Chap 4
Jack and Ianto were sitting on the sofa, snuggled in to one another as they talked about the upcoming pre-wedding dinner Ianto was planning.
Barely a month away, this year had gone so fast. So many ups and downs but through it all, they had held fast to each other and weathered the storm.
Talking had tapered off and they were just stroking each other as they necked, plans on hold momentarily.
The phone surprised them both and Ianto reached for it with a grunt as Jack took the opportunity to pinch his butt.
"Owen? What are …? What? When!" Ianto sat upright and Jack sensed his husband's worry.
"Babe?" Jack puled on Ianto's sleeve.
"Chrystal's had the baby" Ianto turned to face his husband, "she's not doing so well."
Jack quickly called Tosh who eagerly came to spend time with Walter who had already had already finished his bath and was pleased to see his Aunty. He climbed onto the sofa with her to watch telly while his parents rushed to the hospital.
Although Jack didn't know the girl very well, he knew Ianto was attached to her so that made her his concern as well. She had been nearly two weeks overdue and Ianto had voiced his concern over her small baby bump.
They entered the hospital and confidently walked into maternity, knowing their way from the previous night-time run.
Owen was waiting for them and signalled for them to follow him as he led them to a side room. Chrystal was weeping inside and when she saw Ianto she reached out her arms like Walter when he had a nightmare.
Ianto rushed to her side and cuddled her, shushing her as she cried.
Owen explained to Jack outside the door that the baby was not doing so well. It was on oxygen and it appeared that it might be straining to survive. Jack was upset but tried to hide it behind excitement as he entered the room.
The bunch of flowers he had grabbed in the small hospital store made her cry even more.
"Hey, hey. None of that! You did a great Job, I can't wait to meet him!" Jack gushed as he presented the flowers.
Chrystal hugged them to her chest and thanked him, telling them that she had never been given flowers before.
Ianto had a weird feeling about the way she kept touching his arm and finally he took a deep breath and looked her in the eye.
"I can't do this" she whispered.
"Do what? Be a mam? Chrystal, you'll be a wonderful mother. You have such a big heart" Ianto said, placing his hand over hers where it sat on his arm.
"I don't want him. I don't want to take him home and fail." She wailed.
Jack sat with a thud in one of the chairs as Ianto's face fell.
"Chrystal." Ianto said with a sigh.
"You take him! You said Walter wanted one, didn't you? Remember? Two boys, can't get one. I'll give him to you!" she said with a determined pout.
"It doesn't work that way Chrys" Ianto frowned and Owen cleared his throat.
"Well, since she already put your name on the birth certificate it would seem we have a problem" Owen growled, papers in his hand.
"Oh my God, Chrys! You didn't!"