1
Dylan glanced at Ianto who smiled encouragingly, "Me and Daddy will be right outside arguing about where we are going for lunch. You just tell Mister Harvey anything you want to. He is not here to judge you love, he just wants to understand a few things you might explain better than me and Daddy can."
Dylan nodded and then watched anxiously as they let the room, going to the glass to peer out and make sure they were just there.
"Are you worried they might leave?"
"Daddy was gone for a long time and I had Ianto to love me. Need them" Dylan said as he settled back in the chair, "They make me …. Real."
"Real" Mister Harvey repeated, "Like … they see you. A real person not just a shadow."
"Yes" Dylan lit up as he saw that Ianto was right, Mister Harvey did understand.
"So you feel safe with them. That's good. It's important to feel safe to act like you want to" Mister Harvey nodded, "It can feel weird with people that don't know you."
"Yeah" Dylan grinned, "Taddy…. I mean Ianto lets me sing in the car. I can chose the sing and he even joins in. He has a lovely voice. Daddy always listened to old music that was boring. The other day I wanted to be a baby for the day to Ianto called me Babba and even found a sippy cup. It was so funny, he kept cuddling me and asking if I needed a nappy change. So funny."
"So you are happy with…Taddy?"
"Yeah. Taddy and Daddy are getting married, then we will all be together forever and I will belong to them. I mean … I can say they belong to me too" Dylan gushed, "Do you think I get a ring too? I'm not sure how that works, I was gonna ask that one but forget."
"I think just the two that say the vows get one, if you are the best man you get a special gift" he answered as he made a note to let the men know Dylan wanted this.
"Aunty Gwen won't be there" Dylan said suddenly and Mister Harvey looked up sharply, "She's mean."
"Is she? Have you talked about her?"
"No, Taddy said I could but I didn't want to. She hurt me. Made a bruise on my arm and Taddy was sick, he fell over and it was all her fault. She is jealous. She wants Daddy but he doesn't like her. I remember her and Mummy fighting" Dylan said as he chose a crayon and started colouring, "Mummy told her she was a witch. You know … Andy sez she is one too. Did you know she's bald? Her hair came off when she hurt me."
"I didn't know that. Bald huh?"
"Mister Gregors pulled her hair off when he tried to stop her taking me away. She tried to steal me. Sorry, I told you that. Taddy sez not to repeat. I mean … Ianto" Dylan looked up, "I like calling him Taddy. He is my Taddy ya know."
"You can call him anything you feel comfortable with" Mister Harvey assured him.
"Well, he is my Taddy. Always, he promised" Dylan smiled, "Besides. I wished for him and he came true. Cool huh? Magic in wishes ya know."
Mister Harvey smiled as he listened to the little boy gushing over his new dog, his day out on the boat and he noted that Taddy was spoken of more than Daddy.
Finally he called the two men in, "Dylan, would you like to go out and pick a sweetie from the jar on the desk? My assistant has lots to chose from."
He watched the boy look to Ianto who nodded encouragingly, "We will just be in here love. You can see the door."
Dylan left and the two men sat, Mister Harvey watching the little boy glance back occasionally.
"He has formed quite a bond with you Mister Jones" he began, "I see a normal, if not slightly above average child. The events at his party have left a footprint. He is loved, happy to admit it and also has his own mind. At first I thought he was parroting you but I now see he has his own mind and it eloquent in his explanation of his thoughts."
Ianto relaxed, "He is a lovely little sweetheart. Yes."
"Mister Harkness, the claims made by your sister-in-law are obviously false and I will be recommending to the court that she be denied any contact with him. The events at his birthday party have scarred him, it will take some time before he feels totally safe again. I will recommend she get the help she needs to deal with her anger issues. Ah… come on then."
They turned to find Dylan hugging the door frame and Ianto smiled as he opened his arms, encouraging Dylan to run into them and he lifted him into his lap, "Did you hear all of that? Apparently you are a monkey and we need to adjust to the fact out little boy was swapped in the night by the fairy folk."
Dylan giggled as Ianto tickled him gently, "Then I eat Bananas?"
"Bananas and possibly leaves. Gosh, you have to eat your salad now if you are to be a monkey" Ianto sighed, Dylan squealing as he wriggled and giggled.
Then Ianto kissed his cheek, "But never fear, I shall wish you real again."
"always?"
"All my wishes" Ianto promised him, "you are worth every last one."
Dylan sighed happily.
