Tragedy

Alec let out a breath as his boyfriend fixed his tie for at least the 30th time that day. They had somehow managed to make it through the dreadful service without making fools of themselves. Alec felt Jace touch his shoulder as he walked out of the room with Clary trailing close behind. Magnus said, “Well, this is a lovely wake.” He tried to lighten the mood, and failed. Alec grimaced and turned to look at the continuously growing louder children running around. It was Jace’s kids, Cole and Maryssa playing with Isabelle’s kids, Kyle and Rylan, and their own child, Annabelle. Kyle seemed to want to play with Cole, but Cole only tugged Rylan’s dark hair. Maryssa was just standing there looking at the others like they were nuts. Annabelle was spinning in circles and trying to make herself dizzy. They started running around again after Cole “tagged” Rylan. She laughed and they all ran in different directions.

Alec wrapped his arms around Magnus, “I don’t know what they will do with those poor kids… I wish we could just take them, but the Clave won’t have it for unsaid reasons.” He sighed in Magnus’ neck. “We should go. I think everyone needs some time to themselves and it’s not like we have to say-” he paused and looked at the ground, “say goodbye,” another pause, “because they were Shadowhunters and they were-”

Magnus interrupted him and stroke his hair, “Babe, it’s going to be okay.” He put his head next to Alec’s and held him tighter. “I’ll go get Anna, okay? And we can go home whenever you want.”

Alec nodded and watched as Magnus went to pull Annabelle away from the other children. Rylan seemed to have started crying over something and Cole was looking at her as though she was the only thing that existed. The last time Alec looked at the kids, Cole was hugging a crying Rylan as Maryssa rolled her eyes. When Magnus brought Annabelle back to Alec, they said goodbye to everyone in the room. Then, they walked into the next room, where they found Clary and Jace in a comforting embrace as Clary had tears streaming her face. Alec cleared his throat and continued walking towards them. He picked up Annabelle and told her, “Say goodbye to uncle Jace.“

Annabelle reached over to hug him over Alec’s arm as she kissed his cheek. “Bye-bye!” She said.

Jace smiled and hugged her back, “Goodbye, Anna. Be good for your daddies, okay?” She nodded and leaned to hug Clary, “Bye-bye Care!”

Clary laughed and hugged her back. “Bye, sweetheart. Love you.” She kissed her cheek.

Magnus hugged Clary and whispered his condolences to her as Alec went to Jace. “You okay?” Alec asked.

He nodded, “Better than I was a few days ago, I guess. You?”

Alec nodded, “Yeah,” he sighed, “Now I just have to figure out what to do next.” He glanced over at Annabelle, Magnus, and Clary, who were all still talking.

Jace gave him a questioning look, “Well, the first step is getting dressed. And showering. And brushing your damn teeth because you don’t want to smell.”

Alec laughed and quickly wrapped his arms around Jace, “Be good, Jace. Don’t hurt yourself, otherwise you will hurt your beautiful family, you hear me? Don’t be stupid.”

Jace chuckled, “’Kay, but that goes for you, too. No being an asshole, okay? Talk to your hubby.” He smiled wanly. Alec nodded and headed over to talk to Clary. He turned to Magnus, “Want to go wait outside? I will be there in a second. I will just catch up.” Magnus nodded and picked up Annabelle to carry her outside. Alec turned to Clary, “How are you doing?”

She looked at him, “A lot better. Still in shock, I guess, but better. You?”

He nodded, “Better. I am glad. You had me worried-”

Clary looked quickly at Jace and back to Alec, “You didn’t tell anyone did you?” She said urgently.

He shook his head, “Why would I? I have no reason to do that. Just don’t do it again, or I will. Okay? If you have no one else, just know you have me. And I will be here for you to talk to.” He added and let her hug him. She kissed his cheek and whispered, “Thank you, Alec Lightwood.” He nodded and walked to meet Magnus.