55

Ianto left with the family as it had been a quiet weekend and they headed for town.

Connor had rung to say Cardiff was wet and windy, glad he had accepted some weekend work in the city. Em had suffered a weekend of back ache and was bemoaning the loss of her Welsh Masseuse, yelling in the background that he better hurry up and get back.

Ianto assured him they were just pulling out of the town and would be home in time for the afternoon tea, gaining a soft crow of delight as everyone knew Nanny's baking would be coming home as well.

Stephen sat in the front as Walter played in the back with Ton. Babbit had wanted to travel 'with the men' in the front vehicle and was happily riding shotgun in Black Beauty as John sat in the back, playing with a PSP.

Ianto waited as he followed his husband's tail lights.

"Tad?" Stephen asked about half way home.

"Yes love?"

"Um, can I, um." Stephen seemed to be struggling and Ianto reached out to pat his knee.

"What is it love?"

"Can I, er, can I invite a friend for a sleep over?" Stephen said quietly, "We are doing a project together for Human Sciences and live too far apart for after school hanging out. If he stays over on Wednesday night we can work on it and finish it all up on the Thursday at school before Friday hand in."

"I don't see a problem with that love" Ianto said calmly, You have the second bed in your room for that purpose, I know we usually prefer weekend stay-overs but I understand about the hand ins, I hated those."

Stephen relaxed and grinned happily.

"I will need to speak to his parents to confirm they are OK with it, also your Dad has to sign off." Ianto frowned as he considered a new problem, "Also Connor and Em."

"Huh?"

"Well, it's their home too" Ianto said softly, "A family agreement is needed."

"What if they say no!" Stephen asked.

"They won't" Ianto said firmly, "If there ever comes a time where there is a problem, we will sort it out."

"This big family thing is a lot of work Taddy" Walter said from the back and he covered a snoozing toddler.

"Well, that's democracy." Ianto answered, looking in the rear view mirror with a loving smile, "We all agree or there is a problem, if there is then we all work it out together."

"You know, I was doing a history Google search and came across our family model" Walter said with a grin, "We're a hippy commune!"

Ianto roared with laughter as he reached back between the seats to swat at his child and Walter squealed happily.

"Cheeky monkey" Ianto growled.

"Yep, you have a whole troop of us!" Walter laughed.

"Speak for yourself!" Stephen said grandly, "I would rather be a sloth!"

"Yeah" Walter agreed, "They have it sweet!"

"Take after your father, you do" Ianto laughed as he remembered Jack pretending he was stuck in his chair after breakfast and they all laughed.

Ton snuffled and Walter shushed them, leaning in to kiss a little head.

"It's OK Tonny bum" he crooned and Ianto smiled.

Another one who takes after his father.