Eternal ~ A Tessa Gray FanFiction

Part Two ~ A Thousand Years...

Tessa Gray had never cared much for death; she had grown accustomed to living eternally. But even so, she never believed it to be like this... Like every tale of death binding together...
At first, all she had felt was pain, the sting of the hole in her chest still burning on... She could see nothing, remember nothing... All she knew was that she was falling; falling so fast it was as if she were an angel falling from grace...
But suddenly, she was lying on a bed, the moonlight iluminating the room for her. She was back in the room she had once called hers; so many moons ago.
It was set just as she remembered, with books on the bedside table and a dress laid out finely on the bed.
She was wearing her old night gown, the feel of it just as soft as she now remembered.
Maybe it had all been a dream, Tessa thought now. One long, strange dream...

She heard a soft knock on her door and then Jem's voice murmured from behind it, "Tessa? Tessa are you ready?"
She felt her heart do sommer saults, hearing his voice. When she stood up, the dress was no longer on the bed, but she was wearing it. It was a beautifully white, lace dress, with a black ribbon that was tied at the back.
But now was not the time for details; she lunged for the door, slamming it open and staring at Jem with such longing and disbelief she almost pinched herself. He too, was wearing a white waistcoat, shirt and trousers; but his hair was still brown as well as his eyes. And her heart missed a bit...
He smiled, "Tessa."
"Jem!" She gasped, walking into his arms and holding him tightly. "My Jem. Ke Jian Ming."
His hands brushed over her cheeks, lifting her chin until she was looking directly at him. He studied her, wherever his gaze went sending warmth through her. And then they snapped, falling into each other with such force they fell against the wall, kissing each other hard on the lips.
The kiss lasted for many moments, their hands clasped together and tears falling down their cheeks. Tessa knew, that what she had seen had not been a dream at all... She had lost Jem and her heart had broken... And now, she felt it mending, she felt almost at home now.
He broke away, lifting her hand and kissing it gently. "Come, there are some friends who are dying to see you."
Jem lead her down towards the ball room, their hands entertwined tightly. She stuck close to his side, unable to bear him ever leaving her again. His hand laid against the doors, his smiling brightening as they opened.
She heard cheers, squeals of excitement and then a crowd running towards her; each figure wearing white gowns and waistcoats. She noticed Charlotte first, tears in her eyes and a big smile on her face.
Tessa held up her skirts and ran to her, hugging her tightly. "Oh, Charlotte! How I've missed you!"
Charlotte cried, holding onto her. "Welcome home."
"MOTHER!" called a boy's voice, his arms wrapping around her.
"James!" Tessa cried, hugging her son for the first time. She kissed his forehead, his black hair crushing into her face. But she didn't care.
A girl, who Tessa noticed instantly, ran into them; she held on tight. "Mother!"
"Oh Lucie!" Tessa kissed her forehead, wrapping an arm around her.
She looked up to see Henry, with his messy red hair and goofy smile, grinning down at her. She smiled, returning the silent greeting.
"Oh Tessa!" called another familiar voice. Tessa followed it, catching the eyes of Cecily and Gabriel. She ran to them, hugging them both.
Cecily smiled, "Finally! We've been waiting for you!"
Tessa smiled, hugging Cecily again. "It has been too long!"
"I'll say," Gabriel agreed, shaking her hand. But Tessa rolled her eyes, hugging him again anyway. Surprisingly, he laughed, returning the hug.
Another pair of arms wrapped around her, hugging her. When she spun around. she saw Sophie, tears in her eyes and Gideon by her side. Tessa wrapped her arms around them tightly, kissing them both on the cheek. "Oh how I've missed you!"
Sophie smiled, "No way near as much as I missed you, my dear Tessa."
Tessa was going to reply, until she heard another voice. So familiar.. So surprising, that she was speechless. "Tessa," said her brother's voice.
The room went silent, each figure moving to the side to reveal Nate, standing at the entry of the room. Jessamine stood beside him, her smile soft.
Tessa couldn't help but feel hesitant, unable to run to her brother after all these years. So slowly, she walked, never taking her eyes off him. When they got close enough, the corner of Nate's mouth twitched.
"Sister, I am so sorry-"
Tessa shook her head, "You need'nt be sorry."
And slowly... hesitantly... they hugged. But not for long, as they both pulled away and turned in other directions, Tessa towards Jem and Nate towards Jessamine.
Jem took her hands, still smiling. "There is one more surprise awaiting you."

****

Jem opened the doors of the library, allowing Tessa to step inside first. It was, as she remembered it. With tables that stood in collums and shelves filled with shadowhunter books; locked behind the bars...
But that was not what had caused Tessa Gray to gasp, for her her heart to start pounding so fast she thought she may faint...
But sitting on one of the window sills; book in his hand and his black hair covering his blue eyes... Was William Herondale.
"What took you so long?" he said, not looking up from his book. His voice was like hearing angels sing... Tessa had never once forgotten what his voice sounded like and yet it was as if she were hearing it for the first time.
He, being the boy he was, was not wearing white. He was wearing his grey waistcoat and black trousers, his white shirt unbuttoned at the top. He was as beautiful as she remembered.
He stood now, still not sharing her gaze. He merely looked towards the floor with his hands in his pockets.
"Will..." she whispered, her heart fluttering, her cheeks burning, her body yearning to hold him. "Will..."
He finally locked eyes with her, his were glassy as he whispered in reply, "Tess..."
She ran to him, jumping into his arms and kissing him fiercly. His arms held her tightly, holding her agaisnt him. His mouth tasted of tears and rain...
Her hands clutched his hair tightly, his were wrapped tightly around her waist. Between kisses they looked at each other, whispering things such as:

"My Tess..." or "Oh Will"

When they finally broke free of their kisses, they held each other. Tessa's head rested on his chest and Will's chin rested in her hair. Their arms wrapped around each other, refusing to let go.
Tessa smiled towards Jem, invitingly. He ran to them, hugging them both so tightly Tessa thought she'd gasp for air if she had any breath left in her. Jem and Will laughed, cried, and made sarcastic comments. And they stayed that way, in each other's arms; until Jem had whispered it was time...
Tessa frowned, looking up at the two of them. They both nodded, looking down at her. She knew what Jem meant...
It was time to move on... to whatever lay beyond them. But it was time.
Tessa looked at them both, "I want to be with you both. And only the two of you... You are all that matters now..."
Jem smiled, holding out a hand to help her up. She took it, her free arm wrapped around Will's.
They each took in a deep breath, their hands sliding together until they were clutching them tightly.
Will looked down at her, "Ready?"
And with the last gaze at Jem... She looked out of the window towards the stars. "Ready."
Light suddenly consumed over them... But Tessa did not fear it... She was ready to move on... Wherever it may be...
So long as she was with Will... and so long as she was with Jem... It no longer mattered where she was...

For now... she was finally home.