A happier story this time, featuring Owain.
Goal!
- July 4703, Cardiff
There was a small crowd gathered at the sports complex as Ianto made his way through slowly, leading Luke by the hand and greeting people. He would have preferred to carry the boy but he wanted to walk; he was just three years old, his birthday had been days before, and considered himself too big to be carried. Ianto looked over the heads of the people and spotted some space on the left of the pitch – which was half the size of a regular one - and made his way in that direction. Everyone was starting to settle into their seats as Ianto found three unoccupied ones in the front row, just right for Luke if he was to be able to see the proceedings, with the third one for Jack.
"Owain!" shouted Luke, pointing off to one side. "It's Owain!"
Ianto followed the pointing finger and saw his eldest son with his team-mates, dressed in his beloved blue and white all-in-one suit. He was talking loudly and pushing and shoving, normal behaviour for him. The coach obviously called him to order as Owain suddenly looked up and was quiet. Good for him, thought Ianto wishing he had the same authority with the boy.
"It's Owain!" repeated Luke, hitting his tad's knee to attract his attention.
"I see him, sweetheart. It won't be long now." The referee appeared and the youngsters, all aged five and six, got into their teams ready for the off.
Owain loved soccer. He had kicked a ball around since he could walk and Ianto and Jack had encouraged him, seeing it as an outlet for his abundant energy. He had joined a kids' soccer club as soon as he could, on his fourth birthday, and had played ever since. Initially, they had just learnt basic ball skills but for the past few months they had been having regular games playing as teams.
Ianto tried to attend as often as he could and had brought Luke with him, once he was old enough to sit still, leaving baby Minda with Konni. Jack had come once or twice but getting away for afternoon games was difficult for him; the work of Torchwood could not be re-arranged as easily as Ianto's own business. However, Jack had promised to try to get to this game as it was the final of a mini-competition. Ianto looked round the crowd but could not see Jack's unmistakable figure anywhere among the spectators, parents for the most part. He hoped he would make it as Owain would be very disappointed if his dad missed seeing him.
The game was about to start and Ianto made sure Luke was sitting sensibly and watching. He was a good child for the most part and had grown used to watching the games, though he cheered all the goals which upset his brother who didn't like Luke cheering for the opposition. The teams took their places and the whistle blew.
"Whew, just made it," said Jack as he plopped down in the seat on the other side of Luke. He was red and puffing from running the last 500 metres.
"Dad, its Owain," pointed Luke, his high piping voice carrying in a momentary silence.
Owain heard it, looked round and grinned hugely, the inherited Harkness grin, when he saw his dad. He was officially a defender, his aggression well-suited to stopping opposition strikers, though he'd learnt to do so within the rules of the game, but today he wanted to score a goal to show his dad all the skills he had learnt. He was determined to play his best game ever. He turned back to the game and saw his team-mates were moving the ball forward and ran after them.
Jack put an arm round Luke, smiling at Ianto. "How long is the game?"
"Thirty minutes, fifteen each half. Why, do you have get off?" Ianto looked across and hoped not, Owain would be so disappointed if Jack disappeared back to Torchwood after the game.
"Yeah. There's a meeting I really should attend but it should be okay." He smiled reassuringly at Ianto.
The game continued, all the little boys and girls running around the pitch in a huddle, not willing to maintain their correct positions. They all wanted to be where the ball was and to score so great spaces emerged where a determined or lucky player could get through and make a quick run at goal. This happened almost immediately and Owain's team – the Unicorns – was one down. The rest of the first half continued in the same vein with players making wild runs at goal. When they stopped for the ten minute break at half-time the score was five to four, with the Unicorns losing.
Ianto poured some coffee from the thermos he'd brought with him for himself and Jack. Luke had juice from a beaker.
"It's a fast game," said Jack, sipping the drink. He took a cookie from the container Ianto held out and bit into it. "Though they need to learn a bit more about defending."
"They're only five and six, Jack. They're having fun, that's what's important." He gave Luke a cookie and watched to make sure he could manage it and his beaker.
"I know." Jack looked over at the teams who were drinking juice and chatting excitedly. He caught Owain's eye and waved. The boy waved back enthusiastically, grinning again. "He's a good player," said Jack proudly.
"He's a bit too aggressive for my liking," tempered Ianto. "Did you see that tackle when he brought the other boy down?"
"Perfectly legal," defended Jack, "the referee didn't penalise him."
"I'm not sure he saw it properly," commented Ianto dryly. He finished his coffee and put the mug back in the bag. He took Luke's abandoned and empty beaker too.
Further discussion was prevented as the teams were called back onto the pitch for the second half. Luke crawled onto Ianto's knee and stayed there watching the action. He cheered for the next goal even though it was scored by the Rhinos. The play was even more furious than in the first half as the twenty two boys and girls ran up and down the pitch determined to win the match. Some were visibly flagging from all the exercise but Owain was as active as ever.
There were just two minutes to go and the score was level at eight all when Owain's chance came. He was running up the wing, for once away from the action, when the ball was kicked over to him. Owain ran, keeping the ball just ahead of him, with the rest of the players in a mob following behind. He got to within striking distance of the opposition goal. He knew the game was almost over so kicked the ball as hard as he could. It flew along about half a metre about the ground, passed the goalkeeper, who was out of position, and hit the back of the net just seconds before the whistle sounded.
