Magnus was scuttling around the kitchen, looking absolutely gorgeous, and incredibly sexy, in his purple "Kiss the Cook" apron, his painted-on black jeans, and a form-fitting long-sleeve tee. His hair was slightly disheveled from the heat in the kitchen, and hung lazily over his eyes, giving him a sleepy look that Alec adored. Even the daisy-covered oven mitts didn't detract from his beauty.

He did, however, look a bit frazzled. So Alec cheerfully offered to get the door when he heard a knock. Magnus gave him an appreciative look as he hurried to the door. Beyond the door stood Will, Jem, and Tessa, bundled against the chill late-November wind. There was a light dusting of snow on their shoulders and Alec was surprised to see the grass and trees were beginning to turn white. He had been indoors all day helping Magnus prepare their feast and hadn't realized it was snowing.

He threw the door wide to admit their guests, taking their coats and tossing them in one of the spare bedrooms before joining everyone in the kitchen.

"The cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie has arrived," he heard Will announce as he entered the kitchen. "Along with the three best looking people you know, Magnus Bane." Will wiggled his eyebrows at Magnus, who rolled his eyes and gave him a harried look.

Magnus's eyes found Alec as he entered, and lit up, even though it had been no more than a few minutes since he last saw him. "You are right, Will, the best looking guy I know did just arrive," Magnus said, jerking his head at Alec.

Will turned to see who was behind him, and scoffed. "So who are the other two good-looking people," he challenged.

Magnus didn't miss a beat. "Jem and Tessa, of course," he said haughtily. Will stuck out his tongue and Magnus grinned broadly.

Tessa giggled as Will and Jem sat the goodies she had made on the counter. She kissed Magnus on the cheek in greeting. Then she turned and patted Alec's cheek gently, and kissed the other cheek.

"You look lovely, Tessa," Alec said. And she did. She was dressed in a softly flowing skirt, oversized sweater, leggings and boots. She could have been on the cover of a magazine.

"Jem, would you mind carving the turkey?" Magnus asked as he donned the oven mitts again.

Jem rubbed his hands together expectantly, a wide grin on his face.

"Did you have to give Jem a weapon, Magnus?" Will complained.

Magnus chuckled as he removed the sweet potato casserole and stuffing from the oven, and placed some rolls in to bake. Alec had been thankful when Magnus said he preferred to cook his stuffing separate from the turkey. They idea of stuffing the bird had always made him shudder.

The sound of the electric knife sawing through the golden brown turkey filled the air, as did the aroma. Alec's mouth was watering already. He heard another knock at the door and went to admit Jace and Clary.

Clary burst into the kitchen and sat her contribution on the counter. "I'm not much of a cook," she said sheepishly. "Hope you're okay with canned green beans cooked with ham and onions."

"Can't go wrong with that," Tessa said, and the two woman started their own conversation.

Magnus ushered everyone to the dining room table as they piled it high with a magnificent Thanksgiving feast. Magnus looked thoroughly proud of himself. He usually spent the holiday at Will's, helping Tessa in the kitchen. This was the first year he had been responsible for the main parts of the meal. Everything looked and smelled wonderful.

"Who wants to start?" Magnus said as they all settled into their seats. It was a Herondale tradition to go around the table and have each person say what they are thankful for, and Will had made them continue this tradition every year.

"Why don't you start, Magnus," Tessa suggested.

"Alright. I'm thankful that I have a new roommate." He squeezed Alec's hand under the table. The look in his eyes held so much love Alec wondered if anyone else in the room could see it.

Alec blushed. "I'm thankful you have a new roommate," he replied, and everyone chuckled.

Alec looked at Jace. "I'm thankful I don't have to listen to Taylor Swift anymore." He looked at Alec and Magnus pointedly, and Alec's face grew even redder. "I'm also thankfully for this little lady," he added, turning his gaze to Clary.

Clary grinned at him, but didn't speak, so Jace nudged her with his shoulder. "Oh, I'm thankful that I found Jace."

