18

"So … I will go with Rhys and Sean to meet the incoming cruisers on the Space Dock and we will all be back within three days" Jack was explaining to the children why he was going to be gone for a little while "Taddy will be here, as will Mama Lizzy and Owen and Tosh, and Aunty Rhia. Also … Uncle Sean's family is just down the lane if you want to play."

Sean had moved in almost instantly despite a lack of furniture and while on this long jump he had arranged to pick up his siblings plus he was intending to collect some furniture from storage as well. Jack was coming to help lift and move things, Rhys and him more than strong enough to make up for Sean being a lightweight and not afraid to admit it. Besides … he wanted to get a feel for those coming into his Hive… his mate's house.

Kit didn't seem to care, clinging to Ianto with owlish eyes as Jax confidently nodded and asked "will we still have family eats?"

"Yeash" Kit said around two fingers in his mouth, a rare spoken word as he usually just let Jax speak for them both. But food … yes. Had to make that point.

"Yes" Ianto sniggered softly as he patted the little one's butt in his arms "We will still have meals. Daddy and the other men will eat where they are and miss us as we shall miss them but when they return we can all have a big party to welcome the guests as well as their return."

"Cake?" Jax asked, stalling out with glee as the other kids squealed. Ianto looked around, taking in the fact all the kids were letting Jax speak. Already such an Alpha.

"Yes. We will make several as there will be lots of people and I am sure there will be one or two that you children can decorate yourselves" Elizabeth said calmly, lifting Gem to her feet and rushing glitter from her skirts "Love a feathered Gervolt, look at your dress young lady!"

"Oops" the little one said "sorry Mama."

"Its OK love" she sighed softly "Go wash it off those hands before you rub your eyes with it this time, OK?"

"Yes mama" Gem smiled as she turned and ran from the room, Anwen following to help her with the little step needed to reach the sink. A good girl.

"I know it's a long time" Jack said to Jax, glancing at Kit who had stopped sucking to listen as well "But it's only a few sleeps really. And I know you will both be in Taddy's bed keeping my side warm for me. I will be back before you know it with new people to meet that are all family as well as some new things. Maybe even some more Christmas stuff if we get a chance to look at the Christmas Barn Planet. It is on the route, if time is with us."

"Twee?"

"No Kit, no more trees. For the love of the Gods … we have a tree outside, a tree inside and that thing you all made with branches you pulled inside and painted. We have enough" Jack said sternly. Kit blinked slowly at him then scowled and hid his face in Ianto's' shoulder, clearly not liking Jack's tone. Jack immediately felt bad for scolding when he was leaving but also was annoyed at the coddling the child was getting recently. IT was not Strangles. He was not dying for the love of Gods … Ianto was letting the child wallow. Still … not going to argue with him about it, not when the child was attached to him like a bloody limpet.

Ianto's look told him he knew full well Jack's opinion and thoughts swirling around them and did not care. His Kitten needed him so that was all there as to it. Jack nodded, letting it go as he rose to look over all the faces of his assorted children, both of blood and of love. Gods, they were all special, lovely and perfect.

"Mica, you look so sweet in that colour" he said softly as he looked at his niece in her pale lilac dress "I will be sure to search for a dolly one for your Me-me dolly. Davie is coming to help your Dadda with the heavy lifting, I promise we will find you a special treat for being a good girl and looking after Mama for us."

"Thank you Dadda Jack" she said happily, cuddling her doll as she followed her cousins from the room. Rhys' voice boomed in the distance as he welcomed the children, Anwen no doubt getting some attention from her Tad.

"You shall need this list" Ianto said softly as he took him to one side "Each child's name, colour preference and suggestions if you see something appropriate for them."

"Sounds like you are trying to handle me Tiger" Jack said with fake annoyance.

"Handle you? Cariad … I would love to …. Handle you. You know … Kit has fallen asleep there in the beanbag just now. We have at least an hour before he stirs and realizes I ran away … let's say goodbye like we always should" Ianto whispered in his hear, Jack grinning as he accepted a loving kiss, then followed his love to their wing, not even glancing back as he knew without looking that Tosh has settled in the chair with her little one on her chest, looking down lovingly to watch over Kit for them.

As Hive does.