Chapter Four:
Lisabeth and Jace walked into the living room, smiles on their faces. Lisabeth and Jace had finally had that real brother-sister moment; they'd both been pining for. Alec wasn't in the room, just as Lisabeth suspected. "hey, Sebastian wants you" Jace nudged her gently.
"What? Oh, yes Sebastian?" she turned to face the boy, man she meant, sitting on the couch in front of her.
"There's a party at the town hall, would you like to come? As a guest of the Penhallows?" he asked kindly, his eyes full of hope.
"Sure Sebastian…Jace can come, too, right?" she asked, reaching behind her back to hold Jace's wrist.
"Yeah, I already invited him, Alec, and Isabelle" Sebastian nodded, watching her with careful eyes.
"Okay then, yeah, I'll come" she nodded, swallowing softly. Jace took his wrist from her grasp and put his hand on her back.
"It's in 2 hours" Sebastian said, getting up from to couch.
"Okay, I'll go find Isabelle, we'll get ready together" Lisabeth ran upstairs.
Lisabeth pulled out her black short shorts, and her purple t-shirt with the black vest. "hmmm…." She murmured, ready to pull her shirt over her head.
"Beth" Alec's sweet, deep voice said.
"Yes?" she spun around automatically towards his voice.
"I apologize, I overreacted, I didn't mean to hurt you, or anything" he apologized, he was sitting on her bed, why hadn't she noticed him when she'd walked in?
"It's o-okay" her tongue slipped as she got nervous.
"And I think, personally, that I shouldn't have gotten as upset as I did" he ran his hand through his hair.
"It's alright Alec, I just, I have to get ready to go to that party…and I…" her voice trailed off, she was unable to finish her sentence. Alec was watching her so intensely, his beautiful blue eyes and his wondrous lips.
"Then, I'll see you there?" he said, almost inaudible
"Yeah…I guess" she murmured, almost embarrassed.
Lisabeth had instead put on a nice thigh length lilac strapless dress and white heels. She wore a white shawl, eyeliner, mascara, eye shadow, and lipstick. She never really took the time to dress up for anything, but this was it. Most of her reason for dressing up was because of Alec, even if he was gay.
"Hey, Lisabeth, you ready?" Jace knocked on her door.
"Can you come in here for a moment?" she asked kindly, pulling her shawl on over her dress.
"Are you dressed?" he asked cautiously, his hand on the door knob.
"No Jace, I'm naked. Of course I'm wearing clothes!" she shouted, with heavy sarcasm.
"I was just making sure" Jace said defensively, opening the door to Lisabeth's room.
"Well, I'm just telling you, I'm dressed, I need an opinion"
"Then why don't you ask Isabelle?"
"Because, you're my brother, I want your help" she put her hands on her hips.
"Fine, you look great Lisabeth" he slumped on her bed, watching her as she spun in a slow circle.
"Thank you" she took his hand and raced out the door to the town hall.
"You look amazing Ms. Lisabeth" Sebastian reached for her hand.
"Thank you Sebastian" she let him take her hand, holding it gently in his.
"No problem" he smiled a cocky smile.
"Mmhmm…" she murmured, her eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of Alec.
"Who are you looking for?" Sebastian asked.
"What? Oh, no one" she shook her head.
"Lisabeth!" Jace's voice rang.
"Yes?" she turned on her heel, towards the sound of his voice.
"There's a brother-sister dance…dance with me?" he held out his hand for her.
"Um…I guess, sure…?" she shook slightly, as she slid her hand hesitantly into his.
"Don't worry about it Lizzy, can I call you that?" he pulled her onto the dance floor, looking into her eyes.
"Uh…yeah…" she muttered nervously, moving her hands uselessly in the air.
"Here" he took her hand gently in his, then placed her free hand on his shoulder.
"I…I can't dance, Jace" she looked at their feet as he put his hand on her hip.
"Neither can I, so we can look ridiculous together" he smiled a reassuring smile. She couldn't help but feel safe in his arms, she'd ignored him when she'd found out they were brother and sister, she'd fought against the fact, he'd tried to talk to her, he'd tried to pretend that it didn't upset him. Jace spun her out of his arms, as she returned and he wrapped his arms around her, she'd started crying. She couldn't stop, tears flooded from her eyes. Does he really care about me? She thought desperately. "What's wrong Lizzy?" he asked softly, looking into her eyes.
"I'm s-sorry J-Jace…" she murmured, unable to look at him.
"For what? You haven't done anything" he took her chin in his hand and made her look at him.
"Y-You're my b-brother…" she muttered, wrapping her arms tighter around him, choking the air from his lungs.
"Yes, I am, and I'm about to be your dead brother if you don't let go of me…" he choked.
