35
Next morning Chrystal was in the same clothes and Ianto remembered her saying she had snuck out without anything.
"Well, I guess I need to get you some stuff" he said as he watched her reach for some toast.
"I'll call Tosh, have her buy some stuff" Jack said around a mouthful of bacon, "Best she stays here, if her mother is rampaging."
"True" Ianto nodded, "Chrystal, you write a list of stuff you need and we'll we what we can do about getting you some clothes and things."
"Thank you Ianto" she smiled.
Ianto didn't return it as he looked down at his porridge and she swallowed, knowing she still had to prove herself to him.
The kids wandered in and slid into their chairs. Babs turned to Ianto.
"Is Grandy coming for me?" she asked and Ianto nodded.
"Remember we both have some voce-overs today" Walter reminded her, "Grandy will stay overnight at the firehouse with us both, then being you home tomorrow afternoon."
"What about you?" she asked.
"I have an extra day of recording, I won't be home for another day. Just me and Grandy so I guess I need to whomp him at chess again." Walter smiled.
"I can stay another night" she offered and Walter looked at her lovingly as he reached out and squeezed her hand.
"That's OK little sis, I know you miss your morning cuddle with Papa then. I'll be OK, besides. I want to write that new song without Ton trying to help" he assured her, "I do that best in my Star Room."
She nodded and reached to to tap Ianto's arm, "Remember, you promised the whiskers."
"I will not shave until you come home and get your whisker kisses" he promised, "But you know as soon as you are done I will get Daddy to take it all off."
Jack made a choking noise and Ianto sighed, rolling his eyes, "You know what I mean."
"I hope so" Jack chortled.
"Behave!" Ianto scolded with a look of total adoration, letting Jack take his hands and hold them.
"I need to check these figures on the new armored SWAT vehicle and then John and I need to meet with a client that is being troublesome. I don't know what time we will be home tonight." Jack told him with honest regret, "Don't wait up darling."
"You know I will" Ianto smiled, "Walter isn't the only on that had projects that are best done without the Ton helping. Once he is down for the night I need to sort the bloody school play."
"Why you!" Jack pouted.
"Because!" Ianto shot back with a grin, "We lost everything. The kids need new costumes and stuff. I need to organize."
"Can I help?" Chrystal asked, "I used to do plays at school, I went to a summer camp that was drama and music."
Babs canted her head, "You sing?"
"Yes, I can sing, play the piano and act. A little, I liked singing more" she smiled.
"Did you hear me sing?" Babs asked.
"Yes, you were wonderful. You and Walter are so brilliant in the TV series, I watch every episode and am so excited when you are on!" Chrystal gushed, "I am so proud of you"
"Thank you" Ianto said firmly, "Her father and I are very proud too."
"I am not trying to hone in" she whispered, looking down at her plate and John frowned at Ianto.
"I don't want to harp on and I do not want to be mean about it but I stand by what I said" Ianto said forcefully, "You are here as a friend. You still have to prove yourself to me before I accept anything more. Babbit might have forgiven you but I still need time to process."
"I understand" she said softly, "I will do anything. Please. I just … I just want to be with John."
"And if you can't make it work?" John asked with a look of worry.
"I will never ask you to move out, I will never reject you" Jack assured his old friend, "Neither will Ianto. You are part of this family Johnny."
John looked at Chrystal and continued to worry.
If it came to a choice, he would have to break her heart.