55
Ianto woke hungry.
Like … mega hungry … like huge empty hole yawning across the entire planet hungry …and he stomped into the kitchen bemoaning the lack of smells.
No one was there, all upstairs helping Tosh and Owen do the final move into their new wing.
Damn it all!
He started pulling things out, muttering to himself as he mixed an egg concoction and checked the heat of the pan, then slammed a whole packet of bacon in the oven.
The leftover cake from yesterday winked and he decided he deserved a treat as no one else considered a poor teddy's belly these days.
Two pieces later he was feeling a bit more normal and the bacon was cooked enough to eat, a bit hot but still good.
He moved around with the radio playing happy tunes to soothe and by the time the smells had lured the kin in to the kitchen the table was groaning.
Fried chicken, roast vegetables, bacon, eggs, stuffed potatoes, boiled eggs, toast, fresh bread, sausages and even gravy.
Ianto turned with the hot muffins still steaming as he placed them down and glared at them as he sat in his lovely big chair.
"I was hungry" he wailed as they goggled and sat as well.
Sean bowed his little head and gave thanks, something that always amused John as much as it pleased Ianto.
Then they watched the plate filling marathon effort.
Everyone ate, watching with open amazement as Ianto ate plate after plate, humming with delight.
Jack rose and returned with a large bottle of maple syrup and Owen rolled his eyes as he hissed "bloody feeder" at him.
"What!" Jack protested, "He likes Maple Syrup!"
"Leave my Jax alone" Ianto growled around a mouthful of bacon, and then smacked his lips, "I need him later to work some of this off!"
Owen slapped his hands over his ears as John slapped the table and roared with mirth, Tosh and Rhia glancing at each other with humor evident in the room.
"Can we take some for a picnic Taddy?" Sean asked with glee, "Mee-mee wants to play in the castle."
"OK" Ianto smiled, "Each fill a plate …. This time! You know I hate food flying about the house, unless it's in my tum!"
The kids squealed with delight and heaped plates did, indeed fly through the house.
Ianto now felt calm and full, most of the food eaten and everyone docile.
"How is the move in going Dearests?" he asked as Jack poured a glass of milk for him and kissed his cheek lovingly. "Oooo, milk!"
"Milk!" Owen spluttered, "Yeah! Anyone know how a full-sized blow up cow got into the new bed?"
"Feet first?" Ianto raised an eyebrow and Owen sneered back as Tosh giggled.
"I liked the lipstick" she offered and Ianto grinned.
"Sean chose the colour"
"You … I… my god, you let a child get involved with your little game?" Owen gasped as Ianto took a mouthful of milk.
Ianto spluttered it out across the table cloth and turned to glare at Owen who realized a beat too late that he had stepped on the wrong nerve.
"Excuse me?"
"I meant to say, isn't he a bit young for games" Owen corrected.
"Really?"
Jack caught the syrupy sweet tone and winced as Owen pushed his chair back.
"Just dirty pool, he's so small and sneaky he can creep anywhere on your biding, you and I should agree no children to sneak." Owen tried and Ianto's narrowed eyed bored into him, then Ianto nodded.
"If I thought for one minute that you were questioning my parenting skills I would take your little …"
"He wasn't darling" John decided to butt in, "He's just jealous that the children would play for you and not him."
Ianto considered this as Owen shot John a 'thank you' look.
"Fine. Children are off limits."
Everyone relaxed.
"Cariad?" Ianto asked in a baby voice, "I need some cream whipped and my arms are tired."
The pout was epic and Jack got the hand beater out, whipping like a mad man as cream splattered and Ianto sighed happily.
"Should have reminded him to remove his shirt" he sighed, "Give me something for later."
Owen fell off his chair as he howled and John laughed.
The chocolate sponge cake was removed from the oven and slathered with raspberry preserve and whipped cream as Ianto hummed.
Owen left the room in disgust as Ianto cut a large square and started to eat, Jack wiping his chin.
John cut a piece and presented it to his own love, her face a picture of surprise and delight as he fed her.
He was learning.
