November dawned colder and darker than October, the sun setting sooner each day. Term papers were coming due and exams were just around the corner again. Simon was out of his sling, but attending physio theory sessions every week. His new girlfriend usually went with him to physio, but sometimes Clary tagged along. It seemed time had made Izzy warm up to Clary. Though Jace was a little bias where his girlfriend was concerned, he did understand Izzy's issue there as Jace had once had similar feelings towards Simon. However, Jace was giving himself more credit since he'd been jealous of Simon when he and Clary were actually a couple, rather than over a year later. Then again, Jace remembered the power of those new possessive feelings in his first few months with Clary, and he couldn't judge Izzy too much for feeling similarly.
Simon was spending half his time at home and half at his girlfriend's place these days, but to Jace, all this meant was that he saw less of his friend than before. The same could not be said of Jordan. It seemed Paige had many roommates where she lived, and much preferred Jordan's place to her own. This meant that Jace was becoming very familiar with the blonde haired women being around the apartment.
With Simon deep in new relationship mode, and Alec overwhelmed with wedding planning, Jace often found himself lacking for guy friends. Jordan was around, but it wasn't the same. Jace and Jordan were more friends of friends - than friends themselves - and to top it off, he was usually hanging out with Paige. This might have been why Jace was so on alert for the door. He was expecting Clary home any minute. Hearing the ding, Jace jumped up and had the door open as she was walking in.
"Oh, um hi," Clary said with a slight laugh, clearing being surprised by his presence right at the door. "Have you been waiting at the door for me?"
"If I have, does that make me pathetic?" Jace asked before kissing her hello.
Clary chuckled then said, "Maybe a little."
"Exams are soon, and I have so much work to do," Jace began. "But I don't wanna, and everyone else is busy."
"Oh no, you poor thing," Clary teased him. Jace was having none of this teasing nonsense so he just rolled his eyes at her and pretended to be indifferent to his lack of company.
"Have you figured out what you want to do for Christmas this year?" Jace asked.
"Our second Christmas together," Clary smiled. "Well… we spent the first one at my parents place."
"And we spent the summer with my mom," Jace added.
"Still, I wouldn't want to deprive your mother of you two Christmases in a row," Clary grinned at him.
"I think it's best we go to see your family again," Jace argued. He didn't want to say it out loud, but he was worried Sebastian was still in his hometown. He'd tried to convince his mother to move cities, but she'd fought him at every turn. Celine was nothing, if not a stubborn women.
"It's just your mom right?" Clary asked, as she dumped her school bag on the chair.
"What do you mean?" Jace replied, following Clary as she moved down the hall and into their room.
"I mean, you have no other family to go home to?" Clary explained, opening her drawers.
"Yeah, that's right," Jace said, enjoying the view as he watched his girlfriend change. "Unless we count Will, though it seems like he doesn't visit his much either."
"Why don't I ask my parents if Celine could come join us for Christmas this year?" Clary suggested, now wearing comfy jammies. "That way you still get to see your mom, and annoy my brother." Jace agreed with this idea easily, then moved onto more pressing concerns.
"After watching you put those on," Jace said softly, moving closer to gently run his fingers over the fabric of her pajamas. "I'm feeling highly motivated to take them off."
Clary giggled. "It's late," she said, but her eyes were grinned at him. "We should probably go to sleep."
Unable to resist leaning over to kiss her, Jace placed his hand on the small of her back. A soft contented noise reached his ears from deep in her throat, and Jace took this as a sign.
"Are you sure you want to sleep?" Jace whispered.
"Yes," Clary said. "Though, it could probably wait a little while at least."
"Oh, and whatever shall we do in the meantime?" Jace teased, his breath against the skin of her neck as his hand moved down and under the edge of her shirt, gently touching the bare skin of her back.
