Hello there! This is a one-shot about Malec having a baby (I was inspired by one short story of Cassandra Clare's The Shadowhunter Academy which will be released in approx. a year from now as Story Nr. 9). Because I'm a very impatient person I decided to write my own version already now, and because this one-shot will be about 10,000 words or so I will be releasing it in two parts.
So here's Part 1. Let me know what you think about it, reviews are appreciated!
September 2009
It was a sunny afternoon on a late September day, and Alec admired the spangles of colors the leaves on the trees were presented in as he walked back home through the streets of New York City. Cars rushed by him, honking, and some of the leaves got whirled up, rustling like paper. Alec had the front of his coat open, the gear he was wearing underneath splattered with demon ichor, and as he walked along he hoped it wouldn't look too bad. He didn't want Magnus to fret about it as he usually did when Alec returned from demon hunting, so he stopped at one of the fountains in Central Park, washed of some of the blood and continued his walk.
As he got closer to the subway station a cold wind picked up and he tugged his hands into the pockets of his coat to keep them from freezing. He touched something cold, circular, and he pulled it out, smiling. His heart beating with excitement he put back on his ring. His wedding ring! Its sight was still unfamiliar to him and his heartbeat increased every time he looked at it, although they'd been married for six months now. He doubted that he'd ever get used to loving Magnus, because loving Magnus and being loved by Magnus was such an amazing feeling, and almost an honor, and sometimes he even wondered why Magnus had chosen him, out of all people he could've had. But he'd chosen Alec and he'd proved more than once how much he loved him.
On the day of Clary's parent's wedding Magnus had finally opened up to Alec and had finally let him into his past. It had been the moment Alec had been awaiting for months, but when it was finally there he'd been reluctant. Being with Magnus would also mean growing old while he didn't. You couldn't grow old with your partner if your partner didn't age. In the end Alec had understood that he'd have to cherish the here and now, the lifetime, his lifetime, he'd get with Magnus, because this was more than most other people would get. Everyone had a burden to carry and Magnus' immortality was his, but the events of the Dark War had taught him that as long as he had Magnus and his friends he'd be able to carry this burden. After all, he'd been luckier than others.
After losing his memory to Magnus' father Asmodeus, Simon couldn't remember any of them and it shattered both Clary and Isabelle. Little by little they'd been able to restore Simon's memory - mostly Magnus had done the work -, and now Simon was training to be a Shadowhunter at the newly re-opened Shadowhunter Academy in Alicante. Alec would travel to the Glass City every now and then to assist Simon's training, but mainly because he wanted to be with Magnus who'd agreed to become a lecturer once the Academy had opened its doors again. He'd follow Magnus anywhere, but after spending two weeks in Alicante he was glad to be back in New York, and he was even happier knowing that Magnus would return today.
As Alec took the steps down to the subway, his phone started to vibrate. He pulled it out, flipped it open and glanced at the new message that had arrived.
Where are you? I miss you deeply.
Alec smiled. He could almost picture his husband – his husband – sitting at home, wearing one of his overly expensive and very exclusive looking robes under which he'd most likely be naked, sprawled out on the plush couch, his eyes smudged with glitter and mascara. Only thinking about it made Alec weak, and he increased his pace, almost jumping into the train. While on the train he quickly typed a message back.
You'll have to be patient.
Patience was not one of Magnus' strengths, and Alec knew that and liked to tease him. It wasn't easy to tease a warlock who'd lived several hundred years and had probably seen everything up until now, but every time Alec got the chance to do it he also did it. On the evening Magnus had proposed to him, on a beautiful cloudless night in Paris, Alec had known how much he'd torture Magnus if he didn't take on his proposal immediately, but he still had savored the moment as long as he could, and when Magnus had finally looked like he would faint, Alec had accepted. Before that night Alec had never seen Magnus nervous, and he was probably the most confident person on earth, right after Jace, of course, but when he'd asked Alec if he'd wanted to marry him his voice had been hoarse and his hands visibly trembling. Alec had never seen something more loveable than this. It was nice for a change to see that Magnus could be insecure about something too.
