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Chapter Seven: Reconciliation
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Jack's mother recognized the sounds of a waking child first. She'd spent the last couple of hours just watching her son. He just sat there, unmoving. Watching. Keeping watch, maybe. It was a side of him she'd never known before, but two thousand years… two thousand and eighty six years and just a few grey hairs… a wrinkle or two…
No words had passed between them for some long while, but it hadn't been an uncomfortable silence.
As soon as Jason stirred, she got to her feet and moved over towards the bed, aware that Jack was hanging back, unsure of himself. She'd never known him to be uncertain of anything, not even when he was a child himself.
She sat down on the edge of the bed and stroked her grandson's hair, smiling at him the way she had every morning since he'd lost his father. She wasn't sure if the ritual was for his sake or for hers anymore. "There's somebody here who wants to see you," she said softly when Jason finally opened his eyes.
"Hmmmm?" was the sleepy response.
She glanced over her shoulder at her son, "He's like you in the morning," she told him in a quiet tone. Roan had been the morning person…
Jack swallowed and forced himself to take another step forward, into Jason's line of vision. He told himself again not to get his hopes up. There was no guarantee Jason would recognize him or want anything to do with him … in fact, he knew he should be prepared for rejection or fear or worse…
Jason sat up, rubbing his eyes. He turned towards Jack and the knots in Jack's stomach tightened… his mother was right, Jason had his eyes. Probably his hair too…
Jason blinked several times as if not quite certain of what he was seeing, or maybe not sure that it was real.
Jack forced a tight smile, but he didn't know what to say, so he just stood there, tears stinging in his eyes because looking at his son now, he had no idea why he'd run out on them like he had. Please don't hate me…
"Papa?" Jason's voice was shaky; he looked to his grandmother, uncertainly and then back at Jack again.
"Hey there. Long time no see." Jack barely recognized the sound of his own voice.
He'd spent the last few hours trying to remember his son's other father, trying to remember what had happened between them… trying to remember anything at all about that part of his life. He hadn't come up with much.
He remembered a quiet man with ginger hair and a shy sweet smile. He remembered his friends telling him what a bad match they were and how he was just going to break Roan's heart. He remembered thinking the same thing and wondering what Roan saw in him anyway, at least beyond the obvious.
Jack had always been aware of his looks and if it had just been a casual shag, he would have understood perfectly, but Roan made it into so much more.
If he had been a better person, he might never have gotten involved with the man, but the fact was that Roan was an easy, willing lover, someone Jack didn't have to put any effort into. He was always there, always dependable. He was someone Jack could fall back on when his other plans fell through and he never once asked Jack for anything in return… just Jason.
But even with all the years clouding his memory, he was sure Roan hadn't had to put up with him. He remembered the other man as being attractive, intelligent… his mother liked him, that said something of his character. So why did you love me…? He wondered for the hundredth time.
"What're you doing here…?" Jason's soft voice cut through the unhappy jumble of his thoughts.
Jack shrugged. He wanted to say he'd come here for them but Jason deserved better than a lie. "I was in the neighbourhood…"
His mother's dark look silenced the joke before he'd finished it. "Get over here," she told him.
The commanding tone in her voice was enough to convince his body to move.
He looked down at his son's face and felt his whole body shake. "I… I am so happy to see you," he managed to say at last. It was the truth. It was the absolute truth.
Suddenly there were a pair of arms wrapped around his waist and he could barely breathe. Jack held him tight, manoeuvring so he was sitting in the bed and could really pull his son into his arms. Sometimes you don't know what you're looking for until you find it… "Oh God, I missed you…" he whispered. That was the truth too. He kissed the top of Jason's head. "I missed you so much and I am so sorry I haven't been here…" please forgive me…
"Shhh…" his mother laid a hand on his back, rubbing it gently. "You're here now, Jack. That's what matters. Here. Now."
He just nodded, no longer able to speak.
……………………………………………….
Jack found Ianto waiting for him as soon as the cog door rolled open. It didn't look like he'd slept, although he'd showered and changed into a clean suit. It was the black pinstriped one and he was wearing it with the dark grey shirt and silver and black tie. His expression was about as cheerful as his suit. The older man forced a tight smile. His partner didn't return it, even when Jack offered him the cup of coffee from Starbuck's he'd picked up as a peace offering.
"When you asked me if I was coming home last night, I assumed that meant you were coming home yourself." His tone was cold. He did take the coffee. He didn't throw it at Jack, either, something Jack realized belatedly might happen. Then again, Ianto wasn't like that. He was always there. Always dependable. And he was waiting for an answer.
Jack shoved his hands into his pockets. "I'm sorry."
The younger man gave him a long measured look. "Did you see them?" he asked in the same cool tone.
"Yes."
Ianto nodded and headed towards the coffee station, presumably to start a pot for when the others came in. "You know, there was this American fellow named Alexander Graham Bell," he said over his shoulder, "And he invented this marvellous thing called a telephone. You should look it up sometime… it's fantastic for communicating over long distances. Just the thing to use to let someone know you're going to be out all night so he won't worry himself half to death wondering where you are."
Jack slid up behind him wrapping both arms around the younger man's waist, "What was there to worry about?" he asked with a coy smile.
"I'm serious, Jack," Ianto's tone was humourless.
He let go and stood back, shoving his hands back into his pockets. "I'm sorry," he had the feeling he was going to be saying that a lot over the next few days. "Gwen should be in soon… you want to go get something to eat?"
