Jack sat up in the bed as he just watched Emily and Ianto sleep. His daughter had curled up against Ianto and was deep asleep. Apart from the occasional snuffle in her sleep, she looked like a doll. It hadn't taken them long to fall asleep and Jack knew that a long sleep would do them both the world of good. It would help them recover and gain their strength.
His boys, he hoped were sleeping as well. He had told them both that he didn't want them going out tonight and that he would rest easier if they would just spend time in the house until he knew that there wasn't going to be anymore threats towards them. Of course, the danger had gone, he had killed the dangers but still, it wouldn't hurt to be too careful.
Still the nagging feeling that his boys had defied his orders and sneaked out anyway wouldn't leave him so just to make himself feel better, he got up to check on them. Glancing over his shoulder as he tiptoed over towards the door, making sure that he hadn't woken his lover or daughter. Satisfied that they wouldn't wake and find him gone, he went to check on his sons.
Griffin was on his bed watching a DVD on the television and DVD player that Jack and Ianto had bought for his birthday. From what Jack could see, Griffin was watching Iron Man or something like that. As he heard the low creak of his door opening, Griffin's head turned swiftly to the side, his body tense, only relaxing when he realised who was at his door.
"Dad! You made me jump. Da and Em ok?" Griffin asked, his blue eyes full of concern. He still felt bad for what happened to his Da and Jack could see in Griffin's eyes that he was suffering for what he had done without thinking. "Yeah, they're sleeping. Just making sure that you were where I left you" Jack chuckled.
"I'm grounded remember Dad. I'm not going to climb out the window and go gallivanting. I don't have friends either so another reason why I'm sitting here" Griffin pointed out causing Jack to wince. His son was right, since he hadn't gone to school and was home taught, he hadn't met boys his own age or had anyone to play with when he was younger. Jack suddenly realised that he had been selfish when his sons had been small and on some level, he still was being selfish and he knew deep down that he would be more protective over Emily more than ever, because he had almost lost her.
He had been protective over Griffin when he had almost drowned in the hub all those years ago and watching him now, he was surprised that his son wasn't a nervous wreck with how Jack had been with him but no, Griffin was as independent as can be and amazingly so was Tucker.
"I know Griff but at the time I thought that it was a good idea for you to have home schooling" Jack started to explain then paused as Griffin raised a hand up to stop him.
"You don't need to explain Dad. You have enemies…Torchwood has enemies. You had every right to want to keep me safe. Even if sometimes it felt like you were wrapping me up in bubble wrap. You were like that with Tucker and I guess you'll be like it with Emily. Especially now" Griffin sighed.
"Well I took my guard off for a few seconds and look what happened Griffin. She was taken off me and I'm not going to let that happen to her ever again. Because next time….next time, I might not be so lucky. I could lose any one of you and I can't let that happen. I need to be your father, I need to keep you safe and protected" Jack told him.
Griffin nodded in understanding, looking so grown up as he listened to his father's words. Soon he wouldn't need Jack's or Ianto's guidance as much, he would be an adult who could make his own decisions.
"You do keep us safe and protected Dad and so does Da but we need the space to grow. Emily obviously still needs your care but Tucker and me don't really need it now Dad. We've grown up. Of course we both love you" Griffin added as he saw his father's expression.
"I know that you twit. I know where you're coming from but you're still my son. My child. You don't think I'm going to stop caring about you do you? Because it's never going to happen so don't even think that" Jack told him seriously.
"Yeah I know Dad but maybe you should think about nursery for her or even a day school. Just so she can meet and make friends her own age. She'd love it. She wouldn't be in any danger Dad" Griffin suggested.
"I'll think about it Griffin. Right now, I don't want her leaving my sight. I'll leave you to your movie.." Jack smiled. "Going to check on Tuck?" Griffin asked with a knowing look. "Of course, he's the most likely to do a runner out of the window" Jack chuckled. "Yeah, not sure who he takes after" Griffin grinned back.
