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Magnus sat on his favourite bench in the park, which had a good view of the ducks floating on the pond and was within throwing distance of the coffee shop. He watched the little family crouched down and throwing bird food the the ducks which had gathered in front of them, thinking how happy they looked.
“Magnus, you look cold.” Clary stated, interrupting the peace.
“I'm okay biscuit.” He told her, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. “So, what was it you needed to tell me, that couldn't be said on the phone.”
Clary sat down beside him and took his hands in her own, smiling.
“How would you feel about becoming a great, great, great uncle?” She asked him.
Magnus eyes opened wide and this time the smile was real.
“You're pregnant?” He asked his niece.
“Yes, James and I have been trying for ages and it finally happened.” She told him excitedly. “I'm about three months now.”
“That's brilliant Clary, I'm so happy for you.” Magnus told her. “Will you take some time off from your Shadowhunter duties when the baby arrives?”
“Yes, James and I have already spoken about it.” She answered. “I want to take care of the baby myself, for a while at least.”
“Good for you!” Magnus exclaimed. “How about a caffeine free coffee to celebrate?”
“I would love one, thank you.” She told him. “Up for a walk through the park?”
“I'd love to.” Magnus said, getting to his feet and offering her his arm.
Clary looped her arm through Magnus' as they walked towards the coffee shop until something aught his eye.
“Did you see that?” Magnus asked, stopping abruptly.
“Se what?” Clary asked, looking around, not sure what she was meant to have seen.
“The butterfly, it … you're going to think I'm seeing things.” Magnus replied. “But it was that butterfly, the one we saw when we visited … Alec's ...”
“Magnus, that was months ago, butterflies don't live that long.” She told him gently.
“I would normally agree, but it's not like any butterfly I have ever seen before.” Magnus replied, eyes still searching for it. “it was, is a sign.”
“If it is, then it will show itself again.” Clary said, smiling gently. “You go and sit back down, I'll get the coffees, okay?”
Magnus nodded and turned back to the bench without argument, not caring that tears were sliding down his cheeks, finding himself not caring if anyone saw.
“Hey mister, are you okay?” A little girl asked, pulling him out of his thoughts.
Magnus looked up and couldn't help but give a small smile to the pretty little girl looking at him with concern in his eyes.
“I'm just a little sad.” He told her. “But I will be okay.”
“Bethany, what have I told you about running off?” A woman with a pram called out, hurrying towards them.
“He looked so sad mummy.” Bethany replied, pouting at her mother.
“I'm so sorry she disturbed you.” The woman told him.
“It's fine.” Magnus replied, wiping away the tears and giving her a small smile. “You have a beautiful daughter.”
“We think so, thank you.” She told him, smiling, “But we should get going and leave you in peace, and I have to get her baby brother home for his next feed.”
And that was when Magnus noticed the butterfly again, perched on top if the hood of the pram, flapping beautiful wings lazily in the pale sunlight. Magnus got to his feet and moved to look closer, then at the woman.
“Have you ever seen a butterfly like this one before?” Magnus asked her. “It's beautiful.”
“Not one that I recognise, but I'm not an authority on them.” She shrugged.
“It must be rare, I've only ever seen one like this before.” Magnus mused as the baby let out a little cry and the butterfly flew away.
“Magnus, everything okay?” Clary asked, returning with their coffees.
“Perfectly biscuit.” He told her. “I, we just saw that rare butterfly again.”
“You should look it up, see if you can identify it.” Clary replied, moving around the pram to peek inside. “Oh he's gorgeous, how old is he?”
“He'll be six months in a few days.” She replied proudly.
Magnus moved next to her, taking in the mop of dark hair on the baby's head and when the infant opened his eyes Magnus gasped, looking into what appeared to be very familiar hazel eyes that looked back at him.
“That's my baby brother.” Bethany told them proudly.
“Do you like being a big sister?” Clary asked her, glancing at Magnus as she stared into the pram.
“Yes.” She said, smiling broadly and nodding her head. “His name is Alexander.”
“Alexander?” Magnus echoed, his voice barely more than a whisper.
“We should let you get him home.” Clary the little family, grabbing Magnus' hand and pulling him back towards the bench, putting the coffee cups in their holder down to sit beside him again.
“He had Alexander's eyes Clary, and his hair.” Magnus told her with eyes glistening with tears. “I think … Clary could he really be my Alexander coming back to me?”
“Magnus, I really don't know what to say.” Clary admitted. “I would love to say yes, I really would but ...”
“It's okay Clary, I know what you are going to say.” Magnus told her. “I think I need to go home. Congratulations on the baby, to you both.”
“Magnus, I'm not sure you should be alone, come back with me and have dinner with James and I?” Clary asked.
“Thank you but I wouldn't be good company.” Magnus told her. “I promise to call you tomorrow.”
“You better.” Clary told him, picking up the coffees and handing one to him. “Drink this before it gets cold and I'll speak to you tomorrow.”
Magnus nodded as Clary got to her feet, leaning down she pressed a soft kiss to his forehead before giving him what he required, time to mourn again for his lost love.
Love Makes Your Heart Feel Strange Inside
It Flutters Like Soft Wings In flight
The End.