Chapter Text
Magnus squeezes Alec's hand. He can feel his mixed feelings over the bond. Today will be tough on so many levels, and Alec hasn't felt fit for days. His results are still good, no signs of pre-eclampsia so far. But he is heavily pregnant with twins, working as if he wasn't. He will also meet his mother today after months of mostly radio silence. There wasn't a big fight or anything. She called him on his birthday, he video called her on hers, pushing the boys into the front row. Magnus doesn't blame him. Alec has to pace himself, and the energy that would have been lost in a confrontation was better invested in him and their family.
Alec leaves him constantly in awe. He is probably too strong, too disciplined for his own good, but this is his mate, and Magnus can't help being proud of him. Even when he has to take a breather before facing his mother.
“Hey,” Jace greets just as Alec raises his hand to knock. They all hug, the kids filling the staircase with happy chatter. They haven't seen their cousins in ages.
“You look fantastic,” Clary says as she barely manages to embrace Alec. He snorts a laugh, but Magnus can feel a surge of joy through the bond. He knows Alec is still struggling. And his frustration at work is growing day by day. Lydia and Sebastian do their best to shield him, but he can only do his work when he meets clients, and those are mostly alphas. Alphas who want Alec's vision but not being reminded that the man they trust is an omega. Magnus doesn't know how it doesn't just drive Alec round the bend. He would have sent these people to hell a long time ago. But his mate has perfected focussing on the goal and ignoring the noise. Magnus hopes he's not just compartmentalising and the whole thing will kick his ass eventually.
“He does, doesn't he?” Magnus agrees, laughing as the kids just storm their aunt and uncle's home through the unlocked door, likely disappearing into Simon's music room, their favourite space when they are staying with them.
“You should've thrown a baby shower, too,” Clary says as they walk in.
“It's my third pregnancy. No one cares,” Alec says. Magnus doesn't miss the sadness flashing over Jace's face. He cares a lot. Magnus knows that. They shared their fears around Alec's pregnancy, Jace from the perspective of someone who nearly saw his brother die, and Magnus as the one who might have put him in danger again. They've probably never been as close as during that conversation.
“We could do a sprinkle,” Clary suggests. “Or a mocktail party. It doesn't have to be something big. Just celebrating you and your girls.”
“December is full of celebrations already,” Alec argues. “And the babies could come any day.”
“You still have a few weeks, Alec,” Jace says. “Everything's okay with you, right?”
“Yes. I'm good. It's just… we have everything we need already. And there'll be the Christening, too.”
It's all true, and still. Magnus had hoped Alec would change his mind after he said he wouldn't celebrate his birthday big this year and forgo his traditional Christmas party, too. But Alec is probably tired just thinking about having a crowd over, even if they are people he loves. He mostly spends his free time cuddling with their pups or his mate in their nest. He needs a lot of rest and comfort, barely makes it to church most weeks now, and Magnus has taken over visiting Melanie's grave with her boys for a full two months now. It's evidence for how exhausted Alec is that he stopped. It's a great proof of his trust to let his alpha take over, too. Magnus can see that.
“Izzy, you look fabulous!” Alec exclaims as he spots the reason for forcing himself out of bed on his day off, the pride coming over the bond warm and honest. He's such a good brother, even now that they're all grown ups.
“Look who's talking,” she chuckles, and they bump their bellies together with loud laughter. They've grown closer again throughout their pregnancies. Magnus knows they're texting all the time. Just like with Aline who is short of going into labour. Magnus is glad that Alec has other people to talk to who are in a similar situation.
“Well, isn't that a picture,” Maryse's voice carries over, sounding cheerful. Alec's body tenses up immediately. “I thought your due date was in January. You look as if you could have the baby on the spot.”
“He's carrying twins,” Clary states, her eye-roll audible. Magnus can't picture her being as round as Alec is now. His height and broad shoulders take a bit away from the massive belly, but it is impressive anyway.
“Well, I have never seen him this round before,” Maryse says, unfazed. “And it looks pretty low already. I just worry.” She sounds strangely honest.
“I'm good, mother. Magnus is taking good care of us.”
Pride swells in Magnus’ chest. He does what he can. It never feels like enough. Alec deserves the world, but the world is tearing at his seams constantly. And there's that primal part in Magnus that is rearing its head, the part that wants to hide his mate away, feed him sweets, and not let anyone inside until the girls are two or something. Of course, he doesn't share these impulses. Because they're just that, nothing to give in to. Save for the sweets part. There's nothing better or more satisfying than a happily munching Alec balancing a bowl of snacks on his ever-growing belly.
Since their run-in with Etta, Magnus has made sure to tell Alec how beautiful he is, how desirable, and worthy of everything good. It seems to be working as Alec is initiating sex again. He's insatiable. Not that Magnus would complain.
“I never expected anything else. Your mate is a sublime alpha,” Maryse says, genuinely smiling at Magnus. It's unsettling. And not only to him. The siblings and their partners don't even try to hide their surprise, exchanging looks that would make him laugh if the tension in Alec's body wasn't skyrocketing high.
Them not coming to the family dinners anymore was a non-issue amongst the Lightwood siblings. No one seems to have expected them to ever return. And now, this? This must be giving him whiplash.
“I wouldn't go that far,” Magnus replies, breaking the stunned silence.
“Oh, don't sell yourself short, Magnus. You have always been good for Alec. Under your loving care, he has bloomed. I may have had my prejudices in the past… but seeing you stand by Alec… it's what every mother wants for her children.”
Magnus huffs a surprised laugh. Absence does make the heart grow fonder, so it seems.
“I heard you'll be playing bartender today,” Maryse continues, her eyes glittering suspiciously. “I was wondering if you could teach me a few of your famous alcohol free cocktails tonight.”
“Why would you want to…?” Alec starts but trails off.
“We're planning on doing dry January,” Luke explains.
“It would be my pleasure,” Magnus says. “I suppose the ingredients are in the kitchen?”
“I'll show you,” Simon says. “What possessed her?” he asks when they're out of earshot.
“I have no idea,” Magnus replies, “but I hope it'll last.”
He means it. He is a person who is easy to forgive others who honestly try to change. Life's too short for holding grudges. And he knows that his mother-in-law's disdain has been hurting his beloved immensely. Magnus believes in healing, in reconciliation. And if he has to teach his mother-in-law virgin margaritas and piña coladas as a first step to achieve that… well, he's done less pleasant things in his life than mixing a few mocktails and trying to let someone squirm themselves out of the hole they dug for themself. He's not one to gloat. And with Alec's stubborn plans to go through with his career plans, they will probably see much more of Maryse in the future.