"I'm s-s-sorry…" she automatically let go, and took a step back.
"Its okay, come back," he took her waist with his hands and pulled her back towards him "the dance isn't over, yet" they started to sway from side to side.
Lisabeth looped her arms around his neck and pressed her forehead to his chest as they moved in a smooth rhythm. "I love you, Jace" she whispered against his shirt.
"Wha-? I, uh, I love you too, Lizzy" his arms wrapped around her a little tighter, pushing her fully against him. She could feel the tension in his arms as he did so, trying his hardest not to hurt her.
"A little closer…" she murmured, smiling into his chest. She had never really been close to her parents, she barely even knew them, but if they were here right now, she was sure, they'd be proud of her and Jace.
Jace's lips were just at her ear as he whispered, "What?" then looked into her syrup eyes.
"It was nothing, Jace" she shook her head, her nose rubbing against his tie. She loved the scent of his skin and if sunlight had a smell, it'd smell like Jace. She was still crying, her tears rolling onto the tile flooring.
"Don't cry" he muttered, rubbing her back gently. He loved the way she felt in his arms, the warmth of her skin, the light in her eyes when she'd smile, she was his sister and he her brother. They shared blood, even if he didn't want to admit it, he trusted her with his own life. He had never trusted anyone so greatly before, but there was something about Lisabeth that set him off, something that made him trust her to be there for him. Was it love? Or was it just that her being his sister meant something to him? His thoughts ended as the dance did, only because Lisabeth pulled away from him, took his hand and started to walk. He wondered if she really did care for him…
"Your turn" Jace said, looking at Sebastian.
"Okay" Sebastian said, holding out his hand in turn for hers.
"What? Jace, I…" she gripped Jace's hand harder.
"Aren't you going to dance with Sebastian?" Jace asked softly.
"I…I want to stay with you…" she muttered, her face a little pink. Sebastian watched her with hurt eyes "but I will dance with you Sebastian, later, I promise. I just want to spend a little time with my brother…you don't mind," she smiled sweetly and made her eyes look sad "do you?"
"N-No, I'll ask again l-later then" Sebastian stammered as he walked towards the drinks.
"Why did you do that?" Jace asked.
"Because I want to spend time with you" she clasped closer to him, hooking her arm through his carefully.
"Why?" he was smiling, but his voice seemed upset.
"Because it's a 'brother-sister' festival, can't you read? Look, there's a sign over there" she pointed to the huge banner that read 'SIBLING CELEBRATION'. She smiled triumphantly at her brother.
"So? Alec's not with his sister, they danced then went their separate ways" Jace shrugged.
"Because Alec's boyfriend is here, and Isabelle doesn't have a boyfriend"
"You have a boyfriend, don't you? Where's he at?" Jace looked around.
"Jace, I don't have a boyfriend"
"Then who was that guy kissing you yesterday, at the house?"
"He was just a friend Jace, and his name was Christopher" she put her free hand on her hip.
"Well, Lizzy, what if my girlfriend's here?" he asked, raising his eyebrows.
"Well, Jace, I know you don't have a girlfriend. And if you do, I'm meetin' her!" she held his arm tighter, leaning against him.
"Crucified Christ, no! You're not meeting any of my girlfriends" he laughed, shaking his head.
"And why not? I'm sure they'd just love to meet me" she laughed with him. It was nice to hear him laugh, after everything he'd been through.
"Not after what happened to Katelyn. God, no" he continued to shake his head.
"Hey! That was an accident! She shouldn't have been walking in front of me when I was practicing!" she laughed.
"Not that. The time you almost killed her. On purpose." He rolled his eyes.
"I was 9! You almost cried because she dumped you, and nobody but me can make you cry. On purpose…" she smirked, holding his arm tighter.
"And it's nice to know that you care about me. It really is" he smiled a true smile. It wasn't the same way he smiled at Alec, or Isabelle, or Maryse. This was a real smile.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at him, she couldn't hold back the tears; she didn't have to anymore. As soon as the first tear leaked from the corner of her eye, Jace's hand was there to wipe it away. She let him wipe away her tears; she loved how he was so nice to her. Even after all the things she'd said to him. "T-That's a f-first" she whispered.
"What?" he leaned closer to her, his nose touching hers.
"I've n-never cared ab-about anyone as m-much as I c-care ab-about y-y-you…" she closed her eyes.
"I love you, Lizzy" he kissed the space between her eyebrows and the crown of her head as he pulled her to his chest; not wanting to have to let her go ever again.
"I k-know…" she whispered, smiling. He rubbed her back gently, she knew he was smiling.
"What do you want to do now? They're having a limbo contest over there…" he pointed to the middle of the dance floor, where Alec and Isabelle were lined up at the end.
