Introduction: Hello to everyone reading! My name is Jaclyn and it has been a long while since I've last written anything... so today I've finally decided to post again. You must've seen the title and description intriguing or else you would've never clicked on here, anyways... I'm not much of a talker when it comes to posting updates so consider this the biggest chunk you'll get out of me (unless if I see reviews, or an insane following amount then things might change). Throughout the story you will see I followed the aftermath of Lord of Shadows with a few changes here and there, so as a precautionary warning, if you have not read Cassandra Clare's entire mainframe series (TMI, TDA, & TID's) then be prepared to get spoiled.

Also, even though I consider myself to be at a professional level when it comes to writing, I am still human and will make mistakes and forget plot points or even characters sometimes. Constructive criticism or positive comments are welcomed!

Other than all of that, enjoy!

June 24, 2014

Emma's POV

Two years.

Two, completely isolated, enticing years filled with training, discovery and fulfilment.

How on earth did I end up here?

Nineteen-year-old Emma Carstairs eyes fell slowly, as she breathed in the beach's salty air. LA had always been a place of comfort and reassurance, up until things changed. Looking around, Emma watched mundane after mundane go by as she sat on the Santa Monica Pier.

It's important that I'm here... Livvy would need me to do this. Ty needs me to be here for him. Swallow your pride and suffocate the immediate feelings, it's just one weekend.

Propping herself up, Emma felt the weight of being back fall onto her shoulders. Prior to leaving, so much had happened. Most importantly Livia Blackthorn, Tiberius Blackthorn's twin sister had died in Alicante. The Blackthorn family had become shattered once again, and Julian was completely and utterly lost to this world. At the time Emma had only been seventeen with an immeasurable amount of pressure put on her to keep whatever sanity they had left afloat.

Unfortunately, it was too much.

Grabbing her bag and dusting off the sand, Emma checked her watch to see what time it was.

11am... I have to check into the hotel now and then head to the Institute. If everything runs its course smoothly I should only be there until 6pm.

X

By the time Emma got her bags unpacked in the hotel room, the time had changed to 1pm. Thinking out loud, Emma started pacing...

"Clearly I am meant to be here... Yes, it is rather odd to be going to a ceremony to celebrate such a feeble comprehensive learning environment, but it's what I need to do. Ty chose this, and I have offered him my support so... ugh."

Dropping onto the bed, Emma thought about Ty and his decision to attend High School. The toll of losing Liv was too great, and in an attempt to normalize things he felt at ease surrounded by the noise school provided. What dim light left that burned inside of Ty had disappeared, and in replace was darkness, only avoidable through his time spent in class which he was now graduating. Reaching for her bag, Emma pulled out a form fitting black dress that zipped in the back and slipped on plain black heels to match. Technically Emma wasn't obligated to go to the Institute this afternoon. In the email Tiberius had sent her, he only requested that she would be there tomorrow, but would appreciate the company this afternoon having dinner with the rest of the family.

Two years...

Before leaving two years ago, Emma had scrambled to prepare the children to live a life without her, promising only to talk through online communication. It wasn't just Livia's death that caused her absence, it had also been Julian. Emma felt her heart flutter as she thought about him. The relationship they had was kept secret to protect the children, and to protect themselves. As a Shadowhunter Emma knew the immense power that came with loving your parabatai, and how it could result in death.

The time had come.

Pausing to fix her blond hair Emma sighed knowing it was going to be an eventful afternoon.

X

Finally reaching her destination, Emma knew this was it. The buildup, the fallout, and the running away... everything flooded her memories as she stood, staring up at the large castle like Institute.

Time to confront the Blackthorns.

The oak doors creaked loudly as Emma opened them and slowly took her first steps inside.

The smells overwhelmed her, as her thoughts traveled to... Julian.

Before she knew it, a tiny figure came running out of the dining room.

"Tavvy?" Emma whispered.

The littlest of the Blackthorn's looked like she had grown about a foot since Emma had last seen her, and seemed substantially older.

"Remember me?" Emma grinned at the kid.

Octavian Blackthorn's smile spread from ear to ear.

"Emma!" Tavvy squealed as she flung herself into Emma's arms, knocking her down onto the floor.

Squished together for the first time in two years, and all Emma felt was joy; pure, pure joy.

I waited too long.

Before Emma could release Octavian, two more familiar faces appeared.

"Emma... Carstairs?" Arthur Blackthorn choked out.

"Yeah, it's me Arthur." Emma smiled.

Standing right next to him was Diego Rosales.

The world renowned perfect Diego shook his head, "I can't believe my eyes right now... the well awaited princess has returned".

Emma recoiled a bit with Tavvy still in her grasp, "Believe me I wasn't expecting to see you here either."

Releasing Octavian, Emma stood brushing the dust off her dress.

Diego whistled, "I see the princess finally finished growing up." his eyes scanned her figure up and down.

"Nice to see your attitude hasn't changed, where's Ty?" Emma asked.

Then it hit her. Goosebumps spread over her legs and the fine hairs stood on her arms, she felt him.

Jules.

