Raphael Santiago and Camille Belcourt stood before everyone in the main conference room, where Jace had very rapidly gathered the firm's main members.
"A merger? Seriously?" Luke questioned.
"It makes sense." Camille shrugged. "With our combined assets you'll once again be able to compete with Morgenstern Starkweather and fight back. Quite frankly, they've made fools of you all time and time again."
"What a lovely way of asking to join us." Maryse rolled her eyes.
"What's in it for you?" Robert asked.
Camille looked down then turned to Raphael, silently asking for him to speak. He sighed. "I know this is reason enough for you to turn us away, but we helped Morgenstern Starkweather instigate the last major investigation into your firm."
"The one that caused half our staff and clients to leave us, you mean?" Jace grimaced.
"...Yes." Raphael said. "While we played our part in that, Morgenstern Starkweather went behind our backs and stole a third of our clients. We can't sustain our firm with how many clients we have left, and you need more clients and staff. We also all despise Valentine Morgenstern and Hodge Starkweather, and with the information we can provide you have proof of the fraudulent claims made against the firm. Leverage to get Morgenstern Starkweather to back away while our new venture thrives."
"The joining of our two firms is the one guaranteed way of us all staying afloat. I know our history is...troubled...but Raphael and I don't want to lose our jobs for the sake of pride. We believe the offer we present to you is fair and ensures the survival of both firms." Camille added.
"How do your staff feel about this?" Maryse asked.
"They'd all rather not lose their jobs either. Ninety-five percent of them are willing to merge, the others will just resign if the agreement is made. A very small loss." Raphael explained. "We'd sell our building and the merger would reside here, as your building is larger."
"Don't worry Raph, apparently size doesn't matter." Jace smirked.
"...That's a good start." Luke shrugged.
Robert glared at him. "Wait, you actually want to hear them out?"
"Our funds won't last forever, Robert." Maryse said. "I think we have no choice but to consider it."
"What about the whole name partner situation?" Alec questioned.
Camille and Raphael shared a look.
"...I'm willing to drop down to a senior partner position. Too many cooks and all that. Camille would be the only new name partner; she's compensating me for the demotion. It's all detailed in the file." Raphael revealed, handing a substantial folder to Luke, who instantly began looking through it.
"We're willing to wait as long as is necessary for a response of course, but we hope you'll give it some serious thought. Our two junior partners, Axel and Meliorn, will not be part of the merger. They've decided that if this goes through, they shall be moving on." Camille said.
Simon felt a flush of relief come over him; Axel knew his secret after all, and while they had come to a stalemate in the previous encounter, it comforted Simon to know he wouldn't be around if this merger came to pass.
"...We'll go over this and let you know within the next few days if we are willing to negotiate further." Maryse stated. "Thank you."
Camille and Raphael nodded and headed out, Camille shooting a look at Magnus as she went. Alec clocked the exchange and a shiver went through him.
"I must say, bravo to you all for not kicking them out the second they revealed they helped frame us." Jace said.
"We've been burned worse." Maryse said, glaring at Jace and Simon briefly as she was handed the proposal folder by Luke.
"They seemed genuinely serious about this. No twisting the knife or snide remarks from them." Luke observed.
"And as much as I'm not really for the idea...leverage against Valentine would be incredibly useful for building ourselves back up." Robert noted.
"And if we're building ourselves up again, it makes sense to go about things differently. We can't just go back to how things were before; look how we ended up." Maryse said.
"Wait, so...you're really considering this? Trusting them after what they did?" Alec argued.
"If it guarantees our survival? Yes. We need the employees. We need the clients. We need the security or we'll have nothing to pass on to you one day." Maryse said, looking at Alec and Isabelle in turn.
"They're serious about this." Magnus piped up. "I know it. They won't try anything."
"How do you know?" Luke wondered.
"Camille and I go way back. I know her. And I know when she's desperate. Morgenstern Starkweather really got to them." Magnus said. Alec looked at the floor.
"And Mr Santiago really is giving up his name on the door." Robert said, reading from over Maryse's shoulder.
"And without their two junior partners, we'd be two partners down." Luke noted. "If we really consider this and bring in people from Santiago Belcourt, it might be a good time to really shake things up here on our end too."
