Authors Note:
Wow, we finally have reached the end of this story, and I can't thank you enough for everyone who favorited, followed, and reviewed! It truly meant the world to me that you all went on this incredible journey with me, and I have to say, this story has made me proud, and I hope all you wonderful readers, have enjoyed it as much as I have! Another story down, and who knows when I'll start a new one. I still have many unfinished, and I've been a little uninspired recently, so I might take some time to get back in the game, but I haven't given up! Let me know what you all think about this last chapter, and again thank you for all the support and kind words throughout this journey! It really means a lot to me! :)
I also didn't know if you needed this, but I felt it was appropriate to add them, here are the age ranges of the children:
Beverly - 13
Stephan - 11ish
Emily - 12
Talia - 10ish
Rafe - 16, almost 17
Madison - 15
Max - 14
Chapter Thirty - Epilogue
Time Jump – Ten Years Later
"Beverly! You're going to be late for your softball game if we don't leave right now!" Clary yelled up to her daughter. Beverly had so much energy as a child, that Clary and Jace didn't know what to do with her, and they tried her in a bunch of sports, but she really connected with softball and she's been playing travel softball for about 4 years now.
"I can't find my lucky shoe laces!" Beverly yelled back. "I can't play without my lucky laces!" She said as she ran down the stairs frantically holding her cleats.
"Where was the last time you saw them?" Clary asked.
"After practice last night." She said.
"How did you lose your laces in less than 24 hours?" Clary asked.
"I don't know." Beverly said. "But I can't find them, and I need them!" She said as she started throwing her equipment around.
"Sometimes I wish you got the OCD gene." Clary said. "We're too messy for our own good." She said and Beverly laughed.
"We can leave the OCD to the boys." She said and Clary laughed. Clary looked around to see if Beverly accidently threw them around when she spotted something in Beverly's pocket.
"Uh Bev." Clary said and she turned around. "Check your back pocket." Clary said and Beverly reached her hand around and her eyes lit up.
"Oh my god. You're a saint mom!" She said and I laughed.
"Thank you, but we're going to be late, and everyone is coming this game tonight." Clary said and Beverly ran to the car.
They made their way to the field, and as soon as Clary put the car in park Beverly jumped out and ran towards the field. Clary took her sweet time because she was in no rush. She could see the rest of the Lightwood pack sitting on the bleachers already, and she was glad they were all coming to this game. It determined if they made it to the championship game, so it was a pretty important game.
"I thought you weren't going to make it." Jace said as I stood next to him.
"Beverly couldn't leave without her lucky laces, and she misplaced them." Clary explained.
"Did you find them?" He asked.
"Yea. In the back pocket of her softball pants." Clary said and he laughed. "It scares me how much of my messiness she inherited." Clary said and Jace pulled Clary into him.
"She'll learn to manage it." Jace said and Clary smiled. "Or marry a neat freak like you did, and be forced to give everything a place and make sure it's always there." He said and Clary laughed.
"It comes in handy I must say." Clary laughed and Jace pressed his lips to her head.
They all sat there and watched the softball game. Clary and Jace were on the edge of their seats. Beverly's team was only winning by 1 run, and since they were the home team, the other team got the last at bat, and anything is possible at that point. Beverly played center field, and when the final batter got up, and nailed the ball, Clary and Jace were sure it was over the fence, and Beverly's team had lost. Beverly was running as fast as she could while tracking the ball. She reached out to catch it when she felt herself fall over the fence. Jace and Clary held their breath as they watched Beverly fall. Everything was silent for a minute until Beverly stood up with the ball in her glove. She got the last out, and her team won. The dugout cleared faster than anything Clary and Jace had every seen and they rushed her.
"That's my girl!" Jace yelled and Clary was clapping along with everyone else.
The team made their way over to the dugout and Clary had never seen a smile quite like the one Beverly was wearing. She could see the pride radiating off her, and that just made Clary even prouder of her. The got in line, and shook the other teams hands, before huddling up for a team meeting. The whole Lightwood gang was waiting for it to break and finally congratulate Beverly. Beverly started making her way over to Clary and Jace and he pulled her into the biggest hug.
"I am so proud of you kiddo." Jace said as he kissed Beverly's head.
"Thanks dad." Beverly said.
