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)

26. Chapter 26

Help Wanted

By Shin Sankai

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Author's Note: Alas darling readers, we have reached the final chapter. Woohoo! Thank you, again, for coming on this journey with me. I probably won't be bothering to upload stories here anymore. You can find me on AO3 instead, under Shin_Sankai so come and check me out there as I've other Malec ideas brewing in my head and they'll be there.

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Chapter 26: Epilogue – Malec and Family at a Glance (2+ years on)

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It was quite lively in the Lightwood-Bane household and not even all the guests had arrived.

Magnus was pottering around, making sure the table was set just beautifully, the music on low as it was projected through the surround sound system and the kids were behaving themselves. Sort of.

This years Thanksgiving affair was going to outdo all other affairs in their home in Carroll Gardens, though Halloween and Christmas still stood out as some of the best extravaganza's the men would host for their family and friends.

Alec glanced back at Magnus as he was muttering to himself, making sure everything was perfect whilst Alec placed down the laptop and fired it up. He took a seat in front of it and knew this Thanksgiving was even more special then the others, so far, because he and Magnus had some rather exciting news to tell everyone, though he was saddened that two of his siblings could not make it, but they were still going to be part of it through Skype.

To think it had been a pretty eventful two and a bit years in everyone's lives...

#

Izzy was still in London, following her dreams. She did regularly Skype her brothers every Sunday without fail. The three of them had even been introduced to her boyfriend, Meliorn, who she'd now been dating for over a year and he was pretty much part of the family now.

Meliorn was a horticulturist, running his own business that was only a couple years old and seemed like a quiet and respectable man, a little (a lot) mysterious and Izzy seemed to like that. Alec wasn't even sure if that was truly the man's name, but he could see the happiness glinting in his sister's eyes as Meliorn would listen in on their family banter for a few moments every Sunday before kissing Izzy's cheek, saying he'd go get dinner because he didn't want to be bed ridden at Izzy's latest attempt at cooking them something. As he headed off, they would all hear her cranky yelling saying she could so boil eggs and it was he who had the sensitive stomach and there was nothing wrong with her food and Meliorn would just give her a slight dismissive wave as he headed off and let her have some alone time with them.

As the weeks passed, since they had been introduced to Meliorn, Alec and his brothers started to see him every Sunday now and Alec didn't want to speculate, or ask twenty questions, but it kind of looked like Izzy and her boyfriend had pretty much started living together in her London apartment, but Alec let it be because Izzy looked happy and that is all he could ever ask for. Apparently Meliorn's parents and his siblings loved Izzy so that was good news too.

She couldn't make it for Thanksgiving this year, due to her work, but she had gotten time off over Christmas and New Years, since she hadn't been back to the States since last Christmas, when she flew to Canada for a few days, and Alec truly couldn't wait to have her home. He couldn't wait to wrap his arms around his sister and squeeze her so very tight. Plus, this year, Meliorn was coming too and Alec was finally going to meet the man face to face. The very man who appeared to have stolen his little sister's heart. He had promised Izzy not to go hard on him, but he couldn't promise that Jace and Max (possibly even Magnus too) weren't going to give him the third degree.

Izzy had just rolled her eyes at that and muttered something that went over his head and figured it was British slang since she had taken to the British language and their slang like a duck to water. He found it cute that she tried to place on a little accent every now and then, he trying to hide his smirk when Meliorn was in the background correcting her and not paying attention to the pout on her face which he was clearly used to nowadays.

It seemed the UK had become Izzy's home and though Alec missed his sister like crazy, he was so very proud of Dr Isabelle Sophia Lightwood.

#

Alec broke from his thoughts of his sister as he grinned whilst looking up at the framed photo on the wall in front of him which housed two photos to be exact. The first picture was Alec with Izzy as he was cuddling his tiny sister, even in her six inch heels, as she had collected her doctorate (with honours) and Magnus had taken the picture of them. The other picture was a photo of Alec with Jace as he had actually obtained some certificates in security management through on the job training at Asmodeus' company. The two men stood side by side, Jace holding his certificates in both hands and Alec couldn't be prouder of his blonde brother.

#

Jace had come a long way since his admission of his drug problems and his admittance to Idris Sanctuary. He'd had many ups and downs and spent a total of nine months getting himself sorted and mentally prepared for rejoining the 'real world' and the temptations that lie there. Things weren't easy, but Jace was determined to make his family proud of him. He even wore the Herondale ring now, on a chain around his neck, finally coming to peace with his family thanks to the letters he had finally read from Edmund and Cecily. The only other piece of jewellery Jace wore was the Lightwood family ring, because in Jace's mind, he was a Lightwood through and through. Honour, respect and family values were what he lives by now thanks to Alec's teachings. He would never fail his brother and his siblings anymore.

When Jace had finally left Idris Sanctuary, he had almost felt like a baby trying to walk for the first time again. Alec and Magnus had come to pick him up and everything was all a bit weird until Jace stepped into his new home with Alec and to the floor which had been set-up as his own personal and rather large studio apartment. It gave him the space and independence he needed, but also being very close to Alec too, the boys needing each other more then ever with their young siblings having flown the coop.

As Jace started acclimating back into the world, Magnus had once again taken it upon himself to look out for those that were important to his boyfriend and therefore important to him and had spoken to his father about Jace's observation skills and asked the man for the first favour in his very life to take the blonde on board.

Of course Asmodeus wasn't someone to just bring a stranger into his company without vetting them, so after a half an hour chat with a nervous Jace, Asmodeus did take the blonde under his wing and had found him a junior position at his major company so he could learn the ropes from his most trusted employees (one of them being George) and also so he could obtain various certificates in security management.

When Alec had found out what Magnus, and in turn, what Asmodeus had done, he had thanked the man wholeheartedly and invited Asmodeus over for dinner as a small thank you gesture. Alec was pleased that evening when Asmodeus asked him to make the pasta dish he'd eaten all those months ago when he'd gone to the man's apartment with the kids that time. Clearly it had been better then the 'not bad' remark Asmodeus had muttered that evening.

Under Asmodeus' guidance, Jace did well with structure and, funnily enough, authority and discipline. His potential bloomed under the man and once Jace received his experience and certificates, he had kindly and regrettably declined Asmodeus' offer to advance in his company and decided to work for Magnus and Clary instead. Jace would totally deny it was to repay Magnus for everything he had been doing for him and his family and instead placed it down to the fact that he wanted to reacquaint himself with the redhead. She'd gotten more beautiful (and feisty) over the years and Jace was quickly falling in love.

So, in order to stay close to Clary, Jace became Head of Security for 'Biscuit and Bane'. Being security for an art gallery might have seemed a little extreme but Clary and Magnus were widely known throughout the art circuit in New York these days, both extremely busy as they held private functions every month for the 'whose who' in the entertainment and art industry. Each function always required security and so Jace was happy to lend his help and in turn it became his life now. Magnus and Clary were actually widely known on the east coast and had actually opened up another three galleries in the past two years with how popular they had become. One on Staten Island, one in Soho and another in the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Jace looked after a team of eight guards, alternating them through the city and travelled weekly between the four galleries though he was mainly stationed at the one in Prospect Park. Mainly because Clary was at Prospect Park more then the others, though Magnus and Clary showed themselves at the others every week as well. Being Head of Security gave Jace's life meaning and purpose. The blonde had many scars, but took each day as it came and Clary had become his strength. Well his strength and his loving girlfriend.

The day Jace and Clary had come to tell Alec they were moving in together, which meant the blonde was moving out of the Carroll Gardens property he shared with Alec, was a nervous affair for Jace. He wasn't sure how he was feeling about it all, becoming choked up when he dropped the news to Alec who was whipping up a stir-fry in the kitchen for dinner that evening. Magnus and the kids were coming round for a sleepover, which Jace always found a little cute, always muttering how Alec should just hurry up and ask the man and the kids to move in with him since he knew Andrew and Phoebe wouldn't mind at all, having practically given the property over to Alec, but Jace also knew Alec would love that too. He also knew why his brother hadn't asked that question to Magnus since he was still living under the roof with him and Jace was pretty good at knowing his brother these days as this was their home and didn't want anyone interrupting the environment and atmosphere they had created in this place together.

'I'm so happy for you.' Alec had mumbled that evening as he moved around the massive breakfast bar and came to hug both Jace and Clary.

'You sure you're alright with this?'

'Of course I am. This is your life Jace and I want you to live it under your terms.'

'Really?'

'All I've ever wanted is for you to be happy.' Alec proclaimed wholeheartedly. 'Just look after her...' Alec shifted his gaze to a widely beaming Clary. 'Or you'll have Magnus to answer to.' Jace cracked up at that knowing how tight the dashing man was to his fiery girlfriend. 'I still expect the both of you to come round at least once or twice a week for dinner though.'

'You can count on it Alec, I'm not missing your food for anything.' Clary beamed a smile up at the taller Lightwood.

'What if I learnt how to cook for you?' Jace found two pairs of disbelieving eyes looking at him. 'We'll be around for dinner on Wednesdays and Sundays.' Jace grumbled in defeat as Alec squeezed him tighter in his arms.

'We'll always be brothers Jace, no matter what.' The blonde nodded at those softly spoken words. 'I'm only ever a phone call away.' Jace held on just as tight as Alec, trying with all his might not to cry. This was a big step for the both of them, pulling away from each other and giving each other a bit more independence from the other. It was going to be good though. It was the next step they needed so they could take the next ones in their lives.

A month after Jace had moved out, Alec couldn't stand living in such a big place on his own, even if he saw Magnus and the kids three to four times a week.

Apparently for Alec, it just wasn't enough and so one evening he dolled himself up in the same ensemble he wore on the rooftop terrace of Magnus' place during the man's birthday and return from the UK, and with the kids being looked after by Raphael, Alec set-up a romantic dinner for the two of them and that night had asked Magnus to move in with him.

Magnus had just quietly blinked at him over the candle lit table which in turn sent Alec into a fumbling mess as he rambled on and on about how the kids loved it here, how he loved living here, even though he loved Magnus' place as well but went on to talk about how his massive walk-in-robe was fast filling with Magnus' stuff and the third floor, which technically would be the floor for Max and Izzy was now overrun with the kids nowadays and lots and lots of toys too. The boys still shared a room together in Alec's place, being so used to sharing since they were twins and all, but as they got older they would be able to have a room each and Madzie had one of the other rooms to herself as well. When Magnus had taken hold of Alec's trembling hand, it ceased his rambling instantly.

'What about when Isabelle and Maximilian come back?'

