21
"Hey" a boy was running after Ianto "Mister."
Ianto turned to face him, expecting it to be the man's son there to beg for him and he was not sure if he cared that much.
"Mister… did you really survive an avalanche? What is your advice up there?" the boy asked Ianto and as the others filed out to surround him he decided to answer the question.
"The chances of it are low, but never say never. The locator deacons on the table in there are for your protection. They are also free, just return them before you leave. If you are buried, we can locate you faster. Also … there are flags along the route. These are not just to mark the trail bit also for you. If an avalanche happens and you are on the face, run for a flag as we will search along the trial first." Ianto turned and looked up the mountain "I do not fear her. I do respect her though. She took many lives, will take more if she can. But like a wild animal, you cannot blame her for her ways. We are in her world, after all."
"Do you ever go up there?"
"Yes. I went up there and found the body of my friend. I … I found him for his family. I searched and if needed, I will again. I do not do the tours. I am a little…. Serious" Ianto smiled softly.
I know you form somewhere" a teacher said, looking closely at him then frowning as something seemed to finally click home.
"Doctor Ianto Harkness-Jones. Tad to Walter and Babs. Yes, I am he" Ianto bowed, the place erupting as they finally saw that they were in the presence of someone famous, or at least in their childlike eyes the father of someone famous.
As Ianto waved them off he felt better, lighter as he was reminded that he had purpose and was still needed around here. No time to be maudlin and hideaway like a wailing widow. God. This place would fall apart without him.
He headed for the house to see what the tour groups were like the for season, now excited as Christmas drew closer.
This might be a nice Christmas after all.
Even if it is the first without his Taddy … it will also be the first one they spend without Fen who is going with Frankie and Joy to France for the Christmas parade and New Years Party there.
And that means Ianto will have a baby to fuss on.
Little Laura loves her 'Grandy' too.
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Recap of Harkness-Jones family
Our lovely men are now 50 and 54 … of course both still look about thirty…ish.
The children are now ... 12 (Ifan the Imp) 21 (Ton), 24 (Babs), 28 (Walt), and 29 (Stephen). Hawk is four just before Christmas.
Walter and Curtis have Ben is (13), Crispin 12. Little Grace is 7. Maisey is about to turn 9.
Fen and Sam has have LB (6) and (Jax) is now 4.
Babs and Bethy have the twins Valentine and Jenny (18 months born on Jack's BDay)
Owen and Tosh have Mae 12 ... And Denbae 7
John Hart and Chrystal have Harley (Monkey) 12. And Jasmine 8.