It wasn't until New Year's Eve that Jack was able to actually talk with Emily. His father had been taking him from meeting to meeting and between those his Mother had dragged him around to see her friends with his brother, urging them to be on their best behavior unless it came to flirting with the women she thought would be suitable wife material.

If he wasn't being treated like a shiny new toy by his Mother or being forced to pick up his old work drive by his Father, Stephen had him at all of their favorite bars and clubs catching up with their old friends. In the years he had managed to keep away, only returning for a few random weeks he remembered why he did it.

"Jack, you ready?" Stephen called from the corridor. Despite having his own place in the center of London, he decided to stay with his parents while Jack was there. He didn't have room for Jack at his place and most of things Jack owned were being rented in his absence.

"Na not till after six, I need to call Em for New Year's" He ignored Scotts comments about being whipped and since it was just gone four he decided to try and speak to his Father now about his plans for next year. Sure enough he was still in his office, despite the majority of the company in shut down his Father didn't stop working and he knew he wanted more from life now than just working.

"Jack, shouldn't you be heading out with Stephen?" He greeted, sitting back on his chair and for now ignoring the computer screen.

"I need to talk you first"

"Oh?"

"I want to stay in Australia, for another year at least"

Don had been waiting for this. The change is his son had been obvious the second he saw the twins sneak in when he arrived. It wasn't just the tan that helped make Jack glow, he was happy. 

"This wouldn't have anything to do with that girl Stephen was talking about would it? I'd hate to see you throw away a career over a pretty face. I'd expect that from your brother. Not you"

"It's not just Em Dad. I've given the last five years of my life to work and finally I have found that balance over there. I'm playing cricket again, the weather is beautiful..."

"You sound like your Aunt" He wasn't a cruel man, despite being Jacks boss he was still his father. "And you're right. I'll extend your work and take care of your Visa but you have to be the one to talk to your Mother"

Jack was afraid he'd say that.

"And we'll want to meet this girl"

It was more out of courtesy to let them meet but even if his Mother hated Emily it wouldn't change his mind. But then he realized they'd have to come out to Australia to do so, he got nervous. And on top of that, what would Emily think of it all? "Certainly"

Leaving the office he quickly phoned Emily and she answered on the third ring.

"Hey Em" The sounds of laughing and music had him holding back the phone until he heard her calling his name.

"Jack? Are you there?"

"Yeah I am. I just wanted to say Happy New Year, what are you up to?"

"Got five minutes to go, stay and we'll countdown together" She enthused, leaving the party outside and going into her room. "Carla and Paul are here with Josh, Gemma and a few of the other guys from the club"

"Are you sure? Go back to your party; I don't want to hold you up"

"It's fine, I can't physically be with you on New Year's so this will do" The pair had a quick chat, Emily told him about the puppies, the drawings Dan had done and Jack filled her in on his plans for the night.

"Ok ready?" The pair counted down together, and after saying Happy New Year he wished more than ever he was there.

"Next year, I'll be kissing you at midnight" Jack promised.

"I really hope you are"

Sounds of whistles and party poppers were in the background before Carla appeared in Emilys doorway. "You coming back out Em?"

"In a sec" She waved her away and realizing who she was talking to Carla sheepishly left her alone. "So is it any easier being at home? What has Stephen got you doing tonight?"

"Kind of, never thought I'd be thankful for Stephen being around but he's saved me at a lot of the gatherings my Mother insists we attend" It sounded like another world to Emily, his accent was a little more polished which she loved but she also heard the strain in it. "And my dear little brother is taking me to some masquerade thing"

"He's there isn't he?" Emily laughed, knowing full well Stephen hated being the one born second. 

"Yeah and did I tell you he'd be flying home with me?"

"No but I saw Rosemary this morning and she told me. She is very excited to have you both there" 

Stephen had his ear pressed up against the phone despite Jack trying to shoo him away.

"Why wouldn't she? If I was you, I'd be excited too" Emily laughed again and Stephen really couldn't wait to meet her. He could see his brother finally relaxing, the uptight air of authority was gone and despite teasing him about how whipped he had become he was slightly jealous. The thought of finding a girl that you'd want as more than a one night stand or casual fling was alluring and considering all Jack had cared about was work since he was in junior high, it was refreshing.

