Shadowhunters: City of Possibilities

Chapter Eleven

As soon as I reunite with my family and we get through our sappy reunion I decide to retreat to the comfort of my bedroom, I could really use a good three-hour nap. Groggily, I trudge through the door, flicking on the lights to find Simon standing in the middle of the room in a blue tuxedo. "Simon," I stutter as I take a look at my room that has been transformed into a rose petal scattered terrace, adorned with a small round table outfitted for a candlelight dinner. He wears a nervous smile as he takes me in. My cheeks are flushed and my hair must be a mess from portaling back, I'm totally underdressed for this romantic occasion. Tears well up in my eyes as I take in how dashing he looks, "You're so handsome and I must look like a total wreck!" I babble as he walks toward me to take my hands in his. I can feel the callouses that have begun to form on the palms of his hands and the edges of his fingertips, "Your always perfect to me, Isabelle," He gushes, blushing as he draws the attention of my chocolate eyes into his as if he is meeting me for the first time all over again. I take one of his hands and put it on my cheek, letting my breath skip across his skin as I speak, "I think I would look better in a fancy dress than my dirty gear." He doesn't speak, he looks to be in a trance, he would call this the classic "I've gotten caught in the spell of the enchanting Isabelle Lightwood" as he lets me win in a match of D&D. A snap resonates from the doorway, I turn just in time to see the glittering nail polish of Magnus' fingers coming to life with magic. In seconds my gear disappears, transforming into a long flowy red dress. In awe, I reach down and give the velvety fabric a dramatic swish, watching as the tiny pockets of glitter catch the light and spark to life. This gown is gorgeous, I don't even know what to say. I look back into Simon's eyes that have begun to water, "I told you, you're always beautiful to me. Maybe I cheated with Magnus' help but now I hope you feel it too," He chokes out as he wipes at a stray tear. "Simon," I cry, "I don't-," I stammer as I wave my hand at the elegance of his plan. "Tonight's all about you, Isabelle. One night to give you all the pomp and fuss," he says, chuckling through his tears before he reaches out with one hand, gingerly guiding me to the table. He pulls out the wrought iron chair, waiting for me to take a seat so he can join me. I pull my dress to the side, sinking into the chair that shouldn't be this comfortable. Quickly, Simon rounds the table and takes his seat on the opposite side gazing at me over the candlesticks with wooden wicks that have ignited to a steady flame. I hear the shuffling footsteps of approaching people, pulling me away from the moment I'm sharing with my beloved brown-haired boy that couldn't be any hotter. I turn my attention to the dancing gold of Jace's eyes and the cat-like pupils of Magnus who are wearing matching black tuxedos, carrying domed platters of food. Jace sets his down in front of me and with his white-gloved hand pulls off the lid to reveal a piping-hot dinner of filet mignon and fancy scalloped potatoes. I mouth the words thank you as he gives me a grin before retreating back out the door. Magnus snaps his fingers, drumming up music that floats in the air without anyone pulling the strings or conducting the chorus. His eyes twinkle as he takes in the boy in blue and the girl who is shining brighter than the fire between us, "Isabelle Lightwood, I promised you a lavish dinner, and If I am a man of my word, which I am," He says matter of factly as he raises one finger in opposition before Simon or I can get a word in edgewise. "I plan on delivering it tonight," He says as he snaps once more, putting out all the lights besides the ones that are illuminating our faces. As he starts to leave, he bends closer to me and whispers in my ear, "Enjoy pumpkin." The aroma of our awaiting meal fills my nose, making my mouth water in anticipation for dinner to begin. Simon from across the table must have picked up on the cue of my insatiable appetite, "Let's dig in, I'm starving," he declares as he reaches for his fork and delicately cuts through the many layers of potato and brings it toward his mouth. I do the same seeing that his eyes nearly rolled into the back of his head with the combustion of flavors on his tongue. Immediately I can see why-these potatoes are phenomenal! Simon and I match each other scoop for scoop until only empty plates remain in front of us, practically licked clean. I giggle as I see a smear of leftover potato sticking to Simon's chin, "What?" He says flabbergasted. "You got a little," I say between this spell of laughter, rubbing my hand underneath my chin to signal him to the spot. He grabs a napkin and dabs right and left, completely missing the spot I had shown him, "Here, let me," I say as I grab my napkin and walk over to where he is still seated. He stands up as I approach, I smile as I take the unsoiled napkin and swipe the remnants of dinner off his chin. He blushes, clasping my hands in his, "Isabelle?" He murmurs. "Yes?" I murmur back. "I know technically you already proposed and I have nothing against that at all-power to independent women," He rambles nervously, losing his train of thought. "Simon," I press as I give his hands a firm squeeze, "It's just us Simon. You can tell me anything, okay?" I say reassuringly. The sound of my voice seems to soothe his nerves as he straightens up and then drops to one knee, "Isabelle Elizabeth Lightwood, would you make me the happiest man alive?" He says as he reaches inside his jacket pocket and produces two rings; One is the white band of the Lovelace family ring, and the other is a ring made of pure adamas with three rubies nestled in its center. I hadn't even realized that I had been holding my breath until I gasp, taking in Simon and the two rings. I nod vigorously not even able to speak as he smiles, slipping the bands into their proper places, "I figured two rings were a must because, after all, I am marrying a girl of two worlds," He says. Even though I want to stay in this moment with Simon I can't help but be transported back to my encounter with the pixie, "Born of two worlds," she had hissed. "Izzy?" Simon beckons. I tear myself away from the pixie, reasserting myself here with the man I adore, "Huh?" I say. Simon gets to his feet, pulling me closer to his body, close enough to cup my face in his hands, "What's wrong?" He mutters as his eyes search for an answer in mine. I press a kiss into his palm before I walk away in the direction my bed would normally be in, "Nothing's wrong Simon. I'm just tired and I could use my bed right about now!" I declare loudly, hoping that the group of people gathered outside the closed door will get the message that tonight's romantic getaway is over. The door cracks open just far enough for an awkward Magnus to squeeze through, he must be ashamed of being caught spying on the two of us as he visibly swallows against a dry throat. He nervously looks between the two of us before raising his sparkly fingers and snaps this illusion back into reality. The table and chairs are whisked away, morphing back into my dresser and mirror. The far wall that had provided a spectacular view of New York that was too perfect to be the real thing is back to being a bland wall, and right underneath it is my bed. Somehow, it doesn't look as pleasant as it once did, it's as if all the magic sucked the color out of all my things. "Thank you, for everything Simon but I'm exhausted," I say, yawning for what seems like the first time in my life; I always activated a rune if I needed a little extra juice. "Okay," Simon says, sounding unsure of his response, deciding if he should stay or leave. He must have chosen to leave because as my head hits the pillow the only warmth I get comes from my blankets but I can't sleep. I can still see the pixie playing at the edges of my vision in the dark.