Title: Understanding

Slash: Jack/Ianto Jack/OC Gwen/Rhys Ianto/OC

Spoilers: Set 7 (Earth) Years after COE

Summary: It's hard to carry on without your lover; yet life goes on and love is never far away.

A/N: Huge thank you to everyone who is reading this. Thank you to those who have followed this story, and especially for those of you that have reviewed!

Just to clarify, Jack and Ianto will get back together, its just a long road to that process so please bare with me.

Reviews are loved and greatly appreciated.

Chapter twenty five

Shakily Jack put the phone back on the hook in their bedroom; he slowly made his way downstairs and collapsed into the arms of his waiting lover. Andrew held him tight in his arms, Jacks head cradled into his neck. They stayed locked in that embrace for what seems like an eternity, the world swirling around them as they stood still, together against the world. Pulling away to look into his lovers eyes, tears brimming in his own, Jack pressed a soft kiss to his lips. "I'm so sorry for putting you through all of this, but you have changed me in ways I have never thought possible. Only you could have turned me into the man that I have now become. Only you could have made me so caring and gentle, I would be nothing but an empty shell of a man without you, without your love, your light guiding me through." Andrew didn't know how to reply, he felt himself well up with emotion. How had he been so lucky to find Jack?

Deciding he needed to do something before he started crying Andrew pulled out of the embrace. "Do you want a coffee or something stronger?"

"I'll have a whiskey please," he couldn't think of coffee right now, coffee always meant Ianto and it always would. He could never have a cup without comparing it to Iantos, never. With that Andrew made his way into the kitchen and poured Jack a generous shot of whiskey and one not so generous for himself. The past few days had been tough, and they were only going to get harder in the coming weeks.

The men settled down on the couch, the room was filled with a heavy silence as they became engulfed by their own thoughts. Jack had lived so long, had so many different lives and none had been more of a rollercoaster then the present. Never had he felt so overwhelmingly happy and loved whilst being so broken and completely shattered.

Half a bottle of whiskey down and the men had barely spoken. Time swirled around the men unnoticed, lost forever. It wasn't until Jack got a text that the stillness was broken. Taking out his phone he saw that it was from Gwen, he should have known that work was too quiet to last. Opening the text he was shocked to find that it was not work related at all. She was concerned that something was wrong, stating that she knew him to well to lie. Showing Andrew the text they agreed that their only option would be to tell Gwen the truth, she deserved to know after all, and would easily see through one of Jacks lies. She really did know him too well. He decided to sum everything up in three words: Ianto came back. Jack pressed the send button before he could talk himself out of it.

Andrew wrapped an arm around his lover and pulled him in close, he needed to be strong for Jack now. He had to put his own insecurities behind him and take care of Jack. "Why don't you head up to bed, I'll be up in a minute." His soft voice breaking through the stillness, with a nod of his head Jack complied and made his way upstairs. Andrew flicked the television off, before straightening the cushions on the coach. Turning all the lights off downstairs he made his way upstairs, keeping the upstairs hallway light on in case Cadi woke up during the night to use the bathroom.

Jack walked upstairs and headed straight for his bedroom; he stripped and placed his clothes into the laundry basket before heading into the bathroom. With an empty bladder and freshly cleaned teeth he slid into bed and waited for Andrew. Moments later he heard Andrew enter the bathroom to carry out his usual before bed routine, a few minutes later he was stood by the bed pulling his top and jeans off. Today had been a long day but tomorrow would be better...or so he hoped. Climbing into bed the two men wrapped themselves in each other, swapping words of comfort and love before sleep had engulfed them. Two men, curled up in bed, determined to face the world together.

The men awoke with a start as Cadi propelled herself onto them. "Wake up! Wake up sleep heads!"

"Alright, alright we're getting up" Andrew sighed, it was the same most mornings. "Let's get you dressed while Daddy wakes up." With that Cadi sprung off the bed and ran into her room, how could someone be so energetic so early? Jack had groaned and turned his head into his pillow. Andrew chuckled to himself at the sight before heading into Cadi's room to help her get dressed. Somehow Jack had managed to drag himself out of bed, once he was showered and dressed he checked his phone, there was a message from Gwen demanding an explanation at work today. Stuffing his phone into his pocket he put on his trade mark grin, all but ran downstairs and scooped his little girl up into his arms, giggling she struggled in vain against his hold before giving in and planting a sloppy kiss on his cheek. He had to put his moping to one side, this little girl was his life, and she was precious like the little time he would have with her, he had to make the most of now. He looked over at Andrew who was preparing breakfast for everyone, gently placing Cadi onto the floor he strode over and wrapped his arms firmly around the younger mans waist. As he pressed a kiss to his neck he felt Andrew relax into him. "You seem happy; did you sleep well last night?"

"Yeah, but that's not why I'm so happy. Today's a new day and I'm blessed to be able to spend this time with the two of you, I intend to make the most of it." Andrew understood completely where Jack was coming from; he placed the food on the table and helped Cadi into her chair. They are their breakfast with light conversation flowing between them. Jack was the first to leave, the rift predictor had started and he had to dart to work. Which left Andrew to take Cadi to nursery before going to his own job, he hated it, but he had to do something, true they could survive quite easily on Jacks wages never mind the huge amount of savings that he had accumulated over the years but he would go stir crazy if he had no work to go to. No properly structured routine to follow. He felt that today would be a good day; a weight had been lifted somehow.