Ugh, another late one, I know.

I'm so close to updating more, or at least I think I am. I really hope you guys understand, because writing is so important to me, but still.

And for those of you who read Look Better in Black...

I don't know what to do.

Every time I try and update I just feel like it's way too similar to this one, and there are only so many ways to change it. I am not giving up on it, if any of you were wondering, because I don't roll that way, but I will just need time to really sit down and try and fix it up.

Back on track, enjoy this chapter!

Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Mortal Instruments, except for one brand-stinking-new copy of CoHF! Yay!

"If that kid pulls on my ponytail one more time, I swear by the Angel…" I growled.

Ethan, Aline, a couple other teenagers, and I were playing babysitter while the big boys and girls were off fighting.

So not only could I have a panic attack, but I could be bullied by a five year old while doing it.

A group of younger kids were sitting on the floor, playing a game, while the younger toddlers and babies were being held by us.

So Shadowhunter brat behind me was open to yank out my hair.

"Aww, remember when I used to do that?" Ethan asked, and I smiled sweetly.

"Remember when I was a kid and hung you on the kitchen wall by putting my dagger through the fabric of your shirt like a push pin?"

His smile fell. "You were in a lot of trouble for that."

"But it was so worth it, you have no idea."

Ethan was tossing a baseball back and forth with some of the older kids, and I was bouncing Lacey up and down on my lap.

We were in the Penhallow's house, which brought some memories I chose to avoid, and I was still freaking out.

Clary had refused Aline's offer to join us here, and Isabelle was nowhere to be found. I could only pray that they were alright.

"You're good with her, you know." Ethan commented, and I looked down at Lacey. She was smiling a toothless smile at me, and I made a goofy face, causing her to giggle in delight.

"Well a niece of Liam's is a niece of mine," I cooed, and Ethan raised an eyebrow.

"Plan to marry him soon?"

My eyes widened, and I shook my head quickly. "That's not what I meant, I just mean-"

"Hey, I wouldn't mind. I like Liam."

I rolled my eyes. "I do too."

"I figured as much."

"So, little brother," I asked, "What's this I hear about me being the person you love most in the world?"

Ethan gave me a disgusted look. "What?"

I grinned at him. "I love you most too, you know. Just as much as I love Liam, I'm sure of it."

He rolled his eyes. "But you only saw Liam."

I shifted Lacey over to my right arm, wrapping my left around him. "You were the person I loved most all of my life, little brother. That's not changing now."

He leaned his head against my shoulder. "No matter what, we've always been family."

"And we always will."

We grinned at each other for a second, before there was a hurried knock on the door, and I set Lacey down, following Ethan to the door.

The second I opened the door, Isabelle fell to the ground, Ethan catching her just before she hit the floor.

"Isabelle!" He said, alarmed. I slammed the door shut, and he shifted her over into my arms, the weight of a grown teenager too much for him.

It was easy for me. I carried her to the sofa, and the other kids looked up in surprise, Aline hurrying to our side.

I stood in front of her, not letting her near my sister as I drew an iratze on her arm.

"Rose… Sebastian… Jace killed him…" Isabelle murmured, and I met her eyes.

"Iz, where's Jace?"

"He went to find Valentine," She explained, the rune going into effect. "But the battle on Brocelind Plain ended, so he must be coming back. We did it Rose. The war is over. They're coming home."

"Isabelle, I know how to get dressed, thank you."

"Are you sure?"

"Have been for a long time."

"Well then I'm going to pick a dress."

"You do that."

I was standing in Isabelle's room, and we were trying to find what we were going to wear for the celebration that was tonight. Clary and Aline were here too, though they were far less enthused by the fashion incidents at hand.

"Hey Rose, blue or gray?" Iz called, and I leaned my head out the door. I glanced at Clary, who mouthed an answer.

"Blue." I replied, winking at Clary.

"Majority rules," Isabelle beamed, tossing the gray one back on the bed.

I closed the bathroom door, and I looked at the dress in front of me. It was a pretty dress, made of black lace. It was meant for nice weather like this, with tank top sleeves and the end reaching mid-thigh.

