Chapter Text
/ While Magnus’ wedding with George was a small and intimate thing, the one with Alec ended up being a far larger event. Everyone left of their families – birth and makeshift alike – was invited, as were all their friends. Even Lorenzo accepted his invitation. Catarina’s Madzie welcomed her post as a flower girl eagerly, Rafael was visibly proud to be their ring bearer. Magnus was thrilled his friend Zachariah was able to officiate them.
Despite her having welcomed him to the family and them getting along very well Magnus was surprised when Maryse came to see him a few days before the wedding. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to Alec and... If it’s alright with you, I’d love to give you away at the wedding as a sign of how glad I am to have you in my family.”
For a while Magnus was so stunned he could only nod. “It’d be a great honor”, he managed. Neither had dry eyes as they exchanged a long hug.
For a very, very long time – especially after they lost Max – Alec was convinced happiness simply wasn’t in the cards for him. That he’d never find his... special someone. Watching Magnus step into view with his mom while the petals of white roses Madzie threw floated to the floor, Alec lost his breath and smiled in a way he hadn’t known himself capable of before meeting the dancer. The happiness that fluttered to life in his heart like a butterfly... He’d probably never fully believe he was lucky enough to have it, and Magnus, however long they’d get as a married couple.
When the time to exchange their vows came Alec was still so breathless he could barely talk. “Since I was very young I felt like there was this... piece of me missing. Then I met you and... everything just clicked into place. My heart felt whole and full for the first time in my entire life.” He sniffled and so did Magnus. “You complete me. You’re my best friend, my pillar of strength, my greatest adventure, my home and my soulmate. And starting from today it’ll be my greatest honor to call you my husband.”
Magnus was so emotional it took him several moments to start talking. “When I met you... I was a wreck, in more ways than one. You helped fix my body and my heart, brought me back to life.” The dancer wiped away the couple of tears that escaped. “You’re the most magical person I’ve ever met and... You may not be my first love but you’re certainly the last. I’ve never loved anyone quite the way I love you and it’ll be my greatest honor to spend the rest of our lives showing you how deep that love is.”
Zachariah declared the teary-eyed men married with sheer joy on his face. Which allowed them to exchange a kiss that took away what little breath the newlyweds had had. Walking away from the altar with his husband, golden confetti raining down on them and everyone cheering, Alec felt like he was in a wonderful fairytale.
They’d barely had their honeymoon when fate gave them another surprise. Alec was just about to walk through the doors of the hospital to head to work when tiny, heartbreaking whimpers reached his ears. His eyes widened when he found a baby from a cardboard box someone had just left there. And again a piece he hadn’t realized was missing clicked to place in his heart.
A few days later he introduced the baby boy to Magnus. His beloved nodded, then burst into tears when the infant grabbed his finger and held on tight. “You’re right, he’s ours”, the man choked out.
When they told Rafael about the baby the boy was clearly skeptical at first. But as soon as the child’s eyes met the little one’s something lit up in them. (His mom later told Alec that he once looked at Izzy the same way when he first met her.) “He’s definitely one of us.”
And that was how their family became complete. /
/
Gwen Smithson had always known that her son was stubborn. Sometimes it took some... encouragement for George to see what was good for him. As his time to leave the rehabilitation center was near and she learned that he’d move to some miserable apartment all alone she decided that her interference was sorely needed.
George, much like she’d known to expect, didn’t seem thrilled. “Then where do you propose I stay?”
“With me, of course.” Gwen lifted her chin. “Your old room is just like you left it. You’ll stay there until you’re actually ready to live on your own and...”
“... and you’ll make sure media is there to witness it all, right? How you selflessly nurse your poor war veteran son back to health.” George breathed sharply through his nose and went on before shock gave her a chance to interject. “There have been several times in my life when I would’ve actually needed you. Especially when I was a teenager, struggling with realizing my sexual orientation and knowing I wanted to be a soldier. I don’t need you now.”
Gwen narrowed her eyes. “That so-called husband of yours... He’s been filling your head with that cruel nonsense, hasn’t he?”
“Magnus is no longer my husband but he’s still been nothing but kind and supportive. He’s been there for me every step of the way. While you’ve done your best to make life harder on us both and Rafael.”
