51

Ianto slid into the water and smiled as he reached for his baby who was sitting happily on his Nainny's chest holding her swimsuit's strap.

"Hey little man" Ianto crooned as he adjusted the baby on his chest and then sank down so the water covered Afon's little back, the baby yawning as he let a hand spread across Ianto's chest.

"There you are" Abner said as he approached with a large towel and Anna rose from the water to let him wrap it around her, the baby's hand clenching into Ianto's chest hair as he glared up at them and Ianto stifled a smile as he felt the annoyance in the bond.

Abner watched her walk off and then let his robe drop and settle in the water with a sigh.

"Abner. Just letting you know … I am naked" Ianto said calmly and the old man snorted.

"Don't bother me, soaking the hips!" he said after a while, closing his eyes then opening them again to turn his head and look at the baby who was still staring a hole in him, "Hello Boss."

"Abner, before my husband arrives and blinds you with his nakedness, can I ask you a personal question?" Ianto asked softly.

"I never do this naked, neither does Anna" Abner said quickly, "I swear I would never approach her if …oh. Not that?"

"Well ... sort of" Ianto sniggered then settled in the water again, "Well. What are your intentions towards her?"

"Ahhhhh" Abner smiled, "Are you asking if I am trying to get me leg over?"

"Yes, sorry but I feel we are at the stage where it would be easier to know the score here" Ianto sighed.

"I loved my wife, will never forget her and still miss her every day. I expect it's the same for Anna. Ifan was so larger than life so… strong. I will never replace my girl, I know Anna will never be able to replace him, I am not trying to do that. I also know how happy she is living with you. I am not trying to hone in there, honest. Just a friend, someone to walk with, talk with. Laugh with. Besides." Abner looked around and then leaned in close, "I can't … you know….that. Not since my prostate problems a few years back. No. I see her more as a buddy, a sister. Someone to share time with, that's all. Honest son, I will not put a ring on it."

"Thank you Abner, I just wanted to know how things were. I am glad she has someone to talk to, confide in and share time with." Ianto smiled, then looked down as Pip held out a little hand "Look. Someone wants to say sorry for getting the wrong end of the stick too."

"Awwww" Abner leaned over to kiss the hand, "Don't worry Boss. You will always have a spot and when big enough you can sit between us, yeah?"

Abner stayed a while longer then grinned as he went to get out, Jack arriving in time to help him and Abner laughed softly as Jack knelt to dry his legs for him, "Careful there young man, these boxer shorts do NOT come off like yours do!"

Jack laughed and winked, then showed Abner right as he hooked off his boxers and slid down into the water.

"Ahhhhhhhh that is lovely." Jack sighed, "glad that one is over."

"Kev is talking about a turnaround Has she setted down after her anger at the shortening of the run?" Ianto said and they conversed for a while then Jack sighed as he turned to listen to children arguing in the other pools.

"Dean!" he called out, "Are you splashing Frank? You know he doesn't like his face wet! Damn."

Jack clambered out and pulled a towel around himself as he went to scold the children in the public area and Ianto looked down at the baby now half asleep with his little hand now patting Ianto's chest in time with his heart.

"You used to do that when I was little" Ianto said softly, "remember? I would be the one in your lap and you patted my back in a rhythm."

Pip grunted.

"You got the answer you wanted, you know she is still faithful. Stop being a grumpy bastard" Ianto whispered as he leaned in to kiss the little head of hair "you have time enough to get big enough to wield a stick at him OK?"

Jack retuned and slid back in, "what are you two scheming about?"

"He was worried Abner had designs on Nainny of the romantic kind" Ianto smiled.

"Ah. He still talks to his wife sometimes" Jack smiled as he snuggled close, "I don't think he sees her like that, they are just friends."

"I know, now this one knows too" Ianto smiled.

"Oh, don't want to share your bird do ya baby?" Jack kissed a tiny head as the baby blinked and then let loose a mouthful of strange babble, Jack's mouth falling open.

"You know … when he starts to talk you are going to be so sorry you called her that" Ianto sniggered, "He always did hate it when people didn't use her name."

Jack frowned "What do you mean?"

Ianto just snorted as he looked down at Pip and the baby closed his eyes. He had learnt what he wanted to.

No one was going to take her away.

His Anna.