A/N: Oh sweet mother! I am so extremely sorry for not updating in millennia! The last few weeks of school were annoyingly hectic what with finals and all. Then, I should probably let you know, I am horrendously busy during summer. No lie. Once more I really apologize.
A lot of you were very confused as to what happened in the previous chapter, and rest assured, your questions will be answered down below. The final chapter!
A few of you were fantastically rude. Fuck you, too. What the hell, guys. As soon as there's a twist, you people just jump on my back and think It's OK to criticize me until the point where I don't feel that I'm a good writer anymore. How dare you make someone feel that way. If you really hate my story that much, fine! Leave! Don't read it anymore! Don't push me to tears, don't say blatantly ignorant statements where you have no facts or evidence to back you up, and don't just cuss me out. I'm all for constructive criticism, but DAMN. Therefore, I have removed some of the more…rude reviews. So don't waste your time looking.
I'll see you peeps at the bottom! J
With a tremendous gasp, Clary bolted upright. Tangled in her covers, she was in her own bed. In her own room. At her own house. But… how had she gotten here? Mind racing, she slowly swung her legs over to the floor, walking towards the full length mirror in the corner. No makeup, no jewelry and no fabulous black dress. How did I get here? She thought. Maybe I got really drunk? Or Sebastian decided to bring me back home? Suddenly her breath jolted; her heart stalling. Jace. Jonathon. Dad. Isabelle. Alec. Magnus. Simon.
Banging into almost every piece of furniture in her path, Clary snatched up her phone. Scrolling through the contacts, she found no Jace. Bewildered, she continued. No Izzy. No Alec. No Magnus. Not even Jonathon. Confused, angry tears built up in her eyes. Was it all a dream? Hurt plowed a hole through her heart. With a short burst of hope, she found Simon's contact and dialed effect immediately.
'Hello?" Simon's voice cracked as he answered, seemingly still asleep. "Fray, what the hell? You ruined the best dream of my life. I was shackin' up with Maia!" She snorted.
"Whatever, Simon." His huff of irritation was profound through the speakers. "It's ten in the morning anyways. Wakey wakey!" He muttered something unintelligible on the other side.
"Something you needed?" He mumbled.
"Yeah. Listen do we know anyone by the last name of Lightwood? Jace, Alec and Isabelle Lightwood. Or even Bane, Magnus Bane! Tall, gay—"
"Astonishing. You've described Neil Patrick Harris. Or Ian McKellan."
"Ew!" Clary crinkled her nose. "Ian McKellan is old! I don't even think he's tall… but anyways back to the question."
"Lightwood doesn't really sound like a familiar name. Sorry Fray." Her heart plummeted to the pit of her stomach.
"One more question?" She asked, voice cracking. "What do you think of my dad, Simon?"
"Your dad?" He sounded a bit surprised. "Well he's kind of loud, but he's like a father to me, I guess. He took us camping last week, which was pretty fun. Um, he's pretty good looking, even for an older guy. Has your nose. Overall, I think he's a really cool dude. Am I done here?" Shock consumed Clary as memories flooded back.
"Yeah, Simon. Thanks a bunch!" She chirped into the phone, and then hung up. I cannot believe it was just a dream…It seemed so real! Bitterly, she knew those events would probably never have happened in reality. Too good to be true. She let Jace's face swim in front of her closed eyelids one last time before closing it off and shutting it in the back of her mind. Then she left it all behind and trekked downstairs.
"Good morning, babe." Jocelyn Fray-Morgenstern; her mother, graced her with a gentle smile. "Pancakes are on the table." Clary nodded and gave her mother a hug. Surprised, Jocelyn chuckled and lovingly stroked her daughter's silken locks. "What was that for?" Clary just shrugged and smiled sweetly.
"I missed you, and I love you!" The corners of Jocelyn's eyes crinkled as she smiled benignly.
"I love you, too. And really, honey. How could you miss me if I'm right here?" In response, Clary just laughed and headed into the dining room. She could see her father's blonde head poking from behind one of the many grand banqueting chairs.
"Morning, Daddy." She kissed his slightly whiskery cheek. Valentine Morgenstern looked up from his laptop, eyes alight.
"Good morning, Spitfire!" He flashed his dimples. "How was your sleep? Clary thought for a moment.
"Interesting." She concluded. He nodded in understanding. "Where's Sebby?" Clary questioned. Before her father could reply, Sebastian slouched into the room, mumbling nonsense about a dream. A strange feeling stirred underneath her skin, but she ignored it.
"Finally, you're up!" Jocelyn tutted. Sebastian rolled his eyes and evaded the gentle hands shamelessly trying to smoothen his hair. "Well listen, I'm off to runs some errands, maybe stop by and help Luke over at the bookstore. Anyone want to come? No? Oh, alright then. I'll be back at three, and start cooking for the guests. All of you behave!" With that, she kissed all of them and made an exit.
"What guests?" Sebastian inquired. Their father closed the laptop and finished the last morsel of pancake on his plate.
"I have some clienteles coming over tonight for supper. They have kids around your age. So be on your best behavior, am I clear?" The siblings nodded in agreement.
"Good, I'm off." He stood up and grabbed his leather satchel, slipping the computer inside. "I've got some plans I need to finalize before the dinner tonight. I want you both to look your very best, hear me? Make a lasting, good impression on my clients. If you want to go shopping, that's fine. But don't max out the credit card and for God's sake, be home and ready on time." With that, he kissed Clary on the head and slapped Sebastian on the shoulder before zooming out the door.
"Wanna go shopping?" She asked.
"Sure. I need some new stuff anyways."
"Uh, why?"
