mac DeMarco

Roland

My Type- Saint Motel

Arsonist’s Lullaby- Hozier

Our Word from 36 Questions

Technically Missing from Gone Girl

Sugar Storm from Gone Girl

SNOBBISM- Neru- Will Stetson Ver.

Blumenkranz from Kill la Kill

Gooey- Glass Animals

Sugar We’re Going Down but it’s creepier- Kade McCuen

Villainous Thing- Shayfer James

Main Title Suite (Bonus Track) from Don’t Look Up

Simplicity-Megan Wofford

Less Likely from The Vietnam War

The Devil Wears A Suit and Tie- Colter Wall

The Nowhere King from Centaurworld

The New Century from Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs

Basil

Let You Break My Heart Again- Laufey

And the Flowers Were Gray- Evelyn Stein

Until I Fall Asleep- Nastyona (Called “Nastyona #13” on Youtube)

Bubble Gum- Clairo

Background Noise from Gone Girl

Putting a spin on heather- egg

Ew- Joji- I like the live ver, but either works

Romantic Homicide- d4vd

Runaway- REI AMI

High Enough- K Flay

Biggering from the Lorax but it’s that super good part that makes you want to punt the Lorax and do meth

Leave Me Alone- IDKHBTFM

The Right Things from the Vietnam War

Putting a spin on slow dancing in the dark- egg

Just Like You from Gone Girl

The Fall- Lovejoy

Just Another Love Song- Mac DeMarco

Be Nice to Me- The Front Bottoms

Hot Chocolate- Dark Cat- Seycara Ver.

Beethoven’s 7th Symphony- ULTRAKILL ver

G Song- Terry Riley- perform by the Kronos Quartet

Occasionally Scared from Dispatches from Elsewhere

Mandus from Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs

Memento Mori from Don’t Look Up

Wishful Drinking- Tessa Violet

O Cometa- Rodrigo Amarante

Also shout out to SNOBBISM and Wishful Drinking. The former is literally just Roland’s entire character (completely by accident, i forgot about that song until September) and the latter is the theme song for entire story. And also to Seycara’s Hot Chocolate—highly recommend rereading that last Dorian and Basil scene in Chapter Twelve with it in the background.

[ttyrells-blog]

@fandomaestheticnet: women’s day event

 → Tessa Gray  

“One must always be careful of books and what’s inside them, for words have the power to change us.”

[livia-dovehallow]

of great use

part two

Ship: Wessa

Prompt: Tessa is pregnant with her third child. As Belial’s threat grows closer to home, the Herondales face the unthinkable.

for @lucieblckthorn || this took a bit of a slightly different turn than I originally expected but I hope you still like it <3

Belial... use me... walk the earth...

Needs his own bloodline...

Go after Lucie if I don’t...

Tessa stared in horror at her son, his words echoing in her mind. Will exploded after James finished speaking. “Damn him!” He stood, breathing heavily, staring at his children. Lucie looked like she would be sick.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you all earlier. I just—” James looked more vulnerable than he had in years, Tessa noticed. How could she not have seen it? Her own boy? “I thought I could handle it. I thought I could protect you.”

“We are a family,” Tessa told him. “We protect each other. This is not a burden you should bear alone, Jamie.”

“He said he needed one of your children,” James said, greatly upset. “That your Clockwork Angel still protects you, but not your children. I—I told him no. But I’m afraid he will go after Lucie.”

“I will never let him,” Lucie demanded surely.

Will and Tessa exchanged heavy looks. James sucked in a breath. “Mam? Papa?”

They looked at their son. Will swiftly walked around the desk and embraced both James and Lucie tightly. “We believe you, both of you. You will make the right choice. But the both of you are capable of making choices and defending yourselves. Your sibling is not.”

James and Lucie stared wide-eyed at their father, before looking to Tessa. Tessa stood and approached her children. She cupped both their faces in her hands and remembered when they were just tiny little menaces running throughout the Institute, only to be reprimanded by a ghost she couldn’t see, but they could.

“James, Lucie, I am pregnant. You have another sibling coming.”

This was supposed to be a happy family moment, like Cecily and Gabriel had when they learned they were expecting Alexander. But instead, the Herondale family stood in intense fear of what was to come.

Lucie, who in any other circumstance would have been thrilled to be an older sister, gazed sadly at Tessa. “Oh, Mam...” ...

Belial grinned viciously at them, though his face was marred by James’ features. Will kneeled beside his daughter, unconscious in his arms, pale, with a sickly purple and blue band appearing across her throat. “It is too bad dear Lucie was so unwilling to cooperate. A wasted potential, really,” said the demon wearing his son’s face.

Will, grief-stricken and angry, glared daggers at Belial. “Get out of my son.”

The demon shrugged, adjusting the braces James was wearing. “Such odd style you Shadowhunters wear these days.” Will desperately drew iratzes along Lucie’s arm and throat, praying for signs of life. “I suppose I could honor your request. James here is quite a hostile host. I shall simply need to find another.”

