Hello everybody!

Thank you for your reviews! I absolutely love hearing from everybody. I am in the middle of looking for a Beta Reader so if anyone would like to help me or whether you can recommend a good beta reader I would very much appreciate it. I am mostly looking for someone who loves Malec as much as we all do and someone who is pretty good at keeping Magnus and Alec in character (becuase sometimes I find it a little tricky).

Okay, on to the chapter notes. I would consider this chapter a very strong T rating mostly because it does contain a small amount of sexual scenes but no actual sex. Kind of like what Cassandra Clare does in her own books. This chapter contains a cameo from Tessa Gray from The Infernal Devices. However, this chapter is set during the events of Lady Midnight and just before A Long Conversation, so spoilers!

Just another quick note, all of these chapters are all in the same "universe" as the other chapters. The reason I'm letting you know now is that towards the end of the chapter their is a little bit about Max which will be explained and go more into detail in another chapter (I'll let you know which one). I just haven't finished the chaper yet.

Without further ado, feel free to let me know what you think and if you can recommend a good Beta Reader and enjoy!

The Lightwood Bane Chronicles

Distractions

"Oh come on! How could they change that bit from the book? It was a key event in their relationship!" Tessa exclaimed at the television screen from her spot next to Magnus on the couch. Alec looked up from his book and smiled as he caught Magnus raising his eyebrow at him over Tessa's head. She sighed and grabbed the remote, switching the screen off with a flash. "I can't watch this adaptation. Are they trying to ruin A Tale of Two Cities?"

"I think the educational system already beat them to it, my dear." Magnus said idly, clearing up the bowl of popcorn on the coffee table in a flash of blue flames. Tessa huffed as she leaned into his side, resting her head against his shoulder. Strands of her long brown hair fell out of the bun at the back of her head and fell into her eyes.

"Will would hate this film if he was here watching it. He absolutely loved this book and they completely missed the point of their whole relationship! Dickens would be turning in his grave." Magnus wrapped his arm around her shoulders and gave her a comforting hug. "Oh well, I'll just have to take the film back to the library tomorrow."

"Indeed you will. It's not the end of the world." Magnus said. There was a sudden beeping sound from the clock on the kitchen wall and Magnus tiredly smiled. "The boys should be home from Maryse's soon. We should perhaps get some dinner prepared."

Alec snapped his book shut and got out of his chair. "Don't worry Mags, I'll sort something out for them." As he passed by the back of the sofa, Alec swooped down and pressed a kiss to Magnus's forehead.

"But you cooked yesterday." Magnus protested. "Why don't I cook this time?"

"Your version of cooking is stealing meals from Taki's down the road. They're going to start getting suspicious if you keep doing it." Alec remarked as he opened the fridge and pulled out a box of leftover pasta bolognaise from yesterday. "Besides, we just managed to get Max eating something other than pancakes. It would be nice to keep it that way for a while longer."

"But he likes pancakes!" Magnus pouted.

Tessa smiled as she watched them both bicker. "Aw, you two are so adorable together. You remind me so much of Will and I with our children."

"Yes, but our children are angels which is more than I can say for your James." Magnus earned a gentle shove from Tessa to which he grinned back. "Okay, okay maybe he wasn't all terrible."

"Be nice Magnus." Alec said as he switched on the cooker to warm up the leftovers.

"I am being nice. Look, this is me being nice." Magnus said, his cat eyes gleaming with mischief. Tessa shook her head as she curled up on the sofa.

"Let's change the subject." Tessa suggested. Suddenly she sat up and turned to Magnus with an excited smile. "What are you two doing for your anniversary?"

Magnus stared at Alec as he busied himself with chopping up some green vegetables. He almost became lost in the gracefulness of Alec's movements as the muscles of his arms tensed and released as the knife in his hand flew across the board with barely any effort. Although it was such a simple task, watching Alec cooking in his loft made Magnus happy. It was pathetic and so unbecoming for a High Warlock of Brooklyn but right now he didn't care. Alec glanced back at Tessa over his shoulder as he slid the chopped vegetables into a pan of bubbling water. "I don't know just yet. Maybe go out to dinner or watch a movie with the boys. You know, have a quiet night in."

"Really?" Tessa asked disappointedly. "Haven't you two been together for five years or something? That's a pretty big anniversary."