"Way to stick it to them." Stephan said and him and Beverly bumped fists.
"Thanks little bro." She said. I pulled her into a hug next and kissed her temple.
"Way to run like hell girl." I said and she laughed.
They all decided to go out for a celebratory bit to eat. The whole family being together wasn't rare, but it didn't happen as much as everybody would like, so whenever they got the chance, they took advantage of it. Clary sat next to Jace and just looked around at her family. Beverly, Madison, Emily and Talia were talking up a storm like those girls normally do. Stephan, Max, and Rafe were all messing around at the table like boys normally do. Everyone was engrossed in their own conversation and Clary couldn't help but smile.
"What's going on in that pretty mind of yours?" Jace whispered in her ear.
"Just thinking about how lucky we all are." Clary said and Jace kissed her temple and smiled.
"We are incredibly lucky aren't we?" He asked and Clary simply nodded and leaned into him. Beverly caught her eye and she smiled at her daughter, and she smiled back before returning to the conversation she was having with the girls. Clary and Jace couldn't be happier that their lives turned out the way that they did. Everything in this moment was perfect, and that's all they ever needed.
~/~/~/~/~/~/~
Izzy was a nervous wreck. Her work was going to be shown at fashion week for the first time, and she couldn't stop pacing, or fidgeting. She wanted everyone to like her work, and she wanted other designers to respect her work. She was technically still a new comer in this industry, and that was the scariest part.
"Mom, you're going to do great." Emily said which caused Izzy to stop pacing.
"You don't know that." Izzy said. "My whole entire line could flop." She said.
"Do you honestly think that's going to happen?" Talia asked.
"I don't know, but it's a possibility." Izzy pointed out.
"It's also a possibility that your line could be a huge success." Emily said.
"I can't get my hopes up." Izzy said.
"Of course you can." Simon said which caused all the girls to turn their heads. "You remember how popular your preemie baby collection was?" He asked and Izzy nodded. "Everyone didn't just love a preemie collection, they loved the designs, the styles, the colors, the texture. They loved everything. Just like they'll love everything you've created for this line." Simon said and Izzy walked over and hugged him.
"I just don't want to be a failure." Izzy admitted to Simon.
"Your work is being displayed at New York Fashion Week." Simon said. "You are anything but a failure."
"You think so?" Izzy asked.
"I know so." Simon said and they kissed.
"Eww." They heard from behind them, almost forgetting their kids were there. "Do that when you're alone, Talia and I don't need to be exposed to that." Emily said and Izzy and Simon laughed.
They were headed to New York today, a day before the show to get settled. Everyone was coming. Maryse and Robert would be there, Alec, and Magnus would be there since Magnus is also showing, but he was an old pro at this. And Clary and Jace would also be there. Izzy was thankful that her whole family was going to be there supporting her. It was something that calmed their nerves, but also made her want the collection to succeed even more.
Everyone got to the runway, and thankfully Izzy and Magnus together were able to pull strings and get them all seats together. Izzy decided that she needed to be in the audience instead of backstage. She couldn't handle that pressure on top of what she was already feeling. Izzy was still pacing when everyone started to get there.
"Where are the boys?" Izzy asked.
"You think Max, Rafe, and Stephan really want to spend the day at a fashion show?" Magnus laughed and Izzy smiled.
"I thought it was a possibility." Izzy said.
"They're at home." Alec said. "Hopefully not throwing a party because they are in charge Stephan this weekend, and he does not need to be exposed to that."
"Why did I leave my child in the hands with yours?" Jace asked and Magnus and Alec laughed.
"He'll be fine." Alec said. "I hope." He said and everyone laughed.
Everyone was instructed to take their seats and Izzy held tight to Simon's hand. She was about to pass out, but this was her time, so she was excited for that. The show was going amazingly. Izzy was so impressed with Magnus's line that she nearly cried. He was one of her biggest role models in the fashion world, and his opinion meant a lot to her. When her first outfit walked down the runway, Izzy held her breath. She was trying to gauge the reactions of the crowd, but she couldn't read anyone's emotions at the moment. She didn't know if that was because she was so nervous, or because everyone was being stoic, but it was making her even more anxious.
