m_findlow

Title: Home is where the heart is
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters/Pairings: Jack, Ianto
Word Count: 500 words
Rating: PG
Notes: Written for Prompt 5 - Going Home at adventchallenge

'Jack?' Ianto called out. 'Rhiannon wants to know what we're doing for Christmas this year. Her place, our place, lunch, dinner, Christmas Eve, Christmas day? I know we've been too busy to really think about it, but she's on my case now.'

Jack stared at the screen in front of him, only half listening to Ianto, still pondering the email that had been burning a hole in his inbox for over a week.

'Earth to Jack?' he said, standing in front of Jack's desk and waving a hand in front of Jack's face. 'Christmas? I don't mind cooking if that's the issue.'

'No,' Jack said, 'it's not that. Sit down.'

Ianto gave him a worried look. 'Okay,' he said, sliding into the chair. 'What is it?'

'I got an email from Alice. She wants me to come over for Christmas lunch.'

The news caught Ianto by surprise. 'But... that's good... right?'

Things between Jack and Alice had always been difficult, but she'd not spoken a word to him since the incident with the 456. Having very nearly sacrificed his own grandson had left a huge rift between them that Ianto was beginning to think would never heal itself. Jack continued to send money every month, just as he always had, but communications had come to a complete stop.

When Jack didn't reply, Ianto answered for him. 'You haven't said yes, have you?' It wasn't case of not telling Ianto about the email, it was a matter that he simply didn't know what to do about it. 'You should go home for Christmas, Jack.'

Jack chuckled. 'Home? What's home?'

'Home is where you family is.'

'You're my family, Ianto. You and Rhiannon and Johnny, David and Mica, Gwen and Rhys.'

'We're you're adopted family, Jack. Alice and Steven are your real family, flesh and blood. They're the only family you have left. Don't throw all that away just when an olive branch is being extended.'

Jack shook his head. 'Alice won't forgive me for what I did. We'll last five minutes before she kicks me out the door with orders never to come back.'

'What you almost did,' Ianto clarified. 'And she will forgive you. Doesn't the fact that she's reached out to you count for anything? It's time to mend fences, Jack. She's your daughter. She doesn't have unlimited time like you. She wants you back in her life where you belong.'

Jack sighed. 'I always mess things up.'

'Families are hard work. Look how long it took me and my sister. But we didn't give up on it, and neither should you.'

'What about you? I need you with me, but things with Alice are complicated enough.'

'I understand. There'll be time enough later for all of that.'

'But it's Christmas!'

'And you'll be with your family, and I'll be with mine. We have 364 other days of the year together.'

'Going home for Christmas,' Jack mused. 'Never thought that would happen.'

'Christmas is like that,' Ianto replied. 'Miracles happen.'