Magnus was used to their houseguest by now, though he wasn't quite used to how clean his house was because of her. Once Paige's truck was as clean as humanly possible, she'd moved onto the apartment. It was almost like when Alec had still had a maid, though to be perfectly honest, Paige was a little better at it than the hired help.

"Are you sure you're a guest," Magnus chuckled one afternoon. "Seems to me like you are rather too useful to be considered a guest."

"I told you, I clean when I'm upset," Paige said defensively. "And it's been an upsetting couple weeks so everything is spotless. Deal with it."

"Yes ma'am," Magnus laughed.

"If you'd like," Paige offered. "I can make a mess then clean it up so everything stays the same."

"No," Alec said. "Don't do that." He then turned to Magnus and snapped, "Don't give her ideas! If she wants to clean, let her clean."

"Thank you, Alec," Paige smiled.

"Don't listen to him," Magnus laughed. "He just misses his maid."

"You make me sound so horrible," Alec whined.

"Would I have married you if you were horrible?" Magnus inquired, turning to face his husband with a smile.

"I don't know maybe," Alec shrugged. "They say 'love is blind' after all."

"Oh, I don't think I'm blind to your faults," Magnus chuckled. "I think on some level, I always knew you were a spoiled rich boy."

Alec groaned. "I don't know what I'd rather be doing," he began. "Being teased by my husband, or studying for my exams. At the moment both seem equally depressing."

"Oh, don't say that," Magnus added, moving forward to kiss Alec sweetly to make up for being mean.

"Hmmm," Alec smiled. "That. I prefer that to both being teased and studying."

"Well tough," Magnus grinned. "No more of that till you know your stuff."

"What stuff in particular would that be," Alec grinned mischievously.

"Oh hush," Magnus scoffed. "Get your mind outta the gutter. We have company."

"I thought we already agreed that company doesn't clean this much," Alec replied.

"Well aren't you two just an old married couple," Paige said.

"We are not old," Magnus huffed. Growing old was not something Magnus had ever liked to think about. He had a great fear of bifocals and all things senior. The idea of looking into a mirror and seeing wrinkles on his own face gave him the heebie-jeebies.

"Hey, it was meant as a compliment," Paige replied, her arms up in surrender. "Colour me every shade of green while still thinking you two are adorable."

"We are aren't we," Alec beamed.

"What's really adorable is how badly you are going to fail your exams if you don't study," Magnus threw back at his husband and was rewarded with a dirty look. "I must say I don't miss exams one bit," Magnus continued with a sigh. "Worst part of university if you ask me."

"Amen to that," Paige agreed. "Though speaking of exams, I should really be at the library studying."

"You could study here?" Magnus offered selfishly. "There's lots of room at the table."

"I know," Paige began. "But I never seem to get any work done if I'm not at the school. And besides, a few other kids in my class are doing some kind of study group, which has always been my best way to absorb lots of pointless information."

"Fair enough," Alec replied. "Go forth into the world, my clean loving friend, and absorb knowledge."

Paige just rolled her eyes. Then reluctantly got up to collect her books and head out. No sooner had the door closed behind her than Magnus's whole body tensed. He knew Alec wouldn't bring up the topic while Paige was here, but the second she was gone...

"So, what are you going to do about John?" Alec asked.

"Aren't you supposed to be studying?" Magnus inquired, turning to raise an eyebrow at his husband.

"You can't just ignore this Magnus," Alec protested.

"Actually, I could if I hadn't told you about it," Magnus replied easily.

"He said he's your dad!" Alec exclaimed.

"Said being the operative word," Magnus replied.

"Why would he lie about a thing like that?" Alec asked.

"Shouldn't you be studying for econ?" Magnus tried to change the topic.

"Shouldn't you be calling your father," Alec threw it back at him.

"I don't want to call the strange stalker man - who seems to think he might be my father - with no evidence to back up his claims," Magnus sighed.

"I still don't see why he'd lie about something like that," Alec exclaimed.

"I don't know," Magnus replied. "But I'm sure there's a reason."

"Just think what you're losing if he's telling the truth," Alec tried.

"Ah, but if he's lying think how much it will suck if I believe him," Magnus countered with a snap of his fingers. "Can we please just drop this?"

"Alright," Alec sighed, giving in. "But this isn't over."

"You wouldn't be the man I married if it was," Magnus sighed. There was no doubt that he loved Alec more than he'd ever loved, or would love anyone else again, but even so the man really got on his nerves sometimes.

Even if there was some sign apart from John knowing Magnus's mother's name, that could point towards his telling the truth, Magnus couldn't get his hopes up. Dian was also Magnus's middle name after all, so it wasn't like knowing the name really counted as a point on John's side. If he had another motive in claiming to be Magnus's father, it would have been beyond easy to find such information. Magnus had gone all his life without a father - or mother for that matter - and he didn't understand why he should be expected to jump for joy the moment some stranger made a claim to the title?