"I can think of a few things," Clary gasped as she threw her arms around him. The kiss deepened, and before he thought more about it, Jace had unbuttoned the front of her pajama top exposing her bare chest, her bra having already been shed in preparation for sleep. He wasted no time in bringing his face close enough to kiss between her breasts. Clary whispered his name, and Jace tried to stop himself from grinning as he took her nipple into his mouth.
After that, Clary seemed rather less interested in foreplay. Jace felt her hands at his waist, undoing his jeans. Clary had his boxers around his ankles seconds later. Jace gasped, a sharp involuntary intake of breath caused by her hands grasped him, sending a jolt through him. Pulling away for only a moment to remove his own shirt, Jace pushed their skin together before seizing his girlfriend's lips in a heated kiss. Jace heard the bedroom door close, and knew Clary had kicked it without breaking their kiss.
Turning, Jace pressed her up against the back of the door, his hands roaming down as he worked on evening the playing field. Clary's pajama bottoms now around her ankles, their mouths still locked together, as Jace's hands investigated down below. Clary gasped as his fingers trailed her skin lower and lower. When they passed her navel he felt her opened her legs ever so slightly. Accepting the invitation, Jace moved his hand between, gently stimulating, stroking. He grinned, proud, as he felt how sticky she was. His experienced hand worked it's wonders for a moment as he listened to the moans and exclamations he was invoking in the woman he loved. It was a feeling Jace knew he'd never tire of, for it was the two together that made it magic. He was sure he'd finished her off at least once, when suddenly Clary jumped, wrapping both her legs around his waist. Jace's arousal was suddenly pressed up against her wet warmth, and he stumbled, his strong arms holding Clary's weight for only a moment before they fell backwards onto the bed.
Then Jace was laying on his back, and Clary was suddenly doing all the work. She'd lined them up on her own, and only seconds after they'd landed on the bed, Jace found himself inside her. The muscles of his body tensed as his nerve endings registered the change. He'd barely had time to gasp before Clary started moving. She was contracting those wondrous muscles of hers, squeezing him relentlessly as her hips grinded into him, rocking back and forth. It felt like no time at all before Jace was overwhelmed, coming deep inside her.
She collapsed at his side, both of them panting slightly. Then Clary leaned over, kissed him briefly, and said she had to pee. Jace couldn't help but smile as he watched her walk totally naked across the room. Before opening the door, Clary put a robe on. As she left, Jace couldn't help but wonder if one day they'd live alone, eliminating the need for her robe. Jace loved living with Clary, but in this moment, he found himself wondering what it would be like to live alone with Clary.
The point was further brought home when he heard Clary talking to whoever she'd run into on her way to the bathroom. Jace suspected it was Jordan and Paige rather than Simon, only because at this point it was just statistically more likely. Besides, it was late so whoever was here was likely here to stay the night.
When Clary returned a moment later, Jace hadn't moved. He was still lying naked on the bed, though he was getting cold. When Clary returned to lay beside him, Jace pulled a blanket up over them both.
"What's Jordan up to?" Jace asked.
"Oh, he and Paige were after a late night snack," Clary explained. "We crossed paths in the hall."
"Ah the joys of roommates," Jace sighed.
"Don't sound so gloomy," Clary laughed. "Or haven't you noticed how clean the house has been lately."
"Simon's never here," Jace shrugged. "Less people, less dishes?"
"Nope," Clary said, grinning. "Paige." She said this as if it was an explanation for more than just the number of people present in the house at any one given time.
"Paige what?" Jace asked.
"Paige has been cleaning our house," Clary explained.
"Why?" Jace scoffed. The idea seemed very strange to him. He didn't like cleaning his own house, let alone someone else's.
"No idea," Clary replied.
"Huh, weird," Jace commented. "Have you heard from Simon lately?"
"Texting mostly," Clary said. "But I did go with him to physio last week. He's doing great."
"That's good," Jace said without voicing his curiosity about when his friend would be able to spend time with him again. It was a needy feeling, and Jace didn't like it one bit. He remembered having similar thoughts when Malec had first gotten together, although, back then he'd been single, which had made quite a difference.
