SUMMARY: Ianto and Aaron grow closer. Life is good until they get some shocking news. This chapter is rated PG-13 for language, and some sexual references
Title is from: When you realize you want to spend the rest of you life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible. Nora Ephron (When Harry Met Sally)Authors note: The views expressed about modern art by the characters do not reflect the views of the author (OK, except for Jeff Koons).
Artwork can be found at my website (see author page).
Aaron worked with Ianto over the next months to refine their empathic bond. They reached a point where they could instantaneously share emotions without physical contact and over some distance as well. "As our bond gets stronger, we'll be able to communicate feelings when we aren't in each other's presence. Not words, mind you, we have to be in each other's presence for that, but enough to know what's going on with each other."
But their most important communications occurred in their everyday interactions. The first time Ianto woke up and heard "Morning my love," from Aaron he was shocked. But as Aaron was completely unshielded emotionally Ianto knew that 'my love' wasn't just an expression. 'Morning Cariad,' he pushed back knowing that Aaron would accept his greeting and all that was implied. It became a ritual for them. When they woke up Aaron would initiate the exchange and when they went to sleep Ianto would say good night to his lover first. Even when they were apart, the ritual continued via cell or internet. Even when they were angry or at odds the exchange continued reaffirming that throughout it all their love for each other was paramount.
As they continued to learn about each other, they inevitably talked about prior relationships. Aaron was surprised that Ianto wanted to know more about Geoffrey.
'He was part of your life for more than half the time I've been alive. He's a big part of what makes you who you are. And you loved him, that's obvious. If don't want to talk about him, I'll understand but…'
Aaron interrupted him. "No, no, I don't mind telling you about him, I just didn't think you'd be comfortable hearing about my life with him."
Aaron told him how they met; Aaron was already out, but Geoffrey was ten years older and while his close friends and family knew he was gay, the world at large did not. They were together almost four years before Geoffrey was comfortable enough to hold Aaron's hand in public or introduce him to his work colleagues as his partner.
The hardest moments for Aaron to share were the three years before Geoffrey died. Geoffrey had discovered a swelling in his armpit that turned out to be cancer. The tumor and lymph nodes were removed followed by radiation and several rounds of chemotherapy. They had had two more good years, and then the cancer aggressively returned.
Despite careful follow ups, by the time it was found, the cancer had spread throughout Geoffrey's body. Multiple organs were involved and experts were equally split as to whether to do everything possible or to do nothing. In the end Geoffrey had decided that given the high probability that the cancer was going to kill him sooner (3-6 months without aggressive treatment or a little later (6-9 months) with treatment that he would rather have fewer months to spend with Aaron in reasonable comfort than more months with him spent in misery. Geoffrey died peacefully in hospice five months later with Aaron by is side.
Aaron was very careful not to compare Ianto to Geoffrey, but sometimes Ianto would ask (much to Aaron's surprise), 'what would Geoffrey have thought about this?' Of course Ianto would only ask this when he was pretty sure that Geoffrey would have agreed with his thoughts on a matter.
Several months after they had begun their relationship, Ianto came home to find Aaron carefully taking down pictures and wrapping them for storage. Aaron was totally unprepared for Ianto's insistence that the pictures that Aaron had of him and Geoffrey around the house not be packed away.
'What are you doing?'
"What does it look like? We're together now and you shouldn't have to feel the memory of Geoffrey's presence everywhere you look."
'I do feel Geoffrey's presence here and I'm actually comforted by it. Didn't you say that he wanted you to love again? That he was insistent that you not grieve forever?'
Aaron nodded.
'I like to think that he is watching over us and that he knows I'm going to love and care for you as he would have wanted.'
In the end, Ianto convinced Aaron to let him take charge of the pictures. Ianto created a collage of the nicest ones and hung it on a wall in Aaron's study easily visible from Aaron's desk. Aaron almost cried when he saw it.
"It's amazing," he whispered. "It's all my time together with Geoffrey captured in one place. Your generosity in preserving his memory is the most beautiful gift you could have given me."
'That's because I love you, you daft fool.'
About six months after becoming lovers, Aaron raised the idea of him and Ianto having a civil union. Initially Ianto scoffed at the idea. 'Oh come on Aaron, you don't really want a party and a cake and all that shite. And if you think I'm registering for stuff at Harrods, you're crazy.'
"No, that's not what I'm talking about. I want to do this as my commitment to you and also to make sure you are legally protected if anything happens to me." Ianto didn't understand what Aaron was talking about.
