Reforming

Chapter 6

"Jon," Clary moaned tiredly. She dragged her feet through the elevator doors and collapsed on the ground. It was eleven twenty and they had just gotten back from Taki's. Clary was exhausted, mentally and physically.

Jonathan scooped Clary up and walked her to the kitchen where he sat her down on the counter. "What would you like to eat?" he asked as he shifted through the fridge. "You didn't eat much at Taki's. I thought you would considering you were starving."

Clary swung her legs and shrugged. "I want mac and cheese."

Just then, Jace walked into the kitchen. He noticed Clary and regarded her with clouded eyes. Clary was about to ask him something when Jonathan spoke up. "What do you want, Jace? Will you quit staring at my sister like that?"

Jace shook his head and a smirk tugged at his lips. "Nope," he said, popping the 'p'. "I came to whisk your sister away."

Jonathan raised an eyebrow and crossed his arms. "Excuse me?"

"Am I not allowed to do something with her for her birthday?"

"I want her back at my room in forty minutes. No more." Clary had told Jonathan about her feelings for Jace and he wasn't liking it. And Jonathan knew how tired Clary was. Even if she wasn't admitting it. She collapsed on the floor. Obviously she's exhausted.

Jace sighed, but nodded nonetheless. He wasn't about to argue. Jonathan would probably give them less time together if he did. Jace held out his arm to Clary. "Madame," he mocked. Clary took his arm and bid her brother goodbye. Jace and Clary walked in silence for a few minutes. Jace spoke again once they came to an old wooden door. He pushed it open and allowed her to climb the steps. "Welcome to the greenhouse," he whispered in her ear once he had joined her.

Clary shivered at the hot breath against her neck. "Why are we in the greenhouse?" she whispered back.

Without answering, Jace grabbed her hand and dragged her through the garden to a blanket and picnic basket. Candles burned steadily between two plates. A smile pulled at Clary's lips as she took her seat across from Jace. "Happy birthday, Clare," Jace smiled.

"It isn't my birthday yet," Clary replied with a slight blush.

Jace's smile grew. "Not yet, but it will be. I wanted to be the first to tell you happy birthday."

She blushed furiously and motioned for Jace to lean forward. He did so, following her lead. Clary placed a soft kiss on his lips before pulling back and pulled the picnic basket toward herself. "So what's in here?"

"Well, Magnus told me you really, really like mac and cheese and hot chocolate." He pulled out a thermos and a container. "So that's what I brought you."

Clary would have launched herself at Jace had it not been for the candles in the middle of them. This was so sweet of Jace to do. "Thank you, Jace," Clary murmured softly.

Jace handed Clary the container of mac and cheese before he opened the thermos filled with hot chocolate. He poured some into a cup and gave it to Clary along with a fork. Clary put some mac and cheese on her plate before giving it to Jace. He did the same and placed the container and thermos back inside the basket. Clary dug right in and moaned as flavor burst inside her mouth. Jace laughed at her. She was clearly enjoying the food.

"Glad you like it," he smiled. "Isabelle tried to help, but let's face it. She isn't the best cook." Clary giggled as she finished the last of her mac and cheese. Jace's eyes widened. "I guess you were hungry."

Embarrassed, Clary nodded. "I didn't eat much at Taki's."

Jace held up his plate as an offer. "Would you like mine too?"