Tessa nervously fixed her dress. It was daringly low, her shoulders exposed, hugging her carefully before flying out near her waist and ending in a sweeping, maelstrom of skirts. Gold lacing fringed around the neckline and the entire skirt was a swirl of intricate gold embroidery laid on pure white.

Charlotte gently placed the flowers in her hand, and her eyes filled up with tears.

"Oh Tessa. You look so beautiful…."

Tessa smiled softly, before feeling her anxiety come back. She was getting married today. To Will. Sarcastic, arrogant, protective, handsome, funny, intelligent, bookish Will. She would be Tessa Herondale, and would live her life by his side. There wasn't anyone else she would rather have been with. She would wake up in his arms every morning, they would share breakfast, books, and life. Was she ready?

Henry wheeled his chair to her, before joking: "Oh dear Tessa, I'm afraid you look too beautiful, go upstairs and change or some man will wish to marry you right this instant!"

Tessa laughed, only Henry could calm her down like this. She took the arm he was offering her and smiled as he grinned at her.

Henry chuckled, "You're quite a bit taller than me aren't you? Are you sure you want me to give you away?"

Tessa frowned at him, "There's no one I would rather have give me away Henry, but are you sure you'll be fine in your chair? They made the aisle larger so it'll fit."

He chuckled again, "There's no other place I'd rather be, cease your worrying. It's an honor to give you away darling."

She smiled faintly, as Charlotte called for the bridesmaids began to line up. Just beyond those doors, her future was waiting. Cecily ran up to her and hugged her hard.

"Tessa, you look gorgeous! Will is going to fall over when he sees you! And we're going to be sisters! This is so exciting!" She trilled happily and hugged Tessa again.

Sophie walked up as Cecily skipped off, and made an amused clucking noise. "Good god, how she keeps so much energy pent up is beyond me! Anyway, Tessa…I am so happy for you. I know how much you love him," she murmured. Tessa looked at her before looking down. "Sophie…what if…"

Sophie shook her head, guessing what Tessa was thinking, "I remember Tessa, I remember how your heart broke and how you cried at night. I know how much pain you were in when he said he could never love you. I held you when you sobbed over him, but I know now that he loved you back just as deeply. He lied to protect you Tessa, he loves you so much, and was in so much pain. You didn't see him that day when you were taken. Jem panicked…but Will died on the inside. He's loved you from the day you met, and you have loved him for so long now. I'm sorry I ever thought badly of him. Don't worry. Everything will be fine."

Tessa stared at Sophie in shock before allowing tears to gather in her eyes. "Oh Sophie, thank you so much for being there for me. You were always there when I needed you most. I am honored that you stand here with me today, and I hope to return the favor."

Sophie blushed at the reference to Gideon, and her own impending marriage. "Never mind us now, the procession is almost starting. Where is little Ellie?"

Charlotte ran up with her tiny daughter, and Ellie's little basket of flowers. "She's here," she huffed, "What about Jacob?"

Will's mother quickly came up, pulling Will's little cousin Jacob behind her. He was balancing a huge silk pillow, with the rings to be exchanged placed on top.

Tessa looked around her, surrounded by the people she loved. The cathedral was full of everyone she held dear to her, just as it should be. Except one person, Jem was missing. She sighed, quietly, but she knew he was alive and that was enough. He would know they were all thinking of him, but she missed him. She knew Will was struggling without having Jem standing next to him as his best man.

The music began to play, and butterflies rose up from her stomach into her mouth. Henry offered her his arm and the procession began. The bridesmaids walked out and little Ellie walked down the aisle spreading flowers joyfully. Jacob walked out, as dignified as a seven year old can be. Finally, it was just Tessa and Henry who were left. She took a deep breath and glided through the doorway.

People gasped in shock and wonder. Charlotte and Will's mother began to sob. But it didn't matter. Only one person mattered and he was staring at her as if she was the sun, moon and stars. His tuxedo was tailored to fit him perfectly, and his arms were clasped in front of him. Tessa could see the graceful muscles straining in his arms; he was lithe and deadly after years of training and killing demons. His face looked as if he'd been hit over the head by a large hammer, his deep blue eyes were wide with shock. He drank her in like a man dying of thirst, and Tessa could see the love and desire arise in him. Will Herondale. The man she loved more than anything in the world. He was going to be hers after years of longing and misery. Everything would be fine, with him by her side.