21

The excitement that morning was electrifying….literally as Flynn's hair stood on end and he ran about the house with his new best friends while Rhiannon tried desperately to catch at least one child to dress.

Jack was no help, egging them on as he ran interference with the dogs barking and scuttling across the floor chasing everyone at once and more than once Rhia found Jack's strong arms hugging her as he held her back, yelling at the kids to 'save themselves' and they were screaming as they ran, his lips warm and soft against her cheek before releasing and running as well, his yodels making Ianto bellow from the kitchen that he better not break anything.

Rhiannon looked around at the chaos.

Owen was outside with Rhys trying to get the banner hung, Gwen supervising which really meant she kept changing her mind with how high each end was. She enjoyed their groans of annoyance no end.

Tosh was in the main room with the large French doors swung wide open to allow the children a place to come inside if it rained later in the day, despite the cloudless blue sky Ianto was adamant that they had to allow for any contingencies.

Jack had scoffed at first but had come to realise this was Ianto's first birthday party for his son and was overly worried that it might not please the tot as much as one of Rhiannon's so he was now onboard.

"Babe, going to the store" Jack yelled as he and the two 'big' boys headed out with the dogs racing ahead for a promised car ride, leaving the women with Ianto and the children who were now playing hide and seek.

"I see Owen won shotgun, Rhys will get him back for that later" Gwen noted as she followed Ianto to the kitchen.

"Rhia?" Ianto asked as he lent over a cupcake, "Did one of the children stand as it? OR are they all hiding like twits?"

"Which do you think?" she giggled and he sighed as he straightened up and rolled his eyes.

"I think Jack rubs off far too quickly" he replied, "They are all hiding right? Giggling and waiting with glee for someone to find them. All three idiots."

"Yep."

"For the love of the gods" Ianto sighed again, looking around and seeing the women had things under control, "Well, I guess I better hunt down some rat-bags."

Tosh was elbow deep in soapsuds as she washed all the plates and cups, Ianto worried they might have contaminants on them from the store and Rhia had settled into a chair to fold napkins.

"Gwen, on me!" Ianto said in a loud voice, "let's move out."

Gwen found herself with a gun that shoots foam balls as Ianto pumped a water gun that looked like a canon.

"Tight, maintain formation. Keep it tight" Ianto growled with menace and she giggled as she took a shooter's stance, the thrill of the hunt elevated as she and Ianto moved together, their training second nature.

Ianto knew where David was by the shoes under the curtain in the hallway, motioning this with his hand and Gwen nodded, going into a low crouch as she stalked closer and then yanked it back, Ianto yelling as he opened fire and David squealed with shock and delight.

"Right" Ianto said softly, shoving the gun at his nephew and pulling out a smaller one, "You behind us, rear guard. Little shits might creep up behind. Come on, moving now!"

David was so excited he was shaking as he followed his uncle, seeing the way they moved and spoke with hand movements just like soldiers. Mimi was next, under a bed and David leapt onto it while screaming "Death before dishonour" as Ianto fell to the floor and fired, Gwen calling dirty pool as they saw he was shooting Mimi from behind as she writhed under the bed.

Gwen fell on top of Ianto and they wrestled for a while with snarls and grunts that turned to giggles as Gwen got her hands under his shirt and tickled him mercilessly, shouting at the two kids, "Help me."

The Flynn ran from the wardrobe to save his Taddy, him and David having a wrestling match that Ianto had to break up with roars of mirth.

Ianto was still cuddling the two boys when he heard something, "Hush, is that Daddy?"

Flynn gasped with glee, racing for the door as the other two followed and Ianto rose, helping Gwen up as they went to follow the sounds of madness.

Rhiannon stood at the front door watching the children fly past like fighter planes, their roars and screams not unlike jet engines and then she watched Ianto and Gwen come down the hall, their faces full of delight.

The kids raced back in with arms full of soft toys, a unicorn Mimi could barely see over while David had a rhino that apparently made noises like a fart as he ran it up the path with giggling snorts. Buddy had somehow managed to find a toy far too large for a small Jack Russell so Sampson was loyally helping his fur brother drag the stuffed horse up the path, their tails wagging with glee as they wondered how to fit it in their bed.

"Even one for the dogs? Are you mad?" Ianto laughed as Flynn ran past with the head of the life sized flamingo in his arms hitting the door fame.

"Oops, sorry pinkie" he laughed as he skipped down the hall, "Hey Davie, let's find a spot for this weirdo!"

Jack stood happily waiting for the dogs to get inside before closing the door. "Stop calling your uncle Owen that."

"OI!"

Win.