Malec Moments

Paradise: Part 2

Alec awoke to bright light streaming in the windows in an unfamiliar bed. It took a moment for him to remember where he was and why. It's my wedding day! he remembered suddenly, his heart bursting with joy. There had been times when he had doubted this day would ever come. They had certainly been through their fair share of trials and tribulations, and through it all, he had held onto his love for Magnus and Magnus's love for him, like a brightly burning beacon, his talisman. And now the day had arrived at last. Today, he would marry the man he loved and they would continue their journey together.

He glanced to his side, where Magnus always was first thing in the morning and was disappointed. Magnus was already gone. Alec slipped out of bed and threw on a pair of pajama pants before making his way to the kitchen and the tantalizing smell of frying bacon.

"Good morning," Magnus said with a grin. He was wearing a glittery apron over his boxers, his tan chest and legs bare otherwise. His hair was tousled from sleep and his eyes still looked a little heavy, but Alec thought he had never seen anything more beautiful. "Don't the Nephilim believe it's bad luck to see each other before the wedding?"

Alec shrugged and tossed a piece of bacon in his mouth. "I don't believe in luck. You have to make your way in this world. Besides, I'm pretty sure the superstition is that you can't see the bride in her wedding dress before the wedding. I don't see any brides, and there better not be any wedding dresses." He gave Magnus a stern look, that quickly morphed into a grin.

Magnus chuckled. "Nope, no dresses."

Magnus turned off the burner as Alec wrapped his arms around the warlock, spun him around, and kissed him. Magnus tossed the spatula over his shoulder and drew Alec to him, pressing their bodies together, kissing him passionately, his hands roaming all over the Shadowhunter's body. Three years into their relationship and Alec still trembled when Magnus touched him like this. He untied the apron strings around Magnus's neck, letting the top fall and exposing Magnus's chest.

"So, what does the Magnificent Magnus Bane have planned for our wedding day?" Alec asked, hopeful that Magnus would say something like 'continuing this in our bedroom.'

Magnus smiled and said, "I seem to recall someone expressing concern that we were leaving our guests unattended." He kissed Alec's neck, leaning him back slightly as he did.

Alec pressed him against the counter, capturing Magnus's mouth with his own. "And you said they were big kids and could look after themselves," he reminded him, pointedly.

"Hmmm," Magnus murmured between kisses. Then finally, breaking away from Alec, he said, "But we have a lot to do today."

Alec pouted, and Magnus couldn't resist seizing Alec's protruding lip into his mouth. "Fine. But if I don't have time to get everything done and the wedding is ruined, on your head be it!"

Alec chuckled, and said, "It's a risk I'm willing to take," as he led Magnus back to their bedroom, discarding the apron along the way.

-------

Sometime later, they emerged from their cabin, freshly showered, and ready to face their guests. Alec surveyed the scene. He was in rare form, the giddiness of this being his wedding day allowing him to spot the love and happiness in others more acutely than usual.

Jace and Clary were holding onto each other on the doorstep of their hut, grinning stupidly. Alec had an idea of what they had been up to that morning and grinned inwardly. Jace and Clary had been living together at the Institute ever since Clary had turned eighteen. They were happy as ever, and, thankfully, they had not had any further complications in their relationship. The Angel knew they had had more than their fair share already.

Alec caught a glimpse of Maia and Bat ducking into the palm tree forest behind the cabins. The rest of the guests were interspersed on the beach, except, Alec noted, Simon and Izzy, who were presumably still in their cabin. Simon had moved into the Institute shortly after agreeing to train to be a Shadowhunter, and it hadn't taken long for him to fall in love with Izzy again. Alec didn't think he had ever seen his sister so happy.

Magnus and Alec made their way down to the beach and dipped their toes in the cool water. They sank into the warm sand, letting the water rush over their legs. Magnus splashed some water playfully at Alec, laughing like a small child. Alec was about to return the gesture but was brought up short by a figure standing over them.

Alec looked up, shielding his eyes from the sun, to see his father. "Hello," Robert said to the couple.

Magnus replied politely. Alec simply stared. He had nearly forgotten his father had joined them, at the last minute, on the island. He had been so preoccupied with the wedding and the surprise destination that everything else had slipped his mind. But now his father was standing before him, and a knot of apprehension gripped him, making him feel a little sick to his stomach.

"I was wondering if I could have a word with you, Alexander," Robert said. When no one replied, he added, "Alone."

Alec glanced at Magnus, who nodded encouragingly, then agreed. He got to his feet and followed his father to a copse of trees several yards away. They stood in silence for several long minutes, neither seemed to know how to begin.

Unable to take it any longer, Alec finally said, "Why are you here, dad?"

His father looked taken aback. "I told you, I got Magnus's invitation," he replied as if this explanation should be sufficient.

