So this chapter is shorter but we have Clace in it so I hope you guys enjoy :)

Disclaimer: What is Cassandra Clare's is Cassandra Clare's.

The Ball pt.2

The ballroom looked enchanted. It was so magical with the candelabras actually lit and the how the Christmas tree that some of the guards had gone to cut with their families was all lit up with matching colors on the glass bulbs- courtesy of Clary and her mother. The floors were sparkling and as clean as see through water. The stairs were carpeted with a gold carpet that muted her footsteps as Clary walked arm in arm with Jace. The smile on her face did not go unnoticed by Jace and Clary chose to ignore his occasional gaze as she smiled at the crowd of people at the bottom of the stairs.

Clary knew how many people her family had invited to the ball and it was mostly all close family friends. Of course they invited the regulars- the Lightwoods, Carstairs, Herondales, Blackthorns, Fairchilds, and the Grays- but it seemed more at the moment. The families were expanding and now the ballroom was filled with adults dancing, laughing, and talking. The families with children who were still under the age of ten, had left their children with a few of the most trusted and closest maids the Morgenstern's had. Unless they were part of the wedding party, like Dru who was currently eight and James who was ten.

As was custom, the hosts of the ball, the Morgenstern royals, would begin a dance before more couples trickled onto the dance floor. Clary had watched her parents from afar dance a waltz. It was beautiful and Clary felt a pang inside of her as she realized that she may never have the marriage her parents have. Or Jonathan for that matter, who was currently flirting with a blonde haired woman with green eyes. Camille Belcourt, of course. Sebastian's cousin from France. Clary felt a hand come on her waist. Startled, Clary turned around, knocking the arm off of her waist in the process.

"It's for the press." Jace murmured. Clary glanced at Jace for a moment before barely nodding her head at him. Jace smiled and took her hand before leading her out on the floor. Most couples were starting to trickle onto the dance floor with the white blonde haired king and his red haired queen. Clary laughed as she positioned her arms and hands with Jace's. Her arm on Jace's shoulder and her right hand in his hand.

"What's so funny?" He asked. Clary smiled again.

"We look like my parents." Clary said. Jace gave her a puzzled look before shrugging and bringing her closer. Clary didn't mind for once.

"I was thinking we could go for a walk later tonight, if that's alright with you." Clary glanced up, surprised, at him. Jace flushed a bit. "If you want to. Only if you want to." He said. Clary smiled. It was sort of endearing to see Jace lose his cool.

"Why not." Clary said and watched Jace smile. Clary's heart melted. She was starting to fall for him. And she was falling harder every minute he threw a smile her way.

As the dance ended, someone tapped Clary's shoulder. Clary turned bewildered before squealing and hugging the black haired man in front of her.

"It's been way too long, Seb." Sebastian Verlac smiled at her. Clary let go and stepped back so that she was back in Jace's arms reach.

"I want to offer my congratulations." He said with the french accent Clary had fallen for when she was younger.

"Thanks, and I promise I'm not going to treat her badly like I did when I was younger." Jace said. Sebastian smiled at him.

"I know." Clary glanced quizzically between them before noticing a beautiful woman with blonde hair and brown eyes come up to Sebastian. It was Lilith, his wife. Clary went up to her and gave her a hug. Lilith laughed.

"Lilith, it's good to see you." Lilith took Clary in.

"You have grown so much since the last time I saw you. You've grown into a beautiful young woman Clary. And congratulations on your engagement." Clary smiled and looked back at Jace who was giving Lilith a small smile. He had never liked her, yet Clary didn't know why.

"Thank you. How is Romeo?" Clary asked. Romeo was their three year old son.

"He's doing well." Lilith said then turned to whisper something in Sebastian's ear. Sebastian nodded.

"It was nice seeing you two again but, I have some other friends to catch up with." He said and shook hands with Jace before leaving. Jace took Clary's hand again.

