"You will never guess who I ran into on my way over here," Magnus began. Alec sat up. The change in his boyfriend's voice made him look up.
"Who?" Alec asked.
"Camille," Magnus replied. "I found her crying alone in the corner. Tessa is right, she really does love Ralf."
"I see," Alec replied. He wasn't sure how he felt about this yet. He knew Magnus loved him, and he knew there was nothing between Magnus and Camille anymore, but sometimes Alec still wanted to hit that woman over the head with something heavy for what she'd done to Magnus. Had it really been a year ago? Yes, because it had been November last year that Alec had finally found the courage to tell the love of his life that they couldn't be just friends, and then bonded with Jace over the resulting heartache. A year. It was a crazy thought. Somehow it felt like time was passing, faster now than before. This time last year, Alec had literally been having dreams about Magnus in his arms, then he'd woken up miserable and alone in his dorm room. Christmas would mark their one year anniversary, or rather January would, but very early January. To Alec it felt like he'd known Magnus much longer than that, while at the same time, Alec could remember their first kiss like it had been yesterday.
Alec wanted to bring Magnus home with him for the holidays so badly, that some part of him just wanted to pick Magnus up and carry him there, but Alec knew he couldn't do that. Not only because it wasn't physically possible, but also because it wasn't respectful or kind. Technically it was kidnapping and besides, if Magnus spent the whole holiday annoyed to be there, it wasn't like they'd have a good time anyway.
Alec was having a similar problem when he tried to think of things they could do for their anniversary. It was their one year and Alec wanted to plan something big for it, but he wasn't sure how far he should go planning it. If he planned something big, Magnus would want to pay for half of it? Because that was the last thing Alec wanted. If he went too small, it felt like he was making light of it, which was wrong. His last year with Magnus in no way felt insignificant, and Alec wanted to really celebrate it.
"Alexander say something," Magnus whispered, and Alec realize just how long he'd been silent.
"Sorry," Alec said, pulling his thoughts back to the here and now. "I was just thinking."
"About Camille?" Magnus asked, but Alec shook his head.
"About Christmas," Alec counted. It was time to just ask, to finally talk about what was hard to bring up. "What is it exactly that you don't like about visiting my family for Christmas?" Magnus didn't speak so Alec plunged on. "I know I should be patient and everything, but I've already told you my parents want to meet you. Izzy is just Izzy, and trust me she doesn't hate you or anything. She has always been a bit of a drama queen. And even if you don't want to buy plane tickets, I am calling them an anniversary gift so you can't be upset about that. What else is holding you back? Please tell me so I can solve that too."
"Think you can solve anything huh?" Magnus replied smiling.
"For you yes," Alec replied. There was silence for a few minutes, but Alec sensed that he shouldn't break it. Instead Alec waited, watching his boyfriend's face and trying to be patient.
"I haven't seen my aunt in so long," Magnus finally spoke.
"Then bring her too!" Alec exclaimed with a smile on his face. "I'll tell mom to have another guest room setup. What else you got?"
"It's really that easy?" Magnus asked. He looked so surprised, it made Alec smile.
"Well, that depends," Alec grinned at him. "Do you have two dozen relatives you'd like to invite, or just the one?"
"Aleida is really my only family," Magnus explained. "Her and Clary." And me, Alec wanted to add, but he wasn't sure if Magnus thought the same.
"Well, I'd love to meet your aunt too," Alec said.
"How about we split the plane tickets?" Magnus suggested, but Alec was shaking his head before Magnus even finished speaking.
"It's an anniversary gift," Alec stated firmly. "I have credit with the airline as well. It's no big deal. Call it your Christmas present too if you like."
"Okay," Magnus said softly, giving in. "I mean it is Christmas after all." Alec froze for a second, taking in the wonderful words. His heart singing, he kissed Magnus in the middle of the cafeteria, pulling him close. It was a brief kiss, but Alec tried to put all he had into it.
"This is going to be the best Christmas ever!" Alec exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear as they broke apart.
"Be careful Alexander," Magnus smiled back. "That happiness is infectious."
"And so it should be," Alec replied. "Who doesn't want to be happy?" Magnus laughed and they both got up to get in line for food. Alec reached out and took his boyfriend's hand as they walked, but he had to let go when they were both carrying food trays. As they returned to their table, Magnus was huffing about how Alec should let him buy his own lunch. Alec had managed to get in line ahead of Magnus and paid for both their meals, so that when Magnus got to the cashier there was no bill to pay.
