A/N. Okay, here we have chapter 7. I feel like this will be an entertaining, fun chapter, I really do hope that everyone likes it! However, it is not easy trying to please everyone...
"I'm fine. Besides, I have Will. I will be alright." Tessa said, finally feeling confidant in saying that she was fine. For day, after Jem, she had to drag herself down to the drawing room, just so that everyone knew she was still breathing. She went through hell and back when she lost Jem, and now, now everything was feeling better, dare it be said, everything almost felt normal.
Will and Tessa were half way down the steps when they came to an abrupt stop. Will dropped Tessa's hand. "Why are we stopping? We haven't even gone anywhere yet."
"I think I forgot something." he said, feeling in his pockets, then groaning. "Yes, I did. Wait here, I'll get it. Actually, go inside." he said, opening the door, and they both entered as he quickly ran down a hallway. Tessa watched after him, confused.
"I thought you left already." a voice said. Tessa turned and saw Cecily standing with Gabriel awkwardly behind her.
"He forgot something, but didn't say what." Tessa returned. Cecily's face lit up, she clearly knew something Tessa didn't. "What is it?" asked Tessa.
"I cannot tell you, but I know, you will adore it!" replied Cecily.
Tessa frowned, I hate it when, for one reason or another, I don't know something! she thought.
Cecily had a mischievous look on her face, "I promised not to say a word." she said, with a shrug. Gabriel bent down and whispered something to her, and began walking. "I should be on my way. Have a good afternoon Tessa!" Cecily called, catching up with Gabriel.
It wasn't too long after Cecily left, that Will reappeared. "What did you need?" Tessa asked, walking towards him.
"It is a surprise. You will have to wait." he said back, patting his pocket.
Tessa sighed, "I guess I will, then. So, all problem behind us, where are we going first?"
"First, we will be going on a walk in a place of beauty comparable to that of the mountain sides." he replied.
"Where?" she asked.
"Tess, you ask too many questions, just trust me, and I will show you." Will said, interlacing his fingers with hers. Tessa smiled as they began walking out of the institute, down the steps, and out of the gates. They set out, walking down the roads, taking a wrong turn and having to back track half a block, then finally arriving at a small, but lovely, wooded area. The view was gorgeous, and there was not another person in sight; it was just Will and Tessa.
"How on earth did you find this place?" she asked, staring at him in awe.
Will chuckled, "I may or may not have gotten lost a few years ago, and found this place, and ever since, I have come back every few weeks." he said with a side smile.
"It's so beautiful." she said, admiring the green trees.
"Do you want to go in?" he asked, gesturing a gap between two trees.
"What do you mean 'in'? There are more and more trees past those ones."
"I know this place, trust me, Tess. Follow me." he said, beginning to walk in, Tessa following closely behind him.
There were several twists and turn it took before they got to the center. Once they got to what seemed like where the middle would be, Will stopped as did Tessa. She looked around, taking in all of the trees, and plant life, the sun shining through the trees and clouds. "It's beautiful." she said under her breath.
"Not as beautiful as you." Will said softly. Tessa turned to face him, he smiled awkwardly... Will Herondale being awkward? "Oh, I nearly forgot..." he went over to a tree with a hollow center and reached in, pulling out a bag. Opening it, a blanket materialized, he laid it down on a patch of dirt, laying back on it. Tessa joined him, gazing at him. "Look up, look at the sky." he suggested.
When Tessa looked up, she was taken away. The way the trees interlaced, the way the sun rays poked through the cloudy skies and trees, was astonishing. "This... I... Will, this place, is so beautiful. The sun shines through, but yet I rarely ever see it otherwise, the way the clouds and trees create a layer for it, is enchanting." observed Tessa.
Will glanced at her, seeing the look of awe on her face, the way her wide, curious eyes looked up at the sky, everything felt perfect. For once, after so much heartbreak, so much war, so many dark days, the light shone through, the world around them felt alive.
"Are you alright? You haven't said a word for nearly, what feels like, hours, but is most likely only five minutes..." Tessa trailed off... "I would have expected a comment on the skies, or anything..." she muttered.
"Seeing you smile, seeing you happy, is more enchanting than anything nature can offer. Tess, as long as you're by my side, I cannot be unwell, I can only feel joy." replied Will. "So in other words, yes, I am quite alright."
Tessa giggled, "a good thing, then." She rolled on to her side, facing Will. He let his head fall to the side, locking eyes with her. She smiled, moving closer. "What did you have to find that was so important before we felt?" she asked, running her finger-tips along the side of his face.
"Something special." he replied. "Look, the sky, it's lovely."
Tessa shook her head. "Don't change the topic." she said, with a sigh. "You will not give it away, will you? Not even a clue?"
"Never. It is special and a surprise, and I want to keep it a surprise." he stated, kissing her lips softly.
"Stop trying to change the subject." said Tessa, pulling back.
"Did you just deny a kiss from me?" he asked, incredulously.
Tessa nodded. "Yes. Yes I did. Though I regret it now..." her voice trailed off.
Will smirked. "I can give you another chance... when we get to our next stop. If we want to get there, and still have time for our other destination, we best leave now." he stated, sitting up. Tessa joined him, then stood, Will grabbed the blanket and shoved it back into the sac and stuffed it back into the hollow tree.
"Where are we going?" Tessa asked, casually as they began to make their way out of the small wooded area. "And if you say 'it's a surprise', I will not hesitate to hit you." she added.
