Guess who's back, back again.

That's right, I AM CONTINUING THIS STORY! I know, I am fabulous as a masgestical Taco. I am going to be re-writing all the chapters I already had up, and this is the re-write of chapter FELIZ NAVIDAD!

(That's Spanish for one, right?) LOL

Plot, characters, and important details will stay the same, so it's not different, just better, more detailed and complete writing. If you have been reading the original, you still have to read the re-writes, I will tell you guys all about that in the first non- re-written chapter, so previous followers shall know. Btw, I know I said I am not continuing until I am done with expect the unexpected, but I'm a dirty liar. And ways, I think it's time to start this baby up again!

Disclaimer: Honestly, I am too lazy to ever write such amazing books as TMI, so that still belongs to Cassandra Clare.

LEGGO.

Coffee, the best thing in the world. So when I woke up in the morning to its delicious scent drifting through the door, I had thought it was going to be a great day.

I couldn't have been more off.

My eyes drift open slowly, still reluctant to open and acknowledge the day. Unfortunately, the sunlight streaming through the open windows didn't seem to like my plan.

Groaning into my pillow, I sit up and rub the sleep from my eyes, the sheets falling to my waist. I perk up slightly when I smell coffee in the air, and it motivates me enough to get up.

I throw the sheets off and stretch like a cat, yawning loudly. My eyes wander over to the full length mirror, and I wince slightly when I see my reflection.

Fluffy red hair, white skin, and tired looking green eyes are not the best look for a girl, definitely. I sigh and make my way to the bathroom. After fixing my hair, washing my face, and brushing my teeth, I throw on a black robe over my baby blue pajamas and head downstairs, following the scent of heaven in a pot.

I step into the large white kitchen, eyes surveying the scene. The kitchen was large and open planned, with a granite bar and stools that opened to the dining area and adjoined living area. On the other side of the bar stands Jocelyn, who turns when she hears me enter and smiles widely.

Jocelyn Fray was beautiful; even if she's simply wearing a black tank top and pink pajama bottoms with her ruby red hair twisted into a knot. She walks over with two mugs in hand and offers one to me.

"Good morning honey, coffee?" she inquires. But before I can answer, another voice chimes in with a laugh.

"Really now Jocelyn is that even a question?" Luke asks, coming to sit beside me on the bar. He smiles and his dark blue eyes twinkle as he winks at me, which I return with a smile.

Luke was my step dad, but for all I was concerned he was my real father. Valentine, my biological father, had died when I was two, and I had never known him. I've seen one photo of him, on the day he married my mother, and from what I've deduced, he looks nothing like me. His hair was a peculiar silver white, and his eyes were as black as night; though they were filled with love and adoration as he gazed down at Jocelyn, who returned the look whole- heartedly. I still don't know the details of his death, as Jocelyn refuses to say more then that it was a 'horrible accident', and I don't ask. He was the past, and Luke is now married and in love with my mother. Together, the three of us are all the family we need.

"Hey dad." I grin at him over the coffee cup as I take a sip. Mmmm, just how I like it; black, with tons of sugar. He smiles back and grabbed a coffee cup of his own. Jocelyn sits down across from us and smiles again, but something seems off. Looking at Luke, I notice there is also something hesitant in his normally large grin. I raise my eyebrows – despite tedious hours of practicing, I still couldn't lift one- and look at Jocelyn.

"What's with all the tension?" I ask, slightly worried. Jocelyn takes a breath and gives me an anxious smile.

"Oh, some old family friends are coming to visit." I give her a searching look.

I speak slowly. "Which 'old family friends'?"

Jocelyn looks at Luke, who turns to me and speaks. "The Herondales."

I groan; there goes my good mood.

Celine and Stephan, friends of Luke from the law firm, aren't bad at all, in fact, they're perfectly nice and fun to be around. It's the asshat I have a problem with.

Jace freaking Herondale; the biggest Hollywood actor and biggest asshole all wrapped in one with a gold ribbon on it.

We had met when I was four and he was six; our parents had gotten together and gave both of us some toys and left us alone and went to go talk about something. It had not gone well.

Let's just say within the first 10 seconds we hated each other. Our parents had finally separated us when he was pulling my hair and I was whacking him with a Lego. Friendship at its finest, ain't it?

We had met a couple of times after that, but after I turned 12 and he turned 14, we didn't see each other, so it's been over a decade.

