JPOV

Practice had seemed to last forever, I couldn't stop thinking about Clary and I couldn't wait to get home to see her. I wanted to see if she'd let me touch her again. I wanted to see that breath-taking smile she has.

"What's with you today?" Alec asked as we changed after practice

"What do you mean?" I said pretending I didn't know what he was talking about.

"You've been distracted all practice."

"Just tired, I didn't sleep last night," I said, and Alec gave me a disbelieving look, but he didn't push it thankfully.

Dad was waiting in the parking lot for us.

"Hey, we have to stop and get dinner on the way home," Robert said as Alec and I climbed in the car.

"How come mom's not cooking?" Alec asked as dad started to drive.

"Izzy and Clary have some friends round, so mom thought takeout would be easier," Robert said.

"Who do they have round?" Alec asked,

"I don't know, I've not been home yet from work, I just got a call from mom to say pick up the food on the way home." Robert shrugged, and Alec gave me a wondering look.

"probably Simon and Magnus, Izzy said they were walking home with them," I suggested, wishing dad would speed up so I could get home to see Clary. Thankfully mom had already phoned up and ordered the food, so it was ready when we got there.

As soon as we opened the front door, I could hear music and laughing. Alec and I quickly dumped the food on the counter in the kitchen and followed the noise.

There was Clary, smiling happily. Izzy was swaying happily to the music next to her. the music was coming from Simon on guitar and Magnus on piano, they were pretty good. Seb and Max were laughing, and dancing and Clary and Magnus were singing.

"Jace! Alec" Max smiled seeing us standing in the doorway and motioned for us to come and join them. My eyes went back to Clary who was looking at me smiling and my legs seemed to have a mind of their own, I was walking towards her. I sat on the arm of the seat next to her.

"We're having a mini gig." Izzy laughed at Alec's inquisitive look as he sat on the arm next to her. "Clary's lead singer because their singer isn't here." She smiled proudly at Clary who rolled her eyes at Izzy blushing and laughing.

"Magnus is singing too." Clary smiled shyly

"Ok here's one for you Clary." Magnus smiled and started to play the tune.

"SUPERMAN!" Seb Said happily recognising the tune. "YAY! Sing it, Clary." He jumped in excitement. I couldn't help but laugh at his enthusiasm.

"Your fans want to hear you sing." I laughed at her. She rolled her eyes and pushed me off the arm of the sofa laughing. She touched me. I beamed at her as I sat back down.

"You ready Clary." Simon smiled at her eyeing her interaction with me suspiciously. She nodded, and Magnus started playing again. Clary stamped her foot making the beat as she started to sing. She always looked so free when she sings. God, she was beautiful, sitting there singing and swaying like she has no cares in the world. And she had touched me, on her own accord, she willingly touched me. my mind was still reeling from it while trying to think of ways to touch her again. Seb was singing along to the chorus happily making Clary smile brighter and my heart fluttered at the sight of it. god, I was enamoured.

CPOV

Shortly after Jace and Alec arrived Maryse came in declaring dinner. There was too many of us to all sit around the table so Maryse and Robert sat watching us all from the breakfast bar. It was Chinese for dinner and it smelled and tasted delicious. Izzy was trying to teach Simon how to use chopsticks, but he wasn't getting it, in the end he dropped them and used his fingers making everyone laugh while Izzy handed him a fork with a huge smile on her face.

I sat quietly eating, watching everyone. It had been good to forget all my problems for a while, even though that dull aching pain in my heart is constantly reminding me. I glanced at Seb who was sitting with Max talking happily. I haven't seen him smile so much for a long time, it was nice to see, he deserved to be happy. He deserves some light in his life, especially since we didn't know what was going to happen, or even where we would be in a week, a month or even a year from now. I knew the light wouldn't last; it wasn't a matter of if, but of when, he'd come for us. We were his, we belonged to him and he never let us forget it.

After dinner Seb and Max went off to play while the rest of us hung out in Alec and Jace's room, listening to music and playing video games, chatting happily together. I was sat cross legged on Jace bed leaning against his headboard watching Simon thrash Alec in some fighting game. Izzy was sitting cross legged on Alec's bed with Magnus next to her. Jace sat on the end of his bed leaning against the wall. Izzy was talking animatedly to Magnus about the upcoming dance. Magnus loves parties.

"Tell her Magnus that she has to come to the dance." Izzy said pointing to me.

"No way, I don't want to be going to the dance with a black eye thanks." Magnus smiled making Izzy and Jace laugh. I just smiled and rolled my eyes at him.

"I don't even know if I'm going to be here then Izzy." I smiled at her, "Mary said Seb and I were only here for a few days." I shrugged hating to burst her bubble. Izzy frowned at this piece of news and I saw Jace look at me from the corner of my eye.

"No, way!" Izzy suddenly said. "Mom won't let you guys go, you're here to stay." A look of certainty on her face, and I just rolled my eyes at her.

"I'm sure she's let others you've fostered go." I said

"Yeah but they never clicked." Izzy said, and I looked at her confused. "You and Seb just seem to fit into our family." Izzy explained, and I smiled shyly at her. "So, Magnus who are you going to the dance with?" Izzy said clearly indicating the debate whether Seb and I were staying was over.

"I'm going solo." Magnus said,

"Me too," sighed Izzy and I saw her glance towards Simon.

"OH really!" Magnus smiled clearly seeing her pointed look as well. Izzy laughed and playfully hit him on the arm.

"What about you Jace? You asked anyone?" Izzy smiled

"No." Jace shook his head

"The, Jace Wayland, star of the football team doesn't have a date." Magnus said, "Now I don't feel too bad going solo." He smirked making us all laugh.

"What's so funny?" Simon asked as he and Alec turned to join in the conversation, clearly bored of the game.

"Oh, you know, our issues of being dateless for the dance." Magnus smiled. I could see Jace glance at me again. he's been doing that a lot lately.

"We are so going shopping for it Saturday." Izzy said to Magnus and he nodded, "And you're coming to Clary." She looked at me, "No arguing." She smiled at me before I could argue. I rolled my eyes at her in defeat, and she bounced happily on the bed making everyone laugh.