So this is an update on this story after so long. Thank you to everyone who has been reading and reviewing on this.
Finally managed to push this chapter out.
Hope you enjoy ...
Clary is sitting in front of her dressing table applying the final touches to her makeup. She has blow dried her hair into sleek curls and is quite proud of herself.
She stares at her face in the mirror and sighs. What does he see in her? Green eyes lined carefully in black with mascara. She has applied a small amount of lipgloss to her pink lips and decides that is enough. It's not like Jace looks at her with anything but adoration in his eyes whether she's dressed up or down. With makeup or without. Sometimes she just can't believe that they're together. It's been six months of bliss and she's still pinching herself. His outburst this morning notwithstanding.
She does know it will be very hard to control herself around him now. With all these new feeling and emotions surging through her she wonders how he managed to keep himself under control for so long. She wanted him and she knew the feeling would never stop. He was so sweet with her and caring she felt so fragile yet strong in his arms. He never let her feel like she wasn't in control but when they were together she was anything but in control. It was such a weird yet wonderful feeling. She loves him and trusts him completely and she sees that same love and trust mirrored in him.
He's already gone downstairs to allow her some time to get ready. She looks at herself one last time before standing up a goofy grin taking over her face. He's so perfect and he's all hers. She can't believe her luck sometimes that he would want her and only her.
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When Jace had left Clary to get ready he really had two motives in mind. One was to let her get ready in peace without his disturbance. He knew she liked to make an effort for him and as much as he wouldn't mind if she came downstairs with no makeup and wearing a burlap sack he knew he had to let her be herself. He loved the woman his girlfriend was slowly but surely growing into. She was strong, independent and didn't take shit from anyone. She was also completely gorgeous. The way her fiery red curls fell down her back made him itch to touch them. Her beautiful green eyes when she looked at him with such trust he felt like his heart would shatter into a million pieces. And to top it off her killer body which he couldn't help but feel boyishly smug about. She was all his and he loved it.
His second reason was because when she had been standing in front of him half dressed with her hair damp and curling he had wanted nothing more than to take her back to bed and have his wicked way with her. And after the hubbub this morning he couldn't trust himself around her. He knew he took things too far with her sometimes but she didn't seem to mind. She trusted him and loved him with such abandon that he knew he would rather die than hurt her. His Clary. His Clarissa. The one who had captured his heart so long ago before he knew love was even possible. He loved her so completely with everything he was.
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"Lightwood." He hears a voice say and looks up. He's been sitting at the breakfast bar for the past 10 minutes drinking a cup of coffee to keep himself occupied while he lost himself in thought.
"Jon." He says nodding at his friend.
"You've been banging my little sister again? You could at least have the decency to sneak out of the house in the morning." He says smirking.
"Jesus, Morgenstern you're something else. I'd rather not discuss Clary with you if it's all the same to you." He says in an appalled tone. He feels his cheeks heat up and sighs.
"Shes happy," Jon carries on ignoring him, "But I'll tell you now if that changes I'll kick your ass."
"And I'd let you." Jace says nodding, "I thought we already had this overprotective brother conversation."
"It can't hurt to remind you." Jon says eyeing him warily.
"Fair enough." Jace says shrugging. Threats from Jon are a small price to pay for his happiness with Clary. He smiles when he thinks of her at the same time hoping she will be down any second now to save him from any further interrogation from Jon.
"By the way dads back he wants to see you in his office." Jon says in sing-song voice.
"Fuck." Jace says his eyes widening. He hadn't really had a chance to speak to Mr Morgenstern since he got together with Clary. Clary had always artfully managed to dodge him or when they did run into him she would make excuses and drag them away. He was away so often it hadn't been too difficult.
"Yeah you got off lightly with me," Jon says with a wide grin, "I can't wait to see what Dad does to you." He is clearly loving every second of this.
"Are you serious?" He asks sighing.
"He's waiting for you in his office." Jon says slapping him on the shoulder on his way out of the kitchen, "Run along Jace… Clary can't protect you this time." He calls over his shoulder and then he is gone.
