Hello, wonderful people! Thank you soooo much to everyone who read/faved/followed/reviewed! You all are fantastic!
Sorry it's been awhile. School's crazy...ugh
Anyways, this is chapter 9! hopefully you like it!
I do not own any characters...
"Have a good weekend, Clary!" Maia called over her shoulder as she pulled Jordan toward her car in the employee parking lot.
"I'll try." Clary took a step toward her own car, fingers mindlessly fishing through her bag in search of the keys, when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to meet playful golden eyes.
"Thought you could sneak away from me, Red?" Jace smiled.
"I was willing to try."
Jace took his hand from her shoulder and pulled her to him, arms encircling her. "You'll have to try harder next time," Jace whispered, leaning forward and brushing his nose against Clary's, allowing his eyes to close slightly.
Clary was overwhelmed with all of the emotions she always felt when she was around Jace. She loved the way he held her. It was like she was the only one in the world, the only one who her cared about. He held her protectively and comforting. When he kissed her, it wasn't like anything she'd ever experienced. It was like an explosion: fire meeting gunpowder. Clary's knee's grew weak and she felt like she didn't need anything else except for Jace; nothing else as long as that moment could continue forever.
Jace brushed his lips over Clary's. Not quite a kiss but a promise of one. "I want to take you to dinner tomorrow night," he whispered against her lips, his voice alarmingly husky.
Not trusting herself to speak, Clary nodded.
Jace smiled. "I'll pick you up at seven?"
She nodded again.
"Giving me the silent treatment, huh?" he joked.
She bit back a laugh and nodded yet again.
A glint of mischief passed through Jace's amber eyes. "I bet I can make you talk." He paused. "Hell, I could make you scream," he said, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.
Clary's mouth fell open slightly in disgust. "You pig!" She hit his shoulder playfully and pushed him away a little.
Jace laughed, shaking his head and causing his hair to fall forward into his face. Instinctively, Clary reached up and pushed it back. Then she realized what she'd done and blushed furiously. Jace leaned forward and kissed Clary's cheek where she new there was raging pink. His lips moved to her ear.
"I love it when you blush," he told her, his voice a ragged whisper.
His action made Clary blush even deeper, but it also made her jittery. "I have to get going," Clary said, barely a whisper.
Jace's frowned slightly. "I have to as well." He looked away before meeting her gaze again. "So I'll pick you up at seven tomorrow?"
Clary nodded. "Seven," she agreed.
Jace took her hand and lifted it to his lips, pressing them to it.
"Why do you do that?"
He let go of her hand and raised a questioning eyebrow. "Do what?"
Clary shifted uncomfortably. "You know, kiss my hand."
"I was taught to respect ladies," Jace said. "Some say that chivalry is dead. Not me. Bravery, courtesy, honor, loyalty. Those principles are important to me."
"Ladies," Clary stated.
Jace nodded. "That's what you are, mademoiselle: a lady. And a fine lady, at that." He threw her a wicked smirk that made her insides do flips.
"You must have a twisted view of people if you think I'm a 'fine lady'," Clary said.
Jace took her by the shoulders and tilted her chin up until she met his eyes. His hand slid to her cheek held it. "Do I have to say it again?" Jace asked, holding her gaze. "I told you on the plane, Clary: you are the most beautiful person I've ever seen. Not just on the outside either. You have a pure soul and a kind heart. Your looks just add to it. So yeah, you are a fine lady."
Clary looked away.
Jace put a hand on either side of her face and stooped down so he was at eye level. "Why do you have so much trouble understanding that you're beautiful?" he asked gently, searching her eyes.
Her eyes darted, attempting to avoid his gaze but failing. She looked into the pools of gold and found sincerity. "I guess I don't believe it because I've never thought of myself as even pretty," she admitted quietly. Mumbling, hoping she wasn't heard, she added, "And you're the first person to call me beautiful."
Disbelief flashed through Jace's expression. "No one's ever called you beautiful?" he asked. "That's hard to believe."
Clary blushed deeply. "Sorry," she muttered.
"What are you sorry for?"
She sighed. "For being so self-conscious, I guess. It's probably annoying."
Jace shook his head. "It's not annoying. It's refreshing to know that you aren't a girl who is beautiful and knows it and makes it her mission to let you know that she knows that she's beautiful. Which, in the end, makes her not so beautiful."
Clary smiled a little. "You said 'know' a lot in that sentence," she pointed out.
Jace smirked. "I know," he said, putting extra emphasis on that word, causing Clary to laugh.
When her laughter died they stood there for a few moments in silence. Then Clary said, "Well, I have to get going. I really need to see my mother."
Jace nodded. "So, I'll pick you tomorrow up at seven."
"Yep," Clary said.
Jace made to turn but stopped himself. He glanced quickly at Clary before he took her by the shoulders and kissed her. It lasted mere seconds but she still got the same rush as she always did. Jace's hands slid down her arms, raising goosebumps, until he held her hands. He smiled sweetly.
"See you tomorrow, Clary," he said. He released her hands and turned, beginning to walk away. Clary watched him leave. She was about to head to her own car when he turned back to her, smirking.
