9
Jack had arrived home to find Owen there with Ianto and he had immediately known something was wrong, especially with the lack of a Ton anywhere.
Ianto had been pleased and relieved when Carl had come over and said Jarred was offering a sleepover inside camping experience if Ton brought his sleeping bag. The huge bag of marshmallows Ianto sent him off with had pleased their boy no end too.
Jack settled at the table and watched Ianto do that plucking at the tablecloth thing he does when nervous so he focused in Owen instead.
"Out at the Lake House, Ianto had a wee episode the day you left. Sat on the step and didn't want to get up" Owen said calmly and Jack nodded, "Mate, he had a wee haemorrhage."
"Huh?"
"A bleed in the brain or a blockage that cleared suddenly" Ianto whispered, "I had a little…something Cariad. I didn't want to get up because my leg was weak and might not have supported me."
"You didn't say" Jack whispered back, "You sat there and I dripped everywhere and you could have been…I mean, it's a precursor right? A minor bleed could be the start of….of…."
"Stroke" Owen said with confidence, "This was not one of those. I have examined him and it looks like it was just a minor infarction but I want a full battery of tests to make sure there isn't something lurking that is bigger. I also want to review his blood pressure medication and he is grinding his teeth right now because it means a stay in hospital while I do it."
"How long?" Jack's voice took on a childlike quality and Owen felt the love between the two men as Jack reached for Ianto's hand.
"A few days? Definitely overnight OK?" Owen said softly, "I know you don't like being parted, a private room with two beds, OK? I'll pull as many strings as I can. Promise."
"This isn't an end" Ianto said calmly to his beloved "Just another hurdle. We will adjust, I will take more or different meds and we will monitor and adjust. I have not faltered, just another gate latch to open, that's all."
Owen watched Ianto comfort Jack as huge tears ran down Jack's face and he nodded with each squeeze of Ianto's hand.
Now Owen knew why Ianto had been so quiet on the way back, he had been practicing this. Knowing the worst as yet to come.
"The kids" Jack gasped, a sob escaping with the words.
"When we know the facts" Ianto agreed, "You know they will want all the facts. When we have percentages, numbers, and outcomes even information sheets of the medications…then we tell them calmly and united. OK?"
"Don't leave me" Jack whispered as he swallowed thickly.
"Where the hell would I possibly go" Ianto smiled softly at him, "Let's face this as a warning, a little warning bell went off and we can fix it. If there is a bleed or something still there they can stop it. If there is a blockage they can clear it. We can do lots of things to stave off a big one. Thank the gods it's not a diet solution. I don't think I could take another restriction."
Jack started to laugh weakly as he pulled Ianto into his arms and he looked over at Owen, "We can fix it, right?"
"Mate, I will do everything I can" Owen assured him, "You think I want to lose him either? Shit, these kids would turn feral in a matter of days."
Jack closed his eyes and breathed his love in.
He held him tighter, just in case.