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Jace stands in front of the door to the office and just stares at it for a moment. Part of him wants to run away and the other part wants to get it over and done with. His heart is beating fast and he finally bites the bullet and knocks on the door.
"Come in." A voice booms from the other side.
"No turning back now," he groans to himself as he reaches for the handle cringing. This is not going to be fun.
Valentine Morgenstern is CEO of Morgenstern Industries a huge global parent company which has many branches. Jace can't even remember them all although he should. All of their parent's companies work together to create a market share of each industry they are tapping into. It's the ultimate tool which is what makes their families so wealthy. Robert is CEO of Lightwood Industries and in London his grandmother Imogen is acting CEO of Herondale Industries. He wonders if this will carry on through to the next generation. But one thing he has learnt for certain over the years, Valentine Morgenstern is not a man to be messed with and if he wants something it's done.
He is so dead.
When he opens the door he sees him sitting at his desk pouring over paperwork in front of him. He looks up after a moment and Jace stands there silently.
"Good Morning Mr Morgenstern." He manages to squeak out.
"Good morning Jonathan ... I mean Jace take a seat." He says motioning to the chair in front of him.
"Thank you." He says regaining his composure.
Valentine studies him carefully and Jace feels his heart beat faster and his face feels hot.
"Am I making you nervous?" Valentine asks calmly.
"No sir." Jace says quickly.
"You look nervous Jace either that or guilty. Do you have anything you're feeling guilty about?" He asks again in that eerily calm voice.
Jaces eyes widen a fraction and he doesn't know what to say. So he just repeats himself. "No sir."
"Hmm ... Calm down boy. Clarissa would not be pleased if I made her boyfriend have a heart attack." He says chuckling and his whole demeanour relaxes.
Jace breathes out a sigh of relief. He was testing him.
"Sorry. I just ... I know Clarissa is very important to you. She's important to me too. I mean..." He says really quickly.
"Relax Jace," Valentine says chuckling, "Let's just chat."
"Okay." Jace says shrugging trying to seem calm.
"So I hear you're off to college soon. Where are you planning on going?" He asks and Jace knows it would not be good time to relax.
"I have a few offers. But I think I would like to go to Idris like my parents did." Jace says calmly. It's the truth. He can work with that.
"Ah tradition is a wonderful thing. Robert and Maryse will be proud." Valentine says brightly.
"I meant my ... Biological parents. I mean ... I know it sounds silly but it would make my grandmother happy to know that I followed in my father's footsteps." Jace says softly correcting him. He doesn't know if it's a good idea but he doesn't want to give him any wrong impressions if he can help it.
"That doesn't sound silly at all. Stephen was a brilliant man. You know we all went to Idris together? Jocelyn & I. Robert and Maryse. Your parents ... Celine & Stephen. I knew him well. We were all friends." Valentine says his tone contemplative
"I know. Maryse she ... Used to show me photos." Jace says nodding, "You were all always together."
"I was deeply saddened when I heard what happened. We all were." Valentine says with a small smile.
"It was a long time ago. I barely remember them." Jace says smiling wryly.
"Still ... I can see a lot of your father in you. You may not think it but you remind me of him a lot. You were always here with the Lightwood children growing up. I do remember Jace." Valentine says his tone finally softening.
"Thank you. Everyone tells me he was a good man." Jace says smiling.
"The best." Valentine says nodding and then he is off again, "What are you going to study?"
"Medicine." Jace says surprised by his sudden change in tone.
"That's surprising. I thought Robert or Imogen at least would have you studying to take over the family business." He says honestly.
"I feel like it fits. Grandmother has always said if I change my mind the business will be there waiting for me. It's unfair of me to assume it should be mine. Will and his family have worked very hard to build it up I couldn't take that from them. It's unfair. It's not like I'm not provided for. I'm not even really a Herondale." Jace says shrugging. Valentine already knows this all there would be no point denying it.
"By name only. That's very honourable of you but ... You're a clever boy I'm sure you'll make the right decision when the time comes." He says nodding.
"I hope so." Jace says quietly.
"So, what will happen to you and Clary when you leave for college?" He says firing off.
"I would hope we'll still be together." Jace says earnestly.
