So, I updated twice today because I'm going away for a couple weeks, and I won't be able to update any of my stories. I wasn't going to leave you all hanging with a cliffhanger for the next couple weeks cause that would have been cruel. So, I hope that you enjoy this chapter and if you like it wonderful! If you don't well I hope that you keep that to yourself! Thank you for following this story and I hope you enjoy! :)
Chapter Twelve
Time Jump-One Week Later
Jace POV:
Clary had been in the hospital for a week now but she hasn't woken up. The doctors said it was a miracle she survived; she'd lost so much blood. They had kept her sedated so that her body could adjust to all the new blood she got. I haven't left her side. Maryse had called NYU and explained the situation and told us that as long as we were back before finals it was all right to miss. Of course we had doctors write us notes so that they had enough proof. Jonathan was acting as a bodyguard to Clary's room. Her parents tried to come the first couple days, but Jonathan made sure that they wouldn't step foot into her room until they started acting like parents. It's safe to say, they haven't been back.
Looking at Clary sleeping in that bed was driving me crazy. I couldn't help but feel if I just ran after her that night that this whole thing could have been avoided. I could have stopped her. But no, I wanted to defuse the situation and get my family out of there before anything else went wrong. I just wanted everything and everyone to calm down, and in the end my girlfriend almost died.
It was almost midnight and I had my head resting on the bed as I slipped in and out of consciousness. It had been a long week, and after fighting with the nurses they had agreed to let me stay with her around the clock. There was no way in hell that I was going to leave her, I wanted to be the first face she saw when she woke up. I was slightly asleep, but still aware of my surroundings when I heard a groan. I immediately snapped my head up and saw Clary's emerald green eyes looking at me. She looked very confused but I couldn't help but be so happy that she was awake.
"What happened?" She asked, her voice hoarse from lack of talking. I reached out and grabbed her hand and intertwined our fingers together as I sat on the edge of the bed.
"Thanksgiving. Jonathan told your parents what happened when you were little. You were incredibly strong and absolutely amazing when you told them, but Jon wasn't so happy with them. I tried to calm Jonathan down your mother kind of snapped at me. Told me that I had no right to intrude on family business. That pissed Jonathan off even more. Your mother than told him that I may have been able to manipulate the lose screw of the family but I'd never be worthy to be apart of your family and you ran." I looked back up at her and she was crying. I reached out and wiped her tears. "I'm so sorry I didn't run after you Clare. I just wanted everything to calm down and get my family out of there before Jonathan blew a gasket. I came to find you after, and when I saw you in the bathtub I almost lost it."
"I'm so sorry Jace. I didn't mean for it to get that bad. I just I needed a release. I needed al of it to go away, and I retreated back to old habits, but I promise I never meant to die. I didn't want to kill myself. I wouldn't leave you. You have to know that. I wouldn't leave you ever." She was rambling and crying and I just leaned forward and pressed my lips against hers. She immediately relaxed and when I pulled away I wiped more of her tears away.
"I know that Clare. I know you wouldn't leave me. Trust me, I know. You scared the shit out of me."
"I'm so sorry." She started to shake her head and I couldn't help but smile because she was alive and awake and that's all I've been wishing for since I found her. I had her scoot over in the bed and I joined her. I put my arm around her shoulder and she cuddled into my side. I placed a kiss on the top of her head and could faintly smell the strawberry scented shampoo.
"I love you Clary. I love you so much, and I'm just thankful that you're alive and awake. I've been sitting by this bed for a week waiting to see those pretty eyes of yours."
"I'm so sorry." She just kept repeating. After about an hour I felt her breathing even out, and when I looked down her eyes were closed. I didn't bother to wake her up because at this moment holding her in my arms knowing that she would be alright was everything I needed.
Time Jump-Christmas Break
Jace POV:
After Clary was discharged from the hospital we went back to NYU and went on with the rest of the semester. Clary was doing better every single day, and I couldn't be more proud. Christmas was coming soon and I knew exactly what was going to give her. I was going to propose. I know we're young but that doesn't change the way I feel about her. I want her for the rest of my life, and I plan on solidifying that with her as soon as I talk to Jon.
I knew that I would never get the permission I wanted from her parents, so Jon was the next best thing. I had called him last week and set up a time for us to meet for lunch. I was sitting in the restaurant and I was as hell. Five minutes later Jon walked in, we shook hands and sat down and ordered. I took a deep breath and began.
"So, I asked you here for a reason. Christmas is coming and I wanted to propose to Clary. I know I would never get your parents permission, so I came to you. I want your blessing to marry Clary."
"Wow Jace. I wow. That means a lot to me. It would be an honor to call you my brother. And I couldn't picture anyone better for my sister. You've done so much for her. I truly can't thank you enough."
"I love her, and I'd do anything for her, but I want to ask her to marry me because I want her to know that I want to spend the rest of my life with her."
