"Jack?"
"Yeah, babe?"
"We danced that day, didn't we?"
"What day, sweetheart?"
"Our wedding."
'Another memory,' Jack thought, swallowing down a lump in his throat and calling up a smile. "You bet. All night."
"I know I was so happy. I was never happy like that before… I don't know why."
'One small mercy,' Jack thought, 'at least he doesn't remember the bad stuff.' "Does it matter… if you've always been happy since then?"
Ianto shook his head. "No, it doesn't. You always make me happy." Ianto was quiet for a minute, resting his head on Jack's shoulder. "You remember all of it, though, don't you?"
"Every second, Yan." 'And, for once, there's nothing I'd ever want to forget.'
"You'll remind me when I don't remember?"
"Of course I will, sweetheart."
"And you'll always remember?"
"Forever, Ianto," Jack said, trying to keep his voice from breaking along with his heart.
"Do you regret being married to a forgetful old man yet? You know you could be out there shagging all sorts."
Jack finally gave up the fight and let his tears slip as he held his husband on their 67th anniversary. "Don't ever say that. I love you more than ever. The only thing that hurts me is that I can't do this with you, and I wish so much I could."
"I know," Ianto said quietly. "But there has to be a reason for it. Why would you be a 'fact' if the universe didn't need you? Besides, now it's my turn to be married to a hot younger guy. And, hey… you go on forever, so that means I do, too. Just… remember me young and happy, ok?"
"I'm keeping all the memories, Yan. Not letting go of any of them. Because I already know I'm never finding this again. In billions of years, when there's nothing left of me but some artificially preserved mind, you'll still be on it."
"Hey…," Ianto said softly, "I'm not going any place yet. Just because I can't remember a few things from a million years ago, don't go thinking I'm done. You don't get rid of Ianto Jones that easily," Ianto smiled.
"Damn right. I've known from day one how persistent you are," Jack smiled back.
"That's why you fell in love with me. That and my coffee."
"Oh I fell for you… literally," Jack snickered.
"Funny how she never snatched me like that," Ianto grinned.
"Only you would have a trained pteranodon."
"Only you would go along with chasing her when you knew damn well I could handle it. Now, enough of that. Where's the champagne?"
Jack smiled and leaned in to kiss Ianto. No matter what, that was still his man, and he still loved him. That was all that mattered. And, after all, it was worth it to have had so many beautiful, normal years together. That was far more than Jack ever expected that night Ianto pulled a weevil off him – since long before that if he was honest with himself.
Turning to fetch the champagne glasses, Jack passed one to Ianto, saying, "For everything you've given me all these years, Ianto Jones."
"Nothing you haven't given me, Jack Harkness," Ianto said, touching his glass to Jack's.