I pulled it on quickly, and I moved on to putting on my makeup and straightening my hair, which I had realized this morning was fading its purple color. I heard the door shut, and I peeked my head out of the bathroom, hoping it was Aline who had left.

Good intuition, Nightlock.

Isabelle whistled. "Someone looks sexy," She commented, and I winked, twirling around mockingly.

"So what is this going to be like, anyways?" Clary asked, and I shrugged.

"It's going to be like a parade. Music, dancing, games, fireworks, the whole shebang."

"Max is going to love it," Isabelle grinned, and I nodded.

"Ethan will too. Though I'm going to be having a panic attack, following him around, confiscating alcohol from him, stuff like that."

Isabelle rolled her eyes. "My brother is not that stupid."

"Possibly," I replied, "But my brother is."

When the celebration was about to start, Liam, Ethan, the Lightwoods, the Penhallows, and I stood outside of the Lightwoods' house, Ethan and Max pointing out different people and decorations excitedly.

Maryse was chatting with Jia Penhallow, which was nice, considering from what Alec had told me, she had been yelling at her like nobody's business about Sebastian when they were afraid I had died.

I feared for Jia, and yet at the same time, the action was touching. Maryse had felt like she had lost her child.

"I like the dress," Liam commented, and Isabelle glanced over at us.

"So boring though. Always wearing black," She grimaced, and I stuck my tongue out at her.

"It's a flattering color."

"You don't need it."

"It's the color of my people. Show some respect for the Nephilim."

She snorted, but didn't respond.

"I like black," Alec muttered, and I rolled my eyes, nudging his arm playfully, and he grinned, nudging back.

I spotted someone hurrying down the street, with a silver dress and curly red hair. "Hey Clary!"

I waved enthusiastically, and she grinned, waving back. She moved to stand next to me, Liam shifting over to make room for her. She smiled at him shyly. The two barely knew each other, but I think they had a mutual respect, anyways.

"You look beautiful, Clary." I approved, and she blushed as I pulled her into a hug. "Jace isn't here," I whispered in her ear, "Alec thinks he's at the square, I don't know why."

"It's okay." She shrugged nonchalantly, but I could see she was disappointed by Jace's absence.

"I've never been to a celebration that had Downworlders at it before," Aline mentioned, and I glanced over at her. She was studying a faerie who was currently munching on flowers with a nervous gaze.

"You're missing out, sweetheart," I winked, "They sure know how to party."

"I don't think I like that concept."

"I was thinking about Magnus, you goofy overprotective boyfriend."

"Whatever."

I turned to grin at Liam, and he just rolled his eyes, kissing me lightly.

"Get a room," Iz commented, and this caught Robert's attention quite quickly. He glared at Liam, and Alec snorted.

We started walking towards the plaza, and we caught up with Simon and Maia. Maia was dressed in her usual attire, including a t-shirt that made me feel overly formal.

"Hey, Maia," I caught her attention, "Thank you for partnering with Chris. Tell Pete and David I said thanks as well."

David. That was his name, right? I'm pretty sure that's what Evelyn had said…

"I'll do that."

Yes, that must be his name.

Simon and Clary started talking quietly, and Ethan and Max were ahead of us, Ethan running to catch up with Max. Liam entwined his hand with mine, and I swung our hands back and forth absentmindedly.

"I still can't believe it's over," Liam whispered, and I shook my head in agreement.

"Neither can I. I'm not complaining, though."

"Agreed."

"So, Mr. Darkstrider," I pursed my lips, "What do you say about having a night out on the town whenever we get back to our lovely city?"

He smirked slightly. "Ms. Nightlock, are you asking me out on a date?"

"Only if you say yes."

He grinned. "Well I say yes then."

"Nauseating," Alec coughed, and I linked my arm in his.

"Oh, don't worry big brother, you two will always be my dates."

He rolled his eyes. "Well what if I found myself a date? What would you do then?"

"I would annoy you about it like nobody's business."

"That reminds me, are you still upset with Magnus, or are you on good terms now?"

I bit my lip. "I think we are. I mean he saved you on Valentine's ship, he healed me when I was stabbed… and he had genuinely seemed to be upset that I had almost died."

Alec rolled his eyes. "You make it sound like a tranquil event. Everyone in that room had been grieving for that small amount of time, Rose. Especially Magnus."

