38
Imp was soon in that bath as promised, Benji and Monkey in it as well, all talking flat stick about anything but what had happened. Ianto knew John and Chys had this so he went to his bedroom and found Jack already drawing a bath for him too.
"I want you to rest" Jack said softly. "Ton is in his own bath singing away, we need to take a moment."
"I will" Ianto replied calmly.
"Later?" Jack finished for him.
"Cariad … they need me now. Just like I need you" Ianto sighed, struggling out of his clothes, "Go fetch my med-kit. This knee is screaming and I will need to take a shot of something to numb it. Was gonna ask Owen but he feels bad enough with what he has to do without seeing that I've done meself a mischief."
Jack nodded as he complied, the sound of a chopper coming to the field echoing as Frankie came to see his sister and her family. Ianto let himself soak, then he rose to find Jack had laid out a formal three piece, knowing Ianto would need armour right now.
Nice after a this time he knew him so well. Ianto applied the 'horse liniment' Jack had left out as well, hoping the knee and hip would accept it. Ianto then dressed quickly making sure his knee brace was not noticeable, then he padded down to find the kids all enthralled in TV, Imp not even caring about his wrist now. Curtis and Ben under a huge blanket in each other's arms. Ben knew his Poppy was his hero.
Ianto strode out and found Walter waiting in the Jeep, now fuelled up and they drove to the chambers where to Ianto's sorrow they were preparing to bring the children in. He checked everything one more time then motioned to Carl, "The flag. Where is my welsh flag from behind my desk, go get it and lay it on the table for them to be placed on."
He then went into the back room where Owen was helping the old biddies arrange the children in the wicker baskets they had artfully woven at such short notice. A warm blanket lining each one that was the child's favourite colour and more than one of the elderly lady weeping as she touched the child dear to her.
"Ladies, you have done a wonderful job. They all look so lovely and warm. Alison, is that your fine needlework there?" Ianto aksed as he leaned over one little girl whose blouse sported a collar covered in strawberries.
"They were her favourite thing" the old woman sobbed.
"I remember well. She looks like an angel. Right. The men will carry them through now to be placed on the table, OK?" Ianto said, then walked out to stand and wait. As they stated to walk out Ianto let himself relax, Walter's hand sliding into his as they softly sang the John Denver song they had agreed on.
When the mountain touches the valley, all the clouds are taught to fly
as our souls will leave this land most peacefully.
Though our minds be filled with questions, in our hearts we'll understand
when the river meets the sea.
Like a flower that has blossomed in the dry and barren sand,
We are born and born again most gracefully.
Thus the winds of time will take us with a sure and steady hand
when the river meets the sea.
Patience, my brother and patience, my son, in that sweet and final hour
truth and justice will be done.