11

Finally, the bonfire was ready and Babbit was told that he could make a speech, something that excited the whole village more than him.

Babbit stalked up and down as people waited with baited breath.

"I want to thank you all for coming today." Babbit said solemnly, then turned to Ianto, "Or do I say evening Taddy?"

"It's dusk, so you can choose whichever darling" Ianto said softly.

"Yes! Thank you for coming today, I know my Daddy is an arse but we will make the most of it!"

A few titters started as Jack stepped forward and bowed theatrically to the crowd. Everyone clapped.

"That's enough of that Daddy! Don't make me get the stick!"

Now a few coughs and louder giggling.

"Right! Since Daddy killed the tree and attacked my poor Heck's Shell front bit with the same before said tree, I have decided not to sue Daddy or beat him a bit with my stick."

Now Connor's high pithed giggle was heard over the murmuring crowd.

"This bonfire is a cleaning thingy, to signal the end of Christmas. Daddy killed it when he cut the tree down wrong. Would have been better to buy a bloody beaver!"

Now Manny's loud bellows were recognizable above the soft laughter.

"My two brothers, Stephen and Walter are both arses too, so my little brother Ton is the only one who is allowed to enjoy the fire. The other two can watch with scared thoughts and be happy I didn't have them tied to the bloody tree!"

Now a couple of people had to sit, having trouble breathing.

"So without … whatever … Taddy. Where is the bloody BBQ fire thing?"

Ianto calmly stepped forward with the long BBQ lighter and knelt, letting Babbit place his little hands over his as they reached into the braches and lit the paper inside.

"Happy New Year!" Babbit screamed with flair as he threw his arms wide.

The flames quickly grew and Babbit yelled with glee as the first pinecone popped.

Ianto retreated and pulled Babbit back behind the line he had spray painted around the fire earlier, telling Babbit it was the safe zone.

Babbit screamed with glee as another loud bang sounded and he started to dance around the circle, joined by the other children like a mixture of native American dance and Lord of the Flies extras.

By the time Jack and several other adults joined in, Walter was flicking his camera over to the video mode he had found and was watching the village go nuts.

"Look at them!" Walter snorted to his Taddy, "Bunch of nuttas!"

"Give me the camera" Ianto said softly, "I can film for a while."

Walter gleefully handed off and ran to his Daddy who grabbed him and swung him around, into the madness.

Ianto smiled as he watched his family through the lens.

Christmas was nearly over, but it had been a doozy!