56

Ianto watched those behind the wall counting the berries, unable to go and look for himself as the lids were removed and it ws Vic who called out without looking up "Nothing in the red."

Ianto let to his breath and looked over at the two women with a grateful nod. He knew Martha and therefore Tish were agreeing for him and would make sure Susanna understood. It had been close and she had to pull her weight. Little Thorny was going to be popular though, a new kid to show everything to.

"What are you thinking Taddy?" Pip asked as he leaned on Ianto's knees and Ianto smiled as he pulled the boy into his lap.

"Best I cuddle you before Bump get too big to share my lap" Ianto replied, kissing the little white curls of hair "My handsome man."

"Stop it" Pip said with delight, snuggling in and sighing softly as Ianto held him tightly and started to sing that old Welsh lullaby Nainny always sang. Then her little voice joined in and everyone stood quietly with delight as they listened to her perfectly pitched warble.

"Listen" Jack said to his little bundle "Hear that? Isn't it pretty?"

He moved Jackson so he could see and his little eyes widened as he looked out at everyone, some waving to the tiny sweetling who grinned a gummy smile back. He was so sweet.

"Taddy? Sonny is tired" Pip whispered once he had finished the song "Can we have a squish?"

"Of course darling" Ianto crooned and he rose, slipping Pip to his feet and they walked hand and hand towards the Big House.

"Where are you off to?" Jack called out, making sure everyone could hear.

"Shangri-la. Wants snoozes Dadda" Pip called back "Later we might go for a ride?"

"Yes son" Jack said with glee, the thought of a horse ride with the little fella exciting. Jack loved all his kids but Pip was so interesting with his old man mind. Their conversations were sometimes really out there.

"Thank you" Allie said to Martha and Tish as they walked towards the vehicle pool and the car they had been working on "for giving her a chance. We all have two sides. That we show and that we hide."

"Ianto just has a more defined line" Martha agreed, and then smiled as Andy raced past with Mickey in hot pursuit, yelling about the washing on the line.

"Martha" Jack called out as he walked after them, the baby long gone in the arms of a delighted Francine who knew she could leave the kitchen work for a while to adore her latest grandchild. Martha turned to wait for him.

"Martha girl. Ianto and I have talked it over and would like you to sort out Susanna's security clearance and quarters" Jack said as Martha gaped at him "I know. I know, you are the one who didn't want her here but … since you are the one she has to work hardest to befriend … maybe this is a good first step. Sort out her accommodation, show her about and get to know here. The NOW her. You don't know … you might like her after all."

"Or I might shoot her" Martha argued "Seriously? Why can't Billy do it?"

"Because I am asking you, one of our senior Security Officers." Jack frowned "Is there a problem? You know … OK. Never mind. I will ask someone else, maybe you are not the best one for the job if you can't show a level of friendship I expected from you. I am sorry, I expect too much. Don't' worry."

Jack started to walk away and Martha felt a bit bad about it while she sighed as she wanted to run after Allie when Jack added over his shoulder "I just thought a fellow companion would welcome another one. Rare as we are."

Then he was gone and she was left to stand in silent shock at the bombshell he had lobbed at her like a grenade.

Susanna was a companion?

DAMN IT!

Martha huffed as she walked to the vehicle bay where Allie was welding the roll cage onto a crawler. Tish painting another one already completed.

"Guess what. Apparently Winters is another ex-companion and Jack and Ianto tapped me to welcome her into the bloody village" Martha huffed.

"Really?" Allie rose and looked at her with surprise "and they are not doing it themselves? Wow. That's big Martha. Giving it to you instead. A fellow companion? Isn't that a big deal? Nice. Well done. They must really trust your judgement."

Martha blinked as she stared at Allie and saw that she was right.

This was not a test or some sort of passive aggressive slap.

It was a reward.

Martha was taking the place Nainny had to welcome the new families and fuss on them, show them around like Ianto does and sort out their job like Jack does. She was not being handed a shitty stick.

She was being given a higher place in the pack.

She had to grasp that and move forward with her head high.

She was pack.