_xxXxx_

The phone buzzing in my pocket nearly made my heart stop. Was it my mother, or like the 30 times in the last 2 days, was I worrying for nothing. My palms got sweaty and my shoulders tensed. I opened the phone and put it to my ear.

"Hello?" I hated how my voice was so timid. I repeated the hello and tried to bulk it up and sound less like a whimpering child, which if this was my mom then in a way I was.

"Alec, this is your mother." My heart dropped and soared at the same time if that was possible. Magnus sucked in a breath. It was a question and it clearly meant 'Is it her?' I nodded my head and I heard the sofa groan as his sat up from his lounging.

"Hey mom. How is everything?" Again with this damn timid crap. My face grew hot and I hated how she made me feel and how she reminded me so much of my old life. My life as a whispering idiot, who never spoke up for myself. My life when my face was constantly a tomato. My life when I never opened my eyes for 3 months straight.

"Good , good. Now Alec I'm having a formal dinner and I would love it if you would attend." I pulled in a shaky breath and thought about if I could actually get through a dinner with my mother. Normally I would make up and excuse and ask Izzy or Jace to cover. But "I'm not afraid anymore" sang different harmonies in my head over and over again. I would get through this .. just maybe with a little help …

"Oh that sounds amazing. Would I be able to bring someone along?" Magnus sucked in a breath and started murmuring things like "Oh no you don't have to" and "It's really ok Alec". But I held my finger up in a silencing gesture and the sound of Magnus rumbling laugh started to fill the apartment.

"Yes Alec that's acceptable. Just show up at Jace's place at 7:00 sharp. Oh and do wear something nice Alec I would hate for you to be underdressed and embarrass yourself." I opened my mouth to reply but the beep that meant she had hung up made me shut my mouth. Oh ya I would embarrass myself not my pretentious over bearing mother. I slowly shook my head and a grin spread over my mouth at what I was about to do.

I stood up and slowly walked up to where I knew Magnus was. I opened my eyes and sat down Indian style in front of him.

"Magnus Bane, would you go to a fancy smancy annoying party with my mother and her high class tea chugging friends?" I mimicked sipping tea with my pinkie stretched ridiculously far out and I said the last part with a really bad English accent.

"Why Alexander, I do believe that is called a .. hmmm … a date. Yes that's it. So Alexander are you asking me out?" I heard the smirk in every word and I giggled at the over dramatic question. That was Magnus and even though I knew I was blushing fiercely, I didn't care.

"Yes I guess that would be a date. So my question stands. Will you go to my Mom's party also known as a … hmm what's the word … oh yes a date. Will you go on a date with me?"

"It's about damn well time." A huge smile spilled onto my face and as I leaned in for a hug I breathed in the smell that was uniquely Magnus. Soft woody cologne and matches. My smile grew even wider as I closed my eyes.

I left Magnus to get ready around 12 and showed up 6 hours later. I had picked out a plain white v-neck and fitted dress pants but Magnus just tutted when I walked through the door and he murmered "Oh no no." I went to sit down on the coach but Magnus grabbed my hand and dragged me out of the familiar living room. I stiffened automatically at being somewhere new but when Mags started talking with so much energy I almost instantly relaxed,

"I think you do look gorgeous Alexander but I think I have something that will just be the cherry on top." I knew Magnus only called me by my full name when he was either really seriuse or really happy. Since I could feel his slight hopping through his hand I guessed he was really happy. He let go of my hand and took 4 steps and then walked back. He grabbed my hand and opened it. I felt the cool fabric and turned my head up toward him. I opened my eyes and tried to convey the best questioning look possible but I wasn't sure if it was curious or creeper.

"It's a navy blazer that should come to about your elbows and your waist. It has white stitching and white accents on the pockets and the lining. No glitter I promise." I smiled at the last part. He probably never wore it because of its lack of shine appeal but to me it sounded acceptable. My mother would probably have a mild case of cardiac arrest at me wearing color and a full blown heart attack at Magnus.

