Help Wanted

by Shin Sankai

Answering an ad in the paper, desperately in need of money to pay the rent and also several other debts, Alexander Lightwood never would of thought he'd be sitting in front of the most beautiful man he'd ever seen in his life and being advised just what the job entails which is far from the private tutoring he thought he was applying for. AU-none Shadowhunter-verse (MALEC)

19. Chapter 19

Help Wanted

By Shin Sankai

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Author's Notes: Man, this was tough. I lost my drive for a moment and decided to just read other stuff to clear my head and hopefully spark some ideas in me. Well, the good news is, that actually worked and I kept adding and adding to what I had first thought would be an easy 'part two'. I'm on the fence as to whether it flows well or not with what I needed to throw in here. :/

On the plus side its finally finished now so I can just put it behind me and move on.

Moving on from that, what I did want to ensure was not only more Grandparents in here, because I enjoyed creating them, but also for Alec to confess what's been going on lately with his siblings too. This does include Jace! I haven't forgotten about the golden boy in rehab. Although, what I did shamefully forget about, which I was reminded in my notes for next chapter, was the fact it was my festive chapter and that I completely forgot about it and how the Bane household was currently Christmas-less! That is just not allowed! So, as an added little bonding session between Bane's and Lightwood's, Christmas decorating is mentioned in here.

Now, I don't actually see this tale going on for much longer, so I've flagged it to end in Chapter 26, which means shit better start happening, which I think people might see some warning signs flare up in here because of a certain someone finally appearing face to face with Alec...

In any case, I hope someone enjoys!

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Chapter Nineteen: We're Lightwood's – Part Two

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"You're all ready to go?" Magnus asked a little surprised as Alec was already at the door, waiting for him in fact. He was bundled up in pretty much the same outfit he wore the first time he met his grandparents. Even the grey beanie Magnus loved was on his head again, messy black hair curling and peaking out cutely. To think from days ago with how nervous Alec looked and how he actually had to coax him out of the apartment to today. It was a turn around. He almost looked...excited.

"I'm ready." Alec confirmed, hand out to Magnus and smiled cutely when their fingers intertwined. Definitely a turn around.

Of course Magnus could still see a hint of fear in Alec, as though he thought he might wake from this dream of having discovered there was family other then his three siblings out there and he would be alone again. Not so of course, because this was very real and his grandparents seemed to be very sweet and very eager and happy to meet with them again. They only had a couple days left until their flight would take them back to Canada, but quick talks with Magnus over the phone had advised him that they would definitely come back again and again to continue to reconnect with Alec. They had wanted to tell Alec that today. To give the young man a promise of commitment like that. Magnus couldn't wait to see Alec's face on the matter and hoped it would please his dear boyfriend to no end. Then there was the fact that reconnecting with Alec would also allow the older Lightwood couple a chance to get to know their other three grandchildren too. Magnus hoped that Alec would bring down his protective walls that he had around his siblings and allow his grandparents into their circle. Magnus was certain, beyond a doubt that they were not bad people and was certain it was only time before Alec finally accepted it too.

They ended up at the same café, only this time they sat inside, in a booth by the window because of the fact it was actually starting to snow just as they had arrived.

"Alec, its wonderful to see you again." He shook hands with his grandparents once more, still feeling that was wrong to do, like he actually wanted to hug them, feeling a memory from when he was little come to the forefront as he could see himself running into the arms of his smiling grandparents. Alec quickly shook his head of such thoughts and slid into the booth, so he was by the window and removed his beanie, shoving it into the pocket of Magnus' leather jacket that he was wearing.

"Sorry it took me a few days longer then I thought I might need." Alec scratched awkwardly at the back of his neck.

"Its alright Cuddle-bug, you just needed time." Everyone watched Alec blush sweetly at the endearment. "Oh! Sorry I just..."

"Its alright. Its...weird to hear something like that being bestowed on me, but, I don't know...its... I don't know what I'm trying to say." Alec wasn't sure if he was ready to admit so soon that he liked the endearing name given to him by his grandmother. Even though it had been over two decades, to think after all that time, she still remembered him, still called him the same name she gave him when he was only nine months old.

"Allowing you time to process what we have already told you so far gives us time to also realise this isn't a dream. After all this time you are really here. We found you again and in doing so we can also call our family and let them know what has been going on as well." Andrew piped up as he waved a waitress over. They ordered coffee, a tea for Phoebe, and croissants with jam and butter. "I hope you don't mind, but before we came out here, we did tell them that we found you again after all this time."

"R-Really?"

"Truth is, when we received the call from Mr Bane, we had Gideon and Gabriel and their families round for dinner and told them everything."

"I never stopped talking about you." Phoebe softly confessed. "Even when Gideon and Gabriel's kids were little, they always heard about you from me. As they grew older they started to ask me where you were and it broke my heart to tell them that you were lost to me, to us, but one day we would get you back."

"They all thought your grandmother was a little loopy, but now that we had proof that you indeed were alive, they began to get excited at the prospect of seeing you after all this time, especially Gideon and Gabriel. Although your cousins are excited about meeting you for the first time too." Alec's heart began to thump heavily in his ribcage. He couldn't believe he had Uncles. Uncles and cousins!

"We rejected their requests to come to New York and meet you. Your grandmother and I didn't want to put that sort of pressure on you." The waitress placed down their food and drinks and took her leave. "All us Lightwood's can be pretty loud and in your face at times, and Andrew and I didn't want to overwhelm you."

"Sounds like Isabelle and Jace to me." Magnus joked and got a tiny shoulder knock from Alec as his pretty boy chuckled at his teasing of his boisterous siblings.

"honestly, this is overwhelming as it is, just meeting the two of you, so I'm not sure how I would feel with even more extended family around me, so thank you for not wanting to overload me."

"That is what Phoebe said to our boys. It would be too much since it has been over two decades and begrudgingly they accepted our request to leave you alone. Or so we hope. Its quite hard to control Lightwood's."

"Alexander definitely knows that first hand." Magnus piped up. "He's been looking after his siblings, single handedly, since he was 18 years old after all." Alec bent his head, a tiny grin on his lips as Magnus' hand rubbed up and down his back as he praised him once more.

"Will you tell us about them? About Isabelle and Jace?" Alec's grandmother questioned.

"There is actually four of us." The elder Lightwood's eyes widened at the news. "Isabelle was born when I was five years old. Max is the youngest, he came along when I was ten and then there is Jace. He's our adoptive brother. Mum and dad took him in when his parents died."

"We have more grandchildren." Phoebe softly voiced, hands at her heart as she listened to Alec.

"Izzy, that's what I call my sister, she's 23 now and is due to graduate with a Masters in Forensic Pathology and Max is 18 and is crazy smart and due to graduate from high school. He's wanting to study art. We're hoping he's going to get a full scholarship at one of the University's he's applied to."

"Maximilian is very talented and is definitely going to get a scholarship." Alec couldn't help but grin wide at Magnus' confession. "I know art since I mastered in it myself, and still occasionally draw and paint nowadays, and he has amazing talent. Wonderful brush strokes and shading capabilities. Any art school will be lucky to have him as their student." Alec's grin widened even more as he took hold of Magnus' hand, super thankful for what he was saying about his kid brother. "I mean it Alexander. That brother of yours is going places, but he has to put the work in as it won't be easy."

"He will. When he's passionate about something Max is all in."

"You are not an Investigator under Mr Fell's employment?" Phoebe interrupted the two young men who were lost in their own conversation together.

"I used to be, but I gave that up awhile ago. I'm a photographer by profession and I'm currently renovating a property with my business partner as we are going to open up our own gallery in Prospect Park together.

"Magnus' art and his photography are amazing."

"Thank you Sweetheart." Alec ducked his head a little, cheeks blushing pink as he picked up his coffee and took a gulp of it. Praising Magnus came easily to him, but he still felt a little embarrassed about it in front of people that weren't Magnus. Then there was the fact he lost himself when it came to Magnus and forgot about who else was around. He'd already been teased about it from his siblings but Magnus seemed to find it endearing so Alec kind of hoped he would still be that way for days, weeks and months to come.

"Maybe we'll get to see this Gallery one day." Andrew commented.

"That would be lovely. When the Gallery is up and running next year I would love to invite you out." Magnus received smiles from Alec's grandparents before he realised what they were talking about. "Oh goodness, what am I doing, I drifted us off topic. Sorry Alexander." Magnus voiced.

"Its alright. I like seeing you being this passionate about what you love doing." Magnus' heart tugged at the confession.

"Thank you my darling." Andrew cleared his throat and Alec felt guilty at how mushy he was currently being over Magnus and in front of mixed company too. It made him insanely awkward as he awaited their negative responses.

"How did Jace become part of your family? If you don't mind me asking." That had surprised him. There was no negativity in their gazes or being voiced to him. Then there was the fact they weren't getting up and walking away.

"Um, well, his parents...died and he mum and dad took him in."

"Phoebe, do you remember that article Edmund showed us? Do you think..."

"Yes! It has to be!" Her green eyes drifted back to Alec. "Alec, are you talking about the death of Stephen and Celine Herondale?"

"You know Jace's real parents?"

"Of course we know them. We are related to them."

"Herondale?" Alec shifted his gaze to Magnus. "Of course!" Alec blinked a little confused, just like his own grandparents as Magnus snapped his fingers. "Why didn't I think about it earlier. The cocky attitude, some familiar facial similarities. Of course they'd have to be related!"

"Magnus?" Brown-golden orbs finally drifted over to inquisitive blue orbs.

"Although now that I look at you Alexander, the two of you could actually pass as brothers now that I think of it."

"Mr Bane, would you care to enlighten us?"

"Oh, my apologies. One of my friends is a Herondale." Alec's mouth dropped open at that. "We spent time in London together and he sometimes spoke about his father and his aunt and his estranged Uncle Stephen! I just never put two and two together until now." Magnus beamed a smile at Alec, taking hold of his hand before shifting his gaze back to Alec's grandparents. "Andrew, Phoebe, do you know a William Herondale?"

"Yes!" The older couple gasped in surprise. "Edmund, Will's father, is Cecily's older brother as was Stephen! Cecily is a lot younger since she has a different mother to them, but they all have the same father!" Phoebe elaborated.

"Don't you think Alec and Will look alike?"

"Oh! They do!" Alec glanced between his grandparents and Magnus since he had no idea who they were talking about. "We had no idea that Stephen and Celine had another boy other then Jonathan."

"Jace is Jonathan. Mum and dad changed his name to Jace when they adopted him, so he didn't have ties to his parents. They even kept their death a secret from him for a long time. He only found out when he was a teenager and by someone else telling him about it too. I didn't even know about it until recently as Jace kept it from me."

"Sweetheart..." Magnus places his hand over Alec's on the tabletop. Alec furrowed his eyebrows as he went back over what his grandparents had said earlier.

"Wait, Jace and I, does that mean we're like...actually related? So that would make us...cousins?"

"Well..."

"How about we talk about that later?" Magnus offered up. "We're not really here about that. I mean yes its a big part of all your family history and such, but I think its best if we just stick to the Lightwood side of things for now. Don't you Alexander?"

"But... But Jace needs to know." Big blue eyes pouted over at Magnus and he gave a tender smile as he pat Alec's hand gently.

"He will know. All of you will know, but one thing at a time Sweetheart. I'm sorry I ever brought it up." Magnus squeezed Alec's hand. "Andrew and Phoebe have travelled quite a distance to come see you Alexander. They'll be heading back home in a couple days so why not ask them as much as you want about your parents and family before moving onto Jace's alright?" Magnus watched him chew on his lip, eyes dropping to gaze into his cup of black coffee.

"We can talk about the Herondale family if you want Alec. We honestly do not mind because it means we do get to talk with you more." Phoebe softly voiced, her hand going out to rest atop Magnus' which was still over Alec's.

"I want to know." At the pleading look on Alec's face, there was nothing Magnus could do as he nodded his head. After all, this wasn't his story and Alec deserved to know everything even with limited time as it was.

"Your father and Stephen, Jace's birth father, were friends growing up. He also knew Gabriel and Gideon too, but the boys didn't really get along with Stephen like Robert did. Stephen was quite a bit older and made the move out to New York first, the simple country life not being for him. I think your father looked up to Stephen in a way. He was...different."

"What do you mean by different?"

"What Phoebe is trying to say, in a very delicate way, is Stephen was a bit of a...bad egg. That's probably the nicest way I can say it. We were of the belief that Stephen had a bad influence on Robert. He was not a very good young man, always getting into trouble with the police, even in our small town. Robert, as an impressionable teenager found that sort of rebellion and defiance to his liking. Robert was an impressionable teenager, much like Gideon and Gabriel, but they weren't as affected as your father was with Stephen."

"I probably sheltered the twins more then I did Robert, because they lost both their parents so young, but Robert was very cheeky, always testing our patience and boundaries and the rules we had in place. They were not there to tie the boys down in any way, they were there to protect them." Phoebe took over the explanation. "However, Robert was quickly catching on to Stephen's defiance to his parents and to other family and authority figures. Stephen was quite a loose cannon." Alec felt guilty about thinking those very genes ran deep in Jace too. "Many believed that he was the reason for putting his mother in an early grave, shamed by her youngest son as Imogen had a heart attack and died. Edmund never forgave Stephen for his behaviour and pretty much ran him out of town, telling him never to return. Stephen hated living here anyway and turned his back on everyone and picked New York as his home."

"After Stephen left, Robert started bending our rules and stopped looking out for Gideon and Gabriel. Their school was in the next town over and it was Robert's responsibility to pick them up when we got him a car as he past his driver's licence tests, but far too many times the twins were left stranded."Andrew shook his head as to this day he still wondered what he and his wife did wrong for their eldest to disobey and disappoint them as he did. He'd been given everything and it just wasn't enough. "We took his driving rights and allowance away from him when he stopped being responsible, but he would run away from home around those times, ending up in New York at Stephen's place. Phoebe and I were always gripped with worry, but after a few days or sometimes a week, he would eventually come back. We just didn't know what to do and we didn't want him being an bad example for Gideon and Gabriel. It was very hard." Alec chewed on his bottom lip as Andrew let out a sigh.

"There was also talk about Stephen being heavily into alcohol and drugs and there was also some burglary rumours too. We could never stop Robert staying in contact with him." Phoebe let out a sad sigh of her own. "Stephen met Celine in New York. He did bring her home to meet the family, as though trying to make amends but Edmund was not fooled. A tiger cannot change its stripes. Celine was a lovely girl though, very shy. She was not a good match with Stephen with how authoritative and belittling he was to her in the small time we did see her. She was ever so shy girl and never stood up for herself. She was doomed the minute she met him and we feared for her safety when we saw a bruise on her arm." Alec and Magnus' eyes widened. "We're not saying he did abuse her, but there was whispers of it and soon afterwards Stephen left and they never returned."

"Did you believe there was?" Alec questioned softly.

"We did not want to believe any of that without having hard proof, but Celine was always quiet. She never spoke much in Stephen's presence and he never seemed to let her be alone with any of us either. What he said was almost law in his books. He always had to be right, much like your father in that sense. It was all very unnerving." Andrew placed his hand on Phoebe's shoulder and gave it a light squeeze.

"We do know, when he was a teenager and young adult, he did take recreational drugs as we caught him and Robert one time. We threw him out of our house and told him never to come back." Alec's mouth dropped open.

"Do you think... Do you think that had something to do with their deaths?"

"There is no way of knowing. When Stephen did leave, after Edmund told him to get out, in truth Edmund could never turn his brother away. He did keep in contact with him when he permanently moved to New York. Whilst Edmund wasn't a fool for the way Stephen behaved, Edmund is a very caring soul and always wanted to look out for Stephen. He always hoped Stephen would realise what he was doing was wrong and see the light. It broke his heart when he got the call that Stephen and Celine had been found dead in their apartment. All we got to know was what was in the newspaper. Stephen and Celine died by suicide. They left no note, just a crying and malnourished young boy."

"Jace..."

"Yes. We read in the newspaper that an unnamed couple were taking the boy in and somehow we just knew it was probably Robert and Maryse, Stephen always did have a soft spot for Robert, but by this stage we'd already lost contact with them."

"Do you hate Stephen Herondale, for he was most likely the one that placed all those ideas into dad's head, about how New York was better, how life was better without being near family? That he was probably the one who drove my father away?"

"Stephen made his choice, just as your father made his."

"Do you not hate my father for leaving?"

"Oh no Cuddle-bug, never." Phoebe's hand took hold of one of Alec's which was still resting on the table. "As much as it hurt us of what Robert put us through, and the choices he made, the truth is, if he didn't leave, then he would never have met Maryse and then you wouldn't have been born. Or even your siblings for that matter." Alec chewed on his bottom lip.

"Your father may have been ashamed of us, of his upbringing, which in a sense will always weigh on us even after all these years he has been gone, but no, no we don't hate him. First and foremost he is our son. We gave him life. We gave him love and family, but whilst that wasn't enough for him, what it did give us...was you." Alec blushed at Phoebe's loving words. "When I got to hold you for the first time, I had an instant connection to you. A truly special bond because you were our first grandchild, my only grandchild in a sense."

"What do you mean?" Alec watched Phoebe not at Andrew, requesting he take over.

"In the beginning, for nearly five years of your life, Maryse let us see you. She was nice to us, but soon Robert's ways became toxic and she too turned on us. We almost think Robert turned into Stephen in a sense. He was on the road a lot, but we never knew where and we wondered if perhaps he had a drinking and drug problem. He became very controlling of Maryse, not allowing us to speak to her on the phone and your grandmother's letters began to return to us as undeliverable. Plus, we never got to meet your siblings." Andrew offered up.

"So, in a sense, for Andrew and I, you were our one and only precious grandson, for quite a few years, until Gideon and Gabriel started having families. I know, even with now having the knowledge of your siblings, and how selfish it still seems, but it is how I truly felt about you, will always feel about you."Phoebe softly confessed. "Even after all this time, you always held a special place in my heart. A place no one else could fill." Alec felt his mouth drop open. He'd never seen such motherly or fatherly love before. His own mother never showed such affection for him like that, probably not since he were a baby just as Phoebe and Andrew had spoken about days ago. She had called him her miracle, her angel baby, and yet he never felt that way at all.

