CHAPTER 50

Clary stared out the window as they drove to the reception. Her head still felt a little jumbled. She was getting lost in her thoughts until Jon grabbed her hand. She looked at him and he was smiling at her.

"I'm really proud of you Clary. I know that today must have been hard for you, but the main thing is that we were there for mom. She has always been there for us and nearly died of regret when she hasn't been. She wouldn't have done this today without us" he said.

Clary nodded. "I know. I'm happy for her. She deserves Luke. I just didn't realize the effect this would have on us. I mean, do we call Luke dad now? I don't know if I ever want to say that word again" she said.

"Clary, Luke has been more of a father to us than Valentine since the day we were born. He was always nicer and he always loved us more. I don't think he cares what we call him. He just wants us to love him like he loves us. He thinks of us as children of his own and I don't know about you, but Luke is the closest thing to a father that I remember. He isn't going to be like Valentine Clary. In fact, he risked himself to beat Valentine up when he got his chance. This will be good for us Clary. We are going to be a real family. I don't just mean you and me and mom of somewhere with Luke. The four of us are going to be there for each other and love each other" he said.

Clary leaned into Jon's chest. "I love you so much Jon" she said.

He squeezed her tight. "I love you too" he said.

They arrived at the reception shortly after their conversation and Jon led Clary inside. Luke and Jocelyn were sitting at the head table talking in hushed voices. Their hands were interlocked and resting on top of the table.

Clary and Jon both smiled. Their mother looked so happy. Jon cleared his throat and they both looked up.

Jocelyn jumped out of her seat. "Clary! Jon! What did you think? Was it too much? Not enough?" she was rambling out of control.

"Mom!" Clary shouted. Jocelyn stopped talking. "The ceremony was beautiful. Everything was perfect so stop worrying and enjoy your wedding" she said.

Jocelyn took a deep breath and nodded. "Ok, but today isn't all about me. Like I said, today is about us becoming a family so Luke and I shouldn't be the only ones getting gifts" she said. She walked behind the table and came back around carrying two small boxes. She handed one to Jon and one to Clary.

Clary and Jon smiled and opened their boxes. In each box there was a small clear stone. Clary and Jon picked them up and they started glowing. They both gasped and looked at their mother.

"Do you remember that rhyme I told you in the store the other day Clary?" she asked.

Clary nodded.

"I told you that I used to read it to you and Jon every night. Jon probably remembers it" she said. Jon nodded.

"Well, in that storybook, there was a part that talked about these magic stones called withclights. They glow when they are in the hands of the most brave and good-hearted warriors. It took me forever to find the replicas that were made, but I never stopped looking. I know that we have been having some pretty dark times lately, especially Clary, but I like to think that these will remind you that happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light" (Harry Potter Reference :p).

Jon gave his mom a hug and thanked her, but Clary was still in awe at the stone in her hands. She had received two of the greatest gifts in her life within a few hours. "Clary, are you alright?" her mom asked.

Clary nodded. I'm great. These are beautiful mom. I love it! Thank you so much" she said hugging her mom.

Jocelyn hugged Clary back. When they pulled away Jocelyn chuckled. "I see that I'm not the only one to give you a gift today" she said. Clary stared at the flowers on her wrists. She blushed and nodded.

"They're beautiful, just like you" Jocelyn said.

Clary blushed again.

A man came from behind the bar and informed them that people were starting to arrive and that Luke and Jocelyn needed to move to the back. They said goodbye and followed the man leaving Clary and Jon alone.

The doors opened and people started flowing in. Clary was feeling a bit overwhelmed so she dragged Jon over to their table and sat down. She kept a look out for Jace, but she didn't see him. She knew that Izzy and Magnus would be off somewhere checking on wedding details and that Simon and Alec would follow them. But where was Jace? She hadn't talked to him all day and it was killing her.

Everybody came in and was seated. Clary still hadn't found Jace, but she convinced herself that she wasn't looking carefully enough. Jocelyn and Luke were announced and they made their entrance.

Everybody stood up and cheered for the happy couple. Music started playing and people started filling the dance floor. Clary and Jon sat at the table. A few girls had come and asked Jon to dance, but he politely reclined. Clary knew he didn't want to leave her alone.

She turned to face him. "'I can wait here alone Jon. Go dance with one of those girls before they are convinced you are gay" she said.

He frowned. "I don't like leaving you alone Clary' he said.

Clary groaned. "What on earth do you think is going to happen to me at a wedding?" she asked.

Jon shrugged. "I didn't think anything would happen to you at a party. I couldn't have been more wrong" he said.

"That's true, but it was a party with no adults and a bunch of drunk teenagers. Plus, my psycho rapist ex-boyfriend was there. I don't think he is here Jon" she said.

Clary had never seen Jon so serious. "I'm not leaving you until somebody reliable is around to be with you and that's final. You can't make me leave by convincing me that it will affect my reputation with girls" he said.

Clary groaned. "Jon, it could be years before somebody comes to talk to me" she said.

"I wouldn't say years" a voice said from behind her.