54

The sound of the Hover had Dale reaching for his gun but Jack shook his head as he recognised the tone, "It's mine."

They spilled out to watch the Hover come to a stop and then lower to the ground, Ianto first out the door and Jack smiled as he stepped back into the shade of the porch to greet him. They kissed as Jack held him then a little bellow had Jack turning with glee, "Stinker!"

The tiny Blu-man-chu ran for him, her face full of delight and he lifted her high as she squealed some more then he set her back down, and she saw Georgie. "Hi! We got kitties. Do you need a kitty?"

"The latest clowder, we wondered if you might like a cat or two for the mouse invasions this time of year" Ianto said politely and Dale smiled as his daughters raced to the Hover with their little brother. Joshua emerged with them, running for the barn where they no doubt had a little play area. "Oops, there goes our boy, Josh. Winkle is our adopted daughter."

Jack grinned as he followed them "I'll get Janet loaded with Mace, you go inside love. You know the heat is a killer with your pale complexion."

Ianto entered the house and looked up the stairs as the mother was heading down and she paused then started to scream, pointing at him as she bellowed "Vampyre!"

Ianto froze, not sure how to respond to the blatant accusation, then the children flowed around him and she blinked, then pointed at Winkle, "BLUE MAN CHU! OOOOOOOOOOO"

She raced after them and Ianto followed to find her on her knees hugging the little girl who seemed to be taking it with good grace, even if her hair was standing on end. Ianto left them to it and found a little one watching him, "Are you a real Vampyre?"

Ianto sat and looked at her with a canted head, "I am a Ianto. What is your name?"

"Lydia. Can I keep the kitties?" she smiled.

"Yes. I am part Vampyre, and yes they are for you" Ianto whispered, winking at her then watching her race off to tell her brother they were keeping them. He glanced over to find the man sitting there with his mouth open.

"Did you just inform my daughter that you are a …a…."

"Enigma" Ianto sat back, "I am part this, a bit of that, pinch of something else. Your poor wife saw my eyes adjust and saw the part that is Vampyre. I do not eat people, I only ever bite my Cariad. Honest. He seems to like it."

Dale found himself snorting with amusement at the man who clearly would not hurt a fly, so gently spoken and kind in the way he spoke to Georgie. Ianto went back to the other room and found that Winkle had managed to escape, the woman left cuddling a doll as she rocked back and forth, Ianto settling to watch her with concern.

"Mama got the fever and her head isn't right now" Rebecca said as she watched Ianto regarding her mother. He nodded to show he had heard her, and then he slid to the ground so he was eye level.

"Hello there" he said softly, the woman settling her gaze on his and stilling. "What's you name dear child?"

"Melanie" she said calmly, reaching out to touch him like she was unsure if he was real.

"Melanie. Melly? Nice" Ianto smiled and shuffled closer so she could place her hand on his cheek, "Melly, look into my eyes."

They froze, like statues on the floor and Rebecca watched for a few minutes them felt weird, rising to fetch her father. He returned with Jack to find the two still locked in a strange staring match, her hand on Ianto's cheek and his on hers. Like lovers about to kiss.

"Tiger?"

Ianto didn't blink, just the hand on his knee flicking to tell Jack to shush. Jack settled and shrugged then watched as Ianto started to hum.

"Let me call you sweetheart" Dale whispered, "Her favourite song. I used to sing it to her when we were courting."

Ianto's hum changed to the song, singing it with a sweet harmony to her hum that had started, then she started to sing. Their serenade was pretty and everyone was transfixed as it came to an end then Ianto leaned in to kiss her gently, then lean back, "Well Melly. That was nice. I like that song."

"I do too" she replied happily, "Dale played it for me on the piano at our wedding so he did. Would ya like a cuppa Ianto?"

"Yes please, sounds divine." Ianto smiled gently.

She rose and walked calmly to the kitchen then placed the kettle on the heat, humming as she collected cups, calling out "And your man? Jack. Is he having one?"

"We all will" Ianto called as he slid into an chair by Jack and yawned, "that took a bit. She will soon tire too. After she has slept she will be her old self. It was a blockage in her synapses … took a while to sort."

"What…what did you do?" Dale asked with wonder as his wife opened a cupboard and started to plate some baking.

"I fixed her" Ianto said like it was nothing. He yawned again ad Dale gaped at Jack who could only shrug. "I owed you something for caring for my mate, I cared for yours in return."

Melanie sang to herself as she carried the plate into the room and leaned in to kiss her husband then scolded, "Where did this beard come from mister. It's a shave for you!"

Dale rose and seized her in a hug, not caring how it had happened but determined to revel in every moment of having his sweetheart back.