Perhaps she was afraid of showing her emotions in front of his father? Perhaps she was afraid of receiving his wrath? Or perhaps she already did receive it and she had hit her breaking point and decided to no longer defy him. Perhaps she no longer had the strength to go against him in any way... There were just so many questions rolling around in his head. Was his father truly a horrible human being?

"Your grandmother never lost her faith." Alec shifted his gaze back to Andrew. "Not like I did. You were truly the apple of her eye." Andrew commented softly as he placed his hand on his wife's shoulder, giving it a tiny squeeze. Andrew knew, from the minute they had seen Alec again after all this time, his wife just wanted to wrap her sweet little boy, her Cuddle-bug - who was now all grown up - in her arms and never let go, but she was too frightened to. For herself and for the young man who didn't know them at all, and they who didn't know him for the past 23 years as well. "You've no idea the pain we've carried with us for years now when Robert and Maryse grew distant, cut us off from seeing you. Your grandmother cried daily for all she had now was photos, some recorded videos and just her memories of you. That was it. We never got to hear your voice, your bubbly laughter, experience your cuddles ever again. I worried about her physical and mental health for a long time."

"Andrew..." Phoebe hadn't truly realised what sort of torment she had placed her own husband through since she was so lost in her own turmoil. She had lost contact with her only grandson back then.

"Phoebe's heart never recovered when she lost you, but there was some hope, because two years after we had lost you, as our letters and calls continued to go unanswered, since we finally accepted your parents had moved away from the only address we had for them in New York, it was at that time when Gideon and Sophie decided to start having children as did Gabriel and Cecily.

"I can't believe we have cousins..."

"You are the oldest amongst them. Amongst the direct Lightwood family."

"Oh."

"Would you like to see some pictures of them?"

"Yes please." Phoebe pulled out a small travel size photo album, very old fashioned in this day and age and slid it across the table to Alec. When he opened it up he saw a family of five, a husband and wife with three children. Two daughters and a son.

"This is Gideon and Sophie and their three children Barbara, Eugenia and Thomas." Alec flipped the page over various pictures of that Lightwood family filled the protective sleeves in the book until he came upon another husband and wife with three children, only this time it was two boys and a girl. "That is Gabriel and Cecily and their three children Anna, Christopher and...Alexander." Alec flicked his surprised gaze over to his grandmother at this.

"As we already told you, Gabriel was insanely fond of you." Andrew gently voiced. "They too all took it hard when you and your mother stopped visiting us all those years ago. In fact, Gabriel was so fond of you that when he and Cecily decided to have one more child, he already knew he was going to call it Alex. He just didn't know if it were going to be Alexander or Alexandra." Alec nodded at this news, trying to take all this information in. It was an overload to his system, yet again, if he were being honest. His gaze went back to the photo album as he continued to flip through it, Magnus also looking along with him as he flipped page after page of what appeared to be amazing childhoods for the six children.

"Everyone looks so happy." Magnus commented as he placed his hand on Alec's thigh, hoping to give him some support as he got to the end of the album which was a big family photo of Andrew and Phoebe with Gideon and Gabriel and their families.

"They all look pretty young." Alec brushed his fingers over the family photo which was behind the plastic sleeve. The family photo that his parents and he and his siblings were not a part of.

"That was taken a few years back, but Barbara is the oldest amongst her siblings. She is 22 whilst Eugenia is 20 and Thomas is 16. Genie dotes on Tom-Tom, has since he were a baby. He is very protected by his sisters because he is a sweet shy boy who is not very good with strangers and crowds."

"Is he now?" Magnus gave Alec a sideways glance and knew his boyfriend was ignoring him. That shyness seemed to be a male Lightwood trait it seemed. Except for Jace, but then he was adopted so that explained that.

"Anna is the oldest of Gabriel's children at 21. Then there is Christopher at 19 and Alex at 17. Anna is very independent and a little bit wild but she protects her brothers fiercely. Chris is sort of getting over his shyness, mainly thanks to being dragged around by his father to all his jobs as he is was pretty much forced to interact with people of all ages, but Alex is still there, still in that phase like Tom-Tom."

"They look younger then their ages." Alec honestly commented.

"Well, we like to think of it as good Lightwood genes." Andrew grinned.

"Definitely good genes." Alec shifted his gaze to Magnus and was tempted to tell the man he had some pretty damn good genes himself, since he barely looked like he was over the age of 25, but decided against it.

"Do you think..." All eyes focused on Alec as he was glancing down at the table. "Do you think if I hadn't of told mum and dad that I was gay that they would still be alive today?"

"Alec..." Magnus took hold of his hand. "None of this is because of you and because of your sexuality. Your parents died because of bad weather and the bad choices of that other driver."

"Believe Mr Bane's words Alec. You could never have predicted anything like that happening." Alec gave a nod, feeling a little better that after all this time, after all his inner guilt of perhaps he was to blame for his parents deaths, his own father's parents were not blaming him at all. "Never hide who you are. It is your life to live and you only get one chance at it. Never have regrets." Alec gave a nod to his grandfather.

"No regrets." His grandmother gave him a smile as she took hold of one of his hands over the tabletop once more, only this time he lightly squeezed it back.

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Time slipped by and before Alec knew it, Magnus' phone was vibrating several times on the tabletop. Each time he rejected it, but it was like the tenth time in a span of an hour and he knew Magnus couldn't ignore it for much longer. Which was around the time when Magnus had to excuse himself, saying he needed to actually do some work today, even though he was enjoying his time listening to Andrew and Phoebe talk about when Alec was a little boy. Truthfully Magnus really wanted to see those videos that Andrew had spoken of earlier. Apparently Gabriel had a few recordings of Alec but the older couple hadn't thought to ask their son to send them to them so they could be shown. For Alec he sighed in relief. That would have been down right embarrassing in his books.

"I'm really sorry I have to run." Magnus apologised and Alec slid out of the booth just as his boyfriend had. He knew how busy Magnus was and yet he'd pretty much been taking up a lot of his time ever since he returned from the UK, which of course made him feel guilty since he knew Magnus had a lot going on in his life and Alec shouldn't think he was number one in it. "I have to make several calls and also need to head to the gallery to see the progress being done since Clary is unavailable this week." Alec hadn't realised that. Great now he was feeling even more guilty.

"We are sorry to take up so much of your time."

"Not at all. I am happy to listen to tales about Alexander and hear about his family too. Plus, I'm here for him as well." Alec gave a grin so wide that he was sure his face was going to split. It seemed to even surprise Magnus as his lips widened too, his warm hand coming up to cup his cheek sweetly. Alec always did like it when Magnus wanted to freely touch him. Even with company around. "Why don't you stay a little longer Alexander? After all, your grandparents will be leaving in a couple of days."

"Mr Bane its quite alright. This is all still very overwhelming for Alec and we do not want to push him in any way. I'm sure he has things to do himself." Alec really didn't have a lot on, except chores back at Magnus'. He didn't want to admit aloud that he really only felt comfortable with these interactions with his parents with Magnus at his side. He knew it was silly. He was an adult after all and they truly seemed like very lovely people, even Magnus believed they were, but Alec had pretty much been alone most of his life, even when his parents were alive. Relying on another was something very hard for him to comprehend and even do. Though Alec did have to remind himself that these days he relied heavily on Magnus. The very thought got his heart racing. Magnus had become a pillar of strength for him in his time of need. To think this man was giving up his time for someone like him...it made Alec feel all tingly inside. And if Magnus was heading off then he would as well. It would also allow him time to comprehend what was said today too. He needed to tell his family. Whilst he didn't want to interrupt Jace's progress, he wanted to get better at communicating with his family and would show Jace the respect he deserved in knowing more about his own parents, even if the news wasn't in his favour of having a role model type father. At least him and Jace had that in common these days too. Both having fathers who were less then stellar and definitely weren't winning 'father of the year' awards even from beyond the grave. "You paid last time Mr Bane." Alec jerked from his thoughts as his grandfather had already pulled out some bills and extra for the tip before he or Magnus had a chance to get their wallets from their pockets.

"Thank you." Both men voiced and got a nod from the elderly couple as their waitress bid them good day and they stepped out onto the streets of Brooklyn. The light snowfall from earlier had ceased. There was still a bitter chill in the air and Alec was sure it would snow more later on.

"Winter is definitely here." Phoebe voiced as she redid her scarf and then buttoned up her coat.

"It certainly is." Magnus voiced and all watched as he ended up digging into Alec's pocket of his leather jacket he was wearing and pulled out the grey beanie. Alec felt a tiny blush form on his cheeks, even as his heart melted as Magnus placed it on him. "I don't want you getting cold." Alec's blue orbs quickly shifted over to his grandparents who just quietly looked on, though his grandmother had a wide smile and reminded him of Izzy.

"Thanks Magnus." Alec remembered to mumble as his boyfriend finally stopped fussing over him and shifted back around to inform Andrew and Phoebe to take care on their stroll back to the subway.

"Um..." Alec found all eyes on him. "I know you've only got a couple days left and all, but do you think, I mean I don't want to over assume that you would give it to me or anything, but do you think...maybe..."

"Just ask them Alexander." Magnus gave him an encouraging smile almost knowing where this was going since he had seen his darling boyfriend fiddling with his phone.

"Can I have your contact numbers, so we can stay in touch?" He watched the elder couple smile widely at him. Of course he knew Magnus had his grandmother's number, but to him this was a big step in accepting them as family. Once he had their numbers, he could stay in touch, keep them updated on what was going on in his life, in their lives and they could continue to communicate until they saw each other again. He could even randomly send pictures and stuff too. Alec almost thinks he'd be better at communicating this way too, finding messaging much easier then face to face talking. He just wasn't that great with new people, even though he and Magnus got on pretty well right from the get go.

"Of course you can have our numbers my boy." Alec bit his bottom lip at the endearment. His father never called him that and yet his grandfather was. It made him feel special as he pulled out his phone and began entering their details as Phoebe reeled off their numbers to him. "Is it too bold of us to ask if we could have yours?" He found it odd that his own grandfather seemed as nervous as him in asking.

"Definitely." Alec sent them both a message and their phones pinged. He liked that his response made them smile. "Will you send me pictures of your home?" He watched them tilt their heads at his request. "I've never been out of the country before." Alec explained. "It'd be nice and only if you have time, I don't want to burden either of you, if you want to send pictures through of the family, that would be nice as well."

"You've never bee out of the country Alexander" Magnus asked.

"I thought about it, but then mum and dad..." He left it at that as everyone knew he'd been taking care of his three siblings since that fateful day and his life had stopped.

"We'll be happy to send you pictures of where we live and now that the family does know you are alive and have agreed to reconnect with us, they will most definitely plague your phone with messages of introductions, possibly even video messages if you want and we'll send through pictures as well. How does that sound?" Phoebe offered in her gentle sweet motherly way.

"That... That would be nice. I might not answer calls as I'm still very nervous, but if messages and video messages and pictures are sent it might help me relax more." Alec chewed on his bottom lip, hoping they wouldn't mind his selfishness.

"We understand Alec." Andrew reaffirmed and younger blue eyes watched the older man place out his hand. "Well, I guess this is it then."

"I guess it is." Alec muttered softly, clasping his grandfather's warm and strong hand before shifting his gaze to Phoebe who was trying to not show the sadness in her green eyes as she looked up at him. "For now." Alec firmly voiced and that seemed to work as he got a smile from his grandmother now. She clasped his hand before her and her husband turned away, once again moving down the street in the direction they went last time.

"Um, Mrs Light..." They stopped at that, just as much as Alec did. That didn't sound right saying that. "Phoebe..." Although that didn't sound right either, but for now it would have to do. Her piercing eyes gazed back at him and Alec drifted his gaze over to Andrew's. It truly was like looking in the mirror. They were his eyes through and through. What got his breath hitching in his throat was the fact those blue eyes and Phoebe's green eyes were practically radiating warmth and happiness. Even a possibility of pride, and if Alec could dare to hope, possibly even love was there within the older couples gaze and they were staring right at him! He felt his cheeks warm as he got a little tongue tied. "Um...do you think... Do you think you could say it one more time?" Alec watched his grandmother gift him a warm tender smile and a simple little wave.

"I have missed you so much my little Cuddle-bug." Alec chewed on his bottom lip as he gave a nod of thanks, feeling a thousand and one emotions wash over him. "We'll talk soon, I promise." He watched the couple turn away from him and head on down the street, once again arm in arm as they went, Phoebe leaning heavily into her husband, probably overcome with her own emotions. Alec felt his eyes well up as he watched his grandparents walk further and further away from him.

"Alexander..." Magnus came to stand beside him, effortlessly slipping his hand into his which made him jerk his gaze up to his boyfriend's warm brown-golden orbs. "Are you aright Sweetheart?" Magnus' unoccupied hand came up to cup his cheek, thump caressing across his high cheek bone before it rested at the corner of his eye, dabbing away a stray tear. "Oh Alec..."

"How could..." Alec found it hard to get his voice to work. "How could my parents do that to me? How could they do that to us!?" Alec was flooded with emotions. "They denied us the right to our own grandparents! They denied us our family! Our history! Our blood!" He shook with a little bit of rage and anger but also overwhelming sadness too.

"Don't do that to yourself Alexander." Watery blue eyes gazed back up to Magnus. "Don't ask questions you know you won't get answers to. You will spend the rest of your life agonising and thinking too much and you'll forget to appreciate what you have now and possibly even forget to live. I know I have...many time..." Alec chewed on his bottom lip at Magnus' words and especially the last bit that he assumed he hadn't caught, but Alec's hearing was insanely sharp. "What your parents did was their choices. Wrong ones for sure, for keeping their families and histories from you and your siblings, but its not something you can change." Alec begrudgingly nodded his head knowing how true that was. "What you can do is decide what you want to do from now on. What you want to do with all you know now and what more is to come as well. This choice, right now, is yours and yours alone to make Alexander. Your parents cannot influence you anymore." Magnus watched his darling boyfriend shift his gaze to look at his grandparents walking away. "So, what do you want to do?"

"Have you ever had a moment in your life where you just knew in an instant that what was before you felt right?"

"Well..." Magnus felt his heart begin to thunder in his chest as he gazed openly at Alec,those pretty blue eyes sparkling up at him.

"This right now Magnus, this feels right. They feel right. I don't know why, but I feel everything they are telling me is the truth. I know mum and dad can't defend themselves, but I don't believe Andrew and Phoebe have lied to us at all."

"Alexander..."

"You feel it too don't you? That they haven't lied?"

"I do."

"I want to get to know them better Magnus. All of them." He received a wide smile from his very handsome boyfriend at his confession. Alec shifted his gaze back to the couple who were slowly walking away from him. "I don't think... No, I know... I can't loose them again Magnus. We can't loose this chance."

"So don't." Magnus watched Alec jerk his gaze back to him. "Go." He smiled once more as Alec kissed him before dashing off as he watched with a fond smile as his pretty boy bolted from his side and down the street.

"Wait! Andrew, Phoebe, please stop!" Alec called out, not caring that some passers-by shifted to look at him weirdly. The elder Lightwood's turned to look back at him, a little surprised at seeing him running down the street towards them. Alec came to a quick stop in front of them. "I...um... I know you leave the day after tomorrow so I was thinking..."

"Yes?" He could see the hope in their eyes.

"I was thinking...you know if you weren't doing anything...that maybe we could... I mean you don't have to, because you might have other things to do in your last day or so here and such, but I was kind of hoping maybe you would want to..." Alec was really finding it hard to pick the right words.

"Want to what Cuddle-bug?"

"Want to have dinner together before you go back to Canada?" Alec jerked his gaze behind him to see Magnus strolling on over with a lovely smile on his lips. "Is that what you were trying to get at Alexander?" Blue eyes drifted over to his grandparents.

"It was." Thank the angel for Magnus who could read him like an open book.

"Dinner together?" Phoebe softly voiced, making sure she had heard correctly. They watched Alec scratch awkwardly at the back of his head.

"I just... I don't know... I kind of just wanted to spend a little more time together, before you go home is all. Is that... I mean is that alright?"

"Its more then alright Alec." Andrew grinned wide. "Phoebe and I would love to have dinner with you."

"How about we have dinner at home?" Magnus offered up as he placed his right hand at the small of Alec's back. He watched Alec jolt at his touch, almost like it anchored him, saving him in a sense. "What about tomorrow night, around 7pm if the both of you are free?"

"We have nothing else planned." Phoebe was practically oozing excitement at the chance to spend an evening with her long lost grandson.

"And even if we did, we would cancel it in a heartbeat to spend even a few more minutes with you." Andrew offered up and Alec felt a blush rush to his cheeks.

"If you have a pen and paper I'll give you my address." Magnus took the small notepad and pen from Phoebe and scribbled down his address. "Do either of you have any dietary restrictions at all?"

"We do not. We are blessed with our health. Now that is." Andrew commented and Alec didn't know what he meant by that, pondering as to whether perhaps either of them had had some sort of health scare and hoped they were alright now. "Would you like for us to bring anything?"

"Just more tales of when Alexander was a little boy." Magnus watched his boyfriend blush, a frown on his lips. "You seemed so adorable as a kid Alexander. I want to hear more stories about you."

"Magnus..."

"We'll be happy to share." Phoebe voiced with a grin on her lips, ignoring the grumpy pout from her grandson. "So, tomorrow night then?"

"Tomorrow night." Magnus confirmed on Alec's behalf and they watched smiles reach the elder couple before watching them go.

"Now, how are you feeling this time round?" Magnus watched a smile grace Alec's lips before getting an armful of his delightful boyfriend.

"I feel overwhelmed, amazed, shocked, tired, but most of all, hopeful." Alec confessed into Magnus' shoulder, not caring if anyone was staring at them when his boyfriends arms gave him a hearty squeeze.

"Hopeful is good. I like hopeful."

