Pictures finally over (why had she given in to Luke? She hated photographs anyway – she preferred to be taking the pictures than being in them, but on her wedding day she didn't really have a choice…), Jocelyn led the family into the marquis that had been set up on the other side of Fairchild Manor. The rest of the guests fell in behind the combined forces that were the Greymarks, the Lightwoods, Magnus and his adoptive sons, and Simon and Jonathan – Clary's two brothers, one by blood and one by choice.

The guests made their way towards the tables set up around the edge of the marquis, where bottles of wine and champagne were waiting, along with small piles of chocolates (all chosen by Jonathan and Jace, Clary having tasted a few and declared herself unfit for the challenge). The newlyweds, Simon and Isabelle, and Alec and Magnus sat themselves at the top table, Alec looking distinctly uncomfortable at everyone being able to see him. Magnus took his hand under the table and started drawing random shapes on the back of it with his finger, which appeared to have a calming effect on his boyfriend – he leaned back, no longer ramrod straight in his chair, a shy half-smile on his face.

Once everyone settled down, Jace rose from his seat and waited for silence.

'So now that the official part of the day has come to an end, the party can begin! Everyone grab a glass and fill it to the brim,' he said, matching the actions to his words. 'Would you all please be upstanding and join me in a toast before the real fun – and chaos – of the event can begin.' There was a general wave of laughter and conversation from all corners of the marquis as people complied with his instructions. As the room fell silent again, Jace raised his glass of champagne. 'To the future!'

'To the future!' The shout resounded through the tent and across the lawns of Fairchild Manor. Jace met Clary's gaze and nodded once as he drank. Clary blushed and sipped from her glass. She was feeling a bit dizzy, but felt better as Jace laced his fingers with hers, steadying her. He drew her towards him slowly, and despite being in front of their gathered friends and family, kissed her gently and sweetly, a kiss of reverence and love and hope.

Clary tried to lose herself in the kiss, to not think of anything but Jace, but she couldn't shake the questions that had plagued her for days: Does he know? Should she tell him? What would he say?

The sound of applause drew her back to reality. The couple broke apart and shared an embarrassed smile as the room shook with laughter. Jace sketched an overexaggerated bow and Clary rolled her eyes at her husband's antics. A few people in the marquis wolf-whistled, provoking another round of laughter.

Suddenly, Clary's attention was diverted from her ridiculous husband to her new not-exactly-mother-in-law. Maryse Lightwood was making her way up from her seat to the front of the marquis. She reached the top table and stood just next to and in front of it. The room quietened as they noticed her standing there, and an expectant hush filled the tent.

'I would like to impose my presence on you here for only a few short minutes, as I have an important announcement to make. But first, congratulations to the married couple!' Jace and Clary both nodded their thanks as the marquis erupted into applause once again. 'Secondly, I wish to announce that I will be stepping down as the Head of the New York Institute to return to Idris to help start up the Shadowhunting Academy after its twenty years of closure.' The room burst into frenzied whispers at this unexpected news. 'However, I have spoken to the most senior members of the Clave about my successors, and they have agreed to allow me to offer the position to those whose union we are here to celebrate: Jace and Clary Herondale.'

Clary's head whipped round to look at Jace, asking silently whether he knew anything about Maryse's offer. He looked about as perplexed as she felt, so she deduced Maryse had kept her plan completely secret. Clary raised her eyebrows, and when Jace shook his head, still in shock, she stood and addressed Maryse.

'We appreciate your faith in us, and are honoured by your offer, but I think we need some time to discuss it properly. As you can see, we've had several other things occupying us recently.'

A few people chuckled at her understatement while Maryse nodded in acceptance. The bubble of conversation grew and grew as Jace and Clary stared at each other in shock for several seconds. The moment was broken by Jace running his hand through his hair and declaring, 'I need a drink.' He reached for the bottle in front of them and poured himself a large glass, before offering Clary one. She refused, with a darting glance down at herself. Jace shrugged and took a long drink when he froze.

Clary's heart sank. Jace replaced his champagne flute very precisely on the table in front of him before turning his head slowly to look at her directly. He took a deep breath, and then another one.

'Clary.' His voice was controlled, tense.

She made a face. 'Yeah?'

'You've been acting strange for weeks now. First you won't help choose the chocolates because you said you weren't up to it. You're up to everything – especially if it involves chocolate. Then you shut me up for talking about leaving you alone with a son. Now you seem off balance and you aren't drinking. Clary. Please tell me if I'm right or if I'm adding two and two and getting seventeen.'

Clary shut her eyes for a second, regaining control of herself. She met Jace's gaze and nodded, a tiny movement that was almost imperceptible. His eyes widened. 'By the Angel,' he breathed. 'This is really happening? We're really going to be parents?' Clary nodded again, a smile growing on her pale face. Jace's face broke into the biggest grin Clary had ever seen, and he wrapped his arms around her as silent tears of happiness and relief started running down her face.

Jace finally released her with a kiss on the cheek. Clary smiled but turned to Isabelle who was staring at her with mounting horror. 'What HAPPENED?' she hissed.

'Tissue first, explanation later,' Clary countered. Izzy rolled her eyes but fished around in her clutch for a handkerchief. As Clary dabbed at her eyes carefully, trying not to disturb her makeup any more than she already had – thank the Angel for Isabelle's use of waterproof mascara! – Isabelle eyed her with an expression that was somewhere between disapproval and curiosity.

'Well?' Isabelle's curiosity had obviously overcome her irritation, and she was now waiting expectantly for an answer. Clary looked over at Jace, who still appeared slightly shell-shocked, but his eyes were glowing in awe. He realised his wife was watching him, and raised his eyebrows questioningly. Clary glanced back at Izzy and mouthed, 'Do I tell her?' Jace thought for a second before shrugging as though saying, 'Your call'.

Clary turned back to Isabelle, who was fast growing impatient. Steeling herself, Clary decided to go with the shortest explanation.

'Jace just worked out I'm pregnant.' Isabelle gasped, eyes widening is amazement. Clary hurried on, now the worst was over. 'Izzy, you can't go round telling everyone. I mean it! I'm still coming to terms with the idea, and Jace only just found out, so it seems a bit strange for everyone else to find out now.'

Isabelle pursed her lips, clearly unhappy at having to keep such a momentous thing secret. 'Can I at least tell Simon?' she said, darting a quick look at her boyfriend. 'I mean, as your parabatai, he deserves to know, right? Doubly so, as your best friend's boyfriend. And-'

'I get it!' Clary interrupted. 'Yes, you can tell Simon. But not instantly. Wait a bit – I'm pretty sure people will be wondering what the commotion is, and I'd rather it didn't look like we were playing Chinese Whispers.'

Isabelle nodded her assent, then wrapped Clary in a tight hug. 'I'm so happy for you!'

'Thanks, Iz,' Clary managed, getting teary-eyed again. 'Now let me go before I stain your dress!'

Isabelle released her, allowing her to dry her fresh tears. Clary realised that everyone else in the marquis was looking at her expectantly. Then she noticed that Jace had once again risen from his seat, and concluded that she was not the object of people's focus, so joined her attention to theirs and concentrated on Jace.

'Now that we're all feeling better for having had a drink – or drinks, I'm not judging – would everyone please gather round the dance floor for the official first dance.'