Alec was transported to the last time he'd had a real conversation with Robert, at Luke and Jocelyn's wedding two years ago. His father had told him about Michael Wayland being in love with him, and how badly he had treated his parabatai. Alec had not known what to say to his father, had not been sure if he could forgive him for the way he had treated his son as well. They had spoken a few times since then, mostly over the phone, briefly, and with very little real substance to the conversation.

For these reasons, Alec didn't feel this was a sufficient explanation. "Did you know what you were being invited to?"

Robert nodded. "I did. Magnus hand wrote a note saying the invitation was to your wedding."

Alec stared hard at his father, his mouth slightly agape. "And you came?"

Robert held his arms out as if to say 'obviously.' Alec was more than a little surprised. Though things weren't as bad as they had once been between him and his father, he never got the impression that Robert supported his relationship with Magnus.

After several drawn-out moments, Robert said, "Alexander, can you possibly ever forgive me for the way I treated you?" More than the words, the slight plea in his father's tone caught Alec's attention.

"Dad, I forgave you a long time ago."

"You did?" It was Robert's turn to look shocked.

"Yes, I did," said Alec. "It was really difficult for me. But Magnus was right when he said I shouldn't let those feelings eat at me. So I forgave you, and I let it go."

"But-" Robert started, but Alec cut him off, shaking his head.

"That doesn't mean I want you in my life. I've spent the last two years building the life I want. I've surrounded myself with people who support me. I have Magnus and my friends, and mom and Izzy. I know some people don't accept my relationship with Magnus, and I've learned how to deal with that. It's been a struggle, but I've gotten through it, and I'm stronger now. I'm not going to let anyone be close to me who doesn't support me. Do you understand that?"

Robert studied his son. Quietly he said, "I've spent the last two years in Idris with Jia Penhallow. We talk regularly, and not just about Clave business. We are in a similar position, her and I. Both of us have children in a same-s*x relationship, and neither of us was quite sure how to handle it. Though I must say she did a much better job than I did." Robert took a deep breath and continued. "Do you know what I've learned from her?"

Alec shook his head. His heart was pounding. He knew what he wanted his father to say, but it had been a long time and he was afraid to get his hopes up.

"I learned," Robert said softly, placing a tentative hand on Alec's shoulder, "that no matter what, you are still my son. You are the boy I raised for eighteen years, and I love you with all my heart. I made some terrible mistakes, Alec, but I've always loved you. I'm proud of you, and I support you." He glanced in Magnus's direction. Magnus nodded his head, and Alec had a suspicion that Magnus knew what his father was saying to him, even though he couldn't possibly hear their conversation. "You and Magnus. Will you give me a chance to prove that?"

Alec looked at his father, hardly daring to believe the words he spoke. But wasn't his mere presence on this island proof of what he was saying? His father had known he was getting married, and he chose to come to the wedding.

"I said I have surrounded myself with people who support me. By attending my wedding to Magnus, you officially qualify." He offered a small smile to his father, who smiled in return.

"I have something for you and Magnus," Robert said, extracting an envelope from his pocket and handing it to Alec.

Alec stared at the envelope, which was addressed, formally, to him and Magnus, and was closed with the official seal of the Clave. His eyes darted up to his fathers. "What is this?"

"Open it" was Robert's reply.

Alec looked at Magnus, who was sitting up straight, his curiosity piqued. He had no more idea than Alec about what was happening, at least not with this surprise. Alec motioned for Magnus to join him, and Magnus immediately obliged.

Alec slid his finger through the Clave's seal and opened the envelope. Inside, he found an official document titled "Marriage Certificate." His eyes picked out Magnus' name, and his own, and noted the document was signed by Jia Penhallow, a Downworlder representative, and his father, Robert Lightwood.

Alec drew in a sharp breath of surprise. He looked into his father's eyes, the same blue eyes that he had, and said, "How?" It was all he could manage to say through his shock and disbelief.

"The Consul and I believe the time has come for the Clave to recognize same-s*x marriages. The Downworlder representatives agreed quite willingly. So we set about finding members of the Clave who were willing to listen. We took a vote, and we won. All marriages are now recognized by the Clave. Your marriage will be legal, son," Robert said, a note of pride in his voice.

Without pausing to think, Alec threw his arms around his father and hugged him. "Thank you, dad," he said in a small voice. He couldn't believe what his father had done for him. Alec had thought it before, but now he knew he was right; there isn't anything like the love of a parent for their children.

"It was the least I could do," Robert replied.

After releasing his father, Alec turned to Magnus and embraced him. He couldn't believe this was happening. His marriage to Magnus would be legal in the eyes of the Clave. Secretly he wondered how many members were really angry at him over this, but he quickly dismissed the thought. He was too happy to care.

