"Do old married couples still have to go to fancy restaurants on Valentines day?"

"Depends how old and married we are talking," she replied. "Also if they have kids."

"No kids," Magnus answered. "Been married since April."

"Oh hell yeah they do!" she exclaimed. "That's still the honeymoon phase. Best to pull out all the stops."

"Hmmmm," Magnus replied. "Thanks." He held up the latte she'd just handed him. Magnus looked closer to see her name tag before adding, "Karla."

"Anytime," Karla laughed. "That's why I'm here. To sell lattes, and give relationship advice."

"Well, you do a fine job of both," Magnus told her with a smile.

Still smiling, Magnus left the cafe, his mind focused on his husband and a certain saint Valentine. Alexander hadn't dropped any hints that Magnus had been able to pick up on about what exactly he wanted to do on February the fourteenth. Alec wasn't usually a subtle person, so Magnus was starting to wonder if his husband wanted to do anything at all.

"You know you could always ask him," Magnus chastied himself as he got into his car.

Wasn't the whole point of being married that you didn't have to deal with all this uncertainty anymore? Then again, Magnus was pretty sure Alec had actually been jealous of that crazy lady at his parents New Years party. Married or not, it seemed love was love either way: messy, insecure, unpredictable, uncontrollable, and beautiful.

Magnus arrived home to find Paige sitting on the couch watching their tv. After taking a deep breath in, he no longer cared to ask her what she was watching.

"Did you bake something?" Magnus asked eagerly.

"Scones," Paige answered.

"You know, sometimes I love you," Magnus told her.

"Mom always told me the best way to a man's heart is through his stomach," Paige laughed.

"Well, if this man wasn't already taken, you could consider his heart very reachable via baked goods," Magnus chuckled.

"I do hate it when mom's right," Paige replied.

"Are they ready?" Magnus asked.

"Just came out of the oven," Paige answered. "Help yourself."

"Awesome," Magnus replied, changing direction to claim a buttery pastry for his own.

So far there hadn't been a single downside to inviting Paige to take their spare room. It was simply nice to have a third income contribute to the household, but on top of all that, she baked and was generally the most pleasant human Magnus had ever had the good fortune to know. Also, they had a in-house cat sitter on hand now, which had come in very handy during the holidays.

One scone devoured with what was left of his own latte, Magnus went in search of his husband. He found Alec sitting at the table pouring over books and papers, looking extremely frustrated at something.

"Good morning darling," Magnus smiled, handing over the other latte.

"Caffeine," Alec said eagerly, reaching for the drink.

"Good morning to you too, Magnus," Magnus mocked his husband. "Thank you so much for the latte."

"Huh," Alec turned, his eyes clearly glazed over.

"Nevermind," Magnus laughed. "How's the homework coming?"

"It's not," Alec groaned, pushing away from the desk and standing up.

"I'd offer to help," Magnus replied. "But I didn't attend the classes. You wanna know about the Russian Revolution, I'm your guy. Accounting is not my thing."

Alec looked tired, as if he hadn't been blinking enough while staring at his computer screen. He could see the shadow of dark circles forming under his eyes, and couldn't help wondering if Alexander was getting enough sleep.

Then suddenly Alec's face seemed to light up, and he reached forward to hold Magnus's face, planting a deep kiss on his husband's lips. An involuntary contented noise escaped his throat as Magnus wrapped his arms around his husband and threw himself into the kiss.

"Thank you for the latte," Alec smiled at him as they broke apart.

"You are more than welcome, my love," Magnus replied, moving forward for one more chaste kiss before leaving his husband to his homework.

It was amazing really how much more time there was in a day, when one only worked for a living. Going to a class meant a great deal of work to do later in preparation for the next class, but going to a shift was just doing a task then leaving. When not at work, there was nothing but blissful relaxation for Magnus, and he didn't miss university one bit.

Walking past the small room at the end of the hall, Magnus was reminded that he had a few other things he was responsible for when not at work. With a sigh, he cleaned out the cat boxes before his shower.

Clean and wrapped in a towel, Magnus went to check on his husband again. Alexander was exactly where Magnus had left him, staring at the computer and papers before him with a frustrated look on his face. And a rather evil thought occurred to him, and with a grin, Magnus knew he'd act on it.

"How's the homework going?" Magnus asked again, walking up behind Alec and resting a hand on his husband's shoulder.

"I hate accounting," Alec stated.

"Sounds like you have lots more homework to do," Magnus whispered, moving his other hand to Alec's other shoulder.

"I do," Alec whined. But then Magnus began massaging Alec's shoulders, the whine turned into a moan.

"So, what you're saying is that I definitely shouldn't distract you from it then?" Magnus whispered, leaning forward.

