Hello, Lovelies. This chapter took three days so I'm really proud of how short that was. It sounds like a long time but if you write you'll understand. It's ten pages in word doc and the longest chapter I've written so far, 5,137 words. I've proof read this four times and I think that I'm finally okay with it. There were so many times that I've tried to make conversations work and the characters just do not want to talk to each other. It kind of sucks. The big part of this chapter was rewritten and rewritten so many times and I'm still not sure if I like it. I forgot to tell you guys that the last chapter was all written on my birthday. Writing Clary's birthday on my birthday was awesome even though I'm March 26th and she's a summer baby. I was in an old hotel that was built in the 1800s and there's a little place in between where the buildings met up that has the tiny pool and a sitting area. There are a lot of trees and plants just chilling with the tables and the chairs, it's really beautiful. That is where that scene in the last story blossomed from, you know, the… almost sex scene with Jace and Clary. Kiss on repeat and the heat of New Orleans after the freezing cold of where I come from makes things happen. Anyway, here is your chapter, see you in the reviews. Thank you, Lovelies.

DFTBA,

KelseyDockry

"Do you remember my birthday two years ago?" I asked, leaning into him as we walked.

"I couldn't forget if tried, and believe me I have. It was the first time that I got to touch you in a way that I wanted to, the first time that I opened up myself to someone else, the first time that I got to feel your lips on mine, and the first time that I fell in love. Last time that I'll fall in love."

I was speechless, never had I thought he would think that, let alone admit it out loud. This was the Jace that kept me. His good looks, bravery, and sense of humor drew me in at first but the way he was with Max, the way he talked to me while we were alone, the way that he loved me and made me love him is what kept me here. Of course, his family was a part of it but he was the deal that I wanted to have for the rest of my life.

"Impressed, I see. Not surprising, I happen to be full of those kinds of things. It's a talent really," he said.

"Don't ruin it."

"Well, it's true that I can't forget that night. And it must've been one of your favorite things that I've ever told you, wasn't it?" He asked.

"Right up there with 'I love you'."

"That's one of my favorite things you've ever told me. Another came from this morning."

"Oh?" I blushed.

"'Hush.' Can you guess what my favorite sound that I've caused you to make is? I'll give you a hint; it also came from this morning."

"Jace!" I blushed deeper.

"Oh, if I were more prepared today you'd have screamed that plenty of times. But it's not the sound that I was talking about, try again."

I slapped his arm and blushed even deeper. I tried not to think about Jace to get my skin back to normal. I was sure that we were at the Institute before it had gone to light pink. Jace and I were welcomed by a very excited Izzy dressed in a short dress, tall heels, and insanely well done hair.

"Happy birthday!" She sang, scooping me into a hug. Jace still held my right hand and my left awkwardly patted Isabelle.

"Thank, Iz." She let me go and rode the elevator up with us. She bit her lip on the way up, deep in thought about something. She ran out when the elevator opened.

"And that was about…?" I asked Jace.

"I'm willing to bet that it was about Simon, she's always thinking about that bloodsucker." He pulled me forward by the hand. "You've forgotten to guess that noise, I see."

"I don't think I need to guess."

"Oh, my shy little Clary. Ha, I say shy. You're not shy; you were there this morning and definitely not shy, trying to take advantage of me."

"I was, was I?" I eyed him over.

"If you two would stop flirting for one second," Magnus complained. "The world would be a much better place."

"Magnus," Alec chastised.

"Well, Aly-kinz, look at them! You'd think they'd have the decency to save it for the bedroom… or wherever they do it, the kitchen maybe. They seem to be that type."

Alec and I blushed while Jace threw out his most sly smirk. "We seem to be that type, do we?" He asked. "Not shocking, we're a gorgeous couple. I take your jealousy as a compliment."

I pinched his hand in punishment. "Clary, you know it's true."

"Okay, shut up, both of you!" Izzy said. Simon came around the corner and smiled at me, taking me in for a familiar feeling hug. I hugged back, closing my eyes. Under the smell of the cologne that Izzy insisted he wear, I could smell the recognizable scent that I'd grown up around. He smelt of his house, his room, the garage where we practiced for our band, and I could smell the faint smell of blood on him. That brought me back to reality.

"Happy birthday, Fray," he whispered into my ear.

"Thanks, Lewis," I whispered back. We let go and I looked into his big brown eyes. I laughed and pushed the dangling hair out of his eyes. "Simon," I smiled.

"Happy birthday, Clary!" Max said, running over to hug me.

"Thanks, Max." He let go and went over to stand next to Jace. Jace stared at me with his 'I'm in love and don't care who sees it' expression that made my knees weaken a bit.