Alec had understood immediately the weight that had gone along with the proposal. Even after living a few hundred years, after having numerous affairs and lovers, Magnus had never even considered marriage, and most of the time he had his reasons. In their case, a marriage between a Shadowhunter and a warlock was not well approved, but a marriage between two men was an even greater disgrace. Knowing this and Magnus' disapproval of marriage itself, Alec had doubted he'd ever get married, but then he hadn't thought about it a lot. He was only twenty years old, and this wasn't the kind of age where one started to plan a wedding or on having children. But when Magnus had proposed, Alec had been more than thrilled and had to admit that marrying Magnus and having a family with him was all that he'll ever want, and why not start now?
Again Alec's phone vibrated, and he hastily scanned the text as he descended the train.
I have a little surprise for you.
Alec frowned and even swore, apparently loud enough for a passer-by to look at him. It must have been a mundane with the Sight; Alec was still glamoured. He returned his gaze to the display, reading the words again. Magnus loved surprises, but Alec did not. In fact, ever since he met Magnus he was even afraid of them, knowing that they would be either unbelievably magical and breathtaking like the night Magnus had proposed, or they would end terribly with Alec in need of an iratze. Either way, Alec always panicked when Magnus used the word surprise.
Alec slowed down a little, not so sure anymore if he really wanted to get home quick. Burying his hands deeper in his pockets, he walked down another street, one that would clearly end into a detour, and his mind drifted off to Magnus' last huge surprise almost a year ago.
"We're engaged," Magnus called out, lifting his champagne glass and spilling some of its bubbly content.
It was a cold December evening, and Alec had agreed to invite his family and friends over for dinner. They sat around a huge dining table that had appeared out of nowhere as had the food that was on it. Alec had wanted to cook something, but Magnus had insisted on 'handling it' and this usually meant he'd use his magic. It had been the same with the fire that was now burning in the grate, its crackling sound and pleasant warmth filling the room, and casting a shadow on their guest's shocked faces.
Alec shot a glare at his fiancé who was still standing, the glass clasp in his hands, and his glitter framed eyes gleaming with pride. The Lightwood family ring glimmered on his hand, and Alec felt his face flush and he lowered his head, trying to escape his parent's gaze.
"Alexander," he heard his mother saying, her voice pitch high. She rarely called him by his Christian name. This was bad.
"Is this true?"
Alec lifted his head, his eyes narrowing on Magnus. He was still smiling like he'd been never happier, which was probably true, but he had promised Alec that this would be only a nice family get-together and that it wouldn't be about their engagement. Alec should've known that it was a lie. Now he had to face his parent's disapproval.
"Don't you want to answer your mother, Alexander?" Magnus grinned triumphantly. Alec gritted his teeth and his eyes darted to Jace, who looked stunned, but not shocked, and continued to his father. Robert had arrived in New York only a few days ago. Ever since he'd taken on the job as the Inquisitor he rarely visited them, mostly because he was no longer married to Maryse. And even if he did visit them it would be only an official matter, but not this time. Alec still wondered why. It couldn't be the fact that Christmas was in four days. Robert had never cared about holidays.
He now stared back at his son, his expression blank, and Alec panicked even more. He felt his hands tremble, his knees shaking, and sweat breaking out on his forehead, but he still managed to get to his feet.
Clary cast him a sympathetic glance and Jace nodded as if to encourage him. Alec swallowed hard and he looked at Simon, a puzzled look on his face, and at Isabelle, who glowed back at him, seemingly delighted about the announcement. And then he looked at his parents, and after taking a deep breath he said, "Yes, it's true. We're engaged."
He heard Magnus clap and shout with excitement. Isabelle leaped to her feet, shrieking, "I knew it!". And then she had her arms wrapped around him and he couldn't see anything except her jet-black hair that tickled his nose.
As Isabelle pulled away, he got a glimpse at his parents and both were pale as a ghost. Robert had his gaze averted, but his mother's eyes were steady on him. He could see the tension in his mother's face, her lips pinched together into a grim line.
"Mum, I –" he began, but was then interrupted by Jace clapping on his shoulder and Clary squeezing him, a broad smile on her face.
"I'm so happy for you," Jace said, smiling.
"Thank you," Alec replied. He wasn't fully conscious of his parabatai standing in front of him; his mother continued to stare at him.
