31

Ianto was running. The house was making a weird chiming noise that had everyone looking around with confusion as Ianto powered past panting from the effort as he slammed into the family room and raced for the large wall screen, double tapping a corner then stepping back as the screen flickered to life.

A vid-screen.

His siblings stood with their mouths open as the picture on the screen flickered, solidified and focused.

"IANTO!"

"Your majesties" Ianto bowed to the King and Queen as they sat regally in their chairs smiling at him, the fire in the background telling him they were in their inner chambers "What a surprise"

"Sorry but we just heard news of the raids in your area and were concerned. My goodness, did we make you run sweetie?" the queen asked with wide eyes as Ianto placed his hand s on his hips and drew deeper gasps.

"It appears we did love. Sorry Ianto, we were jus concerned for the …ahhhhhhhhh…..KITTY CAT!" the King's hands were flapping as he slid to the floor of his screen, waving as the little toddler ran into the room with squeals of glee, heading for the screen to bang on it and yell lustily at the king. A rare moment for the usually quiet twin to show his lungs as the king laughed and blew kisses.

"Why … oh my. I am not the only one in my middle seeding" the queen said softly as she looked at Ianto "You are with child!"

"Yes my beloved queen. I am again with child. One. I assure you, just one this time. I demanded that be the first thing checked. I do love my boys but … two … soooo hard" Ianto huffed grinning at her.

"Wonderful!" the King clapped hs hands happily as he regained his chair and then leaned forward "Tell me Ianto. Those Boeshane balls … you been imbibing them?"

"No. IT is a little girl that is becoming. I wanted a girl this time. The boys need their own little space … maybe another boy later on when they are old enough to share." Ianto nodded "and you?"

"A boy" the queen gushed "We have not announced as it protocol but … finally we have a little boy simmering. I knew when I saw tht first shipment of sweet balls from you that the Boeshane blood was about to wake."

"Ah. Goodness, what news. The King is become" Ianto smiled softly "The girls will be relieved, they must feel like they are scorned at sometimes, not being the boy everyone wants."

"Yes, finally we prove an heir. You know … I did float the idea of getting rid of that old rule that a male must hold the crown but it was like saying I was doing away with the monarchy altogether or something. Hopefully one day it will be acceptable for a queen to rule." The king sighed "Some things are so antiquated."

"Yes, but in a time where boys are so scarce, they are making a point I suppose" Ianto nodded "But … things change. Time heals and we must endure."

"As is the way" the King sighed as his face softened "hello there young man."

Jax stood with Jack in the doorway, holding his daddy's hand and he waved as he let go of Jack's hand and came to stand with his twin.

"Hello Sire and missy queen" he said softly "Tadda sez you are the bosses. Is it hard being the bosses? So many people complaining all the time. I complain … no one listens."

"JAX!" Ianto gasped as everyone laughed and the queen clapped with glee.

"There is no doubt that little one is a Boeshane boy even as his twin is quiet. Such a loud heart of a lion in that chest." She laughed.

"I am not a lion" Kit agreed "He is. I am not a lion."

"No darling?" she crooned, her hand on her belly "what are you then?"

"A dragon of course. Like Tadda" Kit smiled, his little front teeth gleaming as the King smiled gently and nodded.

"Well done, yes darling. And who are all the people behind you Hmmmm?"

"These are Taddy's silables. From the place the Meaters ate his mamas." Jax said and Ianto paled as he looked down at his son.

"Who told you that?"

"I just know. The meaters tried to eat everyone but you all ran over the rickety swingy bridge and cutted the rope. You were scared but didn't cry. I dreamed about it. The screaming of your mamas … your tears and whispered prayers to the gods to help their journey to the next land. You stood and did the ancient incantations and gave them blessings as they bled for you." Jax said, his voice deepening to match the drop of Ianto's' gut, Jack sitting heavily in a chair as his oldest son showed himself to be a seer.

"Yes" Ianto said softly "I did."

"Siblings, not syllables" Kit corrected his twin "and there was three mamas in the Hive. Also … Taddy saved those not of blood, but of love. As we must all remember Jaxy. We are bound to those we love."

"Well now, isn't that a peach" the King whispered with wide eyes "They are both gifted with the sight."

"Well … I am so … I passed it on I guess" Ianto frowned "Not that I would have wanted to. Mine is more of a little niggle or a voice in my head warning me of things, reminding me of things. She sounds as my mother would."

"Maybe it IS her" the queen agreed "The bond of blood and love. She taught you well. She would be proud."

"I hope so my dearest queen. I hope so" Ianto nodded as he opened his arms wide "And many blessings to you."

"And to you …but two boys … and a newling to come … you have blessings from the gods and ours as well" the queen said as she rose to end the transmission, adding before she touched her side of the screen "And we are blessed with your friendship …. And those balls. Our son shall be strong."

Ianto grinned as the screen went blank then he looked down at the twins who stood holding hands looking at him silently.

"Right then you two. Who wants to put up that huge padding pool in the back yard and fill it with bubble bath?" he asked, Jack roaring as he raced out of the room, followed by all the children and Owen.

"Wow" Sean said softly "that was…. Surprising."

"When am I not?" Ianto asked a he turned to eyeball his siblings, his sisters gaping still with silent shock. "Well? Come on. Bubbles and no talk of this. It is something I do not talk about. My sons need time to process this as well."

"They dreamed it" one sister whisper to the other "I have heard of such power. Dreaming a past event from your past, or the past of your makers. What a thing to see. Our almost death."

"No sister" Casey corrected Lauren "It is the story of our mothers' love. Their sacrifice for us and of our survival."

"But seers"

"Mama was too. Did she not train us to run like that?"

"Yes. Yes she did." Lauren sighed "Blood and love, eh?"