Clary then nodded toward Jem. "I'm thankful to have met someone who shares my love of weapons," he said, raising his glass to Alec. Alec grinned. Magnus and Will groaned.

Tessa smiled softly. "I'm thankful that Magnus is happy…and finally met his match."

Magnus beamed and nodded his agreement. All eyes turned expectantly to Will. No one ever knew what would come from his mouth. Will drew himself up and said, "I'm thankful my best friend stopped acting like an idiot and got his boyfriend back."

They all raised their glasses to that. Alec couldn't help being humbled by the fact that nearly everyone at the table had said they were thankful for his relationship with Magnus. He never thought he would find people like this. He suppressed a grin as they all settled in to dinner. Platters and bowls of turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, green beans and cranberry sauce were passed around the table. The din grew louder as people asked for rolls to be passed, and fell into their own conversations. This was the warmest, most pleasant Thanksgiving Alec remembered in quite a long time, maybe ever. This was his family now. It was no longer just him and Jace heating up frozen turkey dinners in the oven and playing cards or watching old movies all night. There were people who genuinely cared about him, and not only supported his relationship with Magnus, but encouraged it, fought for it with him. He hadn't realized until that moment how much he loved every person in that room. He let his eyes trail from Will's messy black hair to Tessa's soft feminine face to Jem's shockingly silver locks, to the fiery red Clary and Jace, the golden boy.

Finally, he looked at Magnus, and found that Magnus had been watching him. He gave him a small smile as he stabbed a piece of turkey and stuffed it into his mouth. His life really had changed dramatically in the last few months, and the people in this room were the proof of that. He couldn't remember every being this happy before.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Cutlery clattered against plates, and even the soft sounds of chewing ceased as everyone looked around the table, confused expressions on their faces. Everyone who was invited was already here…

"I'll get it," Alec said, and for the third time that night, left the commotion and found himself standing at the front door.

He looked out the peephole but all he saw was a mass of black hair. He had no idea who it could be. He swung the door open and his jaw dropped.

"Hey big brother!" Isabelle squealed just before launching herself into him and throwing her arms around his neck. It took several long seconds for the shock of seeing his sister wore off and he wrapped her in a tight embrace.

He had not seen or spoken to Isabelle for more than three years, since the day he told his parents he was gay and was kicked out of their family home. He had no idea what she was doing here now, and part of him didn't care. He had missed her so much, and was overjoyed to see her again.

She finally released him and said, "Are you going to invite us in? It's cold out here!"

He shook his head to clear his thoughts and stepped back, allowing her entry. "Us?" he said questioningly.

It was then that he noticed a tall, brown-haired guy wearing glasses with a bag slung over his shoulder that looked like it held a laptop standing behind her. He ushered them inside and closed the door against the snowy cold, then led them into the dining room.

All eyes turned to him expectantly. No one had resumed eating.

"You're never going to believe who's here," he said, looking at Jace. He stepped aside and watched as Jace's mouth flopped open in shock.

"Isabelle?" he said in disbelief. Then he rose and hugged her, too.

She squealed something about being excited to see him, but Alec missed the words, for as soon as Isabelle moved and revealed the guy standing behind her, Clary's eyes went wide and she said, "Simon?"

"Clary?" the guy said.

Everything ground to a halt. Isabelle and Jace still clung to each other loosely as they turned to stare at Simon and Clary. Magnus's eyebrows slid up to his hairline. Will and Jem adopted amused expressions and Tessa looked slightly worried. Then, just as suddenly, the place erupted.

"What the hell is going on here?"

"What are you doing here?"

"How do you know my girlfriend?"

"How do you know my boyfriend?"

"You're boyfriend?" That voice was Alec, incredulous that his sister was dating the nerdy guy she brought with her. Not that he had a problem with nerdy guys. On the contrary, in many respects, he was a nerdy guy. But that was just not his sister's type. Isabelle usually went for the bad boys, the guys with long hair and plenty of leather and tattoos and motorcycles. The guys with a don't-give-a-fuck attitude. The guys who looked like they could break a regular guy in half with all their muscles. Alec was fit, but he had even been intimidated by some of Izzy's boyfriends. Not this guy.