"My pension for one thing," Aaron explained. If die 'single' no gets a dime of the money. If we are legally partners, then you are entitled to a benefit same as a spouse. I want to have your name on the house as well so there are no disputes who will own it if I die."
'I have to tell you Aaron that I'm very uncomfortable talking about this. It's like you're planning to die.'
"Well not quite yet, but everyone dies eventually, Ianto. At least everyone but Captain Harkness does. And ignoring it doesn't make it less likely to happen. I'm what, 42 years old and you're 26. That's 16 years difference in age. Realistically, you will outlive me. And I don't want to have to worry that you'll be thrown out of the house. I inherited it from my father's grandfather and I don't want you and Stephen and Bryan to fight over it. If we have a civil union, you have first standing to all my property without any interference."
This actually made a lot of sense to Ianto. He told Aaron that he wanted to do the same with his settlement money. This made Aaron very uncomfortable. "I don't need the money, Ianto; let's arrange a trust for your niece and nephew."
'That doesn't seem equitable,' Ianto protested. 'I get your house and pension but you get nothing if something happens to me?'
"Trust me; my pension along with the house isn't worth anything close to your settlement."
Ianto decided that his settlement money would be placed in three trusts that would activate upon his death – half for Aaron and the other half divided between Mica and David. Ianto also convinced Aaron that once he died that Stephen or next living heir from Aaron's family should get the house. 'That way I have a place to live, but it will eventually revert to your family.'
In the end Ianto agreed to the civil union as long as they had no party or fuss or anything resembling a wedding celebration. He did relent on his opposition to them each wearing a narrow plain gold band.
It took several months to get everything in place and Ianto and Aaron had their civil ceremony in private in April of 2009. Shortly thereafter they let their friends and family know. Rhiannon and their Torchwood friends were a bit upset that they didn't have 'a proper wedding.'
'You know how private we both are,' Ianto reminded Rhiannon. 'We really didn't want a party. We're just not like that.'
Mum was just happy that Ianto had found someone to be with. "Is he good to you?" is all she asked. When Ianto told her that Aaron was the best thing that ever happened to him she let him know that to her, that was what was important.
When he told Owen, he could tell that Owen's feelings were hurt. Ianto apologized but reiterated that he and Aaron didn't want to make a big fuss about what they considered a private matter.
"I'm just warning you that the next time you come to Cardiff you know that Tosh and Gwen will cook up something." In fact Gwen and Tosh called him shortly thereafter and invited him and Aaron up for the last weekend in May. They both teased him about eloping and he could tell they were genuinely happy for him.
Aaron's family was a lot easier going about not having a wedding. In fact The Brigadier just laughed when they asked if he was mad that they didn't do the whole wedding routine. "Let's see, I had two of those, and neither of them lasted, so no, I don't place a lot of stock on the trappings of a wedding. But I do hope you both will have a lot more success with your partnership than I had with either of mine."
Aaron's mom and step-sisters thought the whole concept of a civil union was silly. 'You're with who you want to be, so what's the fuss,' his younger sister Tamara remarked.
To congratulate them on their union, Jonathan, Stephen and Bryan took Ianto and Aaron out to dinner, but when they began to start teasing Aaron, Ianto had had enough.
'I'm going to be straight with you. I don't like when you speak to Aaron that way and it stops now.' It looked like Jonathan was going to make a smart retort, but Ianto glared at him. 'I'm not kidding, its stops right here, right now.'
The three friends were stunned. Ianto was generally so easy going, but it was clear that he took this relationship very seriously and was fiercely protective of Aaron. Ianto allowed Jonathan some room to maneuver away from a confrontation and into a different line of conversation. Within moments they were all laughing again with no hard feelings.
"Who was that guy at dinner tonight? I thought you'd cheerfully strangle Jonathan if he kept it up," Aaron laughed as Ianto straddled him on their bed later that evening.
'Hell, I would have, but I'm glad I didn't have to waste the energy on it,' he said canting his hips against Aaron's. 'I'd much rather spend the energy making you scream my name,' Ianto told him as he gazed at Aaron's muscular body beneath him.
"And who am I to deny you anything," Aaron smirked as he pulled Ianto down into a deep kiss.
They didn't go on a honeymoon, both Aaron and Ianto thought the idea ridiculous. But they did plan a trip to Paris for Ianto's 27th birthday. "Never been on an airplane," Aaron shook his head in disbelief. "We've got to remedy that."
