29
That evening they settled to eat, the fresh food being used first as they knew they would soon have no fruit and fresh veggies left. Ianto was pleased to see the tins of corn and peas down in the hold, their own tins of goodness from the mall and Hub added. They would be fine, more than enough. There was enough food to travel there and back.
Jack knew Ianto had been pleased with their find, more pleased with Jack's backing him up to dump the bags and as Jack fed the little one some baby peaches he glanced over to find Ianto watching him with open affection.
"You OK love?"
"Yeah. Happy." Ianto sighed "Is it bad that I am so happy in the middle of all this shit?"
They left Owen and Tosh clearing away and lay with the little ones in their room off the large Captain's office/living room. Dendy clung to Ianto and he knew the little boy was finally mourning, cuddling him tightly as he sang softly and rubbed his back until the tears came and Dendy cried softly into Ianto's chest.
"It's OK love, it's OK. I'm right here, me and Jack are not going away. We will be right here" Ianto crooned as the little boy started to go limp with fatigue.
Jack enjoyed the little girl splattered on him with that calm trust little ones have and he looked over to find Ianto had fallen asleep with Dendy, their limbs all entwined. He didn't mind, he was enjoying his own little cuddle bum. They all spent their first night in the children's cabin.
The night passed quickly, everyone lulled by the cool water around them and Ianto stirred to the soft breath of Dendy on his neck. He glanced over to find Jack still fast asleep with the baby on his chest, little limbs floppy on him like a limpet and he smiled as he watched her rise and rfll with each breath Jack took.
Dendy stirred.
"Hey shhhh" Ianto said as he helped Dendy slide out and they headed topside to piss over the side of the boat, Dendy feeling like a Grup as Owen joined them.
"Good morning menfolk" Owen said as he dropped his shorts and let loose, Dendy peering at the water.
"Are we peeing on fish?"
"They are probably still sleeping on the bottom love, the warm sun will bring them up later" Ianto said happily, "Maybe we can do a spot of fishing. Yum, fried fish for tea?"
"Yeah? Like fish n chips?" Dendy asked, "Can we make some of that?"
"We sure can short stuff" Owen said gleefully enjoying someone shorter than him for a change, "Some nice fish fillets done in bread crumb or maybe even battered."
"Beer batter" Ianto said softly, "Sacrifice a glass or two from that nice crate of beer I done spied down there."
"There are two actually" Owen replied, "Yum."
"Can I have some?" Dendy asked with open desire.
"One glass wouldn't hurt" Owen replied "Good for the blood. Sure, a wee glass with the meal sounds nice. Use some of that lettuce in a salad. Sounds great."
"Cool, how do we catch them then?" Dendy looked over the edge again and Owen turned to tell him all about fishing rods and stuff, the two heading off to find them.
"Breakfast in half an hour" Ianto called after them as he went in to check how the fresh milk was holding up, the last of the Hub supplies. Pancakes on the menu as he found enough left before they had to open the long life milk instead.
The coffee brought Jack up with a sleepy little girl freshly changed and dressed in a little summer dress that Ianto didn't even know they had and he saw once again how loving Jack was as he clucked and tore little pieces of pancake off for her to chew on.
"She's got a little tooth" Jack said with adoration, "Like a wee pearl. Ahhhhh."
"Not too big of a piece, I don't' want her choking" Tosh said with concern and Jack snorted.
"These pancakes are so fluffy they melt in the mouth, look she's chewing them like a wee champ. I know how to feed a baby, had enough of my own" Jack pouted and Ianto saw the possessiveness reappearing so he changed the subject.
I could have sworn I heard Myfanwy last night, her wings rustling" Ianto said and they all looked at him with sorrow for his loss, "Funny the things that haunt you. Maybe we all need a quiet day to reflect."
"So, what's today's plans?" Jack asked.
"Dendy and Owen are going fishing after brekkie, they are going to catch tea tonight. Homemade fish and chips, great huh? Jack if you want to entertain the princess Tosh and I might do some calculations and some cataloguing. Also, I think we need to keep a daily log so Tosh and I should take turns." Ianto said as he got their attention.
"We should all take turns" Owen said with a nod of agreement, "We all take a turn writing each day, then it will be from all of us. These ones will have it for their kids then."
"Lovely idea" Tosh said and Owen preened as Ianto gracefully let him have the praise.
After all, Jack's smile was all he needed.
