#Have you seen their parents and everyone else whom they're related too?

[galadriels-silmarillion]

Elrond is and I'm sure of it, very beautiful and handsome. That's it. No big explanation, we just know. He is luthien beautiful. I'm standing with that. I'm sure he got some compliments in his time.

[powwidge]

some musings about Octopath Traveler 1 and how the travelers aren't the main characters

since someone else in the tag has already addressed the issue of unfair criticism towards Octopath Traveler 1 i would like to quickly address as to why i think people judge OT1 on a very false level storytellign wise. also i'm hyperfixating on OT and need to put my thougths somewhere.

tl;dr: the 8 travelers are not the main cahracters - they just happen to be the protagonists, so judging them in terms of how non-mc they are is false

because what i mostly see criticized is the storytelling; and while to some extents that's valid (little interaction between the travelers esp as opposed to OT2 (mind u i love OT1 dearly!!)), I often see the argument of "some stories feel much less relevant than others. they're not interconnected. some of them don't seem to have much purpose or anything."

and see the thing is... I am very convicned that was wanted.

because the 8 travelers are not the main characters in Octopath 1 - that's Graham Crossford and Kit Crossford. just think about it; the entire story centers around esp Graham and then later Kit. The entire thing plays out like a story of a child searching for his father and uncovering all the things he did, finding connections to a lost parent and trying to save him. it's a classic, stereotypical story even, so much to the point that i see it reflected in multiple (esp japanese) works. Because Kit is the protagonist lookign for a father lost who once attempted to save the kingdom and his family and failed. you even get the dead mom prompt; like c'mon, everyone here who's seen fmab prob knows that one! u find it all over both western and eastern and southern media.

So, who are the travelers then?

they're just people. people who happen to be the protagonists at hand; some of them more classic than others and more directly related to the plot around Kit and Graham (Primrose (because of the Crows), Olberic (becuase of Hornburg), Therion (because of the dragonstones), Ophelia (because of Matthias)), others simply more or less loosely affected by it (Tressa (receiving Graham's diary), Alfyn (beign highly influenced by Graham), Ha'anit (affected by Graham's mistakes) and Cyurs (too interested in a book he shouldn't be interested in)). You just happen to play as these people, who, in the end, all find out that they have one thing in common - their lives have been affected by Graham and, in the end, by Kit Crossford, too, whom they have to save. only in the last fight against Galdera do they actually become the main characters, even marked by the common "fighting against a dark god" kind of jrpg stereotype which, in all fairness, is also found in western media of all kinds. they step in as main characters when Kit fails to be one - because what kind of main character has to get saved and can't save themselves (classical stereotype talking obv)?

I just feel like judging the traveler's story for having "little relevance" or anythign of the like is wrong; they're people. they're 8 different people, picked to be protagonists, who, sure, i would've loved to see more interaction between, but first and foremost they're people like me and you and that's what makes them relatable.

Octopath Traveler 1 is not a story about being a main character; it's a story about WATCHING a main character (Kit) from an outsider's perspective and that is SUCH an interesting approach that i would personally never slander it, even if execution in some bits and pieces is most certainly lacking.

[theficblog]

lil sis today i went to my go-to beauty parlour and an esthetician whom i had never seen before did my treatment and i was shocked to find out that she has 2 kids already cuz she looks so young and the way she talked was very dreamy 😆😆 like she said she likes to do things in her own pace, very nonchalant and is kinda in her own world the whole time, for instance when a customer arrives she wouldn't immediately notice and the customer has to wait until she notices them at the door only they can be let to enter the shop agshdn 🤣🤣

and that her kids' school is just behind her house but they're always late cuz her mum's always late sjsjsjsjsj her kids always have to tell her: "muuuuummmm, be quiccccck, we're running lateeeee" she'd reply "it's okaaaayyy, just chilll" 😆😆😆😆 and i was like omg if i were a mum, id be like this too 🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈 i just imagine my daughter would be a very outgoing, extroverted and independent kid who could guide me 😆😆

then i asked "are you by any chance a pisces?" and she was like YES.

