Author's note - Short update, blah. Trying to update as many fics as I can whilst I have some ideas! Please let me know what stories you are loving, want updated etc.
Seeing his niece walk into the Vic, confident and beaming, Jack couldn't help but grin. If it wasn't for her tight grip on her handbag, he would have thought she was totally at ease with the situation.
"Bout time you showed up" Jack said with a big grin, she shrugged and smirked. "You know me... Love to make an entrance."
"It's good to have you back babe" her Dad joined in the little group hug that had started around Lauren. "You're back, but Mum's gone" Abi mumbled, unsure whether Lauren knew. She just squeezed her younger sister's shoulders. Seeing Abi and Oscar suffocate Lauren in hugs and seeing everyone's reactions to her return, he thought he should probably rescue his niece before she bolted.
"You knew?" Carol murmured, coming to stand at Jack's side. He nodded quickly. "I've always known." Whilst the rest of them, minus Abi and Oscar who received postcards, emails and random cartoon sketches, had no idea what Lauren had been up to once Jack returned home, he had known where she was every step of the way.
"Alright alright." He raised his voice to address all the family. "You can greet Lauren and ask her questions later."
Spotting Joey, still with his attention on Lauren, he decided to make a point. "This is her back now, so you've got time." That surprised a few people he was sure.
Lauren had grown-up in her time away, had matured in just the time he'd spent with her. She'd finally worked out who she wanted to be as Lauren, not what other people wanted or expected her to be and not rebelling, trying to do the opposite. Finally comfortable and confident in herself, in Lauren. It was a good change in her, it was good as her Uncle to see.
Having greeted her Dad with a kiss, and small hug promising to catch up with him properly later, still holding Oscar's hand she moved over to stand at Jack's side. He embraced her happily. "It's good to have you back kid."
"It's good to be back." He glanced down at her to see if she meant it, finding her gaze on Joey who was back trying to ignore her presence by talking to Alice. "I think anyway." She added.