21
Connor found Ianto out back, sitting amongst the memorial roses.
"Hey buddy" he smiled and when Ianto looked up from the pruning he was surprised at how tired he looked.
"Hey, how did it go?" Ianto asked as he rose, suddenly looking fine again.
"Scan was awesome, they are looking healthy" Connor gushed, "Not long now."
"But?"
"Christ you're a perceptive as ever" Connor laughed as he settled next to him and waved to Jack who was approaching.
Jack sat and handed Ianto a glass of juice which he accepted with a soft smile.
"Em is having the same issue she had before Bethy" he sighed.
"Which is?"
"My safety. She is having nightmares of my funeral and stuff. Life support or a vegetative state with half my head blown off, crazy." Connor said as he screwed his face up.
"I didn't think about it with Jack, not until I almost lost him then I had to struggle with my own selfishness" Ianto confided, "He's doing what he loves so I've learned to accept that."
"I just … with the twins coming I wonder if it is the right choice for us I mean, not that I'm questioning yours, I just …"
"We want to … I want to watch my babies grow up" Connor sighed.
"You have your house money and you have early retirement if you so choose, right?" Ianto asked while leaning into Jack and Jack leaned back to listen, "You could choose retirement?"
"And do what?" Connor snorted.
"Well … you love the village?"
"Hell yes, I love the chalets and the village" Connor laughed.
"Well, you've practically taken over the cottage as it is, so why not move in there full time?" Ianto frowned as he considered, "Bets would love to help with the twins and Bethy already loves her."
Connor nodded as he thought about it and Jack bit his tongue.
"If you worked as manager fulltime you would have a job, a wage and a clean living, village upbringing for the kids. Also we would see you often when we are in the main house visiting."
"But the work you put in …I mean ... the plan"
"Secondary to what your family needs. You don't belong to me." Ianto laughed, "I never expected you to feel that you HAD to live here forever!"
"God, do you think it could work?" Connor looked at the two men with hope. "Em is now confident she won't relapse with the twins, you have given her a backbone. With the comfort of the village we could … god. What a dream."
"Sounds like a plan to me" Jack finally spoke as he nodded.
"God, it sounds so bloody simple" Connor laughed as he rubbed his hands together, "That's if my captain will let me go."
Jack laughed.
"De-stressing and lightening the load" Ianto said softly, "Sorting you all out so it's easier, that's all."
It wasn't until later when Jack was alone in the bathroom washing his face that those words echoed in his brain
De-stressing.
Lightening the load.
Making it easier.
Where had he heard those terms before.
He did like the idea of Connor taking over the chalets though.