8
Valentine and Jenny are going to be two years old. Val and Jen were sweet little toddlers full of grabby hands and glee, their babbling incessant as they demanded attention like their Mama Babs. Valentine was slightly more withheld and Ianto could see his mother Babs in the little boy's eyes sometimes. This bought him a comfort he didn't know he was looking for.
Babs was so larger than life but when she had been that little boy full of bluster and indecision she had sometimes stood the exact same way and to see the little boy not only allowed to take a moment to process life but to see that he would be encouraged to choose whatever path he wanted was great. Sometimes he wondered if he had done enough, been enough but always, seeing Babs laughing with her long blonde ringlets bouncing, her emerald eyes dancing with mirth and that sweet Marilyn Monroe body… he knew he had done his job as a Tad. And if his grandson needed him, he would be that life affirming GrandTad too.
Jenny on the other hand… what a minx. Not only the Hart madness from her Mama Babs side but she also had Bethy's sense of humour. Her favourite trick was to play dead. Anywhere, anytime. Flop and lay like you are dead. Do not engage in anything they try to do to get you to snap out of it.
Limp, like a rag doll.
Yes … Babs was learning the hard way that a precocious child can be a difficult child… and two to boot? Well … Ianto couldn't help but remember some of the crazy things that happened when he ws snot looking, including the time SOMEONE painted toddler Ton's head green to let him be a frog. Thank god that was water based paint and Jack had not been home to see the bathroom madness. Ianto misled softly to himself as he remembered now, the shrieking and running, the bath water all green, Ton thinking he was bleeding green … Babs no help as she told him it probably was frog's blood.
Little shit.
Reap what you sew!
Jack checked on Ianto and smiled as he glanced over seeing his husband looking happy for the first time today. Hawk was nearby flicking his head back and forth so his newly braided hair clacked with the beads all slamming together.
Jack knew they would not last.
Nearly time to wander around the lake for the birthday party for the twins.
And Jack.
His Birthday too.
Valentine's Day.