Prologue

The Present, Summer 2015

They'd known this day was coming for months. Each of them had a say in every detail and decision that came with making this day what it was. It's was magnificent. Despite a few technical difficulties, everything and everyone came together perfectly.

Silky white cloths draped 100 chairs in the garden. 50 on one side of the ten foot wide walk way and 50 on the other. Each cloth was tied in the back making a perfect little bow. It was cute. Each chair had a name card neatly placed in the middle of the seat and sitting underneath, atop the manicured lawn, was a small 'Thank You' gift. Those gifts were home made soap scrubs that smelled like different fruits and candies. They were in the shape of wedding bells and hearts. It was a pain to make so many but the dining rooms of the three people who made them smelled amazing for weeks.

Pink and white hydrangeas covered the hand made twig and wood alter at the very front of the garden. It sat directly in front of the walk way and made for a beautiful focal point for the attendants. There was a small table in the middle of the alter. There was a small, leather bound book, a pen and a piece of paper. There were eight small piles of sand at the alter. Two piles were together directly in center, in front of the table. The other six were split up on each side of the two other piles. They were place markers because no one could seem to remember where exactly they should stand and, well, it was important on a day like today.

While the garden was the most important part of the day, the action was going on inside a large clubhouse in the far back of the garden. While everyone outside was finding their designated seat, everyone inside was getting in their designated spots, too.

Except one.

A young woman sat in the dressing room. Alone. She needed that. She sat in the window sill looking out at the set-up she had helped plan. It was beautiful. It was also a lot of work. She sighed and looked down at the bouquet of flowers in her hands. They were beautiful, too. Everything was beautiful. So why wasn't she happy?

"Clary?" The woman looked up from the flowers. She smiled. Simon looked great in a suit, she thought. The pants were the right length, falling just atop his shiny black shoes. His dark hair was gelled and combed over to a neat perfection. His jacket was buttoned and there was no wrinkle in sight. He looked dashing.

"Well, thank you." He blushed. She had spoken aloud. "You look," he paused. "Beautiful."

It was her turn to blush. Her dress was pretty. The bodice around her chest and ribs was fitted but not tight. As it got to her waist it let loose and soft tulle draped down around her hips and legs. Her normally wild red hair was braided back into a neat bun and tiny flowers were woven in. It took hours and a lot of hair spray to get it to look this good. She wore little make-up. She didn't mind though. She didn't like the stuff much at all. She was beautiful though. She saw it when she looked into the mirror across the room.

"Everything is beautiful today." She whispered as she stood. Simon frowned a little and shut the door behind him. He'd known her for so long he could read her easily. He knew she was sad. She'd been sad for months but tried her best to keep it at bay. For a while it seemed to work but...not for today.

"You don't have to do this, Clary." He spoke softly. She turned from him and he walked forward. His hands rested on her bare shoulders. "You can leave. Now. I'll cover for you."

"I can't." He couldn't see her face but he heard the hitch in her voice. She cleared her throat and shrugged his hands off. "It's too late." She smiled sadly and touched his face. A knock sounded at the door and that was the cue to go.

The twosome walked out of the dressing room and fell into place with everyone else just like they had rehearsed the evening before. A line of three women in pale pink dress paired up with a line of three handsome men in tailored suits. In front of them were two small children, one carrying the rings on a pillow and other carrying a small basket of flower petals. In the far back the bride and her father smiled at one another.

Clary shook off the nerves and took a deep breath. Simon peered back at back and mouthed, 'You can do this.' She smiled and nodded her head.

I can do this.

The party started walking and kept repeating the mantra in her head. Everyone's eyes were on them as they all took turns walking down the aisle. Music played. People smiled, wipes away tears. They whispered to one another about how wonderful everyone looked. Especially the bride. It all made Clary more nervous.

I can do this, she repeated. I can do this.

The sun was brighter at the end of the aisle. She tilted her head down a little and kept walking.

I can do this.

Then she came to the end of aisle. She saw her place at the alter and took it. She was in the shade now but still didn't look up. She knew as soon as she looked up, she'd see him and whatever composure she had left, it'd be gone. You can't have your head down for a whole wedding thought. Slowly she lifted her head.

He smiled. She couldn't help it, she smiled back. He had that effect on her. Still.

Jace Wayland always looked good. He knew it. She knew it. Everyone knew it. But today he looked...different. I don't think anyone had ever seen him in a suit before. It fit him perfectly. His golden hair was combed back and his eyes shimmered with excitement. And love.

Clary should be excited. She couldn't find it in her soul though. Jace noticed this and his smile faltered. He looked to reach out to her but music played again. A different tune this time. Everyone, even Jace and Clary, turned and looked down the aisle as the bride and her father walked arm in arm to the alter.

Clary teared up. She was the most beautiful thing about today. Perfect white dress. Perfect blonde hair. Blue eyes. And the biggest, brightest smile on her face. She was bursting with happiness, joy and love. Everyone saw it. Everyone felt it.

Except Clary. Tears formed in her eyes and she looked down again. She couldn't let them see her cry. She just couldn't.

A frail old woman stepped up between the bridge and groom and smiled. She held the leather bound book in her hands lovingly as she started speaking. It took every ounce of control Clary had not to sob when she heard the pre-written sentiment.

"Today, we celebrate. We celebrate love, commitment and destiny." She paused as the crowd clapped softly. "Today we celebrate the joining of two souls, Kaelie Roberts and Jace Wayland."

AN: I will *try* to update once a week. I do have a hectic schedule though. The 1st Chapter will be taking place in the past and the story will continue from there. There will not be any jumping back and forth in time. This is the only time you'll see the 'present' until we...well, until we get there with the story. Hopefully I can gather enough of you to like this to keep it up. This is an all-human story and cast. I am hoping to keep the characters as 'in-character' as I can because we love them just the way they are. ;)

Thank you for reading. Let me know what you think, take a look at my profile to read a *little* about me. Hopefully I'll see you next chapter.

-L.C.