City Of Changes || ✔️

Chapter 23

Jace

The Lightwood family, Clary, and Jace were all sitting around the dining room table in the Institute talking and laughing. Even Magnus and Alec were there will their blue warlock child, Max, who was three at this point and enjoyed to blurt out random things and play with his food.

Dinner was almost over and Jace was glad that Isabelle was right, Maryse and Robert were questioning Clary. She looked uncomfortable at first, Jace could see, but she soon relaxed because they weren't asking any personal questions. Now, all Jace had to do was figure out a way to sneak out of there that was both believable and wasn't suspicious.

"I feel a headache coming, so I think I'm going to head to bed early," said Jace, as he scooted his chair back and stood up. It wasn't the best excuse ever, but it was the only one he could think of. Jace didn't like lying to Clary. The only thing that convinced him to do so was the fact that he was doing this for Clary.

"Oh, uh, should I get going too?" asked Clary.

"No, you can stay if you want Clary," said Maryse, smiling. "Goodnight Jace, I hope you get better."

Jace gave her a polite nod, then leaned down and kissed Clary. "I love you. I'll see you tomorrow?" Clary nodded and kissed him back, then Jace was on his way up to the greenhouse at the top of the Institute where he had hid all the supplies he had gotten earlier that day.

Dumping everything out and taking a good look at the greenery around him, he started on his project.

Jace

Jace woke up to the smell of pancakes, and the sun shining onto his face, hurting his eyes. With a quick look at the clock on his nightstand, he saw that it was just past eight in the morning. Laying back in bed and rubbing the sleep from his eyes, realization dawned on him. Today was the day he was going to propose to Clary.

Considering he wasn't planning on doing it until that night, he had the whole day to himself. Jace got up from bed and made his way to the bathroom, changing into some training gear, and heading towards the kitchen where Maryse was up making some breakfast. Izzy was there, along with Simon, eating at the kitchen island.

Simon gave him a nod. "Are you doing it tonight?"

Jace nodded. "That's what I'm planning." He walked over to Maryse, who handed him a plate of food, then walked over to the island and sat next to Simon.

"You kids grow up so fast," said Maryse, looking at Jace and Izzy with a sad smile. "Alec already as a child and has moved out of the Institute years ago. Jace is proposing to Clary tonight. Soon enough, Isabelle, you're going to be married and having kids of your own."

At this, Simon's face turned red, and he looked down at his food. Isabelle just smirked. "Yeah, soon. Except I don't know when soon will be mom. It could be next week. Or next month. It could even be a year. Who knows, it isn't up to me to decide."

Simon looked at Jace for help, which was useless because Jace just played along with Isabelle. "Yeah Izzy, who knows. By the time someone had the guts to propose to you, you'd probably be too old to have kids." At this, Simon glared at Jace, who just smiled at him in return.

"I'm going to head to the office. Good luck Jace," said Maryse, walking out of the kitchen.

"So, Jace, once you and Clary marry, where are you planning on living?" Simon asked in attempts to change the subject.

Jace shrugged. "I was thinking the Herondale manor in Idris. Izzy will stay here and run the New York Institute."

Simon nodded. "But just remember, if-"