Chapter Ten:

Jace POV:

"Holy shit Clare, what the hell happened?"

"Can we talk about it later. Can we please just get out of here." She didn't have to say it twice. We hopped out her window and made our way to my car. We drove in silence back to my place. Every time I would look at her I would get angry. I knew I shouldn't have let her go back. We got into my house and I sat her on the kitchen counter.

"What the hell happened babe?"

"I made dinner, and apparently it sucked. Jonathan threw his plate at me. Before I could duck, it hit me. The plate shattered. My dad came over and proceeded to yell at me, and slapped me. I landed on the ground in the shattered shards and he kicked me before he made me clean up the kitchen."

"I knew it wasn't a good idea to go back there."

"I've been expecting this outburst for years. I'm surprised it took him this long."

"What are you going to do?"

"We only have a month and a half until school is over. I have to suck it up. If I follow the rules and do what he asks I don't think this will happen again."

"I don't like it babe." I started pulling out the shards of glass out of her back. She winced in pain but I knew I needed to get them out of her.

"I promise that I'll always call you if it gets bad." She smiled at me and it slightly comforted me. I took a towel and get it wet and started cleaning the blood off her face. "Thank you. I appreciate this."

"I would do anything for you Clary." I picked her up off the counter and carried her upstairs. After we changed we settled into my bed and talked until she started to fall asleep.

"Goodnight Jace." She snuggled her head closer to my chest.

"Goodnight Clary." I kissed the top of her head. "I love you." I whispered to her, but I knew she was probably already asleep.

"I love you too." She whispered back. I was shocked, but happy. Soon after I fell into a peaceful sleep that I haven't had in a long time, thinking and sleeping with the love of my life.

The next day I woke up and Clary wasn't there. A slight panic set in before I heard the shower running. I knocked on the door, and she told me to come in.

"Hey, you want anything to eat before school?"

"No thanks, but I would love some coffee."

"Coming right up. I'll see you in the kitchen."

Ten minutes later Clary came down the stairs with her hair in a messy bun, wearing leggings and an oversized sweater. She's never looked more beautiful than she did right now.

"Here you go love."

"Thank you." She took a sip and than looked at me. "Did you mean it?" I knew exactly what she was referring too.

"That I love you? Absolutely Clary. I'm so in love with you. I honestly can't even imagine life without you now."

"I love you too, more than anything." She leaned over the counter and I met her with a kiss. "Let's go, we have to go to school."

"You did a good job with covering up the bruise. I still wish that you didn't have to go back there."

"I'll be okay. I'm going to try to be perfect for the next month and a half so this doesn't happen again."

"That should be easy, since you're already perfect." I smirked at her and she blushed and looked away. We made it to school and were greeted by Izzy and Alec.

"Hey guys. Clary are you okay?" Izzy never missed a beat when it came to Clary's emotions.

"Yea, just a problem with my dad."

"What happened?"

"He hit me last night." Izzy and Alec both had shocked expressions.

"What? Why?"

"Dinner wasn't good enough for them."

"Is that why you have a cut on your head?"

"Yea. A plate shattered against my head."

"Oh damn. What did you do?"

"I called Jace and spent the night with him."

"Oh really?" She smiled and started eyeing both of us up.

"Get your mind out of the gutter Iz, I just cleaned her up and made sure she was okay." I grabbed Clary's hand and we all walked into school. The day went by as expected and Clary and I had to part ways. I hated leaving her, and after last night I was scared that her safety was at risk with her going home.

Clary POV:

After Jace and I parted ways I met up with Izzy in the hallway.

"So you and Jace spent the night together? How was that?" She asked as we made our way to our classes.

"Comfortable. I felt like I was at home. I haven't felt like that in awhile." I looked down remembering what Jace told me last night.

"What's that smile for?" Damn it Izzy for never missing a beat when it came to me.

"He told me he loved me last night."

"Hole shit! Are you serious?! What did you do?"

"I told him I loved him too."

"You two are seriously the cutest couple I've ever seen. Thank you Clary."

"For what?"

"For getting through to him. For understanding him. For bringing him back to us. You brought him back, and I can't tell you how much I've missed him."

"Some people take some work Iz, and I knew that he needed someone. It may have taken a couple months, but I'm glad I did it. Cause Izzy, I'm so in love with him."

"Clarissa Morgenstern, I am so happy for you. You deserve this. And so does he."

We both went to our classes and before I knew it, it was time for lunch. I walked into the caf and headed for Jace's table. Although, what I saw next surprised me. Two people were sitting with him.

"Izzy and Alec. What do we owe this pleasure?" I went over and sat on Jace's lap.

"Well, since you have given us our cousin back, we decided to take advantage of the opportunity and rekindle our relationship with him." I looked down at Jace and he just smiled.

"Well, I'm glad you both joined us. I've missed you guys."

"So you'll join us for dinner Friday?"

"Sure. My dad and brother are both working late that night."

"Great! You too Jace!"

"Wouldn't miss it Iz."

"Ahh! This is the greatest news I've ever heard! Clary, you must come over after school so we can get ready!"

"Iz, it's just dinner. You don't need to doll me up."

"It's a must! It's been so long Clare! Please!" God I hate that I can't say no to her.

"Okay, fine. But no heels. I don't think my legs can handle them yet."

"I can work with that!" The rest of lunch was great. It was great to have Izzy and Alec back in my life along with Jace. I felt like for the first time in my life I belonged somewhere and that was in his arms. I belonged with Jace and I planned on staying there forever.