The smooth, rich sound of Alexander playing the piano filters through the air, making everything in the room seem fluid, luscious. Even the sunlight seems to capture the notes, let them hang upon its rays for a moment before they fall softly into the morning. The music mixes with the sound of our daughters cooing in their bassinets.

Leaning over his shoulders, I perch my knees on the edge of the bench, pressing a chaste kiss to the top of his head. Chuckling, he doesn't miss a single key, fingers deft and sure.

"Were they fussing this morning? I didn't even hear you get up." Its barely 6, and on Monday's, I normally handle the morning feedings and changes before I work for a little while. About a year and a half ago, when we found out that surrogacy was an option for us, I started working primarily from home.

"No, but I figured I could do it this morning." He replies, still playing.

"Why?" Walking over to the soft grey bassinets in the study, I peek down at our two, month old girls.

"You've got a stressful day ahead of you," he reminds me. Smiling at my daughters, I try to push the thought away.

"We could always cancel," the offer is moot, I know it. Alexander is the smart one in this situation, the logical one, and even though I know I'm being childish and cowardly, I want it my way.

"Your father has to meet his grandchildren sometime." Sighing, I gently scoop Aria up, cradling her to my chest, the feel of her fluttery heartbeat and soft skin relaxing me. She looks just like her father- eyes the colour of sun-kissed earth and hair dark as midnight.

"But why now?" Swaying gently, I hum to her, or maybe it's to calm myself.

"We've already put it off long enough. It'll be okay. We'll meet your parents for lunch, and then visit my family. Jace is home on reading break, and he hasn't seen the girls since they were born. It'll be okay," the calming music drifts to a close as he stands, walking silently to where Atlas wiggles, melted honeycomb eyes looking up at Alec.

"I know," I concede, smiling gently. His lips lift slightly in return as we make our way to the girls room.

Chairman Meow weaves between my ankles as we walk in, no doubt begging for breakfast. Alec caved on the name. He's whipped.

We built this house just on the edge of Brooklyn 4 years ago. It's big, a spacious back yard for our girls to grow up in. And I designed the interior myself. It's everything Alexander and I could ever want to grow old in.

Once they're dressed in soft grey onesies with pink skirts, and their diaper bags are packed, it's nearing 8. Setting them on their resting docs in the living room, we keep an eye on them while we make breakfast and feed the Chairman.

Alec's taken to fatherhood like a natural. While I start making bacon and eggs, he's already preparing their bottles for their second feeding.

"Do you think he'll be different?" I hate myself a little bit for even asking. Alexander won't know. How could he? We got immensely lucky that Maryse had a change of heart. I can't get greedy and expect the same for myself.

As I finish with plating our breakfast and set it on the table, Alexander tucks Aria in the crook of my arm. Sitting down, I take the bottle from him and begin feeding her.

"It can't hurt to find out. Maybe he has. And if not, it's his loss." I smile faintly and glance up at him.

"Yeah, his loss for sure."

***

"I'll drive," Alec offers once we're outside at 10 with the girls in tow, diaper bags on our arms.

"Are you worried I'll 'accidentally' take a wrong turn?" I joke, placing Atlas' car seat in place and putting the stroller in the trunk.

"I'm worried it won't be an accident," he grins over the car at me and I can't help but laugh. The drive is peaceful, and the girls are absolute angels the entire way. As my parents house comes into view, I can't help but sigh, worried this perfect day is about to change.

Alec reaches over, taking my hand in his own, squeezing twice. Fixing everything.

"Ready?" He asks, cutting the engine in the driveway. I nod, sliding out into the hot July sun and opening the back door. Atlas is sleeping soundly, and I try not to wake her as I fix her pink sun hat and unhook the car seat. Alec matches my movement with Aria and soon enough we're making our way to the front door.

The garden is in full bloom, the scent washing over me like a gentle reminder of the person I used to be, a place I once called home. Alec smiles at me, ringing the doorbell.

My mother opens the door, an excited smile lighting up her face. She's been down to Brooklyn a couple of times in the past month to visit the girls.

"Oh, I'm so happy you're here," she ushers us inside and I can't help but feel okay with all of this. This right here is my family. And if my father chooses to continue to disagree, then it's his loss. Not mine.

We set the carriers on the floor in the living room and I offer to go get the lemonade while mom and Alec unhook the girls.

Stepping into the kitchen, I see my father one step ahead of me, fridge door open and a pitcher of lemonade in his hand. He's wearing tan khakis and a navy short sleeve dress shirt. Reaching into the cupboard, I grab 4 glasses.

"Hey, Dad," I greet, preparing myself for the worst. He offers me a smile instead, stepping toward me and squeezing my shoulder as the refrigerator door shuts.

