Chapter 14

Disclaimer: All I have is the plot

Mother knows best

Magnus had met plenty of intimidating mothers in his time. In 1465 the Catholic mother of his boyfriend then had chased him through three fields with a broom and in Paris his mother-in-law (it was a long story) had attempted to chop his head after she walked in on him summoning a demon. However despite the many traumatizing mother experience he'd had, none of them had filled him without the amount of dread he felt at the prospect of meeting Mayrse Lightwood.

He wasn't the only one who was not overly pleased by the coming guest. Isabelle almost growled with frustration and Alec went so white Magnus thought he was going to pass out again. He reached over and twined his fingers with the boy's squeezing gently.

"WHY," Isabelle snapped. "Why does she feel the need to ruin our lives further, hasn't she done enough." Magnus agreed, he had foolishly hoped that Alec's seemingly endless list of troubles where coming to an end, the poor boy had endured enough hardships to last him three lifetimes.

"Does she know?" Alec whispered, staring intently into his brother's topaz eyes. Jace grimaced, "Well, I'm not too sure. She's been muttering about disgrace and shame for the last 3 months. I think your coming out, sent her sanity completely out the window, but she seems fairly sad so maybe she's gonna apologise," Jace suggested, not sounding entirely convinced himself.

"Well," Magnus suggested. "What's our game plan?" The shadowhunters looked slightly befuddled. "Oh come on you guys," the Warlock sighed in exasperation. "Fine I'll rephrase that. What are we going to do when your terrifying mother turns up and tries to fry us alive?" Jace smirked, "Well, thankfully your saucepans are way too small for us, so the only one in real danger is you undersized cat." Magnus glared furiously at the blond and scooped Chairmen Meow up into a protective hug. "Also I think the thing we really want from Mum is her permission and support in Alec's Ascending."

There was a long silence, and then Alec smiled a small smile. "Of coarse," he whispered his eyes wide and shining. "I never even thought about Ascending, but it's so obvious. All I need is my mum's permission and I can drink from the Mortal cup and be a shadowhunter again. It doesn't matter if she hates me, I'll be me again." He was breathless, grinning from ear to ear and Magnus was sure he had never seen anyone so beautiful.

But as much as Magnus adored the boy's glee, he couldn't help feeling that maybe Alec shouldn't get his hopes up. After all, if the fates had destroyed his happiness before then who's to say they wouldn't do it again.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

The atmosphere was so tense that Magnus was almost afraid to breathe (luckily he managed, as no matter how advanced his magic, he still craved Oxygen). He sat on his plush turquoise coach (he had changed the colour as he didn't think Mayrse would be a fan of hot pink), wearing what he considered to be fairly sensible clothes. His purple shirt was plain, tailored and went exquisitely with his black velvet blazer and navy skinny jeans. His hair was barely spiked and he wore only eyeliner around his cat eyes.

Alec sat next to him looking remarkably handsome, sporting the smart casual ensemble that Magnus and Izzy had insisted on. Magnus had also tried to convince Alec to let him style his hair but stopped immediately after the boy had murmured that having nice hair wouldn't make his mother like him more.

Currently Alec fidgeted besides him, growing more anxious as the minute hand slowly approached 6:35. The four of them sat in a silence broken only by the frantic tapping of Alec's hand against his thigh. Finally, just as Magnus was about to lose it the sound of Adam Lambert filled the room. "No, No, No!" Jace groaned falling from the coach to thrash on the floor. "My sexuality!"

Magnus snorted contemptuously and made to open the door. "Wait," Alec said, grabbing his arm. "I-I don't want my mother to see you yet." Magnus recoiled, hurt. Was Alec ashamed by him? "No, I don't mean it like that," Alec added hastily, seeing the hurt in the Warlocks eyes. "I just, want to get the whole "I hate you" bit out of the way before I introduce my boyfriend."

Magnus smiled, and stepped back to the coach, leaving Alec alone in front of the door. He could practically see the suspense as the shadowhunter reached slowly for the handle. Jace and Isabelle stood on either side, their shoulders set and their eyes steady. It was clear that this time they where going to make sure no one laid a finger on the oldest Lightwood.

