14

The wedding was a success and Ton wanted to tell Hawk, leaning over the Perspex to place photos "If you were awake you could see the bright colours. Orange and green. Not my choice of colours but she liked them, it was a light green so it didn't look too bad really."

Then to Ton's immense joy the baby opened his eyes, blinking up at him.

Ianto wrung his hands as he watched Ton gush then Vera the nurse stepped in to whisper "They are going to discharge him soon. Poor little thing, still so small. Whoever fosters him will have their hands full for sure."

Ianto sighed, watching a little hand reach out to grasp at air, not able to resist placing his hand in to let the baby have contact, he looked down at the tiny face, the little eyes so full of trust and smiled, singing softly as he let his thumb stroke the fingers clasping his finger.

"Stronger" Ton said happily "Hawk is stronger now. Looks, like ET with his fat little belly and wrinkly skin. Poor little fella."

"Well, at least he has a foster family sorted" Vera said as she patted Ianto's arm, "Not just anyone that can take on this level of commitment. He will need around the clock care, most do not understand the struggle this will create."

"I hope they are ready" Ianto sighed as he maintained eye contact with the baby "a special little chickie this one."

"Yes he is" Jack agreed as he stepped to one side, letting Owen walk over to offer him some papers.

"Right, it's all here. Tomorrow is the day we release him. If you are still sure about this, you have tonight to read over the …." Owen stopped talking as Jack seized the papers and looked down at them.

"Where do I sign? Ianto usually does all of this" Jack demanded as Ianto gaped at him.

"Cariad? What… what are you doing?"

"What you want to do but are resisting because you promised me no more" Jack said without looking up from the paperwork, "There is no Nainny coming. No family are claiming him. We are taking him home."

"Jack…" Ianto spluttered, Looking around the room as Ton started to hyperventilate with joy. Then Ianto seized Jack's face and kissed him. Not a violent smash like you light think but the gentlest touch of lips as Jack slid his arms around him and they held on to one another.

"Once more into the breach" Jack whispered into his beloved's ear "This time … this time it was my choice. OK? Me. I cannot throw this in your face if the going gets tough. I chose this child. Alright?"

"Thank you, love of my life" Ianto sobbed as he clung to him.

After all this time he could still be such a wonderous gift giver.