7

A small table and chairs by the doors meant Ianto could settle to look out the window as he ate and he was pleased when Jack and Gwen asked to join him.

"Not all the time, I know I'm doing the smothering thing again" Jack smiled, "First night in a strange house can be weird though, I just wanted us to …well. Settle."

They ate as the night rolled in and the artificial fairy lights came on, Jack enjoying Ianto's face lighting up as well and the small china fairies hidden by day became visible under the bushes.

"Oh it's lovely" Ianto sighed happily.

"See? I'm not mental!" Jack said as Gwen huffed.

"I thought it was a silly idea, but now I see what you wanted" She finally agreed, "It does look otherworldly."

"Clever" Ianto agreed smiling as he accepted a glass of juice.

"I got several different juices, I see you like juice and didn't want you to get bored with it" Jack said as he pointed to a cupboard Ianto now knew was a bar fridge hidden as part of the wooden furniture. He was touched at the level of fussing and smiled happily. He could see how some got the wrong idea about him. He was just naturally smothery.

"Gwen, I wanted to say what a lovely colour that is on you" Ianto tried to include her, also seeing why she had become jealous in the past, "You have such amazing hair."

"Oh" she looked surprised, "Thank you Ianto. Me mam has big hair too."

"Well, it frames your face very nicely" Ianto smiled politely, "I bet it looks lovely up too, I can see it in a loose bun with flowers in it, like ethereal, ya know? Barefoot on the beach, tendrils loose in the wind. I think you are so busy, you must remember to take time for you. You are important too."

"I do miss the beach" she smiled wider, "I used to go beachcombing at the weekends, collect stones and bits if driftwood."

"The garden could use some artistic pieces too" Ianto pointed out, "I know some twisted pieces under that apple tree would look nice, some pots of colour."

They all looked out as she smiled and nodded, "What a lovely idea."

"Part of our agreement is for family outings and stuff" Ianto said, "So I don't get cabin fever and start taking in tongues. How about we try for a weekend picnic?"

"Oh!" Gwen looked at Jack, "Can we?"

"That sounds wonderful, you have that big baggy cardie that would be so comfy" Jack told her, "I can bring bags for your stones, make a wee rock garden here and each weekend we can collect another few stones. Mark the baby's growing along with the garden and when the babies are born we will have a special garden that was created just for them."

"What a wonderful idea" Ianto smiled, "Then a little ornament or two, for them so they can see their Mama made it just for them to show her excitement and love. Oh what a special thing to do Gwen. Very maternal and loving to create something like that."

"Yes" she seemed to beam as she thought of the photos in the magazines, her serene mother earth style look with a baby on her lap sitting in a rock or something, another playing on the grass at her feet as she looks over her gift of love. It seemed larger in her mind than the area Jack was indicating but she knew he would back down.

"I can't eat anymore" Ianto said and Jack looked at him with concern, "No, it's OK. I never eat large amounts, makes it easier when I have limited space, it's like training for a marathon. A very long fat marathon."

Jack sorted with mirth and looked back at Gwen, "Sweetheart, anymore?"

"No" she shook her head, "I'm sure I would just be a pig. Thank you love, I think I will go check my messages before bed."

"Thank you for this evening" Ianto said to them, "I have enjoyed your company; you have a lovely smile Gwen."

Gwen looked surprised and then she blushed s she said it was nothing, leaving with a swing in her step.

"Thanks for that" Jack said happily, "she is so nervous. She was sure you wouldn't like her. Most don't as she can be a bit caustic. She doesn't mean it, she is a good person."

"I can see that you love her" Ianto said diplomatically, "I also see how easily she can be upset. Tired and overworked, she finds fault in things. Not her fault, she is worried that she is not doing it right or good enough. For what it's worth I think she's lovely."

"Me too, married her even" Jack quipped and Ianto laughed softly.

"She will be a pretty mother" Ianto nodded, "I see her with them out in the garden, kneeling to explain a butterfly to them, holding a flower for them to examine. I see her being patient and kind. I hope the babies have your colouring, not mine. Such a handsome couple, I feel your dark hair will push through and will look more like they could be hers."

"Yeah, even if they are not dark like me though, my brother was paler than me, my sister is blonde so it doesn't matter. Your colouring is close to my family and the kids will be lovely no matter which of us they throw to. Looking at the photos of those you added to, I don't mind either way." Jack sighed.

"Well, with her as a mama they will have a great start, she will teach them style" Ianto defended her, "She looked so lovely in that outfit tonight. She is really pretty."

"She is" Jack smiled and Gwen moved back from the doorway where she had lurked, listening.

She felt so much better about this one, he did seem to fit them.

Maybe she wouldn't get rid of him, not this time.