Walter 15 - Ianto's Nest

by Awatere11

With the 3 children all gone into the world except for Ton and Ifan, Ianto is focusing on the next wave of babies and Owen is finding the Mae is responding to Impy and the Monkey even if not to the adults around her. It's time to bring those chicks back to the nest. Ianto feels the fracture of the family keenly and I do love to pull those strings. Don't like - don't read xxxx

10. Chapter 10

10

Mae was watching silently as Owen lay with Imp and Monkey, the boys' little laughter echoing each other as he played peek-a-boo.

Her solemn frown seemed to mock his efforts.

"Still not warmed to you then" Ianto said softly from the chair Jack had relented and allowed him for the afternoon. Yes, the coddling had begun.

"No" Owen glanced at her, "She stops screaming when I enter the room now, even lets me pick her up if it's not for too long but she is so wary."

"She was born in an orphanage, knew only that her entire life" Ianto reasoned, "Goes to reason she is wary. The only grups she ever saw were women, all with too many children to care for and not enough hugs. Physical contact is scary, even hurtful in her wee head. How many times was she picked up to be smacked, scolded or placed in a time out? Bringing her to see the beasts is the best you can do. Show her how you act with babies, how they react to you. Teach her by example. You have to be patient."

"I am trying but six bloody months and I can boast tht she isn't terrified of me now?" Owen sighed, "I thought this Daddy thing would go so much better."

"She talking yet?" Ianto glanced at the solemn child again.

"She says no. Clearly each time I reach for her, look" Owen reached for her and she blinked, then frowned.

"No" she said as she pulled her arms back against herself.

"Bum" Ianto said softly, "OK. Try the same thing."

"What do you mean?"

"Lie close to her and when she reaches out say no, but reach for her anyway. Change how so you are complying with the No still. Like…cheat" Ianto said "let her see that you understand the word but want her anyway."

Owen lay and the little one watched as his head landed by her little leg. She leaned over to peer into his face as he looked at her foot and then blew in it.

"No!"

"No" Owen replied, then grinned and did it again.

"No" she scolded this time with a hand raised in threat.

"No, OK. No blowing" he replied, poking his tongue out to touch her foot instead.

She gasped with horror and then to his delight she started to laugh as she choked out "No"

"No of course not dumpling" he agreed, kissing the foot this time and then he waited.

He hand patting his cheek was lovely, even if it was brief before she looked away and deliberately ignored him.

Ianto was right as usual.

Baby steps.