When her collection was finished, the room erupted in applause, and she was asked to stand and take a bow, which she did, and the applause continued. When she sat back down she felt like a huge weight was lifted off her shoulders. Her collection was a hit, and everyone here, or at least the majority of the people here loved what she had created, and she couldn't be more proud of herself.
When the show ended they all went back to their hotel rooms. Since the show came with complimentary drinks, everyone was a little tipsy and booked rooms so that they didn't have to drive home. They could all just enjoy themselves. Izzy, Simon, Emily, and Talia said goodbye to everyone and headed up to their rooms. It had been an incredibly long day, and they were all ready to get some sleep.
The minute they got into their room Talia and Emily went to the bathroom to brush their teeth so that they could ready for bed. Izzy assumed it was a rushed job because they were so tired because in 5 to 10 minutes they were both done and jumping into bed. Simon and Izzy both kissed them on the forehead before going into the bathroom to brush their own teeth. When they emerged Talia and Emily were already asleep. They got into bed and Izzy curled into Simon's side and melted into him.
"I'm so proud of you Iz." Simon said and she smiled. "You created a masterpiece today."
"It felt pretty damn good to see it on that runway." Izzy admitted and she felt Simon laugh.
"I always knew you could do it." He said.
"I know, but I didn't always know I could do it." She admitted. "There were times that I thought I would never be good enough, or times where I thought I'd have to give it up in order to raise our girls." She said. "But today proved that I could, and I think I needed that validation. I needed to see it paying off you know?" She asked.
"I totally get it." Simon said. "That's how I felt when I was put on that team for that insane project." He said. "It felt like we weren't making progress at all, and I felt like I was a failure, but than when it worked. When we finally figured it out, everything in me felt lighter." He said and Izzy nodded. "It also helps that I have the best three girls to come home to at the end of every day who proved that I could do anything, no matter how hard it seemed."
"We did that for you?" Izzy asked.
"Every single day." Simon said as he kissed her head. "You three keep me going, and you never gave up on me." He said.
"I've always believed in you." Izzy said. "Just like you've always believed in me. Even when I tried to push you away." Izzy said and Simon smiled.
"You have always been worth it Iz." Simon said honestly. "You still are worth it. And you'll always be worth it." He said and Izzy teared up.
"I love you." She said and Simon kissed her forehead.
"I love you too Iz." Simon said. she rested her head on his chest and closed her eyes.
"Stop hogging the covers Talia." Izzy heard and she couldn't help but smile.
"I'm not hogging the covers, you just like to hibernate in them. News flash Em, there aren't enough when we share a bed." Talia replied. Simon smiled. She was so sassy, just like Iz.
"Next time you sleep on the floor." Emily replied.
"No way. You're the one complaining, you take the floor." Talia said back.
"I'm older." Emily said, like it was a valid excuse.
"So? That just means you're bigger and take up more room." Talia said.
"I'll have you know I'm a normal height and weight for my age." Emily spit back.
"Girls." Simon said.
"Yes daddy?" They both replied.
"Keep arguing and tomorrow night I share with Talia, and Emily shares with mom, and trust me, if you think there isn't enough room now, you'll be begging for room tomorrow night." Simon said and Izzy couldn't help but smile.
"Okay." They said and the fighting stopped. Izzy sighed and smiled. She loved her life, and she loved every little thing that happened on a daily basis. The fights, the laughs, the tears, the jokes, the insults even. Her life was perfect, and filled with love. That's all she ever needed in life.
~/~/~/~/~/~/~
Magnus and Alec have been talking about this for some time now, and they finally decided that today was going to be the day they tell Rafe, and the rest of the kids for that matter. Alec was still cautious about the whole thing, but Magnus was more confident than ever in their decision and that did help Alec's reservations. It was a huge step, maybe not a huge as having a kid, or buying a house, but huge nonetheless, and it came with a lot more responsibility and that was the part that scared Alec, but he knew Rafe, and he knew the kind of kid he was, he trusted him, and in the end, that's all he could really do. He just had to trust in his kid and know that he would be responsible and make the right decisions at the end of the day. That's all any parent could really hope for.
Alec was pacing around in their bedroom when Magnus opened the door. He looked up but didn't stop pacing. It wasn't until Magnus walked over and physically stopped him from walking that he finally realized that his feet hurt from how long he had been doing it.
