Bridges Of Time

Chapter 3

2004
Cooperstown

Alec is the only one to return home that night after their little ice-cream getaway. Isabelle opts to crash at Clary's for the night, and Jace heads back to his house, just two blocks away from Alec's. The Lightwood home is shrouded in darkness as Alec steps inside, with blue hue from the moonlight and street lamps casting shadows across the living room. He quietly toes his shoes and socks off, and pads up the steps. Maryse has left one night light on along the stairwell to guide him to his room on the second floor. The usual night-time silence fills the house, only interrupted by muffled voices coming from Maryse and Robert's room. Once Alec nears the stairwell landing close to his parents' room, the voices grow louder. The lights are still on, and he can discern the rapid exchange of words between his parents, although it's difficult to figure out what they are exactly saying.

Alec considers stepping closer to the room, intending to inquire if everything is alright, but hesitates, fearing it might come across as prying. You know how difficult it was for me when Isabelle announced she wanted to be a fucking dancer on the dinner table. Celine will have so many questions on Monday. I can't believe this is happening. Alec freezes when he hears Robert's voice loud and clear. He inhales deeply and, realizing the door is unlocked, gently pushes it open. Maryse and Robert's heads swivel in his direction, and they almost freeze, their skin paling.

Maryse gulps, her lips parting in shock. Alec steps inside, still holding onto the door knob. "Honey, you're back?" She finally gathers some semblance to break the silence in the room and Robert steps back, wrapping arms around him, defensively.

"Yeah," Alec shrugs, "I dropped Isabelle at Jocelyn and Luke's and Jace back home."

"Great. Why don't you head back to your room and get some rest as well? It is a school night."

She has a bright, unwavering smile on her face. Alec notices how normal she sounds and looks, and a deep unsettling fear creeps in. Has this happened before? Is his mother that good at hiding her emotions? Has he been ignoring any kind of signs?

"Yeah, I should do that," Alec bites his lower lip and turns around, unsure of what to say. Confronting his parents over something that could very well be a suspicious assumption may not be the best thing to do. "Is everything okay?" He mumbles, turning to face his parents again. "Were you two fighting?"

Robert cards his fingers together and steps in front, wrapping an arm around Maryse, "Of course not, Alec! We were just discussing something. No fights." He assures. Somehow Alec can't bring himself to believe his father this time, but he chooses to retreat. "You should listen to your mother and get some sleep, okay?" He adds. There's a hint of assertiveness in his voice, almost to the point of sounding like he's dictating Alec.

Alec runs a hand through his hair, "I was heading upstairs when I saw the lights in your room still on, so I thought I'd drop by and check if you were up." He explains and notices his mother's expressions intensify. "I thought you guys were fighting, but I must be overthinking," he gulps. Robert's smile quivers and he struggles to maintain his composure. "Anyway, Jocelyn and Luke will drop Isabelle home tomorrow since I don't have my truck," he informs.

"Or I will go and pick her up," Robert feigns a beaming smile, and Alec notices that.

"Yeah, that works as well," Alec mutters between his clenched teeth.