The room was suddenly filled with voices and laughter, and Magnus probably laughed the loudest, accepting their wishes and answering their questions about the way he'd proposed. It was nothing more than a noise to Alec, and he managed to break away from his friends. The moment he circled the table, his parents got to their feet simultaneously.
"Mum, Dad, please. I need you to accept this," Alec said, and cursed at the sound of his own voice. He sounded pathetic and almost like a child that was close to tears. Maryse's expression remained unchanged as she asked, "Are you sure this is a good idea? Who knows what the Clave will think about this!"
"I don't care about the Clave," Alec hissed, well aware of his father's gaze on him, and Robert's eyes narrowed on his son.
"Alexander, do you even understand in what kind of position you are putting us into? I'm the Inquisitor, and if I allow my son to marry a man, something that is prohibited by Law, people will start questioning my position in the Council," Robert said, his arms crossed in front of his chest and an upset look on his face. He seemed cold and distant, and Alec was painfully reminded of the conversation he'd had with his father on Jocelyn and Luke's wedding day. Back then he'd thought Robert had finally accepted him for who he was, but he'd learned soon after that he would never really acknowledge his and Magnus' relationship.
The room was still filled with chatter of people who were happy for Alec, who were celebrating his engagement, and yet he was standing here, defending Magnus in front of his parents, again. Anger rose up in his chest and his mouth tasted like copper. He had bidden into the side of his mouth.
"You're always worried about your reputation. Both of you," he bawled, louder than he had indented to. Maryse flinched, but Alec kept going, carried by his fury.
"It's always been like that. Can you just for once in my life be happy for me and tell me how proud you are? Can you just appreciate that I have found love, that I have found someone who'd do anything for me? Maybe you can't, because you don't even remember what it feels like to be loved, but I do and I love Magnus enough to want to spend the rest of my life with him."
He felt that his face was flushed with anger, and he turned away from his parents. Magnus and the others were staring at him, their faces a mask of terror. Isabelle shot her parents a glare.
Alec whirled back it his parents, snarling, "You know, Jia is the Consul, but she has never been ashamed for her daughter or worried that it would ruin her career."
And with that said he left the room, his feet heavy and loud on the floor, and he banged the door shut behind him, tears of frustration already rushing down his cheeks.
As he slowly approached his and Magnus' loft, Alec came to a halt. The constant buzz of cars rushing by was deafening, but Alec liked to watch the traffic from time to time, wondering where all these people were going. They would never know what danger lies in the shadows. They would never have to face a demon.
Alec still remembered this night with pain. After he'd shut his door on his family, Magnus had kicked them out of the apartment, much to Jace's disapproval. He had then come to Alec and had apologized, but it hadn't been his fault that his parents were so narrow-minded.
The next day Alec had been surprised to find his mother sitting in their living room. She'd looked exhausted, the corners of her eyes wrinkled, and Alec remembered thinking that his mother looked so much older now. Maryse had then asked for Alec's forgiveness and had said she would be more than delighted to help plan the wedding. After that Alec had vainly waited for his father to apologize, and although Robert had attended the wedding, he'd never mentioned the dinner again. However, Robert did congratulate them after the ceremony, and Alec decided to cut him some slack.
The building he and Magnus lived in rose in front of him, and Alec climbed the steps to the loft. As a Shadowhunter he'd been trained to be fast and strong, but every time he walked up those steps he wished for a lift. Magnus didn't seem to mind it.
It was utterly quiet in the building, and by the time Alec had reached the floor they lived on he had grown suspicious. It was late afternoon and this was the time Magnus loved to blast music, loud enough to annoy their neighbors. Alec panicked and increased his pace while frantically searching for his keys. He wiggled them out of his pocket, but dropped them.
"Stupid keys," he muttered, and there was a soft click. As he lifted his head the door to the loft had been opened slightly and he could see Magnus amber cat eyes staring back at him.
"Shhh," Magnus said, one finger placed on his mouth. "Do you have to be so noisy?"
Alec stared back at his husband, his jaw dropped open. Magnus looked different. He wore little make-up, only some mascara and eyeliner, and his hair was hanging loosely whereas usually he had it in glittered spikes. Alec also noticed that Magnus looked very exhausted, with dark circles under his eyes.
"Are you alright?" Alec asked concerned. Magnus gave him a puzzled look. "Why wouldn't I? I'm perfect now that you are here. What's that on your shirt? Demon blood again?"