"Anything we want to decide would also have to be agreed by Santiago Belcourt too, though." Isabelle said.
"True, but if Magnus is right, I think they'll agree to almost anything we'd want. The ball seems to be in our court. If we allowed Camille to be a name partner, they might allow us to choose two replacement junior partners ourselves." Maryse said, an idea forming in her mind.
"Sounds reasonable." Robert said. He locked eyes with Maryse and, for an instant, they seemed to share a gaze in ways they did when they were young. Jace observed them, trying to examine just what that look was. As they huddled with Luke then turned to look at Alec and Isabelle, Jace smiled as he worked it out. It was pride.
"I couldn't think of two better candidates." Luke smiled as Robert and Maryse faced their children.
"We've been too afraid of our name for too long considering it's on the door." Maryse said. "It's time to embrace it."
Realisation came over Alec and Isabelle's faces as they turned around to see Jace, Simon, Magnus and Jocelyn all beaming at them.
"...Seriously?" Isabelle exclaimed.
"For real?" Alec's eyes lit up.
"We'd need to get approval from the other side, of course." Robert said.
"But we'll fight for it." Maryse smiled.
Alec and Isabelle looked at each other and laughed as they shared a hug. Simon watched them, overwhelmed with pride. A lot of it was for Isabelle of course, but he knew Alec deserved it just as much. Looking to the others, he saw Jocelyn and Maryse holding back tears while Jace's smile had never been bigger. Magnus was trying to orchestrate an applause. Robert and Luke nodded happily as the Lightwood siblings celebrated.
"I guess we're really considering this then." Jocelyn smiled.
"I guess we are." Maryse nodded happily.
Jace looked over to his dear Lightwoods again, still laughing into their embrace. "About time too."
Simon tried his best to take in every piece of information he could about this moment, having a feeling he'd look back on it often in years to come. Things would never be the same again for Lightwood Garroway, but for once that may not be a bad thing.
...
"This is amazing! If the others agree to the terms, of course." Clary said happily as she and Jace snuggled together on his couch.
"You're not worried?" Jace asked.
"It'd be weird, you know, all those new people coming in, but I might make loads of new friends like I did with Simon. Plus, this is awesome for Izzy and Alec. If it ensures the firm survives, I'm all for it." Clary explained.
"I think we needed a big kick up the ass to get back on our feet. This might be it." Jace nodded.
"You think Camille and Raphael will be okay with it then?" Clary wondered.
"They'd be crazy not to be." Jace replied. "Big change, though."
"More like lots of little changes." Clary smiled.
Jace looked down at her and grinned, playfully rubbing his nose against hers. "Very true."
Clary laughed and rested her head on his shoulder. "...It's exciting, isn't it?"
"Yeah." Jace said, kissing her hair. "...And it also got me thinking."
"What about?"
"Well, if things are gonna be shaken up so much with this merger...maybe we really roll with it. We're making room for new people and new positions...we could reserve a place for you."
Clary looked confused. "I don't understand."
"Maybe it's time you tried taking the LSAT again? There's one coming up." Jace suggested. "You smash it, go to Law School then walk straight into a job at Lightwood Garroway. Or Lightwood Garroway Belcourt. Or Lightwood Belcourt Garroway. Or-"
"-I get the picture." Clary said. "...I don't know..."
"Well, maybe not the very next one. But LSATs happen seven times a year." Jace said.
"I don't want to go through all that just to fail yet again. I just...I can't do it."
"Clary Fray, there is nothing you can't do. I know that more than anything else." Jace stated. "We can practice as much as you like."
"I don't need practice. No matter how much I know and am confident in I just...I get in that exam hall and freeze up. I know the stuff I just...the pressure gets to me."
"...Don't tell anyone this, but it took me three tries to get a passing grade." Jace revealed.
"No way?"
"And I'm me." Jace smirked and Clary laughed. "You will get there. I know it."
"I'll think about it." Clary nodded, resting her head back on Jace's shoulder. "Thank you. For believing in me."
"Always." Jace smiled, leaning down and kissing her.
...
"We were going anyway, Alexander, but now this is even more of a reason! It's a celebration!" Magnus said excitedly as he led Alec into the Pandemonium bar.
