Forgetting the Past

Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Future From Here

Clary tried to steady her breathing, but the excitement was building up in her beyond control. Besides the uneasy feeling in her stomach, she felt a bit uncomfortable; the dress she was wearing was very formal, and she knew that the ends of some of her scars were visible since the back dipped low. She slid her hands down the skirt of her dress, its smooth silk doing nothing for her clammy palms. Her small baby bump was fairly visible, but she didn't care what people thought. It wasn't up to them what they did. She wrapped her hands around Luke's bent arm, and returned his reassuring smile as best as she could.

They started walking slowly and steadily in contrast to her heartbeat.

Up ahead, once they had turned the corner, were rows and rows of guests.

She knew that Tessa was there, and Brother- well, Jem was accompanying her but currently playing the sweet violin music. Along with her mother and Izzy and Alec's parents, there were plenty of other Shadowhunters, werewolves, and a vampire (Simon was really the only one who could attend a daytime ceremony). But on top of all of that she saw Jace. He was wearing a fitted white button-up under his sleek, black suit. Embroidered into it with shimmering gold thread were countless runes of love and commitment, which complemented his complexion perfectly. He was grinning at her with his ever-so-slightly imperfect teeth. Clary couldn't help smiling back nervously.

At the bride's side of the altar were Izzy and Seraphina, who were the bridesmaid and flower girl. Alec was at Jace's side; everyone knew he wouldn't have anybody else. Magnus kept glancing between Clary and his handsomely dressed fiancee.

Afterwards, she didn't remember much of what happened during the ceremony, except that the entire time Jace was studying her face like a precious piece of art. He even teared up a bit at the vows, which surprised her- he wasn't one to show emotion in public. But with just the two of them standing at the altar, hands joined as their lives were officially knit together, it felt like the most personal and intimate moment.

When the time came for the couple to exchange marriage runes, Jace went first. He had to put Clary's on the opposite side they belonged since the empty marks remained from her brief joining to Sebastian. The crowd watched silently, observing the sacred ceremony. Nerves jolted through Clary each time the steele touched her skin- the memory of that day injected fear into her still. Her closest family and friends knew subconsciously that that was the reason for her uneasiness.

When it was Clary's turn to draw the runes on Jace, her hand was shaking so hard she nearly dropped the tool. Jace gave her a reassuring look and squeezed Clary's left hand with his; he knew how hard this was for her. And he would support her every step of the way.

Clary had to unbutton his shirt partially, sweetening the deal. Not only did she get Jace for the rest of her life, but she also got his hot body. Score.

When the ceremony was complete, everyone stood up to clap and shout while the couple ran through the center aisle with hands clasped together and raised high. It was like they were the victors in some impossible game- their very own lives- and as a reward they got to share each other for the rest of eternity. Neither could wait for all of the years they would share together.

But for now, Clary knew she needed to enjoy this moment. Right here, in the backyard of the Herondale manor, on her and Jace's wedding day. They were celebrating this impossible feat- that after everything that had happened, they were still alive and everyone was still together. Their family and friends were here with them, and all the people Jace and Clary loved, even- especially- Seraphina. Clary could still barely believe she was here.

Each day after they had returned home from Pandemonium, she and Jace learned more and more about their daughter. Yes, their daughter; the two would raise her like their own, even if she didn't biologically belong to Jace. Clary was deeply grateful that he was a person who could openly welcome a child like her, the daughter of their worst enemy and the love of his life, into his heart. Clary knew it showed who he really was beneath his rough, unreadable exterior.