My dear little broccolis💚💚💚

~ So I just want to remind you something. Jace is a lawyer and a workaholic. I want you to remember that throughout the whole story. Not just now, but all the way until the end. I think I won't be able to emphasis enough on this. Remember how Jace said he did nothing for Clary when she went to London because his job was consuming him. Please keep that in mind. PLUS, I would like for you to pay attention to the number of times Clary says "right" throughout this chapters, and the ones that will follow.

~ Without further ado, let's read the chapter, now

Love, Mina💚💚💚

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PART 2

Chapter14: Christmas Eve (2,5K)

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Michael Jackson - You Are Not Alone

Rihanna - What Now

Evanescence - Together Again

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Clary's PoV

"Thank you, guys. Today wouldn't have been possible without you," I truthfully say to Jordan, Maia and Paolo as I close the shop's door and make sure it is properly locked.

Today is the twenty-fourth, and it had been, by all means, completely hectic. I actually feel like I've been working two days in a row. Jordan and I have been baking since three in the morning, and Paolo joined us shortly after four. You know, even though I always had crappy Christmases, I always considered it as a familial holiday. So I never thought that that many people were actually buying their cakes, and gingerbread houses, and all that kind of goodies. Not that I complain, the more customers I have, the better it is for my business, but still.

Jordan was actually thrilled by the overload of work, saying how much he missed that sweet rush that make you sweat like you're running for the Olympics. To be honest, when the guys arrived in the morning, I actually promised them that they could take a nap around noon, just so they could rest a little. But we didn't see the time pass by. We were only aware of the time, when Maia told us that we were sold out, and that some people wanted to know if it was still possible to make small orders for tomorrow. I honestly don't know how we are going to survive tomorrow, especially since I promised my employees that we would close around 1pm, so they could enjoy at least a little of Christmas day.

I proposed to the three of them to go back to their home earlier and that I would close the shop on my own, but the three of them refused, saying that they would all help me. So while I was preparing some icing, frosting and fondant, Maia cleaned the shop, while Jordan and Paolo cleaned the kitchen. Paolo even spared me to go the charity where I give my left overs, saying that it was on his way, and that he would bring them as he would get back to his home. I don't know, it juste feels like my team is really nice to me. I don't know if it's normal, because they're my first employees ever; but I honestly doubt that every given person would have stayed on their own free will if they had the possibility to leave. Especially on Christmas season.

I actually bought them each a gift that I will put by the little Christmas tree Kaelie brought us and that I displayed in our changing/resting room; and I hope they won't take it the wrong way. It's just that it felt right to do it, and it gave me a little breeze to Christmas shop anyway. I would have done it with Kaelie, but I did all my Christmas shopping last Monday, and knowing her, she did it far before this day. Plus, I also bought her present, and I didn't want her to see it.

Anyway, Maia, Jordan and Paolo all assure me that they stayed because they wanted to, and we part ways, not without joking about the good night of sleep coming. As I walk home, shielding myself from the cold wind with the homemade scarf Mrs Herondale gave me a few days ago (an early Christmas gift), I try to call Jace; and without any surprise, I am directly put to voicemail. And … well, this is annoying. I mean, this is actually why I stopped texting Jace all at once. Because it felt like all my texts were one sided and that I am holding some kind of journal. Well, maybe I'm overacting with the journal thing, but it sure doesn't feel like I'm communicating with my fiancé.

With annoyance, I scroll through the messages I sent Jace over the past couple of weeks, to see if I'm being irrational, but they do sound like I'm holding a diary with an imaginary friend … well imaginary fiancé.