'Of course they'll stay here. They're family. I mean...if that is alright with you and the kids. This place will be ours after all and anything that happens here, we have to agree about it together.' Alec scratched adorably at the back of his head. 'Also, we could give the studio apartment downstairs, which Jace used to have, to Izzy and Max when they came to stay. That way they are out of our way, but also part of the family too. You know...if you want that is.' Alec gave a small grin, cheeks blushing as he continued to ramble. 'I don't expect you to answer me right away or anything. Its a lot to think about since you've been in your place for a long time now and I love that place, but I figured with the kids growing up and such, we'd eventually need more space.'

'Always thinking about our future together, aren't you Sweetheart?' Alec gave a shrug as he chewed on his bottom lip.

'Will you think about it at least?'

'There is nothing to think about.' Magnus had watched Alec's shoulders sink a little, as though a small amount of negativity was seeping into his head. Alec was still a work in progress on doubting he was worth risking everything for. 'Of course we're moving in with you.' His darling boyfriend jerked his gaze over at him and Magnus got out of his seat, shifting around to Alec and pulling him to his feet. 'Its about damn time you asked me.' Alec let out a slightly bewildered laugh as he threw his arms around Magnus' shoulders and held on tight, tucking his head into the crux between Magnus' right neck and shoulder region and breathed in deeply.

'I will keep my place though. It'll make a nice studio for Clary and I to work our magic in. I'll even turn one of the bedrooms into a dark room for me too. Plus there is no way I'm giving up my rooftop terrace.'

'Isn't that my rooftop terrace?'

'Our rooftop terrace.' Magnus conceded as he pulled slightly away to look at Alec.

'Sounds perfect.'

'You know what else is perfect?' Alec had tilted his head, heart fluttering when Magnus began to sway side to side, hands on his hips and making him sway with him. 'You, my darling. You are perfect.' Of course Alec blushed as he was swept away that night, dessert being forgotten as they stumbled up multiple stairs to the fourth floor where the master bedroom was and that night Alec was pretty much thrown onto the massive bed by a rather eager Magnus, it making Alec giggle as his heart thundered in his chest as Magnus kissed him for all he was worth.

As Alec was pretty much left boneless on the bed, panting and eager for more, he was fluidly stripped out of his clothing, his cheeks flaming when Magnus decided to give him a little striptease making the blood bump down to his rock hard cock as Magnus had his back to him and was shimming out of his rather tight silver jeans and his glorious phoenix tattoo, that Alec was pretty obsessed with, was right before Alec's hungry eyes as he continued to ogle his boyfriend.

'Did it hurt?' Alec mumbled into the room as Magnus turned around to look at him, now completely naked with his own cock half hard.

'Did what hurt, my darling?'

'Your tattoo.' Alec licked his lips as Magnus crawled onto the bed, moving towards him like a predatory cat.

'Did yours?' Magnus asked directly back as those smouldering brown-golden orbs drifted all over his pale skin covered in inky black tattoos.

'Some were more sensitive then others because of their positioning.' Alec had blurted out, his blue eyes following Magnus' right hand which was travelling up his leg, over his knee and then those dainty and very experienced fingers caressed the tender flesh of his inner thigh where a tattoo rested.

'Like this one here?' Alec's breath hitched as he spread his legs wider for Magnus, cheeks flushing at the knowing smile on Magnus' pink lips.

'Um...' Alec couldn't get anything else out as Magnus' intoxicating mouth fell over his own and he was taken on quite the ride as Magnus once again explored every one of his tattoos with fingers and lips and Alec was left spent and utterly satisfied.

Several hours later, Magnus tried to coax Alec into a shower, but his boy decided not to let him go just yet and Magnus ended up in Alec once more, his darling boyfriend crying out his release as they were quick to orgasm together. Alec collapsed, spent again, and dozed off for another hour or two before finally being pulled from the bed and shared a lovely spa bath with Magnus. They talked about when the man and his children – their children – should move in.

Alec had pouted when Magnus revealed the best time to move in was October, which for Alec just wasn't quick enough as that was still two months away but conceded defeat as Magnus had mumbled things about needing to get his affairs in order and such. Not that Alec would object when he was dropping off to sleep again in Magnus' arms, leaning heavily back into his chest as the jets massaged his tired muscles and Magnus peppered his shoulder with gentle kisses.

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"Alec?" Said man jerked from his thoughts as a smile split his lips when a face came on the screen of the laptop, he not even realising he had accepted the call when he was so lost in thought.

"Hey Buddy, how are you doing?"

"I'm good. I'm sorry I couldn't come back for Thanksgiving, the blizzard is insane."

"Well that is Chicago weather for you." Alec piped up as Max nodded in agreement.

His little brother was still attending SAIC, doing extremely well and absolutely loving it. Livia, too, had decided to make it her first choice school as well and the two of them were still dating.

Max's room-mate had been a bit of a douche, but that quickly changed when Livia introduced him to her room-mate and now the two of them were dating and pretty much living in Livia's dorm room and Livia was pretty much shacking up with Max.

When Max had left New York, starting his new adventure in Chicago, Alec would totally deny it nowadays, but he had been completely freaked out that his baby brother was so far away now and without his watchful eye looking out for him. Magnus had peppered him with kisses that day, telling him that he would get Ragnor to look in on him every now and then since Chicago was his city.

As per Magnus' promises, Ragnor had kept an eye on Max, much to Alec's delight. It had also helped that Catarina promised to keep an eye on the two teenagers since she had decided to move to Chicago as her and Ragnor were giving their "relationship" a go now that her health was on the up and up. Apparently they'd been 'on and off' and not truly exclusive for the past few years, but had now advanced it into something deeper and more meaningful.

Magnus was equally parts very happy for his dear friends and saddened that Catarina wasn't going to be in New York anymore. Not only for him, but for his darling Sweet Pea. He was worried how his little girl was going to take the news and so they had sat her down together, with Alec too, and talked about how Catarina was moving to Chicago but that didn't mean she didn't love her. Madzie had quietly sat listening to her Papa and Mama what was soon to happen and then everything went quiet. She hummed a little, thinking everything over and then gifted her mum a big smile.

'Mama's sweetheart is Uncle Ragnor?' Madzie had asked that day and though Catarina would totally deny blushing, she had nodded her head.

'He is. I love him very much Madzie.' Magnus grinned wide. He couldn't make his darling Catarina happy, but luckily it was something else he loved and trusted that could. 'I want Madzie to come and spend school holidays with me.'

'Ok!' The youngster beamed that day and then shifted her gaze to Alec. 'Daddy, can I have an ice cream?' And just like that, the conversation Magnus and Catarina were stressing over was done and Alec took Madzie's hand and off they went to get an ice cream together.

'We made an amazing kid Magnus.'

'We did.'

As per Catarina's wishes, Madzie spent school holidays in Chicago. Not all the time, because when she had started doing it, her brothers missed her terribly and so she alternated being in Chicago and New York and though all were worried about her travelling, Madzie had no problems with it at all. She loved riding the big planes. Alec assumed their darling little girl was going to be quite the traveller when she grew up.

The last holiday Madzie had spent there was Spring Break and when Madzie got off the plane, returning to New York and Magnus was providing all the necessary documentation and ID as he and Alec had come to pick her up a week before school started, since Madzie was with airline personnel since she was travelling as an unaccompanied minor, she had spilled the beans to Alec about Ragnor and Catarina's exciting news of having a baby! Magnus nearly dropped the paperwork as his dear friends had kept that under wraps whilst Alec was asking their darling Sweet Pea if she was excited about being a big sister again which she was nodding profusely about. Ragnor and Cat were expecting their first child, a little boy, in the new year.

"Alec? You alright?" He was jerked from his thoughts again as he plastered on a smile.

"I'm good. How's Livia doing?" Alec questioned.

"She's great. She's on her way over and bringing us a little Thanksgiving meal as it'll just be the two of us which is nice."

"I hope you got her some flowers Maximilian!" Came a shout from behind Alec which of course was Magnus with his super sharp hearing.

"Well..." Alec watched the blush form on Max's cheeks, just as a tiny goofy grin formed on his lips too. Clearly Max was excited about spending some one on one time with his girlfriend this evening.

"You make sure you are safe, you hear me Buddy?" Alec went all serious 'dad mode' on his baby brother. Not for the first time either. Max, like clockwork, turned even redder in the face. He lost his virginity awhile ago now, but hearing Alec go into dad mode and talk about protection and such, it was still very embarrassing for the University student. He definitely got that from Alec. "I don't want to be an Uncle just yet. You and Livia need to finish University first."

"Don't listen to him Maxi, if it happens, it happens."

"Magnus!"

"Besides, we'd make great Uncle's after all." Blue eyes lifted up as Magnus was striding over to him, a smile on his handsome face as he bent down and pressed a kiss to his cheek before diverting his brown-golden eyes to the laptop screen. "Maximilian would be an amazing father."

"Oh?"

"He has a great one himself and one that taught him everything he knows." Alec felt his cheeks warm at the compliment from his husband and a tiny little smile fluttered across his lips.

Alec still couldn't believe that Magnus was his husband!

It almost felt like yesterday when the man had proposed to him even though they'd been married for over a year now.

Alec still swooned over it...

#

(Some time ago...)

Alec had just let himself into Magnus' loft apartment after having finished a day of hell at I.C.E. Nothing had gone right for him and Alec was stressed and frustrated that evening. All he wanted to do was cuddle with his boyfriend and children, but when he entered the property, the place was a little too quiet. He'd been waiting all afternoon for his adorable 'welcome homes' even though next month the Bane family were going to move in with him, but still, he always enjoyed lots of cuddles along with a kiss or two from Magnus, but when he entered that evening, he felt his shoulders sink in disappointment as no thundering tiny feet were stampeding towards him in greeting.

'Magnus?' Alec toed off his boots and threw his jacket on a hook. He was in a pair of ripped black jeans and a baggy sweater, one sleeve falling off his shoulder (like usual) and there was a white tank underneath. Magnus had never sent him a message saying he and the kids were going out, and he always told him where he was these days, always sending him cheesy yet loving messages almost daily. It always brightened Alec's day to know he was truly loved by his mega hot boyfriend.

'Hello my love.' Alec's gaze finally shifted and focused on his boyfriend who was standing in the middle of the living room and dressed immaculately and handsomely in a tuxedo! Alec's blue eyes widened instantly.

'Magnus... What's... What's going on?' Alec felt insanely awkward right now and completely under dressed, but it didn't seem like Magnus cared all that much.

