Chapter Three:

Jack spent most of the night thinking over what Maggie had said. She knew the Doctor—how was that possible? Though he supposed with that man, anything was possible. Jack wasn't sure between himself or the Doctor who's time line was more confusing. Was it possible that Maggie and Ianto knew the Doctor before? Ianto had never said anything—but then of course Maggie said she'd never told Ianto. If he'd been lied to for twenty-six years he wasn't going to be happy about that either.

With his mind reeling, Jack was rapidly finding it difficult to focus on sleeping, though he didn't sleep anyway when Ianto wasn't with him. He raced through his mind, trying to remember any hint or sign that would have tipped him off to Maggie's claim.

By the time morning had dawned, Jack's nerves were frayed with not nearly enough information and far too many questions. He showered quickly and headed downstairs to breakfast. He found Maggie sitting at the kitchen table reading, a cup of tea in front of her, "Good morning, dear. Ianto is in the kitchen making coffee."

Deciding whatever they had to discuss could wait, Jack stepped into the kitchen and smiled at the sight of Ianto Jones. Ianto, dressed in a pair of jeans and a hooded sweatshirt, stood which his long fingers wrapped around a coffee mug, inches away from his face, eyes closed. It was obvious he was deeply enjoying the magic of coffee.

"Hey tiger, how's it hanging?" Jack interrupted the man's private moment.

Ianto glanced up and offered a large and warm smile. "Made you a cup too." Jack smirked as he accepted the cup of coffee that was sitting to the left of Ianto.

"Sleep well?" Jack questioned quietly as he leaned against the counter, gazing at his lover.

"No—it would appear I don't sleep as well without you."

Jack had the decency to look surprised by this revelation. "Really, well by all means feel free to come cuddle with me anytime."

Ianto smirked as he looked back down at his coffee mug. "My family likes you."

"Oooh does that mean I get to stick around?"

Ianto reached out and removed the coffee mug from Jack's hand, then set his own down as well.

"See what you've done, now we won't be able to see whose is whose."

Ianto gripped Jack's hands in his, entwining their fingers. "Rwy'n dy garu di." Ianto murmured as he leaned forward and pressed his lips to Jack's. Jack felt as if he could get lost in the man's arms, because as much as Ianto claimed Jack did things to him, Ianto had the same affects on Jack. Jack let out a soft moan as he deepened the kiss.

Ianto's arms looped around Jack's waist, pulling him closer. Jack smirked against the lips, knowing full well if this wasn't stopped soon it'd be heading down a bad direction, but at the same time he wasn't sure he was of sound mind to stop.

Finally, Ianto pulled away and let his head forehead drop to Jack's shoulder, breathing just heavily enough to for his chest to brush against Jack's. Jack slid his hands up Ianto's back to his neck and shoulders where he idly began to rub circles in the muscles. "Can I tell you a secret?" Ianto questioned.

"Anything."

"I may have seen the future—twice."

"Really?"

Ianto, head still on Jack's shoulder, just nodded. "It's been a little under a year now, but the night after Gwen's wedding, I went to sleep, every intention of dumping you the next day." He waited for Jack to stiffen at those words, but the man didn't respond, he kept quiet, waiting for Ianto to speak. "And when I woke up, I was living in a beautiful house, with you and three wonderful children."

"Michael?" Jack whispered.

Ianto looked up, meeting Jack's blue eyes. "No. A little girl and twins. I can't explain it, and I've learned by now that the future doesn't always remain the same but—"

Jack smiled as he caressed Ianto's cheeks with his thumbs. "I want it too, Yan."

"What does it mean, Jack?"

Jack shrugged as he looped his arms tighter around Ianto's waist. "Wish I knew, it's not exactly normal to be able to see the future. Is this the only time?"

Ianto sighed, turning his face so it was pressed into his lover's neck. "I can see the past sometimes too, when I really concentrate, I see flashes of a life that doesn't seem like mine. It's weird when I was a little boy I used to wonder what I'd be like as a grown up—then I'd dream it."

"Dream it, of actually see it play out?"

"What's the difference?" Ianto questioned.

Jack sighed. "Dreaming means it isn't real, if you actually see it play out and you're not asleep—that's something all together different."

"Is it bad?"

Jack pulled away and studied his lover's face. "Absolutely not, just means you're different. In a good way of course."

"Can you see it?"

