Chapter 2 is here! Enjoy!

Jace POV

I wake in the morning under the thick sheets, my arms wrapped around her small body. I open my eyes to see her small body lying under the covers, her red hair blowing in her face from the soft breaths of air from her pink lips.

I arrived late last night after spending the day out in the city searching for the perfect ring for Clary. When I came back, I had wandered through the apartment to find Clary fast asleep on the couch with the television still on. I had picked her up and carried her into the bedroom and placed her underneath the sheets.

She was still sleeping peacefully in my arms. I laid there watching her. She is so beautiful. And she may be my future wife. Just the thought makes me smile.

She began to stir and wake up. I gently lent down and placed a kiss on her freckled forehead. With her eyes still closed, she smiled sweetly. Then I was staring into those emerald gold-flecked eyes filled with happiness.

'Good morning beautiful,' I said.

'Good morning to you too,' she whispered.

She suddenly sat up and placed her lips upon mine. I kissed her sweetly and slowly, loving kissing her.

'Where were you last night?' she asked, 'I waited up for you, but you never came.'

'I'm sorry, I was out late' I said.

'Doing what? You've been acting strange all week,' she exclaimed, 'what have you been doing?'

'Um, well it's a surprise,' I muttered, tickling her sides.

'Surprise?!' she squealed.

'Yes. And I cannot tell you what it is.'

'Jace…' she whined, pouting up at me.

'Nope, not telling.'

'Fine.' She said, 'I have to get ready, I'm going Christmas shopping with Izzy.'

She swung her legs off the bed and walked out of the room to the kitchen. I watched as her flaming locks hung over her back, swinging as she walked.

I sat up in the bed and looked over at my bedside table. I reached over to the top draw and opened it to reveal a small blue box. I put my hand inside and took the box in my hand. I slowly opened it up to show the gift Clary would receive for Christmas.

A beautiful silver shining ring perched inside. It had a big emerald gem sitting on the top, the same colour as her forest-green eyes, the reason I chose the ring. In just a few days she would be wearing it.

'Jace!' she shouted, from the kitchen 'Jace, what are you doing? Your breakfast is ready!'

I quickly put the ring back in the draw and walked back to find my wife to-be.

Clary POV

I stepped out of the cab and paid the driver, then I walked inside the coffee shop. I'm meeting Izzy here before we go out to the shops. I walk up to the counter and order a Cinnamon Latte. I usually have a black coffee but I was in a Christmassy mood, so I decided to go for a more festive drink.

I took my paid-for drink and sat down on a table near the window of the shop. I watched as people bustled around in thick winter jackets in the city. I then saw white flecks of snow begin to fall to the ground.

Snow! It was going to be a white Christmas. I was so excited.

I've always loved Christmas. And Halloween. Pretty much every occasion.

This year would be the first Christmas me and Jace will be celebrating at our own apartment. I've already put up a small Christmas tree, as we can't afford a big one, and all the decorations. Jace was a bit uneasy at first with all the colours because he'd never really celebrated Christmas at the Institute, but soon forgot after seeing my happiness at all the ornaments in the apartment.

I was jolted back into real time as the bell dinged as a customer entered the coffee house. I looked up to see Isabelle, walking in with a stylish long red coat and high heeled winter boots. Her dark hair was flecked with snow and her nose tinged pink from the cold air. She swung herself down in the seat next to me, huffing while pulling off her gloves.

'Hey Clary. Oh! Is that a Cinnamon Latte?' I nodded as she begged, 'Please can you grab me one?'

'Sure, hold on a minute.' I replied.

I walked up to the counter and ordered another Cinnamon Latte and walked back to the table to find Izzy sitting comfortably on the chair gazing into her phone screen.

'One Cinnamon Latte, as promised,' I said, placing down the mug.

'Ooh thank you so much, it is so cold outside today,' she said shivering.

'I know, but Christmas is coming up!' I said grinning.

'Uh don't remind me, I have so many presents to buy.' She groaned. 'But we will get them all today, right? Anyway I'm not quite sure what to get Simon, so I'll need your help. Jace I'll probably get him a new jumper or something and Alec too. So much to do, so little time,'

'Don't worry. We will get all the presents today then wrap them at the institute later tonight,' I said.

'Ooh, then we should definitely have a girl's night in!' upon seeing the look on my face, she quickly added 'I'm sure Jace is going out with Alec or Simon tonight, anyway.'

'All right let's go.'

Clary POV

Five hours later, we walked out of the last shop carrying loads of bags on our arms. I bought Simon some Lord of the Rings stuff and Alec a new blue jumper. I got Magnus a new sparkly top and Izzy a new pair of heels. I also bought Luke and Jocelyn some new home stuff as they had recently bought a new house for themselves and needed stuff to decorate.

I took forever choosing Jace's present, it had to be perfect. Izzy had tried to help pick something but in the end I found it. I had a silver sterling ring engraved with a flock of soaring herons with the letter 'H' for Herondale. I wasn't sure he would like it, but after all it is his family's name.

We caught a cab back to the Institute. We walked in the door and went up the elevator to find Jace and Alec standing in the corridor. Jace gave me a curious yet smug look as he said, 'Been shopping then?'

Both the boys laughed as we stumbled out of the door with our many bags.

'Let me have a peek?' said Jace.

I turned away quickly, 'Nope, they're presents. And they are meant to be surprises so you can't see them.' I said firmly.

Me and Izzy rushed down the corridor toward her bedroom. We ran into the room and sat down on Izzy's bed.

'Phew, that was close.' She gasped, out of breath.

'Yep,' I agreed.

'Let's get these wrapped up then,' I said.

Isabelle nodded and we got started. By the end of the hour, we had wrapped them all. We high-fived each other in achievement and stepped out of the room to be met by Jace.

'Can I see now?' he asked. Izzy then rolled her eyes and strutted off towards the library.

'Jace, they are already wrapped, you just have to wait a few more days. Then you can open yours,' I explained to him.

'I don't want to wait,' he said plainly. Then he leaned down and kissed me softly. I sighed and wrapped my arms around his neck to deepen the kiss.

Then we were interrupted by a coughing from the other side of the room. I turned to see an awkward looking Simon standing againist the wall. 'Sorry to interrupt but do you know where Izzy is?' he asked.

'Simon!' I shouted and ran towards him wrapping my arms around my best friend.

He choked and gasped as I squeezed him. 'If you hug me any harder I'll suffocate.' He said

'Now that I would like to see,' said Jace sarcasticly.

I ignored him and turned to Simon. 'I haven't seen you in ages. I missed you,' I whined.

'I know I missed you too. But I had to go on some vampire business things.'

I frowned. What vampire business?

'Anyway,' he said interrupting my thoughts, 'Where is Izzy?'

'Oh, she's in the library.' I replied.

'Thanks' he said as he quickly strolled down the corridor to the room.

Jace then walked over and wrapped his arms around me. 'Do you want to go back home now?' he asked, staring into my eyes.

'Sure,' I said, grabbing his hand.

We went into the elevator and then grabbed our coats and stepped out into the cold air.