***Emma POV***
"Tavvy, have you got everything?" I called to the youngest Blackthorn, as I myself was going through my own bag to make sure I had everything. Even though Tavvy was 16 and fully capable of getting himself too sorted, I still worried about him, still saw him as the toddler he'd been when his parents had died. Not to mention I had essentially become an older sister to the younger Blackthorn and was just a protective sibling. The Blackthorn's mum had died of cancer shortly after Tavvy had been born, and just two years later their father had been stabbed by a gang in a case of mistaken identity. My own parents had died in a boating accident around the same time, so I, along with the rest of the Blackthorns had been sent to live with their Uncle. Their Uncle who didn't have a clue on how to raise children (and was mentally unstable) meaning that the older siblings had to take matters into their own hands.
Although Helen was eighteen and was able to take care of us, she wanted to give her family a better chance, so while she did what she could around the house, she also had a part time job and had gone to University to study Journalism (in her words, she wanted to "report on the things that mattered in the world" which I thought was awesome). Mark had gotten bad for a while, and had gotten caught up with the wrong crowd. He'd met his boyfriend Kieran during those days, and it was Kieran who helped get him out. Kieran hadn't got the best relationship with his family, and made Mark realise what he had, and didn't want to lose. So Mark and Kieran had gotten out and the Blackthorns had gained an extra honorary member of the family.
We struggled but somehow we managed to get through, and were now living "our best lives" as Jules had called it. Jules and I had followed Helen and Mark's example and had gone to University and had graduated as teachers (I taught P.E, Jules taught Art) and had both gotten a job at the Alicante Institute. As we lived on the outskirts of town, we drove Tavvy to his sixth form (Tavvy was the only one not yet at University, (so he stilled lived at the house we'd found ourselves growing up in) but he had dreams of studying illustration. Having learnt that his younger brother had wanted to do an art related job, Jules had gotten slightly emotional).
Back to the present, I'd just finished checking my bag as Tavvy made an appearance clutching his bag. "All good and ready to go. Where's Jules?" he said, by way of a greeting. "Loading his stuff in the boot of the car" I answered, and satisfied I also had everything, Tavvy and I went to join Jules outside. Jules and I had been dating since we were seventeen, but Jules had yet to ask the all-important question. "Hey babe" I greeted and gave him a quick kiss. Tavvy pulled a face going "why do my siblings insist on kissing in front of me?" before getting in the car. Being the youngest, Tavvy had watched his siblings getting into relationships, but he was still didn't like all the PDA's that came with it. Mainly because he was related to one of the people in the relationship.
***Jules P.O.V***
Having dropped Tavvy off at school, Emma and I made our way to work. "Do we have to go to the staff meeting?" Emma groaned, which made me smile. As much as we loved our jobs, and helping those who needed just a little bit extra help in life, there was one part of the job Emma made a point of not enjoying: staff meetings. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy the company of the people she worked with, it was that she didn't like the idea of having to discuss important matters so early in the morning. "Yes Em, we do have to go. I will take it upon myself to make sure you are there" I said. Emma rolled her eyes in response. As it turned out, we pulled into the car park the same time as my older brother Mark, and his wife (Mark had always been indecisive, so when he fell in love with both Kieran, and later Cristina, he'd decided to marry both of them, rather than choose. Seeing as Cristina and Kieran both got on really well, it all worked out well in the end.) "You guys going to the meeting?" Mark called over as we got out the cars.
I nodded, slightly confused by the question. Normally staff meetings just included teaching staff, as considering both Emma and I were teachers, it was a given that we would be there. "Any idea what it's about? Alec wants Tina and me there. Apparently it's an all-staff meeting" Mark added. That surprised me, as all-staff meetings were rare, and normally about one of the children we taught, when concerns were raised. Cristina worked at the school as a counsellor, and Mark as the SEN Co-ordinator (one of our brothers, Ty had been diagnosed with Autism, and Mark had spent a lot of time helping him navigate the world. It had been Ty who had made Mark realise what he wanted to do with his life). I shrugged at my brother then, going "not a clue, I just got told we were having a meeting" I said, as the four of us walked inside.
