On monday Alec went to see his siblings to take Max to the optometrist, and informed them that they were entertaining the notion that Alec could have been a possible target instead of Magnus. His siblings were, of course, very concerned about the idea, but agreed to being careful. This resulted in Alec finally allowing Jace to start training Max, who was quite ecstatic about it, and both Izzy and Jace to carry a weapon stick on them at all times. Alec had never been so happy for their mother's insistence on practising weapon fighting.

Knowing that his siblings were a little prepared eased his worries slightly and allowed him to take the financial blow of having to shell out for glasses for Max, with grace. There had been a little more room to breathe in their financials on the salary that Magnus was offering them, though most still went to their creditors and general utilities. But where a couple of months ago the glasses would have been a significant blow, they were now something that could be dealt with.

Magnus work didn't let up for their situation and the meetings at the Warlock offices were taxing for Alec with his still healing body, particularly because reporters had caught wind of what had happened. A car purposefully driving in on pedestrians did that. The police had been quite close lipped, but as soon as the words "attempt on the life of Magnus Bane" had been uttered by someone, they had all latched on. Alec and Magnus had been forced to subterfuge to leave the offices without Alec being accidentally elbowed in the ribs by a pushy reporter. They laughed about it when they got home, but were happy to accept aid from the security on site the next time to disperse the reporters.

Thursday was promising to be a much more quiet day, though Magnus was positively swamped with work to combat the damage that the news of someone trying to kill him had done. He was so busy that he had completely forgotten about Catarina's inquiry into his schedule. And so, the last thing that he, or Alec were expecting was a ringing of the apartment doorbell. He could hear Alec's boots on the hardwood floor, so he simply resolved to continue his work, confident that Alec could and would deal with whatever was awaiting on the other side of the door.

'Catarina?' At Alec's surprised greeting Magnus sat up, remembering his phone conversation with her almost a week ago. 'Are you looking for Magnus? I think he's busy, but I can check on him. Do you want some coffee?'

Magnus quickly got up to go and meet them as well as Catarina replied: 'No, thank you. I'm actually hoping to apply to you. Hello, Magnus.' Magnus stepped out to be met with the sight of Madzie, her little backpack strapped on, holding on to Alec's hand and beaming up at him as he talked to Catarina.

'Magnus!' Madzie ran over to hug him and he immediately kneeled to wrap his arms around her.

'I'm always happy to watch Madzie,' Alec immediately assumed. 'You know that.'

'That was not it exactly,' Catarina said as she watched Madzie disentangle herself from Magnus and make her way back over to stand in front of Catarina again with big excited eyes turned to Alec. 'Will was going to take Madzie to the aquarium today, but he unexpectedly got called into work. I've got to head out myself soon as well, but Madzie was very disappointed that we could not go. And then I remembered Magnus telling me he had no meetings today. So we thought it doesn't hurt to ask, right, Madzie?'

'Alec, do you wanna go watch the fishes with me today?' Alec's heart melted at the sight, but he had to turn to Magnus. Magnus looked from Madzie to Alec to Catarina. He knew this was a lie. If Will had planned to take Madzie out for a day, then Catarina would have told him, but she hadn't. Which meant that Catarina was scheming.

'I'm not sure, Madzie,' Alec kneeled in front of her. 'We can definitely hang out today, but Magnus might need me to be here today.' Alec didn't even look at Magnus, but he could hear how torn Alec was between denying Madzie this pleasure, or leaving Magnus alone for the day. And then Madzie's eyes turned to him with a pleading look and he knew he had already lost any chance of objecting. Not that he wanted to. If he was right in his assessment of Catarina's motives then she had very specifically picked the current setting to send off Alec and Madzie on their own.

'I can do very well without you today, Alexander. I'll just be working in my office all day, I should barely even notice you're gone. Besides, how could I deny anything to those big eyes?' A smile broke out on Alec's face.

'I put the tickets in Madzie's bag,' Catarina pointed out.

With that Alec turned back to Madzie, smile still happy and wide: 'In that case I would love to take you to the aquarium today.'

It was only an hour later that Madzie and Alec got off the subway stop closest to the aquarium. Madzie was holding Alec's hand and was almost buzzing with excitement. Even Alec found it hard to contain his joy at spending the day with just the two of them. Madzie had not said a word since they had set out, but her smiling face spoke volumes.

