I hadn't originally intended to write about the birth of Jack and Ianto's child even though I knew exactly what happened. However, in a weak moment I started to put it on paper and it came out quite well, so here it is. This and the next chapter cover the arrival of the baby.
It was evening and Jack sat in the library and watched the newscast. Having been constantly at Ogmore for the past five weeks he was feeling very out of touch with events despite daily visits and briefings from his staff. He idly munched on biscuits, balancing the plate on his bulging stomach. One advantage of being pregnant was having a ready made table when needed, though he did have to carry it round with him which was a pain - literally. The bulletin ended and he switched off the screen. In the silence he heard voices coming towards him and he smiled as he recognised the Welsh vowels. Thank the Gods he hasn't lost his accent yet, he thought. He smiled over at Ianto as he came through the door with Doug Forsyth.
"Someone's looking happy," commented Ianto, taking the empty plate from its precarious position and putting it on the table. He bent and kissed Jack.
"Every reason to be. I'm finally get rid of this tomorrow," he gestured to his stomach. He took Ianto's hand and pulled him to sit beside him on the couch.
Doug Forsyth, the Torchwood doctor who had been monitoring Jack for the past four months, laughed as he sat opposite them. "Getting tired of it?"
"Damn right I am. I can't wait to see my … feet again."
Ianto shot him a look knowing he was not thinking of his feet. "You're sure everything's all right and that tomorrow is the day?" he asked Doug, who had become a friend and source of reassurance through this strange time.
"All going like clockwork. You said conception was around 9am so I expect the pains to start around that time."
"I don't understand how it can be so regimented," said Ianto. "It seems unnatural."
Jack laughed loud and long, the others joining in after a moment. "A pregnant human male is the most unnatural thing in the world," he managed to say at last. "But at least, when we decided to take on the role, we made sufficient modifications to do it the easy way."
"He's right, Ianto. I've delivered a dozen or more men and they've all come to term exactly four months after conception. And they and their babies have all been fine, so please stop worrying." The doctor had spent more time dealing with Ianto's fears than in monitoring Jack, who had sailed through the pregnancy with only fluctuating hormones to make him either over-emotional or irritable.
"What's the plan for tomorrow, Doug?" asked Jack, picking crumbs from his stomach.
"We get you down to the treatment bay around 9.30 …"
"I thought you said the pains would start at nine," Ianto interrupted immediately. Jack lay a reassuring hand on his.
"They will," continued Doug, "but the baby won't be ready to be removed until an hour or so later. So, Jack can stay in bed until 9.30 then come down and we'll prep him, give him a local anaesthetic and then, once the stomach flap has detached, you'll be parents. A bit of a clean up and a rest and Jack will be up and about by the evening."
"And you have everything you need here? In case there's a problem? I mean, we can't just teleport equipment in." Ianto was staring intently at Doug; this had been his biggest concern. Having the baby here at Ogmore had sounded good until he'd realised how far from assistance they were.
"He's got half the Torchwood sick bay in there!" complained Jack. "And there's a nurse. What more do you want?"
"Maybe you should be in hospital, Jack. Or at least close to one." He squeezed the hand that still held his, his forehead creased with a worried frown.
"No. It's too late now, I can't be moved." He glanced meaningfully at Doug.
Doug took the hint and agreed; he wasn't going to risk his job. "He's right. Just relax, Ianto, everything is going to be fine." He stood up. "And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go and have a swim in your excellent pool."
"Maybe I could join you?" said Jack hopefully. Swimming had been his only exercise for a while but it'd been banned for the past week and he was getting worried that he would be badly out of shape after the birth.
"Better not," advised Doug. "See you in the morning." He smiled and left them.
Jack and Ianto sat in silence, hands still clasped. Jack looked at his partner and saw that the frown had not completely disappeared. "Hey," he said, "you okay?"
"I should be the one asking that. I'm sorry, Jack. I know I'm being stupid but this is all new to me." He smiled ruefully.
"I know." He made to lean over and reassure him with a kiss but couldn't reach. "Damn, I can't even get close enough to kiss you."
Ianto smiled and leant forward, intending a brief kiss on the lips. Once within range, however, Jack grabbed the Welshman's neck and kept him close, deepening the kiss and using his tongue to explore further. Ianto responded for a moment but then pulled back, just before Jack grunted.
"Did I hurt you?" asked Ianto, concern furrowing his brow once more.
"No, this son of yours is kicking again."
"You're positive, aren't you? That it's a boy." Ianto sat back smiling.
"I have had 25 children and only six girls amongst the lot of them. Odds are for a boy."
"I don't care what it is. As long as it, and you, are healthy. That's what's important."
"I guess." Jack suddenly yawned hugely. "Sorry," he said.
