CHAPTER 6

"Clary…" someone's voice as familiar almost as my own mumbled, a hand stroking my hair back. "Clary, come back to me. I love you." I wanted to open my eyes, to meet my eyes with his golden ones, but my eyelids felt glued together. "Squeeze my hand if you can hear me." He offered. Eventually I managed to put pressure against his fingers which were securely wrapped around mine. I heard Jace gasp beside me. "Clary, I took it, the Silent Brothers told me to drink the elixir. You did it, Angel, you did it."

At the sound of my success, my eyes fluttered open with a gasp. "Jace," was the first thing that managed to pass my lips on a huff of air.

His eyes seemed to light up as if his golden irises had been set on fire. "Hey," he whispered and smiled warmly at me, standing up and placing a kiss on my forehead. I allowed my eyes to flutter closed, savouring the feel of his lips against my skin.

"Hey," I whispered hoarsely, glancing around to notice that I was lying under crisp, white sheets in the Institute's infirmary.

"You had me so worried, what were you thinking?" He questioned, pulling his chair closer to the bed so he could sit closer to me.

I shook my head, closing my eyes. I felt so tired… "How long have I been out?" I asked, noticing the dark circles under Jace's eyes.

He shrugged, "About three days…"

How could I still be tired? I sighed and pushed the thoughts away, locking my eyes with Jace's. I reached up and trailed my fingers along his cheek bone and jaw line. "Jace, I'm so…" but before I could apologise, his lips were on mine, kissing away any words I could possibly have wanted to say to him.

"Jace," I mumbled against his lips, twining my fingers around in his golden curls. "Did it really work?" I pulled away from him, my eyes wandering over his face.

He nodded. "Yes, you really did it, Clary. You freed me from the Heavenly Fire; now you won't be at risk."

I sighed contentedly and stroked my hand over his cheekbone. "I love you."

"I love you too." He murmured, brushing a kiss over my forehead. "So when do you want our wedding day to be?"

I giggled softly, rolling my eyes slightly. "Shouldn't we tell our parents first?" I suggested, thinking what my mother would think of this.

He chuckled alongside me, tucking a strand of loose hair behind my ear and gazing at me lovingly. "Knowing your mother, probably."

***PAGE BREAK***

"Oh, Clary, thank goodness!" my mum exclaimed as she came trotting over to me, arms extended. Luke trailed in behind her, bandages still wrapping around his chest and torso although apart from the paleness of his face, looked healthier than I last remember him looking. My mother's arms embraced me, her lips touching my forehead lovingly.

"How are you feeling?"

"A little sleepy and sore but good." My mother smiled, standing back to look at me in the eye and judge for herself. Finally accepting my answer, she nodded. Over her shoulder I saw Luke give me a warm smile and I couldn't help but smile back.

"Is there any scarring?" she asked, already reaching over towards my shoulder. I glanced at Jace but all he did was shrug, standing up to allow my mother to sit beside me. Gently she pulled the fabric of my sleep top away from the skin on my shoulder and peered at it. I sidelong glanced at it myself, noticing a jagged scar running a short length along the front of my shoulder.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Jace look away and towards the ground, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "Mum," I began, trying to change the topic. Jace looked back up at me at this as I tugged my sleeve back up. Holding my hand out towards him, I told Luke and my mum, "We have some news we would like to share with you."

I felt Jace's fingers slip between mine, squeezing them gently. He looked at me, wondering who was going to deliver the news. I nodded for him to go, sitting back against the pillows wearily. The want for sleep weighed heavily against my shoulders and eyelids but I forced them to remain open, just for a little longer.

Jace seemed to notice my weary position, so he hurriedly explained, "Jocelyn and Luke, the other day, I proposed to your daughter, Clarissa Fray and she said yes. We are going to get married."

I couldn't help smile at the big grin that had broken out over Jace's face. Eventually, after I could finally take my eyes off of Jace, I gazed over at my mother's and Luke's gaping mouths. My mother looked horrified but Luke held a smirk.

"Clarissa Fray," my mother said standing up from her chair. Luke came up behind her and wrapped an arm around her waist, drawing her close.

"Mum, before you say anything, I just want you to know that Jace and I love each other and we want to start our lives together." Jace once again took his seat beside me and kissed me on the temple.

"Actually Clary," she began and I braced myself for the yelling. "That wasn't what I was going to say." My mouth dropped. "I wanted to say congratulations and that I think that after all you two have been through and are still together, I think you two are meant to be." I turned my head in Jace's direction and smiled as his lips met mine. Against my mouth, I could feel Jace smiling too.

I pulled away first, thanking my mother and Luke. "Mum, Luke, if you don't mind, I'm feeling kind of tired."

"Oh, of course, honey." After Luke and my mother had left, I asked if we could go back to Jace's bedroom.

At first he disagreed but eventually obliged. He slipped his arm around my waist, supporting my weight. My feet hit the cold ground, seeping into my skin. I shivered and Jace tightened his grip. Together, we walked towards his room where we fell asleep in each other's arms, listening to each other's heartbeat.

***PAGE BREAK***

My feet were cold, that was the first thing I noticed as I began to wake. I groaned, allowing my eyes to flutter open. As soon as my eyes were open, I knew Jace was gone. I sat up, wincing slightly when I straightened out my shoulders.

As soon as I had heard the shower running from in his bathroom, I knew what I wanted to do. I was on my feet in a matter of seconds and wandering into the bathroom. I silently shut the door closed and crossed the bathroom floor before opening the shower door. Jace whirled around, his eyes wide as saucers, as I stepped in fully clothed.

"Clary?" he whispered alarmed.

"I—I—," I was of a loss for words at the sight of Jace. He was beautiful in ways she couldn't explain. His skin was a golden colour and muscle covered almost every inch of his body. His wild lion's mane was messy and wet and she could see how she used to think he looked like a lion. Yes, she could see the courage and fierceness he had, just like a lion but now, now she could see the angel blood that swirled through his veins. He did look like an angel, her angel. "I love you." Was all she said at last.

He chuckled and cradled her face between his palms. "I love you too, Clary."

"Kiss me." She whispered and he brought his lips to her own. At first the kisses began as small touches until a fire ignited and they became deeper. Jace's hands wandered up her back and up to the shoulder that had been injured during the fight with Lucifer. He pushed the sleeve of my sleep shirt away from my shoulder, letting his fingers graze over the remaining scar.

Jace pulled away, gazing into my green orbs. "You're so beautiful." He ran his hair through my now wet, red hair smirking softly at me. Before I knew it, my clothes were discarded on the wet floor.