Magnus2 pays Magnus and Max a visit.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Max is finishing his breakfast, when a portal opens by the front door. He smiles as Maxine's Poppa walks out, "Good morning, we were wondering when you were going to show up."

Magnus2 nods, "I wasn't going to, but my curiosity wouldn't let me rest until I knew what really happened."

Max smiles, "Poppa has the same problem. He's dropping off a potion in East New York but he should be back in an hour or so. I could text him and let him know you are here."

"No, I can wait."

Max giggles, "Poppa doesn't like this client and will welcome any excuse to rush home."

Magnus2 laughs, "Oh I know that feeling, then by all means, let him know."

Max giggles as he takes out his phone.

Magnus2 gestures to the bar, "May I?"

Max nods, "Yes, you are going to need a few of them."

"Then I'll make us a pitcher."

Max giggles as he gets a response from his father, "He'll be right here."

Magnus2 nods. He takes a deep breath and asks, "How much of our murders did Maxine see?"

Max takes his glass to the sink and rinses it out. He walks over to the coffee table, "I'm not sure. But she definitely saw your death. That's when she screamed, and got their attention." He sits down.

Magnus2 closes his eyes, "They killed my angel first." He laughs coldly, "Of course they did. They knew it would take all the fight out of me to see him dead."

Max says gently, "Aldertree slashed across the love rune."

Magnus2 puts the shaker down as his hands start to tremble, "And Maxine saw that?"

Max sadly nods, "I think so."

"Did they hurt her?"

Max shakes his head, "No, Aldertree didn't see her as a threat, so they left her with the bodies."

Magnus2 nods as he puts two glasses and the pitcher on a tray. He picks it up, but his hands are trembling too much. He sets it back on the bar. Max snaps his fingers and the tray is on the coffee table beside him.

Magnus2 smiles weakly at him as he walks over to the sofa and sits down, "Thanks."

Max fills two glasses and hands one to Magnus2, "You're welcome."

Magnus2 empties the glass in one gulp. Max refills it. Magnus2 nods, "I should have made two pitchers."

A portal opens and Magnus walks out. He smiles at Magnus2, "It's about time." His smile fades as he sees the horror in the other man's eyes. He looks at Max, "You couldn't wait until I got home?"

Max shrugs, "He asked and I answered." He hands the other glass to his father as Magnus walks over to the sofa.

Magnus takes the glass, "Thanks", and sits down.

Magnus2 nods, "Yes, Magnus, don't blame Max."

Magnus smiles, "I always blame Max."

Max giggles, "Yes, he does. I'm used to it." He stands, kisses Magnus' cheek and goes into the kitchen. He fills a glass with orange juice and returns to the coffee table.

Magnus2 finishes his martini, "When Aldertree came up behind Alexander, I think my heart stopped until the barrier kept him from my angel."

Magnus nods, "When Max and I watched it happened, MY heart stopped as that bastard killed him. Connelly broke your neck and poor Maxine screamed, it was too much." He finishes his martini and refills their glasses.

Magnus2 closes his eyes, "Broke my neck after breaking my heart, how poetic."

Max sniffs, "Aldertree is lucky I couldn't reach into the portal window and rip HIS heart out."

"I'm glad that Maxine got here to you."

Magnus nods, "Yes, we got Alec here, and she never left his side."

"Good. Once she was able to control her magic, I told her that in an emergency she should portal to the Institute. After you came into our lives, I showed her how to portal here."

Magnus smiles, "Max has been opening portals since he was a baby."

"Really? Maxine only started using her magic when she was three or so."

"Even as a baby, his magic was always centered around Alec."

Max smiles, "I love my Daddy."

Magnus laughs, "Since the moment you two looked at each other."

Max giggles, "Pot calling the kettle, in love."

Magnus smiles as Magnus2 nods, "One look in those beautiful hazel eyes was all I needed."

Magnus2 smiles, "All the years we have lived. All the lovers we have had, who would have thought a ShadowHunter would be THE one?"

Magnus nods, "I once told Alexander, that if he asked me to destroy Staten Island, I would do it, no questions asked. He looked at me in horror and wanted to know 'why'. I laughed at him. He really has no idea what I would do for him."

Magnus2 nods, "In a heartbeat, Staten Island would be gone."

Max sniffs, "Staten Island is toast."

Magnus2 looks at Max and smiles, "I guess it must be a boy thing because Maxine isn't as badass as you."

Max giggles as Magnus nods, "Max has always been very protective of Alec."

"That's a good thing."

Magnus nods, "I guess I should be lucky he allows me near my husband."

Max giggles, "Poppa, you saw Daddy first, so of course, you win."

Magnus kisses his forehead, "I appreciate that, blueberry."

Magnus2 smiles, "Ever consider adopting another child?"

Max wrinkles his nose, "Uh huh."

Magnus laughs, "I believe he was talking to me." He smiles at Magnus2, "Does that answer your question?"

Magnus2 laughs, "Yes it does. Maxine has expressed an interest in a sibling. Alexander says it's up to me, but his eyes sparkle whenever the subject comes up."

"Alec has never bought up the subject and Max is more than enough for me."

Max nods, "Exactly."

Magnus laughs, "Defender of his fathers doesn't want a sidekick?"

Max giggles, "And share the credit with him or her? Nah, I'm good Poppa."

Both Magnuses laugh.

"It's about time I walk in here and hear laughter."

Magnus stands and walks over to Alec. They kiss. Alec smiles, "We were wondering if you forgot about us."

Magnus2 smiles, "No, I owe you so much. I was just scared to find out if it was as bad as I imagined it to be."

"Was it?"

Magnus2 reaches for Max's hand, "Worse. But thank you all so much. Not just for bringing Alec and me back, but for being there for Maxine." Max holds his hand tight.

Alec smiles, "I remember the first time I walked into the loft and saw you here, it was a huge shock to see two husbands. But being a ShadowHunter is about adapting to one's surroundings. Our lives have been made better knowing your family."

Magnus2 stands. Max also stands. They hug. Magnus2 walks over to Alec and Magnus. He hugs them, "You are the real Protectors in my Alec's life."

Magnus smiles, "But you got him to this point."

Magnus2 nods, "Yes. I should get back." He opens a portal, hugs everybody once again and leaves.

Max giggles, "Poor Daddy was so confused when he first saw two Poppas."

Alec sniffs, "Laughing at me, blueberry?"

Max kisses his cheek, "Never Daddy."

Magnus smiles as he puts his arms around Alec and holds him tight, "Have I told you how much I love you?"

Alec kisses him, "Not today."

Max giggles as Magnus rubs his nose against Alec's, "I love you."

"Good thing you told me."

Magnus smiles, "Do you love me?"

"More and more each day."

Max giggles, "I'm going to see if Aunt Izzy is busy." His fathers laugh as he kisses them 'goodbye', opens a portal and leaves the loft.

Alec smiles as he slowly pushes Magnus into the kitchen. He holds Magnus around the waist and sits him on the table. Magnus purrs as he wraps his legs around Alec and pulls him close.

Alec kisses his neck, "We have the loft to ourselves."

Magnus closes his eyes and sighs, "I have YOU to myself." He grabs Alec's head and kisses his husband.

-the end-

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Now I can get back to Once a Protector, Always a Protector.

Oh, before I go, opinions on Maxine getting a sibling? Love the idea? Hate it? Brother? Sister?

As always, I love each and every one of you. xo