A/N: Hey guys! This is a fluff chapter and I am in love with it. It is so cute. I hope you guys like it!
Clary chewed on her lip as she tried to get her hair just right. This wasn't drinks. This wasn't lunch. It was an actual date. She grabbed one of her new wrap dress, the easiest thing to wear while pregnant she determined. She was a little scared since she wasn't the one making the plans. She didn't know where they were going, but Jace had promised they would be doing something fun. She took a deep breath, tying the dress around her. Everything's going to be fine, she told herself.
"How do I look?" Clary asked as she walked out of the bathroom, so she could show Alec.
"You look very nice," he assured her, as she inhaled a deep breath.
"Okay, good." She nodded, playing with the fabric.
"When is Jace supposed to get here?" he asked.
"A few minutes." She sat next to him, her stomach fluttering.
"Are you excited?" He grinned at her, knowing she was nervous.
"I don't know." She shook her head slightly. She honestly didn't know if she was excited of not, because she didn't know what tonight would bring. Jace was a pretty decent guy so far, and he made her smile. Right now that was enough for her. There was a knock on the door, alerting her to Jace's presence. She got to her feet, looking down at the green dress she was wearing once more before opening the door.
"Hey." He smiled and held out a single rose.
"Hi." She took it with a smile, biting her lip. For once, Jace wasn't in his typical slacks and button up. He was in jeans, which hugged his hips in just the right way.
"I didn't think you would be wearing a dress. Oh, man..." He chuckled sarcastically, holding his arm out for her. "Looks like I'm going to have to change our plans to fit the gorgeous dress," he teased, leading her out of the building.
"Shut up." She snickered, dumping his arm slightly.
"Well, I actually just decided to change my original plans, so you'll have to bear with me." He opened the passenger door for her.
"You're seriously making up plans as we go right now." She snickered, as he climbed into the seat next to her.
"Yeah, it makes things interesting," he smirked, starting the car.
"So where are we going?" She grinned.
"It's about thirty minutes away, but the drive will be worth it." His smile was genuine, making her heart beat a little faster.
"So you're not going to tell me?" She scanned his face, wondering where they were going.
"Now, where's the fun in that?" he mocked, glancing over at her.
"Okay, fine." She smiled. "Why did you become a politician?" She asked after several minutes of comfortable silence.
"Because most politicians are corrupt, and I thought we needed to change that. I ran a clean race in New York City, and I won," he explained, glancing over at her. "I know every politician claims to want to enact change, but I already have been working on fixing the house. For my party, at least. I've whipped some people into shape, which is the definition of my job." He shrugged with a smile. She nodded in understanding, leaning against the center section. "If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?" he questioned, sliding a hand over hers.
"I would be a painter," she hummed almost immediately. She was surprised at her response. She hasn't painted in years, but she realized that she really wanted to paint again.
"Like houses?" he teased, mingling his fingers with her. She felt her stomach churn with nerves. Good nerves.
"No, like paintings or murals or something." She gathered his fingers in her hand, playing with them faintly. His eyes flicked down to their joined hands, then back to the road. "I haven't painted since college." She shook her head, wishing that she'd never given it up.
"What would you paint?" he murmured.
"Light," she breathed, turning her eyes out the window to look at the sun.
He didn't respond, but she was okay with that. The way he used silence was something she was beginning to respect. He didn't feel the need to fill up every moment with a conversation, which was nice. It gave her time to process and breath. Sebastian never let her breath. He was always talking. He was always moving. Jace sat in the silence, letting the moment soak into his mind. She slid her index finger around his palm, moving into a slightly more comfortable position in her seat. He turned her hand over, weaving their fingers together. She looked out the window, seeing the ocean outside her window. She really wanted to know where they were going, but she didn't ask. She just looked out across the ocean, watching the sun reflect across the water.
The bridge ended, and she looked over at Jace, who was looking towards the road. She used this time to study him. She never really got a chance to look at him. He reminded her of a golden angel. Everything about him seemed bright and light, which somehow comforted her.
"How much further?" she whispered, feeling like she needed to keep the quiet.
"Five minutes," he breathed, playing with her fingers.
"Okay," she murmured.
He pulled into a parking lot, and the building by it looked really run down. Clary was skeptical as she stepped out of the car. Jace took her hand once again, leading her down around a corner, and into a pathway surrounded by vines and twinkly lights.