Julian's POV

Julian Blackthorn had been lingering about his studio in the Los Angeles Institute when he felt a flutter in his chest. It had been two years since he'd been able to rekindle such a feeling.

Emma.

Opening the door to head downstairs, he froze. Tavvy's feet slamming across the floor could be heard from all the ways upstairs?

That's unusual for Tav's to do such a thing...

Julian waited a moment and heard faint conversing before it clicked.

She's here.

Moving slowly, Julian listened to who he believed was Emma, as she responded to uncle Arthur and Diego.

Reaching the top of the steps he looked down and saw that Emma was truly there, standing in a gorgeous black dress it had felt like she'd never left.

"Emma?" Julian's voice cracked.

"Hey." Emma gave him a soft smile.

Inside Julian's heart started burning, the ties that bonded them were being pulled as they stood a staircase away from each other.

Before Julian could talk, Tavvy grabbed everyone's attention, "Ty kept saying you were never coming back... I don't even remember what happened the day you left..." Her eyes watched Emma's as she stifled a cry.

"I know Tavs, I'm really sorry it took me so long to come back, but some things just needed to happen." Julian heard the pain in Emma's voice as she spoke.

"I suppose there'll be a lot to talk about over dinner... now I don't mean to push this but I think it'd be best if I could speak with Tiberius and Drusilla alone before we continue."

What does she mean it'd be best?

"Wait a second hold on," Julian started down the stairs, "Would you mind if we stepped outside first?"

As Julian got closer to Emma, she started backing off.

"I don't think that'd be appropriate right now; plus, Ty has been expecting me." Emma shifted her body and started stalking towards the hallway that led to the study.

"Ems..." Julian watched her.

Emma stopped, spun around and looked at them all again, "Give me a few minutes and I'll be back, don't worry."

Then she was gone.

In that moment Julian realized just how grown up Emma seemed to be. The girl he once called his best friend, lover and parabatai walked with newfound confidence that only age could prescribe.

Two years can really change a person...

Emma's POV

Oh god was I too harsh on Jules? No, no... it went well... ah for f's sake who am I kidding that was critically awkward.

Reaching the study, Emma peaked her head inside to find Tiberius and Drusilla sitting at the computer together.

Emma sighed, realizing around the others she'd been tense, but let it all wash away as soon as she saw Ty and Dru.

"I don't know if I should be sad that you didn't come running, or happy that you both seem to be working on something." Emma snickered.

Twirling around ripping out the headphones they shared, Ty looked shocked, "By the angel, you came."

Dru squealed, "Ah! You're here!"

"I figured I needed to visit at some point, so now felt like a good time considering the occasion."

Walking towards them Emma offered big hugs, "Thank you for writing me back and keeping me updated on everyone." She whispered to Tiberius.

Dru was bustling with excitement to speak, "Oh, Emma I missed you so much; Ty and I have been trying our best to make sure Tavvy is happy and healthy, Julian's gotten better since you left and, well, I don't know if you've seen Arthur but he's the only one not doing good."

"Unfortunately, I know about Arthur, Ty said something in an email awhile back about the mundane diagnosis I believe he called Alzheimer's" Emma sat down on the table next to them, "I think he was having trouble remembering me."

Ty frowned, "Yeah, that's not surprising. Half of the time he hardly remembers the rest of us with the exception of Julian".

Emma sighed, "So anyways what are you working on?"

"Oh yes," Ty looked at the computer, "Dru wrote a paper on an article surrounding Shadowhunter Myths versus Facts, and I've been proofreading."

"Very nice... I suppose Christina is still doing a good job at teaching even though she's away." Emma smiled.

"Indeed; her and Diego have done an excellent job training us since Diana couldn't make it." Dru scratched her arm.

Emma knew Christina and Diego were left to run the Institue, as well as become teachers for Ty, Dru and Tavvy. Christina had also told Emma that upon her arrival she would not be back until a week later.

I miss Christina. Things might have been easier with her here.

"So High School has been good?" Emma asked.

"Yeah I've learned a lot more there then I thought I would; and considering most Shadowhunter's don't expect much of me I'd say it's appreciated to feel valued elsewhere." Ty twiddled his fingers.

All of a sudden Emma felt her body tingle again... it felt like anticipation.

I can feel Jules' strong emotions he's emitting again. He's nervous.

"So, listen, I think we should go join them out in the dining room now, but I need to ask you both... How is Jules really doing?"

Ty and Dru both looked at her with sadness in their eyes, "It's been rough for him Emma. Livvy's death killed him inside, I mean you must remember him those few weeks before you left. He's slowly gotten better but between Dru and I taking control over the house, having Diego and Christina around and you leaving..." Ty stopped speaking.

"You're not telling me something, huh?" Emma chilled.

Dru stood, grabbing hold of Emma's hand, "Up until three, maybe four months ago Jules had decided to stay in bed."

Emma was shocked, "What? You can't be serious Dru he couldn't of-"

"He did Emma... since the day you left." Tears came down Dru's face.

Oh my god... I did this.

I ruined Julian.