Chapter 14
Soon it was the day they had been looking forward to since Christmas, the day they were due to go on their honeymoon. Luckily, Jack had had his pot taken off at the start of the school holiday, so he was fit to travel.
Sitting in the airport, waiting to board the 10am flight, Jack was getting a bit restless. They had another hour to wait, after Ianto had insisted that they arrived early, just in case. Gwyneth had dropped them off but had left fairly rapidly, saying she needed to get back to Lizzie and Rhiannon. Not that they needed her, Rhiannon was perfectly capable of looking after herself and her younger sister.
"I'm bored," whined Jack.
"It's not long now… Do you fancy making out until our flight is called?" Ianto grinned, knowing that was the only way to stop his husband's moaning.
"Oh I love the way you think. I knew there was a reason I married you," Jack said as he closed the distance between them and joined their lips together, for a tender loving kiss. They continued to kiss leisurely until they heard,
"THE 10AM FLIGHT TO ATHENS IS NOW BOARDING!"
"Come on, let's go." Ianto grabbed Jack's hand and pulled him to the terminal.
Two plane rides, and a 15 minute drive through beautiful little villages and fields, later, they arrived outside the villa on the island of Milos.
As they got out of their guide's car, Ianto gasped. Jack smiled and walked up behind Ianto, wrapping his arms around his husband's waist.
"Do you like it baby?" Jack asked, as he placed his chin on Ianto's shoulder.
"Of course cariad, it's beautiful."
"It's not the only beautiful thing I can see," Jack said, before placing a gentle kiss on the side of Ianto's neck. Ianto just rolled his eyes, ignoring his husband's usual flirting, and settled back into the embrace. Jack gave him a gentle squeeze before letting go and saying,
"Come on, let's go explore."
As they opened the front door, they were greeted by a huge open plan lounge/kitchen/dining room.
"God Jack! How much did you spend?"
"A bit… Only the best for my husband," Jack replied, clearly indifferent to the cost, as he gave Ianto a quick kiss. He then took the Welshman's hand and led him through one of the doors on the left of the main room. It turned out to be the master bedroom. Jack smiled as he noticed Ianto's reaction, he was clearly overwhelmed. Jack continued to lead Ianto into the remaining rooms, the one on the left being a bathroom and the one on the right another bedroom. Leaving the best 'til last, Jack led Ianto out onto the balcony, at the back of the villa, and down the adjoining stairs, leading onto the beach.
"Jack, we need trunks on to swim!"
"Not for the swimming I'm thinking of… catch up Mr Harkness-Jones!" Jack giggled, divesting himself of his clothes as he sprinted to the sea. The closer to the water they got, the faster Jack ran, almost pulling Ianto's arm from its socket as he dragged his husband behind him. By the time they reached the water's edge they were in just their boxers. They both stopped and looked around. Seeing no one, they both stripped naked and ran into the water. The sea was warm and very blue, unlike the water in Wales. After a few minutes of swimming, Ianto grabbed Jack and kissed him, before giggling and swimming off again.
Later that day, after spending the whole day on the beach, they collapsed onto their bed, completely exhausted, their jet lag finally catching up with them.
Xxxx
Jack woke up the following morning to find Ianto gone. He reached out and noticed that the sheets were still warm, he hadn't been gone long.
"Ianto, baby where are you?"
"I'm just finishing making breakfast!" he heard from the other room.
"Are you coming back?"
"Of course I am cariad."
When Ianto entered the room, a few minutes later, he was carrying a breakfast tray, laden with orange juice, coffee, toast, yogurts, and a selection of Greek honey and jams. He put the tray down on the bedside cabinet so he could remove his dressing gown. Jack smiled and pulled his arm, bringing him closer for a gentle, loving kiss. Ianto then surprised the American by turning around and resting against his bare chest. He then leaned over, grabbed the tray, and placed it over their joined legs.
"Happy?"
"Extremely," Jack replied, as he put his arm around Ianto and rested his chin on his shoulder. "This is perfect."
"Mmm, thought you'd approve." Ianto picked up a piece of toast and took a bite, before offering some to Jack. Jack took it and tipped it slightly, dripping honey on Ianto's shoulder. Jack grinned and began to suck it off. Ianto moved his head to give him better access, moaning in pleasure as Jack's tongue moved over his sensitive skin. The American just smiled and dripped more honey onto Ianto's neck, before sucking that off too. He then proceeded to eat the slice of toast. I love breakfast in bed.
