Chapter 20

Though it had been late evening in London, the time difference meant that it was only late afternoon in New York. Alec texted Izzy and Jace to let them know he and Magnus were home and he would see them at the Institute in the morning. Then he curled up on the couch with Magnus and they spent the next few hours planning their perfect wedding. Alec wanted a quiet ceremony in the small chapel off the main sanctuary at the Institute, just close friends and family. He knew Magnus would want a more spectacular party after the ceremony and he was okay with that. It could include all Magnus downworld friends and associates, and be held at the loft just like all Magnus' infamous parties.

Although large gatherings would never be his favourite activity, Alec had gotten used to Magnus' parties and didn't mind them nearly as much as he had during the early stages of their relationship; partly because he was much more comfortable in his own skin than he'd been back then; and partly because he had gotten to know some of Magnus' friends and enjoyed their company.

As they continued to talk about who would be coming to the ceremony, Magnus took a deep breath and asked; "What about your father?" The warlock had never forgiven Robert Lightwood for his unwillingness to accept his son's sexual orientation and for how harshly he'd treated Alec as a result. Still he was Alec's father and if the shadowhunter wanted to invite him, Magnus would support that decision.

"Tell you what;" Alec responded with a small smirk on his face; "You don't invite your dad to the ceremony and I won't invite mine;"

"Deal;" Magnus laughed leaning in to kiss Alec gently on the lips; "Do you have any idea how much I love you?" He murmured softly.

"Love you too babe;" Alec responded as their kisses began to deepen and hands began to wander. It wasn't long before they adjourned to the bedroom leaving a trail of hastily removed clothing in their wake.

Early the next morning as they lay cuddled in each other's arms, Magnus asked Alec where he wanted to go on their honeymoon. Startled, Alec pushed away slightly to look Magnus in the eye; "You know I haven't even thought about that. I definitely don't want to go to Edinburgh or London that's for sure;"

"As the weather here will still be cold in February, what do you say to somewhere warm?" Magnus asked his eyes dancing with excitement.

"Did you have something in mind?" Alec asked a little suspiciously.

"New Orleans!" Magnus responded immediately.

Alec thought about it for a few minutes. He had never been to New Orleans and had always been interested in its history and exotic reputation. A warm break in the middle of winter was also very tempting; "Sounds perfect!" Alec said his smile telling Magnus he was as excited as the warlock about this plan.

Just as Alec was leaning in to kiss Magnus, the buzzer alerted them that someone was at the door. "Who could it be at this ungodly hour?" Magnus snarled; "I haven't told anyone I know I'm back, so it isn't a client."

Alec groaned; "I let Jace and Izzy know we were home yesterday and that I would see them at the Institute this morning." Giving Magnus an apologetic peck on the cheek he rolled out of bed and pulled on his jeans and a t-shirt before letting his siblings in.

"Alec!" Izzy screamed as she threw herself at her brother the moment the door was opened. "I've missed you soooo much;" she said hugging him fiercely.

"Hey bro;" Jace said stepping in after Izzy and smiling at his sister's enthusiastic greeting. "Couldn't convince her to wait so I thought we might be able to entice you and Magnus to breakfast at Taki's;"

"Sounds like a plan;" Magnus chuckled as he entered the room wearing a bright purple silk robe.

"Just give us a few minutes to get ready;" Alec said disengaging from Izzy. As he did so, however she noticed the new ring on his left hand and looked up startled.

"Is that what I think it is?" She gasped taking Alec's hand and examining the ring more closely.

"It is!" Magnus replied before Alec had a chance to respond. "Your brother has accepted my proposal of marriage. We are engaged!" He said as he put an arm around his fiancé's waist.

Izzy threw her arms around the two of them; "Congratulations! I'm so happy for you two;"

"Yeah, congratulations!" Jace said looking steadily into Alec's bright blue eyes; "I'm really happy for both of you;"

"Thanks, it means a lot;" Alec responded a slight flush on his face as he placed a soft, almost possessive kiss on Magnus' cheek.

"You two go get ready, we'll talk all about the wedding plans at Taki's;" Isabelle said; "I can't wait to start planning!"

