The next few days passed in a blur if booze, parties, long lost friends and general craziness. Even while in the midst of catering to the bride to be's every demand and being something of an unofficial photographer for the event, documenting every moment, Clary and Jace somehow found time for them.
Chaste kisses on their way to do their errands, quick make out sessions when they thought no one was looking, slower, more sensual make out sessions on the beach as the sun set, even a quickie in one of their rooms when they had the time. Clary loved every minute of this, however hectic, and exhausting it was. Every night she fell into bed with Jace and woke up wrapped in his arms. It was wonderful.
Finally it was the day of Sizzy's wedding. The weather was beautiful, clear skies and a beautiful bright sun. The plan was that the two would get married right as the sun set. And even though, the official photographer for the wedding was finally there, Jace had promised to take some candid shots with his very special touch.
Clary was in Izzy's room at the moment, with Elaine, Jocelyn, Maryse and Maia. Dressed in an off shoulder,sleevelss, ivory gown. Her hair was piled up on her head with a few strands artfully flowing down, completing her look. As the wedding would be taking place at the beach, they had all decided to go barefoot. There was no need to wear heels at the beach.
Clary and Maia were dressed in lilac, knee length dresses. They, along with Lydia, who was another friend of the Lightwoods' from college, were the bridesmaids. Jace, Alec and Jordan, being the groomsmen had coordinated their ties with the girls.
Originally, it was Magnus was supposed to be a groomsman too. But Magnus being Magnus had decided that he would rather officiate the ceremony. So, he would be standing in for the minister. Clary never thought she had see a day with such a flamboyant, over the top minister officiating a wedding, but yet here she was.
She was excited. Not only for the wedding. But also for the future. Ever since their date in Rio, she had learned to trust and love Jace again. Maybe again was a relative term. She didn't think she ever actually stopped loving him. Sure, maybe she had buried those feelings so deep under the feelings of betrayal and anger, but it was still there. And once she had let go of her anger, the love had come back full force, almost immediately.
The fact that Jace hadn't gotten any less attractive was just an added bonus. Seeing Jace with his family once again, warmed her heart.
For the past few years, she had seen all her friends laugh but their was always a sense of something missing. She realised now that the Simon she had seen in the past few days, with Jace was different from the Simon she knew. He was freer, more himself, fun and relaxed with Jace.
With Jace there, Alec laughed a little louder, Izzy was just a little more charming, Max acted more like the teenager he was and Maryse wasn't that hard on her kids. Even Magnus was more cheerful than usual.
Clary knew she was different too. She was freer, flirtier. Even her mom had told her she looked more beautiful than ever.
"Clary?" She was jerked out of her thoughts by Izzy's voice.
"Its time." Izzy continued and it was then Clary realised they were the only two left in the room.
She smiled at her friend. "Its time."
And with that she escorted the bride to be out of the door. They were joined by Lydia and Maia. As Izzy wanted a more casual wedding, it was decided that her friends would walk her down the makeshift aisle instead of Robert.
They walked down the aisle together, Izzy inbetween Maia and Clary, and Lydia holding on to her gown.
While every eye was on the radiant bride, Clary was unable to tear hers away from Jace. The sun had created a halo around him and he looked like a blonde angel. As they reached the end of the wall, and Simon gently took Izzy from them, with an awestruck look on his face, Clary finally met her love's eyes.
He just winked at her.
The wedding was beautiful. Both Simon and Izzy had decided to go for self composed vows instead of the traditional ones. As they kissed, nearly everyone, she herself included had tears in their eyes.
After the wedding, the happy couple had their first dance. An piano had specially been bought in as Simon wanted them to dance to the Star Wars theme, and Izzy ever the sophisticated bride wanted it to atleast be the acoustic version. The dance was perfectly them.
They were soon joined by Maia and Jordan and Magnus and Alec. Although, it did look as if Magnus was rather dragging his boyfriend around a lot.
"Wanna dance?" Clary was snapped out of her musings by Jace's voice.
"Yes. But know I don't know how to dance at all." She breathed.
"Don't worry. Its all in the leading." Jace smirked, ever the cocky, confident devil.
Although, she would have to admit, he was right. He manipulated, and twirled her so flawlessly that anyone watching would never have guessed just how dire she really was.
But once they came on the floor, the serious dancing lasted only for a while. Soon enough she herself dancing with Magnus who had apparently decided that he was the hero of Dirty Dancing. Obly the lift was missing. Next to her, Alec was dancing with Lydia, like normal people. While Izzy and Jace were dancing on the floor like two people possessed, bringing out some of their best moves. Simon, Maia, Jordan and Raphael were apparently having some kind of a moonwalking competition on the side. Clary burst out laughing as Simon was completely incapable of doing one properly. Her laughter only intensified as somehow Alec was roped into doing this too. But he wasn't bad at all. He was actually quite good.
"Alexander, I never knew you could do that!" Magnus exclaimed "Do it again."
Alec just shook his head, but did it none the less as Magnus gave him a look.
This time, all the guests were with them as they shouted Whipped! at Alec. All in all Clary had a shit ton of fun that day.
As the guests started leaving, she found herself sitting at a table with her mom. Luke was off doing something or the other, and Jace had taken over the piano. He was playing it beautifully. Just one more talent.
"You really like him. Don't you?" Jocelyn said following her line of sight.
"No. I don't just like him. I love him." Clary said, softly, finally tearing her eyes away from her golden boy.
Jocelyn just gave her a knowing smile. "Anyone with eyes can see you love him, sweetheart. Just be careful."
And there it was, just beneath the surface. The worry that she might be hurt again.
"Mom. Everybody deserves a second chance. Him too. And I have made it quite clear, if he leaves again, I wouldn't wait." Clary said, placing her hand on her mothers.
"Just be careful, love." Jocelyn said, kissing as temple, as she got up and went away, most likely in search of Luke.
But Clary wasn't alone for long as Magnus joined her. They chit chatted about everything and nothing. Soon enough the venue was empty except for the six of them. Izzy ever the gracious host had been all cheerful smiles and laughs till the last guest left. But now she flopped down in the chair next to Clary.
"My feet are killing me." She moaned, taking off her feet and thrusting them into her new husband's lap, who himself had just taken a seat. Simon, who apparently learned quickly dutifully started kneading them.
"Everybody is whipped." Jace laughed, coming around with Alec to take a seat.
"Jace?" Clary asked, as he sat down "can I have a glass of water, babe?"
Jace just nodded and got up to do that, without protest.
"Blondie?" Magnus began conversationally, as Jace came back "something about others being whipped?"
But Jace was undeterred.
"I have a lot to make up for." Jace said sat down and put his feet up on the table.
Alec sniggered under his breath.
Sitting there, listening to the waves in the distance, with her hand in Jace's, surronded by her friends, Clary was Home.
Tomorrow evening Simon and Izzy would leave for their honeymoon, which was a surprise which Jace and Magnus had planned together. Even they would leave by then.
But this time, Clary was glad to note, she did not feel even an ounce of fear that Jace might leave. Sure, she was hesitant, she wouldn't be proclaiming her undying love to him anytime soon, no matter how true. But she knew this time he was in it. And, afterall, his rightful place had always been there, right next to her.