The sun was setting below the horizon and Jace and I were having a surf session in celebration of our successful board consultation with Kelly Slater. I may have freaked out just a little bit when the greatest surfer ever walked into our quiet little board shop to help us design his board. Jace was so calm and collected as he shook the hand of the guy who set a precedent for all professional surfers after him. After we finished the consultation, Kelly let us take him on a tour of the shop and we had a nice conversation with him about our own professional experiences. In the end, he told us that he would definitely be back to add more of our boards to his quiver of boards. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life.

I sat up on my board as Jace paddled back out to me. He glided to my side and sat up on his own board before pulling my board closer to him and grabbing my ankle to anchor me to his board, like he always did.

"What are you thinking about, pretty girl," he asked as he gave my foot a gentle squeeze.

"How amazing you were today," I said with a small smile. "I basically followed you two around with my tongue hanging out of my mouth. I was barely able to speak and tell him about my ideas for the designs. It was just so surreal."

"I know what you mean. I was barely holding in all of excitement when he asked us to show him around the shop. Someone like Kelly Slater walking around my tiny little shop that I've worked so hard to build up was just the coolest thing ever."

I nodded and leaned my head against his shoulder. He leaned down and kissed the top of my head. The sun had set and it was beginning to get dark so we decided to ride a wave in together and head to the restaurant where Mom and Luke were waiting to here all about our meeting. When I popped up on my board, riding the wave in, I turned into Jace and hopped off of my board and onto his board. After a few seconds, we bailed before pulling ourselves back onto our boards and paddling back into shore.

Jace carried both of our boards back to the Jeep because he was a gentleman like that and I hopped into the driver's seat before starting the car and driving to the restaurant.

"Are Izzy and Simon coming, too," Jace asked as we walked toward the restaurant hand in hand.

"Yeah and apparently, Alec has something he needs to talk to us about," I told him as he nodded in understanding. "Did you ever talk to him about that night at our house and why he was acting weird?"

"Um…" he trailed off and avoided eye contact. I pulled him to a stop just outside the restaurant and forced him to look me in the eye.

"What aren't you telling me, Cali?" I crossed my arms over my chest and tapped my foot expectantly.

"I talked to him." He finally said with a sigh of relief. "And I know what's going on, but I swore I wouldn't tell anyone. He needs to be the one to tell you and he will tell you when he's ready. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but I just couldn't."

"It's okay. I understand, but I just wish Alec would tell me what's going on." Jace pulled me into his arms and I buried my face into his chest, inhaling his scent, which smelled like saltwater and something purely Jace. After a few seconds, we walked inside and sat down at our normal table where everyone was already waiting for us. We greeted everyone before sitting down.

Mom asked how our meeting went and we told her everything from the moment Kelly Slater walked into our shop to the moment he walked out. Simon was basically interrogated by Mom because this was her first time meeting him. I had to hide my smile when he looked nervous and sweaty because I knew without even having to ask my mom that she liked Simon and he had nothing to worry about. Throughout dinner, I couldn't stop thinking about the fact that Alec wanted to talk about something and trying to figure out what it was. My mind wandered to everything from a secret love child to jail time, but none of my explanations seemed plausible.

"Okay," Alec finally interjected once our food was cleared from the table. My head snapped to face him and I knew I was about to get my answers. Jace placed his hand over my knee under the table to stop it from bouncing nervously. "I know I've been acting weird lately and I have a reason, but it's taken me a while to gather the courage to tell all of you what's going on." Alec glanced at Jace and Jace gave him a nod encouraging him to continue. "Um, I haven't even told my parents this, but I'm closer to this family than my own, so I feel like I should tell you first." He took a deep breath and closed his eyes before continuing. When he opened his eyes, they were clear, like he finally found his courage. "I'm gay."

It seemed like time had stopped. Everyone at the table sat with their mouths open, staring in Alec's direction. Everyone but Jace, that is. He knew about this and didn't tell me, but I completely understood. I would have rather heard this from Alec. I don't know what Alec was so worried about, though. We all loved him and nothing was going to change that. I did understand, however, why he was afraid to tell his parents. His father had always been very old-fashioned and he would be unpredictable when Alec told him. I glanced at Isabelle, who had a small smile spreading across her face with pride. Something told me that she always had a hunch and she was proud of her brother for finally accepting who he was. She placed her hand on his shoulder and gave it a small squeeze.

"I'm proud of you, Alec," she said from beside him and he turned to look at her. "To be honest, I've always kind of known and I'm glad you are accepting who you are. I love you no matter what."