Alec sighed. Magnus definitely had an eye for clothes and he would spot every stain of dirt, especially when Alec returned from demon hunting with Jace.
"How much longer are you planning to stand out there?" Magnus teased and he opened the door a bit further for Alec to enter. Alec scanned his husband. Something was different. He even smelled different, his remarkable sandalwood scent covered by something else. Alec couldn't identify it.
The second thing Alec noticed was the change of interior. After living with Magnus for more than a year now, he was used to his sudden change of mind, and sometimes he would wake up to a completely new living room. Usually Magnus kept the kitchen the same, but mostly because Chairman Meow would otherwise not be able to find his food.
Today, however, Alec was shocked of the way the living room looked like. It hadn't been modified with magic; the furniture was still the same. But the floor was covered with children's toys, colorful looking baby clothes, and several empty jars which had supposedly once been filled with all kind of mashes. The drapes were closed and the room lay mostly in shadows, but Alec could still make out all those things.
Alec turned slowly to look at Magnus. He had slumped down on the sofa, his eyes closed as if he was asleep. His clothes looked as ragged as he did, and the exclusive robe he was wearing was splattered with something green and orange.
"What happened?" Alec demanded, bending down to pick up one of the empty jars. Chairman Meow had already been licking at it and Alec shooed him away. The cat hissed at him and jumped onto the sofa to hide at Magnus' side. The warlock opened one eye to look at Alec.
"That's part of your surprise."
"My - what?!" Alec shrieked. He felt his chest tightening with panic.
"Go have a look." Magnus waved a hand towards their bedroom, his eyes shut again. Chairman Meow was now licking at Magnus other hand, but the warlock didn't seem to bother.
Alec gritted his teeth and stalked off down the hallway, accidentally kicking away one of the toys. The stuffed animal gave a squeak. Alec's heart was beating achingly fast in his chest now and it almost felt as if it was positioned in his throat. Reaching out for the door handle he took one last breath, trying to calm down, trying to convince himself that Magnus hadn't done what he thought he had.
Alec peeked into the room. It was as dark as the living had been, the drapes pulled shut, but it was filled with an unfamiliar, sweet scent. At first the room seemed to be exactly the same. Their huge bed covered with plush cushions, the blankets sprawled atop in a messy pile, and the doors to the wardrobe stood open, some of Magnus clothes spilling out on the floor. But then Alec saw what was different. In the corner where there was usually a rarely used desk, there was a cradle in the color of hot pink. A soft melody was playing, but Alec couldn't make out where it was coming from.
He slowly walked over to the cradle, his heart racing and his mind spinning, and he steadied himself on the wall with one hand, leaning over to take a look on the inside. Alec gasped and he felt his heart drop into his guts, making him feel nauseous. The baby - probably two or three years old - bubbled something, but its eyes stayed shut. Alec lowered his had to take a closer look at it.
It was clearly a warlock baby. Its skin was navy-blue and it had little horns on his head, partly hidden by a mob of dark brown hair. Alec suspected the baby to be a girl. She was wearing a pink crawler with a yellow giraffe on it. The blanket had slid off her and was bundled up at the end of the cradle. Alec reached out for it, pulling it over the little girl. She chuckled, a sound as sweet and innocent as bells, and it made Alec smile. He had to admit she was one of the cutest babies he'd ever seen, but he still hoped Magnus hadn't made her their baby.
Alec glanced at her one last time, checking if she was still asleep, and then he walked back into the parlor. Magnus had taken over the entire sofa, snorting as Chairman Meow jumped onto his back.
"Get off me!" Magnus protested and jolted upright, throwing the cat off him. His weary eyes darted to Alec, his hair now ruffled. "Oh, you're back. How do you like your surprise?"
The cocky smile on his face made Alec furious, and stepped up to his man, yelling, "Magnus Bane, what have you done?"
Magnus leaped to his feet, alarmed, and he grabbed Alec's arms. "Stop screaming, will you? You're waking the baby!"
"I - whose baby is this anyway?" Alec asked. Magnus tried to pull him down onto the sofa, but Alec stayed adamant. "You're telling me right now what happened in Alicante. How come I leave you alone for a few days and you return with a warlock baby?"
