Another chapter... Within a day! :O
Much love for the two reviewers who remind me to keep writing! Thank you xTheMorningStarx and ReadingManiac!

The months passed quickly; filled up with kisses in the hallways, parties at the Lightwood's and school work. Almost before Clary knew it, she and Jace were celebrating their six-month anniversary. To her sounded silly, celebrating something that sounded so trivial. It was honestly just six months down the track from when Jace had his big breakdown but it was more special to her; it was the day Jace had let her in. That, she had decided, was something worth celebrating.

"Hey, whatcha thinking about?"
A low voice invaded her mind and Clary looked over to see Jace's attentive gold eyes fixed on her. She smiled and shook her head.
"Nothing in particular. How about you?" she asked.
They were celebrating with a movie day at his place. They had pulled out a mattress and an armada of pillows and blankets. All the windows were blacked out so they wouldn't be disturbed by any light and they had bowls of candy and popcorn. The pair were snuggled together as a Marvel movie played in the background.
"Just how much I'm glad you're here," he mumbled, shuffling closer and pressing his lips to her temple.
Clary felt a blush storm through her cheeks and she smiled up at him.
"I'm so glad I'm here too. I'm glad you let me in," she whispered softly.
He smiled down at her.
"Me too, you have made my life infinitely better," he admitted.

Jace saw the entire room brighten up with the shy smile she gave him. He wanted to tell her what he was thinking but he didn't know how. Even the thought scared him but he didn't know how else to explain how he felt. He didn't know how else to explain the rush of feelings she gave him. The way he felt completely at ease with her. He hadn't completely opened up to her—but he wanted to. He wanted to share his thoughts the way she did with such ease. He was beginning to think that he… that he loved her. He thought that it was impossible for him to feel this way for someone again. He thought he had guarded himself well enough to never feel this way again but he also knew that he was fighting a losing battle from the moment her green eyes caught his.

"Clary… I..." he stuttered.
Clary noticed that he was trying to say something important and paused the movie, giving him her full attention.
"Clary… you are… different. You are… amazing and I—I never thought…" Jace stuttered before frowning and changing tack. "When I started here at our school, I said I wouldn't care. That I didn't care. That it was impossible for me to care, after everything."
Clary felt her heart clamouring in her throat as she began to get a hint of what he was trying to say. Unbeknownst to her, a smile was slowly growing over her face and her eyes were shining bright with hope.
"Clary. You are the exception. Always. You are my exception. And… I—I…"
Clary studied him carefully, desperately wanting to hear the words fall from his mouth. She could see the internal battle in his eyes, the fear fighting for the control it had had for years over his heart.
"I think… I think I'm… f-fall…" Jace stuttered out. "I think I lo—"

He was cut off by his doorbell ringing and Clary nearly screamed in frustration as Jace's attention focused on the door.
"I'll get that. It's probably the Chinese we ordered," Clary offered.
Jace nodded mutely. He wondered if this was a sign, a sign that maybe he shouldn't tell her how he felt. Clary could see his shoulders deflate and she wanted to cry from disappointment. She didn't expect him to fall in love with her but… she had hoped he felt the same way about her and now it seemed like he wasn't even thinking along those lines any more. She sighed and grabbed her purse, already flicking through her money as she opened the door.
"How much do we owe you?" she asked, not looking up.
"Excuse me?"
Clary's head snapped up in confusion and then her whole face went blank. The man standing in front of her did not have any Chinese food and he was strangely familiar. She knew that jawline and those cheekbones. Her blood ran cold and her mouth dropped open as she realised she was standing in front of Jace's absentee, cruel father. The same father that told Jace that he would destroy everyone he ever loved after snapping his pets neck.

Jace immediately turned as he heard a light thump behind him. He stood up from the mattress and saw Clary staring at someone through the doorway and her purse on the floor. He assumed that was the thump he had heard.
"Clare?" he asked, confused.
She turned to him and he could see the shock that had sent her speechless mirrored in her eyes.
"Are you okay?" he asked, stepping closer.
He drew himself up protectively and peered through the doorway. He felt the blood rush through his ears as his eyes met the cold blue ones of his father.
"Jonathan. Are you going to let me in?" he asked in a disinterested tone.
Jace nodded numbly and his father walked in for the first time in at least ten months.

"D-Dad?" he asked.
"Yes, Jonathan?" he answered with a raised eyebrow.
"Wh—what are you doing here?" Jace asked lamely.
There were so many other questions he wanted to ask, so many answers he wanted; just like any other time he returned after being gone for months at a time, but he knew better than to ask.
"I had business in the area and I wanted to check up on my only son," Stephen answered curtly.
Jace felt an irrational surge of both longing and anger. He bit his tongue as the anger surfaced quicker. He wished his father's answer was as true as he wanted it to be. He wished his father stopped by more than once or twice a year when he was 'in town'. Jace wished his father deemed him more important so that he wanted to visit instead of just being convenient. Deep down, Jace knew only one thing, one thing that he would never admit; he wished his father loved him.

