Hey guys! I decided to put my AN at the beginning of the chapter this time. The reason for that is because there are so many things that people are saying about the last chapter that I completely agree with. Yes, Magnus is acting like a douche, and yes, this is all coming out of nowhere. The reason for that is because that just sometimes happens in real life.

Have you, or anyone you know, been in a relationship where they think that everything is just peachy keen, yet their significant other just flips shit and breaks it off? Well, it's happened to myself, and some friends of mine in the past. Unfortunately, it just happens. Sometimes it works out in the end, sometimes it doesn't. Shit just happens, and it can leave a mark on ourselves, but it all works out the way it does for a reason.

I've also seen some comments about people not liking the fact that Raphael is "taking Alec's side". But here's the thing, and I know a lot of you have already put this in your comments and I'm really grateful that you've already figured out where I was going with this. It truly does take a true friend to stand up for, or against, those you're close to. In Raph's case, he's telling Magnus that he's being an idiot. He's not letting their friendship go, but he's also not going to sit back and watch Magnus make a huge mistake either. That, in my opinion, is better than blindly standing by someone just out of principal.

Anyway, that's really all I can say without spoiling future chapters. It kinda sucks that I can't write what I want to write to you guys right now, but again, if I did that I'd ruin the rest of the story for you. With that being said, I hope you enjoy this chapter a little bit more? Let me know what you think of the chapter.

Also, I honestly can't remember if I edited this chapter... and I wanted to get this posted tonight so I didn't do a quick read of it before posting. If shit doesn't make sense, just tell me. All mistakes in this chapter are my own.

~oOo~

Thanksgiving was nothing but a blur to Alec. His parents knew something was off about him, but Alec had only told them that it was due to stress. He didn't want to tell them that his relationship may very well have ended, especially since Magnus took every opportunity to avoid him, making absolutely no attempt to contact him. Luckily for Alec, his brothers and sister all stuck by his side, and helped him keep the 'break' from their parents. Alec didn't want to say it aloud, for it would make it that much more real.

Sighing, Alec got out of his bed the day after Thanksgiving when he heard his front door opening up to the noise that his siblings made upon entering his loft.

"Okay, Jace and Max put the tree over there," Izzy's voice rang out as Alec got dressed in a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie. "Clary, Simon, put those boxes over there. I'm going to go get some coffee started and start making cookies."

"Isabelle Sophia Lightwood, you go anywhere near my oven and I'll chop your hands off," Alec shouted as he rushed out of his room, glaring at his sister. "And what the hell are you guys doing here anyway?"

"We're here to decorate for Christmas, apparently," Max grunted as he helped Jace set a huge tree down near his fireplace.

"Yeah," Clary said out of breath as she struggled to put a box down. Alec quickly ran over to help her. "We know that Christmas is your favorite holiday, so we decided to buy you all this stuff to cheer you up. We wanted to have a 'Sibling Day' and help you get in a better mood."

Alec looked around at his family, feeling his expression softening at the pure love they were showing him.

"T-that's actually really sweet guys," Alec's words were choked as emotion took over. Simon and Max were the first to grip Alec in a bone crushing hug, followed closely by Jace, Isabelle, and Clary. "I love you guys."

"We love you too, buddy," Jace said, muffled by his face being pressed against Simon's shoulder.

"Now," Clary's cheery voice rang out as she moved out of the group hug. "Let's get this party started!"

Alec laughed as Clary put her phone in the docking station beside Alec's stereo system and turning on Christmas music, bouncing around his living room while opening up boxes of decorations.

Alec moved into the kitchen and got a pot of coffee started, opening his refrigerator to take out the pies he'd made that were left over from dinner the night before.

"I thought you'd be out shopping, and snatching up all of the Black Friday deals today," Alec said without looking up from his task when he heard the distinct sound of his sister's heels clicking on his hardwood floors.

"Oh, dearest brother," Isabelle chuckled as she wrapped her arms around Alec's waist. "I did that at one o'clock this morning. I finished shopping for everyone except for Simon, and still had time to buy all of your decorations."