"Have you talked to your aunt lately?" Alec asked with a fake casual air to his voice.

"And why might you ask me that?" Magnus replied, eyes narrowed.

"Well you know," Alec began innocently, but Magnus wasn't fooled. "If anyone might know something about your parents it would probably be the woman who raised you."

Magnus checked his watch. "Yep, you lasted a whole thirty seconds," he replied. "Not your best attempt at 'dropping it' I must say."

"Oh come on!" Alec groaned. "Aren't you curious? Even a little?"

"I'm curious how you are going to pass your exams without studying," Magnus countered.

"You're the worst," Alec groaned as he pulled his textbooks closer once again.

"But you love me," Magnus chuckled.

"Most days," Alec grumbled.

"Welcome to marriage," Magnus chirped. "And don't forget it was your idea."

Smiling to himself Magnus left the living room rather than watch his now cranky husband study for tests he clearly wasn't interested in taking. But Magnus couldn't blame him there. In some ways he did miss school, though usually Magnus was just relieved that his exams were behind him.

"You're the idiot who said yes," Alec called after him as Magnus collected his keys to head out. Chuckling to himself, Magnus walked down the street in front of his apartment. It was nice to escape the confines of the building, and he breathed deeply as he continued walking. It was also fun teasing Alec like that. His only regret was not managing to come up with a pun to go with it.

His thoughts went in circles as he walked. Magnus absently collected wild flowers as he let his thoughts wonder. Those daisies looked lovely in the sun, but the red wild flowers reminded him of Alec's adorable blush. He imagined Alec back home, pouring over textbooks while wishing he was anywhere else. Magnus was really proud of Alec since his parents cut him off. He's really faced up to life in a way Magnus hadn't expected. Apart from Alec's insistence that he give John a chance, things couldn't be better with his marriage. Magnus smiled as he sniffed the flowers in his hand. It was a lovely thought. Until Alec had proposed, Magnus had not once ever thought he'd get married. It's amazing how life takes you so many places you never thought you'd go, like old age. It was a thought Magnus really didn't like to think about. If he looked anything like John when he got old, Magnus thought it might be better to die young. Though if you think about it like that, John did fit all the physical parameters for being Magnus's biological father. He was Indonesian. He and Magnus were about the same height with the same colour hair. But even if there was a chance it was true, did he really want to open that door?

He wasn't really aware of deciding to do it. His thoughts had gotten away from him, and suddenly Magnus had his phone in his hand and was dialing.

"To what do I owe this pleasure," his aunt said kindly as she picked up the phone.

Magnus shrugged, then remembered she couldn't see him and replied, "Just thought I'd call."

"Oh please," Aleida scoffed. "You don't just call. What's on your mind, Mags?"

"It's probably nothing," Magnus began. "But Alec won't let it go." He paused then added, "This guy approached me at work claiming to be my father. He calls himself John."

"I see," Aledia replied. "And what is it that you wanted from me?"

"Do you know who my father was?" Magnus asked. "I mean, I don't really care it's just- it would be nice to be able to know one way or the other, even if only so Alec shuts up about it."

One of the reasons Magnus had never asked much about his birth parents was because part of him had always worried it would make Aledia feel like she wasn't enough, and he never wanted her to feel that way. This was of course, something he'd never said out loud.

"I loved my sister," Aledia began. "But she wasn't- oh how do I say this nicely… all put together. She lived wildly, flying in and out of my life as if on a wim. I'm sure she was with at least one guy named John, but that hardly means anything. It's a common name, and she was quite the loose canon."

"How did she die?" Magnus asked next. "I know it's a cold case, but is there more?"

Magnus was practically pacing now, walking over the campus lawns absently as all his attention was focused on his aunt's voice.

"They never caught her killer," Aledia continued softly. "Which is why it's a cold case, but you were almost five when she died. She never even visited you once when I got custody. And no father ever came out of the woodwork either." There was pain in her voice, and she paused before continuing. "You deserve better than that, Mags. Even if this guy is who he says he is, I hardly think it matters. You should do what's best for you."

"Thanks," Magnus whispered, trying to hide the hitch in his voice.

"I just don't want you to get hurt," Aleida finished.

"I'll be careful," Magnus promised.

"On to lighter topics, I think," Aledia said brightly, clearly forcing a smile. "How's that new roommate working out?"

"Well she cleans a lot," Magnus chuckled. "So far that's the one thing I am sure of."

"What a lovely houseguest," Aledia replied. "She sounds like a keeper."

"Tell that to Jordan," Magnus laughed. "He's the one who cheated on her."

"Okay wait, so is Jordan Alec's friend?"

"Maia works with Alec," Magnus explained. "Maia is Jordan's ex from before he dated Paige."

"Okay, so that makes Paige your husband's friend's ex's ex?" Aledia summed up. "Or have I got that wrong?"

"No, I think that's right," Magnus mused. "It does sound rather odd when you say it like that. The simpler option is my husband's friend's friend, if we count Jace among Paige's friends."

