I literally cannot believe how long this chapter turned out to be. I wanted to add even more stuff, but it was getting long and besides, I wanted to update before I went on my trip (which includes college visits. =/) It's mostly fluff, but I hope you enjoy it .

Bow down to me peasants: Oh my. Did you get in a lot of trouble? Btw, I glad you liked it.

Tessa's POV

Tessa was walking through the terminal of JFK, lugging a carry-on bag behind her and a small purse on her shoulder. Classes had ended the evening before, and Tessa had had to scramble to pack her belongings for her three week trip back home. It felt good to be back, even if she was still in the airport. She looked for her parents in the throng of people waiting for their own visitors. She scanned the crowd a hundred times, not catching a glimpse of her father's tall stature or her mother's brown hair. She figured she should call them when she felt a tap on her shoulder.

She whirled around to find a grinning Chris behind her. Tessa dropped her bags and leaped into his arms, screeching. "Oh my goodness, Chris! It's been ages!" He laughed and set her down gently. "Jesus, Tessa, you've been in England for four months and already you've picked up an accent." She grinned and punched him lightly in the chest. "Oh, stop it." He picked up her one of her dropped bags and slung his free arm around her shoulder, leading her out of the airport. "I know you were expecting your parents, but they decided yesterday that they wanted to pay a visit to Brown and pick up Nate. They should've been back two hours ago, but apparently there's a nasty storm out in Connecticut holding them up. So they called home and asked if me and dad could pick you up" he said in a rush. They had reached the limo that was parked along the edge of the terminal. Chris's dad, Robert Montgomery, was leaning against the door. His mouth spread into a smile when he saw Chris with Tessa.

"Tessa!" he cried, enveloping her in a bear hug. Tessa returned the hug, but she was left breathless afterwards. "Hey Rob. Thanks for the ride home" she said, slipping into the back of the limo. He waved away her gratitude. "Tessa, don't embarrass me. We're practically family. But you need to tell me about your time in London. And please tell me you've been on the London Eye. You can't be in London and not go to the London Eye." Tessa smiled, lapsing into her memories. "I did go on it. You should the view from the top at night though, it's amazing" she said, chattering away about the beauties of England.

Will's POV

The Herondale mansion was one of Will's least favorite places in the world. He clenched his hand tightly around the handle of his bag as he and Cecily stepped out of the limo. Their eyes met for a moment, and they conversed silently, praying that the house would be empty. They stepped through the main entrance, which was occupied with a Christmas Tree and white adornments. The entire house was lit up with the festive decorations, and there was a burning smell coming from the kitchen. Will rolled his eyes and dropped his bags, and made his way into the kitchen, with Cecily close on his heels.

They pushed open the door to discover that Bridget, the cook, was trying to salvage a batch of cookies that looked more black than brown. "Bridget, what on earth?" cried Cecily, opening the trash bin. "Miss Cecily and Master Will, you're home!" she said, slightly shocked. She tossed the cookies out, and wiped her hands on her apron. "I shall go inform your parents that you have arrived." She dashed out of the room.

The two siblings began rummaging through the shelves, suddenly famished. They were interrupted by their mother, Linette, as she swept her way into the room. "Children, you're home!" she cried, grabbing each child in a bear hug. Will sighed and pressed his head into her shoulder, holding her tightly. "It's good to see you, Mum" he said. "Will, you are in desperate need of a haircut" she continued, ruffling his hair. He scowled and slipped out of her grasp, peering around her shoulder. "Mum, where's Dad?" Her face dropped slightly. Edmund Herondale was not the favored member of the household. "Your father is out on business, but he should be returning shortly" she said curtly.

Will nodded, and plastered a smile on his face to lighten the mood. "Mom, I haven't told you yet, but I'm dating this amazing girl at school."

"That's exciting! Do I get to know who this girl is?" Linette said, walking with her children into the den at the back of the house.

"Her name's Tessa, who also happens to be one of my friends" Cecily said pointedly, throwing herself onto a couch.

"She joined Institute this year, and she's from America. Mum, she loves books." said Will, his voicing rising in content.

"It sickens me. I don't understand how the two of you can memorize the garbage from the 1800s. Blegh." This comment from Cecily caused her to get hit in the face with a pillow by Will.

Linette laughed. "Well, William, I'm glad that you've found someone. Speaking of Institute, how have your marks been?"

Cecily gulped and had opened her mouth to answer when the door to the room burst inward, revealing Edmund Herondale in the doorway.

His shirt was askew and his hair untidy, as if he hadn't combed it in weeks. He held a bottle in one hand and his pale blue eyes burned with anger.