When Alec had managed to fumble the door open, Magnus found himself staring into eyes of a familiar blue. It was unnerving how much Mayrse Lightwood looked like her children. Her eyes where identical to Alec's and if it weren't for the obvious signs of ageing, Magnus would mistake her for Isabelle. However as he stared at the woman he began to identify noticeable differences, for example; Alec and Isabelle bit, rather then pursed their lips and their long delicate fingers were nothing like Mayrse's stubby ones.

She did, however seem to share Alec's love for a monochromic wardrobe and Magnus highly disapproved of her grey suit/skirt ensemble.

The four Lightwoods stood in the doorway, staring each other down, until finally Mayrse spoke. "Alexander, Isabelle, Jonathan. All my children, squatting in a Warlock's nest? I thought you had more sense." Magnus was extremely tempted to snap his fingers and transform his flats interior to a palace, grander then any she'd ever seen, but he guessed that wasn't really the point.

Alec gritted his teeth and stormed over to the couch to sit beside Magnus leaving his mother and siblings in the doorway. Magnus could feel his boyfriend's fury and was very glad he wasn't at the receiving end of it. Over by the door, Jace mock bowed and gestured for Mayrse to sit in one of the lavish armchairs. Which she did, cuffing her son's head on the way.

"So Alexander," she barked when sufficiently comfortable. "Care to explain?"

"Explain what exactly?" Alec replied warily. Magnus could tell Mayrse was surprised by Alec's recent change in character. Gone was the timid boy who lived to please his parents and instead sat a man who was prepared to stand up for himself. Magnus was both proud and saddened. The events of the last few months had broken something delicate and innocent within Alec…..and he wasn't sure it could ever be fixed.

"Explain what? Well everything. Explain why you have decided to live with a downworlder, why you have damaged our alliances with the Seelie Queen and why your name had disappeared off The Elden Scrolls."

Magnus frowned confused and Isabelle, seeing his expression, leaned over and whispered in his ear. "The Elden Scrolls are ancient scrolls that display the name of every Shadowhunter in this world. When a shadowhunter dies, leaves this world or becomes a mundane, then their name vanishes from the scroll." Magnus's eyes widened, of course, Alec's name would have vanished the moment the Seelie Queen removed his angel blood.

He turned back to look at the man in question and saw that he was pale and trembling. Magnus wanted so badly to take his hand, but he knew that that would only make things worse. Then Alec straightened his shoulders and looked his mother straight in the eyes.

"I am living with Magnus because I no longer felt welcome, or safe, with you and Father. He has been nothing but kind to me and…..and he and I are currently in a relationship." Mayrse turned white but Ale only blushed before carrying on. "As for the Seelie Queen, well, she offered me her assistance in finding Jace when he went missing ten years ago in exchange for a favour. Without her help, who knows what would have happened to Jace, so I don't regret the deal I made." Jace shot his parabatai a small smile but Magnus could see the guilt in his eyes. "Then," Alec continued, "a couple of weeks before I left, the Seelie Queen summoned me and asked for the favour I'd promised her. She-she wanted to strip me of my marks and extract my Nephilim blood. I-I didn't know what to do. I knew that allowing her to posses angel blood was dangerous and would break every rule I knew, but…..she said if I didn't keep my promise she would kill my entire family, so I had no choice, I had to do it."

His voice shook so badly that Magnus ignored his own rules and took the boys hand, screw what Mayrse Lightwood thought. Alec seemed to calm down slightly and took a deep breath before continuing. "So then lots of shit happened until I found myself back in the Fey's lair again. I let her take my blood and I would have died if Isabelle, Jace, Magnus and Clary hadn't saved me. So that brings us to you last question mother. I am no longer on the scrolls mother because I am no longer a shadowhunter."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Alec's heart beat in time with his mothers nails as she clicked them thoughtfully against Magnus's mahogany coffee table. And although he was scared and stressed, he had to contain a giggle as his boyfriend flinched (Magnus was very attached to that table). Alec had just given one of the longest, most heartfelt speeches ever and the silence that followed was unbearable.

Isabelle kept opening her mouth to shout at Mayrse but every time she tried Alec sent her a look that said, "I need to deal with this myself" and she shut up. He stared hard at his mother trying to guess her emotions, but she didn't seem that bothered. In fact her expression looked as if she was watching a slightly interesting documentary, not deciding her child's fate.