"Why don't you guys have a seat and we can clear all this up," Magnus suggested politely. He was amused by the bewildered look on Alec's face, but he also knew how much it had hurt Alec not to be able to talk to or see his sister.

"Alright," Izzy said, taking Simon's hand and guiding him around the table where they were opening up room for two more. Magnus was back in an instant with extra chairs from the kitchen and again with more plates and silverware and glasses.

As the food was passed to Izzy and Simon, Magnus made introductions, and watched as Izzy's eyes darted to her brother when Magnus said he was Alec's boyfriend.

"Oh, I know who you are," she said slyly.

At those words, something occurred to Alec. "How did you know we were here?" he said as his brows furrowed together.

Izzy shrugged. "I did a little research."

"But I've only lived here a week..."

Izzy blinked, and gave him a look of impatience. "Shadowhunter."

Alec's frown deepened. "But you're not old enough to be a Shadowhunter. What are you doing here?"

"We're on a recon mission," Izzy said matter-of-factly, and spooned some stuffing into her mouth.

"WHAT?" Alec bellowed. "No way! You are too young for that!" He quickly did the math in his head. "You have only been in the Academy for a year!"

Izzy waved a dismissive hand. "Actually I've been in for two years. Our father asked them to accept me a year early, and they did. I started when I was seventeen." She said this with great pride.

"And your mission?" he demanded.

"Is Top Secret," Izzy replied, again dismissing his protectiveness. "You know that. But if you can keep a secret…" she lowered her voice conspiratorially. "We're infiltrating the North Korean government to see what they have planned. You know the US isn't going to sit back and let them tell us what movies we can watch." Her eyes twinkled as she said this, and Alec knew it was a lie, but couldn't stop his protective nature from coming through.

"No you're not!" he said authoritatively.

"Of course I'm not." Izzy rolled her eyes. "I doubt they would let a sassy, sexy, pale woman infiltrate their government anyway." She winked at Alec, and he had no idea how much, if any, of this conversation he should believe. But before he could interrogate her anymore, Clary jumped in.

"How do you know Simon?" she said.

"How do you know Simon?" Izzy countered.

"Ladies, ladies, there is no need to fight over me," Simon said, placing his hands in the air. "There is enough of me to go around."

Alec distinctly heard Jace growl. Clary's eyes darted to Jace before turning back to Simon. "Where have you been?"

"I've been at the Shadowhunter Academy," Simon said. "That's where I met Isabelle."

Alec's and Jace's eyes narrowed, scrutinizing Simon. He certainly did not have the normal Shadowhunter build. He did not appear to be very muscular, and Alec was willing to bet he had never fired a gun prior to attending the Academy. Why was this guy accepted?

"Why did they accept you?" Jace echoed Alec's thoughts, and Alec nodded his head approvingly.

"They didn't accept me," Simon said. "They recruited me."

"WHAT?" Alec, Jace and Clary said simultaneously. Magnus stared at Simon incredulously. Will, Tessa, and Jem, who had no idea what the Shadowhunter Academy was, looked completely baffled.

"I said, they recruited me," Simon said, steadily. "I have some…skills, that they desired."

Jace folded his arms in front of his chest and stared at Simon in disbelief. "Like what?" he scoffed.

"I'm pretty good with computers," Simon said, patting the laptop case that hung on the back of his chair.

"Pretty good?" Izzy said. "He's ridiculous actually."

Simon blushed at her compliment. It was easy to see how smitten he was with Izzy.

"He is really good," Clary agreed, which earned her a scowl from Izzy and Jace.

"There are lots of people who are 'really good' with computers," Jace challenged. "Why you?"

A slow smile spread across Simon's face. "I hacked into their system," he said matter-of-factly.

The entire table appeared stunned at this news, even Will, Jem, and Tessa, who knew nothing of the Shadowhunters. They could gather from the conversation that this was a big deal.

"You hacked into their system?" Jace said in utter disbelief.

