The group stared with open mouths at the two little kids regarding them with wide, curious eyes. Max let go of Rafe's hand and ran over to Alec jumping on his lap. Rafe slowly walked over and stood between his dads looking at them innocently.
Alec and Magnus exchanged a look that said there was no getting out of this so with a sigh, Alec addressed the little warlock on his lap.
"Max, you remember how papa and I told you that not everyone is nice to everyone else?"
Max nodded, "Yeah and then you told me that it was wrong if called those not nice people meanie butts."
Jace snorted into his Chinese food earning a glare from Alec.
"Exactly. Well sometimes, my little blueberry, people do bad things to hurt other people. And someone really mean took Tavvy because they wanted to hurt his family." Magnus said softly.
"Someone took Tavvy? Who? Where is he? Is he hurt?" Max asked as tears welled up in his eyes, "Will I ever see him again?"
Alec rubbed his back, "Of course you'll see him again. As soon as we finish eating some of us are going to go get him back and you can see him then."
"Will you get hurt?" Rafe whispered from where he stood leaning against Magnus' chair.
Magnus turned around and put a hand on Rafe's cheek, "No one is going to get hurt Rafe." Rafe wrapped his arms around Magnus and nodded in understanding.
"Can I come?" Max asked.
"No!" Every adult around the table said at the same time.
Max crossed his arms and huffed, "I never get to do anything fun. Plus Tavvy's my friend!"
Izzy smirked at Alec, "He pouts and scowls just like you."
Alec glared at her while the others simply chuckled at his expense. "Anyway," Alec said effectively changing the subject, "Max, Rafe I need the two to wait in your room for a minute and then papa or I will come read to you, okay?"
Max squinted at Alec and it was too adorable that Alec struggled to keep a straight face, "You promise to get the bad meanie butt that stole Tavvy?"
"Max!" Alec exclaimed trying his best not to laugh along with everyone else, "what did we say about calling people that?"
"Sorry," Max said sheepishly.
A small giggle sounded through the room and everyone looked to see Rafe trying to hide his laughter. Magnus affectionately ruffles his hair and stands up.
"Alright boys," Magnus said extending a hand to Max who jumped off Alec's lap, "to your room! We'll be there in a few minutes."
Rafe nodded and grabbed Max's hand ushering him out of the room. Magnus waited until he heard their door close before sitting down again.
Julian looked at everyone, "I'm definitely going to scope out the apartment. Don't try to talk me out of it." Jules always got straight to the point, especially when his family was in danger.
"Relax, Jules. No one was going to argue with you. You can join Alec, Izzy, Clary, Simon, and I tonight when we normally go out for patrols." Jace said.
"What about me?" Emma asked sternly.
"You're staying with Magnus," Jules stared at her and the two communicated without words. Jules wanted Emma to stay behind because they were still learning about what their feelings for each other did to their parabatai bond so it was best if they didn't go together. Emma sighed and agreed.
Clary, Jace and Izzy stayed in the kitchen to clean up everything from dinner while Alec and Magnus went to the boys' room and Simon, Jules and Emma went to prepare weapons and such.
"I don't think I can go," Clary blurted out as she was throwing away a container.
Jace and Izzy turned to face her both with confused glances.
"Why?" Izzy asked.
Clary crossed her arms around herself and lowered her gaze, "It's just too much for me. Every time I think about going back, images of Jonathon resurface. I'm sorry, it's stupid. I know."
Jace was by her side in an instant engulfing her in a hug. He kissed the top of her head, "Don't apologize. It's not stupid at all. Plus, I prefer knowing that you're safe here."
Clary smiled at him and kissed him swiftly on the lips.
"Jace is right, Clary. And you know how much I hate saying that, especially because he's usually wrong." Izzy smirked.
Jace looked offended, "I am not!"
"Sure." Izzy said with an eye roll earning a giggle from Clary.
Jace huffed, "When have I ever been wrong?"
Izzy raised a challenging eyebrow, "Do you really want to go there?"
"Let's not! We should probably join the others so I can tell them I'm not going." Clary interrupted before a sibling argument could ensue.
Jace and Izzy followed Clary out of the kitchen and to the entryway where everyone agreed to meet before they left.
When they got there, Alec was standing against a wall ready to go waiting impatiently for everyone. Jules also looked just as anxious to get going.
Clary looked around the room, "Where's Simon?"
