20 minutes later Jack walked back into their bedroom carrying a tray of tea and toast for Ianto to eat.
"I'm not hungry Jack," said Ianto seeing the toast
"Orders from Aggie," said Jack smiling as he passed him the toast
Ianto smiled and patted the bed next to him. Jack put the tray down and sat next to him. Ianto snuggled to his side
"I love you," he said
"I know, I love you too more than I can ever tell you" said Jack "come on try and eat something" he said gently. Ianto nodded and gingerly took a bite from the toast. He felt better just a little weak and light headed.
There was a gentle knock on the door
"Come in" called Jack
Andrew and Michael came into the room
"You look much better Ianto," said Michael
"Thank you Jack said you both helped take care of me during the night"
"We did, we thought you'd feel more comfortable with us washing you down rather than Aggie" said Andrew coming up to Iantos side
"Yes thank you," said Ianto smiling at them both
"Well we just came to make sure you were alright before we headed home to get ready"
"Oh god, it's your civil ceremony today and you stayed up all night looking after me" said Ianto
"No place we'd rather have been"
Ianto managed a smile
"What time is the ceremony?" he asked
"It's at 2pm, but we're not expecting you to be there, not after last night"
"We'll be there," said Ianto
"Yan, you're still not well," said Jack from his side
"I'll be alright Jack, I feel so much better no headache and the fever has gone" he turned to Andrew and Michael
"We'll be there," he said firmly
The two men smiled and left the room.
Jack turned to Ianto
"Are you sure you're up to this Yan?"
"Jack please, I want to go I'll be careful I promise"
Jack nodded
"Alright as long as you promise to rest afterwards, I don't think I can take you being ill again," said Jack
Ianto looked into his eyes
"I promise as long as you rest with me," he said teasingly
Jack laughed
"Deal, although don't know how much you'll rest if I'm here too"
"Enough" said Ianto and pulled Jack into a passionate kiss.
Ianto got out of bed slowly; his legs were a little wobbly. He stumbled slightly as he headed to the bathroom. Jack was at his side immediately
"I'm ok Jack"
Jack nodded
"Have you listened to the song Michael asked you to sing yet?" said Ianto stepping into the shower
"No"
"I think you should Jack"
"I didn't say I would sing it Yan, I'm more concerned about your health"
"Jack I'm fine, I want you to sing for them" he said
"But"
"Jack please, you have a wonderful voice and I want everyone there today to know that, a voice like yours should be shared with others"
"Alright I'll listen to it," said Jack watching as Ianto washed his hair
"Well go on then," he said
"I'm going," said Jack blowing him a kiss as he left the bathroom
Jack switched on his laptop and placed the cd he been given in the drive and waited for it to start. As the song started he began to sing, quite low at first and then as he got the rhythm of the music he began to sing louder. He knew most of the words and only faltered a couple of times. Ianto came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel
"Its no good Yan, I don't remember all the words" he said
"Come here," said Ianto and he sat on the chair in front of Jacks laptop. He typed in the artist and song name and the words appeared on the screen.
"There you go Cariad"
"You really want me to sing this don't you?"
"Jack I love you and I want people to know that, I don't care what people think about us anymore all I care about is us"
"What's that got to do with me singing"?
"Because that's what our friends have asked you to do for them, I'm going to be right by your side as you sing Cariad"
Jack nodded, if Ianto was willing to push all his fears about what people thought about them as a couple aside then he could damn well get up and sing a simple song"
"Play it again Sam" he said laughing as the music stopped
Ianto smiled he set the song to play again and as Jack stood in front of the laptop so he could see the words Ianto busied himself getting dressed. He pulled on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, and then lay on their bed with his eyes closed listening to his Cariad singing. A few more times of singing it and Jack now longer needed to check the words on the screen.
Andrew told Aggie about Iantos decision to go to the civil ceremony as planned even though he'd been so ill during the night. She sighed he was a stubborn man.
She was busy in her room ironing her blouse when she wondered if Jack and Ianto would need their clothes ironed. Switching the iron off she headed downstairs from her apartment to their room. As she walked down the corridor she could hear the most beautiful singing and music. It could only be coming from Jack and Iantos room, although their was no other guests in the house, they shouldn't be playing the music so loud. She knocked on the door; Ianto got up to open the door. Jack was totally immersed in the song and looking out of the window as he sang. He didn't hear Aggie knock on the door.