"Well I suggested we go to my flat in Paris for the weekend but Alec needs to be on call in case there are any problems with the alliance between Maia's pack and Lily's coven." Magnus said distractedly watching Alec as he reached over to switch the coffee pot on. "Besides, it's too short notice for anyone to look after Max and Rafe for a night."

"I suppose. You know Jem and I would gladly take care of the boys that night but we're getting so close to finding Christopher it could be any day now."

"It's alright." Alec turned around and leaned against the counter, catching Magnus's eye as a blush coloured his cheekbones. "How is the search going? Did you find any leads?"

"We're close. Jem thinks that they might be in Los Angeles but he's following up that lead with Catarina at the moment." Tessa and Jem had been searching for the lost members of the Herondale line for years now but it was only recently that they had gotten any headway. "You both should still do something special though."

Just as Magnus was about to reply the intercom buzzed from downstairs and Alec went to let their sons in. Not even a moment later, Max burst into the room with Rafe following behind him as they scrambled onto the sofa. Alec shortly entered the room and shut the door, smiling fondly at them all before getting back on task with preparing dinner.

"Auntie Tessa! Look, look! My horns are growing! See?" Max giggled as he pointed to the little white horns poking out of his forehead. Rafe curled up in Magnus's lap and smiled quietly at his little brother, giving Magnus a hug.

Tessa gasped as she smiled at Max. "Wow Max! Look at them! You're getting so big now. Come give me a cuddle and tell me all about it." She gathered up the little toddler and sat him on her lap as he began to tell her how his horns started appearing a few days ago.

Magnus looked down at Rafael, who had always been a quiet boy ever since they found him in Buenos Aires not too long ago, and gently ruffled his curling mop of brown hair. Rafael glanced up at Magnus, his sleepy brown eyes curious underneath light sloping eyebrows. "So how was your day Rafe? Did you have fun at Maryse's with your little brother?"

Rafe nodded letting out a sleepy yawn as he laid his head on Magnus's chest. "Where's Chairman?"

"I'll go have a look. You sit here next to Tessa and try not to fall asleep before dinner." He said pressing a kiss on the top of his head before getting up. Rafe leaned into Tessa's side as she stroked his hair, both watching Max as he excitedly finished his story.

As evening started to appear a few hours later, Alec and Magnus found themselves curled up together on the sofa with Max and Rafael quiet and content in their pajamas as they finished watching Peter Pan. Rafael watched in idle amazement as the now golden Jolly Roger soared into the sky as it took Wendy, John and Michael back home to Kensington Gardens, cuddling a purring Chairman Meow in his lap.

"Papa, I want to be a pirate when I grow up." Max whispered from his spot next to Alec, wrapped in his favourite comfort blanket that he'd had since he was a baby.

"That's an excellent vocation Blueberry. I remember when I decided on a life of piracy in Peru. Admittedly, my very short career didn't go quite as planned but I'm sure yours will be notorious." Magnus absent-mindedly began to draw little swirling circles on the back of Alec's hand with his fingertips, sending tingles up Alec's spine.

"Can Rafe be a pirate too? And Chairman?" Max asked, turning his head to Rafael. "We could steal the Jolly Roger and find Neverland ourselves. Wouldn't that be fun?"

Rafael nodded as he scratched behind the Chairman's ears. Chairman Meow let out a low rumble as he stood up and languorously stretched his long feline body before hopping off the sofa and strutting off towards the boys' bedroom.

"I think it's time for bed, you two." Alec announced, earning a groan of protest from Max. Rafael stood up from the sofa, giving Magnus a hug. "Go on. Don't forget to brush your teeth and I'll be through to tuck you in, in a moment."

"Okay, goodnight Daddy." Max sighed leaning up to kiss Alec's cheek before crawling over to Magnus and doing the same. Rafael swapped with Max and gave Alec a hug before he waited for Max to be done. "Good night Papa."

"Good night Blueberry." Magnus smiled as both boys exited the room together. Alec shuffled closer to Magnus on the couch and linked his fingers between Magnus's, happy that they were finally alone for the moment. The credits of the movie started rolling up the screen of the TV. Magnus turned to Alec thoughtfully. "You know, I actually met J.M. Barrie once. He got kidnapped by faeries whilst on holiday in Kensington Gardens when he was a child and I had to alter his memories so he wouldn't remember the courts. He lost his brother that day too, poor boy."

"That's such a shame." Alec murmured as Magnus's fingers trailed up and down his arm.