"Me too." Alec muttered as he finally pulled away, only to have Magnus grip his hand and then press a kiss to it. "Come on pretty boy, let me take you home." They strolled back to the Brownstone, a silly grin on Alec's lips as Magnus hummed a merry tune all the way back.

#

(Outside the Brownstone)

"So, what are your plans for the rest of the day whilst I desert you with needing to return all those missed calls and also going to the gallery this afternoon?"

"Well..."

"MAGNUS!" The boys stopped on the casual stroll up the stairs to the lobby of the apartment building, both of them looking a little further down the street to who had called out to Magnus. For a brief moment the older man was sure Alec stiffened at his side when their gaze focused on a guy exiting a black Mercedes.

"Will? What are you doing here?" Alec is still frozen on the spot, feeling his heart hammering away and a queasy sensation flutter into his stomach when Magnus breaks contact with him, his hand lost to him as he watched Magnus move back down the stairs and onto the street, over to the kerb of the road to where 'Mercedes Guy' who was now known as Will stood.

"I haven't seen you in weeks or heard from you via phone, so thought I best come over and see if you're still alive."

"I'm fine. I've been busy." Magnus immediately responded back. He hadn't a chance to advise his friend about what had been going on with Catarina. Will wasn't close to her like he was, but they all had holidayed in London all those years back and became friends.

"Busy huh..." Magnus watched Will's calculating gaze drift over his shoulder to where he'd left Alec standing on the stairs. He let out a sigh as this was definitely not the way Magnus had thought things were going to pan out with Alec about to meet another of his relatives.

"Come on you." Magnus tugged Will's jacket sleeve as he pulled him over to his rather tense looking boyfriend. Alec in all of this, as he watched on cautiously, eyes diving to here Magnus' hand was still holding onto Mercedes Guy's jacket, pretty much wrapped around the man's wrist, before feeling marginally better when Magnus gave him a sweet smile, moving over to his side and gripped his hand once more, lacing their fingers. That grounded him. "Will, this is Alec." When blue eyes collided Alec didn't know what to think. The man before him was really good looking and oozed confidence like Magnus. He was stylish in his dress sense, but still a little casual and rough around the edges too. Alec's gaze quickly locked onto the car this Will had gotten out of and felt his eyes widen instantly. This was the car he had seen that Magnus had gotten into that time.

"You're... Mercedes Guy?"

"Mercedes Guy?" Will mumbled back, eyes shifting to his car as the two men watched Alec duck his head, cheeks blushing as he hadn't meant to blurt that out. "Well yeah, I do drive a Merc but..."

"Alexander, is everything alright?" Alec jerked his gaze to worried brown-golden orbs.

"He's the guy that came and picked you up that time."

"That time..." Magnus mumbled and Alec blushed some more. His mouth filter was gone. "Oh! Yes that's right. We had some urgent work to do together."

"Uh huh... Urgent work... sure..." Alec mumbled and felt a little guilty for not being convinced by what Magnus was vaguely saying. He was beginning to dislike himself because he almost sounded...jealous.

"Alexander, Will and I have known each other for years but we lost contact for awhile there, but have recently reconnected. We actually reconnected on the same photoshoot and that's when we had some hiccups and had to go take care of things that time. We were on a strict deadline after all."

"Oh..." Alec peered up through his messy bangs, shifting his gaze back to Will and again began to wonder why the hell all of Magnus' friends, whether they be male or female, were so good looking!

'Just what the hell is Magnus doing with you?' Alec's pessimistic internal voice pondered, doubt and low self esteem bubbling and churning within him.

"Is your friend alright?" Will waved his hand in front of a very stiff Alec making him snap out of his starring, taking a step back but also ducking his head a little bit. "He seems a little off."

"There is nothing 'off' about Alexander at all. He's just adorably shy."

"Huh..."

"And he's not my friend Will."

"He's not?"

"Well yes Alexander and I are friends, but we are much more then that. He's my boyfriend." Alec felt a tiny grin form on his lips at Magnus' confession and the fact he squeezed his hand tighter.

"Boyfriend?" Alec took a peak and watched the man shrug his shoulders. "Cool. About time you got back out there."

"And how do you know I haven't been 'out there' Will?"

"You know how close Ragnor and Tess are and she always asks about you so..."

"And he tells me not to be nosy." Magnus muttered with a roll of his eyes for his sweet but stubborn emerald prince. "Look Will, as nice as it is to see you, it would have been nicer if you told me you were coming around."

"Why? You're usually used to me just showing up, even when we were younger." Alec watched Magnus sigh in exasperation.

"Look William, tell that wife of yours if she wants to know about me to stop working so hard and pick up the damn phone." Magnus, out of the corner of his eye watched Alec jerk his gaze up, particularly right when he said 'wife'. That didn't settle well in his belly, for it seemed his boyfriend was over thinking things like the possibility of there having been something between him and Will. Well, he would have to set that record straight too.

"If I can't convince Tess to take a break, I highly doubt anyone else can."

"You still doubt the amount of charm I have Herondale?" Magnus observed Alec jerk his head up, eyes a little narrowed as it seemed the cogs were turning in his head.

"Herondale?" Alec repeated.

"This is so not how I envisioned this going." Magnus received a quirk of the eyebrow from Will before shifting his gaze and attention to his still tense and far too quiet boyfriend. "Alexander, whilst Will and I have a connection, the truth is, you also have a connection to him as well." Magnus was trying to ease into this gently, knowing his pretty boy was overcome with meeting his grandparents and was worried this may just tip him over the edge as it was.

"A connection?" Magnus felt a grin tug on his lips as both Will and Alec had voiced that at the same time, their blue orbs locking together.

"Wait... William...Herondale." Alec muttered before shifting his gaze to Magnus. "He's...William Herondale?"

"He is." Magnus gave him a lopsided smile. "Can't you tell just by that attitude alone that he is very much like Jace?" Alec tilted his head. "Although like I said before, the two of you could pass as brothers, twins really."

"What are you talking about?" Will tilted his head in confusion before shifting his gaze to really stare long and hard at Alec. So much so it was making Alec a little uncomfortable. "Woah!" Alec jerked back a little when Will advanced on him, stepping into his personal space. "I knew you had a thing for me but I never thought you would..." Will never did get any further when Magnus full on whacked him so hard that Will actually yelped!

"Do not flatter yourself. And don't stand so close to Alexander, you are freaking him out, old friend." Alec quirked his lips into a tiny smile as Magnus had read his distress without even trying and had taken a step towards him, to get between him and Will and placing him slightly behind Magnus. It was very sweet.

"Old?!" Will exploded. "I'm not old! If I'm old then you're pretty damn old too! I'm only a year older then you after all."

"Try 18 months and now your just being childish." Both Magnus and Alec watched Will glower at that. Alec shifted his attention back to Magnus as he rolled his eyes at his friends behaviour. "Whilst you and Alexander look similar in appearance, you are nothing alike. Alexander's looks and sweet charm are off the scale compared to your slovenly self." Whilst Alec melted all over at Magnus' praise for him in mixed company, he actually wondered if Magnus needed glasses, even though he did know he owned some for reading.

"No one is better looking or more charming then me Bane." Will stood proud, hands on hips and a grin on his lips.

"Please tell me you're now seeing the resemblance?" Magnus focused his attention on Alec whilst pointing back at Will and how boastful he was currently being. Alec couldn't help but let out a slight laugh which Magnus grinned at.

"This has got to be one of the weirdest introductions to a relative."

"Indeed." Magnus agreed as he took hold of Alec's hand once more.

"Care to fill me in on what the hell the two of you are talking about?"

"Will Herondale, I'd like for you to meet Alec Lightwood. His family took in Jonathan when your Uncle Stephen passed away." Blue eyes widened at this news.

"Are you telling me this is..."

"Yes, this is Andrew and Phoebe Lightwood's long lost grandson." Magnus didn't even give Will a chance to finish his question.

"Wait, so you're not dead then?" Magnus once again whacked his friend, this time upside the head.

"Ow! Magnus geez!"

"Does he look dead genius?"

"Well no but... Its a lot to take in. I mean we all thought..."

"Its alright." Alec gave a half smile. "Not dead. Neither is Jace."

"Jace?"

"Sorry, Jonathan. You would know him as Jonathan, but he goes by Jace now. Jace Lightwood."

"This is nuts!" Alec and Magnus watched as Will pulled out his phone from his back pocket. "I've got to tell my dad and Tess, James and Lucie too and..."

"Slow down there Will." Magnus placed his hand over Will's phone, stopping him from doing any sort of messaging. "We've just been having coffee with Andrew and Phoebe and that was only the second time Alec has met them. After twenty something years, you can imagine it is a lot for Alexander to process too, so please do not go telling the entire world about him. He needs time to process what he knows as is." Alec would have swooned if he wasn't standing in front of mixed company that could very well make fun of him for going all mushy over Magnus. Again.

"Right, right, of course." Blue eyes locked together once more and Will gave a lopsided grin. "Hey there cousin." Magnus and Will watched Alec chew on his bottom lip, cheeks a light pinkish hue.

"H-Hey..." Alec darted his gaze away, feeling all funny inside when Will and Magnus just continued to silently look at him. Did he have like left over jam from his earlier croissant on his face or something?

"Alright Magnus, I get it." Will shifted his gaze to warm brown-golden orbs. "He's cute. I can see why you fell for him. "Alec flushed and Magnus whacked his friend once more. "Stop doing that!" Will complained as he rubbed his arm.

"Well stop being an idiot in front of my boyfriend." Magnus huffed out. "I suppose since you drove all this way, I'm going to have to invite you up for a coffee? Though I can't chat long, I do have work to do, but perhaps you and Alec might want to chat instead?"

"Gee Magnus, don't go out of your way or anything." Will voices sarcastically. "I seriously could go for a beer or four after this news though." Magnus chuckled.

"Me too." Magnus watched the pout form on Alec's lips. "Though I'm trying to cut back so I can only offer coffee." Magnus enjoyed the grin forming on Alec's lips, almost proud at his resolve to not drink. And before noon too. He sweet boyfriend looked so cute like that.

"You're not...drinking?"

"I didn't completely say that, I'm just trying to cut back." Will arched an eyebrow at that before shifting his gaze back to Alec.

"Man, you've got Magnus wrapped around your finger." He dodged the hit this time. "Not just anyone can do that or make Magnus slow down in his drinking." The three of them fell into silence. "Right, so this just got awkward." Will decided to state the obvious.

"Um, is James and Lucie more cousins of mine?" Alec tried to shift the conversation.

"Second cousins in fact."

"What does that mean?"

"Their my kids."

"Oh!"

"See Alexander, rest easy my darling. There was nothing between William and I."

"Um..."

"Ever." Magnus firmly voiced.

"Exactly, Magnus is just way too..."

"Way too what?" Alec shifted his gaze to Magnus who was frowning over at his friend, hands on hips.

"Um... Magical for me?" With eyes narrowed, a quirk of the lips formed over Magnus' mouth.

"Well played Herondale. Well played." Magnus warm eyes shifted back to Alec. "Shall we head upstairs and have that coffee. It'll warm us all up." Magnus voiced just as a chilly breeze blasted through the street. "Goodness, that wind will ruin my hair." Magnus began to pull Alec up the stairs and into the Brownstone, his blue eyes quickly shifting over his shoulder just in time to watch Will pretend to wipe sweat from his brow at his quick save from being hit by Magnus again. He clicked the autolock button on his keys for his Mercedes, the indicators flashing and the lock going and then his blue eyes found Alec's, giving his cousin a wink and silently followed after him and Magnus which brought a smile to Alec's lips. He weirdly liked his cousin already.

#

Truthfully though, as Alec and Magnus were heading back to the Brownstone, before the rather unexpected introduction to a cousin of his, Alec was trying to think of a way to tell Magnus he actually did have plans today. Ones he had made up on the spot after having finished up his second meeting with his grandparents and getting help from Magnus in regards to his fumbling request to have dinner with them before they left to go home.

Alec made the excuse to use the bathroom while Magnus and Will headed for the kitchen where Magnus would brew his friend a coffee. Alec listened to their loud voices and laughter through the slightly ajar door of the main bathroom where he was. He didn't need the bathroom, he just needed to collect himself and splashed water on his face. He hoped what he was about to tell Magnus, and the fact he had to do it alone too, would have his boyfriend understanding.

He shifted back into the open plan living space just in time to see Magnus handing over a coffee to Will who was already lounging on the couch like he belonged there. He gave a tiny grin when Magnus' warm brown-golden orbs locked with him as he was holding another two mugs, one most definitely for him.

"Alexander?" He watched Magnus' eyes shift all over him, finally realising he hadn't removed his jacket, beanie, fingerless gloves or his boots. "You are not staying?"

"I'll let the two of you catch up."

"What, don't want to catch up with your own cousin? Now I'm just hurt." Will voiced as he watched Magnus place down the coffees and walked over to where Alec was rigidly standing.

"Ignore him Sweetheart." Magnus took hold of his hands. "Everything alright?"

"I was wondering, if I could borrow your SUV?"

"Of course." Magnus placed the keys, which sat in the pottery dish near the front door, in his hand without question. "Now, are you alright?" Magnus watched Alec shrug.

"Sort of." Alec really couldn't hide his emotions well these days with Magnus. "Lots of stuff going on up here you know?" Alec pointed to his head.

"Need time to think about it all?"

"I do."

"Have I pushed you too hard? With your grandparents coming out rather quickly, meeting up with them again and now the invite to dinner tomorrow night too. Plus Will showing up now. Has it all come too much?" Alec saw the worry in Magnus' pretty orbs.

"You couldn't have predicted him showing up."

"He does have a name."

"Oh shush you!" Magnus snapped before turning to look back at Alec, hand lifting to cup his cheek. "If you truly don't want to do dinner tomorrow night I can let Andrew and Phoebe down gently."

"No. Its not that Magnus. I'm kind of looking forward to it, though maybe not about the baby stories about me though." Alec liked when Magnus grinned at that. "I just... I need to talk to my family."

"I'm right here!"

"Shut up Will!" Magnus voiced in exasperation at his friend. "Sorry about him. I promise, over time, you can get used to it."

"I like him."

"You do?" Magnus was a little surprised at that. "That's awfully fast."

"Any friend of yours is worth knowing."

"Aww... I feel all tingly inside." Magnus glared back over his shoulder at Will who placed up his hands and went back to drinking his coffee.

"I need to tell Jace, Iz and Max what's going on. I don't want to keep any of this from them which is why I need your car to go out to the Sanctuary and see him."

"Want some company?"

"Ah, hello? House guest right here." Alec watched Magnus flip Will off before shifting all his attention back to him.

"Ignore him. I am happy to kick him out if you need me to come with you." Alec lifted up his hand and placed it over Magnus' which was still cupping his cheek.

"Thanks, but this is something I've got to do on my own. I hope you understand." Alec also remembered that Magnus did need to make those phone calls and go to the gallery too. He didn't want to take more of his time from him, even if he did believe doing this on his own was the right decision too.

"Of course I do." That eased Alec's shoulders. "I'm really happy that you want to tell them Alexander. This is a big step in communicating better with your siblings. They will be happy about it too, I am sure of it." Alec gave a tiny grin at Magnus' positivity and praises once more. "If you need anything though, anything at all, you give me a call alright?" Alec couldn't help but take a step closer, drifting into Magnus' personal space and almost sagged into his boyfriend as Magnus' arms immediately went around him and held him close just as their lips pressed together in a sweet kiss.

"You two are so cute." Alec broke the kiss, flushing as he forgot they had an audience.

"Pay no attention to him." Magnus leaned down, ready for another kiss but pouted when Alec only pecked his lips quickly and then freed himself from his light embrace. "Hey!" Magnus was quick to complain when Alec escaped him and headed for the door.

"Later..."

"Oh, I like that." Magnus grinned as he wriggled his eyebrows at his boyfriend who rolled his eyes at him, even though the redness in his cheeks had darkened a little. "I'll pick the kids up after I'm done and we'll go grab some groceries for tomorrow night as well." Alec opened the front door.

"Oh! Wait just a moment." Alec watched Magnus rush to the kitchen before he was back in seconds flat as he handed over a slip of paper. "Will you please pick up these ingredients for me?"

"Sure, but what's it for?" Alec unfolded the slip of paper, which actually looked pretty worn now that he thought of it.

"That is the ingredients for tomorrow nights dinner, which I'll be making for us."

"But I..."

"No, you'll be lapping up lots of attention from your grandparents and reaffirming that the choice you made today was the right one. They are good people and deserve to not only get to know you, but get to know Jace, Isabelle and Maximilian too."

"Magnus..."

"Now, best get going. I don't want you and the kids to be out in the cold too long."

"Thanks Magnus." Alec grinned as Magnus blew him a kiss before turning back around to listen to the teasing from his cousin, but Alec was already out the door and on his way.

Magnus made his way back over to his lounge suite and sat down whilst taking hold of his coffee. Will decided to drink Alec's not minding a coffee with or without milk.

"Man," Will laughed aloud. "You are so whipped Magnus."

"Says my old friend who has been whipped by Tessa ever since you met her. Even when she was already with someone else." Magnus knew that was below the belt but these days it was water off a ducks back as Will shrugged his shoulders as he sipped at his coffee.

#

(Idris Rehabilitation Sanctuary)

Alec was standing in a communal meeting area where guests were allowed and he had his hands folded behind his back, standing rigid like a soldier and yet excitement bubbled within him, ready to burst.

It wasn't long before a small grin was twitching at his lips as Jace walked in. He seemed to have a sort of carer/nurse with him, but for Alec that didn't matter. What mattered was that strong posture about him that was lacking at Thanksgiving. Jace's shoulders were not hunched as he walked with more confidence and when his eyes met his own, a smile lit up Jace's face. Angel knows Alec had one just as big. He had missed his brother something terrible. Though instead of actually saying that to Jace when he came walking over, the carer/nurse walking off a ways to give them some privacy, what ended up coming out of Alec's lips was...

"I found our family." He watched Jace tilt his head at that, an eyebrow rising as a teasing grin touched his lips now.

