I figured that I would put an AN at the top and the bottom for this special chapter. I am going to go ahead and put the mushy and gushy things up here….
Thank you all so much for your support on this story! I know that I never would have finished it without you. Honestly, I will probably always remember this story as the one that I almost never even put up. Thank every single one of you so much for every single favorite, follow, and review that I received. Thank you all that just read it! Believe me when I say that there were plenty of times when I felt like giving up, but then someone would review or PM me and make sure that I kept up my work on this project of mine. You all make me feel so responsible! I love every single one of you! Thank you all for the dedication that you've shown me, you have no idea how much it means.
Now…on to the *sob* final chapter.
It is three weeks after that little episode that Jace and I had that I find myself sitting in the art class room. It's time to present our partners with our completed projects, and I would be lying if I said that I was only a little nervous. So many thoughts are buzzing around in my head as I grab the sketchpad out of my book bag.
What if he doesn't like it?
What if I really did get his nose wrong?
What if the idea was too cheesy and he finds me weird?
What if—?
My next question will never be known, even to me, because Jace snaps me out of my thoughts before my mind can properly think it. "You're awfully slow today," he says. His voice is conversational, but I can hear concern hidden underneath. "Something bugging you?"
I shake my head and smile as I look up at him. His curly blond hair really needs a trim, but I kind of like how it's beginning to brush his shoulders. His golden eyes have been brighter in the small amount of time since we got back together than I have ever seen them. The thought makes me happier than I should probably be, but I don't care.
"You do understand that we have to exchange those artworks today," he says slowly. He smirks as he arches a perfect eyebrow in my direction. "I know that I'm stunningly handsome, and that your brain is probably short circuiting because you like the way I look in this shirt, but I promise you that we will have plenty of time for you to check me out later."
"I would say that what you just said was the most conceited thing that I've ever heard come from your mouth," I say in retaliation, "but I'm pretty sure that it isn't."
His smirk widens, "You didn't deny it, though."
I look down at his shirt, and bite my lip. Did he have to wear a white shirt quite so tight? Stiffening my jaw, I force myself to look away before I can be accused of gawking. "I've seen better," I say, trying to keep up an air of nonchalance. I don't think I do too well.
"Somehow I don't believe you," he says, his voice is teasing and light. "I'll have to interrogate you later, of course, just to make sure that I'm right. Until then, we should probably exchange before Ms. Fray, who's looking over at us strangely, comes over and begins asking questions. I'll have no choice but to be honest with her if she does."
I roll my eyes at him, "That doesn't scare me," I inform him smartly right before I begin flipping through the pages of my sketchpad. I see Jace looking at my art works curiously before I turn flip them over to reveal a new one; there is a look of admiration on his face. "Can I help you, Mr. Herondale?"
He grins sheepishly at me and adverts his eyes. I smirk slightly just as I flip the page of my sketch of Jace, Jon, Alec, and Magnus the night that they all stayed over at the house because my parents had gotten caught in a storm over. Then I am looking at latest finished project. I shyly push it toward Jace, wondering what he is going to say. He is silent as he looks at it. I see a smile starting to pull at the corners of his mouth as he continues to look at it. Despite the smile, I still feel nervous. Why is he smiling so much? He hasn't said anything about it, so for all I know, he could be smiling because it looks ridiculous.
"Here," he says, finally looking up at me. I don't realize that there is a paper sitting beside him until he slides it forward. I grab it and flip it over to the picture. I inhale slightly as my breath is taken away. It looks like he has only drawn a picture of me…well someone that resembles me, anyway…the picture is so much prettier than I am. My hair is literally flames, which I guess I should be mad at, but they're tame and absolutely beautiful. The fire rises into a halo on top of my head, and then I see what are in the background…wings. I look like…like, "An angel."
"My angel," he corrects, a corner of his lips rising in a half-smile. "I love your drawing of me," he says, his voice completely earnest. "I guess all of those hours of shamelessly staring at me have paid off. "It's perfect. I'm a Golden Boy."
