𝗦𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 | 𝗔. 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗼𝗱

𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘆, 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵

....

Hope was directed by Magnus to go tell Alec that the ley line was doing well, she had looked all over for him when she had finally found him in the weapon room. She didn't like coming in here since she saw all the things that could be used to kill her and others,

"There you are! Good news: the Core is off the ley line grid and free of demonic corruption," Hope explained as she walked in

"That's good news, thank you," Alec spoke in a soft tone

"All righty then, I'll head back to the house to meet up Hayden," Hope spoke before turning to leave

"We just got a fire message from Mom, saying she's "dropping by" for an impromptu "family dinner," Izy explained to the blonde

"Those are a lot of air quotes," Hope joked with her boyfriend

"Mom doesn't just drop by for anything," Alec spoke as well

"Yeah, we're thinking it has to do with her and Dad, they're finally making their divorce official," Izzy admitted to her friend

"Oh, I'm sorry," Hope whispered as she came closer

"It's for the best, the problem is, instead of just being sad like a normal person, she starts trying to fix everyone around her," Izzy remarked with a scoff

"Which usually includes grilling her children on everything she thinks is going wrong in their lives," Alec added making Izzy nod

"So where are you holding this suspenseful dinner?" Hope asked looking between them

"Definitely not here," Izzy commented making Hope chuckle

"The Institute tends to bring out her inner Inquisitor," Alec explained some more

"How about my place?" Hope questioned the siblings

"Hope, you don't have to," Alec whispered as she rolled her eyes

"You have to plus you can have the place all to yourselves," Hope convinced some more

"Wait, you should be there, think about it: if Hope is there being her usual sweet self then Mom won't have time to interrogate us," Izzy convinced the two

"I am sweet but you don't think it's too much? Look this is important to you, Ergo, it's important to me," Hope spoke with a soft smile

Hope had kissed Alec's cheek before saying goodbye, she had started planning the dinner since she didn't know what to make right after the bad so she took some advice from Magnus as to what to make and how to plan it.

"Izzy texted, she's going on a mission with Clary and Jace which means that it's just me tonight," Alec explained as he put his phone away

"Just us," Hope corrected her boyfriend

"Remember, my mother is on edge and that means avoiding any sensitive subjects, like my dad, or like that I turned down that job at the Clave," Alec explained while she nodded along

"Or the fact that you're dating a clueless Mundane?" Hope questioned as smoothed out his shirt

"I'm sorry, am I being terrible?" Alec questioned in a rush

"No, no, no, you're just tense," Hope spoke before the door opened

"My boys!" Maryse cheered as she walked in

"Oh, I'm far from being a boy but I appreciate that you care," Hope remarked as she hugged her

"My apologies, I just got excited so how about a round of Magnus' famous cocktails?" Maryse questioned with a chuckle

"This is your mother on edge?" Hope asked as she guided his mother

"Well, you do know how to host," Maryse spoke as Hope chuckled

"Oh, please, tonight was all Alec," Hope admitted as they sat down and ate

"Really? That stew was incredible, who knew you could cook?" Maryse questioned looking up at her son

"Well, I've made that for you before," Alec reminded his mother

"Ah, how could I forget? Alec and Isabelle made this for me when they were little kids, to see the looks on their faces when they brought it to me it still warms my heart but that stew! I still have nightmares!" Maryse admitted as Alec looked hurt

"I thought you loved that stew," Alec admitted with a stutter

"Well, I do now and whatever you've done to the recipe, it's unrecognizable, I'm probably embarrassing Alec as it is," Maryse spoke making Hope chuckle

"Oh, we're just happy to see you in such good spirits," Hope admitted looking at the woman

"We thought you might be upset with the divorce and everything," Alec admitted in a hushed tone

"I've made my peace with that but your instincts are right. I do have some unpleasant news, I wanted Isabelle and Jace to be here, but you need to know that in light of Malachi's coup, the Clave has reopened its investigation of former Circle members," Maryse explained to the pair

"You had nothing to do with Malachi," Alec spoke in a low tone

"Still based on a review of my actions in the Circle, the Clave has reclassified me as a traitor and they're stripping me of my runes in a few days, it'll be announced that I have been exiled from Alicante," Maryse added on in support

"This is completely unjust and you've given your life to the Clave!" Alec stated in defense

"I'll go and check on the desserts," Hope spoke before leaving the room

"Thank you again, tonight couldn't have been nicer," Maryse spoke as she was getting ready to leave

"You're welcome anytime," Hope stated as she watched the Lightwood woman

"I'd appreciate it if you could keep our conversation between us, I'd like to tell Isabelle and Jace myself," Maryse admitted to the blonde

"Of course, I suppose we'll be seeing more of you?" Hope asked the woman

"I'd like that, I may have had my prejudices in the past but seeing you stand by Alec? It's what every mother wants for her children so thank you for loving my boy," Maryse added before leaving

Hope shut the door after saying goodbye one last time, Hope went to the kitchen to help Alec clean up after dinner. Alec was happy that she and his mother were now getting along as he loved them both. Hope was content with how dinner had gone and the bond that she and Maryse were growing.

....