Not that I wasn't still tired of him; he was Hollywood's Heartthrob, the most eligible bachelor, one of the biggest actors. He had gotten a deal when he was 17 and has been in the acting industry since then. Result; his ego is even bigger then it was as a child, which is an amazing feat. But even I couldn't deny his acting skills; seriously, Mariah Carey probably takes diva lessons from him.

And now we get to have a grand reunion! Pshhh, not if I could help it.

"Oh great, you two have fun with that, I'll be in my room." Perfect plan, right? Well, not according to Jocelyn.

"Clary, you're going to meet them too. It's been over a decade, and you two aren't children anymore. You have to talk to him sometime." She pleads at me with those green eyes, but I'm unmovable by her persuasion; I did grow up with her.

"No thanks, I'm content with being stubborn, thank you very much." I say, taking a long sip of my coffee.

Jocelyn abandons any attempts at being sweet. "I'm not giving you an option Clarissa." Oh no, the full name.

"But"- I begin, but Jocelyn cuts me off with a warning glare. I change my tone and give her a sugary smile. "Casual or Formal?" I ask, honey- coating my words. She gives me a satisfied smile, but something is still off about it.

"Formal, and fix your hair." She commands. I give her a mock salute and walk out of the kitchen. Great, now I have to get dressed up for him.

I walk into my room, trying not to slam the door. Great, time to play dress up! I go into the bathroom and take a hot shower, feeling refreshed and citrusy when I come out. I wrap myself in a fluffy towel and walk to the wardrobe, deciding to pick out the dreaded formal wear. I survey the clothing options I had for formal wear, wrinkling my nose at most of them. Dresses and skirts aren't my thing, paint splattered jeans and band tees are. I sigh and grab a black skirt that strong resembles a lampshade with its odd shape that stops right above my knees, and a sheer pink blouse that looks like something an office lady would wear. Great, now I'll actually look like a 24 year old; joy.

I throw the clothes on the bed for later and head back to the bathroom to do my hair. Or as I call it, the horror story that never ends.

It may have taken an hour, but the end result was pretty cool.

Almond shaped emerald eyes stare back at me, lined by a small amount of eyeliner and mascara that give them a mysterious look. I had blow dried my hair to perfection, so it fell in loose curls all the way to my waist, just below my belly button. I had put on the skirt and blouse, and surprisingly I looked good in the combo. I had added black flats I barely wore that had little bows on the toes. I look mysterious and 24, not 16. And for once, that isn't such a bad thing to me.

I finger the white gold locket around my neck. it was on a simple chain and ended in an oval pendant, an engraved rose on the front. It had been a Christmas present when I was 18, and it was still missing a photo. On one side inside it was empty, waiting for a picture and on the other side was an engraved hand holding an other hand. I guessed it was for when I got married or fell, so I could put a photo of us two. I smile fondly at the locket, remembering when I got it. White gold is my favorite type of jewelry, and I haven't taken off the locket if I could help it.

I drop it inside my shirt, feeling the cool metal against my skin. I give myself one last look in the mirror, and then I make my way out of the room.

I quickly make my way down the stairs to see Luke and Jocelyn waiting for me. Luke washed up well, freshly shaved and his salt and pepper neatly arranged. He's fidgeting with the edge of his tuxedo, worry in his deep blue eyes. Jocelyn also looks worried but gorgeous, with her deep red hair pulled back in loose but high pony tail, with perfectly curled tendrils hanging down. She wore an elegant navy dress that was formal but casual at the same time, complementing her willowy frame and accenting her eyes. Simply put, she looked gorgeous and my self esteem was already out the window.

I join them at the end of the stairs as the wordlessly smile and turn towards the parlor, Jocelyn's navy high heels clacking against the marble. We all sit down on the white couches, and I notice that someone had set up several plates full of nuts, cookies, and even a small fruitcake with gleaming silver cutting knife. Wow, they really are going all out.

We sit in tense silence for a moment and I begin to think. Since when is it such a big deal for family friends to come visit, even if the family friends in question were the Herondales? I shrug to myself and reach for a cookie, but stop when Jocelyn gives me a look. Oh I forgot, the food's always for show, no one ever eats it. I sigh and settle into the couch, but at that exact moment the doorbell rings. Great; I sigh and get up along with Jocelyn and Luke, and we all file over to the door.

Luke opens the door, bathing the hallway in warm light. Jocelyn and Celine exclaimed and hugged and Luke and Stephan shake hands warmly, and I simply leaned against the wall, content with inspecting my nails. That is, until I feel a hot gaze on me, and I look up to see Jace Herondale smirking at me.

