Life with Magnus

By Shin Sankai

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Chapter Ten

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Alec continued to stare at Magnus. He had glanced down at his watch, illuminating the small light to finally make out the time and realised he'd been staring at Magnus' back for an hour! He'd definitely lost his chance to chat more with him, even though Magnus went all stone quiet and rigid due to his slip of the tongue earlier. Not that he would want to keep Magnus up to all hours anyway, not when the man had worked all day, rested for what was probably less then an hour and then went to his evening job, so of course he needed sleep. He was certain Magnus was someone who would probably just drop onto his bed, out in seconds, basking in the softness and the expanse of his large bed, but of course his son (and him) had ruined that.

It was as Raphael had stated earlier too, he wanted to wait up for Magnus, make sure he got back safe, but although the couch was small, it had been quite comfortable in the warmth and he'd just laid on it after putting the boys and Madzie to bed and the next thing he knew, he had heard the front door open and close.

Alec was debating whether he should greet the man but instead it wasn't long before Magnus moved into the space instead, only he was not alone but was with his young son. He hadn't even heard his whimper and felt a little guilty but when he did finally crack his eyes open, he felt his chest tighten as he gazed upon Magnus, in a state of undress, elegantly sliding around the tiles, in dance of his own and cuddling his son like he were the most precious being on this earth. And then his voice, even if it were only a hum, was soft and sweet.

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Alec didn't realise he'd stayed awake for the rest of the evening until he finally focused his eyes on his surroundings and noticed the change in the lighting in the bedroom. He couldn't believe he'd stayed awake and all he had thought about was the man next to him! Well, not right next to him, save for Raphael who was their barrier, but again, his crystal blue eyes were able to focus on a new sight of Magnus.

He was utterly defenceless in slumber, looking so very young and boyish, not that he actually knew how old Magnus was anyway. He guessed in his thirties, but he truly didn't even look that. Magnus had rolled over onto his right side, facing him and his long arm was lightly resting over Raphael, keeping him safe and secure. His eyes drifted from Magnus' slack face in slumber and to the three chains hanging around his neck and then drifted his eyes down to the two chunky silver rings on his hand, one supporting a fancy M on it and the other had a fancy B. His fingernails were short, shaped with precision and painted black.

Alec hadn't realised he'd shifted onto his side, left arm tucked under his head now and his right hand lifted up and fingers tentatively brushed over Magnus' smooth skin on his hand. He jerked away when the man let out a soft mumble. He held his breath thinking he'd woken him, but then suddenly all thoughts were lost as there was noise from the closed door, Alec's eyes darting over to it as it was pushed open.

"Ah, no fair!" Max pouted, Alec raising his hand to try and shush his eldest son as he had watched Magnus grumble rather cutely at the disturbance, burying his head into his pillow. "I want to sleep with daddy and Magnus too!" His eyes shifted to Madzie who was also standing their, curiosity as plain as day on her face.

"Max...wait...don't..."

"Oof!" Alec cringed as Max had decided to climb onto the bed, and then launched himself at the slumbering and unsuspecting Magnus. By now Raphael was slowly waking to see his father and Magnus were still with him, but now they had been joined by Max and Madzie, a massive grin forming on his face.

Alec watched Magnus pull Max over him, his giggle bubbling through the quiet of the room as he flopped onto his back gazing up into Magnus' eyes as he had finally leaned up on his right elbow, grinning down at the youngster who had totally disturbed his sleep, but one couldn't get too angry at such angelic faces.

"Ah daddy, look, Magnus and I have the same eyes!"

"I noticed that too." Magnus lifted his gaze to Alec and then back to Max. Considering he wasn't rushing to place on a pair of coloured contacts, Alec assumed that his truthfulness last night and what Max said made Magnus happy. Alexander watched him suddenly yawn as he placed his head back down onto his pillows, arm securing around Max whilst also pulling up the blankets. "Sorry about the disturbance." Alec couldn't help but mutter as Magnus' much needed rest was interrupted and now he was graced with all three Lightwood's in his bed and Madzie still standing at the opened door.

"Its quite alright, nothing like a good slumber party I say..."

Alec grinned at that. "Come on sweet pea," He gestured, hand out to the young girl. "Our slumber party in Magnus' bed isn't complete without Madzie with us." It worked as she dashed over, Alec lifting her up as he wrapped his arms around her, identical to how Magnus was with Max. "Are the three of you going to be quiet for a few more hours so Magnus can get some more sleep?" Magnus was about to comment that it looked like he hadn't slept a wink but the kids nodded their heads and everyone closed their eyes, drifting off into slumber.

Saturday was going to be an insanely lazy day for all.

