𝗦𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 | 𝗔. 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗼𝗱

𝗙𝗶𝗳𝘁𝘆-𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿, 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻

....

Hope woke up the next morning to an empty bed, she felt bad about running his dinner still. She walked into the living room to see Alec making breakfast for the two of them, she smiled as she walked up to him. Alec smiled once he looked up at her and away from the stove where he was making waffles.

"Mm, these waffles are unbelievable," Hope mumbled as she ate

"I've been getting good, aren't I? I'm thinking about taking the next step, crêpes," Alec stated causing her to chuckle

"Ooh, careful, a girl can get used to this type of treatment and I'm just sorry I ruined the fabulous dinner you had planned," Hope spoke in return

"It's not the dinner I'm worried about," Alec mumbled as the door opened

"Hey, is now a bad time?" Jace questioned the couple

"Not at all, what is it?" Alec asked the two

"On the hunt, we came across a Drevak demon," Clary started to explain

"Yeah, which is weird, right? They usually keep to the sewers," Jace spoke as well

"Maybe the holiday noise is drawing them out," Alec suggested to them

"Yeah, it could be, the streets are packed with idiots in costumes," Jace remarked earning a scoff

"Hey, we used to be one of those idiots," Clary scoffed with defense

"Shocker," Jace mumbled to his girlfriend and friend

"What, I love Halloween," Hope exclaimed to the blonde

"So do I," Clary agreed with her sister

"Every year, the group and I would dress up in a group outfit, happy memories," Hope smiled at the memory

"Brief ops on the demon," Alec directed before they walked out

"See ya," Hope mumbled to Clary

"My mother has been dying for somebody to help her decorate her new shop, now, I know it's not a Halloween group party but what do you think?" Alec asked his girlfriend

"I think it would be fun to see your mom again, will you be joining us?" Hope asked looking up at him

"Maybe later, yeah, I have this meeting I can't miss," Alec explained in a soft tone

"With whom?" Hope asked looking at him

"Clave business," Alec spoke causing her to sigh

"Stay safe, think clearly," Hope whispered before kissing him and walking out

Hope had gone to Maryse's bookstore to help decorate, she had always loved Halloween since she was a little girl. This Halloween felt a lot different compared to the others since Simon was actually a vampire, Clary was a shadowhunter, Hayden died, and Hope was pregnant with twins.

"Trick or treat?" Hope joked as she walked in

"What is all this?" Maryse asked taking the box

"A carefully created box of items to spruce up your new business," Hope explained to the woman

"They are lovely and I'm so grateful Alec sent you here to help me," Maryse added with a soft smile

"Oh, my pleasure, though, I suspect it was more for my benefit than yours," Hope admitted in a soft tone

"What do you mean?" Maryse questioned with concern

"I've been struggling with getting out of the house since Hayden died but I mean, look at you, new place, new job, new look, I'm sure you're fighting off suitors left and right, or perhaps you already found one?" Hope questioned with a smirk

"What? No, I never said that" Maryse deadpanned with a look on her face

"Oh, come on, who is it?" Hope asked with a smile

"Lucian," Maryse admitted in a whisper tone

"I can't think of a more perfect couple," Hope stated looking at her

"It's just all so unexpected when we were younger, Lucian and I were vicious rivals, first at the Academy, then in the Circle, and now..." Maryse trailed off in thought

"You've grown up," Hope spoke earning a nod

"Do me a favor, will you? Keep this to yourself, just until Lucian and I figure out what we are," Maryse suggested to the blonde

"My lips are sealed," Hope stated before picking up the lights

"Everything looks magnificent, I think a celebration is in order," Maryse stated as she looked around

"Right because water is the best drink to celebrate with besides I'm trying to let Alec do his own thing since I haven't been in the best mood lately," Hope admitted in a soft tone

"You've been through a trauma, a loss of identity," Maryse reminded grabbing her hand

"Believe me, I understand. I feel so hopeless sometimes and I don't want to burden him," Hope explained with sadness in her eyes

"Hope, it's not a burden and in times of crisis, the people we love want to help," Maryse comforted the Blakely girl

"I don't know what I'd do without your son," Hope spoke making the woman smile

"We are all here for you, Hope, you're part of the family," Maryse reminded before they hugged

Hope stayed and talked some more before heading home, Alec kissed her forehead as she walked into the kitchen. She told him what they had done and how much fun she had with his mother. Alec was glad that they had a bond like Hope wanted, he was also happy to see how far they had come.

....