Simon's smile widened. "Yeah. I was playing around on my computer one day and stumbled across the Shadowhunter's system. It was really complex, so I took hacking it as a challenge, and eventually I broke in."

Jace seemed to forget his annoyance with Simon as he stared raptly at him. "What happened then?" he breathed.

Simon laughed. "A couple of macho Shadowhunter guys showed up at my door. They were heavily armed and told me I was coming to their headquarters, or else." He shrugged. "I didn't want to find out what 'or else' meant, so I went with them. They blindfolded me, which I thought was something that only happened in movies, incidentally, and took me to some sterile looking building. I met with several more Shadowhunters, huge intimidating guys…" He shuddered at the memory. "They said I had two choices: I could either train and work for them, or they would make sure my mother got my body back. I could tell they weren't joking. They take their security very seriously, those Shadowhunters. Anyway, obviously, I chose to live, and have been in training at the Academy for the last year."

No one quite knew what to say to that. A dense silence hung in the air, until finally Clary broke it. "So that's where you went. I was so worried when you disappeared. Your mom said you had left for school out of the country, but wouldn't tell me anything else." There was clear hurt in her words and her expression.

Simon had the grace to look abashed. "I know. I'm sorry. I didn't have a choice. They didn't tell my mom any more than that either. She was really angry at first, but there was nothing she could do about it."

Clary offered a tight-lipped smile and a small nod of her head.

Jace, however, wanted answers. "How do you two know each other?" he demanded.

Clary turned to him. "Simon is my best friend. We grew up together. Then, he just disappeared one day. I had no idea what had happened to him. I was heartbroken."

Jace pulled her into his arms, and scowled at Simon as Simon uttered another apology. After a bit, Alec turned his attention back to his sister.

"Okay, so what are you doing here now, Iz?"

"Well, it's Thanksgiving. I wanted to see my big brother." He gave her an impatient look. "Okay, we really are on a recon mission. Don't get all worked up again!" she said as Alec started to protest. "It's just a training mission. They already have the information they want, they just want to see if we can get it, too. There is no risk involved. I promise."

Simon nodded his head in agreement, which seemed to settle the knot in Alec's stomach. He worried about his sister, not knowing where she was or being able to contact her for the last three years. It had been torture for him. But now he worried about her safety, now that he knew she was in the Academy. He wasn't around to protect her like he always had been.

If he were honest with himself, though, he was thrilled to see her. He had missed her so much, enough to get a tattoo for her on his shoulder blade. He loved Izzy, and was deeply proud of her.

"How long are you in town?" he asked.

"A few days."

"Where are you staying?"

She grinned at him. "I was hoping you could help me with that."

Magnus volunteered immediately. "There are plenty of rooms here. You and Simon are welcome to stay as long as you like." He looked around the table. "That goes for all of you, actually. There are enough bedrooms for everyone, if you split into couples…or threesomes, as it were." He winked at Will, Tessa and Jem. Will grinned, Tessa blushed and hid her face, and Jem shook his head, hiding a smile behind his hand.

Alec, however, glared. "Izzy can have a room. Simon can sleep on the couch." He folded his arms angrily in front of his chest, as if his word were the final word.

Izzy's hand went immediately to her hip and she glared at her brother. "Simon can sleep in my room." Her voice was low and deadly. Alec's eyes narrowed even more. "Or maybe you'll just find us doing the nasty on Magnus's couch."

With that, the table erupted. Isabelle and Alec glared holes into each other. Simon looked like he wanted to climb under the table and hide. Clary gasped and threw her hand over her mouth, as did Tessa. The other men burst with laughter.

"You've got a sassy one, there, Alec," Will said through his laughter.

Alec turned his glare on Will. "Tell me something I don't already know," he said irritably.

After a few minutes, everyone settled back down. It became painfully obvious that Alec was going to be outvoted on his sister's sleeping arrangements. He tried hard not to think about it, instead choosing to immerse himself in the friendly banter and the warm glow that accompanied having his family with him for the holiday.