Here's chapter 9. The start was supposed to be the end of chapter 8 but it was getting too long. :D I've never written this kind of scene before so sorry if it's so I don't know… cheesy? Thanks for the reviews. And enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own TMI or any TMI characters. They belong to Cassandra Clare.
Clary killed a Ravener demon with her own hands. She and Jace were able to escape a vampire's coven an inch from death. She defeated Valentine with a simple rune. But it was obvious she was losing the battle against her drooping eyelids. Clary had gone to bed a few minutes after she had jumped through the portal due to not wanting to fall asleep in the sitting room. Even though she was in bed, already in a camisole and sleeping shorts, sleep remained stubbornly out of reach. God Izzy, she thought. How long does it take for you to jump through a portal?
"Knock, knock. Can I come in?" Clary turned her head and saw Jace leaning against the doorway of her room. She had forgotten to close the door again. Or Jace just opened it while she wasn't paying attention. Jace had changed into a white t – shirt and dark grey PJ bottoms. The white shirt stretched over his muscles, showing off his well toned body and the marks etched on his skin.
Clary immediately got up from the bed and walked over to him. She stopped in front of him, her eyes leveled with his shoulder. She looked up at him while he looked down. Green met gold. Jace was silent but Clary could see every emotion going through him through those golden eyes. Happiness, humor, love, but what surprised Clary the most was that he looked almost… nervous.
Clary wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled herself even closer. Jace sighed and put his arms around her too. Jace cleared his throat. Clary looked up, expectantly, and pulled him into the room, closing the door. There was barely any light in her bedroom.
Clary was ever grateful that her mother had moved in with Luke after their wedding and allowed her to stay in the Institute to continue her training. She didn't hate staying at Luke's house, she loved it. But she just loved being with Jace everyday, even more. During the day, her walls were painted light lavender, decorated with pictures from her camera, courtesy of Luke. Everyone was in the pictures. Hell, Church and Chairman Meow were in there too. But pictures of her and Jace dominated the room.
On the wall nearest the window were pictures from their strolls, their picnics, their dates, and every moment they spent together. Whether it was partying with the others in Pandemonium, or bonding with Luke and Jocelyn, it was always her and Jace. They were a team, a pair. They were inseparable.
Clary gave a yawn. Being with Jace's arms around her made her feel warm and safe. Jace chuckled quietly. "Sleepy already Clarissa?"
Jace raised an eyebrow while smirking knowing that Clary hated it when he would do that because she couldn't. Clary groaned. "Jace," she whined. "I – I – want – to – sleeeep," The last word was slurred because Clary emitted a huge yawn. Jace laughed once more burying his face in her hair. "Come here." Jace pulled Clary onto the bed. He made her sit on the edge and held her shoulders.
"Look Clary, I really don't know how to do this and I know you'll pass out in a few minutes but I decided to do it now so here goes," Clary had a hard time following because Jace was speaking to fast, the way he would always speak if he were nervous. Jace took a deep breath and kneeled in front of her. To Clary's utter amazement he took out a small box from his pocket and opened it in front of her. Inside, there was a ring with a gold band around it. The diamond was cut like a cube tilted on its side. It was an engagement ring. Clary gasped, knowing what he was about to do. Jace smiled nervously and cleared his throat again.
"Clarissa Fairchild, I love you and I love you till I die. If there's a life after that I'll love you then," Jace announced. "Three months ago, exactly on this night, I said those exact words. I'll be officially an adult in two more months and the Law said that I can marry, regardless how old she would be. We Nephilim marry young, around our ages now. Clary," Jace said softly, "I promise to love you forever, every single day of forever. Will you marry me?"
At this point Clary had tears coming down from her eyes. She got up from the bed and tackled Jace on the floor. Jace staggered and fell back. "Of course I'll marry you idiot!" Her laughter was soon joined by Jace's. Suddenly Clary stopped laughing. "But what's my last name going to be? Damn you and your identity crisis." She smacked Jace playfully. Jace laughed and grabbed her hands pulling her down onto him. Clary let herself rest on his chest. Feeling Jace put something on the third finger on her left hand, she pulled back and saw that he put the ring on her. It was a perfect fit.
"Ehem." Someone cleared their throat in the doorway. Clary sat up and saw that it was Maryse with her hands on her hips looking at them with a "what the hell do you think you're doing" expression. Clary looked down and was embarrassed by their position. Jace was lying on the floor while Clary was sitting on his stomach, both legs on either side of Jace's waist.
