10

Jack had a large panel van with the Security firm logo on the side (A LARGE H OF COURSE), driving up the Jones drive with abandon, the skidding of tyres making the gravel fly. Ianto had pondered the large H before finally realizing it was Jack's company that he owned and operated. Seemed this man had some money of his own and was definitely not in this budding relationship for the cash. That made Ianto feel even better about the new man in his life. Jack was looking better every day.

They entered the house to find Ianto's mother waiting. She was not what Jack had expected. He had seen Rhiannon but this… this woman was thin, refined and so attractive. "Why would any man cheat to you" Jack blurted, then felt like a dick.

Ianto's response was to laugh, shaking his head as he motioned Jack "Come on big mouth. This way."

"Ifan?"

"Mum, don't call me that. That's GrandTad's name!" Ianto grumbled "Ianto. It's Ianto. This is Jack, my… boyfriend."

She stared at Jack who waggled his fingers hello, camping with extreme flair up the stairs after Ianto, making a play of slapping his arse as they went. Ianto let Jack into his room and Jack looked around with renewed interest, taking in the huge pile of stuff in the middle of the floor "WOW!"

"I have more stuff at the university dorms… god. Forgot about that, better collect now I can't fish my doctorate next year."

"doctorate. God. He really screwed you over. How much do you need?" Jack grimaced as he watched Ianto throw what things he had left into boxes. Finally Ianto had everything he hadn't fitting in the car the first time he had pranced off like a first class diva.

"Right. That's everything I need" Ianto said as he and Jack carried the boxes down to find everyone waiting downstairs waiting for them. Oh great. A double cross.

"Ianto! Finally, do you have a minute?" Sean asked, eyeballing the man who seemed unfazed by the greeting party.

"I don't know. Jack? Do we have a minute lover?"

"Sure Tiger. Let's put these in the van and come back in for the talk" Jack said, both men ambling outside to put the boxes in the van, then closed the doors. Jack then turned to Ianto and said "Last one in the van is a rotten egg."

Ianto gaped as Jack took off for the driver's side door and with a whoop Ianto ran to the passenger door, clambering in as Jack started the engine and gunned it, the gravel flying as they took off laughing.

Felt so childish.

Jack took a left and they found themselves at the old man's place. Jack turned to Ianto "You don't owe them a dammed thing but this one… he is different. I know you worry about him."

Ianto smiled as he entered the house, calling for his grandfather.

"Boy!"

Ianto sat by the grandfather, reaching for his hand "Hey old man. That nurse treating you ok?"

"She steals everything and I am sure she is eating my food" he said with a grizzled glare then grinned as he chuckled at his own joke "She's a good girl. Yeah."

"Good. Jack and me just snuck off on them, they are probably still in there waiting for Jack and me to turn up and sit for them to berate for my feelings" Ianto huffed.

"No, they are stomping across the lawn after you actually" Jack said as he stood looking out the window "Oops… the fat one fell over. Sorry, I didn't mean fat I mean…"

"Rhiannon is still getting over her pregnancy fat" Ianto said with annoyance, "Takes time to get your body back into shape after a baby is born!"

"Oh?" Jack asked with raised eyebrows "and how old is said baby?"

"Six?" Ianto said with the same bland face, and then started to giggle "OK. She's… cuddly."

"Well now, look at this. I never thought I would see the day when my Boy I actually happy. I am so glad to see this. You make an old man happy before he dies" Ifan said with an emphasis on the dying part, finishing it off with a fake cough.

"Grandy! I swear to god, you will outlive us all. You had better … I can't imagine a life without you to come whinge to like a girl's blouse all the time" Ianto said as he hugged his grandfather.

"Do you think he wants to come to our Christmas Party?" Jack asked.

"What?" Ianto leaned back to stare at Jack with surprise.

"Well… if the family one here is so boring and we are starting or own one with our friends… Ifan should be part of it right? He's not just your GrandTad, he's your friend. Right?" Jack reasoned.

"A party?"

"Yes!" Ianto said as he watched the old man light up. Yes, Jack was right.

Christmas was not Christmas without family.

It was time to think about breaking Ifan out of this place!