“Then you shall be thoroughly disappointed,” Will growled. Belial only smiled. It sickened Will to see such an evil look on his son’s face—but he knew it was not his son.

“Isn’t there? Tell me, William, where is my daughter? I should surely love to pay a visit to my next grandchild.”

Will’s blood ran cold. Lucie had not woken, though the iratzes had begun to diminish the appearance of her bruising. He stared into the eyes of that should have been James’s. Before he would speak, Tessa’s voice rose behind him. “I am right here.”

Will head snapped toward the stairs of the Institute, where Tessa stood. She was dressed in gear, an empty expression on her face that faltered slightly when her eyes found Lucie. She looked back at Belial. “Leave my children out of this, Belial. This matter is between you and I now.”

“No!” Will cried, torn into pieces between wanting to go to his wife or son or stay with his daughter. This was not how any of this was supposed to go. “Tessa, please don’t do this. He’s a monster. He can’t be trusted!”

Belial only grinned. “Ah, Theresa. So glad to hear you’ve begun to see things my way. Pity, though, that you serve no purpose to me, not since that damned fool Mortmain gave you your Clockwork Angel.” Will stared desperately at his wife. Tessa’s face remained unchanged, but he could see the emotion behind her eyes. “But that dear child you possess is of great use to me, in fact.”

James’s body suddenly froze, then collapsed in a heap. A desperate shout tore from Will’s throat as he watched the silver cloud emerge and rush toward Tessa.

Tessa gasped and stumbled, clutching her stomach as the silver cloud began to solidify before them all. Will clutched Lucie closer to him as he tried to reach Tessa. She stood only a few feet away from him, at the top of the stairs, but the distance between them felt as painful as it had nearly 25 years earlier, when she was taken from him in London and forced to Cadair Idris. He pleaded with her to retreat inside, where Belial could not enter in his weakened form. 

As the figure began to shape into a man, Will relunctantly laid Lucie down and rushed up the stairs to Tessa. She was in pain, but she gripped his shirt tightly with just as much strength as she would have had without the pain. “James and Lucie. Get them out of here, Will.” 

Will held her tightly. His heart was about to burst out of his chest in fear. “I will not leave any of you. He’s drawing power from you, Tess, you have to get inside!”

Magnus Bane suddenly emerged from the shadows, chanting in Latin. Tessa’s eyes flashed at him before she joined Magnus. Will stood still for a moment, stunned. The silvery cloud that had begun to shape into the Prince of Hell disappeared with a distant laugh. Will and Tessa rushed to their children, who remained unmoving on the ground.

...

“Lucie, my darling, please wake up,” Tessa whispered, her hand on her daughter’s cheek. Lucie’s skin was clammy but had regained its color. James sat in the far side of the room, curled into himself in the corner, wracked with guilt, refusing iratzes unless Lucie woke.

Will stood stiffly beside Tessa, his hand on her shoulder. “Tessa, my love, please, Jem is here to check on the children. All of them.”

Tessa looked up at him, her heart squeezing with every beat. Because of her, all of her children had been hurt. She could not forgive herself for this. How could Will ever forgive her? If she had just learned to control her powers years earlier, she could have helped James and Lucie earlier. They could have stopped Belial earlier.

Will gently tugged at her shoulder. “Please, Tess.” As she stood quietly, a terrible pain tore through her body. She gasped, clutching her stomach and doubling over. Will grabbed her immediately. “Jem. Jem is here, Tessa, we have to go now.” Out of habit, Tessa’s eyes searched the room for her son.

James stared back at her, wide-eyed and shaking. “Jamie,” she said, trying to reassure him. “Jamie, bach, this is not your fault. Please stay with Lucie, we will be back, I promise.”

He did not move as Will quickly ushered Tessa out of the room toward their own bedroom, where Jem was waiting. Halfway down the hall, Tessa cried out and dropped to her knees. “Tessa!” Will dropped beside her and shouted for Jem to come to them. She vomited suddently, violently. Her body shuddered with every heave. Will’s voice was panicked in her ear. Tessa lifted a shaking hand to her lips and drew back, heaving at the sight of blood on her fingertips. The blood turned black as she stared.

Her breath hitched. Tears welled in her eyes. No, she thought to herself, pleadingly. No, no, this wasn’t supposed to happen. Not my baby.

“Tessa—” Will’s voice was hoarse. She looked at him, tears beginning to fall quickly. He was pale, his gaze on her terrified. “Oh, Tess—no...”

She didn’t want to believe it. She didn’t even want to think it. But as she sat on the ground in the dimly lit hallway in her husband’s arms, her body weak, Belial’s voice echoed in her mind.

That dear child you possess is of great use to me.

[aly-naith]

A-Z Challenge: @ibuzoo vs. @aly-naith

T - Tessa Gray

[neverendingtrove]

Little thing that possibly most of us forgot about Tessa.

"Oh, no. I hate chocolate."