"Am I interrupting something?" Maryse broke the awkward silence. Her expression was wistful. Clary just brought up her left hand making the ring sparkle. Maryse gasped. "You're getting married?" she shrieked. Her tone was loud enough to reach the ground floor of the Institute.
Jace's eyes widened. "Whoa, Maryse, calm down." This was a side of his step – mother he had never seen. He had to calm her down before she woke the whole Institute. Too late. From a distance, he heard thundering footsteps. They sounded like boots with the highest heels and other fainter foot steps, that of plain heels. In a few seconds Isabelle and Arabella were in the doorway behind the shell – shocked Maryse. Not wanting to be embarrassed further, Clary got off Jace and stood up. Jace too got up and linked his hand with Clary's. Giving her a smile, he pecked the top of her head. From the corner of his vision he saw Arabella's eyes lock onto what he thought as the ring on Clary's hand. He laughed internally as he saw her scowl.
Isabelle squealed when she saw the ring. "OMG, you're officially going to be my sister! YEY!" She ran forward and bear – hugged Clary. Clary gasped. "Isabelle, can't breathe –" Isabelle put her down. She hugged Jace next. "You utter moron, you proposed to her at –" She checked her watch, "at one in the morning?" Jace shrugged. Maryse stepped forward and enveloped Clary in a hug. Clary, surprised, hugged back. "Dearest Clary," Maryse murmured. Clary felt tears form in her eyes. Maryse stepped back and hugged Jace this time. "You're going to be an adult shadowhunter and a husband at the same time. Can you handle it?"
Jace nodded and said strongly: "I love Clary and I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I'll do anything for her." Clary gripped his hand tightly and smiled up at him.
Maryse nodded. "Well, get some sleep. We'll see you in the morning. You can stay in her room just this night Jace. JUST THIS NIGHT." Maryse said sternly and turned around. She took Isabelle and Arabella by the arm and left, closing the door behind them.
Once they were gone Jace enveloped Clary in a hug. "Damn Maryse's house rules." Silently, Clary laughed, remembering what Maryse had said when she first moved in.
"Clary, I know you and Jace are dating now, but from my experience with Isabelle, I also know that sometimes hormones can run about while you two are alone." Maryse said to Clary while they were alone in the library. Jace was gone hunting while Clary was having her rune – study lesson with Maryse. She had just moved in yesterday and Jace decided to sleep in her room for the first night. Maryse caught him getting out in the morning. Clary nodded, blushing furiously. Maryse continued.
"I don't want anything to happen to any of you. And since Jocelyn gave me the responsibility of watching over you, I want you to promise me that you'll be responsible and careful. This means – I hope you don't think of me as an overprotective woman – but while you live here, no sleeping in Jace's room or vice versa, no going beyond, ehem, "French kissing","
At this Clary squirmed uncomfortably. "No teasing, and for the Angel's sake, no locking the door while he's in your room or vice versa, because we might get the wrong impression." Maryse finished. Clary nodded and found her voice: "Of course, Maryse. I won't do anything like that. Jace on the other hand…" Clary trailed off.
Maryse nodded. "I'll deal with Jace. I just wanted to tell you first." Clary nodded and they continued their lesson.
"C'mon, Clary. It's late." Jace pulled Clary onto the bed. Clary pulled the covers over her and Jace. She leaned in closer and snuggled towards Jace. Putting his arms around her, Jace rested his chin on the top of her head. Clary put her head into the nook between his neck and shoulder. "Good night Jace, I love you."
Jace sighed and kissed the top of her head. "Good night, love."
Clary felt a thrill go through her as Jace called her "love". She's going to be married! Jocelyn could be the maid of honor while Isabelle and Maia would be her bride's maids. But Clary didn't know how Nephilim weddings happen. She mentally reminded herself to ask Jocelyn or Maryse how it worked. Maybe they'll go back to Alicante!
Before Clary fell asleep, somewhere in her mind she remembered what Valentine said on the ship: "I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine." That was true. She was Jace's and Jace was hers. Forever.
A/N: I feverishly wish that you guys love that they'll get married. This story won't have anything to do with their kids though. They might have, but it's a small probability. Hehehe. This is sort of filler-ish because it's like super short. Um, review please?! XD
-lexa.
