Epilogue : New beginnings

The air was hot and dry and Alec was struggling to keep his eyes open. He kept running his hand through his damp hair, nervously adjusting the blue scarf Magnus had bought him around his neck, buttoning and unbuttoning the two top buttons on his white shirt, wondering if after all the black blazer would have maybe been a better match than the navy he was wearing. He anxiously checked his watch and looked up at the clear blue sky, wobbling on his crutches. He glanced at his leg, enveloped in a cast that went up to his knee and sighed. He hated the limitations of having only one good leg to lean on.

But he was also grateful. Had Jace and Clary not reacted this fast and he would probably have been dead. Alec had lost a lot of blood when the CIA paramedics finally arrived after twenty minutes of being in and out of consciousness, waiting for the pain to stop, and he had been rushed into surgery at the nearest hospital. He had trouble remembering exactly what had happened after Reyna had lurched upon Valentine and he had collapsed on the hard cement floor, but some flashes of memory still came to him. He remembered Clary's face leaning over him and gently stroking his hair, her face dirty with sweat and dried blood, heard Jace's voice annoyingly recalling the events -probably to Jules or Hodge, heard his own throat-constricted voice as he tried to speak but couldn't.

"It's okay," Clary had reassured him. "We're almost there."

He had reached for her hand and she had held it with both of hers. They were shaking. He was glad she was there. Jace wasn't much of a comforting presence, not when it came to him anyway.

Alec swallowed, and took a step back in the shadow of the hangar. He could not believe he was so nervous to see him again. It felt like their first date all over again: the knot in his stomach, the feeling of being watched and laughed at, the cold sweat down his neck, the tensed smile and hammering heart. He pushed the anxiety away and watched the plane land as the earth trembled under his feet. He patiently waited for the aircraft to come to a halt and watched the airfield staff deploy the ladder in the front of the plane. He took a deep breath and couldn't help but smile as his eyes met Magnus'.

He was wearing the most ridiculous Hawaiian shirt and flower necklace, his hands full with shopping bags. He waved frenetically and raced down the few steps and ran to Alec, discarding the bags without a second look. Alec cursed the crutches again as he hurried toward his boyfriend, who didn't seem to notice he was incapacitated as his threw himself on him. Alec took a step back as one the crutches fell and he tried to steady, his free arm encircling Magnus' waist as he buried his face in his neck, inhaling the sweet and spicy scent of him. He could feel his hands everywhere: on his back and neck, in his hair, on his-

"Magnus!" Alec said softly, and he pulled him back slightly so he could see his shiny face contorted into the naughty smile, he had -against his better judgment- fell irrevocably in love with. He realized then how much he had missed everything about his man: his hair spiked on the top of his head with blue glitter, the sharpness of his emerald gaze, the crazy outfits —Hawaiian shirts and ivory linen pants were an amusing contrast with the black eyeliner— and the softness of his hands. Alec stroked his cheek with a thumb.

One of Magnus' eyebrows shot up. "What's wrong?"

"You have no idea how much I missed you," Alec whispered, closing the space between them, his lips crushing hungrily against Magnus'.

"I'm starting to get a sense of it," he replied when they broke the kiss, gasping for air. He nibbled on Alec's lower lip before whispering in his ear: "BTW: I like what you're wearing. It's going to be very fun to take it off."

"What the hell happened to you?!"

Startled and rosy cheeked, Alec gently pushed Magnus to see his sister standing in front of him, his missing crutch in the hand that wasn't on her hip. Isabelle was looking rested, all sun-kissed skin, black plait on her one shoulder, and floral dress. The bump that was her pregnant belly seemed to be bigger than he remembered -not that he would ever dare to mention it ever. Magnus looked back and forth at the two Lightwood siblings before gasping when he noticed the cast.

"Oh my god!" He ripped it out of Isabelle's hands and helped Alec up.

"It's okay," Alec assured them both. He walked up to her, closely guarded by Magnus who was ready to catch him if he were to fall. He rolled his eyes.

"It's more annoying than anything," he said with a small smile and hugged her, careful not to press her too hard. She kissed his cheek, and he kissed her forehead.

"What stupid thing did Jace enroll you into this time?" She asked.

"Long story," Alec sighed, he turned to shake Simon's hand. "I'll tell you later."

"It's good to be home!" Simon exclaimed, wrapping his arm around Izzy's waist.

"Let's go, the car is out front," Alec said.

"Where are Jace and Clary?"

"They're upstate, visiting Clary's parents," he answered.

