***************** Chapter 6 *******************

The message Jonathan sent was actually a happy birthday text which he choose to inform her of after banging on her bathroom door claiming that even birthday girls can't stay in the shower forever. Clary's skin was pruney by now but she didn't care. She felt better despite the nagging nausea in her stomach. She wrapped herself in a towel and headed out of the bathroom.

Her brother was sitting on her bed with a tray of pancakes waiting for her.

"Wow! Breakfast in bed! Going all out this year Jonathan?" she teased.

He grinned wickedly.

"Thought I should do something thoughtful for you after last night." He shrugged.

Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She couldn't believe her brother did that. He grinned seeing her blush before digging into his own plate of pancakes. Clary escaped into her closet and closed the door. She threw on a cute lace top and a black skirt that hit her mid-thigh. She let her wet hair fall down her back before looking into the mirror. Normally she didn't bother with looking cute or sexy. Growing up with two brothers meant jeans and being a tomboy. However, it was her birthday so she had to do something. Of course the top was cute but the skirt added a sexy element showing off her long legs. She smiled, hell just because Jace was playing fair didn't mean she had to. She knew she had to celebrate the little victories or else she would lose her mind.

Clary stepped out of the closet. Jonathan looked up and almost dropped the fork in his hand. Clary grinned.

"Too much?" she twirled.

"You don't want to know what I think." He replied before shoving a bite of pancakes into his mouth to avoid getting into more trouble. Clary smiled and sat on the bed finally digging into her breakfast. Three bites in there was a knock on the door.

"Come in!" Clary replied.

The doors opened and in came her father with a present wrapped up in his arms. Valentine had always given her big gifts on her birthday. It was his way of making up for the time they were apart. This years was probably very special given how rocky their relationship had become.

"Happy birthday my daughter." He smiled.

"Thank you farther." She replied as sweetly as she could manage.

"I am sorry but there are some last minute arrangements I have to make involving the circle. I will be gone most of the day so I wanted to give you my present early. Your mother should be back in a few hours and I will be back in time for dinner."

Clary didn't know what to say. Not having Valentine around was the best news yet. Jonathan reached to grab her plate out of her hands. She handed it to him and took the gift from her father's outstretched hand. She carefully undid the wrapping paper and opened the box.

In the box was a beautifully crafted stele. The handle had woven vines and flowers on it. The top had an intricate butterfly and the tip was pure silver. It was a work of art and despite it being from him, she loved it.

"It is beautiful father." She said in awe. Clary always wore her emotions on her sleeve. Her father could tell by her face that she actually loved it. Despite being a tyrant he patted himself on the back for knowing what his daughter liked. Valentine grinned and kissed her on the forehead.

"I am glad you like it," he said brushing a strand of wet hair from her face. "I have to leave now but you and your brothers have my permission to take the apartment to whichever city you like to have fun. Just be back in time for dinner both of you."

Jonathan nodded.

"Thank you father." Clary said as Valentine left the room.

"Free reign of the apartment! Where are we going today sis?" Jonathan grinned eagerly. Clary didn't have to think.

"New York." She replied.

*Line Break*

Jace was in the hallway bathroom that he shared with Jonathan. He had just taken the coldest shower of his life and was gaining the courage to walk out the door. He didn't know if he could pretend nothing happened but he had to try. Even if she felt the same it wasn't right. He couldn't lose his family. He had to pretend that nothing happened even though leaving her this morning was one of the hardest things he had to do in his entire life.

He never felt anything as blissful as kissing her. Even sleeping with those girls in Paris during that moment of ecstasy didn't compare. He couldn't help but wonder if other things would feel better. What would making love to her feel like? NO! He couldn't think that way!

After an hour he finally decided that enough was enough and opened the bathroom door. He had stepped out only a few minutes and had the misfortune to run into his father.

"Good morning father," he greeted him respectfully.

Valentine was in a good mood and smiled at his adoptive son. He regretted doing what he had done to Jonathan. He often wondered if Jonathan would have been more like Jace if he hadn't given him demons blood. Jace was practically the perfect son and he found himself favoring him over his own biological son.

"What is wrong Jace?" he asked. "You look upset? Did you and your sister have another fight?"

Jace's body went rigid.

"I guess you could say that." He replied meekly.

"Just go and apologize to her. I am sure it will all work out. It is her birthday and I know she is excited to go out with you and Jonathan today."

Jace nodded.

"I don't think it will be that easy. I don't think she wants to see me right now." Jace looked down.

Valentine looked at his son curiously.

"Where are you going father?" he added trying to change the subject. Valentine eyed him suspiciously.

"I have business to attend to this morning with the circle." He paused. "Would you like to join me?"

Jace was shocked. Their father never asked any of them to help or get involved with the circles business. Normally Jace would decline but a part of him was curious. Another part of him wanted him to avoid Clary.

"I would be honored father." He replied. Valentine smiled.

"Then grab your seraph and let's go."

Jace ran to his room, grabbed his blade and left with Valentine. He texted Clary and Jonathan a quick text on his way out the door.

*Line Break*

Clary's phone buzzed but it was Jonathan who read the message first.

"Looks like it is just going to be you and me in New York." He frowned.

"Why?" Clary asked trying to sound uninterested.

"Jace went with our father on his errand." Jonathan huffed. Clary knew that although her brother hated their father he still craved his attention and approval. As much as he loved Jace, he couldn't help but be jealous of him from time to time. Clary put her hand on his shoulder to comfort him. Jonathan was quiet for a moment before standing up suddenly.

"Come on sis! We only have 5 hours before it gets dark there." He commanded. Clary smiled.

"I'm glad it's just you and I. We needed some bonding time anyway!"

Clary put on a pair of black ballet flats and placed her new Stele and her seraph blade in a holster hidden under her top.

"Okay, let's go!" she grinned.

"New York here we come!" Jonathan smiled.