Authors Note:

Another Friday in the books! Hope you all are enjoying this, and anxiously waiting for the next installment! I'm not going to lie, I've hit a mental wall with where I want to take this story, so don't be shocked if I miss a week while I try to get this sucker back on track! Also, since I'm lacking inspiration/motivation, that might play a key factor in as well! Let me know what ya'll think and leave a review! :)

Chapter Ten

Time Jump – Two Months Later

Alec POV:

Tonight we were having a family dinner and Clary was coming. Jace was freaking out. Constantly calling me about how people would react, and if our parents would like her. Naturally my response was, if she can deal with him, everyone will love her, and when that pissed him off, I told him that Izzy and I already knew her and got along great with her. She's a nice person, and really great opposite of Jace. They work well together, and Jace is really taken with her. That's something mom and dad really need to see. It seemed to calm him down a little, but 10 minutes later he had more concerns. It was like trying to reason with a toddler – impossible. I don't think he's going to stop freaking out until the beginning of dinner, and I couldn't wait because I was so tired of him calling me every 15 minutes.

I had a shoot today, and it was with Clary, and I could just tell Clary was nervous about tonight. Normally the photos I take of her are perfect, but Magnus kept coming over to me telling me they weren't usable. I needed to get Clary out of her head, and I needed to do it fast.

"Clary. Can we talk?" I asked when I approached her.

"Sure, what's up?" She asked.

"Magnus just told me none of these shots are usable." I said and her face fell. "What is throwing you off your game?" I asked.

"I'm fine." She said but it wasn't believable.

"Clary, is this about dinner tonight?" I asked and she sighed.

"What if your parents hate me?" She blurted out.

"Listen, my parents, they can be difficult." I said. "There is no point in lying about that. My father is an asshole, and my mother is very stoic. And its only gotten worse since Max died." I explained and she nodded. "But, Jace has never been more serious about anyone than he is with you. He's freaking out just as bad, maybe even worse." I said and she laughed.

"Really?" She asked.

"Yea. I think it mostly has to do with the fact that he doesn't have any biological family left so having you meet his surrogate family is even more important to him." I said. "Have you two talked about that yet? Like history of previous relationships and families?" I asked.

"I know his parents died when he was young, nothing in depth though, just that they were murdered." She said and I nodded. There was way more to the story. It took me almost 4 years before he told me everything, so I'm not surprised that he only gave her the surface. "And I told him about the relationship I have with my parents, and my ex-husband, but we didn't have a discussion. It was mainly just surface stuff." She said. "I didn't want to hide the fact that I've been married before from him."

"Okay, so you've at least talked about that sort of thing, which is good." I told her and she nodded. "So why is this dinner freaking you out so much?"

"My ex-husband didn't have any parents, or relatives for that matter, none that I met anyway. Whenever I brought the subject of family up he hit me." She said and I flinched a little. I didn't know her history, but I had a feeling it wasn't a very pretty one. "So I learned that it was a sore subject, which I get, my parents are somewhat jerks too. And when Jace asked me to come to dinner with his family tonight it freaked me out a little. I mean, this is real." She said and I couldn't help but laugh.

"How many nights a week do you spend at Jace's? And how many nights a week does he spend at your place?" I asked.

"It's pretty much every single night. We rotate apartments though." She admitted with rosy cheeks.

"Exactly." I pointed out. "Jace never brought the girls he was seeing home. Even if they were paired with Izzy in school for a project, Izzy always had to go to their house, or they met up at the library. Jace refused to bring anyone home because he didn't think they were good enough to meet my parents." I explained and she nodded. "He looks up to my parents because they took him in when he needed it the most. They might be lousy at showing their affection and love, but damn did they make sure we were fed, and clothed, and looked after, even if it was with a nanny." I said. "My point being, you're special to him. You have been since you two met. Tonight is a huge step for him and I guarantee that once you get there tonight everything will go smoothly, plus Iz and I will be there, so it won't be weird or anything, and we can run interference if need be." I said and she laughed. "Just breathe Clary. Tonight is going to be okay."

"Thank you Alec. I didn't know how much I needed that pep talk." She said and I smiled.

"I'm glad, but unfortunately pep talks don't get me paid, these pictures do, and right now we have no usable shots, and unless you want to show up to dinner in that." I said as I pointed to her very skimpy outfit. "I suggest we get some good photos in now." I said and she laughed and nodded. I got back to my spot and we continued on with the shoot. Tonight was going to be interesting, but seeing Clary freaking out was kind of reassuring, Jace meant a lot to her, and he needs someone there for him like Clary.

Time Jump – Later That Night

Alec POV:

I finally got to my parents house and before I entered, I took a deep breath. Seeing them for Max's trial and during his funeral was one thing, but seeing them for an weekly Lightwood dinner wasn't something I was looking forward too. When I was travelling at least I had a good excuse, but I can't exactly use the 'can't mom, going to Italy in the morning' excuse anymore, so I try and suck it up. Thankfully though Magnus has had me doing some of the alter shoots so I've only come to a couple in the last couple months, and they were always the same. Judgmental looks, and the disappointment speech. Nothing ever changes with them, and I've given up on wishing for that day to come.

Once I opened the door, I made my way into the dinning area where I knew they were all waiting. I texted Izzy telling her I'd be a little late due to a shoot that was pushed back and when she texted me back saying mom wasn't pleased I knew this night was going to go south, and I hated that Clary was going to witness that.

"Alexander, how nice of you to join us." My mom said the moment I walked in.

