Walter 14 - Ianto's Clan

by Awatere11

Walter is 17, the others as grown-up as him and they are flying the nest. Ianto is watching his retirement loom like the bloody grim reaper and he wonders if a mid-life crisis should be right about now. Shame because there is no time for one as the Gods do their usual shyte. At least there is Jack, his comfort helps. I Love my crumbly xx Don't like don't read Smut comedy lovexx

36. Chapter 36

36

A man of his word, Walt arrived with Babs in tow, her fairy princess outfit making the little ones scream with glee and Ianto zeroed in on the babies, cuddling as many as he could while talking with the staff.

Jack found a little one who needed a cuddle, overexcited and in tears so he sat and rocked, singing softly as the wee one burrowed into the lovely smelling god.

Parents took photos, children got autographs and Ianto found himself with a father who was struggling to remain calm, "It's the first smile I've seen in weeks."

"Which one is yours?" Ianto said, "Don't say the bald one, seems to be more than one."

The father snorted and turned to Ianto with a soft smile, "Greg, he's the one with the red sweatshirt, the hoodie. I can't believe he's let it down and is showing his head. The scar is so …scary to him."

"I have many scars, Walter has seen me suffer" Ianto said softly, "Walter sees souls, not vessels."

"He is a wonderful young man, I can't believe he's real. We watch the show and even got the box sets on DVD for Greg's birthday. They were going to be for Christmas but…well."

"Make hay while the sun shines" Ianto whispered, "He's not clear?"

"No" the father swallowed, "They couldn't get it all. He might see Christmas but it's likely to be his last. I don't know how to do it. How to watch him die."

"Then don't" Ianto laid a hand on his arm, "Everyone will watch him die, don't you do that too. Watch him live. Watch him love. Laugh and resonate through the lives of those he knows. That's the best you can do. Make memories not just for you but for him. In the end, when he knows his time is near, give him something to hold on to, to take with him into the light."

"Thank you" the man said thickly, swallowing as he tried to hide his tears and Ianto pulled him into a corner behind a bookshelf, holding him and letting him grieve for a moment.

"There is no shame in sorrow" Ianto assured him, "No shame at all. There will be tears later, for now you need to focus on him. He has tears too, he hides them so you won't hurt but he grieves too. Don't hide your tears, let him know a man can cry. That he is not a baby for crying. Give him that gift too."

"Thank you" the man repeated, "I was told there is a support group but it seems like I am giving in, ya know?"

"I belong to one, as a survivor of cancer I find comfort in others that survived as well. It feels like we tricked death, sometimes like it's not fair it was us and not someone more deserving" Ianto informed him, "There was also one I was part of for some time, to help deal with the death of my wife, Walt's mother. It is not a weakness to seek like minded people. They can help you see a way out of the hole, or if you are wallowing they will show you how to take the steps forward. Someone else who will say they cut their wrists to try to join their loved one, or lay on their grave berating them for leaving. You don't feel so crazy, you see grief is a bitch."

Ianto hoped he had helped as the man wiped his face and went back to his dying child.

Ianto knew he would dwell and reminded himself of his own words.

Live.