21
Their first day back at school and Ianto had been looking forward to a little bit of peace.
"But the house is so quiet Teddy" Eugene sighed as he accepted a cup of coffee from his son.
"I love my boys, I swear to god but sometimes …" Ianto slumped into his chair and rolled his eyes, "I am sure duct tape was invented by a parent that just had enough!"
Eugene snorted and then put his cup down as the phone rang.
"I'll get it Tad" Ianto smiled as he rose gracefully and walked over to the handset.
"Harkness-Jones residence, Ianto speaking" he said politely, his smile slowly fading.
"Of course Ms Flemming, I'll be there directly" Ianto said then replaced the handset in the cradle with a solid thump.
"Problem darling?" Eugen asked, swiveling in his chair.
"Babbit is in timeout, apparently he gave his teacher a bit of lip, the pre-school wants me down there" Ianto growled, reaching for his cellphone.
"Let's go see before we tell Jack, those big boots stomping about with their partnering "swishy coat' might be a bit intimidating if it's just a misunderstanding" Eugene soothed and Ianto nodded.
The headmistress's office was sterile and beige, just like her.
"Sorry to call you in on the first day back but we find it best to nip this sort of thing in the bud" she smiled and Ianto nodded.
Babbit's teacher appeared and chose a seat, nervously rubbing her hands on her thighs.
"Mrs Dermit, this is my Tad" Ianto said calmly, "Eugene Jones."
"Hello Mr Jones" she smiled.
"Doctor" Eugene eyeballed her, deciding he didn't like her on principle, "I'm a doctor actually."
"Oh!"
"The problem … would you care to explain what happened?" Ianto asked.
"We were leaving the library to walk back to class and young Noah insisted on holding the hand of one of his young friends, even though I had clearly instructed that he hold the hand of the new girl, Madison." She simpered.
Ianto blinked.
"Excuse me?" Eugene snorted, "My grandson wanted to walk with his friend instead of a child he doesn't know and you feel it is grounds for punishment of this level?"
"No. When I pointed out the error he became quite mouthy" she bristled, "I will not have a child speaking to me like that."
"Well, let's get Babbit in here to explain himself" Ianto said as he folded his arms.
"Bab … oh Noah. Yes, he did try to get us to call him Babbit" the headmistress said and waved her hand.
An angry Babbit stomped in then saw his Taddy and Grandy, plus a snoozing Ton in his car seat.
"You made them come? Ton hates going out in the mornings!" Babbit growled, "He'll be hell this afternoon!"
"See?" she pointed at him, "So mouthy."
Ianto bristled as he pulled his child onto his lap, glaring at the stupid woman, "Babbit is the most outspoken of our babies, he has always been encouraged to be himself. He is wonderfully frank and easily pleased once you understand his thought process."
"Well, he needs to learn …"
"How much have you had to do with pre-schoolers?" Eugene asked calmly, "You are aware that many are extroverted and eccentric."
"This is my first year, I have taught third years for two years, I am well aware of children's quirks" she bristled.
"She wouldn't let me hold Denny's hand" Babbit accused, "She said boys had to hold girl's hands! She said it was wrong for boys to hold hands!"
"Ah!" both men looked at each other as the true reason for his anger was evident.
Ianto turned to glare at the two women as his child's indignation burned like gasoline in the air.