55

"Taddy?"

Ianto hummed softly as he fiddled with a shoelace that had been knotted repeatedly by a nervous little girl.

"Are you like Master Splinter?"

Ianto's hands stilled as he stared at Babs, standing there with her hair still done up from her photo shoot.

"Huh?"

"Master Splinter!" she repeated with an award worthy eye roll. "You know … Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! He had four kids and raised them like they were his even though they were turtles."

"Well, first of all, I'm not a rat. Technically, in the Chinese calendar I am a Water Pig."

"Really?" Babs leaned forward with interest, "What does that mean?"

"Subject to a double dose of the Water Element, the Water Pig is the most perceptive and sentimental of the Pig types. With amazing gifts for social intelligence, the Water Pig is known to be sympathetic, compassionate and understanding of others. Luckily, the Water Pig takes great enjoyment from supporting others and they are amongst the most passionate and loving of all the signs. The Water Pig is also known for masterful use of communication. When their gift for words is paired with their understanding, the Water Pig can become a natural negotiator and counselor. The Water Pig is widely optimistic and can often see the best in people and situations." Ianto said from memory, "That's the year I was born darling, so … huh."

"what?"

"I just remembered." Ianto said, then started to laugh softly.

"Taddy?"

"The organs of the Water Pig are the kidneys" Ianto laughed, "We are supposed to look after them."

"Really?" Babs saw the joke and pointed, "You have to look after yours. Daddy keeps saying so!"

"So, I'm not a rat. This is the year of the Monkey, 2016" Ianto said with glee and watched Babbit's face as it grew aghast.

"Walter is a Rat, Fen is a Dog, Ton is a Horse and you know what you are?" Ianto asked, trying not to giggle.

"What?"

"A Rabbit" Ianto crowed with glee and Babbit fell back in her chair laughing as well.

"I never thought about it, how silly" Ianto giggled, "You were always a Rabbity Bum."

"That's just funny!" she snorted. "What's Daddy?"

"1974, A Tiger" Ianto giggled then slapped a hand over his mouth as an image of Jack in full battle roar as spittle flew with rage. Funny, he called him his tiger pants.

"OH MY GODS!"Babs whispered, "What's Papa?"

"He's 39, so 1977 … er … a snake, I think." Ianto frowned, "no wait. He's just after Christmas so … god. He's a dragon."

"Wow! No wonder I always wanted one" Babs said as she waved grandly to her Bert, currently lying across the bananas in the fruit bowl.

"Ah, how did he get in there!" Ianto scolded as she giggled.

"He likes banana Tadda!" she giggled.

"As to the original question, I am like Master Splinter." Ianto said softly as he pulled her against him and stroked his baby girl's hair at the back of her neck, "In so much as, I am raising superheroes."

Babs closed her eyes as she listened to his heartbeat and smiled softly.

She knew who the superhero was.