EVERYTHING JUST MADE SENSE SJSJSKSKSKSJ 😆😆😆😆

my mum's sister is also a pisces and her daughter has to keep an eye on her too 😭😭😆😆😆😆 although it seems like she's in her own world the whole time, when there's an emergency, she's always able to provide a very simple solution that no one else would've thought of (i witnessed this myself when i travelled with her once, she was like this clueless fairy wandering around in her garden but when something important happens, she would snap out of her world and pull everyone outta the dump)

is this what it feels like having pisces parents? 😆

wowww big sis that was so damn accurate! you’re now an astrologer ahhaaha, but i can relate because that is what i do too, i always ask everyone’s zodiac, or try to guess their sun or rising and it’s ecstacy when you get it right! congratulations!! thank you for sharing this with me, i love astrology so much hehehe  ❤️ ❤️

first of all that lady is so cool, like she’s here vibing, we aspire to be like her don’t we? the accurate definition of going with the flow, like being laidback. and wait a minute that thought of your daughter is sooooo adorable ohmyyygoodddd, that is so cute ❤️ 🥺

and your aunt has the best attitude though, paying attention only when it is needed, only if everyone was like that, i don’t even have many pisces placements but relatable again because i am very absent minded too, but the thing is i never useful in chances of trouble, yeah you can find me joking around still  😭 😭

pisces parents are a bit like that yeah! in fact i happen to know so many pisces people (including you) and yeah i agree they are all so bubbly and dreamy? like they have a own fantasy world in the mind and they are kind of devouted to it? but maybe this is why they are so creative, they pick up little things and imagine it in the bigger picture, also to mention how emotional they are, like, along with cancers, they can cry and sulk over the smallest of things but then next minute they are back to normal (when my parents scold me and the next second act like nothing ever happened) BUT I LOVE Y’ALL PISCES SOO MUCH  ❤️ ♓  🌹

[doyeonhd]

hello it's red again!! here with my second muse, trainee #080 nam doyeon from ace label! i'm excited to thread her out with everyone, do read under the cuts for more information!!

dossier / wanted (tba) / pinterest / playlist / rookie points

nam doyeon, twenty-three! she is born in seoul, south korea (specifically in hannam-dong) and was a drummer in a band called 'dead edges' where it was formed during her all-girls middle school!

it's a free-label band and it's more hobby than something to be done professionally (though doyeon had hoped it would make it big, it's just something that she and her band mates enjoy doing during their free time), she had also aspire to be a doctor and wanted to get into snu as her higher education before becoming a trainee

personality wise, she's someone who is hot headed, arrogant, narcissistic and almost any association of negative trait that could related to her, but don't let her tough girl facade fool you. as she's also someone who has inferiority complex and has brother issues yet a softie on the inside!

that being said, her older brother is an idol right now and gets compared to a lot to him even though they both have different preference with their music. him being more kpop idol while doyeon was more into band music. they're also raised in a family of musicians (their dad an orchestra maestro who occasionally leads the seoul philharmonic orchestra especially during winter performances and a primary school music teacher, while their mom is now a retired opera singer but now a devoted housewife and mother!! (i wonder how they all get their differences in music)) people might not know who her parents are unless they're into the classical/opera music scene but to a certain extend both her parents are successful people whom now live a humble life.

the comparison dont come from their parents because they understand that the whole family is just made up of different genre of music appreciators but rather the people around doyeon??? she gets a lot of "oh your parents are in classical/opera so why arent you playing piano instead of drums" "oh your brother is good in dancing so you must be as good too right?" etc etc

but that being said she's also cousins with niel here!