"So they're okay?" Isabelle whispered in relief. "Good."

"So what now?" Simon asked. "Are we still in danger?"

"Can't you just enjoy being home for five minutes honey?" Izzy retorted. "Besides Alec and Jace –and the whole freaking CIA- wouldn't bring us back if it wasn't safe. Right?" She turned her head to Alec.

"Right." He nodded.

"Idris was kind of awesome," Magnus said, looping his arms through Alec's who almost lost his balance. "Longest vacation ever."

"And we stopped on Honolulu on our way back," Isabelle added, curling the flower necklace around her finger. "Beautiful beaches. I mean not as beautiful as Idris' but beautiful."

"Idris is an isolated island where the only beach is surrounded by a thick tropical jungle and we lived in a huge house of wood and glass located directly on said beach. Of course it was better," Simon reasoned.

"After a while, I kind of miss the malls though," she confessed.

"I think you had your revenge," Alec countered, pointing at all the bags surrounding them.

"What?!" Isabelle pouted. "I'm having a baby!"

"We're having a baby," Simon corrected. Izzy rolled her eyes.

Alec smiled and Magnus shook his head. "I'm glad to be home."

xXx

Clary was trying to control the palpitation of her heart, which was beating unevenly. She stood, petrified on the porch of the house she grew up in, dizzy from overthinking what she was about to do. She smoothed a wrinkle on her denim dress and took a deep breath. She felt a slight tingle when Jace wrapped his hand around her waist. He kissed her temple.

"Are you ready?" He asked.

"I can't lie to my parents' faces," she whispered.

"You have to," Jace replied.

Clary looked up and felt her heart tighten in her chest. His face was composed as usual but his gold eyes were sad. He didn't want her to have to do this. He hated himself for everything that had happened since the return of Valentine Morgenstern to New York City.

The weeks following the events at the warehouse had ben really intense for them, but especially for Jace. They had spent hours at the CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, retelling over and over what had exactly happened in front of the whole administration of the Agency. Although they questioned the way Jace and Alec had handled the whole mission, they could not possibly denied the results: Valentine Morgenstern and his son were dead, the Pangborn brothers would be judged to the full extent of the law -which for Emil and Anson meant life in prison without parole. The director, Henry Branwell, a tall, red-headed man with the most peculiar vest-tie association, had then congratulated Alec and Jace for "the service to their countries" and thanked Clary for her reactivity. After psychological evaluations, they finally let them go back to the Big Apple, with a few weeks of holidays to recuperate from all the stress. Upon their return, Jace convinced Clary to go see a therapist and they decided to move out of the penthouse. They all needed to start anew. They found a lovely townhouse in a typical Upper West Side brownstone and Alec bought the one next door as a present for Magnus' return from Idris.

The last step was to talk to her parents, whom she hadn't heard from since the shooting on the roof.

"Everything is going to be okay, sweetheart," Jace assured as he stepped forward and knocked on the door.

Clary nodded and inhaled deeply, tightening her clammy grip of her husband's hand. The door flew open and she was pulled inside and into her father's arms before she could even open her mouth.

"Oh baby!" Luke whimpered in her fiery hair. Clary hugged him as hard as she could, her nose tickled by the smell of his aftershave and his warmth stopped her shivering. "Jocelyn!" he called from the door. "I'm so glad you're okay!"

They sat in the living room. Clary had crossed her legs on the old sofa, one parent on both sides while Tabitha was comfortable in Jace's lap. Jocelyn gently stroked her daughter's hair while Clary explained what had happened -or at least the version designed by Simonetta Cartwright, Director Branwell's second in command. Clary was an awful liar and even with training, she wasn't sure the story would hold. Jace looked at her while she explained how the attack had been a mistake and that the shooters' real targets were soon after apprehended by the police, interjecting here and there with details she had forgotten or correcting her when she didn't make sense.

"What about the team that was in charge of protecting us?" Luke asked with a frown.

"They were contacts of Jace's," Clary said.

"What a story," Jocelyn declared.

"I know," she agreed. "But it's over now."

"Slow down," Luke stopped her.

Shit, she thought as her heart started racing again.

"It's been almost two months, where the hell have you been?!" He asked.

"Figuring things out?" Clary sputtered.

"We needed to get away," Jace clarified.

"Well, you had your mother and I worried sick," Luke said in a grave voice and Clary blushed deeply.

"Sorry."

"I'm just glad you're safe, honey," Jocelyn said with a smile.

