C/N: Ianto's thoughts are italicized and Aunt Diane is based on Kitty from Dharma and Greg (if you need help envisioning it). Caradine herself is a wicked good plot device I began in "Puppy Brigade", which was a rather cute fic if I do say so myself.

Carry on.

--On With the Show!--

The next two hours or so were a whirl in Ianto's mind. His head, his heart, his soul had traveled three very separate paths to his breathy yes. And, after that, he and Jack had spent time being passed around to each relative that expressed their joy. Ianto had found someone. Most of them had known Lisa and had assumed she had been lost in Canary Wharf. They knew the triumph of Ianto loving anyone after that, and his tendencies to be a loner who didn't really want to be alone, was an event. This had been an epic reception.

The Doctor was, well, somewhere. He had promised not to leave without saying goodbye. Martha, Gwen, and Rhys had gone out with a couple of Ianto's uncles and Caradine's mother to a nearby pub for drinks. Caradine and Joseph were away on their honeymoon. The twilight of evening followed Ianto as he searched for a place to sit and think, to let the events of today envelop and wash over him. Someplace where, like the Archives, he could be with himself and not worry about having too many others around.

There was a little working hallway between the kitchen and the church where the reception had been held. A large, clear angel served as a window, the last rays of the sun being replaced by a windy moon. In his mind, he held the ring, tossed it between his fingers. He loved the engraving, a secret joke between the two. The Resurrection Glove had reminded Ianto of Sauron's hand from the first Lord of the Rings movie. On this golden band, Jack had elven words engraved that translated to mean "One ring to bind them in love." He shook his head, a smile playing over his traitorous lips. His eyes were firmly planted on the soles of his Dockers.

You never quite know what to expect when loving him, do you?

Jack, caught a glimpse of his mate on the way to search the chapel. He moved in, watching Ianto and trying not to make too much noise. Jack wasn't lucky however. He was cornered by one of the few remaining relatives.

"Hello, Jack was it? My name is Diana Jones-Wyndham. I am one of Ianto's great aunts." Her hair was a sharp shade of caramel honey cut into a bob. She wore a sensible a-line wrap the same shade of stripe Ianto had in one of his ties.

It's too late to give him the ring back, isn't it?

"I must say, we were all quite impressed by how you went about this proposal." Jack was pretty sure he wouldn't be getting a word in edgewise.

I do love him. But, I loved Lisa. We could have been married just as easily. And how many, how many has he loved?

"It was very brave of you. Anna never seemed to realize what kind of special son she had." Jack nodded, eyes focused on the rolling waves of emotion emanating from Ianto.

I want to be with him. But he gave me this as a symbol of his commitment. What if something happens to me? Our work is dangerous. Tosh and Owen knew that. And what if all I was supposed to be was comfort?

"We do hope you'll take care of him. You must take care of him."

I never want him to have to go through losing me. And trying to love someone else. I could never do that to him.

"I'll take care of him, Aunt Diana. It's the least I can do to repay him for everything he's done for me."

Being immortal, I wonder, how difficult was this for him?

"Caradine was right. You are special, Jack Harkness. I approve." Diana shifted away, her eyes alight and thinking.

What do I do now?

"A penny for your thoughts." Jack stole towards the young man. He knelt before Ianto, pretending to tie the other's shoe while he looked up into his eyes, finding that to be his favorite vantage point.

"All those people, Jack. It was all so public."

"Would you have said no?"

"No. Yes. I mean, I don't know." Ianto shook his head. Jack could see visible panic and confusion filling the usual calm etchings of his face. "Of course I love you." He waved the doubt away, reassuring himself and trying to reassure Jack that this wasn't what the meltdown was occurring for.

"There's a but coming."

"But I can't marry you. It's not right. What if..."

"What if the world implodes tomorrow, Ianto? What would happen then? This conversation would be null, wouldn't it?"

"I'll die eventually."

"Yes, and I'll grieve and mourn. As you would do for me."

"Those memories that we have yet to make; I don't want to be your burden or your haunting. I don't want to be your Cyberman."

Jack smiled and sat next to Ianto, patting the very frightened man on his knee. "I'd never let it go that far."

"Why not? I know I was young and naive, but don't you find the idea even slightly romantic? Love conquering all things and the like?"

"I've learned a lot of things in my old age. Can I let you in on a little secret?"

"Please?"

"I'm scared too, of all the what ifs. They told me I had to RETcon you after the Lisa incident. Sorry, after Lisa." Jack changed a beat after Ianto winced. "But I wouldn't, Ianto. I told them that you were too important and too integral. We struck a deal."

Ianto turned, a slight tear bursting forth. "I am that important to you?"

"Immensely so. If I'd been in your position, maybe a lifetime or two ago, I might have made a mistake or two like that for love. I know the Doctor has. And he's a Time Lord."

"You don't make mistakes like that?"

"Think so, huh? I made one mistake today."

"What was that?"

"Making you afraid to say no. Or yes."

Jack returned to his kneeling position.

"So, knowing all your doubts and fears, my insecurities and instabilities, will you come in and continue this process of prioritizing and organizing my life we started over two years ago?" Jack slipped the ring off of Ianto's finger.

"Ianto Jones, will you give me the honor of letting me commit myself to you, body, heart and soul?"

Ianto took the ring and slipped it gently back where it belonged, a smile creasing his brow instead of the pain. "I do."