CHAPTER 22 – Prezzies

"Jack, that's the third time you've changed your shirt."

"I just want to look nice for your family."

"You always look nice. You could be wearing a burlap sack and still look amazing. Here, wear this one." The younger man held out a light blue shirt. The older man took the shirt and put it on.

"Are you sure?"

"Jack, don't worry. They are not going to care what you are wearing. But maybe you could dial it back just a bit. You know, be a little less….Jack."

"What does that mean?"

"They are just regular people. They aren't used to dealing with intergalactic time travellers. You can be bigger than life and some people aren't ready for that." The Welshman grabbed his lover by the waist and pulled him close. "I don't want them to be too jealous of what I've got."

He leaned into Jack for a kiss. As usual with the two of them, things started to become heated rather quickly. There was a knock on the bedroom door.

"When are we going to go?" Kai sounded exasperated.

The two men pulled apart with a laugh.

"I guess it's a good thing that we have someone to keep us on track."

"We better get going. I love you Cariad." Ianto gave Jack a quick kiss before leaving the room.

They piled into the SUV and headed out.

"How long do we have to stay there?"

"Kai, can we at least get there before you are asking to leave? You might find that you enjoy yourself."

"They aren't going to want me there. They don't even know me. Why would they care if I leave?"

"Kai, we want you there. You are part of our family now. They are your family. I haven't met them yet either, but they are important to me because they are important to Ianto. Do you understand that?"

The young boy hesitated before responding. "Yeah, I guess."

Ianto spoke up this time. "Kai we love you. They will love you too. It's called unconditional love. That's what families are about. We don't always like some of the things others do, but we will always love each other. Jack does things that piss me off all of the time but I still love him, that won't change."

"My tad doesn't love me."

"You know what, I'm sure he does love you. He just doesn't know how to show it. He has a lot of other troubles and issues that make it hard for him to show you but I have no doubt he loves you. How about you, I know he did a lot of really bad things to you, but you still love him don't you?"

"Yeah. He's my tad."

"Exactly. So give 'em a chance, okay?"

"Okay."

Jack reached over and squeezed Ianto's hand.

They pulled up in front of the modest estate home. Despite his reassurances to his companions, Ianto was actually very anxious about their visit. He loved his sister and her family but he had never been much with sharing every aspect of his life with others. But she had invited them for David's birthday and he knew he should introduce his new family sooner rather than later. Ruby was the only one that really seemed excited to be there.

"Can I carry the present?" She was bouncing on her toes.

"Sure."

Rhiannon greeted them at the door.

"Ianto!" She pulled her brother into a hug.

"Hi Rhi."

"Well, who have we got?" She questioned motioning to Jack, Kai and Ruby.

"Rhiannon, this is Jack, Kai and Ruby. This is Rhiannon."

Jack gave her his trademark smile. "Nice to meet you."

Ruby stuck the gift she was carrying out in front of herself. "Hi! This is for David."

"Hi and thank you. You can take it to him out back."

Kai stood looking down at his shoes, not saying anything. Ianto gave him a nudge and he looked up.

"Hi."

"Come on. Everyone is out back."

They pushed out into the back garden. Rhiannon introduced Johnny, David and Mica before explaining that the rest of the guests were neighbours and friends. She then grabbed Ianto by the arm and pulled him aside.

"He is gorgeous!"

"Stop."

"No wonder Susan was going on."

"Stop."

"Oh, come on. I'm just having some fun. But I am a bit jealous." She gave him a big smile before returning to some of her other guests.

Ruby had given the gift to David and had made fast friends with Mica. Kai was standing by himself against the wall. David went over to him and started talking. It only took a few minutes before Kai was smiling and following David over to a group of his friends. Jack was mingling, talking with other guests.

Ianto was taking it all in and he began to relax a bit. So far, so good. He actually felt content. He couldn't remember when things felt so right. The kids were making friends, Jack was behaving himself; things were good.