"Where are we?" she questioned in awe, as she looked around the hall they were in. They arrived at a podium, where a woman was standing.
"Table for two. Something on the outskirts." Jace smiled kindly, following the hostess into an area that opened up into a restaurant. Clary was shocked, seeing candles on the table, lights floating above them, and soft white table cloths. It was so beautiful.
"Where are we?" she repeated, holding onto Jace's arm. There was soft music playing, and she noticed the dance floor in front of the band.
"I found this place a couple years ago when I'd wanted to escape. It's a little shack during the day, but at night they clean it up and make it really nice. Do you hear that?" he asked, trying to get her to tune in her hearing more.
"Is that the ocean?" She looked around, trying to find the ocean. She turned around to see the sand and the ocean right behind her.
"Here is your table." The hostess set their menus on the table and walked away from them. Jace pulled her chair out for her, and she sat in it.
"This was a whim plan? I find that really hard to believe." She snickered, setting her napkin in her lap.
"Well, originally, I was going to take you to a movie or something, but when I saw you, I knew we needed to come here. I'd been trying to think of something fun to do, because you'd asked for fun, and I couldn't think of anything." He shook his head with a faint grin.
"So you didn't know what we were doing tonight?" She snickered.
"No, is that a bad thing? I feel like that should be a bad thing." He chuckled, playing with his glass.
"It would be a bad thing if you didn't come up with a good idea." She smirked.
"I guess that's true." He grinned slightly. She smiled lightly, as they ordered food.
"I'm going to ask you this, but please don't get worked up." She murmured, playing with her cup. "I understand that you think I'm brave, nice, and whatever, but you're actually willing to help me raise my baby. In 5 months there is going to be baby coming out of me. I am going to get fat and even crankier. I just feel like you don't realize what's coming."
He leaned forward in her seat, making her face heat up. "Yes, I'm okay with helping you with your baby." He grinned faintly, placing his hand over hers.
"Really?" She furrowed her brow at him, feeling like he was crazy.
"I know you don't believe me, but I am in this for the long haul." He gazed across the table at her. "Dance with me." Jace got to his feet and held his hand out to her.
"Really?" She snickered, placing her hand in his.
"Yes." He smiled, as he helped her to her feet. He brought her to the little dance floor, pulling her close to him. She bit her lip, looking up at him. This was the closest she'd been to him, and it made her heart pound in her chest. He held her gently against him, placing his hand on her waist. They swayed slowly in circles, and she realized what this probably looked like from the outside. A loving husband and wife who were expecting. She gulped heavily, glancing around the room. "Relax," he breathed into her ear. "None of these people matter. Close your eyes. They aren't here," he whispered, rubbing her back lightly.
Jace continued to confuse her, but she closed her eyes anyways. She let her mind get lost in the music and the movements, and she let her cheek fall onto his chest. He cradled her neck lightly, as she listened to his heart beat. She hummed quietly to the iconic Elvis song. It'd been so long since she'd heard it, but she was lost in the words. "Like a river flows," she sang softly, "surely to the sea..." She held onto his shirt lightly, burrowing against him. "Darling so it goes. Some things are meant to be..." She smiled faintly. "Take my hand, take my whole life, too... For I can't help falling in love with you." The words filled her chest, giving her hope that maybe she would find happiness again.
Clary froze when Jace lips pressed against hers. She flinched away from him less than a heartbeat later. She wasn't prepared for a kiss. She didn't expect a kiss, which name made her feel silly. Why wouldn't he want to kiss her? He had been actively pursuing her for three weeks, and now they were on a real date, dancing. Why not? It was a perfectly opportunity, but she'd flinched away like he had the plague.
"That was stupid. I shouldn't have done that," he muttered seconds later.
"No, I just- I wasn't ready for that," she stammered, looking up at him.
"I shouldn't have done it." He shook his head, seeming embarrassed.
"No, no, really it's okay." She gripped his shirt, inhaling a deep breath. "I haven't been kissed by another man in over a decade. I just wasn't prepared." She bit her lip, glancing down at his. "I'd be willing to try again..." She trailed off, feeling her pulse quicken.
"You're sure?" He tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, and she nodded in response. He didn't waste any time. He gently slanted his mouth against hers. It was softer than she'd expected, but she really liked it. He cradled her neck, deepening the kiss ever so slightly. She whimpered quietly, her body melting against his. She drew away, placing her head back on his chest. She felt his cheek rest against her head, and she forced back a big smile.
