When Maia had suggested ditching both their families and going away for the holidays, Jordan had agreed without a second thought. It had been almost eight months now since Maia graduated from University and ceased all non-essential communication with her parents. Despite Maia's many attempts to change his mind, Jordan hadn't spoken to this family since coming to this school. A romantic weekend road trip to the great outdoors sounded much better than seeing their families. The only problem had been the car part of the equation which had been easily solved with a rental thanks to both of them having generous savings thanks to living with a Lightwood.

The roads had been quite good for mid December. There was minimal ice, and what there was had been covered in gravel to prevent skidding. They spent the drive in light conversation, mixed with audiobooks and music. When they next switched to conversation from listening to music, Maia asked Jordan how his new part time job was going. Jordan had sent out a whole bunch of applications for jobs in his field about five months ago, and he'd finally gotten a reply just about a month ago. The problem was that it had been the one who wanted him to do design work as well. So far he'd been working on the code and leaving the art till later, but he was almost done with the code.

"I really do need to talk to Clary about it when we get back though," Jordan interrupted his own story.

"Excellent use of being friends with an art major," Maia agreed.

Overall the car ride there had been relaxing and enjoyable. Being stuck in a moving vehicle with the love of your life for eight hours wasn't so bad when you thought about it. Maia even seemed to enjoy herself, despite the fact that she wasn't one to sit still for very long.

Their destination was one of those 'rent out your place while you're away' type deals. Jordan was eager to see if the pictures he'd seen online matched reality. When the car finally stopped and Maia got out, she stretched up and over like a cat who had just woken up from a particularly long nap. He watched her move, smiling as he observed her stretch. Somehow, it was oddly relaxing.

"Whatcha starin' at?" Maia grumbled at him.

"Oh, just my beautiful girlfriend," Jordan smiled back at her.

"Stop it," Maia huffed. "I'm trying to un-car my joints."

"That is definitely not a word," Jordan chuckled at her, but she just insisted he look elsewhere.

Instead he turned his gaze to the house that would be their home for the next seven days. Despite it's cabin in the wood feel, the house looked very modern with vinyl siding and a standard peaked roof. The path up to the door was made of loose gravel while the door itself was a deep green colour. Jordan turned his gaze to the left where he could see a frozen lake.

Thanks to the online ad, Jordan knew there were neighbors to either side of the house, but the thick trees blocked their view. Though they'd driven quite a way from home to get here, they weren't that far from civilization and Jordan knew the people who rented out the house to them lived here year round. It being the holidays, Jordan felt safe assuming they were visiting family for Christmas. They were probably paying for their trip with the money they made from renting the place out. Jordan had to admit it was a pretty brilliant idea.

Maia finished stretching and made a run for the door, calling him a slow poke for being behind even though he'd been waiting for her! Luckily Jordan had the key so even though she beat him to the door they stepped through together. This place had a homey feel, despite it's cabin exterior. There were pictures on the wall of a family, and many tiny shoes in the front closet. Apart from that it had been prepared for them. To the left, the kitchen had dishes set out with a note Jordan couldn't read from the entryway. He assumed it gave instructions for the use of the kitchen area during their stay. On the right was a hallway, likely leading to bedrooms and a bathroom. In front of them was the living room with hardwood floors, opening onto a balcony, all with a huge view of the lake. The whole back wall had windows from floor to ceiling so you could sit beside the gas fireplace, and look out over the water. The pictures hadn't done it justice.

Heading back out to the car, they gathered up their bags and the cooler, bringing everything inside and putting it away before settling in for the night. Knowing they wouldn't be grocery shopping, they'd packed enough food for the week and the drive back.

"This place is amazing," Maia exclaimed happily as she finished putting away the food, and really took a look around.

Jordan watched her smile as she moved around taking in the room. He hadn't yet got sick of basking in her, despite their being back together now since April. Jordan could hardly believe it had been eight months. Since he'd handed her that note in tenth grade Jordan had always been amazed when she was with him, and miserable when she wasn't. The more honest he was with himself, the more true that fact became. She was the love of his life and they'd finally gotten the timing right after almost ten years. Jordan was determined that nothing would ever break them up again. He did not want to think of a life without her in it.

