Life with Magnus

By Shin Sankai

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Chapter Four

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"Yes! You've come to the right place. You must be Mr Lightwood," Catarina voiced and approached the man, introducing herself good naturedly. "As per our communication through email, I've secured a meeting for you with the owner of Warlock Day Care." Magnus couldn't believe this was happening. He recalled Catarina stating she had booked a meeting for him, but at no time did she ever mention a name! For if she did then he would have definitely placed two and two together last night! "This right here is the owner." Magnus refused to turn around, needing some extra time to settle his nerves. "Magnus, Mr Lightwood has come to discuss the day care requirements for his sons." A pin could have dropped in the room and it would have felt and sounded like an explosion. Sons... In the quiet of the Day Care, which was rare in itself, Magnus heard Mr Lightwood repeat his given name rather softly...and with a small amount of confusion in his voice too. After all, surely there wouldn't be many with a first name such as that! "Magnus?" Catarina placed more emphasis on his name this time and taking in a few deep breaths, he finally turned around, trying not to pay attention to his heart thumping in his chest and ears as he lifted his gaze to look over and slightly up at the Alexander 'Alec' Lightwood.

"That's a magnificent colour." Magnus knew Catarina was looking between the two of them in silent bewilderment while he placed a hand against the top of one of his cheekbones, knowing Alexander was commenting on his contacts as he had placed on a startling bright green pair this morning.

"The two of you have already met?"

"By sheer coincidence, my dear Catarina." Magnus quickly offered up and then moved a bit closer, his gaze focusing on the two little boys. The eldest was leaning against his father, arm securely around his pressed trousers and openly gazing about the place, starring over at a massive selection of books, right where Madzie was sitting with several open on the floor around her. The youngest was cradled within Alec's arms, seemingly asleep, but probably wasn't. "So, who do we have here?" Magnus felt a little sad when the eldest ducked his head behind his father's leg. Children usually loved him.

"That's four year old Max."

"How do you do Max?" Magnus had squat to try and be eye level with the youngster and didn't receive a response. Looks like he had his work cut out for him as perhaps the eldest was a little shy?

"And this here, is two year old Raphael." Magnus stood to his full height and turned his attention to the youngest. He had finally cracked open his eyes to reveal they were a startling blue, just like his father's, while Max had inherited a warm shade of brown, pretty much like his own if her were being truthful.

"How do you do young Raphael?" Magnus took hold of the boys tiny hand, giving the youngster a light handshake and a quirky salute. He was rewarded with a smile. Now that was more like it. Raphael was so cute! He didn't seem overly cautious with him like his older brother was, which was good news. Gazing openly at Raphael, Magnus wondered if this is what Alexander had looked like when he were young. After all, Raphael had his eyes, pale skin and jet black hair. Max on the other hand had brown-blonde hair, though his skin was pale just like his father and brother.

Instead of continuously eyeing the children like some creeper, Magnus finally lifted his gaze to their dashing father who was once again adorned in plain black attire. The man was in dire need of some colour. Why if he opted for something blue, it would truly bring out the lovely colour in his eyes even more. "If you would like to leave your sons with Catarina, she will look after them while we discuss your day care requirements."

"Thank you..." Alec spent a couple of minutes talking to his sons before Catarina sat down with them to entertain them with some building blocks.

Quietly the father of two followed a rather stiff looking Magnus to the back office. He couldn't help but run his eyes over the man. It was so much different from the plain black and white uniform at the bar, but the purple and black attire really suited him well.

Alec quickly focused his attention once more as he watched Magnus turn in a rather swift, fluid and graceful movement, dropping silently into the leather back chair behind the mahogany desk. Alec quietly closed the door behind him, the glass was frosted so no one could see in.

"This is a surprise." It was all Alexander could stupidly come up with.

"You're telling me." Magnus blurted out. The very thought of anything possibly happening between them was squashed in an instant. "So, what can I do for you Mr Lightwood?" Magnus folded his arms on the desk, gazing over, and rather guardedly, at Alec who finally took a seat.

"Alec is fine."

"Mr Lightwood," Magnus accentuated as he rolled his chair over to a filing cabinet, pulled some documentation from it and then scooted back to his desk where he began to compile it all together. "Here is a brief outline on Warlock Day Care."

"Magnus..." Alec blinked silently as Magnus waved the papers at him to take. He refused it...for now.

Magnus let out a slight sigh of exasperation. "I shall give you a general overview of my business. We are open from 7am until 6pm, Monday to Friday only. This place is run solely by myself, but I am fortunate enough to have Catarina who comes to assist me when she can, which lately has been most days. If you are going to be late, please ensure to call ahead of time. Here is the business card with mine and Catarina's contact numbers. You will also need to ensure this document is completed and returned to me, as we'll need your personal contact information for our records in case something should ever happen to Max or Raphael, not that anything has ever happened to any children that I've looked after." Not that there is many of them...