"Definitely," Alec sighed.

"Good to know," Magnus mused as his hands moved down Alec's sides so his lips had access to Alec's neck.

Gently, Magnus encouraged Alec's head to lean back. His husband's eyes were closed, and Magnus took the opportunity to kiss his face. Starting with the forehead, then moving down over his closed eyelids and rosy cheeks. Finally reaching his lips, Magnus kissed Alec spider-man style. Alec's arms came up over his head to hold Magnus's face, and trace his fingers over the skin of Magnus's neck.

Turning his body, Magnus moved around the chair to plant himself firmly in his husband's lap. Alec's palms were pressed against Magnus's back as their lips danced. Magnus's hands were in Alec's hair, but they moved down over his shoulders and chest.

"This would be so much more romantic if my legs weren't about to go numb," Alec laughed into their kiss after a few moments. Magnus stood up, lifting his weight off Alec's thighs. But he didn't remain standing. Magnus got down on his knees, his face close to Alec as his hands rested under Alec's loose shirt and against the bare skin of his stomach. His fingers, tracing and teasing, Magnus acted as if he were about to free Alec from the confines of his jeans.

Then suddenly Magnus froze. He pulled his hands away, and looked up at Alec as innocently as he could.

"Urg, you are such a tease," Alec groaned. "And I totally forgot the accounting answer I was working on."

Magnus couldn't help but smirk. "Don't worry love," Magnus said. "Finish your homework, and then I'll finish you."

"Great, hot and bothered homework," Alec grumbled, sarcastically. "Fan-freaking-tastic."

Laughing, Magnus placing a loving, quick kiss on his husbands lips. He had planned on moving away after that, but Alec clearly had other ideas, and was quite determined to see them through. He had Magnus's towel in both his hands, as if threatening to pull it off.

"You aren't getting away," Alec stated firmly.

"Oh no," Magnus chuckled, failing to look displeased with current events. "Whatever shall I do?"

Suddenly, Alec stood up and wrapped both his arms around Magnus, holding him so close Magnus could feel just how hot and bothered his husband was pressed against his leg.

Giving up on being a tease, Magnus obliged his spouse by going for the buttons on Alec's pants. They were still in the living room, and since they now had a housemate, Magnus decided to steer them towards the bedroom. Alec was clearly no longer paying any attention to his surroundings. Alec did however, sigh with relief as his tight jeans were no longer in the way.

Alec threw Magnus onto the bed before jumping on top of him. After all that teasing, it seemed Alec wasn't in the mood for slow. He ground their arousals together until they were both gasping, and finally collapsed together on the bed.

"We could use that towel now," Alec laughed. "Where'd you put it?"

"Me!" Magnus scoffed. "I put nothing anywhere. You were the one throwing clothes this way and that."

"Still your fault," Alec decided. He smirked, and turned to face Magnus before adding, "You tease."

"Guilty," Magnus mused as Alec got up to try and find the towel. He found it near the door as it seemed not to have made it all the way into the room. Alec wiped his chest clean before handing the towel to Magnus.

"I think I might just take another shower," Magnus laughed. He got up and went to kiss Alec. "But you, my love, have homework to do."

"Urg," Alec groaned. "Don't remind me."

"Just think," Magnus reminded him. "Only got to make it to June, then it's all over."

"If I make it till June," Alec sighed.

"You will," Magnus smiled. He blew Alec a kiss before taking the towel to cover himself up for his trip back to the bathroom.

This had been the biggest change to adapt to when Paige moved in: being clothed at all times when not in one's own bedroom or the bathroom. Magnus and Alec had been living alone married for a while now, and had gotten used to not really worrying about such things. It was a small inconvenience, though all things considered. On that thought, Magnus might have another scone.

Getting out of the shower once again, Magnus decided to get dress properly this time before heading to the kitchen. His second scone of the morning stuffed in his mouth, Magnus put the kettle on for a coffee while he decided what he was going to do with the rest of his day off.

He still hadn't figured what he was going to do for Valentine's, and he'd distracted Alec enough for one day. Magnus would wait till his husband was done studying before he tackled that problem. Thanks to Paige, the kitchen was clean and Magnus had already cleaned out the cat boxes. It felt strange to be able to just watch tv or something. Between work, volunteering at the museum, his husband, and his friends, Magnus rarely had time to himself anymore; not that he was complaining. He was used to working a lot. After all, he'd been working most of his life. It had been the being unemployed that had really weirded him out. Making time for his loved ones was also very important to him. As a child who grew up with very little family, Magnus valued all the people in his life very highly.

Speaking of family… Magnus had been ignoring all of John's messages, despite his husband's insistence that he should give the guy a chance.