"Jonathan?"
"Yes, Dad?" Jace answered warily.
"Are you going to introduce me to this lovely lady that greeted me with money at the door?" Stephen asked with an underlying tone of condescension.
Jace felt a frown come between his brows and he sneaked a look at Clary who was beet red with embarrassment.
"Dad, this is Clary Morgenstern. Clary, this is my Dad, Stephen Herondale," Jace said robotically.
He was still shell shocked at seeing his father right here before him.
"Lovely to meet you," Clary said politely, holding her hand out awkwardly for a handshake, like her father taught her.
Stephen raised an eyebrow at the hand and hesitated to take it. Clary got the impression he didn't want anything to do with her and began to pull her hand away. Stephen seemed to come to his senses at the movement and took her hand in his, giving her a firm handshake. It was borderline too strong in her opinion but she said nothing, choosing to remain by Jace's side.
"Morgenstern, hmm? Pleased I'm sure," Stephen told her.
Clary's eyes flickered to Jace's not knowing whether he was making fun of her or not. Jace had a frown on his face so she assumed the former.
"Dad, Clary is my girlfriend," Jace said, his voice coming across stronger, firmer.
She felt the lightest touch of a smile come to her lips and she lightly twisted her fingers in through his. She was shocked to find that his hand had a tremor. She had clearly underestimated how much of an effect Stephen had on his son. Her eyes studied him with worry but Jace took no notice.
"Hmm, and just how did Clary Morgenstern tie down my son?"
Clary did not like the blatant condescension in his voice and felt like she was repeating that dinner with Sebastian's family. Jace however was angry. He was furious that his father walked in unannounced and then proceeded to judge the only person he found himself caring about. How dare he feel like he had any right to pass judgement on his girlfriend!
"I chose to be with her Stephen, and you can either accept that or leave, thank you. This is still my house," Jace told him firmly.
Clary felt her heart swell at his defence of her and she squeezed his hand tighter.
"Jonathan! I thought you were brought up with more respect than that. What would your mother say?!" Stephen reprimanded him.
Jace felt like he was being slapped in the face and his shoulders slumped. His mother would be appalled at the anger that was clouding his mind and with the tone he had just taken with his father. The defiance left him in a rush as his mother's scolding eyes looked at him in his mind.
"Sorry, Dad," he murmured.
Clary felt an odd feeling of unease settle in her stomach. She knew Jace's mother was a touchy subject and she didn't like the way Stephen used it as a weapon.
"Thank you," Stephen said in an unforgiving tone. "Now I am going to go upstairs and have a shower. I'll be down later."
With that and barely a cursory glance at Clary, he left.

Jace heaved out a long, frustrated breath and muttered a string of curses under his breath.
"Wow. No wonder you have daddy issues," Clary commented, trying to make light of the situation.
Jace gave a humourless chuckle and wrapped his arms around her waist. He rested his forehead on hers, trying to gain the comfort he needed after that confrontation.
"I'm sorry our anniversary hasn't exactly gone to plan."
His golden eyes burned with unspoken regrets and apologies. Clary understood and lightly pushed his hair out of his eyes.
"It's okay, everyone knows the big anniversaries are at the yearly mark," she said teasingly. "And I expect diamonds."
Jace gave a small but genuine laugh and Clary immediately felt better. A smile grew on her face and she gave him a soft kiss, reminding him she was still here for him.
"I do think I'm gonna take off though," she admitted to him.
His laugh died off slightly and Clary felt guilt swarm through her stomach as his shoulders drooped slightly.
"I figured. He has a habit of ruining things."
"Don't you worry, he won't ruin us," Clary promised him.
Jace gave her a weak smile.
"I hope not."
"He won't."
Jace studied her carefully, her voice had come out strong and confident and her eyes blazed with assurance. He felt some of his unease settle and a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Good," he murmured.
He pulled her in for a last, searing kiss and he wanted to tell her. He wanted her to know but… he couldn't. Not now, not with his father around. At the thought of his father a deep hole opened up inside him and he pulled away from her. Clary stumbled slightly from the sudden loss of contact and she stared at him in surprise.
"You okay?" she asked, concerned.
"Yeah, I'm good. I'll see you on Monday, at school," he assured her.
Clary nodded slowly and pecked his cheek.
"Okay. I'll see you on Monday."
Jace nodded and let her go. She gathered her things up and opened the door before stopping and turning to face him again. There was a small smile on her face and her green eyes were glowing.
"Happy anniversary, Jace."