"Magnus..."

"This card contains my personal contact information, please ensure it is kept secure as I do not like giving out my address to just anyone." He watched Alexander pick up the other business card he handed over, flipping it over with those long slender fingers of his. He watched a ghost of a smile brush against the man's lips as the design on the business card were a pair of gold cat eyes, much like the contacts he wore when they had first met. Magnus watched Alec's eyebrows furrow as he was trying to figure out where his home actually was in Brooklyn. He did recall the man saying he was new to the area. "The reason you get my personal address is for any reason you are unable to collect your children before 6pm, they will return to my home with me until collection can be arranged. I dislike children being left here without the comforts of a home which can provide a warm meal, a bath and comfortable bedding. You also need to provide a copy of any medical conditions or food allergies they may have and whether they are up-to-date with their vaccinations."

"I'm sorry..."

"What are you apologising for?"

"Well...you seem to be angry."

"I'm not angry." Just disappointed in myself for being a hopeful idiot... "You do not have to make the decision as to whether you would like this to be the Day Care for young Max and Raphael. I'm more then happy to start a trial period if that is something you are wanting to do."

"We've just moved here, and I don't have time to scour around for other Day Care facilities in the area. If you have the capacity to take them in, I'm happy to start today."

"Are you wanting them to be in care Monday to Friday or..."

"Yes...just for the moment...until things calm down." Alec watched Magnus' eyes drift off to the side, he softly repeating his words of 'until things calm down' and probably didn't realise he even did it.

"Well, in that case, I look forward to doing business with you Mr Lightwood." Magnus rose from his seat, hand outstretched towards the father of two. He observed Alexander flinch, but perhaps that was his imagination as the man slowly rose to his tall height and then firmly took hold of his hand. Magnus fought with all his might to banish that electric feeling that fluttered about his stomach region when he and Alec had made contact once more. "Oh, and one more thing, we will need your next of kin details as well, so please ensure to place your wife's information on the documentation so we have her details on record too."

"I'm not married." Alec blurted out, feeling his face flush lightly as he wasn't someone who was ever honest that quickly, but he was certain he's seen a look of shock, surprise and possibly hurt on Magnus' face which was really confusing him right at the moment. He watched a finely shaped eyebrow rise at his confession. "Its...complicated." Alec mumbled out, his blue eyes following Magnus as he moved around the desk and placed his hand on the doorknob.

"Clearly..." Magnus replied, the finality in his voice even left him with a bitter taste in the mouth as he opened the door, cutting off any further communication between the both of them and stepped back into the room where Catarina was consoling a crying Clary whilst also reading a story to her and Alec's two boys.

"Magnus..." He strode over to the adorable redhead, scooping her into his arms.

"I know Biscuit, Jace was being mean again." He stared pointedly at the youngster who was totally ignoring him. He seriously needed to sit down and have a good talk to that young boy...maybe even discuss it with his mother too. If he continuously picked on Clary, she was going to end up hating him and he knew Jace wouldn't want that to happen. He cuddled Clary close, shushing her cries with his sensual voice. He lulled her into a light slumber in minutes. Magnus turned, ready to go place her amongst the bean bags and cushions he had in one of the corners of the room for afternoon naps and froze as intense crystal blue eyes were currently fixated on him!

"Is everything alright Mr Lightwood?" Catarina broke the staring contest between both men.

"Yes, of course. I'll leave my sons in your care from today onwards. And I'll be sure to return the documentation very soon." Alec farewelled his boys and then quietly headed for the door, moving directly past Magnus, and this time, no eye contact was made.

"What a strange man." Catarina softly commented, her observing eyes watching on as Magnus finally turned to see Alexander Lightwood head across the street and then disappeared between a vast amount of pedestrians.

"Indeed..." Magnus mumbled to himself, quickly making his escape to place Clary down. He then went to check on Madzie before having a quick one on one with 'little spitfire cranky pants' (is what he secretly called) Jace Herondale. It seemed to have worked, at least he hoped so, as Jace shuffled over to the sleeping Clary and held her tiny hand with his, waiting for her to wake up. It was rather cute.

Now it was time for him to sit, chat and play with Max and Raphael Lightwood, wanting to get acquainted with them as fast as possible. Even if he had been surprised at how quickly he seemed to have started to fall for Alexander, thinking there was possibly something between them, but quickly crushed that when he realised he was a father of two. The sour feeling Magnus was currently experiencing had nothing to do with these two boys, they were but innocent children who deserved all the love and attention in the world.

# To be Continued #