7

"But…it's Date Night" Jack whined as he watched the little one cling tighter to Ianto's neck, glaring at him like he was telling Ianto to do something terrible with him.

"I know Cariad but it can't be helped. Chrys is terribly ill with morning sickness and this one is in one of his funks. John was beside himself when he came to me and I know he forgot the night or he would not have asked" Ianto said softly and Jack immediately deflated knowing Ianto was still hurt by the thing with Chrys and would move heaven and earth to help her ... a Date Night could wait.

"Well …we will make the best of it then" Jack finally said softly "How about you give that Monkey a bath with Impy. I take it you've fed them already."

"Yeah, ours is in the oven for later" Ianto swung to face him "Are you really OK with this? We could try it at the weekend instead, right?"

"Hey … it's just a night. We don't need it to love one another" Jack agreed, watching Ianto walk off with Monkey in his arms, calling for Imp to come get ready for his bath too.

Jack moved to the kitchen and looked into the oven then hummed softly, looking around as he knew he could still make this work. He went out into the back yard, their own personal garden and he cut some roses form the huge bushes Ianto loved so much, returning to the kitchen where he quickly set the table with the good crockery and cutlery, the roses in the vase in the middle just like Ianto did sometimes.

Jack checked the remains of the meal Ianto had made, a large casserole had been made originally as it was easiest with so many to feed and he considered, then went to the fridge and was pleased to find the left over rice from the night before still there. He zapped the rice with a little water to re-fluff it, added some curry to the casserole along with that half a tin of pineapple chucks from the pizza day then went to the panty and instead of the casserole on toast Ianto expected, he entered the kitchen with a fresh shirt on while drying his hair to find a fresh meal.

"So they splashed you again. Are they both down for the night?" Jack asked as he poured the perfectly breathed wine and Ianto settled in his chair with a look of delight.

"Oh Cariad, this looks lovely!" Ianto gushed happily as Jack turned to show the dinner rolls he had also found in the freezer and zapped back to life, buttered and ready to use in a decadently piggy way. He settled and they began to eat, Jack groaning with delight as he scooped some rice and casserole into half a bun, then sit back and put the entire thing in his mouth.

As always, Ianto loved watching his husband eat, his enjoyment of his food made for such a display of gluttony that he would forget his own piggyness, even using fingers at times. Ianto tasted the curry and was pleased that Jack had finally got it right, enough to tingle but not enough to punish later on. The pineapple was a nice touch. Saltanas were a surprise.

Ianto found himself humming along with his husband, a little voice making them jump as Babs asked "What's that?"

Jack pushed his chair back to let her clamber up and she grabbed his fork to taste it. Her eyes widening. "Mine didn't taste like this!"

"You can take a bowl to bed" Jack stage whispered "Don't tell."

She was scandalised as she watched her Taddy nod in agreement instead of scolding about food in the bedroom like he usually did. She knew this was something special as she kissed Jack and rushed off with glee, the glass of milk in one hand, her curry in the other.

"She has your taste" Ianto said as he accepted a glass of milk, "You know … she really looks up to you."

"And you"

"No she expects me, she hopes for you" Ianto corrected as he checked the oven and made a happy noise at the extra rolls still warm in there "You are her Dad. She will always want your praise, even as she expects it from me. How it is. Of all our kids, she is the most complex. You know …. She waited up for you to come home just for that goodnight kiss."

Jack smiled as he watched Ianto butter another warm roll.

"And you? Waiting for a goodnight kiss love?"

"Every night" Ianto assured him, looking up from his task with a warm smile "Forever."

Great Date Night after all.