"Can we please? C'mon Jace!" Lisabeth laughed as she pulled Jace towards Alec and Isabelle.
"Hey, are you guys doing this to?" Isabelle asked excitedly. Alec stood there with his arms crossed over his chest.
"Yeah, I guess, Lisabeth dragged me into it…" Jace said, moving to stand next to Alec.
"So did Isabelle…" Alec muttered.
"What is it with girls and limbo?" Alec asked, looking at Isabelle.
"It's fun!" Isabelle smiled.
"Not really," Jace turned to face Lisabeth instead. "Are you okay?"
"Wha-? Yeah, I'm fine" she nodded. She had been thinking about Alec again. Why was he ignoring her? Was he upset?
"Beth, it's your turn" Alec's sweet voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Oh…okay" Lisabeth bent backwards underneath the bar. She turned just in time to see Alec go after her. His sweater rose slightly, revealing his white t-shirt. Lisabeth couldn't help but stare.
"C'mon Beth" Isabelle pulled her back towards Jace.
"Are you having a good time?" Magnus asked.
"Uh, yeah, I guess…?" she knotted her hands in her shawl.
"Why so nervous?" he smiled.
"I'm not nervous" she snapped immediately.
"Okay, fine, have it your way. I just wanted to know if you were comfortable" Magnus shrugged, watching her.
"I am comfortable, thank you. But, I'm just, not in the mood right now Magnus" she wrinkled her nose slightly, and then looked around for Jace, or maybe even Alec.
"Why aren't you 'in the mood' Lisabeth?" Magnus sat down on the couch behind him, while she remained standing.
"I'm just not in the mood Magnus." She said blankly.
"Hey," Jace put his hands on her shoulders "how's everything going?"
"She's 'not in the mood', Jace" Magnus rolled his eyes.
Jace slid his arms around her neck as he took a step closer to her "what's the matter?" he put his chin on the top of her head. She hated that he was taller than she was.
"Nothing," she shook her head "I'm fine"
"Of course you're all better when Jace comes around" Magnus rolled his eyes "this is a brother sister festival. Not a boyfriend-girlfriend celebration"
"He is my brother. And, it's not a boyfriend celebration either" she snapped.
Jace rubbed her shoulders and she automatically calmed down. "He's your brother?" Magnus asked.
"Yes. I'm her brother," Jace smiled. "Maryse says we look alike, I guess" he shrugged.
It was true, we had the same color eyes, and the same facial features. But our hair differed in shades, hers was darker than his; only because she dyed it once while in America. He was a shadow hunter, and she refused to be one. "There is a difference though" she protested.
"And what might that be?" Magnus asked.
"He's a shadow hunter" she said simply. She started to trace the rune's on Jace's right hand, and arm.
"And you're not? How is that?" Magnus sat back in his chair.
"She refuses to let us mark her. She won't learn to fight. She wants nothing to do with us" Jace swallowed, his chest pressing into her back.
She felt his every breath; she loved the way it felt. "It's because I never wanted to be one in the first place."
"It's because mom never wanted her to be one. And dad wanted me to be a shadow hunter" Jace shrugged.
"Then why don't you just mark her in her sleep or something?" Magnus smiled.
"Because I keep a knife on my bedside table" she said, putting her hands in her pockets.
"That's, nice" Magnus said, still smiling.
"Isn't it?" Jace returned the smile, then dropped his arms from around Lisabeth's neck. "C'mon, Isabelle wants to get a picture" he took her hand and pulled her towards Isabelle and Alec.
"I'll take the picture, I don't want to be in one…" she protested stopping at the camera.
"C'mon Lisabeth! You're supposed to stand in between Alec and Jace, c'mon!" Isabelle took her wrist and pulled her in between Alec and Jace. Jace and Alec put their elbows on her shoulders. Just as the flash went off Jace kissed the side of her head, she couldn't help but smile.
"I love this picture!" Isabelle exclaimed.
"I want a copy," Jace said. "I love this picture too"
"So do I" Lisabeth took the picture from Isabelle's hand, Jace put his hands on her shoulders and looked at it over the top of her head. Alec had his elbow on her shoulder, but his arm around Isabelle's shoulders. Jace had his elbow on her shoulder and his lips pressed to the side of her head as she smiled.
"I love you," Jace whispered, "you're the best sister any brother could ever ask for" he smiled, then gave her a quick hug from behind.
"I love you too, you're an amazing brother" she returned his smile.
"I know" he smirked confidently.
"Of course you do" she rolled her eyes.
"Hmmm..." he murmured, pulling on her wrist.
"What?"
"Come with me" he pulled on her wrist again.
"Where?" she asked.
"Somewhere" he smiled.