Gwen’s nostrils flared. How dare he...? “I don’t know...”
“You unleashed media on us all! You... You dragged Rafael to the hospital, made him blame himself for my suicide attempt!” George barreled on, ignoring her open mouth. “And before you start accusing Magnus, Rafael himself told me. He needed me and therapy before he managed to stop blaming himself!” Her son shook his head. “That reporter was in my hospital room five times. Maybe even more, I have a lot of details missing from my head. She kept asking me for my story and an interview with you even after she knew about my attempt. You didn’t even care about how it’d all make me feel, did you? What it’d do to my psyche or what I needed. All you cared about was attention.”
Gwen clenched her jaw. “You’re my son. I refuse to let you talk to me this way.”
George shook his head. “I no longer want to be your son. For what you did to Rafael and Magnus... I never want to see you again. And before you even try to blame Magnus, let me assure you. The only one you can blame is yourself. Magnus has never spoken a single bad word about you.” His eyes darkened. “Now leave before I ask the staff to remove you.”
Walking away, Gwen was so numb from shock and pain that she could barely think. She just lost her son a second time. And this time it was entirely her own fault.
/
With George slowly adjusting to a life at his new home he, Magnus and Alec agreed that Max should meet the soldier. There was no telling how it’d go but keeping them apart would only enforce the child’s persistent belief that the man was a threat. The problem was that Max... didn’t exactly love the thought.
Max got scared, and angry. He shook his head, the toys he’d been playing with forgotten. “NO! I don’t wanna see him! And I don’t want you and Rafe to see him, either! What if he tricks you, makes you imagine you love him more than daddy and me?” Like one of those evil people from the books and fairytales his parents read him.
His papa appeared surprised before sighing with a slightly sad look on his face. (Max didn’t like it. He didn’t want to make his papa sad.) “I think I need to try explaining to you what George’s place is in my life again.” The man breathed in deep and pulled him close. (Max melted to the comforting hold eagerly.) “Some people never find love. It just happens. I’ve been lucky enough to love and be loved greatly twice. George will always be special to me. He fixed my heart and made me believe that I deserve to be loved at a... sad time of my life. But your daddy is the love of my life and my last love. I will love him and stay with him for as long as we both live.” The man smiled. “George is my past. Your daddy is my present and future, my heart belongs and will only ever belong to him. There’s no competition. Only love.”
“Okay”, Max murmured. It was all very confusing. But those words... They did reassure him.
His papa kissed the top of his head. “I’ve been exceptionally lucky to find them both. And Rafael is lucky to have three parents who love him. There’s no competition there, either. Rafael and I aren’t going anywhere.”
“Promise?” Max half-whispered, clinging to his papa’s shirt with all his might.
“I promise. And Lightwood-Banes keep their promises.” A couple of moments of silence passed by. “What do you think?” his papa eventually asked softly. “Are you ready to meet George?”
Max nodded, hesitant but determined.
George’s apartment was smaller than theirs but located at a nice area with a park across the street. Max felt anxious upon seeing the guest room, immediately wondering if Rafael would want to move there one day. Then George himself approached him. The man was big but the small smile on his face ensured that he didn’t appear threatening. “Hey there. You must be the Max I’ve heard so much about. It’s very nice to finally meet the youngest member of Magnus’ family.”
Hearing that meant a lot to Max, even if it didn’t chase away all his reservations. Slowly and hesitantly he took the man’s hand to shake it. “Papa and daddy chose me”, he declared. It felt important to point out that.
George nodded. “So I’ve heard. If you want to share it, I’d like to hear the full story.”
It was a story Max loved sharing, with anyone. They sat to a couch and he got started, and the further he advanced the more comfortable he felt. Eventually he asked questions, too, wanting to understand this new person who’d been tossed into his life. (And who apparently meant a lot to his papa and Rafael.)
At some point Max became aware of attention on him. Rafael watched him with a big, happy smile. His parents – who stood close to each other and held hands possibly without noticing they were doing so – appeared incredibly proud. Like he’d done something important.
It all gave Max hope that perhaps things would work out and the family that chose him wouldn’t be torn apart.