'Just a little something I put together for you. For us actually.' Alec watched Magnus step aside, he not even having paid that much attention to the fact the lights were romantically dimmed, the fireplace was crackling away and there, on the plush red rug was dinner for two, complete with a bunch of roses in a crystal vase sitting on a black lacquer tray so they wouldn't tip over in the fluffy material of one of Magnus' beloved rugs.

'Did you steal those from my garden?' After all, Alec and Magnus had planted the seeds, but had also invested in the bushes too, so they could get their flowers blooming faster, together. Just as Magnus had suggested, the red roses were in the black pots, the calla lilies in the gold and the white carnations in the blue pots. It all looked amazing, with a few still 'empty' as they awaited for them to grow.

They were going to take some of them to their new home together too.

'Maybe.' Magnus drawled with a quirk of his lips.

'I like.' Alec grinned as he moved over to Magnus, a spine tingling shudder rippling through him when Magnus' warm comforting hand wrapped around his neck as he welcomed him with his customary sensual kiss.

'Come, sit down and relax with me.' Of course Alec did. He needn't even be asked.

The dinner on offer was a seafood extravaganza mostly laden with lobster, Alec's favourite seafood of all. It was seasoned with lemon and butter and it melted in the mouth.

Though Alec rarely allowed Magnus in the kitchen, when Magnus was there, his boyfriend was ridiculously skilled that Alec was a bit jealous at first. He got over that soon enough, since Magnus let him join him on various occasions and had given him precious family recipes to look after and they had actually cooked them together too.

Alec had always thought Magnus had his act together and could do anything. Well, turns out, he couldn't watch the waffles and kiss and touch him at the same time as smoke filled the kitchen and the detectors went off that morning. Magnus went running for the balcony door to open it up, only dressed in his underwear and 'kiss the cook' apron. The kids were with Raphael having a sleepover the night before, so Alec was enjoying Magnus all to himself, including that morning where he burst out laughing just as Magnus did as the waffles were ruined but Alec was more then happy with the continued kisses for breakfast instead.

That very memory always sent a grin to Alec's lips even though he knew, tonight, it appeared Magnus had not spared any expense.

Thanks to Alec's enrolment and studying at I.C.E. he was an amazing student. Top in his class, but Magnus had never doubted that was going to happen. What I.C.E. had also done was expand Alec's knowledge of cuisines and his taste buds now exploded with so much more flavour. Alec had never bothered with seafood in the past because of how expensive it was.

However, thanks to Magnus, the first time he had tasted lobster, Magnus had taken him out to a fancy restaurant, for research purposes for Alec's schooling of course, and with a blush on his cheeks, Alec seriously understood the whole 'food-gasm' thing for he'd experienced it that night. Magnus had a massive smile on his lips, listening to his little moans of delight as he tasted everything laid out on the table.

Of course, once the night ended and they went home, behind closed doors, Magnus was able to listen to many, many more moans from Alec.

Their lobster dinner that evening moved along seamlessly, the men quietly chatting about their days, even though Alec didn't want to dampen this evening with everything that went wrong during his day, letting it all out always helped Alec loose the tension in his shoulders. Magnus was always an amazing listener after all.

They had even fed each other every now and then and of course shared kisses between bites of food and sips of wine. The notion was ludicrous. They were adults who could very well feed and drink on their own, without needing help from their significant other, but Magnus, with a flourish of his twinkling hands which were adorned in a variety of rings asked Alec to humour him. And well, if Alec were being honest, he quite liked that Magnus liked him being all cute. Alec never thought of himself as being all soft and squishy and adorable, but he kind of liked being that for Magnus though. Plus Magnus loved him like that too so who was he to doubt himself.

Alec humoured his boyfriend that evening, and in the end, enjoyed feeding Magnus. Although, maybe it was the fact that his boyfriend would teasingly suck on his fingers after a particular piece of lobster meat was slurped into his mouth, butter dribbling out the corner, a pink tongue lapping it up.

Alec wanted it to be his tongue.

For a moment he thought he should have been repulsed by his thoughts, thinking about the bedroom instead of the man sitting on the other side of their dinner tray, but of course nothing repulsed Alec these days if he thought of him and Magnus and their lives together. Nothing about Magnus repulsed him. Even his past. What was done was done. There was no use dwelling on it. The same went for all the bad stuff about his parents that Alec went through too. He accepted his parents never accepted him as their son. He owned it now. Lived with it because it made him the man he was today. The man that Magnus had fallen in love with.

Nothing was better then knowing that.

Alec had seriously contemplated tossing the food aside and launching himself at his boyfriend. He'd gotten better at initiating. He'd even been given the insane privilege of taking the lead on a number of occasions too, but for Alec, there was just something about having Magnus take full control that really did it for him. The feel of Magnus lying above him, of his super hot boyfriend being in him, controlling everything around them, including when he'd loose himself in euphoria that always sent bone tingling sensations constantly about his person, Alec practically thrived on it. He could never explain it, why he always felt that way, but he wholeheartedly accepted it. Loved it. Craved it.

The thought of flinging himself at his boyfriend, though immensely tempting, was squelched since the lobster was divine and Magnus had placed so much work into such a lovely evening too and Alec would never forgive himself for ruining it. Plus Magnus in a tuxedo was very sexy indeed. He liked looking him over like this.

The evening was so very romantic, but this was his boyfriend and Magnus never skimped out on romantic affairs when it came to Alec, which made him grin like an idiot and blush up a storm, still amazed that this gorgeous man was his.

They'd gotten back together on Valentine's Day, as cliche as that was, and every month on the 14th Alec would always return to his place or Magnus' and there was always flowers on his doorstep or already in a vase on Magnus' dining table waiting for him and a love note of some kind attached to it, making his heart swoon.

Magnus was sure keeping his promise of making him fall impossibly in love with him that he'd never bare to be without him.

Sometime during their romantic dinner that evening, Alec had apologised for his attire, but Magnus beamed him a loving smile, offering him the best compliment.

'I love my Alexander, just as he is, adorable frayed sweaters and all.' Magnus leaned forward and captured his lips in a sweet soulful kiss.

Of course Alec's heart swelled with all the love in the world for the handsome tuxedo wearing man and if Alec decided to reward Magnus with deepening said kiss, well that was his business.

'I remember this tune.' Alec mumbled, finally breaking the lip-lock with Magnus as his ears finally picked up on the instrumental music being played in the background whilst Magnus refilled his wineglass.

'As you should.' Magnus gave him a wink then. It was what he had played up on the rooftop terrace when Magnus had come back from the UK. It was their tune, their song, they had danced to for the very first time on the rooftop terrace Alec had created and he was sharing it with Magnus on the man's 35th birthday. Or so Alec assumed Magnus was mid-thirties as he refused (childishly so) to tell him his real age. Still. And even that time when he was booking the flight to the UK and had glanced at Magnus' licence, he completely forgot to pay close attention to the year Magnus was actually born. Not that it really mattered. Magnus was timeless.

As dinner was wrapped up, neither man being able to eat anymore since they had just devoured three lobsters rather enthusiastically, Alec suddenly became on edge, Magnus not missing the sudden tension in his shoulders.

'Did I miss our anniversary?' Alec voiced in alarm.

He'd been insanely busy with schooling and his latest project was actually him developing a cookbook which was titled 'All about Family' and it was filled with family recipes from Phoebe and Andrew, his maternal grandmother, Magnus' recipes as well as ones from Asmodeus and also Alec's own too. Magnus had actually helped him with it, taking pictures of him and the kids together as they were featuring in the book as well. It was going through its final check with the publisher and if all was good, it was going to be published and ready for Christmas sales.

So whilst Alec was doing full time schooling, that side project off his own back and looked after Magnus and the kids too, everything was pretty hectic, but Alec loved every minute of it. He had promised Magnus that he would take care of him and the kids, even with them living separately still, but Alec was falling more and more in love with their adorable cherubs on a daily basis. His boyfriend too.

Of course with how busy things were and the fact Alec only had one more year and a bit and he would then be graduating and he'd been thinking about his next adventure and started hating himself right this moment as he couldn't believe he'd selfishly missed out on a very romantic time for him and his boyfriend! He hadn't even gotten Magnus a present!

Alec knew he wasn't that great at relationships, hell Magnus was his one and only, plus this was their second time round, but quickly Alec began to sift through his brain, his rambled thoughts soon were known to a lightly grinning Magnus.

'Wait, I don't think I've missed our anniversary at all. We started dating in November, but then you broke up with me the following January...' Alec watched Magnus' smile falter. He wasn't having a go at the man, they'd gotten past that months ago, but he was no fool to know how much Magnus still felt guilty over it. Alec had even gone to some of Magnus' therapy sessions with him. He felt honoured to do so and he had liked Dr Nix straight away. Alec never thought about not forgiving Magnus, because life without Magnus was just not comprehensible to Alec. He needed this man like he needed oxygen. He loved this man like he'd never loved before. Alec just couldn't imagine being without him. 'We had that small...um...break and then got back together in February, on Valentine's Day, and its actually September now because I know its not that much longer and you and the kids will finally be moving in with me.' Alec gulped down the last of his wine, cheeks warming as the alcohol buzzed in his system. 'So, no, no its not our anniversary.' Alec was happy with his calculations and let out a relieved rush of air. He hadn't forgotten, thank the angel.

'Correct Alexander. It is not our anniversary and yes we are in September and it isn't that long until we move in. We've started packing our stuff and the kids and I are very excited to be moving in with you.' That brought a smile to Alec's lips, though it quickly turned into a cute pout when Alec realised the bottle of wine was now empty. Magnus watched Alec shrug his shoulders as he picked up his own glass of wine and took a sip of his before placing it back down and shifted his blue eyes to look up at him. 'Do you know exactly what today is?'

'Of course I know what today's date is. Its the 12th, so why is that...' Alec died off as Magnus was smiling widely over at him. 'Oh...' A sheepish grin formed on Alec's lips.

'Happy Birthday my love.' Alec blushed harder as he was certain he'd never get used to that endearment or stop smiling like an idiot over it either. No one spoke to him like Magnus did, making his heart melt every day and Alec felt so utterly blessed because of this man.

Of course he felt a little silly this evening too, having forgotten his own birthday.

That morning he'd left before anyone rose from slumber, having spent the night with Magnus and the kids and leant over his sleeping boyfriend's body and pressed his lips against Magnus' and listened to him mumble cutely in sleep before he took a quick shower and then slunk off to school with barely the sun peaking over the horizon. His teacher said he could practice outside of school hours and that was the only time Alec could afford because when school was over for the day, whether he had a half lesson or a full one, his life with Magnus and the kids took precedence.

