« ALWAYS »
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The evening sun trailed a path through the kitchen, darting across the cabinets and stools that were tucked under the island counter.
Trees cascaded shadows onto the floor, a rhythmic sway in the small movements created by a light wind. The light hum of music that streamed through the house was accompanied by the smell of baked goods.
Talia held her breath for a moment. If she could show this moment to her eighteen year old self, she would never have believed it possible.
Home started out as word Talia could never imagine to hold a place in her life.
The word haunted her, teased her with promises left unfulfilled. It felt like a spectre was dangling a key in front of her to hold onto, but always just out of reach. To know what it meant, or the possibilities for what it could hold for her, were always an unknown. She thought it always would be.
Though, that was eighteen years ago, when she was so young and doubtful. Her world was filled with colour now; smiles and laughter were a constant fixture in her home.
Their home.
The dark blonde smiled wistfully. From where she was sat on the sofa, Talia could see the man who had helped her discover what home meant for her.
Dark curls brushed into his eyes as looked down at the kitchen counter, he occasionally brushed them away with a free hand that wasn't resting on the mixing bowl. When he did, she was able to see his brilliant blue eyes that seemed to glow in the sunlight under his thick lashes. He had chosen to grow his hair out over the years, along with letting a light five o'clock shadow appear along his jawline. Talia thought it had suited him and that was enough for him.
He looked at peace working in the kitchen. An apron was tied around at his waist that said 'kiss the cook' - a gift from Jace two Christmas' ago when the raven haired man had taken a liking to baking. He had grumbled about wearing it, but Talia knew he was secretly amused by it.
Watching as he raised his left arm behind his head, not missing a moment to admire his gorgeous bicep; a familiar glint caught her eye. Wrapped around his finger, a gold band rested, identical to the one Talia wore on hers. A constellation of stars for each of their family crests.
There are people who say how lucky you must be to marry your first love, and Talia knew it to be true.
Alec Lightwood was a once in a lifetime miracle, one she had waited twenty years to find and one she would happily wait twenty more years for if she had to.
As though he had heard her thoughts, Alec tilted his head to meet her eyes. A smile adorned his face, reaching up to his eyes with a light that she had only seen in moments like this, with his family.
A small hand reached down in front of his face. Alec grinned at Talia before looking up to meet two wide blue-green eyes staring into his own.
"Daddy you're not concentrating," The little girl pouted, rocking herself back from where she sat on her fathers broad shoulders, her small hands still wrapped in his hair.
Alec's hand wrapped around her back to hold her steady, "I'm sorry pumpkin, I was just looking at your beautiful mama over there."
Talia smiled, feeling herself flush slightly at the compliment. They had been married for twelve years but Alec still managed to find a way to make her feel like he had turned to look at her for the first time again.
The seven year old girl blinked at her father before looking over to her mother. A toothy grin worked its way onto her face as her head plopped onto her fathers hair, mixing the golden curls with his dark ones, "Mama is very pretty."
She chuckled, blowing a kiss to her daughter who excitedly caught it, "Thank you Sophie, now you better make sure that your daddy doesn't mess up the recipe."
Sophie nodded her head vigorously, "I will mommy! Daddy would make them rubbish without me."
Alec's eyes widened at the accusation and poked his daughter in the side, "Excuse me miss, didn't you just try to put Lucky Charms into our cookie mixture?"
Sophie giggled at his tickling, shuffling her body away from his teasing. She shook her head as she tugged on his hair, directing him towards the mixing bowl once again. She had taken a liking to the movie Ratatouille and decided to see if the trick Remi used would work on her father.
Talia laughed at the scene, feeling her heart warm at their interaction. Alec had been made head of the New York Institute before they had even been married, meaning that he had to spend a lot of his time working and away from his family. Of course, Talia helped wherever she could, but he still missed them all when he had to work late and miss stages of his children growing up.