- Tessa Gray, Clockwork Angel, Ch. 4

[older-brother-kit]

The Sibling Matchmakers Club ch. 5

It’s been quite a while (sorry about that, there were things irl that were happening) but I’m back with chapter 5! Here’s the link for the chapter on ao3, and the link for chapter 1 on both tumblr and on ao3. Please let me know what you think on a reblog or a comment!! <3

Chapter 5: Together Once Again

Tessa Gray couldn’t stop smiling. James was finally coming back after what felt like forever, even though in reality it had been around a month. Tessa was sitting at the gate James would soon be walking out of, and she couldn’t keep her eyes off the doors. She’d never gone so long without seeing her son before. 

James wasn’t the only one she’d gone a long time without seeing. Tessa used to try not to think about it because she’d tear up every time, but James actually wasn’t her only child. A long time ago, there had been three: James, Lucie, and Mina. When James and Lucie were 3 and Mina was almost 2, Tessa had gotten divorced and the children had all been split up. They had agreed not to tell the kids about each other and just raise them separately, thinking it was the best option.

Tessa regretted it immediately after signing the paperwork. 

She thought about Lucie and Mina all the time. Her daughters, her precious daughters. What were they like now? Lucie used to be such a curious baby, always pointing out new things and trying to fit everything she could into her mouth. Mina used to constantly smile and giggle, and she loved grabbing her older siblings’ fingers. Every time they called her Mommy or Mama, Tessa’s heart would burst with happiness. 

She would never get to hear them call her Mom again. It was a rough thing to remember, and Tessa’s smile slowly faded. She wouldn’t even know how to contact their fathers now, after the messy break up they’d had. If she could go back in time and change it she would, but it was far too late. I hope they’re happy and healthy, wherever they are. It wasn’t her first time wishing for such a thing.

Her train of thought was put on hold when people started to walk out of the door after getting off the plane, and Tessa shot up from her seat. She carefully looked through the growing crowd, searching for a young boy with curly hair. “James,” she called out when she couldn’t find him. “Jamie?”

“Mom?” a voice said, and Tessa turned around.

She felt her heart stop in her chest. There was a young girl who looked to be the same age as James, with wavy brown hair and light blue eyes. Blue eyes, Tessa thought. Will’s eyes. A girl with Will’s blue eyes and Tessa’s own brown hair just called her Mom.

“Mom?” the girl said again, looking up at her with a tight grip on her suitcase. “I’m-”

“Lucie?” Tessa whispered. There was only one person it could possibly be. “Is that you?”

The girl’s eyes widened. “Yes,” she breathed. “I’m Lucie, Lucie Herondale.” She raised a shaky hand towards Tessa. “Can I-”

Tessa moved quicker than she ever had before, wrapping her daughter up in a tight hug. “Lucie, I’ve missed you,” Tessa said, unable to stop the tears rolling down her cheeks. She couldn’t believe she was holding the daughter she hadn’t seen in nine years. “It’s been so long. I’m sorry, we never should’ve been separated.” 

“Mom,” Lucie cried, and Tessa could feel the girl’s tears on her shirt. “I’ve always wanted to meet you.”

“I thought about you all the time,” Tessa admitted softly. “You and… Hold on.” She paused and carefully stepped away from Lucie, confused. “How did this happen? Where’s James? How much do you know?”

Lucie wiped at her eyes and smiled. “James and I met at camp. Mina, too.”

“Mina?” Tessa gasped, feeling the tears coming back. “My Mina? Is she alright?”

“She is.” Lucie said, nodding enthusiastically. “She’s really nice and I’m happy we found out we’re sisters. James is really cool too, even if we didn’t get along at first. I can’t believe I have a twin!”

“I’m glad,” Tessa said, before hugging her daughter once more. “I’m so glad you’re all healthy and happy. I have no idea how you three ended up at the same camp and figured this out. I especially have no idea how you managed to switch flights,” Lucie gulped at that, “but I love you and I’m so happy to see you again.”

Lucie nodded into Tessa’s shirt. “Papa is great, but I’m happy that I have a mom and another dad. I’ve always wondered about you.”

Tessa clung to her daughter tighter. “I think about you all the time. I’ve always hoped you and Will were doing okay.”

She couldn’t believe this was happening. Tessa had been thinking about her other two children earlier, but she never would have guessed that one of them would show up. She missed James, and she desperately wanted to see Mina again now too. If she could see all of them in a room together, laughing and smiling, Tessa would be the happiest mother in the entire world. 

She was looking forward to it.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Will Herondale couldn’t sit still, so he was standing. Not that he could stand still either. 

He was so excited to see Lucie that he couldn’t stop bouncing on the balls of his feet. Before, he’d been pacing around the gate entrance and checking his phone for the time every five minutes. The passengers were all coming out now, and Will was scanning the crowd to look for his daughter.

“Lucie!” Will yelled out, smiling at the thought of seeing his daughter again. 

“Hello,” a soft voice said from behind him, and Will turned around to see a young girl who must’ve been a little younger than Lucie. She had black hair put up in two pigtails, and dark brown eyes. “Are you Will Herondale?”

