Martha Jones (walkedtheearth) wrote in tw_newworlds, @ 2013-07-25 16:15:00 |
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Entry tags: | jack harkness, nexus reality |
Who: Jack Harkness, Martha Jones, Melissa Harkness
What: Jack's nexus. (Martha is an Illusion!)
When: January 21, 2011
Where: Harkness Home, Cardiff and Elsewhere
Status: Closed, completed log
Jack was lounging on the sofa, one arm over his eyes as he caught a nap. He'd had the day off from work, Melissa was currently at school, so he'd decided to just laze about and take it easy for once. The stereo was on and playing swing music, but he has the volume down.
She tried to remember what day it was, the last two days had been hell, between a long shift in the hub and then a shift at the hospital. She'd gotten about six hours of sleep in the last two nights, something that normally she would have called Jack on... but of course when it was her? Martha was a hypocrite. Still, the idea of going home was comforting.
She switched the arm her files were in, digging through her purse trying to get at her keys. It was early, but after the overnight shift? She was just ready for bed. Maybe... food first. She slipped the key into the lock and pushed the door open with her hip.
When he heard the door open, Jack moved his arm and sat up just enough to look over the back of the couch. "Hey, you," he said, grinning over at the young woman. "How's things at the hospital?" he asked curiously.
Martha plopped the stack of files on the table next to the door before letting her shoulders fall, her posture relaxing slightly. At first she didn't see Jack, just heard his voice, but upon taking her coat off, she saw the shot of dark hair peeking up over the top of the couch and she smiled. "Busy." She walked over and plopping down next to him, letting her limbs go limp. "Doctor Jeffers decided that today was a good day to put me in maternity..." she shook her head with a small grin. "I delivered a baby today."
"I prefer making then over delivering them," Jack replied with a smirk. He wrapped his arms around Martha and pulled her down with him, stretching back out and snuggling her close. Placing light kisses on the nape of her neck, he smiled and murmured suggestively, "Think he'd mind if you ended up in maternity because of me?"
She let out a small squeak and stretched out with him. The couch had been bought with the intent of it being big enough for at least two. Her head moved slightly to the side, her hand covering his, enjoying the moment. Martha smiled, leaning back into him, getting closer if she could. "Oh I don't think he would," she paused turning her head slightly. "But I think that you'd have a much more fun time than he did," she smirked. "But it also depends. Do you want me ending up in maternity?" She winked at him, a coy smile crossing her lips. This was a game they'd played before. It had been used. She'd moved in with him and Melissa a few months after coming to Cardiff from UNIT, when he'd needed assistance with the girl, the bedroom Martha had used was now storage. Martha hadn't regretted a moment of it.
"Maaaayyybbeeee," he replied, drawing out the word as he grinned at her. "Besides... it'd be nice for Melissa to have a little brother or sister. And she bugs me about it all the time anyways." Jack adored his daughter, but once she got her mind on something it rarely changed. Lately it had been asking for a puppy, but she asked for a sibling a lot too. And there was also her not so subtle hints asking why daddy hadn't married his nice girlfriend yet.
Martha turned around fully and kissed him, happy to have this - this whole...thing - to come home to after a day at the hospital. She'd been thinking about quitting the second job recently, but knew that she couldn't. She had to help people, whether it was the Doctor or her teammates. But she helped give Torchwood a human face to the public. They weren't entirely liked. And with good reason.
The truth was that she loved Melissa as if she was her own. She read to the kid at night when Jack didn't. They cooked together... she'd actually had to give her the technical answer to where babies came from several weeks earlier... something Jack wasn't aware of yet. But it had come out of this wish she had. "So she's begun asking for a playmate again?" She'd had several play dates - if you could call them that - with her brother Leo's son, but he was a baby and as Melissa had noted 'wasn't good at games.' "She asked me last week where babies came from. I think I warded her off with medical lingo. But she'll be back..."
"She asked you what?" Jack's eyes widened and he propped himself up on an elbow to look down at Martha. "Please tell me you didn't mention sex. She's only 8 and I'm really not ready for that talk yet." He made a face and absolutely refused to even think about his baby girl being old enough to need 'the talk'. "But yeah... she's asking for a baby sister. Again."