"Indeed." Magnus replied, turning his head into Alec's neck. "Of course, he got the fairies wrong and the crocodile was most likely a Greater Demon but the lost boys and the Indians were near enough the same. All lost children stuck in the faerie realm being chased by Unseelie knights." He pressed a lingering kiss to Alec's neck, right on top of the pulse point sending a shiver across Alec's skin. Alec leaned into him, letting his free hand trail over Magnus's hip and up underneath his shirt. "The mundanes tend to forget what a nightmarish place the faerie realm can be." Magnus kissed along Alec's jaw, inching his way closer to Alec's mouth.

"I don't want to talk about the fair folk, Magnus…" Alec murmured turning his head and kissing his lips. Even after five years of being together and raising a family, there was still that electric spark dancing in his chest that he had felt when they first met. Alec grasped hold of Magnus's shirt, bunching the fabric tightly in his fingers as he pulled Magnus closer, breathing in his cologne as Magnus let his hands wander around Alec's body.

"Daddy, we're ready!" Alec jumped as they suddenly broke away at the sound of Max calling from his bedroom. Magnus let out a slow calming breath, his cat eyes dilated as he reluctantly pulled away from his lover. Alec gave him a tight smile as he hopped off the couch.

"I'll pour us some drinks." Magnus whispered summoning a bottle of red wine and two glasses with a snap of his fingers. Alec pecked his lips before leaving to tuck the boys in their beds. Magnus set down the glasses on the coffee table and switched the television off with a wave of his hand, pouring the wine into each glass until both were half full. Leaning back he took a sip from his glass, savouring the rich tangy taste and waited for Alec to return.

Magnus stared around his loft which had changed so much in the last few months. What had once been a place where Magnus could express himself through the finest details of design, had now become more homely than he ever could imagine. There were some of Max's stuffed animals strewn in odd places around the room. One of Rafael's light up sneakers tipped on its side by the door next to Alec's quiver of red fletched arrows. His own spell books lay open on the desk in his study area next to his cauldron from when he had been teaching Max how to conjure glittery bubbles in the air. Alec's abhorrently holey sweater sat lovingly folded up on the back of the chair. All of these details were what made Magnus more at home than ever. Now this is more like a home, he thought to himself.

"The boys are both tucked in and Chairman Meow is sleeping on the end of Rafael's bed." Alec said quietly as he slumped down beside Magnus, picking up his glass of wine and taking a sip.

"Good," Magnus pecked Alec's cheek and they sat in contented silence. When their first glass of wine was finished, Magnus reached forward and poured another for each of them. "Alexander, I've been thinking that perhaps Tessa's right. We should do something for our anniversary."

"What would you suggest?" Alec turned interested to Magnus. There was a gleam in Magnus's feline eyes that promised mischief.

"Well, I could call in a favour from Catarina to look after the boys for a week perhaps." Magnus leaned in and started kissing along Alec's jaw. Alec lay back against the arm of the sofa, feeling the comforting weight of Magnus's slim body rest against his own. "Then we could portal ourselves to Venezuela, spend some time on the beach, have a few cocktails…" Magnus trailed down Alec's neck as his free hand inched his sweater up Alec's chest. "No kids, no responsibilities. Just you, me and hotel room service."

"That does sound like a good idea…" Alec's breath hitched as Magnus gently bit his earlobe. Suddenly Alec's phone buzzed in his pocket. With a frustrated sigh he took out his phone and answered it. "Hello, who's this?"

"Alec, its Jace. Are you busy right now?"

Magnus snapped his fingers and teleported their glasses onto the coffee table out of harms way. Alec watched distractedly as Magnus leaned close and began peppering lingering kisses around Alec's throat and collarbone, casually nipping at the skin every few minutes. "Um, you could say that."

A moment passed before Jace replied. "Don't tell me you're in the middle of getting laid Alec."

"Well, hopefully." Alec remarked, trying his best to concentrate as Magnus's hands dragged down his chest towards his belt. "Look, what's the problem?"

"By the angel Alec," Jace groaned from the other end of the line. "Alright, there's been a bust up between the vampires and the pack. Something about a bar crawl gone awry I think but now things have gotten a bit tense."

"What am I supposed to do? Tell them to take their issue to the Sanctuary in the morning like you usually do." Alec met Magnus's eyes as his belt was unbuckled, his mouth pulling into a teasing grin.

"The vampires don't want to wait until morning Alec. They're pissed off and drunk."