“Yes,” Will answered slowly. “Who-” Will stopped after getting another good look at her face. No… There was no way it could be her. Yet at the same time, the girl looked an awful lot like Jem Carstairs and Tessa Gray.

“I don’t know if you remember me or not,” the girl started shyly, “But I’m Mina, Mina Carstairs.” 

Will couldn’t look away. “Mina,” he whispered. “How could I ever forget you?” He quickly bent down and wrapped his daughter up in a bone-crushing hug. “Mina,” he said again into her hair. “I never thought I’d see you again.”

Mina hugged back just as tight. “Is it okay if I call you Papa like Lucie does?” she asked softly. 

Will laughed, and took that moment to rub the tears from his eyes. He would admit to crying --he’d missed Mina dearly. “Of course you can,” he said. “That’s what you did when you were a baby. We’re not biologically related, but you’re still my daughter too. That’s how we always planned on raising you and the others.”

There was a moment of comfortable silence where neither of them let go of each other, but eventually Mina separated them. “James is with Dad,” she told him, smiling. “And Lucie is with Mom.” 

“I wondered,” Will said, and laughed again. “I have no idea how all this happened, but if anyone could pull this off it would be you three. I’m guessing you met at camp?”

Mina nodded. “Lucie was my roommate,” she stated, then paused. “James and I met in the cafeteria on the first day, but, well.” Mina smiled, a hint of mischief in her eyes. She had Jem’s eyes but Tessa’s smile, and it made Will’s heart ache. “We sort of got into a prank war. I may or may not have started it.”

“Oh?” Will asked, delighted. “Truly a girl after my own heart. You must take after me; I was undefeated at prank wars, back in the day.”

Mina took his hand, and he grabbed her suitcase with the hand not occupied. Together, they started walking out of the gate area. “My brother taught me a lot of pranks, you’d love him.” Mina said, swinging their hands slightly.

Will snapped his head to her direction. “James?” he beamed. “How is he, is he doing well?” He had raised Lucie and reunited with Mina, but Will hadn’t seen James in a very long time. Will had often thought about James and Mina and wondered how they were doing. He’d missed them both very much, and couldn’t believe he was seeing Lucie again after so long. It was a huge relief that his other children seemed to be doing well.

Mina’s eyes widened. “Oh. I guess you wouldn’t know.”

After hearing her words, Will felt like someone had doused him in ice cold water. His heart beat faster as he imagined a thousand different things that could have possibly happened to his son, all bad. “Is he okay?” he asked, trying to keep calm.

“No, not like that!” Mina waved her arm frantically, as if to wipe away the scared look that must’ve shown on Will’s face. “It’s just that, James isn’t my only brother. I was actually talking about my older brother, Kit.”

Will frowned. “Older brother?” he asked. It would’ve made sense if Mina had said younger brother, since Jem could have always gotten together with someone else after the divorce and had another child. Will ignored the pain his heart felt when imagining Jem with someone else. A child older than Mina wouldn’t make sense however, since Jem hadn’t been with anyone before Will and Tessa. They had been Jem’s first relationship. First and only, Will’s mind reminded him. It was supposed to be first and only. It was supposed to be forever.

“Kit is adopted,” Mina clarified, and Will let out a sigh of relief. Not that he was relieved Jem hadn’t married and had a child with someone else or anything. If Jem married someone else, it wouldn’t be any of my business, Will told himself. “Dad knew Kit’s mom a long time ago, and when Kit’s parents died Dad took him in even though he had never even met Kit before.”

“That makes sense,” Will murmured, smiling. “Jem would do that. He’s always been the kindest person I’ve ever known.” 

“He always wants to help people,” Mina agreed, giving him a quick look that he couldn’t interpret. 

The two of them eventually made their way out of the airport, but Will couldn’t stop thinking of his past loves and their children. Lucie was with her mother and James was with his other father, but the three of them would have to be switched back. Will would finally see his family all in one room and complete again, after all those years. Thinking about it made him anxious and excited at the same time. 

He couldn’t wait.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Jem Carstairs held back a laugh, knowing that if he did laugh then Kit would be offended. They were currently waiting in the airport for Mina to get off her flight, and Kit wouldn’t stop tapping his feet or messing with his hands. Jem himself wasn’t as fidgety, but he did miss his daughter and couldn’t wait to see her. He knew Kit would be too embarrassed to directly tell Mina that he missed her, but his nervous ticks while waiting for her gave him away. It always amused Jem, when Kit tried to hide the feelings that were so obviously exposed by his actions.

“Oh, they’re coming!” Kit exclaimed, pointing to the now open doors where people were rushing into the airport after getting off the plane. Both Jem and Kit quickly stood up and started looking for Mina. 

A lot had happened since Mina had left for camp. One of Jem’s coworkers retired, and Jem had to pick up a lot more patients than usual when the hospital had trouble replacing him. He’d been busy throughout the time Mina had been gone, as they’d only found a good replacement a few days back. So Jem had spent more time at the hospital, though of course he went home and spent almost all of the time he wasn’t working with Kit.

