EDITED 5/30/2020
CONGRATULATIONS MATTHEW AND ESTHER!
SEE END FOR IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING SEQUEL. Also, drop your twitter in comments section and I'll follow you, I post updates on twitter and hold polls for the story: Booklivesmatter Love you all.
Isabelle, Andrew, Aline and Jonathan were already in the loft when Clary, Wesley, Magnus, Simon, Raphael and Jem showed up.
Jonathan perked up immediately when Clary stepped through the portal, making Clary cringe. Isabelle stepped forward and wrapped her arms around the girl, Clary hugged Isabelle back just as tightly, breathing in her aunt's scent and just relishing in the feeling of being in her presence again.
Izzy pulled back and moved onto Magnus, hugging him as well as Wesley came to stand next to his soulmate, clasping her hand in his larger one.
Andrew was explaining Jonathan's restraints to Jem who was listening intently, arms crossed across his chest.
Simon had enveloped Isabelle in a large bear hug that made Raphael frown and move to stand next to Wesley.
The group moved to all stand next to each other with Andrew and Isabelle standing in front of the little group. Aline was in the corner of the room messing with something in a case.
"So," Isabelle said. "We think we have a cure. It might hurt a little."
"I'll do whatever it takes to break the bond." Clary spoke up.
"Okay." Isabelle said, her expression stony. She gestured for Clary to step forward and the girl did as she was asked, gently shaking Wesley off of her.
Aline started walking towards the group and Clary didn't pay her any mind as Isabelle began talking to her about what was expected after they were freed from the bond. Clary was so distracted by Isabelle that she didn't notice as Aline came to stand next to Izzy and as she pulled out a glowing dagger, plunging it into the middle of Clary's chest.
She did notice, however, as the group she came with cried out in shock and outrage. She felt Wesley and Raphael's hands on her back as she fell backwards, screaming. She didn't see Magnus throw Aline into the wall with his magic or Jem try to strike out at Underhill with his seraph blade.
Everyone crowded around Clary watching as light danced across her sun-kissed skin, both her and Jonathan were screaming. Wesley, Magnus, Raphael and Simon were shedding tears. Jem looked ready to kill someone.
Clary felt like she was being burned alive, images that she couldn't quite make out were dancing across her vision and she couldn't make out what was happening around her. She couldn't see or hear. Nor could she feel anything that wasn't pain.
And then Izzy pulled the dagger out and there was no visible wound. There were murmurs and gasps of shock and confusion and Clary felt like she could breathe again, she was gasping in big breaths of air, arching off the ground, her head digging further into Wesley's lap and hands as she blinked rapidly. She stared up at his face, streaked with tears, his eyes red and puffy as he looked down at her in what could only be described as pure relief. Andrew immediately moved to go and prick Jonathan's finger with a dagger that he wore on his belt.
Everyone looked down at Clary's hand as Magnus picked it up and turned it over. They waited and waited but no wound appeared. "They did it." Jem breathed. "They actually did it."
"They did it?" Clary asked dazedly. "Did it work?"
Wesley stretched out and laid her back against him. "Yeah, baby." He sniffled. "It worked. You're free."
Magnus blew out a shaky breath, pressing his fingertips to Clary's cheek, tears streaming down from his unglamoured eyes. Clary looked up at him, head lolling to the side as she stared up at her father. She could see how badly he had been shaken, he never unglamoured his eyes unless he was around Alec. He was looking at her like he was still terrified, and Clary realized that he had just seen a person that he loved dearly stabbed in the chest for a second time.
Alec had been stabbed in the chest with an arrow and nearly died, and now Clary had been stabbed in the chest with a dagger, and everyone thought she had been injured.
A loud sound came from the couch and everyone looked up to see Jonathan standing up, free from his restraints. Magnus was instantly standing in front of Clary and Wesley, magic dancing at his fingertips. "It seems being tethered to Clary was holding me back." He announced before spreading the black angel wings that had seemingly sprouted from his back.
Everyone watched surprised as Jonathan flew out of the window, making it shatter.
