Unbeta'd. Sehidup Semati means Till Death Do Us Part in English. It is the sequel of Di Pintu Syurga. The facts in this story have been completely altered from the original work of Cassandra Clare. Instead of using Indonesian to represent Magnus Bane, I'll be using Malay in addition to English as the main languages in this story because I'm Malaysian so it'll be easier for me to write. ;)

Alexander Gideon Lightwood beamed brightly as he sat down next to a very good looking man on the huge picnic mat. The man was none other than his husband — the High Warlock of Brooklyn — Magnus Bane who looked absolutely flamboyant in that open, bright cardigan. His beam brightened when Magnus pecked him on his cheek. He felt very blissful at the very moment. There was no meeting to attend, no client to entertain and most importantly, no mission. They were on the hill somewhere in Switzerland where the green grass, the soft breeze, and the sun made him thoroughly relax. There was no one else around. It was just him and his family. Magnus had undoubtedly chosen a secluded place where they could have fun without any disturbance from the outside world.

He delightfully chuckled when his children, Rafael Santiago and Maxwell Michael Lightwood-Banes rolled down the hill, playing together just a few feet in front of him. They were chasing each other, teasing one another and they seemed exceptionally happy and it made him happy when his children were. His children' happiness was what matter the most. Their presence itself had brought tremendous joy in his and Magnus' life and there was no way he would neglect his children. He had promised to himself that wouldn't make the same mistakes that his parents did in raising him and his siblings. And with Magnus by his side, it was very unlikely for him to be a bad parent.

"Close your eyes."

Alec's skin tingled when he felt his husband's breath on the back of his neck. He turned to face the man even though he was blushing. "W-Why?"

"Just do it, darling." Magnus whispered huskily and Alec dutifully did as he was told.

"Why I should be doing this exactly?" Alec groused with his eyes closed. The only response he got was Magnus' unmanly giggle.

"Magnus?" Alec called out when a couple of minutes had passed and there was still no reply from Magnus. He huffed and slowly opened one of his eyes, attempted to peek but his quick glimpse could only catch Magnus' mischievous smile before his vision was obstructed by his husband's hands.

"Na'ah…no peeking, Alexander." Magnus chided softly. "And to answer your question, it's a surprise."

"What exactly are you trying to do?" Alec grumbled once more. Not that he didn't appreciate Magnus' sweet gesture, he just didn't like to be hindered from his senses especially his sight. "Both of us can't be occupied like this. Someone needs to watch over the kids. They might wander around and could get lost—"

"Ah, Alexander…ever the protector." Magnus said sweetly. "The boys are doing fine. Stop worrying."

"But—"

"We're in the middle of nowhere, dear. There's nothing but open field of beautiful landscape ahead of us." Magnus' voice was familiar and warm.

"Okay." Alec visibly relaxed, fully trusting Magnus' words. He remembered Isabelle's advice that he had to loosen up a little, be more carefree like Magnus. It was a known fact that he wasn't as romantic as his husband but he was still learning. He was glad Magnus could keep up with him.

"Ready for your surprise?" Magnus sounded thrilled.

Alec nodded, feeling the tingle again. He could tell Magnus' face was just inches away from him. His husband's light breath lightly touched his neck. After all these years been together, Magnus could still make him feel giddy and excited and nervous like when they first met. Although he had no other references when it came to dating and relationships, nobody could compare to Magnus. Even when he was pining over his parabatai Jace, the feelings weren't the same. Having a huge crush on Jace and loving Magnus were totally different. He couldn't explain it but Magnus had filled the void in him, even before they started dating. Like they were indeed made for each other.

He treasured his husband so, so much.

"I hope you'll like it." Magnus said, tentatively uncovered Alec's eyes and scrutinizing him closely as his husband fluttered his eyes open. He hurriedly moved seconds later to face Alec so he could see the man he loved face's when he saw his surprise.

"My wedding band!" Alec exclaimed, amazed. The ring was floating right there in front of him, enveloped by Magnus' blue magic. His husband who was now seated facing him appeared lively.

"It sure is!" Magnus grinned seeing Alec's reaction. "You were so sad when you lost it. When I wanted to replace it with a new, identical ring…you said you didn't want a new one, that it wouldn't be the same, that it would have a different meaning than the original, that the novelty of it was gone."

"I thought I've lost it forever." Alec stared at the wedding band, afraid to the touch it. It was the ring that he had lost. It wasn't a replica of it, he was sure of that.

"This isn't brand new." Magnus took the ring, confirming Alec's uncertainty. "Believe it or not, I actually found it in the kids' toy chest."

"One of the places I didn't think to look." Alec chuckled, feeling silly.

"Yeah, me neither." Magnus was still grinning. "I found it when I was searching for Max's pirate eye patch. It must've slipped off your finger when you were putting away all the toys."

"Killing demons are easier than trying to find a specific item in that chest." Alec shook his head in amusement.

"Indeed, Alexander." Magnus nodded in agreement. "I guess we should thank our Blueberry for his inability to find his own toy and making me search for it, huh?"

