Twenty-one years later
Clary woke up and couldn't help but smile at the peaceful look the man beside her had. Her husband of twenty years looked younger in his sleep, despite him being forty two. In sleep he could pass for thirty. He had aged well, and was still as charming, handsome and poised as he was in his teens when they had first fell in love. Clary ran her hands through his thick golden hair that haloed out around him and kissed the back of his neck lovingly.
A sleepy groan broke through the quiet of the room as the man slowly rolled onto his back and pulled his protesting wife into his arms.
"Baby, it's too early to wake up. This could be the last sleep in we'll get for a while." He mumbled into her hair, already falling back asleep. Clary chuckled, but snuggled deeper into his chest.
"I know, but we need to get everything ready for when they get home. They're set to arrive at about four this afternoon."
"And that still over six hours away, let's just sleep a while longer." Clary rolled her eyes but let sleep pull her back under again, content in Jace's arms.
Isabelle hummed happily to herself as she went about setting up the training room for the day. She set up dummies, targets and lay out an array of weapons, as well as hooked up the harnesses for acrobat training. She flounced into her small office off the side and shuffled though her papers, pulling out the stack of information cards she had to give everyone. Angel knows they knew what to do because they did this every year, but she still had to make sure everyone was aware of their homework. She finished off her smoothie, smoothed her hair into her ponytail (it may have been twenty years on but she still cared about how she looked!), and swiftly walked back into the training room where she stood in her 'power' pose; the pose students knew not to mess with.
Slowly the sixteen and seventeen year olds trickled in, wiping sleep out of their eyes but there was still an underlying buzz of excitement and happiness; as only the prospect of three weeks vacation could bring. Hell even she was excited. The large clock above the door of the training room struck eight and her narrowed eyes swept across the students before her. Two were missing.
"Good morning class. Today is not a day to slack off, even though the holidays are quickly approaching. You need to always be prepared. Which is why, you each have to break a personal best in at least one activity today. Go around in pairs so there is someone to testify that you've broken your-"
The doors burst open, and two students rushed in to snickers breaking out among the other students. Izzy glanced at the clock; 8:02. Her eyes flicked back to the two students in front of her panting and gasping for air.
"Sorry mum-"
"Aunt Izzy, it was all my fault-"
"That would be Trainer Lewis to you." She looked from her daughter Chloe, to her boyfriend Finlay. The class 'ooohed' at her telling off her daughter and nephew. "I want three laps around the perimeter, and then one hundred push-ups. Each. Please complete them in your own time, not my training time. If you have to complete them once everyone has left I will stay behind and supervise you. Let's go everyone!"
Izzy smirked as her daughter blinked in surprise at her harshness for a moment before she tugged on her boyfriend's arm and stomped away. This would be an interesting way to start the holidays.
Alec sighed when he woke up by himself, the other half of the bed cold. He slipped out of bed and pulled on some tracksuit pants, taking a quick glance at the alarm clock beside the bed. It read 7:40, which was ordinarily way too early for Magnus to be out of bed if he didn't have any other commitments. Apprehensive as to what he may find, he carefully pushed the bedroom door open and peeked his head out; twenty-one years of marriage and he still was un prepared for the sight he found. Magnus was yanking on his hair harshly, contemplating the patient sat before him. The patient was stretched out across the bed in the little glass alcove, and every now and then he would hiccup and birds would flutter out of his mouth. Oh, and his body was covered in feathers.
Years ago, Alec demanded Magnus do something to try and keep his work and family life private, after coming home to one few many patients in dire need of Magnus' help sleeping on their bed, lounging on their couch and eating their food. Now, off to the side of the living room was a large room, with a wall currently made out of glass connecting to the apartment. The room should have been impossible but Magnus made it work so that no customers had to enter the actual apartment again. Alec chuckled at his husbands frustrations and made his way into the kitchen to flip the kettle on for coffee. He leaned against the counter and stifled a yawn, thinking through his plans for the day. He was interrupted when Magnus appeared around the corner of the kitchen and summoned Alec towards him. Alec's breath caught as he flew through the air, stopping when Magnus grabbed his hips firmly.
"I hate it when you do that," Alec pouted.
Magnus simply chuckled at his husband. "Maybe, but you would hate it more if I didn't."
Alec opened his mouth to protest but was cut off when Magnus pulled him by the hips so that their bodies were flush together and connected their lips. Alec sighed into the kiss, feeling at home as Magnus' soft lips massaged his own. Vaguely he heard the kettle whistling but with a wave of his hand Magnus stopped it. Magnus broke the kiss gently and leaned his forehead against Alec's, their breaths mingling between them.
