It had been the first Valentine's night that Izzy hadn't had sex in a long time, but it had also been the best Valentine's she'd ever had. She and Simon had ordered dinner in, and then spent the evening curled up on the couch under one large blanket sipping hot cocoa and watching netflix.

Izzy woke up the day after Valentine's to the brown haired man who'd made her happy laying beside her. Simon looked different without his glasses, and for a moment she enjoyed watching the peaceful expression on his face. Then it was time to get up. Izzy made her way to the kitchen, and found herself face to face with Maia. To judge by her roommate's extremely hungover appearance, Maia had had a very different Valentine's day than Izzy.

"No talking," Maia ordered, looking up from where she sat at the kitchen table.

"Fun night, was it?" Izzy giggled. Maia just grunted, as if in pain before opening the bottle of pills beside her and swallowing a few with water.

"I'm going back to bed," Maia whined, standing up clutching a water bottle close to her chest as she slowly moved in the direction of her bedroom.

Grinning to herself, Izzy started making breakfast. When Simon made an appearance a few moments later, she offered him eggs on toast with a cup of coffee.

"You might be perfect," Simon said by way of thank you as he began eating.

"You're welcome," Izzy chuckled as she set her own breakfast down and ate across from him.

Simon often spent mornings at her place, since Jordan seemed to have taken up permanent residence in the spare room at Jace and Clary's place. Izzy had told Simon many times that this was unfair, but Simon always said he didn't mind since he was rarely home anyway. Izzy had then decided to let it go, as she was quite happy to steal Simon away from his roommates.

After breakfast they had class and life went on. Her mother had taken to calling Izzy far more than usual to talk about her brother's wedding. Alec was getting more and more stressed out by the day. It seemed like every other comment he made lately had something to do with the wedding, or their mother.

"Do you think mom and dad would disown me if I eloped?"

"Why? Oh why, did I plan my wedding right after exams? Am I stupid?"

Izzy's reaction was usually to say yes to the first question, so Alec didn't get any ideas, and no to the last question, so her brother wouldn't go assuming he was an idiot just because April the 19th was a mere two days after exams. Alec's usual follow up questions were in regards to failing all his exams. It was at this point that Izzy would remind her brother that Magnus was far more important than exams. She knew this in a way she hadn't understood before. The first time she'd been in love everything had hurt, and she'd decided it was beyond her reach. Simon had taught her differently. Had that day in the hospital really only been four months ago, or was it more like five now? Either way, it felt like forever, and yet it had all happened between heartbeats.

Izzy's mind was brought back to the present when she heard a knock at the door. Assuming Maia had forgotten her key or something, Izzy opened the door just to be face to face with definitely not Maia.

"Um hi," the guy said. "Is Maia here?"

"Not at the moment," Izzy replied. "And you are?"

"Oh sorry!" the guy said. "Bat."

"Bat?" Izzy asked dubiously.

"Yes," he replied. Bat had dark skin like Maia's, broad shoulders and a very square jaw. He was very attractive if you liked that casual look of jeans and a t-shirt. "I know it's a weird name. Anyway can I give you something to give to Maia?"

"Sure," Izzy answered. He handed Izzy a slip of paper with a phone number on it, and the name phrase 'Bat from the bar' scribbled under it.

"Tell her, it's just in case she still likes me sober," Bat grinned at her.

Izzy grinned, imagining the kinda Valentine's day night Maia had had to lead to an attractive man at her door. Oh Maia wasn't getting out of this one. Izzy wanted details. She happily agreed to Bat's terms, and he left smiling. It was a few hours before Maia got home.

"You've been holding out on me," Izzy giggled as her roommate entered the apartment.

"I don't know what you mean," Maia said, dumping her school bag as she walked inside.

"I am referring to the tall handsome man who came to our door mere hours ago," Izzy teased.

"Urg," Maia groaned.

"First question," Izzy said jumping up. "How did he know where you live?"

"I was very drunk," Maia groaned. "He made sure I got home okay."

"Ooh!" Izzy giggled.

"Don't say ohh in that way you do," Maia scolded. "He never came inside."

"Still that was very nice of him," Izzy replied, smiling.

"Yeah," Maia replied, as if this fact had only just occurred to her. "It was, wasn't it."

"A very gentlemanly thing to do," Izzy smiled.

"He did kinda save me from a creepy guy too," Maia said.

"A gentleman and, a knight," Izzy grinned.

"Don't get ahead of yourself," Maia scoffed. "I totally had it handled."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, I was gonna punch him," Maia said matter of factly. Izzy laughed.

"As if," Izzy replied. "Just because it's happens on tv doesn't mean it actually happens."

"I was totally gonna punch him!" Maia repeated.

