59

Susanna was in shock, she knew she was and that it showed as they drove into a perfectly normal village … pre-zombie world that is. There were kids racing about, dogs running with them. She would have sworn a pig was in the fray of children. A cat lazily flicked a tail as it walked across the road causing them to brake for it, then ahead as darkness started to draw in the street lights came on.

Of course they did.

A voice was calling a child's name to come in and get ready for supper and a small voice answered as a boy ran with a baseball mitt on one hand, the ball in the other and the group he was with waved politely to the mother then all started to scatter slowly.

A man was walking a dog on a leash and a woman was picking flowers from a front yard garden.

As she drove she saw the Doctor's office, the beauty salon and ahead was the Big House, obviously the epicentre of the operation as people were streaming inside like it was a church calling for the evening prayers. The smell wafting from it told her it was better than prayers, it was the answering of them.

Food.

"Come on" Martha slid from the vehicle and grinned "We will eat then I will show you to a few homes for you to choose which one you like. Go on then kiddo, run and catch up. I know you spotted Dean over there."

"That is my child you just gave permission to" Susanna needed to say this, the laughter in the woman's eyes annoying.

"Our child now. That's another thing. If a little one comes over for a cuddle, it's not weird. OK? We are raising them to believe we all love them, they are all out babies and in this place, in this pack … we are one."

"Well … you mere mortals are" Ianto said as he slipped past them in an immaculate suit, calling out to Dean to slow down as he needed to find Frank.

"He's with his Dad" Dean called back "The little kitten got stuck under the sofa and only Frankie can get it out."

"Hopefully not to the detriment of the sofa" Ianto sighed "Damn. Bloody cats are worse than rats for infesting us."

He sat in the chair at the head of the table like it was no big deal to be there, a cat instantly appearing and he lifted it into his lap like he had not just cursed them. She stood looking around the Family Room with awe, the colourful decor and children's artworks were amazing.

"You think this is mind blowing … wait until you see my school" Alice said proudly as she watched "The kids are so good, some have real talent. Bonnie over there has taught some glasswork and the stained glass windows they are creating take your breath away."

"Everything is so… normal" Susanna whispered.

"Nothing is normal here" a little dog said to her calmly "We are not moral at all. That would be a horrible existence.. to be just…normal!"

"Shadow" Mama Fran called out "If you wish to sit at the table…"

"I know Nainny! I will transform in the changing room!" he huffed, loping off towards the kitchens where a wet room waited with some clothing for several ages of Wolfling. He hated being in human form, losing the ability to communicate so easily. He didn't understand why as a little toddler once more, he lost a lot of his ability to speak when Pip did so with such ease.

Pip knew the little one was smarting and went after him, catching him in the room.

"You do not like being conformed to other people's standards do you" Pip said as he entered the room to watch the little one fumble with clothing.

"I do not like dis form"

"No. Funny isn't it. I prefer this form. It only shows that we are different. Individuals. Look a the twins. Twins, as in the same but different. Tum does not like tomatoes, Burn loves them but cannot understand why she eats cucumber sandwiches. Right? We are all ourselves in our own way. Taddy is teaching us to be ourselves. Yes, you must transform to sit at the table but remember … when you did not transform, before you decided to try … you were allowed to eat by the fire." Pip pouted out and the little one turned to him, his face changing as he considered.

"Wealy? I can twy dat?"

"Yes. 'Dow, we can be whatever and whoever we want to be in this world. So do not try to be who they want you to be. Be who you are made to be. Destiny is a huge power that is bestowed on our kind. We are destined to protect. Love, serve… kill. Destroy and punish. We are to be something to love and fear at the same time. Do not ever think you need to please someone else or make yourself smaller for their comfort. You are Wolfling. Be Wolfling. Have you EVER heard Taddy apologise for being Taddy?"

Shadow considered then he grinned a little sharp toothed grin and dropped the clothing, transforming back to his doggy preference with a huge sweeping tail that wagged as he approached his favourite brother, kissing him with his nose.

"Thank you Pippy."

"You are welcome 'Dow. Come on, let's eat. You watch … Taddy will not let anyone say a damned thing. Who knows … maybe one of the new pups will want to try that once they get their transformations under control. Sonny does love to stroke your fur when he is tired."

They walked back to the room, Pip's hand in the fur of his brother as he leaned on him as if for support like an old man.

Ianto was them coming, the bond warning of the conversation and as they came near Ianto rose, a plate of food in his hand and he lifted a second one, heading over to the fireplace where he placed a plate down for his son, another for the other one who transformed in front of everyone as if in defiance. A little white wolfing in dungarees was sooooooo cute.

Jack nodded and started to talk again like nothing wss wrong as everyone took the cue to leave the pups alone.

Pip knew his little brother had a lot to learn about their strengths and place in this world. Seems he was a replica of their Dad to look at but had their Tad's gentle soul. Prone to feeling crushed and disappointed.

They would work on that.