"I'm really not much of a breakfast person."
"I know. But I've got a hungry eight year old in the SUV."
Ianto nearly dropped the bag of coffee in his hands. He cursed under his breath and set it down, carefully, resting both hands, palm down, on the counter.
"You ok?"
He turned to face the older man. "Just please tell me you locked the glove compartment before leaving an eight year old unattended in the SUV."
"He's not alone, Mom's with him…"
"All the more reason to lock the glove compartment."
Jack smirked, "It's ok, she's promised not to come storming in waving any more guns around, at least not at you."
"This really isn't funny, Jack."
"I know. I'm sorry."
They stared at one another for a long moment. Finally, Ianto found his voice, "So… what does this mean?"
"What does what mean?"
"Any of it… all of it? What's going to happen next?"
"I… I'm not sure."
The younger man nodded and turned back towards the coffee machine. "Let me get a pot of coffee started for Gwen. Would you mind getting my coat?"
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Ianto left a note for Gwen, stating simply that he and Jack had gone out for breakfast and would be back shortly. He was sure she would have a million questions after yesterday, but they would have to wait. By the time he was done writing, Jack had returned from their quarters with his overcoat. He helped him with it the same way he had yesterday. And he was very quiet.
Ianto leant in and Jack met the kiss half way, but it was a very reserved sort of kiss. "Cariad…" he regarded his partner a moment; those amazing blue eyes were still filled with uncertainty. "I sincerely hope you realize that the only thing I'm mad about is you not calling to let me know you were all right."
Jack just nodded; his expression told the younger man that he hadn't been at all sure that that's all he was angry about.
"So… just out of curiosity," Ianto began as they headed up towards the tourist office, "How did you and another man …?" he let the question trail off.
"It's not really that complicated, but it could still take a while to explain."
"Right. Breakfast first, explanations later," he agreed. As the stepped out into the cool morning air, Ianto realized that that flock of pterodactyls that occasionally lived in his stomach was back and they seemed to have brought along some friends this time. "Jack… your mother… I mean… yesterday…?" he questioned
"She said she thinks loyalty isn't a bad quality in a man."
"Well. I suppose that's a plus. But erm… one more thing…" he asked as the SUV came into view. "What…what exactly did you tell her about us?"
Jack slid his arm around the younger man's waist and pulled him close. "Just that you're the best thing that's ever happened to my life."
"Do you really mean that?"
"Yes."
Ianto smiled, but the pterodactyls didn't go away.
He took a deep breath as the same woman who had him at gunpoint less than twenty four ours ago slid out of the passenger side of the SUV. She was looking just as uncertain as he was, at least.
Jack pulled him a little closer. "Mom… I know you already sort of met," he flashed a smirk, "But this is Ianto… Ianto Jones-Harkness," his smile softened when he glanced in his partner's direction. "Ianto… I'd like you to meet my mother. Surella… Harkness." He shrugged at the last bit. They hadn't really discussed it, but she didn't correct him either, she just extended her hand towards the younger man and gave him the same strained, awkward seeming smile he was giving her.
"Ma'am," Ianto pulled away from Jack so he could shake her hand properly. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I… I'm very sorry about yesterday." He realized he was blushing. "It wasn't the sort of first impression I would have preferred to give… I mean… I'm sorry, Mrs. Harkness, I hope you'll accept my apology," he finally gave up before burring himself in it any further.
"There's nothing for you to be sorry for. And please, call me Ella," she added.
"Ella," he repeated.
Jason squirmed out of the back seat and looked up at the adults, expectantly.
Before Jack could make the introductions, Ianto knelt down to the boy's level, "And you must be Jason," he said with a soft smile. "I'm Ianto," he held out his hand.
The boy accepted, mimicking adult behaviour. "You're Papa's husband…?" it wasn't quite a question, but it wasn't a statement either.
"That's right," Ianto looked fondly up at the man standing next to him. Papa… it fit. "And I am very pleased to meet you..."
"Jaaack…?" Gwen's voice cut through the moment. "Ianto? Is everything all right?"
Jack and Ianto both smirked; it wasn't really a case of bad timing, but she seemed to always appear when they least wanted to be interrupted. "Everything's fine, Gwen," Jack told her in a dry, mildly amused tone. Then he glanced down at Ianto, but the younger man nodded that yes, everything really was all right. "We're just heading out to get some breakfast," Jack flashed a smile in Gwen's direction.
Ianto stood up, "I started a pot of coffee for you," he knew that would get her going. "We'll be back in… about an hour…?" He glanced at Jack.
His Captain nodded, "Probably. If anything comes up, call."
"Erm… sure…" she looked at the woman and boy, but when it became obvious that no explanations were going to be forthcoming, she made her way to the tourist office without further comment.
"You're going to have to tell them," Ianto said quietly after she'd gone. When Ella started to get into the backseat, he offered her the front.
"Are you sure?" she said.
"He's polite, Mom, you'll get used to it," Jack assured her, climbing in behind the wheel.
Ianto chuckled and slid into the back next to Jason.
"And as for telling them…" Jack cast a glance back at his partner, "Do I really have to?"
"Yes, Jack. You were the one who said no more secrets, remember? And even if you hadn't, this isn't the sort of thing you could keep a lid on for very long anyway."
Jack sighed.