how did she become an idol despite her aspirations in music being on another genre? she was scouted by a hydra representative during one of dead edges' live gig and auditioned for fun but didn't know she would get into ace. she's here for a good time, not a long time (i supposed)

despite all that, and even if she had been a drummer in her band, she's a decent singer and her audition song for hydra was leebada's night dream. trivia: she worked on the dance for a week despite having no prior experience in dancing

while she may have auditioned for fun, she is giving her 100% in becoming a trainee while discovering why her brother liked this life so much

to others she may seem unapproachable, and she occasionally slips in a few cuss word here and there if she isnt being brute at first sight, but when you get to know her, she warms up to that person that no one else could mess with them

connections that i would like to write for doyeon

perhaps someone who recognized her and have seen her performing in band (either a regular audience, or has a friend who's into the band, a groupie???) or even had chance upon her in the audience of her parents performance?? in my mind there is a headcanon where played the triangle for one of her father's orchestra eventho she isnt part of the seoul philharmonic musicians (nepo baby or rather they are just fond of baby doyeon)

rival that's built from doyeon's insecurities and inferiority complex

someone she could call friend! be it a guy or girl as long as they don't soften up at the sight of this tough girl

people she occasionally flirts with but does not commit to. she's into silly guys and pretty girls, sure enough that category isn't hard to fill up ?

people she can go sneak out with after training hours, to participate in band activities eventho it was explicit told to her that she needed to maintain a low profile. alternatively, just hanging out outside practice hours or playing hanky panky

people who only remembers or recognizes her as her brother's sister and not as her own person ((she gets really snappy about it and possible ends up being rude so do thread with caution!!))

alternatively, that one person who sees her more than being an idol brother's sister, and essentially recognizes doyeon to be her own person

guy childhood friends??? she went through an all girls school for middle school and after but i would think they stay connected despite all that

anyone she can go shopping for clothes with or go cafe hopping

her love language is gifting gifts and she's picking up crocheting and knitting, so she would make handmake gifts (be it from trial and error, or perfected goods)

alternatively, fellow plant parent!!! both doyeon and your muse went out together and bought a cactus whom becomes their child and they take turns weekly to house said cactus

roommates housemates all that jazz, anyone who tolerates her lack of personal space esp if they warm up to her!! she isnt a great cook and high chances she does not seperate the whites and coloured clothing but you will never have one boring day with her

[becca-e-barnes]

I feel so bad for venting my thoughts here bcz I know you've been going through shit of your own and I just don't wanna burden you (even though I know you're gonna say that this is not a burden bcz you're too nice) but ugh I just need someone's opinion on this! Okay so umm I'm 19 and my family consists of my mom, dad and my brother who's like 3 years younger than me. So my parents, they're the kinda people for whom family is the most important thing, my dad he works hard, doesn't have any hobbies or anything of that sort and same with my mum. Like they do have a social life and stuff but it's like at the end of the day, we (me and my bro) are their priority, they'll choose us over any bestriends or any other people okay? And my brother he's someone who likes to be by himself. He's very chill, has like couple of friends and hasn't gotten anything super serious going on, so I guess if I ask him, who's most important for you, he'd probably say mom and dad. And well there's me. I just I really love my two best friends, I've been friends with one of them for 10 years, the other one 5 years and I'm my most comfortable self around them. I'd pick them any given day and it's most probably my overthinking but I just wanted to ask you that is it okay for your friends, to be higher on your priority list than your pparents (especially your dad bcz I feel like I love my mom more so I can place her somewhere along with my friends but not my dad) I just feel so guilty about it because it's like I've seen my dad work so hard his whole life thinking about us and our comfort and he and mom probably think that they'd be the most important people in my life but in reality they're not? I just had this lil fight with him today and he said that I'm too self centered and all I think about is me and my friends and now that I'm overthinking everything I feel like a horrible person. And it's not like I don't love them yk? I do, I just love my besties more. Idk my head is a mess rn and I'm so sorry and ik I probably sound like a lil kid bcz ik I'm just 19 so you might be thinking that oh your friends aren't gonna stay, they're temporary and they come and go as you grow up (bcz ik I'm too young and I've got a lot of to see and things change) but it's how I feel rn about things and I just feel so guilty about it especially because they're so loving and so nice but I just can't help but feel my most true self around my best friends. I know I sound so stupid and like y'all are adulting and have so many bigger problems and here I am like a silly kid going on about this🤦‍♀️