"So now it's because the baby is a warlock? How rude!" Magnus let go of Alec, made some kind of theatrical gesture and sank down on the sofa. "You do realize you're married to one? Those beautiful eyes aren't random." He pointed at his cat eyes.
Alec sighed. "I know you're a warlock, and it's not about the baby being one too. Who is she, and why is she here? You didn't -" He didn't manage to finish the sentence. Only the thought of it made him feel as if he was being suffocated.
"Oh calm down! I didn't adopt her if that's what you're asking," Magnus said annoyed. "Simon found her at the Academy, and there was no one else to take her in. Jia asked me if I could do it, and I stepped in. She should be with one of her own."
Alec blinked at Magnus. He rarely sounded sad or hurt, but now he had, and Alec wondered if maybe it was because Magnus had been abandoned by his demon father and knew how it felt. Alec wasn't used to seeing a crestfallen Magnus, and it made him feel sad too.
"I'm sorry," Alec muttered, lowering his head remorsefully. Magnus wouldn't look at him and only nodded.
"But what about her parents?" Alec settled down next to the warlock. Magnus kept his gaze averted.
"There was no sight of them. We have reasons to think they are dead," Magnus explained, and then he lifted his head to look at Alec. "I had to bring her here. I would've asked you, but there was no time."
Alec noticed that the make-up around his eyes was smudged, more than it had been before he had left to look at his 'surprise'. Magnus looked terrible, drained of all his energy, and Alec started to worry. He placed his hand on Magnus ice cold one, asking, "Are you okay? Talk to me!"
Magnus shrugged. "I'm fine. Peanut kept me quite busy, and I am worried for her. She doesn't deserve to be left alone like this."
"Peanut?" Alec raised an eyebrow.
"She didn't have a name, so I gave her one, and she is tiny as a peanut," Magnus explained, a weak smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
"She's going to need a real name," Alec objected. He leaned in to the warlock, and suddenly he was reminded how much he'd missed his presence. He had the urge to kiss Magnus, to take off his robe, to see his naked body underneath, but he knew this was quite unappropriated right now, so all he did was give Magnus a quick kiss on the cheek.
"I'm glad you're back. And we'll find a place for her," Alec said. For him there was no option to keep the girl, no matter how cute she was, and he hoped Magnus would understand this. He didn't want to fight about.
"I'm sure we will." Magnus gave him a smirk, and all of a sudden the sadness in his eyes was gone. He reached up, placed his hand at the nape of Alec's neck and pulled him close, their lips colliding. It was a passionate kiss, demanding for more, and Alec felt the heat spreading through his body.
Magnus slumped onto his back, taking Alec with him, so he ended up lying atop of the warlock. Magnus had parted Alec's lips with his tongue, and Alec shivered. He felt the tips of Magnus' fingers trailing a hot pattern on his lower back, teasing him, and then his hand wandered to the front where he expertly snatched open Alec's belt.
"I've missed you," Magnus whispered, kissing down Alec's neck while his hand disappeared in Alec's pants. Alec groaned. Magnus lips were hot on his skin, blurring his mind.
There was a sound breaking through the silence. It was a heartrending cry, as loud as if it would come from right next to them, but Alec lifted his head and there was nobody to be seen. Magnus pushed Alec off him and jumped to his feet, muttering something unintelligible, and vanished in the bedroom.
Alec quickly adjusted his belt, raked his fingers through his hair, and by the time Magnus returned he'd cleaned up most of the mess on the floor.
"You didn't have to do that. You know I could've cleaned it easily."
Alec tossed the last of the empty jars into a bag.
"I know, but sometimes I like to do things my way."
He struggled to his feet and turned to look at Magnus and stopped. The little baby girl was now wide awake, her green eyes fixed on Alec, and her tiny hands were desperately holding on to Magnus. He'd returned to his usual fabulous look, his eyes rimmed with freshly applied mascara and his hair up in spikes. The shirt he was wearing now was the color of a lily and was free of stains, other than the robe he'd worn before.
The girl chuckled in Magnus' arms, and Alec tried to suppress the feeling of happiness that welled up inside him. He'd never thought that seeing Magnus with a child would make him feel so excited and make him love Magnus even more, but it did.
