8
They returned with a sleeping baby and smiles, telling everyone that she was indeed fine. A little bruise was forming on one hip and Imp demanded to see, still weeping as he clutched his hands together and looked at it, then turned to Sam to demand if he had broken her anywhere too.
"It's OK, it was an accident. Imp, I do not blame you love, I'm not angry. We all got a big scare and feel bad about it but tomorrow morning she will have forgotten it even happened. She is not mad at you, look. She's smiling at you" Sam assured him, his face one of sorrow as he look back down at his Lovey Bug.
"Sorry darling" he crooned, "Taddy sez your arms and legs will not fall off, I am overreacting but you are so special and wonderful. I almost mooshed you, almost…"
Ianto was there, pulling him in as he started to cry again, still shocked that he had fallen on her and Jack intervened, "Right. Come on young man, I think a bath and early bed with a movie, yes? Taddy will bring you up something for tea later but for now you can have some quiet time to reflect."
Ianto looked at Jack with surprise, as did everyone else but as Ianto rose he smiled softly, "Well done."
Jack preened at the praise, glad he had been reading Ianto's books. Imp felt bad. No matter what they said or did the little boy felt like it was something wrong. He had done a bad thing. A soft punishment might make him feel like he had atoned for it, like … a release.
"Yes Daddy" a little sniffle as he looked up at Jack, "Will you do me?"
Ianto smiled as Imp acted like he had as a little toddler, Jack's face softening as he saw it too and lifted the boy easily into his arms, "come on baby. Bubbles and cuddles. You know … maybe we all need some quiet time. Yeah?"
"I'm sorry Daddy" Imp whimpered as they left the room and Ianto listened with pride as his husband actively co-parented like a boss.
"So am I son, So am I. I would have thrown myself on that grenade for you ya know" Jack's voice carried as they went up the stairs, "Sometimes life sucks. Plain and simple. You gotta be a good soldier and know that next time you will not do that, right?"
"Yes Daddy."
"Good boy."
Ianto sighed as he rose to reach for his Jacket.
Monkey next.