"Don't get him drunk tonight; I want him to be able to get out of bed in a couple of days to fly"

"Can't make any promises on that Sheila"

"Sheila?" Emily asked confused.

"isn't that what you Aussies call girls?"

"Oh my god you're so English!" Emily burst out laughing, "I'll be sure to tie up the kangaroos out front - we don't have cars"

"Don't forget those shrimp on the Barbie" Stephen joked, as Jack only glared at him and after they'd all said goodbye, Jack slapped him on the back of his head. "What was that for?"

"Flirting with Em? Really?"

"Being friendly. Chill bro. Come on, I'm sure Victoria and co will be waiting for you"

"You said none of them will be there" Jack ignored Stephen rolling his eyes and grabbed his jacket.

"They won't be.... until later" Stephen practically ran out his room and down the stairs, leaving Jack to come down and get cornered by their parents who gave the lecture on acting like gentlemen and if they planned on bringing anyone home it better be for coffee and nothing else. Stephen hid outside, braving the cold and not sorry he missed their goodbye.

"You owe me for that" Jack growled finally making it outside as the taxi pulled up.

"I get the grow up speech every time I visit, you're never here so suffer" The pair argued the whole drive but it was actually something Jack missed. Despite their differences, their bond was strong and he had missed hanging out with his twin.

Finding their friends the night went by quickly and having been away for so long, Jack was surprised how little he now had in common with the men he grew up with. Most were doing well for themselves, in their circle there wasn't much choice as like Stephen and Jack the parental pressure was clear with most following in the father's footsteps.

"There's my favorite Davies boy" Victoria appeared, the black mask blending in with her hair and making her blues stand out even more. The first thought in Jacks mind was if she owned anything in color as she only ever seemed to wear black unlike Emily whose wardrobe was more colourful than a rainbow.

"Nice to see you too Vicky" Stephen got up to greet her making Jack laugh which as she glared at him he turned into a cough.

"Jack, I'm sure you remembered Alicia and Jessica" Jack mumbled hello to both of her minions, wondering if they'd ever change from the days of college. Victoria sat beside Jack, ignoring Stephen as a waiter bought over a tray of champagne. The conversation returned to what it had been and the group changed as more people arrived, some left but all the while Victoria had made her intentions clear.

Jack stopped drinking at ten, no longer in the party mood and he knew if he was rude it would get back to his Mother. He didn't need her to be making his life more of a hell and considering he hadn't told her about Emily yet, he needed her to be in a good mood when the news broke.

"Come dance with me" Victoria pouted, holding out her hand a few wolf whistles came from their group as Jack gave in and let her take him onto the dance floor. The dance tune had the crowd moving and it was hard to not have a good time. It was nearly midnight when Jack remembered Emily and deciding to spend his New Year talking to her he slipped away down the corridor by the toilets and quickly phoned her.

"Jack?" It was seven in the morning and while Emily was a usually riser, she hadn't gone to bed till nearly three.

"Sorry did I wake you?"

"It's ok" The echo of voices from the room behind him had him blocking his free ear to be able to hear her as she joined in the chant.

"Two new years and no kiss" She teased.

"I'll make it up to you..." He stopped as someone grabbed his arm and turning to see Victoria, she didn't hesitate in reaching up to kiss him.

"Jack?" The crowd noises of screams and whistling with the base of the music as Aud Lang Syne took control of the room made it impossible for her to hear anything until the beeps of the phone told her all she needed to know.

Settling into her blankets she yawned again, texting him to talk later and enjoy his night before going back to sleep. It was a couple of hours later that and Sookies barking that had not only Emily up but Carla and Paul who had stayed in her guest room. The backdoor had been closed and the dog wanted to go outside and once that was done Emily had never been more thankful for not being a big drinker as Paul groaned and collapsed on her sofa. Anna had been left at Carla's parents for the night and with no reason to get up Carla stayed in bed.