"Sorry mother, I got caught up with work." I said.

"You might as well just not come if you're going to be an hour late." She scolded.

"You haven't even sat down to eat yet." I pointed out and she glared at me.

"That's not the point Alexander." She said. "The point is, dinner is at 7:15. Has been since you were kids, and you know appetizers start at 5:45."

"Who has appetizers? We aren't at a restaurant. This is literally a family dinner that most families eat in their pajamas and with the TV on." I said and you would have thought I set her favorite purse on fire with the look she gave me.

"We will not live like barbarians Alexander." She nearly yelled. "We raised you right." She said and I wanted so badly to tell her that hiring a nanny to do all the dirty work doesn't count, but I bit my tongue. No need starting a pointless argument, especially with Clary being here tonight. "So Clarissa, I never got a chance to ask you where you grew up." My mom asked Clary. I slightly thanked the Angels that she moved on from me.

"I grew up in Brooklyn." She said.

"Eww. Why?" My mom asked.

"Mom, you can't just insult her home." Izzy chimed in.

"It's okay." Clary said reassuringly. "My dad ditched me and my mom when I was about 7, and my mom was constantly between jobs, so we never had enough money to rent an apartment. Most nights I was just happy if I had a roof over my head." She said and my mom literally look appalled. "But I worked my ass off in school so that I could make something of myself."

"But you're a model correct?" My mom asked in her subtle judgmental tone.

"I am. But I did get my associates from my community college, and I hope one day to finish. I just really wanted to follow my dreams, and I'm really thankful that I did." Clary said. It was nice to see someone own up to their struggles. My parents didn't know how to do that.

"Jace graduated law school early." My mom beamed proudly. I think it always saddened her that I didn't chose to be a doctor or a lawyer like Jace.

"He told me." Clary smiled up at Jace. "I was really impressed."

"He also graduated top of his class." My dad chimed in.

"He didn't tell me that part." Clary said with a laugh, and I knew at this moment she was going to be just fine here. So I made my way to the bathroom and grabbed my cell and sent out an emergency message.

To Magnus:

SOS. Please save me from this horrible dinner.

From Magnus:

The one Clary is at right now?

To Magnus:

That very one. My parents seem to be warming up to her, but I'm still getting the cold and ice pick shoulder, and I can't sit through a two hour dinner with them. I might throw a fork at my father.

From Magnus:

Deal, but you have to buy me dinner. I can't look at any more pictures tonight ;)

To Magnus:

I'll buy you dinner twice if it means you'll get me out of this dinner.

From Magnus:

Deal darling.

I put my phone away and made my way back out to where everyone was. Clary and my mother were laughing about something, and Jace looked extremely proud. I knew they both had nothing to worry about. My parents only wanted Jace to feel normal after everything that happened, and seeing him a healthy relationship was good for everyone. My phone started ringing and my mother shot daggers at me with her eyes.

"One moment." I said and I grabbed my phone. "Hello?"

"Hello Alexander." Magnus said and I knew he did to because he knew it affected me but I couldn't let this phone call be ruined.

"Hey Magnus, is everything okay with the photos?" I asked and I heard him laugh.

"Oh yes darling, but my one employee promised me dinner." He purred through the phone.

"Well, I could always do it again if you'd like." I said trying to sell this story.

"There are so many ways that I could take that statement." He laughed.

"Right now?" I asked and I looked at my mom and mouthed 'I'm sorry' even though I wasn't sorry in the slightest.

"Right now would be perfect. I'm so hungry I could devour you." He said and I could feel my face heat up.

"This couldn't wait until tomorrow?" I asked.

"Not a chance Alexander." He said and I had to keep myself in check.

"Okay, I'll be there in 10 minutes." I said.

"I'll be waiting darling." He said and we hung up.

"Is everything okay Alec?" Clary asked first.

"Yea, just the last shoot that I was at, the director of that particular shoot wants a wider variety, and he wants them done tonight. Apparently tomorrow isn't soon enough for him." I said and they all nodded. "I'll see you next week for dinner." I told my parents.

"Of course, and on time Alexander." My mother said. It honestly made me cringe. It definitely didn't sound as endearing coming from her.

I walked outside and made a beeline back towards the office. I couldn't believe how well that worked, and I felt so much lighter after leaving that house. I put myself on autopilot and made my way straight to Magnus' office without even thinking. I knocked on the door and entered before he could say anything.

"That rough huh? I haven't had to use that technique since high school." Magnus and I laughed.

"Always is with Maryse and Robert Lightwood." I said and he nodded.

"Never saw them as very charming people. No offense." He said and I laughed.

"None taken. They are quite intimidating and unapproachable if you ask me." I said and he smiled.

"So dinner?" Magnus asked.

"Wherever you want." I said and his smile got wider.

"I know just the place." He said and we stood up and made our way outside. Having dinner with Magnus was going to be way more enjoyable that my family, but I couldn't help but wonder what was going on between us, and what's going on in Magnus's head. Because right now, everything is just grey, and I have no idea where I stand.

Sneak Peak for Chapter Eleven:

"You have yourself a good one." I told her and she smiled.

"He is rather amazing." She admitted as her cheeks grew rosy.

"What's that look for?" I asked, which only made her beam more.

"He told me he loved me earlier today." She said and I couldn't help but smile in this dark mood I'm in.

"Oh Clary." I said, and I was honestly truly happy for her. "That's amazing. I'm assuming you said it back, right?" I asked and she laughed.