Disclaimer: I don't own The Infernal Devices because if I did there would be many more books in the trilogy

Hello, you don't necessarily have to read this if you wish to skip it. This summer has been really good to me. Better than a lot of the year, and I would just like to thank all of you who have given my story a chance. Updates are going to become less frequent – if you can even call them frequent now – as the year progresses, and school starts again.

I am not, however, giving up on this story. Not again. Though updates may not be every other day, or every week, they are still coming and I still have plenty ideas in store. Thank you for taking time to read this and for your continuing support.

For the First Time in Years

x-x-x

Cecily was practicing shooting arrows as she made conversation with Charlotte. Since Charlotte was now 8 months pregnant, Henry refused to let her demon hunt, much to her distaste. But Henry wasn't content with leaving her alone in the Institute with just him either; claiming if something happened he wouldn't be able to rush around very fast in his state. Therefore, every time the Shadowhunters went demon hunting, one would stay behind and train the entire time. It was Cecily's turn today

"Ie! Cymerwch y William!" Cecily exclaimed; jumping up and down as she finally hit the bull's eye after attempting fruitlessly to hit it for weeks. William had thought Cecily could never do it; and Cecily was determined to prove him wrong. And now she finally had.

For the first time in years, Cecily felt happy.

"Gabriel will be very impressed," Charlotte mused from her seat by the window. "It is his weapon of choice."

Cecily smiled, she had forgotten about Gabriel's weapon of choice. "Yes I suppose he will."

Charlotte suddenly gasped and Cecily immediately spun on her heel to face Charlotte, worried that something was wrong with the baby. But the smile spread across Charlotte's features told her that she was fine. Straining to look over her shoulder towards the window, Cecily saw the Shadowhunters outside the Institute, meaning everyone was back safely; which always made Charlotte excited.

Running towards the doors, or at least attempting to with her swollen stomach, Charlotte was at the door before everyone else was.

Ever since she became 8 months pregnant, the hormones had taken quite an interesting effect on Charlotte. She got excited whenever the shadowhunters came home, she craved the weirdest foods, and she was always in the mood for a nap.

Gabriel came up to Cecily and gave her a hug, Will scowling at them the entire time. Only then did Cecily notice the gash in Gabriel's arm, a small amount of blood dripping out.

"You're hurt," she said, pulling away.

"Yes but I'll live." He smiled, but walked down the hall, and up the stairs to his room none the less, Cecily and Gideon trailing behind him; both holding bandages and a stele.

x-x-x

When Cecily and Gideon finally finished wrapping Gabriel's arm, applying many iratzes to his skin in the process, Gabriel was told he needed to rest, by Cecily, Charlotte and Gideon, so he complied and had been asleep since.

Cecily took this time to train more; she really did want to impress Will. Opening the door to the training room, Cecily peered inside to find none other than Will sitting on one of the benches in the back of the dimly lit room, his eyes held a distant look, clouded over in thought.

"Will?" Cecily questioned when she was in his hearing range.

Will looked up, slightly startled and smiled at Cecily, though the smile didn't reach his eyes.

"What is it Will?" Cecily asked.

"It's nothing, chwaer fach." Will reassured his little sister, but she wasn't convinced.

"No it's not Will. I knew you for the first 9 and a half years of my life, I know when you're not fine."

"It's just… I always imagined Jem to be there when I got married, and I him. But that is just a dream out of reach now, I suppose. We both never really thought we would find love. Me because of that stupid curse, and Jem with his very short life expectancy." His voice broke at the end, talking about Jem always did that to him.

Cecily was silent for a moment before she conjured up a response.

"Jem will come." She said, just above a whisper. "He will, even if it means breaking the silent brother's oath. He wouldn't miss it, I'm certain; for you and Tessa also." Cecily said confidently, leaving no room for protest on Will's side of the conversation.

He opened his mouth to respond, but simply stood and embraced his sister. Cecily remained still for a moment, before hugging her brother back. She really did believe that Jem would come, no matter the consequences.

For the first time in years, William cried.

x-x-x

Cecily walked through the dimly lit hallways of the London Institute. Her mind was swirling with thought, causing her to have a restless night. She walked up to the rooftop of the Institute. The midnight air consumed her as she looked up at the sparkling stars above her. She sighed contently, ever since she came to the Institute, she had felt more alive.

She sometimes wondered if the path she chose for herself was the right one. If embracing the fact that she was a Shadowhunter was really what she was meant to do. But then she thought of all the things that came out of it; all the new experiences that she would have never known had she stayed behind; her brother, friendship, Gabriel.

She could be who she was and embrace her true self; she was a Shadowhunter. It just felt so right, a seraph blade in her hands, a stele probably the most beautiful instrument she had ever laid eyes on, drawing delicate runes on her skin. The adrenaline she felt every time she fought or trained. It was what she was meant to do.

Laying her head back on the uneven stone of the roof, Cecily closed her eyes, smiling as images of Gabriel flooded her vision. That night she slept under the stars, and for the first time in years, she was completely content with where she was in her life.

x-x-x

Love Always,

if-x-you-x-knew