As much as Magnus hated it when his husband wasn't feeling well, he loved how cuddly and sweet it made him. Magnus was currently reclined against the arm of the same couch Alec had been set up on a couple of days before. His legs were spread enough that Alec could relax comfortably back against his chest.
Alec had grabbed Magnus' right arm and wrapped it around his front, slouching enough that his face was pressed into Magnus' bicep. Alec had taken Magnus' left hand in his own left hand, his thumb was turning Magnus' wedding band in circles around his finger. Magnus had his chin propped on the top of Alec's head, every once in a while he tipped his head down to press a kiss to the top of Alec's head or he brought their joined hands up to his lips to kiss either the back of Alec's hand or his ring.
Alec hadn't moved in a while other than the steady back and forth of his thumb and his deep breathing. Magnus was perfectly content just holding his husband in his arms and relaxing. The fireplace had mysteriously been boarded up, Magnus suspected that it had been Wesley's doing based on the man's strong reaction to both Clary and Alec burning themselves.
Magnus turned his head as he heard footsteps echo on the stairs and watched as Raphael, Clary and Wesley quickly descended. They made their way over to the couch and looked down at the two men.
Clary had recovered nicely from the events of the morning, Magnus was still shaken up and Wesley looked like he was still on edge. Raphael, on the other hand, looked like he was on the border of smug and angry.
The group had stayed at the loft long enough to clean up and for Clary to recover enough to portal. She had, in a moment of dazed-ness, asked Isabelle if she would like to become immortal like most of the family. Simon had stopped in his tracks and waited for the answer, as had most of the room.
Isabelle, in complete confidence, had turned Clary down, saying that immortality would never be something she could want. Raphael had made a bit of a scene, turning to Simon and loudly speaking to him.
"Well, might as well break up with her now, don't you think?" He had asked. "Save yourself a few decades of heartbreak."
To say that Magnus had been surprised at the display was an understatement. Magnus had quickly thanked the three Nephilim, apologized several more times to Aline and took his companions back to the house.
The three standing before him now looked serious. "What is it?" He asked them.
"The Clave is asking for assistance. A rift opened up in Alicante and the demon towers have fallen. They want anyone capable of helping, there to help, blood and status not taken into consideration."
"Alicante is under attack?" Magnus asked, shocked. He and Alec both sat up and stared at the three of them.
Wesley nodded. "It's Jonathan. We have to go stop him."
"Alexander," Magnus turned back to his husband. "You stay -"
"I'm coming with you," Alec interrupted. "They said regardless of blood or status."
There wasn't time to argue, it was decided that Raphael and Simon would stay home with Madzie while Magnus, Alec, Clary, Wesley, Tessa and Jem went to Alicante to help. They portaled directly to the government building and Alec was shocked.
He'd been to Alicante countless times and it was always so beautiful. Now, it was up in flames. Demons were destroying everything and fireballs were raining down from the sky as more demons came out through the rift that was torn like a hole in the sky that was painted orange.
Tessa, Magnus and Wesley immediately got started on trying to seal the rift, instructing Jem, Alec and Clary to cover them. Alec started shooting demons out of the sky using his magic, Clary preferring to use her bow and arrows, while Jem did his best with a seraph blade. Alec moved further down the hall, blasting at demons as he went, his daughter and friend following behind him as they tried to protect their loved ones. But then a particularly large fireball hurtled towards them and Alec and Jem dived in a different direction than Clary did and they got separated.
"Dad!" Clary cried through the flames.
"I'm alright," Alec called. "We're okay. Go back to Papa, Wes and Tessa. Jem and I will find our way back to you."
And so, Alec and Jem ran outside, intending on circling the building and reentering on the other side when Alec heard something strange above the noise of the chaos. He patted Jem on the arm once before running towards the sound, they dodged fire and debris, ducking whenever something flew too close to them for comfort and finally, Alec found the source of the sound. It was a bundle of blankets tucked away under an awning right up against a concrete building.
