A/N: This sounds depressing to me, but I started this story with Will's POV, and now I'm going to end it in his POV. Enjoy :')

Previously…

And they drove off until they reached the hospital.

While Tessa, Cecily, and Jem were in their room at the hospital, Will decided to be productive and went to go get a chocolate bar.

He was just wasting time, actually. The nurses told them that Tessa could've left hours ago, saying that she was fine. Except Cecily decided to let her stay for a while longer just to get on her nerves.

In a way, Will sort of felt bad for his younger sister. It was her birthday, and she couldn't even spend it properly, other than the party at Club Pandemonium. She had to leave everyone for this, and she was still in her dress, and Jem was still in his semi-formal outfit. He felt terrible that he couldn't even celebrate it with her, and decided that he would make it up to her soon. She deserved it.

He went over to a small cafeteria in the hospital and looked over at the selections of food. He went up to the lady working there. Her name was Agatha, and (even though this was a hospital) she was one of the best cooks he had ever met. She was quite a bit older, but still the best.

Will put on his most flirtatious smile as he went up to her. "Agatha, dear," he greeted. "How are you?"

She rolled her eyes, and smacked him in the arm. He feigned offense, but she wasn't buying it. "There are some chocolate tarts in the back. I'll get them," she added as put a hand on his arm to stop him the moment he took a step. "Insolent boy," she muttered under her breath, and he grinned at her.

Will threw himself in the nearest chair, patiently waiting for the chocolate tart. He had been here before many times, and with each time, he'd head straight towards the cafeteria. It had become an instinct after a while.

Actually, what he had been trying to do was distract himself, and chocolate seemed like it would help. Tessa was fine, but how would she deal with her brother later on, now that this was all over? They discussed that she could live with Cecy and him, but what about her house? Originally they thought that they would stop him, but didn't actually know if he would be arrested or not.

They probably had some contract or something, and Tessa would still need to pay for renting the house. Or maybe she could stay there instead and they could try to help with money and all? Will always thought they had too much, as well as Cecily.

But then again, Tessa would refuse and insist that she could do earn money on her own, which was totally unacceptable.

Or they could just live in the other house of theirs, and Will and Cecily could help Tessa pack her things and then move them to that house. Will smiled, recalling one of the first times he had been with Tessa besides at school, helping her unpack her stuff. How Cecily was the one who made him do it. How he at first disliked the fact she would be moving across from him.

Besides the fact that he didn't care for her as much as he did now, he missed when it everything was simpler. Hopefully everything would calm down after the events with Nate and Jessie and all.

Speaking of Jessamine, she was also in the hospital room with everyone else. He remembered her saying something about wanting to apologize to Tessa. He just hoped she wouldn't scare the poor girl with her ruined makeup and crazed hair.

Agatha came back by that time and handed him a plate stacked high with chocolate tarts. Will gasped. "Agatha! Bless your heart," he said with a broad smile as he pulled her in for a hug. When he pulled back, and he whispered, "I may just have to marry you." She gave him a look and huffed, walking away. Will smirked, and carried the plate of tarts back to Tessa's room.

Some nurses looked at him funny, others just stared at him in pure awe and fascination, as if they couldn't believe he was real. He rolled his eyes, and opened the door with one hand to the room.

"…I don't even need to be here," Tessa protested, looking exasperated. "I'm perfectly fine."

All eyes fell on Will as he entered, and he bit into one of the chocolate tarts, moaning at the way the warm chocolate seem to melt in his mouth, and he savored each moment. "Hello, everyone," he said cheerfully. He nodded his head in Tessa's direction, attempting to seem casual. "Tessa. Good to see you're well." He didn't want to act like he remembered their kiss, since it was pretty embarrassing that his sister and best friend had to see that. An audience is not what he expected, nor wanted.

She flushed, and Will averted his gaze to look over at Jem. "Hello, James," he greeted. He smiled at him, and Jem smiled back. Ah, the good days when he and Jem were always together, inseparable. They still were, but things were just a bit more complicated, getting in the way of the two of them. "Hasn't anyone told her yet that she was free to go?"

