Clarissa Herondale laced her arm through her husband's and smiled in delight. The wedding had been perfect – beautiful weather meant the ceremony could take place outside in the late summer sunshine. People had caught up with old friends they hadn't seen in months, if not years, in Magnus and Jem's case. She and Jace had been offered a new job – one that would set them on the path to helping Brooklyn recover from the horrors it had suffered at the hands of the Starkweathers – both young and old. Jace had found out she was pregnant, and had started preparing himself for this newest of challenges. Alec had actually danced in front of people with Magnus – something she definitely hadn't seen coming. Isabelle and Simon were finally engaged, and hadn't left each other's sides since Simon's proposal, and had hardly even stopped holding hands. And whatever Julian had said to Emma, or she to him, they had both returned to the marquis, Julian's arm around Emma's shoulders, eyes shining like the stars and the moon and the sun all at once.
All in all, she thought to herself, that was a pretty good wedding.
But it wasn't quite over yet.
The intro to another song started playing, and Clary felt a tug on her arm. She looked up to see Jace's face smiling down at her. He had chosen this last song himself, as a reminder that they both had a place to go, that they both had a home, even if the best way to describe it was that they had found their home in each other, as cheesy as it may seem.
Almost heaven, West Virginia
Blue Ridge Mountain, Shenandoah river,
Life is old there, older than the trees,
Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze.
She rolled her eyes at his over the top enthusiasm, but took his hand and led him out onto the dance floor for one last dance. They weren't the only ones to notice what song it was, and the nostalgia that the song somehow brought out of everyone took hold of several people, who in turn dragged friends and partners onto the floor. Jace turned her to face him, one hand stealing around her waist, the other keeping hold of her hand. Looking into her eyes, he, very quietly, sang along to the decades-old words that still held meaning over 20 years later.
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong,
West Virginia
Mountain mamma, take me home
Country roads.
Clary's lips twitched into a smile as they swayed on the spot in time to the music. More and more people were joining them on the floor, to the point where some were dancing by the tables rather than on the actual floor cleared for it. Izzy and Simon were staring into each other's eyes, utterly blind to the rest of the world. Magnus and Alec were back on the floor – twice in one night, that was really something – holding each other close, talking quietly.
All my memories, gather round her
Modest lady, stranger to blue water
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine, teardrop in my eye.
Emma and Julian weren't even pretending nothing had happened anymore. Julian had his arms around Emma's waist, her hands splayed across his shoulders as they kissed, oblivious to the wolf-whistles being thrown their way. Luke and Jocelyn were standing at the side of the floor wordlessly, holding hands even as they watched Val, Tavvy, and Raphael, all sprawled across several chairs, half asleep due to the late hour.
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong,
West Virginia,
Mountain mamma, take me home
Country roads.
When the second chorus came on, everyone sang along, quietly at first, but then increasing in volume as the feeling of the song spread through the tent. Clary turned her attention back to her husband, who leaned in to steal a quick kiss while everyone's attention was elsewhere. She smile up at him, this man who had seen her through some of the worst days of her life, this man she would give up anything and everything for – this man who was her home.
I hear her voice in the morning hour she calls me
Radio reminds me of my home far away.
Driving down the road I get a feeling
That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday.
Clary shot an apologetic look at Jace before stepping out of his arms. Keeping hold of one of his hands, she dragged him through the crowd to stop in front of Simon and Isabelle. Tapping Simon on the shoulder to get his attention, she simply held out her hand. Finally registering what the song was, Simon smiled and took it, offering his other hand to Izzy. Isabelle then took a few steps away, leading this growing chain of people towards her brother. Alec realised her intent and accepted her hand almost before she offered it, holding on to Magnus with the other.
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong,
West Virginia,
Mountain mamma, take me home,
Country roads.
Jace found Emma and Julian, who then found Mark Blackthorn and Jonathan Morgenstern chatting in a corner. Jonathan claimed Aline Penhallow's free hand, as Helen Blackthorn found Ty and Livvy. The latter gripped Dru's hand, the other being taken by her father Andrew. He was met by Luke and Jocelyn, who had brought Robert and Max Lightwood along. Max offered his hand to Catarina Loss, who had been talking to Jia and Patrick Penhallow. Tessa Grey and Jem Carstairs joined the chain, as Maryse took Magnus's free hand, and Jem on the other side, completing the circle.
To the place I belong,
West Virginia,
Mountain mamma, take me home,
Country roads.
All the while, people had been singing along to the song that spoke of home, of having a place where you belonged. As every person at the wedding (who wasn't fast asleep) held hands in that unbroken circle, they all realised that was exactly what they had – a group of friends that was as good as family, where they would always be welcome, no matter the time or place.
Take me home, that country road.
Take me home, that country road.
The song ended with every person there practically bellowing the words out, swaying together as one body. They finally broke apart amidst uproarious cheers and whistles.
Clary turned to Jace, and, slipping her arms around his neck, kissed him soundly. There was no mistaking this kiss for anything else: one that said I love you, one that said You are mine and I am yours – one that said I'm home.
The song used in this chapter was Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver. Full credits to the singer and songwriter(s).
Thank you so much to everyone who has read this story! You have no idea how much it means to me when someone favourites/follows it. If you liked it, leave a review – I'll know what to keep doing in the next one. If not, leave a review – I'll know what I should try to fix.
Thank you
NewtPevensie xoxoxox