I must start this post by apologizing profusely to everyone that's been waiting for this story to be updated. Nearly 4 months with no word from me is simply inexcusable. I promise this story will be finished! Life has been, simply put, CRAZY. As much as I would like this to be my only job/hobby/responsibility, it is not. There are times I wanted to pick this up and continue, but felt no desire to. I wrote so much, so quickly in the beginning, that I lost focus and took a break over Christmas, which turned into an unforeseen hiatus. Moving on, I can't promise as regular updates as I did before, but I have a few more chapters to get out as we move into the climax of this story, and I hope you'll stick with me as I work towards that end.
The week of Christmas came much faster than he would have thought. With the term finished, Ianto was spending more and more time at the shop, helping to deal with the rush for last minute gifts. He was definitely grateful for the extra hours. Funds were always tight, even though his major expenses were paid by his parents. He wanted to make up for the money he had already spent on gifts. Toys for his niece and nephew, a spa day for his sister, rugby tickets for his brother in law, the list went on. Ianto was the type of person to want to get something for everyone he knew. He had spent the last few days putting together nick knacks, jams, and other trinkets for presents.
As he packaged a purchase at the main counter, his thoughts began to drift to his plans for the holiday. The idea of spending Christmas with Jack brought a sense of warmth to his stomach, and Ianto could almost feel the tips of his ears coloring at the idea of them indulging in more antics under the tree. It had been worth a Saturday working around Tosh's nerves and Jack's antics in getting the rooms decorated. The whole flat simply glowed with warmth and happiness, and he couldn't get enough out of spending time there in the little world they had created.
He even had a present picked out for the man. When they originally started seeing each other, they had bonded over a mutual love of James Bond movies. Ianto particularly remembered the first night they spent together, talking about favorite gadgets and a bit of their childhood. Jack had mentioned he always wanted Bond's watch.
While he couldn't get one that shot lasers capable of melting through heavy metal, he did find manage to find a suitable accessory for the banker. It not only looked professional, but was equipped with sensors that could monitor one's heart-rate, sleeping patterns, etc. It also lit up, something Ianto knew Jack would exploit like the child he was.
The only major obstacle to his holiday was the fact that dinner with his parents loomed. While that part was something normal that he could have dealt with (they would be primarily distracted by their grandchildren after all), the addition of Lisa was going to cause a whole new dynamic that he was not looking forward to. It would be uncomfortable with his mother and Rhi bugging him about rekindling things, or worse, trying to suggest other available women to him. Johnny would be distracted by something or the other, but would likely find the time to throw in a barb or two about his inability to keep a woman, and whether or not he was taking it up the arse.
A part of him would love to indulge in describing to Johnny, in vivid detail no less, just how much he enjoyed taking it. . .
But, he was too nice for that. And it would entail him providing very personal details about his life to the family, something he already stated he was not comfortable with quite yet.
Besides, it wouldn't matter who he was with. Any time anyone asked him about his sexual exploits, Ianto would inevitably blush and smirk, leaving silence to do the talking.
The plan was that Jack would be picking him up at his parent's house just after six. Ianto was planning on cooking them a small dinner at his flat, and Jack was going to bring over his favorite Christmas movies. Tosh would be going to her mother's, so they would have the house to themselves for the evening.
The door chimed, and Ianto quickly moved from the counter to help another customer.
Christmas day dawned cold and dreary, the threat of rain in the forecast. Ianto shared a quiet morning with Tosh, exchanging their presents over coffee. Knowing her penchant for technological brilliance, he had given her a book on 50 things you could make with common household items. It was a bit like a MacGyver guide, but she had appreciated it nonetheless. He cupped his coffee cup and watched her face light up at some of the things she could create, such as a radio out of a penny. Unsurprisingly, she did know a few of the items, but the new ones he could tell she was itching to try out. He held a similar sense of joy at the leather bound journal she provided to him, along with an exquisite pen.