When Alec had bitten his lip into a bleeding pulp she finally decided to speak. "Well," she stared standing up. "I'm guessing that you hope for an ascension." Alec nodded franticly. "Well then, I am willing to propose a deal.

Alec bit his lips, he often thought that if his parents were mundane they would probably be lawyers. They were always very good at persuading Alec to see things their way and their "Compromises" and "deals" often benefited them more than Alec. He looked over at the others and saw that they seemed to be thinking along the same lines. Magnus was muttering to himself and Jace appeared to be attempting to read his mothers mind. Isabelle however was looking straight at Alec and he could tell that she knew that this "deal" would have consequences but that it was also his only way to be a shadowhunter again.

He turned back to his mother, his jaw set. Now was the time to be brave. He nodded at her and tightened his grip on Magnus's hand in apprehension. She smiled slyly down at her children. "I will fully support and assist you're ascension. You can come back and live at the Institute and we will both promise to never lay another finger on you." Alec smiled despite himself. "But, there is one condition. You will leave this place and never see the warlock again. Nor will you ever think look or touch a man in that way. We have not told anyone about your condition and once you have ascended it will stay that way. If you chose not to agree to these terms then we will disown you and you will not only never see another shadowhunter again and will remain an outlawed mundane for as long as you live."

There was a deathly silence. Alec felt numb, as his slugged brain searched desperately for a loophole. A part of him desperately wanted to agree to his mother's terms, after all shadowhunting was his purpose in life. But what kind of life would he have. He'd never be able to have a relationship (unless it was secret) and he could never show his true self. He would have to live a world without freedom, love…and Magnus. His throat tightened and he knew that it was better to be a nobody, as long as he had somebody.

He turned to face his mother, his eyes burning. "No!" he snapped and she recoiled in shock. "What do you mean no?" she gasped, doubt crossing her face for the first time. Alec stood up, "I mean no. No I will not hide who I am. No I will not allow you to manipulate and control me and No, I will not leave the man I love!"

She stared at him as if he were a complete stranger. "Get Out!" Alec shrieked, trying desperately not to cry. She opened her mouth as if to reply but seemed at a loss for words. Alec glared at her the whole way to the door until she stopped in the doorway and turned to face him. "I don't know who you are," she snapped. "But you will never be my son. Jace, Isabelle, we're leaving." They both protested loudly but Mayrse was having none of that. "NOW!" she screamed her face so red it looked coloured in.

Alec nodded at them and they left as well, the door slamming behind them.

He just stood there, his world blurring and swimming in and out of focus. He fell slowly to the ground and watched his tears drip slowly onto the carpet.

A hand touched his back and a soft voice asked, "Alec? Alec, are you ok?" But Alec didn't reply. He just sat on the floor and cried over the death of Alexander Lightwood.

A/N

Poor Alec, will he adjust, or is there something Magnus can do to help him. Fiiiiiiiind out next week.

Please go to my profile and look at the poll I made to decide what the next malec fic will be about, the titles are:

Spend a little time on me (might change this one)

Alec Lightwood's guide to romance

Love is a matter of life and death.

There's a summery on the poll so VOTE NOW! (or else).

The author I'm recommending this chapter is the renowned spun. I know that basically everyone knows this author as he/she is ridiculously talented and has a ton of followers. But that's because his/her stories are amazing, I mean I swear I read like 4 in one night. So yer, check spun out if you haven't already.

Right reviews time, although I didn't have many this week (hint hint):

Suzanne – thanks for voting and you're right the story is very close to the end.

Putty Tat Lion – I'm glad you like my recommendations and I agree it's a good idea. More writers should do it.

Reader7264 – Thanks for voting, I hope you liked Mayrse's response. (well not liked it as that would make you one sick bastard but you know what I mean)

Vhs – THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR REVIEWING, I mean seriously I didn't even think about Alec drinking from the mortal cup (I'm so stupid) thanks to you I now have a completed plot.

Thank you for all the reviews, you guys really make my day!

If you enjoyed this then please review and follow (then I'll update quicker). Lots of virtual love, Amy xxx