Life with Magnus

By Shin Sankai

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Chapter Five

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A couple of weeks had gone by and so far everything was going well with Max and Raphael. Magnus was fortunate that Catarina was with him to take care of Clary, Jace and Madzie whilst he had some one on one time with the boys. He needed for them to trust him and as the days pressed on, he had begun to interact them with Jace and Clary and sometimes Madzie, but she was still quite shy. He knew Max would be fine, interacting with the other four year olds, but poor sweet Raphael was but two years old and sometimes felt left out as the "big kids" would have there own little things to do which he couldn't join in or even understand. But when that happened, Magnus was right there, keeping Raphael thoroughly entertained.

Max was still a little cautious of him, mainly because he was such a daddy's boy, really not liking it when his father left him and went off to do lord knows what. However, Raphael was the complete opposite and pretty much had become Magnus' little shadow. They were both utter menaces as being around children brought out the Magnus' inner child, the good part at least, and also his cunning devilishness as he and Raphael were quick to pull pranks on everyone.

During the past couple of weeks, the boys' father was prompt in picking them up of an evening and he and Alec spoke amicably to each other before drifting off to get on with their daily lives.

Whilst Magnus farewelled Max and Raphael with a smile and two handed waves, most days, his eyes never did drift to Alec like they used to. After all, where Magnus was concerned, that ship had already sailed...or sunk...before anything could have possibly been explored at maybe happening.

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And whilst it were a crisp cool day, and Magnus had returned to quite a routine, if not a slightly boring one with working during the day, eating a quick meal with Madzie at night, then dashing off to the bar to work his night shifts whilst Catarina would keep an eye on Madzie in his home for bit, to Magnus it was all getting a bit much. He had previously told Ragnor that he would cut back his hours or even the days he worked, but the man had yet to find a replacement. He wasn't sure if he were stalling for time, but things couldn't go on like this. Magnus was running himself ragged.

Not that he had much time to think on the matter when there was an almighty cry, he finally snapping to attention as he had to remember he was at his Day Care on a bitterly cold Thursday afternoon without Catarina's help.

Magnus darted his eyes about and felt his face pale as he noticed Raphael's tear streaked face as he dashed towards him, arms wide as he yelled hysterically that Max was dead! Magnus instantly took the little boy in his arms and dashed out to the small side courtyard and was nearly sick as Max lay face down, unmoving. Madzie was at his side, poking him slightly, not at all hysterical like poor sweet Raphael was.

Thank goodness for Magnus, both Clary and Jace had been picked up by their mothers just under an hour ago, as they were heading off to medical appointments, so thankfully they had missed the commotion currently going on. Quickly he began to carefully assess the situation, placing Raphael back on his feet, though he leaned against him sniffling away whilst his own heart hammered in his ears and his hands began to shake a little. This should never have happened! If only he were paying more attention!

"Mmmmmm..." Relief flooded Magnus in an instant as he fumbled for his phone, calling for medical assistance, feeling a bit panicky on the phone, since nothing like this had ever happened before and tried to remain calm as per the request of the operator. The operator alerted him not to move Max in case he had injured his spine in some way and whilst that also made him feel sick, he understood the precautions as he waited for expert medical staff to come to his aid.

Max had tried to move, but Magnus' sensual, smooth and miraculously calm voice, even though he so wasn't that on the inside, had asked him to remain as he was until help came. Magnus was thankful that Max was a very good boy when it came to following orders from an adult.

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It had felt like hours had gone by as Magnus sat in a waiting room with Raphael now fast asleep in his arms, having cried himself into slumber about his big brother and then there was calm and collected Madzie who sat in another chair, flipping through a women's magazine she found on a coffee table.

"Mr Bane?" Carefully Magnus placed Raphael on a set of waiting room chairs, wrapped in his jacket, and dashed over to the doctor who had called out to him, the both of them stepping out into the hall.

"How is Max?"

