Magnus kissed Alec goodbye and darted out the door so as not to be late, though at this point, he was going to be late no matter what he did. It had become quite the habit of his lately, being late for things. It was one of the many reasons Magnus found his current lot in life so strange. The biggest of which, was probably that this had been the first time in his life that he wasn't getting a paycheck or in school. Volunteering two days a week at the museum felt like nothing, and Magnus had fallen into a pattern of staying up too late watching netflix, then sleeping in well past what resembled a reasonable hour the next day. His alarm did go off two days a week, but having those 5 days before hand to do basically nothing was mind numbingly boring. If it wasn't for Alexander, Magnus was sure he'd be in a straight jacket by now.

Okay, so maybe it wasn't that bad, but if you'd told him at the beginning of his third year of university that after graduation, he'd be unemployed and engaged, he would have laughed his ass off. The world has a strange way of turning your expectations on their heads. What you thought was once so important can shift and become a never again thought or antidote in your life. The people you once needed, replaced by others now more needed than those who came before.

A flurry of snow swirled around him as Magnus opened the door to the cafe. Turning his head, searching for that familiar red colour, Magnus spotted Clary sitting in the corner.

"I'm so sorry I'm late," Magnus gasped as he got close enough to her table. "I have no brilliant excuse except that sleep is amazing."

Clary chuckled, gesturing for him to sit down. Magnus did so. "I must say I'm surprised," Clary said smiling. "You've never been one to waste time in bed before."

"I never had time to waste time in bed before," Magnus argued. "For as long as I can remember, I've been either working two jobs, in school with one job, or taking 6 courses to make up for not taking 5 while working in a previous semester."

"Sounds to me like you could use the break," Clary replied.

"You sound like Alec," Magnus chuckled.

"Great minds," Clary smiled. After that, Magnus got up to order his own latte. It felt so strange spending money when he knew he wasn't making any. Somehow since Alec had moved in, he'd managed to take over their fiances. Magnus had no idea what bills had been paid or when. For all he knew, Alec had stopped paying everything, and they were going to be evicted tomorrow. Magnus suspected this not to be the case, but the total lack of control was very disconcerting to him.

"I miss my paycheck," Magnus whined.

"Then get a job," Clary suggested.

"And be at the mercy of Maryse Lightwood when she learns I can't get two months off without notice?" Magnus replied. "I think not."

"In-laws that scary huh?" Clary smiled.

"Not scary," Magnus said thoughtfully. "I just couldn't bare the look of disappointment on her face when she finds out her son will have to honeymoon alone."

"Well despite all you say," Clary said firmly. "You are happy, Magnus. I can tell." She smiled and Magnus didn't speak. "How is all that wedding planning going anyway?"

"There are about 350 cards at home that I need to address," Magnus said by way of answer.

"Have you guys settled on a date yet?" Clary asked. "Last we talked, I just heard you were doing a small wedding and big reception."

"Yep, that's right," Magnus confirmed. "And we chose April 19th, exactly one year from when Alec proposed to me."

"That's cute," Clary beamed. "Much better than having it at Christmas, or based on some ancestors anniversary."

"That's what I thought," Magnus smiled. "I think Robert wanted something else, but Maryse was just so happy we finally picked a date she put all else aside and started calling caterers." He laughed, but there was a sharp edge to the sound that even Magnus could hear.

"You totally want to elope don't you?" Clary chuckled.

"Yes," Magnus whined, his head sinking into his hands on the table.

"It will be over soon," Clary assured him with the air of one speaking of something painful. Then she added with a snigger, "April apparently."

"Smart ass," Magnus grumbled, but he couldn't grumble long. With a sigh, Magnus drank his warm creamy latte and looked up at his best friend. "I literally have nothing to complain about though. Even if the wedding is a headache, it's one I'm happy to bare if the end result is being linked to Alexander for the rest of my life."

"I'm so happy for you Magnus," Clary said with so much genuine warmth in her voice. "Who's idea was it to make your wedding the anniversary of the proposal?"

"Mine," Magnus grinned. "Because it was the proposal that really changed things for us. No matter how beautiful our wedding is, I will never forget the day Alec told me he wanted to be mine forever."

"Look at you all glowy," Clary giggled.

"That's pregnant women," Magnus grumbled at her.

"Brides too," Clary reminded him.

"But I'm not a bride nor knocked up," Magnus said firmly.

"Glowing groom then," Clary giggled, refusing to give in.

"Sometimes you are very annoying, Biscuit," Magnus grumbled.

"What are best friends for," Clary replied. "If not to annoy you." She paused, then snapped to attention as if remembering something. "Oh, and speaking of best friends, I have to go see my other one."