As they hurried to finish getting dressed, Alec couldn't help but let out a soft groan at the thought of Izzy as a wedding planner. Magnus, perfectly aware of Alec's aversion to pomp and circumstance, whispered in his ear; "Don't worry, my love, this wedding will go just as we planned it. I will rein in Isabelle if need be;"

A short while later saw them all at Taki's talking excitedly about plans for the wedding. Alec was impressed that Isabelle took the time to listen to what they wanted and seemed to be onboard with the plan. She even took the time to text the news to Maryse; "Its better if she has some time to digest the information before you talk to her;" She said in response to Alec's questioning look. He shook his head wondering when Izzy had become so grown up and mature.

After breakfast, Alec went to the Institute to do some training with Jace and Izzy. Magnus had decided to do a little shopping and then meet Alec at the Institute when he was finished. Alec was both looking forward to and dreading the training. It had been weeks since he had been able to do regular training and he suspected that his siblings would have no trouble wiping the floor with him.

As he stepped into the training room, he found himself surrounded by three younger shadowhunters excitedly calling him by name and welcoming him back; Josh Cameron, his parabati Ian McRae and Ian's sister, Shivy. He had met them during his investigation of downworld murders in Edinburgh and was glad to see them in New York training under Maryse's supervision.

"Is Magnus here too?" Asked Shivy who had been most impressed by the flamboyant warlock.

"He'll be here a little later;" Alec chuckled; "But right now I want to see how all of you are doing!"

At those words all six shadowhunters proceeded to the obstacle course with the older three challenging, correcting and praising the younger ones as they went through the difficult routine. Alec was pleased to see that Jace had worked hard to make sure all the trainees could use any surface to get airborne and knew exactly how to land ready for the next attack.

When the training was over, Alec flopped down on the nearest mat, boneless and exhausted;

"A little out of shape are we;" Jace smirked toeing Alec's limp form.

"Ughhh, don't remind me;" Alec groaned; "You've done a great job with Josh, Ian and Shivvy."

Jace smiled at his brother fondly; "They're good kids, and it's been fun having more people here at the Institute."

"So where is Clary this morning?" Alec asked, realizing that his brother's girlfriend had missed training;"

"Her mother has an art show today and Clary's helping her set up;" Jace responded; 'She'll be sorry she missed your official return to the fold, but I'll be sure to tell her what sorry shape you were in;"

Alec laughed, but before he could respond, Shivy's squeal of "Magnussss!" told him that the warlock had arrived. Entering the room, Magnus was immediately tackled by an overly enthusiastic Shivvy.

"Shivvy darling!" Magnus cried; "Easy there or you will have me on the floor. Is that what happened to my Alec?"

"Don't be silly Magnus;" Shivvy said laughing; "He's just resting from the workout Jace gave him!"

Magnus laughed picking Shivvy up and twirling her around as she squealed in delight, before going over to where Alec lay on the mat and holding out a hand to pull him up. As Alec reluctantly got to his feet, Izzy came over to tell them that Maryse wanted to see both Magnus and himself as soon as training was over, so after a quick shower he and Magnus headed to her office.

Maryse Lightwood looking composed and stern welcomed them back. Magnus thought her gaze might have lingered a little longer on her oldest son's face, searching for the changes that recent events had written there, or perhaps looking for signs of the child he had been. The warlock shook his head, no point getting sentimental where Maryse was concerned.

"I'm glad you both back safely;" Maryse stated; "And I would like to pass on Consul Penhallow's congratulations for the outstanding work you did in Edinburgh and London;" She hesitated slightly then added; " I also understand that personal congratulations are in order, on your engagement." Maryse rose from her desk and hugged her son and then turned to the warlock saying; "Welcome to the family, Magnus;"

Before the warlock could respond, Maryse continued; "Your wedding will be an important occasion, a sign that the Accords are really changing things and are embraced by both the Clave and downworlders. It will have to be a very formal affair with all the important players from both sides in attendance."

Alec looked dumbfounded; his dream of a small ceremony with just close friends and family going up in smoke at his mother's words; When had he and Magnus become the poster children for the Accords? He looked desperately at Magnus who, understanding Alec's feelings, pulled his lover into his arms and whispered; "It's alright, I don't care how we get married as long as we do. If this is important for the Accords, we can do it, together;"

Alec pushed away slightly so he could look into Magnus eyes; "I love you sooo much;"

A rare smile crossed Maryse's lips as she saw the happiness on her son's face; "What do you say we all go out for dinner?" She asked; "I think we have a lot to celebrate!"

To Be Continued...

(In VooDoo)

The End

Author's Note: This story has now been edited. I will be posting the edited version of VooDoo today.