"Morning love." He moved his head down to kiss Alec's exposed throat, nipping gently at the sensitive spot just below his ear. He grinned at the moan he elicited from Alec.
"Mmmmm, good morning."
Magnus was interrupted at the sound of little feet pattering across the apartment and pulled away from Alec just in time, as their seven year old daughter flung herself around the corner and demanded to be hugged. Magnus chuckled and scooped their daughter up, peppering her face with kisses.
"Morning chlo!" She squirmed as Alec joined into the little group hug and tickled his daughter, also planting a kiss on her forehead.
"Dadddyyy! Stopp!" she cried, struggling uselessly as she was stuck between the two men. Alec laughed and with one final kiss to the cheek moved away to get Chloe's breakfast ready. Magnus sat on the counter with Chloe in his lap, hugging her tightly.
"And how did you sleep princess?"
"Good!" she chirped, "I'm so excited dad! Ry's coming home today! How long until he gets here?"
Alec chuckled, "Still a while yet honey. We're going to the institute at around 4 to meet them then."
Chloe frowned as she tried to contemplate how long that would be. Magnus hopped down and got Chloe situated on her chair at the table, as Alec placed her fruit loops and yoghurt down in front of her. "It will be enough time for us to go find you something pretty to wear for dinner tonight." Alec commented. Chloe's face lit up and she dug in quickly to her cereal.
Magnus winced at Alec. "You're actually taking her in to get clothes?"
"Yes, of course I am. Why?"
"Darling, I still have to dress you most of the time."
Alec scowled at his husband. "Please, I am perfectly capable of choosing clothes for our daughter."
Magnus quirked an eyebrow. "Of course darling, whatever you say."
Alec rolled his eyes and returned to the kitchen to make his coffee, missing as Magnus and Chloe shared looks of fear over him taking her to find clothes.
"Aunty Clary!"
Clary bent down as her niece came flying out of the elevator and into her arms.
"Hey sweetheart! Are your dads here?"
"Just me for now Clare." Clary stood up and smiled at Alec, pulling him in for a brief hug.
"What time should we be expecting Magnus?"
"I'm not sure, probably around six. Jace around?"
Clary chuckled, some things never change. "Yeah he's in the training room." She turned back to Chloe. "Now Miss Chloe, whatever should we do?"
"I want to go with daddy!"
Alec winced and knelt down in front of Chloe. "Princess I'm sorry, you know you're not allowed in there when Uncle Jace and I are training. How about I take you in there for some knife throwing later on?"
Chloe smiled and flung her arms around Alec's neck for a hug, and then abruptly turned back to Clary who grinned.
"How about we make some cookies!"
Chloe nodded her head enthusiastically, and they set off towards the kitchen.
Vivianne Pehallow rubbed her forehead to try and ward off the oncoming headache.
"Silence please!" Her voice carried across the hall as only a principals could. "I hope you have a wonderful break, but please remember to keep up with your studies! Now, when your institute is called, please cordially rise and gather your belongings, before you make your way to the portal. Mr. Bane will be monitoring the portals to ensure a safe journey. If your parents are picking you up please get checked off by . To begin with, the New York Institute."
Across the room people were rising out of their chairs and going to the portal, and once everyone was gathered Vivianne Penhallow did a quick headcount. "We're missing two students."
Snickers broke out among them.
"Trainer Lewis is making them run laps for tardiness miss," Henry Lightwood-Bane spoke out. Vivianne barely suppressed a role of her eyes.
"Very well, I suppose they can go through when Magnus reopens the portal for himself." She motioned for them to go, and one by one they left, taking a portion of the noise in the room with them. One down, four to go, she thought. "Los Angeles Institute!"
Jace chuckled at his wife's excited response as the portal opened on the side of the institute. She loved the holidays, especially when everyone was at the institute so they could celebrate together. Alec stood nearby, holding Chloe's hand firmly to keep her from running through the portal in excitement. The swirling fog seemed to grow thinner until there was a murky outline of a body, growing clearer until Kyle Herondale dropped out onto the grass with a thud. His bag was held firmly in his hand, as he pushed himself off the ground with a grimace.
"I hate portal travel."
Clary walked forwards and pulled her youngest son into a hug, tears filling her eyes. Kyle rolled his eyes.
"Mum it hasn't been that long since I saw you last."
