CHAPTER 10

I stare dumbfounded at Jace. I'm sure I look as shocked as I feel; wide eyes, agape mouth and frozen posture. The room around us seems to chuckle, but that is lost in the background somewhere, everything else seems to fade away until it's just Jace and I left.

"I—I—" I stutter several times, feeling my tears rise up and spill over onto my cheeks. He pulls away, thinking I'm about to refuse, his smile fading slowly. I shake my head profusely and then begin nodding it as I see his face drop even more. "No, wait, Jace. Of course I will—my answer is yes, yes, yes!" I cry.

The whole room cheers but Jace still kneels on one knee, just staring at me. When he smiles, it is like the sun has melted inside of him and is shining so brightly through him. Suddenly, I am being spun around the room in his arms. I giggle, he chuckles, the room laughs. It is like a fairy tale moment, one that is sure to end with a happy ending.

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It has been seven months since Jace proposed to me; I have now fully grieved over the death of my daughter and have let Jace do the same, considering he never really got a chance… thanks to me. My son, Christopher Luke Herondale, is growing up fast and already causing mischief by throwing up on his father's freshly cleaned tuxedo jacket.

Today, is my wedding, or should I say our wedding. I haven't seen Jace since last night, anytime that I have tried to sneak away and see him, Isabelle keeps dragging me back, saying, "Its bad luck if the groom sees the bride before the wedding." Blah, blah, blah.

Luke stands beside me, wringing his hands in front of him nervously. Isabelle and my mother stand behind me, ready to take the rear when the music plays.

I hear Simon's band begin to play a soft ballad and then Luke is offering his arm to me. I take it and allow him to guide me down the aisle.

My dress is gold and white, mixing the two worlds I've ever known together; it's strapless and hugs all of my curves in the right places before falling to the ground. The bridesmaid and maid of honour dresses are a bright red and fall to just above the knee.

As I'm walking down the aisle I'm worried I'm going to step on the edge of my wedding dress and trip in front of everyone, but then I think I shouldn't need to worry considering all of my shadowhunter training.

Yep, you guessed it, I thought wrong.

My shoe snags on the fabric at the front of my dress and I begin to pitch forward until Luke's hand tightens on my arm and keeps me upright. I smile gratefully at him, whispering my thanks underneath my voice.

My eyes scan the crowd that has gathered, browsing over our friends and family. For a brief second, they land on a small baby in my step mother's arms. I smile at my son and wiggle my fingers in his direction. Finally, my gaze lifts up until they meet a familiar pair of golden eyes, the eyes that I have found myself getting lost in so many times.

We have reached the front of the aisle and Jace stands with his hands clasped in front of him, Alec standing proudly behind him. Turning to face Luke, I brush my lips against his cheek and watch as he goes to stand behind Alec. My mother and Isabelle have already taken their spots on the other side of the aisle.

Jace outstretches his hands, waiting for me to take them so that he can draw me the rest of the way onto the alter and underneath the arch of lavender flowers. He leans forward, his lips right beside my ear. When he whispers, his breath tickles the small out of place hairs around the side of my face, causing me to shiver. "Ready?" he asks me. Breathlessly, I nod.

"We are gathered here today…" Magnus begins. The ceremony begins, vows are exchanged and runes are drawn onto our skin. Jace also surprises me with a ring—his family's ring—and slips it onto my wedding ring finger. Finally, Magnus says the words I have been waiting for. "I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may now kiss the bride."

Jace leans forward, closer, closer, towards my already waiting lips. However, before his lips mesh with mine, he whispers three words so softly to me, so only I can hear, "I love you."

I close the distance between us and crush my mouth to his, feeling his arms encircle around me while mine rise to interlace behind his neck. The audience erupts in applause but I don't hear any of it, I don't see any of it; all of my attention is focused on Jace and this exact moment.

He pulls away first, giving me a look that reads, later.

We turn back to the awaiting crowd and then my baby is in my arms and I'm peppering him with kisses. He giggles and squirms in my arms and I laugh with him. People are coming up to me constantly and congratulating me, but my attention is on Jace on the other side of the room.

He's talking to Robert and it looks like they're having a good hearted conversation. I think about going over to him and joining the discussion but think better about interrupting him. I excuse myself from the current group of people that have swarmed around me, and with Christopher securely in my arms, venture for somewhere a little more quiet and secluded.

The best option I find is the library inside the institute. I sit down in one of the chairs in a huff of relief, the skirts of my dress billowing out around me. I settle Christopher on my lap in front of me, watching as he plays with my fingers, attempting to stick them into his mouth.

It's a few minutes before I hear the door to the library open and close again with a soft click. Soft footsteps tread in my direction and then I see my new handsome husband round the corner. He stops walking as soon as he sees me.

"Hey," he says. "There you are, I've been looking for you."

I look back down at Christopher as he finally succeeds with sticking one of my fingers in his mouth. "Yeah, I just had to get away for a little while."

When I look back up at Jace, he's frowning. "Are you okay?" I nod. "Come here a second." He whispers and holds out a hand to me. I accept his hand and let him haul me out of the chair. Jace then takes my spot in the chair and pulls me onto his lap. He leans back, pulling me back with him, until my head is tucked neatly under his chin.

"You look beautiful, you know?" He whispers into my hair. I feel my face heat up and bury my face more in Jace's chest to hide my burning cheeks. Lightly, he chuckles and his chest vibrates against my ear. For a few minutes, we just sit there in silence, content to just be with each other—as a family. Eventually, the silence is broken by Jace, his voice cradling my ear. "How come you came in here alone?"

I shrug half-heartedly, shifting Christopher onto my other knee. "I just needed some time to myself with Christopher."

Suddenly, Isabelle bursts into the room, chastising both of us for slipping away from our own event. Apparently, it is photo time and so she practically drags us out of the library and back down to the reception, where everyone is gathering for photos. Gradually lights are flashing, photos are taken and then everyone is dancing. Somebody takes Christopher out of my arms so that I can have my first dance with Jace as his wife.

Carefully, he takes me in his arms and we begin to twirl around the floor. I rest my head on his chest, listening to his heart beat in time with mine and suddenly everything is perfect—I have a beautiful son and a loving husband which creates for a perfect family. I wouldn't want my life turning out any other way because this is where I want to be for the rest of my life.

Smiles are exchanged and laughter is shared and I realise that I have the best life anyone could want at the age of nineteen.