When something was placed in his lap, Alec's eyes shifted down to a rather substantial sized flat wrapped parcel that had magically appeared out of thin air from Magnus.

'Th-Thank you so much.' Alec adorably and a little awkwardly hugged the parcel to his chest, truly touched as he gripped the plainly wrapped parcel tightly to himself. This was his first birthday present from his boyfriend. Technically his first birthday with his boyfriend too. Of course Magnus was going to make it special for him.

'Darling, you haven't even unwrapped it. How do you even know you'll like it?'

'Its from you, what's not to like?' Magnus chuckled lightly. This beauty never ceased to amaze him.

'Will you open it up? I've picked out the perfect spot for it to go. Well, until I find it a new home when I move in with you of course.' Alec followed Magnus' gaze in the dim lighting as the large framed picture of the Eiffel Tower, right on sunset, had been taken down which sat front and centre above the leather couch.

'What happened to...' Alec was a bit shocked it was gone, because it had been their very first trip overseas after re-establishing their relationship.

'Don't worry my love, that picture is now in the bedroom, so we can always remember Paris together.' It was a very precious picture to Alec, for it brought forth a lot of lovely (and sexy) memories for him. 'Now, why not open your present carefully on the coffee table?' Alec, who wasn't aware of what Magnus was next planning, which was his main reason of stalling his 'moving in' with Alec as when his darling boyfriend had asked him to move in, Magnus had started to plot this evening out in his head already, wanting this birthday for Alec to be one he'd never forget.

Magnus observed Alec shuffle over to the coffee table on his knees and carefully began ripping off the brown paper rather cautiously as though what was beneath was going to leap out and bite him.

'By the angel!' The gasp was Magnus' notion to get moving, to start preparing himself for his grand finale as Alec was currently distracted and floored at what was before his eyes. Carefully watching Alec, who was now staggering to his feet, stepping around the coffee table and then stood on the leather couch, hanging up the large charcoal drawing which was framed behind glass and knew his boyfriend would silently admire it for several long minutes. That being very handy for Magnus as he stoked the fire, the logs crackling away, burning an incense stick which of course smelt of sandalwood, knowing how much Alec loved the scent and then promptly slid the candlelit dinner under the settee – but kept the roses by his side – in order to get his scene set up perfectly. Nothing was stopping him now.

Alec was still lost in his own little world as he gazed up at the kneeling angel with the beautiful splayed wings and was holding a heart within its hands. The angels face didn't have a lot of features, but what it did have was eyes as blue as Alec's.

Magnus had replicated the smaller charcoal drawing he'd done ages ago, the one he had shown Max that night and the youngster had wisely blurted out that Magnus had drawn Alec as an angel. And here it was, ten times larger and for all to see now. There was one small difference though. The fragile heart which the previous angel had been holding broken pieces of was no longer broken. It was whole.

'I love it Magnus. This is so amazing. You're amazing.' Alec praised even though he was still gazing up at the drawing, completely entranced by it.

'I have more.'

'I don't need more then this. This is just so...' Alec finally turned around, all words lost to him as there Magnus was, the glow of the fireplace his back light, making him even more handsome and breathless then what was humanly possible. The sweetest and tenderest of smiles graced Magnus' lips and to Alec's wide and very shocked gaze, Magnus was currently kneeling down on one knee!

Alec immediately felt his breath catch and shudder, hands beginning to shake as his brain was trying to process exactly what was happening right now. Never mind the fact that his feet were already weaving around the coffee table and drawing closer to Magnus, his sparkling blue eyes finally shifting and capturing what was resting on Magnus' open left palm.

A small black velvet box.

'It may take me a moment to voice what I wish to say to you, so please be patient with me.' Alec could do nothing but jerk his head into a nod, completely frozen on the spot, faintly impressed with himself that he was in fact still breathing. Still standing for that matter too. 'Alexander... My Alexander...' It was practically a breathless whisper, like his very name was a pray on Magnus' lips and the older man watched as Alec's cheeks tinted pink at the adoration held in the depths of his voice, probably even sparkling within his very gaze. 'I love you so much.' A shaky breath escaped Alec's lips. Confessions of love from Magnus were nothing new to Alec these days, but there was just something about this one which topped the rest.

'I love you too Magnus.' His returned confession brought a beautiful smile to Magnus' face, it lighting up before him and Alec was swept away.

'I've always had a weak heart. A wandering heart too.' Alec chewed on his bottom lip at hearing this. 'It has been battered and bruised and broken almost beyond repair. Its been restless for a long, long time.'

'Magnus...'

'However, what you probably didn't know was as soon as you walked into my life, everything started to change. Everything started making sense as to why all my past relationships and sexual escapades never worked out. Why my heart remained closed off for so long.'

'Wh-Why?' Alec softly queried. Magnus fixed his gaze on his beloved boyfriend.

'It was waiting for you.' Alec gulped down the lump in his throat, hand clenching in his frayed sweater. Was this seriously happening right now?

'Magnus, I...'

'When I reach for your hand, yours instantly reaches for mine and holds on tight. When I hold out my arms, you return my embrace like you never want to let go. When I kiss your lips, you kiss me back with a fervour all your own which affects me more then I can place into words. Alexander... Right here, right now, there isn't anything about you that I don't love, your insecurities and all. And I know, faults and all, past and all, you love me too.' Magnus couldn't help the tiny grin as Alec was adorably nodding his head down at him, cheeks a light pink, eyes misty. Magnus needed to ground himself, to get through this without stuffing it up. He'd been planning it for two months. The only one that knew was Raphael, for he had the children. Magnus quickly reached out his right hand, the left still had the closed black box resting on it after all, and of course his Alexander took his hand immediately. The simple touch gave him the strength to power on. 'My once broken and wandering heart can finally rest because it has found you.'

'Oh god...'

'You healed it Alexander.' Alec sucked in a breath. 'You, my darling. It beats just for you. Will only ever beat for you and you alone. It wants no other but you.'

'Magnus...'

'You are my compass Alexander. I want to be wherever you are.' A shuddering breath escaped Alec's lips once more as one shaky hand, the one Magnus' wasn't holding onto lifted to brush a tear from the corner of his eyes. 'You're the reason for the smile on my face, the brightness in my eyes and the magic in the air that constantly surrounds me with utmost love and joy.' He watched Alec adorably bite down on his bottom lip. 'The day you captured my heart, I knew then it was finally home. I was finally home. Home for me is not a place, its a person. You, Alexander. You are my home. Wherever you go, I want to be there too. With you and our children.'

'M-Magnus... I don't... I mean...' Alec was near tears as everything that Magnus said seeped into his very bones and curled warmly around his rapidly beating heart.

'Alexander Gideon Lightwood, you are the love of my life.' Magnus unlinked their hand so he could slowly but surely pop open the velvet box, heart thundering probably faster then the speed of light as Magnus revealed a thick silver and titanium band which sat prominently within it. It was the most beautiful thing Alec had ever seen besides the very man kneeling down on one knee before him. 'Will you do me the greatest honour of becoming my husband?' Magnus let out a rush of air, not realising he'd been holding his breath and once he'd finally popped the question, he observed as Alec just continued to blink down at him. Perhaps his darling boyfriend hadn't quite heard him. 'Alexander, my love, will you marry me?' Alec let out a shuddering breath, right hand clenching in the material of his baggy sweater, right over his heart once more.

'Only... Only if you'll marry me too.' Alec chewed on his bottom lip, tears threatening to fall as his blue eyes sparkled like precious jewels in the night, visibly showing all the love and affection the world over for Magnus.

Alec let out another shuddering breath as Magnus plucked the ring from its container before he unceremoniously tossed the empty box over his shoulder, it being such a Magnus thing to do that Alec felt his lips twitching into a smile because of it. He felt a shiver ripple down his spine when Magnus delicately took hold of his hand with his left one and then effortlessly slid the ring into place with his thumb and index finger on his right hand. It fit perfectly on his finger. It sparkled in the firelight and though Alec had never been a lover of jewellery, especially on himself, this ring he loved. It was never coming off. Just like the Lightwood ring was never coming off too.

Magnus pressed a kiss to Alec's palm before shifting his brown-golden orbs to look at Alec's adorable and bewildered expression as though still trying to process what had just happened right now.

'Just clarifying, that was a yes to my marriage proposal this time round, right?' There was a sudden twinkle in Magnus' mesmerising orbs, their memories shifting back to the first time they met and when Magnus wanted to marry him even back then.

'By the angel, yes!' Alec blurted out, a chuckle on his lips as he sunk to the floorboards and threw his arms around Magnus' shoulders, holding on tight whilst not for a single moment being able to shift his gaze from the glinting ring on his finger. 'Yes Magnus, a thousand times over, YES!' Alec enthusiastically responded over and over again.

'That's more like it.' Magnus murmured sultrily into Alec's ear as they held on tight. After a few more moments Magnus needed to kiss his fiancé and did so by peppering Alec's face as his adorable man giggled happily at the attention.

'Magnus...'

'I love you Alexander.' Alec never did get a chance to respond as Magnus' sealed his lips with a deepening kiss, it sending his heart thundering in his ears.

When Magnus finally broke from plundering his tongue pretty much down his throat, making him gasp for air, Alec sighed in blissful delight when Magnus' lips started peppering kisses down his exposed neck.

'Now, how about we have a little private celebration of our own, husband-to-be?' Alec was sure he heard his needy moan echo through the apartment, almost certain all of bloody Brooklyn heard him as he so loved the very notion of one day being able to call Magnus his husband and in turn Magnus introducing him to whoever out there as his too.

It didn't take Magnus long that evening to get his hands involved as he expertly removed Alec's sweater and tank from his pale and shuddering body and within minutes Alec was a keening hot mess, even if he still had his boxer briefs on as Magnus pushed him to lie down on the plush red rug and pressed his god-like body hotly over his own, setting to work on worshipping his shuddering and rippling body and eliciting every damn sound he could get out of him, all the while murmuring how much he loved him and Alec answered the confessions of love with stuttering ones of his own.

Alec's 29th birthday was one to never be forgotten. His breath had hitched that evening, having seen Magnus all dapper in a tuxedo. He hadn't seen Magnus in a tuxedo since their Paris trip. He then went on to enjoy a delicious lobster dinner and fine wine all the way from Paris too. Then there was the sound of instrumental music fluttering melodiously into his ears just as much as they were gifted with Magnus' voice and his delicious chuckles as the night drew on. He had then been rewarded with the most loveliest charcoal drawing known to mankind, even if Alec was bias, but the beautiful angel which Magnus said was him was the most wonderful present he'd ever been gifted with, aside from Magnus' love and the love of the children of course.

