The next two weeks were probably the best of Clary's life. For the first time ever, she went to an actual opera. She spent her days hanging by the poolside with Izzy. She helped Magnus with his latest project. Even Alec took her out to some of the shops which were more her style, and helped her choose souvenirs for her mom and Luke. The five of them spent quite a few pleasant afternoons put on the streets of Paris, just enjoying themselves.
Jace did take her on a real date and it was as spectacular as promised. Dining on top of the Eiffel Tower was an experience unto itself, but doing it with Jace was heaven. He was charming and a complete gentleman, starting the date off by giving her a bouquet of roses and ending it by dropping her off at her bedroom door. Never had Clary felt so cherished in her life. That night as she lay in bed, one thing did become clear to her, she was absolutely in love with Jace Herondale and there was nothing she could do about it.
It was during those weeks that she had the pleasure of talking to the youngest Lightwood as well. She caught Izzy and Magnus videi chatting with him one evening, and promptly introduced herself. Max was everything she had imagined. He was cute, bubbly and full of life. He had an infectious laughter and she soon discovered that he absolutely adored reading comic books and manga. She promised to take him to her favorite bookstore and get him lots of comics.
It was during the final week that she was struck by inspiration as well. Loolong arounf the streets of Paris, the artist in her had been desperate to capture it all. So, she did. It was only after she was done that she called her teacher and her mother to tell them that she was ready for a exhibition all of her own.
But she knew her holiday had to end. The last night, as everybody packed her stuff, the mood in the penthouse was filled with a sense of melancholy. While Magnus, Alec, Izzy and Clary will be returning home, Jace won't be. He will be catching a direct flight to Spain to go and chase his dreams.
That night, when Jace knocked on her door, she knew it was probably the last time, she will be able to feel this boy she had come to love. This was goodbye, final and forever. Sure, Jace will visit but it will never be the same. Their relationship will never be the same again. Because both of them knew that if Jace left, then that was the end.
As they made love one last time, Clary couldn't stop her tears. Jace just held her close and kissed the top of her head.
The next morning, the four returning to New York had an early flight to catch. Jace's flight was scheduled for later so he still had some time.
It was only after they were dressed and ready to go, did Jace stumble out of his bed, wearing only a pair of old sweatpants. He looked at them for a long moment before falling into Alec's arms. As they let go, he was assaulted by a hug from Izzy. Freeing himself he reminded both his siblings to give his love toax and their parents. And if his voice cracked on the last few words, nobody noticed.
Jace also gave Magnus a hug and made him promise to take care of Alec, till he came back. Magnus just smiled and nodded but even his eyes were a little wet.
As Jace gathered Clary in her arms, she couldn't stop herself. She had to tell him the truth.
"I love you." she whispered in his ear.
He just hugged her tighter. They drew back after what felt like an eternity, and Jace kissed her forehead and told her be happy, always. Then they were gone. And Jace was standing in the doorway to the penthouse, with a hand raised in farewell.
Sitting in the airport, with a sobbing Izzy next to her, Clary realised that the jacket she was wearing was Jace's, it still smelled like him. She made a promise to herself to return the jacket whenever she next saw him
"Hey you okay? You need a coffee or something." Clary looked up to see his Alec. His hair were messy, messier than usual. And his eyes were red rimmed. Clary could understand. After all even through high school, Jace and Alec had been joined at the hip. He had just let go of his best friend.
Clary just shook her head in answer to Alec's question and went back to her musings.
After a few minutes, she felt the eldest Lightwood sit next to her. It was then that she took his hand into hers and held onto it. Whether she was offering comfort or receiving it, she didn't know and frankly she didn't care.
"Thank you." Clary said to the cashier as she took her coffee and her change.
It had been six months since the trip to Paris, and she was in a happy place. Izzy had finally graduated a few weeks prior, and the Lightwood siblings as well as Magnus were now back in New York.
Clary had been pleasantly surprised to get that phone call. She had been sure that they will lose contact once they came back. But Izzy had invited her for a night out. They told her that although, Jace hadn't had time to talk much, he was settled and happy in his new job. Clary was happy, but still a tiny part of her just wanted this opportunity to fall through, so she could have Jace back in her arms.
But today Clary didn't want to think about it. Because today was the day of her exhibition, her first solo exhibition. And she was excited. The details were ready, she had already decided what to wear (with help from both Izzy and Magnus) and she knew all her loved ones will be there.
She was the first one in the hall. She had only bought her mother with her, and even Jocelyn hadn't seen the pictures yet.
"Oh, Clare, they are beautiful." Jocelyn said as she took the images around her.
The entire exhibition had been inspired by Clary's adventure of a lifetime. She had captured the love between the pairs on the streets, the adoration in their eyes, the pure happiness they radiated just being together. She had painted the beautiful streets of Paris, the snowcapped peaks of Switzerland, the enchating Alps, and even the ever proud and tall Eiffel Tower.
Not only strangers, the show also featured her friends. Magnus and Alec laughing with their heads bent together, Izzy looking like royalty while watching opera, Alec reading a book sitting on the couch, Magnus concentrating on designing the perfect home for himself and Alec and Jace.
Jace was everywhere. Sitting on a park bench with the setting sun creating a halo over his head, spread out in bed with a blissful expression, racing Alec down the slopes, playing with Izzy's hair as they sat side by side on the sofa, taking photos of Magnus even when he was not looking, drinking coffee at a quaint little cafe on the streets of Paris.
Through the pictures, Clary had successfully documented the entire trip. From her initial hesitation, to falling in love to saying goodbye. Now she just hoped that her friends liked them.
They didn't know exactly what to expect. Sure she had told them that the exhibition will feature them but hadn't shared any particular details.
She was so lost in her thoughts, that she didn't realise that her muses themselves were standing in front of her. All except one.
"Biscuit, wow! I love them. And I look amazing in them." Magnus said with a little laugh as he gathered her in a tight hug.
"Congratulations Clary! They really are amazing." Alec told her, after Magnus had finally let go.
"I am so happy for you. They are amazing. But then you had amazing muses." Izzy said with a smirk as she too gave Clary a hug.
"Although if one more person askes me if it is me in the photos, I will run. I swear." Alec said with a grimace. Clary realised that he was blushing.
"Awww..sorry." she said but her expression told her she was not sorry at all.
"Oh Clary, Jace send something for you. And also he said that he is terribly sorry he couldn't make it." Izzy said as she handed her a small box.
Clary just nodded but none the less the box didn't leave her grip for the entire night.
Later that night, as she was going to bed, Clary remembered the box. She carefully tore the wrapping away, and opened it. All it contained was a memory card. Frowning and confused, she booted up her laptop and put the card in.
The card of filled with pictures. She might have painted the scenes, and everybody else perfectly. But Jace had captured her. It was the first time she had seen any pictures taken by him, but he really was a skilled photographer.
Most of the photos were candid. Her lying on the sofa in front of the fireplace sketching, holding a cup of cocoa while laughing at something, all cuddled up in bed with a book, they really were amazing and Clary knew by the end of it she was blushing.
As she went to sleep that night, for the first time since she coming back from Paris, she felt content again. She didn't know whether she will ever see Jace again or not, but she did know that somewhere deep in his heart, he loved her too. He may not say it, but his action had proven it.
And who knows maybe if it was fate, maybe they will meet again, maybe next time it will be forever. With that thought in mind, she fell asleep.