"Oh Ianto you look so much better"
"Thanks I feel fine although Jack won't stop fussing over me" he said smiling, "What can we do for you?" he asked opening the door fully to let her into the room
"Well I was wondering if you wanted me to iron your shirts for you, Andrew tells me you're adamant about coming today"
"Yes we'll be there"
"Would you mind turning down the music though?" she said as looked at Jack, then realised that he was the one singing. She hadn't been in the pub so didn't know Jack could sing
"Is that Jack?" she asked suddenly
Ianto smiled and nodded. Jack turned and stopped as he saw Aggie
"Oh please don't stop on my account, that's amazing"
"Thank you" said Jack
"You know that's Andrew and Michaels favourite song," she said
"I know they've asked me to sing it for them at the reception I was just practising" said Jack
"Jack Aggie was offering to iron our shirts for us" said Ianto crossing the room to plant a tender kiss on his lips
"We can do that?" said Jack
"No bother Jack, just give me your shirts and I'll get them pressed for you," she said
Ianto opened the wardrobe and pulled out 2 shirts. Aggie took them from him.
"Tell you what, why don't you get yourselves sorted out and come up to my apartment, we can have a spot of lunch before the ceremony"
"We'd like that," said Ianto.
"Good then I'll see you in about an hour, give me time to iron these and get lunch ready" she said with a smile
As Jack stepped into the shower, Aggie was ironing their shirts and thinking. She finished Jacks shirt and hung it up next to Iantos. She had set out lunch ready, cold meats and salad and of course plenty of fresh hot coffee for Jack and Earl grey for Ianto. She'd had an idea.
Sitting down she started to rummage through her sheet music. It was here somewhere; Aggie found what she was looking for and placed it on the piano stand. She sat down and started to play. Ianto lay out his suit and a tie and then turned to Jacks clothes. Carefully he lay out Jacks trousers on the bed along with his undershirt and a clean white t-shirt and tie. He opened the drawer and pulled out a pair of braces. Heavens only knows why Jack wore all these layers and old-fashioned braces but that his Jack and he loved him, no matter what he wore. Then taking Jacks hand they went upstairs to Aggies private apartment and knocked on the door, they could hear a piano being played. Aggie stopped playing and went to the door.
"Come on in, lunch is ready" she said
"Thank you Aggie, its so nice of you to invite up here for lunch" said Jack
Over lunch Aggie told Jack about her idea.
"I've never sung with just a piano before," said Jack uncertain
"Well why don't we try it and see if it works," said Aggie
Jack smiled and nodded
Aggie showed them through to her sitting room and to the piano. She seated herself and Jack stood rather stiffly at the side of it
"Relax Cariad, you look ready to run" said Ianto
Jack laughed nervously
Aggie began to play, she nodded at the point where Jack needed to start to sing, and sing he did. With his voice and the beautiful lone sound of the piano, the effect was amazing. Ianto sat awestruck.
"What do you think Ianto?" asked Aggie as Jack finished the last note
"Its perfect, Jack you really must sing it with Aggie on the piano it sounds amazing" he said getting up and walking over to Jack took him in his arms and kissed him, Jack opened his mouth to Iantos probing tongue. It was usually Ianto that broke the kiss to breath but this time it was Jack who finally pulled away.
"I'll sing to anyone you want if that's my reward," he said
"You don't need to do anything for a kiss from me anymore Jack" he said as he planted a tender kiss on his lips again.
Aggie stood up and slipped her arms round both men's waists
"As much as I'd like to stand here with you two, we'd better get ready or we're going to be late"
Jack nodded
"Would you like a lift to the registry office?" asked Jack
"That would be nice, I was going to squeeze in with Drew, Michael and Cassie"
"Come with us, we've got plenty of room" said Jack
Aggie nodded
"I'll give Drew a quick call and let them know" she kissed both men on the cheek
"Now away with you both and let an old woman get her face on" she said
"You're not old Aggie" said Jack
"Old enough to have borne both of you" she said as she showed them to the door, Jack smiled
"I seriously doubt that" he said as she closed the door, he slipped his hand into Iantos and they went downstairs.
Half an hour later Jack was standing patiently while Ianto sorted out his tie for him, he never wore them.
"You look fantastic Aggie," said Jack as he opened the door for her to get in the car
"Don't look too bad yourself," she said with a small giggle.
The civil ceremony itself didn't last very long, about 15 minutes in total. Andrew and Michael exchanged their declarations of love for each other and exchanged rings. The register was signed and their partnership was now legal. Back at the pub, the whole place had been moved around to accommodate most of the village. Tables were all set out; the 'top' table was in front of the small stage. Michael and Andrew of course with Cassie at Michael's side and Aggie next to Andrew. There were 2 other places set next to Aggie.
"You're up here Jack," said Andrew smiling as Jack went to sit at one of the other tables with Ianto.