"Thanks mom," Clary whispered, resting her head on her mother's shoulder.

"I'm glad you're okay too," said Tabitha in a small voice. Clary's head snapped up, and she watched how peaceful her little sister looked, perched on Jace, her light brown hair falling in curls on her shoulders. Clary quickly stood, crossed the small space -climbing over the coffee table- and hugged her sister.

"I love you Tab," she said. "You have no idea how much I love you."

"I love you too." She settled her sister down before kissing her cheeks. Her eyes met Jace's and she smiled. "I'm hungry!" Tabitha exclaimed.

The adults laughed.

"I'll get the cake," Jocelyn said, standing up.

"What cake?" Clary frowned.

"I'd like a piece," Jace ventured.

"Tab and I decided to start baking more often," Jocelyn explained.

"Oh."

"Yeah," Luke grumbled. "Forcing me to hit the gym four times a week."

"You know I love you no matter what you look like," Jocelyn assured him and winked.

Clary grabbed her mother's arm before she left the room. "I have something to say to all of you."

"Can't it wait five seconds?"

"It could," Clary admitted. "But I don't want to."

"Okay, honey." Jocelyn sat back down next to Luke who was holding Tabitha.

Jace was frowning, staring at her from the armchair. She took a deep breath.

"Honey you scaring me," Luke said.

Clary rolled her eyes and her eyes rested on Jace's quizzical expression with a smile. "I'm pregnant," she said very matter-of-factly.

Jace's jaw dropped and his eyes widened.

"Yeah!" Tabitha cried.

"Honey!" Jocelyn exclaimed, jumping to her feet. She hugged her daughter.

"I'm gonna be a grandfather?" Luke asked, slightly horrified. "I'm too young to be Grandpa Luke."

"Forget the gym and eat the cakes, you'll look like Grandpa Luke in a flash," Jocelyn teased.

Clary nodded before turning to Jace who hadn't move. She froze. "Jace?"

She knelt next to him and put a hand on his cheek. "Are you in shock?" She asked in disbelief. She had never seen Jace shocked —surprised maybe but shocked, nope.

"Jace!" She exclaimed and his golden eyes snapped into focus.

"I'm going to be a dad?" He repeated in a soft whisper.

"The best there is," Clary assured him.

He stood up and held out his hand, lifting her off the ground and she rested a hand on his hammering heart with a smile and kissed him.

"I love you," he whispered, looking in the emerald of her eyes. "Both of you."

xXx

Clary and Maia were lying on their backs in the middle of the little empty room, on the sheet of plastic covering the hardwood floor.

"Wow," Maia marveled. Her head swirling as she tried to look at the whole room at one.

It had taken almost a month for Clary to finish it but there it was. Killian's room was perfect. A midnight starry sky covered every inch of the ceiling, the moon a gentle presence in a corner under which Maia planned on putting her baby boy's crib. After weeks of debates and arguments, the girls, who had become good friends, had settled on a clear meadow for the four walls. Clary had gone a little off script but the result was breathtaking. Two majestic wolves were leaning over a baby cub, resting on a patch of jade green patch of grass, the shadow of a forest lining the background. The slender wolf was unmistakably Maia, the warm brown of her fur and of her eyes, trimmed with long human-like lashes, given her away. Next to her, tall and imposing was wolf-Jordan, all muscles and dark fur and hazel-green gentle eyes. He was licking wolf-Maia's ear. Snuggled up against them was wolf-Killian, with his light brown coat, howling at the moon above.

"I left some space for wolf-Killian's future brothers and sisters," Clary said, a hand gently resting on her showing belly, the other tucked behind her head.

"I love it Clary, thank you," Maia whispered, her voice coat in her throat.

"Please don't cry," Clary begged. "With my crazy hormone levels, if you start crying I'll join you."

"Okay," Maia said, quickly wiping out a tear. "Now the apartment is really perfect."

"I'm glad you like it," Clary said.

Maia patted her shoulder and sat up. "You're staying for dinner?"

"Sure," Clary accepted. "But I need to tinkle first."

She struggled to stand up and Maia snickered. "That's not funny!" Clary exclaimed. "And let me tell you that the guy that said pregnant women looked sexy in overalls obviously didn't have to pie every five minutes."

xXx

Jace had never known that sort of anxiety. He knew how pressure, pain, relief and desire felt but not anxiety and desperation, the heart-gripping angst that being there caused him, was way more than he could handle.

