11
Today Owen decided on something different as Ianto tried to do a nappy and gave in, letting him do it instead and Monkey laughed happily as Owen nibbled his foot, Imp screaming for a foot to be done too, shoving it at Owen with a look of pure Ianto temper.
"Nom nom" Owen said as he devoured both boys, their screams filling the room, then he turned swiftly and sucked her foot in, then swung back to the boys, her gasp loud as she pulled her foot back and examined it like it might have lost a toe.
Ianto laughed, "You're getting it. I can't believe you tried for so long without asking."
"Tosh thought another baby might make her jealous, I see now that she craved them" Owen sighed, "no manual with these things."
"I think you did it right" Ianto soothed as he saw Owen's self doubt "Got her used to the two of you first, her home and a routine. So very important when the orphanage was most probably run like a military barracks. Now she knows the food always comes, the bath always comes, the change of nappy…now is when you introduce variables. Owen, stop second guessing yourselves. It doesn't help, all you can do is stumble with her."
"How's your arm?" Owen asked as he took another swipe at her delighted to find the foot shoved in his face expectantly for her turn.
"Itches like a bastard, Ton scratches the cast for me" Ianto laughed, "doesn't understand I can't feel it, thinks he's helping. Growls and everything as he 'sees to it' for me."
"He is a lovely wee man, getting big now" Owen sighed as he flopped and looked at the ceiling, "So grown up about the crash too. He had forgiven the truck for smashing his car. Sat in the wee toad car yesterday telling Badger all about it, that dog seemed to commiserate."
"He loves that dog" Ianto grinned, watching a little girl lean over to inspect Owen's hair and reach out to touch it experimentally, "Don't move. You are getting a nit check."
Owen grinned as he tried to ignore a soft tug and examination, "Are you really ok?"
"Yeah" Ianto sighed, "Plenty of life in this old dog yet"
"Get out of it, you're still a spring chicken, lots of years to scare the shit out of me yet."
"I love you Owen" Ianto said softly, "You are a dear friend and I am glad you've stuck by us."
"Don't' be a twat" Owen said, shocked by the sudden change, "I love you too, well and your cake. Gotta love the cake. Ton says so."
Ianto laughed as he agreed, the Cake Book still a prized possession.
Littlee fingers touched Owen's check to trace his laughter lines and he closed his eyes, each feather touch a blessing.