Sorry for earlier today, I didn't mean to stop our conversation so abruptly. I'm just having a very stressful couple of days. I'll make it up to you tonight, I'll cook lasagna. Love you. C

By the way, just so you know, Seb is coming over Monday night. Hope you'll be back on time so we can chill the three of us. C

I hired a new guy. I think he'll be very helpful, and he seems nicer than he looks. I think christmas week will be much easier with him around. And, maybe, if I keep him, I'll be able to have an actual day off in the week so we can have some time together. C

Just a kiss for you at four in the morning so you know I thought of you when you'll wake up. C

Your Mom called, she wants to know if we're soon going to visit them. I didn't make any promises, but I think we should try dropping by next month. Or at least make a video conference, or something. I think she misses you. Love you. C

I love you.😘😘😘C

Sorry, I didn't have the strength to cook anything. I'm off to bed. Try to eat some take away at your office. C

Yes, I think this last text is when I decided I'd just stop. I was just feeling too pathetic at this point, I guess. I mean there's so many texts you can send without being answered before appearing like a complete loser.

I heave a little, already down our apartment building, and I decide to take the stairs. I guess a part of me knows that Jace won't be upstairs; and so I'm just delaying the disappointment. And without any surprise, Jace isn't home. I ponder the question for a moment. I mean, maybe he's working until the very last second. I mean, I closed the shop early, and though we still worked afterward, I'm still here earlier than usual. But I still decide to check that and call him at his office. I've actually never called his office, even before Aline, because I don't want to bother him at work. But … well, this is Christmas Eve, and I'd like to have my fiancé with me on that special day.

After the very first ring, there's a very nice and feminine voice who answers: "Wayland's office, Aline speaking. What can I do for you?"

For a second, I am speechless. I mean I knew Jace got himself a secretary, I just forgot that a part of her job was to answer the phone. I was expecting Jace straight away. Aline has a very beautiful voice, one that suits the phone. She could be working on telemarketing, or for a hotline … (or this is me being just mean and petty?) I blush at my own unfriendly thoughts, and stutter:

"I'm sorry. Can I talk to Jace? I really need to talk to him."

"Mister Wayland is busy, right now. Can I take a message?" Aline responds automatically, and I feel like she's been asked to say those exact words to me. Or maybe I'm just being paranoid. Probably. Why would Jace try to avoid me, seriously?

"It's okay. Have a nice day, Aline," I say, and when she tells me goodbye, I go to the kitchen to start tonight's dinner.

A veggie moussaka. Jace's favourite. I shouldn't be bothered that he's still working. I mean, I worked today, didn't I? So maybe he's just waiting last minute. Yes, I'm just thinking way too much into this. I should really stop that. It's not healthy to think like that. Jace has always worked too much, and I've always known that. I mean, the only time I haven't seen him working was when we were in Disneyland. So, it's not really a surprise to me that he's working that late, even on Christmas Eve. I think I'm more bothered by the fact that … I don't know yet. But there's something different about this workaholic Jace, and the one I was with before I went to London.

Once the moussaka is in the oven, I go check myself in the mirror, and open big eyes at my reflection. I look like a monster. In a giffy, I jump in the shower, and wash my hair, probably all floured up, and I vigorously rub my body off. I know Jace likes it better when he can smell my 'cookie smell', but with all the activity I did today, I can't wait for him to come home to have a shower.

Once out of the water, I decide to put on a nice dress and hide those hideous bags from under my eyes with makeup because I don't want to scare Jace away. I actually want us to make love tonight. I checked on my pill, and we still have a week before my periods. I know he's annoyed by the fact that I still didn't have an orgasm when we make love, though he tries to hide it. But I think next time will be the one. And if not … I'll make it the one. I know he told me not to fake, but it's not good for him to be frustrated like he is. And it's not good for us, either. I can feel how hesitant he was to make love to me the last couple of times we did it.

I check once again my reflection in the mirror, and now, I'm more satisfied by what I see. I look like a human being again, in a red dress (I read somewhere that red is the colour of lust) and with a little makeup to hide the ghost I look like underneath.

Quickly, I go by our room, just to make sure it's all nice, and I put Jace's present on his side of the dresser, where I assume he would put his watch. I didn't go all fancy in the wrapping, because what it most important is what is inside, and I'm pretty sure Jace would agree with me on this one.

