AN This story is loosely based on the CBS sitcom, How I Met Your Mother. It is about Jace, not Clace. So, they may not end up together. He ends up with whoever I feel Jace wants to end up with (I hope I don't sound crazy!) Alec tells the story, so it will technically be in the first person, but most of it is in third since Alec is the narrator.

"Now, Kids," I said, facing my two children - Max and Raphael. "I tell you this story as a precaution. I am warning you on what not to do when you want to get married. Because you should not do what Uncle Jace did."

"Why," asked Raphael. Max looked at his brother then back at me - his face puzzled - and nodded, as a sign that he agreed with his brother's question.

"Yeah, why?" Max huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. It was clear he was unhappy with the statement. He had always admired Jace, looked up at him with awe - something Magnus found funny - thinking he could do no wrong. So, understandably, when someone claims otherwise, he gets defensive.

"Well . . ." I tried to explain, but it was difficult. It was long and way too complicated. "I can't really explain it very quickly. It's a long and very detailed story. You need to hear it from the beginning." I bit my lip.

"Well," Rafael made a forward motion with his hands. "If you can't do it fast, then tell the story completely."

"Are you sure?" They nodded. "Well, okay. But don't tell your papa I told you the story. It could get a little . . . explicit."

Rafael gave an irritated look. "We're not babies. We have had the "birds and the bees" talk before."

Sighing, I said, "Fine. I'll tell you the story of how Uncle Jace got married. I should tell you, these personal facts came from you're uncle's very own diary"- I coughed - " I mean journal."

Max erupted into a fit of giggles. "Uncle Jace had a diary!"

Rafael slapped him upside on the head. "Hey," I reprimanded. "This family does not allow hitting!"

He mumbled out a 'sorry' and looked down, fiddling his thumbs. "Now, I'll begin with the story. It all began when Aunt Izzy hit" - Rafael snorted - "Uncle Jace on the face - hard - on January 18th, 2011 . . ."

"But that was Jace's birthday - " Max gasped. Raphael let out an aggravated sigh.

"Dad," Raphael whined, pointing at his brother. "If you're going to tell the story, can he leave?"

"Yes, Max, it was." I sighed, ignoring Raphael's comment and looked at my other son. "Max, and Raphael, if I'm going to tell this story, you're going to have to not interrupt, okay? And no. It's a learning experience to hear this story. Maybe even more important than school! And way more entertaining, at least to me." It was true. Jace's story on how he finally got married was so entertaining to think and reminisce about. He had been so stupid!

Raphael muttered something about how me liking it was exactly why he wouldn't, and other nonsense like that. If only they knew, I thought.

They nodded their heads in understanding - Raphael was more reluctant - and snuggled into the couch. I breathed through my nose, preparing to tell the story of almost every embarrassing thing that has ever happened to my family and me, and began again. "The story of how Jace got married started on Jace's birthday, January 18th, 2011, when Aunt Izzy slapped Uncle Jace on the cheek - hard . . ."