"If you say so," Izzy smiled just to end the conversation. Maia was pretty bad ass in some ways, but that didn't mean Izzy could picture her punching a guy.

"So, are gonna call him then?" Izzy asked.

"Can't," Maia explained. "Never got his number, and I don't know where he lives, so there's nothing I can do but hope he comes back again when I'm actually home."

"So does that means you liked him sober?" Izzy said with a wink.

For what could have been a whole minute, Maia stared, as if trying to recall something. Blinking, she turning back to Izzy. "I think I almost remember him saying something about that," Maia mumbled.

"Oh wow," Izzy giggled. "You really were drunk." Then she reached into her pocket and pulled out the slip of paper Bat had given her.

"Here," she said. "He left this for you. Balls in your court my friend, but remember this. You deserve a knight."

Of course, Maia just rolled her eyes, but Izzy had a feeling that underneath the shield of disinterest Maia had needed the pep talk. Trying to act like she didn't care, Maia took the slip of paper, and a while later, Izzy caught her adding his number to her phone. Despite this, Izzy was pretty sure Maia didn't call right away since she saw nothing of Bat over the next week. She kept arriving home expecting to find the broad shouldered man in her living room, but instead there was only Maia.

"What ya doing?" Izzy asked one day when she plunked herself down next to Maia on the couch.

"Watching tv," Maia mumbled, swallowing her mouth full of chips as she did so.

"In your sweats on a Saturday night!" Izzy scoffed.

"Hey!" Maia argued. "You stay home on Saturday nights all the time now."

"With Simon!" Izzy sighed. "You haven't called Bat have you?"

"Umm," Maia mumbled.

"Give me your phone," Izzy said, making a lunge for the some device. Maia moved slower, and seconds later Izzy held the cell phone in her hand. Knowing she had only seconds, Izzy quickly opened a new text, typed in 'hi' then sent it to Bat.

"NO!" Maia snapped as she managed to get her phone back in her hands.

"What have you done?" Maia whined, sinking even further into the couch.

"You're welcome," Izzy replied.

"But now it's real," Maia continued whining. "It was all perfect before, and now you've messed everything up."

"There was nothing to mess up!" Izzy yelled. Just then Maia's cell phone went off, and both girls turned to stare at it for a split second, then both of them dived for the phone. Before Maia snatched it from her hands, Izzy saw that Bat had replied with 'hey you.'

"See, he likes you!" Izzy said, frustration obvious in her voice. "He's hot and nice, and he likes you. What the hell is your problem?"

"Me!" Maia snapped. "I'm my problem."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Izzy said, the anger in her voice suddenly gone.

"I ruin things," Maia said. "I'm good at school, and I'm good at sitting in my sweats watching reruns of New Girl, but when it really matters, I get scared and ruin everything! I'm a ruiner, and he can do better."

"You're not a ruiner," Izzy sighed, turning on the couch to face her friend. "You're scared of being hurt again, and didn't take a leap before the chance passed you by. That isn't the same thing, and it doesn't make you a ruiner. Don't miss this opportunity. Don't make the same mistake twice. He couldn't do better than you."

Gently, Izzy reached out to Maia's phone in her hand and closed her fingers more securely around it. They both looked down at the phone, and after a long moment Maia turned it in her hands and began to type. Izzy smiled as she watched her friend take the first step towards healing from her broken heart.

Izzy slowly moved away to leave Maia alone with her phone and Bat. She was late to meet up with her boyfriend to see a movie. Greeting Simon with a kiss, then walked into the theatre hand in hand, and when they got out, Izzy checked her phone. There was a single text message.

'Thanks,' Maia had texted. 'But you're annoying.'

Izzy laughed. She couldn't resist showing Simon the message, and they ended up talking about their crazy friends the whole way home. Simon felt very in the middle, thanks to his friendship with both Maia and Jordan. Izzy was very pro-Maia in her opinions as she didn't know Jordan that well. Both Simon and Izzy could agree they wanted their friend to be happy. It was one giant mess for sure, but in time she hoped things would sort themselves out. Maia could be with Bat, and Jordan seemed happy with Paige. Maybe one day their friends would be comfortable in the same room together and make Izzy and Simon's lives easier.

"It's a slightly selfish point of view," Simon admitted. "But I totally get it. I spaced when I invited them both to my de-slinging."

"De-slinging?" Izzy giggled.

"Well, what would you call that party?" Simon asked. Izzy didn't have a better answer, and the topic flowed easily into making up more and more ridiculous names for it.

To Izzy's great relief a few days later, she arrived home to find Bat in her living room. Quickly making her escape, Izzy gave them some time alone. Maia deserved to be happy. Just because Jordan was her first love, it didn't mean she couldn't fall in love again, and Izzy wanted that for her friend.