"Hey Alec, long time no see, feels like forever if you ask me. I mean yeah, sure, I get your letters and such, but its so much better seeing you in the flesh. So, how you doing? Me? Well I'm doing alright. You know coping with all that is going on in my head and getting my urges under control and all. Just taking each day as it comes really." Jace voiced with a shrug.

"Shit, sorry..." Alec muttered as he pulled his chuckling brother into a bone crushing hug. "Man, I've miss you so much."

"Me too bro." They broke apart and finally sat across from each other at a small table with a jug of water and two glasses between them. "Now what the hell was that about? Did something happen to Iz and Max?"

"Oh, no nothing like that. Its just..." Alec scratched awkwardly at the back of his neck. How the heck could he ease into this? "Um, Jace, did you ever find it weird that mum and dad never talked about their families?" Alec watched Jace tilt his head, eyes shifting away. "Never talking about their parents or if they had siblings and such."

"No, not really. I mean when we were growing up, sure I heard other kids talk about going to their aunts, uncles or grandparents places and stuff, but I just figured ours were dead or that mum and dad were only children or something to that effect."

"They're not." Jace arched an eyebrow at that. "Well, alright so mum was an only child and her parents are dead, but dad's aren't." Jace's eyes widened at that. "He has brothers too." Jace's mouth dropped open. "We've got family out there Jace!" Alec explained a little excitedly.

"Ok..." The boys blinked silently at one another. "So, how did this come about?"

"It was Magnus. We've been spending so much time together that he got to talking about family and truthfully I never really thought about it until he brought it up about the possibility of maybe having some out there! He's got connections with a guy in Chicago who started looking into it as a favour to Magnus and...well...he found dad's parents!"

"Wow..."

"They flew into New York a week ago to meet me."

"Wow..." Jace mumbled again.

"I didn't really know what to think because the thought of them not wanting to see me or like me or reject me after I told them I was gay, I didn't want to drag you or Iz or Max into any of that without getting a vibe from them you know?"

"Wow..."

"Is that all you're going to say?"

"Sorry, its a lot to take in. I mean, we've been alone for so long. Are you sure they are the real deal? Not just some scam artists?"

"I'm sure. Magnus' friend runs an investigation company and Magnus worked for him at a time too, so I think everything is above board."

"Uh huh..."

"The stuff they told me with what they've been through. How much they prayed for this to happen, to find me, us, again."

"How long has it been?"

"Over two decades. You weren't even with us yet, Izzy may have just been born or was due to be born and Max wasn't even a thought yet. Back then, they only knew me for nearly five years."

"Why'd they loose touch with mum and dad?"

"Now there's a story." Alec watched Jace pour them glasses of water and sat back, trying to get as comfortable as one could in a plastic chair. Jace gave a wave of the hand as though telling him to start from the beginning. "Alright, so I was at home with Magnus and the kids when he got a message on his phone..."

#

(Sometime later..)

"Wow..."

"Really, after all of that you still have the same word?"

"What do you want me to say Alec, wholly fuck, cause I can say it."

"You just did."

"You know what I mean, alright? This is just...insane. Shit like that doesn't happen to us. It happens in movies."

"I know right? And to think we're seriously related now too!"

"My father seemed like such a dick."

"Jace..."

"He probably made yours one too with everything you just said."

"We're not playing the blame game here."

"Alright, alright." Jace conceded, even with a frown on his lips. This was definitely going to feature in a therapy session and soon. Was it possible that his drug addiction was almost hereditary?! Though Jace knew not to pass the blame now. He had to own the choices he made, but he may as well ask anyway..."Its seems to be a pretty small world that Magnus is close friends with my cousin too." Jace thought it best to try and not think about that now.

"You mean our cousin."

"And you say he looks like you?"

"A way more confident, good looking and cocky me, yeah. Its kind of creepy, but you know what else I saw in him?"

"What?"

"You." Alec grinned at that.

"Me?"

"It must be the cocky attitude. Its such a Herondale thing." Alec got hit for that.

"Shut up Alec. I'm no Herondale. I'm a Lightwood." Alec grinned.

"Yeah you are." Alec took a gulp of water to quench his parched throat. "Its unreal Jace. We've got family."

"So, what now?"

"I have to tell Iz and Max."

"Well duh that's a given. I would have thought you would have done so already."

"I wanted to tell you first." Alec watched Jace's smile widen.

"Thanks Bro." Alec gave a nod. "So, telling Iz and Max aside, what now?"

"Well they genuinely seem to want to get to know me and in time know you, Iz and Max once I let that happen. I just didn't want anyone to get their hopes up is all. Magnus and I are having them over for dinner tomorrow night before they head back to Canada. I've got their contact numbers to stay in touch once they leave, but I'm going to put the effort in to stay in touch. I want to get to know them. All of them."

"I'm glad you're excited Al, truly I am. This all sounds pretty cool, the fact we have family out there that isn't shit like the way mum and dad treated you and now hearing about how crap my real dad was as well, but I don't want to be or sound negative or anything but..."

"But what?"

"You don't think, that they think, that you're after money do you? Like how dad was with them?"

"What do you mean?"

"Mum and dad's debt Al, you're still paying it off."

"Oh shit!" Alec's panic began to rise. "Magnus said Ragnor wouldn't divulge information like that without my consent and...and I'm not doing it for that reason at all! I just...I just want to know our grandparents."

"Hey, chill Al, relax. I know you alright. You don't have a single backstabbing bone in your body or a genuine desire to use someone because of their money or status in the world. You're nothing like dad at all." Jace gripped his hand as he seemed to be loosing his brother in his panicked state. "Al, listen to me and listen up good." Jace watched those pretty blue eyes finally focus on him. "Those Lightwood family values that Andrew and Phoebe were talking about so much and so highly of, that is you. You have honour and respect and know the importance of family. Yes our communication needs work, but look what you've done today. You've come and told me about them and that's great. That's awesome progress for us. You're relying on me and soon you're going to rely on Iz and Max about it too. It makes me feel connected to you more. It keeps me believing that no matter what, you're always there for us. To you, family matters. You're a true Lightwood. Better then dad ever was or could have hoped to be." Alec chewed on his bottom lip, eyes sparkling and bright. "You're not going to cry on me are you?" Jace lightened the mood as he gave a half grin at seeing how misty eyed Alec currently was.

"Maybe... Especially if you keep talking like that."

"Therapy is doing me pretty good in here. I mean I'm not really at the point of loving myself, let alone liking myself, especially with what I've been putting you through all these years, but its about time I get to tell you how truly thankful I am for you. I'm thankful you never gave up on me."

"Jace..."

"I love you Alec." Blue eyes widened at the confession. "You, Iz and Max are everything to me. You're my family and I'm proud to be part of this family. I'm proud that unknowingly you kept those Lightwood family values going for us, even when you really didn't even know about them. I'm proud we're Lightwood's together. Well, even though I'm a Herondale and my father was an asshole and was probably bashing my own mother and then commit suicide and left me all alone, sick and malnourished and pretty much forced me upon your folks."

"Ruining the moment."

"Sorry, sorry..." Jace placed out his hand and Alec immediately clasped his brother's forearm, feeling warmth rest within him as Jace's hand was warm against his own forearm. "Brother's forever right?"

"Forever." Alec reaffirmed.

"Cool." Jace gave a grin as he shifted his gaze over to the man who had walked in with him. "Hey Carlos, this is my big brother Alec." Alec watched Carlos come walking over and politely shook the man's hand. "Carlos is the man in here. You want something, he'll hook you up."

"Really?"

"Really." At the slight pout on Alec's face Jace cracked up. "Relax Al, nothing shady. I'm talking some midnight snacks, mainly ice cream or popcorn, some video games too since one can only read the same books and magazines over so many times and watch the same crap too. He even snuck in a cat one time so I could have company in my room during my long nights of boredom and cravings. I called him Church and he sneaks back in every now and then and always ends up in my room. When I get out of here, he's coming with me. Right Carlos?"

"That is Church's choice."

"Please, like he wouldn't follow me. I'm the best damn owner he's ever going to have." The cockiness made Alec grin. Jace appeared to be on the mend. Alec knew it wasn't going to be that easy, and it wasn't going to be quick too, plus Jace hadn't really talked about what had been going on in here or how he had been feeling about kicking his cravings in his letters, but Alec knew this truly was the place for him.

"Magnus and I got a cat too."

"You did?"

"Found him in the alley. The kids may have asked first, but he was so cute I think I pleaded without voicing anything to him too. And now we've got Chairman Meow."

"Aww... you're a dad again."

"Shut up." Alec punched his brother on the arm.

"Oh yeah, Carlos, maybe you've heard of Magnus? My bro's boyfriend was a patient here. Magnus Bane, recognise the name?"

"Jace..."

"We do not give out patient information Jace." The blonde rolled his eyes.

"He totally knows him." Jace remarked with a lopsided grin at Alec.

"Totally." He agreed. The boys watched as Carlos shifted his gaze a little before pretending to refill their glasses of water as he crouched down.

"Is he well?" Alec grinned.

"He's doing well. I mean I think he's doing well. We don't really talk about that part of his life much, but then we are pretty new together so..." Alec felt warmth drift up to his cheeks as he squirmed a little in his seat. He wasn't used to talking about a boyfriend nor having people around him interested to listen and not looking at him in disgust or walking off in disgust.

"I'm glad." Carlos mumbled. "Take care of him, he's a special man." Alec tilted his head at that, wondering just how well this man knew his boyfriend. "Complicated, a little messy even, but a good man deep down." Alec gave a nod, eager to know more, but kept quiet. "Now Jace, don't forget the time, you've a meeting in half an hour."

"Man, have we been talking like a bunch of girls for that long?"

"Probably." Alec chuckled. "Though we haven't talked like this, this freely and easily, in months... Maybe even years."

"True." Jace agreed. "Its nice. We've got to do it more often if I get out of here."

"When you get out of here," Alec corrected his brother. "I won't be able to leave you be for weeks. I've got withdrawal issues happening after all."

"Ooooh, low blow." Jace watched Alec's blue eyes widen, lips parted as he seemed ready to profusely apologise for the wording he had used. "Relax Al, I'm kidding. Its not like I haven't heard those words before or will hear those words in the future." He watched his brother sigh. "Now, since this is the first time you've been here since I got into the slammer..."Jace grinned as Alec pouted at how he was describing the Sanctuary as jail. "...when can I see you again? I miss just hanging out like a couple of normal dudes."

"Me too Jace." Alec gulped down the water before an idea popped into his head. "Hey Carlos, is it possible for Jace to re-try another day out with his family?" Alec watched Jace's eyes widen slightly at his rather abrupt question.

"Well its possible, but we'd have to talk to the medical team and ensure its something that Jace wants to do as well." Alec shifted his blue orbs to his brother.

"What do you say? Want to give it another try?"

"Its not that I don't want to. I feel like I've made progress since then, but I've got a strict schedule that keeps me active and I...I don't want to disappoint you, Iz or Max."

"You didn't disappoint us the first time Jace. I was so proud of you for having a go. Big deal it didn't work out. What we do is just get back on that horse and start again." Alec found Carlos smiling at him, nodding his head in agreement.

"What day were you thinking? I mean I've got several in depth therapy sessions coming up and..." Jace's rambling halted when Alec placed his hand over his.

"What about Christmas? I'd love to give another family affair a go. Make it a really special day. What do you think?"

"With Magnus and his kids?"

"Um, well, yeah I mean I was kind of hoping to have it at the apartment, since his place is way nicer and bigger then the apartment. I want to give the Thanksgiving dinner another try, but if you just want it to be the four of us then..."

"No, no, I didn't mean it like that. I owe the guy so much Alec." Jace gave a sheepish grin. "I know I'm never going to be able to repay him for how he's stuck his neck out for me and helped me get into this place so quickly too, but if I can at least, from the bottom of my heart thank him, then its another step forward for me." Jace watched Alec sit back in his chair, arms folded over his chest.

"Who are you and what have you done to the real Jace Lightwood?" The blonde cracked up, head back as he barked off loud laughter.

"What can I say, I'm turning over a new leaf."

"This leaf is looking promising, but make sure you keep some of your attitude and cockiness. I don't want my brother to completely change for anyone. You still need to be you, just, you know, no drugs." Alec gave a tiny grin.

"Come on Al, this is me, I'm always going to be awesome."

"There he is." Alec muttered as he shook his head before shifting his serious gaze back to his brother. "You wanting to thank Magnus, I think he'd like that. He might be surprised to hear you say it, but I think he'd find it nice."

"Yeah?"

"I do. Despite his flamboyances, Magnus is really down to earth and something as simple as a thank you is priceless to him."

"Uh huh... Somehow I think money would be better payment."

"That he doesn't need."

"Oh?" Alec leant forward, gesturing for Jace to do the same as he muttered in hushed whispers.

"A billionaire!?" Jace shouted, Alec quickly shushing him down.

"Shut up, not officially. Magnus does live comfortably but that was due to having made good investment choices and working hard, but he'll never be able to get away from the fact he is Asmodeus Bane's only son."

"Wait, he's related to him? Wow, I'd no idea such a refined man could produce such a showman."

"Hey..." Alec began to defend his lovely boyfriend.

"I'm not trying to be rude or anything but Asmodeus Bane is...is a scary dude."

"Wait, how do you know that?"

"In one of my moments of not being a total bum and being on drugs I applied for a job at his company. He has many security firms across the States and somehow I'd gotten an interview and I thought I was doing alright until he walked in. His presence was engaging, but terrifying. Although now that I think of it, Magnus does have that in spades too."

"Magnus isn't terrifying."

"I meant the engaging part."

"Yeah..." Alec sighed, Jace watching a tiny smile grace his lips.

"Alright Romeo, no need to make me gag with all those hearts floating around you." Alec frowned at that, having no clue what Jace was talking about. "Look, all I'm saying is...actually I don't really know what I'm trying to say. I guess, just be careful Al, dating a billionaires son cannot be easy."

"Well he and Magnus aren't exactly close. I mean I think they want to be, but they've a lot of hurdles and hoops to get through before that happens."

"Uh huh..."

"As for Magnus and I, we have our moments. I mean we even had our first fight which totally sucked, but I think we're doing pretty good considering how all of this started and with everything that is currently been thrown at us from all sides too."

"Alec..."

"Plus Magnus didn't tell me, he was out of the country when I found out."

"Wait, so who did?"

"His father did."

"His father?"

"Yeah, he tried scaring me off, pretty much accusing me of being with Magnus because of his money and because of who his father is and I had no idea about either one of those things so his little chat didn't work on me. Still doesn't work on me now that I do know." Alec shrugged. "After I refused to concede to him, we seemed to sort of connect somehow, which was a little weird in a sense, because he did not seem like the sharing man and then there was the bit where he was kind enough to tell me he believes I am currently being stalked because the person wants to get at Magnus so..."

"WHAT?!" Alec literally jumped in his seat. By this stage Carlos had come back over, but Jace shooed him off. "You're being stalked? Shit Al, what the fuck?"

"Oh, um, well, they've not tried to do anything...or...anything." Alec chewed awkwardly on his bottom lip, hands clasped in his lap, not really having expected himself to just ramble that out like he had. He hadn't even told Magnus yet!

"Jesus Al, what the hell has been going on?"

"Um, well, we kind of think Magnus' old, old, old girlfriend is stalking me to try and get to him. His father kind of threatened her years ago to stay away and because I'm with him now, she might think she can get to him through me...or something."

"Just how many old, old, old girlfriends does this boyfriend of yours have?"

"Well, its not like I've asked him how many people he's dated. That's not exactly a number I want to know and I can already sense its a lot, and a lot of one night stands too, but this one...she was...special to him."

"Well clearly she sounds like a lunatic."

"Maybe you shouldn't say that so loud in here?"

"Screw this place. Al please, please promise me you'll be careful? I'm not there to watch your back." Now that was the Jace Lightwood Alec knew and loved. They had promised that to each other years ago and it was nice to hear it after all this time.

"I'll be alright Jace. We think she's just doing this thinking I'm going to be scared off by it all and then she can get her claws into Magnus once more and destroy him."

"And are you? Scared I mean?"

"No way. She'll have to fully threaten my life or the life of those that I love before I take this childish crap seriously."

"And what if she does?"

"Well..." Alec hadn't really thought that far ahead. "I guess I'll just have to figure that out if it came to that." He hoped it wouldn't though. Alec truly hated the very thought of Magnus' life or the kids or his siblings lives were threatened. He truly wouldn't know what to do if he had to choose...

"Man, and I thought there were some serious nut jobs in here."

"Jace!" Alec smacked his brother.

"What? Have you seen the one over my right shoulder?" Alec snorted a laugh, even though he knew it was wrong. He'd send out a few prays to that stranger once he got home as he was already feeling guilty over his snort laugh. "Promise me you'll be careful? I hate the thought of some psycho trying to get at their ex-boyfriend through you."

"I can't control what's going to happen, if anything does happen, but I promise you, I'll have Jace eyes in the back of my head."

"Promise?"

"I promise." Alec watched Jace give a nod, seemingly happy about that but also probably worrying needlessly for him too. He could only imagine that this chat may feature in a therapy session now and started feeling guilty about having told his blonde brother at all. Even if he was also proud that they were talking like this again too.

"Man, you may have hit the jackpot with Magnus, but boy does he come with problems."

"Jace!" Alec snapped again. "What she is doing is not his fault!" Although maybe this was part of the 'complicated' and 'messy' that Carlos let slip earlier.

"Oh I get it, but seriously, have you talked to him about it?" Jace felt a frown form when Alec's eyes darted away. "Oh shit, you haven't told him about this at all?"

"He has been away but I thought...I don't know...I was hoping it would just go away, but every now and then, when I'm out, I can feel eyes on me."

"Creepy..." Alec had to silently agree with that. "Look, number one rule in dating, be truthful. Its why none of my efforts lasted because I totally sucked at it. He can't read your mind Alec and the more you are open and honest with him, I'm sure he'll do the same too. Plus the more you don't tell him, and the longer you don't tell him, how will that effect him and his feelings towards you when it does come out? Because it will come out. All bad shit comes out eventually. You just have to make sure you're in control of being the one to tell it."