"For all of those brilliant ideas you have yet to create," she had written on the first page.
He took the time to dress up a bit for the family, something he knew his mother appreciated. Ianto resolved himself to try to enjoy today, if nothing else than to make the day easier on her. He knew his issues with his father and sister put a strain on their relationship, and that she struggled with blaming herself for how things were.
The hug she gave him upon his arrival at their home a bit later told him his efforts were noticed. "Don't you look handsome," she smiled.
The noise coming from the living room indicated that he arrived after his sister, and he turned the corner with Anna to find his nice and nephew in the middle of playing a loud game on the telly, completely ignoring anyone who was not brandishing a remote controller. Johnny and Mr. Jones were sitting not too far behind, the quiet telling all too much about the state of their relationship. Rhi's expectations of marriage were not as high as Ianto's, but Mr. Jones had never exactly made it a secret that he did not approve of Johnny. The man was too crass for his tastes. Nevertheless, Mr. Jones did love his family, and did his best to be civil. It left previous few items to talk about over a drink on visits.
Ianto found himself pushed onto the couch next to his brother in law, and took the drink his mother handed him out of politeness. Egg nog never had much appeal to him. "Where's Rhiannon?"
"Oh," Anna said. "She's been helping me get some of the finishing items done in the kitchen. I'll send her out to see you." She turned just as she was about to leave the room. "You did know that we have an additional guest tonight, dear?"
"Yep."
His father looked at him appraisingly, "So, your term ended."
"It did, yes."
"I trust you passed your courses satisfactorily."
Ianto nodded, leaning forward to place his drink on the low table in front of him. "I believe so. Final marks will be posted after the holiday."
"And you are registered for next term?"
"I've got it sorted." Ianto looked around, taking in the decorations his mother had placed around the home to give it a holiday feel. If only this line of questioning would stop...
He hadn't even told Jack yet, but he had not signed up for next semester. The deadline to do so hadn't passed yet, so Ianto knew he had some time. He couldn't hold out forever if he wanted to attend classes, but he was frozen. As soon as he registered, the university would send his tuition bill to his parents.
Then they would know.
If he registered for classes for the spring term, anything relating to law would not be on the list. He just couldn't, in all good conscience, keep pursuing a career that he would never be happy in.
Luckily, he was saved from further inquisition by his sister coming in the room. It had been a long time since he had seen Rhiannon, so he rose to give her a great hug and pushed her to sit next to him. It had the added benefit that she could suitably distract everyone from their current subject.
Ianto turned his attentions fully to her, asking all sorts of questions about his niece and nephew, whom he was fairly sure weren't aware he was in the room. How long did they play that thing at home?
The group continued to make small talk as the afternoon wore on. Ianto did his best to keep the subject light and away from personal attention, letting his mother and Rhi fill as much of the house with noise as they could. He also tried to help in the kitchen, where was was promptly chased away to sit near his father again. Johnny grew a bit bolder as the day continued, the refills of spirits emboldening his attitude. It only took the small suggestion of the most recent football match to get him talking, or rather shouting, about a vivid argument he had gotten into with one of his mates. His children continued to pay none of the adults any mind.
The group was sitting down to dinner when Lisa arrived. She was dressed in holiday fare, and just as pretty as Ianto remembered from their time together. Luckily, Anna was engrossed in asking her all manner of questions throughout dinner, and he resolved to keep his eyes on his plate in order to stem the awkwardness of the situation.
He had committed to the idea of not speaking to her at all, which he should have known would backfire on him.
Voicemail. December 25, 6:10 PM
"Jack, it's me. Please call me. It's not what you think; please let me explain."
Message deleted.
Voicemail. December 25, 6:42 PM
"Jack, I've been texting you. Please, please call me so we can talk."
Message deleted.
Voicemail. December 25, 8:27 PM
"Jack...unintelligible sound...pl-"
Message deleted.
