Author's Note:
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Disclaimer: I do not own the Infernal Devices, they belong to Miss Cassandra Clare.
Tessa awoke wrapped in a warm quilt on the cushiony surface of the large bed. She didn't remember falling asleep, much less wrapping herself up in a blanket. Jem must've put me here, she pondered to herself. Yawning, she stretched her legs out across the bed, wiggling her toes and raising her arms over her head; as she fell back from the unnatural pose, her eyes fell on the large fabricated book on the bed-table beside her. Had Jem seen it? She hoped he hadn't; a hollow part of her heart and soul knew that Will's greatest wish would be for her to be a faithful lover for Jem. Tessa opened her mouth to sigh, but was swiftly cut off by the sound of the door creaking open.
"Ah," Jem said, waltzing into the room with a tray of tea in his hands, "You're finally awake." He smiled at her; an awkward and toothy grin that anyone would have to admit was on the adorable side of the world. She grinned back as he made his way over to her and settled down on the bed beside her, balancing the tray between them.
"Good morning," Tessa whispered tiredly when Jem leaned in to kiss her lightly on the cheek, the impact reminding her distantly of a cool October breeze. Will's kisses had never been so simple. No. Will was not here; Jem was. She had to stop dwelling on his memory; he wouldn't have wanted her to. He had told her as much.
1936
Tessa could feel it coming closer; a haunting feeling that was constantly with her. Her Will was dying.
He had lived a long life, long even for mundane standards; she knew his time was nearing, she knew that as a loving wife she should be supportive and help him prepare to leave this world. However, the selfish part of her wasn't ready to let go. As hard as she tried, she couldn't face the fact that one day she would be forced to wake up with Will not lying beside her.
Their children had picked up on the fact that their father was dying as well; in fact, James and his wife Cordelia had moved themselves and their family into the Institute so that he could be with his mother when his father passed. She had known this day was coming; from the day she had learnt she was a warlock, from the day Will and her had said their vows, she had known this day would come. Immortality was both a gift and a curse.
She lay in bed, Will breathing harshly beside her, one of his arms wrapped around her protectively just as it always was. Tears were racing down her red cheeks; she held her breath, she didn't want to wake Will. She didn't want him to have to see her cry over him; to make him feel guilty for growing old and having to leave her when he had no other choice. Tessa snuggled up against his arm, feeling the warmth of his pulse, cherishing the moment. Could she really face the rest of eternity without him? They had grown so close to one another over the years, the presence of each other as constant as breathing.
"Tess," Will coughed; she quickly blinked the tears out of her eyes, and rubbed the excess water on the coverlet, "Tess," he repeated.
"I'm here," she said, love echoing off of her voice, "I am always here." He let out an affectionate breath.
"Tess, can you make me a promise," he whispered.
"Of course," she replied, "I will do anything for you." She felt him nod behind her.
"Then, my beautiful Tess," he let his hand find hers, "promise me that you will love someone else. Love them with all your heart. Please don't dwell on me forever when I die; Tess, I don't want you to be alone. That is my biggest regret." Tessa felt the tears begin to trickle again, she sniffled.
"Don't say that Will, please don't say that my love," she cried, "Please." They were silent for a moment, the only sound in the room being the rasp of Will's breath and the faint sobs that protruded from Tessa's lips at minute intervals.
"Tess," he said after a moment, "I love you, always."
"I love you too," she said, curling into the crook of her husband's neck.
"I made you some tea," Jem noted, pointing his chin towards the steaming platter.
"Yes, it is right next to me," Tessa observed, attempting to be playful. Jem seemed to sense Tessa's intentions, and laughed good-heartedly.
"Well then," he chuckled, "you had best drink up! Magnus wishes to see us in a few hours. He rang last night on that 'phone' of yours and said he had important news for us both!" Tessa nodded her understanding, and carefully lifted one of the teacups up by the tiny handle, her lips hovering over the drink for a few moments before she began to pour the hot liquid into her mouth.