After saying their good-byes to Alec's father, Alec slumped back onto the ground next to Magnus. He glanced sideways at him. Magnus was staring straight ahead, out to sea, and absently fiddling with a seashell.

"I know what you did," Alec said to Magnus. The corners of Magnus's mouth twitched, but he didn't say anything. Alec laid his head against Magnus's shoulder. "Thank you," was all he said. Magnus reached for Alec's hand, twining their fingers together.

Seemingly out of nowhere, Jace dropped down beside Alec, pulling Clary down onto his lap in one fluid motion. "Morning, lovebirds," he said, grinning at Magnus and Alec.

"You're one to talk," mumbled Alec, though he couldn't resist smiling back at Jace. After all, Jace and Clary had been through, all the terrible events that kept them apart, it was great to see them so happy together.

"I saw you hugging Robert. Does that mean you two made up?"

Alec shrugged. "It looks that way. He got the Clave to reverse its position on same-s*x marriages. "

Jace let out a low whistle. "What kind of magic did you work on him, Magnus?"

Magnus threw his hands out in a mock-surprised gesture. "What makes you think I did something?"

Alec and Jace raised their eyebrows, with eerily similar expressions of disbelief on their faces. Magnus chuckled. He picked up a seashell and twirled it absently between his long fingers. "Okay. I may have sent Robert an invitation. I may have told him that we were getting married and that it would mean a lot to us if he showed." He shrugged. Simultaneously, Alec and Jace folded their arms across their chests as if waiting for the rest of the story. Magnus glanced at Clary, who was deliberately not looking at him but was also unable to hide the grin on her face. "Fine. I may have told him that this could be his best chance to make amends with Alec, and if he didn't, he may lose him forever…and that it would be Robert's loss. The rest he did on his own."

Magnus tossed the seashell out to sea, not looking at any of his companions. Alec took his now empty hand and said, again, "Thank you." Magnus kissed him on the cheek in response.

Isabelle bounded into view, towing Simon behind her. Simon was rubbing the sleep out of his eyes with his free hand. "Good morning," Izzy said brightly.

"Morning?" said Jace. "It's nearly noon, Isabelle."

Izzy shrugged unapologetically. "I'm on vacation," she said in explanation. "So what's going on?"

Alec filled her in on the conversation he had had with their father. Isabelle's eyes grew wide as Alec spoke. Then she rambled on about how happy she was that they had made amends.

"So, what's on the agenda today," said Jace, leaning back on his hands, Clary still sitting on his lap. "Before the wedding, of course," he added hastily at Alec's incredulous expression.

Magnus got to his feet and brushed the sand off his clothes. "I don't know what you are doing, but I have a wedding to prepare." He pulled Alec to his feet, kissed him softly, waved to the others, and headed back up the beach toward Catarina Loss. Magnus had already made plans with Catarina to get all the food and decorations in order. Alec watched him go. As always, he felt like a part of him was missing when Magnus wasn't with him.

Alec ended up spending the day with Jace, Clary, Isabelle, and Simon. They swam in the shallow parts of the ocean, playing in the waves and collecting seashells. Jace made a seashell necklace for Clary, twining the shells together with an old piece of rope he found in a nearby tree. They found snorkeling gear in the huts and spent several hours watching the colorful fish play hide-and-seek in the sea plants.

They were joined later by Maia and Bat, who had been exploring the island much of the day. Clary had been worried about the Shadowhunters getting sunburned. Since their demon-hunting occurred at night, there was no specific rune against sunburn. They had opted to use a rune to prevent fire burns and had been pleased to discover that it worked against sunburn, too.

Throughout the day, Alec had glanced toward the rest of the guests to see what they were doing. They mostly lounged in the shade of the palm trees, sipping drinks, and conversing. But more than once, Alec had seen his parents talking. He knew they hadn't spoken much since their divorce, and he was glad to see their conversations seemed to be amicable, at least from a distance.

As late afternoon approached, they all headed back to their cabins to get dressed for the wedding. Alec's mind was lost in thought, preparing himself for the wedding, and he nearly ran headlong into his mother.

Maryse smiled at him, took his arm, and walked him toward the door of his hut. She hugged him and, before turning to leave, told him she had seen him and Robert on the beach earlier, and hoped that meant their relationship was on the mend. He had wanted to say the same to her but was afraid of the reception he would get from her if he did.

Instead, he kissed his mother's cheek, mumbled something about seeing her in a little while, and heading into his cabin to get ready for the wedding. Nerves were taking over his body at this point, and his hands were shaking as he turned on the shower to wash away the activities of the day.

The thought of being married to Magnus very shortly guided him through the next hour or so of preparation.

To be continued...