Second Chances
"Ok, where is your roasting pan?" Jack asked as he dug through cabinets in the small kitchen of Ianto's flat.
"Jack, this really isn't necessary. I'm sure that everyone…" he said for the 15th time since Jack had made the suggestion. It wasn't that he didn't have faith in his partner's abilities but the idea of them hosting a giant Christmas dinner with all of their family and friends was enough to make anyone nervy. Besides, he wasn't sure what would happen to his flat. Not that he really lived there mind, but it was convenient to have it in case he had to meet old friends, or if they wanted a night away from the hub.
"I know it isn't, but I want to do it," he said, turning from his rummaging to lean on the bar across from his lover. "I…it's been a long time since I've had a big family Christmas, since I have even wanted to. That thing, with the Doctor? I don't know, it just, it changed things, I can't explain," he said finally turning back to his search. "What about a baking dish?" Ianto knew what he meant. Though he didn't have Jack's time sense, even he knew something had happened that night several months ago. He had woken from a sound sleep feeling as if he had lost something, only to find Jack clinging to him like spar in a gale. The Doctor hadn't been particularly forthcoming about what had happened, merely telling them that it was all sorted now, and they should get on with their lives, but it hadn't stopped them from thinking about it.
"Alright then, so how many people are we talking about then?" he said, pulling out his PDA. "And we're going to need a tree, live I suppose?"
"Definitely, can't be as big as I'd like, the ceilings just aren't high enough. Why did you chose this place again?" The big immortal's voice came slightly muffled as he checked the gas oven.
"It was convenient, not like I actually live here anyway."
"You could move, I'm sure that there are some places closer to the hub."
"One project at a time, Sir. Now, about this guest list?"
"Yeah, ok. Well, there's Alice and her two, Gwen and Rhys…do you think we should ask the PC? What's his name, Andy? He's been a big help these last couple months. Oh, and your family, of course."
"Of course," Ianto said dryly, wondering if there was a way he could possibly get out of asking his sister and her husband. Maybe they would already have plans. "So that's about twelve possible, thirteen if Andy brings a date, we are going to need more chairs," he said, looking around the open plan lounge trying to figure out where they were going to put everything and everyone.
Tow hours later, and several very long shopping lists, and Ianto Jones was about at the end of his tether. Jack wanted to do everything right, he got that. But why now, why this year, and why by all that was holy did he have to start with the biggest, most extravagant holiday of the year?