The tall warlock dropped to his knees next to the little yellow bundle and peeled away the top of the blanket to reveal a very blue, crying baby.
"A warlock." Jem breathed. "How did it get to Alicante?"
"Maybe it's part Shadowhunter?" Alec asked. "The mother might have been Nephilim. But it doesn't make sense, the baby isn't a newborn," Alec checked the diaper that was secured around the baby's waist. "He has to be older than six months, at least."
There was screaming as a fireball crashed into a building across the street. "We have to get back to the others." Jem said looking over his shoulder.
Alec picked the baby up with steady arms and made a little noise of surprise when a piece of paper fluttered down from the bundle.
"A note." Jem snatched it from the air. "Oh." He said in a hard tone. Alec peeked over the other man's shoulder and felt anger fill his every fiber.
Who could ever love it?
How could someone be so callous, so cruel? This was a living, breathing child who had done no wrong in his short life. A living, breathing child that needed the love and affection that Alec was sure he had been starved of. He looked down at the little face with the littlest features in the world, he gave the boy his finger, letting him grip it in his tiny fist and cooed as the little whimpering noises he had been making ceased, and his eyes opened.
They were a beautiful hazel color, only a few shades darker than Alec's own eyes. "Hey there, little guy." Alec whispered. "It's alright, I've got you now. You're gonna be okay."
"Alec." Jem warned. "We've gotta go, man." Alec nodded and held the baby to his chest, preparing to make a run for it back to the building he'd left his husband in when a sudden noise from above had both men casting their gazes to the sky. Blue light flashed around the rift and it closed, the demons disappearing with it.
The sudden silence was eerie, and it made the hairs on the back of Alec's neck stand up.
"I'm just going to go back to the house." Alec suggested. "Will you let Magnus know, discreetly? I have a feeling that the Clave would take advantage of me being here, try and cause trouble."
Jem nodded. "That's probably best. Are you taking the baby?"
Alec nodded. "I have no intention of leaving him to the tender mercies of the Clave." Alec waved a hand and a portal appeared. "Just come home soon, I won't be able to take the suspense." He stepped through the portal after a quick promise from Jem and settled down on the couch with the infant, cuddling him close to his chest and talking to him quietly.
That's how Magnus and the others found him less than an hour later. Tessa and Jem spared him quick smiles and retreated to their room. Wesley and Clary went for the kitchen and Magnus held a hand out to Alec who took it and stood up, baby securely in his arms.
"And who is this?" Magnus asked, peering down at the blue child, catching a little blue fist in his hand.
"I found him in Alicante." Alec informed his husband. "With this." He handed over the note and watched as Magnus' features clouded.
"And what did you have in mind for this little one?" Magnus stroked a finger over the baby's nose, making him giggle delightedly.
Alec stared down at the baby with a slight smile and rocked him. "I was thinking . . ." He looked at Magnus who was watching Alec with wide, unglamoured eyes. "Maybe we could keep him?"
Magnus gestured for Alec to pass the baby to him. Alec didn't hesitate as he passed the little blue baby to his husband who cuddled him to his chest, gazing down at the little face. "Hello, there little one." Magnus whispered. "Would you like to stay with us little blueberry? Would you like us to be your daddy and papa? Hmm?"
The baby gurgled in what Alec hoped was delight and Magnus smiled softly. "Alright then." Magnus decided. "Welcome to the family, blueberry."
"What should we name him?" Alec grinned, pressing up against Magnus and their new son.
Magnus beamed up at Alec and then looked down at the baby thoughtfully. "Maxwell Jace Lightwood-Bane." Magnus said quietly.
If Alec wasn't emotional before that, he was definitely emotional now. "Really?" He asked, a lump in his throat as his eyes burned.
"Really. Do you like it?" Magnus asked, shifting Max into Alec's arms and wrapping his arms around his waist, laying his head against Alec's shoulder.
"I love it, and you, and Max." Alec sniffed. "And Madzie, Clary and Raphael."
Magnus suddenly looked over at Alec. "We have four children. Four." Alec's eyes widened and he nodded.