"How much do I owe you?" Alec shook his head in disbelief, laughing at the fact that his little sister was up all night doing one of her favorite hobbies.

"You owe me nothing," Izzy pulled away from their hug, adamantly shaking her head as Alec went to protest. "Let me do this for you, grand frère."

"Your french is improving, petite soeur," Alec said proudly.

"Mais bien sûr," Izzy flicked her hair behind her shoulder, giving Alec a cheesy smirk. "Now, what do you need help with?"

"Uh... just get everyone their coffee," Alec looked around his beautiful kitchen nervously as his sister scoffed, but got to work nonetheless.

For the rest of the day, Alec's life was filled with laughter and goofing off with his family. They'd transformed his entire loft into a Christmas Wonderland, and for the first time in nearly a week, he felt... content. Not good, not great, but content.

The rest of his weekend was full of friends and family. Isabelle and Clary took him Christmas shopping. He had lunch with Helen and Aline, plus Jace, Max, and Simon dragged him to the gym at least once. Raphael even invited Alec over for dinner one night. Raph made Alec the most exquisite Mexican meal he'd ever eaten.

"I think maybe I've chosen the wrong theme for the restaurant," Alec joked as he ate. "Let's scrap French and just serve Raph's Mexican perfection instead!"

"It isn't that good," Raph had replied. "But I'm glad you like it."

It was great, what his friends were trying to do for him. The only problem with Alec filling his time being surrounded by people during the day was that when he was alone in his loft, his sadness and loneliness would always return, feeling like a crushing weight on his chest. Alec was barely getting four hours of sleep at night because every time he tried to sleep, their argument plagued his dreams. If Alec could have survived without it he'd never sleep again. He hated that he had to relive that horrible night every night as he dreamt. Alec could find no way of fixing what was broken between them, as he didn't understand how everything had fallen apart in the first place. Had he done something wrong? No one seemed to believe so, but then why was he being punished for it? It seemed now that Magnus was the only one who could decide whether they were together or not. Alec would just have to continue to be patient with him, and let Magnus sort out his own issues. Alec could do that... he hoped.

~oOo~

"Alec," Raphael sighed when he opened the door to Alec's loft. "You really look like shit."

"Gee, thanks," Alec responded sarcastically, closing the door as the two made their way to the elevator. They were headed to Lydia's kitchen to continue training their staff. "I just haven't been sleeping well, that's all."

"I'm worried about you," Raph growled out through gritted teeth. "I hate that he's doing this to you."

"It is what it is," was Alec's weak response. He didn't really had the energy to speak more on the matter, not that that stopped Raphael.

"But he's being an ass!" Raphael exploded. "You did nothing to deserve the way he's treating you. Magnus may be one of my best friends, but he's acting like a child. It's just not right!"

Then Raphael started going off in rapid Spanish, which Alec couldn't keep up with. He caught a few words here and there, but nothing that would allow him to keep up the conversation.

Guilt started eating away at Alec's gut. Raphael had been one of Magnus' closest friends since high school, and Alec felt that he was getting in the way of their friendship.

"Raph," Alec said, interrupting the man's tirade. "Please don't be upset with him. Magnus' insecurities are no less invalid than anyone else's. I know you're mad, but I don't want you to feel like you have to take my side on this because he has every right to feel the way that he does regardless of what anyone else thinks. I really don't want to come between you two."

"Alec," Raphael lamented. "You don't have to worry about that. He's still like my brother, but so are you. I've stuck by Magnus' side through everything, and usually his actions are justified, but this time they're not. I'm not abandoning him, so don't worry about that, but I'm also not going to just stand by and watch him destroy the best relationship he's ever had either."

"Just please don't leave him," Alec begged. "Everyone always seems to abandon him whether it be intentional or not. I don't plan on leaving him either. Regardless of whether we stay a couple or not, I won't leave him."

"You really are something else, Lightwood," Raphael smiled sadly.

Alec turned away from his friend, hoping that Raph would get the clue that their conversation was over. He didn't want to talk about Magnus and their failing relationship anymore. Alec just wanted to get to work, and keep his mind off of the dread that was uncomfortably settling in his gut.

