A/N: Disclaimer: No copyright infringement is intended. I do not own these wonderful characters, to which belong to the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare, only write them into different situations that could occur.

Sorry it took so long to get this out! Had a hard time finding motivation :-(. Add me to twitter if you want: InLoveWithALion and check out my blog: .com. As always rate and review purty please!!

Forever Is Not Long Enough

By ForTheLoveOfMyEdward


Last time we left our lovebirds…

I ran my hands up his arms and across his shoulders, then traced down his back with my fingertips. This elicited another delicious moan from him. Our kiss became more passionate and wild as we melded into each other. He pulled away so we could both breathe, but immediately began placing hot kisses across my jaw line to my ear. He burned a steamy path down my neck to my collarbone, kissing, licking, and nipping. The feeling of his hot breath on my chest made me arch my back up into him. His tongue darted out of his mouth to tease my soft flesh. I wrapped my legs around his waist, in an attempt to pull him closer to me.

We were so wrapped up in the moment, the realization that we were alive and had each other, that we barely heard the voices in the distance.

"Jace? Clary? By the angel, is that you?"


Maryse POV… Earlier in the day… (aka prior to chapter 1)

Today has started as well as could have been expected for a wedding day. Flowers, cake, decorations, and people were all in place. Sure there was some confusion with the appetizer platters, and the photographer had gone missing shortly after he arrived, only to be found later, making out with the videographer. All things considered, everything was going as planned.

Clary was an absolute vision. The mermaid gown fit her body so flawlessly, hugging her womanly curves and flaring out just above her knees. The white Italian lace overlay was delicate and perfectly accented her alabaster skin tone. Her make-up was simple, yet angelic. Soft peach and apricot tones covered her eyes and face, with coral colored lips. Jace was going to be floored when he saw her!

I was helping the bridesmaids, Isabelle, Maia, and Aline, finish getting dressed and touch up their make-up. Isabelle was the maid of honor, having become best friends with Clary in the last few years. The two seemed quite opposites at times, but maybe that is why they were like sisters together. Clary helped keep Isabelle grounded to reality, and in turn, Isabelle helped pull Clary out of her mundane bubble she had been accustomed to prior to becoming a shadowhunter.

Now that Clary was a trained shadowhunter, she has become pretty badass, and could give Jace a run for his money. Even though she didn't grow up with the training like the rest of my kids, she had natural skill that was clear from the beginning. Her genetics, being the daughter of Jocelyn and Valentine with angel's blood running through her veins, may have helped her easily embrace the life of the shadowhunter.

I spotted Jocelyn sitting across the room, watching Clary's make-up and hair being touched up before going to take some pre-wedding pictures. She was beaming, with a hand covering part of her face, and the other over her heart. I walked up to stand next her and put my hand on her shoulder, gazing at the beautiful blushing bride before us.

"Here Jocy", I said to her. She looked up at me, just as a tear trickled down her face, and took the tissue I handed her. I offered her a smile in understanding of the emotions she must be feeling.

"Thanks" was all she was able to choke out.

"You're welcome dear, I'm going to go check on Jace and the boys. Will you be ok?" I asked quietly.

"Yes, yes. Send Jace my love. Tell him to make sure he stays inside for the next 20 minutes while we take pictures in the garden. I don't want him seeing her!"

"Oh I will. He wouldn't dare peek. Jace knows Clary would have his head on a silver platter!" I giggled as the image of Clary taking Jace on in her wedding dress flashed across my mind.

I quickly made my way down the hall to the stairs that would take me to the room the boys were using to get ready. As I neared, I could hear a ruckus laughter flow from the room. What are you boys up to?

I knocked loud enough for them to hear me and waited. More laughter erupted as someone began to open the door. I was surprised by the set of eyes that met mine, and so were those set of eyes apparently.

"Oh. Hi honey" Robert said, obviously trying to hold back the laughter that was dangerously close to upsetting his now calm and collected composure. "What are you doing here?"

I glanced past him into the room to see all the men relaxed around on the various chairs and couches, with big goofy grins on their faces.

"Well, dear, I'm here to check on you guys to make sure you're on schedule, and to see if there is anything you need. Obviously, you neanderthals were able to get yourselves dressed, without the help of a woman!" I laughed at that last part, especially when Robert rolled his eyes.

"That's because you trained us so well Mom" Alec chimed in from somewhere in the room. All of them busted up laughing at that, unable to hold back any longer.

"May I come in Robert?" I asked pleadingly, and a little annoyed now.

