CHAPTER 51

Clary spun around and saw Jace. She smiled as she had been looking for him all day. "I think I can go now. Have fun you two, but not too much fun" Jon said. He took a sip from his drink and then went to find a girl to dance with.

Jace stepped closer to Clary and offered his hand. Clary took it and Jace knelt down and kissed the back of her hand. "You look lovely angel" he said. Clary blushed and curtsied. "As do you" she said as Jace stood up.

They both laughed and Jace wrapped his arms around Clary. "Are you okay? You looked nervous today" he said.

Clary nodded. "It kind of just dawned on me that my mom was getting married and I would have a real dad and a real family and I just freaked out. I'm glad it happened though. I've never seen my mom so happy" she said.

Jace smiled. "Well you did a great job" he said.

"I wouldn't have been able to do it without you" she said. Jace looked confused.

Clary held up her wrists. "They're beautiful. I was worrying about my wrists all day and you just always know how to fix me" she said.

"You don't need fixing. You're perfect. I just love to see you smile. I'd buy you a thousand wrist corsages to make you happy. I love your scars. I hated them at first. They just reminded me of your pain, but now I just see strength and they just make me love and respect you so much more" he said. He carefully picked up her wrists and slid the corsages off. He gently kissed her scars there. "I know that they make you uncomfortable, but I don't think you should wear these now. I love all of you Clary. Your imperfections are perfect to me and I love you" he said.

Clary fought her tears. She had found herself doing that a lot lately. "I wish I was good with words. I love you too. I don't deserve you' she said.

Jace leaned closer. "No, you deserve better" he said. Before Clary could object, Jace pressed his lips to hers. It was gentle and soft.

They both smiled as they pulled away. A slow song started playing. Again, Jace offered his hand. "May I have this dance?" he asked.

Clary nodded. "You may" she said.

Clary and Jace danced together until there was no more music. An announcement was made that the buffet was open. Clary and Jace got their food and sat at their table. They were soon joined by Simon, Izzy, Magnus, Alec, and Jon. Everybody complimented Izzy and Magnus on their designs.

After dinner they all danced together in a group. Clary was exhausted and felt relieved when another announcement was made for everybody to take their seats. Everybody sat down, but Jon pulled Clary out of her seat.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"It's time for speeches" he said.

"'Speeches?" she asked nervously.

Yea, didn't Isabelle tell you?" he asked. Clary shook her head and Jon shrugged. "Well the maid of honor and best man have to make speeches so just say a few nice things. You'll be fine. Izzy probably just forgot to tell you because of all the wedding planning. If you get stuck just look at Jace. I'm sure he will know what to do" he said.

Clary nodded and remembered her wrists. She broke away from Jon and ran back to the table to grab her corsages. She ran back to Jon and slid them on. He gave her a sympathetic, but understanding look.

Izzy and Magnus were on stage asking for everyone's attention. "We are going to do the speeches now. First, we have the best man, Jonathan Fray!" they said. Everybody clapped as Jon made his way to the microphone. He pulled tiny flashcards out of his pocket and Clary felt jealous. She was not prepared.

Jon cleared his throat. "Hello, I just wanted to start by thanking everybody for coming. This day means a lot to my family. We haven't felt so complete in a long time and everything is always more special when there are friends to celebrate with. Luke, you are the best man I have ever known. I heard something once. It was that the most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother. People have also told me that Valentine Morgenstern is my dad, but he didn't show love to my mother. He was awful to her, awful to all of us. But Luke, he is loving. He loves my mom unconditionally and he treats us as if we were his own children. I don't care what people say. Luke, you are my dad in my book. Mom, you have been through so much. You and Luke deserve each other. He is good to you and you love him. I have never seen you so happy. I'm so sorry that I have done an awful job at being the man in the house. I haven't protected you and Clary like I should have, but I love you. You deserve to be happy. I'm so happy for both of you and I hope your marriage is filled with all of the love that I saw today" Jon stepped back and everybody cheered.

Clary watched as people wiped their tears and clapped. Izzy and Magnus were back on stage introducing her. Clary couldn't move. Jon had to pull her to where he stood. She stared out at the crowd and lost her words.

"Hi, um I didn't really know I would be making a speech. I- um" she stuttered. She remembered what Jon said and she looked at Jace. He held up his wrists and gave her a sorrowful look. Clary knew what he was suggesting. She didn't want to do it, but she suddenly felt like she had lost her choice. Clary pulled off her corsages and put them on the ground. She heard a few gasps and she looked up to find every single eye on her. She hesitated before regaining her voice.

"I have been through a lot. Most of you probably know, but maybe not all of you… When I was little, I was happy. My family was happy as far as I knew. I didn't suspect anything until Valentine started hitting me and my mom. I was just glad that I got the worst of it. My mom didn't deserve what happened to her. Nobody knew what happened to me. Nobody knew that Valentine would beat me and throw knives at me. I always thought it was my fault. Then one day I was saved. My brother saved me. He saved my mom too. He protected us and even though it took me a while, I finally started remembering what it was like to be happy. I saw my mom find her happiness with Luke. It's true that you're even happier when you come from being sad so my mom and I were feeling really good. I started settling into normal life. I learned how to hide my scars. Soon enough, I had a boyfriend. His name was Sebastian. He was such a good guy. I forgot how much I loved being loved. One day though, he snapped just like Valentine. He raped me. That's how these formed" she held up her wrists. "I'll admit that it was hard to get over. I'm still not over it actually. I had thought that I just needed time and I could be happy again, but they both came back for me. They tortured me. Valentine and Sebastian made my life a living hell, but I would live that life every single day if it meant I could see my mom so happy. She was destroyed when she found out what had happened to me, but it wasn't her fault and it wasn't Luke's fault either. All they have ever done is love me and that's what matters. I think that in a way my misfortune brought my family and if that's true then it was worth it. It's pretty obvious that I would be nervous about having a new father, but I'm not scared of Luke. He is such a great guy. I would bet my life that he would never hurt me or my mom and that is saying something. I have always considered him my dad. He is the one that I love and trust. I've never been so honored to say something in my life. Luke Garroway is my dad. As for my mom, she is one of the most important people in my life. She has been through so much and I know she blames herself for my trouble, but she shouldn't. I just want her to be happy. I want her to love Luke and get the love that she deserves back. I want her to feel safe with her husband. I want her to realize that u love her so much. I would be nothing without her and nothing that has happened to me was her fault. She has always been so strong and she is my idol. I only hope that one day, I will have the honor to marry someone who loves me and whom I love like my mom and Luke. I love you both so much mom and dad" she said.

She stepped back from the microphone and ran backstage. She drowned in her tears. She felt herself falling down, but somebody was catching her.