Magnus took a deep breath. One knock. Two.
"Come in," A muffled voice responded through the door. He complied. "Magnus?" Maryse Lightwood looked up at him from her desk, dark eyes wide.
"Hello, Maryse," He said quietly, a friendly smile on his face, a glamour on his eyes. His boots clicked on the stone floor as he stepped into the room, and sat in one of the chairs that faced her desk. Her dark hair was tied up in a bun, and her face looked slightly pinched, like she really needed a massage and a hard drink; not necessarily in that order. He propped his arms on the rests. "I am here to ask you for something."
She smiled a little, and looked down. "Hasn't it been the other way around, lately?"
"This is true. But you know that I am always willing to offer my services for you." Not her specifically, of course, but she got the jest."But, it's nothing like that."
She placed her hands on the desk and looked him. "You have my attention."
He ran his tongue over his teeth, trying to think how to word it. He'd been thinking about it the entire way here, and he was still empty handed.
"I want to ask for your blessing to marry your son."
Well. That worked.
Magnus gauged her reaction; eyebrows went up, and she sat up a little straighter. A few blinks, then she said "Excuse me?" She swallowed. "I, well. I'd like to say I didn't think you two were quite so serious, but let's be honest." She sighed, leaning back in her chair. Magnus was on the edge of his. "Magnus," She made eye contact once more. "He's eighteen." She said softly.
A piece of leaf on his shoe became quite fascinating. Almost under his breath he said "No one knows better than I, what he's getting himself into. And we've already discussed the age issue."
"I'm sure you have." A pause. "Is there a reason you want this now?" He looked up at this. "I mean, you two seem happy. There is no threat at the moment. Everything has been calm the past few months after everything."
Magnus blinked at her. "It's not my idea."
Eyes narrowed. "What?"
A sly smile grew on his face. He enunciated his words. "Alec asked me."
Maryse's mouth parted. "He did?"
"Maryse," He sat up straighter. "It might surprise you to know that your son has the exact same courage that you yourself has. He knows what he wants. And he goes after it." And he's caught me. "I will never deny that we have had our differences in the past. But we both wish nothing more than to spend whatever time we have left together."
She looked like she didn't have an answer. "I suppose you're right."
A weight lifted up. "Am I?"
She rubbed her forehead. "Alec has always been extremely special to me. He's my first born, my first child. But I have never seen him so devastated than when you two were," She gestured with her hand. "Apart, last year. If that's what his life would be like without you then," She paused. "I could never wish that on him in a million years."
"So...?"
"So." She smiled at him. "I'll speak to Robert. But," A deep breath. "You have my blessing, Magnus."
He couldn't help the smile, and the happiness that radiated off of him. They spoke their goodbyes, then Magnus slipped out the door, and ran -literally- right into Alec. The younger boy took a step back, looking up at him.
"What are you doing here?"
Magnus made a quick excuse about talking to Maryse about a client. Then he asked if Alec was free. He knew that they hadn't talked about last night, and he wanted to. Especially now that Maryse knew. Magnus felt like he was walking on clouds. Alec said something about being free later that night, and Magnus clapped his hands apart.
"Perfect!"Perfect. On the spot he made the plans for a party. He could throw one together in a few hours. Granted, it wouldn't be as good as his 1999 new year's party, but he could still make it work. He made Chairman the featured guest, and told Alec to invite his friends.
Then Magnus leaned toward him, not touching, except for his hands against Alec's cool, pale face. "Perfect," he whispered again, watching Alec's eyes widen. He let their lips barely touch, then pulled away and disappeared down the hall. He would try and tell him tonight. And he couldn't wait.