Her hand moved to run through his hair. It was both adorable and to his credit that he had this reaction to what she'd said. She could remember certain instances where her father had acted this way when Leo was little but they were few and far between. It showed just how much he really cared about his daughter. "Don't fret, I didn't tell her that stupid tale about the stork, she would have seen through that, after all she is your daughter. I gave her some details, but used an egg analogy. The word 'sex' never once came up." She momentarily flashed him a look of feigned hurt. "You do trust me, don't you?" Martha's hand rested on his cheek and she shook her head. "In my experience, when you ask for a sister you usually wind up getting a brother instead," she chuckled. "And what do you think of this request?" It was a logical question. After all this was their future too. It was clear where Melissa's vote went.
"Of course I trust you," he replied without even having to think about it. "If I didn't trust you, then you would never have been invited to move in here. Besides... you're my girl. Right? How could I not trust you?" He thought about her other question though and shrugged his shoulders. "I wouldn't mind another one. And since Melissa's not a little tiny kid, it won't be as difficult to take care of two kids."
Martha chuckled slightly, kissing him. "You know it," she was his girl. Just as much as he was hers... her man, not her girl. Though with Jack... She let that thought end right there. Because she'd seen the photos.
In truth this was the first time they'd had this conversation in a serious capacity. It actually surprised Martha a little. Because as much as she loved him - and she did - she hadn't really been expecting it. Martha wanted to be a mother. She was already acting the part, Lucia (Jack's wife) having died wen Melissa was young. But the truth was, as much as they weren't mentioning it right now, there were other concerns... those of the alien type. It would be doable. She knew that. "My first thought is that we should. I worry that work might get in the way..." she said almost sadly. Torchwood was not an easy place to work. Martha grabbed his hand. "But I think..." she paused. "We could do this." She couldn't help but wonder what Gwen and Tosh would say about this. She smiled, waiting for his reaction. Forget Gwen and Tosh... her mother would have an attack.
Jack hadn't been expecting her to agree to it so readily. He broke into an excited grin and pulled Martha close, kissing her firmly on the lips. "We could start now," he suggested, beginning to untuck her blouse and sliding one hand beneath the fabric. As he leaned in to kiss her again, he heard a noise at the door, followed by a loud 'bang!' as it hit the wall, signaling that Melissa was home from school. Now that he was paying more attention though, Jack could hear the school bus outside as it pulled away from the house.
Martha had become thoroughly involved in the moment, her arms wrapped around Jack's strong shoulders, when the noise interrupted their activities. It wasn't the first time his daughter had walked in on them kissing, but she felt his body language change. And she came back to reality with him. Alone time would be over in a few seconds and 'family time' would begin. It was really a nice little life they'd carved out. Their teammates over once a week - schedules permitting - for activities or meals. She and Jack would have their time soon. Which was good, as she heard the patter of trainers on the floor coming towards them. She leaned back slightly, breaking the kiss, and looking at him with a small smile. "Raincheck?" Martha had a sneaky smile on her lips as she said it too.
"Rain check," he repeated, smiling at her. Jack got up from the couch and scooped up his daughter, lifting her high into the air and grinning up at her. "How was school, kiddo?"
"BORING!" She announced, giggling down at Jack and holding out her arms as if she was flying. "Hi Martha!"
Martha's arms were lying on the couch back as she watched the interaction. "Hello Missy." she couldn't help the chuckle that escaped. She just had so much energy, and reminded the doctor a LOT of Jack. And with good reason. It really was touching. Just watching the two of them interacting. Martha stood up and walked around the couch to join in the activities, grabbing Melissa's hand and giving it a squeeze. "School was boring again, eh? How was that maths test?" They'd been studying for it all week.
"I got a 95%!" the little girl announced proudly. She smiled as Jack set her back down and asked, "So I get ice-cream tonight, right daddy?"
Jack rolled his eyes, but he smiled and nodded. "Yeah, you get ice-cream tonight."
"You did promise her, Jack. And you know that means you get ice cream too." Martha gave Melissa a hug before standing back to her full height. "This is the problem with having a rewards system like this, Jack. You do have to keep up your end of the bargain." Then again they had one of those at work too... sort of. Based on coffee. And... other things. Melissa looked around and moved to take her coat off, her backpack sitting by the door. "No ice cream until you get your homework done, though, Missy." Martha was nice, but she was serious about homework before anything. She blamed her parents. And her work ethic.
Melissa stuck out her bottom lip to pout and batted her blue eyes up at Martha. "But I don't have any homework," she lied.
