A/N Sorry about the wait, and thank you so much for the reviews! More drama coming up in this chapter, hope you'll like it! Have a nice weekend!

Disclaimer: unfortunately, I don't own anything Torchwood...

Chapter 24

Alice settled in well in Cardiff, at the new house and in her new school. She had had a few weeks off after the death of her mother, and Jack and Ianto used this time to move her things to Cardiff, where she seemed to relax, as she was no longer surrounded by memories and her mother's things.

They had brought everything Alice wanted, and given the rest to charity. Lucia's house was now up for sale.

Alice was understandably subdued, but she still seemed ok, and she found new friends at school, and she was getting on well with both Jack and Ianto. Ianto had taken the role of the more severe and responsible parent in a very natural way, especially since Jack was also grieving the death of one of his closest friends, and he too was new to being a full time-parent. All three of them settled in well in their new roles though, and they led a quiet family-life, preparing for the baby, something that especially Alice rejoiced in.

One Saturday, they were all out shopping, when they were met by a woman in her early thirties.

'Ianto Jones, where have you been? It's like you've dropped off the radar these last few months!' she said loudly and hugged him.

Jack and Alice just looked at the young man, slightly confused, since they had no idea who this woman was, even though she had something very familiar about her.

Ianto on the other hand, felt very guilty. It wasn't that he had forgotten about his family, but so much had happened over the last months, that telling his family about Jack and everything else over the phone just didn't seem right. He talked to his parents and his sister from time to time, but it was mostly him listening to what was going on with neighbours and old aunties.

'I'm sorry, Rhi, I know, it's just been so much lately…'

Jack was beginning to feel a bit angry with Ianto, as he understood that this was definitely a family member of Ianto's, and she had no idea who Alice or he was.

'So, who's this then?' Rhiannon said, indicating at Jack and Alice.

'This is Jack, my boyfriend, and Alice, his daughter,' this blunt introduction surprised Jack positively, but he was still not happy Ianto hadn't told his family about them.

Ianto continued, now speaking to Jack and Alice,

'This is my sister, Rhiannon. We haven't seen each other in a while…'

'I gathered,' Jack said in an icy voice to Ianto, before turning to Rhiannon.

'Very nice to meet you, Rhiannon!' he said honestly, with his classic Harkness-smile.

'And you both, I'm sure! I didn't know Ianto was in a relationship, but I think you understood that much… I really want to chat more, but I'm running late… Why don't you all come to Mam's and Tad's for dinner tomorrow - that way we can all get to know each other.'

'That sounds great!' Jack and Alice chorused, as Ianto didn't answer fast enough. How was he supposed to explain this situation to his parents, let alone to Jack?

'Fantastic!' Rhiannon smiled, 'I'll see you tomorrow then, I'll talk to Mam and Tad, just show up around 5 o'clock! Bye!'

'See you tomorrow. Bye!' Jack and Alice said happily, and Ianto faintly as he saw his sister leave. He turned around to look at his partner and his daughter, and met stern faces.

'Look, Jack, this isn't what it seems…' Ianto started, but was cut off as Jack took Alice's hand and just turned around and started to walk towards the parking lot. Ianto had to jog to keep up with the others, and as much as he tried to talk to them, Alice and Jack remained silent.

'I'm really disappointed, Ianto, I thought we meant more to you than this… You haven't even talked to your family about us!' Jack finally said as they reached the car. Alice looked away, and Ianto thought he could see tears forming in her eyes.

To be able to get his say, he actually took the keys from Jack, just as he was about to unlock the car, and through this stopped the others from getting in.

'Jack, Alice, I told you, this isn't what it seems, I love you both and you are very very important to me! Heck, you two are my life! But so much has happened in these last few months, that I just haven't had time to talk to my family about you… I've only talked to them a few times since Lisa and I broke up, and I wanted to talk to them properly about you two, and the baby… You're too important to talk about over the phone!'

As he said this, Alice came and put her arms around him, and as Jack watched this, the two people he loved most in the world, hug and show each other what they meant to each other, he felt warm inside, and joined them in the hug.

After a few moments, they pulled away and Jack unlocked the car, and they all got in. Before leaving he turned to Ianto and said:

'Ok, your reasons are good enough, but now I'm getting nervous, I'm meeting the in-laws tomorrow!'

Ianto and Alice chuckled and they went home, discussing Ianto's family on the way.

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