Jack smiled as he sat at the top table with Ianto. After a couple of speeches from Andrew and Michael, the buffet was opened and people sat down to eat. Then it was time for the dancing to start. Michael and Andrew had hired the DJ from the Karaoke for their reception; he was set up on stage.
"Erm Michael, could you possibly help me with the piano" said Aggie as the tables were cleared from the dance floor
"What on earth for Aggie, we moved it to the back of the stage out of the way"
"It's a surprise could you possibly move it to the front"
Michael just looked at her face ad nodded. The DJ helped him move it. Once Michael had left the stage and was back with Andrew, waiting for the DJ to play the first song. Jack spoke to the DJ
"Slight change of plan, Michael and Andrew asked me a few days ago to sing for the, they don't know I'm doing it, so would you mind if I did the first song"
"With a voice like yours, are you kidding me? You go for it"
"Thanks"
Jack helped Aggie settle on the piano stall and didn't see Ianto talking to the DJ
"Do you have recording equipment on that?" he said gesturing to his system
"Course I do"
"Could you possibly record this so we can give it Andrew and Michael as a memento"?
"Sure, although you'll have to get Jack to hold the microphone, give me a minute and I'll set it up"
"Thank you"
The DJ smiled as Ianto walked over to Jack and Aggie
"Won't be a minute, the DJ is just setting up a couple of microphones so people can hear you both" he said slipping an arm round Jack.
Jack nodded. Ianto pulled him into a hug; thankfully he had no idea of what Ianto had asked the DJ to do. But Ianto wanted Jack to be able to hear exactly what he sounded like singing with the lone accompaniment of the piano.
The DJ set up the microphones and left the stage. Ianto had pulled a chair up beside the piano, he was going to keep his promise to Jack and be right with him as he sang. Aggie needed someone to turn the page on her music so he volunteered. Jack turned to face everyone standing around the dance floor
"Ladies and Gentlemen, can I have your attention for a minute please" he paused while he waited for everyone to be quiet.
"We'll all here to help Andrew and Michael celebrate their union today, I can see most of you here were also in this lovely pub for karaoke night, when I obviously impressed you all because I won" he did a little bow and smiled "anyway Michael and Andrew asked me to sing for them and for you of course, so if Michael and Andrew could please take to floor as a couple for the first time" he paused again as Andrew and Michael walked onto the dance floor hand in hand
"Ladies and Gentlemen I give Andrew and Michael Callaghan-Mount in their first dance together"
People clapped and then stopped as soon as Aggie began to play and Jack began to sing.
Lying in my bed I hear the clock tick,
and think of you
caught up in circles confusion-
is nothing new
Flashback-warm nights-
almost left behind
suitcases of memories,
time after-
sometimes you picture me-
I'm walking too far ahead
you're calling to me, I can't hear
what you've said-
Then you say-go slow-
I fall behind-
the second hand unwinds
chorus:
if you're lost you can look-and you will find me
time after time
if you fall I will catch you-I'll be waiting
time after time
after my picture fades and darkness has
turned to grey
watching through windows-you're wondering
if I'm OK
secrets stolen from deep inside
the drum beats out of time-
chorus:
if you're lost...
you said go slow-
I fall behind
the second hand unwinds-
chorus:
if you're lost...
...time after time
time after time
time after time
time after time
As Jack finished everyone clapped and cheered including Andrew and Michael. The DJ winked at Ianto, and got up from his chair and took Jack in his arms and kissed him in front of everyone. Jack took Ianto in his arms and turned to leave the stage stopping only to take Aggies hand and lead them both of the stage. The DJ put the cd in a sleeve and put it to one side then got on with the dancing. Jack led Ianto to a seat in the corner and they sat down. They were joined by Michael and Andrew
"Jack thank you that was fantastic" said Andrew his arm wrapped round Michael's waist.
"You're welcome," said Jack, he stood up and kissed both men on the cheek
"Congratulations to you both"
"Thank you"
To their surprise Ianto also kissed them both
"Glad you felt up to coming Ianto"
"I'll get plenty of rest later" he said taking Jacks hand and leading him to the dance floor
"Yan are you sure you're ready for such a show of public affection"
"Jack I just kissed you in front of the whole village I think I can cope with a dance or two" he said smiling as he put his arms round Jack and began to dance, with him in his arms. Ianto rested his head against Jacks shoulder
"I can't wait for our first dance," he whispered
"Enjoy Yan coz we're dancing now" said Jack as his hands roamed over Iantos back
"I meant after our own union next weekend"
"I know what you meant Yan," said Jack putting a hand under Iantos chin and pulling his face to meet his and they kissed.