After she had finished her tea, Tessa set out to take a quick shower and throw on something slightly decent; it was Magnus they were going to see, and she knew better than anyone, that if she showed up in anything less she would not hear the end of it for the next fifty years. As she walked out of the bathroom, dressed respectably in a black pencil skirt, and silky gray blouse, her eyes once again found their way to the photo album; she had the urge to pick it up and hide it away under the bed again. However, at the same time, a tragic part of her wanted nothing more than to leave it there for everyone to see; everyone to see how happy she had once been.
"You look fantastic," Jem notified her from behind, pushing one rebellious strand of her curly brown hair away from her neck. She could feel his warm breath dancing its way down her back. She turned away from him suddenly, twisting her head so that he wasn't so agonizingly close to her.
"Thank you," she replied, not looking at him, "We had best be going now, haven't we?" she laughed nervously, rushing out of the room before he could say another word. Jem stared after her sadly, before turning to the album on the table.
"I miss him too Tessa," he uttered mutely.
Magnus Bane's Brooklyn apartment was full of life; though no one was there except for himself and his rather odd feline companion, Chairman Meow, the living area gave the illusion of a million people being there all at once. Tessa was never sure if this was the because of the warlock's magic, or just the general presence of the glittery man in general. The warlock sat with his legs outstretched in a circular, neon green, dome chair, three of his long boney fingers balanced on his makeup drenched face. Were it not for his sparkly and youthful apparel choices, Magnus Bane would've much resembled the wise, elderly wizard in storybooks Tessa had read to James and Lucie when they were still small and intrigued by such things.
"Well, you have finally arrived," Magnus stated, monotone, as Tessa and Jem walked into the room, their fingers laced together. Tessa couldn't help but feel a certain amount of fear well up inside her stomach at the sight of Magnus so serious; Magnus was not generally a serious person, as anyone who spent ten minutes could come to understand, though, on rare occasions, rare and very important and very dark occasions, Magnus was known for throwing away all of his flamboyance and transforming completely into that wise, old wizard.
Tessa was the first to speak, "What has happened?" she asked, causing the man to look up woefully.
"Magnus?" Jem emphasized, squeezing Tessa's hand mildly. Magnus let out a seeming endless sigh.
"I am so, so very sorry Tessa," Magnus moaned under his breath.
"Sorry for what?" Tessa pushed, her anxiety rising to an extreme level. Magnus made an airy motion with his hand for the two of them to be seated on the plush, red love-seat opposite him. Jem, still grasping Tessa's hand dragged her over to the sofa. After the duo was seated, Magnus let out another long sigh, and looked them both straight in the eyes.
"Please do not blame me for not telling you this sooner," Magnus pleaded.
1904
It was raining; why did it always seem to be raining when he went to visit Magnus? Will shrugged in his coat, bending his neck to keep the falling droplets from blurring his vision. These movements seemed all too familiar, for a moment he almost felt seventeen again. The warlock's residence rose up in front of him like a dream. It had been James whom had informed his father that Magnus Bane had returned to London temporarily, and given him the current address of the warlock. Will took a deep breath in, and banged heavily on the intricate, oak door.
The door swung open in a matter of minutes, revealing a well-dressed Asian man with slicked back black hair and a perfectly folded bow-tie. To the inexperienced eye, he seemed to be no more than nineteen or twenty years of age; however, Will knew that the man had nearly seven-hundred years hidden under his belt. As he noticed Will his eyes widened.
"By God," he breathed, his shocked expression turning to a smile, "Your son was here just the other day you know William," he laughed; Will shot him a half-hearted grin.
"Magnus, I have come to ask a favor of you," he spoke, his breathing a bit unsteady, rain drops bouncing off of his body.
"I had thought you had moved past this stage in your life," Magnus had joked, inviting the man inside nonetheless.
Tessa looked at the warlock, pure horror masking her plain face, tears threatening to burst from her eyes at any given moment; she lifted a hand to her gaping mouth slowly, she had dropped Jem's hand what seemed like hours ago. Jem himself seemed just as surprised by the warlock's recent words.
"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry," Magnus repeated over and over again, like a broken record. A couple of shimmering tears dripped down from Tessa's eyes.
"He's alive," she whispered from behind her palm, "He's alive and you never told me. In all these years you never told me." She shook her head wildly in disbelief.
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