There had also been a new, unexpected development: Jem now had a girlfriend, Zara Dearborn. Zara was hired as a nurse a couple months ago, and they’d often work together. She was a smart woman with great wit, and she was always so kind to her patients and to him. When Zara asked him out, he couldn’t say no. He had finally felt comfortable introducing her to Kit and having her over at the house in the past few weeks, and Kit seemed to have a neutral opinion on her. Jem had hoped for a more positive reaction, but he knew that if Zara and Kit just spent more time together, they’d grow to like each other.

Jem hadn’t told Mina about Zara yet. He figured that it would be best to talk to his daughter about his girlfriend in person, rather than over the phone. Today was a family day that Jem wanted to spend with his children only, but he would introduce them soon. He hoped that Mina and Zara would get along. As much as he liked Zara --and he did, so much that recently he was considering getting an engagement ring-- his children would always matter more to him, and that was final.

“Excuse me,” a voice said, and a young boy walked up to them. He had curly black hair, gray eyes that looked almost gold in the light, and looked to be a little older than Mina. “Are you the Carstairs family?”

Jem recognized him instantly.

“Yeah,” Kit answered, raising an eyebrow. “Do you know us?”

“James,” Jem breathed out, barely believing what was right in front of his eyes. “Jamie. Is that you?”

Kit looked between them, alarmed. “Uh, I’m not sure what I’m missing here and why both of you suddenly look like you're going to cry, but an explanation would be nice.”

“Dad,” James called with a shaky voice, and he stepped forward. Jem stepped closer as well, and in no time at all he was holding the son he hadn’t seen in so long. He could barely believe this was happening.

It had been many years since Jem had last seen his other son, and James had grown up to look a lot like Will Herondale with Tessa Gray’s eyes. Jem couldn’t help but love him more than ever before. He had no idea how James was here instead of Mina or how they’d figured out the truth in the first place, but Jem wasn’t complaining. He missed Mina, but it felt like a lifetime since he’d last seen James. Jem thought of Lucie, and if she was also involved in this somehow. He hadn’t seen Lucie in just as long, and he missed his other daughter. 

James slowly let go of him, bringing his head up from where it had been buried in his dad’s shirt. His hands were trembling. “I didn’t know if you remembered me or not,” he whispered, wiping at his eyes.

Jem crouched down so that they were eye level, resting a hand on his son’s shoulder. “I would never forget you,” he told him honestly, his eyes tearing up. After all these years, he still thought of James and Lucie often. It wasn’t possible for him to forget and stop missing his own children. “And I never stopped loving you, either.”

James looked like he was going to cry again, but instead pulled Jem in for another hug. Looking over his shoulder, Jem locked eyes with Kit, who was looking back at him with wide eyes.

“Dad,” Kit said, the bewilderment clear in his voice. “Did you have a secret kid or something? Though if he’s named after you it couldn’t have been secret.” He paused, thinking out loud at this point. “I mean I guess James is a common enough name, it could be coincidence. He is your son, right? I’m assuming because he called you dad which didn’t seem to surprise you, and you seem to know him, but if this is just some huge misunderstanding-”

“Kit,” Jem interrupted, amused. He and James let go of each other, and Jem stood up straight. “He’s my son. Mina’s other parents and I, we had two other children aside from Mina.”

“The three of us met at camp,” James explained, looking happy to clear things up. “We figured out we were all siblings and switched flights. Lucie is with Mom in New York, and Mina is with Papa in London.”

“Switched flights?” Jem asked, surprised. “How did you manage that?”

“You’re better off not knowing.” James said after a slight pause, and avoided eye contact. Jem raised an eyebrow but didn’t ask any other questions on the topic.

“Huh,” Kit said.

“Lucie,” Jem said. “It’s been so long. How is she, is she doing okay? Are you doing okay?” Jem was desperate to know that his other children were alright, that they grew up happy and healthy.

“I’m good! And Lucie, she’s good too. She’s very…” James hesitated, likely searching for a good descriptor. “Excitable.” He said the word slowly, as if it was a word from a book that he’d read but never actually said out loud before.

Jem laughed. “She sounds like Will at that age.”

Kit blinked. “Will?” 

“Will Herondale and Tessa Gray, Mina’s other parents,” Jem replied, answering the unasked question. “They’re also the other parents of James here, and Lucie who you’ve yet to meet.”

“What happens now?” Kit asked. “We have to get everyone back together eventually, right?”

Jem wondered how that meeting would go. He hadn’t seen Will and Tessa in so long, but he had never forgotten them. There were many years when Jem thought that he’d never be able to fall in love with anyone else. Zara wasn’t the first person to ask him out, but Jem had always said no before. No relationship could ever compare to what he’d once had, and it took a while for Jem to realize that that was okay. When Zara had asked him out on a date, Jem decided to say yes, and he didn’t regret it. He really did love Zara, and they were happy, but he couldn’t help but wonder if old feelings would resurface if he saw Will and Tessa again. He decided to save those thoughts for later. 