"Are you still not able to get a hold of his father?" Magnus shook his head. " Any other next of kin?" Again Magnus shook his head. Alec's next of kin on the documentation he had provided was Isabelle Lightwood (Relation: Sister) who's phone constantly went to message bank which she required you to leave her a message and she had voiced that in quite a terrible French accent. So he guessed she was out of the country and was of no help to him at all since its not like she could rush to nephews aid.

"I have left multiple messages, but so far to no avail. I am Max's carer whilst his father is out on business." Not that he actually knew what it was that Alec did. "This is my Day Care where I look after Mr Lightwood's children." Magnus produced a business card, the rather plain one in his books as it was just simple white, a blue flame as a makeshift logo on it and then the name of his Day Care, his name and Catarina's and their contact numbers, hoping that would appease the doctor just so he could tell him something about Max.

"From what the ambulance staff told me, it appears Max tripped and fell, knocking his head on the side of the concrete path in the courtyard. He's got quite the bump on the head and he did require stitches as well. They will have to stay in for a week and then he can go to his local GP to have them removed." Magnus nodded his head, reminding himself to tell Alexander that once he got hold of him. "We've also run some tests and he doesn't have a concussion that we can detect which is good and there is no damage to his spine either." Magnus sighed in relief at this news. "He's a very lucky boy."

"Thank you very much."

"As we've observed him since his admission, I'm approving his release, but please keep an eye on him. If you see any change, slurred speech, his vision blurs, please come back immediately." Magnus nodded his head, moving back into the waiting room and found that Raphael was awake now. Magnus took his jacket from the boy, placing it on and then the three of them followed the doctor to where Max was resting in a bed within Paediatrics.

"I want daddy!" Max cried out as soon as he saw Magnus.

"I know sweet boy, he'll be with you very soon." Magnus hated lying to children and softly rubbed Max's back. Though he felt insanely guilty for not having kept a better eye on him, Magnus was quite chuffed that the four year old was currently hugging him, seeking comfort from him. "How about, whilst we wait for your daddy, you and your brother come to mine and Madzie's place?" He brushed his fingers lightly against the bandage which was wrapped around Max's head. "I've got lots of books you can look at." He knew Max was quite the bookworm even for a youngster. "And Church will be at home too."

"Church?" Max sniffled as Magnus carefully lifted him into his embrace, sliding off the bed as he rounded up Madzie and Raphael, making sure they held hands as they walked in front of him.

"Church is my cat." He glanced down to see a tiny smile on Max's face. He'd heard Max talking to Clary one afternoon about his father rejecting the idea of them having a cat. He had pouted for most of the afternoon and looked so cute in doing so. Magnus had reminded himself to mention he had a cat to Max, hoping it would gain him more favour with the boy, but it had slipped his mind until now. "When we get back to my place you can lie down and rest and Church will surely snuggle up with you."

"Ok..." He'd won Max over.

"And when your daddy returns, I'll make sure he takes us all out for the biggest ice cream sundae we've ever seen." Max gave a little nod, resting his head against Magnus' shoulder, the uninjured side that is. He signed the youngster out and thanked the staff for putting up with his crazy attitude.

"All parents are like that towards their children." One nurse commented with a kind smile on her face. "Just take good care of your little boy there." Magnus was stunned into silence at that and all he could do was give a jerked nod of the head as he quickly vacated the hospital, piling the children into a taxi and gave the driver his address in Greenpoint.

Finally they were on their way back to his home, the City's street lights flashing against the vehicle windows as it was well after sunset now.

Whilst in the taxi, Magnus dialled Alec's number again and frowned as it went straight to voice mail.

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As the taxi went speeding down the street, going straight past Warlock Day Care, Magnus' eyes had been focused on his phone as he had opted to send a text message now (though he'd already done that several times as well) and had not been looking out the window to see a man dressed in black standing out the front of his closed up business.

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"Shit, shit, shit!" Alec grumbled to himself. He'd pounded on the glass door, the blinds drawn and through the slight gaps he couldn't see any lights on as he hoped. He was thinking that maybe Magnus had just closed up for the evening but would still be there with Max and Raphael. He looked up and down the street, then down to his watch noting the time was 7pm. Fuck! Of course he wouldn't still be there! It just wasn't Alec's day! What really annoyed him was the fact his phone's battery life was completely flat and stupidly he's left the man's business cards attached to his fridge with a couple of magnets. What a dick! Its not like he'd remember the man's number off by heart since they hadn't really been conversing all that much.

