Imprinted Memories

A Secret To Keep

"I can't believe you really said yes."

"What? Why? Jace, I love you and there is no one else I would want to marry. Okay, at the age of 16 I promised to marry Simon but…"

"Really?“

"My crush at that time had broken my heart and Simon had promised me, he would never do that.”

“Of course he wouldn't. We're talking about Simon.“

„I still have the oath we've written in the cafeteria back then.“

„So I would have had to ask Simon for your hand in marriage instead of Luke?“

„You really did that? When?“

„A few days ago when you were out with Izzy and Magnus.“

„Jace, you know that Luke likes you. You didn't have to do that.“

„After all we've been through I wanted to make it right.“

“I thought, you were joking when you said, you wanted to. How was it?”

“Let's say I'm glad I never had to be interrogated by him when he was still a cop.”

“Gosh, I'm sorry.”

“It's okay. I understand why he did it. You're like a daughter to him and he probably promised your mom to protect you. And let's say, my reputation at times wasn't the best. I'd have had second thoughts about me.”

“Just promise me, you won't do the same to our children.”

“I pictured that it would be you, scaring future boy- and girlfriends away, throwing your kindjals after them especially if our daughter comes home with a guy like me.”

“You mean your old 'It's a shame to glamour myself because I'm denying mundanes glorious looks' arrogant self? But who would I be to judge her? I fell for you non the less.”

“Yeah really, Clary, you should have known better.”

“Very funny. But regarding the scaring, we can take turns, so they'll never know what to expect.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

"You were really afraid I'd say no to you?“ Clary asked with a chuckle.

“Not afraid but I thought about the possibility.“

“Jace, sometimes you're really stupid.“

“Why?“

“After all we've been through, all the times we had to fight for each other, all the times we thought we had lost each other but found our way back, did you really think, there could be someone else than you I'd say yes to?“

“Apparently I did and as you admitted, you said once yes to Simon.“

Clary shook her head smiling and caressed his cheek.

“That was in a different life and I assume, Izzy would have serious objections to this cafeteria oath.“

Jace wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close.

“So...?”

“Jace, there will be no one but you. I was always yours and I'll always will be,“ she said with her hand still on his cheek. He leaned into her touch and closed his eyes.

“Do you want to tell the others?”

“I know, they'll be happy for us but I'd like to keep this a secret until we come back from our vacation.”