I had heard puberty works wonders, but that was probably the first time I witnessed it in person. If Jace was cute as a pre-teen, he could easily take the place of a Greek god now. He still had the tan that surfers would cry over, but it was darker and more golden. His hair was longer, still honey gold and curly. The black jeans and white v-neck weren't doing much to hide his muscles, and his signature smirk is still in place. His odd golden eyes were framed by dark lashes that girls would die over, and they are staring right at me.

Shame, if I hadn't been a personal victim of his condescending words and sharp wit, I'd probably be as in love with him as all the pre-teen girls of the world. But alas, he was still annoying. Hot, but annoying.

"Hey Red, did you shrink since the last time I saw you?" he asks, smirking at me while surveying my apparent shortness. Sadly, I'm still at my grand height of 5'5. I smirk right back, ignoring the jab with the old nickname. You want to go Herondale? You're not the only one with rude nicknames in their vocabulary.

"Hey goldilocks, why don't you come in? Don't worry, we've got butter just incase your ego gets stuck in the door frame." His smirk doesn't go away, not that I expect it to. Luke, Jocelyn, and the Herondales all let out a collective small sigh, and I picture them all mentally face palming.

"Thanks for the concern Red, but I think I'm good." He smiles condescendingly and walks in like he owned the place; he really needs to be knocked down a couple of pegs. Maybe with a baseball bat…

I sigh and walk in after him, everybody else following. We all sit down in the parlor; Jace sprawled over a love seat. Celine's blue eyes are blazing, obviously trying to send Jace a mental message to get some manners, but he isn't listening. Or he just didn't have enough brain to get the message, which is also possible.

There was a brief awkward silence, but then Jocelyn stands up suddenly, looking nervous. I raise my eyebrows and sit in silence, waiting for her to speak.

"Hello everybody. Now, we all here to talk about something important." She sounds like a pastor. If she starts talking about the Lord, the irony shall be through the roof. "As we all know, Jace's fame has been skyrocketing lately," Jace smirks at that, but Jocelyn ignores him and continues. Nice job, one point Jocelyn for ignoring the biggest ego ever. "And his manager has been starting to complain about something." What isn't there to complain about?

Celine stands up, and Jocelyn sits down. "Jace has been having numerous affairs all over the place, and it's not good for his reputation, and he's getting in trouble with gossip shows and magazines." Well obviously, Jace was the definition of player. He doesn't seem surprised by this news, but more annoyed that they were discussing it. Celine sits down and Jocelyn stands up again. It's as if they're playing a game of hot potato, and the music has stopped on Jocelyn. She seems pretty nervous, it must've been one hell of a potato; maybe a grenade. Hot grenade; where's Bruno Mars when you need him?

"So, all four of us have come to a mutual decision. A long time ago, in fact on the same day you two met, we made an agreement. More like a pact. And after Jace got signed and his reputation was in danger, so around two months ago, we decided it's time, and we had to do what we had planned when you both were young. A sort of back up plan." Jocelyn takes a final breath, and Jace and I lean forward, obviously wondering what she's talking about.

"We decided when the time comes; you two are to be married." All the blood drains from my face.

No.

She wouldn't.

She couldn't.

She would not.

How could she?

NO.

"No. I refuse." I say, voicing my last thought. I glance over at Jace, who looks as shell-shocked and angry as I was. Jocelyn and Luke looked at me sadly. No, I refuse to condemn myself to a life stuck with someone I don't love. It's not a freaking option, and that's final.

"And I am not marrying her." Jace says, and I can't help the indignation. Please asshole, you'd be lucky to get stuck with me. "I'm a grown man; I have money, a career, and I can move out and get a penthouse in two seconds. Like hell am I going to let you guys ruin my life because of some damn agreement when we were kids." Jace is fuming, glaring at his parents angrily. But all four of them seemed to be united as one unmoving wall. Oh well, good thing me and Jace's anger would probably blow apart a castle. Yeah, don't mix fire with fire; you'll end up with flipped tables and broken arms.

"I sure as hell can Jace, you may be a man but I am still your father." Stephan was matching Jace's glare with his own, and I'm starting to fear for the furniture. Remember what I said about fire with fire?