"Linette, didn't I tell you to get more of that vodka that I like? I can't find it anywhere!"

Will could feel his mother shaking slightly next to him. He took her hand in his while she answered Edmund's question.

"I sent the driver out to buy some, Edmund. He should be back soon."

"He better be." shouted Edmund, who threw his empty bottle onto the ground with such a force that it shattered into a thousand pieces. Cecily backed into the corner of the couch, her eyes wide in fear and her hand over the mouth. Edmund made his way out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

Linette kneeled onto the floor, and using a napkin, began to sweep the broken bits of glass into a heap. Will knelt by his mom's side, looking at the floor.

"He's gotten worse since this summer, Mum. Every time I've called home, you've been lying. Saying that he's been getting better. Where were you guys really during the November holiday?"

She sat back on her heels, looking into her son's face. "We really were in Belarus for business, but your father got into some legal trouble while we were there and it took several extra days to sort out."

Cecily had joined them on the floor by then. "Mum, Dad got arrested in a foreign country, and you didn't bother to tell us?"

Linette smiled sadly at her children. "What good would it have done, to worry the both of you?"

Will was angry. His mother was nothing but good. Edmund didn't deserve her. "Mum, if you don't tell us when things like this happen. how on earth are going to help you?"

"Will, do not worry. We'll get through this." Linette pulled her kids into her embrace, a head on each shoulder of her shoulders. They clung to each other as if their lives depended on it.

Victoria's POV

Victoria leaned against the frame of the rolled down window of the cab. Paris was chilly during the winters, but she didn't really care. Her insides were already icy with dread, so why not let her body match?

The Charles de Gaulle airport was close to her aunt's place. Aunt Rose lived in a beautiful house in the 16th arrondissement. Victoria was deposited on the front steps of the mansion. Lugging her suitcase behind her, she made her way into the main foyer.

She was greeted by a dark room and silence. Sighing, she tossed her bag aside, and looked at the table, where there was a note in French with her name scrawled across the top. "Victoria, we have gone out to eat. We should be back at about 10. Sorry."

She sighed and tossed the note aside too. She made her way up the winding staircase, leaving her bags at the entrance. She wasn't really surprised. After all, Aunt Rose and her family hated her. But she had hoped that Grandmere would've greeted her. Victoria pried open the door to the room that was supposedly hers, but usually filled with her cousin's junk. She flicked on the light, and was pleased to see that the small room was clean. The bed was neatly made, and the vanity and desk were free of debris. There was a small tray with what looked like hot chocolate and a covered plate of food. There was a note resting on top.

"Victoria, I hope that you trip went well. I will see you as soon as I get back from Marseilles tomorrow morning. The others should be at home. Sleep well. With love, Grandmere. "

Victoria held the note tightly to her chest. So that's where grandmere was. Victoria leaned back against the pillows and fell asleep, clutching the note in her vice -like grip.

She was woken by a fall of freezing water. Victoria screamed and scrambled to her feet. Her cousins Arabella and Renee stood next to her, an empty steel pail lying on the floor between them. "What is the matter with the two of you?" cried Victoria, her hair and red sweater now dripping in the water. Arabella gave her a smug shrug. "Maman asked us to wake you. We figured this would be easiest."

Victoria glanced at the clock and then glared at her cousins. "Bella, what was so important that you had to wake me at eight o'clock?"

"Maman wants everyone downstairs to greet grandmere. She should be back any minute now." said Renee.

Victoria slumped onto her soaking bed. "Tell Aunt Rose I'll be downstairs in a minute, once I've determined that I don't have hypothermia."

Her cousins nodded and picked their way out of the room. Victoria slammed the door shut behind them.

Bella was 18, and Renee 20. Living with them before Institute had been hell. Victoria had been blamed for every little thing, from the dog's haircuts to the ruined school books. It was only grandmere's eagle-eyes that allowed her to escape most punishments. Irritated, she dried her hair roughly on a towel, and changed into a dark blue sweater. Victoria had just reached the bottom of the stairs when Grandmere came into the foyer.

"Grandmere!" she cried, launching herself into the old woman's arms. Grandmere may be near 80, but she had the energy of a 20 year old. "Victoire! How lovely to see you! After so many months!" she said in rapid French. The rest of the family slowly started trickling in, Aunt Rose, followed by Arabella and Renee, and lastly, Uncle Antoine. They greeted Grandmere and gathered around the breakfast table. It was a grand affair, with all sorts of food set out.