"You need to calm down darling." Magnus said. "You're overthinking this entirely too much." He said.
"Are you sure this is a good idea Magnus?" Alec asked Magnus for the 11th time.
"I'm positive Alexander." Magnus reassured him yet again. "He's 16, almost 17, he can handle this."
"I'm not so sure he can." Alec said. "He's still growing up and maturing. How can we trust him with this?"
"Because he's our son and we have to have faith in the way we raised him." Magnus said and Alec nodded. "Come on darling, let's go share the news." Magnus said as he grabbed Alec's hand. They made their way into the living room where their kids were watching TV.
"Children." Alec said. "We are having a family meeting."
"What did you do Rafe?" Max asked.
"Nothing I swear." He defended. "I got my grades up, I did the dishes last night, and I didn't even get detention this month in school. I'm doing great." Rafe said and Magnus and Alec smiled.
"That you are, and we are very proud of you." Magnus said.
"So what's with the meeting if Rafe is getting yelled at?" Madison asked.
"Well, Rafe, since you've been staying on the straight and narrow lately, and helping more around the house, and with your siblings, we decided that it was finally time for you to take on more responsibility." Magnus said.
"Like what?" Rafe asked.
"Taking your siblings to school. Grocery shopping if you father and I can't go. Carpooling for Max or Madison when they have games and their friends sleep over. That kind of stuff." Alec explained.
"But how?" Rafe asked. "I have to borrow one of your cars for that." He said and Magnus held up a set of keys. "You're kidding right?" He asked.
"No." Magnus said. "You got your license a couple months ago, and you're almost 17. You have extracurriculars, and can't always depend on us if we get hung up at work or something, and like you said, you've been doing great in school lately, and really helping out. You've earned this." Magnus explained.
"Thanks pops." Rafe said as he got up and hugged Magnus and Alec. "This is so cool."
"Wait, so Rafe gets a car because he isn't failing anymore, and he learned out to use a dishwasher?" Max said. "I better be getting a freaking spaceship when I get my license." He said which caused everyone to laugh.
"There are still rules." Alec said and Rafe nodded. "Curfew is 11, but can be midnight if you have a valid excuse, but you must let us know if that happens. No texting and driving, and if it happens, we will find out and take the car from you. Don't be an idiot." Alec said and Rafe nodded again. "If you get mad at us, you can't just drive off somewhere. Driving while angry is just as bad as texting and driving. It's not safe, and if we ask you to pick up milk after school, but you really want to hang out with your friends, we get that, but please, get the milk. Sometimes your father and I are swamped and we'll need help."
"I totally get it. All of those things are reasonable and I promise to obey every single on of them." Rafe said. "Thank you so much for the car. I love you guys."
"We love you too Rafe." Magnus said.
"Well, I have dance in 30 minutes, want to test out your new ride Rafe?" Madison asked and Rafe smiled.
"Hell yea." Rafe said.
"Watch your mouth." Alec said and Rafe smiled.
"Of course." Rafe said and Alec ruffled his hair.
"But you're picking her up as well." Magnus said. "Your dad and I are going to go into the kitchen open a bottle of wine and finish it, so we'll be too intoxicated to do it." He said and they laughed.
"No problem pops." Rafe said.
"Shot gun!" Max yelled.
"No fair! I'm the one going to dance!" Madison yelled.
"Yea, and you'll be getting out of the car." Max said back as he looked at the door. "You snooze you lose sucker!" He said as he ran. Madison grabbed her bag and chased after him
"No fair cheater!" She yelled and the rest just laughed.
"I better go settle that dispute." Rafe said.
"Your car, your rules my man." Alec said. "Good luck." Rafe laughed and walked out of the house and closed the door. Magnus put his arm around Alec and leaned into him.
"Told you he would be responsible." Magnus said and right at the moment they heard a crash. They ran outside and Rafe had hit the mailbox.
"I'll pay for that!" He called out his window and drive away. Magnus and Alec stood on their front porch and looked at their crinkled mailbox and laughed.
"I love you." Magnus said and Alec couldn't help but smile.
"I love you too." He said and Magnus kissed her forehead. They made their way back inside and cracked that bottle of wine opened and drank. Everything in their life might not always be perfect, but they damn sure loved it nonetheless. This is what love was, and this is what love always would be.