Not Broken Just Yet
Chapter One - Parked in the Park
The park is quiet today. It's foggy, even now, close to lunchtime. The playground is empty apart from me, sat swinging to try and keep warm. I'm glad of the beanie Ianto bought me last un-birthday, even if it's more him than me. Mixed feelings rumble in my chest as I think about that day.
They should be here soon. I said one o'clock, and I'm actually a bit early. I hunch into my greatcoat; it's a bit tatty nowadays. I need to ask Ianto where to take it for repairs.
I'm not sure if this ritual of ours is good for any of us, but it's something we said we'd try. If we don't keep the lines of communication open we may never fix this, and fixing it is the most important thing in my life right now.
Three minutes before one, I spot them approaching through the fog. Ianto is wrapped tight in his black wool coat and the kids are bundled up in the cute little puffa jackets I bought them last month. Beanies seem to be a family look, the kids have gained them while they have been with their Tad.
Ianto is manoeuvring the double pushchair across the playground at a fast pace, obviously eager for us to find somewhere warmer to be as soon as possible. I've given it thought and have decided to take us all to Rompers. The kids love the place, and there's a café we adults can make use of. It's not so long a walk from the park that an argument can take hold, I hope.
I slip off the swing as they get near, striding toward them, my best smile carefully fixed in place. I know my eyes are telling a different story, and that Ianto will see that, but it's my best offer right now. I'm not ashamed of pleading with my eyes especially if there is even the smallest chance it might help us stay civil with each other for an afternoon.
Tegan grins when she sees me and starts wriggling frantically to escape the restraints Ianto has placed her in to keep her safe. Kynan looks to see what has her all fired up, then he too starts protesting his imprisonment. Ianto ignores the squealing and hollering until they reach me. Both of our children reach out from their pushchair, trying to grab onto me. I step as close to them as I can, so they can each grab a leg, knowing this will quiet them.
"Hi hun. How did it go ?"
"They've been okay. Tegan was a bit sickly last night, but she seems to have settled down now".
"That's good".
"Is Rompers okay ?"
"Fine. At least their coffee is passable".
I crouch down in front of our children, tickling and kissing them before we move off in the direction of Rompers. I walk ahead of them all so that the kids can see me and know I'm not going too far away from them now that they have me back in their sights. I'm relieved that the twins have been good for Ianto, and glad to see that he doesn't look too tired.