Afterwards, Aunt Rose pulled Victoria aside and reminded her that the household's annual Christmas party was to happen that evening, and Victoria's presence was required. Ugh. It would be nothing like the parties she went to at Institute, but she consented, only because grandmere would've insisted on company.

She spent the rest of the day wandering about the house, unpacking her own things and then helped grandmere, who had actually been in Marseille for the past several weeks. Victoria grinned upon hearing this. Good. At least she had gotten out of the wretched household.

By the time evening had arrived, the house had been transformed into a flaky, toasty wonderland. Victoria came into the party a little later, when most of the guests had already arrived. She was wearing a deep blue sparkly dress, that was form-fitting and long sleeved, topped off with a plunging neckline and a hem that reached halfway down her thighs. She hardly knew anybody. There were little kids, running around and screaming to each other. There were also plenty of adults, who milling around and idly chatting with each other.

She went up to a table scattered with drinks, and picked up a champagne glass. She took a sip and then set it down, disgust plastered on her face. "I wouldn't have recommended that one. The pale pinks are usually okay." This comment came from a boy, who had approached Victoria at the drinks table. He was plenty cute, with dark brown locks and slate gray eyes. "Thanks for the warning" Victoria said, slightly annoyed.

He held his hand out. "I'm Jacques, Jacques Moreau."

She eyed it warily at shook his hand tentatively. "I'm Victoria, Victoria Monteclair."

"Pleased to meet you, ." Jacques said, handing her one of the pink drinks.

She sipped it tentatively. "Better?" he asked. "Better. Thank you." replied Victoria.

He held his hand out to her. 'Care to dance, Victoria?"

She nodded and took it again. The music was quieter, more waltz-like than anything. The matching slow dance gave them both plenty of time to talk. Jacques was good company, what with his manners and good humor. But then things started to come crashing down.

"Jacques, how did you get invited to this anyways?" she asked, still slowly revolving.

"By Arabella. We're classmates. Although why she invited me, I'm still trying to process through. She said there would be other kids from University too, so you can imagine my surprise when I got here and there was no one else I knew. You have been good company though, Victoria"

He twirled her once and took her gently by the waist. Victoria peered over his shoulder and saw Arabella leaning against the wall next to Renee, both of them staring daggers at Victoria. She gulped. She slowly began to put the pieces together. Arabella must have invited Jacques because she had a...fondness for him. Of course she would be mad at Victoria for spending half the evening with him. Victoria walked away from the dance floor and sat down at the table where she had tossed her shoes and bag. Jacques followed her, with a frown on his face. He knelt down beside her.

"Victoria, is everything alright?"

"I'm fine, it's just that-"

She was cut short by a buzzing from Jacques' phone. It was lying face down on the table, and he picked it up impatiently. Victoria could see the photo projected onto the screen. And judging by the scampering of the crowd around her, everyone else could see the photo on their phones too. It was her, from that disastrous night in Pandemonium during Year 9. Dancing on a tabletop. That night when Jessamine abandoned her. Victoria felt the blood pounding through her brain, trying to make sense of how this was even possible. She glanced up to find Arabella and Renee leaning against the wall, trying not to laugh.

Of course they would be behind this. It wasn't even important how they got the photo, but they had spammed it out, humiliating her in front of everyone. She didn't respond to Jacques calling her name as she grabbed her shoes and bag and made her way upstairs to her room, blocking out everything. She closed the door behind her and tossed her shoes into a corner. She struggled to open her bag, pulling out her phone. She hastily dialed a number, praying he would pick up. He did.

"Hello?"

"Gabe, it's me Victoria."

"Hey Tori, listen, I really want to talk, but now is a really bad time. Can I call you in the morning?"

Victoria was surprised, Gabriel always had time for her. She nodded before she remembered he couldn't see her. "Yeah, Gabe." "Thanks, Tori." The call disconnected, and Victoria chucked the phone onto her dresser before she turned into the pillows and began to cry.

She sobbed into the pillow, awful choking noises coming from her mouth. She knew it was a silly thing to cry over. After all, she had been humiliated in even worse ways. But this wasn't fair, because she hadn't even done anything to deserve it. She was sobbing so hard that she hadn't even noticed when Grandmere made her way into the room.

She sat down beside Victoria on the bed and rested her hand on her arm. Victoria looked up over her folded arm, and sat up, hastily wiping her face. Grandmere pulled Victoria's hair out of her face, smoothing it down her back. "It's okay. It's okay" she murmured. Victoria put her head in her lap. "Grandmere, I don't even know what I've done to Bella and Renee."