Magnus unbuttoned Alec's trousers and slowly teased the zipper down. Alec bit his lip to try and stop the moan inched its way out of his mouth. "Look, I can't really do much now Jace. Just try and figure this one out on your own for once. Sorry."

"But Alec -"

Alec hung up chucking his phone across the room before his mouth crashed clumsily into Magnus's, knocking him back against the arm of the couch. Dragging his sweater and shirt over his head he let out a moan as he straddled Magnus's hips and pressed himself closer to Magnus's chest. "Finally," Magnus gasped. "I thought he'd never shut up."

"I know." Alec mumbled against Magnus's skin, kissing his way sporadically across his chest as he undid the buttons of Magnus's shirt. He would never rip any of Magnus's clothes – not unless he asked him to – because he knew that Magnus would get annoyed about it. Buttons undone he yanked his shirt down over his toned arms, his fingers eager to gain access to his skin. "Now, what was that about Venezuela?"

Magnus let out a low rumbling laugh as he gripped Alec's hips, making Alec's breath hitch in his throat. Magnus leaned up and kissed a white scar of a rune on Alec's collarbone. "Do you remember that time in Paris? The candlelit dinner, the romantic walk along the Seine…"

"That god-awful violinist," Alec chuckled, remembering the screech of the violinist's bow tear against the strings as he played outside their hotel room window. Magnus moaned as Alec tugged on his hair, pulling him up as he nipped at his collarbone. "How could I forget?"

"We could have that again…" Magnus gasped, his hands feverishly trying to drag the rest of their clothes from their bodies. "We could go back to Paris for our honeymoon if you want."

Alec broke away suddenly in shock and stared at Magnus. "Honeymoon?"

Magnus smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, you know for when the Clave finally gets their heads out from their a-"

Alec kissed Magnus happily as Magnus smiled. "I'd love to."

"Good. Now that's settled…" Magnus flipped them over so that Alec fell back against the other arm of the sofa. Magnus kissed Alec's lips smiling as Alec followed when Magnus pulled away. "How's about we take this to the bedroom, hmm?"

"Dad! Dad!" Rafael suddenly yelled as he scrambled into the room.

"Rafe, stop! One minute just…just stay where you are!" Magnus yelped pulling away from Alec, who stared up in horror and embarrassment. Magnus sat up and peered over the back of the sofa.

Rafael stood still peering back at Magnus, taking in his mussed up hair and swollen lips in confusion. "What were you doing?"

"Uh, Alexander and I were…well, um…" Magnus stammered trying to think of a suitable excuse for his appearance.

"Oh, for the love of Raziel…" Alec whispered before clearing his throat. "What's the matter Rafe? You should be asleep."

Rafael glanced at the sofa where he saw Alec's head resting on the sofa arm. "Max is on the ceiling again."

The blood drained from Alec and Magnus's faces as they hurriedly sat up, fastening their trousers quickly before following Rafe into his bedroom to find Max sleeping soundly upside down from the ceiling above his bed. Alec only just managed to get there in time before Max suddenly woke and fell with a wail, catching Max swiftly in his arms as the toddler cried. "Shh, Max its okay. You're safe. Daddy's got you." Alec cooed soothingly, hugging him close to his chest as he sat down on the toddler's bed.

Magnus breathed a sigh of relief. "Good job Rafe." Magnus swooped down and kissed Rafe's forehead. Magnus glanced worriedly at Alec. "Is Blueberry okay?" Alec nodded back with a smile. Max started to hiccup in Alec's arms which woke up Chairman Meow with sleepy yowl. Magnus narrowed his eyes at the cat. "Typical. You were given one job Chairman. Bad cat."

Chairman Meow looked up at him and tipped his head in confusion. Alec shook his head as Max slowly calmed down. "Alright, let's get you back to bed."

Alec tucked Max back into bed, making sure that Max's sheets were tight enough to keep him on the bed. Rafe crawled back into his bed as Magnus tucked in his sheets. "Night Dad." Rafe mumbled sleepily as he turned on his side. Alec looked over in surprise and saw Magnus smiling down at Rafael.

"Good night son." Magnus stroked his son's sleeping head before he followed Alec quietly out of the room. As soon as the door closed behind them, Alec kissed Magnus with a smile. "He called me Dad, Alexander." Magnus felt pride swell in his chest.

"I know." Alec held his hand and led the way to their bedroom, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Come on, let's go to bed."