Clary awoke with her muscles aching a little. Alec had turned training into torture but had lightened up on Clary a little. They had moved on the beams, run 2 miles and spared. Clary had even managed to knock Jace to the ground a few times. She knew he was distracted but when she asked he would deflect in his very sarcastic way. She pushed the worries away. Today she was 21 years old. She stretched and got up, walking into her bathroom. She showered, putting her hair up to control the frizz. When she walked out of the bathroom in her towel she froze. Jace was sitting on her bed with a tray of hot food sitting next to him. He unfolded himself and walked over. Slipping his arms around her he whispered, "Good morning my beautiful birthday girl." He leaned down kissing her. She snapped out of her shock and leaned into him. Her hands roamed his body. He had defiantly changed from the 16 year old boy she had met all those years ago. He had filled out, he had become a man. Just as things were on the edge of leading to a very passionate moment, he pulled away, "Your breakfast will get cold."
"So?"
"So it won't taste as good if it's cold. I'd rather you taste my amazing cooking skills warm." She snorted at that. Some things hadn't changed.
"Ok fine, I need to get dressed first though." She grabbed a black t-shirt and jeans, turning to the restroom.
"Don't you think we are passed the whole embarrassed, bathroom change?" Jace asked
"I didn't want to tempt you." When he raised his eyebrow she added, "The last few days you've pulled back at a certain point. So I don't want to torture you." She didn't know why she was being like this. Maybe because she was so confused.
"I always want you. That hasn't changed and will NEVER change. I just want you to have an amazing birthday. Giving in to my wants to keep you naked in bed with me all day wouldn't accomplish that." He eyes burned. He looked at her like he still had the heavenly fire in his veins.
"Really?"
"Yes. Now come eat your food." She threw her clothes on and sat by him on the bed. He had made her eggs and bacon.
"Thank You" She said kissing his check. "Did you eat already?"
"Well I have to taste while I cooked. Could give you bland eggs." He smirked.
"Mhmm."she giggled
"Don't forget your mom wants you over at her place at 11 and you promised Simon you would hang out with him just the two of you."
"I remember. You coming with me?"
"No Izzy has me helping her move some things around for your birthday dinner and I still have some finishing touches on your present."
"Breakfast wasn't my present?" She teased him. Many of her birthdays he had made her breakfast and they had spent some time in her room.
"No, there is actually something else later."
"Do I get a hint?"
"Your either going to love it or hate it."
"That's it?" That's when she say the nerves playing on his face. He caught he look and jumped off the bed, after giving her a quick kiss.
"See you later."
He was out the door before Clary could say anything or call him back to see if he was ok. Jace never really got nervous.
Later
Clary had spent time with Simon at their favorite coffee shop. They had talked about Izzy and Jace. Simon had told her that he was planning on proposing to Izzy on New Years. She was excited for them but it had made her think about if she was ready for that kind of commitment. Did she want Jace to ask her? Had he even thought about it? She was so consumed with her thoughts she almost hadn't noticed getting to her parent's house till her mom had called to her. She had pushed the thoughts away. Spending time with her parents was always nice. They looked at each other with so much love and could help the other when they got lost on a thought. It made her really happy to see. Time had flown by and before she knew it her mom was telling her to go to the spare room to get ready for the dinner party.
"But I left my stuff at the Institute." Clary had replied.
"Isabelle brought stuff over last night. The dress looks amazing."
Clary walked into her old room. She saw an emerald green long dress hanging off the closet door. She put it on and looked in the mirror. It barely touched the floor. It was strapless and tight on top. It flowed out, flowing around her. Her mom came in and smiled. "You look so beautiful." She held out a little box to clary. "These were your grandmother's." Clary opened the box to find star shaped diamond earrings on a half inch gold chain.
"Thanks mom! They are amazing." Clary put them on as her mother pulled her hair back a little with a silver clip. With a little eyeliner, Clary was ready. Jocelyn had slipped out while Clary had done her makeup. When Clary walked out of the room she saw her mother fixing Luke's tie. Jocelyn had on a light blue floor length sheath dress with a gray ribbon around her waist. Her hair was pulled up with her silver angel wing earrings. Luke was in a black suit with a gray dress shirt underneath.
"Well don't you two look nice." Luke jumped.
"How did you do that?" Luke asked.
"Sneak up on a werewolf? Well it might be the light foot rune that has worn off yet or the fact you were too busy checking out mom." She said watching him flush.
"Well…. Lets's get going." He said walking out the door. Clary shared a amused look with her mom before they joined him.
