These characters do NOT belong to me. They belong to Cassandra Clare and The Infernal Devices series. This is my first fan fiction, so please review gently. I appreciate those that reviewed the first chapter. It was a great help. I know this chapter was short, but I couldn't think of any other way to end it. The next chapter will be longer. I promise (=
For hours, Jem's gentle hands caressed the violin. He played of the years of his childhood, of his time with Will at the Institute, and of his time as a Silent Brother. Finally, he played the song that he had composed for Tessa as a wedding gift. She listened and dreamed throughout the whole sequence. She could seem him running around in China as a child. She could picture him teaching his parabatai to throw knifes. She could see him as Brother Zachariah. Finally, she could see him asking her if she would marry him tomorrow. That had been the plan, to marry him tomorrow. She was shaken from her reverie when he finished their song. He carefully placed the violin on the bed beside him and sunk to his knees in front of her.
He reached out for her, clasping her hand in his. This is how it was supposed to be. He knew that. "Tessa Gray-Herondal, over a hundred years ago. I asked you if you would be my wife. Then, I was unwell, and unable to keep my end of the commitment. I have regretted that every day since. I was not healthy for you then. Now, many years have passed, and I'm well. With each passing, I have thought of you and what it would be like when I finally found a cure. I asked you and you accepted even though you knew I could only shine for you a short time. You make me happy, Tessa, just as you did then. Now I am well, and I ask you again, Tessa, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" He gazed into her eyes intently. She could see the apprehension as if he was afraid that she would say no, that too much had changed.
"James Carstairs, there is nothing I would love more than to marry you. I would marry you tomorrow if you wished it," she said reminding him of that night so many years ago. She pulled his hands to her and kissed them gently. He pulled her to him, and kissed her chastely on the lips. She wrapped her arms around him tightly, her hand finding its way to his hair. She needed to feel him close. With each breath, the kisses started getting deeper. She opened her mouth slightly and pulled him closer. This is what she had needed for so many years. She couldn't touch him as Brother Zachariah and wouldn't as long as she had been married to Will. He, of course, knew of their yearly meeting and was glad that Jem could still be there for Tessa.
Slowly, Jem disentangled himself from Tessa, smiling. "I suppose now it is time for us to retire before I am no longer in control of my actions. I have longed for you for many years, but we must do this the right way, or I shall never forgive myself. I messed this up once, my betrothed, I will not do it a second time." She was smiling as she let herself out of the spare room and into hers. She fell asleep instantly and dreamed of the wedding.