"I'm done brushing my teeth," Emily called out as she came running into the living room. Jack narrowed his eyes in suspicion at her.
"You brushed them all?" He questioned and she nodded happily. "Let me see." Emily went running over to him opening her mouth wide so that he could see her teeth. He looked in her mouth seeing that her teeth indeed looked brushed but he still had his suspicions. "All right, go put your toothbrush away."
She ran off with thumping back up the stairs to return her toothbrush to its place. Jack finished off the rest of his whiskey from his glass and stood to go up to tuck her into bed and tell her a story. He was tired and sore from the long day at Torchwood but Emily had no one else so he would make sure that she was tended to before crawling into his own bed for the night. He put the empty glass in the kitchen then climbed the stairs to where the bedrooms were. Emily was already sitting on her bed waiting for him.
Jack sat down next to her on the bed, picking up the book on the bedside table. As he did, he noticed her blue eyes look hopefully towards the door. Jack waited quietly as they both listened for the familiar noise of the TARDIS returning. The world remained quiet, though, beyond the familiar noises of the night. Emily's face fell as she laid her head down on the pillow. He pulled the white blanket decorated with colorful butterflies over her and she cuddled her teddy bear as she looked up at him.
"Daddy's not coming home again," Emily sighed.
"I'm sure he is just busy and lost track of time," Jack informed her even if he knew it wasn't true. The Doctor had a time machine and he could have traveled for a hundred years and still have been home in time for dinner if he chose to be. Instead, he stayed away and Jack had to care for the little girl who didn't understand why her daddy didn't want her.
"When is he coming back?" Emily wondered.
"I don't know," Jack answered honestly, not wanting to lie to her.
"I promise I'll be good." Jack felt his heart breaking at her words and he placed a hand on her head running his fingers through her almost white hair. Tears filled her eyes and she wiped them away with the back of her hand.
"Listen to me, baby, you have done nothing wrong," Jack told her. He could see the doubt in her eyes and he hated the Time Lord for making her feel that way. He set the book aside as he scooped her up in his arms. He held her tightly as she buried her face in his shoulder. "I know it is hard to understand but none of this is your fault." She sobbed into his shoulder and Jack rocked her gently. He made gentle shushing noises until she calmed holding onto him. He kissed her on the top of the head. Adjusting her, he reached for her book again opening it. He read softly as she listened not responding as she stared at the book. Normally, they only read one chapter but as they came to the end, it was obvious she wasn't ready to sleep yet. He read a second chapter then set the book aside.
"Can I sleep in your room tonight?" Emily questioned softly.
"Of course you can," Jack told her. He stood up with her in his arms carrying her with him to his room. He set her down on the bed and she scrambled beneath his blue comforter. He left her for just a second to change into his pajamas then returned to the room. He turned off the light then laid down cuddling her close to him.
"I love you, Uncle Jack," Emily whispered.
"I love you too, sweetheart."