"I don't care about the damn agreement. I am not letting that get in the way of my life and forcing me to be stuck with him! It's not the freaking 1800's I'll marry who I damn well want to and when I want to. I may not know who that is, but it's sure as not him." I hiss. I round on my parent's and I have a feeling my face was as Red as my hair. "What the hell were you two thinking? Is this some godamn way to get rid of me? if you want me gone, screw the marriage, I'll leave right now." I feel angry, furious, and so betrayed.

I may not hate Jace Herondale, but I sure as hell don't love him. I can't even imagine living with him, but marrying him? Spending time with him, acting as if I'm love struck whenever there's a camera around? Having kids with him? No, this can't happen. It won't happen. I will not be used as a way for the asshat to stay famous.

Jocelyn stands up, pleading with her hands, but I see the glint in her green eyes, and I know. I know that she isn't letting me out of this, and if she had to drag me to the church I would have to marry Jace. But freaking why?

"Of course we aren't trying to get rid of you, we love you and always will." If you did, you wouldn't be making me get married, now would you? "There is so much to this, and things we can't explain now. We aren't trying to ruin your lives, and if you knew, you wouldn't be like this. Sweetie," I could tell she was talking to me personally, and it was like no one else was listening; this was strictly mother to daughter. "I need you to trust me. I love you, and I wouldn't interfere with your life or future unless I need to. Jace" my eyes flicker involuntarily towards him, "isn't going to mistreat you, I know that for sure. You may not like this now, but one day you'll know everything. Just please, trust me Clary." Her emerald eyes stare into mine imploringly, begging but commanding at the same time, as if she was trying to ease me into something was inevitable. Something tells this marriage is just that.

I'm still uncertain. How could I just do this to myself?

Because Jocelyn's wants you to.

Dammit annoying voice in my head, why do you have to cut through my ice cold soul? What are you, the Ana to my Elsa soul? I knew she should've left her a statue.

I look at Jace, who is staring at his parents, obviously deciding something. He looks at me, and I can't bring myself to smirk or roll my eyes.

We stare at each other, obviously considering. What would life be like, loving him? I know that he could be a gentleman, he isn't that bad on the eyes, and I can get under his skin. But still, he isn't prince charming, and I'm no Cinderella. But I know I'm not going to fight anymore; I'll have to save that for the marriage; ugh. Jace nods, almost imperceptibly, and I do the same.

We both turn to our parents and nods silently, obviously too in shock over what just happened to speak. They all let out a small collective sigh, and everyone sags in relief. Well, Stephan and Luke do, Jocelyn and Celine both look to sophisticated to ever sag.

"Thank god, I was afraid for the furniture." Luke says in relief. You and I both dad. Stephan steps forward cautiously, gauging my current mood. I'm still too in shock to do anything though, much less break any arms. He finally steps forward all the way, and pulls out a black velvet box. Oh great.

"This is your engagement ring; make sure you don't take it off. We have plans for Jace to announce the marriage on an upcoming interview, but we still need to get the word out about his new fiancée." Oh yeah, I get to be arm candy for the rest of my life, freaking fabulous. I take the box and open it, and I can't help the small gasp that escapes my lips.

It's simple yet so elegant. A white gold band, with simple twining vines leading to the center, where a small white opal, my birthstone, was set. It sparkled and caught the light, throwing many colors around. It was simple, classy, and the most beautiful ring I've ever seen.

I wordlessly slide it onto my ring finger, turning my hand to examine it from all angles. It was small, but stood out in all its beautiful glory. I marvel at it in silence, admiring, but I can't help the small amount of sadness in my stomach.

It's really a shame that such a beautiful ring had to be a lie.

Medium sized chapter, about 3.8 k words.

So, how you like it? Dramatic, funny, or? If you have been reading the previous old version, forced love, then I hope you like this more! if you don't, sorry bro. I now have the story planned out, edited, and I feel a lot better about it now. I still wasn't totally satisfied about this chapter, but what can ya do? I ALSO AM NOW ATTEMPTING TO UPDATE ON A SCHEDULE LIKE WAT Haha I am going to try to update every 3 days but I am currently working on two fanfics, so I'll try as hard as I can!

I am going to keep the rating to this story T, but if I end up writing a lemon I will rate that chapter M and make sure if there is anything important in the chapter for people who don't want to read that kind of stuff, ill include a summary at the bottom for ya'll who don't like the frickle frackle. ;) Haha but please review a really love reading them and I respond to all I can and all reviewers get sexy dreams of Jace and Will Herondale tango dancing to Beyonce. You're welcome.

See you soon… *MUAH*-M