“Jace!” Clary said through the phone after he picked up on the third ring.
Jace cleared his throat on the other line. “Yes, my love?” he said in an exaggerated accent.
Clary giggled, now starting to speak in an exaggerated accent as well. “Mother called for me to fetch a few things at the market to prepare a food and a cake for Luke’s birthday tomorrow. Would you be willing to come along with me?”
“Why of course, my redheaded darling Clarissa,” Jace replied enthusiastically. “I shall be right over!”
Clary just laughed again and hung up the phone.
~~~
When Jace and Clary arrived at the store, Jace saw a group of small prize machines near the entrance of the store. He eyed them, seeing the small machines filled with cheap plastic rings, or gumballs, or useless little toys. He laughed to himself for looking at them.
“Alright, come on,” Clary said to Jace, with a wave of her hand. “There’s a lot on this list.”
Jace’s eyes went to the prize machines once again, then they flitted back to Clary. She noticed and laughed. “What, do you want a plastic ring, or something?” she asked teasingly.
“Actually,” Jace replied, “I’m craving gum.”
“Don’t you know that gum is crap?” Clary told Jace.
“Yes, but I want my mouth occupied,” Jace said with a smirk. “And since I can’t kiss you passionately in this store, for it would be disturbing to others, I’ve decided that I’d rather chew gum.” Clary raised her eyebrows, an amused smile forming on her face. “For the sake of the disturbance our public display of affection would cause, of course,” Jace added.
“Okay then. . .,” Clary said. “Catch up with me at where the eggs are. That’s first on the list.” And she began to walk into the store.
“I’m not that slow of a walker. Remember? Shadowhunter here,” he said after her.
Clary just looked over her shoulder and rolled her eyes at Jace, the amused smile still on her face, and then continued walking.
The thought Jace had was a big one, though he had only just thought of it briefly a few moments ago. She’s my only one, Jace thought as he took a quarter from his pocket. And I know love her, he thought as he inserted the quarter into one of the machines. A gold plastic ring came from the machine, the fake gem nearly the same color of Clary’s eyes, and shaped like a heart. Jace smiled and pocketed it, turning into the store to catch up with Clary.
~~~
“SURPRISE!” everyone shouted at Luke as soon as the lights were flicked on and he entered the house.
All Luke answered back with was a wide grin, and Jocelyn practically jumped on him, laughing and kissing him.
“Happy birthday, Luke!” Clary exclaimed as soon as her mother had let go of him. Clary gave Luke a hug around the torso and kissed his cheek.
“Thank you, Clary.” The corner of Luke’s eyes crinkled, and he laughed again. “Thanks to all of you!” Luke shouted to everyone in the room. In answer, there were woops and hollers, and people pulled at Luke’s shirt, patting him on the back, wishing him a happy birthday.
Clary was nearly caught in the crowd that gravitated towards Luke, but Jace saved her by grabbing her by the waistband of her jeans and pulling her back towards him. “I have something to show you,” Jace murmured in Clary’s ear, then he kissed her temple.