"Well, Clarissa darling, how is your birthday so far?" Magnus asked.

"So far," I glanced at Jace. "Incredible."

Magnus' hands clapped, sending little blue sparks off of his fingertips. "Perfect, perfect. That means that everything is in order. Now, what shall we do first?"

"First?" I said, concerned.

"Yes, first. Shall we give you presents, or go out and party, or eat." I gave him a worried look. "Don't worry, love, we plan to go out. We kept this one out of the kitchen," he said, pointing to Izzy.

"I don't understand why you all hate my cooking so much; it's not bad at all."

"Lying is a wrong; didn't Maryse teach you anything as a child?" Jace put in.
"Shut up, Jace! Do you always have to be so sarcastic and annoying?"

"No, I can be very nice, serious, and we all know that I am dreadfully hilarious and witty."

"Screw you, Jace!" Izzy shrieked.

"That would be Clary's job. Thanks for the offer but I believe that she'd be much better at it."

"Jace, stop," I said, blushing. Wow, I'd done a lot of blushing today.

"Quiet down, Clary. This is entertaining to us all and you're ruining our enjoyment," Magnus informed me.

"Simon eats my cooking all of the time!" Izzy didn't seem to hear either Magnus or me.

"Bloodsucker over there is a vampire. He drinks cow blood every day; you really think he is a good judge on what is edible and what isn't?"

"Max has eaten my food many times," Izzy pointed out. Max folded his arms the same way that Jace did and stared straight at her.

"Max is afraid of you, he doesn't count," Jace dismissed.

"I'm not afraid of her," Max protested.

"None of us think you're a good cook but you, Isabelle Lightwood."

"You're such a jackass, Jace!" Izzy complained.

"Are you through yet?" I asked.

"I am done talking to this shameful 'cook'," He said, accenting the word cook with air quotes.

She took a step toward Jace, putting a hand on her whip. Jace pulled me in front of him as a joke shield. He had a mock expression of horror on his angelic face. "Can we settle down now?" I requested.

"I second that," Alec agreed.

"Whatever," Izzy said, moving back to Simon. Jace stopped pretending to cower and wrapped his arms all the way around my waist, placing his chin on my head and pulling me against him. Magnus took Alec's hand and Max was the only one left unpaired, he stayed near Jace and me.

"Well if that is all," Magnus said. "I propose that we go to eat now."

We all went to Taki's, Izzy still a bit upset, Simon trying to comfort her and talk to us, Magnus making comments at just the right- or wrong- times, Alec staying mostly silent, Max chiming in to feel like he was not a little kid, Jace whispering in my ear and talking to the group, and I was whispering back to Jace while still managing to be the center of attention for birthday reasons. When we arrived we piled into a table, pulling chairs up and trying to fit most of us in a booth. Jace kept his left arm around my waist and I discreetly played footsie with him under the table. We held our own discussion and one with the group. Kaelie, the fey waitress, came to see take our order.

"Good morning, everyone," she said cheerily. "Can I get you anything to drink?" Her gaze was all friendly until it passed over me, it then became jealous. Then, as it passed over Jace, it developed to lustful. He didn't seem to notice, his attention appeared to be on my upper thigh as he stroked the skin there. I crossed my legs so that it was closer to him; he continued to brush the skin and smile. We all ordered a drink and Kaelie left. The conversation stayed light and meaningless while the discussion between Jace and me stayed flirty and sexy. I don't know why but I felt much bolder with him today, maybe it was the birthday buzz. Jace's hand felt warmer and warmer on my leg and his breath on my neck made me grow to be more and more aware of him.

"I love you, Jace Lightwood," I whispered into his ear.

"I love you more, Clarissa Fray. So much more than I should," he whispered back.

"Love me as much as you want, Jace. You know I will always feel the same."

"Always?" He asked.

"Always, I promise." I played with his hand under the table, moving his fingers and turning it over to brush his palm.

He looked down at my hands playing with his and, pulling me closer, I never wanted to forget this moment.

"Jace, you don't know how much you control my every move," I breathed.

"You don't know how much I love you," he replied.

"Kiss me," I requested.

"Your wish is my command," he said, turning my face to his with the back of his gentle hand. His lips moved with mine softly, lovingly. Neither of us sped the kiss and it was comfortable and sweet. I didn't want to pull away. I could taste the sweet taste of his mouth perfectly, unclouded by any type of drink or food. There was a slight salty taste to his mouth, not too salty and not too sweet. I only needed to taste that for the rest of my life, only him. His mouth teased my lower lip in his with small nips and pecks. My closed eyelids fluttered at the tickle of the pressure he put on my mouth. I leaned in closer to him as his arm tightened tenderly around my waist, taking on my weight easily. After a few moments to ourselves I moved back and put my head on his shoulder.