Cecily widened her eyes and looked over at Will, giving him a warning look. Tessa's jaw dropped. "What! I was allowed to leave this whole time?"

Will nodded, leaning against the wall lazily. "Basically, yeah. Chocolate tart?" he offered, gesturing to the platter. Tessa shook her head, and stood up from the bed. "Alright, alright. How about you, James?"

Jem looked over at Cecily who was giving Will a death glare. Jem looked back at him and grinned. "I'd love one, William, thank you."

Will smiled at his sister. "And you, Cecy?" He got a glare in return, and Will snorted.

Cecily huffed. "I can't believe you betrayed me like that."

"You betrayed me!" Tessa pointed out, crossing her arms.

Tessa and Cecily began bickering on the subject, and Will turned to Jessamine, who had been quiet throughout his little visit. She looked distraught, as expected, but was no longer crying. Will sighed. "Jessamine," he said in a low voice. She turned to him, brown eyes wide and fearful, as if what he might say next would cut through her like a blade, and he felt a twinge of guilt. "We really do appreciate what you did. You were brave, and I'd like to thank you for that."

Jessamine smiled a little bit. "Thanks, Will." She sniffed, and then said, "Can we just be friends? I don't want to fight with you, Cecily, or anyone anymore."

"Of course," Will said, and he gently patted her shoulder.

Jem's voice interrupted their little conversation, saying, "Alright, girls, you can discuss Cecily's hypocrisy in the car, but can we please just leave this place?" Will himself was growing tired of this place, and he stood up with the platter of tarts.

"I agree," he said, taking long steps towards the door. "We shall leave then."

. . .

They drove back to the warehouse because Tessa, Will, and Jem's car was still there. They all parted their separate ways: Will and Cecily went home, Jem went to his, but he wasn't quite sure where Tessa went. She would've followed them back, but she didn't, and that was rather peculiar. He decided to look later, but for now, he just wanted to return Cecily and him back to his normal life and none of this madness.

When he opened the door to his house, the lights were off and it was empty. No one was probably in the house, Will assumed, and he and his sister exchanged a look, sighing.

There was a small buzzing sound, and Cecily pulled out her phone. The small screen brought light to the dark house, and Will read it from where he stood. It was from that Gabriel Lightworm. Ugh. He texted something about being worried about her, how he couldn't find her, the selfish bastard.

Cecily gasped and looked up at her brother with wide eyes. "Gabriel!" she exclaimed and vigorously began texting him back.

He read: Gabriel I'm so osryry I left hte party so early!

"God, Cecily, calm down," Will said, and she corrected all her mistakes.

She explained, "I just left Club Pandemonium without telling him anything and he's probably worried sick about me!"

She continued typing how she was alright, blah, blah, blah. He didn't want to pay attention to any part of Gabriel and Cecily's relationship. He didn't approve of it, and made sure everyone knew. But then again, everyone also ignored him.

But what happened next shocked the both of them—the lights flickered on, and Edmund and Linette Herondale appeared from the shadows with a large chocolate cake and sixteen candles on it, placed on a silver tray with the words Happy Birthday, Cecily! in white cursive. "Surprise!" they both exclaimed, wide smiles on their faces.

Cecily's jaw dropped (and her phone), as did Will's. Neither of them expected this; they were so sure that their parents had forgotten her birthday. He looked down at his sister, and saw that her eyes were welling up with tears. Edmund put the cake on the kitchen table and started lighting the candles. Cecily ran up to her mother and embraced her, burying her face in her neck. Linette responded immediately, wrapping her arms around her daughter and pulling her in close.

"Thank you," Cecily whispered, wiping her eyes after pulling away. "Thank you so much. I love you all."

"It's not much," Edmund said, lighting the final candle. "But we do hope you like it."

"Like it?" Cecily then went to her father and hugged him as well. He was stiff at first, as if he's never done such a thing before, but gradually welcomed the hug, lightly trailing his hand up and down her back. "I love it. It's more than I could've asked for, and I love you, Dad."

