38
"Ianto? Are you busy?" Rhiannon asked and Ianto looked up from the tablet he was tapping to raise an eyebrow in silent query so she continued, "My anti-natal group have some Gorgan and one is more than slightly concerned. A single whose partner was one of those killed in the final flight checks of the prototype that went so wrong."
Ianto sighed as he remembered the horror of that day, a simple coupling failure killed several crew as they became trapped between the faulty airlock and safety. Their families had been given free rides as Ianto had requested and now knew from the paperwork Jack had too.
"It is starting shortly is it not? I shall attend" he nodded and rose to dress more formally then left the quarters and walked sedately to the Anti-natal class Owen was in the middle of, his tepid ways reserved as he gently coached a youngling who was afraid of her first imminent birthing.
Ianto saw Rhiannon straight away, his blood pulling him in her direction before he even turned his head and the Gorgan sat with her, pale and definitely alarmed as Owen showed diagrams on screen.
"Greetings" Ianto said as he sat next to the Gorgan and he leaned around to speak to Rhiannon, "Have you had your stats done today?"
"Yes" she offered her baby tablet and he accepted it, humming as he looked at the impending new family member with interest, "I see we have a final day chosen."
"Two weeks, I did estimate that" Ianto nodded, "Another little princess to smother, Jack will be so excited. He has gifts already, keeps checking like he is the expectant one. Funny bugger. I will ensure our shifts are light and able to be taken by Andy if need be so we can support and witness."
"Really? You mean it? Oh brother, that would mean so much to the children" she smiled and he hummed as he handed the tablet back and addressed the Gorgan silently listening to the exchange.
"And your stats? Rhiannon tells me this is your first?"
The tablet was silently offered, a little blue screen saver of a single feather that made Ianto smile as such a Gorgan display of affection. A simple feather to show delight. "A boy? Lovely. I have a son, adopted as my wife was Catkind but I assume you know that. I do love my little niece but sometimes she terrifies me. I am relieved that my new daughter I have accepted is old enough to have manners as Mimi is still too little to scold yet too big to allow her madness."
"I beg your pardon! My daughter is not mad, little girls just tend to be more expressive, even the Gorgan ones!" Rhiannon bristled, then snorted as she agreed Mimi was a bit of a wee bugger like her Mama.
"Were it not for the offspring to be I would not have come. The death of my mate was so …so… I contemplated the Sleep Of Acceptance." The soft voice muttered and Ianto nodded, the mention of ritualistic suicide both ancient and still occasionally done. "I live for my child."
"As I did mine" Ianto agreed, "Then the Captain took my eye and here we are. Madness. It has taken some adjustment to share space with a human with such low level manners but it seems we can adjust in time of hardship."
The Gorgan stared at Ianto and then gave the Gorgan equivalent of a laugh, a deep bark came forth and the man slapped Ianto's knee gently. Ianto smiled softly and accepted the show of mirth that showed he had eased the Gorgan's mind.
"Right, you two finished? We need to have a girth check!" Owen said and the Gorgan rose to lift the maternity tunic and show the large belly to everyone else, cooing and a few meows of interest as Owen checked for stretch marks and such the scanners could not pick up through the doorway upon entering. "Good, you look good Hertix"
"Thank you Doctor" the man bowed as well as he could with his huge belly and Owen looked over at Ianto.
"See Godzilla? He calls me Doctor" Owen sniped, "He recognises my talent."
"Nah" Ianto answered easily, "It's written on your tunic Citizen."
Everyone giggled as Owen stuck out his tongue and then flashed a smile at his friend then nodded to Hertix who went back to sit by his new friend, his relief obvious as Owen declared him ready to birth whenever he was ready.
"If you require someone to witness I will be available" Ianto said softly, a hand patting the man's hand, "Rhiannon and I will be pleased to stand for you. We are all family now."
"Thank you Fir…"
"Ianto. When not on duty I am simply Ianto my brother" Ianto corrected calmly, "We are all family remember? The Captain prefers to be called Jack when not swanning about in Captain Mode, although I do like the way he swans."
"Yes, I have also noticed his remarkable ability to … swan" the Gorgan whispered and they shared a look of amusement.
The entre class went home to talk of what had happened, by that evening the entire ship aware of the new rule or title as well as the kindness their FO showed to a Widow.
It was such a …. Family …. Thing to do.