He opened the door for me all the way, and I walked past him into the room, glancing at all the boys trying to figure out what the heck was so funny. I spotted Jace, sitting in the corner with his feet propped up on an ottoman. My adopted son looked handsome in his blackest of black tux. His golden hair, in stark contrast to the tux, was in a perfectly styled disarray, typical of Jace. He too was an angelic vision, also capable of sweeping Clary, or any woman for that matter, off her feet. He looked up at me, and a smile crept across his face and reached his eyes.

"Hi mom" he said softly.

"How you holding up kiddo?" I asked him teasingly.

"Pretty good I think. I have these clowns to keep me entertained and distracted from my thoughts and emotions".

"Yes, well, I can see that."

"Have you seen Clary? Is she doing ok?" he asked with love in his voice.

"Yes, and she's handling everything pretty well. Jocelyn, on the other hand, is barely keeping it together, poor thing" I said tenderly and glanced at Luke, her husband of one year now. He was calm and collected, having gone through this not so long ago himself.

"Good, I was worried, even though she always has a cool and unruffled exterior, I know she can be freaking out inside at times" he smiled at that, thinking of his bride-to-be.

I turned so I could face the whole room and address them all. Alec was sitting next to Simon and Magnus, the three groomsmen. At a quick glance, I noticed Magnus had been able to tone down the glittering sparkles for the event, and looked quite handsome with his arm around my son. A small smile crossed my face.

I cleared my throat before speaking, "Gentlemen, you are hereby being forewarned that you are not allowed to leave this room or look out any windows for the next 30 minutes, or else have 6 very upset women to answer to!" I gave my best menacing look to convey the seriousness of the situation, but then smiled. Each of the boys gave me a nod of acquiescence, after likely pondering the wrath of the other women and clearly choosing their lives.

I snickered as I walked out of the room with a particularly pronounced swagger. I made my way back up to the room where the girls had been getting ready, only to see that they had already left to take pictures outside. We had filled the room this morning with bowls of flowers and candles, in hopes of providing an ambiance of calm and romance for Clary. I walked to the window, pulled back the golden sheer fabric, and looked down to the garden where Clary was currently posing for pictures with the bridesmaids.

Her smile was brilliant and contagious. She had become rather graceful through her shadowhunter training, which was making for beautiful photographs. I watched her as she gently placed and released a white rose petal into the water of the fountain. Her natural beauty outshined the loveliness of her current location, the garden of Jocelyn and Luke's home in Idris.

Jocelyn was now posing for a picture with Clary, a rather spontaneous shot, both laughing about something, but complete bliss on both of their faces. Jocelyn herself looked stunning in her dress. It was a green silk taffeta a-line dress with an off the shoulder neckline. The lace and beading of the skirt beautifully complemented Clary's dress. My dress was a little darker than lavender, but pretty simple. I felt comfortable in this dress, and I didn't want to take anything away from the beautiful bride and her mother on this special day.

I know this day was still sad for Clary for one reason, and one reason only. Luke was Clary's father for all intents and purposes. He helped Jocelyn raise her, and she loved him like any other daughter would love her father. But it was still difficult for Clary to know that her real Dad, even as horrible a man as we was, wouldn't be here on her special day. I know it bothered her, because she shared it with me once, shortly after her and Jace were engaged. Clary didn't let it bother her too much though, because she knew she would be surrounded by so many people that loved her.

Clary and the girls were taking pictures together, with the backdrop of a large rosebush. They were laughing and giggling, with smiles that would light up a room. I glanced over at the clock on the wall and noticed the time, only 30 minutes until the wedding was scheduled to begin. I should probably head down there to take a few pictures, I thought, that way I could get them back up here in time for the men to take their appropriate spots.

As I turned towards the door, a blood-curdling scream filled the air. I ran back to the window just in time to see a cloaked figure fully emerge from the rosebush behind Clary. He was completely covered from head to foot in a black cloak, with gloves on his hands. I couldn't see his face.

I gasped out loud and placed my hands on the window in a panic. I watched as the figure grabbed Clary around the neck and pulled her toward the bush. I have to get down there!!

I kicked off my shoes and ran out the door with the skirt of my dress pulled into one hand. As I flew down the stairs, Jace came running towards me heading in the same direction I was going. He had panic written all over his face, rightly so.

"Do you have Koryel?" I asked him shakily with terror in my voice.

He pulled the seraph blade from inside his jacket, and ran ahead of me.