However, of course the most emotional and memorable moment in that evening was when Magnus proposed to him in the most romantic way that Alec could have ever imagined. In fact Alec had no expectations of anything like that actually happening to someone like him. He never thought he could have anything like what he and Magnus had, hence why the proposal couldn't have been any better. It was already perfect.

The hottest memory of that evening was of course when he made love with his fiancé on the living room floor, their sweat glistened bodies lit by the crackling fire as they danced a dance only their bodies knew together, melding as one and their love grew even stronger.

Basking in the afterglow of their love making, feeling Magnus' panting breaths fluttering over his heaving chest, life couldn't get better than that for Alec as he secured his arms around his beloved and went to sleep with a smile on his lips.

(End flashback...)

#

"Thinking about me darling?" Alec gasped as he jerked out of his thoughts, cheeks a little pink as he shifted his blue eyes to Magnus and then down to his left hand as Magnus was tracing his fingers over one of his newest tattoos. Alec had found it in the book where he got his other tattoos from, telling Magnus it was the symbol for love and he was quite surprised when Magnus had taken a day off work and they had gone to get them tattooed onto their palms. A month after their wedding, Magnus had gotten his third tattoo on his chest of the 'wedded union' symbol and of course Alec did the same. Alec had also gotten another four tattoos decorated about his body, these now completing his set: Family, Promise, Protected and Loyal to.

"Wh-Why would you even say that?" Alec stuttered out, remembering Magnus had asked him a question, definitely hearing the tease in his voice.

"Because I know you, my love." Magnus' smile widened.

"You get a stupid look on your face." Alec jerked his gaze to the newest guest in his home, not even realising the man had even come in!

"Raph..."

"Its nauseous." Magnus whacked his brother.

"Don't be mean to my husband." Magnus chided his brother before pulling him into a hug. "Happy Thanksgiving Raph."

Raphael was still a company president, busier then ever with growing his business and his employees and revenue of course. He was still a very handsome man, pristinely dressed in his dark suits and always looking very sexy and mysterious even if Raphael would rather go unnoticed. He still protected what was his and would always take care of his mother, Rosa and her two children now.

Rosa had met a new man, and after much gruelling from both Raphael and Magnus, and possibly a death threat or two, he'd not run away. In fact he stayed even closer, wanting to ensure Raphael and Magnus that he was serious about Rosa. So much so, he asked them for her hand in marriage and they'd been together for a year now and Rosa had given birth to another boy, Jacob Raphael Magnus.

Life was good for Raphael. He was content and those that he cared about were safe and happy.

Of course in Magnus' mind, his brother was still tragically single, which Raphael would just mutter that perhaps he was waiting for a certain blue eyed beauty to get sick of him and he'd finally step in and take over. Show Alec just what he was really worth. The look on Magnus' face was well worth the tease from Raphael as Alec burst out into loud laughter at how every now and then Raphael could get one up on his brother like that. He would then spend the next ten minutes kissing the pout from Magnus' lips as he advised him that in no uncertain terms was he giving up Magnus and their children for anyone.

The grin on Magnus' face, every time Alec spoke those words, lit up the bloody sky.

"What did I miss?" All eyes shifted back to the laptop to see the widely grinning beautiful face of one Isabelle Lightwood.

"Izzy!" Alec called out, sitting back down in the chair and thanking his lucky stars for his sister logging into the Skype chat.

"You missed Alec going all goo-goo eyed for Magnus." Max teased.

"Isn't that like a daily thing?" Izzy instantly responded back and watched her brother pout adorably.

"You know, continue to tease me like this and I might not tell the both of you mine and Magnus' news."

"Now, now darling." Magnus soothed his sweet husband. "You know we adore you just as you are." Alec grinned wide at that, catching Raphael's roll of the eye and Max and Izzy's sniggers. "And Isabelle and Max are finally online at the same time, so you must tell them tonight. You promised yourself you'd tell them first before the rest of the family comes for Christmas."

"Ok..."

Magnus and Alec were in fact holding a big Christmas do this year. Andrew and Phoebe were coming to spend Christmas and New Years with them, along with extended family which Magnus and the kids were looking forward to seeing again.

They had gone to Canada last year and what a hoot of a time it had been. It was insanely crazy and hectic and Magnus was in his element. As for Alec, it was all too much for him, but he had fallen in love with Magnus even more that year as he charmed the pants off his extended family. Just as the kids did.

This years gathering was going to be at the Biscuit and Bane gallery in Brooklyn, since it had the space to house the Lightwood-Bane's, the Lightwood's, the Herondale's, the Collins clan, Clary's family, Magnus' father and their close friends too. It was all for a very special reason and those that were attending this Thanksgiving were going to be the first to find out.

"Daddy, she's awake." Alec jerked his gaze from the split screen of Izzy and Max and glanced behind him to where Madzie was beaming him a massive smile.

"Thank you Princess."

"Who is awake?" Max quipped over Skype as he tried craning his neck but of course couldn't see jack as Alec moved away and the laptop remained stationary.

"Uncle Max!" The older one beamed a smile at the youngest twin who suddenly popped up out of nowhere.

"Maxi, my little man, how are you? Man you've gotten big!" Of course he had, he was six now and in big school too so that meant he was a big boy for sure!

"Guess what Uncle Max, Aunt Izzy?" The youngster piped up, giddy with excitement. "Papa and daddy had a baby!" Lets just say Max Lightwood-Bane wasn't one for keeping secrets.

"WHAT?" Came the shouts on the laptop which did scare Max a little, those big brown-golden orbs of his wide.

"Sorry honey, we didn't mean to scare you." Izzy cooed sweetly and gently. "You're going to have to backup a bit, we're just a bit confused. Did you just say your dads had a baby?" Her deep brown eyed shifted to Raphael who housed a small grin on his lips.

"Yep!" Max beamed happily. "I'm a big brother now." Max and Raph were super happy about that. "She's really cute too!"

"Um, Maxi, that's not possible." The medical professional in Izzy was coming out.

"But they did!" The youngster argued.

"Alright Maxi, how about you let us explain?" Izzy and the older Max heard Alec's voice as he came back into view, sitting back down in the chair and listened to his siblings gasp at the tiny bundle in his arms, wrapped perfectly and snugly in a light purple blanket. Madzie's old baby blanket. "Izzy, Max, this is Grace Lightwood-Bane." Magnus crouched down so he too was on camera and then ushered the rest of their children into the pathway of the camera too, everyone beaming hearty smiles.

"Oh, she's so precious." Izzy gushed, hands cupping her face as she cooed at the widely blinking little girl, no more then three months old and she had startling blue eyes and jet black hair. Just like Alec.

"Um Alec..." Max started, fidgeting in his chair for a moment.

"No I didn't cheat on Magnus." He read his younger brother like an open book. "Its just a coincidence that her eyes and hair are similar to mine." Magnus chuckled at Alec's side, seeing him pout cutely since they weren't the first ones to say that. Magnus craned his head to press a kiss to Alec's pouting mouth, getting an adorable sigh from the man once they broke contact and a squeal from Izzy at the open display of affection. She was such a supporter of them.

"Our darling little Gracie here could be a redhead with freckles and we'd love her just the same." Magnus piped up as he brushed his thumb over her chubby pale cheek.

"Did I hear someone say redhead and freckles?" Heads shifted as Clary walked in with Jace who was carrying some tupperware containers with one being a bean salad and the other being a pasta one. Clary would proclaim she slaved away at making those salads but in actual fact her mother had done them for her since her and Jace were not cooks, though Clary had been learning from the master and was getting better each lesson she had with Alec.

"Hey Iz, Max, Happy Thanksgiving!" Clary poked her head into view before dropping a kiss to all six Lightwood-Bane residents. "Finally got them on at the same time to introduce Gracie to them huh?"

"Why does Clary know before me?" Izzy complained.

"Because Clary is going out with Jace who works for Magnus and Clary. Plus Magnus cannot keep a secret to save his life so of course they've known for a whole week more the both of you." Alec immediately quipped back. Though the one that had known the most, since Magnus and Alec had already been parents to little Grace here for a month now already and that was Raphael. It had actually been Alec to spill the beans on their wonderful news of adopting a little girl.

"I so can keep a secret." Alec jerked a little in his seated position, and possibly blushed too as Magnus nipped at his neck, in front of his siblings, before rising to his full height to take the bowls of food from Jace's arms. "It took me two months of planning to propose to you sweetheart. And I never told a soul!" Alec arched an eyebrow at that. "Alright so Raphael knew because I needed him to have the kids that night. Only being able to tell one person of what I was about to do, which was the most nerve wrecking and romantic thing I've ever done in my whole life, now that's skill to keep that under wraps!" Alec rolled his eyes, even though he still gushed over the proposal to this day and he and Magnus had been married for over a year now. Alec watched as his husband took the food to the table. "I also organised our trip to Paris on the quiet too!" Magnus piped up as Alec lost sight of that fine ass as he headed around the corner and into the large kitchen. Probably to get them drinks.

"Do you three remember going to Paris with Papa and I?"

"Uh huh." The kids piped up.

"Papa took us to the Loo!" All the adults in the room (and on the laptop) chuckled at young Max, Alec handing off his little daughter to Raphael as he seemed to want to give her a cuddle. Alec found it cute and there was no one else in the world he would trust with his two month old daughter then one Raphael Santiago. The man was a godsend and he was practically a baby whisperer for them. Grace had been a little grizzly this past week and any time Raphael was holding her, she would settle instantly.

"You mean the Louvre, Maxi." Alec corrected his darling little boy, brushing his hand through his messy hair before giving him a tickle as he rushed off with his siblings.

"Oh yeah... Paris..." Izzy rolled her eyes. "You didn't even come and see me."

"Iz, the trip was a present from Magnus, I couldn't very well demand he send me on another plane to London and besides we only had a week."

"An eventful week."

"Well yeah but..." Alec ducked his head, hoping he wasn't blushing bright red as he thought of Paris.

#

(Some time ago...)

A couple months after reuniting and developing further, with Alec continuously being on cloud nine, Magnus had surprised him and the kids with a trip to Paris! Alec didn't even have a passport and Magnus wanted him to come with he and the children overseas! He'd never even been on a plane before!

So of course paperwork had to be compiled together in order to get the official documentation. Alec had also truly realised how much Magnus was a man of comfort and style and of course booked them all business class tickets, which he stammered and stuttered at. Magnus had kissed away his freaked out emotions, murmuring that what was his was now Alec's which included luxuries like this. Even though Alec still had his trust fund, so he wasn't short of a quid these days himself, but he wasn't someone who was wasteful with his money. In actual fact, Alec was saving it for an investment idea, though one he wouldn't think of until after marrying Magnus, which of course at this time he didn't know was going to happen either.