"So, what do you want to do today?" Ianto asked, finally finding his voice, as he grabbed a yogurt.
"Not sure... I'm quite happy using you as a plate for now." Ianto giggled as Jack dripped more honey on his neck and shoulder.
Later that day, they decided to walk to the local village. There wasn't much there, just a shop, a post office kiosk and a bar. They paid for postcards, wrote and posted them, before heading to the bar for a drink. Jack went to the bartender and ordered while Ianto found a table. When Jack arrived with 2 cokes, and sat down, Ianto asked,
"So what do you want to do for the next week?"
"Well, I noticed there was a plane to the mainland, so we could go to Athens and see all the Ancient Greek sites."
"Ok, when?" Ianto asked enthusiastically.
"What about on Saturday? We could get up early and catch the first flight out, and the last flight back." Ianto nodded, as he took a sip of his drink. "We could even stay the night in Athens and come back on Sunday, what do you think?" Ianto nodded again, barely containing his excitement.
Xxxx
The night before they were due to leave, Jack insisted that he was going to cook. He had been out that day and bought all the ingredients he would need to make meatballs in tomato sauce, seeing as they already had some rice in the cupboard to go with it.
"Are you sure you don't want me to help?" Ianto asked. He was sat behind Jack, on the dining table, swinging his legs back and forth, watching his husband.
"I'm sure baby, you just sit there and look gorgeous, while I cook for you," Jack replied, before turning back around and adding the sauce to the meatballs.
"Ok… You know, you look very sexy in an apron."
"Why thank you Mr Harkness-Jones." Ianto slid off the table and walked over to Jack, wrapping his arms around his waist and kissing the back of his neck.
"I could get used to this… my husband, the domestic god..." Jack laughed.
"Only for you baby… Now go and relax, and I'll call you when I've done."
Ianto shook his head, "I want to watch you."
"Ok. But I can't move with you around my waist, no matter how much I want you to stay there." Ianto kissed his neck again and surprised Jack by lifting himself up on the counter, helping himself to the carrots Jack was cutting.
"So, how did you learn to cook?" Ianto asked, crunching softly on the aforementioned vegetable.
"My gran taught me. She always said that the way to a woman's heart was to cook for her. She refused to accept that I was gay, and was convinced she could change me. She stopped teaching me to cook the moment I started dating John…"
"I'm sorry cariad."
"It's not your fault, baby. She never really let me be who I wanted to be. I knew I was gay from being 13 years old, and knew my gran wouldn't accept that about a week later. I was never myself around her. I just wish that she could've accepted me, my parents would've. They always said, 'love is love, no matter who it's with.' Mum also said that 'if I ever found my true love, I should never let them go, no matter what,' and I don't intend to. I love you Ianto, you are the love of my life and I promise I am never going to let you go."
"Come here Jack." Ianto held out his arms and Jack walked into them, sighing happily and burying his head in Ianto's front. Ianto began stroking his hair gently as he told his husband, "I feel the same cariad, and I promise I'm not going anywhere. We have our whole lives ahead of us, and we are going to live them together. I love you too Jack… So, can I kiss the cook?" Ianto giggled, trying to lighten the mood.
"I think that's an excellent suggestion, and as your chef, I would be honoured." Jack put his hand at the back of Ianto's neck and gently pulled him down to his lips. As Ianto was on the counter, they weren't as perfectly matched as usual, but Jack didn't care. He wrapped his other arm around Ianto's waist, as Ianto draped his arms around his shoulders. When the need for air became too great, they broke apart, breathing heavily. Jack gave him another brief kiss before returning to pan on the stove.
Five minutes later, Jack spooned out a bit of mixture, blew it, and held it up to Ianto.
"Try that, is it ok?" Ianto opened his mouth, allowing Jack to feed him.
"Wow! That's amazing Jack."
"Good. It's done. Do you want to wash up while I set the table?" Ianto nodded, jumped down from the counter, and went to the sink to wash his hands while Jack prepared the table for dinner. He then sat down as Jack brought over two plates, placing one in front of Ianto and the other opposite him. He then watched Jack pour 2 glasses of orange juice and put them next to each place setting, before sitting down to eat himself. Once they'd eaten they retired to the living room to relax before bed.
