Author's Note:

Thanks again to everyone who reviewed, favorited, and followed. I'm sorry for the randomness of my updates; hopefully over the summer I will be able to update regularly. Anyways, I hope you enjoy! Please continue to review!

~XhaliaGael

Disclaimer:

The Infernal Devices belongs to Cassandra Clare.

"Any word yet?" Tessa said to Magnus, leaning in and lowering her voice to keep Jem from overhearing the exchange.

"No," Magnus replied with an airy sigh, "As I told you before, he usually takes some time to reply. They keep him busy you know." Tessa did not really want him to elaborate on who they were, or how they were keeping her husband busy.

"Remind me again why he doesn't just have a cellphone, or an email, or anything?" Tessa groaned, crossing her arms over her chest as she settled back in her chair.

"His kind does not wish to transition into the modern world; so-to-speak, I suppose you could call them the Amish of the Downworld. I doubt he would take much notice to it though, he probably has never even seen the things, the damn creatures are constantly locked away in that damned city of theirs," Magnus grinned and imitated Tessa's pose, bringing his hands up over his head, "But think of it Tessa, back to the ole days; before real electricity, running water and social networking!" He was smirking, his eyes playful; however, there was something to his tone that was almost rueful. Tessa couldn't help but share the feeling.

"Will was-is a man of fashion, especially if he s young again like you said. He always liked to be in the midst of change!" Tessa said, recalling their early years of marriage. Will had bent to every change that the ticking Victorian age had thrown at them, (except, of course, for cars or 'large metal ducks,' as he put it).

"Well, he probably still is in ridiculous city," Magnus replied.

"What exactly have you against this city?" Tessa asked, exasperation tinting her words, "Every time you mention it, it is always damned, idiotic, or ridiculous!" Magnus rolled his cat pupiled eyes.

"Let's just say I have a history," he returned. Tessa knew better than to ask more.

"I still think Will would try and get back to me sooner," Tessa continued wistfully.

"He's your husband, not mine," Magnus said. Tessa had never had a greater urge to hit him in all of her life.

It was what seemed like hours later that Tessa and Jem finally left Magnus' loft, (his boyfriend, whom he had only just gotten back together with, was on his way over, and as Magnus put it, the last thing he needed was for Alec to think he was cheating him already; Tessa, however, had other theories). As they exited the building and began their walk home, Tessa could not help but notice Jem's unusual silence. Tessa had been reunited with the boy long enough to learn his angry, sad, or thoughtful withdrawals from those which had become habit to him during his years of lurking in the Silent City.

"Are you alright?" Tessa asked softly, putting a hand on his shoulder. The boy shrugged it off, taking Tessa much by surprise; ever since his outburst a few days prior, Jem had become more distant, but never had he rejected her advances.

"I am fine," he said through clenched teeth.

"Then why have you been avoiding me?" she pressed on.

"I haven't been, I am sorry if it seems so," he replied, his tone bittersweet.

"Then what do you call it?"

"I told you I was sorry."

"Is this about William?" Tessa asked abruptly, causing Jem to stop in his tracks.

"Why would this be about Will?" Jem spat, anger apparent on his tanned face.

"Jem-" Tessa began.

"Why does it always have to be about Will, Tessa? Why can't it be about me for once? Why can't we dwell on the fact that I am actually hurt by this situation? By the Angel, do you know what it feels like to know that you are about to lose the love of your life to your best friend again? Do you know what it feels like to know that the closest person in the world to you did not bother to write, to contact you in anyway?"

"Jem, I underst-"

"No you don't Tessa! You never understand! You don't know what it feels like to know that you are about to lose everything all over again! I know you asked Magnus to contact him for you; I know that you want to be with him more. I know that you love him more, I've always known. Do you know how it feels to know that I am going to die while the two of you spend the rest of eternity wrapped happily in each others arms? I don't think you do Tessa. But, hey, it'll just be like old times; I will be slowly dying whilst the two of you dwell in the joys of young, everlasting love!" he hissed, before storming off, his ears steaming.

"Jem!" Tessa called after him, tears bubbling up in her gray eyes, I know you loved him more, I've always known, "Jem come back," Tessa nearly cried, "Jem I'm sorry!" I'm sorry that everything you said is true, "Jem," she whispered softly, tears leaking from her eyes.

1886

Tessa cradled the squirming bundle of joy in her arms, whispering her mother's lullaby to the new child quietly as she rocked him to sleep. She did not have many memories of her late mother; but one was still vivid in her mind. The woman stood over her, her dress a pale yellow color, the scent of her rose perfume drifting around her like an aura as she whispered the words of a lullaby to her drowsy toddler. Will touched her arm gently; he had stayed through all of it, much to the dismay of both the Silent Brothers, and Charlotte. He smiled at her from his place on the floor next to the infirmary bed, his knees folded under him.

"He's stunning," he said, obviously awestruck by the new child, "Much like his mother," he continued, a grin spreading across his face. Tessa rolled her eyes inwardly at the comment, petting the infant's tuffs of raven black hair.

"Your sarcasm is not amusing me, my darling," Tessa said to her husband without glancing up from the child for a moment. Will opened his mouth to speak, right as the door of the infirmary swung open violently.

"We came as soon as we heard!" Cecily exclaimed, bursting into the room, Gabriel in tow behind her. Upon seeing the infant, the black haired girl lowered her voice considerably.

"He's gorgeous," she cooed, as she settled down opposite her brother, her hands over her mouth; Gabriel hovering over his wife protectively all the while. Cecily reached over and touched the child's forehead cautiously, his mother's eyes watching her fingers like a hawk.

"We saw the Brothers leaving on our way up, I presume all is well," Gabriel said sternly to Will; he was not one for domestic emotions, except for of course, a few more drastic occasions, ( most of which included Cecily, or their year old daughter Anna.)

"Yes, they seem to believe that all is well," Will replied, breaking his eyes away from Tessa for only a moment.

"That is good," Gabriel replied awkwardly. Will nodded.

"Have you a name for him yet?" Cecily questioned, smiling up at both Tessa and Will, her hand still hovering on the back of the child's soft head. The two shared a quick look of amusement.

"Yes, I believe we do," Tessa laughed.

"Indeed, and I must say that we both believe it to be a most suiting one indeed," Will added.

"It would be?" Cecily pushed, raising a dark eyebrow at her brother.

"James," the two said in unison, grins etched onto both of the new parents' faces.

"James," repeated Cecily almost sadly, of course they would name him for William's parabati, she smiled sadly, knowing that little James would never get to meet his namesake; not the real one anyways. Brother Zachariah and James Carstairs were indeed two very different people indeed. Will frowned at his sister's sad countenance. Gabriel placed a hand on his wife's back comfortingly.

"It's a good name, I believe," she smiled, Will's face instantly regaining it's recent glee, "He will have much to live up to though; his namesake was a great man."

"Is," replied Will, as he returned his eyes to the child, "He still is." Both Cecily and Gabriel nodded their agreement.

The two Lightwoods remained for another hour or so before leaving the new family to themselves. Tessa rested a sleeping James on her chest, running her fingers over his tiny back.

"Are you happy, Tess?" Will asked Tessa softly.

"I don't believe I have ever been happier," Tessa whispered in reply to Will, not wanting to awake the baby.

"Nor I," Will simpered, smiling at his wife and catching her free hand with his own.

"I love you," Tessa said, "I love you both more than I could ever love anyone else. Ever."

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