Happy 2017, everyone! I hope you enjoy this little New Year's Eve one shot. I really wanted to get it out today, so it hasn't been torn apart by my editor, but I hope it's good enough for you all!

Snow and sleet were beating down upon New York City. The streets were coated in a thin layer of ice. Seeing ten feet in front of you was a triumph. The newscasters had warned citizens to stay indoors and stock up on food, because no one knew how long to snowstorm would last. It seemed to be one of the few times in modern history when the streets of New York weren't packed with people, going about their chaotic routines.

The overwhelming stillness and cold, however, did not reach the inside of a particular loft in Brooklyn. It's four occupants were gathered in the living room, one spread out on the velvet loveseat, tickling the four-year-old on his lap. The other two were working together to take down a ten-foot-tall Christmas tree.

"I hate seeing the decorations come down," Magnus mused from where he was seated with Max in his lap. "It's the end of the festive season."

"We always leave them up until New Year's Eve," Alec retorted. "That's longer than a lot of people."

"Perhaps," Magnus said, "but it's still disappointing." Then, to Max, placing him on the floor, "Go help your brother take down that tinsel."

Magnus rose from the loveseat as well and went to look out their large window. "I guess we won't be watching the ball drop tonight at the Institute. It's too dangerous to go outside."

Alec shrugged. "I guess we'll have to portal to the party tonight."

"What time do we have to be there?" Magnus asked.

"Seven," the shadowhunter replied, "so the boys can have some time to celebrate before they fall asleep."

"Daddy, I want to stay up!" Max whined.

"And we're not stopping you from doing that," Alec reassured his son, ruffling the boy's dark curls. "It's a special occasion. I just don't think you'll be able to stay up that late."

"I can! Tell him, Rafe, tell him!" Max exclaimed, indignant.

Rafael just shrugged. "I dunno if I can, hermano*."

Max stomped his foot, pouting. "I'll show you."

Alec grinned and bent down to kiss Max's head. "I'm sure you will, baby."

"Papa," Rafael spoke, tugging on Magnus's sleeve. "Who's gonna be there tonight?"

"It'll be pretty small, Rafe, don't worry. Just close friends and family."

The boy smiled. "Will it be fun?"

"Oh, yes," Magnus assured him. "It's always fun to celebrate the start of a new year."

"Can we play out in the snow before we go?"

"I'm afraid not, Rafe," Magnus said. "It's too cold outside." When the young boy frowned, Magnus added, "Aw, don't worry, mi hijo*. We don't need the outdoors to have fun."

"Rafael, hurry and put on your shoes," Alec urged. "We're already late."

"Sorry, Daddy," the boy responded, shoving his Skechers on his feet. Alec placed a loving hand on his shoulder.

"Portal's ready," Magnus announced. "Let's head out. Max, hold my hand." Then to Alec, "You got Rafael?"

Alec nodded, and the four of them stepped through the portal into the Institute's front hall.

"There are my favorite nephews!" Isabelle greeted as soon as she saw the family. "It's been too long since I've seen you two!"

"We were all here three days ago," Alec pointed out.

"Exactly," Isabelle agreed, lovingly patting the backs of the two young children hugging her waist. "I can't go without seeing these boys for three whole days."

Alec laughed, shaking his head at his sister. "Is everyone in the ballroom?"

"No, we decided to just have it in the living room since there are only a few of us," Isabelle explained. "There are two glasses of champagne waiting for you."

"That's what I like to hear," Magnus joked. "Come on, boys, let's go greet everybody."

The five of them walked down the corridor until they reached the main living room of the Institute. Upon catching sight of his nephews, Jace reacted in a similar way to Isabelle.

"Well if it isn't my two favorite boys in the world!" He immediately leapt from his chair and rushed toward them, lifting Max in the air and ruffling Rafe's hair. "No offense to you, Alec."

Alec laughed, and went to greet the rest of the group: Clary, Simon, Maia, Maryse, Luke, and Jocelyn.

Clary and Simon swiftly went to hug their nephews, and Alec went to speak to his mother.

"Did Dad have somewhere else to be?" Alec asked Maryse, giving her a hug.

