29

Ianto was happy to show Casey the other rooms in his old wing, the end one that he had set out as a day room really took her fancy and he soon had a large bed settled in the corner with the sofa and such moves to the other end.

"This is lovely. You have such an eye for detail" she said happily as she looked around and they soon moved her things into the room along with the child's.

"Ianto?"

"Hmmmm?"

"What you were saying about those balls… I mean … you really have the recipe?"

Ianto sat in the comfortable chair he had forgotten he even had and smiled softly "Twins. Boys. Balls. Yes."

She giggled as she settled and looked around the room some more, sighing softly. "I do want another but … I fear them pushing us out. A boy would solidify my place I guess."

"Well … I've been holding back from imbibing myself, even as I helped Rhiannon with her current bump. And Tosh's little Koiko. I feel this is a girl, I am hopeful. I would love a little girl for me and Jack, the next might be another boy maybe. I asked Owen to check it's just one in there … I do not want another set of twins. Gods!"

She laughed as he flapped his hands in the same way he had made fun of his mate for, showing that he was happy. She was glad he was happy. Also … they looked like they were the same age even though she knew there was a large gap. "Those Boeshane genes really threw your way didn't they."

"Jack is Boeshane too … why we made such cute beasties" Ianto gushed happily as he patted the arms of the chair and then rose "Come on. We need to go shopping. I can see a few more things needed for my Christmas as I had not expected a few of those who have come."

"You know … you always did love giving" she smiled "I will check if she is awake. She will want to come with. She is nervy."

"Don't' blame her. Only child. More would make her calmer. You know … maybe you need to consider taking an unfortunate. I have been considering talking to Jack about that. Those children cast aside due to circumstances beyond their control. It will also get the Agency off your back as it counts as a double offering." Ianto said gently, knowing his sister might see it as being pushy … she didn't like being told what to do, never did but she nodded as she listened.

"If we get one that is a toddler, then I focus on making an offering … it would be a good way to get an extra ration as well." She frowned "Do you think … they might like it?"

"Well … I would suggest a family meeting. The three of you. Tell them you wish to provide and feel sad that you have not seeded yet … that you feel another little one might help given the scientific fact that a new baby in a hive does encourage another to seed. It has been shown to work. Also … it would show them that you are invested in the Hive, offering to take the newling on as well. They seem very caught up in each other, telling them you think letting the little girl choose her sibling would make the little one more a part of things, less likely to be jealous of a new sibling and they will accept it more for the happiness of their child."

"You've really thought about this" she looked at him with interest "you still think at ten to the dozen do you?"

"Jack says my cogs are in top gear all the time" he smiled as he pulled her close "Cassie-Dandy."

"Stop that" she laughed as she heard her childhood name for the first time in so many years "I have missed you."

"And I you."

"Sophia came between us" her smile faded as she looked at him "She came along and took your attention. Such a little queen."

"Yes. But you turned from me first like you didn't need me anymore. I felt hurt by that. I understood you were protecting yourself knowing I would spend more time with the baby but still … you were dear to me."

"As were you" she smiled again, softly this time "She is a little cow. When baby Desire came along she really threw one. I think you deliberately handed her off to Sean to punish her. Well … she feels that."

"Desire was weak, from birth she was weak. We all know in the federation she would have been placed in a home for abandoned. We know that." Ianto frowned and in that moment he saw something in his sister's face as she finally saw what he was trying to tell her.

"One of those children … could have been our baby sister." she whispered.

"Yes. We could not save her in the end, you can honour her by saving another" Ianto nodded "And as I say. It could invoke a seeding of your own."

She sighed as she nodded, beaten down by her brother's reasoning, as she always was when they were children.

Because he was Ianto.

And Ianto is always right.