36
Jack found Ianto on the study, staring out the window at the children playing outside.
"She makes you nervous" Jack said softly.
"I don't know" Ianto frowned, "It's just. Seeing her look so much like her mother. She used to have her hair dark. I mean … I know she used to dye it dark in a show of anarchy but to see it the same as Babbit's, it just …unnerves me. Why. Does she like it blonde now or is it what her mother wanted? How much control is there still?"
"But do you trust her?" Jack asked, sitting on the edge of the desk and Ianto smiled, reaching out to rub his knee.
"Yes, I see the girl I used to know, I also see John. I had no idea he felt so deeply for her. She was too young but … it's been six years now. She's grown up and maybe …" Ianto shrugged, "Do I give her a chance? Give them a chance?"
"You fear for Babs in all this" Jack stated the fact as Ianto nodded.
"She's smart and I know we taught her restraint but she has always wanted a Mama, one of the reasons she loves Em so much .. I just fear for her little heart if this doesn't work out, ya know?" Ianto was wriggling between Jack's legs and leaning in for a kiss, Jack happy to oblige.
"All we can do is watch and wait baby" Jack soothed, "And know John would never hurt her."
"Have I told you today that I love you?" Ianto smiled, stroking his husband' face gently, as if he might bruise.
"Not since this morning when the alarm went off" Jack pouted, "It's been at least three hours, I was starting to panic."
"Oh my poor darling" Ianto grinned, kissing him again, "I wish you didn't have to go."
"I know, sucks to be me" Jack pouted and Ianto sucked the bottom lip into his mouth, deepening the kiss.
"Stop it" Babs said as she entered, "You will give the babies nightmares, they don't have to see you two rutting"
Jack laughed as he leaned back to watch her reaching into the tank for the lizards, intending to take them to the other house.
"Cheeky imp" Ianto scolded without any anger in his voice.
"Say Bye bye to GradTad" she crooned, holding out the lizards and Ianto leaned in to kiss each one and wish them a nice trip in the car.
She grinned lovingly at him and place them in their bright pink cat carrier, then waltzed off, yelling over her shoulder, "Rutting may resume!"
"Cheeky little bugger" Jack snorted.
"Have a safe trip" Ianto crooned, and Jack leaned back.
"Whoa, you kiss me with those lizard lips?" he said with fake horror as Ianto laughed.
"Come here you, I'll do much worse when you get home" Ianto warned and Jack hummed happily.
"I get to shave you!" Jack crowed, "You promised the girl! I get a shave in the bath!"
"You might get something else in the bathtub … first though. I hate whiskery baths and will need to shower off after" Ianto frowned.
"But I love shaving you" Jack grinned, "So you will put up with whiskery balls, eh?"
Ianto raised an eyebrow as Jack laughed at the image of a pair of balls wearing a beard and Ianto shook his head knowing the silly image Jack had in his brain.
"Go on, get out of here" Ianto scolded, slapping Jack's arse as he pushed him off the desk and Jack sniggered happily.
Chrystal watched the SUV drive off, followed by John in his vehicle and she sighed.
"They'll be back, my cooking brings them home" Bets told her softly and she smiled at Chrystal as Ianto turned back towards the house with Ton on his hip.
"Rain?" Ton looked up and held out his hand.
"Might be" Ianto agreed, looking up, "those clouds are creeping in."
"Creepy clouds" Ton crowed, "Buggers!"
"Yep, buggers the lot of them" Ianto agreed and Chrystal followed them back in, hesitating to look up the sky as well.
Rain was coming.