"Hey, son. Welcome home. Come on, let's go meet those gran-babies." I'm sure the surprise is evident on my face, though I try to mask it as best I can. Smiling back, though the reaction feels unexpected, I follow him, placing everything on the coffee table.

"Oh my," my father murmurs, settling into the sofa next to my mom. "She looks just like you," Atlas is cradled in my moms arms, eyes wearily open. I can't fight the smile that breaks onto my face, and briefly, my eyes meet Alec's, his expression relieved and content.

"I should make the girls some bottles," he offers, standing and leaning over the table, Aria in his arms as he offers her to my dad. Awestruck, he takes her, holding her cautiously, as if she's fine china. The image sticks in my head, this family I never thought would be possible.

It feels like the final missing puzzle piece has finally settled home.

Pouring everyone a glass of lemonade, I take a small sip, eyes trained on my girls. It's almost noon, and time for their feeding. Alec and I normally bet on whose going to cry for lunch first.

"I'm betting Atlas," I call softy to the kitchen. My parents glance at me, confusion colouring their features. Alec's laughter lilts through the room.

"It's unfair. You can see them," I smirk and look between the two.

"No difference. Just a feeling." I defend softly. He laughs again.

"I'll take that bet. I think Aria will cry first."

"You're on."

Atlas cries first. And I refuse to say I cheated by spotting the small pucker between her brows. It's a shrill, needy sound that is instantly dispelled the moment Alec places a bottle in my mother's hand.

My parents make a sweet picture feeding our daughters, their faces softened and adoring as they stare down at the sleepy girls in the crooks of their arms.

The afternoon is spent catching up, and with me holding my breath, waiting for this pristine moment to shatter. But it doesn't. I don't let a breath out until Aria and Atlas are sleeping soundly in their car seats and we're making our way to Alexander's family home.

"That went..." I can't find words, which is really rare for me. But Alexander has the perfect ones.

"Amazing. I'm glad he came around." I nod and lean back, letting the warm May sun dance across my face.

"We're here babe," Alec murmurs, dragging his finger tips down the line of my jaw. Humming, I blink my eyes open, capturing his palm in a chaste kiss. Chuckling, he cuts the engine and steps out.

By the time I've got the carrier out of the car, Jace and Izzy are there, taking them from us and giving us quick side hugs as they begin to talk.

"Schools been great-"

"Okay so how much have they changed?"

"Izzy, it's been a week since you saw them,"

"So?"

"Oh. My. God. They're so precious." Jace finally murmurs, causing everything else to quiet down. We've made it inside the house now, the carriers sitting on the coffee table as Jace crouches in front of them.

"Aren't they just?" Izzy coos, dusting her fingertips over Aria's dark hair.

"Can I take her out?" Jace asks, Atlas peeking up at him curiously.

"Yeah, of course." With more care than I've ever seen him use, he slowly extracts her from the carrier before cradling her in his arms, swaying slowly side to side.

Clary glides into the room, her hair in bouncy waves cascading down her back.

She and Jace have made it last, and thank goodness for that. They're a gorgeous couple. Jace is just finishing his final year of school before he can open his practice, and Clary is finishing up nursing school. But, with the baby bump she's sporting, it looks like they might have to change their plans.

Kissing her cheek, I watch as she leans her head on Alec's shoulder and looks at the girls in both Jace and Izzy's arms.

"They look so much like the two of you. They're beautiful." She smiles, eyes drifting between us.

"They're pretty sweet." I agree easily. Although, I'll admit I'm fairly bias.

"And you, my darling, look absolutely stunning. Motherhood becomes you." Cheeks flooding with soft pink, Clary's hand hovers gracefully above the bump before her fingers brush over it, a smile playing on her lips. Her eyes are trained on Jace holding Atlas, the picture of ease and serenity. Her future sitting right in front of her tied up in a pretty bow.

"I can't wait, you know? I feel like my life's just beginning."

"It'll feel like that forever, I think." Alec chimes in, eyes meeting mine with a knowing, content gleam and a sweet smile.

"Like the beginning?" Clary asks, blinking and glancing at Alec curiously.

"Yeah. Like the beginning. Life is full of beginnings. I don't think that excitement- that eagerness- ever really fades." I smile, resting my hand on Clary's shoulder and glancing over her head at my love.

"I hope you're right. I hope our lives are always just beginning." And even right now, it feels just like that.

________________________________

A/N: Finally! I feel like this story's been waiting for something more for ages and I finally got around to doing that.

I hope you all enjoy this extra little part. Let me know :)

Thanks!
Sierra