29

Ianto had listened to Jack's thoughts and then looked at his hands as he considered things. Elizabeth looked between the two men then shrugged "Well, I don't care if she never comes back."

"If not for the children, neither would I" Jack replied softly, "But we have to think of them too. This is unfair on several levels but … we could work out a custody thing and share them. She could live nearby and we could co-exist…"

"No. That's unfair" Ianto sighed, finally looking up "She did a terrible, horrible thing. She may do other terrible horrible things but that is not written. We have to believe the conditioning and retraining she has received may have worked. The cost alone for her treatments has to have borne fruit, right? I agree with her and her parents coming over and staying at a house nearby so the children can travel daily to visit her. They take the responsibility of her though. She will not come here. Not yet. I don't … not yet. Security will be paramount, she will not take the children away. If they become confused or upset we reassess this."

"And the counselling she requests?" Jack asked, "You don't have to Tiger. You owe her nothing."

"She was your First Wife before I took her spot as First Prime" Ianto sighed, "She does have a right to feel ousted. She must also know that I now hold the power and ability to remove her from the hive with or without your consent just like she tried to."

"I would" Jack said quickly, "I would agree to whatever you want."

"But as you say ... there are children. Let's just see how we go, yeah?" Ianto sighed softly as he rubbed his belly and leaned back in his chair, "Someone is kicking up a storm and it's not big Jax."

"Jax" Jack repeated softly.

"The big one, the one who announces himself. I call him that. Jax." Ianto smiled and Jack felt himself go lightheaded as he saw that his son was already being given his name.

"And the other one? The quiet little mouse who hides?" Jack whispered softly, sliding over to touch Ianto's belly hesitantly, relieved that Ianto raised his hands to allow it "What shall we call our little prince?"

"I was going to leave that to you. He only responds to your voice anyway" Ianto replied happily, "He is moving now, happy you are here."

Jack shone with glee as he crooned at the belly, his sons replying with little flutters against his hands as he laughed. "Do you think they feel my love for them?"

"I think they feel mine for you" Ianto whispered, a sorrow in the words as he looked away and Jack resisted the urge to pull his hands back, maintaining the contact as he looked up at Ianto.

"I love you Ianto" Jack said earnestly, "Always. I just wish you were ready to believe it."

"Want to feel Lizzy?" Ianto asked and she shot forward eagerly, letting Jack place his hands over hers to guide her and her laughter rang out as a little foot kicked her palm.

"So strong" she whispered, "so strong and excitable."

"Like their Dad, like I said" Ianto snorted, "The little mouse hardly ever moves but Jax loves to move, hears things and responds all the time."

"I can't wait to meet them" she gushed happily, "So loved, so spoilt. You two will have so many kisses and cuddles from Mama Lizzy."

"You are a lovely woman you know Sister" Ianto said softly as he reached out to cup her face, "You know, if we had met under different circumstances I would have wanted you as a friend and confidant."

"Really?" she asked with glee.

"You are a wonderful person, yes. I do love you sister" he assured her as she leaned against him and kissed his cheek, murmuring her own affections and Jack watched with a deep sense of sorrow that Gwen would never be part of that. The water so muddied it was blood red. She could have, had she ever had a thought that was not of herself. It was becoming more and more obvious to him that Gwen did not belong within the hive, would no doubt try to harm again somehow. Maybe the separate house thing could work?

Share the children?

He would see how things go at these meetings and sessions, if Ianto showed any discomfort or alarm then he would call an end to the entire thing. It was only the fact Ianto cared so much for the children that he was even going through with sitting in the same room as her, Jack knew this. And for him. He knew this too.

Jack knew it was time to show Ianto what he was prepared to do for him.

Whatever the cost.

Ianto was worth it.