It had taken Alec awhile to get over Magnus paying for the entire trip, stewing on those thoughts for days, but that seemed to wash away when the day finally came for them to fly out. Magnus witnessed true excitement washing over Alec as they boarded the plane, giving him the window seat so he could see France and then Paris when they were coming in to land.

Alec was truly like an adorable child in a candy store and though he had tried not to pay attention to it, Alec knew Magnus was "secretly" taking many videos and pictures of him during their first overseas adventure together. Of him and the kids experiencing everything for the first time together since Madzie, Raphael and Max had never been overseas either. Alec was certain Magnus was doing the videos for Jace, Izzy and Max, plus Magnus' father, his grandparents and all the extended family who resided in Canada too.

Then there were what felt like hundreds of pictures which were taken too. Not that Alec could blame Magnus. The man was a professional photographer after all.

One of Alec's utmost favourite images, when Magnus had finally showed him the slide-show he had created on his laptop and then plugged the USB into the large TV and projected all the photos over the screen, was of Madzie sitting on Alec's shoulders and Max and Raphael had a hold of each of Alec's hands and they were gazing up at the Eiffel Tower in all its grandeur. Alec knew Magnus wasn't far from them, but he hadn't realised that the photographer had crouched down, angling his camera to capture the backs of them and the monument looming above.

That one week went like a blur and yet it was the best time of Alec's life, their hotel not far from the Louvre which Magnus insisted they had to go and visit. Who was Alec to baulk at that even though museums were just not his thing. The look on Magnus' face at being there made any tedious wandering around - to 'ooh' and 'aah' at things that were not of interest to him - all worth while. Plus Magnus was quite the entertainer and had the kids completely enraptured.

Alec had felt himself fall that bit more for Magnus that day, though that had been happening since day one really.

Whilst they were holidaying in Paris, the night where it all got very heated was when Magnus had organised for the children to be looked after by the hotels child minding services and he had been whisked away for dinner, dancing and a rather expensive night within a very swanky hotel with their suite overlooking the Eiffel Tower.

Alec had even worn a tuxedo for the first time, feeling like a penguin in it and admiring Magnus in his own. Everything fit him perfectly. Always fit him perfectly. Even when the man was naked, his own damn skin fit him perfectly!

Though Alec had felt a boost of confidence swell within him when Magnus had whistled at him and gave him a wink of absolute approval of the suit on his body and with new found confidence Alec had danced several dances with his beloved, surprising Magnus that evening, and thoroughly enjoyed being romanced by him too.

When they returned to the suite, decked out in candles, vases of roses and scattered rose petals, which of course was Magnus' doing – just outsourced to the hotel staff to decorate during their absence – Alec was left speechless.

He truly had the most romantic man on the entire planet as his boyfriend!

Alec was lost in their view, the floor to ceiling windows and had him mesmerised in the lit up Eiffel Tower. Well, for all of five minutes since his attention was soon stolen when Magnus' arms wrapped around his waist and those insanely gifted lips peppered kisses up and down his neck making him shudder.

The view was soon forgotten as Magnus decided to christen the entire suite with making wild, passionate and hot love to him throughout the rest of the evening and into the early hours of the morning. Not that Alec was complaining when he was ravished to an inch of his life.

He'd throbbed for days afterwards, but his smile just would not disappear.

It had all started in the living room, on the couch which seriously shouldn't fit two grown men rolling around, but Magnus was quite the flexible man and could bend his own body to his will as Alec was rendered into an absolute moaning mess with his knees drawn to his chest, the soles of his feet were resting against Magnus' shoulders and he drove into him hard and fast. It had been the quickest either of them had orgasmed, like they were trying to catch in a quickie with the kids in the next room and seemed to have forgotten they had the entire place to themselves.

Once that reached their brains, all bets were off and both men realised they could be as loud as they desired. Any other hotel guests be damned.

Afterwards they'd ended up in the kitchen, going for refreshments, Alec's throat was parched from his cries of pleasure, Magnus practically begging him to hear his voice. Alec never had to be quiet when he was with Magnus. Well, unless they were rather horny with the kids around and in which case Alec would always bite into his arm or chew on the pillow as Magnus drilled into him over and over again.

Alec could still reel in wonder that his cries, screams and shouts were what turned Magnus on. Well, among other things of course, but the fact that Magnus loved hearing him, it made Alec feel good about himself.

As they were in the kitchen, Magnus handed him a bottle of water and then chugged down one of his own. Alec was, obviously, stark naked and Magnus was in his boxer briefs as he'd kicked off his trousers, which had been hanging around his knees as he had been trying to walk to the kitchen and nearly fell over, setting off a round of laughter from Alec. He had gotten a smack to the bum for that, which he gasped at, eyes wide at Magnus' lecherous grin as he then went about pinching his fleshy cheek, it sending tingles down to Alec's cock as Magnus sauntered past, those hips swaying seductively and Alec gulped down the lump in his throat as he wordlessly followed his boyfriend to the kitchen, feeling his butt cheek sting a little and his sex drive heightened once more.

He began taking gulps of water from his bottle before placing it on the counter, his eyes very much settled on his far too sexy boyfriend as Magnus leaned against the counter, red boxer briefs low on his hips and his cock half mast. Magnus was always a vision. Especially when his once perfect hair was messy and tousled as Alec had raked his hands through it multiple times earlier.

Magnus seemed to know he was starring at him too and he had jutted out his hips that little bit more which of course made him shift in his stance and his cock became more pronounced to Alec that evening. Alec licked his lips over it.

It truly was not his fault as he found himself kneeling on the tiled floor, hydration all but forgotten as he slipped Magnus' cock into his mouth like a pro, even though Alec was far from it. He'd been learning the ropes, taking Magnus' moans and directions seriously, like he were actually learning sex education from his boyfriend.

Alec knew he wasn't that great at giving head, or swallowing Magnus' cum down his throat, choking amateurishly on it every time. It didn't exactly taste sweet like honey, but the sated look on Magnus' face, the adoration in his eyes, it was all worth choking on semen if Alec were truthful, hand usually coming up to wipe a dribble from his chin when he had finished the deed.

One day he vowed he would get it right, hopefully even deep throat his boyfriend like how Magnus always did to him these days, but Magnus' pleased look was worth any of his fumbling. Alec did have an abundance of eagerness to please his boyfriend on his side after all.

'My beautiful angel...' And that always set Alec off as he could feel his own cock jump between his legs, dribbling pre-cum onto the tiled floor as Magnus assisted him up, encouraging him to down the rest of the bottle of water. It helped with washing the cum taste out of his mouth too, so that was a bonus.

Before Alec could even throw the empty bottle into the trash, Magnus literally pounced on him! He'd been helped onto the island bench, shuddering at the coldness of the granite and also feeling a bit of Magnus' seed seeping out of his twitching hole too. It made Alec pout a little. He loved being filled by Magnus though at that moment it didn't matter as Alec locked his legs around Magnus' waist, their groins grinding together and they panted heavily into each others mouths, moans spilling forth and echoing through the kitchen as they worked out a grinding rhythm together.

Alec thought he was going to blow his load when Magnus picked him up, making him gasp as he had carted him to the dining table, better angling apparently, and laid him down like he were dinner itself! Alec, though a moaning mess, had begun to panic that the table wouldn't hold his weight as Magnus slowly began to enter him.

The very feeling was exquisite, but the worry on Alec's face, even though Magnus was certain it would hold the both of them just fine, ended up having the older man halt in his penetration and instead went about quickly jerking Alec off with his amazing mouth and three fingers grinding within him as Alec cried out Magnus' name when he orgasmed.

Alec was still panting when he was pulled up onto wobbling legs and he was led back into the living room and they'd ended up sprawled on the floor between the coffee table and the lounge, Alec's moans gaining in volume once more as he delighted in Magnus' harsh breathing and sensual groans as he rocked sensually within him. Alec was sure he'd screamed the hotel down, a slight 'oof' bursting from his lips as Magnus collapsed on him. Not that he minded. He loved the weight of his boyfriend all around him, including still twitching and spurting cum in him.

'I'll get up in a moment.' Magnus had mumbled as he tried catching his breath. Alec didn't care. Magnus could stay there forever and he'd be fine with it, though he did finally unwrap his legs from around Magnus' waist and slumped them into the plush (and soiled) carpet. He felt a sappy grin form on his lips when Magnus muttered endearments into his ear and then pressed a sweet tender kiss to his cheek and then several to his lips.

They took another break, Magnus needing a recharge, plus Alec, though Magnus was sure he could go all night with how horny his sweet boyfriend made him.

'I'll go get us something to eat.' Magnus had sultrily mumbled, Alec letting out quite the sensual moan when Magnus pulled out, his half lidded eyes watching his gorgeous boyfriend saunter off to the kitchen, a hum on his lips. The thin sheen of sweat over Magnus' body made him glow and Alec really wanted to follow the bead of sweat that trailed down his spine with his tongue, blushing at the thought as he lost sight of his boyfriend and just let out a sigh, throwing his arms over his face for a moment, lost in his sexy thoughts of Magnus.

Alec was still sprawled on the carpet, completely exposed when Magnus came back with a platter of food and some drinks, and a whistle on his lips.

'I'm almost tempted to eat off of you Alexander. You look positively divine.' Alec flushed and sat up, feeling Magnus' seed ooze out once more, wondering if he needed a plug or something in order to keep it there a little longer. Alec promptly felt weird about having even thought that to begin with, but would one day ask Magnus about that. Tonight wasn't the night though and he lost his train of thought as his stomach grumbled and his boyfriend chuckled. 'We have worked up an appetite.' All Alec did was blush. He liked...loved...Magnus' healthy appetite of wanting to have sex with him so its not like he was going to complain about being fed when he knew it would recharge him faster and all.

They ate copious amounts of cheese, cured meats, pate and quince paste with crackers, fruits and nuts. They fed each other juicy grapes and strawberries, along with some deep French kissing and then had two glasses of champagne, along with another bottle of water each. Magnus always said they had to stay hydrated.

As Alec's body was finally simmering down, it wasn't long before he did feel a fire ripple through him again when Magnus' slender fingers traced up his leg, to the inside of his quivering thigh and then up his twitching cock, over the cum drying and dried on his abdomen before their eyes locked. Alec knew that look well now.

