When they finally arrived at the main lobby, Clary walked with her head high, unsure who could still be milling around. Her back was straight, and her steps were even. Jace kept a hand on her lower back, not really guiding her, but simply showing he was there. When they stepped back into the crisp air, she let out a deep breath, one she'd been holding, one that had given her the strength to remain composed while still in such proximity to Lewis and his new fiancée.
"I'll get the car," Jace tells her softly as he shimmies off his suit jacket and drapes it over her shoulders. Clary nods and only when he's out of her sight does she slump against a pillar near the front doorway. She presses a hand to her stomach, her barren womb. Her other goes up to her mouth to stifle a sob as it racks her body.
She hates that she still feels this way after seeing them, but she hated more the fact that she couldn't help herself. So long had she wanted a child, and like Jace had said, it was being given so easily to a couple that had hurt her so horribly.
She takes a few steadying breaths, not wanting Jace to see her this way, and when he pulls up and reemerges from the car, she is the picture of composure.
"Come on beautiful, let's blow this Popsicle stand," he chimes, going over to lead her to the car. She manages a small smile as she gets in the passenger seat.
"Can we go to white castle?" she asks into the dark coolness of the car.
"Of course, I'd kill for a milkshake right now," Jace admits. And their off. Clary marvels at Jace's ability to make her feel worlds better. He sings loudly to the songs on the radio, he dances in his seat when they come to red lights, and every chance he gets, his hand is linked with hers.
Jace goes through the drive through and orders burgers, sacks of chicken rings and fries and of course their chocolate milkshakes. He pulls into a spot in the mostly vacant parking lot, just like when they were kids.
They eat till their sick, daring each other to dip almost everything in their milkshake, and to see how many chicken rings they can fit in their mouth at once. Moments like these remind Clary that Jace isn't only her boyfriend, but that he's also her best friend.
When they have depleted all food, Jace sits back in his seat and rubs his stomach, "I have a food baby," he moans, looking down to his deceivingly flat belly.
"I though you wanted a real baby," Clary jokes. He turns his head and looks her dead in the eye.
"I do, but I wouldn't be the one carrying it," his ears flare with blush blood at the statement and he looks out the windshield with an uncomfortable clearing of his throat.
"Too bad, you'd be famous," he barks out a laugh and looks over at her admiringly.
"Nothing fazes you, does it?" he inquires.
"Nope, I'm about as fazeable as a brick," Clary says easily.
"With hair just as red," Jace coos. They laugh and laugh until they lapse into a comfortable silence.
"I guess we should head home," Clary finally announces.
"I suppose," Jace clips back into his seatbelt, "But I would give you a baby, any day. I just want you to know that,"
"I know Jace, I know,"
When they get back to the house, they are surprised to find it empty.
"I thought will and Tessa would hang around at least," Jace comments as he loosens his tie and places his keys on the entry way table.
"Me too," Clary says, placing a hand on his shoulder to steady herself as she removes her shoes. He stands obediently still until she's finished, then Jace scoops her into his arms.
"Jace!" she yells in surprise, clamping her arms around her neck, nearly clobbering him with a heel.
"You look absolutely irresistible tonight," he whispers hotly in her ear, voice low and gravelly. It sends a ripple of shivers down Clary's spine which refuse to settle as he runs his nose along her neck, inhaling her scent.
She remains quite until he softly pinches his teeth over the place where her shoulder meets her neck, earning a gasp in surprise and pleasure. He smiles against her skin and his mouth travels back to her ear.
"I'd like to have you, tonight," he whispers, and only then does she realize he had slowly been progressing up the staircase and was now carrying her to their shared bedroom. He nudges open the door and the only light to see by is that of the luminous moon pouring through the open window.
"You already have me," she whispers as he sets her down on the foot of the bed. Her response must spark something within him, because he releases a guttural sound, a cross between a groan and a whimper. Then he pounces. He tackles her into the center of the bed, and despite the previous intensity, she giggles.
She breaks into an uncontrollable bout of giggles as she realizes what is about to happen. She was about to be with Jace in a way she had never imagines could be possible until a few weeks ago. And she was excited.
"Do you find me funny?" he asks darkly as he makes quick work of his shirt and tie. He hovers over her in all his shirtless glory, offering a playful grin.
"Hilarious," she sighs, allowing her hands to find purchase just over his shoulder blades, dragging him down a few inches. He tsks at her.
"No, not hilarious," he says, "Devastatingly sexy is what I've heard,"
"Maybe you've heard wrong," Clary teases, and when she sees his face flicker with amusement she continues, "You are simply adorable, like a puppy,"
He sits back on his haunches and looks at her perplexed, "A puppy?" he inquires thoughtfully.
"A puppy," she confirms.
"That's new," he admits, "but I'd much rather be a wolf, stalking his sweet little prey," he descends on her lips, moving his own over them. He nips and licks, causing Clary to writhe beneath him.
And that's when they hear the barely restrained chuckles. Jace's head snaps up, his ears perking as he tries to hear more noises in the deceptively quite room.
"Someone's in here," Clary whispers like a little girl with her hand caught in a cookie jar, or in this case halfway to undoing Jace's pants.
"Who's in here?" Jace calls out. That's when they hear the shuffle of a body moving against the hardwood floor and soon enough, will's head pops up over the edge of the bed.
"Hello!" he exclaims cheerily.
"What the hell are you doing under the bed?" Jace asks dryly, obviously disgruntled over being interrupted.
"I wanted to scare you, but then I got scared when you guys came in how you did. I was deciding when I should make my presence known, but then that wolf comment killed me dude. I mean really?" his eye glittered with laughter as he calls up the memory.
"What if we came in doing…things?" Clary asks softly, her cheeks flaring in embarrassment.
"Oh lord, let's not think of such horrors," Tessa said as she emerges from the closet.
"Why, why do horrible things happen to good people," Jace mutters under his breath as he throws himself dramatically backwards, his head landing in Clary's lap. She immediately begins stroking his hair, and his face gains a contented smile as he nuzzles into the tender touches.
"Well, this has been super fun, but we're gonna go," will claps his hands together and then holds one out for Tessa. She takes it and waves at the couple before bidding them a good night.
After the door closes and they are sure they are out of ear shot, Jace speaks.
"Maybe the universe just doesn't want up to have sex," he sounds resigned and pouty which makes Clary laugh. She leans down and places a soft kiss to his lips.
"We could always do it now," she suggests. He shoots up and gets an excited grin on his face.
"Really?"
"Actually, I'm kind of tired," Clary grins and rolls off the bed.
"You are a cruel woman," Jace calls as she heads toward the bathroom. She looks back to see him smirking in a manner that says touché.
"Oh, you have no idea," and with that, she drops her dress and steps into the bathroom, making sure to lock the door behind her.