"Nothing's set in stone yet." Alec shrugged.
"But it will be! My boyfriend, the junior partner. I can't wait to gloat about that." Magnus smiled, taking Alec's hand and leading him to his regular booth where a group of people were waiting. "Now, don't be nervous. They knew all about you well before we even met, they're barely strangers at all."
Alec was nervous nonetheless. He'd only agreed to meet Magnus' old colleagues at the bar because he didn't want to upset him. He was never one to call himself a 'people person' at the best of times. His nerves were slightly calmed when he saw there were only three people waiting at the table; when it came to Magnus he'd expected the bar to be full to bursting with friends for him to meet. Maybe Magnus kept the numbers down for Alec's sake? The thought made Alec smile.
"Well fancy seeing you three here!" Magnus beamed as he hurriedly hugged the two women at the table and shook the hand of the man. "Good to see you all! This is my boyfriend, Alec."
Alec smiled at each of them in turn, still trying to get used to hearing himself be called someone's boyfriend; and on top of that, hearing himself be called someone's boyfriend in public.
"Alec, this is Ragnor." Magnus said as he and Alec sat down, gesturing to the man next to them. "I believe you two have already crossed paths."
"Yeah, when Morgenstern Starkweather were trying to frame Jace." Alec noted.
"Yeah. Sorry about that." Ragnor said. "Just doing my job. Start over?"
"Sure." Alec smiled and shook Ragnor's hand.
"This lovely lady is Catarina, one of my oldest and dearest friends." Magnus said, gesturing to the woman sat opposite them. She had a blue streak in her hair that Alec, surprising himself, really liked. There was a warmth to her that made Alec instantly just that bit more comfortable.
"Nice to meet you." Catarina smiled, shaking Alec's hand. Next to Catarina sat a younger woman, beautiful and with lovely, long blonde hair.
"And this is Emma, my former secretary." Magnus finished and Alec shook her hand.
"I've heard great things about you." Alec offered.
"Really?" Emma smiled sweetly.
"Best secretary a man could ask for." Magnus smiled. "Who did they put you with after they got rid of me?"
"No one." Emma said. "You're not the only ex-Morgenstern Starkweather employee at the table."
"What?" Magnus exclaimed.
"I quit when I found out they'd fired you. They didn't really seem to care, but it was in protest." Emma explained.
"I'd have quit too, but I quite like my job and I need money." Ragnor said, finishing his drink.
"Same. Totally on your side though, Magnus." Catarina nodded.
"Of course. You really shouldn't have, Emma." Magnus said.
"There was no way I was sticking around after what they did you both of you. I mean, you're right, I should have stayed since I don't have another job yet, but still." Emma said.
"Well, if Lightwood Garroway is ever in need of a secretary for, say, a new junior partner, I'll put in a good word for you." Magnus said, giving Alec a very meaningful wink. Alec smiled.
"Much appreciated." Emma said.
"Anyway, how is the good old place? Still terribly decorated I assume?" Magnus inquired.
"You don't know the half of it. They tore down the wallpaper in your office." Catarina said.
"Now that's quite possibly the biggest crime they've ever committed." Magnus shook his head. "That wallpaper was beautiful."
"It really was." Emma agreed.
"It was okay." Ragnor said, shuffling out of the booth. "Next round on me!"
The conversation flowed well for the next few hours. After many drinks, many laughs and many dances, Magnus and Alec stumbled into a cab and went back to Magnus' place. They bolted through the door and dived straight onto the bed. They settled for a moment; faces turned toward each other. They shared a sweet smile before Alec's face dropped.
"I think I might throw up."
"In that case, and it pains me to say this, please turn your face the other way." Magnus said.
"I think I drank more tonight than I have in the last five years combined." Alec groaned.
"That's how you know you've been hanging out with me and my friends." Magnus chuckled. "It was so nice to see them again. Even Ragnor. They really liked you."
"Really?"
"Oh yes. Even before you got drunk." Magnus rolled closer to Alec. "Thanks for coming. I know it's not usually your scene."
"There's not much I wouldn't do for you." Alec smiled and kissed him.
"Is that so?" Magnus whispered seductively, unbuttoning his shirt and letting it fall to the floor.