That night, as they curled up together, Jack whispered in Ianto's ear,
"You know, I could get used to this. The sound of the waves as I hold you close… it's just perfect." He kissed Ianto's cheek softly, receiving a soft sigh from Ianto, before continuing, "My parents liked the sea. They used to take me and Gray to the beach when we were kids. We'd play for hours… You know your mum reminds me of my mum sometimes, she is so supportive of you… I wish my gran had been like that, John's great, but nothing compares to your real family… I am so happy to be part of yours Ianto. I finally feel like I belong and can be myself. I love you so much baby… Ianto, are you still awake?" Ianto snored lightly in response, causing Jack to chuckle softly. "Goodnight Ianto." He gave Ianto's neck a kiss before snuggling closer to the Welshman, falling asleep within minutes.
Xxxx
By 10 o'clock on Saturday morning, Jack and Ianto were stood outside the airport in Athens, trying to hail a taxi. When they managed to attract one, they gave the driver the address and were taken to the hotel. When the taxi pulled up outside a grand white building, Ianto was overwhelmed.
"Wow, this looks a bit too posh cariad, are you sure about this?"
"Of course, you're my husband, you deserve the best."
"Thank you cariad," Ianto replied, giving him a quick kiss before going to check in.
When they entered their room, Ianto was speechless. The room had a huge double bed with a blue canopy over it. Looking around he noticed that a lot of the accessories were the same blue colour, as well as a blue stripe on the walls. It was a nice contrast to the white of the furniture.
"Do you like it baby?" Ianto nodded and Jack chuckled at his speechlessness. They began to unpack and then flopped onto the king-sized bed, wanting to take the weight of their feet.
"I may not have been entirely honest with you when I said we were staying for the weekend."
"Jack?" Ianto questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"Don't look so worried baby," Jack chuckled, cupping Ianto's cheek. "I wanted to surprise you so I booked the room for the next few days, not just tonight." Ianto looked completely stunned, and so cute, not that Jack could tell him that. Jack stroked his cheek with his thumb and asked, "Are you angry with me for spending so much? It's not like we can't afford it."
"Of course I'm not angry, cariad… This is amazing," Ianto replied before leaning forward and gently kissing him. "I love you and your surprises."
"Good."
After they'd finished unpacking, they decided to go for a walk. They strolled around for a bit, taking in the sights. As they passed a tourist information centre, Ianto picked up a map and began marking the places he intended to visit during their stay.
When the couple returned to the hotel, Ianto sat on the bed with the map and began to plan the best route to see them all, checking with Jack as to which to see first.
Xxxx
The next day, just before lunch, Ianto was stood taking pictures of the Parthenon, while Jack bounced around him. They had already seen the Propylaia and the Temple of Athena Nike, and Jack was getting restless. Ancient history wasn't his idea of a fun afternoon, but he could see Ianto was enjoying himself, so he had tried to keep his boredom in check. Unfortunately, being Jack Harkness-Jones, he couldn't keep his emotions bottled up for long, so was trying to gain his husband's attention the only way he knew how, doing something so distracting you can't help but notice.
"What are you doing cariad?" laughed Ianto, as Jack danced around him.
"I'm bored! I want a kiss!"
Ianto rolled his eyes and sighed, before he leaned forward and joined their lips together gently.
Jack beamed and kissed him softly again, before allowing himself to be dragged around the rest of the ancient site. Ianto squeezed his hand slightly and led him to the Acropolis Museum, the last place they intended to visit on the site.
Two hours later, Jack and Ianto were walking, hand in hand, around the bazaars at Avysinias Square, looking at the clothes and food for sale. Jack noticed a scarf stall and picked up a red scarf, wrapping it around Ianto's neck.
"I like that on you. You look so hot in red." Ianto blushed, but smiled as Jack handed some money to the stall vendor.
"You should get one," Ianto said as he wrapped a blue one around Jack's neck. "You know, you should wear blue more."
"Ok. Will you buy it for me baby?"
"Of course," Ianto replied, handing over the money, before the pair went off to find gifts for their family and friends.
When they got back to the room that evening, Ianto collapsed on the bed.
"God, I'm exhausted."
"Me too," said Jack as he fell down next to Ianto. They slowly stripped down to their boxers and snuggled under the sheets. As Ianto curled around Jack, the older teen sighed and brought his partner's hand to his lips.
"Goodnight baby."
"Goodnight cariad," Ianto replied, kissing the nape of Jack's neck and moving their joined hands over his husband's heart. Soon both teenagers were sound asleep.
Xxxx
The next morning both boys were walking down Ermou Street, heading for the Agora.
"So baby, I was thinking, when we get back to Wales we should go somewhere as a family."
"Sounds good…. Hey, let's take a picture looking back down the street."