"Max's gonna be so proud of himself." Alec chuckled again.

Magnus gently took Alec's left hand and slipped the wedding band into his husband's finger. "Happy Anniversary, dear Alexander."

Alec studied his beautiful wedding band and smiled. "Our anniversary is in two months, Magnus."

Magnus rested his forehead against Alec's. "I'm unlike any other, dear. Others celebrate it yearly, I for one celebrate it monthly…daily even if I must."

Alec laughed and gently nuzzled Magnus' cheek. He felt at ease again now that his wedding band had been found and back to where it belonged. Although he and Magnus were married in gold, their matching two-tone wedding bands only had a dash of it. They were made of platinum and an inlay rose gold with brilliant cut diamonds, and a beautiful hand-engraved pattern on both the top and fronts. They were so very Magnus and those who had seen the bands knew that too. He was feeling sad and a bit bizarre for the past few weeks seeing Magnus wearing his while he didn't, ever since he had lost his. The wedding bands were the mark that they were married to one another. It was a symbol that he was Magnus' as much as Magnus was his.

Normally when Shadowhunters got married, Wedded Union rune would be placed on the back of the hand and over the heart of the Shadowhunters, binding the pair in matrimony. But Alec Lightwood was no ordinary Shadowhunter. He was a Shadowhunter that was in love and about to marry a Downworlder. Although their nuptial had a bit of difficulties at first, it had gone smoothly in the end. Magnus, a warlock, was incapable of bearings runes. He, a Shadowhunter, didn't have magic in him. So when he married Magnus, they decided to do something that would make them equivalent. During the wedding, he himself had applied the Wedded Union rune because that what Shadowhunters did when they got married while Magnus opted to use a magical spell to bond them as spouses. In addition — much to Simon's delight — they had decided to adapt the mundane tradition of exchanging rings.

Overall, their wedding ceremony was truly beautiful.

"I'm the luckiest man alive." Alec whispered into Magnus' ear. His eyes fluttered close as he succumbed into the sentiment of being in love.

"No…" Magnus whispered back. "I'm the luckiest man alive."

Alexander…

Alec opened his eyes and gently pushed Magnus slightly away to look around. "Huh."

Magnus quirked an eyebrow. "Is everything okay?"

Alec shook his head to clear his mind. He really needed to ease off a little. "Yeah, everything's okay. Perhaps surprisingly, no disturbance at all."

Magnus sniggered impishly. "Nobody's allowed to bother us today, not if I say so. I'm gonna call the kids and then we can eat. I'm famished."

Alec chuckled as he watched Magnus approaching Rafael and Max. As his boys took their sweet time to reach him, he opened the lid of the picnic basket and laid out the food on the checkered red and white picnic blanket. They had sandwiches, bagels, fried chickens, fries, fruits, and a large pizza. Thanks to Magnus' magic, although the basket appeared relatively standard, it was actually very spacious inside. The picnic blanket itself was kind of big for their small family.

A soft snuffle immediately stole Alec's attention from all the food. He stopped arranging the bits and pieces and leaned down on his elbow. "Hey there…"

"Daddy!" Alec's attention was drawn away again in less than ten seconds but he didn't mind at all. He smiled seeing Max was running to him. Rafael wasn't far behind.

"Somebody's awake." Magnus elatedly remarked, arriving there first before his children.

"Awake and hungry." Alec replied just as delightedly as his husband.

"I win!" Max jumped triumphantly as he reached his parents seconds prior to his big brother. "You lose, Rafe!"

"I was so close!" Rafael dramatically sighed but held no grudges against Max, and then none too gracefully dropped down on the blanket beside his Daddy.

"He's a mini you." Alec told Magnus who only grinned back proudly.

"Yeay, pizza!" The almost four-year-old Max clapped his hands and straightaway snatched a slice of the pizza, making Alec tittered. He was always happy to pleased his children.

"Hiya, princess." Rafael greeted the youngest member of the Lightwood-Banes who was lying down on the blanket as he munched on the fries along with his Ayah.

"Princess is getting so big." Alec effortlessly picked up the slightly fussy baby on the blanket. "In a couple of years she'll be up running with you and Max, Rafe."

"Ugh, don't remind me about that." Magnus grunted gloomily. "Ayah is feeling very old, children. Please stop growing up so soon."

"I can't wait to grow up." Rafael candidly admitted, causing Magnus to narrow his eyes at his eldest. "I can't wait to get my first rune!"

"Me too!" Max chipped in. "I wanna use my magic all the time!"

"Not you too, Blueberry." Magnus gave his sons the look of utter betrayal. "All these talks about growing up making me depressed. Alexander, give me the baby. I need to feel young again."

Alec wittily snorted, handing the baby together with a bottle of formula to Magnus. "You're unbelievable."

Magnus sent his husband a glare and took the baby and the bottle. He gazed down afterward as he fed the baby in his hold. "Zakia…I'm counting on you, little one. Don't grow up, okay? We won't celebrate your birthday ever if that's what it takes."

