36
They were led to the big table and Hope ran ahead, clambering up into a chair and turning to pat the one next to her for her new friend.
Mia was glowing as she climbed up, the gumboots dropping to the floor as she knelt to look over the food with awe.
"Solomon, would you rather sit with your sister or up here with me and Jack?" Ianto asked, sensing the boy's need to be with men.
Solomon proudly sat between the two men, feeling like he was one too, treated like he was worth something as Ianto politely asked which meat he wanted and he admitted that he didn't know.
"How about a bit of everything, then you can taste and find which you like?" Ianto offered, "I like chicken and turkey, Jack loves beef, see?"
Ianto pointed at the plate of steak and eggs and he let Solomon choose a plate from the pile and then he filled it with samples.
Mia simply ate what Hope ate, another thing that Hope was pleased about, being a big girl as she helped pour a drink for them both.
Ianto watched his spoilt little girl share and felt a spike of delight.
Billy and Marley sat close together, Billy's fear in being separated evident and he sighed as he realized it couldn't wait until after they had rested to say what needed to be said.
"Billy, I am really angry with you and I know this is not the time to talk about that as I'm tired and likely to say something I will regret. I will say that Marley is welcome in our den, until we sort things." Ianto said loudly so the table would hear, "Once we have rested there will be an elder's meeting where we will discuss what happened and your punishment will not be up to me. I will ask the council for guidance and accept a resolution there."
Billy looked to his father who nodded as well, "Your Tad is right. I am too soft, he will be too hard. An outside decision will be best, if we don't like it we will speak up until we will all agree. OK?"
Billy nodded, relieved that he and Marley were not to be kept apart and Ianto watched them clasp hands together on the table.
"You are not to sleep in the same bed" Ianto continued, "There are things that need to be talked about between the elders and both of you before anything else happens."
Billy looked nervously at his Taddy, then his Daddy.
"Tad is right" Jack nodded, "We will not separate you but there are things you need to understand before your relationship becomes more than it is. If you intend being a couple."
"yes" Billy said nervously, "I want to be with her as her husband."
"Marley made a small noise and blushed as she smiled at Billy, their bond obvious to all looking.
"Still didn't get bloody birth control either" Ianto huffed softly and Mickey choked on his food as Martha whomped his back.
Then Andy came in with their wee Trixibell and she leaned back to accept her, her breasts aching for a good emptying as she opened her top to let her little bub latch on.
The two little children openly craned their heads and stared at the little girl.
"This is Trixibell" Martha grinned at them, "She's still very new."
"Can I touch?" Mia whispered with wide eyes and Martha snorted as she pushed the chair back and Mia leaned in to kiss a tiny arm.
"She's so pretty" she gushed.
"Thank you" Martha smiled, "What a nice big cousin for her you will be one day."
Mia looked at her with confusion.
"In this home we are all family and all love one another" Martha smiled, "I'm your Aunty Martha and you are my wonderful niece now."
Mia looked at Solomon who had eyes only for the baby as he rummaged in his ever present bag.
He produced a tiny silver rattle and shook it at the baby.
"This was Mia's and it's special" he whispered, "My Daddy said it was magical as the baby who owned it was safe from biteys. Here, you have it coz it worked for Mia."
He shoved it at the baby and shot back with a soft blush as Martha crooned.
"What a large heart you have, Solomon" Ianto said loudly, "What a wonderful provider. You will be a wonderful worker who will help us all be safer."
Solomon puffed up as he pushed away from the chair he had been leaning against, reminding them all of Owen and Jack smiled as Mia shook the rattle some more.
Anna and Francine were dying to smother the children so Ianto rose to signal they were free and the women rushed to cuddle and croon as the two children blinked with surprise, then pleasure as they got affection.
"So tired" Ianto sighed as he and Jack walked across to their house.
"You OK?" Jack finally asked and Ianto hummed as he knew Jack had been holding back for a while.
"Cuddle and sleep?" Ianto said softly as Jack led Ianto to the bedroom and settled them both in the bed.
"Hope seems to like Mia" Jack said as they started to drift.
"Solomon will be the one to watch, older and more easily spooked" Ianto yawned, "He'll come right."
"Hush"
Jack rocked him gently until asleep and drifted off himself.
Following him to Neverland.
Well, following him anywhere really.