"At least two of them are self-sufficient." Alec replied cooing down at Max as he squirmed and snuggled further into his new father's shirt. "We've got this, right Magnus?"
Magnus' features were soft and warm, his smile, his eyes and even the way that he was holding himself seemed relaxed and at peace and truly happy. He placed one hand on the side of Alec's face and the other nudged his finger into their son's little hand.
"Yes, Alexander." He whispered, "We've most definitely got this."
They spent a few more moments just basking in the moment, cradling their baby in between and pressing kisses to each other's lips. And if Magnus or Alec shed a few tears of joy, they didn't mention it.
Alec led the way upstairs, Magnus cradling Max to his chest, Wesley and Clary following behind them. They found Raphael, Simon and Madzie in Madzie's room. Raphael looking up as they walked in the room his eyes seemed to be drawn to the bundle in Magnus' arms immediately.
"Is that . . .?" Raphael pointed at baby Max.
"Your new brother." Alec answered. "Max Lightwood-Bane."
Raphael pushed himself up off the bed and moved to take Max from Magnus.
"He's blue." Raphael said, easily holding the baby who was old enough to hold his own head up. He looked around with wide hazel eyes before looking up at Raphael and giving him a toothless smile. "He's a warlock I'm assuming."
Alec nodded. "I found him in Alicante." He sighed. "His mother doesn't want him."
Raphael frowned and Madzie wandered over, holding her arms up to Alec who scooped her up easily.
"Daddy." She pointed at Max in Raphael's arms. "Is he my brudder (brother) too?"
"He sure is." Alec smiled at her. "That's Max, your little brother. And he's Raphael's little brother and Clary's little brother, too."
Madzie beamed and wiggled out of Alec's arms, running over to the corner of her room. Magnus stepped back to stand at Alec's side as everyone watched as Madzie tossed her baby doll out of it's play stroller and ran over, dragging the stroller by one handle.
Magnus winced as he watched the stroller struggle to remain upright and fail, tipping sideways, rattling as it was dragged along by the excited six year old little girl.
She reached Raphael's side and righted the flimsy stroller, grinning up at him. "Put him in!" She instructed.
Raphael shrugged and went to place Max in the stroller when Magnus, Alec, Clary, Wesley and Simon all lunged for the baby. "No!" They cried.
Simon got there first, scooping Max into his arms and moving to shield him from Raphael and Madzie. Madzie pouted up at Simon, big eyes welling up. "Why can't I play with him?" She asked.
"You can," Simon assured the little girl, passing the baby off to his worried father. Alec held him on his hip brushing his navy blue hair out of his eyes. "You just can't put him in the stroller. It isn't made for real babies, that's for your doll. Max could've gotten hurt if you put him in there."
Simon explained everything with the ease of someone who had often found himself surrounded by young children. Madzie seemed satisfied with Simon's answer and turned to go put the stroller back. Simon spared Raphael a glance, finding the older boy already looking at him with an expression Simon couldn't quite place. He'd been slowly coming to realize that Raphael had developed feelings for him at some point. Looking back, Simon couldn't identify where along the line that it had happened. And when it came to looking inwards, Simon knew that he felt something. He just wasn't sure what that something was.
It had stung, naturally, when Isabelle had so quickly and surely turned down the possibility of forever with him. She hadn't even had to think about it, her answer was so sure and so confident. And it was a resounding no. Raphael had, regrettably, had a point when he had pointed out that if Simon ended his relationship with Isabelle now, he would spare himself a world of hurt when Isabelle either died, or decided enough was enough and left him. He could move on, maybe to someone who could or would stay with him for his immortal life. Raphael seemed willing enough, but Simon wasn't sure that he was gay, or bisexual or whatever that would make him.
Simon quickly turned to look at Magnus and Alec, Alec had passed Max over to his older sister who was standing next to her soulmate, smiling down at her new younger sibling, laughing as Wesley tickled the infant, making him squeal.
"Alec." Simon said quietly, making Alec turn and raise his eyebrows at Simon. Magnus looked over as well. "I need a big brother right now, can we talk?"