"Oh, and Clary," he called, "wear something pretty." He winked.
Clary rolled her eyes. "Goodbye, Jace," she said, smiling.
He threw his head back slightly, laughing. "Bye, Clary." He turned, sticking his hands in his pockets, and left.
Clary started toward her own car, letting her smile fade. Good thing Jace had cheered her up—she was heading to the hospital.
"Forty-one missed calls?" Clary asked no one as she stared in shock at her cell phone.
The numbers on the screen she knew all too well: Luke's cell phone and the hospital where her mother was.
She threw her phone into her purse and turned on her car, pulling out immediately and heading to the hospital. She was afraid of what those forty-one calls meant. Obviously not something good.
Clary's clunker of a car lurched to a stop in the emergency parking lot at the hospital. As soon as the keys were out of the ignition, Clary was out of the car, sprinting to the swiveling glass doors. She rushed into the lobby and hit the button to call an elevator. Even though she could barely stand the waiting, she knew the elevator was way faster than the steps.
The shiny metal doors slid open and Clary was relieved that no one was in the elevator. She stepped inside and hit the button for the eighth floor where her mother was. As the elevator took her up, she tapped her foot impatiently, guilt and fear taking turns consuming her.
After what felt like an eternity, the doors opened and Clary lunged into the hallway, slipping slightly as her heels from her flight attendant uniform lost traction on the clean, white hospital floor. Before she could make it to her mother's room, she was stopped by a nurse and told that she needed to see someone in the waiting room.
As she approached, Clary could see Luke through the glass windows of the room. He was seated, hunched over with his head in his hands. Significantly more gray speckled through his hair from the last time she had seen him—three days ago. He looked up as she entered, and she could see that his eyes were puffy and his cheeks stained from tears. In one fluid motion, he stood up and enveloped her in a hug. He clung to her as if she were life itself. From that moment on, she knew it wasn't a good situation.
Jocelyn was in a coma.
And the doctors weren't sure she, given she had terminal cancer, was strong enough to wake up.
Luke hadn't sugar coated it when he told Clary. He'd just said it, point blank.
They were both crying, comforting each other as well as they could. "I'm so sorry I didn't answer my phone, Luke," Clary muttered into his shoulder.
Luke patted her back gently. "It's okay, Clary. You're here now."
Clary knew he wasn't angry with her. She couldn't answer her phone while she was working anyway. But she still felt guilty. She had spent extra time talking with Jace when she could have checked her phone and been to the hospital much sooner. She felt guilty. She felt like a terrible daughter. And most of all, she felt fear. Fear that she had spoken her last words to her mother. Fear that her mother wouldn't wake up from the coma.
They stayed at the hospital until late. Neither of them wanted to leave but the nurses convinced them, ensuring that they would call them as soon as anything changed. Clary drove them both back to her apartment and set up a bed for herself on the small couch, letting Luke sleep in her bed—she knew he deserved a good night's rest.
Luke fell asleep almost as soon as he laid down. Clary covered him with a blanket and turned out the light, walking to her makeshift bed. When she made herself comfortable, she picked up her cell phone.
2 New Messages
Clary tapped on the screen. The first message was from Simon, received at 3:46. It read:
Hi, Clary! I hope you're doing well. I'm coming to New York next week. Make sure your schedule is clear so we can hang out :)
Clary smiled wryly at that. "Irony at its finest," she muttered to herself, reading over Simon's words: "I hope you're doing well."
She checked the second message. Surprised, Clary saw the name Jace on the screen. She wondered how he'd put his number in her cell phone but was too startled after reading his message to give it any more thought.
Is everything alright, Clary? On my way to my apartment I saw you rushing into the hospital. I just wanted to make sure you're not hurt...
What did Clary say to that? Yes, she's fine, but her mother certainly wasn't. Did she tell Jace? Did she want him to know?
Clary couldn't really understand why she didn't want to tell Jace about her mother. Maybe because she didn't want to burden him or anyone else with the same pain that she was feeling.
I'm okay, Jace, Clary typed. It's my mother.
A few minutes later she got a reply.
I'm glad you're okay. But is your mother? Is there anything I can do?
Clary couldn't really think of anything that Jace could do to help the situation. There wasn't much anyone could do to help the situation.
There isn't anything you can do, Jace. Thank you though.
Okay. I just want to make sure you're alright. If you need a sexy pillow to cuddle with, I'm free tonight ;)
Clary smiled and laughed out loud. Hmmm...Tempting offer but I'm afraid I'll have to pass.
And here I thought I was irresistible. I suppose I should get used to you turning me down.
Don't worry. It won't happen too often ;)
Glad to hear :)
I'm going to sleep, Jace. I'm tired.
Okay, princess. Good night. Sleep well.
And with Jace and other happy thoughts on her mind, Clary fell asleep. Worry, fear, and guilt not nagging her. She was peaceful, and it felt nice.
Did you like it? It was kinda short in my opinion...
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Thank you sooo much for reading! :)