-🐣

Sweetheart, please don't ever feel like your worries or problems are silly. If it affects you and keeps you up at night, it's totally valid and you'll never catch me or anyone else saying that it's not important. You're not "a silly kid" and I'll never have so much going on that I can't stop to listen if you want to talk about stuff. You're never a burden honey

I do think it all comes down to who you're most comfortable around! You said yourself you're most comfortable around your friends and that makes total sense. They're more your age, they understand what's going on in your life and you probably all think quite similarly about things so that helps you feel closer. Your worries and priorities are very similar to your friends' worries and priorities whereas your parents' focus is probably entirely different! And honestly, just speaking from my own perspective, my friends know far more about me than my parents do so I totally see where you're coming from here!

It's not wrong of you to prefer the company of people who relate to you more! And it's clear that you're very respectful of your parents and cognisant of the fact they've made so many sacrifices for you and your brother so it's not like you're being totally unreasonable or anything.

And I'd argue it's just part of growing up! It's different for everyone of course but you're almost in your 20's now, you're not as dependant on your parents as you probably once were. While they might still provide for you, they're not your only source of emotional support anymore.

I think as well it's totally normal to be closer to one parent than the other, I'm really close with my mum but my dad and I don't see eye to eye on everything and that's fine! I still love him loads and my dad sounds very similar to your dad in that he's always provided for us. I wouldn't stress about that personally, it's human nature to not love everyone absolutely the same. My dad was one of ten children and understandably, he's closer to some of his siblings than others, your situation is the exact same except it's condensed slightly because there are less people to consider! We'll naturally gravitate to some people over others, that's just what happens!

But don't let the argument get to you too badly. Your dad maybe just recognises the fact you're growing up and it's hard for him to handle! I suppose to him, he's always looked after you (by the sound of things) and it might be difficult for him to adapt to the fact he doesn't need to do that so much anymore.

[lovemalecforever]

Chapter 13

Not bonded by blood, but united by love.

Before Izzy could say, her phone buzzed and her expressions went from excited to soft.

"What?" Alec asked.

"Mom and Luke are here, you're ready, Alec?"

Alec sighed. "Let's get this over with!"

"With what? What's going on?" Jace asked, having a light frown on his forehead.

"Please be patient, Jace," Alec said calmly. "I'll be talking to you and Clary at last about it, just know that it's important and you both are part of it."

Jace exchanged a look with Clary, but feeling his Parabatai's nervousness, he let it go and nodded reassuringly.

"Thank you. For now, I need to talk to Mom and Luke. Iz, where are they?"

"They're in my office," Izzy said, holding Alec's hand, and giving it a gentle squeeze. Alec smiled then left the room.

_____________________________

Maryse was leaning against the desk, a deep frown on her forehead while Luke was pacing in front, waiting for Izzy to arrive.

"I'm really worried Luke, what are they gonna think?" Maryse spoke. "Are you sure we've made the right decision? I know it's what we both want, but I'm scared. Plus, we have no idea what Izzy wants to talk about." Worry was laced in her voice as she bit her nails.

Luke sighed, walked towards her, and cupped her face. "Calm down Maryse, don't freak out like this. Let's hear what Izzy had to say first, our news can wait, okay? There's no rush for it."

"But Lucian-"

"Hey," he gently tucked the strands behind her ears then leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Just calm down."

Maryse nodded and let out a deep sigh. Gently, she put her hands around Luke's waist and looked deeply into his eyes. Slowly, Luke started leaning in and locked their lips in a slow and gentle kiss as his fingers trailed towards the thick strap of her dress and pulled it down, exposing her bare shoulders then broke their kiss and started trailing soft kisses from her neck to the shoulder and down towards her chest.