"Man, this place is doing you good."

"Right?" Jace grinned all cocky again which soothed Alec's soul.

"Oh and what you said before, I'm not with him for his money Jace. I would never be like that with someone I..."

"Someone you what?" Jace jeered as he watched his brother blush.

"Someone I'm...dating." Alec watched Jace roll his eyes.

"Relax bro, I'm very much aware of the guy you are through and through. I know you're not with him for his money or his father's money or whatever. You're with him for his massive..." Alec's glare was second to none. "...heart?" Jace's shoulder was thumped once more, it stung, but he'd take the pain because Alec was blushing red.

"Nice save Lightwood." Alec grumbled back which got Jace grinning as he stood up, the boys embracing once more before Carlos directed the blonde towards the private hallways.

"Hey Dad?" Alec jerked at the endearment, eyes wide as Jace gave him a wave. "See you at Christmas." Alec's smile was massive, his heart calm and he gave a wave back.

He couldn't wait for Christmas.

#

When Alec finally exited the Sanctuary and was heading for Magnus' SUV, he pulled his phone from his pocket and called up his sister.

"Hey Alec, what's up?"

"Are you home Iz?"

"Yeah, I don't have a shift for another few hours why?"

"I'm coming over. Can you call Max and tell him to come home?"

"Your little trooper is studying in his room."

"Oh cool. See you soon, I should be there in just under an hour all going well with traffic." He hung up before she could ask 'why so long' and got back on the road.

#

Alec arrived out the front of the apartment building, pulling up in Magnus' lovely SUV and locked it up, praying it was going to be there when he came back down. Hopefully unmarked too. When he was inside the building, he avoided the pervy landlord expertly and was knocking on the door to his old place, which Max answered with a massive smile on his face.

"Alec!" He hugged his kid brother tight and then did the same to his sister before taking a seat on their battered couch.

"What's going on?"

"There's something I need to tell you." Alec brushed his hands up and down his thighs and observed his siblings sit down in the same chair, much like they had done at Magnus' place during Thanksgiving when Jace was spilling the beans about his drug addiction.

"Are you alright?" Izzy asked softly, nervousness in her voice.

"I'm fine Iz. I just have some rather shocking news to share."

"Oh my god. Oh my god this is it isn't it?" Alec tilted his head at her rambling and Max looked just as confused. "You're finally leaving the family aren't you?"

"Iz, what are you talking about?"

"This is where you tell me its time for me to give you away isn't it?"

"Still not following." Alec grumbled out.

"I'm talking about Magnus. He asked you to marry him didn't he?"

"WHAT!?" Alec yelled, turning red in the face. Was his sister drunk?!

"WHAT!?" Max shouted too, eyes wide as he looked at his sister incredulously. "Geez Iz, are you drunk?" Alec found it a little funny when Max sniffed his sisters breath. "No, not drunk, but where the heck is your head at?"

"I'm with Max on this one Iz, where is your head at?"

"There is no way that would happen since Alec and Magnus have only been together for what, like a month or something?" Max's gaze shifted to Alec for confirmation on that.

"Just over that, actually, but Iz, seriously, how the hell did you even come to that conclusion?" Alec stammered out even with his heart hammering in his chest.

"I see the way he..." Izzy mumbled mainly to herself, her voice dying down and Alec never caught the rest.

"Izzy, its nothing like that."

"You said the news was shocking though."

"Well it is, but its not something like Magnus asking me to marry him." Alec was sure he was still blushing.

"Oh good." Alec frowned at that. He thought she liked him.

"Do you not like Magnus?"

"What? Of course I do."

"Then why did you seem so relieved that he hadn't ask me?"

"Oh! That's just my stubbornness coming out. He can't marry you without asking me first."

"What?" Alec chuckled out. "Seriously Iz, did you hit yourself in the head or something before I got here?" This was quite the weird conversation they were having. Especially when he and Magnus hadn't even gotten an 'I like you' confession from each other let alone the absurdity of thinking of marriage between them!

"Its custom for men to ask the parents of the one they want to marry for their consent. We have no parents so that would fall to me." Alec frowned at that, because it almost seemed like Izzy was calling him a girl!

"Izzy, Alec is a dude." Max pointed out the obvious which did make him grin.

"I know that! I'm not blind you little brat." She snapped. Alec was becoming a little worried now. Perhaps his sister was lacking sleep with how busy she currently was with finals and her internship?

"Iz, you seriously need to get some sleep and not think such weird thoughts." Alec nodded in agreement. "Besides, if Magnus asked for Alec's hand, then that affirmation falls to ALL of us, not just you." Max piped up once more, almost glaring a little at his sister. "After all, you aren't the boss of the family, so if Magnus wants to marry Alec, he needs approval from me and Jace too."

"Guys will you stop talking about Magnus and marriage." It was actually making Alec feel all tingly inside and that was a little alarming so early on in their relationship. Having a boyfriend like Magnus, it was amazing for Alec. He had to continuously pinch himself and then there was the incredible sex which they hadn't had a lot of, but man was Alec always eager for intimacy and skin-ship with the beautiful man. Although he hadn't quite worked out a way of telling Magnus that yet. He didn't want to sound needy or dumb so let such feelings go. In any case he was willing to take and experience whatever Magnus would give him and hoped in some way he was giving back too, even with his inexperience. Alec quickly shook his head of such thoughts, needing to get his mind quickly back on track lest he grow hard in his jeans and that was definitely not something he needed his siblings seeing. "Nothing like that is happening so just shut up and let me tell you my news."

"So you're not getting married?" Izzy questioned.

"No."

"You're not leaving us?"

"Iz, even if I did get married, which I'm not." Alec quickly pointed out again. "You're my family. Always will be and I wouldn't be leaving my family, I'd be merging you into my new one." He watched his sisters shoulders ease and frowned. Was she perhaps not happy that he had a boyfriend? He'd have to talk to her about that another time, but right now, this news was way more important.

"Are you cool now Iz? Are you over your freak out moment?" Max asked a little sarcastically and hissed when she punched him on the arm.

"Don't be a brat." Izzy crankily voiced once more.

"Ahem!" Their eyes shifted back to Alec. "Do you want to hear this news or not?"

"What about Jace?"

"I've already been to see him Maxi."

"How's he doing?" Izzy quickly asked, knowing this was off topic again, but she did worry about her other brother too.

"He's making progress." Alec watched his younger siblings sigh in relief. "I'm hoping, fingers crossed if everything goes fine with the medical team and what not that Jace might have another crack at a day out with us, like how he tried with Thanksgiving."

"Really?" That seemed to perk up his siblings.

"I'm leaving it in his hands to make the choice, but I'm hoping he'll be with us for Christmas." Alec grinned when Izzy let out a squeal. It was so cute, pretty much unlike her these days and really did remind him of when she was an innocent little girl.

"So this news you want to tell us, Jace knows about it?" Max questioned to reconfirm what Alec said earlier.

"Yes he does."

"How'd he take it?"

"He was pretty surprised."

"Do you think we will be?" Max questioned.

"Oh I have no doubt. It shocked the hell out of me too."

"Alright. Hit us with it." Max put his game face on which made Alec smile.

"I found our family." Alec started the conversation just as he did with Jace and watched their confused expressions immediately form.

"Come again?" Both Izzy and Max voiced simultaneously.

"So, one night Magnus and I were talking about families when..." And so Alec began, observing the play of emotions across his siblings faces.

#

"Wow..." He couldn't help but grin wider as they so were like Jace in their responses.

"So, we've got grandparents?" Izzy questioned.

"We do. We've got Uncles, Aunts, cousins, the lot. All on dad's side."

"Wow..."

"I've met dad's parents a couple times now, today was the second time. I'm still trying to process all the information in my head and didn't want to drag the three of you into it in case it turned out bad. I need to know, for sure, that they are genuine."

"Genuine what? Do you think they have been lying to you?"

"No." Alec shook his head at his sister's question. "I need to know they want to get to know us and can accept us as we are. As we all are. Personal problems and preferences included." The apartment went silent as they all knew what Alec was talking about whether it be from Izzy and Jace's rather loose dating history and frequent sexual partners, to Jace's current issues which one day, if all goes well would have to be told and then of course Alec's sexuality, which their grandparents didn't seem to show much interest in which was still shocking to Alec. "Look, are the two of you alright?" The one piece of information, actually there was a couple things Alec decided not to share which was Magnus' family wealth and his current 'stalker' issue. If Izzy knew, man she would want to skin the woman alive and there was no way Alec was letting that happen when she was so close to graduating and after this internship could become a full qualified Forensic Pathologist. Izzy's dream job. Alec only told Jace about Magnus' wealth (technically Asmodeus' wealth) because his brother was stuck on not being sure about how to pay Magnus back, and thinking cash was the answer. He needn't even worry about that because Alec had already applied to access the savings account he had locked securely away in order to pay Magnus back already. Of course the bank had yet to respond, these things could take a month for the application process to be finalised and so wasn't going to pester the bank in case that would look negatively on Alec.

"We're fine Alec. Shocked with this news, but alright. Aren't we Maxi?"

"I guess..." Alec wasn't sure he liked that response from his brother but a chime went off on Izzy's phone as she pulled it from her pocket.

"Dammit, I've got to get to work." Alec took a look at the time, not realising how quickly today had gone.

"That's alright, I need to go pick up Magnus' kids anyway." Alec accepted the hug from Izzy, her whispered thanks in his ear for trusting them with such news and then she went dashing into her bedroom to do whatever she needed to do. Alec thought she looked ready for work as she was but what would he know. "Hey Buddy..." Big brown eyes glanced up at him, he jerking Max out of his thoughts. "How's your exams going?"

"I've only got a couple more to go."

"Any news on your applications to University?"

"Maybe..." He cheekily voiced, giving nothing away.

"You keeping secrets from me?"

"Only until I've got all the cards on the table and then I'll make my choice."

"Playing it strategically I see." Max shrugged his shoulders. "I like it." Alec ruffled his hand through Max's shaggy brown hair. "I was thinking, how about next week we go and do something together?"

"Just us?"

"Well, I was thinking more along the lines of you, me and Magnus."

"Oh..."

"And Livia." He watched his brother blush at his crushes name, though the smile couldn't be hidden. "What's say we all go to that art exhibition you and Magnus were talking about awhile ago?"

"Really?"

"Really."

"Awesome!" Max grinned wide. "I've got to tell Magnus my plan."

"Why aren't you telling me your plan?"

"You're not going to know if its going to be good or not."

"Why?"

"Cause you don't have dating history like Magnus does."

"You could ask Izzy or even write to Jace about it."

"You want me to get dating advice...from them?" Max arched his eyebrow at that.

"Point taken, but you can still tell me Max."

"Livia's favourite flower is a sunflower."

"Ok."

"I'm going to ask her out in front of Monet's 'Bouquet of Sunflowers'."

"Ok." Alec repeated himself, immediately knowing that was the wrong thing to say when his kid brother sighed and rolled his eyes.

"I'm calling Magnus."

"He's busy today buddy, so leave it until tomorrow."

"Will do."

"I was thinking we'll go next Wednesday, unless you both have exams of course?"

"I'm free that day and Livia and I have the same classes so I know she's got nothing on then too."

"Magnus and I will meet you there around lunchtime alright?"

"So its going to be like a double date then?"

"Only if you actually do confess to Livia that you want her to be your girlfriend."

"I am going to confess to her. I just want to do it right is all."

"Well then, on Wednesday, lets go get you a girlfriend." Max blushed just as cutely as Alec did, a massive grin on his lips as he launched himself into his big brother, making Alec chuckle as he held him close and pressed his lips to the top of his head. "Sorry I'm not as into art and don't understand the significance of what you said before."

"Its cool. I've got Magnus for that." Alec's stomach fluttered with butterflies at how much his brother liked his boyfriend.

"Alright Buddy, I've got to get going. Be good and study hard."

"I always do." Alec grinned because Max was right about that. He was his trooper who always took his studies seriously and was so damn smart Alec had trouble following him even from years back in what he was studying.

He farewelled his kid brother and then headed out, moving back onto the street and breathed a sigh of relief that Magnus' SUV was still there and untouched too. He hopped back in and went to get Madzie before picking up the boys and then they would have a little adventure out to the grocery store.

#

(At the Supermarket...)

"Guess what Alec?" Blue eyes glanced down to his side where Madzie was walking beside him, her tiny hand clutching the leather jacket he was still wearing, sticking close to him as the supermarket was pretty busy, but then it was filled with a lot of mothers and their children, obviously having done what Alec did which was pick them up from school or day care and go for groceries.

"What Sweet Pea?" Alec passed canned fruit of apricots and peaches to the boys who were sitting in the trolley. Actually he passed them to Raphael who was staking them neatly for him, like he was building his only little walled fortress of tinned items and sauce bottles. They were surrounded by other pantry items too, Max making a path to where the smaller compartment of the trolley was and to where the fresh fruit and veg was sitting in plastic bags. There was a bag of seedless plump grapes on the top and young Max was sneaking some for him and his older brother, whilst also telling said older brother to 'stack' the tins a certain way so they wouldn't topple over easily.

When Alec had placed the bag of grapes into the trolley, he has seen the boys' eyes light up instantly. He had discovered recently that grapes were a favourite of theirs. Of course he told them not to touch them, because they were for their lunches and also for afternoon snacks when they got home from day care, but the cheeky boys were pretending to be deaf and thinking Alec wasn't paying attention to the fact they had already eaten at least a quarter of the bag.

"I'm having a sleep over at Mama's place next weekend!" Alec was brought back to the present at Madzie's news.

"That's so exciting." Alec gushed and just the right amount too as she giggled with glee at his enthusiasm. Magnus hadn't mentioned anything like that but then the man had been shuffling his attention between a lot of things and probably forgot about letting him know so its not like Alec could get upset about it. Though he didn't have any plans other then the Wednesday to tell Magnus about and then the most important day of all so he could get all festive and cook up a feast. It was the one day in December that Alec didn't care how uch he starved himself during the month, but he made sure to splash out for his siblings, making it extra special. They couldn't afford to get each other ridiculously expensive presents, but what he could do was cook up a wonderful turkey with all the trimmings. Plus it fed them for days afterwards too. That was always a plus. It was then Alec realised that really, Christmas wasn't that far off. Just over a week away in fact. Alec was a little giddy thinking about it. After all, it would be his first time having Christmas with a boyfriend. He so wanted it to be extra special.

"Alec, can I buy Mama a box of chocolate as a present?"

"I think that is a lovely idea, but she might not be able to eat it all because she is still recovering ok?" Madzie gave him a nod. "The chocolate aisle is just around the corner, so why not go take a peak? The boys and I will be right there." Alec suggested as he was reading Magnus' list of ingredients and trying to locate the appropriate brand of rice he wanted. Alec listened to Madzie squeal in delight as she rushed off.

"Did you boys have fun at Day Care today?"

"Yes! We started making our Christmas cards today." Raphael beamed happily, sneaking another grape into his mouth. "I'm making Xanda's card tomorrow." Alec melted at the youngster's comment.

"Me too! I'm making my card for Allie tomorrow as well!" Max piped up, not to be outdone by his 'older' brother.

"That makes me very happy to hear that." Truthfully it melted his heart. Alec handed over the packets of rice he'd finally found and headed around the corner into the confectionery aisle.

"Allie, with how busy you and Papa have been, are we..."

"Madzie!" Alec called out, completely interrupting whatever Max was going to ask him as he noticed his little Princess was standing and facing him, but there was a woman crouched in front of her. Her brown-golden orbs drifted over to him and she was clutching a box of chocolates in her tiny hands. "Sweet Pea, please come here." Magnus' daughter was quick to rush to his side and he swiftly picked her up, placing her against his hip. His eyes however, would not leave the woman who had been talking to Magnus' daughter. He watched her rise to her height in six inch heels, dressed in form fitting white trousers, with a matching jacket and an emerald silk blouse beneath, buttons strategically undone and accentuating her cleavage. Blonde hair was perfectly styled and up in some sort of bun. She had bright red lipstick, blood red in colour, and almost what seemed to be a sinister looking smirk on her lips as Alec's gaze finally fixed onto a pair of the coldest eyes he'd ever come across in his life. They gave his own father's a run for his money. As much as he hated it, his heartbeat quickened and he began to berate himself. So much for having Jace eyes in the back of his head! He was immediately on edge when she began to walk over.

"Alexander, what a coincidence." He frowned at that. Coincidence his ass! He had not paid attention to the feeling of the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. He was just too distracted with the kids after all. Well that and seeing his grandparents a second time, meeting "Mercedes Guy" and also coming clean to his siblings too. "It is so wonderful we can meet like this." He refused to comment and that did not seem to sit well with the woman before him, her eyes narrowing as he refused to acknowledge what she said even in the slightest. Alec guessed no one defied her. "Do you know who I am?" Blue eyes drifted down to the hand that was slowly and creepily gliding down his left arm. It sent shivers down his spine and after what was too long in Alec's mind, he shrugged off her touch.

"I know who you are." That seemed to delight her in some twisted way, like she was pleased he knew she had eyes on him wherever he went these days, but knew there was nothing he could do about it because she hadn't gotten all that threatening about it. There was a fine fickle line between following the law and breaking it. It was truly annoying.

"Madzie and I were just having a lovely little conversation before you interrupted us, weren't we honey?" Alec shifted his gaze to the six year old in his arms and observed as Madzie ducked her head away, hiding her face in his shoulder and once more holding on tight to the box of Belgian chocolates.

"What did you do?" He glared at the woman who finally decided to show herself to him and grit his teeth in anger as he found her so despicable that she would frighten the child of the man she was seemingly trying to win back. He was sure this woman was not right in the head in any way.

Alec held Madzie tighter when she moved closer, but watched as she shifted around him and glanced down into the trolley as the twins looked up at her with their big innocent eyes.