There were James, Mina, and Lucie to think about. They would all have to meet up to switch back eventually, but Jem liked to focus on the part where he’d be able to see all of his children, including Kit, together. He’d missed James so much, he wanted to see Mina after being separated, and he ached to see Lucie again. The idea of all three of his younger children interacting with Kit also made him happy.

Jem preferred to focus on the positive side of things, and he couldn’t wait to see all of his children happy and together.

-----

It’s been so long that this tag list might not be accurate and people probably changed their usernames, so let me know if you’re name isn’t here and you wanted to be added to the list!

Tag List: @julieandthefandoms @zfoxdraws @thomaslightwood @thechangeling @livia-dovehallow @themostawesomehuman @hands-dripping-ink @panicatwallmaria @immortal-enemies  @bookishgeekygirl @lightlady599 @biablackthorn @haleylightwood @celias @honorablescythecurie

[theonewhoimagined]

IT’S CURRENTLY 2AM WHERE I LIVE AND I’M TRYING MY BEST NOT TO SCREAM AND WAKE MY WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD UP ALL BECAUSE OF

CH 18 OF CLOCKWORK PRINCE

FUCK FUCK FUCK pls forgive me there’s no other way to describe my current agony.

THIS BOOK IS EXCRUCIATING to say the least. PEOPLE WEREN’T KIDDING AT ALL WHEN THEY RAVED ABOUT TID AND SAID THAT THE LOVE TRIANGLE IS THE BEST OF ALL TIME. I’ve never known true love triangle pain until The Infernal Devices.

I CANNOTTTT I JUST ABSOLUTELY CANNOT TAKE IT ANYMORE. How does one even choose between William Herondale and James Carstairs!!!!! Kinda glad I’m not Tessa Gray rn so I don’t have to make the difficult choice, but at the same time how to be her!!!

I liked Jem first because Will wasn’t very appealing to me during Book 1 then I became Will’s just after Clockwork Prince’s prologue and now!!! JEM OMG IDK ANYMORE

I’m dreading the next chapter because I don’t want to see Will’s devastated face. Or maybe if I manifest it enough then they all end up together ok lmao I know it won’t happen

HOW DO I EVEN SURVIVE THIS! Will I make it out alive? Stay tuned.

[hayleykiyokcsarchive]

Tessa Gray, Clockwork Princess

[ima-incendia]

Here’s a show for you… The Library conversation-Ch-4-Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare episode of Reading Aloud!

@cassandraclare

[timelock97]

Time Never Stops

Chapter Thirteen: Look at that Bump!

Word Count: 2574

Prologue   Ch 1   Ch 2   Ch 3   Ch 4   Ch 5 Ch 6   Ch 7   Ch 8   Ch 9   Ch 10   Ch 11   Ch 12   

Warnings: FLUFF

(Y/F/S): Your Favorite Store

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

"What can I do for you that would make today easier on you?" Tom asks while we finish up eating breakfast. Today, Dan and Phil were coming over to record a co-lab; however, I didn't tell them what we were doing today.

"There isn't anything you need to do, unless you want to set up my v-log camera in front of the fireplace so I can record my intro. Besides that, we are going to go over the game plan on what we are doing then we are headed to buybuy Baby."

I watch as Tom's eyes go wide, "Wait, was I supposed to come with you for that."

"I was hoping you would drive us," I mutter, taking a sip of my smoothie.

Tom looks sheepishly at me, "Harrison and the twins are supposed to be here in twenty minutes, they wanted to go out and practice our swings. I completely forgot you were going out today."

"Its okay, we could always Uber-".

"No, I can drive you three." He states, squeezing my hand on the table. "Hey, maybe the boys can come and join the challenge?" He suggests, as I squeeze his hand back before standing to put our empty plates in the sink.

"If you can convince the boys, I would be happy to have them join." I laugh, walking back over to him, settling into his lap, and wrapping my arms around his neck as his find their home around my waist, "As long as they take it seriously."

"I cannot say that they will, but we can hope," he chuckles, looking at me. "Why don't you go take a shower, I will let the boys know the plan."

I let out a soft hum before pressing a quick kiss to his lips. I stand carefully and grab my smoothie before walking out of the kitchen and up the stairs, Tessa following close on my heels.

After spending time taking a shower, I hop out and swipe at the mirror with my hand to temporarily remove the condensation to find my reflection looking back at me. I only glance at her in the mirror, deciding to leave the room as I squeeze my hair in my towel, walking out of the ensuite into the bedroom. I discard my towels into dirty clothes basket to be washed. I cock my head to the doorbell going off, hearing loud shouting to signal that the Holland brothers and Harrison had arrived. I roll my eyes as I brush my hair out and fluffing it around my face before walking back to the closet to figure out what to wear.

I groan as I try on a pair of ¾ length pants, they don't fit. I spend the next ten minutes back and forth trying to find clothes that do.

"Love, Dan and Phil are here." Tom calls, opening the door when her hears me groan in response. "You alright?"

I turn and look at him only dressed in just my underwear, a robe still placed over my shoulders. "I have a problem."

Tom chuckles, "What's your problem?" He is looking at me in amusement.