I threw on the jacket and it was cold against my skin. Magnus gave an appreciating "yes that will work." I couldn't see his face but I wanted to so bad. I started cursing my cage of blackness but he pulled me back to the present with "I know what you're doing and you need to stop." I was startled. Am I that transparent? I didn't know what to do but let my mouth hang open useless and attempt to make some noise.

"You were brooding. You always get this stony look over your face and you instantly close your eyes. You start to shake your head about 15 seconds later and you mumble. At first I thought you were just thinking but you always do it at times when I get expressive or that one time we walked to the hot dog stand and I spilled ketchup all over the guy and we had to run away. It just now all made sense and you can't get like that Alexander."

I didn't know what to say. No one had noticed me enough to even mention this before. I felt a surge of something fill my chest and it overwhelmed my heart. All I could do was reach in front of me and give Magnus a huge hug. "Thank you," I whispered into his shirt. I felt the sand texture of glitter on my hands and I honestly giggled as I tried to guess what he was wearing.

"So what is the Magnificent Mags wearing to this fine occasion?"

"Umm a black dinner jacket with a purple lining that sparkles slightly and a purple shirt that's just cotton and plain black pants. No makeup and no spikey hair." I thought my smile couldn't get any bigger but somehow my face managed it. He had obviously dressed down for me and I didn't know how to thank him but I knew I had to. What he was doing was amazingly sweet and I thought through everything Magnus would like and suddenly it hit me but I would have to keep it a secret for it to fully work out.

"Amazing as always." I felt his breath suck in and I was almost sure he was smiling.

"Come on lets blow this popsicle stand." I looked questioningly in his direction at the phrase "Blow this popsicle stand" but he just said, "What it's a classic. I personally love that expression."

"No, no I agree it's very vintage. I heard from Izzy that vintage is back in." I had no idea if this information was true or not but my sister was usually right so I decided to throw it in there.

"Your sister, for once seems to be correct. Do you think she'll bring that one kid umm what's his name … Seth." I laughed as I felt the night air blow on my face. Even though it was only mid-September the air still had a chill that bit my cheeks.

"It's Simon and can we walk? I know the way to Jace's apartment but I couldn't give you directions except for step numbers and I doubt that would be helpful." I blushed and tightened my hold on Jacob's leash in embarrassment.

"Do you think he could lead us both?" I was confused by what he meant. Why would he need leading?

"I'm confused sorry."

"Don't be sorry. I didn't explain myself very well. What I meant is do you think you could help me walk to Jace's house like you do. I'll close my eyes and not open them until we get there. How you get through life intrigues me and ... I probably sound crazy but I want to feel the world like you do." Again my mouth hung open at how sweet Magnus was. Everyone wanted to talk about how hard the world was for me but they never had asked to do as Magnus just had.

"I think that would be amazing," I laughed lightly, "We might be late to the party though."

"Alec have you ever heard of fashionably late, well I believe in being fashionably late. Consider it vintage." I laughed again at him noticing my horrible attempt at a fashion conversation

"Fine. Close your eyes and grab my hand." I knew how many people must be staring but at this point I didn't care.

We started walking and I told Magnus to count his steps. It took me about 135 steps so I told Magnus to shoot for 128 since his strides should be slightly longer since he was taller.

After about 15 minutes Magnus was beginning to get used to it. In the beginning he took each step very tentatively and would shudder when he heard a car wiz by. He also stumbled a lot. But after some helpful hints he was more relaxed. We talked quietly about nothing important, just sharing in the comfort of each other's presence.

I stopped at the front of Jace's door and Magnus kept walking. Only my hand interlocked with his kept him from running head first into what I knew was his apartment door.

"You can open your eyes now." I whispered. Magnus gasped once he opened his eyes and saw where we were.

"Your amazing… So this is where Mr. Baywatch lives… figures." I started laughing so hard that I had to let go of Magnus's hand and I nearly fell onto the floor.

"Mr. Baywatch? Though it is fitting please refrain from calling him that in front of my mother." I wiped tears away from my eyes and my stomach hurt. I felt a whoosh of air and I was assaulted with the smell of Dior Addict perfume. I knew it as I remembered my favorite book. Distant and faded but still there.