He rose up on his knees, shimming closer to Magnus, peppering the top of his shoulders with kisses and went rigid for only a second when Magnus' skilled hand glided down his spine before disappearing between his ass cheeks, fingers seeking out his twitching and cum soaked hole. Alec moaned dirtily. Magnus loved it.

The older man swooped again! Seemingly, constantly, ready for more!

The tray and what little food was left on it was nearly pushed off the coffee table as Magnus pushed Alec's chest into the cold glass and slid into him without any resistance, Alec crying out his want and need as Magnus gripped his thighs and spread them further apart. Alec hung onto the table, pants fogging the glass as he eagerly pushed back when Magnus glided sensually in and out of him. A fast and slightly brutal rhythm was set once more, Alec knowing he truly was going to ache for days afterwards with how energetic Magnus was this evening. His throbbing cock rubbed against the cool glass every now and then as Magnus pounded into him, his sweat slick body suddenly lying fully over his sprawled one, pretty much rutting into him at top speed, Alec crying out as his cum began to burst out once more.

'Wait... Wait Alexander...' Alec all but whimpered when Magnus suddenly pulled out, his hand flailing behind him as he tried to grip at Magnus' hip, wanting to pull him back. Pull his cock back into his twitching hole and let him finish his orgasm. Alec flushed when he whined as Magnus cupped his ball-sack. 'Patience my darling.' He hated when Magnus did stuff like this as he loved being lost in his boyfriend. In the feel of euphoric bliss that Magnus always gave him when their bodies were joined as one. Any moment Magnus was away from him, out of him, it was like endless torture to Alec! 'I want to try something different.' That perked Alec up a little, he was always eager to try new things with his boyfriend and with some help he rose to his wobbly legs once more.

They'd staggered on the stairs, which would lead them up to the mezzanine floor where the bedroom was and Alec had gasped as Magnus ended up picking him up! His naked back (and his pink, slightly abused ass) were pressed against one of the massive cold glass windows which he blushed furiously at, whining for Magnus to let him down, let him go, as god forbid someone be looking up and being able to see them there. That very thought for a fleeting moment was lost to Alec when Magnus' cock slide right back home, right where it belonged, sawing in and out of him perfectly. Alec keened at the new angle, the new position, the new everything he was feeling. Though of course, always at the back of his mind was the fact he and Magnus were having sex up against a floor to ceiling window and people might see them!

Of course, they were on the twentieth floor, it was night time and their suite was doused in pale lighting, so highly unlikely anyone could actually see them, but Alec still fretted. His gasps and moans and his slight complaints had Magnus relenting, not wanting to upset or make his lovely boyfriend uncomfortable, allowing Alec a reprieve as he slipped out of him once more, putting him back on his own two feet.

To Magnus, Alec looked good as he was sprawled against the glass, hands splayed as he held himself up. What Magnus wouldn't give to manhandle him and flip him around, plastering his front and groin to the window and take him that way, but he knew his darling would be horrified so took a moment to back away, calm his raging hormones and just enjoyed the view of his naked darling with the Eiffel Tower illuminated behind him. There was always time to explore in years to come. Magnus could be patient.

'You're... You're... You're insatiable tonight Magnus...' Alec licked his lips as his boyfriend grinned hotly at him.

'Always for you my love.' Alec flushed red in the face at that.

On shaky legs, Alec finally got them working and began heading up the stairs, intent on ending this love feast in bed. Magnus for his part was grinning like the cheshire cat. Pride, possession and power written all over his face as he took notice of the thin sheen of his cum sliding down the inside of Alec's thighs, he not being able to help but lick his lips at that round firm (and pink) ass in front of him.

Oh how he wanted to eat out his boy... Magnus quickly shook his head. There was time for that another day.

Magnus' sex drive flared to life once more, the devilish man bending and wrapping his hand around Alec's right ankle, the younger man gasping and staggering as he collapsed on all fours up the stairs. Alec had jerked his head over his left shoulder to see why the heck Magnus had done that to him...and well...lets just say Alec got Magnus to request an extended check out time so he could spend a good couple of hours scrubbing various surfaces down as best he could, including the staircase carpet which Magnus made him ejaculate on as he took him doggy style there.

Alec, who was so insanely flushed and fucked out of his mind was surprisingly picked up and taken to the massive marble bathroom where Magnus drew a bubble bath in the corner spa bath and of course got the jets working to ease Alec's aching muscles, making his pretty boy moan contently, not only because of the jets but his hand couldn't help but move between his butt cheeks, fingers gliding over and in his quivering hole to assist in expelling his cum. Alec's moans filled the bathroom, hips jerking at the motion and they kissed long and slow before Alec was rewarded with a sensual massage, his back to Magnus and when his fingers fluttered down Alec's stomach, feeling the muscles ripple beneath the water, Magnus brushed fingers over a very rock hard cock. Alec's sensitive and always responsive body set Magnus on fire once more. He would never tire of pleasuring this man.

'Stand and face me.' Magnus ordered.

'I...I can't. My legs...'

'I will hold you my love. Now... Stand...and face me.' Magnus' low gravelly voice, with its authoritative tone, sent ripples of pleasure down Alec's body.

He had no idea what had come over Magnus, since they already had a very healthy sex life, but it was like the 'City of Love' had flipped a bloody switch in Magnus and he was revealing all to Alec to see if he would be repulsed at his intensity and passion or be captivated by it all.

Of course Alec was captivated. It was Magnus!

In the marbled bathroom Alec experienced the best deep throated blow job of his life to date, Magnus practically blowing his mind as he simulated his bopping with three fingers in him, probing at his rather sensitive prostate whilst his other hand went about squeezing his balls. Somewhere along the line, Alec's body was utterly over stimulated and he remembered yelling Magnus' name, dropping back into the bath and then he was washed, Magnus murmuring sweet nothings into his ear as he was lost somewhere between euphoria and reality.

Alec had half felt himself getting out of the bath before Magnus took such wonderful care of him (like usual when they went multiple rounds) and had dried him off and then coaxed his shaking legs into a pair of cotton slacks. No boxer briefs. That was pretty much tradition for them too.

Sometime during the wee hours of the morning, Magnus pulled him into the bed. It was nearly as comfortable as Magnus' bed back in Brooklyn and Alec hummed in approval, eyes still closed off to the world as Magnus kissed him slow and sweet. He remembered muttering an I love you to his gorgeous boyfriend and then dropping off to sleep in an instant.

The next morning Alec was woken to languid caresses, his body coming alive as was a certain appendage and fluttered his eyes open to see Magnus smiling down at him. The look in his eyes set him on fire and he calculated they had about an hour or two before he really needed to give this suite a thorough clean up of all their bodily fluids and drew his pants down, his own fingers moving to his hole to feel he was still quite loose thankfully and with hardly any effort, though his hips did protest, Alec climbed on top of a very wide eyed Magnus before pulling his cock from his briefs and taking him in without any additional stretch or lube.

There was that familiar burn, which Alec knew he was going to feel for quite awhile, but it was all Magnus' fault, making him feel so desperate and horny for him like this. Though his own discomfort was lost to him when the groan that had echoed through the bedroom, belonging to Magnus, was the hottest thing Alec had ever heard in his life! He tried to make mental notes to take Magnus by surprise more often when they got back home and began to ride his boyfriend for everything he was worth, arching beautifully as Magnus exploded in him with a shout of his name and he quickly followed after, spurting cum all over his and Magnus' abdomen.

#

"Stop swooning over Magnus." Alec jerked from his thoughts, shifting his attention to his sister and kid brother once more.

Yeah, one could say Alec loved the Paris trip. He hoped that one day he could return, with Magnus and the children of course. And maybe, if he were lucky, another hot Paris night like that too would eventuate. He'd even pay the next time too.

"Leave him be." Alec grinned when Raphael came to his rescue as he handed back his little girl to him. No one back chatted the IT company president, not even his sister who Alec was sure had a thing with the man awhile ago, but neither of them would confirm his suspicions. Not that it mattered now when Izzy was with Meliorn.

"Who wants what?" Alec shifted his gaze to look over at Magnus, his goofy and so ridiculously in love smile on his face widening as Magnus was coming back over with a tray of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic of course.

Once drinks were shelled out, Magnus returned to his side, those lips pressing against his temple.

"Is our precious little angel asleep?"

"I think so." Alec mumbled as he basked in Magnus' affections.

After Magnus had proposed to him on his 29th birthday, Alec didn't think life was going to get any better then that evening, but of course that very thought was obliterated. Of course his life got better. He got to marry Magnus! He became Magnus' and Magnus became his. Alec was beyond touched when Magnus had decided to take on his name, doing the same to the kids too. It wasn't just that that made Alec smile every day though. Nor was it his three little cherubs who called him daddy every day too. Or the fifty thousand and one endearments Magnus bestowed on him, in front of friends, family, strangers and behind closed doors too.

No, it was also because of their newest little angel in Alec's very arms. She was utterly perfect in his rather hectic life.

He was on the verge of graduating with flying colours, and early too because of his skills. His cookbook was about to be published and Alec's newest adventure, which only Magnus and Clary knew about at the moment, it being another bit of exciting news Magnus and Alec were going to share this evening and also would do it at Christmas time too when the rest of his family travelled over from Canada.

Alec was opening up his own restaurant.

In fact he was going into business with Magnus, asking the man to invest in his newest career adventure. Of course his husband was absolutely supportive of his life choices and was super excited about working with him as a silent partner. In fact they had been renovating the property together, and the best part of all, it was the building right next door to Biscuit and Bane in Prospect Park. They had even decided to knock down the fencing between the two courtyards and open it up to those that came to the gallery, hiring Alec to make the sandwiches, salads, cakes, biscuits and slices, like a pop-up cafe in their gallery.

The restaurant was due to open just before Christmas and Alec was getting more and more excited.

Magnus had gotten in touch with various patrons from Biscuit and Bane and also several people that came to his and Clary's opening that remembered Alec's skills from that time. The smile would not drop from Alec's lips when Magnus handed him a reservations book which was filled until the end of January with bookings and he'd not even opened yet!

Alec finally knew how Magnus felt with working around the clock and non-stop to ensure to keep to the schedule too. Of course they had hired James and his crew to help them do up the front, the corridor, the bathrooms and of course the courtyards. The industrial kitchen was perfect as it was and Alec knew he didn't have to stress when he had James and his men on his side. The man was still a godsend and just as Magnus stated, he was worth every penny he was investing in the renovation.

The most stressful moment Alec had was actually coming up with a name for his restaurant. When Magnus had asked him what he was hoping to achieve with his new adventure, what he was hoping to bestial in his clientele, Alec could only come up with one thing: the feeling of home.