"Oh I know, it just gets so quiet around here!" she wailed. Jace shook his head and saved his son from Clarys embrace, by quickly hugging Kyle himself.
"Good to see you son. How was school?"
Kyle shrugged, and Jace knew that would be the best response he would get from his youngest. He let Kyle go so he could quickly say hi to Alec and Chloe, before he disappeared inside the institute. The next person to tumble to the grass below was his niece, Cheyenne. He smiled affectionately at the small girl, who acted more like her dad despite looking like her mum. Except the glasses. Only Simon's kids would have glasses.
"Welcome home Chey, how was the term?"
"It was alright uncle Jace. How's it been around here?"
"Can't complain, can't complain," he said with a smile and released the smiling girl to go and say hello to Alec and Chloe. She then followed Kyles steps and disappeared into the institute
Seth Roberts fell through and smiled as his mum, Maia, rushed forwards to greet him. Behind him the portal snapped close leaving Clary, Jace and Alec to wonder where the missing members were.
"Finn and Liv came into Trainer Lewis's class late this morning so she made them run laps and do pushups instead of going home."
Jace chuckled, wondering how mad Isabelle was right now at having to supervise them.
"Well then, I suppose they're coming back through with Magnus?" Clary asked.
Seth nodded and slung an arm around his mum's shoulders. "I'm pretty sure that's what the principal said."
"Well, we might as well go inside then, Iz can bring them in. Are you sure you don't want to just stay Maia?"
"Oh no it's okay, we'll be back around 6:30. I want to go home and get all of his stuff sorted, check in with the pack and then we'll come over when Bat finishes work."
"Okay, if you're sure then. See you later Maia, Seth."
With a small wave they were walking towards Maia's car. Jace slung his arm around Clary's hips and leaded them inside to make sure everyone was sorted.
"Are Max and Raph coming over Alec?" Jace questioned his parabatai.
"I think Max was going to check in for a bit, but Raph said he was staying at the Australian institute and would come back on the 23rd."
Jace nodded, and pressed the button that would take them up the elevator. He loved holidays, but with everyone home things always got a bit crazy.
Jace and Alec made their way to the third floor to make sure everyone was settled. Everyone who was a Herondale/Lewis/Lightwood-Bane had their own rooms at the institute, due to spending almost every summer holiday there but somehow fights still broke out.
"KYLE GIVE ME BACK MY PHONE!"
"No, I need to check something."
"USE YOUR OWN DAMN PHONE! GIVE IT BACK!"
"Hmm, I like yours better."
"YOU STUPID LITTLE-" Ayla tackled her twin down to the floor and they proceeded to scuffle over the phone. Jace groaned and reached down to pull his kids apart. He managed to grab hold of Ayla's waist and yanked her away and behind him.
"DAD THAT'S NOT FAIR I WAS WINNING!"
"Ayla, please speak in a normal voice. And I don't think this is what Isabelle meant when she said practice your skills over the break. If you want to fight, take it to the training room. Now, what's the problem?"
"Kyle's took my phone!"
"Kyle, give your sister her phone back."
"But I need to use it and mine's broken. "
"Well you shouldn't have thrown it off the roof of the academy on a dare."
"What, how did you-"
"Your principle sent us a letter. Your mother was furious, what on earth were you thinking?"
Kyle just rolled his eyes and trudged away into his own room. Jace sighed and glanced down at Ayla. "All sorted?"
She pulled out her innocent eyes to avoid getting scolded and nodded. "Don't use those eyes on me young lady, you shouldn't have raised your voice like that." He tried to remain firm but he felt a smile cracking through. "Alright get your stuff unpacked and your laundry to your mother." He gave his daughter an affectionate shove into her room and he continued on his way.
"All good?" He asked Alec as they went back down the stairs.
"Yeah, the others are sorted."
Clary put all the dishes of food across the table and then took her seat at the left of the head of the table; where Jace sat. The kids all trickled in and took their seats, as well as Maia, Bat and Seth. The last of the guests were set to arrive any minute, but Clary knew the kids wouldn't wait that long.
"Alright guys help yourself, just make sure there's enough left for others when they arrive."
Everyone piled up their plates with food and animatedly began talking to each other.
About halfway through the meal, the ding of the elevator alerted everyone to the rest of the group arriving. Isabelle, Simon, Finn, Olivia, Magnus and Xavier all piled through the door, keen to dig in. Isabelle looked a mix between smug and annoyed when she sat across from Clary and beside Jace.