"She left to go back home, good riddance if you ask me," Izzy said.

"Who left?" Kaelie, whom I hadn't heard arrive in my moment with Jace, asked.

"Aline Penhallows, she's that girl who has been tagging along with us lately," Alec explained.

"Oh, her, she wasn't exactly welcomed with open arms was she?" Kaelie guessed.

"No, not exactly," Alec confirmed.

"She's a bitch, no questions about it. Trying to steal Jace away from Clary with her family's assistance," Izzy shook her head. "Bitch," She repeated.

Kaelie then looked down with a slightly guilty expression, her all blue eyes momentarily flickering to Jace and me. She recovered in a matter of milliseconds with, "Well are we all ready to order?" We ordered and she left to go give it to the animal eared chef.

We talked for a while; Jace and I were still together in our own little world. His hand didn't stop sweeping my thigh and I kept his right hand in both of mine. My crossed leg had somehow ended up crossed in between Jace's. We stayed like that for quite a while, not willing to move. We only shifted when everyone had finished eating. I was sure that the way Jace and I were together made the others, Izzy especially, want to puke but I loved it, loved his hands on me, his eyes on me, and his breath. My head had still not wrapped around why he chose me out of all of these other girls who stared at him, wanted him. He could have any of them and most of them were much more beautiful than I am. They had skinny figures, long and shiny hair that wasn't my fire engine red, tan skin, a larger chest, tall bodies, they were much better looking than I was. The looks that they gave me made me feel like they knew that fact very well without me having to inform them. I'm sure that my looks to them told them that I knew, too. And yet, Jace stayed, hands entwined with mine and eyes on me. It was flabbergasting, really, the looks he gave me. Maybe he wanted me because I looked different or behaved different, I didn't let him know how much I wanted him until he made the first move. But I was sure that he could tell that I wanted, needed, him before he'd made the first move in the greenhouse. He told me that before that night he had never kissed a girl without knowing that she wanted it too, usually more than he did. And for the longest time, I was dead sure that I wanted him much more than he wanted me. But after days like today, I'm not sure if he wants me more than I want him. I like to imagine that it's equal because, boy, do I want him a lot. But his begging this morning told me that he was right up there with me. I wondered about that dream I had last night. I wondered what our children would look and act like. The little boy in my dream was such a sweetheart that I could only hope that that is what they'll be like. His features were all Jace; my freckled, ginger, pale genes had not touched his perfect self. It was all Jace.

"What are you thinking about?" Jace asked, curiosity in his quiet voice.

"A dream I had last night," I replied.

"What was it about?"

"You, us, our future."

"Can we talk about that?" He requested.

"Specifically?"

"You'll see," he assured me.

We arrived at the Institute at that moment and went up. We all parted ways then, Izzy and Simon going to the kitchen, Alec and Magnus going to the library, Max going to one of the few rooms with a television, and Jace pulling me by hand to his room. We got to his bare white bedroom and moved to his bed. I sat comfortably on the edge, folding my legs, while Jace sat in front of me and stared.

"What are you looking at?" I asked.

"The most beautiful thing I've ever seen," he replied.

"When did the Coliseum get into your room?"

He laughed quietly, "You're so much more beautiful than the Coliseum, or any other ancient architectural ruins in the world. In fact, I'd venture to say that you're more beautiful than anything that has ever existed, anything or anyone."

"Jace," I whispered. Getting onto my knees and leaning over to kiss him. He caught my gentle bend and held me affectionately, still sitting. His tongue pressed my mouth open and slid in. He slowly moved us so that I was below him and he was balanced on his elbows over my body. I put my arms around his neck and pulled myself up closer to him. He responded by lying further downward, I could feel none of his weight but the hot press of his body on mine. My hands felt his satiny blond hair slip through my fingers. I adored the feel of his curls in my hands and his lips on mine. His tongue caressed and explored my mouth as it always did, he was skilled but I'd never admit that to him. He knew it though; it was strange how sometimes the one you love most in the world could hear your thoughts. His left hand slid up to hold the back of my neck and his right arm slipped around my waist. My back arched faintly off of the bed, pushing my torso into him. He lifted me and drew me up higher to the pillows.