"Jace get to her, fast. GO!" I cried after him, running as fast as I could. I heard more screaming as I neared the veranda that led to the garden.

"Oh my God!" I shrieked at the sight that met my eyes. The figure had Clary still by the throat with a knife pointing at those who stood closest.

Isabelle had pulled out her whip, and was poised to strike at the first opportunity available. I could hear her murmuring curse words under her breath.

Jace was now standing in front of Clary and the masked figure, wielding Koryel from side to side.

"Let her go. Now. Or you will die slowly and painfully friend", Jace said with authority and rage coloring his tone. The figure simply laughed at him and grasped Clary by the throat even tighter, causing her to utter a gurgling noise as she gasped for air.

"You, are not my friend, and you will suffer as I have". He moved his covered head toward her throat. Clary's eyes shot open, a scream, that sounded more like a sigh, escaped her mouth, as two streaks of blood poured down her throat to the lace of her dress. Once it hit the lace, it spread quickly, staining it crimson. Clary's arms fell limp to her sides from their place on the attacker's arm. In a move so quick, you couldn't even see it, the creature threw Clary's blood-drained body to the ground and pulled his hood over his head, revealing him for the monster he truly was. Raphael.

He flashed a smile at Jace, showing his sharp razor teeth, coated in blood. Not more than a second later, his face burst into flames and his body began to crumble in on itself, disappearing into the earth.

Jace ran to Clary, pulled her into his body, and began screaming and sobbing simultaneously. The rest of us stood there helplessly crying and watching, dumbfounded at what had just happened before us.

"Leave us" Jace yelled at us without looking up.

"Jace, no, let us help" Alec said as he came to kneel next to his friend.

"Go away Alec. All of you!!" Jace growled and moved to push him away. Alec fell back onto the ground. Magnus bent down to pull the stunned Alec to his feet. We all moved to another person, clutching them to our sides as we slowly made our way back inside.

I fell into one of the oversized chairs, as did the others onto various pieces of furniture. No one spoke a word; only quiet sobs and the occasional cough from crying hard were heard. Time seemed to pass slowly.

Isabelle stood and walked toward the window. I heard her gasp before she turned to us.

"He's gone," she whispered. She turned to the door without another word and ran outside, with Alec quickly following her.

The rest of us began looking at each other, terror on our faces, tears streaming.

"Let's go take care of Clary's body," Luke suggested. No one said a word to acknowledge his suggestion, only a few stood to help, Simon, Magnus, and Aline.

I was barely able to stand, just long enough to move next to Jocelyn. She had her head lying in her hands on her lap, weeping loudly. I ran my hand in soothing circles on her back, pulling her close to me, in attempt to calm her. I wasn't much help, because I could stop crying myself.

We stayed like this for an hour, before we heard shouting coming towards the house. I patted Jocelyn on the back, and stood to look out the window. Isabelle was running full on to the house, with Alec hot on her heels. She seemed even more distraught than before, as she ran past me and into the house.

"Isabelle, wha-, what happened?? Alec?" I squeaked out. Alec turned to me as he went after Isabelle; he had tears in his eyes.

"Mom, it's Jace. He, oh my God Mom, he killed himself at the altar. He said he wouldn't live without her", with that, he fell to his knees and began wailing.

Oh no. This is the worst thing that could ever happen. I knew I had to do something, but what? Robert left to tell the guests what had happened, and the others had taken Clary's body away. All that was left was Jocelyn and I, and I knew she wasn't moving for anything or anyone.

I have to go find him; I can't leave his body alone. I looked back at the two people in front of me, and decided that saying anything would only fall on deaf ears. As I made my way out the door, I saw a bright light in the sky in the distance. I began running as fast as I could through the garden towards the altar.

As I neared the top of the hill, barely breathing because of crying and running at the same time, I saw two figures on the ground in an intimate embrace. The female was wearing Clary's dress, very bloodied and dirty, and the male that had Jace's hair was wearing white now, shadowhunter mourning clothes.

I neared the beginning of the aisle, and nearly had the breath knocked out of me.

"Jace? Clary? By the angel, is that you?"


I've gotten some reviews where some people seem to be confused. Yes, this story is what happened prior to Chapter 1, which leads up to the ending of chapter 3.

Phew, finally. Once I got rolling with it, it just poured out! I hope you liked it! Remember, check out my blog for some pictures of a few things that were in this chapter. Follow me on twitter to see what I'm up to, and so that I can get connected to you readers! I'd love to make friends with others that love these characters as much as I do! Please leave a review or comment!!