Of this the doctor was skeptical. "Really?" she did not look convinced and looked to Jack for backup. "Mrs. Crabtree didn't give you any homework?"
"Maybe just a little?"
Jack arched an eyebrow and folded his arms across his check, jsut giving his daughter 'the look'. She sighed and picked up her book bag from the floor and headed upstairs to her room. "Okay, okay..."
"When you're done come back down and we'll talk about dinner!" Martha called up after her. This was all based on the hope that she and Jack weren't called into the office tonight. Last week had been hell and they'd brought Melissa with them, left in Ianto's care. "She really does fear that look..."
"OKKAAAAAYYYY," the little girl yelled, so Jack and Martha could hear her through the floor.
Jack chuckled and yelled back, "I AM GOING TO CHECK IT TOO, SO NO SKIPPING PARTS!" He grinned over and Martha and walked back over to the couch, flopping down on it and motioning for her to join him. "So... where were we?" he teased, knowing full well that sex was now going to have to wait until later tonight when Melissa was in bed.
Martha watched Melissa walk up the stairs, looking back only after hearing the sound of Jack plopping onto the couch. She smiled and shook her head, walking over and joining him. She put her head on his chest and let out a sigh. "I think we were right about here," she said pecking him on the lips, "plus a bit more intensity." The rest would wait until later. "I guess we should be grateful. She hasn't hit the age where She's keeping loads of secrets..." Martha could remember that stage all too well. Tish getting in trouble, her getting in trouble, Leo getting into trouble. "When that stage comes, you will probably want to run for the hills," she joked, her fingers walking up his chest.
Jack made a face, not even wanting to think about that. "Right now, I'm just enjoying her at this age where she's still happy to be daddy's little girl. Because once she's older and starts getting interested in boys, then I'll have to start greeting them at the door with my Webley," he joked. He glanced down at her fingers and smiled, leaning in to firmly kiss her on the lips.
"You know," she smiled slyly, "I don't think that Torchwood would give you proprietorial immunity if you were to shoot one of her boyfriends." She quipped this only half joking before smiling, one of her hands moving into his hair as she kissed him back. She relaxed, not wanting to let go. Yes there was always the danger of work, but here... this was a family.
"First they have to be able to prove I shot the guy. Besides... if anyone pulls something with my little girl that would require me to actually shoot him or her, then they'd never find the body anyways." Jack was mostly joking, but all of Torchwood knew that you didn't mess with the Captain's family.
She shot him a rather skeptical look. "You'd put me in a very interesting position there, Jack," she said poking him in the shoulder lightly. "Because I'd want to take part, and part of my oath is to do no harm." She sighed shaking her head. "They grow up too quickly..." She now knew what her mother meant when she said that. "After she finishes her homework and revising we should go out for dinner..."
She was about to say more and then leaned up momentarily to look at the table by the door, letting out a grumble. "I really don't want to go through case files tonight..." But she HAD brought them home. And given a choice between Jack and the cases she'd choose Jack every time. One reason living here made her work at the hospital more difficult...but much more fun.
"Going out sounds good. We going to let the munchkin choose, or would you like to pick where we're going?" Jack lifted his head to see what she was looking at and then grinned. "Ahh... the dreaded paperwork. Believe me gorgeous, I know you pain all too well." It was no secret that Jack hated doing paperwork and would procrastinate every chance he got.
Martha contemplated this question for a moment, her face squishing into one of concentration. "Actually..." she intoned after a moment. "I believe that it is your turn to choose. So long as they have ice cream, I don't think Missy would mind." She paused for a moment, remembering to add something. "And not Zoe's. Last time we were there I left feeling like someone was watching me. Someone who wasn't you or Melissa."
She almost swatted at him, as he smiled. The folders looked even more daunting than before. "Well maybe you can save me from the dreaded paperwork this evening..."
"So we'll go to Bella Italia. They've got that blood orange ice-cream that she likes and I've been craving Italian anyways." Jack laughed when Martha nearly swatted him and he snugged an arm around her waist. "Make you a deal. If you get at least part of it done, then I'll make sure to save you and maybe even spoil you a little.:
"And they have that scalopini... That sounds perfect." She only realized now how hungry she really was. Now that she was thinking about food. She could wait, but the dish she had in mind was really sounding good right about now...