"Hush, ma cherie, they are jealous. Even with Rosie as their mother, they didn't inherit our family beauty. They are dull, and spiteful because everytime you walk into a room, everyone stops to glance at you. I noticed the boy you were talking to. Arabella's been after him for months. Poor boy."

Victoria picked at a loose thread on her grandmother's dress. "Grandmere, I promise you, the minute I turn 18, and the bank accounts are opened again, I'm going to buy a nice house in London, where you and I can live together. I'll start up Monteclair Industries again with your help. We don't need anybody else."

Grandmere stroked her hair. "That sounds like a fine idea. Now go to sleep. Things will be better in the morning." Victoria nodded and put her head back onto the pillow, not bothering to change out of the dress.

Lightwood Residence

Gideon heard his little brother before he saw him. "Tori, can I call you tomorrow morning?" A pause. "Thanks." Gabriel was tucking his phone into his pajama pants as he entered his brother's room. Gideon was an organizational freak, and the room was uncomfortably clean for Gabriel's taste. He flung himself onto the bed, stomach down, where Gideon was propped against the pillows, reading a magazine. Gabriel plucked it out of his hands and flipped to the cover.

"The Economist? Really Gideon? You can catch up on business when the semester starts up again" Gabriel said, tossing the magazine onto the desk. Gideon sighed and put a pillow into his lap. "Were you talking to Tori before you came here?"

"She had just called. I'm not really in the mood to talk to her, so I made up and excuse and told her I'd call tomorrow" said Gabriel, picking at the comforter.

"Gabriel, you shouldn't have lied to her."

"I know Gideon, but I need a little time away from her. She's great, but I think some space would be healthy for us."

Gideon raised an eyebrow. "Is something the matter? Did you two fight?"

"No, we didn't fight" Gabriel said irritably. "Besides, what's going on between you and Sophie?"

Now it was Gideon's turn to start picking at the comforter. "There's nothing going on, which is precisely the problem. I think I'm in love with her, Gabe. She makes me laugh and even though her very presence unnerves me, I need to be around her to make me feel whole. I'm hoping asking her to the ball will be a step in the right direction."

Gabriel looked at his brother's face. "Gideon, it is. I know you prefer to take your time with things, but I think this is one time you shouldn't wait. Tell her how you feel at the ball. Although, I'm pretty sure she's caught on by now."

Gideon flushed and stammered out "You-you think so?"

Gabriel rolled his eyes. "Gideon, I think the entire student body knows. You're practically drooling every time she's around."

"I don't drool!"

"Just a little."

"Wait, if she knows that I like her, then why hasn't she said anything about it yet?"

Gabriel shrugged. "Who knows. She's a girl. Maybe she's trying to work out she feels."

Gideon stared at his bedside table, where there was a photo of him, Gabriel, their father and their mother. Before she had died, when he and Gabriel were 10 and 9.

"Alright, I'll tell her."

Gabriel patted his brother's shoulder. "Good. Now I'm going to go to bed. Father's probably going to be back late. And tomorrow's Christmas too."

"Good night. And Gabe?"

"Yes, Gideon?"

"Fix whatever's going on between you and Tori. She acts like she's tough, but I know she really needs you."

Gabriel nodded. "I'll call her first thing in the morning. Good night."

Jem's POV

Christmas day had gone by uneventfully. His father had been at home for the morning festivities, but had to rush to the hospital in the afternoon to deal with and\ emergency. Jem had his head on his mom's shoulder, feet stretched out beside him. They were supposedly watching a film in Chinese, but neither was really paying attention to it as they spoke in Mandarin. Jem's mom had insisted on teaching him both English and Mandarin and as a result, by the time he was five, Jem was speaking in both languages.

"Jian, your hands are so worn down. I know you love to play the violin, but you should take a break too. And you've gotten so skinny. Are you eating properly?"

"Mum! Of course I am. You know the deadline for that competition is in six weeks. That piece needs to be perfect by then. Even with Sophia's help, it's coming along a bit slowly."

"Sophia? Who is Sophia?"

Jem flushed slightly, although he didn't really understand why. Sophia was a friend,yes, but nothing beyond that. "She's a friend from my music classes. She's been giving me a hand with the violin."

His mother, Wen Yu, nodded, but smiled slightly to herself. She had felt the heat of James' blush through the material on her shoulder.

"Speaking of friends,we must have the Herondales over for dinner before you kids head back to school. There's this excellent duck recipe that I've meaning to try out."

Jem laughed. "Mum, perhaps serving duck when Will is at dinner is a bad idea. Maybe we could try beef instead?"