"Yes, your father couldn't get away from work, so he's in Alicante," Maryse confirmed. "He sends his love."

"How's he doing?" Alec asked. "Being Inquisitor seems like it's taking a lot out of him."

Maryse shrugged. "It keeps him busy, but I think he likes it well enough. He feels like he's making a difference."

"I'm glad-"

"Grandma, Grandma!" Max exclaimed, running up to the pair.

"How's my Maxy doing?" she asked, bending down to kiss his head. "And where's your brother, I want to talk to Rafe as well."

Alec grinned at the exchange, taking his chance to wander over to Magnus, Luke, and Maia, who were engrossed in conversation.

"And then, of course, Lily made a snide remark, which escalated tensions even further," Maia was explaining. "It's amazing that we resolved that mess without any bloodshed."

"Sounds like you've had your hands full with Downworld relations," Magnus observed.

"Yeah, I'm sorry that I haven't been as involved as I used to be," Alec added. "The boys have taken up a lot of my time."

"Oh, don't worry about it," Maia assured. "We miss having you to help mitigate bad situations, but Lily and I have been handling things alright."

"That's good to hear," Alec said. "I'll probably be back relatively soon. I'm know my mother is just dying to babysit the boys more."

"Can't wait to work with you again." Maia clinked her glass with his, and took a swig. "Damn, this is some good champagne."

"I'll second that," Magnus agreed, finishing off his first glass.

"Maybe take it easy on that," Alec suggested, placing his hand on Magnus's shoulder.

Magnus grinned playfully. "Why should I? It's a celebration."

Shockingly enough, the group managed to keep their drinking to a minimum throughout the night. Most of them had coupled off as the night progressed, and were deep in conversations with their significant others.

"Three minutes until midnight," Magnus announced to the group, pulling them from their conversations. "Get the champagne ready."

The Lightwood-Bane family was gathered on the sofa. Magnus had his arm around Alec at his left and Rafael at his right. The latter was leaning on his chest, struggling to keep his eyes open, but still technically awake. The same could not be said for Max, who was sleeping peacefully in Alec's lap.

"Should we wake him up?" Alec wondered, gesturing to the four-year-old in his lap.

"I think he'd want us to," Magnus replied.

Alec gently shook Max from his sleep. "It's almost midnight, Max. Do you want to be awake for the start of the new year?"

Max nodded slightly into Alec's chest, not opening his eyes.

"Papa, are we going home soon?" Rafael asked.

"Si, Rafe. Ten minutes."

The little boy smiled sleepily. "I'm tired."

"I know, baby. You'll be in bed soon."

Rafael nodded and closed his eyes.

"One minute, everyone!" Isabelle shouted, handing out glasses of champagne. "Get ready!"

Magnus stood up to grab a glass of champagne, pulling Rafael up with him. Alec followed suit, holding Max in his arms.

"You're getting too big for me to hold you, Max," Alec said playfully.

"'m a big boy," Max mumbled sleepily. Alec grinned.

"You're getting to be," he replied, mostly to himself.

"Does everyone have champagne?" Isabelle asked. Everyone nodded in affirmation. "Okay, time to start the countdown!"

"10-"

Magnus lovingly placed his hand on Rafael's shoulder.

"9-"

Alec shifted Max to rest on his other hip.

"8-"

Rafael smiled up at his Papa.

"7-"

Max rubbed his eyes sleepily.

"6-"

Luke took a step closer to Jocelyn.

"5-"

Isabelle hurried over to where Simon was standing, sliding her arm around his waist.

"4-"

Jace slipped his hand into Clary's.

"3-"

Alec locked eyes with Magnus, giving him a small smile.

"2-"

Magnus gently pushed Alec's hair out of his eyes.

"1-"

Magnus leaned in slightly.

"Happy New Year!"

The couple met with a sweet peck on the lips. Alec grinned into the kiss, before pulling back. He looked at his family all around him: his amazingly stubborn, outgoing four-year-old, his quietly kind, shy six-year-old, and the fantastic warlock whom he chose to spend his life with. He raised his glass in Magnus direction, in a private toast between the two of them.

"To many more New Years to come."

*Hermano: brother

*Mi hijo: my boy