Clary had to stifle her laughter when she saw the look on Maryse and Robert Lightwood's faces when they saw the Chinese food that their children had ordered. Maryse had what looked like a permanent grimace on her face and Robert looked as if he were close to tears. It was silent for a while and Clary realized it was because Max wasn't there to lighten the mood by asking his incessant questions. Even though Clary hadn't known him for long enough, she felt great remorse for the Lightwoods and how much they had suffered recently due to Valentine.
Valentine.
It was very peculiar, how even though she knew he was dead, was there to see his body burn, she still felt his presence. As if at any moment, he would stride right into the room with a bunch of Forsaken and challenge the family to a duel.
But no.
He was never going to come back, or at least that's what Clary constantly told herself. Never again would she have to see that sickeningly angelic face of his that looked hollow from years of relentless fighting but was breathtaking nonetheless.
Clary pushed her sautéed Broccoli around her plate, trying to get Jace to notice her. She didn't want to put a damper on the already dampened mood. Jace finally looked up, already done with his meal.
He cleared his throat. "Mom? Dad?" Even though Jace had been part of the family officially for a few weeks now, Jace was considered part of the family ever since he was first taken in to their family. "Clary and I have some…news."
If Clary thought the awkwardness couldn't get any more awkward, she had just been proven wrong. Everyone immediately stopped eating and as if on cue, Jocelyn Fray stepped through the doorway.
Clary's mom looked absolutely stunning; she wore a deep emerald green dress that brought out her fiery glossy hair that was slicked back into a neat chignon bun held in place by a golden clip studded with real emeralds. Clary gaped in awe as her mom blushed and whispered, "Mom."
"Clary, it's rude to talk with your mouth full," Jocelyn sighed, but even she didn't sound serious.
Jocelyn plopped down in the chair in between Clary and Maryse and put her head in her hands. Maryse instantly began the soothing circular backrub and cooed, "Don't worry, you look absolutely amazing."
Jocelyn said nothing and just stared out the hallway. When she looked back at the table and noticed everyone's eyes on her, she blushed again and shooed Maryse's hands away. Clary had never seen her mom act so…flustered. Sure, she had her stressed out moments, but she always had her paintings to preoccupy her. And this time, it was evidently different. Clary couldn't put her finger on it, but the way her mom gnawed on an eggroll while blatantly staring at the door as if behind it lurked the meaning of life seemed very familiar.
And the moment she heard a knock-knock jingle on the Institute's door, she immediately knew why.
"Who's that?" Maryse shot out of the chair and strode out of the kitchen with a very agitated Jocelyn hot on her heels. Clary didn't need to hear what happened next to realize what was going on. Downstairs she faintly heard Maryse's voice, very girly and high pitched along with her mother's, less excited but flirty nonetheless and finally, Luke's barking laugh.
It wasn't until she saw what looked like Jace's hand pull hers onto his lap did she realize she was silently crying. She didn't feel sad though, which Jace must've thought she felt because he whispered into her ear, "We didn't want to tell you anything yet until we were sure you could handle it. I'm so sorry." She was relieved –more than relieved, she was happy. Happy that not only her mom but also Luke were finally going to have the happily ever after they both deserved.
Clary sniffled and smiled as she shook her head when Jace offered her a napkin. She pushed her chair out, got up and felt as if she were in a trance as she took her baby steps towards the elevator. She didn't need to look back to see Jace was shadowing her.
The entire way down felt like an eternity; Clary's mind was racing with childhood memories so vivid, she could paint the images onto a blank canvas. When the elevator creaked to a stop, the three adults stared in silence as Clary fumbled with the door and raced out once she got it to open. Her feet pounded on the Institute's glossy tile floors, but she didn't stop until she heard someone go umph!
Jocelyn stared in awe as she watched her daughter buried her head into Luke's chest, sobbing hysterically. She took a step forward, but Luke mouthed the word 'no' and began to stroke Clary's hair, like he did every single time she would cry because she fell off the monkey bars or a tree. She felt tears well up but held them back–it was bad enough one person was crying already.
Luke murmured words of comfort until Clary took her last whimpering sniffle and said, "Finally." All the adults laughed at this, Jace observed from his place at the elevator. He crossed his arms, not wanting to interrupt the moment, but the warm smile on his face let Clary know that he was enjoying the scene before him. A sudden thought occurred to Clary and she tapped Luke's shoulder. He bent his head down enough so she could cup her hands over his ear and whisper, "Make sure you propose to her in private, she hates to make scenes in restaurants like those cheesy movie scenes." When he pulled away, he smiled knowingly and winked. She blushed, hugged her mom and left the adults to themselves. She threw herself into Jace's arms with enough force to push him back into the elevator. He managed to let one arm loose to press the button and asked, "So everything is okay?" She felt lightheaded and dizzy, but happy nonetheless as she sighed, "You could say that."