18 - Jack
The phone rang just before the roast was ready and I felt a spike of annoyance as I looked at the number and saw that it was my idiot brother.
"Yeah?" I answer with the same rude tone he used earlier.
"Hi, look. We can't find the kids. She thinks maybe they went around to his. You were there visiting earlier, did you see…."
"I am still here. This is here I am staying" I cut him off angrily "Yes they are here. Why he was ringing her you fucking idiot. They have been here all this time and you only just noticed the quiet? Jesus, what the hell is wrong."
"Look, they were not supposed to be part of the plan!" he hisses and I feel that familiar roll in my gut. Plan. As in game. I hate being right all the time.
"Gray! Pease tell me she is not one of your marks. Tell me the marriage is real and you are not in this to fleece her or some shit. You know I will not protect you anymore. Not after last time. You promised me that you love her. Tell me you didn't lie to me!"
"To tell you the honest truth I do care for her" he admits and I feel a slight loosening, for fucksake. The he adds "But she is such a fucking liar that I don't know if we can do this."
"What?" stunned. Yes, that is the word. I am stunned "What did you say?"
"I thought she had dosh. She doesn't, she was after mine. Can you believe that? She even admitted that she wanted the lifestyle and thought I had dosh. A gold digger. I do love her, I love her tits and that great arse but … shit. The kids didn't materialize until after we got engaged. They had been at his all the time. You know … he has them about eighty percent of the time. She just does the weekend thing like a fucking deadbeat dad …"
I hung up. The dig was too deep and although I knew he hadn't thought that one through I heard the sharp cut and I hung up the phone, staring at it as the words lingered. Dead beat dad. Yeah, I do not want to be one of those.
I call my boss and we have a talk, followed by a few more calls and when I exit my room Ianto is with the kids, comforting them again. Mine included.
"Right, that was Gray" Honesty the best policy I think… NOT like my brother "They just noticed them missing and she told him to call me and ask if they were here. Clearly don't want you to know they are missing in case they are not here."
"Figures" he snorts softly "she knows my temper when it comes to them."
"I told him they were and that he was an idiot. I don't know if they are coming or not but I don't care. I am going to wait until …." Ianto's phone started to ring "She calls. Right, let me take this!"
I pick up the phone and she is screaming. Full out ranting that she wants those kids retuned NOW or there will be … "Hello Rhiannon my love. You sound a little flushed"
Silence. She didn't expect my voice did she. Hehe.
"Listen, the kids are over here at ours so we will have a nice wee visit yeah? After all … you and Gray are supposed to be on honeymoon and it's a shame that you can't enjoy yourself worrying about them and their little … whatever happened with Fog Horn. Was she watching them? How horrible for you to find she lost them. (OK I CAN lie) We will keep them here. They are perfectly fine and watching TV while the roast sets. How about you call tomorrow at a reasonable time and we can work out where you two are going for that honeymoon yeah? We never did get to sort that out. You know Gray has a credit card. I will top it up yeah? Maybe the two of you take a little jaunt to France or something, on me. Take one of the cars out for the stables and go for a drive through the chunnel …. Go have a romantic holiday. Give me a chance to get to know your kids right? Since we are all family now? You looked fantastic in that dress, any idea when the photos will be ready? Can't wait to see."
"Oh … I get them back at the end of the week" she gushes as I knew she would "Paris? Do you think we can get a reservation somewhere?"
"Don't be silly … I have a quaint little apartment there. Gray knows where the keys are" I find a giggle forming and swallow it down knowing I am SOOOO putting his pot on as I offer my lovely little place up to them. Not like I use it much. Was great when I ws a playboy in my younger days. Was thinking of selling it. Just need to call ahead and make sure it is aired for them "Go on Rhia love. Go have fun. You deserve it taking on my fickle fool of a brother."
Not like I didn't warn her, right?
I hang up and Ianto is watching me with a strange look on his face "An apartment in Paris?"
"Yeah, it was one that I took my conquests too earlier in life. It was my grandfather's little place. Over a shop. Just a one bedroom boudoir really but it worked for hr romantic feelings I wanted, got knickers dropping if ya know what I mean. And undies."
He is grinning, not the least annoyed that I am talking about previous lovers. Some do get annoyed with the thought of me not being a virginal offering. He is so different to what I normally find in my sights but damn … he is like candy.
"What are you thinking?" he asked
"That I would like to lick you too" I blurt out and his laughter is delicious too.
God, I don't want to mess this one up.