I wouldn't forget this day, he wouldn't forget this day and I wanted to make that count. I used most of my strength to push his shoulders and flip us so that I was on top of him. My legs moved to straddle him and he seemed particularly surprised by my taking control. I was usually the type to allow him the domination that he wanted but today's dealings showed him that those days were over. I wanted to be in charge sometimes, he'd have to get used to that. I pushed myself to hover over him by straightening my elbows. I looked down at those burning gold eyes that held a small hint of amusement at all times. He looked back and I became more aware of his hands, one on my lower back, the other reaching up to push a lock of my curls off of my face. He beamed at me, his full lips pulling back in the smile that first drew me in. I bit my lip and let him flip us back over so that he was above me.

"You're going to drive me crazy someday, Clarissa," he whispered huskily.

I shivered at his voice. "Someday?" I asked. "I'm obviously not doing my job properly."

"So you are trying to make me insane?" He whispered before nipping me ear softly. "It's working," he breathed.

I slid my hands to his shirt and unbuttoned it half way down.

"You need to learn that I can't handle you without pushing my limits."

"Then push," I commanded quietly.

His hand glided down my leg and I moved it to wrap around his waist. He leaned in to kiss me again. I undid his tie and threw it to the corner of the room. His shirt was half unbuttoned so my shaking fingers had little trouble finishing that off. I pulled it down his arms and threw that to the corner too. He sat up, lifted his undershirt over his head and leaned back down, kissing my lips. Pushing my shirt up my sides, he lifted it over my head and flung it to the other side of the room. Jace looked down at me for a moment, smiling, before bringing me back to him for another kiss. I trialed a finger past his collar bone, over his chest, and down his stomach. I saw goose bumps rise on his arms and felt him shiver. I put a hand on his belt and began to undo that while he peppered kisses on my face when the door busted open and hit the wall loudly.

"Oh, angel!" Izzy cried, covering her eyes with freshly manicured hands.

"Isabelle!" Jace yelled at her. "Get out!"

"My eyes!" Isabelle whined.

"Do you know how to knock?" Jace yelled.

"Of course I do, I just didn't expect to see this of all things."

"Just get out!" Jace shrieked.

"We want Clary downstairs, it's present time but I see that you were about to give her a gift anyway. Put your clothes back on and get your asses downstairs." Izzy left, slamming the door behind her.

Jace mumbled something, getting off of me to grab his clothes. I was petrified, completely shocked and unable to move. He put his shirt back on and tied his tie before looking back at me; he seemed embarrassed, not as much as I was but still embarrassed. He glanced at my unmoving form and came back over to the bed.

Leaning over me, he kissed my lips and said, "Wake up, Sleeping Beauty."

"Are you at all fazed by her walking in on us?" I asked, shock still in my voice.

"A little, but it doesn't matter. She's an adult, she can handle herself."

"Jace, what if she tells Simon?"

"I'm sure he assumes that this happens all the time, don't worry. He thought that we were 'shacking up' when he first met me. He's also an adult, he understands."

"Why didn't you lock the door?"

"I didn't expect you to try and do that of all things."

"Me try and do that? You don't think that you started it?"

"I am an innocent young boy and you are trying to corrupt me with your sexy ways, no I do not believe that I stated that."

I got up to search for my heels that'd been kicked off somewhere since we got here and put my shirt back on. Once I'd found the shoes, Jace pulled me back into an embrace. I pressed my head into his shoulder and stood there with him for a while. "Let's go, they're waiting," he said.

We went downstairs to a large room for entertaining. Everyone was chatting with each other and smiling. Jace and I sat down on a couch together and they began to switch their conversations to talk about my birthday. They insisted that I open gifts even though, just last week, I'd specifically told them not to buy me anything.

"Me first," Izzy insisted. I opened a box that held one of the fanciest pairs of heels I'd seen on anyone other than Isabelle. "Glorious aren't they?" She asked.

"Clarissa, dear," Magnus said. "If you don't open ours soon I'm going to go insane, Alec and I have been waiting to see your face as open this for a month!"

"Okay," I was a bit worried to see what was in the small box but was relieved to see that it was a necklace. Gold chained and holding bunches of stones inside of a gold feather. It reminded me of those dreams that I used to have in which Jace had been depicted as a golden angel. Next was Max who'd made me a painting that I planned to hang in my little art studio. Simon and the rest of the band had chipped in and gotten me a ukulele which I was very excited about. We'd all joked around for a while before Jace and I were able to get away from the group. Walking through the halls, he turned to me with a smile gracing his face.

"What?" I asked.

"I have something for you," he said, producing a thin box.

"What was that I told you about gifts?"

"I told you that it was too late for that request, didn't I?"

I looked at him, suspicious.

"Just open it." I took it from his hand and lifted the lid off. I peeled away the paper and saw a sparkling, jewel encrusted seraph blade. It was polished and had red rubies on the handle.