At the entrance he fished the two tickets out of his pocket and they were allowed in. Because of the summer holiday it was busier than it usually would be on a regular Thursday, but few people liked spending an entire day indoors when the weather was this beautiful. There were only very few other kids around and a lot of them were chattering loudly, tugging at their parents hands and arms to come and look, or let's go already. Madzie stuck close to Alec, more quiet than usual, but Alec didn't need verbal cues to understand her.

He followed her eyes as she trailed one of the bright yellow fish through its aquarium. He caught her as she recoiled from the sudden movement of the eel. Read a plaque aloud as she slightly cocked her head at the jellyfish container. She stuck close to his side, winding around his legs like a cat, her hands always reaching for his hand, or a finger or his shirt. They barely exchanged a word, but both knew that they took tremendous enjoyment from getting to spend this moment together and staring in awe at the displays in front of them.

Alec, vigilant as ever, caught the glances at them. They varied. Many looking concerned at the young man escorting the quiet six year old girl who looked nothing like him, many more looking endeared at the obvious closeness of the two. He ignored it and focused on Madzie, but he did wonder what people thought when they saw them together. With Max they had always quickly concluded Alec to be an older brother, which was correct and fine until it was necessary for Alec to act as a guardian. With Madzie it was very different.

Time went by quickly as Madzie quietly and calmly guided them from display to display until the room suddenly opened up for a very large aquarium. Several shoals of multicoloured fish, a couple of sharks and some bottom dwellers made their home among colourful corals. There were a lot of people in the room and Alec and Madzie stuck close together at the side of the display. Alec kneeled down next to her and followed the trails she made with a loosely pointed finger. She was completely mesmerised by a set of green-blueish fish that swam in small groups. They stood in front of the display for minutes, before Alec felt his ribs protest from kneeling for this long, and the general exertion of being on his feet the whole time.

'Madzie?' She turned to look at him. 'I need to rest for a little bit, so I'm going to sit on that bench over there.' He pointed out a bench at the side on which a heavily pregnant lady was already sat. 'You can look here as long as you like and come to me when you are ready to go further, okay?' She hesitated, but then nodded and hugged him tightly. He held her for another moment before getting up and making his way over.

'I'm sorry. Do you mind if I sit?' he asked politely.

She looked up at him: 'Not at all.' Alec nodded and took a seat. From the bench he had a perfect view on the entrance and exit of the room as well as Madzie in front of the glass. The crowd in the room was thinning for a moment, which allowed Madzie to move more towards the middle of the glass window. She looked over at Alec to see if she could still see him easily and when she did, she smiled before turning back to watch the fish move.

'She seems sweet,' the lady suddenly spoke.

'I'm sorry?' Alec turned to her, mostly to confirm she was actually talking to him.

'Your daughter. She seems sweet.'

'Oh,' Alec blushed. 'Thanks, I guess.' He cast a look around the room, but didn't see anyone paying attention to the lady. 'Are you here alone?'

'No,' she smiled at his concerned expression. 'My husband is finding the bathroom for our son. I decided to take the opportunity to rest my feet for a moment. Your wife not with you?' Even in the blue lights of the aquarium Alec's blush at the suggestion was visible. 'Or husband, I don't judge.'

Alec was a little lost for words. The suggestion brought a warmth to him that made him feel tingly and fuzzy in a very nice way. For just a moment he pictured coming here with Magnus. Listen to him talk to Madzie about the things they were seeing and the places the various types of fish were from. Fingers brushing against each other as they walked in the dark, Madzie as their guide. He quickly pushed the thought back down.

'Not married,' he replied. 'It's a bit complicated, but I'm close to her fosters. They had something come up today.'

The woman next to him raised an eyebrow: 'Really? I would have never guessed. You two look like you are close enough to be father and daughter.'

'Like I said, it's complicated,' Alec replied. 'I've known her longer than her fosters have. If I could adopt her I would.'

'What's stopping you then?' The woman asked.

Alec sighed and leant back against the wall: 'My situation is not exactly the greatest. There's hardly a court in the country that is going to allow me to.'

'I don't think she cares about that,' the woman smiled fondly. 'Kids are honest like that. They know who they want to be with and no biology or court is going to change their mind.'

'I guess,' Alec replied. 'She deserves better than this, though. A real family. A proper mother and father who can teach her things that I can only dream of. Not a messed up older brother who doesn't even know what he wants.'

