16

Finally satisfied, Max slid from the table and Malcolm followed sedately as the little boy toddled for the play area with that huge Harkness grin that won hearts. The press were having a field day with the family outing, a rarity to be seen like this, let alone allowing cameras to follow so closely.

Ianto waited until it was clear all eyes were on Max and the man who resembled the King, the baby on his chest making it even more apparent that there was a family resemblance there. He turned to Lilly "Right. What is it you want?"

"What?"

"I mean it. Tell me what you desire and I shall see what I can do" he said as he smiled softly to show it was not a demand, rather a question.

"I want… Gray" she finally said "I … I love him and… I do not want to go home with them. I am mortified with all of this, it proves my point that I need to distance myself from them. I was ready to be married off, moved on and to live a loveless marriage. It would be preferable to their house anyway… Gray… well … I dare not hope he is available. To have love? I know this has cast a dark cloud over my family and the shame alone… I understand if you do not want…"

"Then it is done" Ianto settled back with a nod "We shall announce your intentions to wed."

"Really?"

"You are already in the East Wing, remain there… it was going to become Gray's quarters anyway. This way once you are wed he can simply move in there and you will already have it furnished and decoarated as you wish" Ianto smiled.

"I can redecorate?" she gasped with glee "I mean… the gold and blue is nice but…"

"You are a rose and cream kinda gal?" Iatno twinkled "I think … I think if we look on the North wing to the back of the staff quarters we might find some pieces that will fit that. Cora had the same tastes, pinks and creams with gold accents. There is a little day bed that is hand carved painted gold with rose pink cushions and the throw cushions were other shades … it looked like cake frosting. She was so fond of it … I love it too and had thought that Mac… but no … Jack is determined that her colours will be the royal standard same as Max. Seriously though … she does look cute in purple and white."

"Cora… the queen-to-be? Oh no … I could not… not her things" she gasped with shock.

"Don't be silly … I think we all know my dumpling will never want for anything. Not only is her father determined to spoil her more than Max … so is the empire. So many toys sent, clothes she cannot wear if we changed her on the hour every hour … seriously. Your comfort matters and Cora would be glad to share. She was a lovely kind girl. Who better to gain these things hidden away under cloth than her little sister?" Ianto laughed and patted her hand gently "I already want to keep you ya know. Had it not been Gray I would have married you to Max when he was a mere baban"

She laughed at his silliness, something she revelled in and knew her sister did as well. These little hidden snippets of silly that made the day so much fun.

"Well … yes!" she said and Gray tuned from his conversation with Jack.

"Yes to what?"

"Moving into the wing permanently so when we are married we can live there" she said in a rush "Ianto says I can decorate it any way I live and even have a few of Cora's things still in storage. Oh, I can't wait. We will have such a pretty wedding and there are enough rooms for several children!"

Gray stared at her, then Ianto "Marry?"

"Yes. You and she are prefect for one another. You are old enough to wed, why not be to someone you love?" Ianto asked.

Gray grinned as he looked at his empty plate, pushing it around as he said bashfully "I did want to ask about that."

"Well … no need. Sorted" Ianto sniffed "I can't want to help with the wedding. Roses form the gardens … Malcolm's mum can do the arrangements, ribbing and some gossamer … oh just so sweet we may need to see a dentist after."

"And .. will I gain a standard?" Gray asked suddenly worried.

Jack hadn't thought of this but Ianto had "Of course. Blue, your brother's colours. They are purple now as he and I are joined, the red of my colours, the blue of his makes purple. You will be able to take over his blue standard he left behind, step up as the Duke and Duchess."

"At least they can't call her the Dukess" Jack snorted, then leaned over to kiss Ianto, the press going wild.

Sorted.