"Oh my, Tessa will hit me. I am terrified." Will mocked fear.
Tessa rolled her eyes at him, but smiled. "Do not underestimate me. I did save all of our lives."
"Actually, that was an angel." Will pointed out, stepping over a tree branch.
"Whom I summoned, more or less- Ow, branch." said Tessa, falling over said branch.
"My lady, get down from your high horse. I have saved many lives in my seventeen years. So you, you can stop talking." Will stated, helping Tessa up. "Are you alright?" he asked, brushing the bit of dirt, that landed on her dress, away.
She nodded. "I am." she said curtly, and continued walking.
Will grabbed her hand as they walked, loving how her hand fit perfectly in his.
After much more of walking through the trees, they finally came back into the more populated area of town. "This is nice." said Tessa, feeling the corners of her mouth turn up.
"It is." Will agreed as they rounded a street corner, coming to a door. "Here we are then." he said, opening the door and holding it for Tessa.
"Thank you." she said, walking through, closely followed by Will.
Inside, was a restaurant. It was beautiful, crystal chandeliers hung from the ceilings, small candelabras sat at each table clothed table, everything was so elegant, graceful and so romantic. It left her speechless. "I take more silence as a good thing?" he said, biting his lip. Oh and, when he bit his lip...
"It's a great thing." replied Tessa, turning to face him.
Will smiled softly, today probably was the most she'd ever seen him smile; and what a nice smile he had. "I'm glad. I hope this afternoon has been enjoyable."
"Most definitely. I assume it can only get better?"
"You would be correct in assuming that, yes." said Will. Soon, a server come and escorted them to a table. Will pulled out Tessa's chair for her, letting her sit, before going to his own seat, opposite to her at the rounded table. "This is nice."
"How many times have either of us said that in the past several hours?" Tessa smiled.
Will chuckled returning the smile "I haven't counted, but I'd say at least five times, most likely more than less." he returned.
Tessa nodded, eyeing the wine glasses infront of them. She never had drank wine, save one time, she remembered it tasting alright, but then, she couldn't remember much. Will noticed her eyeing the glasses and smirked. "What?" she asked, looking away from the glasses, her eyes meeting his violet-blue ones.
"Nothing." he said, his smirk still prominent on his face.
"Then stop looking at me like that..." she muttered.
"Would you rather I look somewhere else?"
"Maybe..."
"Fine then. I don't mind the view of your chest."
Tessa gasped, crossing her arms. "Will!" she shrieked, but not too loud.
"I was only joking, Tess." he defended... well, tried...
"It was not funny. Do not make me regret getting out of bed this morning." Tessa said, an edge to her voice.
"I apologize. I hope I will be able to make it up."
"Well, as they say, where there's a will, there's a way... However, I don't believe they meant an actual person named 'Will'..." Tessa said, getting slightly lost in thought. Will smiled at her, again. Tessa noticed, again. "Do stop staring at me like that."
"Like what?" he asked, his smile only growing.
"Like... like... like that. It feels..." Tessa groaned... words were usually something she was good with, but today just didn't seem like it was her day.
"It makes you feel... what?" Will asked, feeling slightly curious.
Tessa sighed and shook her head. "This is silly, it makes me feel self-conscious." she said, looking down, suddenly interested with her hands.
Will smiled, reaching across the table, grabbing her hand. "Well, I think that you are beautiful, and I feel honoured that with those looks, that could attract anyone, you chose me. So, Tessa, don't feel self-conscious, I will say it again and again, you are beautiful."
Tessa looked up, a half smile on her face. "Do you really think that?"
"I know it." he said, smiling like an idiot.
"Thank you." Tessa replied, returning the smile. He ran his thumb over the back of her knuckle until a server came, asking for their order. Neither of them really had much time to think, so they simply ordered whatever their waiter had recommended.
Once their food came, no one wanted to eat it; not because it looked unappetizing or anything of the like, it was the complete opposite really; it looked too good to want to eat. The presentation was set up so nicely, and everything smelled delicious. "Are we going to eat this, or not?" Tessa asked, feeling hungrier and hungrier as the seconds passed.
"Of course. I assume we're done admiring it? Yes, we are. Now, let's eat." Will suggested, as he grabbed a fork, twirling it in his pasta. He brought it to his mouth for a taste, and it was amazing. The flavours, the spices in the sauce, danced on his tongue. Tessa did the same, eating. She wanted to make conversation, but the food... Oh, the food... It was simply to good to want to put down.
When they did finish, Will quickly paid, and they began walking out. Right as they came outside, Tessa started to feel a wave of nausea.
A/N. Why's Tessa feeling sick? Oh well, I guess you guys have to wait until the next chapter's up to find out... or maybe a little more hints on why! I feel like a bitch, ending pretty well all of my chapters with somewhat of a cliff-hanger, but, c'est la vie...
However, I will not end this one at a complete cliff-hanger, I feel generous today, so...
Next chapter is up at 10+ reviews for this chapter... What? Go big or go home... Whenever I finish ahead of schedule, I really like to be able to share it with everyone, so 10+ reviews for this chapter, and I'll put it up right away. However, if I don't get those ten reviews for this chapter, I will still put up the chapter, but it won't be until two weeks from now, like my usual updates. So, at a total of 40 reviews, means new chapter!