"I think that goes for all of us, honey," Mom said as she stood from her seat and walked around the table to wrap her arms around Alec. I nodded in agreement. "We don't care. You're still Alec and we still love you because of who you are."

"See," Jace asked with a raised eyebrow. "I told you everything would be fine."

"Yeah, I know," Alec said as his shoulders relaxed. "It's just a big deal and people can handle these things in ways you don't expect."

"What made you decide to tell us," I asked wanting to know why he didn't tell us sooner.

"I met someone," Alec replied. "He was tired of having to hide our relationship because I wasn't secure with who I was. I had to make a decision. Either I lose one of the best things to ever happen to me or I accept who I am and tell the people I love."

"That's beautiful," I said as I placed my hand over my chest and my eyes filled with tears. "Who is he? Do we get to meet him?"

"You've already met him." Isabelle and I raised our eyebrows in question and leaned in closer to him. "He works here, at the restaurant." Alec turned around and pointed toward the bar where a man was standing behind the bar, watching us. When he caught Alec's eye, his face brightened with a smile. He had purple tips in his black hair and his skin shimmered like it was covered in glitter and his eyes were piercing like a cat's. "Magnus."

I had met Magnus a few times, but he definitely wasn't the type of person I imagined Alec with. When I thought about it though, Magnus' eccentric personality would compliment Alec nicely. I could see the apprehension in Alec's facial expression. Tonight wasn't the night we needed to officially meet his boyfriend and Magnus seemed to understand that. He gave Alec a wink and went back to shining the glasses behind the bar.

We fell back into normal conversation and I was happy that Alec was acting like himself again. Jace leaned over and kissed my temple before wrapping his arm around my shoulders. Isabelle and my mom went into discussions of the wedding and I tried to tune them out, but they were trying to make plans to go dress shopping, which was the only thing I cared about. We agreed to go shopping the next week and I proceeded to ignore everything else about the wedding.

I turned to face Jace as the rest of the table discussed what they were planning for the weekend. Jace tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and cupped my cheek as I leaned into his touch. I motioned my head signaling that I was ready to leave. As much as I loved being with my family, it was a long day and I just wanted to be in my bed, falling asleep next to my amazing fiancé.

Jace took my hand and announced that we were leaving. We said our goodbyes and made plans to go to the bar with Isabelle, Simon, Alec and Magnus the next night. Jace took the keys and helped me into the Jeep. He held my hand the entire way home and as we walked up the front steps.

Once we stepped through our front door, Jace bent down and scooped me into his arms as I squealed. I ran my hand through his hair, which had grown since I had met him. It was a little past his shoulders at this point, but it looked amazing against his tan skin. I stared at his profile, admiring is features, his golden eyes that stared into my soul when I first met him.

When I looked back on that day, I couldn't believe that someone dropping in on my wave would change my life, but it did and I wouldn't want to change any of it. Sometimes I wondered what I would be doing if Jace had never dropped into my life that day. I would probably be working at the hotel still and would never have discovered my love for designing boards. I definitely wouldn't have the life I have now and I could accredit all of it to Jace.

Jace sat down on the couch with me settled into his lap. I wrapped my arms around his neck and his hands gripped my waist.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Alec," he said as he stared into my eyes.

"Don't worry about it," I waved him off. "I understand why you didn't and I'm glad you didn't because it was something we all needed to hear from him and I'm happy for him." Jace nodded and I leaned my head on his shoulder. I could have fallen asleep right there. Jace was so comfortable and with his arms around me, I always felt safe and loved. "I love you, a lot, Jace Lightwood, even though you're from California."

"I love you, too, pretty girl." He turned his head and landed a kiss on the top of my head. "Even though you yelled at me the first time we met."

"You love when I yell at you." I smacked his chest and it rumbled with laughter. I couldn't hide the smile on my face.

"Yeah, I love when the fiery redhead comes out." I pushed on his chest, but his hold on me tightened and I relaxed into his chest. "You're cute when you're mad."

"I hope you continue to think that because you're infuriating and you're going to have to deal with my fieriness for the rest of your life."

"Gladly."


Thanks for reading! Sorry it's been a few days, but I was really busy with my last finals and moving out of my apartment and back into my house. That sucked royally and then add the eight hour drive it takes to get home and starting my summer job and I've been exhausted.

Anyway, I finally added some Malec into one of my stories! I felt like it was time and I know some of you really wanted to see some Malec in here. I hope I've done them justice so far.

So, please let me know what you think and leave a review! :)

P.S. I've had my CoHF for about five hours and have just stared at it because I don't think I'm emotionally prepared to start reading it...