"College holds a lot of temptation for a young man. Do you think you'll be able to get through that?" Valentine asks calmly. It's turning into quite the interview.
Jace looks up at him and locks eyes with him and says the only thing he can think of not knowing whether it is the wisest thing to say.
"I love her." He says his voice steady.
Valentine chuckles. "I know you do. You two ever since you were younger. Your Mum, Celine, used to say 'Val, one day that daughter of yours is going to be my daughter', even back then."
"She was right." Jace says smiling.
"Even still I was young once. I know what it's like. I hope you two are being careful." Valentine says seriously.
"I would never do anything to hurt her, Mr Morgenstern." Jace says solemnly.
"When Jocelyn fell pregnant with the first time we hadn't planned it. We were so young it took a lot out of and when she miscarried it was the worst time. I don't regret it for one day but I hope you will have more sense than we did." Valentine says sighing, "I know my daughter she's becoming more and more like her mother every day. Take care of her."
"I will. I promise you. I won't ..." He says carefully, "I'll always put her first."
"Good man." Valentine says breaking into a smile. A genuine smile.
Jace feels the tension in his frame drop and he sags against the chair in relief.
"I thought you were going to kill me." Jace says grinning.
"Clary is growing up she was going to do this at some point but somehow I always knew it would be you. I'm glad it's you. You two ... Who knows how long it will last but ..." Valentine says shaking his head.
"I'm going to marry her Mr Morgenstern. Clarissa ... She's the one for me I've known it my whole life." Jace says before he can stop himself. He means it and he knows his voice makes that clear.
"So determined just like your father. Well boy good luck to you I hope you're right. I felt the same way about Jocelyn and that worked out well. Clarissa could do worse." He says smiling again.
"Thanks ..." Jace says grinning, he knows that's definitely a compliment coming from Valentine, "I think."
"But just a warning." Valentine says his voice suddenly very different and so serious Jace feels his heart speed up.
"Yes?" Jace asks quietly unsure if he should even be speaking.
"You put one foot wrong. You even think about doing anything to hurt my Clarissa." Valentine says staring him down, "You'll be the one who's hurting. I mean it Jace."
"And there it is," Jace says smiling at him, "I wouldn't have it any other way."
"Bravo, boy." Valentine says smiling for an instant before dropping into a serious tone again, "What would you do if Clary didn't end up going to Idris? Would you convince her otherwise?"
"Mr Morgenstern, Clary is her own person and she will make whichever decision is best for her that's what I love about her. I'd never hold her back. I love her too much. Yes it wouldn't be ideal but I'd be happy if she was happy. We'd make it work." Jace says answering his question as carefully as he can.
Just then the door clicks open and Clary comes in.
"Dad you're home…?" Clary says warily, "and Jace is here with you. Are you trying to frighten him away Daddy?"
"He's unflappable ..." Valentine says chuckling, "It's not working."
"I hope you didn't say anything silly Dad." Clary says her cheeks flaming red.
"Not at all. I think we have an understanding now. Yes, Jace?" Valentine says turning to look at Jace.
"Yes sir." Jace says nodding and he means it.
"Can you let him go now?" Clary asks sighing.
"You may leave now. We'll speak again soon." Valentine says nodding in approval.
"Okay, thank you Mr Morgenstern. It was nice." Jace says smiling and for some reason despite his heart almost jumping out of his chest he feels like it was, that somehow he has gained more trust in Valentine Morgenstern's eyes.
"Let's go." Clary whispers grabbing his hand.
"Just where do you think you're going Clarissa?" Valentine asks and they both stop.
"With Jace." Clary squeaks out without turning around.
"I'm done with him I didn't say I was done with you." Valentine says rolling his eyes as they turn to face him, "I need to speak to you alone."
"Daddy!" Clarissa groans.
"Sit down." Valentine says motioning to the seat in front of him, "Jace can wait for you for a bit."
Clary looks up at Jace with an apologetic look and he just nod at her with a small smile.
She sits down and he exits the room.
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"That boy is in love with you Clarissa. Did you know that?" Valentine says sighing as soon as the door shuts behind them.
"Yes." Clary says nodding, "I love him too."