"Jace…"

"I know you haven't trained yet, but I know that you know how to use it; especially after what you did to that demon in Pandemonium the other night."

"Jace, you're kidding me, right? You're not actually going to give me this are you?"

"Afraid you'll hurt yourself?" He taunted.

"More like afraid that I'll be able to kick your ass. Just making sure that you know what you're getting yourself into."

"I have no doubts about what you're capable of."

We went walking down the halls and steps before arriving at the greenhouse. "Reminds me of two years ago," he said.

"Minus the midnight and cheese sandwiches, I suppose."

"Don't think that I'm so unprepared," he said, taking out a paper bag. "And at least it's dark out." We walked down the paths and I jumped back when I almost stepped on something shining… A blade? "Recognize the place?"

"You didn't move the blade since then?" He shook his head. "Jace, I didn't know that you were such a romantic." We stood there for a minute and just held each other. I reflected on that night two years ago, when I was too distracted to focus on wanting Jace. I remembered how Jocelyn was in that coma, how I was oblivious to Luke's secret and Shadowhunters, how I didn't know who I really was or what I really was, didn't know about my father, and didn't know how much I could fall in love with someone. I remembered how much it killed me to not be able to be with Jace. All of the things that had happened in the last two years brought me here, taught me who I could be, and showed me how much I could go through and not come to my breaking point. These two years were the best and worst years of my life and now I was here, in the arms of the only man that I've ever loved, on my eighteenth birthday, knowing exactly where I was with my life. I was happy, I'd never been able to say that before but now I was happy.

"What are you thinking about?" He asked.

"Nothing important."

"Well at l- what is that?" He pointed to the other direction and let go of me.

I studied the other side of the greenhouse, nothing.

"What are you tal-" I turned around. "Jace…" He was down on one knee, small box closed and in hand, gold eyes staring up at mine.

"Clarissa Fray, I love you more than I have ever loved anyone in my life. I have never met anyone who's made me so angry, and insane, and crazy, and in love. You are the most stubborn, aggravating, sarcastic, sexy, caring, sweet, and beautiful woman that I have ever known. And I really cannot lose that. I love you so much, Clare, I don't think you know. I love you now, I'll love you for the rest of my life, and if there's a life after that I'll love you then. You've made me happier than anything ever has and I want to make you ecstatic every day of your life. I want to love you, and have children with you, and grow old with you. So will you please, please make me happier than anyone who's ever lived and marry me?"

"Yes," I said right away. "Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Oh angel, Jace, yes!" He flipped the lid open to reveal the most beautiful ring that I'd ever seen in my life. A cluster of diamonds sat atop a white silver ring with gold and green jewels in them, the exact color of both of our eyes. He drew my left hand closer to him and slid the ring on, perfect fit. He stared at the ring for a second before lifting me in the air, spinning us in a circle, and crushing my lips with his. He beamed through the whole kiss which was heated, passionate, and extremely happy. I wrapped both of my legs around him, putting my arms around his neck, fingers in his hair. We laughed and smiled through the duration of the kiss, excited and just waiting for the rest of our lives together. He supported all of my weight easily, his hands on my back. I drew back from his lips and brushed hair out from his eyes.

"Jace Lightwood, I love you," I said.

"I love you so much more."

"That's doubtful," I countered with a smile.

"Hush," he said, bringing his lips back to mine. I kissed the man who would become my husband, the father of my children, with all of the hurt, and love, and frustration that we'd gone through together in the last two years. I wasn't sure if I wanted to cry or laugh more. This kiss, this day was one that I would remember for the rest of my life and then some.

"You're serious, right?" I asked.

"What do you think?" He smiled.

"You really want to spend the rest of your life with me?"

"More than I've ever wanted anything else."

Have I given you what you want, darlings? Haha, you guys guessed correct for the most part and have been since Jocelyn came in. Sorry about those intense lovin' scenes there, it must be that New Orleans air! Either the hot air or the Joan Jett and Prince songs (Kiss and Do You Wanna Touch). This chapter took more work than any other that I've written. I've been geeking out in the library (writing room) since we got here a couple days ago. Spent the day on a beech today which, let me tell you, is not bad for the writing! If you want to write as a profession or just for FanFiction I completely suggest that you go out and get as much experience as you can because that only helps you. But if you read enough, you get details and don't need to experience these things to write them. So get out there and experience things and READ! Trust me, lovelies. Alright, I'll see you next time. I love you guys so much. Please, please tell me what you thought because it feels like this chapter has taken me forever and it really feels amazing to have people respond to it. If you've written you know what I mean. So I will see you guys in the reviews. Thank you, lovelies.

DFTBA,

KelseyDockry