STATEMENTS

It was a Saturday and so Jack's day off. He and Rose woke up around 9.15, surprised that the twins were still asleep, they guessed it was because they'd had such a tiring few days. Rose cuddled in to Jack's side, resting her head on his chest as he wrapped his arm around her and kissed her head. "How weird does it feel? Knowing the kids are back in the house" he whispered "ridiculously" she chuckled "I still can't believe it… I just hope Lucy doesn't turn up and that Grace's police report will be enough if she does" she said "me too…" Jack replied. "Speaking of which, I should probably take her to the station" he said "are you sure you don't mind? Do you want me to?" Rose asked "no, it's OK. I'll take her out for some breakfast after we've been there. Spend some one-on-one time with her" he smiled gently "sounds good" Rose replied. "It gives her a bit of a rest from the twins too. I know she won't have minded looking after them constantly for the last few months, but I can't imagine it was easy. She deserves a rest" Rose said and Jack nodded, agreeing and kissing her head again "I best get up, you stay in bed, I'll go and make you a coffee before I wake Grace" "thank you" she smiled, leaning up and kissing him. He returning with a cup of coffee for her about 5 minutes later.

—

Jack and Grace walked down to the station, mainly in silence "you OK?" He asked as the neared the building "just nervous… what if they don't believe me?" She said anxiously "I think the bruise on your face makes it hard not to" he gave her a reassuring smile.

They walked in to the station and the officer asked how he could help them. Grace looked at Jack, hoping he would explain, which he did. The officer asked Grace a few questions and she gave the responses she had given Jack and Rose the night before. As she explained about the twins, the officer interrupted "we might have to speak to them about this, especially your sister, regarding the hitting situations" "no… I don't want them to go through the trauma of retelling the story" she panicked "I'm sorry… but it would build your case" he explained. Grace sighed, defeated "OK…" she nodded a little "what happens if my Mum or her boyfriend do turn up?" she asked "well, first off we see if your Mother has reported you missing to the New York Police Department, if she has, we have to inform them that you're here, they will then decide whether they tell your Mum. If by chance, she does come here, we would come to your home immediately and assess the situation. I think it's easy to agree that you and your siblings would be in the safest hands with Jack and Rose, but unfortunately that's a decision that has to be made between both us and NYPD. I can't guarantee that you will get to stay with Jack and Rose, but I can say that it's unlikely you will return to New York" Grace nodded, processing all of the information. "Thank you…" she said "you're welcome" he smiled, trying to reassure her "we will let you know if we need to discuss anything further, and if we decide we need to speak to your brother and sister" he added, Grace just nodded, praying they wouldn't need to speak to Harry and Poppy. Jack thanked the officer and him and Grace left the station.

—

Rose was now downstairs, washing her mug from the cup of coffee Jack had given her. The twins came in to the kitchen "Rose!" They smiled "hello!" She grinned "did you sleep well?" She asked "yes… Jack stayed with us after our nightmare… where is Grace?" Harry looked around "she and Jack have just nipped out, they should be back soon" she smiled "she hasn't gone back to our Mum has she?" Poppy said frightened "what? No, no of course she's not" she reassured her "what would you both like for breakfast?" Rose asked, lifting them both on to the counter top "erm… toast please" Harry said, Poppy nodded in agreement.

—

After eating breakfast, Rose and the twins headed in to the living room where Rose sat and played with them "Mummy?" "Hmm?" Rose looked at Poppy "when will Grace be home? I miss her" Poppy looked at her. "She should be back soon darling, I promise" she replied, noticing how the twins were flitting between calling Jack and Rose by their names and then Mummy and Daddy.

—

Jack and Grace were sat at the table at the diner, eating their breakfast. Grace had eaten some of hers but still left some of it and was pushing the food around the plate with her fork "not hungry?" Jack asked "what?" Grace said, looking at him "you used to like the food here?" "Oh… sorry… I do… I'm just full… I got used to not eating much in New York" she smiled awkwardly "sorry, I didn't think" he sighed "no, it's alright. I'm sorry" she said, feeling guilty for waisting food. "Don't apologise, it's fine… but remember, you eat when you're with us, alright?" He raised and eyebrow and she nodded in response "are you sure you don't mind me and the twins staying?" "We don't mind at all. It's your home, Grace, and I promise we will do everything we can to keep you with us" Jack said sincerely "why are you so kind to me?" Grace frowned, confused "what?" Jack replied, also confused "I was so horrible to you and Rose when me and the twins arrived during the war, but you still looked after us and took care of us more than our own Mother did… and now you're opening your house back with open arms again? Why?" "Because we love you, Grace, we love all 3 of you. You weren't horrible to us when you arrived… you were scared… you thought we would hurt you like your Mum did, but I'd like to think that the fact you came back here would suggest you're not anymore?" He almost asked. She shook her head "no…" "some people just make an impression I guess, and you, Harry and Poppy were those kind of people. I know I'm not your Dad, Grace, I know you had a great relationship with your own Dad before he passed, but I want you to know you can come to me, about anything…" "you are…" she replied "sorry?" He raised an eyebrow, confused "you are my dad… sure, my other Dad is- was, great. He really loved us and looked after me and twins, he cared about us more than anything, but he's not here anymore, and I know he'd be grateful the 3 of us have you… and Rose… he'd be glad we're no longer in New York" she smiled weakly "come here" he opened his arms. She walked to the other side of the table and hugged him "Can I call you dad then?I understand if not" she panicked "I'd love you to" he kissed her head "do you think Rose would mind me calling her Mum?" She asked awkwardly "I think she'd love it to… should we head home and find out?" He asked to which she nodded, standing up and putting her coat on.

—

Rose was sat on the sofa with the twins beside her as she read them a book as Jack and Grace walked through the door. "I think that's Grace" Rose said, hearing the door. The twins jumped up "Grace!" They ran to the door "hey!" She grinned at them both "are you OK?" She said as she took off her coat, to which they nodded. Rose had followed them to the front door and smiled at Grace "Hey, how about you two go and play in the living room, Grace will be there in a second" Jack said, the twins nodded and ran off.

—

Rose, Jack and Grace walked in to the kitchen "how did it go?" Rose asked "erm- yeah, it went OK I think. He was really nice. He said they have to tell the police department in New York that we're here in case she's reported us missing. He said they might need to talk to the twins, especially Poppy because of the whole hair brush thing" "what happens about you staying here?" Rose asked "he said he can't promise we'll stay here, but that we're definitely safer here over New York. So hopefully we get to stay with you" she shrugged. Rose nodded and hugged her.