Alec was walking towards the office, his hands were sweaty, and he was able to hear his heartbeats as the distance became shorter and shorter. As soon as he reached the office, he halted, scrunched his eyes shut, and put his hand over it as warmness cascaded all over his face. Biting his lower lip, he cleared the throat.

Startled, Maryse and Luke pulled away from each other and glanced at the doorway when they heard the clearing of the throat and their eyes widened when they noticed Alec standing there.

"Alec..." Maryse breathed out, voice filled with shock.

"Are you people... decent?" Alec stuttered out.

Maryse quickly fixed her dress, exchanged a look with Luke and then turned towards Alec after clearing her throat. "Yeah, come in."

Alec peeked through his fingers to make sure they were decent and when he was sure, he sighed and slowly walked towards them and hugged both his parents.

"Hey mum, Sorry to cut your vacation short."

"Alec, it's nice to see you after a long time. What are you doing in New York? Izzy didn't tell us."

"I was actually going to surprise you both, but..." he trailed off.

"You saw nothing!" Luke exclaimed, and Alec put up his hand in surrender. "Anyway, where's Magnus?"

"In Idris, it's just me. I wanted to talk to you peop... what's that?" He frowned when a bright light reflected on his face. Reaching out, he held Maryse's hand when he noticed that was the source, but his eyes widened when he saw a beautiful Graymark ring on her ring finger. "M... Mum? Luke?"

Maryse exchanged a look with Luke, worry visible in her eyes. "Alec, we can-"

"By the Angel! You guys are engaged. Oh, Angel! I'm so happy for you, Mum." without wasting a second, he hugged her tightly and Maryse's shoulder relaxed.

"You're not against it, son?"

"Why would I be? You deserve this happiness, Mom."

"Thank you, Alec." Maryse had tears pooling at the edge of her eyes when they broke the hug.

"It's beautiful!" Alec said while examining the ring. "When did you two... you know?"

"Luke proposed to me a few days ago, we were going to come here after the end of the vacations, to talk to you people about it. But Izzy called us, so we reached here as soon as we could." Maryse explained.

Alec smiled, walked towards Luke, and gave him a bone-crushing hug. "I'm happy for you both. Take care of her Luke, she's all yours now." He whispered in his ears.

"I will boy, don't worry," Luke reassured. "Alec, since you're here, I'm happy that you took it positively, but I wanted to say something." He looked at Maryse then at Alec who nodded, so he continued.

"You're well aware that Jocelyn had a special place in my heart, the way I loved her, no one can take her place, but that doesn't mean Maryse means any less to me. I love her, that's why I decided to marry her. In all these years, I've seen her in a completely different way, the way she was before all the chaos of The Circle began. She has completed me, and I want to spend the rest of my remaining life with her. I just hope that Clary will also take it positively." He was in tears by the end of his speech.

Alec put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it gently. "Don't worry Luke, I'm sure Clary will be happy to hear about it."

"Umm, Alec, where's your sister? She told us to wait here, it's been long now. She said she wanted to talk." Maryse asked with a worried tone, looking between both men.

"It's... it's not Izzy, it's me. I wanted to talk to you all, it's more like permission."

Maryse frowned. "Is everything okay, sweetheart?"

"No, it's not." Alec took a deep breath before speaking again. "It's... related to what happened a month ago!" Alec looked at them, then started explaining to them about Magnus' emotional health, his nightmares, everything that happened over the course of one month. His constant fear of losing him in a battle, to death, his emotional condition because of it, then his own research and wish to become immortal, not just for Magnus, but for himself too. His findings, to the procedure of becoming immortal. Everything. When he was done he looked at them, ready to argue if needed, but to his surprise, they had a look of understanding, neither shock nor anger.

"Are... are you both okay with it? Me becoming immortal? Mom? Luke?" He asked with a shaky breath.

Maryse walked towards her son and hugged him, having a constant smile on her face.

"If that's what you want, if that'll make you happy, then I have no problem with it. Seeing you with Magnus, seeing your love for each other, I couldn't be any prouder, Alec. Do what makes you happy." She said and kissed him on the cheeks.