"Hello mother." I turned as close to where I thought the smell was and nodded my head.

"Hello alexander, dear please open your eyes. You know it makes other people uncomfortable and I have some very important people here tonight." Even her voice was a fake smile. My mother was the premium business woman. She had built herself and her marketing firm. I loved her I just wish we could go back way back to before everything, back to our little house in Brooklyn. But that's not possible. So now I had to make it through a 3 hour party but Magnus's steady hand on my back both calmed me and made butterflies appear in my stomach

"Of course mother." I slowly opened my eyes and yearned to be back in Magnus's apartment. Free of the pressure to be normal and to not "creep people out." Magnus didn't care whether my eyes were closed or open. Magnus didn't care if I didn't look at him directly when I did have my eyes open. Magnus didn't care. Magnus once said after I had thanked him for not caring, "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind. Dr. Suess said that and you should learn from it." I just nodded and joked about how he sounded like my grandpa. Magnus had laughed to but now I see ..

Magnus does matter to me.

"Very good Alexander. Oh and you look very nice." The door swung out wider and I heard the door creak. She hadn't even asked Magnus's name or even acknowledged him. All my disappointment I had built up over the years suddenly hit me at one time.

"This is Magnus, my boyfriend. Just thought you should know." I put as much venom behind my words as possible and they almost came out as a hiss. Magnus's grip on my back tightened and my mom sucked in a humongous breath.

"Well Alec-"

"Nice seeing you mom." I grabbed Magnus's hand from where it rested in the small of my back and half dragged him into Jace's apartment.

"Boyfriend huh .." I could here the smirk in Magnus's deep voice.

"It's cool if you just wanted to be friends I just, I don't know," suddenly deflated I had no idea why I told my Mom Magnus was my boyfriend. "I just had to, I don't know, make her pay for ignoring you I guess. You should never be ignored Mags" I shrugged my shoulders and turned to face Magnus, to breath in his calming smell and just get away from the world if only for a second.

"Alexander lightwood I have waited exactly 2 weeks 3 days and 21 hours to hear you say those words."

"Magnus Bane I have waited exactly 2 weeks 3 days and 21 hours to say those words." I smiled completely relaxed and felt movement behind my back. I snapped around only to be greeted with Jace's Hollister cologne.

"Hey Jace. Clary here?" The perky red head and Jace had been attached at the hip since they started dating a month ago. I could tell they loved each other because when they talked everything was honest. Jace had always been kind of a player and to hear how everything he said to Clary was true and not just his bedroom talk showed just how much he cared about her.

"Yeah I'm here. How's it going Alec. Oh Magnus … What are you doing here?" Clary was confused and I could imagine her tiny face with her strawberry eyebrows drawn together in confusion. I had never seen Clary in person but Jace talked about her enough to help me get a pretty damn good picture.

"It's going pretty good Clary. Thanks for asking." I took a breath at the bomb I was about to drop. But Magnus got the words out first,

"Alec here invited me." I could almost see his self-assured face he was wearing. His eyebrow was probably raised and a chesire cat grin probably took up his whole face.

"Oh … That's fun." Clary was stuttering. She never did this and I almost laughed. Was it that big of a shock were I had been nearly every day after my 9-5 job at Guitar Center. I always showed up after with a milkshake from Lola's and there was only one Lola's in town and it was literally a block from Magnus's apartment. I thought they would have put two and two together but apparently not.

I blushed furiously but I managed to get out, "We are you know .. together." I knew Magnus was probably beaming proudly like a cat with a fat mouse but all he did was slowly reach down and grab my hand to squeeze it reassuringly.

"Thank god. I love you Alec but I seriously was about to sign you up for Eharmony." Izzy's voice called from my right. I cocked my head and even though I was blushing I tried to throw a venomous stare but I'm pretty sure it looked more like a kicked puppy.

"Thanks Iz compassionate and carrying as always." Clary and Jace sucked in a surprised breath and I got even more confused at the whole situation. What was going on?