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The five occupants in the bed had woken late, mainly to knocking at Magnus' front door. Alec went to his room to change, making the kids do the same while Magnus headed for the front door in his pyjamas. Catarina was on the other side, a smile on her face and she watched Magnus furrow his eyebrows at her.

"You forgot you invited me over for brunch didn't you?"

"A lots been happening." Magnus pointed out in his defence, prying his door open to let Catarina inside. It wasn't long before she was graced with hugs from the children and Alec greeted her as well, he now dressed in a pair of brown jeans and a plain black short sleeved shirt. Magnus watched Catarina pause in her returned greeting as her eyes flickered over the tattoos on his arms.

"Did I hear something about brunch?" Catarina caught herself from staring too much and held out a basket filled with cheeses, olives, baby tomatoes, some salads, cold meats, dips, pate and two French bread sticks and a box of chocolates. "Do you want to help us prepare it all?" Alec received nods of the head from the kids and they made their way into Magnus' kitchen which gave him a chance to shower and get dressed.

He returned about twenty minutes later to see that everyone was sitting on his plush red rug, well all except Madzie. He wondered where she had gone as he made his way over, sitting between Catarina and Raphael.

"Wow, this looks delicious." Magnus picked up a slice of the buttered French stick and munched on it, nodding kindly to Alec who had passed him a cup of tea. Catarina remained silent as she noticed Magnus had not placed in any of his coloured contacts and turned her gaze back to Alec. You responsible for this change in Magnus.

"Aleeeeeeeeeeec..." Magnus watched Catarina's eyes widen as they all observed Madzie run over, to come to stand right at Alec's side, a smile on her face.

"You're wearing one of the scarves I gave you!" He picked her up and gave her a hug, she letting off a small giggle as her arms wrapped around his neck. "I'm so happy!" He beamed her a smile when he placed her back on her two feet and she took a seat right next to him.

"Surprised?" Magnus whispered to Catarina as she nodded her head.

"I never thought I'd see the day where Madzie would become friendly with anyone, let alone Mr Lightwood over there..." Catarina voiced, a smile on her face as Magnus couldn't seem to take his eyes off of Alec.

"Turns out, Alexander happens to be the author of her favourite book."

"Is that right?"

"And you don't have to call me Mr Lightwood either." He watched two pairs of eyes widen slightly as he had heard everything being said. They weren't far from where he was sitting and he had pretty good hearing too.

"Magnus, you eat it, I don't like it." Magnus turned his gaze to Raphael who had bitten through a green olive. He had an adorable scrunched look on his face not liking the taste at all.

"They are way better in drinks." Magnus paused when Alec gave him a slightly narrowed look. "But you have quite the wait in order to experience that." That seemed to appease the father of two. "Ahhhh..." Magnus gestured, mouth agape as Raphael giggled in delight and popped the olive into his mouth, his lips closing as he chewed thoughtfully. Whilst he could eat them like this, he was telling the truth about them being better in a martini, not that the youngster understood any of that.

"Magnus, I taught you better manners then that!" Catarina admonished him, arms folded as she rolled her eyes at him.

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Brunch went down a treat as Alec took the kids over to the two seater couch and placed on the movie again, they had missed half of it last night, all three having fallen asleep. And Church had decided to join them, jumping onto the couch and curled in Max's lap. Alec returned to lounging on the rug, accepting the scotch from Magnus while providing Catarina with a beer of all things and had made himself a martini.

"Catarina, may I ask, why didn't you ever think about having children?" Alec was so bold in his question, not even knowing that Magnus presumed it to be a taboo topic. He'd been leaning on his elbows, but his eyes went wide at Alexander's question, he sitting up straight and was trying to wave his hands at the author telling him he shouldn't have asked that bloody question at all! He watched Alec give him an odd look before he turned his blue eyes back to Catarina.

"I do have children."

"What!?" Magnus blurted out in surprise, Alexander and Catarina turning to look at him now.

"Well, maybe not plural, but he was quite a handful." Catarina blatantly stared back at Magnus, Alec not being able to help the grin that formed on his lips.

"O-Oh..." It finally registered in Magnus' head that Catarina truly did think of him as her son. The thought brought a tiny smile to his lips, both Alec and Catarina spotting it immediately...and loving it too.

"Let me tell you Alec, the emotions and near heart attacks my sweet boy gave me, my goodness..." Hm, so this is where Magnus got the 'sweet boy' remark from. Like mother...like son then...

"Catarina..." Magnus voiced lamely as off she went, deciding that she was in good company where Alexander was concerned and told him a rather lengthy story involving Magnus, three girls and a fountain. Whilst Magnus glowered, Alec's grin was spreading across his face, deep throaty laughter filling the air.

And even though it was at his expense, Alec's smile was gorgeous...as was his laughter...so Magnus believed all was not lost.

# To be Continued #