"I love you quite a lot, you know," Jace told the woman in his arms in the most serious voice he could muster.
"Is that so," Clary smiled. "Well gosh darnnet, if you haven't been keeping me in the dark this whole time." They both laughed, then Clary returned his words with a whispered 'I love you too' before they both went to sleep.
Jace woke to the sound of his girlfriend's alarm clock. Since moving in with the woman Jace had developed a healthy hatred for the thing. He didn't open his eyes, but he could still sense Clary moving around in the room, getting ready to leave. Jace had class today as well, but not until much later, so he went back to sleep.
Jace was awoken the second time by his own alarm clock, a sound he'd also come to loath, though many years before ever hearing Clary's alarm. Dragging himself out of bed, Jace put on whatever he could find and headed to his advance marketing class. Marketing reminded Jace of the pickup artist industry so much he found it really quite easy to pay attention. The main difference was really the goal, sex vs. sales. Both involved social engineering, persuasion, and manipulation. What amazed Jace the most about his chosen major was that most people didn't know how much of their lives were influenced, or out right manipulated, by marketing. The example that had stuck with him best was the very concept of a diamond engagement ring. As it turned out, the use of diamonds during an engagement was a very new concept, first showing up in the early 20th century due to the most successful marketing campaign in history. Marketing had a great impact on culture, and the day to day lives of almost everyone on the planet, and yet people often think quite the opposite.
Smiling, Jace scribbled down what his teacher was actually talking about instead of general marketing concepts from a class last year. Though he was being a good student and taking notes, Jace was also texting. He'd been trying to steal a moment of Alec's time for what felt like weeks now, and today didn't feel like a good day to give up.
'Weddings can't be that much of a hassle,' Jace texted Alec.
'Get married,' Alec replied. 'Then we'll talk.'
'That settles it,' Jace texted. 'Clary and I are eloping.'
'Ha ha,' Alec added, with a laughing emoji afterwards.
'Does Clary know this?' Alec typed.
'Good point,' Jace replied. 'I should probably tell her.'
'Might be a good start,' Alec texted.
'So when are you free to hang out?'
'In May,' Alec texted.
'Not acceptable,' Jace replied
'I'm up to my eyelashes in wedding right now,' Alec typed. 'Mom keeps calling over and over.'
'As your best man, I feel like I should be included,' Jace continued trying a new angle.
'As your best friend, I have been trying to spare you the torment,' Alec replied.
'Give that up and then we can hang out,' Jace replied.
'Alright then,' Alec texted back. 'Why don't you come over here after class and help me.'
'Done,' Jace replied, putting his phone away and feeling like he'd won.
Less than an hour later however, Jace was sure he'd lost.
Before his eyes was an oray of things he didn't understand. Papers covered in lists, diagrams of circles with lines, and what looked like pictures of cakes were strewn across the table. At least four types of flower arrangements were there as well, all in vases of various sizes and shapes. Magnus sat at the table, a pencil in his mouth as he poured over the seating plans. Alec only waved at Jace as he entered, his other hand occupied holding a phone.
"Yes mother, I know," Alec was saying. "And we agreed to that but-" There was silence for a moment before Alec spoke again. "Yes, that was what I was going to say if-"
"Does she ever let him finish a sentence?" Jace asked Magnus quietly as he moved closer.
"Not really," Magnus laughed softly. "Lovely women, just a little overly enthusiastic."
"Well, I don't know mother, there is always Izzy and Max," Alec said, exasperated.
"What do you suppose she's saying?" Jace asked Magnus, taking a seat next to him all the while looking at Alec.
"From the look on Alexander's face, and what he's saying…" Magnus began. "I'd bet Maryse is trying to get her way by saying this might be her one and only chance to plan a wedding for one of her children."
"Low blow," Jace commented.
