33
The day was winding down, Ianto lighting the fire as the adults all settled with some eggnog and listened to the storm raging outside. Alice has nodded off and Jack had taken her to her bed Gray gong to his own bed soon after. The knock at the door had everyone looking at one another then Jack sighed.
"Mother" he finally said "What's the bet. She watched for this time, when everything was over so she can be upset she missed it and we didn't wait for her"
Jack walked to the outer door, letting her in and she looked around the huge space with open horror "Oh my god! What is this?"
"This is Ianto's home, now it's mine too. Please be respectful" Jack warned "If you are coming in, please remeber that."
"Where is Gray? Where is my boy?" she stated to look around and Ianto felt something in him snap as he spoke, making her shriek as he had been staining next to Jack the entire time, unseen by her.
"Gray is asleep, could not wait for you any longer. Alice is as well. As you clearly did not come for Jack I suggest you leave" Ianto said, "This is my house."
"How dare you" she snarled only to find a new fear as a shadow passed over them then the great bird landed, standing so close she was like another person taking part in the conversation, her beak clacking.
Jack blinked turning to her as Ianto scolded "Myfanwy. Rude. This is Jack's mother."
Jack smiled "Mama, I suggest you go. This bird wants to pluck your eyes out."
"After everything I did for you, al the times I forgave you for being a disappointment …" she started her usual argument and Jack was ready, his hand rising between them, palm out to her.
"Mama, talk to the hand 'cause the wrist is pissed" he said in a high tone "You can't blame me for Gray, or Daddy. I know the truth, so do you. He is asleep in there and you are not allowed. Leave before we make you!"
She knew she was beaten and backed away, leaving Ianto to close the door.
"That was so cool, ghosting her like that" Jack sniggered "Did you hear the noise she made?"
"It has it's perks" Ianto smiled, turning to face Jack, "And as for you. Come on, Owen is almost breaking his neck to see what is happening and may topple that chair back to achieve it."
Jack offered his arm and Ianto accepted, not feeling feminised in the least as they wandered back toward their party.
And their home.
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"what about those" Owen asked pointing to two little presents still on the mantle "They are from you to you … I mean, from one to the other and vice versa … awww… you know what I mean!"
"Ah." Jack said as he lowered himself to the rug in front of the fire, Ianto doing the same and they each held a gift, passing it to one another as Owen and Tosh watched on, her face lighting up as she guessed before Owen what they were about to witness.
Ianto opened his and looked at the small folded piece of paper in the box, Jack opening the envelope that held a small business card. They both took a moment to look at one another, and then they turned the paper over to look at what was written there.
JAVIC
GARETH
They both stared for a long time, then Ianto calmly reached out and set the corner of the paper he held on fire. Jack followed and they sat watching their lover's names burn in the flames, both of them not acknowledging that they had just agreed to become True Soul mates. A pact. In flame. The eyes of the Phoenix glowed as she watched with satisfaction … it was done.
"I like it" Jack whispered "but I like Ianto too."
"Same" Ianto agreed "simple yet different, trust you to like the initial so much."
Jack grinned at him as he finally met his eyes, both men warm and fulfilled as they finally knew the secret of one another. Their soul mate names.
"Ianto, Marry Christmas Tiger."
"And you too Jack, Merry Christmas Cariad."
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End
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Or do we need a New Year's follow up? Hmmmm?