The week in Paris raced by all too quickly. Ianto didn't mind the flight at all and they had a wonderful time. Aaron had been to Paris several times but loved seeing Ianto's excitement at experiencing Paris for the first time. They stayed near Rue Cler in a little hotel within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower. They dined at the little restaurants and cafes there, and one evening had a picnic on the lawn by the Tower.
Ianto had purchased a French language package for his new Blackberry and was able to have conversations with shopkeepers and waiters. He programmed in the phrase "Je suis désolé, mais je ne peux pas parler" so that anyone he started a conversation with would know that he needed to use the phone to communicate.
Ianto really did like museums and Aaron was stunned by his knowledge of Art, particularly Impressionist Art and French history.
"You never cease to amaze me," Aaron laughed as they walked hand in hand.
'Have you not learned by now,' Ianto snarked, 'that I know everything?'
Aaron clearly had the more romantic view of art preferring Rodin and Monet to Ianto's favorites - Picasso and Calder. They both loved the sensual beauty of the sculptures of Henry Moore, and neither really cared for Rothko.
Ianto stood in front of a giant Rothko in the Pompidou just staring at it. 'I don't get it. It's not unattractive, but what does it mean?' (see graphic at my website).
"In my opinion, it means that you have impeccable taste," Aaron answered. Aaron wasn't at all uncomfortable confessing that his love of art dropped dramatically once he moved much beyond early twentieth century.
"I hate Andy Warhol. And Koons. (see website). Vacuum cleaners enclosed in Plexiglas. I guess I'm just unsophisticated but I feel like the artist is laughing at me, daring me to call it kitsch. And Outsider Art – what the hell…is it me, or is that an expression to describe weird stuff made by untalented people?"
Ianto laughed. 'Please, don't hold back Aaron. Tell me how your really feel. Come on, there must be something a little edgy that you like.'
Aaron actually looked around to make sure no one could overhear him. "Cornell Boxes," he whispered. (see website)
Ianto snorted.
"They make me laugh, in a good way. Can't explain it, but I'm fascinated by them. And I swear, if you ever tell anyone, I will make you sleep on the couch for a week."
Getting home from Paris was a little tricky as Ianto set off a metal detector at the airport in Paris. He had shown security personnel his medical letter which had been translated into French, but one guard made a big show of being upset and not wanting to let them through. Ianto showed him his Torchwood ID, but he was not impressed. Aaron however, had been concerned something like this might happen and had planned ahead. He smiled and handed the guard a letter of his own. Ianto could see it was in French and was on some type of official stationary with a French imprint. The guard read the letter huffed a bit and then saluted them. Aaron quickly took back the letter and guided Ianto through the security check.
'What the hell did you pull?' Ianto asked.
"Just a little insurance. I had father contact the Commander of UNIT's French forces and he wrote a little letter for you. Essentially it says that you are a Special Envoy to UNIT France and are to be given…let me look here…all the courtesies due to you."
'I'm just surprised you didn't get a letter from The Queen herself.'
"Well, I did try, but the best I could do was a letter from one of her Ministers and I wasn't sure that would cut it."
'No, you didn't!'
"Yes I did," he said producing the second letter for Ianto to see. "I always have a backup plan for my backup plan."
'I didn't think it possible, but you really are more neurotic than I am.'
"Runs in the family, both sides, I'm afraid," Aaron said as he rolled his eyes.
The rest of the trip home was uneventful. Aaron smiled to himself as Ianto seemed oblivious to the fact that they were getting through customs at Heathrow in record time. Someone must have recognized him from the Canary Wharf coverage several years earlier and Aaron could see some of the customs officials whispering and pointing at them. Ianto seemed genuinely puzzled when the clerk at passport control stamped his re-entry and said that he was glad to see Mr. Jones looking so well. As they headed out of the area, Ianto looked at Aaron who just shrugged his shoulders.
In early November, they were spending the evening watching television when Ianto got a call from Owen. Ianto was a little taken aback when instead of asking how he was Owen asked, "Ianto is Aaron there with you?" Ianto texted back that Aaron was sitting right next to him. "Good because I've got some news that may upset you."
Ianto mind raced. Were his friends at Torchwood OK? What about his family? Aaron sensed immediately what Ianto was thinking and moved to put his arm around Ianto.
Ianto held the phone between his ear and Aaron's so they could both hear.
They heard Owen let out a deep sigh. "Jack is back."