"None of my pants fit anymore. I didn't think I had gotten that big yet, have I?" I ask looking at him with a pout placed on my lips.

Tom shakes his head as he walks over to me, wrapping an arm around my waist before pressing a reassuring kiss to my forehead where the skin is creased. "No, love." He places a hand over my bump, rubbing his thumb across the skin, "The baby is just growing." He smiles at me before he moves to his side of the closet, pulling down a pair of gray joggers. "Why not try these, baby girl?"

I take them from him and carefully pull them on, sighing at the fact that they fit better than my own clothes. "Yay, they actually fit." I groan, letting Tom tie the strings before he places a kiss to my forehead again. "I need to ask your Mum if she will go with me to find maternity clothes because my pants don't fit anymore."

"How come you don't want me to come with you?" He asks, immediately stopping me from answering, "Nevermind, the last time I went shopping with you we spend four hours at (Y/F/S). Just steal my clothes until you do, I mean, you do that already so," he winks at me before leaning into me and kissing my lips, smiling into it.

"You are going to run out of comfy clothes," I tease, walking away from him to pull a plain black shirt out of one of my drawers and a sweater, pulling it over my head. I smile at him and tilt my head at him. "Do I look okay?"

"You look adorable." He smiles, putting out his hand for me to take. I smile back, taking it and allow him to lead me downstairs.

Once on the first floor, I smile at the guests in front of me. "My favorite people!" I tease, hugging Harrison since he was the first one I could reach.

"Wow, you say we are your favorite people but you don't hug me first." Dan pouts making me laugh.

"Says the guy who is hiding in my kitchen, most likely stealing cookies from my cookie jar." I tease, walking over to Sam and Harry who are laughing as they exchange hugs with me before I wrap my arms around Dan's torso.

"Well, Tom said you were upstairs getting ready so I was raiding your cabinets."

"Dan didn't eat breakfast before we left because we woke up late." Phil states, sitting at the table.

"Dan, oh my gosh." I giggle, letting go of Dan to hug Phil.

"Alright, enough teasing me because I didn't roll out of bed after my third alarm went off. What are we doing today?" Dan asks, walking over to Phil and I.

"Well, the camera is in the living room since we have a little more than what I had anticipated, so let's settle in there!" I turn and dance playfully into the other room, making the Holland boys laugh at me. Dan, Phil, and I settle on the couch and Tom stands behind the camera so he can start it.

"Ready, love?"

"Let me check the mics," I state, checking my laptop before I smile at him and giving him a thumbs up. "What's up guys, you're on with Timelock. As you can tell, I have the magnificent Dan and the amazing Phil here with me today!" I shoot my hands up in the air and Tom places his hand over his face to keep himself from laughing. "Today we are doing something a little different-"

"Okay, I am sorry to interrupt, but I need you to turn to the side for me." Dan says looking at me with a small eyebrow raise.

"Like toward you or toward Phil?" Dan shrugs and I turn to the side and look at him. "Okay, why am I turned?"

Dan motions toward Phil, "Tug her shirt toward you." My shirt comes tight around my stomach and Tom places his hand over his mouth, eyes crinkling in the corners. "Look at your bump! It is so noticeable. I mean, I could feel it when we hugged, but look at it."

"Is it really that noticeable?" I ask, looking at Tom who is nodding profusely, his eyes bright. "Well, uh, I guess I have more of a bump than what I was thinking, but then again I couldn't fit into any of my pants today."

"Wait whose are these then?" Phil asks as I turn back to the front.

"Uh, that should be obvious." I giggle, "Thanks, Tommy."

"Welcome, love."

"Okay, back to the task at hand. Today," the three of us start to laugh. "We are never going to get this intro done." I take a breath and take a chance and sip my tea. "Okay, okay, okay-"

"When do you drink tea? Who are you and what have you done with our (Y/N)?" Dan yells making me laugh.

"Will you hush, the tea keeps the morning sickness at bay, but I think we are at the end of that stage. It's been like a week?" I raise an eyebrow at Tom who nods. "We need to finish the intro so we can go and record the damn thing."

"Language!" Harrison calls from the kitchen.

"Shut up, Harrison!" I laugh, shaking my head, "Today!" Everyone bursts into laughter, "I just want to say what we are doing today so we can go to buybuy Baby!" I place my hands over my face, trying to cover up my giggles.

"Wait, why are we going to buybuy Baby?" Dan said with a raised eyebrow.

"If we could get back to the video, I would tell you." I tease, shaking my head. "We are going to buybuy Baby to do some shopping. You both have a 60 pound limit to find the best gift for little Holland, but there is a bit of a twist. Not only do we not know the gender, so it has to stay gender neutral, but Sam, Harry, and Harrison are going to be apart of the challenge-"

"Wait, do we buy it and give it to you, or do we show you before we check out and you guys buy the gift?" Dan asks, as the twins and Harrison come to stand behind us on the couch.

"Tom and I will buy it, but you guys get the credit for finding it." I laugh, smiling at the camera. "Well, let's grab the cameras and lets go!" I yell, pumping my hand into the air.