Alec straightened, his expression turned serious. "Come on," He gestured towards the door with his head. Simon started walking towards the door, Alec a step ahead of him. They walked in silence towards Alec's office, going inside and shutting the door firmly behind them. Alec waved a hand and the door glowed green before it disappeared.
Alec gestured towards the couch and Simon sat down, Alec claiming the armchair next to it.
"Is everything okay?" Alec asked when Simon didn't say anything.
"How did you know that you were gay?" Simon blurted. "Like was there a feeling? Or were you sure? Or maybe confused? Like how did you know for sure?"
Alec's head tilted to the side, and he looked fairly confused by this subject. His mouth opened slightly as if he were going to speak, but closed it just as quickly. He reached up and scratched at his jaw as he appeared to be thinking and Simon, who was a bundle of nerves, allowed himself to be distracted by the action. Alec had always been a clean shaven man, ever since Simon had met him. But in recent weeks he had allowed his facial hair to grow. He had quite a bit of stubble growing on his jaw, chin and above his lip.
Simon was so transfixed by the dark facial hair that he jumped a little when Alec spoke. "Is this about Raphael?" He asked, fixing Simon with a questioning gaze. Alec didn't look angry, or like an overprotective father or brother.
Simon knew that this would be a difficult topic since Alec was so thoroughly involved, Raphael being his son and Isabelle his sister, but he was also confused and there were only so many people in the house that were equipped to help him with this and Alec had already spoken with him about being there for anything he may need.
Simon let his head drop into his hands, he tugged on his hair and sighed before looking back up at Alec. "I think so?" Simon said, unsure. "I don't know. I just . . . I know this is probably weird, and I might be putting you in a weird position, but Isabelle, she doesn't want immortality like you did, like Clary did, like Jem did. Is our relationship even worth it if that isn't something that she is willing to do? Our love for one another, if that's even what this is, it isn't like the rest of you."
Alec looked at Simon with a look that could be described as pity or sadness. "Simon, that is a talk that you need to have with Isabelle. I can't answer that for you, but I can tell you that immortality is something that I wanted before I knew what Magnus and I really were to each other. I loved him so much, love him so much that I couldn't imagine leaving him alone after I'd gone. You need to do what is best for you, but if you do have feelings for my son, you are not gay. You're bisexual and would probably be better off asking Magnus these questions."
"Do you think he's serious?" Simon asked, hesitantly, vulnerably.
"Magnus?" Alec asked, confused. "Serious about what?"
Simon shook his head. "No, no." He sighed and dragged a hand down his face. "Raphael. Is he serious or is he just messing with me?"
Alec leaned forward, bracing his arms on his knees and looked Simon straight in the eyes. "One thing about Raphael is that he would never mess with someone when it came to love. Love has been all too rare in his life and he knows how evasive it can be, he's seen it in Magnus and I. He's seen how it can tear a person up but also how it can make them stronger. Raphael would never, never hurt someone like that just for kicks."
Simon nodded. "Right, of course."
Alec stood up. "How about I go and get Magnus for you?" He hooked his thumb over his shoulder, pointing towards the door. Simon hesitated for a moment before letting out a breath and nodding.
"Please."
Alec nodded, stepped forward and patted Simon on the shoulder. "Okay." He left the room and went in search of Magnus.
Simon was steeling himself for the conversation that he was about to have, Magnus was the more unpredictable of the men, when his phone rang. He pulled it out of his jacket pocket and looked at the caller ID.
Isabelle
Simon breathed in, shaky and nervous and he answered the call.
"Izzy, hey." He answered just as Magnus entered the room.
Magnus froze and started to leave but Simon waved him in. Magnus closed the door and sat in the same chair that Alec had been in minutes before.
"Simon," Izzy sighed from the other end of the phone. "I didn't want it to be like this, but I've been thinking about what Raphael said."
"What are you saying?" Simon asked her.