/
Roughly a year later Alec and Magnus invited all their nearest and dearest to a party. To their surprise and delight even George came, claiming that after everything he’d been through he welcomed any chance to celebrate. It’d been a rough year full of insecurities, fights, stress, tears, difficult talks and emotional ache. Was it any wonder Alec and Magnus wanted to celebrate their anniversary with their most important people? (For George’s sake they didn’t clarify that it was an anniversary party.)
Dancing with Magnus in his arms, Alec couldn’t wipe the wide, happy smile off his face. He felt so confident it was nearly shocking, with everyone dancing and not paying attention to them it was easy to ignore the rest of the world in return. It was just him and Magnus.
When Georg came back Alec was convinced it’d be the end of his marriage. But Magnus chose him, stayed with him. Never even considered the possibility of leaving him. Alec didn’t think he’d ever be able to express how much that meant to him, how happy that made him. But at least it seemed he had the rest of their lives to try.
“Are you alright?” Magnus brushed his cheek with a worried expression on his beautiful face. (The man wore the same outfit from their wedding. Alec chose to do the same without knowing his husband would. The sight and realization made the physical therapist’s heart swell a size.) “You’re crying.”
Alec smiled. “Happy tears.” He pulled his beloved even closer and pressed their lips together. Then, on the spur of the moment, he dipped Magnus while they were still in the middle of a kiss. The small sound of surprise the other produced brought a grin to his face. “That’s to fifty more years.”
“Have you been taking dancing lessons?” Magnus appeared impressed. And... excited. The man went on at Alec’s seemingly nonchalant shrug. “Alexander Gideon Lightwood-Bane, you’re full of surprises.”
“Pleasant surprises?” Alec inquired while pulling the other back up tenderly.
“The best kind.” Magnus, however, arched an unimpressed eyebrow. “But what was that talk about only fifty more years? I’m aiming for a hundred.”
/
It hurt George to see the man he still loved so happy in the arms of another. The year that’d passed helped with the worst onslaught of agony but some of the sting and longing might never go away. Needing to look elsewhere and sensing someone’s eyes on him, George turned his gaze to find Aline watching him. She gave him a small, sad smile of sympathy which he returned with a nod before she refocused on her wife, Helen. Seeing the two women dancing, laughing and perfectly at peace, gave George hope that one day he might find his own happiness and peace of mind again. For now he needed fresh air so he headed to the balcony. George was surprised to discover that he wasn’t the only one with such an idea.
In a flash he found the man bathed in moonlight beautiful. Even if it looked like the stranger might’ve been crying at some point. The other’s gaze turned, meeting his, and something shifted in the air between them and inside George. “I’m... sorry. If you need to be alone...”
“Actually... Being alone with my thoughts might not be the best idea right now.” The man did his best to smile. “I’m Lorenzo.”
George took the hand offered to him. His skin tingled when meeting Lorenzo’s. “George.”
“That’s right, I’ve seen pictures of you.” It was kind of Lorenzo to not point out how much he’d changed. “I can understand your need for fresh air.”
“Hmm.” George took a sip from the glass of ice-water in his hold, unsure how to proceed. “I take it you needed fresh air, too?”
Lorenzo was silent for so long it seemed there wouldn’t be an answer. “My husband, Andrew... He was a soldier, too. We met at Magnus and Alec’s wedding. The reception was a lot like this party.” The man paused to gather strength. “He fell just months after our first wedding anniversary. Got shot protecting children who ended up too close to the line of fire.” Lorenzo wiped his eyes. “We didn’t get even three years as a couple.”
George didn’t know what to say right away and it didn’t seem like his companion was expecting a verbal response. He hadn’t realized they were still holding hands until his squeezed Lorenzo’s. The man squeezed back gratefully. Roughly five minutes later they started talking. And continued to talk until sunrise, when they decided to leave and have coffee.
Magnus and Alec checked up on them subtly at one point, which neither man noticed. The couple decided silently to just let the men be for as long as they felt they needed to stay. Before the observers left the other two alone, heading back to their bedroom hand in hand, Magnus’ smile held a touch of melancholy but a great deal more happiness. Because he saw a spark of the same magic he experienced with Alec.
(A year and eight months later they celebrated the wedding of George and Lorenzo.)