A couple days after the shock set in, with Magnus finding out he is a father of two and he finding out that Magnus was not only a bartender but also the owner of the Day Care they attended, Alec did in fact return to Ragnor's Bar, trying to catch a glimpse of Magnus and possibly apologise again. Not that he really knew what he was apologising for because seriously, how much does someone confess to another on the first day they meet? Either way, Alec was determined to do something even though he didn't know what, but Magnus had been far too busy and had absolutely no time to chat with him, not that he seemed willing to do that anyway. After the third failed attempt, Alec had given up and now they were just passing acquaintances.

Shaking his head of such thoughts, he had more important things to worry about then that! Alec had quite the problem right now. Should he run to Ragnor's and beg the man for Magnus' address, if the man knew it, or... Alec did a double take, eyes narrowing slightly as in the terrible lighting across the street, he was sure that was,

"Wait! Ms Fairchild," Alec yelled from across the street. That red hair was quite distinctive after all. It appeared she didn't seem to hear him due to a passing and rather loud car, but finally when it rounded a corner and the noise quietened down, Alec yelled out to the woman again. Of course he received several stares, but when a pair of brown eyes turned to look over at him, Alec went running across the street, completely ignoring the honking of a car horn and the obscenities that flew from the drivers mouth at his recklessness. "Jocelyn Fairchild, correct?" The woman nodded her head. "My apologies, you may not recall who I am but..."

"Max and Raphael's father, yes?" Alec nodded his head. "Max and Clary have become reading buddies lately and although we've not properly been introduced, I do recall you picking up your sons at the same time as us on a few occasions." Alec gave a slight nod of the head to Jace's mother who was next to Jocelyn, all bundled up in winter gear as the temperature was dropping quickly this evening. It wouldn't be long and snow would soon blanket the city.

"Are you able to give me Magnus' address? The Day Care has closed for the evening. Various issues happened today and I forgot about the time and recalled Magnus stating that once the centre closes at 6pm, he takes the children he looks after back to his home and..." Alec paused, watching a confused Jocelyn turn to gaze at her best friend.

"There has only ever been a couple times that we've been late, but Magnus has always kept the Day Care open until we could pick up Clary and Jace." Alec felt his lips part at this news. "Even though one time I was late by two hours, he still stayed open for me and just waited with Clary there." This news confused Alec. "I must admit, I've never even thought to ask him where he lives. All I know is that it is in Brooklyn and not far from here. He does have a view of the river and the bridge as he showed a picture of it once."

"I see..."

"These days we both pick up Clary and Jace right on 4pm every day so..." So they'd never heard of such a ruling? Was it possible that he were the only one to know of Magnus' personal address? He did recall the man saying he hated giving out his personal information, but then why? Why'd he given it to him?

"Is it possible for me to borrow your phone then, mine has a flat battery, and I really need to get in touch with Magnus since Max and Raphael are still with him." Jocelyn was kind enough to sift through her contacts and then hit the 'call' button and wordlessly handed over her phone. It wasn't long before,

"Jocelyn, my dear, I can't really talk right now as I'm..."

"Magnus..." The man went dead silent, save for the fact he could hear faint music in the background.

"Where the seven hells have you been?" Alec blinked at the cranky way in which Magnus had said that, not even needing to tell him who he was as clearly Magnus had remembered the sound of his voice. Though it appeared the man's voice was slightly muted as he didn't seem to want to raise it too much. "I've been calling your phone for hours!" The strain made Alec's heart begin to thump in his chest.

"What's happened?" He listened to Magnus relay what had occurred.

"Can you let me know your address again?" He listened to Magnus reel off his address and then ended the call, giving back Jocelyn her phone as she pointed him in the direction once he voiced the street name and gave her a wave of thanks as he dashed off down the street, bags thumping against his sides rather annoyingly...and slightly painfully too.

# To be Continued #