"Either way she sounds lovely," Aledia replied then added with a laugh. "In fact, it sounds like your social group has grown quite a bit since I last did a headcount."

"That would appear to be the case," Magnus replied with a chuckle.

"How is Alec coping with his parents cutting him off?"

"Apart from all the complaining that his feet hurt, Alec's been doing rather well," Magnus said smiling. "Paying rent next semester shouldn't be a problem. He's cut back on his sushi consumption, which is also making him cranky. Throw studying into that, and I start going for long walks in the afternoon on my days off." He laughed.

"So, like once a month then?" Aledia mocked.

"I take more than one day off a month," Magnus scoffed.

"Volunteering at the museum does not count as a day off," his aunt reminded him.

"Yes, it does," Magnus argued. "Days off mean not paid, and I don't get paid there so ha."

"You've been working since you were fourteen," Aledia reminded him. "I'm honestly amazed you managed to be unemployed as long as you did before the wedding."

"It is nice to be on the other side of the wedding, isn't it," Magnus sighed. "That was such a hassle."

"I think it made your in-laws happy though," she reminded him. "And probably your husband too."

"Why do you think I did it," Magnus laughed. "If it had been up to me, we would have gone to city hall one afternoon and been done with it."

"You are just the worst at being spoiled, aren't you?" she chuckled. "How you ended up married to someone like Alec, we'll never know."

"Is that why you like him so much," Magnus asked. "Because he tries to spoil me?"

"Goodness knows you've earned a little being spoiled after how hard I've watched you work all your life," Aledia replied. "But no that isn't the reason."

"Oh, then what might I ask is the reason?"

"He wears his heart on his sleeve," she explained. "And that heart loves only you."

"I am lucky, aren't I?" Magnus replied.

"And don't you ever forget it," she said back. "Now, go kiss your husband and let your poor old aunt off the phone."

"Alright," Magnus replied. "Love you."

"Love you too Mags," Aledia echoed before the line cut off. With a sigh, Magnus walked the short distance home with a smile on his face. Never once in his life had there been a time when talking to Aledia hadn't made him feel better. Just like she wanted, when he got home, Magnus kissed his husband and counted himself lucky for all he had in life.

Over the years since I started writing fanfic I have apologized for slow updates countless times. This time though there was really no way around it. In the last month and a half I've found out my partner has been lying to me about our finances, broken up with him, put our house on the market and moved in with my godmother. I went from part time to full time at work so with that and everything else going on there was no time or energy for writing. Things are settling down a little bit now though so hopefully it won't be so long again for the next chapter.

As it was my now ex-common law spouse who was always encouraging me to write originals instead of fanfic I have decided to give up on writing an original novel that's any good and keep writing fanfic so long as I enjoy it. To this end I have started two new TMI stories. One is Malec and one is Clace. I have only ideas for one of them and part of chapter one for the other so it will be a while till they start being updated but it means that Roommates and Soulmates won't be my late fanfic! :D

Review from: wantchapter
IF REVIEWS MEANS MORE CHAPTERS, THEN REVIEW I SHALL!

My Reply:
Review do mean more chapters faster for sure. Review are highly motivating! I love hearing from my readers.

Review from: reviewing person
REVIEWS IS ARRIVING! THIS IS A GREAT STORY BTW, I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT IN MY LAST REVIEW! OMG I LOVE IT!

My Reply:
Awws thanks! I'm so glad you like it. :D

Review from: Guest
Haha, after you said it, I had to read over the story twice to find it! Let me tell you, it was put in a very subtle place!
But okay, that's not the important part...
THIS STORY IS MY FAVORITE STORY ON FANFIC! I AM TOTALLY FAVORITING IT! (Once I remember my password to my account, that is...)

My Reply:
And I had to go back and check what you were talking about. lol. Yes I found that reference and wow it was subtle. You are right. ^_^ It was actually based on a Mortal Instrument meme I saw once.
Once you login if you ever review again I will answer with a PM or feel free to PM me if you ever want to talk about my story. I love hearing what people think of it! :D Thanks again.

Sneak Peek Chapter 140

"You gotta learn not to take it so person." This time Alec's smile was indeed from the heart and he turned to see Maia smirking at him. "You get all worked up over other people's drama. If you want to work in customer service you gotta stop that."

"I can't help it," Alec whined.

"I know," Maia sighed. "And even now I can't quite decide if that's extreme empathy or nosey-ness."

"Speaking of being nosey," Alec began but Maia broke him off.

"Those over there," she said sharply pointing to a stack of pans and trays beside the skin. "They need cleaning."

"Yeah yeah I'll get to them," Alec dismissed her passive aggressive instruction. "What's going on with you and Jordan?"

"For the last time NOTHING is going on between me and Jordan," Maia sighed, clearly frustrated. "What needs to be going on is between you and those dishes."

"Urg," Alec groaned. "Now I know how my maid felt."