"I agree, Alec. If you're happy, we don't have any problem with it."

Alec's eyes were pooling with tears. "Thank you, thank you so much. It means a lot to have your support."

"Does anyone else know?" Maryse inquired.

"Izzy and Simon do. Now you both too. I'm still worried though. Dad, I wanted to talk to him in person but... "

"I'm sure he'll be happy too, Alec. He was more supportive of you and Magnus than me." She said to reassure him.

"Yeah, I hope so. Max will be here in the evening, it's gonna be really difficult to explain to him all this. I hope he understands." He sighed nervously.

"Don't worry, honey, everyone loves you, they'll respect your decision."

"I just hope everything goes well."

"Everything will, Alec." She reassured him and kissed her son's cheek.

"What about you both, when are you telling everyone about your engagement?"

Luke and Maryse exchanged a look. "We're not sure about that, Alec," Luke said. "If something goes wrong, we're just..."

"Luke, Mom, relax. I'm sure everyone is going to be really happy. Announce it at dinner tonight, everyone's going to be there. That's what you people have planned anyway, right?"

"You're right, boy. Maryse, we should tell everyone tonight itself, let's think this through." Luke said, to which Maryse nodded.

"I'll get back to Izzy and Clary to prepare a surprise for Magnus. You guys have a good day."

They all hugged each other once again, then Alec left to talk to Izzy while the newly engaged couple went to Maryse's bookshop to discuss how they are going to tell everyone.

_______________________________

Izzy was pacing in her room, her six-inch sharp heels creating a deep straight line partition on her fluffy silver carpet. Her worries about her brother were getting the best of her, if Alec wouldn't have walked-in in her room at the time, she would have broken her heels because of her constant pacing.

"Alec! What happened? Did they take it well!?" She asked worriedly.

"It went better than I thought Izzy!" He said with a bright smile on his face.

Izzy relaxed instantly, but she knew her brother well. "But...?"

Alec sighed and shook his head. "But I'm still worried about others, especially Max and Jace."

"Don't worry big brother, they'll understand."

Alec sighed and nodded. "Let's talk about what you both girls have in mind for my dinner surprise."

___________________________

The next hurdle for Alec was his dad whom he decided to talk to on a video chat. Even if they have grown distant, his opinion still mattered to him. To his surprise, their talk went well. Robert was surprised by his decision, but he respected his choice, and supported him with it, giving him and Magnus his blessings for a happy life and future.

Alec was already exhausted and frustrated by repeating the same conversation with everyone repeatedly, but he knew it was necessary and by the end of it, only three people were remaining.

.....

Max reached earlier than he was supposed to, excited to meet his siblings after a long time, oblivious that Alec and his mom are there too because Izzy being Izzy hadn't told him anything in order to see the look of pure happiness on his younger brothers face.

Max had grown up to be a strong and brave shadowhunter. He's in his teenage years and very enthusiastic, just like his siblings. He ran towards the ops center eager to meet his siblings when he bumped into someone and hit both of them hard.

"Ow! Hey, careful there, young boy!" Jace said with a chuckle.

"Jace!" Max said excitedly and hugged him. "I missed you!"

"I missed you too, Maxie!"

"Hey, don't call me that!"

"Someone's here early!" Izzy said as she walked toward her brothers.

"Izzy! I've missed you!" He ran towards her and hugged her, to which Izzy gave a wholehearted smile.

"I missed you too, big boy. You know what, your surprise is waiting for you."

"But what is it? You didn't say anything!" He pouted.

"Your surprise is here, Max," Alec said while walking towards his siblings.

Max's eyes went wide seeing his eldest brother after a really long time. "ALEC!" He exclaimed and ran towards his brother making them both stumble and almost losing the balance.

"Woah, hey there! Easy, bud." Alec said with a chuckle.

"Alec, I've missed you so much!" Max said and hugged him tightly.

"Looks like we're not that important to him, Izzy!" Jace said with a mocking tone.