"You're doing it again," Maia said in her teasing voice.

Jordan just shrugged. "Can't help it," he said grinning at her.

"Poor excuse," Maia laughed at him as she made a run for him and threw herself into his arms.

Kissing Maia was like coming home. Jordan wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in close. Before long her hands found their way under his shirt, and he felt his skin tingle at her touch. Even after so long their spark had not abandoned them. Losing himself a little, Jordan followed her lead, reaching behind to unclasp her bra.

"I can't believe how excited I am," Maia said. "We've never done this before."

"Hmm not to burst your bubble, but we totally have," Jordan replied awkwardly. "Even back in high school we-"

"Not sex you idiot," Maia laughed at him, playingfully hitting his shoulder as she did so. "I mean going on vacation together."

"Oh," Jordan smiled. "Yeah I'm excited too."

"There are no roommates on vacation," Maia added, giving him the dirtiest look on the planet before walking backwards down the hall. Jordan followed as if pulled along by an invisible string.

First they had a shower, washing the 'stuck in a car all day' off one another in between kisses. He shampooed her hair then watched her shave her legs, marvelling - as he'd done before - at how much more involved women's shower routines were.

"Best part of no roommates," Maia whispered to him as they were getting out of the shower. "No need to get dressed after." With that she ignored the pile of clothes she's been wearing earlier today, and ran out into the living room.

Jordan couldn't keep the smile off his face as he watched his buck naked girlfriend throw herself onto the couch. Seconds later however, she was pulling the blanket off the back to cover up.

"It's too cold for nudity," Maia informed him as he walked over to chuckle at her.

"Well I guess I better warm you up then," Jordan smiled, as he sat down beside her, wrapping the blanket around them both.

Feeling that she still wasn't warm, Jordan reached for the remote and turned on the gas fireplace before returning to hold her under the blanket.

Together they looked out the window, at the beautiful winter wonderland. Snow painted the landscape, capping the trees and covering the ground. The frozen lake sparkled as the light from the setting sun hit it while the snowy ground looked like a kaleidoscope of glitter where the sun rays breached through the branches of the trees. The days were short this time of year.

Jordan couldn't help but look up at the trees. Many of them were bare save for the snow, their life hidden away waiting for spring, but not all. The evergreens still had their green needles hiding under a blanket of snow.

"Do you remember the promise I made to you all those years ago?" Jordan asked. "When we went kayaking?"

"How could I forget?" Maia smiled, looking up at him as she recited. "I will love you as long as the evergreen trees are green."

"Yeah that one," Jordan replied, closing his eyes to focus on the warmth of her beside him.

"I remember everything," Maia confirmed.

"And yet you were surprised when I showed up at your university?" Jordan chuckled, turning to gaze at her.

"Just days after that promise, everything fell apart. At the time I believed that fight overwrote everything you'd ever said before," Maia explained. "I never thought you'd follow me after something like that."

"I didn't at first, but once I figured out what my parents had done, finding you again was all I could think about," Jordan continued.

"Don't know what you got till it's gone, huh?" Maia grinned at him.

"Guilty," Jordan laughed. It was wonderful to laugh about such a sad moment in his life. The pain from that moment had all been washed away by the simple fact that he held her in his arms.

"Then again, I'm no better," Maia replied. "I did basically the same thing. I didn't realize I wanted you until you were out of reach."

"I've never been out of your reach," Jordan chuckled at her.

"Well I know that now," Maia smiled back.

"I love you," Jordan told her.

"As long as the evergreen trees are green," Maia replied, a huge smile on her face.

"Meh, probably even after that," Jordan chuckled. "It was just the most permanent metaphor I could come up with at the time."

Maia chuckled before replying. "I love you too, silly."

There was silence for a moment. Then she spoke more seriously. "Do you think you'll ever make up with your parents?" Maia asked. "I mean they have to accept that you made your own decisions at some point right?"

"They blame you for me not going to Harvard," Jordan continued. "They wouldn't believe that I just don't want to become a lawyer like my dad no matter how many times I told them. Why would I want to have that back in my life?" He paused, looking down at his feet as he continued. "Why would I put you through that?"

"Hey now," Maia answered sharply. "I am here no matter what happens with them. Even if they hate me, I'll still be here. Understand?"

