7

It was Walter that entered first, talking over his shoulder to Babs and he watched her face as it paled and he stopped walking to ask what was wrong, getting shoved out of the way as she ran for the bed.

Walter spun as she rushed past and looked at the bed, then sat heavily on the sofa with his mouth open as he started to cry.

Stephen entered and dropped his bag with a dull thud, the sound muted to him as he stumbled to the bed and watched Babs as her hands stroked Ianto's face lovingly.

"Taddy's stuff is under the coloured rug" Jack explained, "No kneeling there!"

They all nodded and Walter finally rose to walk over and watch Ianto's eyelids fluttering.

"It's OK babe, they know you are tired. Go back to sleep, it's OK" Jack crooned, "Plenty of time to talk. Go back to sleep sweetheart."

"Is this a visit?" Babs asked, "Is this just for the weekend?"

"No" Owen said from the doorway to the hall, "I am staying a wee while, aunty Tosh is arriving soon and we can all look after him."

"I will look after him" Stephen said solemnly, his breath catching as he got hold of Ianto's hand. "Hello Taddy."

Jack gave them time to calm down and then let them sit and take it all in as Herb arrived with a huge bouquet of roses from his garden and a hopeful look.

"I've not told anyone he's here pet" he said to Bets as he shoved the roses at her and headed for the bed, his face split in a huge grin. "By heck, he's looking good."

"I think he's feeling better by the minute" Jack grinned back, "He already showing more movement, I swear he's happy to hear familiar sounds."

"Hello son" Herb said softly as he reached out to place a hand on Ianto's leg, "bought the last of me blooms from the roses, you did say they would bounce back and they have put on a lovely show."

Jack smiled as he settled back on his side of the bed, Ianto's hand firmly clasped as he started to talk softly about the roses Bets was bringing towards them and as she placed them down Jack got a heady wiff.

"Smell that love?" he asked, "Like Turkish Delight, isn't it."

Ianto grunted softly and Jack's face lit up as he looked at Herb, "See? Great choice Herb, Ianto says thank you, he hates bad manners, don't you sweets."

Jack kissed Ianto gently and stroked his face, then settled back.

The children begged to eat in the main room and then came the blankets. John tried to be firm but Jack was the soft touch as Babs looked at him with huge eyes while she clutched her blanket to her chest.

"Just for tonight" he sighed, "Tomorrow the sofas are folded back up and you start acting a bit more normal, Taddy needs normal here, he is coming back and will be upset if we went all Lord of the Flies without him."

The kids gleefully started pulling out the sofa beds as Bets got bedding and the room became a huge slumber party, Chrystal delighted when Babs slid in with her and John.

Ton slid off to John as well and Walter waited for a long time before sneaking up to lie in the area vacated, being careful of the tubes.

"Hey sweetheart" Jack whispered over the Ton snoring.

"Hey" Walter sighed, nuzzling against his Taddy and feeling the warm skin, smelling him. Under all the hospital smells he was still there. "Smells."

"I know" Jack agreed, "tomorrow I am taking him into the spa, easier than trying the bath and it means I can hold him in there. We will wash off the stink of the hospital."

"And his tube?"

"I want to talk to Uncle Owen love, maybe we can see if Taddy can do without it" Jack agreed, "It will make it easier for cuddles and I know he probably hates it."

Walter smiled and settled as Bet crept over to throw a rug over him. She leaned in to kiss his cheek, then further for Ianto's.

Jack leaned to meet her for a soft kiss as well before she left and he hoped Herb was waiting for her in the back room.

Ianto really wanted that wedding.