A/n: So after about 2 months of inactivity I've finally got another chapter for you all. As always I don't own the characters and I hope you enjoy :)

Eight

"What smells so good?" Alec yawned as he stumbled into the kitchen. He rubbed his eyes and smiled as a tray carried a cup of tea to him. He picked it up and watched the tray set itself on the counter.

"I made breakfast. Pancakes to be precise," Magnus answered with a grin.

"I gotta say, I never really pictured you ever using your kitchen," Alec said as he sat down. "I always thought it was mostly for show and for parties."

"Most of the time," Magnus nodded. "But once in a blue moon, if the mood strikes, I'll cook. Unless you prefer to go out?"

"And miss seeing the High Warlock work magic in the kitchen? Hardly," Alec joked as he drank his tea. "Sides, I think you're starting to spoil the baby with all this home cooked food. I don't think I can eat another Taki's burger until after they're born."

Magnus set down a plate of warm pancakes and a glass bottle jar of syrup.

"Speaking of baby's…" Alec looked up at Magnus as the warlock sat down next to him. "I have another appointment with Catarina in a couple days and I was wondering if you'd like to come with me."

"Really?" Magnus's eyes widened a little in surprise.

"Yes really," Alec nodded. "We could get some lunch or something after...I mean, I need to pick up some Christmas gifts but we could still do something. I mean if you're not busy…"

"I'd love to go with you Alec," Magnus smiled. "And I'm as free as a bird. I don't take clients around the holidays so I'm all yours. In any capacity," he added a wink a.

Alec blushed at the wink. "Good to know."

"What time should I be ready?" Magnus asked as he started cutting into his pancakes.

"The appointment is at noon," Alec answered. "I have a meeting at the institute in the morning so we could meet in the park?"

"Sounds like a date," Magnus held up a forkful of pancakes to Alec's mouth.

Alec leaned forward to take a bite and it was his turn to raise an eyebrow as Magnus's house phone began to ring. He chuckled as the fork was left suspended in air as Magnus muttered under his breath about the rudeness of some people and he leaned against the wall as he answered the phone.

"This is Magnus Bane speaking...oh hullo Maryse," Magnus nodded at something she said. "Yes, he's here, I'll see but I'm not going to force him." He covered the mouthpiece and held the phone away from his ear. "Your mother would like to speak to you."

Alec sighed and got up. "Of course she does." Magnus handed him the phone and went about refilling Alec's cup of tea.

When Magnus looked up again, Alec was clutching the phone, and his face was flushed with emotion. The phone hit the receiver with a clack and Alec crossed his arms, nails digging into his skin.

"Alec, sweetpea, what's the matter?" Magnus hurried over and wrapped an arm around him. He tightened his grip as Alec practically sagged against him with a mirthless laugh.

"Alec?" Magnus ran his fingers through his hair worried.

"She's going to the council," he said with another laugh. "She is actually going to ask them to order me to get a DNA test on the baby."

"The council would never agree to it," Magnus frowned. "Although, your mother is persuasive when she needs to be…"

Alec closed his eyes and took a deep breath to calm himself. "She's going to claim you got me pregnant."

"Oh, well that would get them to agree, can't have the precious Lightwood bloodline tainted by a downworlder now can we," Magnus said.

Alec started to straighten and braced his hands on the sink once Magnus let him go. "What am I going to do? The council will demand I reveal the father or they'll force me to get a test and Jace is a dick, but I can't just out him like that."

"I think you're going to have to talk to Jace," Magnus said as he rubbed Alec's back. "I know you're not going to want to, but there isn't an alternative…"

Alec nodded. "I know...you're right." He wrapped his arms around his middle. "You think mundanes ever have this much drama?"

"Clearly you've never seen Maury," Magnus chuckled.

Alec raised an eyebrow. "You've got an awful lot of time on your hands for a Highwarlock, you know that right?"

"Just means I've got more time for you~" Magnus smiled as he leaned in to kiss him. "Shall I call Jace or do you want to?"

"I'll do it...after we've finished breakfast," Alec answered. "I've still got to eat those pancakes."

Magnus chuckled and led him back to their plates. "Well, then bon appetit."

Alec tugged at the sleeve of his sweater and looked at his watch again as he waited for Jace. They had agreed to meet at the small coffee shop close to Magnus's house. Alec had shown up a little earlier and found a nice semi-secluded spot and after assuring Magnus he'd be okay alone, preceded to order three chocolate muffins and a blended white chocolate and raspberry frappe.

He looked up at the sound of footsteps and took a deep breath as Jace neared the table. He remained to seat as Jace sat across from him.

"I'm a bit surprised you wanted to me," Jace said to break the silence.

"Believe me, talking to you isn't high on my priorities right now but I don't really have a choice," Alec replied. "Mom called me this morning."

"Okay…" Jace nodded.

"She's going to the council to ask them to make me tell who the father is," Alec told him.

"Why would she do that?" Jace frowned.

"Because I'm not telling her who the father is," Alec reminded him. "I told you I wouldn't, even if you are being an asshole."

"How am I being an asshole?" Jace asked.

"Oh, I don't know," Alec crossed his arms over his chest. "I tell you that I'm pregnant from our drunken fumble in the dark and the first words out of your mouth are 'I'm sorry but I love Clary' and I don't get it, but I understand that you're not ready to be a father, but the second I get together to Magnus you start to act like you suddenly care and but in where your nose does not belong."

"I just didn't want you to get hurt…" Jace had the decency to look abashed. "And...I have been going about this all wrong and I'm an asshole…"

"You're a ginormous asshole," Alec agreed. "I just, I need you to grow up Jace. Be an adult, don't...don't be what you've been you know?"

Jace nodded. "You're right...I know I don't really deserve your forgiveness right now...But I...I am sorry, and I'm going to do my best to make it up to you."

"I appreciate that," Alec nodded and picked at his muffin. "But we need to do something about this council thing."

"I'll tell Maryse I knocked you up," Jace told him.

"No way," Alec shook his head.

"Why not?" Jace frowned.

"Because...You don't want to be the father, and I'm not holding that against you in any way, but I'm not going to have you be forced into something you don't want," Alec told him. "I can...I can try to fight it, or something."

"What about Magnus?" Jace asked. "You could-"

"Absolutely not," Alec interrupted. "That's not fair to him, I can't just ask him to be the father, besides what if we broke up or something…" he mumbled the last part, he didn't like to think about the two of them breaking up.

"Isn't that his choice though?" Jace asked. "I mean, from what I've managed to gather he cares about you a lot."

"I know," Alec nodded. "And I care about him too but I'm not, I can't ask him to do that. Not like this."

"Then I don't see any other option besides telling them I'm the father or a forced DNA test," Jace replied. "Or just telling Maryse the truth."

Alec leaned forward and rest his head on his arms. He sat up slowly and ran a hand through his hair. "I need to think. She's not going to the council yet. Just let me think okay?"

"Just tell me what to do when you're ready," Jace told him. "Whatever you need me to do. No matter what."

"Be careful what you promise," Alec chuckled.