Until you came along (english)

Chapter 27

A few days later, Isabelle had arranged an appointment with Alec and Magnus, as well as Simon, Jace and Clary at the restaurant. After everything her brother and Magnus had gone through, she wanted them to relax and think of something else. She thought it was a good idea to meet together, with friends.

Alec had not yet talked about Jason's visit to prison for fear of worrying them. But now he thought it was a good time, since they were all together.

They arrived at the restaurant, took their places and began to look at the menu, when Alec cleared his throat.

"Uh, with Magnus there's something we'd like to talk to you about ..."

"Are you going to get married ??" Isabelle said immediately.

Alec couldn't help but smile.

"No Isabelle, it's not yet planned yet ... And let me remind you that I'm only 18 years old!"

"So what?"

"Well it's a bit early for that, don't you think?

"Oh, we never know!"

Magnus laughed as Isabelle took a disappointed look.

"What's going on then?" Jace asked.

Alec carefully chose his words.

"With Magnus ... we visited Jason in prison."

There was a great silence. It was Isabelle who spoke again:

"You did WHAT?"

Alec ran his hand through his hair, embarrassed.

"A few days ago, Luke called me. He told me that Jason had asked to see us, me and Magnus. You know there are visiting rights in jail, so Jason has the right to apply to see someone ..."

"And you thought it was a good idea to go? Alec, it's dangerous!" Isabelle exclaimed. 

"Not at all. It's secure and there are policemen everywhere! Nothing was risking, I promise."

Isabelle sighed. 

"And how was it?" Clary asked. 

"A policeman took us to a room, where we can talk to the prisoners. You know, there's a kind of window between the detainee and the person who visits, and we spoke with a kind of phone. We could only talk to each other. Anyway, Jason couldn't have jumped on us all of a sudden. There are too many police officers, they would have mastered it on the spot."

Isabelle seemed a little relieved by Alec's answer, even though she wasn't yet completely reassured. 

"And what did Jason want?" asked Simon. 

"And how was he?" asked Isabelle. 

"With Magnus, we sat on one side of the window. Then a policeman brought Jason and he sat in front of us, on the other side of the window. I can tell you that he looked very bad. It looked like he was metamorphosed, he was like another person. He was very pale, very tired, he had huge dark circles ... but he no longer had the aggressive and violent attitude I knew." 

"That's a good thing, isn't it?" Simon said. 

"Yes," Magnus replied. "It probably means that he is well cared for. But even if you don't change overnight, it's a real progress."

"Yes, we can say that..." said Alec, a little sullen.

Magnus took Alec's hand and squeezed it. 

"What did he tell you?" Isabelle asked. 

"There, he surprised us too," said Magnus. "He apologized. I had expected everything except that. He apologized to Alec and then to me. He really looked sincere and ..." 

"Except that I didn't forgive him," said Alec. "I told him that I appreciated his apology but that's all. Sorry Magnus, but I can't forgive someone who hurt you."

"Alec, I never said that you had to forgive him. I know that if I would have done the same thing if I were you. I wouldn't have forgiven him either. You can't forgive someone who hurt the person you love." 

Alec shook Magnus's hand a little more in his. 

"And you Magnus, what did you tell him?" Clary asked. 

"I also told him that I appreciated his apology but that it was very hard for me to forget what he did to Alec and me, and that I needed time." 

Isabelle, who had finally relaxed, became furious again: "Seriously, what did he expected? That you forgive him? If he was in front of me, I think I would..."

Simon put an arm around Isabelle's shoulders. "Izzy, calm down," he said softly. "Everything is fine." She turned abruptly towards him. "Everything is FINE? A psychopath tried to ruin my brother's life and to kill Magnus, so, no, everything is not fine." 

Simon took Isabelle's face between his hands and looked at her in the eyes: "Izzy, I understand how you feel. But look around you: everyone is fine. Alec and Magnus are here and safe, and Jason can't hurt them anymore."

Isabelle seemed to relax a little and took Simon's hand in her. "You know that I love you?", she said. "I know," Simon answered. "But you know what? I love you even more." Isabelle blushed. 

"Ok, let's stop with the statements!" Jace exclaimed. "I love Clary but at least we keep this for us!"

"What a romantic," Clary said, ironically.

"I AM romantic," Jace said, taking her hand. 

"And then it's me who is accused of being silly!" exclaimed Alec, pretending to be offended. 

"Yeah, all right, you make a point! said Isabelle, laughing. "Everyone around this table is silly, are you happy now?"

 Alec laughed as well, then remembering what he wanted to say: "And you want to know what Jason told us before we left?"

"What is it?" Jace asked. 

"That Magnus and I are meant to be together." 

Everyone around the table smiled.

"I don't like Jason," Isabelle said. "I really don't. But about that, I agree with him."

Alec smiled at his sister. "Thank you, Izzy" he said. 

"And we all agree!" Simon, Clary and Jace added. 

"Actually, I think we're all good together," Magnus said cheerfully. "Me and Alec, Isabelle with Simon, and Clary with Jace. For me, it sounds great, don't you agree?" 

"Yes! exclaimed Simon. "It's a bit like having a triple date!!! That is so COOL!!!" 

Isabelle kissed Simon on the cheek and Jace did the same with Clary. As for Magnus, he leaned toward Alec so that only Alec could heard what he was going to say: "You know, I want to be silly all the time if it means spending the rest of my life with you."