"Cheating on me, are you?" Magnus laughed, but Clary didn't appreciate his humor and merely rolled her eyes.

"I told Simon I'd visit him today," Clary explained. "And you were late." She turned and crinkled her eyebrows at him accusingly.

"Why don't I join you," Magnus suggested. "I barely saw Simon the last time, and he wasn't wake."

Clary easily agreed and the two of them left for the bus stop. As they walked, Clary told him about her classes this semester, about how things were with Jace, and how Brett had come around to accepting just friendship. Despite the time of year, it wasn't that cold, and the light sprinkling of snow over everything made the world look like it was covered in icing sugar.

Getting off the bus, Magnus and Clary made their way down the street until they reached the hospital. It was a large building, all straight lines and boxes. Magnus had rarely been in a hospital before. In fact, the one other time he could remember being here was when he and Alec had visiting Tessa after Lucie was born.

Walking in the front doors, Clary asked at reception for Simon's room number, then the two of them turned the corner and headed down a long plain hallway until they reached the elevators.

When they exited onto the second floor, Clary turned left and Magnus followed. She stopped outside a door with the number 226 on it, and together they entered. The first thing Magnus noticed was that Simon wasn't alone. Isabelle was there beside him, her head resting on his uninjured shoulder. After that observation, he took in the rest of the room. The plain light cream walls gave a false sense of relaxation, which Magnus knew to be common in hospitals. There were generic paintings on the walls, such as flower arrangements, nondescript buildings, and landscapes. A dresser sat in the corner with get well soon balloons, and real flower arrangements on it. Magnus suspected they were from Simon's mother and sister. Faded blue curtains hung over the singular window.

"Oh, hey Clary," Simon whispered brightly. "Izzy's sleeping."

"Aren't you the one who's supposed to be resting?" Clary asked.

"I don't think she slept well last night," Simon replied. "And I can't blame her. This bed isn't meant for two." Clary moved closer, taking a seat by the bed and Magnus followed.

"Wouldn't that imply that you didn't sleep well either?" Clary inquired, still in a whisper.

"Yes, but I slept all day," Simon smiled.

"Fair enough," Clary said. She glaced at Izzy before adding. "And you're sure about this Simon? I mean, we are talking about Isabelle here."

"More than sure," Simon whispered back, but Magnus was looking at Izzy's face, and he saw the side of her mouth twitch as if she was trying not to smile.

"I think she heard you," Magnus said in his normal full volume voice.

"Iz?" Simon asked, turning to face her. Izzy gave a mighty yawn, then rubbed her eyes, but Magnus was sure it was all for show and she'd been awake since they'd walked in.

"Morning guys," Izzy said, looking around. She spotted Magnus and added, "Why didn't Alec come with you?"

"Last I saw Alec, he was trying to stick me with wedding homework," Magnus chuckled.

"He called a few hours ago," Izzy said. "Though I'm not quite sure why."

"He was fretting all night that something was wrong after you hung up on him," Magnus explained. "But as you are grinning like the cat who ate the canary, I'd say everything's fine?"

"Silly Alec," Izzy dismissed him. "He worries too much."

"Don't I know it," Magnus chuckled.

"Well, tell him to stop," Izzy commanded, grinning from ear to ear. Magnus just chuckled, knowing full well telling Alec not to fret was a waste of perfectly good oxygen.

"How are you feeling Simon?" Clary asked moving closer. As Clary approached, Magnus saw an instant change in Izzy. Her attention was suddenly fixed on Clary, watchful, as if she were a threat. Magnus's only explanation for this was that Clary was Simon's ex girlfriend.

"I'm okay," Simon said. "Actually, they're sending me home tomorrow."

"Home with me," Izzy stated firmly. A smile spread slowly over Simon's face as his girlfriend spoke. Magnus thought this was going to take some getting used to.

"Well it seems you aren't lacking for company," Clary smiled. "I was worried you were bored here all by yourself so I brought cards, but maybe you'd rather we leave you alone?"

It was a strange dance, Magnus thought. Izzy relaxed when she saw Clary wasn't acting like an ex-girlfriend, and Clary relaxed having seen the joy on her best friends face. Magnus couldn't help but wonder if one day these two women would be friends in their own right. Clary gave Simon a one armed hug, wished him well, and then she and Magnus left the room.

"He looks so much better," Clary sighed happily as they headed back the way they'd come.

"Are we talking about his health or his mood?" Magnus chuckled.

"Both," Clary grinned.

"It's been months now that he's been… well just a little less himself," Clary explained as they made it down stairs, and started heading towards the exit. "Now, I think maybe it was all because of Izzy."

