Celebration: Over 50 reviews... BOO YEAH! And an update! Didn't see that one coming, eh? I will name you all squishy and you shall be mine. So thank you my awesome squishies.

Gideon POV

Thalia held my hand, her soft smooth skin brushing against the calluses of mine. She looked at me lovingly, her deep mocha eyes like a river, it's depths sucking me in. I was lost. She was stunning.

I traced my fingers on the side of her face. From her temple, till her jaw, imagining something that was so atrociously unique to the one person who I had betrayed beyond compare. And as Thalia gave me the softest smile, I couldn't help but wish that I had a particular maid in my arms instead.

Sophie hated me. I had seen it written on her face. She was like a book, even the slightest emotion exaggerated on her pale skin. And there was nothing hidden when she looked at me. Betrayal stung. It really did. I couldn't help wonder if my father felt the same way.

A strong grip rested on my shoulder, a sudden coldness replacing the warmth. I tuned to face Carlos. The devil himself, skin like bark, a short stubby mustache on his upper lip. There was a lean glitter in his eye, as if he had achieved something spectacular, but it was gone in a second, leaving me thinking if I had just imagined it.

"What a pleasure to welcome you in our family Gideon!" His booming voice echoed as his arms intertwined with that hag Esperanza. She grinned, a sickening smile twisting on her face. It was wondrous, really, where in heaven's name had Thalia gotten her beauty from these monstrous parents?

"I simply adore you two! Mi Dios! What a perfect couple, are they not Henry?" Esperanza crooned, clasping Henry's hand, slyly grinning at Charlotte, who looked at the conquistadora like she was the cause of the world's problems. Which in my case, she might as well be.

"They're quite suitable," Henry nodded, tugging on his hand, finally freeing himself of Esperanza's grip. He wrung his hands, taking a step near to his wife.

"Dear, we must give some time to the lovebirds," Carlos nodded, a cold hard glaze fixing on me, almost a warning. "We will leave you be. Charlotte, our rooms?"

It took a minute to get Charlotte's attention. And when she finally did, it was with Esperanza's finger snapping rudely in front of her face.

"This way," Charlotte spoke in a measured voice, waving to Cyril to carry the luggage. I strode forward to help, before Esperanza's spiny fingers landed on my chest, pushing me back.

She gave me a sugar-coated smile, almost to the point of sickening. "Gideon, querido ( dear ), why don't you stay with Thalia, it has been a while, since your last– ah, acquaintance."

I nodded slowly, not daring to disobey my soon-to-be mother in-law. Just the thought of being related to her made my stomach turn. It was not as bad back in Spain in her territory, but now the conquistadora was in unknown boundaries and she was simply hostile.

As the room was met with pin drop silence, Thalia took my hand, placing it on her stomach, her delicate fingers drawing circles in my skin. She brought her face up to mine and placed a chaste kiss on my cheek.

All I could do was stare at her protruding belly, not believing what I saw. There was a little babe growing in there. My child. I was going to be a father. A father!

"How far along are you?" I whispered weakly, taking a slow gulp of air.

"Don't you remember?" She murmured, and I could without a doubt recall every detail of that night. If I was in a different position, that night would have been safely locked away until my dying breathe, but alas, fate had decreed otherwise.

"But–I was positive–how could this have happened?" I sought her eyes, pleading for an answer. "I made sure no accidents–er, well like this would–occur–"

Thalia stepped back, sadness streaking her lovely face. She glowed with the beauty of a pregnant woman, but my eyes sought no relief at the sight of her. There was another, a woman who had absolutely no idea how stunning she was, who had captured my heart.

Sophie, darling, forgive me.

"Is this what you think this is?" Thalia breathed. "A mistake? An accident, no?"

I shook my head. What could I say to her? That I did not want my child? That I could not accept her as my wife? That I loved another? Thalia was a strong woman, but seeing her falter was heart wrenching. It was my fault as much as hers that we were in this dilemma.

"Dear, sweet Thalia, you must agree that surrounding the circumstances–well–no one would willingly accept to be in this situation." I countered, hesitating every now and then to watch her reaction.

Thalia stood there speechless, her mouth slightly open as she nodded. "Si, amour, ( yes, love ) but are you not happy that we are together again? We can talk like we used to before you left Madrid."

Ah, Madrid. The time where I set out to find myself. I had no home in London, where my father was negligent of his oldest son, and my brother blindly following him. Spain was a happy time. I had found Shadowhunters who made me feel more at home than my own family. But, it was temporary was it not? Like a brief glimpse of heaven, before I knew I must come back and do my duties as a Lightwood.

I can not say that I do not deserve Thalia, because I have never once proved disloyal to anyone, except perhaps my father. So shouldn't I be happy? I have a beautiful woman, carrying a strong child, and my whole life ahead of me, doing the one thing I love most.

People have said the right choice is often the hardest. And good things happen to the ones who are loyal and righteous. I could not leave Thalia and let her give birth to a child without a secure father. I would not bring it upon my child like my father had done to me.

But, I wondered, was this the right thing to do?