Magnus seemed to sense Alec's excitement, and his lips broadened into a grin. "I think she likes you. Do you want to hold her?"
"Hold her?" Alec asked alarmed. He'd never hold a baby, except Max, but he didn't remember that. He was scared he might drop her or worse.
Magnus moved closer to Alec and the little girl reached for him with her tiny fingers.
"See, she wants to be hold by you. Come on, it's not that hard," Magnus said, smiling. He didn't look so tired anymore and his face seemed to lighten by the little girl's laughter.
"Um, ok." Tentatively, Alec opened his arms, and immediately he felt the warmth radiating off the girl and he smelt the same scent he had in their bedroom. He wrapped his arms around the girl and she chuckled, her green eyes constantly on Alec. She looked at him as if he was the most interesting thing she'd ever seen, and maybe he even was that. Clearly Shadowhunters weren't the norm for her. Alec noticed that she fitted perfectly into his arms, almost as if she was made for him, but he pushed that thought hastily aside.
"I think she likes you." Magnus was now standing behind Alec and wrapped his arms around both him and the baby, glancing at the girl over Alec's shoulder.
"Somehow she reminds me of Catarina, don't you think?"
"Simply because they share the same skin color? That's racist," Alec countered.
Magnus laughed. "You know I'm not a racist. Magnus Bane loves everyone, warlock, vampires, werewolves, and especially Shadowhunters."
"And what about this girl? Do you love her too?" Alec somehow feared the answer. He could tell that Magnus was already crazy about her.
"As I said, I love everyone." Magnus replied, gracefully avoiding Alec's question.
"I think it's time to make her dinner. Can you watch her?"
Alec opened his mouth to object, but Magnus brushed a quick kiss on his cheek and disappeared in the kitchen, humming joyfully as he walked. The girl in Alec's arm stirred and he looked down to see that she was still staring at him expectantly.
He sat down on the sofa, placing the girl on his lap. She was hungrily gnawing at the sleeve of her crawler.
"When was the last time you fed her?" Alec called.
He heard something clatter to the floor and Magnus cursing, followed by Chairman Meow crying. According to the empty jars that Alec had picked up from the floor, it had been not long ago, but maybe the cat had been the one eating them. They didn't look tasteful, and Alec wouldn't have wanted to force them into a baby.
He lifted the girl up, rocking her in her arms and whispering, "He's making you something. My husband is going to make you dinner."
There were so many things that felt wrong about this moment. Calling Magnus his husband was still unfamiliar to him, and now he was sitting here with a baby in his arms. If Jace could see him...
Somewhere a phone started to ring. The girl still in his arms Alec got to his feet, searching the room for the source of the noise.
"Magnus, I think someone's calling you," Alec yelled, but there was no response. Finally he managed to pull a phone out from between the cushions of the sofa. It was Magnus' emergency phone and on the display flashed the word 'Consul'. Alec picked up.
"Hello?"
"Magnus, is that you?" It was Jia Penhallow's voice.
"No, it's Alec."
There was a rustling noise on the other side and then Jia spoke again, "Oh, hey, Alec. How are you?"
"I'm fine. Look, give me a second and I'll get Magnus for you."
"Oh, no, there is no need," Jia said, sounding cheerful. "I simply called to let you know that the Council agreed."
"Agreed on what?" Alec inquired. The baby was getting nervous, wriggling around in his arms. He tightened his grip on her. "Jia, what did they agree on?"
"That you can have the custody for the little girl. Didn't Magnus tell you?" Jia seemed to be confused.
"No, he didn't," Alec answered through gritted teeth.
There was a pause.
"Well, if you accept, all you have to do is sign some papers and Peanut – that's how Magnus called her, right? - is officially a member of your family. Let me know, alright?"
"I will," Alec said and hung up. He felt anger boiling up inside him. Magnus had lied to him and had made a huge decision without even asking him. A member of your family, Jia had said. Alec felt sick.
"Who was it?"
Magnus' head peeked into the living room. He had a pink feeding cup clasped into his hands.
Alec turned to look at him, his whole body trembling with rage, but he tried to suppress it for the sake of the little girl. Magnus was looking at him expectantly, seemingly unaware of Alec's fury.
"Jia Penhallow," Alec said, and every color faded from Magnus' face.
to be continued...