It was amazing to her how things and even people can change. As March arrived, and with it the two year anniversary of her meeting Simon in an elevator, Izzy reflected on the person she'd been the first time she'd visited this university. Spring break Izzy had been much more broken, hiding behind her mask, but she'd have never understood the celibate monogamous romantic happy mess she was now. And yet, the two versions of her were the same in other ways. Maybe that was just the way it was? Maybe an individual was meant to be many different people during their life.

The very definition of life is change. Rocks remain the same for eons, while plants evolve, adapt, and grow. Rapid change is what separates living things from everything else in the universe.

But that was quite enough mulling over the universe for one morning, Izzy thought as she took a deep breath and stretched. Thankfully, it was Sunday, so even if she wasn't going to mull over the universe, Izzy could lay in bed for as long as she wanted. Even better, Simon didn't even have to work today. Smiling at the thought, Izzy rolled over to look at him. His eyes were closed, his breathing even, but Izzy could see the corners of his mouth twitch. He so wasn't sleeping.

"Faker," Izzy sniggered, leaning over to kiss him. Simon's arms came up around her, pulling her closer and deepening the kiss. Izzy had gotten quite used to waking up this way, and she loved it. Waking up without kisses was quickly becoming her least favourite part of any morning where she didn't wake beside her boyfriend.

"No class, no work," Izzy smiled, resting her head on his chest. "What do you want to do today?" Rather than reply, Simon stared at her, his eyes fixed. It wasn't so much that Izzy minded, more that she wasn't sure what it meant. Then she felt his hands ran down her sides, over her hips as he kissed the side of her neck. This was a little more than his usual wake up smooches.

"Not that I'm complaining," Izzy gasped. "But I thought-"

"Do you love me?" Simon asked suddenly. Izzy froze for a moment, caught completely off guard. She knew the answer to his question, but for some reason her throat was stuck. He wasn't kissing her anymore, but looking at her with that same intensity.

"For so long, we were together without it," Simon continued. "And I just- I mean, I want to know before-"

"That word means too many things," Izzy said slowly. "There are so many forms of love. We use the word too liberally, though it holds such meaning. How can I say that I love shopping and mean it in the same way that I love you? It's the same word, but it's not. When my parents tell me they love me, it's different again, but there isn't just a difference between platonic and romantic love. Every love is different. Complex in it's own way. The way I remember loving Kris, isn't how I feel about you now."

"That's rather more words than I'd expected," Simon smiled down at her. They were still in bed, together under the blankets with Simon half sitting up resting his weight on his elbows, gazing at her.

"Sorry," Izzy mumbled, hiding her face in the gap between the pillows.

"Isabelle," Simon spoke in a whisper. She felt his hand gently touch her face and it sent a shiver along her skin. Though his next words affected her in ways she couldn't describe, it did not surprise her. "I love you."

"I love you too," Izzy replied sincerely. She could feel tears pooling in her eyes, not because she was sad.

Then he was kissing her again, his hand at her waist. Izzy lost herself in their kiss, her hands in his hair. They were both wearing sleeping clothes, her a nightgown and him an old t-shirt and boxers. Simon was on top of her now, his hands moved down to push her nightgown up. When Izzy asked if he was sure Simon just replied that they'd waited long enough.

"Why now?" Izzy gasped, trying to keep her head. She needed to know, but she was having a hard time remembering that she needed to know. Simon's hadher nightgown up past her navel and his hands had found her breasts, cupping them and teasing her nipples. It becoming increasingly difficult for Izzy to think.

"You're beautiful," Simon began, speaking between kisses. "You're mine…" He paused, and just from the tone of his voice Izzy knew this last part would be what really mattered to him. "And, you love me."

"Is that what you wanted," Izzy gasped as her nightgown came over her head. "My heart?"

"Yes," Simon whispered against the sensitive skin of her neck. "Since the day you looked me in the eyes, and told me not to fall in love with you."

"So it's true then," Izzy said, grinning. "Men always want what they can't have." She'd intended it to come out as a joke, but just as she was speaking, Simon trailed his fingers just above her panty line and came out more like a whimper.

Izzy was breathing hard now, her blood rushing in her veins. Reaching down, she wanted to see if he was in a similar situation, but Simon had other ideas. He was more interested in her than in himself as he continued to tease her with his kisses and caresses. Simon had begun kissing down her neck, over and around her breasts, then past her navel, his fingers hooking into her panties and sliding them down to her ankles. Slightly what was left of her clothes off her legs Izzy surrendered herself to her sense. Her legs spread apart almost involuntarily as he gently touched her thigh. She could feel a tingling sensation all over her skin, but it wasn't until his mouth and tongue went to work that Izzy found herself crying out. That explosive feeling building inside of her quickly, Izzy decided to take charge. How dare Simon still be fully clothed when she hadn't a stitch on! So rude!