"My, don't you two look like your father." Alec never wanted to cause a scene in a supermarket, or anywhere for that matter, but when her hand went out to touch Max, Alec was quick to wrap his free hand around her slender wrist, hoping his warning strength would cause a bruise on her and watched her cold emotionless eyes shift to look at him.

"I am never one to manhandle a lady, but I'm warning you, do not touch my kids." Alec's voice was low and steady, almost a growl within it, which was far from how he truly was feeling right now. His inner voice was telling him to just grab the kids and run, but there was also a part of him, a part Alec was slowly realising he had within him since having met Magnus and his children, and that was he was not going down without a fight. He would protect Magnus and his children at whatever cost. Alec quickly placed Madzie into the trolley with her brothers and then shifted it out of reach from the slender woman. "You do remember who the grandfather of these children are don't you?" Alec watched her shoulders straighten at that. "You wouldn't want to upset Asmodeus now would you?" Alec felt a small victory when her eyes widened just a fraction. Good, it seemed she was still a little weary of the older Bane and almost surprised that Alec called him by his first name too. He gathered no one called Asmodeus Bane by his given name, but held his ground with a stubbornness Alec was very familiar with. He listened to her huff as she took a few steps back away from him and the kids.

"Trying to play daddy with them is truly pathetic." Alec frowned, shifting in his stance as he placed himself between her and the trolley and blocking their view of her as much as he could. The less they saw of her, in Alec's eyes, the better off they would be. "You'll never be family so you might as well just give up."

"Maybe you should listen to your own words." Alec was quick to respond and watched her eyes narrow. Perhaps she wasn't used to people talking back to her either. Alec swiftly turned around, ready to walk away, but froze when quicker then he could react, she was right behind him, her slender and voluptuous body pressed into his back, her lips against his ear.

"He'll never love you." Alec's jaw clenched. "Not the way he will always love me." Alec gripped the side of the trolley as he gazed down at Magnus' darling children who were silently looking up at him. Quickly he closed his eyes for a moment, hating how that was affecting him far too much and oh so quickly too and took in some deep breaths before turning to face the blonde once more, only she was no longer behind him. Alec shifted his gaze back down to the other end of aisle where she stood.

"Until we meet again." The haunting way in which she said it sent a chill down Alec's spine (again) and made him frown even more. It was like a promise that now that she had truly shown herself, now that he truly knew she was indeed there, she was indeed going to show up more and more and possibly, most definitely, would eventually come face to face with Magnus. A laugh echoed towards him, almost crazy sounding before a large woman obstructed his view and once the shopper moved away, Camille Belcourt was gone.

Alec let out a breath of air and quickly turned back to the kids.

"Are you three alright?" He smiled relieved when they nodded their heads. The boys definitely didn't know her, but that didn't mean she wouldn't try and hurt them in some way. Frighten them most definitely. It set him on edge again. Then there was his little princess. The way she reacted, he was sure her muddled memories were bringing fuzzy memories of the woman up that Madzie was finding hard to comprehend. She was only a little girl after all.

"Sweet Pea, do you remember who that is?" He felt sad when she shook her head, trying to lie to him. Of course he knew she was very young when Camille and Magnus were going through their on again, off again relationship over the years, but he had recalled Magnus telling him that when Camille was around, Madzie always cried. Perhaps seeing her face to face like this again was confusing his precious princess. Alec himself didn't know Camille at all, didn't know if she had a troublesome back story that made her the way she is now, and he wasn't ever someone who could truly hate a person, not even his own parents for what they put him through, but this woman was more then likely going to be the first.

To Alec, you don't go around threatening people you don't know just to get your ex-boyfriend to pay attention to you after all these years. And you definitely don't do that to innocent children. Especially to the very children that were under Alec's care.

"Is she someone Xanda knows?" Raphael piped up after having placed yet another grape in his mouth. This time not even trying to hide it from his blue eyes.

"No."

"Someone Papa knows?" Max smartly asked.

"Yes." Alec truthfully voiced.

"Is she bad Allie?"

"She is. A long time ago, before you boys were born, she hurt your Papa." He watched Magnus' three little angels pout up at him at his words. Alec didn't want to lie to them, but he felt his heart ache as Madzie looked near tears and he quickly picked her up, feeling her arms wrap around his neck. "Its going to be alright Sweet Pea. We won't let her hurt him again alright?" Madzie nodded against his shoulder and held on tighter. Alec knew now she truly did remember Camille. A scary lady from your memories was probably not something one forgot easily, nor as a little six year old did you want to talk about it. "We'll protect your Papa together won't we?" Alec mumbled as he bent down and pressed a kiss into Raphael and Max's hair.

"Yes!" The twins chimed happily, tiny fists clenched and grumpy yet super adorable facial expressions showing. Alec finally placed Madzie back into the trolley as she sat between her brothers in what little space was left around them with all the groceries in the trolley. Alec couldn't help but take a picture of them cuddled together like that.

"Will the three of you promise me something?" He got nods of the head. "If you ever see her, just scream and I'll make her go away, alright?"

"Ok." They agreed, even if they all looked a little confused, but their affirmative answer made Alec's tense shoulders ease a little.

"Now, are you going to share those grapes with me?" Alec grinned as the boys blushed cutely at having been caught. They weren't all that sneaky when it came to trying to eat food since he knew how much they loved eating. Alec bent over, mouth open and Raphael giggled as he popped a juicy grape into his mouth. "Thank you." He shifted his gaze down to the picture he had taken of the kids and sent it to Magnus with a caption of 'look what I found in the specials aisle' as a joke and then pocketed his phone and headed off to get bathroom supplies. "Make sure to share those grapes with your sister."

"Um... Allie...?" His blue orbs drifted down to see Max sheepishly holding up an empty bag of grapes. It wasn't really surprising, though he hoped they wouldn't get tummy aches.

"We best go get another bag then." The twins grinned wide.

"Can we get some strawberries Alec and have them with ice cream tonight?"

"Absolutely." Even though they weren't on special, Alec would let that go and purchase two packets to perk up his princess' mood. He'd also made sure to whiz by the frozen section and get her favourite flavour of ice cream too, chocolate and vanilla. Alec then headed back to the meat section. "Now what should we do for dinner? Anyone have any requests?" Alec went back to the shopping, listening to Magnus' cherubs offer three different requests and tried to ignore the tiny hairs on the back of his neck which were standing on edge once more, knowing Camille Belcourt was still somewhere around.

He made his way to the check out, grinning as the kids helped him unload the trolley onto the conveyer belt and waited for everything to be rung up and in doing so lost himself in his thoughts once more. Alec wasn't even sure how the hell to bring up such a topic of conversation, but just like Jace had told him earlier, he needed to talk to Magnus.

#

(Back at the Brownstone...)

Alec and the kids had been home for a good ten minutes already, the children placing their stuff away Madzie getting out of her uniform whilst the boys rushed to the TV and got into their beanbags. Magnus wasn't anywhere in the living room so Alec assumed he was in the bedroom but he had a lot of groceries to unpack and would do that first before seeking out his boyfriend.

Dinner tonight was going to be schnitzel, fries and salad. The kids liked the idea of helping him make a crumb for the chicken and then coat it and shallow fry it. Alec didn't mind either. He loved his little eager helpers in the kitchen. One day he would love it, if they would help him with clean up, though understood that was a boring task after all.

Just as Alec was giving glasses of water to the kids, he noticed movement out of the corner of his eyes and saw Magnus come into focus but he was placing a stack of paper into a messenger bag that was over his shoulder.

"Magnus," He voice seemed to frighten his deep in thought boyfriend.

"Oh! I didn't realise you were all home." Magnus immediately moved over and bent down to kiss and cuddle his beloved children and then moved over to Alec to kiss him sweetly on the cheek.

"Did you have a good catch up with Will?"

"As brief as it was, yes. He got a call and had to go, but that was fortunate for me as I missed several more phone calls."

"Papa, are you going out?" Max questioned.

"I have to go into work. Technically I should have been there over an hour ago, but I got stuck making lots of phone calls and working on my computer."

"Oh..."

"We were going to make schnitzel together and home made fries Maxi was looking forward to seeing if you would like it."

"I'm sorry my darling, but Papa is very busy at the moment. Clary hasn't been feeling well and so I'm trying to work as hard as possible without her."

"Is Clare-bear going to be alright?"

"She is, she just needs another couple days of rest is all."

"Are you working tomorrow as well?"

"I'm going to pull an all-nighter tonight and work through most of tomorrow so I'm free for the evening."

"What happening tomorrow?" Madzie piped up.

"We have some special guests coming over for dinner."

"Magnus, don't burn yourself out."

"I'll be fine." Alec listened to his stubborn boyfriend state firmly.

"Just, hang on a minute." Alec mumbled as he headed back into the kitchen. He pottered around, pulling things from the fridge and then came back out with a bag in hand, silently holding it out to Magnus.

"What's this?"

"I know you'll forget to eat so I've packed you the leftover pasta, some fruit, a thermos with your iced tea and there are some sugar cookies in there for you as well." Alec watched Magnus grin at him, his hand not coming up to take the bag from his fingertips, but instead wrapped around his neck as he bent slightly and kissed him sweetly on the lips once, twice, thrice times.

"You are the best Sweetheart." A pink hue graced his cheeks as Magnus bid them farewell and that he promised to try the children's schnitzel another night and the door clicked closed.

"Well, looks like its just us. Lets have pancakes for dessert tonight." Alec received massive grins at the suggestion.

It was then he realised, he missed his chance to talk with Magnus about Camille.

#

(The Next Evening – 6:50pm)

Magnus had received a call from Alaric stating he had guests in the lobby. Of course he knew exactly who it was going to be and advised Alaric that they were fine to come up and within a matter of minutes there was a distinct knock on the front door to his home.

"Oh god, they're here."

"Relax Alexander. There is nothing to worry about." Magnus softly voiced as he pressed a kiss to his freaking out boyfriend's cheek. "Now how does everything look?"

"Beautiful." Alec felt his cheeks blush as soon as the word registered in his head, because he had just been gazing at Magnus and finally realised the man was actually talking about his home in general and not himself. Magnus was in a pair of deep purple skinny jeans and a silk black shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows and a couple buttons undone. His hair was simply pulled back into a ponytail, nothing extravagant like his usual styles. There was no dye or glitter either. His face was relatively make-up free, with a light dusting of purple eye-shadow and eye-liner.

"Why thank you darling." Magnus gave a coy smile. "Though I was referring to..." Magnus waved his hand around as a gesture to his home as a whole and Alec was already blushing because he'd already figured that out. "You look lovely tonight too."

"Magnus, I'm just in jeans and an oversized sweater." It was all black in colour too.

"I like my Alexander casual and comfy looking. Plus black does wonders on you." The blush darkened.

"Just... Just..." Alec had lost the ability to talk as Magnus chuckled at his fumbling. "Go answer the door!" Alec finally grumbled out and pushed his boyfriend towards said door and Magnus opened it with a flourish and a smile on his lips.

"Mr and Mrs Lightwood, welcome to my home."

"Thank you." Andrew voiced as they stepped inside the toasty warm apartment.

"Let us take your coats."

"I'm so pleased we could share dinner tonight before we fly out tomorrow morning, so thank you for inviting us this evening." Phoebe spoke as she unbuttoned her winter coat and handed it off to her grandson whilst Andrew gave his to Magnus. "Oh and Mr and Mrs Lightwood is just too formal as well. Please call us Andrew and Phoebe. Your home is lovely by the way." She commented as she openly looked around, having walked inside a bit further now.

"Thank you very much and please, I request the same informal gesture too, so please call me Magnus." He closed the door as Alec shook hands with his grandfather and then squeezed his grandmother's hands and gifted her with a gentle, adorable and also slightly nervous smile. Magnus could tell he was trying to work up the courage to actually hug her, but was still a little too shy for that right now. It almost seemed like Phoebe was the same too, possibly afraid that would make them all take a step back if she rushed such a gesture.

"Who are you?"

"Oh my goodness!" Phoebe gasped out in surprise, jumping out of her own skin and not realising there was someone else here too. And a little someone at that as her eyes gazed down into big innocent brown-golden orbs. "Oh!" Her green eyes flicked up to Magnus, immediately knowing the little boy was his.

"Allie, who are they?" Andrew and Phoebe watched their grandson pick up the little boy, resting him against his hip like a natural and smiled so lovingly it made Phoebe and Andrew's hearts melt at the display of affection.

"This is Andrew and Phoebe. Can you say hello to them?"

"Hello!" The youngster chirped happily whilst also adorably clinging to Alec's sweater,his head resting on Alec's shoulder.

"Andrew and Phoebe are my grandparents." Alec from the corner of his eye watched the shock rush across their faces, like they didn't think he was going to acknowledge them like that since it had been so long.

"Like Grandpa?"

"Yes, just like your grandpa. This is Grandpa Andrew and Grandma Phoebe." Alec shifted his gaze and tiny smile back to his grandparents and watched smiles flash across their faces. Phoebe's was massive, along with the tears in her eyes.

"Phoebe, control your emotions, you'll scare Alec's son." Alec blushed red at the assumption from his grandfather.

"Ah, um, well, no, you see, Maxi is... Maxi is..." Magnus was grinning wide at his fumbling boyfriend. He was just so cute all flustered and tongue tied though he decided to come to his resuce.

"Children, please come over here." That was a surprise to both Andrew and Phoebe as they watched quietly as there wasn't just one child, but three! Another little boy and girl trotted over, since Max was still in Alec's arms, though pouted up a storm when he was placed back on his own two feet and stood beside his siblings in front of his Papa, all three of them looking up at the elderly couple before them. "This is Madzie, my darling Sweet Pea and my eldest child, and this is Raphael and Max, my twin sons." Magnus recited off their names as he placed his hand on each of their heads as he introduced them to the Lightwood grandparents. "They are my children from previous relationships." Magnus didn't want to or need to go further then that, though he did stand there with baited breath as he awaited his own fate as to whether the elder couple would be disgusted that he was a single man with three children and now embarked on a same sex relationship with their very own grandson.

"They..." Magnus glanced at Alec who looked just as nervous. "They are adorable!" Phoebe gushed honestly, her hands at her heart. "Hello little ones." She softly voiced as she crouched down in front of them.

"Hi," Magnus' cherubs responded in kind and Magnus let out a sigh of relief.

"Even though your first assumption was incorrect Andrew, but what I can tell you is that Alec is most definitely part of the family, for my children absolutely adore him, don't you?" Nods of the head made the blue eyed beauty blush adorably, though Alec watched in surprise as his grandfather crouched down too and shook hands sweetly with Magnus' children.

"Your eyes are pretty, just like Alec's." Madzie confessed to Andrew and was met with an answering fond smile from the older man. Looks like Magnus' children were making quite the impression on the older Lightwood's.

"I like yours too, all three of yours in fact as they look just like your father's." That got the kids beaming as they loved hearing how their eyes matched their beloved Papa's. "Did you know in my family, almost everyone is born with blue eyes, but no one wears them better then Alec here." Alec felt a light flush reach his cheeks. "Do you like them a lot too?"

"Mm!" Madzie bobbed her head affirmatively. "Alec's my blue eyed prince!" She swayed from side to side, her sparkly blue dress swishing against her black leggings as a massive smile spread across her pink lips. "I saved him from the rain." Madzie puffed her chest out proudly and Alec placed his hand atop Madzie's head as he smiled fondly down at her.

"Yes you did my little princess." Everyone watched him bend over and press his lips to the top of her head making Madzie giggle.

"Do you want to come draw with us?" Raphael piped up, Alec feeling a little bit of deja vu in all of this.

"I would love to, but I'm not very good." Andrew took hold of Raphael's hand and the youngster pulled him further into his home over to his and his siblings beanbags and the various colouring-in books and pencils splayed on the floor. Phoebe's large smile grew impossibly wider as she handed over a selection of pastries from the bakery around the corner of their holiday home in Tribeca. Alec gratefully took the offered box and then squat down so Max and Madzie could look inside.

"Wow..." They both adorably exclaimed.

"I wonder if they'll taste as good as Allie's."

"You cook Cuddle-bug?" Phoebe watched her grandson blush at her endearment. "Oh! I'm sorry I..." It just came so naturally to her that she always forgot it was probably a terrible name to be bestowed with at his age now.

"No, its alright. Its just...something to get used to." Alec gave a small shy smile. "I like it." That got Phoebe smiling wider and Magnus was sporting one too. He found the endearment the elder woman gave his sweet boyfriend utterly wonderful and was glad Alec was accepting it. He was certain it would make him feel closer to his grandparents even if it had been over twenty years. Magnus listened to Alec clear his throat, trying to get his brain and mouth moving again. "I do most of the cooking and baking around here since its my job."

"Your...job?" Magnus and Alec glanced at each other. "Its a long story." Alec grinned.

"Your grandson is an exceptional cook." Magnus praised and of course Alec blushed again. "We are very spoilt with his cooking, aren't we my darlings?"

"Yes!" All three chimed in, even if Raphael was busy with Andrew further in the living room, since they too were paying attention, but also colouring in Thor in his marvel superheros book.

"Though sadly, you won't be sampling Alexander's talents this evening since I took over cooking this evening for us all, much to Alec's annoyance."

"I just like cooking." Alec mumbled.

"I know you do, but I want you to be able to just relax this evening and have a good time with Andrew and Phoebe, and the kids too, because they will most definitely butt in to whatever is being talked about." Magnus forewarned with a smile on his lips which Phoebe laughed at.

"Your children sound like Gideon and Gabriel when they were little." She offered up and then listened to a beeping sound going off.

"Oh, that is my notice to check on the curry and place on the rice as dinner won't be far off." Magnus beamed liked the amazing dinner party host he was. "Alexander, please show your grandmother to the lounge and get the appetisers out of the fridge and also grab your grandparents and the kids some drinks as well."

"You're so bossy." Alec jokingly complained as he had a lopsided grin on his lips as Magnus rolled his eyes at him and then pat him sweetly on the cheek before wandering off, a hum on his lips.