"Bed," instructed Ianto, getting up, "you have a big day tomorrow." He stood in front of his partner and hauled him to his feet.
"Thanks, I couldn't have done that on my own." Jack took the opportunity to hug Ianto and felt him stiffen before relaxing into his embrace for a brief moment then pulling away. Jack said nothing. He was aware that Ianto found his current physical state hard to handle, not repellent exactly but certainly not attractive. He had been fine for the first three months but as Jack had suddenly bulged out Ianto had backed away. Jack didn't blame him but he was concerned. He hoped it would be forgotten when he was back to normal. "Now for the stairs," he said, pulling a face.
"Would you rather stay down here tonight? I'm sure we could fix something up."
"No, it'll be fine." He smiled and put out a hand. "Besides, I like being with you." He was relieved to see Ianto smile back.
Together they climbed the stairs, Jack using the banister to balance his ungainly body. He really would be glad to get back to his normal size and shape. By the time he reached the top of the second flight he was puffing with the effort. He stood for a moment to regain his breath as Ianto went through and got out the sleep suits and turned up the heating; for some reason Jack had felt the cold more in recent days. He walked through the den and into the bedroom where Ianto was adjusting the lights to a lower, more seductive level.
"Sorry, Ianto, not up to dabbling tonight," he joked.
"Very funny. You need any help?"
"Please." Even with elasticated waistbands and Velcro fastenings getting dressed and undressed was an ordeal. He kicked off his slip-on shoes and with Ianto's strategic help at parts Jack could not reach – and some he could not see! – he was undressed and in his ultra large sleep suit. He looked at himself in a mirror. "This thing is as big as a tent."
"It has a lot of body to cover." Ianto was busy putting away clothes and did not look up.
Jack hesitated but he was never one to keep silent when an opportunity to address a problem arose. "Not very attractive, am I?"
"Don't be silly, of course you are." Ianto did not look up, pretending to be very interested in the state of Jack's sock drawer.
"I know, Ianto. I know how you feel." Jack watched him as he straightened and stood, back still to Jack. "You going to be able to forget I ever looked like a barrage balloon?"
Ianto turned, smiling but regretful. "I'm sorry, cariad, I tried not to show it. Just seeing you as huge as you are, it's kind of freaked me out. I know it shouldn't, you're carrying our child, but it has. I know that when you're back to normal I'll be jumping on you in an instant." He walked forward and took Jack's hand, holding it to his cheek. "By the way, when will it be safe to start dabbling again?"
"How does tomorrow night sound?" Jack was partially reassured but not completely. However, the matter was now out in the open which could only be beneficial.
Ianto laughed, a genuine belly laugh. "Oh, Jack, be serious."
"I am. As long as we're not too energetic we can resume normal relations tomorrow night."
Ianto stared at him. "I don't believe you." His voice did not sound as confident as his words.
"Then you'll have a pleasant surprise tomorrow." He placed a quick kiss on Ianto's nose and waddled into the bathroom. "I need to pee and that's not an easy feat."
Ianto looked after him, saddened that Jack had guessed that he, Ianto, was finding it difficult to look at him now he was so huge. Four short weeks ago, Jack had ballooned in just a few days to his current size and taken Ianto completely by surprise. He had found the sight of the distended stomach above the male genitals to be off-putting to say the least. His 21st century sensibilities had kicked in with a vengeance. He sighed and quickly changed into his own sleep suit. At least they had cleared the air and tomorrow ….
He didn't really want to think about tomorrow. He wasn't at all sure he wanted to witness the birth but everyone had assumed he would be there so he was resigned to attending. He thought about their baby, their son. That was another reason why he didn't want to think past tonight. Tomorrow they would be responsible for looking after a child. Looking after him for the rest of his life. Ianto was so nervous. This was his first child while Jack had had 25 already. Ianto doubted that he would know what to do and dreaded the moment when he was left in charge. Even worse, what if the baby didn't like him? He closed his eyes as all the horrors ran round and round in his brain.
"Sleeping on your feet?" asked Jack, just come back into the room. He looked across, eyebrows raised.
"Just thinking." He stepped to Jack's side and helped put the pillows just so. Jack could only sleep well propped up. "Okay?"
"Just right." Jack snuggled into the soft pillows. "Now I need you right here." He patted the bed beside him.
"Give me a minute."
He popped into the bathroom and washed and brushed his teeth. He wasn't wasting time, he told himself, just giving Jack the opportunity to settle because in his current state he was usually asleep in minutes. Ianto went back into the bedroom and sure enough Jack was sleeping. Ianto crept into the bed and put out the lights. He curled up and closed his eyes but sleep was elusive. All his doubts returned and he lay there as all the bad things that could happen swirled around in his head. Eventually, exhausted, he fell into a dreamless sleep.
