Chap 25
When Ianto opened the front door, Jack was almost in tears. He rushed at him, and Ianto cringed. Jack paused as he saw the flinch, and sighed. This counselling had brought up a lot of stuff. Ianto had told Jack in the safety of their bed about his father and his bullying fists. This flinching was new to Jack but apparently not to Rhiannon, who made a growling noise and pushed past Jack.
"Where have you been, ya bloody shite? We've been worried sick!" she admonished, pulling him against her amble breasts.
"Sorry Rhia. I was with Skidmark. Took a ride and did a few jobbies," he muttered into her left boob.
Her sigh told him that she could guess what he meant by 'jobbies' but would let it go. Once she'd loosened her grip, he straightened up and smiled to reassure her, then turned to face the room.
"David, your birthday isn't until next week but I saw this remote control car and …." Anything else he may have said was lost in the shriek as David rushed him.
Snatching the bag Ianto was holding out, David promptly upended it onto the floor and let a huge box slide out. The boxes of batteries in the bottom fell like confetti.
Two smaller bags were rattled at the two remaining kids still sitting on the floor surrounded by crayons. "No fun without a bit of competition, eh? Purple one is Mica's, her favourite colour, and as for my little beast, a Kermit car just like Uncle Skiddy's."
Jack held his tongue as they set about powering up the cars and helping the kids learn how to control them. Ianto had retired to the kitchen with Rhia, who pounded him with questions which he ignored. They returned to the deck with drinks, glad of the burst of sun as the kids yelled and shrieked as they ran after their cars while Myfanwy simply chased the kids.
While Gray helped build ramps for the children with Owen, Tosh and Rhia went back to the kitchen to get a second pot of tea going as well as some food. The evening air was still warm, and Ianto sat back on the seat as it slowly swung. Jack sat next to him and tried to formulate an appropriate apology.
Ianto reached out and quietly squeezed Jack's hand and settled against him. "Line, Jack. Yeah?"
"I love you," Jack whispered as the night quietly surrounded them.
.
.
.
It was in the early hours of morning when Jack woke. He lay in the dark wondering what had woken him until he heard the whimper from beside him. Oh God, Ianto.
Jack pulled his husband into his arms as Ianto shuddered, locked in a nightmare.
"Mammy," Ianto cried as he sobbed. Jack could only kiss him and shush him hopelessly.
Then Ianto was screaming. Struggling and crying out for his mother, again and again.
Light flooded the room as Owen flipped the switch by the door. Tosh followed behind him and they reached the bed as Ianto finally broke away from the nightmare.
"NO." He sat up and looked around with wild eyes.
"It's OK babe, it's OK. You're safe. You're home," Jack soothed as he pulled Ianto back into his arms.
"Oh my mammy," Ianto wailed into Jack's chest as Tosh climbed into the bed to hug him from behind.
"Christ mate, you OK?" Owen asked as he rubbed Ianto's shoulder awkwardly.
"Me Mammy. Oh God, I saw me Mammy," Ianto hiccupped. "Hanging in the basement."