"Hey, don't tease our brother Jace," Alec said defensively.

"Is Mumbai Institute treating you that bad, big boy?" Izzy asked her brother.

"No, it's not bad, but it's boring there. I don't have many friends, and it's way too hot, unlike New York. I want to come back here." He said with a sad voice.

"Then ask Robert, Maxie! He's the one who sent you there!" Jace said.

Max glared at his brother for using the name 'Maxie' again and again but sighed knowing Jace would never back away. "I already did, but he says I have to be there until the Clave wants me there to be!"

"You know you've been sent there because of your brilliant work at California Institute, besides you're the one who wanted to travel all around, and that's the place you grew up learning right, what happened now?" Alec interfered.

"Nothing... it's just... I miss you all." Max confessed.

"Aww... our little brother is homesick!" Izzy said while shuffling her fingers in his hair.

"Hey! Izzyyy! I hate you, and don't touch my hair." He pouted, leaving others smiling at his adorable side.

"Okay, enough. Come on Max, let's get out of here, we have a lot to talk about." Alec said to Max to which he agreed happily. He then looked at Izzy who smiled and nodded at him.

As it turned out, Max do was a little difficult to talk to, but he was understanding compared to kids of his age, as their previous talk about 'Magnus' years ago, he was 'cool with it' about Alec becoming immortal. Alec couldn't be happier at this. The rest of their time was spent talking about their lives or more precisely Max's complaints about Mumbai Institute. When they came back it was dinner time, so they reached the dinner hall directly.

Max's eyes went wide seeing Maryse and Luke there. "Mom!" He shouted and ran towards her, hugging her as tightly as possible.

"Hey, big boy!" She kissed her youngest son on top of his head.

Alec walked in and stood beside Izzy, she raised an eyebrow at him questioningly to which he smiled widely and nodded, making her smile reach her both eyes.

Everyone was present in the hall, making it look like a grand get-together. Maryse and Luke exchanged a nervous look then Maryse stepped forward gathering her courage to speak.

"Kids, there's something me and Luke wanted to tell you all."

Everyone looked at them with curiosity.

"Mom, is everything okay?" Izzy asked.

"Yeah, it's umm..." She looked at Luke who seemed as scared as her.

"Mom, Luke, relax," Alec said gently and gave her a reassuring nod. Everyone looked between them with deep frowns.

Maryse took a deep breath before speaking. "Luke and I... we are engaged!" there was a moment of silence that was finally broken by Izzy's loud squeal.

"By the angel! Mom, I'm so happy." She hugged her tightly then examined the ring. "It's gorgeous!" Maryse looked at her daughter with tear-filled eyes and a wide smile on her face.

"Congratulations, both of you, I'm so happy for you both! You both deserve to be happy." Jace said and hugged them both, and so did Simon.

"So you both are going to be married now?" max asked. "Like dad and you were?"

"Yes, max." Maryse bit her lip. "Are you okay with it?"

"On one condition."

Maryse gulped, glanced at everyone, and then back at Max. "And that is?"

"Can I be your suggenes?"

"Oh, Max..." Maryse bent down and hugged her son tightly, as tears kept falling on her face. "Yes, you can son. Yes, you can."

"Kiddo?" Luke asked, still scared for her reaction.

Clary stood silently, without saying anything she hugged Luke tightly, before letting him go and speaking.

"I couldn't be more happy for you, Luke. You deserve to be happy, Mom would be happy for you too. You are the best father I could have asked for." She had a pool of tears in her eyes.

"Thank you, kiddo." He said and kissed her forehead.

Izzy squealed again, louder this time. "So, we have a wedding to plan now." Everyone laughed at her excitement level.

When everyone got busy talking with the newly engaged couple, Izzy cornered her brother for a private talk.

"What is it, Izzy?" Alec asked.

"When are you gonna talk to Jace and Clary?"

Alec sighed. "After dinner."

Izzy squeezed his arms gently, then they went back to have dinner with their family.