"Ok, but you need to be in this one." Jack took the camera and Ianto walked down the street. When Ianto was far enough back, Jack took the picture. He then had the urge to do something he knew Ianto wouldn't approve of, but he didn't care, it was their honeymoon after all. Carefully, he put the camera in his pocket and started running down the street towards his husband. He could hear Ianto's confused shouts as he became closer, but he ignored them. He ran straight into Ianto, scooping him up into his arms, spinning him around, and kissing him passionately.
"Love you."
"I love you too Jack. Can you put me down now please cariad?" Ianto chuckled, recovering from the shock of Jack's spontaneous outburst of affection. Jack smiled and released the Welshman, who instantly began straightening his clothes. Jack gave him the camera back and they continued on their way to see the ancient market place of the Agora.
When they got there, they found that it was almost deserted. They walked around for a while, taking pictures, until it started to spit with rain.
"I can't believe it!" said Ianto, "We come to Greece to escape rain and it starts spitting. Come on, let's head back."
They headed back to the hotel but they didn't get far before the heavens opened and they got soaked.
Almost an hour later, they burst into their room, laughing, and soaking wet.
"Right, I'm going to jump in the shower and get changed, you coming?"
"Do you really need to ask me that baby?" They both chuckled and headed for the bathroom.
After their shower, both teenagers relaxed in their room for the remainder of the day, entertaining themselves.
Xxxx
The following morning, back in their comfortable villa's bed, Ianto woke first, snuggled up in Jack's arms. He could feel his husband's breath on his neck and smiled, he loved morning cuddles as much as he loved morning sex. Although, he guessed it was more to do with Jack being there than anything else. He still struggled to believe, sometimes, that Jack was his and that this was really happening; this wasn't normal for a 16 year old. He felt Jack's grip tighten around his waist and decided he didn't care that this wasn't normal for his age; all he cared about was being with Jack for the rest of his life. He sighed and covered Jack's hand with his, entwining their fingers, before deciding to snooze for a while.
At 9am Ianto couldn't sleep any longer. He opened his eyes and noticed that Jack was still holding him.
"Are you awake, cariad?" he whispered.
"Morning baby," mumbled Jack, before kissing Ianto's neck.
"Morning Jack… Are you hungry? I can make us some breakfast…"
"Not yet baby… Will you stay with me for a while?"
"Of course cariad," Ianto muttered as Jack snugged closer to him.
They stayed like this for another half an hour until Jack went to get some breakfast, Ianto following close behind. As Ianto made coffee, Jack began making pancakes, telling Ianto that it was an American delicacy. Once the coffee was done, Ianto began to set the table while Jack finished cooking. It didn't take long, and soon they were tucking in to Jack's delicious pancakes, covered in honey.
After eating they went to spend the day on the beach, knowing that they probably wouldn't have another opportunity, given that they were leaving in a few days, and still had to pack and clean around before they went.
Xxxx
Jack woke up, on the last day of their honeymoon, being held by his partner.
"I don't want to go back," he said to Ianto's sleeping form. "I want things to always be like this. I want to wake up next to you every day; I can't sleep when you're not there. I don't want to leave you… I know I have to baby, but I won't like it. I love you so much…" Ianto began to stir. "Ianto baby, you awake…? I guess not," Jack added when Ianto didn't answer. Jack slowly rolled over to face Ianto, still not waking him, and wrapped his arm around his waist. When he still didn't wake, Jack kissed his nose before gently kissing his lips. Ianto moaned and kissed back.
"Morning baby."
"Morning cariad… I can't believe 2 weeks is up already."
"I know… so, what's the plan for today, apart from go home?"
"Well, we need to pack the last few items into the case, have breakfast … What time is it?"
"It's 9 o'clock, 4 hours left."
"Ok, shall we have breakfast in bed?" Ianto suggested, looking up at Jack.
"Yeah, I'd like that… I'll make it, you stay there." Jack kissed him before getting up and going to the kitchen, leaving Ianto to roll his eyes at the ease Jack felt walking around naked.
The rest of the day flew by, in a whirlwind of flights and check-ins until they arrived back home, where both boys went up to their room and collapsed, exhausted, onto their bed, falling asleep instantly.
Xxxx
When they got back, the couple spent the remainder of their time together going out and visiting some more of the tourist attractions Dr Smith hadn't taken them too. Sometimes they would take Gwen, Owen and Rhys with them, but most times they went alone. A week before Jack was due to go, the weather took an unexpected turn and it became gloriously hot. As it was quite unusual to get such sun, Ianto suggested having a barbecue and inviting their friends.