We didn't have to wait long to find out we would be discussing. Alec, who was the social worker who had set the school up, sat at the end of the desk, with a notebook out in front of him. "Thanks for coming everyone. I wanted to talk to you about something which hopefully you should all enjoy. As you know, we are looking to buy a mini-bus for the school to take the students to trips and various sport and music events, but in order to do so, we need some money. Charlotte (who was the head teacher of the school) and I have been discussing how we are going to gain this money, and we decided that if we arranged some fundraising events, we would be able to raise a large amount of the required money. I will be contacting "Bane Events" to see if they would be able to help, but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas of what we could do" Alec informed us.
"We could do an art show. I myself, and some of the students could create some stuff, and display and sell it" I suggested, and Alec wrote it down in his notepad. "I could ask Clary and Jocelyn if they could contribute to that Jules. I like the idea" he added. Clary was Alec's sister-in law, and Jocelyn was her mum, and both excellent artists. Following my lead, Jem (who was a distant cousin of Emma's and taught music) suggested doing a Battle of the Bands, with both students, and external acts. Again, Alec wrote the suggestion down, and said he'd talk to Simon (his brother-in-law, and was in the band "The Mortal Instruments) to see if he and his band would perform ("well we could have them perform during the voting" Alec had suggested and we all nodded in agreement. Emma had suggested a dodgeball tournament, where people could pay to enter, and again Alec wrote the suggestion. A few more ideas were thrown around before he had to leave as the students would be arriving soon and we would have classes to teach.
***Alec P.O.V***
The meeting for fundraising ideas had gone really well, and I had quite a few ideas to use. As promised, I made a phone call to "Bane Events" who were the biggest events management company in the area, and also considered one of the best. If we could get them involved, it would make things so much easier, for everyone. After a couple of rings, I heard a man answer the call. "Magnus Bane, of "Bane Events" talking, how can I help" and I found myself swallowing hard. Not only was I talking to the guy in charge, but he sounded gorgeous. Trying to get control of myself, I went "oh hi (smooth Lightwood, real smooth) my names Alec Lightwood, and I'm a social worker at Alicante Institute, and I was calling to see if "Bane Events" would be interested in helping us organise a some fundraising events for a new mini-bus" and cringed at how awkward he sounded.
After a long pause, Magnus replied "this is not something I wish to discuss over a phone call. Would you be agreeable to come in for a meeting to discuss this further?" And I could hardly contain my excitement. "Yes of course. When would be a suitable?" I asked, and with that we made plans for a meeting. Considering I wasn't expecting anything to come out of the phone call, I was happy something positive had come out of it. I was so proud of this school and what it had become, and was constantly trying to make it better, so the fact a major company was interested in helping us raise funds for us was incredible.
I spent the rest of the day having meetings, and filling in paperwork, and the less glamourous part of my job. Christina had had a counselling session with one of the students, which had brought up a few things that were concerning, which was how I found myself in a meeting with Cristina, Mark and Diana, (Diana was the Child Protection Officer who worked at the school. The children who came to us brought so many issues it soon became apparent we needed someone full time to deal with it. That's where Diana came in) after most people had gone home. We needed to get things dealt with in as soon as possible, even if meant staying after you technically finished.
Eventually we had a plan we were happy with, and called it a day. I couldn't help but feel slightly jealous of my colleagues then, as they all had people to go home to. Mark and Cristina not only had each other, but they had their husband Kieran. Diana had her long term partner Gwyn, who trained service animals some of the students used. (Some of our students had things like mild autism or anxiety and the difference a service animal made was incredible). I on the other hand, lived alone. I used to live with my sister Izzy and brother Jace but they soon started dating (and later marrying) people so they had long since moved out. I didn't mind the solitude sometimes, but I missed the company, missed having someone to talk to about stuff not related to work.