He was pacing relentlessly up and down the room, the cup, that was filled with steaming coffee a moment ago, was crushed in his hand and every breath he took was short and throat-constricting. Alec put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. He looked up at him.

"She's going to be fine," he said, articulating every syllable. "Calm down, you're making everyone nervous."

"I should be in there with her," he replied, running a hand through his golden hair.

"Trust me, she doesn't want you in there," Simon retorted, with a grimace, holding little Amelia in his arms. The dark haired baby girl was sound asleep. "And you don't want to be in there either. Some things you just cannot forget." He shivered.

"Jace."

Stephen Herondale's voice was grave and husky and it caught the attention of all the patients or family, waiting in the room. He stood up from the uncomfortable plastic chair grabbed his son by the shoulders. The Herondale boys looked a lot like one another, but Stephen's eyes were cerulean blue and gentle.

"Listen to Al', Clary's okay."

"I know, but the thought of her in pain-"

"You'll understand once you're in that room. Then the pain won't matter anymore. To her or you."

"Thanks dad."

Stephen's patted his son's back before turning to Simon and little Mia. Alec frowned and looked around. "Guys? Where's Magnus?"

"He's cooing over newborns in the maternity aisle," Maia said, strolling inside the waiting room with fresh coffees in her hands. "He looked like a crazy person."

The room was small and the air stuffy. The light was too bright and there were way too many people inside. But none of it mattered, because when Jace set foot in Clary's hospital room, he only saw her, and the small bundle of joy she was carefully holding. He took another step and Clary looked up. She was beaming with bliss, her green eyes sparkling with happiness and her red hair a sun-like crown around her face. She looked exhausted and cheeks were flushed but she never looked more beautiful to him.

"Hey," she said and he bent over to give her a kiss. She smiled and his eyes lowered onto the small baby she was holding. His baby. He was perfect, with his tiny hands raised next to his round face. His son. Jace couldn't speak. He just looked at him and then his son opened his eyes and he stared up at Jace with Clary's eyes.

"So do you think he looks like a Jem Herondale?" Isabelle asked.

"He's perfect," Jace whispered. Clary smiled and kissed his cheek.

"Do you want to hold him?" She asked.

Jace's heart started thumping in his chest. Jem looked so fragile, he was so little. What if he hurt him? What if he dropped him or if he held him badly?

"Honey, it's okay," Céline Herondale said.

Jace looked up at his mother, who nodded encouragingly. Her blond hair was tied in a bun. Jocelyn who was sitting next to Clary also nodded.

"Okay," he said. He felt every eye in the room on his back as Clary gently settled his baby in the crook of his arms. Jem was so light, Jace thought. The cover in which he was wrapped up were probably heavier than himself. He stretched his neck and kissed his son forehead, and when he did, Jace knew that there was nothing he would love more in this world than Jem Alexander Herondale and the woman he had made him with.

xXx

Neither Jace nor Alec was expecting this kind of welcome when they entered the Alicante Building after the end of their holidays. Alec was more than happy to go back to work, anything to escape Magnus' new obsession of babies -he knew sooner or later he would cave in. Jace on the other hand was not yet used to being away from Clary and little Jem. They were directed to the office of the new DCS as soon as the new receptionist spotted them.

"Jules's the new DCS?" Alec exclaimed, reading the black letters on the door.

"Looks like it," Jace shrugged.

"Mrs. Moreau will see you now," a fair-haired woman with glasses and bright fuchsia lipstick said. She opened the door and they stepped inside.

"Hey Jules," Jace greeted her, slouching into the nearest chair.

"Jace," Jules sighed but he could see the shadow of a smile playing on her lips. "Alec. Please sit down."

"Congrats on the new job," Alec said.

"Nice office," Jace added.

"Glad to see this vacation didn't change you." She shook her head, her blond ponytail swinging side to side as she did.

"Never," Jace smiled.

"How are Clary and the baby?" She asked.

"Great, thanks."

"Good." She folded her arms on her desk. "As you may know, a few days after the Pangborn brothers gave their testimony, our not-so-dear DCS Archibald Aldertree was charged with treason among other things and is now spending the rest of his miserable life at Ryker's penitentiary with his former allies."

"The director -whom you met "

"Ah yes, great guy," Jace interrupted. "Love the constellations tie. Very classy."

"Asked me to promote you," Jules finished, ignoring Jace and his annoyingly cocky smile.

"What?" Alec said.

"I said no," the DCS declared.

"What?" This time it was Jace.

"I did it for you," she began. "But if you want to spend hours locked up in a room like this one -but smaller- all day, every day until you retire, I can call him back."

