A/N: As promised, here is the next chapter!

lolita is fandom crazy: Just a question, how long did it take you to write that review? hahaha

Chapter 14

Jace's POV

I had missed Clary this morning so I would have to wait to give her the gift I got her.

It wasn't much – just a ring I had seen the other week and in a way, it reminded me of her.

It was gold and the band was curved delicately and had little leaf shapes coming off it. It looked artistic and I had seen Clary wearing similar things at times so I decided to get the ring for her.

I really hoped she liked it. I sighed as I placed the wrapped box back in my drawer.

I stood up and shrugged on my jacket before heading out to meet up with my parents.

Clary's POV

"Much better," I said as I stood in front of the fireplace in the living room.

It was freezing outside and even though I had recently gotten out of Jonathan's car, the short walk from the car to the house had made me cold again.

I heard Jonathan chuckle behind me and I just rolled my eyes.

"Merry Christmas Clary, Jonathan," Luke said as he walked into the living area with Mom.

"Merry Christmas," Jonathan and I said together.

Mom and Luke smiled and before I knew it, we were gathered around the fireplace handing out our gifts.

~o~O~o~

About half an hour later – after opening gifts and thanking each other a million times after certain things – gift wrap lay across the floor and there where things scattered all across the couches.

Luke got a few different things – mainly tools and he also got a crossbow since he was interested in archery.

Mom got a fair bit of art supplies as well as some things to use in the kitchen.

I got art supplies – like Mom did – and I also got a few different books and movies.

Jonathan though, probably got the best gift of all – well, the most expensive anyway. Mom and Luke had bought him a motorcycle – he had been begging for one ever since he started taking an interest in cars and other motor vehicles when he was twelve.

He was so excited that he actually took the bike for a quick ride around the block even though he still had to get it registered.

"That is amazing," Jonathan said when he returned home and parked the bike.

"I'm glad you like it," Mom said, even though she was giving Jonathan a look that said she wasn't all too happy with him at the moment.

I could understand why though.

First of all, he hadn't really ever been on a motorcycle before – only once or twice and even then he was only riding around the yard.

Secondly, the bike wasn't registered and if he had been caught riding an unregistered vehicle by police; he probably would have been fined.

Thirdly, the roads were a bit icy and it was a little dangerous at the moment.

And finally, he wasn't wearing his helmet.

"Where's your helmet idiot?" I asked as I reached up and ran my hands over his hair as best I could – he was just so tall.

"In my room..." Jonathan said with a kind of guilty look on his face. "Sorry Mom..."

Mom just sighed.

"Well it should be on your head," I replied. "If you crashed, you could have died. Or been seriously injured..."

Jonathan just chuckled and a second later, he picked me up and threw me over his shoulder.

"What are you doing?" I half squealed.

"Having fun with my little sister since I'm still alive," Jonathan chuckled as he walked back into the house.

I just rolled my eyes and started hitting his back to get him to put me down.

Jonathan and I continued to mess around with each other as Mom and Luke went into the kitchen to cook Christmas lunch.

My grandparents – my mother's parents – would be coming over shortly.

I hardly ever got to see them so I was excited.

When the smell of lunch started to drift through the house, I found myself walking towards the kitchen.

"That smells so good," I said as I leaned against the bench.

"I know," Mom said just as the doorbell rang.

I ran out of the kitchen and pulled the door open to see my grandparents.

~o~O~o~

Before I knew it, the rest of the day had passed and I found myself back at the academy.

I was walking up to the elevator when I felt an arm drape over my shoulders. It hurt just a bit since the bruises were still there but it wasn't nearly as bad as it had been before.

When I looked up, I found myself staring at Jace.

Jace's POV

"Merry Christmas," I said as I smiled down at Clary.

"Merry Christmas to you too," Clary replied with a smile. "How was your day?"

"Good," I replied. "Better now that you're here."

I saw a faint blush appear in Clary's cheeks and I smiled slightly to myself.

"Do you have a few minutes to spare?" I asked after a moment.

"Yeah, I guess," Clary replied.

I smiled again. I was glad Clary and I had become friends.

"Good... come with me," I said, sliding my arm of her shoulders and letting my hand slip down to hers.

I felt the familiar shock pulse through my body – this happened every time I touched her.

I could feel the present in the pocket of my jacket and it suddenly felt like it weighed a ton – I know, it's not like it's an engagement ring or anything but I still felt nervous. I really wanted her to like this gift.

I led Clary into the elevator and took it up to the highest floor. I began walking down the hall with her and as we approached the familiar wooden door, I turned to face her.

"Close your eyes," I said.

"Okay..." Clary said, shutting her eyes.

I took her hand again and opened the door, leading her into my favourite place in the academy – the greenhouse.

It was a beautiful place – very relaxing and peaceful.

Green hedges grew around the place, jewel-like flowers grew between the hedges and there were vines growing all around. It was just too amazing to put into words.

"Alright, you can open your eyes now," I said to Clary as I came to a stop in the middle of the greenhouse.

I heard her intake of breath and just smiled as she looked around.

"This place is amazing... how come I never knew it was here?"

"I don't know," I shrugged.

"Why did you bring me here?" Clary asked.

"Well... I wanted you to see this place... and I wanted to give you something," I said as I pulled the gift out of my pocket and held it out to her.

"You didn't have to get me anything... I feel bad now because I didn't get you anything..." Clary said as she stared at the box in my hand, slowly reaching out and taking it.

"Don't worry... its fine. It's not much and well, I thought I should get you something after the way I treated you when you first arrived. I still feel terrible about that," I said.

Clary slowly unwrapped the box and opened it up.

I saw a smile appear on her face and I smiled too. "I saw that and thought of you... because the design is kind of artistic and well... you're artistic," I said.

"It's amazing Jace. I love it," Clary said as she took the ring out and put it on one of her fingers.

I just smiled at her and the next thing I knew, Clary had her arms around me in a hug.

I was a little shocked but I slowly wrapped my arms around her. She fit against me perfectly – like she was made for me.

When she pulled back and looked up at me, there was a smile on her face.

I couldn't help but stare back at her. It was dark outside now and the moonlight filtering in through the glass rooftop made Clary look even more beautiful than normal – if that was even possible.

I lifted one of my hands to her face and gently rested it on her cheek and I moved a bit closer to her.

When she didn't pull back, I moved even closer and lower my face to hers.

I could feel her breath on my cheek as I got closer and before I knew it, I had closed the distance between us.

She was still for a moment before her lips started moving against mine. I felt her arms disappear from around my body and a few seconds later, I felt them around my neck – her hands tangling in my hair at the back of my head.

I moved my other arm and placed my hand on her hip while my other hand continued to cup her face.

This felt perfect. There was nothing more I wanted in the world right now other than to have Clary in my arms.

Her lips were soft and gentle yet it was clear that she was enjoying the kiss.

I pulled back a moment later and looked down at Clary to see her smiling up at me.

Yep. She enjoyed the kiss. Now I can only hope she doesn't end up breaking my heart.

A/N: I finally gave you guys some Clace! I bet you're happy about that! Review please!