27
"So, I am guessing that box we hid is the rest of their gifts?" Jack asked softly as he watched Ianto's face, the soft lighting coming into the vehicle through the tinted window making him look tired. Maybe he was.
"Rhia and Fuckface don't have much. They are proud and don't accept money from me but cannot deny the kids. Christmas … I buy the Santa gifts as well as gifts from them to the kids, yeah."
"What's he like? Fuckface?" Jack asked with wide eyes "Do ya like him?"
Ianto snorted with amusement, the face Jack was examining softening and becoming boyish once more "fat, oblivious and when he finds I chose a male Soul Mate he will crow that he was always right about me being a Nancy Boy."
"Ah. Delightful" Jack settled back to watch the road "so much happening, so quick. Are you Ok with this?"
"Yes. I am still settling, we all are but … yes." Ianto nodded turning the wheel for the Warehouse not the Hub. Jack was surprised to find workmen there, all looking furtively up at the rafters while they worked.
"This is Daryl. He installed my glass wall. Owen suggested I move it to make more room for the larger family, clever little shit. Daryl hates Myfanwy who loves pissing him off" Ianto explained as he walked, flicking his hand at the men "and they are just terrified of the monster he told them about they have yet to actually meet."
"Pissing you off?" Jack asked the crouched man.
"Like… pissing on me pissed off" Daryl hissed, "fuck. Was that rustling?"
"Myf, stop it" Ianto called out, "It's for the new ones. The little girl needs a big room, Gray needs a room too. Stop teasing."
The large bird swooped down, the workmen screeching and dropping to the ground as she rushed past to land in front of Jack who stood his ground and said softly "hello gorgeous."
She clacked her beak and he blinked "Really? Chocolate? Do I have chocolate? Ianto?"
"Pocket."
Jack felt his coat with surprise.
"Left pocket"
Jack pulled out his hand and saw three little chocolate drops in it. "Where the hell … your sister has a soft hand."
"Why our Da never knew when she stole his wallet to get us food" Ianto laughed "She is asking you to skin them Cariad."
"Oh, sorry darling" Jack crooned as he wrestled with wrappers and flicked each one to the happy bird. "They don't hurt her?"
"Good for the serotonin levels. If she has those" Ianto shrugged. "She will outlive us all."
"Pretty girl" Jack crooned, scratching her head as she allowed the petting and Ianto smiled softly. His girl never let any of his conquests near her before. She saw the bonding there too?
"Right … to more large rooms as well as the main room now fucking huge!" Daryl said as he skirted around the bird warily to approach Ianto "Anything else mate?"
"No. Thanks Daryl, appreciated" Ianto smiled "You do good work."
Under duress" came the muttered reply as they left and Jack laughed as Myfanwy did a weird little shuffle after them, making them all move faster.
"Myf!" Ianto laughed "So bad!"
"Thanks. I know you are really embracing this new family and I appreciate it. I feel like I've dumped on you from a great height" Jack sighed, looking at the huge living area now.
"Luckily, Myfanwy has prepared me for such dumplings" Ianto chortled, then stepped closer, their lips touching before he whispered "And you are great."
"Oh my … afternoon delight?" Jack asked with raised eyebrows, the man sliding from his arms to run to the bedroom letting him know there were no children present and a huge bed waiting in there.
Oh my.
.
.
.
.
.
"Where were you!" Owen demanded "We are hungry!"
"Shagging" Ianto said as he flicked a bag of takeaways at the tepid man, Owen blinking then roaring with mirth as he ripped into the bag and started to hand out food.
"What's that?" Alice asked as she settled in a chair and Gray froze, looking at her.
"Grownup cuddling" Ianto said gently, "Something you cannot do until you are … twenty one… or thirty maybe."
Gray laughed softly as he nodded at the child "Serious stuff, only grownups."
"God!" she huffed, "I want a drink too please."
"Of course silly, I forgot" Ianto leaned over and kissed her head, then went in search of the sodas in the pantry. Jack following to help. IT was so domestic that Jack snorted to himself and Ianto turned to look at him.
"Problem?"
"No. Just … I never do domestic. Ya know? Coupley things. This is so foreign to me, I keep waiting for something to happen to stuff it all up" Jack admitted.
"Like your mother?"
Jack grimaced as Ianto called him out, yet again. Then sighed, nodding as he knew Ianto was right.
He was being a scaredy cat.
Time to bite that bullet.
He had to contact her.
.
.
.
Am posting tonight instead of in the morning as tomorrow is going to be a mad day of working from 6am to 5.30pm … will be relieved when the Christmas extras are done with and work calms down.