Chapter 3

Chapter 3, here we are! Can I just say that I only started on this website a few days ago, and you guys have already favorited, followed and review my story and I can not express how thankful I am for that! It really means a lot to me and it helps me continue this story. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the Shadowhunting world. I don't own the characters, I only own this fanfiction. It all belongs to the amazing writer, Cassandra Clare!

A voice broke Tessa from her daze. "Tessa!" she heard Charlotte gasp, and run toward her, enveloping her in a hug. Henry, Sophie, Gideon and Bridget all rushed toward her, but Will was just standing to the side, frozen with shock. Even though it was taking all of her will power not to look at him, she could feel his eyes on her and James, and couldn't help but glance at him.

A jolt of worry went through her as she remembered the little boy beside her. How on earth was she supposed to explain things to Will? And worse yet, Jem. Oh Jem. But where was he?

As Tessa scanned the crowd, she saw no sight of him, and realised with a jolt of horror run through her that the yin fen must have killed him. They must have not found a cure in time. They all woke up one morning to find Jem cold and rigid in his bed, without a pulse. She felt selfish for not being there, and that she never got to marry him.

As she was scanning the crowd, though, she saw a girl who resembled Will ever so clearly, with her blue eyes like glass and her dark, long hair falling around her, and Gabriel Lightwood, both standing off somewhat awkwardly to the side. She remembered that Will had a sister called Cecily – but surely she wouldn't be here?

A sound of defeat from Mortmain's throat caused Tessa to look sharply at him. It all happened in a daze – he literally just disappeared, like that, the clockwork creatures going with him.

Charlotte finally broke away from Tessa, looking close to tears. "Oh, Tessa!" she heard Sophie say.

The Consul said, "Alright, Charlotte. This is your matter to deal with, and I expect you to give me news as soon as possible. The whole Enclave is dismissed." Charlotte nodded ever so slightly, and everybody, leave an exception for Gideon, Gabriel, the girl whom resembled Will, Charlotte, Henry, Will, Sophie, Jessamine Magnus and three Silent Brothers left.

"Tessa. Oh dear, Tessa. Where have you been?"

She shook her head, as her throat felt thick with emotion causing her unable to form words. Luckily, Magnus saved her from having to talk.

"I – we, appreciate your concern, Charlotte, but Tessa just arrived back here and witnessed a horrible sight. As did the boy. I think you should leave questions until later, and best get them cleaned up."

She felt obliged to glare at Magnus, for now she would have to stay at the London Institute and encounter all this mess all over again, but seemed to think better of it and just sighed.

Tessa was almost positive she saw Magnus's eyes flicker at the Silent Brothers, as if he was hiding something she did not know, but it happened in just a second and she was sure she had just imagined it. Charlotte nodded, and Sophie said, "I know I'm not a maid anymore, Charlotte, but I would still like to help."

So, Tessa thought. My suspicions were correct. Sophie isn't a maid anymore.

"Alright then, Sophie. The rest of you can go… recover. Sophie and I will be with Tessa and," she gestured at James, "the boy. Don't ask questions. We will talk about it at dinner. Thank you for all the help you have given us, Brother Enoch, Brother Micah, and Brother Zacariah."

There was something about the way she said Zacariah that felt different. There was sympathy in her voice, along with longing.

They didn't ask questions. Nobody did. About the boy, James, that was. Instead Charlotte, Sophie, and the new maid just cleaned both of them up silently. Neither Tessa nor James spoke a word during that time.

Two hours later, Tessa was fresh in a pale green Victorian dress, and James in an evening dress. Sophie and Charlotte had left, and before the maid shut the door behind her, she noted that dinner was in five minutes and that she would meet them outside in case they needed privacy. Tessa was thankful for that, as they did.

They sat on the end of the bed she had slept in four years ago. The room looked exactly like it had then, all pale and white against the glow of the witchlight. James leaned his head on his mother's shoulder.

"It's been a long day, James, I know," said Tessa, with as much confidence as she could master to her son. "But we got through it."

Tessa couldn't help but think of Will when she looked at him, for he resembled Will, aside from his golden eyes.

James nodded. "But mommy… who are these people?"

"I'll explain everything later. But for now they are Shadowhunters – you know, the magical beings I told you about? I knew them very well before you were born, sweetie, and we'll be safe here. And now, we have to get to dinner."

She knew James had a right to know her troubled past, but they had to get to dinner. So she pulled James up, holding his hand in hers, and opened the door to the hallway.

And froze.

Will was casually leaning against the threshold directly in front of her when she saw him. Tessa suddenly felt self-conscious about herself, and she knew that it was stupid. He was all black and white in the pale witchlight, and yet again, he took her breath away.

Once Will heard the door shut behind Tessa, he looked up to see her. She was certain there was a flicker in his eyes, but instead he just smiled. Tessa didn't return the smile, though. Instead she just stood there, rigid and frozen, staring at the beautiful sight in front of her. James looked confused.

"Tessa," said Will, moving toward her.

"Will," she said. She could not deny how much she disliked addressing him formally, but she knew that it would be like that for now. "Why are you here? And…" she paused to look around the hallway, "The new maid – Emily, I think her name was. Well, she told me she would be here to escort me to dinner, and –"

"Yes, she did. But I told her I would escort you myself."

Oh how, she missed his voice so much. She missed him – all of him, every ounce of him she once had. And even if she couldn't kiss him, couldn't touch him, couldn't have him, she still wanted to see him.

Tessa turned toward James and whispered in his ear, "James, go back inside the room. I just need to… talk. Mommy will come get you in a minute."

James nodded with wide eyes and turned to go back into the room they were both settled in a minute before.

"But… we…" Tessa sighed. "I still have a lot of questions."

The corner of Will's mouth twitched. "I think we all do. Especially," he moved toward her, so now he was only a few centimetres away from her. She could feel the heat from his body, could smell the scent that screamed Will all over him, and it left her with this wanting desire. "Me," he finished.

Tessa bit her lip. Oh how, she just wanted to touch him. To feel him. To just kiss him, one last time. But all those things were things she could not want. They couldn't do such a thing just after Jem had died.

"What are you thinking about?" Will asked, curiously.

"You." She couldn't stop the words from rushing out, and when they did, she mentally cursed herself and started blushing beet red, turning her head toward the flower so that he couldn't see her face.

She sensed Will staring at her. "May I inquire as to who that boy is?"

At this, Tessa's head snapped up to look at his glassy, deep blue eyes, and it was all she could do not to get lost in them. Surely he would know. Surely he would realise that it was his son.

"That night," she whispered.

At this his eyes seemed to widen as he remembered the events of that particular evening. It was selfish, but Tessa did not regret it. Not one bit. And it was not just because she loved her son to death and would do anything for him, but because she loved Will too. And yet she could not tell him…

"He's my…" Will seemed lost for words.

She sighed and shook her head, taking a step back. "Yes, he is. Haven't you noticed?"

Will didn't reply. Instead he kept his emotions to himself, and just simply said, "We are going to be awfully late. We must go."

With that, she nodded, called for her son to come out, and the three of them walked out into the dining room.

Yep okay, so that chapter is done. It's a bit longer, I hope. Anyways, I guess most of you have figured out by now about Jem. I'm not gonna spoil it for you, but I think that Brother Zacariah reference sold you.

Goodbye! Please review, because they really mean a lot to me guys.