'It sound to me like you know exactly what you want. But you are simply not admitting it to yourself.' Alec looked at her confused. 'Sometimes it is important to consider all the aspects carefully and rationally determine what is best. But when someone loves you, and you love them, rationality has very little to do with it, because no matter what setbacks and consequences you'll face, you'll be better for simply being together. I don't know your situation, but I know that if it weren't for my husband and my son, I wouldn't be able to sit here so comfortably pregnant with a child that never was and never will be mine.'

'I'm sorry, can I ask...?'

She laughed: 'Of course. I'm a surrogate for two friends of mine. They can't have kids of their own since they are both men. This is the second time.'

Alec nodded understandingly: 'How far along are you?'

'Couple of days shy of eight months.' She lovingly caressed her stomach.

'It's amazing that you're willing to do something like that for them. They are very lucky to have you.'

'That's what I tell them.' She smiled and then they caught sight of Madzie coming over. She looked at the pregnant woman before putting her hands on Alec's knees and looking up at him. Alec immediately understood and pulled her in his lap.

'It's okay, Madzie, she's nice.' Madzie waved a little shyly in greeting.

The woman smiled: 'Are you having a fun day out with your dad?' Madzie's eyes widened at the term and a blush rose to her cheeks as a warm feeling settled in Alec's stomach at the term. She cast a quick look at Alec before nodding. Her eyes then fell on the pregnant stomach and lingered there for a moment before turning a questioning gaze to Alec.

'She's pregnant, Madzie.' Madzie looked confused at Alec's reply so he explained. 'There's a baby growing in her stomach. But it is still too small to be born, so she's protecting it.' The woman was clearly amused at the explanation and even more so at Madzie's serious nod of understanding. Madzie looked over at the pregnant woman once more before giving her a questioning look.

'If you want to ask something, you can,' Alec told Madzie. 'But you do have to say it out loud.'

Madzie nodded and hesitated for a moment before looking over: 'Do you need a protection rune?' Alec laughed as the pregnant woman looked confused.

'A protection rune?'

Madzie nodded: 'Alec says they keep him safe even when bad things happen. He helps me draw them on him when I want to protect him.'

'You think they'll protect me too?' Madzie nodded. 'Then I would love it if you drew me one.'

Alec tried to suppress his smile, but it was completely futile: 'Where do you want us to draw it?'

'On my stomach, right? Then it'll protect me and the baby.'

Madzie eagerly looked at Alec who couldn't do much more than shrug as he took her hand and guided it through the motion of the protection rune as he explained: 'Angelic runes give inherent strength and power. The protection rune brings out your inner strength to shield you from things that wish to harm you, be it dark influences or pain.'

'That is beautiful,' the pregnant lady said as they finished the rune. 'Thank you.' Madzie smiled and leaned a bit closer to Alec. At this point a man and an eight year old boy made their way over and Alec could instantly tell that this was the woman's husband and son.

She smiled and sat up straighter, ready to leave: 'It was lovely talking to you Alec and Madzie.'

'You too,' Alec replied as she rose to her feet. 'All the best for the next few weeks.'

'I've been protected, so that should be fine,' she smiled at the both of them and turned to join her husband and son, but then hesitated and met Alec's eyes once more: 'You're already a great father, Alec. So whatever it is you're waiting for, don't let it hold you back for too long.' With that she turned and left. Alec sat a little bit stunned for a moment before Madzie wriggling off his lap took him back to the present.

'You want to continue?' Madzie nodded and took his hand as he got to his feet. Her tiny hand in his they continued past the exhibits in silence. Having their wordless interactions and Madzie entranced by the moving fish. Alec's mind was otherwise occupied.

Madzie was at his side only for the day. One brilliant simple day. Seeing her smile, turning to him with questions, trusting him to be her protector, he didn't want that to stop. They stood very long in front of a display with a lot of small, red and blue, shiny fish. Madzie absolutely loved them and the way they moved together. They reminded Alec a little bit of a picture book he'd once read to Max and when he mentioned it to Madzie she looked at him in anticipation.

'I guess we can try to see if the library has it on our way back.' Madzie hugged his leg and they continued through the aquarium. It was almost four o'clock when they reached the exit and started heading for the public library. Once there it was not hard to find "the rainbow fish" in the children's section and by Madzie's face upon seeing the book, he had made the right choice in suggesting it. They checked out the book and left the library again.

Madzie was holding the book, but her attention had shifted to Alec who stood for a moment seemingly lost for what to do. A light tug on his hand directed his attention towards the nearby park and they made their way there before sitting on a bench together. Madzie had clearly realised Alec had something on his mind and was in her quiet little way asking him about it.