Will felt himself smile. Finally they showed their children some proper care, and he was overjoyed for Cecily, but he couldn't help but wish—

"William," Linette smiled, "don't be so shy. Cecy's about to blow out her candles. Join us." He noticed something had changed in her eyes. She didn't look so strict or devoid of emotion. Her eyes were full of love, and judging by the way she was looking at him, his mother actually looked proud of her children. Will felt his heart swell.

Then Will remembered the time when Tessa told him to respect his family. After all of this, he realized how much he loved them. How much he needed them in his life. Will started thinking that he should've been more grateful. Then he realized that he was just as bad as his parents. While they ignored their kids, him and Cecily ignored back and shouted at them. He was instantly regretful, and told himself that he was going to apologize soon.

Will stood up and joined everyone at the kitchen. They were singing happy birthday to Cecily. She blew out the candles, they were cutting and eating the cake, they watched some movies together, and spent the rest of the night talking and laughing. And for once, they were being a family.

. . .

It was midnight and everyone was asleep. By the time the mini-birthday party was over, Will went up to his room and looked outside his window. Tessa's car still wasn't outside in her driveway, and he was becoming a little concerned.

Then he began thinking.

Of all places she could have gone to, where would Tessa have gone?

It took him a while to think of the possibilities; she didn't go back to the warehouse, and she didn't go home. There was a chance she could've gone to Jem's house or something, but when she drove off, she didn't go in the direction he went.

Maybe she was doing some late night shopping? It was possible. But if he was in her shoes, he would surround himself with the people he loved most, or things—

Then it clicked, and when it did, he couldn't believe how obvious it was. It was right in his face, and he completely missed it.

Will threw on a jacket and quickly ran down the stairs, picked up his keys, and went to the one place he knew Tessa would be at.

. . .

He was at his library, the one that he had shown Tessa a while back, when they were fighting. Books had been her great escape, as well as his, so it made sense. Not too long ago, he'd told her that it wasn't just his library, but theirs. It slipped out by accident, but he began to realize that it was absolutely true, and that he would have it no other way. If he could share it with anyone, Tessa would be the first option, and he was more than glad to share it with her.

Will pushed the doors open.

It was almost completely dark. There was only one candle lit, and it was by the leather chairs he and Tessa sat at with each visit. He barely saw her figure sitting there, with her head buried in her arms. His lips formed her name, but no sound came out. Because he realized she was crying.

His heart dropped. He'd always known Tessa to be strong—tough as nails, even. And he couldn't recall the last time she had cried. She never let herself, and it was totally unhealthy. He even told her that many times before. But now that he actually got to see it, it was the saddest sight Will had ever seen, and he felt an overwhelming urge to comfort her.

The doors closed and Tessa's head popped up, her face tearstained. "Will?" she asked, sniffling. "Will, is that you?"

He had frozen, and there was a long pause before he finally said quietly, "Yes."

She wiped her eyes and he saw that she was trying not to cry in front of him. Will had enough of this. He strode across the room and sat down next to her. "Don't," he said, looking down at her. "Don't even try. Just let it out, Tess."

And so she did.

Tessa fisted her hands in the back of his shirt, and sobbed into his chest. He held her firmly against him. He wouldn't let her go. It went like this for about ten minutes, before her tears stopped flowing, and she loosened her grip on him. She fixed her hair, pushing it all to the front, and Will rolled his eyes. Tessa looked beautiful, even in this state. She always did.

"Sorry," she said after taking a deep breath. Will chuckled, and she rested her head on his shoulder. "Will, can I ask you something?" He nodded. "Tell me what happened. With Nate."

Will wasn't sure if he could. Not after seeing her cry. But he knew she was tough. Her brother wasn't worth her tears. But he explained everything from when Jessamine told them he hired someone to stalk her, and that he would be going to the warehouse. How Jessamine told him that she was with her so that they could get the police, and arrest him. He told her everything, and Tessa didn't even shed a tear.

She was quiet, silently absorbing the information. She needed some time to think things through, and hopefully they would just gradually return to a normal life. Soon they would all return to school, and things would go back to the way they were.

"Will," she said, snapping him back to reality.

"Yes?"

"What are we now?" she asked him, her head slightly tilted. Then she looked down, as if embarrassed, a faint blush coloring her cheeks, "I mean, after the basement."

