Not By Choice

Chapter One

EDITED 11/8/2021

Hey everyone, I've been MIA for a little while, but I decided to kick my ass into gear this morning (almost afternoon) and edit what I've put up so far of Not By Choice and hopefully get inspired to continue it because I am sure that you all have realized that what's been put up has been so half-assed that it's pathetic. So I am currently working on this and I urge you to re-read this as I go about reposting because things will be changing! - Katie

JUNE 16,2017

Alexander Lightwood-Bane was walking along the streets of Brooklyn, headed towards the Hunter's Moon in search of his daughter and his friend.

So much had changed in the past few months. His and Magnus's youngest son, Max, was a year old now and walking much to his fathers's utter joy and disappointment. He was growing too fast. Max could say Dada and Papa, and he was working on saying his siblings's names as well. Long story short, Magnus and Alec absolutely adored the little boy.

Raphael and Simon were officially official, and Simon had given up the extra room he had been using and moved into Raphael's room. Alec had never seen his son so happy and had resigned himself to the fact that he would most likely, eventually have to welcome Simon into the family as his son-in-law.

Clary and Wesley were as good as ever, if not better. Alec was grateful that his old friend made his daughter so happy, and Magnus had recently been saying that he was expecting Wesley to come to them sooner rather than later asking them for Clary's hand. It made Alec shudder every time, not because he didn't want Wesley and Clary to get married, but because he would have to admit that his daughter was a grown-up.

Madzie had officially come out of her shell and had no problems telling Alec and Magnus exactly what she wanted. She was bold, colorful, and positively perfect. She had recently tried saying the word 'sophisticated' after hearing Raphael speaking to Simon and Clary. It was her new favorite word, despite the fact that she couldn't say it correctly.

Azazel and Alec had grown very close over the past couple of months, and they were truly father and son, now. They spent time together, and Azazel was trusted with their children from time to time. He even got along with the other inhabitants of the household. Isabelle had warmed to him considerably, as well.

Magnus was as perfect as ever, finally having calmed down after the drama that was their first four months of being together, they were very comfortable in their relationship and in parenthood and were still in their honeymoon phase seven months into their marriage.

All-in-all, Alec's life had been amazing recently, if you didn't count the war.

The Downworlders had declared war on the Clave. The Clave of America had sided with them; Lydia offering her full support to Alec and putting her trust in his leadership. They have slowly been taking down Institutes all over the world, most of them surrendering peacefully, fully on Alec's side even after his return following the Clave's betrayal. The Buenos Aires Institute, however, had not surrendered peacefully.

Alec's Parabatai - which he had become three months prior, a month after Alec had gotten his runes back - Jem Carstairs, had been assigned to take the Institute there down with a team backing him, but had run into some difficulties. Jem, his team, and his wife, Tessa Gray, needed backup.

Alec had immediately responded to his Parabatai's cry for help, saying that he would be on his way to him as soon as possible. He kissed his husband and three of his children goodbye, much to Max's apparent devastation. Alec's youngest son had been very upset when he had realized that his dad was leaving. The little, blue fourteen-month-old had screamed and flailed and hit Alec in the face with his little fists. Magnus had gracefully distracted the child, giving Alec a way out.