Chap 10
Ianto walked into the doctor's office and groaned as his niece squealed with delight as she saw him. He looked for an exit but found it blocked as Gray was entering behind him.
With no other option, Ianto stepped into the room and in front of his sister.
"Ianto! You remembered her monthly check?" Rhia beamed as she rose to hand Aurora-Lee over.
Ianto stepped away with a shake of his head and then looked to the doctor's door which was opening.
"Ah, Look. Here's Ianto now" Owen crooned as he carried the tiny Noah to Ianto.
"Hey, Noah." Ianto grinned as Owen carefully deposited the tot into Ianto's arms.
"He's doing well. I think that his lungs are good enough for a home visit" Owen preened as Ianto gave him a blinding smile.
"Oh god, really? Walter can't wait for a cuddle and we said not until he's home" Ianto had forgotten all about his sister and he crooned to the tiny baby who was reaching for his face.
"Look at you, brave boy. Oh yes, my beautiful wee boy. We are going to cuddle you to death and take turns holding you while I take enough photos to fill a bloody album, yes I am."
"Steady on mate, you keep that up and I might get excited" Owen snarked and Ianto snorted as he kissed a tiny hand.
He finally looked up at his sister and was torn. Should he show her his new son? Did this mean the start of something?
Ianto decided that he didn't really want the man, currently breathing on his neck as he peered over his shoulder at Noah, to be in his life and if that meant no sister well … he had all he needed. Idris still hadn't caught wind of what had happened and he didn't want that either. For all that Gray had coming to him, he was still the man his sister had chosen. This was his problem to solve…but not here, not with the babies watching.
"Ianto? Is this Chrystal's little boy?" Rhia had moved closer and was looking at the tiny tot.
"Sorry Rhia, I'm not here for you. Gray made the decision to blame me but you chose to stand by him. My life is hard enough at the moment without the added complication of a violent Brother-in-law. This was a reason why we fought about Johnny!" Ianto said, careful not to look at her face. "If he touches me again I'm telling Idris!"
"Ianto! He never meant to …"
"I will not be anyone's whipping boy. I will be civil but if you expect me to be pleasant to that man when he …" Ianto stopped talking as Gray cleared his throat.
"Ianto. I've been trying to reach you …" Gray advanced and Ianto shrank back, trying to shield little Noah.
"You hit me while I'm holding my new son and I will kill you! Never mind what Idi will do" Ianto snarled, his fear giving way to the overwhelming need to protect Noah.
"New son? Jesus, she did abandon him like you were scared she would?" Gray peered at the little face peeking out.
"OI!" Jack roared as he came upon the scene.
Aurora jumped in her mother's arms and started to cry, as did Noah. His small voice sounding like a kitten mewling for its mother.
"Easy now sweetling" Ianto soothed, rubbing Noah's back as he cuddled him to his shoulder.
Jack strode over and silently demanded the baby as he glared at his brother, Ianto carefully handed Noah to Jack who melted as he felt the wee boy snuggle into his neck.
"Everything OK here?" Jack demanded eyeballing his brother.
"Yes my love." Ianto lied easily, "Nothing that I can't handle"
In my own time Gray-boy!
"My little tiger cub" Jack crooned, rubbing Noah's back and grinning at Ianto, "Is that his little hand?"
Ianto craned his neck and saw a tiny hand stroking at Jack's whiskery throat.
"Yeah, you need a shave Cariad, but our boy likes the feel of you" Ianto smiled as they left the room and Rhia standing there with her hands on her hips as she looked at Gray with a storm brewing in her stare.