Izzy sat watching the exchange with the brightest smile on her face. Her dark hair was shorter now, resting just above her shoulders, though that was all that changed of her. Talia's sister-in-law adored spending time with them all, often being on hand to help Talia when Alec was pulled away with the Clave.
She poked Simon who was laid on the counter asleep, laughing when Sophie sprinkled flour over his face, with Alec directing her. Like Alec, Izzy and Sophie - Simon wore smart clothing, so when he felt something that could potentially ruin his outfit, he immediately jumped awake.
A small sigh caught Talia's attention, drawing her eyes back to the living room, specifically the sofa chair beside her. There lay their youngest child, slowly blinking the sleep from his bright blue eyes as they locked onto his mother from where he was perched on Magnus' chest.
Evander, like his sister, took after his mother's hair, with blonde hair framing his small face, and although he was only four years old, Talia could already see the facial resemblance to his father. 'Bow warrior' - Talia chose the name as an ode to Alec.
Magnus had once been sceptical as to how he should behave around her children, but once she had placed their first daughter in his arms, he had completely fallen in love with them. He combed his fingers through Evan's hair, expressing to the toddler that he should never drink a martini after teleporting.
Evander nodded in complete understanding.
Beside Talia, Clary sat close to her. The red-head's eyes seemed to melt as they regarded her nephew. Clary and Jace's relationship found it's feet again soon after Talia destroyed Valentine's legacy, in both Rhianne and the true Jonathan Morgenstern. Talia shivered at the thought of both of them.
Clary noticed the shift and squeezed the blondes hand. Talia smiled, time had been kinder to both of them. Family meant something more to them now in how they saw each other.
And, Talia was excited to be an aunt.
A sudden burst of noise erupted from the hallway, footsteps falling heavily as someone ran down the stairs.
Talia shared a teasing look with Alec before rising to her feet, passing through the door to spot her eldest daughter racing towards the front door, Jace hot on her heels.
"Diana, slow down! You're going to trip on your dress if you're not careful," Talia chastised her ten year old gently as she looked over the girls figure.
Diana spun her head towards Talia, an excited smile on her face, "I'm sorry mama! I'll be more careful."
Talia was still amazed every day by how much Diana resembled Alec, from the shy mannerisms to the dark hair that fell down her back in waves. She even had the same charming smile as he did, which Talia found very hard to resist when the young girl was sweet talking her for more cake.
"And you," Talia turned to Jace, his eyes widened before he tucked his arms behind his back and feigned innocence, "I thought you were helping her for the ceremony."
Jace shrugged, his feet shuffling almost nervously whilst his face betrayed him, with a playful look in his eyes that matched her own, "We smelled cookies."
Talia rolled her eyes, as Alec's head - followed by Sophie's that was still perched on his - popped around the door frame.
Alec narrowed his eyes at Jace, "The cookies aren't for you to eat until after the ceremony."
"Aww Alec, I can't believe you baked specifically for me!" Jace grinned as he pretended to wipe a tear from his eye, "Of course for you too, Dia."
Diana cheered from where she had wrapped herself in her mother's dress.
Hearing all the excitement, Sophie decided to lean herself forward, moving her hands and accidentally squishing at her fathers face.
Laughter filled the room, Talia moved to Alec's side, teasing him as he huffed, albeit with a smile on his face. Finally, he managed to capture Sophie's hands to be able to lift her onto the ground so that she could run towards an approaching Luke, who had descended the stairs.
As the family moved into the living space, Talia felt a tug on her arm causing her to look down and regard her daughters electric blue eyes. Diana nibbled at her lip as her eyes flickered between her parents.
Talia's eyebrows furrowed as she knelt to Diana's height, brushing her long black hair away from her face, "Everything okay sweetheart?"
She shuffled her feet, "I'm really nervous. But I'm also really excited. Do you think I'm ready?"
