Sweet Little Serena (Original)

Chapter 28

"Honey, you alright?" asked a voice that Serena would always know.

After squinting for a second, she saw Alec's face, but his hair was smoothed down and he was wearing a baby blue button-down shirt with jeans. He looked mundane. Alec never looked this mundane, even on their dates into the city. He looked better in black anyway.

"Yeah, just the sun in my eyes," she said as she realised that they were sitting under a small umbrellaed table outside a coffee truck. Izzy was sitting opposite them in a purple Star Wars t-shirt with glasses and her hair in a braid.

This definitely wasn't her Izzy.

Or her Alec.

"Here, switch with me," Alec said as he moved off his stool and let his wife sit in his place, more under the shade of the umbrella. But as she moved, Serena noticed the glint of shining metal on her finger. Her wedding rings still sat on the same hand, but they were bands of gold rather than silver. She couldn't get over how strange it looked, how used she was to the silver bands that were supposed to be on her finger.

"Thanks," she said, and Alec smiled as he pressed a kiss to her temple.

"You're welcome, honey."

He never called her honey.

It was then that Simon pulled Clary over as he went to get her coffee. 

Clary's eyes widened to see Serena but a quick glare from the blonde girl told her to act natural, because she saw Clary push Simon out of the sun, still thinking that he was a vampire.

"Is that new?" Izzy asked, gesturing to the portal shard necklace on Clary.

"Yeah, I bought it for her from this vintage shop a couple days ago, Izzy. I showed it to you," Serena covered for Clary, who stuttered for a response, and Izzy nodded.

"Oh, right, right. But it goes with your dress? Because you're both getting ready at my place tonight, right?" Izzy asked.

"Of course," Serena answered at the same time Clary said,

"Ready for what?"

"That is not even a little bit funny," Alec said. "I have poured my heart and soul into planning this anniversary party for the Institute. And the theme is amazing."

"Calm down, sweetie, she was just joking. And how come you never planned anything like this for our anniversary?" Serena asked.

"What do you mean? I'm taking you to Rome-"

Serena's eyes widened as Alec slapped a hand over his mouth, having spoiled the surprise.

"You're taking me to Rome?!"

"Forget I said anything."

"You're taking me to Rome!"

"No, I'm not."

Serena raised her hands in surrender. "Fine."

Alec sighed as he threw an arm over her shoulder again and Serena smiled as she mumbled, "You're taking me to Rome."

And Alec groaned.

"But seriously what is it with this guy and the Mad Hatter?" Alec asked his sister, a smile on Serena's face as he attempted to change the topic.

"Visionaries are quirky crazy. You don't get 4D internet tech thinking inside the box," Izzy answered.

"I'm beginning to wonder if you don't have a thing for your boss," Serena asked with a smirk that Alec mirrored.

"Took the words right out of my mouth, honey."

Serena cringed internally. She hated the sound of that word.

"Like Clary's dad would ever go for me," Izzy said with a dreamy look on her face as she twirled the end of her braid.

"Wait, my dad?" Clary asked in shock.

"Uh, no, I'm totally kidding. I'm not crushing on your dad right. No. " Izzy stammered as she fiddled with her earphones.

"Right, because that would be totally weird," the redhead said.

"Mm-hmm," Izzy agreed quickly as she pushed the earphones in her ears.

"Ah, could I talk to you for a sec?" she asked Serena who looked to Alec who took his arm off her.

"Sure."

Clary pulled her to the front of the coffee truck, the words Java Jace, plastered in big block letter on the side made Serena want to laugh. Her twin owned and operated a coffee truck.

"What's up?"

"You're you, right?" Clary asked uncertainly.

"As if by me, you mean the me from your dimension where Shadowhunters exist, then yes, I'm me."

She sighed in relief. "Ok good, I thought I was alone for a second back there," she admitted.

"It's called blending in. We can't have anyone thinking that something is up with us and turning a situation around on a person, like I did with Izzy, makes them more likely to change the topic," Serena explained and Clary nodded in agreement and understanding. "Look, we won't be able to find that portal on our own. We need help. You need to find Magnus. He may act like a mundane, but he was still born a warlock, he still has magic. He can help. I would do it, but I doubt I'll be able to leave Alec's side. Think you can handle that?"

Again, Clary nodded before a hand on Serena's shoulder caused her to turn around.

Her brother smiled at her.

"Mind if I borrow Clary for a second?"

Serena smiled, her mask falling back on effortlessly. "Not at all, but keep it PG, little brother," she said as she kissed his cheek before heading back over to talk to Alec, the peppy, happy Alec that wasn't hers.

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Meanwhile back in their world, Izzy had been arrested by Lydia for high treason and Alec could do nothing as Clary had the cup and was unreachable inside the alternate dimension, not to mention his wife as well.

Jace and Meliorn on the other hand were losing the fight against the demons that had tried to enter the portal, them being the only creatures able to enter without Seelie invitation. As it was a place of peace, the demons being creatures of chaos, they were naturally drawn to it. And without Shadowhunters or even Downworlders, would end up killing a lot of people if they got through.

As the duo was overpowered, one of the demons managed to escape through the portal and Jace faced Meliorn who nodded.

"I have to seal it behind you. Find Serena! Get to the portal! Remember you won't have your Seraph blade or anything from this world! And the demons won't disintegrate!" Meliorn yelled as he fought.

Once again, Meliorn began chanting as the number of demons lessened and they began to win. And just as he cut off the head of the last demon, the green magic from his palms floated towards the portal and Jace ran through.