Clalec: Parenthood (Book 3)

Chapter 50 - Zoe

Not spell checked and also super long chapter. 5834 words, have fun kids :)

Maddy POV

I was with the girls and we were in my room about to watch a film. Tom and Flo were already asleep

Jess, Amelia and Cristina were about to leave when I stopped them

"Wait!" I hissed as we all discreetly stuck our head out of my bedroom door. Alec was on the sofa watching a film but Clary had fallen asleep on his lap. He glanced down and smiled, brushing her hair to one side

I couldn't help but smile when I watched them, and hope one day Liam and I would be like that. Things between us were...rocky right now and I wanted to get back to normal

The film ended and Alec tried to wake up Clary but everyone knew she wouldn't wake up unless it she really had to. So he just picked her up instead and carried her to their bedroom

"Your brother makes me feel single as fuck" Jess stated, ruining the mood

We burst out laughing and crept into the kitchen to get more snacks. I was looking in the freezer but I couldn't find the Ben and Jerry's cookie dough

"Ice cream is in the bottom drawer" Alec said making us all jump except Jess. Girl had a heart of steel

"God you scared us" I breathed before finding the ice cream in the bottom drawer like he said

He smirked and grabbed a glass of water. He was about to leave but Cristina spoke up

"Can I ask you something?"

Alec turned back around and nodded "sure"

"How long have you and Clary been together?"

"Ermm...about 8 years now" he answered

"How do you know if you love someone or you're in love with them?" Cristina asked

"Big question" he said leaning against the table "Why ask me?"

"Because you and Clary seem you like you have everything figured out. Marriage, life, kids, you know the general stuff. Everything seems perfect"

He chuckled "yeah it's harder than it sounds" he ran a hand through his hair. Clary said he did that when he was stressed

"Is this stressing you out?" I asked

"What makes you think that?"

"Clary said you run your hands through your hair when you're stressed"

"I'm fine Mads. But you question is a big one Cristina"

"But can you answer it?"

"I can try" he stayed silent for a moment, thinking about his answer before speaking again

"I guess when you love someone you think they're perfect. You don't see their flaws or imperfections. When you argue you're usually rational about it and come to a conclusion together. You always find some way to show that you love each other to keep that spark going"

"But when you're in love you don't have that?" Tina asked

"Exactly" Alec said "when you're in love you do see the flaws, the imperfections. You're arguing is not rational and you scream at each other. And you don't always find ways to keep the spark alive. Because you don't always need to. You still love them despite all that. Sometimes it's nice to show that you still care like on valentines day or surprising them with something every so often. But it's not constant because you don't need it to be. When you love someone it's like a firework. It ends quickly if you don't keep lighting another one. But when you're in love with someone it's more like a candle. Eventually it starts to fade so you relight it. But it lasts longer and burns slower. Does that make sense?"