Jace and Alec exchanged a meaningful look.

"No thanks," they said in chorus.

"You're welcome. And don't worry, when or if someday you change your mind, I'll be sure to find you a nice office."

"I always knew you had a thing for us, dear Jules," Jace smiled.

"One question and then I'll take him as far away from you as I can," promised Alec. "If they give you Aldertree's job, who took yours?"

Jules opened her mouth but the answer strolled inside his room as she did.

Hodge Starkweather smiled. "Hello boys." Aline was accompanying him. Jace was pleased to see that she had let her natural hair color, a dark brown, erase the fake blond she did not pull well. She was wearing a simple blue shirt with a pencil skirt. He stood up and warmly shook Hodge's hand.

"It's good to see you man."

"You too, son."

"So you're the new head of the DPD?" Alec said.

"Yep and Miss Penhallow here took my place."

"So you'll be the one to take care of us," Jace said. "I like coffee black with one sugar."

"I'm not your assistant Herondale," Aline hissed.

"He's just messing with you," Alec said. "I think."

"I know that, Lightwood," Aline replied. Jace laughed.

"So why are we all here?" he asked.

Jules stood up and joined their small circle.

"I'm creating a new team," she explained. "As new head of the DPD and because he knows you better than anyone here, Hodge will vote your missions from now on."

Hodge respectfully nodded. Jules carried on: "Aline will be your liaison and will run point. And as for the other members of your team..."

Two knocks on the door interrupted her. The fuchsia-lipstick girl opened the door. Jordan and Sebastian came in.

"Your timing's perfect," Hodge said. Jordan shook everyone's hand. Sebastian waved and stood awkwardly near Aline, who smiled and looked up at him with twinkling eyes.

"So here they are," Jules said. "Verlac has proven himself to be much more valuable on the field than eating donuts at his desk and monitoring criminals and Agent Kyle decided to transfer from counter-terrorism to the DPD. You already know each other I believe?"

"Our wife are friends," Jordan explained.

"And I can make it work with Sebastian over there," Jace added. "Good work on the Pangborns by the way."

"Thanks Agent Herondale," Sebastian said.

"After everything we've all been through, Jace's fine."

"Good. Jace, Alec you'll be the team leaders," Jules said. "You have carte blanche. I want a full report after each mission -failed or succeeded. Is that understood?"

"There won't be any failed mission," Jace said.

"What Jace's arrogance wanted to say," Alec clarified, "is 'Yes ma'am'."

Jace snorted.

"Okay well, have you heard of Axel Mortmain?" Hodge asked, as Aline handed the files she'd been carrying.

Jace shook his head.

"French arms dealer," Jordan said. "I've seen his face before."

"Yes, he's been working with Alexei de Quincey, a Russian aristocrat," Hodge continued.

"Isn't he the guy who bought a bath tub entirely made of gold?" Sebastian asked.

"Yes, that's him," Aline said.

"Crazy bastard." Alec shook his head.

"Over the last few weeks, they have been communicated on a daily basis; we're not sure what about."

"But probably not about the gold washstand to match the tub," Jace smiled. Alec rolled his eyes.

"You're going to Russia," Aline declared and Jace's mouth fell. "To figure out what do they want with each other. All four of you."

"You must be joking? Russia?"

"Your plane for Moscow leaves in two hours," she added. "I hope you have a good coat."

"Welcome back."

Hey guyyys!

I'm so excited and so sad at the same time! It's over! Sorry for the extra-long wait for this Epilogue but as I'm sure you've noticed it's pretty long ^^I just didn't want to let go I guess.

I want to take a minute to remind everyone that I don't own any of the characters (okay except for Tabitha Graymark, Amelia (Mia) Lewis, Jem Herondale, Jules Moreau, Tatiana Pangborn and probably a few others) they belong to Cassandra Clare.

I also want to thank every person who reviewed, read, fav and followed this story, you're awesome! And don't forget to leave me one last review for the Epilogue or all other chapters of the story. thanks for the encouragement, the ideas, you've giving me the motivation to go all the way^^

So, Catching Fire is over, but I'm not! So in the spirit of looking forward I wanted your opinion: dewikaka suggested I write the prequel of this story and I thought it was a good idea. Do you guys want that too? If yes (or no) leave me a message or PM me so I know.

If not, I'll start brainstorming about another story featuring our favorite characters (all ideas are welcome).

Thank you again! All of you!

Love,

Lilly