A/N- I'm so very sorry for the delay in this chapter. After 'Children of Earth' I kind of lost my spark for Torchwood writing for awhile there. I've finished 'The Master's Return' tho I warn you the ending sucks (I was just so stressed out with Jack that I couldn't write a proper ending, and I was even more so stressed with Jack that I decided to say screw it and finish the story).

It's been kind of difficult writing this last chapter because Ianto was in this…and it broke my heart. But of course this is three years before Children of Earth even occurred.

Anyways…I also want to say that our story for Lily will soon be ending. I need to finally wrap this up…I have a sequel to 'The Lost Daughter' in the works and a story about Alice Carter in the works. I hope you all look into that. Anyways…on with chapter 18…

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Chapter 18

O Christmas Tree

When Lily woke up the next morning she had mixed feelings about the dat. On one hand she was excited to spend Christmas with Jack…and on the other hand…it was Christmas without mum and dad…no sister or baby brother.

She took a deep relaxing breath as she walked to the kitchen; there was nothing she could do about it now.

Lily fixed a cup of tea and then went to shower. Jack was going to be there soon.

After she showered she went to her wardrobe with the intent of wearing a pair of trousers and a sweater, but upon reaching the wardrobe she discovered that all of her trousers were in to be washed. The only other thing was a pair of jeans.

Slowly she pulled them up around her waist. Lily donned a tee shirt that had the Union Standard on is…and upon glancing at her appearance in the mirror she discovered that she felt different. Like the thread of her past she had been holding on to by wearing forties inspired dresses had been cut.

And it was then that she felt…a load lifted off of her chest…and like she had finally grown up. What was more…in these clothes she felt….sexy.

The jeans hugged her form and the tee shirt was slimming. Slowly she pulled on some heeled boots that she had just bought, brushed her hair out and put a hat on.

There was a knock on the door, she grabbed her coat and ran downstairs. Lily checked her makeup in the mirror and opened the door.

Matthew was on the other side, "Hey!" He greeted.

Lily's face almost fell, but she was quick to keep up her smile, "Hey…what's up?" She asked, looking behind Matthew to see if the SUV was on its way.

"I was just checking to see how the decorating went," he smiled, "I was in the neighborhood so I figured I'd just drop in."

"Oh um…it went alright…I'm waiting for my ride to go get my tree." She smiled.

"Oh I didn't know you needed one…" He looked around for a vehicle, "I could always take you."

But it was then that the SUV sped up, Lily smiled as Jack came out of the vehicle.

"Never mind, Jack's here now."

Matthew looked as Jack came around and he almost faltered.

Jack offered a smile at Lily and Matthew.

"Morning Jack," Lily greeted before closing the front door and locking it.

Jack pecked Lily on the cheek and then glanced at Matthew. "Who's this?" He asked.

Lily smiled, "Oh right…Jack this is Matthew. Matthew this is Jack…my boyfriend."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Matthew O'Hare." He greeted.

"Captain Jack Harkness."

"Right well I'll see you at church tonight Matthew…we better get going." Lily said next.

"Oh right…"

Lily and Jack watched as Matthew walked up the street.

"He seems nice." Jack commented.

Lily nodded, "Yeah he is."

The couple climbed into the SUV.

"Tell you what though…he didn't seem to keen when you introduced me as your boyfriend."

Lily looked at him, "Yeah you noticed that too?"

He nodded.

"Well he's just going to have to get over it…I'm quite happy thinks." She smiled.

Jack returned the smile.

Their conversation rolled along after that, discussions about Torchwood to Christmas. Finally though they arrived at the Christmas tree farm that was located outside the city, Lily hopped out of the vehicle and began to look at the different trees.

Eventually they decided on a tree which Jack paid for and then several men helped strap it to the roof of the SUV.

When they arrived back at Lily's house they struggled getting it off of the roof and an even greater struggle attempting to get it inside.

"We could call Ianto and Owen." Lily offered, holding up her mobile.

Jack looked at it hesitantly but then nodded.

She smiled and dialed Ianto's cell phone.

"Hello?" The tea boy greeted.

"Ianto its Lily could you do me a favour?" She asked.

"Sure what is it?" He asked next.

"Could you and Owen come over? Jack and I are trying to get my tree in the house and it's proving to be difficult." She explained.

There was a brief silence. "Yeah we'll be there soon."

"Thanks you're a life saver."

Ianto hung up and Lily smiled, "Their on the way."

Jack walked over to her and they leaned on the car together.

"So I was wondering if you'd mind me coming to Christmas Mass." He asked.

Lily smiled at him. "I'd love for you to come!"

"Think I'll be fine wearing this?" Jack looked down at his clothes and Lily inspected his outfit.

"You are covered in pine needles…so you might want to change your shirt…" she paused, "Yeah that outfit should be fine."

He smiled again and looked back to the tree. Jack had never been religious…even before his immortality. His want to attend church for the first time in…a good century and a half came down to such a human reaction. Someone was interested in Lily and he was going to make sure people knew that she was taken.

Five minutes passed and a twin to the SUV that Jack and Lily were currently leaning on pulled up. Ianto and Owen hopped out a moment later.

"Hiya!" Lily greeted with a warm smile.

"So what do we get out of setting up the tree?" Owen asked, but he was smiling.

"I was going to make tea and biscuits…and of course I'm cooking dinner tomorrow." Lily replied.

"We invited?" Owen asked next.

She nodded, "If you don't have plans then yes."

"Right well…we'll see. I'll have to move some things around if I do show up." He answered.

She smiled knowing Owen would come and looked at Ianto, "Your welcome too."

"Yeah I might…I have to take gifts to my sister and her kids in the morning, but I'll try to come for dinner." He smiled.

"Right let's get this tree in, shall we?" Jack asked.

Owen, Ianto, and Lily positioned themselves around the tree and together the four of them lifted it and carried it inside. After several minutes it was standing up straight in the tree stand.

Lily stepped back and smiled, "Oh it's beautiful!" She sighed happily, "Thank you."

"No problem." Ianto smiled back.

She then removed her hat and coat and went to the kitchen.

The men watched her in interest.

"Is she wearing…jeans?" Owen asked.

"And a tee shirt?" Ianto inquired.

Jack was silent a moment, "Yeah she is."

"Since when?" Owen asked next.

"Dunno." Jack removed his own coat and sat down on the sofa.

Owen and Ianto followed suit and about ten minutes later Lily came out of the kitchen with a tray of tea cups. There were bowls of sugar and milk, and cookies sitting on a plate.

The group all drank the tea while Ianto helped Lily decorate the Christmas tree.

Eventually though the men left, Jack would be picking Lily up in an hour and a half for the service. So she went to change and get ready…

XX

A/N- Ah now that I've stayed up way later then I actually intended tonight I'm quite pleased I got this all typed up today. Alright so please review and all that fun stuff…

If you review I'll come make you tea and cookies! :D

So yeah…new chapter as soon as possible.

Hang tight people and much love to you!

Beccs! ^_^