"I would have to agree with you there," Magnus said. "What surprised me was how possessive Izzy was. I think she really cares about him, but until I saw it with my own eyes, I would never have believed it."

"I know what you mean," Clary chuckled. "Though I really can't talk considering how Jace and I started."

"True," Magnus smiled. "You Biscuit, managed to turn a player into a sap."

"And it seems Simon has the same superpower," Clary replied. "Life is a wonder, is it not?"

"Wonderfully complicated to be sure," Magnus commented.

"I arrived at this school with Simon, and now a mere two and a half years later, we have both managed to convert players into monogamists," Clary chuckled.

"I was quite the serial monogamist myself before Alexander," Magnus smiled. "Do I get to be included in your analysis?"

"Sure," Clary chuckled as they walked down the street towards the bus stop. "So, our story is that of three awkward virgins, turning three players into possessive romantics."

"Sounds like at least a trilogy to me," Magnus laughed. "Maybe even two trilogies."

"Throw in a couple prequels too," Clary chuckled, as the two of them got on the bus.

Magnus never failed to enjoy spending time with Biscuit, and the bus ride passed quickly as they talked of this story they'd all star in. It was a very enjoyable fantasy fiction. By the time Clary got off the bus nearest the campus, they'd created quite the elaborate story, and Magnus would have happily continued the conversation, but Clary had another class today she didn't want to be late for.

"Oh, but being late is the best," Magnus laughed.

"See you later Magnus," Clary said with a shake of her head and a smile as she turned to get off the bus. The doors closed behind her, and Magnus waited for the next stop where he got out and walked the few blocks home.

Upon entering his house, Magnus saw Alec sitting on the couch watching tv. He chuckled to himself, remembering how his fiance had assigned him card addressing duties.

"Slacking off, I see," Magnus said as he approached. Alec turned to smile at him, but agreed firmly with a nod.

"How was coffee with Clary?" Alec asked.

"I was late," Magnus explained with a laugh.

"I guessed as much," Alec grinned, pulling Magnus down to sit beside him on the couch. Magnus happily obliged, wrapping an arm around Alec as he did so.

"Still got a latte though," Magnus continued. "And then we went to see Simon."

"Oh, and how is Simon?" Alec asked kindly.

"Wrapped around your sister," Magnus replied, a corner of his mouth turning up in a smile.

"Yeah, that's what she said on the phone," Alec said. "Well not exactly that, but she said they're dating now, like exclusive proper boyfriend/girlfriend dating, which is something I've never seen my sister do."

"She looks really happy," Magnus told him.

"She sounded happy on the phone, too," Alec agreed. There was a joy in his voice that made Magnus turn. Alexander's face was lit up, and he was grinning like a cheshire cat.

"This is all I've ever wanted for my sister," Alec explained. "For her to find someone that makes her want more."

"Speaking of more," Magnus sighed. "I believe we have hundreds of cards to address."

The one review I got on my last chapter, makes me think that I definitely confused people with my three uploads at once thing…. Sorry. I just wanted to add in the timeline without having it all at the end since I don't know when this story will end. Usually I ask what you guys would prefer when I do stuff like this, except that I have learned over the years not to ask since I rarely get enough responses back to make a decision. I guess I could have added them to author's notes at the end of already established chapters, but I wanted them separate to act as a time marker. Again, sorry if I confused you. Just remember it could be worse, I could give up on this story all together, and never update it again! *la gasp*

And yes I am updating twice in two days. Consider this an apology for the crazy confusion with the timelines as well as proof I am actually writing again. I think I kinda missed writing this story though I do still seem to have a tv binge watching problem. I started watching Outlander... and by started I mean that I'm on season 2...

Also did you get my Mortal Instrument reference? My beta missed it so... if you didn't it wasn't just you. :)

Sneak Peek Chapter 107

Taking yet another deep breath she lifted up her head from the desk and forced herself to look at her econ paper. Yes, okay this was working. Add one more sentence here, then another there. If she got through this she could sulk all night for all it mattered. One step at a time. Focus. Don't think about anything but the homework. Supply and demand. If the supply can meet the demand then… maybe she could do more to help Jordan with his parents. She could contact them directly, and tell them where Jordan was. Then Jordan would be forced to confront them and the relationship could be repaired or would Jordan just get pissed and make everything worse?

Urg! Maia still wasn't focused on her homework. She turned to her text book and read the definition again trying to get back in the right headspace. Supply and Demand: the amount of a commodity, product, or service available and the desire of buyers for it, considered as factors regulating its price. Yes, that was what mattered right now, not boys.

"Focus Maia!" she said to no one. If anyone in the library heard her they paid no attention.