"He seems like a very sweet man." Phoebe couldn't help but comment, having already noticed the way the both of them stared at each other when one of them wasn't actually looking. Her grandson was doing it right now as he walked her to the lounge, his bright blue eyes following Magnus as he headed through the archway into his large kitchen.

"He's the best." Alec coughed through his embarrassment when he registered those sickeningly sweet words in his own ears. "Um, so, what would the both of you like to drink? Magnus has a wide selection of teas and coffee from all over the world and a home brewed iced tea which is nice."

"We would be happy with the iced tea." Alec gave a nod.

"Allie, can we have juice?"

"Yes my little prince." Alec reeled off as he went to fulfil everyone's drink requests.

When Alec returned with a tray of drinks, Andrew sweetly asked Raphael if it was alright for him to have a break from colouring in so he could spend some time with his grandson and Alec's 'sweet boy' gave a nod and a big smile. Andrew made his way over to the couch and sat beside his wife, thanking his grandson for the glass of iced tea and took notice his wife was starring up at Alec. Or more or less looking at the side of his neck.

"You have a tattoo." They watched Alec's hand shoot up, which was now covered by the long baggy sleeve of his sweater as he pressed it over the striking black tattoo. Phoebe immediately knew Alec was filled with awkwardness. "I didn't mean anything by that Alec. I just hadn't noticed it when we were at the café." Alec seemed to relax a little at that as he gingerly took a seat whilst removing the cling film from around the appetisers Magnus had asked him to prepare earlier today. It was just the usual cured meats, pates, fruit and nuts and cheeses. As well as some pitted and marinated olives. Alec gave a nod of the head as he could now understand what Phoebe meant by that since he'd been so rugged up with his hoodie zipped all the way up to his throat and all. "Its a very unusual design. Does it mean anything?"

"Deflect." He watched his grandparents tilt their heads at that, silently awaiting further information then that. "I found it in a book, filled with a bunch of ancient rune symbols, each with different meanings."

"That sounds like you might possibly have more then one."

"And if I do?"

"Cuddle-bug, I'm not here to judge you." Alec felt his heart melt at her loving smile. "I'm here to get to know you better. Get to know the handsome young man you have become." A blush immediately tinted his cheeks.

"Be careful with praises Phoebe, Alexander does not do well with them." Magnus received a slight glare from Alec, but his blue eyes widened a little as Magnus ignored it entirely and ended up kissing his cheek. "Though he is indeed, very pleasing to the eye." Magnus winked as Alec ducked his head, cheeks flaming and had to listen to his grandmothers sweet laughter. "Andrew, you must try the olives, they are the absolute best." Magnus gestured to the platter and handed over plates and napkins to their guests before calling his children over so they could have a pre-dinner snack since the curry wouldn't be ready for at least half an hour.

There was a silence about them until Phoebe spoke up.

"I sometimes still cannot believe this is actually happening." She tasted one of the olives Magnus recommended and it was quite nice. The kids had gotten what they wanted, Magnus telling them to keep their voices down and not to spill anything as they trotted back to their beanbags and happily amused themselves. When Phoebe found all eyes on her, she thought it best to elaborate, even if she felt her cheeks warm at her own confession. "You came back to us Cuddle-bug." Alec chewed lightly on his bottom lip.

"You'll have to forgive your grandmother, she's going to be in awe for quite sometime." Alec's blue eyes shifted over to his grandfather. "Phoebe has suffered emotionally and mentally after having lost Robert. To think the first time we hear anything about Robert and Maryse was 13 years after they had just disappeared on us, breaking all contact with us, but it was the most horrifying news of all for they had been killed in that car accident." Alec gulped down the lump in his throat as Andrew took hold of his wife's lightly shaking hand. "Phoebe spiralled downhill and I was at a loss of what to do for her."

"Andrew..."

"I couldn't get her son back and now at the news he had died, we'd never get him back. I failed as her husband and as a father." Green eyes welled up.

"Andrew no..."

"It took me a long time to accept my failings." Andrew took a gulp of his iced tea. "We honestly, truly, were going to attend the funeral, but Phoebe's health became critical. All the stress that had been building over the years, which she was so good at hiding from me and the boys, hit a breaking point which of course was made worse for the fact she wasn't eating or sleeping properly. Phoebe suffered a heart attack."

"Oh my..." Magnus gasped out.

"She was airlifted to Toronto for immediate surgery, but due to the damage she had unknowingly done to herself, it was advised that she had to be placed into an induced coma to give her body a chance to heal. It was the most stressful time of my life. I thought I was loosing the love of my life." Phoebe took hold of her husbands hands, squeezing them tight. She had no idea what kind of emotional trauma she had placed on her husband as she was lost in her own grief about having lost her son and daughter-in-law and also her darling little Cuddle-bug. "Phoebe was hospitalised for three months, needing that time to recuperate as much as possible and when it was all over, though we did attend counselling for a long time afterwards, once we settled back home, it was only then did we realise we missed the funeral."

"Are you alright now?" Alec could hear the worry in Magnus' voice where as he was having trouble forming a single word let along an entire sentence!

"Physically we are both fit and healthy now, but we still struggle with the fact we never got to say goodbye to Robert and Maryse and then there was all the unanswered questions we had about you."

"The next time you visit, I'll take you to see them." Alec saw the relief on their faces at his offer. "If...If you want that is." Perhaps that would give them a little bit of closure. Or so Alec could only assume.

"That would be wonderful." Phoebe sniffed and gratefully took the box of tissues from Magnus as he had gotten up to go get them for her. "Oh look at me, I'm such a mess."

"You're beautiful." Both Phoebe and Magnus blinked between Andrew and Alec having said that at the same time.

"Oh, you Lightwood's." Phoebe placed her head against her husbands shoulder whilst Magnus sat on the arm rest of the chair her grandson was in and watched him press a kiss to Alec's head as he mumbled 'you charmer' making him blush cutely.

When Alec finally took notice that his grandparents were silently observing how open Magnus was in showing affection towards him, he tensed up immediately. He hated how Magnus picked up on it straight away and gave him some room, not wanting to push his already fragile and high strung emotions as they were. He just couldn't help it. His own parents never showed him attention even before they found out his sexual orientation and then did so even less when he finally came clean.

Just as Magnus was about to distance himself more, possibly going to go back and sit in the other chair which was technically on the other side of the coffee table from Alec, and much too far away from him, especially in Alec's mind, he quickly clasped Magnus' hand, lacing their fingers and felt a surge of confidence bloom within him.

"If you are awkward about any of this, please tell me. I don't want you to feel like you have to lie to me because we haven't seen each other for years." Alec was pretty proud of himself after saying that. He was not going to hide who he was or his relationship with Magnus.

"Despite what you think Alec, even with you and Magnus dating, you are quite conservative in the way you interact, but then when you have these moments of affection, like right now, its truly lovely to see." Alec's eyes gew wide in slight shock at his grandmother's words. "I know those words are very shocking for you to hear, but you would understand how we are if you just met your cousin Anna." Alec listened to his grandfather chuckle at that. "Anna is a serial dater, not having much of a committed bone in her body and frequently dates multiple women at the same time. She was actually recently caught with three girlfriends on the go."

"Wh-What?" Alec was floored at this news. He watched his grandmother roll her eyes and actually laughed at that! His grandmother who had birthed his insanely judgemental father, yet she spoke about same sex relationships like it was the most normal thing on the planet!

"I do worry about her though."

"Wh-Why?" Alec was bracing himself for the prejudice or rejection surely to come.

"I swear my darling Anna is going to, one day, be stabbed for leading those ladies on." Blue eyes widened in shock. "Its very worrying and I feel like if that happens I'll be standing over her grave and shaking my head at her and saying 'Anna, my darling, what did I tell you about playing with young girls hearts'?" Magnus couldn't help but crack up, delighting in Alec's tense shoulders loosening and his adorable soft chuckles joined in.

"She sounds like quite the character." Magnus piped up.

"Oh she definitely is. Anna's passion in life is to travel the world as much as possible."

"And break girls hearts along the way." Andrew added in.

"That too." Phoebe laughed lightly. "Anna hasn't really settled down on what she wants to do with her life, but she is only 21, though it does secretly upset Cecily since she was hoping that Anna might have an idea by now since she's the oldest and is meant to set an example for her brothers, but Gabriel just tells her there is nothing wrong with taking your time, but then we think he secretly likes having a heart-breaker in the family too. The boys don't have girlfriends, being the shy boys they are, and Gabriel was a fumbling mess too, never confident like Anna is."

"I have got to meet her." Magnus proclaimed and Phoebe grinned wide.

"You will love her."

"What about my other cousins, what are they doing with themselves?" Alec was really intrigued to know more.

"I'm happy to report that Barbara followed in my footsteps and is studying nursing. She's a natural at it. Genie is a little like Anna in that she's a bit undecided in what she wants to do. She seems to have a knack for languages though, so she might decide to teach English in other countries."

"At least that is what Phoebe is predicting." Andrew chimed in. "Tom-Tom as the baby is still finishing high school. He's a bit of a movie buff and is really into computer games. Chris on the other hand was more into the outdoors and getting his hands dirty. He is very good with his hands, very creative when he is working with wood and so decided on an apprenticeship and works for his father as Gabriel owns a carpentry business."

"Alex as the second youngest attends the same high school as Tom-Tom and is a bookworm." Phoebe could almost see some similarities between Alex and Alec. "He's super smart, our quiet little achiever, but he has expressed his passion for writing and hopes to one day pursue that."

"What about yourself Alec? What are your passions?" Andrew openly asked.

"Um, well, I was hoping to go to University, but never got the chance to."

"What were you going to study?" Phoebe was equally interested in knowing more about their oldest grandchild.

"I wasn't sure. I just wanted to get away from mum and dad." They both watched Alec jerk in his seated position, head ducking as it appeared he hadn't meant to blurt that out. "Sorry..."

"Alec, you can say whatever is on your mind. You don't need to be on guard with us. Yes Robert is our son, regardless of positive or negative things said about him, but you have a right to say what you want to say."

"Your opinion matters my boy." Andrew softly reaffirmed.

"I guess, in a moment of weakness, after I told them I was gay, the looks they gave me..." Magnus who was still sitting on the arm rest of Alec's chair took his hand. "The disgust, the rejection, I knew the only way to be free of that was to leave. I could hardly breathe around them without the thought of wanting to be sick. I had applied to Boston University, thinking I might try my hand at history and literature, but really, I just wanted to run away."

"Alec..." Magnus placed his comforting hand on his boyfriends shoulder.

"I just wanted to be free of them, but I was torn too, because leaving would mean leaving Jace, Izzy and Max to fend for themselves. Even with me out of the picture, its not like mum and dad were going to be better parents. Not that the thought of going to University lasted very long when they died. The police called me to the hospital, I had to identify their bodies which is something I am never going to erase in my head and then I had to tell Jace, Izzy and Max that mum and dad had died and from that night onwards, my life took another path."

"I am so sorry we were not there." Blue eyes shot over to misty green ones.

"Phoebe, you were unwell yourself, so please don't feel guilty. After all, I sort of didn't even know the both of you existed so its not like I was placing the blame on anyone." Alec shrugged his shoulders. "Were mum and dad terrible parents? Yes. Should they have done better for us, because it wasn't just me they were neglecting, yes they should have. Can I change any of that? No. Honestly I've stewed on my very thoughts since I could learn how to think for myself and understand what was going on around me and its like you said, they made their choices. I sometimes used to think, just before their crash, did they think about us? Did they die with regrets? Did they think they should have done better for us? I'm never going to know. Then I used to think about how for a split second I was glad they were gone." Alec dropped his gaze,not wanting to see the look of disgust in their eyes for having a small semblance of happiness that his disapproving parents were no longer around. "It didn't last long though, because I wasn't the only one that was affected by their deaths. I had Jace, Izzy and Max to think about now. Over the years, many questions constantly ate at me. Question like whether I ever felt thankful for them. At first no, no I didn't. It took me awhile, probably not until I met Magnus, but I changed my mind on that very question now. I am thankful for them. If they weren't the way they were, constantly pushing me to always do better, to be better, even when I felt like I was choking and drowning on their expectations, even with how painful their rejection of me was, but in the end their untimely deaths which thrust me into being a mother, father and brother to my siblings, it actually gave me the strength to shoulder all of that. With mum and dad constantly looking over me, pressuring me when they were alive, it drove me to always do better for my siblings. Do try and do better then mum and dad ever gave them. Granted I fumbled a lot, I still do, but their uncompromising demands on me helped build me into the person I am today." Alec found his grandparents just widely blinking at him before noticing Magnus was doing the same. "Sorry, that was quite a ramble." Alec ducked his head in embarrassment.

"How do you always continue to surprise me like this?" Blue eyes jerked up to see the adoring look on Magnus' face, which of course made his cheeks warm. "You are just... You're amazing Alexander." Magnus was utterly floored as he cupped Alec's cheek. Of course he knew how much Alec still hurt over his childhood and teenage years and the rejection of not just one but both his parents, and yet now he was seemingly using the way his parents treated him to continue to place one foot in front of the other, using it to better himself and his desire to continuously provide and protect his siblings whom he loved with all his heart and soul.

"Shut up..." Alec mumbled out.

"I mean it Alexander." Blue met brown-golden orbs. "Aside from some slight hiccups along the way, you have done an amazing job with Jace, Izzy and Max."

"Yeah?"

"Absolutely." Alec grinned then and felt his eyes flutter closed when Magnus' lips pressed a kiss to his forehead. A timer went off, breaking the moment as it chimed away from the kitchen which drew Magnus to feet. "Now that means dinner is ready. Take a seat at the dining table and I'll bring everything out."

"Should we open a bottle of wine?" Alec asked, pleased that the suddenly heavy atmosphere he had created was easing. "Just this once, as a special occasion."

"We are not much for drinking, but I think that is a wonderful idea, though we'll just have half a glass each."

"As will Magnus and I. We are both trying to cut back." Magnus squeezed Alec's hand before heading off to the kitchen, listening to his darling boyfriend round up his children as he would settle them into their chairs around the table, he knowing that his youngest would stick close to Alec, as he always did during dinnertime.

With everything now on the table and Alec doing the honours of dishing out the rice and curry into bowls, Magnus went about pouring the merlot into their wine glasses and refilled his children's glasses with water this time. The aromas from the curry began to mill about the living space, making everyone take deep breaths in. Magnus loved the smell. It was familiar to him, during a time when everything was right in his world and always placed him at ease. He waited patiently for everyone else to taste before he did.

"This is delicious!" Magnus beamed at the compliments. Granted he hadn't made it in a very long time, but he wanted to do something special, share a dish that truly meant something to him from his childhood with his darling boyfriend and his grandparents.

"It is a chicken curry, a family recipe handed down to me by my father." Magnus softly explained as he spooned some rice and curry into his mouth, savouring the flavours. Even though he hadn't made it in a long time, Magnus was almost certain this was the best curry he'd ever made in his life. "It happens to be my most favourite dish. Although, a lot of Alexander's food is also becoming my favourite too." Magnus winked at Alec who blushed sweetly at the compliment. He watched pleased as everyone tucked into his curry, delighting in the happy sighs and moans, especially from his darling boyfriend.

"This is so you Magnus."

"What do you mean?"

"This curry. Its warm and comforting and just speaks and smells of family and home. Its so you!" All went quiet and Alec blushed bright red before ducking his head as the kids started to giggle heartily and tease him for being so red in the face. "I'm not wrong." Alec mumbled cutely as he shovelled some curry and rice into his gob.

"Alexander..." He peered up between the gaps in his messy black bangs to the wondrous look on Magnus' face. "That's truly the loveliest thing anyone has ever said about me or my food."

"R-Really?"

"Yes." Magnus squeezed Alec's thigh under the table. "Thank you."

"S-Sure." Alec ducked his head again and quietly began to eat the curry once more, still wholeheartedly embarrassed especially saying that in front of his grandparents, but a tiny satisfied smile did touch his lips. Magnus was pleased with his compliment which in effect made him super happy too.

"I have to agree." All eyes shifted to Andrew. "This does make one feel like you've just come home." Magnus' grin widened even more.

"I'm happy that my curry has got the Lightwood seal of approval." Everyone chuckled at the table. "Eat as much as you like, I made plenty after all."

"Next time..." Magnus shifted his gaze and attention back to Alec. "Next time could we make it together?" The question made Magnus feel all gooey inside as Alec chewed adorably on his bottom lip.

"Of course."

"Me too!" Magnus grinned when his babies chimed in too.

"We'll make it a Lightwood-Bane evening of it another day."

"Hooray!"

"Not too loudly munchkins, please remember your manners in front of our lovely guests."

"Oops... Sorry Papa." Max sheepishly grinned, since he was the loudest out of the three of them.

"That's alright Maxi. Oh, Raph, be careful, don't spill anything on your new batman top." Magnus picked up a napkin and wiped his sons mouth before the blob of sauce dripped down his chin and would drop off and stain his top.

"You're a wonderful father Magnus." Phoebe praised.

"Well..."

"Your father must be proud." All eyes watched as Magnus' darted to the tabletop. "Did I say something wrong?"

"Its...complicated." Alec softly offered up in Magnus' place, this time it being his hand which squeezed Magnus' thigh, offering him support.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that."

"Me too." Magnus finally got himself under control a little and they all went back to eating.

As the light chatter continued throughout dinner, Magnus was noticing that Andrew was continuously gazing about his home.

"Is everything alright Andrew?"

"Oh yes, I was just thinking is all."

"Care to share?" Magnus warmly smiled at the older man. "Well I was just thinking, it really isn't that far until Christmas and was just wondering if you celebrated it?"

"I do."

"No decorations or tree then?" Andrew gestured around Magnus' home and all watched as Magnus' orbs drifted about his apartment too.

