7
It was like a rebirth.
Ianto finally felt at peace with his life, not just where he was but with what he had left behind. After all, if not for his past he would not be here now. Sitting in the window as the sun streamed in on his uncovered bump.
Jack entered and stopped, Rhys walking into him as Ianto lay on the chaste lounge with his shirt gathered up on his chest and the little bump gleaming in the beam of light. Ianto's' eyes were closed and you might think him asleep if not for his fingers gently stroking at the edge of the bump.
"Hey Sweetling" Jack crooned as he took a knee and leaned in to kiss the bump next to the wee belly button.
"Hello Cariad" Ianto said sleepily, "Our little beast has been busy today, I hoped the warmth would calm it as I really don't want a hot bath just yet."
"No, you promised I could wash Bumpy tonight" Jack crooned, kissing again as Ianto hummed, his fingers carding through Jack's hair.
Rhys felt like an interloper and wondered if he should back out when Ianto spoke, "Hello Rhys. Would you like to feel Bump move? Little beast is kicking like mad in here."
Rhys looked at Jack for permission as any bear knows touching an Alpha's mate in cub was a death sentence if not permitted and Jack nodded and then Rhys hustled over and knelt, letting his hands rest on the bump with a gentle affection, then he laughed as he felt movement.
"That's Uncle Rhys" Jack crooned, "Yeah. He will teach you to drive as I will not have the calm patience, he will also smuggle you things and probably drive you to prom and be you a boy or a girl in there he will walk behind you on every date with a shotgun. Yeah, he will."
"I feel that it is a girl" Ianto said softly, "More and more I see a little girl running into your arms, her ribbons loose and her long skirts flowing. Bare feet and your huge smile. Bluest of blue eyes."
Jack smiled as he rubbed the bump, "They say Teddykin used to dream of their young before they were born, the bond so strong."
"Maybe, the more I fiddle with the nursery, the more pink and white ruffle I seem to pull in" Ianto yawned and Jack kissed bump once more before rising and kissing Ianto's lips. "She is quite girly."
"Gwen is gone, I need to settle some things and then I want us to have a meal together a real one that does not involve games" Jack said as he walked from the room and Ianto sat up with surprise, feeling the sting in the words as he wondered if Jack was angry with him or her.
Bumpy undulated, feeling its Dam's worry and Ianto soothed with a soft whisper, his hands reaching to soothe as well.
He went to the bedroom and laid the things on the bed, checking labels and washing instructions as he categorised good, bad and plain fucking ugly.
By the end of the exercise he had a wardrobe that would see him for at least three more sizes that he felt confident to wear, the silky night shirt that was huge was surprisingly sweet and after he considered for a while he left it on top.
He went out and sat, Jack joining him as well as Rhys and again Ianto wondered if he was a chaperone so harsh words had a chance to fade before they were said so he looked down at the plate of salad and chicken with a hard lump in his throat.
Jack was still annoyed about Gwen. Ianto did not feel any anger about himself and realised his mate was hurting over the betrayal. He had cared for her deeply. He felt shame in what happened, Alphas do not take shame well.
Ianto pushed the food around and Jack growled softly, urging him to take a mouthful to please as Rhys tried to keep a conversation about baby things going, Jack interested to learn about front packs and such.
Ianto stayed silent.
Then Jack reached across and patted Ianto's' hand softly, "You OK sweetling?"
Ianto nodded, smiling wanly at him, "Just not hungry."
Jack sighed, his annoyance showing again as he pointed at the bump, "You might not be but Bumpy needs it, OK?"
"Yes Cariad" Ianto smiled again and ate some more.
Then Jack rose, "I have things to do."
"And I have a Rolls to polish" Rhys said happily.
Ianto looked up as he realised they were looking at him so he smiled, "And I have wonderful new clothes to hang and admire."
Finally Jack smiled.
It was a start.