"Let's go find Simon and Isabelle." Jace nodded. As they walked through the crowd of talking people and people eating, the two accepted congratulations and good wishes on their future marriage and future children. That part had made Clary uncomfortable. They finally found Simon and Isabelle talking with Jonathan and Camille, by the doors to the gardens.

"When did Camille and Jonathan start?" Clary asked Jace. Jace smiled.

"This summer." As the two approached the two couples, Clary let go of Jace's hand to greet her friends.

"Well well, look who decided to join us." Isabelle said with a smirk. Clary rolled her eyes.

"I'm Clary, Jonathan's brother." Clary said and stuck her hand out. Camille didn't hesitate.

"I've heard so much about you, it's finally nice to put a face to your name." Clary smiled at her. Camille was nice so far.

"Can't say the same for you but I hope that changes." Camille raised her eyebrows at Jonathan who was clearing his throat.

"I think we should go say hi to the Herondales." He said and Camille rolled her eyes as Jonathan led them towards the black haired Herondales.

"Well, Simon and I are going to go dance. We'll see you later." Isabelle said. Clary winked at Simon who was too busy smiling at Izzy to notice.

"Come on Clary. You owe me a walk." Clary shook off Jace's offered arm and walked in front of him out the doors. It was cold and Clary felt herself shake a bit but refused to let Jace know she was cold. She still had his blazer in her room from a few nights ago. Jace walked quietly with her as she led them to her favorite spot in the garden. It was by a fountain with bushes everywhere that were at the moment barren. In the spring though, it was lovely, full of white roses and tulips strategically placed. Her mother's favorites. Clary sat down on the fountain edge and watched the light pour from the castle windows and doors. She listened to the musical laughter and watched couples dance, young and old, and steal kisses every now and then. Particularly Tessa and Will, they had been arranged as well but they were off just fine. Yet she still wondered, what if she had gotten to choose her husband? She heard Jace sit next to her and Clary waited for a moment before turning to him.

"Do you ever wonder what it would be like if we were able to choose our spouses instead of being married off to each other? Who you would choose?" She asked him. Jace's golden eyes bore into her emerald ones. He was silent for a moment.

"Not at all, I know who I would choose."

"What do you mean?" Clary couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. Was there someone he

loved? Could it be that wench he dated when he was fourteen? Clary tilted her head at him, becoming impatient. Jace took her hand and before she could respond, cupped her cheek with his left hand and brushed his lips against hers softly, hesitantly. Clary was stunned momentarily, giving Jace the wrong impression.

"I just had to know." He whispered as he pulled back and Clary didn't respond. Standing up, Clary walked a few paces before catching up to Jace and calling out.

"Jace wait!" She said. Jace turned around as Clary caught up to him and threw her arms around

his neck and stood on her tip toes to reach his lips.

"I would choose you." She said before softly kissing him. Jace responded immediately, wrapping his large arms around Clary's slim waist. Clary almost melted. The kiss was sweet and gentle, a promise of the future. Pulling apart, Jace rested his blonde head on Clary's red one.

"I would choose you, too, Clary." Clary smiled before kissing his cheek and stepping back.

"I promised your dad and mine, a dance." Clary said, her cheeks were warm from the kiss. Jace

gave her a crooked smile and extended his hand.

"So, did hell freeze over?" Clary laughed but took his outstretched hand. Then a flash went off. The two turned from where it came from, their laughter gone from their eyes.

"You are so screwed, paparazzi." Jace muttered as a man dressed in black ran from behind the bushes.

Clary pecked Jace's reddening cheek.

Any woo hoo's? We finally got Clace in here! So its officially happening. What are your thoughts? Next chapter will be up like normal on Friday and it will take place on Christmas Day.

To the Guest who wanted Clace to happen: It happened! I hope this ball lived up to your expectations :)

To the guest who wanted them to kiss soon: Was this good enough? ;)

Thanks for all the reviews, follows, favorites and all that! Anyway, keep it up! I read all of the reviews and do my best to respond to all of them.

~BP~