"I do like him Clary and I can see why he is so special to you," Valentine says nodding at her, "I hope you will work out."
"Dad!" Clary groans turning red.
"That's every fathers dream isn't it?" he says grinning at her, "His daughter only has one boyfriend."
"Dad, please." Clary sighs covering her face with her hands.
"Well, really every fathers dream is that she has no boyfriends and stays his little princess forever but you're growing up so fast Clarissa." Valentine says shaking his head.
"Daddy please ..." Clarissa says pouting at him.
"I can see the way you both look at each other." He says tilting his head to one side, "I hope you're still making your own decisions."
"What does that even mean?" Clary asks confused.
"He's going to Idris did you know that?" Valentine asks.
"Yes. He told me." Clary says nodding still confused.
"So you're going to go to Idris?" Valentine asks pointedly.
"No ..." Clary says exhaling.
"What?!" Valentine asks genuinely surprise.
"I mean I don't know yet." Clary says grinning, "We don't work like that Daddy he wouldn't be happy if we did. I wouldn't be happy if we did."
"Good girl." Valentine says nodding in approval, "But I do still want you to go to Idris."
"Of course you do." Clary says rolling her eyes, "Tradition tradition tradition!" she says exaggeratingly mimicking her father.
"Clarissa stop it." Valentine says rolling his eyes.
"It's okay Daddy. You don't have to worry." She says smiling at him.
"It's my job to worry I know your Mum and I we're not around enough." He says sighing, "But we do worry. We do care."
"Please Dad I know that. Of course I know that." Clary says sincerely.
"I like him but if he puts one foot out of line you tell me." Valentine says with fatherly bravado, "I'll kick his ass."
"Okay Daddy. I will I promise." She says giggling.
"Clarissa ... I know your mum isn't around at the moment and just ..." Valentine says suddenly reddening.
"What is it dad?" Clary asks curiously.
"Are you on birth control?" He chokes out.
"Dad!" Clary squeals, "Oh My God!"
"I'm serious... Because me and your mum had quite the fright that first time around. It almost tore us apart. I wouldn't recommend it. You need to be responsible Clary. Are you being safe?" He says looking embarrassed and concerned at the same time.
"Dad... I can't talk to you about this please." Clary says avoiding his gaze.
"Go see Dr Loss. I mean it Clary." He says firmly.
"He's good to me Daddy. He would never ... I mean …" Clary says colouring again.
"I don't care how good to you he is. He's a teenage boy. You need to use birth control or he's not allowed over anymore. I wasn't born yesterday." Valentine says ranting, "I know I'm not around enough to have any control on the matter so I couldn't stop you even if I wanted to. You're a good girl Clarissa I know that." He says sighing and calming down.
"Okay I'll go see Dr Loss." Clary says nodding in agreement, "Happy?"
"Call your Mum too." Valentine says nodding.
"Okay, I will, Dad," She says nodding again, "Can I go now?" she asks carefully.
"Yes ..." he says seemingly breathing a sigh of relief, "I have work to do."
"Okay Daddy." She says smiling at him and coming around to kiss him on the cheek, "Love you."
"I love you Clary." He says smiling and hugging her close, "Be good my girl."
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Clary rushes out of the office before her Dad can call her back.
She is thoroughly mortified.
"That was a bit horrific." Clary says groaning as she reaches Jace.
"What did he say?" Jace asks pulling her into his arms and holding her close.
"Trust me when I say you don't want to know." Clary says burying her head against his chest.
"I thought I was going to die from heart failure." Jace says kissing her on the top of the head, "I was so sure he was going to kick my ass."
"He could still do that." Clary says looking up at him and grinning mischievously, "He told me he would if I asked him to."
"God, you Morgenstern's." Jace says chuckling, "So violent."
"That we are. Okay I'm going to grab my things." Clary says pouting and standing up straight, "I think brunch is no longer on the cards."
"We can go for Coffee." Jace says tugging her hair playfully, "I still want to take you out."
"Sounds good to me." She says smiling up at him.
So this is the bridge to move this story into a proper story. Sorry for taking so long to update on this but this chapter was very difficult to get out.
What do you guys think?
Please read and review.