Do you Remember me?

Chapter 35

Flashback:

"I'm so proud of you Jace." Isabelle smiled, tearing her eyes away from the TV screen to look at him excitedly.

Alec nodded in agreement, watching the image of Jace acting in his recent movie intently. His blue eyes never once left the screen since the movie had started.

Jace grinned widely, beaming with his own sense of pride at his siblings joined reaction. He was sitting in the single armchair while Aline stood behind him. She had her arms crossed over her chest, listening as they resumed their conversation and secretly rolled her eyes.

"God," She groaned inwardly, "Does he really need anything else to fuel his massive ego?"

She heard something drop near the front porch and jumped slightly, turning around to see a pile of letters on the floor.

"Is the mail here?" Maryse called from the kitchen, and Aline straightened quickly.

"I'll get it." She smiled, thankful for the sudden excuse to leave, before she gave Jace a reassuring pat on his shoulder. She could practically feel his eyes bore into the back of her her head as she walked out, but chose to ignore it, closing the door silently behind her.

She crouched in front of the door, rifling through the letters quietly. The words "Addressed to Jace Herondale. Ref; IMPORTANT", were scribbled across each and every one, coming all the way from England.

Aline rolled her eyes. "Oh lovely, fans found his address! I can't wait to receive millions of fan-mail," She mumbled sarcastically, "Great."

She stuffed the identical letters into her back pocket, picking up the ones addressed to the Lightwoods before making her way into the kitchen.

"Here you go, Maryse." Aline smiled, placing the letters onto the counter for her.

Maryse seemed stressed to her limits, and Aline could easily spot a few stray grey hairs emerging out of the older woman's low bun. She breathed out a sigh of relief once she saw Aline, sending her a grateful smile as she ended her phone call.

"What would I do without you, Aline?" Maryse smiled, and Aline just nodded silently.

"It's okay, Maryse." She replied politely, before she bit the inside of her cheek to stop her fingers from drumming against the counter impatiently. She wanted to hide the letters as soon as possible, because if anyone saw them in her possession, she would definitely be done for.

Aline turned on her heel to leave at that, but Maryse was already stopping her before she even could take a step.

"I know I'm probably keeping you from watching Jace's new movie, and I apologise," Maryse smiled, and Aline stopped herself from saying "Actually no, you're not. Not in the slightest."

She hid her wry smile with a well placed cough.

"-But I wanted to know how you and Jace are doing." She smiled warmly. "He never tells me anything anymore, and sometimes I almost have to drag it out of him!" Maryse chuckled, and Aline willed one of the corners of her lips to rise in a small smile.

"He's.... great." Aline started slowly, "We're getting along just fine."

"Just fine?" Maryse urged and Aline just shrugged offhandedly.

"As fine as fine can be, considering all of the pressure coming from the media, and my parents. You know?" She responded, and Maryse sent her a sad look.

Aline figured out quickly that she hated that look.

"I'm sure they would be proud of you, Aline. If you ever feel as though you're alone, Jace is there for you. We're here for you. You're part of the family now." Maryse said, before she softly grabbed Aline's hand and pointed at her engagement ring.