I spent the evening eating a take-out pizza and sorting my notes for the meeting I was due to have in a couple of days with Magnus. By the angel I knew I needed to make a good impression on the man, to get him and his company as involved as possible, I needed to know what I was talking about. I was nearly done when I got a phone call from my ever-enthusiastic sister. "Alec" she whined down the phone in a tone of voice she only ever used when she wanted something. "What can I help you with dear darling sister?" I replied with, in that annoying voice older brothers used. "I have a fashion event on Saturday, I was wondering if you would be able to make it?" she asked. Typical Izzy, relying on my lack of a social life to invite me to stuff last minute. Izzy was a high end Fashion designer in the city, and was often hosting events to show off her latest creations. I rarely admitted it but I was incredibly proud of her. "I'll have to check my diary to make sure I'm free" I said, and I could almost hear her pouting.
I waited a bit and went "looks like you're in luck, I'm free that day" and despite herself, Izzy laughed. "Oh good, everyone's going to be there. Simon, Jace, Clary, Max and even Mum and Dad are making an appearance" she informed me, which made me raise my eyebrows. Normally it was just siblings and significant others who would turn up at Izzy's events for moral support. Our parents only turned up at the bigger events, but they were slowly getting better. Once upon a time they wouldn't have done at all. "This is big Alec, "Bane Events" is hosting the entire thing, for Fashion Designers to show their products to retailers in order to get a contract" Izzy informed me, and my jaw dropped. There was definitely no way I was missing this event now.
***Diana POV***
I dragged my feet through my front door before dumping my bags on the floor. Today had been long and I just felt tired. I loved my job, I really did, but days like today really drained my and I felt exhausted. Walking into the living room, I saw Gwyn sitting on the floor, holding something. Gwyn worked at a local animal shelter, and would occasionally train service dogs. He had, on several occasions he brought animal's home with him. Most of them were temporary, but some, like the two koi fish (someone had brought them in, and Gwyn had taken one look at them and decided he wanted them, in tribute to the koi fish I had tattooed on my cheek) we had called Luna and Sol.
I had a feeling today was going to be one of those days. "What have you got there then?" I asked, as Gwyn had yet to realise I was home. Gwyn turned, and smiled, holding up a German Shepard Puppy. "She's called Ziggy" he informed me, and I nodded, before kneeling down and scratching the puppy behind the ears going "hey Ziggy" before leaning against Gwyn, he head on his shoulder. "Tough day?" he asked. That's something I lived so much about Gwyn was that he could always tell if I had had a tough day. "Yeah, just one of those days I guess" I said. Gwyn slipped one of his arms round my waist and gently kissed my head. "I'll order us something from the Thai place down the road" he said. By the angel I was in love with this man.
We sat at the table, eating our food, and discussing our days. Gwyn knew there was a lot I couldn't discuss about my job so he talked a lot about his, and we moved onto other topics. "I was thinking we could do something at the weekend, just me and you" he said, and I smiled. I loved having days I could just enjoy Gwyn's company but they happened few and far between. I raised an eyebrow going "and what were you thinking we do?" I asked. He just gave me a smile that made my heart just melt. "Maybe a picnic? We could go to the park?" he suggested and I just beamed. "I'd like that Gwyn, I'd like that a lot" I said.
We didn't do much for the rest of the evening. We finished eating, did the washing up, and played with Ziggy. But that was something I loved about my relationship with Gwyn. We didn't need any flourishes or anything lavish, just each other's company, and whatever we did as a result was just so special. Eventually we both decided to call it a night and went to bed, with me curled up as the little spoon, with Gwyn behind me, his arms protectively wrapped round me making me feel safe and protected. Not to mention it left my neck exposed, and Gwyn was more than happy to kiss it, which only made me melt into him even more.