"Hey Iz, how was school?" Jace snickered.
Izzy glared at him. "Would be better if your son acted a little bit more like his mother."
"Whatever do you mean?" Jace asked innocently, shooting a wink to Finn who was looking happier now that Jace was antagonising Izzy. "What did you guys have to do that made you so late anyway?"
"Trainer Lewis," Olivia began with a glare at her mum, "made us run three laps and then do one hundred pushups."
Clary choked on her drink a little bit, causing Jace to thump her back once. "Three laps?! Iz that's like fifteen kilometeres! What could they have possibly done that was so bad?"
"They were late-"
"By two minutes mum!"
"- and called me 'mum' and 'Aunt Izzy'."
Clary winced. "Finn, you know you can't call Izzy that during class."
"I know, I'm sorry it kind of slipped out after Liv said mum."
"Oh so it's my fault then?" Liv demanded, daring Finn to say it was. Finn gulped, looking between the smug parents and his girlfriend's mad face.
"No, babe that's not what I meant."
"What?! Where did this 'babe' come from?" Simon demanded, glaring down the table. The room went silent, only Liv's 'oh shit' breaking it. Isabelle looked between her husband and daughter worriedly. She'd forgotten she had kept her daughters secret for a while. She hadn't even personally been told about the relationship. She'd been doing the curfew checks and unfortunately ran into them in the common room making out on the couch. Jace and Clary had known, she thought. Hell, everyone besides her husband had seen it coming. Liv and Finn had been inseparable since they were in diapers.
"Don't tell me you guys are dating." Simon winced at the thought.
Finn and Olivia shared a look and Olivia opened her mouth to respond when-
"Good evening to you all! We have finally graced you with our presence, so you can properly enjoy your evenings!" Max Lightwood-Bane, now 24 declared as he waltzed into the room. James Herondale and Michael Lewis, both 19 and having come from the flat they shared also came in and waved.
"Hey everyone, how's it going?" Michael asked. He got a chorus of hellos and sat down, all three additions helping themselves.
"So who's dating now? You could hear you from down the hall dad." Michael commented.
James glanced up in surprise. "I couldn't, you must still have your auditory enhancement rune on Mike. Anyway, congrats guys, it's about time!" he commented with a smile at Finn and Liv.
Michael followed his best friends gaze. "About time? They're not dating. No, they're just friends. That would be weird if they dated."
"Why?" James chuckled slightly at his friend's reaction.
"Because they're cousins!"
"They're not actually blood related."
"They might as well be! Tell em 'Liv, James has got it all wrong."
"Err well…Mike we kind of…"Liv trailed off, her face looking slightly green as they discussed her and Finlay being cousins.
"What?! Fuck no."
"Michael Lewis watch your language!" Isabelle called down the table.
"How can you be okay with this mum? He's…well…he's Finlay Herondale! He's a year older than her!"
"I am well aware of that Michael."
"Majority of the older girls at Alicante Academy have been with him."
"They have not!"
"Watch what you say about my brother!"
"You have no idea what you're talking about!"
"Michael! Leave it." Isabelle's voice carried across the room. "Your father and I," at Simons forming protest she kicked her husband under the table, "accept it. You have no say in it. We appreciate the care you have for your sister, but back off."
"I didn't even know they were dating." Simon grumbled.
The occupants of the table sat in silence, the sounds of chewing and clinking plates and glasses providing the only sounds. Unable to take the awkward silence anymore, Magnus cleared his throat.
"So, interesting term was it?"
A/N I hope you guys enjoyed this! Please let me know if you want me to continue this story by reviewing/favorite/following. A few things I think I should mention; next chapter I plan to post a full rundown on the family members and their ages. Now I know (or I'm at least pretty sure I know) that Herondale and Lightwood children would be fairly distant cousins; through Cecily Herondale marrying Gabriel Lightwood. I am choosing to say this familial bond does not exist. It will help my story flow better and allow for their children to date without it being incest (spoilers). Also, as Magnus and Alec's children were adopted they too can technically date the others because they share none of their fathers DNA. Kind of strange due to them being adoptive cousins and such but please roll with it.
I know this chapter had lots of Jace/Clary/Alec/Magnus/Isabelle in it, but the focus will primarily be on the children. I really hope you enjoy and want to read more! I can't say when I will update, I will try for fortnightly but I can't guarantee. I would love if you could leave a review, and let me know if there's anything you want to see or that you think I should incorporate into this story. Thanks for reading!
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