Soon the smell of coffee filled the kitchen and after saying good morning to the pups she took a coffee over to Paul with some painkillers and he sat going through something on his phone. "Thanks"

"Everything ok? Is it Anna?" Emily asked, he was frowning and frantically scrolling through something on his screen.

"Ah, yeah. You're still not on Facebook hey?"

"No, don't understand all that stuff" Emily dismissed, realizing she was probably one of the only people in the world who didn't use the site. "Oh god, Josh didn't put pictures of last night on there did he?"

She made a reach for the phone but he quickly stood and kept it out of reach. "No but ah, Jack looks like he was having a good night"

"Oh really? Let me see?" He reluctantly handed the phone over and sure enough there were some group shots of him with his friends, clearly having a good time but her frown matched Paul's as the picture of him with a rather stunning black haired woman sitting on his lap and looking back, she was in all the pictures at his side. Clicking the tagged name she was taken to Victoria's profile page and with her lack of security settings her status from the night before gave Emily all her fears freedom to take over her mind.

So glad Davies is back from Australia to party with us tonight. Have a safe and happy new year xxx V

A bunch of names were tagged in the status and in all the photos and status, Stephen wasn't mentioned at all. Jack was meant to be going out with him and who the hell is this chick?

"I'm sure they're just old friends" Paul tried to ease her worry but as she looked at her hand, she didn't need it. It was Jack.

"Yeah of course" Emily smiled, wondering if she was setting herself up for failure being so naïve. She got Carla a coffee and took in, busying herself instead of letting the past attempt to ruin her future.

Waking up Jack headed downstairs where he was surprised to find Stephen creeping in the front door. "Ah so that wasn't you I heard coming in last night"

"Not funny" Stephen warned, dropping his coat ont he foyer table he kicked off his shoes and followed Jack into the kitchen.

"Have a good night?" Jack made himself a Milo and decided to be kind and share it with Stephen too and got out his final packet of Tim Tams.

"Em must be something if you turned down Victoria, she was on the phone first thing to Jessica about it. Not helping those gay rumours even if you two have done it before" Stephen helped himself to the chocolate biscuit, still annoyed at how Jessica had cut their night together short to listen to her friend bitch and moan about his brother.

"She is. I can't wait for you to meet her" Jack couldn't help but smile thinking of Emily. After Victoria tried to kiss him he didn't care what she told anyone. Let them gossip, if they knew half of what she got up to, her family would have her moved out town before she could cause a real scandal to damage their reputation. Jack was positive he would have had an easier time a hundred years ago compared to the rubbish his Mother and her friends preached or maybe that was where they were stuck.

"Meet who dear?"

'Think of the devil and she appears' Jack thought, his smile still not faltering.

"Morning Mother" He bent down slightly so she could kiss his cheek and she frowned seeing the state Stephen was in. "I was just talking about Emily to Stephen"

"Oh that Australian girl? Rosemary does seem quite taken by her" This could only go Jacks way and he nodded.

"She is one of a kind, I'm sure you'd love her if you met her too" Taking the teapot out of the cupboard she glanced between her boys, still amazed at how different they could really be. 

"I'm sure Jacky, but you know my views on holiday flings" As smart as her firstborn was, he was just like any other man and a sucker for a pretty face.

"Mum, I have needed to talk to you about that. She isn't some holiday fling. I love her and I'm staying over there until I know exactly where we're at" Stephen watched his Mother closely, he would have told their Mum to back off a long time ago but Jack still let them have some control over his life. This would probably kill her.

"Staying over? Does your Father know about this? Jack I will not have you throw your career away because..."

"Because why? You don't want me to be happy? Dad is fine with it. I know what I'm doing and if you looked at all your perfect matches, you'll see just how Emily beats them all. She isn't after money, she doesn't care who my father is and she makes me happy!" Jack had never yelled at her before, he had never been that passionate about anything to warrant it.

"Jackson, think about it..." She started, her own temper flaring but her mind was still in shock at him talking to her that way.

"No. YOU think about it. I'm leaving in three days whether you like it or not and I would like you to at least pretend to happy for me" He stormed out the kitchen, getting more annoyed as Stephens clapping followed him up the stairs.

It was three days to long and he was desperate to get home, where he belonged.