3
Emily was in the garden, sitting in the grass making a daisy chain.
Ianto was carrying Theo and her face lit up as he offered her a cuddle.
"So tiny" she crooned as she drew back the blankets to let the sun on his skin.
"Smaller than my first" Ianto agreed. "Delicate, more my side than Jack's I think."
"You are delicate" she agreed, "Lovely long fingers."
"John has small hands and delicate fingers as well" Ianto said and watched her grin as he ducked her head. "His children would be little elfin gems."
"He is really interested in you" Ianto whispered, "He really wants to be closer but he is so damn shy. I took the first step. Maybe you need to as well."
She looked up, letting her hair fall back and regarded him.
"If I…I mean, if we were to see each other," she blushed, "He is your husband."
"So is Jack, but he is also my soulmate" Ianto explained. "John is my husband for the treaty. We do not have a sexual relationship. He is free to marry a soulmate. Bring a Queen into the family, a new bloodline."
"So, I could be his queen?" her face lit up. "He could still marry?"
"Yes" Ianto laughed, "Not my queen, or Jack's but you could be John's. His Planet."
"I never thought, I mean" she looked away.
"A concubine?" Ianto asked softly, "You just thought he would want you as his mistress?"
She nodded and Ianto laughed, a magical sound that made her look up once more.
"You would have every right due to a queen of his realm." Ianto assured her, "Your children would be of royal lineage."
She grinned and rolled her eyes at her own stupidity for misunderstanding.
"Go to him" Ianto prodded, "Tell him that you misunderstood his intentions and would like to try a meal together, to see if his table manners don't put you off."
She giggled and rose, her flared skirts unfolding gracefully.
"Em?" Ianto called as she quickly walked away.
She turned to face him, her face full of excitement.
"Just one small thing" Ianto smiled as he rose and approached.
She raised an eyebrow.
"My baby?"
Emily laughed softly as she suddenly looked down at the sleeping tot in her arms and handed him over to a smiling king.
As she sped off, Ianto looked up at the castle roof. "Well? You think it's enough of a push?"
Myfanwy had huffed with amusement as she had watched the exchange, unfurling with quiet aggression as she had watched the young woman start to leave with the babe. Relaxing again when Ianto regained control of his son.
"I know that she is young, but I have faith" Ianto told her.
Yes my love, faith.
"Faith in what?" Jack's voice called out as he approached, then looked up to see who Ianto was talking to.
"Hello Cariad" Ianto leaned in for a kiss and promptly deposited the baby into his father's arms.
"Hello Myfanwy, you lovely beast" Jack crooned as he looked down, his son turning him to mush.
Anyone else speaking to her without eye contact would be seen as insulting but she agreed with him that the handsome baby was well worth stealing her thunder on this occasion.
Ianto's happy sigh as he watched the large dragon crane over Jack's shoulder to blow warm loving air over the baby filled her with delight.
The first steps had been taken.
It was up to John and Emily now.