35.
Ianto was struggling with shopping bags as he tried to insert the key in his front door. He felt, rather than heard, the approach of someone and turned to see three men entering the open gate.
"Can I help you?" Ianto asked politely as he placed the bags on the front step.
"Hello Yani," the middle man spoke, and Ianto gasped as he recognised Lisa's cousin, Daniel.
"Er, Daniel? What are you doing here?" Ianto frowned. "You know I hate that name, why do you all insist on calling me that? Even Lisa asked you all to stop."
"So you remember me then," Daniel said with a snort. "Shame our boy isn't allowed the same right. Don't you think it would be fair to let Aunty Hettie see her grandson? She's just an old woman who has nothing left."
"Please get off my property," Ianto said quietly as he felt in his pockets for his phone.
"Technically this is Lisa's property since it's her money that paid for this love shack of yours, boy," Daniel snarled, and Ianto shakily speed-dialled Jack's number.
"Is he home? Your pufter fella?" the one on the left spoke and snorted as Ianto stepped back against the door.
"Where is Walter? School is out, I know which one and I saw that Asian bitch pick him up. She your nanny then? She part of the set up?" Daniel stepped forward and into Ianto's personal space.
"Get out of my face, Daniel. This is not the way to go. I told your aunt and uncle that I would consider things when I was ready, not before. You think this is-" Ianto was cut off as Daniel shoved his shoulder and Ianto hit the door with a grunt of pain.
Daniel snarled into Ianto's face. "You listen to me, you jumped up Welsh rabbit, my-"
"Get the fuck away from him," Idris snarled from the gate, and Ianto sagged with relief.
"Idris?" One of the men visibly shuddered as he stepped quickly away from the two men at the door.
"You heard me, motherfucker. Take your carcass off me brodda's nose." Idris stepped forward and trained the small pistol he had effortlessly drawn from a side pocket.
Daniel gaped and slowly moved away with his hands held high.
"Good boy. Now fuck off," Idris spat as he stepped between Ianto and Daniel to glare at the black man.
A screech of brakes heralded Jack's arrival and he was out of the SUV and roaring up the path in fluid movements, intent on getting to Ianto.
One of Daniel's crew grabbed Jack's arm and found himself in the hydrangeas as Jack casually shoved him off. Reaching his husband, Jack turned to flank Idris with a matching glare, and his coat flared out to show his Webley as he reached for it with a snarl.
"Fuck!" Daniel exclaimed as he backed away towards the gate.
"Touch my family and I'll fucking kill you, you hear me?" Jack snarled, and Daniel bristled back.
"Yeah? Like you killed Marcus?" he accused, and Jack laughed.
"I was fighting for my life in hospital when he was killed, check your fucking facts. As for facts, I am Walter's other father. Legally and morally. My name on his new birth certificate. No Hallett in sight. When he's older we will tell him about her and why he has my name. You and yours? Never going to be a part of my son's life."
"Walter needs to know his family, Yani!" Daniel puffed out his chest.
"Fuck off, Hallett!" Jack snorted as he placed his hands on his hips. "Don't call him that. His name is Ianto. Ianto Harkness-Jones."
"Our son has all the family he needs," Ianto declared as he felt a swell of pride for his husband standing there like a romance novel cover in his hero pose.
"My nephew is well loved and protected. You touch my family, you deal with my attentions as well. If you don't know who I am, ask your boy there locking himself in the car." Idris pointed, and Daniel turned and glared as he saw his mate cowering in the backseat.
Idris leaned into Daniel's face. "Hoodlums protect their own."