Martha snuggled in against Jack, a small smile on her face, looking away from the folders and back to him. When Jack said 'spoil' she had a pretty good idea of what he meant. She kissed him softly. "Do you promise?" she winked at him. "Because that is an offer very hard to refuse." Somedays she thought she should just drag him to work, that he'd be a better administrator than her supervisor and keep her on track with his ways... but that would mean a showing of exhibitionism, which while Jack had no problems with, but she wanted to keep her job.
"Yeah, I promise. I'm thinking a nice relaxing bath, maybe a massage if you're really good, and then making sure that you'll have absolutely no problems sleeping because you'll be too tired out to keep your eyes open." Jack smiled and caressed her cheek, gazing into Martha's brown eyes.
She leaned into his hand. "And all I have to do to get the special brand of Harkness pampering is do a little bit of paperwork..." Martha inhaled slowly. "That seems like more than an even trade." She ran one of her hands into his hair. She loved his eyes. She really did. In them she could see things that he couldn't - or wouldn't - say. She was happy, and grateful for this time. Just time like this, together. She'd never thought so long ago that traveling with the Doctor would have brought her here.
"So you can spoil me back," he suggested with a mischievous smile. Jack shrugged and closed his eyes for a moment, just enjoying the feel of her fingers running through his hair. Life was good... better than good. He heard Melissa moving around upstairs and asked Martha softly, "So... how long has it been now? Since we got together?"
"I like that idea..." Her smile lit up but turned slightly more seductive as she let a finger roll down his shoulder. The question caught her slightly by surprise, and she had to think about the answer. How long had it been? She remembered how long it had been since they'd met... it felt like such a long time ago... but she had to think about that one. "Do you want it in months?" she asked softly. "Days, or years?" She smiled softly. "Three years, two months," she was happy to say it. The words rolling off her tongue in a hushed tone. It wasn't a secret. But a happy reminder. "Time flies, doesn't it...?" In that time he'd done so much. They both had. Including her stint trotting off to UNIT during a three month rough patch... she'd NEVER do that again...
Jack smiled and took hold of her hand, kissing her fingers. "Yeah, it really does. Hard to believe it's really been that long already." Granted, Jack had known Martha for a lot longer. But after Lucia passed away he had focused his time and attention on caring for his daughter, instead of flirting and considering a new relationship. "Oh hey... can you do me a favor?" he asked, smiling over at Martha.
Every so often, Jack would show this more chivalrous side, and she always equated that gesture to that side of him. From the man who had seen it all, it was endearing. This had started as her coming over and then eventually just spending so much time over at their place in the guest room that it made more sense for her to stay and... it had gone from there. And she couldn't have asked for anything better. Even her mother adored Jack and Melissa. And that was no easy task. On the other hand... Francine Jones who had nearly shot the Master and was literally made of steel. It just seemed that for once everything had fallen into place. (Walking away from the Doctor perhaps being the BEST thing - for herself - she had ever done.)
At his question, she tilted her head. A favor? She had to wonder what it was that was going through his mind. "Of course. What is it?" Now she was a little curious.
"There's something in the inner pocket of my greatcoat that I need for a moment. Could you grab it for me? Thanks, gorgeous." Jack smiled and gave her a quick kiss, knowing that she wouldn't mind getting it for him. He tucked one arm beneath his head and watched as Martha started getting up from the couch. This was going to be fun...
It wouldn't be the first time he'd forgotten something in his coat. And with Martha basically on top of him, it was easier for her to get it than him. "One of these days the pockets of that coat are going to be beyond anyone's ability to repair them, and then where are you going to put your things," she smirked, getting up and walking over to where he'd left the coat - thrown onto the hooks just passed the front door. It was common. One day he'd left his phone in there, another day his gun, unintentionally - that had been a fun day when Melissa had gone in there at the age of five and found it... It was something that never had happened again.
Her back was to him, so she didn't see him watching, and it took her a moment to recall which side the inside pocket was on - but it was easy to figure out. She stuck her hand inside, hoping he wasn't about to play some trick on her - knowing that boys would be boys (every so often), but when her hand felt what had to be the item she pulled it out. It took her a moment before she looked at it. It was smallish, fit in her hand, and then she noticed the texture and looked down.
Sitting in her hand was a ring box. A black ring box. And her eyes moved from the box, back to Jack sitting on the couch, frozen, a look of almost-confusion on her face, mixed with... something that was hard to define. "Jack..."