"I don't love you enough to stay forever, Simon." Isabelle's voice cracked. "We aren't like Magnus and Alec or Clary and Wesley. You aren't my one, Simon, but I wanted you to be. I'm so sorry. I'm letting you go, I don't want to drag this out and end up hurting you."
"No," Simon said. "I understand, don't apologize. I hope you find your one, Isabelle."
"I hope you find yours." Isabelle said, she hesitated for a moment before saying something that shocked Simon to his core. "You should give Raphael a shot. I've seen the way he looks at you, I just didn't want to admit that he loves you more than I do."
"Isabelle . . ."
"Bye, Simon." She hung up.
"Are you okay?" Magnus asked as Simon put the phone back in his pocket.
"Isabelle broke up with me."
"I figured." Magnus said gently. "You don't seem devastated, that's good."
"Did Alec tell you what we talked about?" Simon asked.
"You think you might be bisexual?" Magnus asked.
"I guess," Simon shrugged. "I've just been having some feelings for. . ."
"My son?" Magnus interrupted. "I know. And he has feelings for you."
"I don't know what to do." Simon admitted.
"Simon, love isn't black and white. What is it that you feel for Raphael, what is confusing you?"
"I can't breathe around him, I feel like I'm going to be sick, but when I tried avoiding him, it made me feel worse." Simon breathed, pulling at his hair again.
"Take some time." Magnus urged him. "Don't jump into another relationship so soon after a breakup. However, I do think you should give Raphael a chance. To me, it sounds like the two of you are inevitable. And when that time comes, Alexander and I will welcome you into our family with open arms. Please just take your time, get yourself sorted out and then see what happens. Okay?"
"Thank you." Simon said. "You don't have to talk to me about this and I know it. So I'm grateful for you and Alec taking the time to talk to me about it."
Magnus rolled his eyes fondly. "You're family, Simon. You may very well end up our son-in-law." He uncrossed his leg and stood up. "Besides, it's our pleasure to help you, help anyone that needs to speak about their sexuality. Everyone needs help sometimes, do not be ashamed of that or of yourself. You are what you are, you love who you love. You can't help it, therefore there is no reason to be ashamed."
Magnus sighed and turned, taking a deep breath and going towards the door before turning once more. "Simon." He said, seriously. "I can tell you are afraid, you're afraid of what you are feeling and you are afraid, maybe of rejection or that the relationship won't last. I've been afraid of that in every relationship I've had with my husband. Look at us now; married with four beautiful children and an amazing group of friends surrounding us. I had to take risks to get here. I had to put myself out there, I had to be vulnerable. Love is not without risks. You will never get what you desire if you do not face your fears, look them straight in the eye and be brave. Do you understand?"
Simon nodded, standing up and fidgeting with the hem of his jacket. "Yeah, I think I do." He straightened up and looked Magnus right in the eyes. "I'm going to work on myself, and then I'm going to face my fear and tell Raphael how I feel."
"And what is it that you feel?" Magnus prompted. "The more you say it, the less afraid you will feel."
"I'm in love with him." Simon said. "Right? That's what I'm feeling."
"What you described is how I always felt with Alec whenever I first met him. Those feelings will pass, eventually he just started to feel like home. I feel at ease whenever he is near, his touch and his scent calms me. You'll get there, Simon."
Magnus walked out and Simon sat back down on the couch, heavily. He sighed loudly and stared out the window. He never expected to find himself here, he never expected life or love to be so hard.
Hey everyone! Almost at the end of Book One! Saphael is in the works, originally Isabelle was going to accept immortality to stay with Simon but it just didn't feel right for the character. Simon staying with someone who just didn't love him enough to make the sacrifice also didn't feel right, we all know that Simon doesn't settle.
Book Two will start with a bit of a time skip as well, I already have a title picked out and will reveal that later. Alec's father from James' life will be revealed soon so here's my question:
WHO DO YOU THINK ALEC'S DEMONIC FATHER FROM JAMES' LIFE IS?
Comment down below, don't forget to vote, follow, favorite, review whatever it is called on whatever website you are reading on. I love feedback and I love hearing what you think.