11

The ship settled on the green grass of the meadow and Jack tried desperately to remain calm as the ramp lowered and then he couldn't help but make a noise as it was Rhys out first, not Ianto.

"Jack, a minute?" Rhys motioned and Jack realised he was needed on board so he adjusted the baby on his hip and strode forward only to have Rhys swipe Logan from him and say softly "No mate. He's a mess in there, doesn't want the kids to see him cry."

Jack was moving fast now, into the cockpit where his beloved sat behind the controls sobbing, his body lax as he lay with his head back, the fatigue wafting off him.

"Yan" Jack said softly and Ianto opened his eyes and lifted his head, his face full of joy as he reached for him.

"Oh Cariad, my love" Ianto slid from the chair and they sat holding one another, much as they did that night of the floods and Jack rocked him as he clung to him sobbing with relief. "I thought…there was a moment that I held you in my mind and sent you my love…oh Jack."

"I know how hard this has been, I know you have been strong and now you don't have to be" Jack whispered as he rubbed his shoulders, "Now you can be gentle, soft, loving. It's OK love. I have you now. I will be strong for both of us."

"When I stood on that bridge, Lisa dead at my feet and the enemy in my sights…my only thought was to make Lolly proud. To have her hold her head high. I never considered the possibility that I might survive" Ianto said as he breathed Jack deeply, "This time was different. I was fighting to come back, I was fighting for you, not because of you. Does that make sense?"

"Yes baby" Jack assured him, "You fought for our pride, not your own but also because you are proud."

"Yeah" Ianto sighed and let his head moves so he could nuzzle his Cariad, "The power of our love, our baby's laugh, our daughter's pout. Gods, those vid-casts kept me strong. You. Oh Jack, you centred me each time I faltered. It made me stronger than I thought I could be. Each blow against me was one against you and my righteousness was immense."

"My hero" Jack smiled.

"I'm OK now" Ianto said as he sat up and wiped his face, "Just so relieved to be home, I thought…almost home, almost home over and over again all the way here. So scared a meteor storm or secondary attack or something would get in the way. Gods, I would have blown a gasket."

"Lolly would have too, Tyke is soooo needy apparently" Jack rolled his eyes and was rewarded with a soft laugh.

"I'm exhausted, my bones ache and I am so done" Ianto sighed.

"Well, I hope you can pretend to be hungry too, you know your sister is a feeder" Jack warned happily, unable to stop grinning at his handsome mate who was too thin, way too thin.

"Oh gods, I am sure I can eat some but I really just want to be in your arms in our own bed" Ianto sighed, "Do you mind if the kids are there tonight as well?"

"Thought you might want that, already have the bed made up with the extra pillows." Jack smiled happily, "As long as there are kisses for me."

"Oh Cariad" Ianto sighed, "All the kisses. Tonight we can all snuggle, the kids can settle. Tomorrow night can be just for us, OK?"

"Sounds delicious" Jack purred and Ianto laughed as he let Jack help him to his feet, seeing Jack's need to fuss he leaned against him more than he needed to and Jack shone with delight as he held him around the waist.

"Jewel, come on love" Ianto called and the dog started to walk gracefully, then saw the little girl standing back with her grandfather and with a yelp of glee she took off for her kid with Tyke clinging on to her neck with wide eyes.

"OH MY BABY!" Lolly screamed as she raced for the little creature and then she remembered her manners, kneeling and greeting Jewel with soft crooning and rubbing. Once the dog was pleased Lolly gently extracted the little creature and held him up to examine him more closely, "Hello wee Tyke. I'm your Mama now. Look, I have a pouch for you in my top."

She opened the large pocket in the front of her shirt and popped the wee thing in, it's little squeaks lovely as it discovered the pocket was lined with fur.

"Awwwww, my wee bubba" she crooned happily as she held him against her then she looked up and saw her Taddy coming down the ramp.

"TADDA" Logan yelled and his granddad placed him on his feet but still the little one refused to let go and walk on his own.

It didn't matter.

Taddy ran to him.