He knew the moment that she found the box was going to be a bit of a shock to her. Jack pushed up from the couch and walked over to where Martha was staring at him. He took the box from her hand, got down onto one knee, and opened the box to show her the diamond ring nestled safely inside. "I know I'm not always the most romantic guy, and that I can have a real temper sometimes. But we've been together for a long time and it's been wonderful. We've had our problems here and there, but I love you and so does Melissa. So I had a talk with her and she agreed that we both want you to officially become part of this family. So... Miss Martha Jones, will you marry me?"
Martha was stunned. Entirely speechless. When he'd asked her to do her a favor she'd thought it would be a pen or maybe the Bluetooth, but this... Her heart was pounding in her chest and she found herself blinking more rapidly. 'They're signs of-' she cut herself off, her internal monologue starting to go into medical babble instead of what was going on here. Jack Harkness was proposing. To her. She reminded herself to breathe, not realizing that she'd been holding one in.
She didn't even have to think about this. Not at all. She nodded, her speech seeming to come back to her, she managed to get out, "Yes," unable to keep herself from smiling literally from ear to ear. This was real. This was happening and instead of giving him time to stand up, she instead lowered herself to her knees and wrapped her arms around him, repeating it. "Yes. I will."
Jack broke into a huge grin and hugged her tightly, kissing Martha firmly o the lips. "Ewwww! Get a room!" he heard his daughter call out as she came down the stairs. Looking over at her, Jack stuck out his tongue to tease Melissa and smiled. "Ha ha, very funny. By the way, kiddo? She said yes!"
She couldn't help but chuckle at their antics, it was always the same. But when Jack told his daughter that she'd said yes, Melissa came rushing over to the two of them, the previous display of affection that had so 'offended' her forgotten. She seemed excited, and for Martha it was sinking in. She was going to be Jack's wife, a stepmother... "Just how long have the two of you been planning this?" she asked, looking first at Melissa then up at Jack, pushing some stray locks out of his eyes.
Jack and Melissa both exchanged looks, along with near matching grins, before looking back at Martha. "About a month," they answered in unison.
This almost shocked her, her eyes widening slightly. "And you were both able to keep it a secret for that long? From me." She leaned down and swept Melissa into a hug. "I should be very impressed." And she was. Jack was still holding the box, and in truth Martha was a bit afraid to put the ring on, just because... well... What if this wasn't real. "I love you both, so much..."
"So put it on already!" the young girl said, grinning as she hugged her new step-mother.
"Yeah Martha... put it on." Jack grinned at her and took the ring out of the box, holding it out so she could slide her finger into it.
Martha nodded, her eyes locking onto the ring. She reached out for it, holding her breath - and only realizing it later. She watched the metal ring slide up her finger, contrasting nicely against her skin. Swallowing and letting out the breath, she looked back to her soon-to-be-stepdaughter and boyfr... fiancee with a smile. "So I guess we have another thing to be celebrating tonight." She really couldn't describe how happy she was just then... Tish would scream when she found out!
He nodded and grinned, getting back to his feet and taking hold of Martha's hand, helping her up. "Yeah, we really do. So dinner tonight as a family, then dessert, and back here for loads of cuddles." He winked at Melissa, causing the little girl to giggle.
The wink caused Martha to raise an eyebrow. She knew Jack well enough to know his comment had double meanings, one for her one for Melissa. "Dinner as a family," she repeated with a smile. She ruffled Melissa's hair and glanced at the two of them. "But I have to ask. There aren't any more surprises tonight... right?" She smiled and picked the seven-year-old up, grinning.
"I promise... no more surprises for tonight. I figure that was a big enough one, right?" He was still grinning like a kid on Christmas as he motioned for Martha to head out the door so they could all go eat.
The doctor put the little girl down and nodded, taking her hand and moving towards the door - where coats and hats were donned and buttoned. Martha grabbed her keys and - opening the door - waited for Jack before closing it and locking it behind her. It had been a while since they'd gone out as a family. Life at the Hub made it... interesting. Family time sometimes got cut short or had to be cancelled, so moments like this were relished. "We're going to your favorite Italian place tonight," Melissa hadn't been there for the discussion. It wasn't that far away, but still, given how cold it was they would probably take the car.
"Bella Italia!" the little girl blurted out, turning and looking over her shoulder to Jack. "Really Daddy? Thanks!"