Alec sat up, running a finger up and down Magnus' chest. "Very, very so."
They grinned into another passionate kiss and fell back onto the bed.
...
'They want to negotiate. Celebration at mine? Door's open.'
Raphael was thrilled to receive the text from Camille. For a while they'd been considering closing their doors, putting on brave faces to hide their silent acknowledgment that they couldn't keep up with the other law firms in New York. That might just be about to change. Raphael and Camille had known each other for a few years now; it had only been a few weeks after a mutual friend introduced them that they'd started up the firm, convinced they would work well together.
But the law was hard. It was a tough business to crack. And since Morgenstern Starkweather had betrayed them, their only shot of survival was with Lightwood Garroway. They'd never been on the best of terms with any of them, but maybe that was about to change.
Camille only lived a few blocks away, so Raphael grabbed a bottle of wine from his fridge and walked straight there, excited about the future. He wasn't completely happy with giving up his role as a name partner, but sacrifices had to be made, and he knew deep down Camille was a better face for a company than he was. Plus, she'd compensate him when the money started coming in again.
Camille's apartment was on the fifth floor of the building. He hurried up the stairs (always a keen exerciser) and opened her front door. As she promised, it was unlocked.
As he entered the living room, she was nowhere to be seen. There was no sound coming from any other room.
Raphael smiled. Camille always liked to play games. He wasn't sure where she was going with this one, though.
His first thought was to check her bedroom. For some reason, it seemed like the only place she could be. He didn't know why he felt that way.
Sure enough, as he walked down the hallway and reached the bedroom door, he saw it was open slightly.
"Camille?"
"You're getting warmer." Camille's voice purred. She was definitely in the bedroom.
Raphael tentatively opened the door, not quite sure what to expect yet knowing exactly what to expect. Camille was laying down in her bed, the covers concealing her from the chest down. Her clothes were spread all over the floor.
"You're boiling hot." Camille smirked.
"...What are you doing?" Raphael asked.
"Celebrating." Camille said seductively, sitting up so as to let the sheets expose a few more inches of her chest. "And providing compensation."
"I meant money."
"You'll get money too. Let's not pretend this hasn't been a long time coming." Camille smiled.
"Camille, we work together. I don't think...this isn't normally what I'm...about." Raphael said.
"Loving the 'normally'."
"Camille..."
"I'm just playing with you, Raph. Playing a game. It's what we're good at. Now come and see who wins. Or at least, who wins round one."
Raphael turned away and went to head for the door. Camille was always good at getting into people's heads. He'd always been fascinated by that side of her. Now it was on full display, an urge inside of him appeared. An urge to inspect it closer. He loved playing games. He loved winning them even more. And this was a game, after all. Camille was good at them. So was he.
"Has anyone ever told you you're a manipulative bitch?" Raphael asked, turning back to face her.
"They never really stop." Camille purred and discarded the sheet covering her.
Raphael smiled. Turned away. Put the wine bottle on the nearby bookshelf. Closed the door. Faced her again.
He pulled his shirt off over his head and threw it to the floor. Camille licked her lips as he kicked off his shoes, took off his socks, unbuckled his belt and kicked off his trousers.
Round one. Raphael thought, his mind consumed by Camille's game. And I'm gonna win.
He smirked as he slowly approached the bed, unbuttoning his boxers as he went.
...
Isabelle sat alone on her couch. Nothing good was on TV. Alec was off celebrating with Magnus. Jace and Clary were probably loved up somewhere. Celebrating with her parents would be awkward and unwise to put Robert anywhere near so much as a drop of alcohol.
Hell, this might not even happen anyway. Raphael and Camille might say no.
She didn't want to get her hopes up. It was hard, though; even the smallest chance of her finally moving up in the firm after so much hard work was almost too much excitement to bear.
But she had to bear it. She had no one to share it with, after all.
Her phone buzzed. A text from Simon.
She knew she probably shouldn't read it. Thinking about Simon Lewis still brought her pain. She opened it.
Just wanted to say congrats. No one deserves this more than you. -Simon
She smiled at the way he unnecessarily added his name to the end of the message. It was a very Simon thing to do.
For a moment, it felt like part of him was there with her. She wasn't alone after all.