"Oh!" Magnus gasped as his children turned to look at him expectantly at the mention of Christmas and decorations in the same sentence. It was then he realised that his darling children always patiently waited for him to bring it up as he loved surprising them with spending an entire evening excessively decorating their home together. They even secretly left everything up throughout January too. "Goodness, so much has been going on I completely forgot about it. I'm sorry my darlings." Magnus shifted his gazes to his children. Alec himself felt a little guilty too since he'd been so preoccupied lately as well. Why hadn't he picked up on it earlier when Raphael and Max were talking about making cards?!

"Does that mean Santa won't come?" All eyes shifted to Max's big pouting orbs.

"Absolutely not." Alec was quick to voice. "Santa is definitely coming to the Bane household for sure. I put in a good word for my little princess and my cheeky princes." Alec gave a wink as massive smiles and squeals of delight echoed through the home.

"Oh I know what we could do after dinner." All eyes shifted back to Magnus. "With two extra pairs of hands, if they don't mind of course, how about I go and pull out the Christmas tree from the basement, along with all our other boxes of ornaments, lights and tinsel and we decorate our home tonight?!"

"Really Papa?" His cherubs questioned simultaneously, excitement bubbly.

"If Andrew and Phoebe are happy to help that is."

"Grandpa Andrew, Grandma Phoebe, will you stay and decorate with us?" Alec was grinning from ear to ear, possibly looking like a mad man with how Magnus' children were referring to his grandparents.

"Well, with such an angelic request like that, how could we refuse." Andrew watched Phoebe laugh as her cryptic answer went over their heads. "Of course we'll help."

"Hooray!" Magnus smiled sweetly at his babies, this time not telling them off for being so very excited and loud.

"If everyone has finished dinner, we can soon start decorating." Magnus' children let out tiny gasps as spoons scraped against porcelain, the last remnants of the curry being slurped up into tiny mouths before cutlery was deposited back into empty bowls.

"Finished!" All three chimed adorably.

"I'll wash up so you can haul everything up from downstairs." Alec voiced as he rose from his seat. "Why don't you three pack away your books and pencils and place your beanbags away too." The kids scurried away to do as Alec asked, excitement about decorating barely being contained.

"I'll help Alec." Phoebe stubbornly voiced, Magnus and Alec knowing immediately there was no room for argument on her decision as she was already stacking the dishes together and taking them to the kitchen.

"Its best just to let her go." Andrew offered up in advice. "Magnus, how about I assist you with bringing everything up?"

"Alright then." Everyone had their designated tasks, Phoebe grinning wide when Magnus had come to kiss her grandson sweetly on the cheek as he and Andrew headed off to haul up the tree and boxes of decorations.

#

It didn't take long for Alec and Phoebe to rinse everything off and stack the dishwasher. Alec had told her to go back out into the living room as he would prepare some tea, coffee and hot chocolate for the kids and then placed the baked goods she had bought for them onto a nicer serving platter and then pulled the sliced watermelon from the fridge as well.

He placed it all on the coffee table and then tucked in the dining chairs and wiped it down with an antibacterial wipe before placing that into the trash. When Alec came back out he noticed Phoebe was standing near the fireplace.

"Everything alright?" Alec moved over and noticed Phoebe was gazing at one of the framed photos on the mantle. Her inquisitive green eyes shot over to him. "That is Raphael and Max's mother." He softly voiced listening to his grandmother gasp, even though she had already placed two and two together with seeing the tiny babies leaning against the headstone. "She died giving birth to them."

"Oh good heavens..." She softly muttered, her voice filled with pain for a man she barely even knew. "Poor Magnus."

"He's alright now." Alec offered up. "He honours her by ensuring to bring up their children right. It also helps that Raph and Max are so adorable."

"They are." Phoebe agreed. Alec watched her pick up the snowglobe and watched her click the button. "This is pretty. Not your typical snowglobe though."

"Its from Magnus' father. Its his lake house inside."

"There is a back story there isn't it?"

"There is."

"Complicated and messy?"

"Very much so."

"Well then he's lucky he's got you here."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because Lightwood's do complicated and messy so well." Phoebe watched a look of confusion rush across her grandson's face. "Lightwood's are tough. We can overcome anything as long as we are determined to do so and as long as we stick together."

"Phoebe..." The front door swung open as Magnus was heading in with quite a large tree being squeezed through the door and Alaric was carrying the base of it. "Oh my god, just how much stuff do you have?" Alec cracked up as he helped a flushed Magnus, probably not truly used to lifting such a heavy tree, or carting it up flights of stairs since it did not fit in the elevator due to its height.

"Oof!" Magnus exclaimed as he did a bit of stretching once they got the tree upright and stable and then grinned down at his squealing children as they gazed up at the 10 foot tall tree, mouths agape in wonder. They were always like that every single year. "I forgot how heavy and awkward it is. Thank you for helping us Alaric."

"Its no trouble at all Mr Bane." Alec quickly jumped into action, pulling two boxes from Andrew's arms as he had been carrying three and they were obstructing his view. Andrew handed off the box to his wife before helping Magnus and Alaric bring in the other five boxes. "Enjoy the rest of your evening." Alaric promptly took his leave and all eyes focused on Magnus' children as they were already popping open a box and pulling tinsel out.

"Now, where should we start?" Magnus piped up, hands on hips as he gazed down at his excited children, noticing Madzie has already opened another box.

"Here Papa." She lifted an item towards him and Magnus flipped it over. "Can we?" He raised his gaze to Alec and his grandparents and showed the item to them and they all grinned wide. That was answer enough as Magnus went over to his stereo and popped in Disney's Christmas Album and then started to work out a plan of attack.

#

As the evening wore on, pastries and fruit were eaten in between the CD being played on repeat, Magnus' children singing the songs they knew and their very handsome father joining in every now and then making Alec swoon. His boyfriend had such a sexy voice.

Fairy lights were strung up, Alec even braving the cold along with his grandfather as they placed them around the balcony. Phoebe put the wreath on the front door for them and Alec and Andrew took it in turns to blow up the inflatable Santa, thanking the heavens that Magnus finally found the automatic pump or else it was literally going to take them hours to do it. Inflatable Santa, who was holding a sign that said 'Please Stop Here', was placed out on the balcony and was strategically tied down in case of unexpected strong winds. Once that was done and all fairy lights had finally been hung up or twisted around poles and laid across furniture, Alec got the kids to do the honours of carefully plugging them all in and everyone watched as the apartment lit up in a flurry of rainbow colours which made Magnus' children squeal in adorable delight.

There was also a variety of Christmas ornaments now decorating any available space, including several Christmas themed snowglobes which lit up and some even played tunes if you wound them up. The massive tree was awash with every colour known to man and every ornament known to man too. Lights and tinsel were all strewn over it, the enormous structure frightening Chairman Meow who hissed at the tree and then scampered off in the direction of Madzie's bedroom.

The mantle over the fireplace now had four stockings hanging from it which were all a lovely velvet material, in deep reds and golds, and inscribed on each stocking was 'Papa', 'Sweet Pea', 'Raph' and 'Maxi'. When Magnus had made mention that he would have to go and purchase Alec one, exactly like these stockings and inscribe it with 'Alexander', well no one could blame Alec for feeling all gooey inside.

With the amount of tinsel and lights and mismatched decorations and ornaments it should all have been a cluttered and appalling mess, but for Alec as he stood around looking at it all, watching Magnus on hands and knees as he was placing the fake snow underlay around the tree to hide the plastic legs holding the tree up away, he couldn't help but think everything was utterly perfect.

"That's everything isn't it?" Magnus got up, brushing non-existent dirt from his jeans.

"Not yet Papa." All eyes shifted to Madzie as she pulled a forgotten item from a box and unwrapped it as it was protected by bubble wrap. Everyone gazed down at a gold and silver star with a massive diamonte in the middle of it.

"That's a lovely star." Phoebe softly voiced.

"I picked it out when I celebrated my first Christmas with my real father." Curious eyes shifted to Alec and he gave a gesture which the older Lightwood's took to mean that maybe, hopefully, one day they would get told that story. Magnus, who hadn't noticed he voiced that, took the star carefully from his daughter's hands and then turned to look at Alec.

"Would you like to place the star up?"

"Me?" He'd never put a star on a tree before. Over the years when he and his siblings decorated their minuscule tree, he always did it in turns every year between the three of them, never including himself. Alec gazed up at the tree. "I'm not sure I'll be able to reach the top though, even on that chair."

"I can go and get a step ladder from Alaric."

"No..." Alec mumbled before he crouched in front of the kids. "Is it alright with you boys if I get Madzie to help me place the star up?" He got an affirmative nod from Raph.

"Only if you make us cookies." Came the immediate response from Max.

"Cheeky." Alec pinched Max's cheek as he picked a widely grinning Madzie up and then stood on the chair, which Magnus was firmly holding in place too and then handed the star that Magnus gave him back to Madzie and lifted her up higher so she could carefully place on the star.

"Wow..." Madzie softly muttered as Alec got down and cradled his princess to his chest as they all took in the tinsel and fairy light clad tree which was sparkling away.

"Now its perfect." Alec muttered and received nods of the head from his grandparents.

"Actually, there is one more thing." Blue orbs shifted to Magnus and found he was crouched near his twins, all three of them wearing Santa hats. There was another in his hand and Alec placed Madzie down and she rushed to her father's side as he put her hat on.

"Stay right there." Alec demanded and snapped a photo, or two, or possibly three of the Bane family on his phone.

"Will you send that to us?" Phoebe asked and Alec grinned wide and nodded his head affirmatively.

"Those hats kind of remind me of that Christmas you bought Alec the elf hat and how unhappy he was when you made him wear it." Andrew laughed at the memory. "He wanted a Santa one but they had all sold out."

"Oh that's right." Phoebe joined in. "I think its in the album I bought with me." Everyone watched Phoebe shuffle off, before she came back over with a photo in her hand and turned it over as Alec looked down at it. Sure enough, a very grumpy looking Alec, with his big blue eyes was staring up at the camera and he had a red and green elf hat on his head. His bottom lip stuck out, like he was about to cry.

"You're so adorable Alexander."

"Shut up..." He mumbled with a tiny blush on his cheeks as he handed it back to Phoebe.

"Would you like to see some pictures of you growing up in West Virginia?"

"Um..."

"Never mind him, I want to see pictures of Alexander."

"Hey..." Alec grumbled as Phoebe went back to her handbag and pulled out a small album which could house thirty pictures in it. She placed the one already shown back in its rightful spot before handing it over to Alec.

"Allie what are you looking at?" Max was sneakily by Alec's side and looking expectantly up at him. Nothing got past this youngster.

"Its a book with pictures in it."

"Can I see it too?" They watched as Alec sat on the floor, the kids crowding around him. Madzie leaning over Alec's hunched back, her arms secure around his neck as she peered over his left shoulder whilst Max and Raph were sitting on his knees and leaning into him adorably too. It melted Magnus' heart as he watched his boyfriend open the photo album to the first page. "Who's that Allie?" Max pointed to a little baby with wispy black hair and wrapped in a blue blanket with yellow ducks on it.

"That's me." Wide eyes looked up at him.

"You were so tiny!" Madzie confessed as Alec turn the pages and found him either playing outside in the autumn leavings or stomping through snow and trying to make a snowman to other photos where he was covered from head to tow in mud, a massive grin on his face, never mind the fact he was butt naked. There were others where he wasn't even looking at the camera and was either fast asleep, drawing or affectionately curled in his grandmother's lap and cuddling close. In fact there were a lot of pictures of him with his grandmother. No wonder she'd given him the name 'Cuddle-bug' with how much he clung to her. Alec's favourite picture, if he had to have one of himself was the one where he had a birthday cake in front of him with a '1' candle lit up and he was utterly transfixed by it, an open mouthed grin and a couple of baby teeth showing, the firelight dancing in his big blue eyes. It was the epitome of childhood innocence that Alec was fortunate enough to witness with Magnus' three children and he hoped they wouldn't loose it for a very long time.

Magnus was able to peer down at the album every now and then, seeing some absolutely adorable pictures of his boyfriend, but was actually trying to keep the conversation going with Andrew and Phoebe since their grandson had been stolen by his children for the moment.

"I've got plenty more that I can send you via messaging so don't worry Magnus." Phoebe must have caught his pouting look of not being able to see all the pictures in the album she had brought with her.

"I heard that." Alec grumbled as Magnus grinned wide and gave Phoebe a wink, holding her to that gesture for sure.

As much as Magnus didn't want to break up how clingy his children were being with Alec, he did realise they were quickly falling asleep on him. It had been quite the eventful evening and especially with the excitement of now having their home overly decorated with Christmas cheer.

"Come on Sweet Pea, its way past your bed time." Magnus softly voiced as he glided on over and picked up his daughter, she cuddling into his chest. That left Alec with the boys, but it was pretty much second nature to Alec these days as he placed down the photo album and rose to his full height with the boys safe and secure in his arms. Phoebe collected it up and placed it back into her handbag.

When all three children let out tiny content sighs, it was a given that Andrew and Phoebe were absolutely smitten by Magnus' children. Their smiles were massive as they watched their grandson murmur lovingly to both boys before planting kisses into their hair. The three adorable cherubs were like magnets to their grandson and it was such a wonderful sight to witness.

"Oh my goodness." Phoebe exclaimed as all eyes shifted to her. "I just realised something!"

"What is that?" Andrew asked his wife, wondering what her train of thought was going to bring forth, he always surprised by his wife even after all these years.

"Andrew, we're great grandparents!" Phoebe gushed and Alec's face went red hot, his eyes wide and lips parted open in shock, moving but nothing was coming out. Andrew couldn't help the chuckle that burst from his lips, albeit quieter then usual since he did not want to wake Magnus' children and shook his head at his wife's antics. What he did notice was how wide Magnus was grinning at the comment, the rather handsome man winking at his grandson before excusing himself as he took his daughter to her room. Alec spluttered out he would do the same with the boys as he rushed off. "Oh, I think I just embarrassed them both."

"Most definitely." Andrew commented and linked his hand with his wife's and brought it to his lips, giving it a quick kiss.

When the boys came back out they noticed that Andrew and Phoebe had placed their coats back on, knowing that was signalling the end of the evening.

"It has been a lovely evening and we hate for it to end, but we do have an early flight out." Andrew buttoned up his jacket. "Thank you so much for having us this evening and for letting us decorate your home with the both of you and your children."

"It was wonderful to have you here as well." Magnus offered up as he opened his front door. They all looked to Alec who was chewing his lip, seemingly trying to find something to say but was having trouble doing so.

"Goodbyes are hard Cuddle-bug, but this isn't a goodbye at all. We will come back. Again and again. For you." This was Andrew and Phoebe's promise and commitment to Alec. "And when you are ready to share your siblings with us, we will return to see them again and again as well, because we're Lightwood's and true Lightwood's stick together." An adorable tiny smile graced Alec's lips.

"I look forward to it." Came his soft and heartfelt confession. "Oh, wait just a moment." He ducked off into the kitchen and wrapped up the last of the cookies and then came back over to the entranceway, handing them over to his grandparents. There were about a dozen there.

"Hey, those are my sugar cookies." Magnus jokingly griped when he realised what Alec was handing over.

"I'll bake you more." Alec mumbled as he kissed Magnus' cheek before turning his attention back to his grandparents. "I hope you like them." He softly voiced and watched his grandparents step over to the elevator after shaking hands with him and Magnus.

"We'll send you a message when we land." Alec gave a nod of thanks. "We'll be in touch and please apologise to your darling children that we didn't get to say goodbye to them Magnus."

"Sorry they just fell asleep like that."

"Its quite alright." Andrew grinned. "Alec used to do that when he was little too, especially after stuffing himself silly with pasta or a nice stew." Alec blushed at the love shining in Andrew's blue eyes as he looked fondly at him.

"Wait!" Alec blurted out, stopping Andrew from pressing the button for the elevator to come up to the penthouse floor and take them down to the lobby where they would ask Alaric to call them a taxi to take them back to Tribeca. Magnus watched as Alec went striding over to his grandparents. "Tonight truly means a lot to me. I just... I just don't know how to express it well." He awkwardly confessed.

"It means the world to us as well Cuddle-bug." And it was that very word, that sweet endearment that had Alec stepping forward even more, his arms opening up as he embraced his grandmother for the very first time in twenty-three years.

"Oh!" Phoebe gasped, her arms quickly flying up as she clutched at her grandson. "Cuddle-bug..." She softly murmured, trying to contain her tears and knew she was failing at it. This is what she had longed for the moment Magnus had rung them to say he was associated with their long lost grandson.

"Thank you..." Alec mumbled softly into her hair, feeling a blush rise on his cheeks just as a silly grin formed when Andrew decided that he was not going to be a spectator in this hug and wanted in on it too. It made Phoebe and Alec giggle, the sound warming Magnus and Andrew's hearts.

It felt like an eternity before Alec finally pulled away, gazing into teary eyes as he brushed a stray one from Phoebe's cheek.

"Sorry, didn't mean to make you cry."

"Happy tears Cuddle-bug. That is what these are."

"Ok..." Alec finally pulled away. "You better get going so you can at least get some rest before your flight." Phoebe squeezed his hand as her and Andrew finally stepped into the elevator. "We'll see you soon." They waved at him and Alec gave a nod, a gentle smile on his face and a softness to his physique which had truly grown less and less tense as the evening wore on. Alec watched the doors close before taking a deep breath and turning back around to see Magnus standing in his doorway and gently smiling over at him.

"You alright Sweetheart?" Those very sweet words, the care held in Magnus' eyes had Alec moving over to his boyfriend, arms out as he dove into Magnus' embrace, listening to the beautiful man chuckle lightly before he shuffled backwards as they moved further into the warmth of the apartment and then Alec kicked the door closed as it auto-locked behind them.

"I'm great." Alec confirmed as he pressed a kiss to Magnus' neck, feeling the man's arms tighten around him instantly. "Thank you for this evening. It was amazing."

"It was wasn't it." Magnus muttered as he pressed his lips to Alec's messy hair. "Come on, its time for bed." Alec did not protest as he followed Magnus to his room, their fingers interlaced as the living room was doused in darkness save for the twinkling of the lights on the balcony, the tree and the crackling fire.

#

To be continued...