OoOoO
Clary flinched awake, and couldn't recall where she was. She shifted uncomfortably, peeking an eye open. She realized she was in a car with Jace. She rubbed her eyes, stretching her arms out.
"You're awake!" he teased quietly, resting his hand over hers.
"How long have I been asleep?" she yawned.
"Fifteen minutes." He shrugged, pulling off an exit.
"I didn't mean to fall asleep. This is really embarrassing." She blushed, forcing back a small snicker.
"It's fine. If you didn't fall asleep, I never would have known you snore." he mocked.
"I do not!" she exclaimed with wide eyes.
"You do," he snorted, smirking ever so slightly.
"Well, it's because this seat is uncomfortable." She crossed her arms, trying to find a comfortable position.
"Whatever." He chuckled, pulling into her lot. He put the car into park, and she starting shuffling to gather her purse. She inhaled a deep breath, gathering the courage to kiss him again. She wanted to so badly. She awkwardly leaned over the center section, placing her lips against his. He smiled against her mouth, weaving his fingers into her hair. Her stomach rested awkwardly against the center section, but she couldn't bring herself to care. She sat back down in the seat, grinning widely. "Um-" Jace cleared his throat, as he gripped the back of his neck. "I was wondering if I could go in with you," he murmured.
"Oh." She bit her lip, feeling a pool of heat form in her lower abdomen. She wanted to bring him in with her. This evening had been so amazing, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. Izzy had told her to get under a man to feel better. But that's not the kind of person she was. She wanted to be with a man she loved deeply, and she couldn't be like that. She would be giving up her own morals that she'd held for so long, which with everything happening, she couldn't do.
"Um… I don't have to. Nevermind. Forget I asked." He shook his head, as his cheeks turned pink.
"I- just- I would, but I don't believe in sex before marriage. I'm assuming that's what you meant by come inside." She tucked some hair behind her ear, as she gathered he hands in her lap. "It is honestly nothing against you. I need the commitment. I mean Seb broke the commitment, but I would rather have the commitment and be with a man I love then to have a fling and things not work out. I know I have obviously already had sex, and I would love to have sex. My pregnancy hormones make me super hor-" She paused, feeling her cheeks set on fire. She almost said that her pregnancy makes her horny. What was she thinking? "Anyways, I'm the kind of person who waits," She stated quietly.
"I get that." He looked over at her. "Sorry for making the end of our date super awkward." He put his hand in his hair, shaking his head.
"It's fine. Really. I had a great time tonight." She put her hand on his elbow, smiling softly at him.
"Yeah." He heaved a sigh. "I'm sorry." He murmured, looking straight ahead.
"Walk me to my door. Don't let the night end like this," she suggested, climbing out of the car.
"Wait!" Jace scampered out of the car to walk next to her. He rested his hand on her lower back, as they climbed up the steps to the apartment door. She stopped in front of her door, pulling her keys out.
"So are you going to kiss me before I go in, or stand there awkwardly?" she teased, smirking heavily.
"Yes, I'm going to kiss you." He laughed, leaning down to brush their lips together once again. This kiss was much different from the other two. It was more desperate and heated. He pulled her hips against his, making her gasp. He curled his head slightly, deepening the kiss in the most delicious way possible. She wrapped her arms around his neck, arching her back slightly. His teeth bit down on her lip every so lightly, making her moan and her toes curl. He released her lip, pecking her mouth lightly a few more times before releasing her. "Good night." His warm breath washed over her neck, sending shivers down her spine.
"Night." She smiled, holding onto his belt loops. "I'm really having second thoughts about bringing you inside." She giggled, really liking how those jeans fit him.
"Then I better go before you attack me with your pregnancy hormones." He chuckled, backing away from her.
"That was a low bow!" She snickered, as she unlocked the door.
"I'll call you tomorrow." He grinned, stepping into the stairwell.
A/N: I hoped you guys liked it. They are so cute. I don't know if I said this in the last chapter or not, but Jace is in his early 30's and Clary is 30. I would have had them be younger, but you have to be 25 to be in the house of representatives and you need to be there a while to be elected into a leader status, which Jace is in.
What did you think of their date?
Was the awkwardness ok? I felt like their first dated needed a level of awkwardness in the physical aspect because they don't really know each other boundaries yet.
Please review! I love hearing your thoughts!