3

"Come on in" Ianto gave the same greeting as always, stepping to one side so Dylan's grandmother could enter, her hands full of a large soft toy rabbit that also held something. A large chocolate egg and a gift card.

"They not home yet?" she asked as she placed the rabbit down and Ianto looked at the large Grandfather Clock.

"Jack is picking them up so Dylan can have the satisfaction of intimidating the bully with the big militarial Hover" Ianto laughed, "Pulled out all the stops for the little man to look big. Jack was so angry to find Dylan had been overlooked like that. Now Dylan will be the main man."

"Well, he does seem more …ah…delicate than mine were" she said as she removed her scarf, "Just going to check my hair."

Ianto watched her walk to the bathroom then he looked at the rabbit and had an internal argument, finally hooking out the card and peeking. A 50 Credit note fluttered to the ground and he read the inscription.

To Dyls

Happy Easter

Love from

Gran

and Aunty Gwen

Ianto stared at it for a while and then sighed as he slid the card back into the envelope with the credits.

"The rabbit is lovely and he will be so excited but …the money and card cannot happen" Ianto said softly as he watched her returning and she paused with a look of shock, "He has friends coming who are not as wealthy and it will seem … rude. Also, Gwen signed the card. Dirty pool. Pop it in your bag and come wait with me."

She knew, had known the moment she saw the card in his hand and had the good graces to look embarrassed as she accepted the card and placed it in her bag. Ianto had half hoped Gwen had sneakily signed the card under her mother's name without her realising and it was a gentle blow to see her instant discomfort giving away the fact she knew all along.

"I will not keep arguing, I have no need to make myself heard. Dylan must be heard. She terrifies him, he is in counselling over what happened and the courts said she is never to come near him again" Ianto turned in the doorway to the kitchen, "I need to check the mini pizzas in the oven. Go through to the small sitting room that is my private area and wait. Dylan has taken over the large main room."

His voice was flat and his face showed his disappointment as he turned away so Deidra walked though to the main room all made up for a sleep over. She felt terrible and knew it had been wrong to push, even as Gwen had begged. This was so hard, having to choose over her child. She knew she had to be more firm. She didn't want to lose this either. She turned to walk to the smaller room attached that was clearly Ianto's bolthole with the rosewood furniture, books and slightly comfortable feel of a room well lived in.

"GRANNY!"

She rose to move back to the main room as Dylan entered, the Hover for it immense size had been on stealth mode and the children streamed in with excited squealing followed by Jack who waved and kept going with shopping bags.

"Granny, this is Baz, Muppet, Rodney and Enzo" Dylan politely introduced his friends, the last one tucked under his arm with wide eyes and hands clinching at Dylan's shirt. Deidra noticed several things at once. The others had gifts, large overnight bags and were ready to party. The one Dylan was protectively cuddling had only the clothes he stood up in, two sizes too small at least.

"There you are" Ianto said calmly as he entered, "The tent is there. I suggest Bazzer, Muppet and Rodders get changed out of their uniforms in there while Dyls and Lorenzo get changed in Dylan's room."

"Yes sir" they all chimed happily and she watched Dylan lead the little one away, Ianto looking after them with a strange look in his face.

"What will he change in to?" she had to ask, "The tiny one?"

Ianto turned to look at her, "I placed out some clothes Dyls has grown out of. He will wear them home and keep them. Each time he comes to play I send him home in another outfit. Only way to do it without embarrassing him. Poor little thing."

Ianto moved back to the kitchen as Jack emerged licking his fingers and looking sheepish as Ianto rolled his eyes and scolded gently, Owen now entering with more shopping bags.

Jack grinned at her as he flopped into a chair and she knew Ianto hadn't told him about the card, he had protected her gaff. For some reason this made her feel even worse.

She felt stupid.