"Oh, you're right. I completely forgot. That boy could never get over his fear of ducks. Beef it is then."

Jem smiled and pulled a blanket over himself. Will, who was as good as any blood brother. He loved his parents' company, but sometimes he wished that he had had a sibling. Jem closed his eyes and drifted off, his mind clouded with the melodies of China.

Tessa's POV

The holiday could not have been any better. Tessa was really happy to see Nate and her parents once they made their way back to Manhattan. Christmas morning had been a quiet affair in the Gray residence, graced with the presence of the Montgomerys. Nate, like Tessa, didn't have many friends in Manhattan, which often left him tagging along with Tessa and Chris on their excursions. But she didn't really mind. It was almost like old times, when the three of them would roam 5th Avenue and window shop, or go sledding down the hill in Central Park. Sometimes they would trek to Little Italy, where that little shop on the corner of Mulberry Street sold Tessa's favorite cannolis.

But of course, she still kept in touch with her friends in Europe. One night, she decided to video chat with Will, whom she was missing quite badly. He was as goofy as always, showing her a new dance move that he picked up at the Underground on his latest expedition. Except he couldn't do it quite right, so he kept falling over and crashing into the wall. She was sitting on her bed, laughing so hard tears were rolling down her face. "Will, stop it. It's beginning to hurt. Stop being so silly." He grinned up from his position on the floor, and leaped back into his desk chair, spinning in front of the camera. At just that moment, Tessa's door burst open, letting in Chris and Nate.

"Ohhh, Will, stop it, that hurts" said Nate, trying to imitate Tessa's tone and failing miserably. Chris laughed loudly, and Tessa buried her head into her hands, groaning. "Guys, what are you doing here? Especially you Chris. I thought you were going to the benefit with Rob." she said from between her hands.

Each boy took a seat on either side of her, leaning into the range of the camera. "I didn't feel like it. Anyways, we wanted to see if you would play videogames with us, but clearly you're too busy with something else" said Chris, wiggling his eyebrows at Will, who seemed to be taking this turn of events calmly.

"Tessa, who are these peasants?" asked Will with humor.

Nate feigned a shocked gasp and covered his mouth with his hands. "Peasants? How dare you?"

" I am the great William Herondale, Tessa's knight in shining armor."

"More like court jester in a clown suit" she said bitterly, her face still covered by her hands. "You know, maybe I should call Tori instead. I haven't spoken to her since that disastrous Christmas party."

"What disaster? At what party?" asked Will with concern.

Tessa waved him of.. "It's an awful joke from her cousins. Poor thing's recouping, but she'll be alright."

"Who's Tori? Is she hot?" asked Chris a little too innocently, causing him to get hit across the back head by Tessa.

"She's way above your standards, Montgomery, and besides, she has a boyfriend."

"Shoot. I prefer my women single, thank you very much."

Tessa hit him on the head again, for good measure.

This caused Will and Nate to laugh, and Chris to put a scowl on his face. "Tera, you didn't tell me you had a boyfriend" he said, nudging Tessa with his shoulder. "Yeah, you didn't tell me for that matter either. How come? And do mom and dad know about this?" asked Nate.

Before Tessa could answer, Will spoke up, noticing something bronze gleaming on Tessa's wrist. "Tess, where did you get that bracelet from?" Tessa uncovered her face, and stared at her bracelet. Suddenly, it was just her and Will in the room.

"Will, you lunatic, you gave this to me. For Christmas."

"Oh, is that I put in the box? I forgot." But his face gave away to the hours that he spent looking for it. The minute he saw the thin, bronze band with a single circular charm, showing an open book, he knew he needed to give it to Tessa."Did you like it?"

"It's beautiful, Will. Like you"

He gazed at her through the screen. "My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep."

"The more I give thee, the more I have, For both are infinite" finished Tessa. A habit that made them both smile, but made Nate to feign puking beside her. "Alright, you guys are beginning to gross me out."

His comment caused Tessa to temporarily break her gaze from Will and glare at her brother. "Alright, that's it. Both of you get out." She pushed them off her bed and shoved them towards the door. "What have I done, Tera, I haven't said a word" said Chris innocently. She gave him a sweet smile. "Good bye, guys." And she neatly shut the door in their faces. She leaped onto her bed, staring back at the computer.

She chatted with Will for a little while longer, before exhaustion took over and she fell asleep in front of the camera. Will laughed when he saw her snoozing and whispered "Good night", before he closed his laptop, closing the distance between them.

And that's a wrap. The next chapter's going to be the ball. I need to decide how far I want to take Wessa. ;)