3
Gray welcomed them with glee, reaching eagerly for his nephew as he crooned and carried the basket into the cool house.
"Clara!" Jack said with surprise as a pretty woman shot out of the kitchen to snatch the baby off Gray.
"Hello Jack, Ianto."
"Hello Clara" Ianto said with glee, so pleased that the new school teacher had been noticed after all his attempts to push Gray in that direction.
They settled for the meal and Ianto's apple pie for desert as Ianto began to talk about the new family.
"Ah, he is a bit …er …caustic" Gray agreed, "I was glad when things were finalised, man gave me a headache with his weird mood swings."
"The children were sweet though" Ianto commented as he leaned across to replenish his mate's plate and Jack's look of adoration was not missed by his brother who watched those slender fingers cut Jack's food for him before returning to his own plate.
He wanted that.
A glance at Clara reassured him that she had not only seen the unconscious display of affection but she had liked it too. That in mind, Gray refilled her wine glass with a flourish that had her giggling.
Jack hadn't' seen the playful side of his brother since they lost their family and he was warmed by it, the hand softly landing in his lap was not unwelcome either as Ianto leaned back and burped softly with embarrassment.
"So. Gifts!" Gray declared as he pushed back from the table and went to collect a box of wrapped presents even as Ianto weakly protested that it was another week until Christmas.
Ianto was delighted with the pretty scarf that wrapped around a wide brimmed straw hat, bright and playful.
"Such pretty skin, I know you intend to help out in the harvesting again, I would hate to see you burn" Gray said with embarrassment.
"The Hopper was more than enough" Ianto blushed, "I am so spoilt."
"Now brother, this is for you" Gray placed it down, "Ianto had me procure it for you."
Jack opened it with interest, his hands stalling as he saw the gun box and he opened it with wonder to look at the ivory handle of the shiny Webley.
"Wow" he whispered.
"You know your trusty old one is tarnished and has those marks on it from when you dropped it in the rocks" Ianto said with excitement, "See? This is the same model, just new."
"It's lovely darling" Jack assured him, "I shall wear it with pride."
Ianto shone.
Gray was both touched and pleased with the waistcoat Ianto had hand sewn by candlelight, knowing the time and love that had gone onto it, standing to swap his current plain one for the pretty patchwork one with such a superior stitch.
"My father was a master tailor" Ianto said softly, "I learnt at an early age the importance of a good waistcoat."
"I shall wear this when I need extra luck" Gray beamed, "How can I not win a case in such a lovely display of love."
Ianto blushed as Jack reminded himself that it was his brother, not another suitor.
The preserves were a hit, as was the pretty hand woven basket Ianto had made with Martha's help for Clara …just in case she was there like.
Ianto hoped that this time next year, the gift for Clara from his brother-in-law might be a banding ring.
Once they were done Ianto kissed Jack and headed out to walk the boards with their son who was fussing in the afternoon heat, gaining attention from well-wishers who always enjoyed peeking at the young Harkness with his proud cleft chin declaring his bloodline.
Ianto entered the local store and exchanged pleasantries under the cool fan and allowed Blu some extra cuddles as the group of mates in there gushed and passed him around, a young man spending extra time gushing as his small bulge showed his successful mating.
"If you need advice, or just to talk to a fellow male mate" Ianto said gently, with affection. "I will gladly welcome you at my table for a cup of tea, anytime."
"Thank you" the man grinned, "I'm Andy. My mate and I are so nervous, it's our first."
"Same" Ianto grinned back, "This little one had me in twisted conniptions with all the thoughts of impending failure."
Andy slumped with relief as he was reassured that it was normal to doubt.
Ianto chose some little bits and pieces, so proud to be able to pay for them with credits, clicking from his preserves sold earlier in the month. The shop keeper loved the extra income as well, their agreement of 70/30 suiting both well.
Ianto had thought the lost crops and the need to preserve the remaining fruit and vegetables would drive him insane and Jack's suggestion to sell what they could not eat was inspired. It felt so good to provide.
With the lovely gifts for the Saxon children in the back of the hopper, they started for home before dusk.
Ianto's confidence brimming as he throttled up and let her fly.
Jack's laughter was snatched by the breeze as they skipped with such grace that the hopper hummed.
Yes, Gray had been right.
This had been a perfect gift for his love.