"I'm happy for you guys. I really am. And I appreciate that you wanted my blessing. My parents are going to throw a fit, but who really cares about them." I laughed and so did Jon. We sat there for about an hour eating and talking. It was nice to have Jonathan on my side, and I knew that when her parents found out, it was going to be one hell of a fight.
When Christmas finally rolled around. I was nervous. I knew I loved Clary, and I knew Clary loved me. Asking was the nerve-racking part. The Lightwoods invited Clary and Jon over for Christmas dinner and I knew how excited Clary was. After the last holiday she was excited to spend Christmas normally.
When the doorbell rang I opened it to see Clary in her favorite pair of jeans and a long sleeve tee. The dress code was casual just like the whole evening would be, until I proposed. Dinner had passed and we were all sitting in the living room drinking coffee, or tea, or hot chocolate just laughing and having an amazing time. It was now or never. I cleared my throat to get everyone's attention.
"Excuse me everyone, but I have a present for Clary." I placed my cup down on the table and grabbed the small box rom under the tree. I gave it to her and nonchalantly kneeled in front of her while she opened it up. She finally opened it up and gasped. She looked between the ring and me and tears started welling up in her eyes. "I love you Clary, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Making you happy every single chance that I get. Will you marry me?" She dropped the box and threw her arms around my neck and I was thrown backwards. There were cheers from the background and when I looked into her eyes and moved the hair surrounding her face.
"Yes." She said and I couldn't help but smile and laugh. We got up and I placed the ring on her left hand. "It's so beautiful Jace."
"I can't take all the credit. I had some input from the peanut gallery." I looked back and she followed my eyes and she was met with all the smiling faces of my family.
"You all helped?" She asked and Jon was the first to speak.
"Well, after he came to ask for my blessing we started talking and getting rid of all the ideas that you wouldn't like and than I handed it over to Izzy to help Jace with the selection. It was a team effort."
"You all did absolutely amazing. It's perfect." She looked at her hand and than back up at me. "I love you so much."
"I love you too." We took our seat back on the couch but Clary never broke contact. We were touching the whole night and I couldn't wait to start our lives together in the future. After a couple more hours Jon and Clary both had to leave. I kissed her goodbye and when her and Jon pulled out of the driveway I instantly felt a piece of me missing.
Clary POV:
"I can't believe that just happened." I said as I looked back down at my ring.
"You had to know it was coming sis."
"Maybe in like a couple years, but not now." I seriously couldn't stop looking at my ring, it was just so perfect and amazing.
"Trust me, when he asked me I was shocked too, but you guys know you'll be together forever. If you can make it through all of the obstacles you've already been thrown, you guys are going to make it through anything."
"Oh god." I said, and I immediately thought about mom and dad.
"What?"
"Mom and dad are going to freak."
"They'll be fine. You're happy, don't let them ruin tonight." I smiled and nodded as we pulled into our driveway. The lights are on which meant that they were home. I took a deep breath as Jon and I entered the house. They were sitting in the living room and immediately their eyes were on me.
"How was your evening?"
"Great. We had a lot of fun." I said and I instantly started to play with my ring, and my mother noticed.
"What is that?"
"It's an engagement ring." I said and my mother's eyes narrowed.
"I know damn well what it is, why on earth are you wearing it?"
"Well you see mother." Jon stepped in. "When two people love each other, they want to get married and that all starts with a question, which Jace asked Clary tonight and she accepted. It really isn't all that complicated."
"He didn't even ask me." My father finally said.
"No, he asked me. Because he knew that you wouldn't say yes and unlike both of you I want Clary to be happy, and Jace makes her happy. So I gave him my blessing." Jon said as he puffed out his chest.
"That isn't your decision." My father nearly yelled.
"I don't care. It happened."
"I was take away your inheritance if you marry that boy." My mother said and I just laughed.
"I don't care. I don't want money, I want Jace. I would rather be poor with him, than rich without him."
"Clarissa, you are a Morgenstern and I will not allow you to marry a Lightwood."
"Herondale." I corrected
"Excuse me?" My mother said.
"His last name is Herondale. Not Lightwood."
"But how?"
"His parents were killed when he was 8, the Lightwoods adopted him. So, I will be marrying a Herondale."
"Why does that name sound so familiar?" My father asked. He spent the next 5 minutes thinking until you could literally see the light bulb go off in his head. "He must be Stephan's son. We went to school together. He was a good friend of mine back in the day. When he married Celine though we lost touch. I had no idea he was dead."
"Well, when you're so self absorbed it makes it hard to focus on others." I say, my voice filled with malice. I turned away form them and made my way upstairs into my room so that I didn't have to listen to them anymore. I sprawled out on my bed and started examining my ring. And I couldn't get the smile off my face. I was happy, and nothing my parents could say was going to change that.