He hadn't really thought about it, honestly. He confessed his feelings for her. He kissed her. She kissed back. So they obviously couldn't just be friends anymore, but what if it ruined everything between them? But maybe if they take it slow…

"How about," Will said, smiling at the curious look on her face, "I take you out a few times before we decide."

Tessa smiled too. "What do you have in mind?"

"Well," he said, an odd tone to his voice, "I could take you out for dinner next week. On Saturday. Something really romantic, with roses and doves and a table overlooking the ocean…" He paused as he saw her giggle, and he decided that that was his favorite sound. "Or I can take you to a really posh restaurant."

Her smile broadened. "That could work, too."

Will grinned at her. "Good. So it's settled."

"Definitely." Tessa sighed, stroking the cover of a book on her lap that Will didn't see before. Then she did something that he wouldn't have expected in a million years. Tessa reached for the collar of his shirt and pulled him in, pressing her lips against his. Will made a surprised sound from the back of his throat, but moments later closed his eyes and melted into the kiss.

Unlike their other kisses that were filled with fervor and passion, they were both taking their time, and were being gentle with each other. Will didn't want to overwhelm her with anything, after what she'd been through, even if all he wanted to do was hold her tightly against him so she'd never slip through his arms and disappear.

Will's hands went up, cradling her face, and faintly stroking her cheekbones. Her hands were still tightly gripping his collar, never losing hold. Her lips moved softly against his, and he slanted his face to deepen the kiss, causing her to gasp.

It all seemed to have gone on for ages, until they finally had to pull away for air. Tessa's swollen lips were parted, and her cheeks were a light pink. Her eyes landed on his collar and she loosened her grip, pulling her hands back and smiling an embarrassed smile. He only thought she looked even more adorable.

"I love you," he sighed out. The three words had unintentionally slipped out of his mouth, and the world came crashing down on him as he saw her go rigid, and her eyes widened. The silence was absolutely deafening. Too early, he told himself. Far, far too early. They weren't even official yet and he was blurting out things like this. Stupid! he scolded himself. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

He was about to take his words back and apologize, even though it was all true, but Tessa grinned, shushing him. Will stared curiously at her.

"It's okay," she said, pushing a lock of hair behind her ear. Her voice shook, as if testing it out, and she said, "I…I love you too."

"Tessa, you don't have to say it because—"

"No," she interrupted. "It's true. I mean it."

Will blinked at her. Never in a million years would he have thought she would say it back, and that she meant it. "Oh." He hadn't really prepared for this moment. After all, those words just slipped out of his mouth. But he was sincere, and he was overjoyed to know that she was too. For once, William Herondale was speechless.

And so when she laid her head on his chest and closed her eyes, preparing to sleep, everything felt right with the world, and he blew out the only candle's flickering light.

William Herondale didn't know what to expect when he first laid eyes on Tessa Gray. He still didn't know what to expect. She was constantly surprising him in the best way possible.

But none of that mattered; what did matter was that Tessa loved him, and Will loved her.

And that was all.

THE END.

A/N: I'M NOT CRYING, I JUST HAVE WILL HERONDALE IN MY EYES. Okay, first— Who noticed the "William Herondale didn't know what to expect when he first laid eyes on Tessa Gray" line? Because that is the first line in the story, and now it's one of the last.

There's a gigantic chance I will do an epilogue just to let you all know how everything turned out in the end. This story is written in past-tense after all. But yeah, this was the last chapter, basically.

I hope you all enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed writing it, and I will forever be glad that there was such a positive response to the story. I really, genuinely appreciate it. Thank you all so much. I love you all :)

So…it'll be weird not working on this anymore, but I'll be working on It's Simply Madness, An Event Gone Awry, and Beautiful Horrors, so if you wanna read more of my stuff, it's all there for you to read.

And, yeah. Favorite, review (and follow for an epilogue)! You know, all that jazz.

Disclaimer: I do not own The Infernal Devices, or anything else mentioned in this story. You'd think that after thirty-nine chapters, we would have established that I am really not Cassandra Clare.