"The woman is diabolical," Magnus giggled, though very quietly. "I do know where Alec gets his stubborn side from."
"Well Izzy's dating Simon now," Alec said, annoyed. He was passing faster than before, his voice rising. "And Max is only eight mother."
"Here," Magnus said, pushing a box into Jace's arms. "Five in each bag, then tie the string."
"Huh?" Jace was totally taken off guard as he accepted the box a little nonplussed.
"If you are here, you can help," Magnus explained. Jace looked down at the box in his hands. There was a stack of lacey squares of fabric along with a container of what looked like dried leaves. The only other thing present was a collection of small pink pieces of string.
"Mo- Mother," Alec said clearly interrupting her. "Just because I couldn't make one decision doesn't mean I can't make others."
Alec's head sunk as he listened to his mother speak, though it looked more out of frustration than defeat. With a sigh, Alec covered the phone's mic with his other hand and turned to face them.
"At this point, I think she can talk to nothing for a while and she wouldn't even notice," he said.
"What's she talking about that you can't make decisions?" Jace asked.
"My major," Alec explained. "I never picked one. Mom and dad choose it for me over the summer."
"Why did you come to this school anyway?" Jace chuckled. "If you didn't know what you wanted to study."
Alec just shrugged. "Cause I could, and I'd be away from home, and on my own which is nice."
"And to meet me," Magnus added with a grin. Instantly Alec's own manor changed. The stress on his face melted away, and he moved closer to his fiance.
"And to meet you," Alec agreed, his eyes alite with love as he gazed at Magnus.
"Are you even there!" the voice was clearing yelling, though Jace could barely hear it.
"Yes, sorry mother," Alec said as he quickly held the phone to his ear again.
Jace pretended like he knew what to do with his box of strange things for a moment while Alec finished his phone call. Magnus was still looking at the seating chart like a puzzle to be solved.
"Urg," Alec groaned, when he was finally off the phone. "Maybe we should just elope."
"And face your mother's wrath," Magnus objected. "I think not!"
"Meow!" The Chairman had suddenly jumped up on the table stepping on everything in his path in search of someone who would give him the attention he clearly wanted.
"Bad kitty!" Magnus scolded the feline scooping him up and placing him back on the floor. "You've got your little paws on everything."
"You guys have two cats right?" Jace asked, turning to look for the other one.
"Yes, but Catsby hasn't been himself lately," Alec sighed. "He rarely leaves our bedroom. Spends all day sleeping. Sometime he doesn't even get up for dinner." Alec sounded worried and Jace couldn't blame him. That didn't sound good.
"It's been better though since we've been locking up Chairman when we feed Catsby," Magnus added. There was a hope in his voice that Jace couldn't hear in Alec's. "I think Catsby's eating more that way."
"True," Alec replied. "So let's put Jace to work." There was an evil glint in Alec's eyes, and Jace couldn't help but feel the need for retreat.
Not long after that, Jace found himself filling little silk bags with smelly dead leaves. He didn't understand what the hell the point was, but it was nice to spend time with Alec, and Jace decided it was worth it… at least for today. Tomorrow he might go back to putting off his homework by playing video games, and letting Alec protect him from his best man duties.
Another chapter yay! Don't really have much to say today... just please please review! I do so love to read them. Honestly they are literally the best and I will never tire of hearing what you think of my story. It doesn't matter that this story has over a 1000 reviews because every new one keeps me writing.
Oh no ones told me they hate the timelines so I guess those are staying.
Sneak Peek Chapter 109
She was perfect, in every way. For starters she was beautiful. Her eyes were a smoky grey, her skin slightly tanned. She was wearing a very light pink lip gloss today. Her hair was long, cascading down her back in waves. Her roots were darker, making her hair more dirty blonde than anything. Looking past the physical, she was kind, even-tempered and affectionate. She smiled easier and he liked the way her eyes looked when she did, but what had him so in awe was how much she loved to clean.