Two Weeks Later

Alec cuddled Carter closer to his chest as the little boy worked on his morning bottle. From the nursery he could hear Magnus furiously cleaning the loft.

"You don't need to be so worried." Alec called with a laugh.

"It's a mess in here though." Magnus called back. He suddenly appeared in the door frame. "What will they think?"

"They'll think we have a newborn." Alec chuckled. Magnus opened his mouth to give a witty retort just as a knock sounded on the door.

"One second." Magnus said, disappearing to get the door. Alec heard the door open and muffled voices came from the living room. He shifted nervously in the rocking chair, causing Carter to fuss. He stroked the little boy's cheek, shushing him.

"Alec?" A soft voice called. He looked up to see his mother standing one step outside the nursery.

"Come see." Alec told her. She moved across the floor slowly, stopping at Alec's side.

"He's beautiful." Mayrse whispered.

"Do you want to hold him?" Alec asked gently. His mother nodded tearfully and he stood to pass the tiny baby to her. She sunk into the rocking chair he had just abandoned. Behind him, Clary and Jace walked in with Isabelle at their heels.

"Aww." Clary cooed as she gazed over his shoulder at the dark-haired little boy in Mayrse's arms.

"You can hold him when she's done." Alec promised. This was met with a squeal of delight from the redhead, who leaned over to kiss him on the cheek.

"Wait!" Isabelle declared. "I'm his aunt! I'm going first!"

"Happy moment over." Jace whispered, drawing laughter from the others. Magnus joined them, putting his arms around Alec's waist. The six of them stayed there, taking turns holding Carter, for several hours. Finally, Mayrse, Isabelle, Clary, and Jace filed out of the small loft, leaving the new parents alone again. They stood there, watching Carter asleep in his crib.

"He's perfect." Magnus whispered.

"I know." Alec chuckled. "We do good work." It was Magnus's turn to laugh.

"I love you." He whispered in Alec's ear.

"I love you too." Alec told him looking down at their little boy. It had been a long year, a hard one certainly, but here they were. Blissfully happy with their tiny boy.

"Alec?" Magnus whispered.

"Yes?"

"Will you marry me?"

"Yes."

fin