Izzy tensed for a second at the mention of his name. She still couldn't get it out of her head that he might not love her anymore. Why was he so insistent about postponing the wedding? Surely they would find Tavvy within a few days and send Zara and her cronies to the prisons in the Silent City just as quickly?
Clary noticed her friend tense up and scrunched her eyebrows together in confusion. What had Simon done? They were so happy this morning but then after Jules and Emma got here, the happy couple was anything but happy. Clary sighed internally knowing that she would have to slap some sense into her parabatai.
Simon came running into the room at that moment, "Sorry! I couldn't find my weapons belt," he said breathing heavily.
Jace raised an eyebrow, "Why so out of breath? You're a Shadowhunter now Simon. Seriously, use an endurance rune."
Simon glared at Jace but couldn't come up with a response before Izzy interrupted, "We need to get going before it's late."
Simon then took a moment to look at everyone else in gear and ready to go, everyone except Clary.
"Wait, Clary, why aren't you ready?" Simon asked concern all over his face.
Clary shrugged, "I'm staying behind. Don't really want to go back there."
He nodded knowingly and strapped on his weapons belt, "Okay, I'm ready."
Alec rolled his eyes, "You don't say?"
Jace snickered and Alec turned to him with a grin.
"Must you two always pick on me?" Simon whined.
"Yes we must Wiggles." Jace said with his signature smirk earning a groan from Simon and a hi-five from Alec.
Jules observed the group of friends with an amused smile. They were all so different, yet they worked so well together. He knew that if anyone was capable of getting Tavvy back and helping him get Zara, it would be them.
The entire way to Clary's old apartment, Izzy didn't say a word. She walked next to Alec and refused to make eye contact with Simon, who hung back and chatted away with Jules and Jace.
"You okay Izzy?" Alec asked quietly.
She looked to her brother and frowned, "I'm fine, why?"
"You don't seem fine. You haven't said a word to Simon since Jules and Emma arrived. Did he do something? Do I need to hurt him?" Alec sternly asked.
Izzy chuckled quietly, "No Alec, you don't need to hurt him. I'm fine, I promise. Can we just not talk about this right now? Let's focus on scoping out the place."
Alec nodded, "Sure. But, I swear Izzy, if he was a meanie butt to you I will not hold back." He smirked at his sister.
Izzy let out a hearty laugh and smiled at her brother, "I love you big brother."
"Love you too Izzy."
Jace ran up between them, "Did I miss out on the sibling bonding time? Come on! You guys always leave me out of the declarations of love."
Alec rolled his eyes and shoved Jace, "You're ridiculous."
"If you mean ridiculously handsome, strong and smart, then yes." Jace said flashing his signature smile.
Izzy scoffed but Jules interrupted before she could snap a retort.
"Are we close?" Jules asked impatiently.
Jace nodded, "Yupp. It's right there," he said pointing.
"Great, let's get this over with. I want my brother back," Jules said gripping the seraph blade in his hand.
Magnus sat on the floor in his sons' bedroom at the Institute. Max and Rafe were engrossed in their game so Magnus decided to simply observe. A knock on the door startled him.
He turned around to find Clary standing in the doorway.
"Biscuit!" Magnus said excitedly patting the spot next to him.
Clary smiled and entered the room, taking a seat on the floor. Max and Rafe spared her a quick "hi" before they went back to their game.
"I didn't know you were staying behind," Magnus whispered.
Clary shrugged, "Yeah. I can't bring myself to go back there."
Magnus smiled sadly, "I don't blame you. But, look at you now. You're a fearless, badass Shadowhunter. You've grown into such a beautiful young woman Clary."
"Thanks, Magnus. I always forget you knew me when I was their age," she motioned towards the boys.
"I watched you grow up, except you weren't nearly as energetic as these two! Except for that one time you pulled the Chairman's tail. He and I were both weary of you then." Magnus said.
Clary giggled, "Sorry about that." Magnus simply waved her apology off. After a moment of silence Clary spoke again, "Did you notice how quiet Izzy got at dinner? You don't think the wedding is called off or anything do you?"
Magnus looked shocked, "I would hope not! I put a lot of time and glitter into planning it. Did Sheldon do something?"
"I don't know." Clary stated.
Magnus sighed, "Why does your little group make everything so complicated? We can never just have peace and quiet, can we?"
"Apparently not," Clary agreed.