Chapter 42

Dante Serpens paced the floor of a small reception area. He was in the Romanian home of his long-time friend and associate Vladimir Druganin. Things had been strained between the two of them since the disastrous events in the Edinburgh Underground. Druganin felt, unreasonably in Serpens opinion, that they could still have won the day even without Belial. The Abbot believed he could have rallied the Hellfire Club and snatched the victory away from Briosag and his allies.

Finally a servant opened the office door and ushered Serpens into his master's office. It was the first time the two men had been together in several months, and the warlock was quick to sense his reception would be frosty from the cold eyes with which his old friend regarded him, and the slight sneer that graced his otherwise stoic face.

Suppressing a sigh, Serpens gave a slight bow to indicate he was at the Abbot's disposal, before saying; "I came as soon as I got your summons Abbot. What do you require of me?"

Druganin rose slowly from his desk and began to pace around the room like a caged tiger. "News from Idris has been bad. Many of our prominent members have been found guilty and are now imprisoned. It will take us decades to recover. I need to send out a message to those club members who remain."

"What do you wish to tell them Abbot?" Serpens asked, assuming he would need to get the word out as soon as Druganin dismissed him.

Suddenly, without warning a dagger flashed out and buried itself in Serpen's chest.

"I need you to tell them that failure will not be tolerated, old friend;" Druganin hissed as Serpens slid bonelessly to the floor.

~~~~!~~~~

It was a few days before Christmas, and the New York Institute had been decorated top to bottom with evergreen boughs, fairy lights and sumptuous red velvet ribbons. A large tree dominated one corner of the lounge hung with beautiful hand blown glass ornaments and icicles, and surrounded by brightly wrapped presents.

Nestled among the expensive, store-bought decorations were oddly shaped paper ornaments sculpted by an enthusiastic three year old under the watchful eyes of his doting aunt. These were the items on the tree that always drew Alec's attention first when he entered the room. He had just finished putting a rather excited Aiden to bed. The boy had spent the day with his grandparents, Robert and Maryse, having his picture taken with Santa at Macy's, and viewing the huge Christmas tree in Rockefeller Plaza.

Alec moved over to the bar and poured himself a glass of wine before joining Magnus on the sofa in front of the fireplace. A cheerful blaze lit up the hearth and helped to give the room its warm glow and festive charm. Magnus lifted his arm in a gesture of welcome, and Alec wasted no time settling himself in his husband's embrace.

"Aiden asleep?" Magnus asked, looking very much as though he would be joining his son in that state very soon.

"It's harder to get him settled this close to Christmas, but he was pretty tired from his outing today;" Alec replied, adding; "You seem pretty tired too."

"Ughh, Alec you have no idea what it's been like since we got back from Edinburgh! Every warlock within a thousand mile radius has been contacting me to see about the possibility of having a child!" Magnus stated looking thoroughly put upon.

Alec sighed softly and said; "It shouldn't be too much longer before the new laws are in place and they can go to properly trained warlock healers to have the spell done;"

"Well, it can't happen soon enough, I never signed up to run a warlock fertility clinic!" Magnus retorted, not quite ready to be placated.

Alec wisely decided to change the subject. "Shivvy and Daniel arrive tomorrow, will you be available to open a portal at noon?"

"Shouldn't be a problem;" Magnus replied; "It will be good to see them and catch up on all the news from Edinburgh."

Josh, Ian, Daniel and Shivvy had remained in Edinburgh after the fighting to help with the rebuilding. Alec and Magnus had stayed as long as they could too, but New York needed its High Warlock and the Institute needed its head, so they had been the first to return. Josh and Ian followed a few months later, but Daniel and Shivvy elected to make Edinburgh there permanent home. Shivvy had even taken the courageous step of introducing Daniel to her mother. The first meeting had been about as awkward as could be imagined, but time and better acquaintance would, no doubt, make a huge difference.

Alec and Magnus' quiet time was summarily interrupted by Jace, Izzy, Josh and Ian tumbling into the lounge all talking at once. One glance at his husband's face told Alec that if he didn't restore some order to the room, the rowdy bunch would find they had closed zippers instead of mouths. Without delay, Alec got refreshments and handed them out on the theory that one couldn't talk and drink at the same time.

As they all gravitated to their favourite seats in the lounge, Alec asked Izzy if they had finished the last of the holiday shopping.

"Under control big brother!" Izzy reported. "You should have been with us the crowds were insane!"

"I think I was better off here!" Alec said shuddering. Shopping wasn't his favorite activity at the best of times, but battling hordes of Christmas shoppers would have made it a positive punishment. When he looked over at his partner, however, Magnus was pouting, and Alec thought perhaps he'd better check with the Clave again and find out when things would be in place for the healers to take on the fertility spell, before Magnus went into shopping withdrawal.

The rest of the evening passed pleasantly, Jace gravitated to the piano playing some soothing classical music while the rest talked quietly among themselves. Alec rose pulling Magnus up with him, saying; "Let's go check on Aiden and then have an early night;"

Magnus nodded his head as he smothered a huge yawn.

"Sooo…" Jace said, "Seeing as its close to Christmas, we could delay morning training until 11:00, don't you think?"

Alec snorted, "Morning training will be the same time as usual, so I suggest you all get an early night!"

"Killjoy!" Izzy said, but the smile on her face indicated she hadn't really expected any other response. "Come on guys, no rest for the wicked;" And with those words they all trooped out, wishing Alec and Magnus a good night as they passed.

Alone in their bedroom after checking that Aiden was sleeping peacefully, Magnus turned to Alec and said; "Once the new laws have been finalized, what would you say to a little brother of sister for Aiden?"

Surprised, Alec took a moment to consider, then smiling softly said, "I think that would be wonderful!"

"So do I;" Magnus replied grinning. They had come through some trying times, but now it seemed as if the future was beckoning, and it was full of promise. He took his husband in his arms and realized, not for the first time, that this was the life he had always been searching for, and he would fight to keep it.

The End

Note: Well that's it, the end of the story. Thank you to everyone who stuck with it, and to everyone who sent reviews, you guys are the best!