'Madzie,' Alex started. 'Do you… Have you thought… Would you want to live with Catarina and Will forever?' Madzie held his eyes for a moment, but then looked down and shook her head. 'Do you know where you want to live?' Without looking at him she nodded. 'Will you tell me?'

Madzie looked up again and very determinedly said: 'I wanna live with Alec and Magnus.' Alec was a bit startled at hearing his and Magnus name spoken together like that, but she clearly had more to say as she continued. 'Magnus said grown ups get to pick where they lived. I wanna live with Alec, and Magnus makes Alec happy. So when you choose Magnus I'll live with both of you.'

'When I choose Magnus?'

Madzie nodded: 'To get married and have a forever home.' Alec didn't know what to say. Madzie had spoken with such certainty. Like there was no way around it. It filled his head with visions of them. Hanging out in the kitchen, Magnus helping Max with homework, Madzie helping Alec with cooking. Lazy sundays on the couch cuddled up and wrapped in books. Coming home after a long day to warm arms and eager hugs. To build a home again for his family.

He shook his head as if to shake away the visions and took a deep breath: 'I'll talk to Magnus about it. See if he has any ideas.'

Madzie smiled and hopped off the bench: 'Then can we go home now?'

'Yes,' Alec returned with a smile. 'Yes, we can. What do you say we pick up some takeout on the way home and surprise Magnus?' Madzie eagerly nodded.

Alec didn't often get takeout. He was so used to cooking every day that the thought barely ever entered his head. So when they did get takeout it was on the way home from the Warlock offices at Magnus direction, accompanied by a lengthy evaluation of Magnus past experiences with them. As such, Alec knew exactly what to get at Magnus' favourite thai place without having to consult the man himself.

Takeaway bags on his arm, Alec let him and Madzie into the apartment. It was very quiet, and Magnus was clearly not in the living room, which basically told Alec the whole story.

'Will you go check for me if Magnus is still working in his office? If he's on the phone you have to be quiet, but I'm sure he'll be happy to get a hug.' Madzie nodded eagerly and hurried off to Magnus office as Alec turned into the kitchen with their dinner. He put the bags on the kitchen island and pulled some glasses from the cupboard to fix some drinks for them. Only moments later he heard a giggle and the sound of Magnus shoes clicking on the floor slightly unevenly.

'Well, this is a wonderful surprise,' Magnus smiled as he stepped into the kitchen, Madzie firmly secured on his hip. Alec pulled down two wine glasses before turning to Magnus. The gorgeous man looked up from Madzie in his arms and Alec couldn't help the smile pulling at his lip. A sudden urge to wrap an arm around Magnus and press a kiss to his cheek came over Alec and he only barely managed to press it down before it would show in his features. It was just so… domestic. It was not a word he had ever associated with Magnus, but this…

'That thai place you like was on the way, so I figured, why not?'

'You're an absolute gem, Alexander,' Magnus put Madzie back on her feet. 'How was your day? I saw you got a new book?'

'It was really good,' Alec replied warmly. 'The octopuses were a bit scary, but there were a lot of pretty fish. Right, Madzie?' Madzie nodded. 'And I think we found Madzie's favourite fish.'

'Let me guess,' Magnus leant down towards Madzie. 'A rainbow fish?' He tapped the book playfully. But Madzie giggled and shook her head.

'Do you remember what they're called?' Alec patted her head.

'Tetra,' she said confidently.

'Close enough,' Alec smiled. 'But they kinda look like the rainbow fish, just a lot smaller. So I thought we could read the book after dinner. Speaking of which, thai is red wine, right?'

'You know me so well,' Magnus smiled before inspecting the content of the takeout bags to see what exactly they brought. Alex turned to fetch the open bottle of red wine he knew they had somewhere around here. A warmth had settled in his stomach, and it was both comfortable and fuzzy as well as pressing and heavy. This urge… it was not going away. It almost felt like anticipation, but of what? He had everything he needed right here. His family was safe, they were making enough money to live off. Izzy had another pillar of support, Jace had signed up for a short course at the end of the summer, Max was excited about going to school. But the nerves in his stomach weren't settling.

Madzie and Magnus were safe and together. Even if it was only temporary, it set his mind at ease, but somehow not his heart. Because something was missing. And Alec didn't know what. But watching Magnus and Madzie like this soothed an ache he hadn't known he had.