44
Ianto was at his desk in his office going over some proofs for a book. He looked up over the frames of his glasses in time to see a little black face that was slowly lowered out of sight. He removed his glasses as he sat back and let them fall on the papers as he waited. The little face appeared again, staring at him in silent accusation before sliding back down once more and Ianto smiled "Warren. Hello there little one. When did you sneak in? Hmmm?"
Warren's dead doll eyes gave no clues, staring at him as the small white hand clasped him tightly, then he slid out of sight again. Ianto smiled as he saw Maisey playing with him openly "Warren. You know … I was busy right now. You could have knocked old man."
Maisey snorted softly. Ianto stifled a giggle as well, leaning around the desk to see little bare feet … dirty ones. Someone has been outside in the dirt without shoes again. Little animal scummer. Ianto felt raw affection as he looked at the doorway to find Walter there watching silently. Of course. He was a good Dad.
"Walt. Looking for Warren were you? He's in here being so annoying. Damned boy will not give me a moment's peace!" Ianto said with fake annoyance and Walter sighed theatrically as he entered and looked down at Maisey who cradled the doll happily.
"Warren … you know … you are a bothersome child. Good thing your Mama here has got hold of you to make you behave. Miss Moo, come with me and we will drag this naughty baby boy away. I think he might need a good time on the naughty step. You and I will have an ice-cream and he does not get any!"
Maisey gasped as her eye grew wide "Chippy?"
"Yes. We have orange chocolate chip or banana chocolate chip" Walter said as he offered a hand and she accepted, then looked up at him imploringly, her eyes wide "Two?"
Walter laughed as he crouched and pulled her closer, "You little Moo Cow. How about a scoop of each? Hmmm? In a bowl so we can put chocolate syrup over it too. Yeah?"
"Oooooo, two and chockie syrup. Yes please" she said carefully, Warren squashed to her chest as she leaned in and to Walter's delight she kissed his cheek before pulling back to yank him toward the door.
Ianto had watched the interaction and was touched to see Walter's joy as he rose to let his daughter race from the room. As they left Ianto called after them "Two? Baggy Bum? Two?"
"I'll bring you back a bowl if you behave" Walter yelled over his shoulder and Ianto laughed, picking up his glasses to resume reading.
Until his ice cream came.
Mmmmmm. Chockie syrup.