Chapter two! I've been wanting to upload for EVER. I decided that I would give myself a few deadlines so that you guys can read more often. Basically, at the beginning of every month I upload (deadline technically on the last day of the month. So it was January 31st this time) then at the middle and again at the end (beginning). I really hope that that made sense. Haha, sorry for the ramblies. Thank you for reading, lovelies. Let's get started.
-Kelsey
"Jace?" A small voice called behind the door. I sighed quietly.
"Come in, Max," Jace sighed. Max peaked into the room, cracking the door. Jace's face softened as it did when this little boy was around him. Max walked in slowly looking at Jace like he was trying to decide something very important.
"What's wrong?" Jace asked. It was about an hour after Izzy had sent Max to bed. He still was deciding something when he noticed me sitting on Jace's bed. Ignoring Jace's question, he looked at me and beckoned me forward with his index finger. I came over and leaned down so he could whisper in my ear.
"I had a bad dream," he said under his breath. I glanced at a confused Jace and followed Max out of the room. He still seemed to be embarrassed about nightmares. I, for one, thought that he had a perfect excuse to be afraid. Jonathon had scarred me emotionally but Max had long, pink and white, twisting lines on his arms, legs and back. But that was our life. It's in our blood and we were born into it but that didn't make it easy to look into his eyes knowing that my own brother had nearly killed him. He'd injured him to the point that an iratze hadn't helped him with more than a few very minor cuts.
We reached his room where I'd left my guitar that Luke had given to me for Christmas. That was a good Christmas. I felt bad for Jocelyn and Luke for a little while because I wasn't there for most of our first official family Christmas. But it was also my first Christmas with Jace so that was that. Jocelyn had practically given me a new wardrobe with all of the gift cards and outfits; while Luke had given me a guitar and a huge art set. I felt like they were compensating for the past few months that had turned my life around.
After that I'd gone to quick show Simon, Erik, and the band about the guitar on my way to the institute. We had Christmas there and they'd waited for me to join them. It was nice to know that I was considered part of the family. Izzy'd also taken it upon herself to triple my clothing supply. Maryse and Robert had given me this and that. Alec gave me paints and brushes. Max had painted me a picture of a manga character that I had taught him to paint. His name was Kyo Usui. Jace waited until we were alone to give me my present, now I know what everyone was thinking, Magnus especially. Alec's boyfriend had given me dozens of pink and striped boxes addressed Victoria's Secret. I made certain that Jace did not see the boxes let alone the contents of them. I still hadn't done more than crack the lid of one. In the spare glance all I saw was lace—red, skimpy, flimsy lace. No, Jace cannot see or know what I have gotten from that promiscuous warlock.
Jace took me to his room and sat me on his bed handing me the box that I would soon find contained a diamond white gold bracelet; a bracelet that I still haven't taken off.
As we drew closer to Max's room I pulled myself out of the flashback.
"Get into bed, Max," I told him grabbing my guitar. I sang him a gentle song in French as Maryse tended to do. But mine was longer and quieter. He drifted off to sleep and I turned his lamp off while tucking him into bed. I kissed his forehead.
"You're going to wake him," Jace whispered. I jumped at the sound of his liquid voice. He laughed quietly.
"How long have you been there?" I asked in a whisper yell. He was leaned comfortably against the door frame with his strong golden arms crossed against his chest.
He repeated the chorus of the lullaby in perfect, fluid French.
"Don't tell Max you were here. Please, he's embarrassed and doesn't want you to know he's having nightmares. He wants to be a big, strong Shadowhunter to you. Just don't tell him," I begged. A look crossed his face that I didn't have time to decode. He beckoned me forward with his left index finger, turned, and left the room.
I followed, closing the door as I went. When he turned to me and did something I would never have expected from him after the events today.
I'm so sorry. I had to end there. I wrote all lunch period so I have the beginning of the next chapter. Any guesses as to what our lovely Jace did? Well I love it. By the way, I have completely underestimated my lust for reviews! So if you could make me happy and review that would be amazing. Okay, I'm done begging. Much love for the read and review. Sorry if the stories are too short. It was three pages in for this chapter. :) Thank you, lovelies!
-Kelsey.