10
The breeze was slight but enough to ruffle Ianto's curls around his collar in a way that was almost mesmerising as Ifan cleared his throat to remind him of his vows. Jack smiled as he refocused on his mate standing on the other side of the small font, their hands clutched as the other held the scrap of paper he had written his vows on, folded and unfolded so many times it looked ancient not mere days old.
"I do not compare you to him, it would be like comparing the sun and the moon" Jack whispered softly, "As they are such opposites yet both shine with such intensity that they light my way."
"When I say I love you more, I don't mean that I love you more than you love me" Ianto said calmly back to his beloved, his head rising to let their eyes meet, two lovers joined in hand, cub and breath "I mean that I love you more than the darkest day ahead, more than any fight we will ever have. I love you more than any distance that may be between us, any obstacle that tries to drive us apart. I love you the most of all."
Jack blinked, unable to continue for a moment as he took a deep breath to steady himself, then he looked down at his notes in an effort to look composed, Ianto's hand holding his squeezing softly in support. Jack continued "When someone has been as broken as you, yet you are still able to be so supportive and accepting of others you deserve a love as gentle as ocean waves. Let me be the waves that sweep your shore smooth darling. Please be my shore after such a long voyage to find you."
"Oh, that's a good one" Owen said softly as he listened, his hand finding another to clasp and he turned to look at Tosh who's surprise changed to delight as she accepted his clutch.
"Jack, when we are old grey bears sitting in the comfortable chairs watching or grandbabies tumble about I want to hold your paw and say that we made it" Ianto finished, turning to Ifan to signal an end to the vows but Jack was not quite finished.
"Our daughter will not be raised a delicate flower to be considered pretty, picked and placed in the confines of a jar" Jack said to those there to witness the celebration "She will be a weed grown wild, hard to pin down and impossible to forget. Our daughter will know the love of a good mate, for we teach her what that is by loving one another."
Everyone cheered as Jack raised the clutched hands and then Francine stepped forward with the baby, Ifan swinging to take her gently, holding her over the font, "Little Rayne, may your name herald the great storm that you are, the noise and bluster of your untamed soul. You are of Bear. You are Teddykin. You are a wild animal and will never be chained."
He scooped a handful of water and let it sprinkle over her as she twisted and placed her hand into the water and cooed.
"Such a little beast" Ianto said lovingly as he accepted his child and cuddled her as Jack gently wiped her face.
It was done.
Ifan hooked Francine's hand before she could move away.
It was time.
"Bear up or go home old man" Ianto whispered as he stepped to one side and Ifan grinned as he nodded.
Yes boy, time to be a Ted.
"Francine" he said with his deep boom, "It is not every day you find someone interested in what thoughts you have in your head. To find a willing co-conspirator is a rarity in itself. If you are behind me I will protect you. Stand beside me and I will respect you. If anyone stands in front of you I will defeat them."
"Oh my god" she said with wide eyes as he stepped closer, his eyes swirling with the Teddykin power of his bloodline.
"There are times in life that are no accident, the designs of the gods are pretty, intricate and sometimes beyond our understanding" Ifan said fondly as he took a knee and Francine was now hyperventilating as he presented the ring.
"Ifan, your pants!"
"Love me" he demanded, "I love you. Simple as that."
Francine looked around with delight, then she nodded, letting him get to his feet and sliding the ring on, fitting it perfectly on her hand.
"Lovely" she said happily, "So dainty."
"Yes my Cariad" he purred, "You are."
They all cheered and clapped as Rayne squealed happily.
Done and dusted.
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Thanks for reading this instalment … the Christmas one will begin soon xxxxx