"I refuse to walk down the aisle to Stairway to Heaven."
"You have no musical taste, whatsoever."
It had been almost two weeks since Alec had proposed, and Magnus and Isabelle had turned the apartment into Wedding Planning Central. Catalogs were spread on the coffee table, fabric swatches laid over the couch, you name it – it was there. Alec and Chairman Meow were currently trying to fit on the couch, both wearing matching disgruntled faces. Magnus was sitting cross-legged on the floor, a binder open on his lap. His hair was a mess, and last night's makeup was still smudged under his eyes. Alec had never seen him quite so alive as he had been these past few days. He was vibrant, and shining, and sometimes Alec couldn't even look at him without a stupid smile growing on his face. Alec took a sip of his coffee, trying to avoid being buried alive in an avalanche of pieces of fabric; which he had no idea what they were for. Magnus had cornered him this morning to help make some decisions. Alec perfectly preferred to stay out of the majority of the wedding planning; that wasn't what was important to him. It was one day. What he wanted was the rest of the life after that day. But, this is Magnus we were talking about, and it was a chance to throw a giant party.
"Would you consider Prince?"
"Who?"
Magnus flipped the binder shut and pushed it off his lap. "I give up."
An idea came to Alec. "What if we had Jace play something?"
Magnus turned his head to the side, thinking. "I surprising like the idea of that." He said.
"I can ask him later," Alec took another sip. "We were gonna take Simon out patrolling. He has his Ascension next month, and he's trying to get as much training as possible in."
"He's really come a long way," Magnus leaned back on his palms. "I'm proud of him."
"I think everyone is." He looked at his watch, then pouted at Magnus. "Can I go now?"
Magnus shook his head, a small smile on his face. "I just have one more question."
Alec stood carefully, Chairman moved over and replaced him in his warm seat. "Yeah?" Alec padded into the kitchen, and set the empty mug in the sink.
" Where would you like to have the ceremony?"
Alec leaned against the doorframe, eyebrows raised. "Uh, the Institute? I guess?"
"I was thinking," Magnus looked over at him. "We could technically get married here, according to the Codex. Or," His eyes sparkled. "We could go to Idris."
The thought had never even entered Alec's mind. "Seriously?"
Magnus shrugged. "Yeah. It's up to you."
Alec scratched the back of his head. "I like that idea. But isn't it still pretty destroyed from the Dark War?"
"I talked to some friends from there the other night. They said that the renovations have been going swimmingly. So, just think about it."
Alec grinned. "I will."
"I am not wearing orange velvet."
"I never said you had to!"
"But I remember an orange velvet tux. And I mean, I like you, man, but I'm not stooping to that."
"That was technically all Isabelle," Alec pointed out to Simon, who was leaning against the wall of the Institute.
"I don't care."
"I think we're all on agreement that there shall be no velvet." Jace said from his perch on one of the benches in the courtyard behind the church, he was on his back, twirling a small knife on his fingers. The three of them had just returned from a patrol and were still dressed up in their gear. They'd decided to hang out in the courtyard since the weather was nice and warm out. Summer was officially there, and Alec had shed his black jacket. He was sitting on the grass, his crossbow sitting on the ground next to him. He'd been thinking a lot about what Magnus had asked him earlier that morning; and to tell the truth, he really liked the idea of having the wedding in Idris. It was where he'd been born, spent the first few years of his life. That's where he had his beginning, and he wanted to share his and Magnus's beginning there too. It was cheesy, but he didn't care.
"Hey," He reached up and nudged Jace's foot, which was the closest he could reach. "Would you be willing to play at the wedding? Like you did at Luke and Jocelyn's?"
Jace looked down at him, gold eyes wide. "Seriously?" Alec nodded. "Yeah," Jace sat up. "I'd be honored."
Alec snorted.
"No, I really would. I will. Thanks for asking," Jace grinned and laid back down, the knife starting to twirl once more.
"Good."
"When's this gonna be?" Simon asked.
Alec shrugged. "We haven't set a date yet. Why?"
Simon looked down. "I just want to make sure I'm there," he trailed off.
Jace sat back up. "Are you worried about your Ascension?"
"Wouldn't you be?" Simon asked.
Jace opened his mouth, most likely to make a comment along the lines of 'I'm so awesome, the Clave would have to let me in,' but Alec cut him off. "Simon, you don't have anything to worry about. You've been studying for months. And, even though you don't remember everything, you've been around all of this for a lot longer."
Simon smiled shyly at him. "You think?"
"We know." Jace said.
The Institute was quiet. Alec was sitting in the library, witchlight lighting the page he was reading. It was late, but he was caught up in the book and didn't even notice. He started a little when a hand touched his shoulder.
"Oh, hi," He looked up at Magnus, who had applied fresh eyeliner and glitter since this morning.
"Hi yourself," Magnus grinned, sitting down on the chair across from Alec. "What are you reading?"
Alec held up the notebook, and Magnus raised an eyebrow.
"You're reading it again?"
"I love reading it," Alec skimmed his fingers over the spine. He was starting to wear it out, he'd read it so many times. It was the stories that Magnus had written down about his life; he'd given it to him when he asked Alec to take him back. And Alec had jumped. And he'd never regretted it once.
"Maybe I should publish it," Magnus joked.
Alec changed the subject. "I was thinking about Idris."
"And?"
Alec smiled. "I like the idea a lot."
"I'd hoped you'd say that," Magnus leaned forward, resting his elbows on the armrest of the chair.
"I also talked to Jace, and he said he'd be happy to play."
"Sounds like things are coming together," Mayse said as she walked into the library. Alec was a little surprised at how well his parents seemed to be taking all of this. But, he was thankful.
"Yeah," He said to her. She had her arms curled around herself, and she looked tired. The divorce was final now. And Alec knew that it really was better this way. His parents would always love each other, but they couldn't be married anymore. Alec knew that they worried about him taking this step since he was still young, since they noted that that was one of their problems, but he knew that he was different. He wasn't worried.
"What did you say about Jace?" She asked.
"He's willing to play the piano at the ceremony." Alec responded.
"Which will be in Idris." Magnus added, a small grin playing on his lips.
Maryse widened her eyes. "Really?"
Alec nodded. "We just decided, actually."
"Oh, that's wonderful," She said quietly, true happiness on her face.
"And I found the perfect velvet suits for the boys to wear," Magnus said.
To which was met with a bellow of "NO" from somewhere across the Institute.
*It's almost to the end! I know this was sorta short, but the next chapter should be much longer. I've had so much fun with this story, and I hope you've enjoyed the ride with me. Please let me know what you've thought, I'd love to know. –major hearts- *