Just as he was thinking of him, Alec appeared, suddenly looking far more awake than usual. He was dressed as if leaving.

"What about your homework?" Magnus teased him.

"Just got a text from Maia," Alec said. "Gotta go." And like that, he vanished out the front door.

Though it was rather odd, Magnus thought little of it, and returned to rewatching one of his favourite animes on Netflix. It wasn't until his husband returned a little over an hour later, that Magnus took note, pausing his show. Alexander had a huge grin on his face, as if Christmas had come again.

"It came back," Alec said breathless.

"What in the world are you talking about?" Magnus sighed.

"Now, don't be mad," Alec began, and Magnus knew he wouldn't like it, whatever it was. "But before Christmas, I kinda ordered a DNA test." Magnus raised an eyebrow. Oh, he really wasn't going to like this.

"See, John came by work one time and we got talking, and he said he'd be willing to take a test if it meant proving to you who he was, and I kinda ordered one," Alec admitted.

"So what you're saying is that the results of this DNA test are back?" Magnus inquired calmly.

"Yes," Alec answered.

"And you are also saying that you stole some of my DNA to use for this test?" Magnus added, cooly.

"Technically yes," Alec said sheepishly.

With a deep sigh, Magnus stood up. It was clearly done now, and there was nothing for it. "Let me see," Magnus said holding out his hand.

Alec pulled a small envelope from his inside pocket and handed it over. To Alec's credit, it was still sealed. Which meant, Magnus could choose not to open it. He could burn it now and never know, but Magnus knew he wouldn't, not after Alec had gone to so much trouble. Albeit nosy and intrusive trouble, but Magnus knew his husbands heart was in the right place.

Tearing the corner of the envelope, Magnus removed the slip of paper and opened it. He skimmed over the intro and general legal fine print until he reached the results.

'We can confirm that there is a genetic parent-child relationship between the two samples of DNA you shared with us.'

"So, he is my dad," Magnus said in a small, but firm voice.

"I knew it!" Alec exclaimed, moving forward to read over Magnus's shoulder. Instead, Magnus handed the letter to Alec.

"Changes nothing," Magnus shrugged.

"How can you say that?" Alec exclaimed. "This changes everything!"

"Just because half my DNA came from him," Magnus remarked. "Doesn't mean we owe each other anything. He didn't raise me, he doesn't know me. He is nothing to me."

"But you could get to know each other," Alec pleaded. "This could be such a wonderful thing, Magnus!"

"You are a wonderful thing," Magnus smiled and kissed Alec briefly. "My aunt is a wonderful thing. My friends are wonderful. I have a full life. I don't need some stranger with my eyes showing up and butting in."

"He's not a stranger," Alec argued. "He's your dad."

"In my world, blood doesn't make you family," Magnus stated.

"If not blood, what then?"

"Love," Magnus replied simply.

"But how can you love before you know someone?" Alec asked. "How can you love if you don't even give the guy a chance? We could never have become family if you hadn't give me a chance, remember?"

"For someone so naive," Magnus replied. "You are very wise."

"Does that mean you'll talk to him a little, at least?" Alec asked.

"If that will make you happy," Magnus answered.

"It will," Alec beamed.

"Then happy you shall be."

It's odd but I finally understand how some writers don't remember to answer all reviews. This getting a life business takes up a great deal of mental energy. lol. If I miss your review I do apologize, but if you really want a reply you can always PM! Those are much harder to miss.

Also Karla is a shout out to my editor who is awesome. :D

Guest Review for a previous chapter:
I love the app date but can't wait for the next chapter I absolutely love jaces pov. You are an exceptional writer I can't wait for the follow-up

My Reply:
Glad to hear someone likes Jace pov! And the I think the next chapter you wrote this on was Jace pov though if you are reading this now you've already read that one… Sigh there really isn't a better way to address reviews than author's notes but there really should be.
Also thanks so much! Follows up will be out just as fast as I can write them! :D

Sneak Peek Chapter 145

"Who needs deliver!" Jace scoffed. "See told you we could do it."

"Yes, but my hand hurts," Jordan complained.

"Suck it up," Jace chuckled, clapping Jordan on the back. "In my book a sore hand is worth saving over $100 on delivery."

Jordan just sighed and went to get sheets. When he returned he handed them to Jace who acted as if he were being given and alien concept.

"What do you want me to do with those?" Jace asked.

"Sheets go on beds," Jordan explained. "Or did your mother not teach you that."

"Mom tried to teach me how to do a hospital bed corner," Jace explained, before throwing Jon's sheets randomly onto the bed. "She failed."

"Jace," Jordan said very seriously. "When was the last time you changed your sheets?"

"A while ago," Jace replied, looking away.