"I'll tell you a secret, you don't even tell Da about this. He takes after me. From when I was his age, I was a proper pain in the butt" Jack told his son mischievously. "Seriously?" Griffin asked sounding unbelieving. "Yeah. Completely serious" Jack nodded before leaving Griffin to get on with watching his movie.
Jack was extremely surprised to find Tucker in his room, he had really expected to find an empty bedroom and him having to go out and hunt his middle son down. It had happened once before and Tucker had been given a right good old telling off and it seemed to have worked in making him behave himself.
"Hey Dad. What have I done now?" Tucker asked with an over-exaggerated sigh. "You haven't done anything. I'm just making sure that you're ok that's all. Are you ok?" Jack asked hesitantly.
"Yeah I'm great. Given the circumstances. I'm not allowed out then?" Tucker asked with a pout. "Sorry Tuck, not until I know that you lot are going to be safe. Call me overly paternal but I worry about you" Jack confessed. "Yeah but we don't need you to be…it was an one-off Dad. Emily is fine, and Da is fine…" Tucker trailed off, knowing he was sounding like he didn't care about what had happened.
"You may not need me to be but it doesn't mean that I can't be. Do you remember me telling you about your Uncle Gray? About what happened?" Jack asked. He hated bringing up his younger brother but he had to try and get his son to understand, to not go down the same road that his uncle had. But he knew deep down that unless he managed to somehow lose Tucker, his son wasn't about to go on a revenge spree anytime soon.
"Yeah but I don't see what this has to do about not letting me out Dad. Other boys my age are allowed out to play!" Tucker whined.
"Yeah but boys your age aren't a son to the boss of Torchwood. And it has everything to do about you being not allowed out. Your uncle…I let him down and when he found me….." Jack trailed off as he looked at Tucker carefully.
"Because you let go of his hand? I think that's a little over the top to be honest Dad. He had legs to run with didn't he?" Tucker asked. "Yeah but…you are a cheeky one aren't you? The point is Tucker, is I let go of his hand and I destroyed his world. I should have been a better brother and when you and your brother and sister were born, I vowed that I wouldn't fail as a father" Jack confided to him.
"You haven't failed. Things happen Dad. Bad things. But they're not your fault. You didn't make them happen on purpose. They just know how to hurt you. We promise that we'll be extra careful just think about it please?" Tucker begged.
"I'll think about it…what are you doing in here anyway? Thought you'd be in Griffin's room watching a movie with him" Jack asked, glancing around the quiet room.
"Yeah, not really in the mood. I was just thinking" Tucker replied. "Thinking? Did it hurt you?" Jack teased him gently as he ruffled his hair. "Ha ha, just thinking about things. Do you think Griffin would mind me watching a film with him?" Tucker asked.
"Of course he wouldn't mind. Go on now and if you or Griffin need anything, just knock on the door. Now no arguing, I can hear you through the wall if you start" Jack warned as he let his son out of the door first. "Promise dad!" Tucker smiled and wandered off to knock on his brother's door as Jack went back to his bedroom.
Jack shut the door quietly as he came back into the bedroom. Ianto was fast asleep but his daughter was starting to stir, the start of a nightmare brewing. Jack swallowed lightly and made his way to the bed, getting into it and gently pulling his daughter close to him. So she could feel him there and know that she was safe and not alone. This time, he knew that she would need more than that and he would make sure that he could do everything in his power to make her know that she was protected.
"Emily. I'm here. Its ok" he soothed, as he cradled her. She whimpered but snuggled more into him causing Jack to smile a little. "Its alright my baby. It's only a dream, it's not real. I'm right here. Daddy and Da are right here" he continued.
"Daddy?" Emily breathed his name, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah, its me. Just me" Jack whispered, stroking her hair tenderly. She murmured contently in response and snuggled close to him, settling down and going back to sleep again after a few minutes. Jack continued to stroke her hair gently for a few more minutes before settling down himself. He didn't need sleep but he would make an exception this time. He would have a busy few days but he was ready to take them on head on.