25 - Ianto
Life seems to find a new normal for us and the week has gone so fast, Jack once again preparing to pick his daughter up for the weekend and I am about to meet Lucia for the first time. Boy, am I nervous.
An apartment building. Funny, I sort of imagined a little town house, a back yard or something … Alice does not have a yard. Nor does she have an elevator it seems, the stars high and winding as we trudge up there. The lovely lady from next door to me, Ms Noble, is watching David and Mimi because their mother is going to pick them up later. Apparently they are getting back from France this morning and want a few hours to 'settle in' before coming for the kids for the weekend and I have a weird feeling it will not happen. Colour me cynical but I know my sister. She has gone up to a month with excuses before, those kids left to me. Not that I mind. I do love them so. I think this is the apartment, Jack is knocking.
The door opens and the lady is thin, tall and handsome "Jack."
"Luce. Hey, is the munchkin ready?" Jack asks then reaches for me "This is Ianto. Ianto is the brother of Gray's new wife. We met at the wedding and I am with him now. I mean, I love him and we are together… ya know what I mean?"
Jack stops talking, the rush of explanation done and he seems surprised with himself, as is his ex-wife who is staring at him in silence so I decide to try "Hello There. I am Ianto Jones as you probably got in amongst that, it is a pleasure to meet you. Alice is a delightful child and I can see the lovely cheekbones now."
She smiles, hesitant but accepting as she takes my hand for a handshake and then steps aside "Come on in. She is get getting a few things packed. Like her father this one, last minute everything."
"I've noticed" I wink and she smiles a bit wider, then Alice enters and sees me.
"UNCLE!" she cries, running to me and I am suddenly holding her in my arms as I croon and kiss her cheeks. Such an adorable little one.
"Oh Alice, have you grown already? Come on … we have to come to some arrangement here. You can't grow like this. Your poor clothes must split at the seams like when the Incredible Hulk grows when you do this… surely it is violent!"
She is gigging as she hugs me then says to her dad "Daddy. Are we at Uncle's again?"
"Yes. I am living there now" he tells her and I feel that weird twist in my gut, that strange spike of excitement as he openly declares that we are together. "Guess what!"
"What?"
"He has two kitties now!" Jack tells her "He got them from his bookshop and they are now at home. Muffin and Mocha are sooo cute. I bet you will love them and Mocha likes to be brushed."
"Muffin, not so much. A bit grumpy, I still think it's the name. we should go with something more manly" I start the banter then remember my place and glance at Lucia who is watching Jack as he lifts Alice to his hip.
"Come on darling, Mimi and Davey are still at home because their mum is not picking them up until later. You can have some playtime with them before they go."
"No fair" she pouted "I come for the weekend and they get weekends with their mum!"
"Well …I can't help that sweetheart. She only wants them at the weekends and your mummy needs you during the week" Jack is so sweet and clearly trying not to dump on his ex.
"Well … maybe we can talk to mummy and see if we can have some sort of … change?" I try tentatively "Maybe… maybe your mummy would like a few days off sometimes. I am sure there are some weekends she misses you too, fairs and stuff she would like to take you to but you are with your Daddy. Maybe we can work on that? You know … you are lucky to have such a lovely mummy that wants you so much. David and Mica miss their mummy sometimes and it's hard that she is too busy for them. Your mummy will never be too busy for you."
"David sez she loves partying more than him" she says to me with those expressive eyes, so much like her father' "He sez she locks them inside and goes out sometimes."
"Well .. she did. Until I found out and took them home with me. Why I have them weekdays and her weekends. Sometimes. Some weekends she has other things to do and they just stay with me."
"They like that, when they stay with you." Alice tells me and I feel sorrow as I glance up at Jack.
"Well … I think we all like Ianto's place. So clean, full of food and laughter. Who wouldn't Hmmm? I know I love so many things about him" Jack lifts her up to his hip again and I rise with a soft blush forming.
"Well … now you mention it … Giles was talking abut a romantic getaway for us but Alice has school and…"
"My niece and nephew live with me weekdays and some weekends. Alice's school is on the same route as theirs so it's no trouble if you want a few days off here and there. Please let me know anytime. The kids all love one another" I offer "Maybe… maybe anytime you need some time for yourself and your relationship you call me? Lovers deserve your full attention sometimes, I think all do … just let me know. I love kids me. And Alice is lovely, just adorable. You are such a good mother, she doesn't show any fear."
"I don't know if that's me or her father" Lucia laughs and I know I have won her over "sometimes she gets a certain look …."
"Oh. I know it well. Testing!" I frown and she laughs again. I decide I like her.
"Tell you what, let's sort out a Saturday night where we can all have an evening meal or something … get to know one another. We all have to raise these kids together after all, one big family. I would love to meet Giles."
"It's a date" she says with glee and Jack looks at me with something I will take as gratitude.
I hope.