A smile shone onto Talia's face once more as she regarded her sweet girl. Alec locked eyes with her, reaching down to squeeze her hand as he knelt beside her. Diana's Rune Ceremony had been on everyone's minds for a long time, the girl was a natural Shadowhunter and also helped by the fact she was trained under the watchful eye of her aunt Isabelle.
"You are above ready, Diana, I've never seen a young Shadowhunter as talented as you. And you work so hard! No one deserves it more."
Alec nodded, his hand reaching out to caress his daughters cheek, lifting her chin up, "It's true, and I know that today will be perfect for you, we want you to be happy."
Diana flushed, a bright smile stretching across her features as she wrapped her arms around Alec and Talia. No words needed to be spoken, they both knew what their daughter was thinking, and encased her in a hug.
The young girl pulled away and nodded to herself, her eyes shining as she started up at them, "I'm ready."
A twinkle sparkled in the young girls eyes as she watched her mothers own light up with a familiar blue glow.
Whilst Alec was the head of the New York Institute and a representative of the Clave; Talia was the Keeper of the Shadow World. As the most respected - and only - member of both the Downworld and the Nephilim, Talia Lightwood had dispelled the hatred between the two factions and created a peace through her very being.
Though today, Diana knew, her mother's eyes glowed to create a pathway to her first step into her parents world.
Alec smiled as the blue magic curled from Talia's fingers, dancing in front of them as a portal was fabricated. He knew that he would never tire of seeing Talia's abilities, or the joy that lit up on their children's faces whenever she showed them who she was.
And when they crossed through the portal, into the Institute where the ceremony was waiting for them, Talia felt Alec's hand slip into hers. His thumb caressed her hand as he held it, the delicate action sending a warmth through her.
Talia smiled as she watched Diana approach the altar, a Silent Brother waiting as Alec gave her hand a final squeeze before moving forward too.
A brush of her shoulder told her that Magnus was beside her, Evander in his arms. Whilst Izzy stood on her other side, Sophie between them holding each of their hands. Jace grinned across at his sister, mouthing 'don't cry'.
Talia scrunched her face up in response, but Jace knew her too well. Behind her, Luke was already crying.
As Diana stood beside her father and Brother Enoch, a Stele in his hand as he spoke the oath; Talia watched them both.
I'm glad you found a family here, Talia.
Jocelyn's words had often haunted her. They reminded her, at the time, how she hadn't had a family before.
But looking at her loved ones now, with more Shadowhunters and Downworlders filling the hall - friends and respected leaders - Talia knew that this was the only family she was meant to have.
Talia understood now. Alec caught her eye and smiled, the small dimple bedding beautifully into his cheek. She would never forget how he had taught her that she was more than her blood.
A message was written in the way he looked at her, a dazzling blue that softened in a way that only she could read.
I love you.
The ceremony continued, and Talia watched as the Stele pressed into her daughter's skin. The young girl held a brave face, her features carved in concentration as she watched the mark appear.
Something caught Talia's eye.
A blue spark danced momentarily on Diana's skin as the Stele marked her. A blue that matched the light that filled her eyes.
All Talia could think to do, was smile.
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So this is officially the end of Light Shadows! Thank you everyone who has read, voted and commented on this story, it means the world to me and your interactions always make me laugh.
This epilogue took me a while to write, I couldn't think of whether I wanted it to show this far ahead in time or just a few years. I decided to move the story forward 12 years so that you guys could have a fitting end for Talia's story on family. If you have any questions feel free to ask me here!
(Apologies also because I said this would be our last week but my computer had to be taken away because of a fault in the hard drive so I couldn't work on it)
I hope you have all enjoyed this story. I will continue to edit and proofread parts of the story as time goes on to correct some mistakes in writing that I made 7 years ago!
I'm in the process of translating this to other languages with other writers, so if you would be interested please let me know.
Thank you all once again, my next book will be focused on a certain Jujustu Kaisen character so if you're interested stay tuned!
Love you all,
G x