"If anyone is saying I'm dating you for your money, it's stuff like that that's why," Magnus sighed as they sat down to eat.
"They can say whatever they want," Alec replied cooly. "If all you let me get away with is stuff like this, that's what I'm gonna do."
"You are crazy you know that right?" Magnus said with a shake of his head.
"Crazy for you," Alec replied, touching Magnus gently on the nose. Magnus laughed, which made Alec smile and the rest of their lunch passed in casual conversation and loving glances.
But all good things must come to an end, including lunch with his boyfriend. Alec had class, then he'd made plans with a friend, or rather his cousin. Though he supposed she could be better described as his friend, since being someone's family didn't automatically guarantee that they were your friend too. Alec was making a better effort to keep in touch with Aline since they'd reconnected over the summer. He'd been texting her more, and if those texts were to be believed, Aline had converted her girlfriend into a Catan player and organized a game night at their new place tonight. She didn't have an expansion for the game, so it could only be played with four players. Helen wanted to invite her brother, so Aline had only invited Alec. Magnus hadn't minded being excluded in this case, since he had a major essay due on Monday.
When Alec arrived, he learned that Helen had indeed become quite the Catan player, thanks to her girlfriend. He met Helen's brother Mark, and all in all, it was a lovely afternoon. Though Alec had a suspicion that after his conversation with Magnus earlier, nothing could spoil his mood today.
Alec noticed Helen and Aline had a very domestic feel to their conversations. Talking about who took the garbage out, and who's leftovers had gone moldy in the fridge. Alec had never been in a serious relationship before he'd started dating Magnus, and though their summer hadn't really felt like living together - since Magnus had been working so much - Alec had to admit he was curious what it would be like living with his boyfriend rather than a roommate. Watching Aline and Helen made him wonder if maybe it wasn't as great as he thought it would be. It seemed a little like all they talked about was household practical stuff. Plus Alec was a little worried that it would bring up the money issue again. If Magnus whined when Alec bought him lunch, he couldn't imagine Magnus putting up with Alec hiring a maid and paying the rent. He was tempted to ask Aline what it was like living with a romantic partner, but decided it was a problem for another day. Instead Alec focused on a Christmas with Magnus. He was so excited he called his parents to tell them and booked the plane tickets later that day.
As November turned into December class work got more and more stressful; exams were once again upon them. The thought of having Magnus with him for Christmas got Alec through his exams with a smile on his face. After all that time cramming Alec was glad to finally be hanging out with Magnus again without any textbooks involved. It was during one of these lazy afternoons before they left for the holidays that Magnus got a phone call from Will. Alec listened to Magnus's side of the conversation and quickly realized what had happened.
Just a few hours later, Alec found himself walking into the hospital with Magnus. Tessa had had her baby during the night and was now accepting visitors.
"Are you sure I should be here?" Alec asked Magnus. "I mean she's your friend, and I'm not sure she knows you let me tag along."
"I am not a baby person," Magnus explained. "You are here for me okay? I am always worried I will drop them."
"I think they are a little stronger than you give them credit for," Alec said, but Magnus didn't reply as they'd just reached Tessa's room. When they walked in, Alec saw Tessa laying on the bed, her rich brown hair stuck to her forehead with sweat, and a huge smile on her face. Jem and Will each stood on either side of her, and all three of them were looking down at the tiny bundle in her arms wrapped in a pink blanket.
"You can't name your daughter Jamie," Jem was saying as Alec moved into earshot. They were clearly interrupting some kind of argument.
"Gemma? That's a girls name right?" Will replied grinning. "And she's our daughter."
"Can we please avoid the letter J?" Jem suggested.
"She is lucky," Tessa laughed looking up from her daughter to the two men beside her. "So lucky. Only a few hours old, and already she has so many people who love her."
"Lucky Lucie," Jem's said with a smile, laughing lighting with her.
"Lucie works for me," Will replied, seriously confusing the other two.
"Huh?" Jem asked.
"For her name," WIll explained.
"Lucie," Tessa said as if trying it out, looking down at the baby again. "Yeah, I like Lucie."
"Lucie Herondale," Jem stated.