"Welcome," he replied, opening the door and waiting for her to get into the SUV. Jack climbed into the driver's side and smiled over at Martha as he started it up. "I figured they have that ice-cream you like. And since you've been such a good girl..."
Melissa buckled in in the back but Martha could see that she was almost bouncing with excitement. "Aww now you've gone and spoiled her surprise for the evening, Jack," she said shooting him a fake frown. But it didn't last long. Martha strapped herself in and closed the door, turning up the heat. "Alright, I think we're ready to go."
"If you want me to take the ring back..." he said with a straight face, reaching a hand out towards her.
Martha's face turned to one of surprise. Not faked. "What? No." Truth was that she wasn't going to give it back to him. "You'd best believe that I'd fight for you. And you for it," she said poking him in the shoulder. She leaned over and kissed him - now that she realized that he wasn't entirely being serious.
Jack just grinned as her and continued driving, glancing in the mirror to make sure that Melissa was behaving in the back seat. The restaurant wasn't too far from their home, so it only took about ten minutes to get there.
Once the car was securely in the car park, everyone unbuckled and Martha opened the door for Melissa to hop out. This had been the restaurant she and Jack had gone to the day she'd first arrived in Cardiff... the first time. It held good memories, and now, even more. Martha grabbed the girl's hand and waited for Jack before heading inside. They didn't have a reservation, but the host knew them by sight and greeted them like old friends. They were shown to a table by the window and Melissa seemed to find amusement in the fact that her feet didn't touch the floor.
Jack smiled over at her and picked up his menu, reaching over to playfully tap Melissa on the head with it. He quickly opened it and tried to look innocent, acting like he hadn't done anything. "Daddy!" She blurted out, giggling and looking over at Jack.
Martha rolled her eyes, trying to push down a grin. "I can't take the two of you anywhere, now can I?" she asked with a shake of her head. She handed the menu to Melissa, already having an idea of what she might want. But she wouldn't have it any other way. She decided that she wanted a glass of wine with dinner. "What do you think, Jack, wine?"
"Wine sounds good, since it's a special occasion. And for Melissa... let me guess. You want the blood orange soda?" The little girl nodded, grinning at Jack before she went back to looking at the menu. Jack chuckled and rested his arm behind Martha on the back of her chair.
Martha moved he chair a bit closer to his, just enjoying the moment. The waiter came over before too long the waiter came and took their orders and it was Melissa who was the most enthusiastic. She really did love her blood orange. Thinking on this, Martha decided that she'd have to have some delivered to the house. After all she deserved it, and they could be used for breakfasts.
Martha put down her menu, already knowing what she was getting. "You know that my Mum is going to want to come running down here to see to whatever arrangements that need to be made." She smiled.
"So call her up and invite the family down. We'll put them up at the St. David's for a spa weekend," Jack suggested. He also figured it would be a nice way to score some brownie points with the Jones family women. "I wanna go too!" Melissa said, batting her eyes at Jack.
Martha contemplated the idea for a moment. "Well... It would be a good way to keep them out of trouble. You know us Jones women... we do have a tendency of finding it when we put our minds to it." She shrugged nonchalantly. "I wonder what that means for when I become a Harkness..." she looked over at Melissa conspiratorially. "Think the trouble might double?" She had no problem with Melissa going with them. But it was Jack's decision. Yes hers too really but for now... well maybe.
"Yup!" the little girl cheerfully replied. Jack rolled his eyes as he looked over at her, just shaking his head and smiling. "If Martha wants to take you, then okay... because it's for girls only."
Melissa turned to Martha, her eyes getting a bit bigger as if to say "Pleeeeeese?" She reached over and tousled the little girl's hair. "Well I can't say no to a face like that. But you'll have to promise to behave. After all, you're going to be related to them soon too... You want to make a good impression."
It was very clear that Melissa was happy with this outcome. Although Martha was rather certain the little girl would get bored by the end of the day at the spa. She'd have to set it up. Call everyone. Tish would start screaming - in a good way - on the other end of the line... maybe it was best to make THAT call tomorrow...
Under the table, she grabbed Jack's hand and intertwined their fingers.
Jack smiled warmly and squeezed her fingers, mouthing the words, "I love you," as he looked over at her.
