Listening to the story of how Magnus had come to be a father, Maryse pursed her lips, speaking only once he was done recounting the incident, "And Alec, how do you feel about all this?"

Magnus gave him a gentle nudge with his Italian leathered boot, "Alexander, isn't there something that you wanted to tell your mother?"

They were sitting in the library, lounging in front of the weighed down Angel desk where Maryse sat. Well, Magnus was reclining, shooting Alec covert glances, but Alec was rigid as a statue on the edge of the chair, more beautiful than the most priceless Michael Angelo to the warlock. Maryse was sitting back in her seat, hands folded gracefully on her lap, but her back was straighter than a ruler. Nexus was sitting in her father's lap, playing with the zipper on his black leather vest, her head looking up at his face. Maryse would occasionally look at the baby, more to take in every last aspect of her than actual curiosity.

"Mom," He tried to keep his voice steady, but there was still a wavering quality to it, "I'm moving in with Magnus."

She closed her eyes, pinching the bridge of her nose, "I've been waiting for this day..."

Magnus seemed to be reading her mind, "I assure you, my asking had nothing to do with Nexus."

Maryse seemed to believe him, becuase she waved her hand at him as if she were shooing him away, "Let me speak to my son."

He inclined his head, picking his daughter up and carrying her outside so they could have their privacy. Closing the door with a definite snap, Magnus stood with his back to the door, holding Nexus out so he himself could look at her. What did the others see when they looked at her? They hadn't known Devon, and Alec had only met her a few times, so the only one who could really know was him. He had no clue as to how she had looked as an infant, but if he had to bet, Magnus would go all out and say that Nexus was exactly it. They both had hair the color of soot and pale skin, but Nexus' was a shade or two darker. Devon's eyes had been like gold, marbled with white, and her iris had primarily been a dark blue, however, she had periodically changed them. Nexus' eyes were nothing like her mother's had been, but Magnus could tell that the shape was exactly the same.

"Your mother must have been crazy to leave you to me," He thought back to how he used to be, such a long time ago now, "But I'm probably a much better influence on you than she would be."

"That's a scary thought," Isabelle, dressed in a pair of black low-rise leather pants and a navel-exposing sweater, stood opposite of Magnus, looking at the library door, "You being a good influence."

He smiled at Alec's younger sister, pulling the baby back into his arms, "You didn't know Devon."

She looked at the warlock for second, "Maybe not, but I do know you... Did you love her? That woman, I mean."

He sighed, "What Devon and I had was complicated..."

"You did," She wasn't going to go running around telling everyone that, he could tell by the sorrow in her eyes, "Does Alec know that?"

"Alec knows that in all my years, I never once met anyone I loved half as much as him," He smiled at Nexus, "Not even this one's mother."

Isabelle was satisfied with that answer, she had to be, or else the spiked heel on her boot would have been resting someplace very uncomfortable to the warlock, "What you tell Alec is your business."

She walked away, leaving Magnus alone to reflect. He thought of Devon, of how wild she used to be, especially when she was drunk. Ah, good times, good times. Glancing at Nexus, he decided then and there that he would never allow her anywhere near any alcohol, not even once she was an adult. Or boys. Or... Well, if he was that strict and adamant about keeping her away from anything that Devon had ever done, he would have to keep her locked in a four-by-four box for the rest of her life. Though tempting, he knew that he had to let her out and life her life. Besides, who was he to be so controlling? Oh, that's right, he was her father.

"I've only had you for a day, and already I want to lock you away from the world. Impressive," He patted her back proudly, "Dangerous, but impressive."

"Magnus?" Clary, who now lived full time at the Institute, greeted the warlock, "What are you doing here?"

Jace wasn't too far behind her, a small bag in his hand, "Clary, it's almost midnight. Oh, hey Magnus."

He nonverbally greeted the Shadowhunter, "Taking a moonlight stroll? I myself don't find hallways very romantic."

"We were just on our way to the garden... Say, don't you and Nexus come with us? I bet she would love to see the flowers," Clary smiled brightly, her green eyes sparkling in the silver light cast from the high windows.

Magnus looked at the library door, "Why don't you take her? I think its better if I wait here."

Clary nodded, taking the baby from him, "Alright. We'll be waiting for you to pick her up."

Was it Magnus' imagination, or did a shadow just pass over Jace's face? Jealousy was such an ugly thing, "Don't do anything that will scar her, will you?"

A/N:

Alright, I know that I promised to make it more official in the last chapter (sorta), but I have made up my mind and decided to keep everything as it is. Again, I really, really, appreciate the support you guys have shown this story!