"Now you're being ridiculous." Alec cracked up and it became uncontrollable when the little one also gave Magnus a judgmental look. "Our daughter thinks so too!"

"Oh, please…" Magnus shrugged it off with a grin. "She's just trying to figure out the color of my eyeliner. It's called noble purple, princess."

"Ouuu…" The baby cooed in return, making Magnus shrieked in glee while Alec smiled meaningfully seeing the father and daughter duo.

Zakia Hazel Lightwood-Bane, a beautiful name chosen for their beautiful daughter. Magnus was the one responsible in naming her and Alec had trusted his then fiancé completely. He wasn't disappointed when his daughter's name was presented to him. Zakia meant pure and their baby girl was also named after her Ayah's late mother, her grandmother who had passed away long time ago in Indonesia. Hazel as the middle name was kind of obvious. Her eyes were indeed hazel, the same color as him. Other than the eyes, she was in fact the spitting image of her Ayah.

Little Zakia was the gem in the family. She had two fathers who cherished her and two older brothers who doted on her. Until Isabelle and Simon, as well as Jace and Clary decided to reproduce, she was the only granddaughter of Robert and Maryse Lightwood. She was the niece Isabelle loved to spoil with girly clothes and the only girl other than Clary that Jace was so protective of. It was funny seeing the way Jace behave around her like he was trying to win her affection and no other men were allowed to come near her except for her daddies and big brothers. Even Simon was prohibited to hold her when the blonde Shadowhunter was around. Jace was so possessive of Zakia it became very amusing to watch.

Alexander…

Alec frowned. There it was again. It echoed softly out of nowhere and it seemed only he could hear it which was awfully peculiar. It sounded familiar, sending shiver to his entire body.

"Alexander?" Magnus' worried face came into Alec's view. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Alec responded, hoping he sounded convincing.

"Please don't lie to me, Alexander." Magnus however was skeptical.

"I'm not!" Alec's voice rose up a notch. "I…I'm okay."

"Alexander."

"Magnus."

"Alexander." Magnus eyed him.

"Magnus." Alec glared back, impassive.

"Alexander."

"Magnus."

"Max!" Max cheered, pitching himself in between his quarreling parents who immediately stopped and stared at him.

Rafael chortled vibrantly and hugged Max from behind. The six-year-old sure loved his little brother. "Can Max and I go play again? We want to catch butterflies."

Max enthusiastically nodded. "Lots and lots of it!"

Magnus smiled assuredly at his boys. "Sure, go ahead."

"Be careful, boys!" Alec reminded Max and Rafael as he watched his sons ran back to the hill.

Duhai kekasih hati (Oh, my love)…

Alec spun quickly when he heard it this time. He was sure it wasn't just his imagination anymore because he heard it loud and clear.

Katakanlah padaku bahawa semua ini hanya igauan mimpi (Please tell me that this is all just a nightmare)…

"Alexander?" Magnus' voice was soft, as if he was approaching a wounded animal.

Aku tak sanggup kasih kehilangan dirimu (I can't bear to lose you, my love). Walau sedetik, rindu mencengkam terasa pedih (Even for a second, the longing will be too excruciating)…

Alec turned his head slowly at the sound of Magnus' voice. His husband appeared concerned but he was still holding their already sleeping baby girl securely in his arms. "Alexander, are you alright?"

Doaku kasih, kita bersua di pintu syurga (I hope we'll see each other again at heaven's door)…

"It's just…" Alec pinched the bridge of his nose, overwhelmed. "I thought I heard someone say my name and try to talk to me."

"What?" Magnus' brows shot up. Gently and carefully he placed Zakia on the blanket and scooted closer to Alec, taking his husband's hand in his. "There's no one here, Alexander."

"I know that. That's why it feels so weird." Alec's words were latched with confusion. "And this will make it even weirder but I swear it sounds like your voice."

"That is…weird." Magnus frowned only to smile brightly mere seconds later. "Well, I actually have a theory."

At Alec's perplexed face, Magnus grinned become wider. And just because he loved to tease his husband, he smoothly pulled Alec on his lap, making the Shadowhunter yelped in surprise. "Alexander…I do believe your subconscious is trying to tell you that you miss me so much and that you need to spend more time with me!"

Alec's troubled face broke into a smile. His worry gradually melted away. He knew he could always count on his husband to fight his fear and make him feel better. "Sounds promising."

Magnus lied on his back and hauled Alec forward until the younger man was flopped down next to him. "It surely is."

Alec snuggled up close, affectionately nuzzling into his husband's neck. "Can we stay like this forever?"

Magnus wrapped his arm around Alec more firmly. "Of course, sweetheart. Whatever you want. You know I'll do anything for you. I'll fulfill every one of your wishes."

Alec hummed contentedly. "I love you, Magnus."

I love you, Alexander.

Magnus lovingly kissed the top of Alec's head. "I love you too."

Please come back to me…

I hope you like the sequel so far! :D

Thank you so much for reading and supporting me. I really, really appreciate it. Comments, kudos, bookmarks, subscribes, etc. are always welcome. They're my drugs, fuel, and muses to help me write! :)