Years ago he had never imagined that he'd be a late sleeper, he always had to be ready to act on a moment's notice or fight for his life. He had always been an earlier riser regardless of what was happening, but now all of that was different, everything was so different. He slept late surrounded by the finest and softest sheets and pillows encased in a soft citrus mixed with an indescribable spiciness.

It was how he knew it was truly her and not some joke being played on the old soldier.

Groaning softly he slowly opened his eyes and rolled over hoping to find her still sleeping next to him, but instead, he found a girl with big blue eyes looking back at him from the edge of the bed. He could only see the top of her head and her blue eyes looking back at him.

"Emma…" Jack said quietly.

"Daddy are you awake yet? Mom's gonna be mad," Emma said as she placed her head on the edge of the bed.

"What time is it?" Jack grumbled.

"It is 10:30 am, " Emma said as she leaned onto the bed brushing her blond hair to the side.

His beautiful little girl. She looked so much like him.

He reached out to take her little hand and noticed that her nails were painted and one of his fingernails were painted as well. Jack looked at his finger and then to the girl who looked away from him nervously.

"Mom said I could do it…" Emma said as she laughed nervously.

"It looks better on your than it does me. Where's your mom?" Jack grumbled as he sat up in bed.

"She just started making breakfast," she replied.

"Ok…" Jack yawned as slid out of bed.

"I'll go let her know you're awake," the girl hopped to her feet and skipped out of the room before he was able to say anything. He yawned again as he pulled on a pair of lounge pants before heading towards the scent of bread baking.

"Mooom. Dad's awake,"

"He's such a lazy bum...did you kick him awake?"

Jack heard Emma's and Natalie's voice come from the kitchen as he made his way groggily to the kitchen. He yawned once more as he entered the kitchen to see several plates of food on the kitchen nook table, Emma placing a plate of food onto the table and move over to the giggling baby in his high chair.

"You're such a happy baby Axton are you ready to eat too? I'm hungry," Emma murmured to the baby.

Jack felt his chest tighten at the sight of his small family together, safe from harm's way. He wondered if all of this was a dream and he was sleeping or bleeding out somewhere in Dorado. It hurt, but God he loved every moment of it.

"Daaad," Emma started pulling Jack from his thoughts.

"Hm?" Jack replied

"Are you staying with us today? We were going to go to the park with Axton," Emma bounced by the high chair

"Of course," Jack replied as he turned his attention to the woman at the stove top. Her hair was pulled into a messy bun, she wore his shirt and wore black leggings.

"You're finally awake," Natalie commented as she continued to focus on the eggs.

"That's where my shirt went," Jack chuckled.

"What's yours is mine, and what's mine is mine," Natalie replied as she quickly glanced at the man. Her cheeks turned a light pink when she noticed the look he gave her.

Love. Admiration.

"...D-Don't look at me like that. It was the closest thing I saw," Natalie replied as she scooped the scrambled eggs onto a plate and began cracking more eggs into the skillet. Jack chuckled as he went over to the woman and wrapped his arms around her waist as she continued to cook.

"...did you sleep well?" Jack murmured.

"I did. You sure did though," Natalie commented.

"Yeah...it's easier to sleep with you nearby," Jack replied softly and placed a kiss on her earlobe.

"Getting sappy on me so early?" Natalie chuckled.

"I love you," Jack whispered.

Natalie was silent for a moment, her cheeks turned a bright red as she continued to cook.

"I love you too Jack,"

Jack sighed softly as he placed a kiss on top of her head.

"Hey Axton...do you think...we're going to have another brother or sister?" Emma whispered to the gurgling baby.

"Emma,"

Hearing her name being called, cause the young girl to jump and take a seat.

"Another baby you say?" Jack said jokingly.

"Go sit down before I smack you with this skillet, Jack," Natalie threatened.