CPOV

Aleah was still clinging to me hiding her face in my neck as we stepped out of the portal into Magnus's loft apartment. A moment later Jace appeared at my side, with the duffle bag of clothes slung over his shoulder. His hand instantly went to the small of my back. I saw the portal close out of the corner of my eye as Alec strolled up to us and wrapped Jace into a hug.

"Welcome home biscuit." Magnus smiled at me and to my surprised hugged me. "We've missed you around here."

"Hello Magnus." He pulled out of the hug, "I'm not here to stay." I added sadly.

"But you can stay for dinner." Magnus chimed and led us into the lounge area. There were three large sofas and in the middle a large coffee table loaded with Chinese takeaway.

Izzy and Simon smiled there welcomes as they sat down on one of the sofas. Magnus sat on another while I stood there unsure.

"The wards are up Clary, you can at least enjoy a meal with family." Magnus smiled, "Beside I want to meet this little one." He added as Aleah slowly lifted her head up to look around. I sat down on the third sofa just as Jace and Alec came into the room talking animatedly together. Alec sat down next to Magnus and Jace next to me. I sat Aleah up on my lap and Jace stroked her hair.

"This is Aleah." Jace said to Alec and Magnus smiling proudly at Aleah

"Well hello their sweet pea." Magnus smiled at Aleah. Aleah looked around the room then back at Magnus. With a blink of an eye her eyes turned gold as she stared at Magnus.

"whoa!" Alec gasped looking shocked at Aleah. Magnus seemed fixed to her gaze but there was still a shocked expression on his face.

"No Aleah," Jace said as he stroked her hair again. "you're safe, this is our family."

"What is she doing?" Izzy asked, obviously not being able to see Aleah's eyes from her sofa.

"Her eyes…" Alec started as Izzy and Simon got up and walked over to Alec and Magnus's sofa. Izzy gasped as she finally saw.

"She thinks Magnus is a threat. She can sense that Magnus is hiding something." I tried to explain. "Aleah stop. Magnus is family, he's not going to hurt us." I said and she finally looked at me and blinked and her eyes went back to normal before she looked back at everyone

"how long as she been able to do that?" Magnus asked, "I could feel the pull to reveal myself." He added looking ruffled but intrigued.

"That's new. She only started doing that today." Jace said,

"But she's been able to do stuff since she was born." I added as Jace gently stroked my back lovingly

"What was she doing?" Alec asked as Izzy and Simon went to sit back down.

"She was trying to reveal Magnus's true self." I explained, "Like trying to remove a glamour. Trying to reveal the hidden threat."

"I could feel the urge to show it." Magnus nodded.

"We bumped into Bat earlier today and she made him start to wolf out in the middle of a public park." Jace said as he started examining the contents of the nearest takeaway box while I sat Aleah on the floor between us. Magnus flicked his fingers and several baby toys appeared in front of her and I couldn't help but smile. Jace handed me a takeaway box with chopsticks and sat back down next to me with a box of his own. I smiled my thanks as I peered into the box to find my favourite, special chow mein.

"Her…her eyes looked like that of the Angels." Simon said stunned

"I know." I nodded remembering Simon had seen the Angel in the water as well. "I have a theory about that." I added as I took a mouthful of food.

"What is it?" Izzy asked as she searched the takeout boxes.

"I think whatever essence Jace and I have from the angel blood merged together in Aleah making her more angel than shadowhunter."

"Is that even possible? I mean every shadowhunter has angel blood, it's what makes us shadowhunters." Simon said

"Yeah but Jace and I have it more than others, due to the experiments. It's what gives us the extra abilities. Aleah has both of us in her making her stronger than even us." I explained. Aleah looked up at me when I said her name and I smiled at her, before I felt my heart break slightly as I remembered what I was here to do. "It's why she can't stay in the mundane world. She needs your protection and help to teach her how to control it."

"How old is she?" Magnus asked watching Aleah pull herself up with the coffee table.

"she'll be one on October 15th." Jace said as he took another mouthful of food.

Oh god! That's only a week away. I'm going to miss her first birthday. I suddenly felt sick, feeling the barrier I had put up around my emotions crack. I put the takeout box down and made a mumbled excuse about bathroom and started to head out the room.

"Clary!" Jace called sounding shocked making me turn. Aleah was standing there facing me, not holding on. She took a step and then another. Her first steps! She kept coming and I crouched down to catch her and she giggled and fell into my arms. She must have done about 10 steps. I scooped her up and hugged her tightly. I felt my heart swell and the barrier break. I kissed her hair then put her down on her feet.

"Go to daddy." I smiled at her holding back my tears. I walked her a couple of steps then she was off on her own. Walking wobbly to Jace. I smiled at the look of love and awe on Jace's face and picked up the rucksack I had left near the entrance of the lounge. I couldn't bare to say to goodbye. I didn't think I would be strong enough to leave if I did so as Jace caught Aleah I left quietly and headed for the front door. I had just made it to the lobby when Jace came running down the stairs after me.

"Clary! Clary stop!"

He caught my shoulder as I went to open the entrance door. Turning me to face him.

"Look after her." I said my voice cracking. His hand cupped my face, his thumb stroking away a tear from my cheek as he nodded. He leaned down and kissed me hard and desperately as he pulled my body flush with his. My arms went around his neck and my fingers snaked into his hair.

After a while we both slowly pulled out of the kiss. "I don't think I can let you go again." Jace breathed leaning his forehead against mine closing his eyes, still holding me tightly.

"You have to." I said sadly "I hav…" I started just as Simon came running down the stairs.

"Guys Aleah's screaming and…and glowing." He gushed clearly shocked. My heart ached to go to her but I knew I couldn't. I looked at Jace and he was looking at Simon torn, he wanted to go to Aleah but didn't want to leave me.

"Go." I said sadly to him and he looked at me pained. I hate being the one causing him pain. I gave him a quick kiss on the lips and nodded my head towards the stairs as I stepped back out of his embrace, feeling my heart shatter all over again from leaving him.