I noticed Liam's grip on my hand had tightened at the topic.

"Yeah well, absence makes the heart grow fond."

When we got to Angel Square, it looked absolutely breathtaking. I had always missed Idris before, and though recently I had been thinking I couldn't get back to New York fast enough, now I wasn't so sure. There were lights and people everywhere, and for once there were no Shadowhunters with weapons out or gear on.

"This is awesome," Ethan breathed, wide-eyed.

"Okay, you can go, but watch Max, alright?" I asked, and he nodded.

"Yes, mother dearest."

"I do my best." I said sincerely, and he smiled, before him and Max disappeared into the crowd.

Clary was motioned by Magnus to go somewhere, and she disappeared, hopefully to find Jace. Simon, Isabelle, and Maia were talking to each other, and Alec was talking to Magnus, leaving me and Liam alone, as Aline had disappeared into the crowd of people as well.

"Care to dance?" Liam asked, holding out a hand. I grinned, and he took my hand in his, pulling me towards the large group of dancing couples.

"Well this brings back memories," I commented as he twirled me around.

"Of the day we first met?"

"Yeah. I can't believe how recent it was. It feels like forever."

"I guess," Liam replied, his hands in mine as we spun in a circle, "But I have loved every minute of it."

"Just because you spent it with me?"

"You bet."

I rolled my eyes. "You know something, Liam Darkstrider?"

He shook his head, grinning. "I don't believe so."

"I love you."

We stopped dancing, and he kissed me, sparking an electricity just like the first time we had kissed. "And do you know something, Rose Nightlock?"

"I don't believe so."

"I love you too."

I grinned, and I took his hand, pulling him towards the others. Jace and Clary had appeared, and my heart warmed at the fact that their hands were entwined. Jace could finally be happy.

Isabelle made her way to Clary and Jace. "You're here! Have some of this!" She tried to force a glass of fuchsia-colored liquid into Clary's hand, who glanced down at it cautiously.

"Is it going to turn me into a rodent?"

I laughed. "Where is the trust? I think it's strawberry juice," Isabelle said. "Anyway, it's yummy. Jace?" She turned to him, holding out the glass in offering.

He wrinkled his nose in distaste. "I am a man," he told her, "and men do not consume pink beverages. Get thee gone, woman, and bring me something brown."

I rolled my eyes. "You're such an overdramatic, Jace."

"I take great pride in it, if you must know."

"Well I don't care," I announced, "Because I have a drink in my hand, my friends by my side, and this moment is beautiful enough for me, dramatic tendencies or not."

Jace grinned, and a minute later Clary mumbled something, before disappearing into the crowd. I meant to follow her, but I decided against it. Clary was fine.

"So, darling Rose," Magnus grinned, "Would you be against adding a pop of color to your black ensemble? Like a sparkly headband, perhaps?"

I shook my head hurriedly. "No, I'm quite alright, thank you. Now Alec, on the other hand," I glanced at my ill-fated brother, "I believe that faded old sweater could use some jazzing up."

Alec gave me a look of horror. "W-w-why?"

"Do you remember when I saved you from Isabelle's cooking, and you left me to be dressed up by her in return? This is my revenge."

Liam laughed, while Isabelle glared at me.

We moved to sit along the wall, and Ethan and Max joined us, anticipating the fireworks. Clary joined us a minute later, Isabelle calling her over with the promise of the fireworks. Jace sat at the end, Clary joining him, followed by me, Liam, Ethan, Max, Isabelle, Alec, Magnus, Simon, Maia, and Aline.

My friends and family. All of us together.

I leaned my head against Liam's shoulder, and we watched the fireworks quietly.

"Beautiful," I whispered as the colors lit up the sky.

"Yes it is," Liam agreed, but he wasn't watching the fireworks.

And for once, things could be complete.

So it's pretty short, but it was the end of CoG, so we have CoFA next.

Again, I am so sorry about the wait, because you guys deserve updates like every day, but I promise the second I get some free time I will be typing away like nobody's business and I will make it up to you!

I will also be reading CoHF...

Which I am afraid to read.

Love you guys!

- EasyIsTheDescent