When the 3 teens arrived, they all felt a bit sad that they weren't in their usual group of 8. All year they had been doing things like this together and they all, even Owen, weren't ashamed to admit they missed Tosh, Nick and Santi. They wondered if their friends missed them too. They must do.
As with all thing you can't change the 5 teens pushed it aside and concentrated on enjoying the day…
"…So there I was, stood outside the changing room waiting for Ianto and this guy comes up to me and asks, completely out of the blue, can I have your number? I thought, 'what is he doing asking me out? He doesn't know me'… Turns out, he wanted my locker number…"
Everyone laughed at Jack's tale as they sat eating. Even Ianto, who had seen it all happen, was chuckling,
"The funnier part was that he then tried to send Jack away, as I had the number card with me. All I could hear was Jack yelling that he was waiting for his husband. In the end I had to let him in with me..."
They continued to tell each other stories until late into the evening. Mostly the tales were about things the trio had done while Jack and Ianto had been away.
As Jack wrapped himself around Ianto that night, the couple were plagued with the thought that their time together was slipping away much quicker than they first realised. They only hoped that thoughts of what they'd done together this holiday would see them through until they were reunited once more.
Xxxx
All too soon, the day that Jack had to return to America came. They woke up in each other's arms, as usual, but unlike other days, today they didn't smile. They had wished this day wouldn't come but now, it couldn't be avoided.
The day before had been fantastic though, definitely a night to remember…
It was Ianto's 17th birthday and Jack had taken him out for dinner. After the meal, the American took Ianto to the Electro cinema, which was showing back to back James Bond films. Ianto was in heaven. Once leaving the cinema, just before midnight, both boys wanted to extend the date, and hopefully delay tomorrow's arrival, so, as it was a warm night, they decided to go for a walk across the bay, hand in hand. They walked for a while before sitting at the water's edge, their feet dangling in the water. Ianto rested his head on Jack's shoulder as Jack's arm slipped around his waist. They'd been sat like this for a while when Jack passed Ianto a small red, heart shaped, jewellery box.
"Happy Birthday baby," Jack said, kissing him gently.
"Thank you cariad." Ianto opened it and gasped. It was a gold heart; well half of one. When Jack took his half off and put them together, Ianto read the inscription, 'Separate hearts joined together beat as one. I and J true love forever.'
"Oh Jack. That's beautiful," Ianto said, and gave him a quick kiss.
"Let me put it on…" Ianto handed Jack the box. He took off the silver chain Ianto had on and put the new one around his neck, slipping the old one in Ianto's box. Once Jack had fastened his, Ianto asked,
"Can I do yours?" Jack smiled and handed it over. They sat for a bit longer before heading home, where they made love until the sun was about to rise, neither wanting to sleep knowing what the morning would bring. Unable to fight the inevitable much longer, they ultimately fell asleep.
The morning passed in silence until they got to the airport, both wanting to stay strong for the other. Ten minutes before Jack was due to board, Ianto couldn't control his emotions anymore and tears began to flow down his cheeks.
"I don't want you to go!" he sobbed, wrapping his arms around his American. Seeing his husband break down, Jack couldn't control himself, and began crying too.
"I know baby. I don't want to leave you, but I have to." Jack pulled him in for a heart stopping kiss, as more tears gently flowed down their cheeks.
"THE 9.20 TO NEW YORK IS NOW BOARDING!"
"It's not enough time!" Ianto cried, as he buried his head into the crook of Jack's neck.
"We'll be together again soon… it's only 2 weeks," Jack said, rubbing Ianto's back, not sure if he was talking to reassure himself or his young husband.
"I know, I… I love you cariad," Ianto said, lifting his head and wiping his eyes.
"I love you too baby," Jack replied, pulling him in for another kiss.
"LAST CALL FOR THE 9.20 TO NEW YORK!"
"I have to go." Jack pulled him into a tight embrace, trying to remember the feel of Ianto's body pressed against his. Ianto pulled back and connected their lips again, in a desperate kiss. As they kissed, Ianto could feel his heart breaking. When they pulled away, fresh tears were running down both their cheeks.
"Call me when you land, ok?" Ianto sobbed.
"I promise. I love you Ianto Harkness-Jones."
"I love you too Jack Harkness-Jones." Jack gave him one last loving kiss, before picking up his bag and walking to the terminal. He turned around and blew Ianto a kiss, feeling his heart break as Ianto returned the gesture. He then turned and walked through the gate, disappearing from sight.