The words made her feel warm inside. Something that she hadn't felt with anyone else. It told her that this was right. She leaned over, giving him a quick kiss as the drinks arrived on the table, the waiter sanding there, waiting to take their orders. This was their first meal officially as a family. She would remember this. Yes she'd been here for a long time already, but this was different.
She put in her order, sharing a look with Jack as Melissa showed how precocious she could be, putting her her own order and not being shy about it either. "She's just like you," she smirked. "Just wait till she gets a bit older, you'll be chasing them off with a stick..."
"Don't remind me," Jack muttered. His little girl already had a way of wrapping boys around her finger and he dreaded to think what she'd be like as a teenager. Hopefully with Martha's influence, it wouldn't be too bad.
Martha rubbed his shoulder. "Oh don't worry so much," she soothed. "It'll be fine. Just have to make certain she follows the straight and narrow and doesn't take up alien hunting as a hobby," Martha really did want Melissa as far away from Torchwood - as a career - as possible. Just because she should have the choice to be normal if she wished, and having friends come over and starting to talk about aliens generally caused you to be labeled the odd duck.
The waiter turned to Jack and waited to hear his order.
Jack ordered his own meal and a bottle of wine for him and Martha to share. The man returned with the wine only moments later, smiling and pouring a glass for each of them. He set the can of soda and a glass with ice down for Melissa, smiling at the young girl. Jack raised his glass in a toast and smiled at his girls. "To family..."
Her glass raised, a grin on her face, Martha echoed Jack's toast, clinking the glasses together. She met his gaze and nodded silently. This was the beginning of family - their family... Melissa didn't know it yet. But this and the decision about a baby... everything was happening. She took a sip of the wine and sat back in her chair. "So," she turned to Melissa, winking at Jack. "Why don't you tell us about school, other than the test..."
Melissa sighed and rolled her eyes in a near perfect imitation of Jack. "It was boooorrriiinnngggg..."
This caused Martha to chuckle, stroking Jack's thumb with her own under the table, waiting for the little girl, taking the time to listen to what she said. "Did you at least pay attention?"
"Yeah... but it was still boring." She shrugged and sipped her soda. "Art was cool though... we're drawing pictures of houses."
Martha nodded, taking in what she said. Melissa had had some issues in the last few months with one of her subjects. It was something she was trying to help her with - science, the basic human body. But still... At her age Martha had thought that school was boring too, and then her cousin had broken her leg. And she decided to be a doctor. It was rare that someone knew that young. Melissa still had time.
"Tomorrow we can work on studying for that science test next week," she said with a small smile. "School won't be boring for long," she tried to promise
"Promises, promises," the little girl said, but she was smiling over at Martha.
Jack stifled a laugh and did his best to look serious, but he was failing miserably at it.
Martha just laughed. She couldn't help it. Glancing at her now-fiancee she frowned slightly. "You know you're not helping."
"I know... sorry." Jack grinned at Martha and leaned over to kiss her firmly on the lips.
She smiled despite herself. "Just for that maybe you should be the one to help her tomorrow... Hmmm?" She knew that it wouldn't be a good idea but still it was fitting.
Jack opened his mouth to reply when their food was brought to the table. "Saved in the nick of time," he joked, picking up his fork and winking over at Martha. "Besides... you know I don't mind helping with her homework."
Martha put her napkin on her lap, helping Melissa do the same (to the slight protests of the child) and shook he head. "Well then you can do that while I do my paperwork." She winked at Jack, remembering his promise from earlier. Maybe, just maybe he'd let her get out of doing ANY of it tonight... give them more time.
Jack smiled as he ate his meal, listening as his girls talked about Melissa's schooling and homework. He loved this and everything was just... perfect. His little girl, his future wife, and just having a family night. It felt amazing and he was thrilled that his happy little family was with him.
This was one of the best meals she'd had in a long time, and it wasn't because of the food. It was because of the company... and the change. Martha cut a piece of her dinner off and held the fork out for Jack. She continued the conversation with Melissa. It was something she remembered fondly from her own childhood and for some time before rejoining Torchwood had thought she'd never be able to have her own. But this was her family. Before they knew it it was time for dessert and Melissa was literally bouncing. The ice cream was the best part for her, and they all knew it.
She squeezed Jack's knee under the table, winking at him. This was everything that she wanted.