"No," I say, smiling fully as I reach across the table and grab his hand. "My Golden Boy."
The bell rings shortly after and I am pulled back into the raging hallways of the school. People are bumping into my from every angle as I try to fight the crowds. Eventually Jace just pulls me into his embrace and pushes through everyone for me. Thanks to him, we make it outside of the building and are walking toward the parking lot in almost no time. "Clary!" I hear a loud voice call me from behind. "Jace!"
We both pause and turn around. Simon and Isabelle are both walking toward us, grinning as they walk hand-in-hand. I smile back and wave them over, shivering as the brisk December air becomes a bit too cold. Both of their faces are red from the cold and they are shivering as much as I am. The only person who is clearly too manly to shiver is Jace. He wraps his arm more firmly around me, trying to protect me from the harsh wind as much as he can. "What can I do to help you guys?" I ask, shaking against him.
"Simon's coming over to our house for Christmas since he doesn't celebrate it. I was wondering if you wanted to come over too at some time," she inquires, her dark eyes were lit up in excitement.
"Of course," I say. "My family normally celebrates early in the day, anyway."
"Alright," Izzy says brightly. "You look as though you're about to turn into a Clary-sickle, so we're going to leave you to run to his car." She gestures to Jace with a smile before they both turn around and jog back toward the school building. I look up at Jace, who quickly spins me around, and we begin walking toward the promise of warmth that sits in his silver Nissan.
I tear myself out of his arms and race toward the car when it is in my eyesight and cackle as I get there before Jace does. I try to open it and swear as I realize that it is locked.
"Something wrong, Morgenstern?" I hear Jace drawl behind me. I turn around and see that he is standing behind me with his arms crossed.
"Your doors are locked," I grumble. "I'm freezing!"
"I'm pretty okay," he informs me smugly. "I think we should stand out here for a while."
"Jace!" I whine, "Please open the door!"
"Fine," he rolls his eyes. "You're going to have to give me an incentive, though."
"An incentive?" I ask raising an eyebrow at him as I walk toward him. Halfway because he has the keys and halfway because I know that he's warm.
He nods his head seriously. "I don't feel like opening the door, so I'm going to need some motivation."
"I think I can do that," I say. I reach around his neck and pull him down toward me, sighing in relief as our lips finally meet. Suddenly, I don't really care about getting into the car, Jace is plenty warm. I don't want to move, I don't want to even think about moving. His lips move over mine with that familiar gentle pace that makes my heart beat not so gently, and I know that I have enough heat flowing through me to last for hours.
"Ugh, gross!" I pull away from Jace and see my brother standing in front of the Honda that is parked beside Jace's Nissan. I find myself laughing as I lean into Jace, relishing in the warmth. It is nice to know that some things will never change.
THE END! :) I finished! The song "We are the Champions!" is now going through my head. I am so happy that I cannot stop smiling, though I am very sad, cause…now what is going to take up my spare time? I guess I'll have to come up with something else. This is where I am going to say my tearful goodbye and walk away, but the thing is…technically, I'm not finished. Remember my promise? Any chapter that you want in Jace's POV, just review and I'll write the top wanted ones.
Some of you that reviewed on the last chapter, sounded like sad parents, and others were begging me for another Clary/Jace story. All of them made me smile uncontrollably as I realized that you guys all actually liked my writing. Your dedication is touching.
Because you all are so dedicated, I'll go ahead and say that I am thinking of a winter themed one….it'll revolve around Clary, Jace, Jon, Izzy, Simon, Alec, and Magnus in a small cabin. Just so you can really get the idea of this…the title will be "Snowed In."
Alright, tell me what you thought of this chapter, and then what you thought of the story as a whole! Did you like it, hate it; hate me for dragging it out for nearly thirty chapters? These are very important things that I need to know if I will continue writing Clace. And finally, what portion of the story would you like to see in Jace's POV the most? Thank you all so much, and until either the first chapter in Jace's POV or the first chapter of my next story, bye! :)