There was pandemonium on the pitch as the Unicorns all cheered and rushed at Owain, hugging him and banging him on the back. He was surrounded and disappeared from view for a little while; most of his team-mates were taller than him. When he emerged and his parents could see him again, he was grinning from ear to ear with the sheer delight of having scored a goal, and such a goal, to win the match and the competition. The coach came up and congratulated him too, gathering the rest of the team into some sort of order; there was to be a presentation and he wanted them all ready for it.
For Owain the presentation went by in a daze. He vaguely recalled seeing the Unicorns' captain receiving a cup, walking up to get his own winner's medal and the Rhinos' congratulations and three cheers. But he was still reliving his moment of triumph in his head, wondering if it really had happened and was still wondering when his parents caught up to him. He looked up at his dad, face serious.
"Did it really happen, Dad? Did I really score the goal?" he asked.
"Yes, tiger, you did! I saw you. You were magnificent." Jack picked him up and twirled him round while hugging him at the same time. "I am so proud of you." That was when Owain truly believed he had won the match and he grinned once more.
"Hey, Owain, well done," said Ianto, standing beside Jack with Luke in his arms. "May I see the medal?"
"Here," said Owain, holding it out proudly.
"We'll have put that somewhere safe, where it won't get lost," said Jack, still holding the boy oblivious of muddy boots and clothes. "Make a special place in your bedroom where you can put it and all the others you're going to win."
"Can I? Can I really?" Owain's face shone.
"Of course," laughed Jack. "Now, looks like it's time you got cleaned up and changed. Then we'll take you home for a celebration supper." He put the boy down.
"Shall I hold onto this for you?" asked Ianto. "Just until you've changed." He held up the medal.
"Please, Tad. Won't be long." He ran off to join his team-mates and disappeared into the changing rooms.
"Pleased you came?" asked Ianto, putting the medal in his pocket and shifting Luke onto his other arm.
"You bet! In fact, I'm not going back. To hell with the meeting, they can get on without me for once." He grinned and looked as young as Owain for a moment. "I am going to celebrate with my son. Who knows, he may never win anything again."
"I'm sure he will, but I'm pleased you're not going back to work," Ianto leaned forward and kissed him soundly. "Let Salannd know. I'm going to contact Glonnix, see if she can lay on something a bit special for supper." He put down Luke, who was fidgeting, but kept firm hold of his hand.
Supper that night was a joyous affair. They all tucked into a magnificent spread and pride of place was given to a cake decorated with a boy kicking a soccer ball into a net. Owain loved the look of the cake and was proud when his tad took a photo of him with it. It saddened him when the cake was cut into pieces, even though he ate three of them himself.
Later that night, when he was waiting for his tad to come and put him to bed, he gazed at the photo pinned to his notice board then took out the medal and looked at it again. It had been a wonderful day. He would remember it forever.
"Hey, tiger," came from the open door. "Not asleep yet?"
"No, waiting for Tad." The boy was sat on a chair and was quiet for once. "I was looking at my medal."
"It's a great medal," said Jack, coming into the room. He knelt beside the chair and looked down at the medal too. "Where shall we put it?"
"I want to hold it!" Owain protested. He planned to put it under his pillow where he could feel it all night and be reminded when he woke up in the morning.
"I know. I didn't mean right now, I meant eventually." Jack looked round the room. There were some shelves but these held books and small toys and the medal would be lost on them. "We need somewhere to display it."
"And where Luke can't get it." Owain felt his possessions were borrowed by his brother far too much.
"Yeah, that too. How about a display cabinet, like the one Holly has for her dancing trophies?" Holly had become quite a good dancer and had done well in one or two minor shows with trophies to show for it.
"Could I?!" Owain's face lit up. The cabinet was on Holly's wall and while Owain would never let on, he really liked it and wanted one of his own.
"I think so. I'll talk to Tad and if he agrees we'll get it tomorrow."
"If I agree to what?" Ianto was stood in the doorway looking down at them.
"Dad says I can have a cabinet like Holly's. Can I, Tad, can I?" Owain was on his feet and at Ianto's side, looking up with pleading eyes.
"For your medal?" Owain nodded, not taking his eyes from his tad's face. "I think that's a wonderful idea. We'll get you one. But tomorrow. Now it's time for bed."
"Thank you, Tad," cried the boy, flinging his arms round Ianto's waist. He then ran back to Jack. "Thanks, Dad." He hugged him too.
"You've made us very proud of you, tiger," Jack said, hugging him back.
"Come on, young man, into bed." Ianto held the covers up and Jack caught the robe as Owain flung it off. His slippers were jettisoned as the boy clambered into the bed, still clutching the medal.
"I want it under my pillow tonight," he said, looking up at them both. He hoped they'd agree but wasn't absolutely sure.
"Of course," agreed Ianto, smiling at the anxious look on the boy's face. "Now lie down and I'll get on with the story." He was reading Robinson Crusoe and they'd got to an exciting part. He looked pointedly at Jack who was lurking in the room. He did not usually come in at this time as his presence was too stimulating for Owain.
"Night, Owain," said Jack, bending down to brush a kiss against the boy's forehead. "Sleep tight." He left the room to the sound of Ianto's voice.
"Now, where did we get to last night …"
Let me know what you thought of the story, I love getting reviews.