He would never get tired of hearing her say things like this. The determination in her tone warmed his heart.

"Thanks," Jordan smiled at her. He didn't know how to express how much those words meant to him, though he suspected she could read his face like a book so he put as much emotion into it as he knew how.

"You're giving me that look again," Maia smiled at him.

"Oh yeah? What ya gonna do about it?" Jordan teased her.

Maia's response was to kiss him passionately on the lips, shutting down his brain completely as their already naked bodies were pressed together.

They easily fell back into old habits, making love by the fire in full view of the frozen lake out the window.

They were laying on a blanket near the fire after, Jordans arm around her while she had her head resting on his chest.

"Merry Christmas," Jordan whispered, kissing the top of her head. Maia repeated the words back to him with a kiss on his chest.

"So can I give you your present now?" Jordan asked.

"Only if I can give you mine first," Maia replied. Jordan easily agreed, and she got up quickly to dig through her bag. Jordan did the same, both returning to their spot by the fire moments later.

"Here," Maia said, holding out a medium sized box.

Jordan took it and opened. Tossing the paper aside, Jordan looked at his gift. The first thing he noticed was the pattern on the fabric. It was covered in computer code and symbols. When he lifted the clothes up he realized they were pajamas.

"I love them!" Jordan exclaimed. He started putting them on.

"Oh not fair," Maia objected jokingly. "Now I'm naked and you're not."

Jordan just grinned at her. "That's what you get for buying me something wearable." He'd finished putting them on now and reached to get her gift. "My turn." He handed the small box to her.

Maia had a cautious expression on her face as she began unwrapping it.

Once the paper was off Maia opened the box and gasped.

"It's beautiful," Maia said softly. "You didn't have to do this."

"Yes I did," Jordan replied with a smile.

Maia lifted the necklace out of the box and held it up. Hanging in mid air the pendant spun on a light silver chain. Maia stared at it.

"Evergreen," Jordan explained. "When I saw this I just knew it had to be yours."

The pendant was silver, metallic and in the shape of a tree, likely a pine or some type of conifer but it mattered not the type of evergreen.

"And all I got you was pajamas!" Maia exclaimed.

"That's not true," Jordan countered. Maia gave him a look so he followed up with, "You're my Christmas present, the PJs are a bonus."

"You are such a sap," Maia chucked, but she was smiling.

Opening the clasp, Maia turned to let him put the necklace on while she held up her hair. She turned to show him. The pendant rested centered between, and just above her breasts. Jordan leaned forward to kiss the pendant and then looked up to kiss Maia.

Yay Jaia adorableness. :) Who was excited for this? I've actually had this written for the while (the next chapter is finished as well) but one of my editors got really busy for a while there.

Can't remember if I have actually told you all this yet, but I am uploading a new Malec story called "Forever flows from Friendship". It's loosely based on me and my childhood best friend (though I am going for a happier ending than reality) and spans elementary school till after college . I have four chapters already up and have been updating it faster than R&S lately. I'd love for you to check it out and let me know what you think!

I also have two more stories in the works: a Clace fantasy AU and a Slice of Life Sizzy AU. When my current Malec "Forever flows from Friendship" ends I'll start uploading one of those.

Guest review
:I really hope Jace will go talk to Clary. They had a break and now it's time to really sit down and talk things through in a civil and calm manner :)

Reply:
Ah yes that would be good wouldn't it. ^_^ hehe. But will it be that simple? *insert evil laugh here*

Sneak Peek Chapter 184

Alec knew Paige and Clary could probably hear them through the open door, but it was still more alone than they'd been in a while. Even so, Alec didn't speak. There were so many things he wanted to say that he hadn't a clue how to start, and he wasn't sure Clary and Paige wanted to overhear.

Then suddenly his excuses were over. The girls returned to the living room to announce they were going out. Clary had plans with Izzy, and Paige was going apartment hunting with Jon. The door shut behind them and Alec was totally alone with his husband for what felt like the first time in forever.

"How come you aren't working today?" Alec asked slowly.

"They forced me to use some of my vacation days," Magnus explained. "Said I had too many banked, and my other job didn't have any shifts today. Do you not want me home?"