Two weeks later
Clary woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside the window. She groaned and covered her ears with a pillow.
"Clary!" Jace's voice sang out.
"Let me sleep." She grumbled.
"But it's your birthday!" He protested, "And we have cake."
Clary's stomach lurched at the last word. She jumped from the bed and sprinted to the toilet, leaning down against it and emptying her stomach. She heard Jace's hurried footsteps behind her, and she looked up.
"By the angel, Clary. That's the third time this week. We have to go to the doctor now, a mundane doctor, as much as I hate to say it." he said, his eyes looking worried. He helped Clary clean herself up.
"No, no I'm fine. I'm okay." Clary waved it off as they walked back into the room.
"You are not okay, Clary. We're going. I'll call the clinic and make an appointment for as soon as possible." He took out his cell phone and walked out, supposedly looking for the clinics number, before Clary could protest.
She sighed and looked at herself in the mirror. The face staring back at her was unrecognisable, it didn't look like her at all. She looked tired and weary, with dark hollows under her eyes and her hair hanging down her back in tangles. She moved a hand to the hem of her ratty t-shirt and removed it, wincing at her reflection. Once again, she asked herself why Jace would be with someone like her, when he could have any girl he wanted.
She traced the scars on her arms, from when Noah had hurt her. One by one, she ran her fingers over them all. The one from when a shard of glass was embedded in her arm, when he had smashed a beer bottle in a drunken haze. She hadn't used an iratze on that one, because she had lost her stele after a few times. She touched the bruise on her waist from when he had gripped her too hard, the ugly, red scar on her left thigh. They all brought back memories, and not the good kind. She shuddered and shut her eyes. She could still feel the way his hands assaulted her, the look in his eyes when he watched her, his feral grin when she struggled against his hold.
She turned away from the mirror, slipping on the shirt again. She thought about how Jace looked at her, his eyes full of love and adoration. She thought about the way his fingers gently danced on her skin, how his lips felt against her own. She thought about how she could feel the devotion and lust in his gaze.
She turned to face the mirror again, this time without any disgust. She let a smile grace her face, and she ran her hands down her body. An overwhelming feeling of affection for Jace overtook her. Her distaste at herself turned into satisfaction. If Jace loved her, there must be something good in her. She knew that, but she wanted to know what it was. Not because of her insecurities, even though she was still a little unsure, but because she was honestly curious as to why he would choose her over them. She didn't have any curves, she was skinny and short. She wasn't like Izzy and the other girls, she had freckles all over and no figure whatsoever. Moreover, she wasn't seductive or sexy or anything of the kind. But she didn't dwell on that, she reminded herself that Jace loved her, and that was that.
She heard Jace enter the room and looked at him.
"We're scheduled for an appointment in two hours, it's a earliest I could find." He walked to her and sat down on the bed, pulling her onto his lap, with her straddling him, "I'm sorry, I know you don't want to go, but we have to, Clary."
"It's okay, I understand." She wound her arms around his neck.
"Good," He kissed her softly.
"Jace?" She broke away from him.
"Hmm?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Anything," He looked at her curiously.
"Why me? I mean, why did you choose me, out of all the girls you could've chosen? I'm not pretty like Izzy, and you you could have anyone you wanted.."
"But I want you, Clary. Because I love you. And you're not pretty, you're gorgeous. I love your red hair, and your freckles. I love your body, I love how you look. I love the way you scrunch up your nose when you're concentrating on something. I love your personality, your temper. I love how fierce you are. I love you."
"Jace..." Clary trailed off. She didn't know what to say, so she kissed him. The kiss was unlike the other kisses they had shared before. Clary poured all her pain, her gratitude, her love into that kiss. She tugged on his hair, and he caressed her shoulders, her sides, her back. She removed his shirt and tracks, while he removed the only article of clothing she was wearing. He laid her on the bed and ran his hands over every inch of her. He kissed her scars, her bruises, the parts of her she considered the ugliest. The gesture brought tears to her eyes, tears of joy. Then they engaged in slow and sweet lovemaking, unlike the passionate and fast one like before. Because this time it wasn't only full of ardour and desire, but intimacy and dedication. This time it wasn't only want, but need. It was the best birthday present Clary could've wished for.
I'm so sorry I didn't update earlier, I wasn't sure if anyone one actually wanted me to, but your reviews encouraged me :) This chapter is quite short, but I will be updating soon. Please review! I love constructive criticism.
Also, I just re-read this and realised I messed the name up... Sorry!