Disclaimer: I don't own anything of Torchwood, it all belongs to the BBC and RTD

A/N;This chapter has been REVISED,Many thanks to the awesome '' DarkwingDuckie'' who's editing an suggestions has improved this story. PLEASE REVIEW

T

Chapter-2

After being welcomed home with hugs, kisses, and joyful tears from his mother,Jack walked the spiral staircase up to his room wanting to unpack and settle in before his father and brother arrived home from work.

Now alone, Jack wasted no time calling Ianto who picked up after the second ring when seeing Jack's name on the caller I.D.

"Hi, Yan! How's my gorgeous husband?" Jack asked in his sexiest voice.

Ianto couldn't keep from laughing, "Well considering I miss the body that goes along with that sexy voice, I'm fine. Can't wait for you to return home."

''I miss you too babe," Jack replied. "Soon as the holiday is over, I'm taking the first flight out of Cardiff back to you. Don't ever doubt how much I love and miss you. Promise me you want be alone for the holiday."

"Jack, will you stop worrying? I will be with my sister and her family. Enjoy the visit with your parents and hurry back to me. I love you."

"I Love you too, Yan. I'll call you again tonight."

As Jack said goodbye he took a deep breath closed his eyes. As much as he loved his family he would rather be in London with Ianto.

On Jack's first night home Katherine had arranged for Gray, Keri, and the grandchildren to eat dinner with the family at the main house.

After a very enjoyable meal, they all retired to the family room laughing and talking about the past as well as present while the holiday decorations and fresh aroma of pine from the Christmas tree with twinkling lights enchanted the room.

Katherine watched as her grandchildren, Tommy and Alice, were ecstatic over seeing their uncle Jack again. Overcome with emotions when seeing her family happily gather together, Katherine made a vow that no matter what she had to do Jack would never return to London to live; his place being in Cardiff with his family.

As Grey and Jack went with their father to his study to continue their conversation, Katherine used this time to put her plan to keep Jack in Cardiff into action. She walked with Keri to the other house on the estate with the pretense of helping to put the grandchildren to bed. Afterwards, Katherine was offered a cup of tea by her daughter-in-law which she graciously accepted.

After taking a sip of her tea Katherine put her cup down. "Keri you know me,I've never been one to beat around the bush," Katherine said with a stern face. "I'm straightforward and speak my mind so there are never any misunderstandings or confusion."

"Yes mother Harkness, which is one of the qualities I admire about you," Keri nodded in agreement as she braced herself for what her M-I-L wanted to talk about.

"That's very nice of you to say dear," Katherine smirked. "But I wasn't fishing for compliments. I wanted to talk with you about family and being a parent. I've spent most of my married life ensuring that my family has a happy loving existence.

With Gray it was you. I've never been happier than to have you as my daughter-in-law. You have made my son so happy and blessed Jackson and me with two adorable grandchildren, which I will be forever grateful for."

Removing her handkerchief from her sleeve Katherine wiped her eyes.

Keri seeing this embraced her mother-in-law. Unbeknown to her, Katherine's confession was sincere but also used as a ploy to manipulate Keri into helping her achieving her goal.

"Mother Harkness, I know you are worried about Jack but he seem to be very happy. He's a lawyer and partner in the prestige law firm. When he visits, he always talks about the exciting life he leads." Keri wasn't fooled, she knew this was all about Jack, but played along waiting for mother Harkness to make her point.

"Keri, things aren't always what they seem. I know for a fact Jack hasn't been in a stable relationship since Gwen. If he hadn't went away for university,they would be happily married and Jack would be working with his father and brother at Harkness Enterprises."

Keri listened with intense interest as Mother Harkness continued realizing where this conversation was now headed.

"Keri, Jack doesn't have a home; he shares a flat with one of his lawyer friends whose fiancee was killed in a car accident. The two of them, when not working, spend their time at the pubs." Katherine paused dramatically, "Jack needs a more stable environment. I know you and Gwen are still best friends and she visits often."

"Mother Harkness, why are you asking me about Gwen?" Keri frowned already knowing the answer.

Katherine took another sip of her now cool tea, looking Keri in the eyes she spoke softly," I want Gwen to come visit while Jack is here. I know she still loves him and deep down I believe Jack still has feeling for her. She's exactly what he needs."

Keri against her better judgment agreed to call Gwen and invite her overtomorrow. (She did not want to get on Mother Harkness' bad side; her mother-in-law was a frightening enemy to have.)

After kissing Keri goodbye, Katherine walked the path back to the main house smirking at how easy that was.

As she formulated her next move, her greatest concern was Jackson; he could never discover the extent of her manipulating. Jackson didn't bother her much and let her do as she pleased but if her intervention became known, he wouldn't tolerate her interference in their children's life. If he had any knowledge of her involvement with Keri and Grey's married and their residence of the family's estate, he would be extremely outraged.

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