Then, I go back to the kitchen and see that it's already almost nine. I reassure myself, thinking that Christmas Eve is up until midnight, so Jace still has time to come home. But when I start placing the plates on the table so we can have a nice table to dine on, the home phone rings, which scares me at first. No one ever called on our house phone, it's more here as a decoration than as an actual use. Everyone we know as our cell numbers.

I pick up, wondering who could that be, and once I said hello, I hear Aline's voice who tells me: "Please hold a second, I'm putting Jace on your line."

I blink a little, my heart squeezing as one and single thought accord to me: Jace asked his secretary to call me. Is that what it means having a secretary? Not being able to have a private conversation anymore? I shake my head, doing my best to repress the stupid tears that threaten to fall, and I hear Jace's voice:

"Hey babe? You've been trying to call me?"

Geez, he sounds tired. I can tell just by the sound of his voice. But I can also tell that he's still working. I can actually hear him typing, which annoys me a little. Can't he give me just five minutes? I mean, he didn't see me for two weeks now, he can give me five little minutes, right?

"I'm sorry to bother you. I've just been wondering if you would make it to dinner, tonight?" I ask, though I already know the answer. I guess I'll spend my first Christmas Eve as an engaged woman, alone. Where's the logic in here?

I hear Jace suddenly stopping everything he's doing and finally giving me his full attention. Well, at least I would have had that for Christmas. Five minutes of Jace over the phone.

"I haven't been around a lot lately, haven't I?" Jace states, and I just do my best to not guilt him into this. We both have very demanding jobs. It's not the first time this is happening, and it will certainly not be the last. And I've been pretty busy myself this week.

"It's okay. I just wanted to know if I should wait for you."

"I'm sorry, I'm just swamped by zillions of different cases lately. But I'll try to clear some time for you next week, okay?" He promises, and without being able to stop them, tears escape my eyes.

I shouldn't cry. It's only Christmas, and I've been used to crappy Christmases all my life. Michael was always more drunk than usual around Christmas, and life wasn't fun around him when he was this drunk. He was actually even more violent.

So it shouldn't be a big deal, I should be used to that. I guess I just put too much hope into this night, like it would be magical or something, when Christmas is actually just a day among others. Especially to Jace, apparently.

"It's okay, don't worry," I say, succeeding by some miracle in hiding my crying voice, though my eyes are still spilling tears.

"Maybe we could go to a restaurant, so you won't have to cook," Jace proposes, and it makes me think of this invitation I received during the week to this restaurant opening. I didn't want to go because I didn't want to be alone. But if Jace and I make a date out of it, I guess it could turn out just fine.

"I've received an invitation for this thing on the fourth …" I trail, and I can almost hear him smile before hearing him type again. I literally had just five minutes of Jace.

"It's a date then," He says, not even realising that the fourth is in forever! I do my best to smile, though he can't see me and I tell him:

"Okay. Bye. I love you,"

"I love you too, babe," He responds, absentmindedly before hanging up, and I just stare at the phone for a few seconds.

Then, I go back in the kitchen and put my moussaka in the fridge before tidying the place and going to the bathroom to remove all that useless makeup I put on my face. Once in my shirt for the night, I go to bed, but even before getting in it, I know I won't be able to sleep so I dress back and go to the shop so I can bake all night. Baking will take my mind off of things.

But, once I am in my shop, and just as I'm about to remove my ring so I can put it in my wallet, I burst into tears. It's official, Christmas never was, and never will be my favourite holiday.

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💚Your thoughts and opinions are always welcomed💚

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~ So, here is a little bit of sunshine in Clary's life. Hope you liked it.

~ Anyway, question times:

` 1. What did you think of this Christmas Eve?

` 2. What about Jace? What's up with him?

` 3. What about this little glimpse of Aline?

` 4. What was your favourite part?

Anyway, Cassandra Clare owns the names of the characters from the Mortal Instruments franchise, everything else is mine.

Kiss💋 Kiss💋 Bang🔫 Bang🔫.