Chapter 16

I really am sorry for my unplanned haitus this summer. I know you guys love this story as much as I do, but this was the last chapter that I had planned for this story. Which means this is the end. You won't be left disappointed, I promise. Don't forget that I have other stories going right now too and will probably be starting a few others after this one. Shoot me any ideas or questions!

Characters belong to Cassie Clare.

Clary's POV

Thanksgiving break came way too fast. I wasn't really keeping track of the days of school that seemed to fly by in a blur of random homework assignments and fruitless attempts of cutting class. Jon always insists that I go to school.

I used to think he only cared because if we didn't graduate high school, then we wouldn't get our trust funds. They're set up that we can't inherit anything until we both graduate. We're graduating this May, to say Jon and I are more than excited than normal would be an understatement. He never told me how much was in each of them, or anything else for that matter, just that we were both set for college and nice place. To Jon, a nice place could mean a rabbit hole, so really that didn't tell me a whole lot. But, I know our parents always wanted us to be set in case something happened to them.

I know it's been forever, but I still think about them all the time. They weren't around a bunch but the money they made was good, and they were doing what they loved.

He was happy when my report card came in, showing that my grades haven't budged just because I spend a lot of time with Jace or Izzy. Practically every weekend, according to Jon. I can't say that I study a ton, but it's not all that hard either.

Jon said that he wanted to cook for Thanksgiving this year, which meant that I was cooking for Thanksgiving this year. Everyone decided to come, mostly because the alternative was cooking for themselves and that would be just terrible. I say that with an exaggerated eye roll because cooking isn't a top-rated activity for this group.

We decided anyways because of how much the Lightwoods have done for us. They have always done a lot for us, but it's been a lot more since we spend all of our free time there now.

I automatically told Simon he was helping with the feast, there's no way in hell that Izzy is stepping in this kitchen today. I don't think Rachel Ray herself could help that girl.

Which leads me to right now. Watching Simon put his hand up the dead turkey's unmentionables with the homemade stuffing we put together. He keeps gagging and swearing at me but I can't help but videotape it.

By 2 pm, our kitchen is stacked with just about every single dish we could think of.

Me: If y'all don't show up in ten minutes I'm eating all of this food by myself

Jonathon: YOU WOULDN'T DARE

Me: BET ME

Simon: I'd pay to see you try

Jordan: DON'T BET HER, I want some

Jace: SAVE ME SOME

Me: Get your ass over here and make me

Izzy: WHOA – T. M. I.

Jonathon: Please no innuendos in the group chat

Maia: Jordan's pooping, make that 15 minutes

Jordan: MAIA

Izzy: It takes you 15 minutes to poop?!

Jonathon: It doesn't take you 15 minutes?

Me: It takes Jace 15 minutes sometimes

Jace: …

Simon: I don't have that large of a problem

Izzy: Alec does

Multi fits of laughter

Alec: I. Hate. You. All.

Magnus: I love compliments :)

Me: CLOCK IS TICKING

Jonathon: Shit

Jace: We're coming, okay

Magnus: We're coming first

Izzy: I bet you are

I was right in the middle of laughing on the floor with Simon when the front door opened slowly to Maryse and Robert. I composed myself but Simon was still in a compromising position on the floor when I greeted them at the floor.

Robert pointed to Simon as if to ask, what happened?

"You really don't want to know," I said. Thankfully, it was all of the explanation they needed. "I just need help setting the table," I said offering them the table cloth. "Simon," I whisper yelled. "Get up and help me!"

He let out strangled giggles for a second before slowly composing himself and getting out the placemats and random silverware.

True to their word, everyone was here in the 10 minutes I allotted them. Maia and Jordan were only two minutes late, Maia wearing a wide smile and Jordan looking horrifically embarrassed.

"You'll sing to me in front of an entire crowd, but you get embarrassed when people know you're pooping?" I asked trying to lighten up his mood.

"I was tipsy," he said shrugging. "And my voice is beautiful. My ass isn't as beautiful as my face."

"That's unfortunate," Jace says wrapping an arm around me. "My ass is stunningly perfect."

Jordan let out a short laugh followed by Maia and a couple others that were listening to our conversation. I mentally face palmed myself and returned to helping Simon set the table.

"Is it done yet?" Izzy said coming in dramatically.

"Almost," Maryse answered fixing the last of the silverware with napkins.

"Whoa Mrs. L, ya'll went all in here," Jordan said examining the giant-sized table covered in food I spent all day making.

She sent me a 'thank you' wink which made me smile.

She's the mom I aspire to be one day.

"I think there's one more thing," Robert said after the table was cleared. He wiped his hands with the final napkin and stood up all formal like. "Son," he said patting Jace on the back.

Jace stood up this time, looking just as good in his jeans and button-down shirt and loose fitted tie. He smiled brightly, a moment in time I should get a picture of to prove actually happened.

"I just wanted to let you all know, that we love you," he said smiling down to all of our friends. When his eyes got to me, they froze.

"I've been keeping something from you," he said a little tired this time. "I disappear sometimes to be alone, not so often anymore, but I will be 18 soon – which means I might be leaving here."

There was a couple of gasps but nothing too major.

"My biological family, the Herondales, own a manor house just outside the city," he said finally. "It's mine right after we graduate. According to my grandmother in London, my father argued to pass it on directly, but my mother wanted me to graduate first."

He was rambling now.

"Anyways," he said looking at me again. "I wanted to make sure that one person got the recognition from me that she deserves."

I think my heart just skipped a beat but he kept talking.

"Clary was the only person in the world that knew about my family inheritance," he said looking more worried now than before. "And she loves me with or without it," he said finally with a smile. He walked around the table and stopped right in front of. He took out a jewelry box and bent down to be eye level with me.

It felt like hours but really, I was focusing that hard on what was in front of me. He took a silver chain with a bulky ring attached to it. It took me a few moments before I realized it was the Herondale family ring he never takes off.

"I think the most important person in my life should have the honor of bearing my most prized possession," he said with finality.

I thought I was going to faint. Is that normal?

I managed to nod and he wrapped the chain around my neck and placed the ring at my chest.

Jon looked so happy I thought he was going to come out of his chair. Izzy and Maia were blubbering like babies but even the guys looked happy with Jace's revelation.

"I love you," he said with finality again.

I jumped up and bear hugged him with every ounce of arm muscle I could manage.

Everyone was clapping but I only felt Jace in my arms.

"Look me in the eyes and tell me I'm not dreaming," I said finally when I was able to function properly again.

He looked me dead in the eyes and lifted me in the air.

"You're it for me," he said confidently.