Melissa was making happy noises and grinning at her dad, showing that she too had that Harkness smile that Jack was known for. Jack placed his hand on tops of Martha's and smiled, his eyes twinkling with happiness. "Love you," he whispered, smiling warmly.
While he'd said it so many times over the last few years, every time it caught her off guard and made her heart swell. And this was no exception. She smiled, leaning over and kissing him, getting an "eeew" from her soon to be step-daughter. But she didn't care. "When we get home," she whispered, "I think I can skip the paperwork... Put Melissa to bed, and we can have some more us time."
"I like that idea," he whispered back, sliding his hand down over her leg and along Martha's inner thigh to tease her a little. Jack nodded to Melissa and asked her, "Almost done with your ice-cream, kiddo?"
Martha smiled, inhaling slowly, shooting him a look, not one of disapproval. But it was gone quickly. Jack would have liked nothing better than once to do something in public. She knew that, but that would NOT be tonight. The sooner they got home the better!
Melissa had had to stop her ice cream eating several times because she'd gotten ice cream headaches. But that didn't stop her. She'd been wolfing it down, extremely happy. She put another spoonful in her mouth and nodded, not trusting herself to actually say anything with a mouth full of ice cream. She was nearly done and Martha saw it was time for the check, she motioned to the waiter.
Jack chuckled as he paid the bill, standing up and putting his greatcoat back on. He smiled and took hold of Martha's hand, then held one out for Melissa to take hold of. "All right, ladies... shall we head back home?"
Coats on, Martha answered for both of them. "I believe we shall," she glanced at Melissa before adding, "besides, someone has to get ready for bed. I believe you have something called school tomorrow," she teased the little girl. Melissa made a face and Martha laughed.
The drive back home was uneventful and Jack chatted with Melissa about some cartoon show she was watching on the telly these days. He looked over to Martha, smiled, and pulled into the driveway of the house. "Alright, sweetie. Upstairs, into your jim-jams, teeth brushed, and I'll come tuck you in."
Melissa didn't look happy about the prospect of having to go to bed but she nodded and started up the stairs, very clearly taking her time. Finally she disappeared over the landing. Martha glanced to the paperwork on the table by the door and made the decision that indeed she was going to forgo it for the night. She walked over to Jack and wrapped her arms around him from behind. "You really are amazing with her," she said, leaning against him.
"You think so?" he asked, placing his arms on top of Martha's and hugging her. Jack looked over his shoulder and smiled. "She's my little girl, Martha. I love her and I'd do anything for that kid. I can't imagine what my life would be like without her."
"And you'll never have to," she smiled, grabbing his hand and squeezing it. "I never thought you the paternal one when I first met you, Jack. Now I can't see you without her." She leaned her head on the back of his arm. "This is the way it will be... this is our future. All of us." She paused a moment before smiling and giving him a small push. "She's probably ready for that tuck in. Why don't I meet you back here after story time."
"Why don't you meet me in our bedroom instead?" he suggested, wiggling his eyebrows and grinning as he looked over his shoulder at her. Jack turned around and brushed his lips against hers, then kissed her deeply and winked as he pulled away.
The kiss took her breath away and his wink... Jack had a way of saying so much with very small gestures. She smiled and stood on her tiptoes. "I think that could be arranged..." She kissed him again before giving him a little push towards the stairs. "You take your time... but not too much," she smirked. She would wait until he was in Melissa's room to head up. A few seconds of delay would be more than enough.
Jack knocked on his daughter's door, waited until she said to enter, then came in. She was already in bed with the blanket drawn up, and was smiling over at him. He tenderly kissed her forehead, tucked her in, and kissed her again. "Goodnight, sweetie. I love you."
Melissa smiled, and hugged her father. "Love you too, Daddy." She paused for a second before asking something. "Since I was good today, can I come to the Hub this week?" They let her come sometimes, when it was important, dangerous or an emergency... But maybe, because he and Martha were REALLY happy, they'd let her do it this week.
"Yeah.... you can come with me." He smiled and smoothed down her hair, giving Melissa one last kiss before turning the light off and closing the door. Jack made his way into the bedroom and smiled at Martha as he start stripping out of his clothing. "And now we get to have our own private celebration..."
Martha had been seated on the edge of the bed, having changed into something a bit more revealing. It was something she knew he liked. She smiled at him as he came in and pushed herself up. She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, walking b ack towards the bed with what could be called an evil smirk on her lips. "Just the first of many."