25

"Are you awake?" Ianto called out as he entered and his father looked up with naked hope, lighting up as his prayers were answered and a little cubbie was dumped in the bedding.

"There you go little stinker, there's GrandTaddy" Ianto laughed, watching her crawling up the bed with little squeals of joy, his father's arms open to receive.

"Oh my darling little girl" he gushed, kissing her face and crowing like a mad thing as he laughed.

"Evie, calm down ya nutta" Ianto laughed along with his Taddy, then turned as his mother rushed into the room, her fine furs shimmering with the peacock colours, a deep blue with the pale green and blue tips, so pretty and so traditional.

Of all the gifts from other Royal families, this had been the best received, the original Boeshane Royal Bloodline was said to be connected to the colours.

Ianto could only gape at those furs that had not seen the light of day since his baby sister's christening and were now worn for his own cub.

"Come to grandmamma!" she gushed plucking the baby up and smothering her into the fur, making Ianto relieved that his cub had thrown Ted and could breathe through it.

"Oh, she's put on weight" she gushed then sat on the bed and let her crawl back to the king, much to his delight.

"A good eater" Jack said from the doorway, then he entered and Rhia bustled in as she pushed him aside and he gave a yelp at the elbow helping him along.

"Get out of the way ya gollywomper!" she muttered and Jack blinked at the name, then turned to mouth it at Ianto with wide eyes

Ianto giggled and watched as she set down the tray and she turned towards the King, "Right. These are some of Ianto's favourite dishes, you have a go at those and we can see what you like!"

"Oh my goddess!" the King gasped as the smell reached him and he slid closer, his nose twitching as he licked his lips, "What is the yellow thing?"

"Custard!" she said with a flourish and he was soon lowering the bowl.

"Taddy, don't forget little mouths" Ianto said softly and the king was almost in tears of delight as he spooned the last mouthfuls of it into an expectant mouth.

Evie smacked her lips happily as he handed over the bowl and Rhia looked at Ianto, then handed over the next one.

"Brandy snaps" she said softly "Stink is too little so I have some whipped cream in a bowl for her with strawberry syrup."

The Queen sat and accepted a snap, her eyes rolling with each bite and the king kissed her claiming it was for a taste, even though he had eaten his own.

Ianto was pleased to see the affection between them, even with a demanding cubbie slapping at them and squealing for another spoonful.

"Earth cows eat the good grass, the lush planet making them produce such creamy milk. Of all the planetary creams, I have never drunk any so sweet" Ianto smiled, "So nice as a splash in coffee too."

"My darling, this planet earth seems so rich" the Queen agreed.

"Mama, it is mine" Ianto said softly, "The Goddess provided. I could ask for no better."

"That we both mated to Boeshane boys" she sighed, "Now a new planet to conquer."

"No Mama" he laughed, "There is no need to conquer somewhere that does not need it. I can come and go, take what I want and not cause any harm to the others. I need not rule, the queen is a lovely lady that I have been fortunate enough to dine with."

"A royal family, allowing another to co-exist?" she asked with surprise.

"Yes Mama" he laughed, "Are we not all of Earth? Does it seem so strange that all those centuries ago, where I now live, that there is peace and acceptance?"

"No" she snorted, "Of course not. Boeshane was populated by the first settlers from the isles of Earth."

"Wales, Scotland and England … the British Isles and the Royal Family was originally of Scottish descent, as Taddy's is of Welsh" Ianto agreed, "When the first royal family fell, Taddy's were the closest in bloodline to step in as they were considered 'spaceblood' with the two families having settled from the same deep-space flight."

"That is why each generation there was a pairing" the King suddenly spoke, "To keep the bloodline true. As Boeshane is the royal name, my family name is actually Smythe. As the original family name was Harkenings. As is custom, those who sit on the throne must use the name Boeshane as claim to the planet. I found it amusing that your last name was Jones, given it is actually Smythe. I seem to recall a joke about them somewhere."

"I remember my old Grandmother speaking of the old times, the stories she would whisper in the dark as we lay in the sand watching the stars. The old magic." Jack smiled as his daughter yawned and then settled against the Queen's fur, much to her delight.

"I have not eaten so well in a while" the King admitted, "I feel full yet not unwell with it."

"Good. Rest now and later we can see if you are feeling stronger" Ianto rose and then hesitated, looking at Jack and then nodding.

"Ianto and I want to explore the old palace, he wants to show me the places he played as a cub, she looks done in. Perhaps she can stay with you" Jack said like it was nothing, even as both royals gasped with glee.

"Thank you Cariad" Ianto whispered as they let the room, "So kind."

Three guards were waiting, clearly Teddykin from the scent of them and they moved to guard the door.

"I feel she is safe enough, these boys will watch her as well" Jack grinned, "Even other royal family cannot enter, until we return there is none allowed past them."

The salutes confirmed their agreement and Ianto giggled as he slipped his hand into his lovely mate's.

"Come on Cariad, I have just the place to show you" Ianto with a breathy sigh that made Jack's loins shift.

"OOOOOOOOOh" Jack crowned softly as he let him lead him towards the huge hole in the wall, still not repaired.

With those come to bed eyes, Jack would follow him anywhere.

As always.