"No—not like that. Come on then, no more worrying, let's get breakfast for everyone."

o0o

Livi stepped into the kitchen forty-five minutes later to the sight of her brother in an apron, turning bacon in the frying pan. Jack and her mother were making eggs as they stood side by side chuckling quietly between themselves. "Happy Christmas Eve." She greeted as she stepped inside.

Ianto smiled as he gave his sister a one armed hug and a kiss to the forehead. "Morning Cariad!"

Livi eyed Jack and grinned. "What have you three been up to? You're not hitting on my mother are you?" Her last question directed right at Jack.

Jack chuckled as he shook his head and gave Livi a brief hug. "I've got eyes for only one Jones and it's not a woman. So what's the run down of today?" Jack turned towards the other two family members with him.

Ianto shook his head as he hugged his poured his sister a cup of coffee. "Well tonight around eight we start the Talent Show—Jones Variety Night we've come to call it. Again if you don't have anything, don't feel pressured."

"Nope, I've already got something. What else?"

"We go to midnight mass—at midnight obviously. Then tomorrow mam and Carys make breakfast while the kids hassle us to open presents. We eat breakfast in the den and open presents. Then we'll have Christmas dinner and head home."

Jack nodded. "Sounds like a fun packed few days!"

o0o

It was sometime around two in the afternoon when Ianto had had enough of his being in close proximity with his entire family and asked Jack if they could take a short walk. Jack smiled as they walked down the street, hand in hand. Jack telling Ianto useless things he'd done as a child.

Ianto felt warmth even through the Christmas chill, since Jack's return nearly a year ago, he'd opened up about who he was—at least to Ianto. It was a nice change of pace for Ianto. "Jack!?"

A high pitched voice startled both men from their conversation. Jack turned around and an instant later a grin had graced his handsome features as he hurried towards the young black girl, sweeping her into his arms. "Tish!" he cried as he swung her around. He'd missed the family.

Jack put Martha's sister down and smiled as he noticed Francine Jones standing to the side, trying to look angry. "Francine." He greeted curtly.

She opened her mouth, but then her hard features melted away and she threw out her arms. "Oh come here you!" She wrapped her arms around his neck as she held him close. The year they'd spent on the Valiant had been horrible, but the things they'd survived through—the things she'd witnessed, what Jack had been through, she'd come to love him like her own. When she finally pulled away she looked him over briefly. "You look good."

Jack, holding her at arms length, nodded. "I am. I'm very good. Tish, Francine, this is my partner Ianto Jones. Ianto this is Martha's mother Francine and her sister Tish Jones."

Ianto smiled as he shook both their hands. "I've heard a lot about you."

"We've heard quite a bit about you too Ianto," Francine smiled as she looked at the handsome man before her. "You're his everything." She offered quietly, causing both men to blush slightly.

"How did you meet?" Ianto asked softly.

Jack gripped Francine's hand in his own. "Remember what I told you about the Valiant?" Ianto gave a brief nod, so Jack continued. "They were on the ship with me. How are you two?"

Francine nodded. "We're doing much better, Clive and I are getting back together. I guess after you watch the world end—then reverse you realize there are more important things in life—like your children."

Jack smiled. "Yeah—know the feeling."

"So will there be a marriage in the future for you two?" Tish asked grinning from ear to ear.

Ianto felt his own heart swell. "Yes, quite soon hopefully—we're looking inside a year actually."

"Oh that's wonderful!" Francine smiled.

"So what are you doing in this area? I thought you lived closer to London?" Jack questioned.

"We do, we came to meet Thomas' parents for Christmas. It's quite a gathering actually. They're getting married in a few more months."

"She's excited about it." Jack offered.

"I know she is, with every reason to be. I'm so proud of that girl. Speaking of which should I expect to be seeing less of her?"

Jack shrugged. "I'd say yes anyway—Thomas is moving to Cardiff, but honestly—I imagine I'll be hiring your daughter pretty soon. Especially if I can convince her to leave UNIT."

"I think she'd rather work with you anyway." Tish stated. "She's missed you."

Jack nodded. "I've missed her too." he glanced down at his watch; they'd been gone two hours. "We should probably get back. It was so great seeing you again."

Francine grabbed him in a hug again and smiled. "See you at the wedding Jack."

Jack grinned. "With bells on!"

"Aye an' hopefully clothes." Tish joked.

As Jack and Ianto walked away, hand in hand, Ianto glanced at his partner and smiled. "Any other secrets you're hiding?"

Jack raised an eyebrow as he glanced over at his lover