"Parker Kinderson, you know him? Backup quarterback last year; real big guy. Anyways, he and his buddies got drunk and decided they would burn my clothes at the big blowout we had last week, when Mom and Dad were in Beijing."
"How did I not notice a giant bonfire of clothes?"
"You were loaded drunk and hooking up with Jonathon!"
"Oh God, gross. I'm never getting drunk again." Clary shuddered. "So, back to the matter at hand, can we please wear black tonight Seb? I don't want to clash."
"I really don't care, squirt." She pleaded with puppy dog eyes, and his resolved melted away. "Fine. Be ready in ten, we'll take the Bentley."
In ten minutes she was downstairs, reaching for the car keys. All she had to do was throw on a loose Alesona band tee and some black shorts. Sliding on some gladiators, she headed to the bathroom. No makeup, just a loose bun at the back of her crown. Deodorant, perfume and a quick dab of concealer before brushing her teeth and grabbing the purse on the floor.
"Sebastian!" She yelled up the stairs, impatiently twirling the keys on her finger.
"I'm coming, jeez." He came downstairs, hair styled and smelling like the most amazing cologne. Like clary, Sebastian went casual. A white Nike tee, black basketball shorts and some matching Ralf Laurens. Seeing as she was distracted with nitpicking his outfit, Sebastian snatched the keys from her hand and out the door he flew, straight into the driver's seat.
"Jerk!" She screeched, running to the now locked door. "Bitch, I want to drive!"
"I don't want to risk an accident today, Ginger. Dad would have an aneurism if you wrecked the damn car on the day we have 'important guests'. Either get in or go back inside." Openmouthed, Clary just got in the car.
And away they went.
*8*8*8*8*8*8*8*8*
"CLARY!"
"WHAT?!"
"CAN YOU TURN DOWN THE MUSIC?"
"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT MOM? I'M CLEANING."
"CLEANING? CLARY THEY'LL BE HERE IN A HALF HOUR! GET READY!"
Clarissa actually choked. Half an hour?! Feeling like Flash, she turned off the surround sound, leaving just the bathroom speakers on, which were blasting Quietdrive's "Daddy's Little Girl". She grabbed the beautiful black jersey collar dress and threw it on; loving the way the fabric gently clung to her curves. A knock on the bedroom door made her start, but she called "Come in!"
"Hey," It was Seb. "I'm just going to hang with you while you get ready."
"Seriously?" She glared at him.
"Seriously. Hey, you've already got your dress on, so it's not like you have much more to do. Besides, it's either watch you get ready or help mom with absolutely pointless things. I pick the former."
"No stupid comments or anything, or you're out."
"Fine. Can I at least pick a song?" She nodded in consent. They had similar tastes in music. He picked up her iPhone, which was connected to her speakers and chose Passion Pit's "Take a Walk". Then he dove on her bed, ignorant to her protest, and began texting vigorously. Sighing, Clary continued getting ready. She pulled on her Giuseppe Zanotti Suede platform boots, which despite the height were shockingly comfortable. (AN: If you want the link to the clothes, inbox me!) A few little accessories here and there then she moved onto the more time consuming area of the "getting ready" phase: the hair. Frustrated, Clary knew she didn't have time to re-curl her entire head. So she grabbed some scrunching spray and tousled her hair in to messy, beachy waves. Satisfied, she applied mascara generously, making her eyes look huge. Eyeliner in place, she just applied a light pink lip gloss and was finished.
In the nick of time, the doorbell rang. Sebastian sprang up joyfully from the bed.
"Finally," he groaned. Clary barely said a word of agreement before he bolted out the door, downstairs. She shook her head lovingly, and then shut off the speakers, checking her phone for messages before heading downstairs. Sebastian was at the foot of the stairs still, waiting for her. He had on an Alexander McQueen black V-neck shirt with a pair of skinny jeans and—of course—Converse.
"I'm not into incest." Sebastian grinned. Clary burst out laughing.
"What EVER, Seb." She smacked his shoulder. "Let's meet these stuffy, spoiled brats and then maybe we can go to Jen's party later tonight? She's going all out."
"You got the message, too?" He followed her out into the hallway where they could hear voices. "I mean, Jen's totally hot. And she's amazing with parties. If I feel like myself after conversating with these blank walls Dad calls clients then yeah—" He was cut short immediately by the appearance of the "Blank Walls" and their kids. Who were their ages.
There were four of them.
Three of them looked very alike, one was very blonde.
The girl had long, dark hair and sensual blue eyes, as did the boy next to her.
The blonde boy had golden eyes.
Clary's breath caught.
"Isabelle?" Sebastian rasped behind her.
"Sebastian?" Isabelle whispered.
"Jace?" Clary squeaked.
"Clary?" He breathed.
And with joyous cries, they fell into the arms of their loved ones.
They say that if you dream hard enough, you could find the ones you love dearly. And they, my friend, will find you. Even at the ends of the Earth.
A/N: So guys, how was it? I feel really, really sad finishing this story! :/ It sucks but I have an idea that basically blew my mind up all summer, but I couldn't write. So freaking busy :P Anyways, I need you guys to do a few things for me:
1: Like my page on Facebook! It's called "A Quiet, Lilting Melody." And it's going to be where I give updates about ALL my work, not just fan fiction. Although I tend to stick to romance, so beware! And it's also where (if you like the same kind of music I like) I tend to put weekly top 5 songs for ME, not the billboard charts. So yeah, go like the page guys! I just started it, so you might not see much right at first! J
2: Email me your questions or if you would like to see the outfits! Here it is: .writing gmail . com. Just remove the spaces and stuff!
3: I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH!
Aha you guys are absolutely amazing. Another last shout out to my beta: TasteTheRainbow-Or Else! Go give her love, guys! Bye!