"Well well well. Alec apparently got a friend and a sense of humor."

Jace's sarcastic tone made the situation feel more normal but still the silence that followed made me want to jump out of my skin. I didn't like silence because I always felt left out. As if reading my mind Magnus lowered his head to my ear,

"Your sister is looking at Jace and mouthing "Don't be rude he is just happy and that's no reason to make him feel bad about it." Clary looks like a deer in headlights but that's not abnormal for her and Jace is just looking at Clary lovingly which honestly has me wanting to puke all over Mr. Baywatch's black motorcycle jacket which is kinda tacky and looks like he is trying too hard in my opinion but what do I know? Want to go somewhere else?"

I laughed again at Jace's appointed nickname and nodded my head. Magnus straightened and I turned myself around to face him.

"My mother always screws with the furniture for a party's feng shui or something like that. Do you think you could help me to a couch?" I whispered to Magnus.

"Oh course Alec." Magnus tightened the grip on my hand as he led me and Jacob over to a couch. It felt like Jaces white cotton one with the black stitching that I loved. It was smaller but the love seat was extremely fluffy and always had a billion pillows on it and tonight was no exception. I sank gratefully into the mound of cushions and throw pillows and murmured my thanks to Magnus.

"Thanks also for what you did back there." I really hope he likes the present I have planned for him later because he deserved something amazing. Magnus had thought of me when everyone else had forgotten about me and my problem, and he did in a way that wasn't condescending or made me feel weak, which was a miracle onto itself. I still didn't want to be stuck in the dark but I thought that maybe I would be able to handle it a little better with Magnus by my side if he kept that up.

"It's no trouble Alexander, really. I kinda got mad that they felt that it was okay to have conversations behind your back in away just because you couldn't see them. I sincerely hope they don't do that a lot."

"I think they probably do it a lot more than I would like."

"Well that's a damn shame." I could feel the sadness in Magnus's voice but I also felt someone sit down in front of me.

"Hello." I didn't say it as a question. There was someone there and I knew it but as usual the lady started on the abused puppy train.

"Hi Alexander it's Aline, your cousin. I'm sitting right in front of you." She said everything very slowly as if I was illiterate and blind. I felt Magnus stiffen at the same time I did. I couldn't help it. I started laughing ridiculously hard for the 2nd time that night. After about 30 seconds later Aline scoffed and left. Approximately 2 seconds later Magnus joined in with his thunder. Deep and comforting, his laughter passed through me and made me feel at home even with all the mass of strangers around me.

"I'm sorry it's just-"

"Oh I know. I almost died trying not to laugh at her. At least she's related to you. I don't have an excuse to be rude to her.I almost half expected her to break into pig latin or Mandarin so you could understand her better. Though I cant decide which is worse. Her slutty dress and fuck me heels or her amazing literary skills."

"She's Aline." There was no more to it. She had treated everybody like that for ages it's just I got the worst of it because of my disability.

Now I needed to do it now because in the perfection of the moment I had to thank him.

"Do you wanna get out of here?" Magnus turned more towards me and his long willowy legs brushed up against mine causing my stomach to jump.

"Yes I do but what about your mother she –"

"Screw my mother. I'm tired of being here only to prove she's charitable."

"I'm not objecting." The couch shifted and Magnus stood up. His hand which had been twisted up with mine now pulled me to my feet. Jacob stood up beside my leg and handed me his leash from the floor.

Without a word to anyone we left. I asked Magnus to make a detour to my apartment which was the one right above Jace's. I entered quickly leaving Magnus to ogle my living area and grabbed my fraying guitar case and didn't answer any of Magnus's question's on the way to his apartment.

Once we were outside his door Magnus stopped me and asked, "What the hell are you doing?"

"Don't worry darling. It's only a surprise present." Then with a grin that I knew probably looked crazy I walked into his apartment.

_xxXxx_

Oh snap! So what do y'all think his big gift is? I don't know … hmm. Lmao thanks for reading this ridiculously long chapter. Should be updated by the end of tomorrow. Bai lovely Readers & Reviewers!

~L.C