-ooOoo-
Jack woke gently and opened his eyes to see sunlight streaming in the windows. He turned his head and saw a clear blue sky with nary a cloud in sight, so different from the overcast and dull days they'd been having. He looked around but Ianto was gone from the bed and, listening hard, he couldn't hear him in the bathroom or den. Probably gone to have breakfast. Or check on the medical equipment he'd insisted in having installed. Jack chuckled to himself, Ianto was such a worrier.
He glanced at the clock and saw it was 7.47; not long to go now. He felt around his stomach and his fingertips just reached the flap and, sure enough, there was some give, more than the last time he'd felt it. Quite a bit more. Today would definitely be the day. He sat a little more upright and felt a twinge in his back and a moment later another in his stomach. The pains were starting. They were nothing much, just little flutters and they'd not get much harder in the next hour, nothing like women's contractions, but enough to make themselves felt. These were the first signs that his body was getting ready to eject the baby. He smiled, thinking how good it would be to hold a baby again. The last he'd held had been Carillys, his great-granddaughter, such a shock to have a girl in the family after Tonan's two boys. Doting as he was, he had to admit she had been a less than attractive baby; all nose and mouth with little eyes. But she had looked at him and in their first meeting he had established a bond with her that held to this day. He hoped this new son of his and Ianto's would be like her – but a bit more attractive.
He felt a few more pains and shifted to get more comfortable. He was just starting to wonder where everyone was - he was the main player in today's events after all and didn't appreciate being ignored - when he heard movement in the den. He looked at the door expectantly but no one came in. "Hello?" he called. He heard footsteps and the door opened.
"Good morning, Mister Jack." It was Liki, the last person Jack had expected to see.
"Liki, good morning. Where is everyone?"
"Having breakfast. I was told you would not want anything. I was taking the opportunity to set the cleaning robots." He stood at the foot of the bed. "Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Could you pass me some of that juice, please?"
"Of course." The Ood poured the juice and handed it to Jack.
"Thanks, Liki, that's just what I need." He drank the juice in one long gulp. He handed the glass back, grimacing when a pain gripped him. They were getting stronger and the baby would not be long in coming. They had got their timings wrong or else this one just didn't want to wait. "I need to get downstairs. Could you give me a hand?"
"Of course."
Liki efficiently helped him from the bed and into the bathroom, turning his back discreetly at the appropriate moment. Then the two went through the suite and down the stairs, Liki holding Jack's arm in just the right way to give maximum support. Jack had to stop a couple of times as the pains brought him up short. They entered the dining room to find Ianto, Doug Forsyth and the young nurse he'd brought with him sitting at the table enjoying a leisurely meal. It was 8.12am.
"Are you just going to sit there and eat or help get this baby out of me?" asked Jack dramatically. The three stared at him then Ianto dropped his fork with a clatter and went pale as a ghost. Doug and the nurse were on their feet and by his side.
"Are you sure? You're an hour and a half early." Doug was checking his pulse.
"Tell that to him," replied Jack, looking pointedly at his stomach and grimacing as another pain hit him. "That's every two minutes."
"Treatment room, now." Doug was all business and he got to Jack's other side and between them, he and Liki turned him towards the door. The nurse, Innyalica, went in front of them, opening the door.
"You coming, Ianto?" asked Jack over his shoulder. The Welshman sat for several minutes, frozen to the spot, before scrambling to his feet and rushing out after them, getting to the treatment bay just moments after they'd got Jack settled on the examination couch. "So glad you could make it," Jack said sarcastically.
Ianto stood to one side, not knowing what to do or where to go. Doug was giving Jack a local anaesthetic and the nurse was busy sorting a tray of instruments. Liki glided out of the room. Ianto looked at the person at the centre of all the attention and saw Jack was watching him. Jack was not grimacing in pain any more but there was a shadow on his face and most particularly in his eyes that Ianto did not immediately recognise. Then he did. He had seen it so rarely on Jack's face it had taken him a moment to see it for what it was: fear. Jack had only done this once before and he was scared. Ianto realised where he needed to be, where he wanted to be. He skirted Innyalica and went to stand beside Jack, taking one of his hands and squeezing reassuringly. "It's all going to be fine," he whispered, bending to kiss his forehead. "It's going to be fine."
And it was.
Nineteen minutes later the flap in Jack's stomach was fully detached and the womb lay exposed (Ianto took one look then averted his eyes), the baby was lifted out and the cord cut. The baby took its first breath and cried lustily before being wiped off and given to Ianto to hold. Everything was fine except for one small point.
The baby was a girl.
Ah, they're a family.