"Let's not get started on last names," Tessa whined. "It's bad enough I had to lie to the nurse for her to allow you both in here. I am way too tired for this." Both the men by her bed side laughed, and Magnus finally made his presence known with an slightly awkward hi.
"Hmm… sorry to interrupt," Magnus said as all of them turned to see who was here.
"Oh Magnus you came!" Tessa said with a smile.
"You text I come," Magnus replied. "What else are friends for?" Alec followed Magnus as they both moved closer.
"Do you want to hold her?" Tessa asked, but Magnus shook his head.
"Alec would love to," Magnus replied.
"You've been voluntold," Will laughed. It amazed Alec how trusting Tessa was. It wasn't like Alec knew her well, but it seemed his connected to Magnus was enough to ilicet this level of trust in her.
"Shouldn't her dads? Is that right," Alec said. Tessa nodded. "Shouldn't they get a chance first."
"Oh don't worry, they both had a turn before you got here. I have to feed her soon, but you can hold her for a bit if you'd like."
Taking a deep breath, Alec nodded. His little brother was over ten years younger than Alec, so he was used to being around kids, but newborns were another matter. Alec held his arms out, and then felt the gentle pressure as Tessa placed her daughter into his embrace. She was so little, so light.
"Watch her head," Tessa reminded him, though she didn't sound worried. "There that's it." Alec gazed down at the small pink face, all he could see since the rest of her was wrapped in the blanket. It was wrapped so tight Alec wondered how the little girl could possibly be comfortable, though it was obvious she was. Lucie had small blemishes on her skin that almost looked like white spots, mostly concentrated around her nose. Her eyes were closed, and she looked so peaceful. Until she started crying. At that point, Alec quickly returned the child to her mother's arms.
"She's hungry," Tessa sighed, taking Lucie back. "I feel like a human food factory."
"She's perfect though," Will added.
"Yes, perfectly painful," Tessa sighed as she draped a blanket over herself and settled Lucie on the pillow in her lap. "Neither of you are ever touching me again by the way. Worse pain of my life." At this, both Will and Jem laughed as if they didn't believe her for a second. Tessa rolled her eyes. Alec felt like he was missing the joke.
"We should probably be going," Magnus said with a smile. "She is beautiful, Tessa. Congratulations."
"She is isn't she," Tessa smiled as she fed her daughter. "Thanks Magnus."
Yes I cheated and did Tessa's birth in a different pov... mostly because I have never given birth to a child and have no clue what that's like but also it isn't exactly exciting. I mean a normal healthy baby being born is basically the same as another. I mean I didn't want to write a long drawn out labour and painful delivery and I am sure you didn't want to read it. So.. yeah I cheated. ^_^ hehe. Wouldn't be the first time I switched a pov for a major plot point. Like how Magnus found out Tessa was moving out in Alec pov, etc.
And for once I don't think I have any major guest reviews to answer. I answer all reviews that I can PM back and I answer big detailed guest reviews here, but when a guest reviewer writes just something small or something I have no reply to sometimes I leave them. Sorry. But its just seems pointless to write a three word reply in these author's notes. If you want a reply then log in or write a long review and I'll answer. I always do. :)
I am glad people seem happy that I suck at schedules. Personally I am much happier. It was liberating for all of a week and then it was so annoying! I was like... is it Wednesday yet? Why do I have 3 chapters finished sitting here already beta read? My beta literally edited two chapters at once and then I had to wait AGES to upload them. So annoying. I much prefer update as fast as I write.
Sneak Peek Chapter 67
"What do your parents know about me?" Jace asked. "I mean what have you told them?"
"No much," Clary replied.
"Do they know what I was like before?" Jace inquired.
"A little," Clary answered. "I mean I wasn't going to lie to them but it's not like I gave them details." Jace took a long nervous gulp of the champagne he'd paired with dinner. Clary giggle at him.
"It isn't funny," Jace whined. "I've never done the met the parents thing before."
"I've never done the meet the parents thing before either," Clary replied. "Well apart from when I met your mom."
"Didn't you bring Simon home?" Jace asked.
"Hey but mom and dad met Simon when we were both in footy pajamas," Clary sniggered. Jace decided not to mention that he'd know Sebastian just as long. It was a strange thought though, that those two people had even one thing in common.