"Okay, camera is off." Tom states as he pulls it off the stand.

"So, what exactly are we doing?" Harry asks as he shifts the camera in his hand.

"The five of you are going to be going around the store to find a gift or multiple depending on what you want to do. That means you don't need to get anything for the baby blah blah blah because you already did blah blah blah." I state as the boys roll their eyes at my lazy explanation. "Everyone has a camera and they have to record for the hour we are there. I'll condense the video that I post. It's just supposed to be a fun competition."

"So we can't help each other out?" Sam asks, glancing at his twin.

"Nope, every man for himself." I laugh.

"Let's get going then!" Harrison yells, running out the door, all of us laughing and getting up to follow him. ~ "Harrison just walked around the corner, saw us, spun around, and sprinted in the opposite direction." Tom chuckles behind me as I search through the clothes aisle for some comfy pants.

"I saw Phil and Dan run past each other yelling that they were going to win, and then get yelled at by a security guard." I giggle, pulling out a pair of pants, "You think this'll be okay?"

"I can hold your bag while you try it on."

"I also love how we are just recording in here and no one is saying anything." I giggle, handing Tom my bag and run to the dressing room, finally happy that I had a pair of pants that actually fit. "Tom! They fit like leggings but look like jeans!"

"Aren't those jeggings?"

"No, they are thick leggings that look like jeans cause I am getting fat." I laugh, walking out with the pair of pants in hand.

"You're not fat, love. The baby is just growing. And I am pretty sure, those are still jeggings." He states with a smile, raising an eyebrow as I don't set them down on the return rack, "Gonna get those?""

"Yeah, so I don't steal all your joggers." I giggle, taking my bag from him, "And I know I'm not fat, it's just, you know how much it affected me when I was trying to lose weight. It feels like I'm backtracking even though it's not something I can change." I look at him and see the soft smile on his lips.

"You're beautiful, (Y/N), nothing is going to change that."

"You're a sap," I tease, pressing a quick kiss to his lips, "but I love it." I look at him for a minute before tugging my phone from out of the front pocket of my bag. "They have exactly ten minutes left in the challenge, so let's walk over to the rocking chairs and wait for them, yeah?"

"Yeah, let's go." Tom wraps an arm around his waist, smiling as he looks around the building at all the baby stuff. "Wow," he breaths.

"What?"

"I just, it's weird knowing that we are going to be parents. Like, don't get me wrong, I am beyond excited; even more now that the bump is making more of an appearance," Tom's hand comes to rest on my stomach, brushing his thumb against the fabric of the t-shirt. "It's weird, but I am so excited to meet them. Really excited to know who our little love is going to be-"

"Me too, Tom. I cannot wait to raise this little human with you." I whisper, pressing a kiss to his lips where soft chuckles are escaping, before sitting down in one of the rocking chairs to wait for the boys to come meet us. Tom and I rock back and forth for a few minutes until the twins come running over, baskets in hand, pushing each other playfully. "Hey, I will disqualify you if you get us kicked out."

"We won't get us kicked out." Sam laughs, standing in front of us.

"We actually talked to the manager and she laughed when we told her what we were doing." Harry chuckles, smiling at us. Eventually, Dan, Phil, and Harrison join us with their baskets in hand.

"Alright, let's look at what you guys grabbed and finish this video because I'm so damn tired." I state as Tom positions the camera so I can be seen.

"The baby can hear you, (Y/N)." Harrison teases, laughing when I try and grab his basket to tip him over.

"Hand me the basket, Osterfield, you're the first victim." ~ "Okay, how did he find the the cutest plush and softest blanket?"

"Because Haz knows that you will be using them well before the baby will." Tom laughs as he gets ready for bed in our ensuite. "I was surprised you didn't go for Dan's, the llama plush was so cute."

I laugh, balling the blanket in my lap between my hands, "Tom, did you even look in the bag from buy buy Baby?"

"No, why?" He walks out of the bathroom and over to the bag and placing it on the bed. He opens it and throws his head back, laughing. "You bought all the stuffed animals everyone picked, why?"

"They are all so soft! Little love is going to be so spoiled with all the stuffed animals-"

"And blue dinosaurs." Tom chuckles, lifting the plush out.

"Don't forget the narwhal that Phil found."

"We cannot have any stuffies on the baby shower registry." Tom states, tossing the narwhal at me, making me giggle.

"They really did a nice job though." I smile as Tom discards the bag on the floor, catching the narwhal with ease when I throw it at him and crawls in bed. He pulls me into his chest so we can sleep, his hand running up and down my bump.

"They really did." I yawn, stretching my neck to Tom pressing kisses up my neck to my jaw.

"Goodnight, love. Sleep well."

"I love you, Tom."

"I love you too, so much, bug."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think! Reblog and comment!

@revenantwriting | @bellagrayson-wayne | @jackiehollanderr | @snowxbarryxendgame​ | @let-me-luve-you​ | @mybitchborky​

Chapter Fourteen