'Well, then I know the perfect name.' Magnus proclaimed one evening as they were sitting down to a late dinner, the children with Raphael.

'And what is that?' Alec placed down the garlic bread.

'Alexander's.'

'Wh-What?'

'Its the perfect name.' Alec blushed that evening but the smile on his face made Magnus smile just as wide.

'I love it.' Alec mumbled as the thought of his own name, being up on a sign, of people coming to eat at his restaurant, eating his food and the food of those that he loved and modified or would make as 'specials' was a feeling Alec never wanted to loose. His restaurant would inflict the feeling of nostalgia and family into all. So much so they would spread the word to their families and everyone would want to eat good old fashioned comfort food at his restaurant. At his and Magnus' restaurant. Alec couldn't wait to get started and so had rung the company who were doing the signage and told them he needed Alexander's printed up.

Magnus constantly beamed full of pride for Alec and he knew, with this latest adventure, that life wasn't going to get easier. They had a growing family, their new baby girl was with them now, his new business adventure, Magnus' four galleries so its not like he wasn't busy too, and yet Alec was still excited about it all. Magnus was always encouraging him to follow his dreams. So Alec would do just that.

He had the love of his life at his side, his insanely sexy husband which Alec still marvelled at, pretty much on a daily basis, and especially when they were naked together. Then there was their four children too. Alec truly believed he was the luckiest man alive.

"Now that everyone has their drinks, how are my favourite sister and brother-in-law?"

"Hey!" Magnus grinned as Jace griped in the background while Isabelle and Max burst into laughter. It'd taken awhile but they finally knew the 'rough start' Magnus and Jace had, but it was all water under the bridge now because Magnus made Alec the happiest man on earth, probably the universe if they wanted to get technical, and neither Lightwood siblings would ever have a bad word said about one Magnus Lightwood-Bane.

Alec listened to Max begin to talk about his latest assignments, but the conversation was interrupted when their front door opened again after a couple of knocks were heard.

Asmodeus was there with gifts, a baking tray which almost seemed like it was still sizzling and smelt deliciously like caramelised sweet potato. Apparently Magnus had that a lot when he was a kid and it was his father's recipe too. Alec had been gifted with it and it was going to feature on the menu at the restaurant, amongst other recipes that were within his cookbook too.

"Father," Magnus smiled warmly as he got up from his crouched position near Alec and headed over to the man, just as Clary did as they unloaded his arms before they were filled again with three of his four squealing children who dashed towards their grandfather for hugs. "Happy Thanksgiving my darlings." Magnus grinned as he observed his father pepper kisses to his children's beaming faces.

He was so pleased that he and his father had patched things up. It was thanks to his darling husband and their children since they were just innocent bystanders who loved their Grandpa Asmo so much. Magnus wanted to feel like that again and with Alec's help, they were finally there.

Asmodeus was of course now affectionately known as Grandpa Asmo these days, because for their darling children, he was no longer the only grandpa in their lives now. He had to contend with the affections of Grandpa Andrew and Grandma Phoebe these days too.

"Happy Thanksgiving to you as well Mags." Alec beamed a smile at the flush on his husbands cheeks at being called that by his father so openly. The man had been making up for lost time with his son and Alec couldn't be happier for him. Magnus' heart was swelling each and every day with his rekindled relationship with his birth father. He was a man who deserved all the love in the world and Alec ensured to give him the most. Along with their children of course. Because that was how much Alec's husband meant to them.

He'd never regretted giving Magnus a second chance back then.

"Father, Alexander and I have a surprise for you."

"Oh?"

"We'd like to introduce you to someone." Magnus excitedly pulled his father towards Alec who was now standing up from the chair he'd been sitting in. "Father, this is Grace, your new granddaughter." The shock on Asmodeus' face was priceless as he gazed down at the newest member of the family.

"She's beautiful." He brushed his thumb over her tiny forehead, into the tuft of her dark hair and then watched as Grace snapped her eyes open as she gurgled happily away. "And suspiciously looks like Alec too." Magnus' hearty laughter, among others, erupted through the apartment whilst Alec scowled once more, cuddling his little angel close to his chest. Asmodeus had missed the memo on not mentioning how much Grace looked like Alec.

"Enough pouting my love." Magnus cooed and pressed his lips to Alec's once more, his expert hand curling around Alec's neck, fingers splayed and earning a tiny little shiver for his efforts.

Although, maybe there was some benefit to this for Alec for every time he sulked, Magnus kissed his pouts away. Oh the perks!

When they finally broke their kiss, Alec shifted his gaze back to Asmodeus, only blushing a little at the open display of affection from his husband as Magnus had no problem with showering him with kisses, endearments and affection in front of their family and friends.

"Would you like to hold her?"

"I'd be honoured my boy." And that was something Alec was still getting used to as well. Affectionately being called 'my boy' or sometimes 'my son' from Magnus' father. He'd never had that from his own father so it was going to take him awhile to get used to it. Grandpa Andrew called him 'my boy' a lot these days too, and even then Alec was a stuttering mess because of it. It'd take him a little longer to realise he was worth loving, especially from father figures, but Alec would get there.

Before Alec could hand off his daughter to his father-in-law, more guests began to arrive as Jocelyn and Luke Garroway turned up along with Will, Tessa and the kids. Not long after them was George and his wife, Helen and Aline and Lydia and her fiancé John.

Everyone gasped in wonder and delight at being introduced to Grace.

"She's utterly beautiful." We're everyone's reactions to their baby and Alec couldn't be prouder. He was certain his Grams wouldn't be able to stop cuddling her once they were introduced to each other next month. He couldn't wait to see the looks on their faces either. She was going to be quite the Christmas present to all.

"Here you go father." That was another thing Alec was getting used to as well, calling Asmodeus father, as the man insisted on it. It always made Alec's insides squirm a little and even though they had a rocky start, Alec liked it.

Asmodeus effortlessly took hold of his new little granddaughter, Grace not even letting out a grizzle as she snuggled into her blanket, giving her grandpa a gummy smile. Asmodeus fell in love and shifted as he gave his son a one armed side hug with his free arm, murmuring once again how beautiful their daughter was into his perfectly styled hair and then kissed his temple.

"Whilst this is certainly a wonderful surprise this evening, I too have a surprise for you." Alec grinned wide, Asmodeus having asked him a month ago and knew what was coming.

"What is it?" Magnus watched his father go to the door, opening it up and right there was a tall elderly gentleman with a walking stick. Alec could practically see the wheels turning in Magnus' head as there was confusion on his beautiful face before recognition dawned and he watched his husband run to the old man, launching himself at him! "Pops!" Alec grinned up at Asmodeus, moving closer to the man as they watched Magnus profusely apologise to the elder gentleman in case he hurt him once he reeled in his overzealous behaviour.

"Of course I'm not hurt Maggy. I'm a tough Bane, just like you." The elder man gloated in his crackly voice, arms opening up once more and Magnus dove into them.

"I've missed you Pops."

"And I you, my sweet boy." The two men finally broke apart and Alec found dark eyes looking at him as Magnus ushered his grandfather into their home, the door closing behind them. "So, this him then? The one who stole my Maggy's heart?"

"Very much so." Magnus waved him over. "Alexander, this is my Pops. I lost contact with him years ago because of...well...you know..." Magnus shrugged as he didn't want to bring up anything from the past right at this moment of pure happiness.

"Its a pleasure to meet you." Alec placed out his hand. "Um, what should I call you?"

"Just call me Pops, like Maggy does." Alec found the nickname cute for his rather sexy husband. He liked the tiny blush on Magnus' cheeks too as he watched the man's grandfather squish his cheeks. "You are still my beautiful boy."

"Father, this is Grace, your new great-granddaughter." Asmodeus decided to interrupt the moment and introduced her to another member of the family. Pops appeared to be just as taken with the youngster as he was to their other children as Magnus had called them over to meet their great-grandpa.

As everyone began to mingle, Grace being passed around and truly was an angel as she wasn't putting up even a moment of fuss, Alec was grinning wide as he shifted his attention between each and everyone here in his home.

"This Thanksgiving is amazing." Alec proclaimed and Magnus came to stand at his side, taking hold of his hand.

"I'm sorry Isabelle and Maximilian couldn't come."

"Me too, but they'll be here for Christmas and New Years so that's even better."

"Indeed." Magnus gave him a gentle kiss, trying to ease his sad heart for two of his most important people couldn't be here in person. Alec loved that Madzie was carting around the laptop, making sure that her Aunt Izzy and Uncle Max were still part of the family affair.

"Here you go my boy, I think Grace is missing her daddy." Alec smiled as he took back their little angel and he practically cooed as Grace yawned and snuggled into her baby blanket, not caring about the volume of noise around her. And to think even more attention was going to be bestowed on her when the extended family showed up in a months time. Alec knew she wouldn't have an issue with it though. She was perfect and would lap it all up in the end. Definitely like her Papa did.

Alec bent down to breathe in her sweetness before shifting his sparkling and loving gaze to Magnus. His beautiful husband shared the very same look as him as he placed his arm around his waist, giving him a loving squeeze and planting his lips against his own for just a few minutes once more.

Any longer and they knew where they would end up.

"I love you." Alec dreamily confessed, sometimes utterly amazed that this was his life now.

"I love you too Alexander."

Both men gazed about their Carroll Gardens home. It was loud and chaotic and they wouldn't have it any other way.

This right here, even with two of them not here in person (though that would be technically four including Ragnor and Catarina not being here) and then there was the extended family not coming until later on in the year, but it didn't matter.

This was everything Magnus and Alec had ever wished for.

They knew it was only going to get better and better as the years rolled on, because together, they came alive.

# END #

I can see the future
Painted in my eyes
Open up the door and
Fade into the light

Dive into a world I know
Take my hand and
Follow me into the sun
There's no end 'cause

(Ooh) This is where we come alive
(Ooh) This is where we come alive
Out of the shadows
And into the light
Bringing the unknown
This is where we come alive

I can feel it risin'
Golden waves of sound
We're shakin' the horizon
Like thunder on the ground

Dive into a world I know
Just take my hand and
Follow me into the sun
There's no end 'cause

(Ooh) This is where we come alive
(Ooh) This is where we come alive
Out of the shadows
And into the light
Bringing the unknown
This is where we come alive

Ooh, ooh
This is where we come alive
Ooh, ooh

(Ooh) This is where we come alive
(Ooh) This is where we come alive
Out of the shadows
And into the light
Bringing the unknown
This is where we come alive

(Ooh, ooh) This is where we come alive
(Ooh) Out of the shadows
And into the light
(Ooh) Bringing the unknown
This is where we come alive