By the time Alec and Raphael made it to Lydia's kitchen his mood grew increasingly worse. Alec was thinking of every scenario in which he and Magnus could work through their fight, but all of them involved Magnus actually talking to Alec.

Everyone was at their work stations prepared for their day, and ready for instruction. Emma was in charge of batter. Alec could see through the glass front of the refrigerator were several containers with dough rising and waiting to be baked. Julian already had his vegetables chopped and ready to be sauteed and added to the different soups and stews Alec was going to teach him how to make. Eronte was helping the Rotisseur, Casey, prep the meat.

"Okay everybody," Alec clapped his hands once to gain the attention of his staff. "Today we're making Garbure, which is a ham and cabbage stew that's also made with other vegetables. Julian, you have the recipe card for that, correct?"

"Yes, Chef," Julian responded, holding up said card.

"Great! Casey, I presume you're getting the ham ready for Julian?" Alec looked over at his new Rotisseur.

"Yes, Chef! I'm also prepping the duck for the Confit de canard, and the tuna for the Salade niçoise," Casey gave Alec a nervous smile. Alec looked over to where Eronte was helping her, and gave the young chef an encouraging smile.

"Since Casey seems to have all of the meats taken care of, Kit," Alec looked around for his pantry chef, finding him immediately at his station. "How are all of the vegetables coming along?"

"So far, so good, Chef," He smiled brightly, looking as confident as ever, which was a relief to Alec.

"Great! Let's get cooking!" With that, everyone went to work. Alec walked around giving advice and instruction, same as Raphael and Lydia.

"Excuse me, Chef," Julian said, a couple of hours into their day. "I've been tasting my Garbure throughout the stewing process, but for some reason it seems to be really salty. I haven't added any salt to the stew, but how do I cut the sodium down?"

Alec walked over to Julian's workstation and grabbed a spoon to taste. Sure enough, the stew tasted like it was saturated in salt.

"Casey," Alec called out, motioning for the girl to come over to the workstation. "What type of ham did you cook for this stew?"

"It's a Country Ham, sir," she responded without skipping a beat.

"And did you let the ham soak in water for at least twenty-four hours before cooking?" Alec asked, feeling himself growing increasingly annoyed. Soups and stews should never be made with a salted cured ham!

"No, why would I do that?" Casey asked, seemingly genuinely confused. "This is the first time I've ever worked with a Country Ham."

"Country ham comes already cured in salt. If you don't soak it for twenty-four to thirty-two hours, the ham could be too salty to eat. Because we're putting the ham into a stew, the salt is already mixing with everything else in the pot," Alec said through gritted teeth.

"Julian," Alec turned towards his Saucier without allowing Casey to respond. "Add water to lessen the sodium content, and if the stew appears to be too watery, add a cornstarch slurry to help thicken it up."

"Yes, Chef," Julian said softly, immediately getting to work.

"Now Casey," Alec whirled right back around to his Routisseur. "Did your recipe card call for a salted ham?"

"No, sir," She meekly responded.

"Then why did you choose that type of meat?" Alec could hear his voice growing louder, but didn't care enough to quiet down.

"It was the type of ham I saw in the walk-in," Casey responded softly, looking down at her feet.

"Well if I wanted you to use a Country Ham I would have specified!" Alec completely lost his already agitated temper.

Suddenly Raphael, Lydia, and Eronte were by his side. Eronte pulled Casey away, and led her back to her workstation whispering to her in a soothing way. Lydia and Raphael, on the other hand, pulled Alec out of the kitchen and into her office.

"What the hell was that back there?" Lydia exclaimed as soon as the door was closed.

"I don't know," Alec groaned, completely embarrassed by his own actions. "I've never lost my temper at an employee before."

"Look Alec," Raphael piped in. "I don't want to bring this up, but is it possible that you're letting your personal life interfere with your work?"

"Yeah, I need to go apologize to Casey," Alec sighed. "It wasn't her fault, especially since she says that it was the only option in the walk-in."

"I think that's a good idea, and while you're talking to Casey I'm going to figure out where the mistake was made in my order," Lydia said, turning around and marching out of the office.