2008

The late summer air of New York that year burned Tessa's skin. Even her hand in Jem's was getting sweaty. That's what you got when you came there from the cool London. She was thankful when they entered the warehouse where Magnus lived in. It was the same one she had lived in decades ago, so it felt like home.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" asked Jem.

"Magnus loves surprises. Trust me, he'll be happy to see us even if we hadn't told him we were coming. Unless, of course, he was having some kind of moment with his beloved, in which case we will have to interrupt."

Jem sighed as they made their way up the stairs. He was more functional than she was, and thought that they should have called or texted. There was a time she would have thought the same, but now she liked to have more fun and unpredictability in her life.

She definitely didn't predict a teary-eyed Magnus to open the door after she knocked. When he saw them, he regained his composure and said, "Tessa! What are you doing here? Come, come in."

He hugged her, then shook hands with Jem, exchanging greetings. Before she could ask Magnus what was wrong she heard the song My Heart Will Go On from the TV and put the pieces together.

"Watching the Titanic again?" she smirked at him, remembering the first time they had watched it together in the cinema and how he had kept saying there was something in his eye.

"I wanted them to watch it," he answered, gesturing at his other guests. Five teenagers were in the living room, still awed by the movie. Clary was the first to notice her.

"Hi," she greeted with a smile. She seemed to be the least affected by the tragic love story, and came to shake hands with Tessa, then with Jem. Jace was next, but he was more awkward. She had told him about their connection months ago, but it must still be weird for him. It was weird for her, too.

To break the ice, she ruffled his golden hair and said, "How's my favorite descendant?"

Jace looked horrified at the gesture, but everyone else laughed. Then he exclaimed, "If you ever do that again I'm gonna start calling you grandma." Tessa raised her hands in fake surrender, pleased to have been able to have some kind of interaction with him.

Magnus moved forward and said, "Tessa, these are Simon, Alec, and his sister Isabelle. Everyone, this is my friend Tessa Gray, and her fiancé Jem Carstairs."

"Dammit, the hot Silent Brother is taken," the girl –Isabelle- said under her breath. Tessa and Magnus both snorted, while Jem tried to look like he didn't hear her.

"I know Simon," Tessa said, "I taught him once, and he knew Jack the Ripper from a graphic novel." She liked that kid because he was one of the few students who had actually looked interested in her history lesson.

They all sat down, and Magnus went to get coffee for the new arrivals. Tessa looked from Jace to Alec, and back again. Jace truly looked like a Herondale; all angles and pride. But Alec had inherited Cecily's black hair and dark blue eyes, making him look like Will for a moment, until one noticed all the differences. Isabelle wore the familiar red ruby that Magnus gave to Will so long ago, and that all female Lightwoods wore. Tessa decided the least awkward conversation would be with the mundane among them all.

"Did you find the Shadow World to your liking?" she asked Simon.

"My liking? Well, I mean, despite the fact that I could get killed at any given mission, I guess so. But I'm so used to all these supernatural things being woven by imagination and read in comic books and seen in movies, so it's still kind of weird being able to see them in the street and even living among them."

Tessa nodded, "You're right. I still remember when I was first introduced to it. It was very overwhelming."

"Same," added Clary.

Magnus came in with the coffee. After a few moments of silence Isabelle asked, "Would it be very rude if I asked what your warlock mark is?"

"Almost as rude as asking how old she is," answered Magnus, then he turned to Jem, "What would be more interesting is to hear how you are dealing with this modern world."

Jem smiled that smile that always made Tessa's heart flutter, "For those of you who don't know, I was born in 1861, so yes, this is all very modern to me," he turned to Tessa; she smiled at him encouragingly, "However, it's not like I was completely unaware of the development happening in the world, though it still fascinates me. And of course I have Tessa to thank for teaching me everything I know now; from using an iPhone to driving a car."

"That's all very sweet," said Magnus, "Have you planned anything for the wedding?"

"That's why we're here, actually," answered Tessa, "To invite you all, and to ask you for some help in planning. I know you love planning parties, Magnus."

"I am nothing if not a party genius," he said proudly, "I shall make your wedding at the finest hotel in NY, with lots of glitter and hot chocolate for guests."

"Uh, no. We already have the basics; the time and place," she objected, "We want it next January on Blackfriars Bridge in London."

"You want to have your wedding on a bridge?" asked Alec. Tessa noted that he wasn't talkative, which was another thing that differed him from Will.

"It's a special place to them," Magnus explained, "It shall be done, darling. Of course, I would have to put up wards to keep the mundanes out, but it's alright. Anything for you to have the perfect wedding."

"Thank you, Magnus."

"I can take care of your dress, hair, and make up," said Isabelle excitedly.

"And I can make the invitation cards," added Clary.

"And we'll take care of the groom," smirked Jace, gesturing at himself, Alec, and Simon. Tessa suspected none of them actually had any experience in the errand.

"That's very generous of you all," said Jem, "We cannot thank you enough. To me, all the people that I thought would help me plan my wedding and attend it are long gone," he swallowed, "But they are here in the spirit. I can see them in every one of you. It is like Fate has decided to give me a new family to ease the pain of their loss; through their descendants. This truly means a lot to me. Thank you."

"There is no need to thank us," said Jace, "After all, you're gonna be my- what? Great something step dad? It's weird enough that I don't want to think about it."

"What if they have children? What would they be to you?" Simon asked.

Jace scrunched his face, "That's even weirder."

Laughter filled the room, and Tessa was thankful to be among family again.

I kind of feel like my writing isn't so good anymore. Do you think so? Was this chapter too cliche? Please tell me what you think! Suggestions would be awesome :D