Sitting up, Izzy reached out to him, or rather for his shirt, which found its way to the floor.

"Way to ruin my plan," Simon laughed.

"Says the man trying to have sex with his clothes on," Izzy scoffed. She got started on his boxers, but then Simon's hands gently wrapped around her wrists. Izzy looked up at him and the expression in his eyes told her all she needed to know. The love in his eyes melted her. Oh well, she thought as she gently fell back down on the bed, at least half his clothes were off.

Seconds later she climaxed, her back arching and her toes curling while Simon's fingers were up inside her, hitting all the right points. But she wanted more than just his fingers.

"You're turn," Izzy said firmly as she made a play for his boxers again, getting them down to his knees. Izzy smiled. All that foreplay had harded him. Reaching out with her hands, she explored him, still grinning.

"Do we need-" Simon managed to say even as she was distracting him, but she shook her head. He asked again, and she reminded him about her IUD. Izzy pulled him down on top of her, wrapping her legs around him fiercely. She could feel him now, hard against her thigh. She was so wet, there wasn't even any need to use her hands to line them up. A slight adjustment of her hips, and Izzy felt him enter her. She sighed contentedly.

"Got you," she whispered, before linking her feet together behind him, and holding him there. He couldn't move, couldn't thrust, but Izzy had other ideas. She began to sway her hips back and forth in a vertical motion. Not only did this rub her cliterous the right way, but she loved to hear the gasps it induced in Simon. Then she began tensing and relaxing her muscles around him, squeezing him with everything she had. Everytime she did it Simon's eyes went a little wide, his mouth opening slightly. Sometimes he gasped.

He was hers and she had never before had sex with such a possessive feel to it before. He belonged here, wrapped in her, and here he would stay.

"Mine," Izzy repeated as she kissed his nose.

"Your prisoner you mean," Simon replied, smiling. The smile quickly turned into a sharp gasp as she tightened her grip.

"You don't look too upset about your incarceration," Izzy giggled.

"Oh!" Simon said sharply. Then he grinned and added, "Laugh again."

"Can you feel that?" Izzy asked.

Simon nodded. "You're muscles move differently when you laugh," he told her.

"What ever shall we do to make me laugh," Izzy smiled at him.

"Oh, I don't know," Simon grinned. "I could tickle you."

"With what hands?" she asked. Both of Simon's arms were currently being used to hold the weight of his body up rather than crush her.

"With my nose," he grinned as he leaned down to run his nose over the skin of her neck and shoulders which was probably all he could reach from this angle. Still, Izzy couldn't help the laughter that sprang from her. She felt Simon's body freeze up for a moment, and knew he was done.

Simon made to move off her, but Izzy didn't losen her grip. "Stay," she told him.

"But my arms are tired," Simon whined. Grinning, Izzy executed her solution to this. Flipping them around without unlinking, she rested her head on his chest, and felt his arms wrap around her.

"This is something we've never done before," Izzy said softly.

"Well typically, one does pull out afterward," Simon chuckled.

"Not that," Izzy said. "Snuggling after sex."

"True," Simon replied. "That doesn't really apply to a friends with benefits agreement, does it?" Izzy shook her head.

"It's nice," she whispered. One of Simon's arms left her back, and he moved a little to one side. Then a moment later, she felt a blanket come up over them.

And for a while they stayed like that. Izzy could feel him still inside her, even if he was soft and about to slide out. She had her head resting on his shoulder. As their breathing synced up, Izzy thought it was the perfect way to spend a Sunday morning.

Guest review:
Loved that bit with Bat! He swooped right and acted like a true man! Great chapter

My Reply:
Indeed he did!

Sneak Peek Chapter 119

As the room filled with people, Magnus became more and more gleeful with anticipation. In moments he'd stand in front of all these people and vow to love Alexander for the rest of his life. It was terrifying and amazing all at once, and Magnus wanted nothing more than to be here in this moment, marrying the man of his dreams.

The music shifted, and all eyes turned to the end of the hall, created by the chairs. There was a collective pause as everyone waited. As best women, and best man, Clary and Jace entered first, closely followed by Izzy and Tessa. Then came Lucie in the most adorable little dress Magnus had ever seen. In her hand, she held a basket of rose petals, though she seemed rather reluctant to start throwing them on the ground. As all the members of the wedding party came to stand on either side of Magnus, his eyes remained fixed at the end of the hall. Alexander would be walking through those doors any second now.

As the seconds ticked by, Magnus's glee faltered. Had there been some mistake with the time? Was he being held up by some major crisis? What if there'd been an accident or something? It wasn't until a stranger appeared where Alec should have been, walking down the hall to speak to him, that Magnus knew the truth. His heart broke. There hadn't been an accident or crisis. Alec just wasn't coming.