28 – Jack

Ianto has been attentive to David all day and it only just occurs to me that David might be feeling a little 'off' after the altercation with those entitled twats yesterday. Sure, the kids did not see everything but they heard us talking and that one is so much like Ianto for internalising things.

I check the girls are totally engrossed in their little game in the tent with a sleepy Jessie snoozing in Ianto's lap on the sofa before I follow the young man into his room where he is looking for a book. Yeah, a book.

"Davie?"

He turns to me with surprise, and a smile that tells me he is happy I am taking a moment for him. Such a nice boy, never complains ya know?

"Hey son. Just checking in with you. A few things happened and I want to make sure you are OK" I say as I sit in the bed and he sits next to me.

"It's OK Dad. Tad and I talked about being scared and stuff. We all are sometimes" He says like we are discussing the weather "I just… those people came right in here and they could have hurt Tad or anything."

"I know. We can't live our lives scared of the next thing though. You know, life happens whether we want it to or not" I pull him close "I know it's easy to let things fly around in your head but you should try to be like me."

David pulls back to look at me with silent question.

"Ask Tad. I am totally thoughtless." I deadpan and he blinks then sniggers softly. I hug him some more "I love you Davie Boy. We love you so much and will never let anything happen to you, OK?"

"Anyone tries to hurt one of us, I know you will save us" he mutters into my chest and I hold him tighter as I know as well as he does that I will kill to save them. In a heartbeat. My kids are my world.

We go back out to find the girls are standing over Ianto with their play makeup kits. Ianto has fallen asleep and I know he will be more than surprised to find how delicate these beasts were so I complain that it's not fair he get all the attention.

I then sit and let them do me too, making sure to tell them I want my nails done as well and I see the glee on their faces as I let them paint my nails…. fingers and toes. Of course. Don't be silly, what is the point of just the fingers. I know Ianto will be tickled pink when he sees my talons.

David shakes his head as he checks Jessie is covered with his blankie and then he kisses Ianto's head so lovingly that I have to stop myself from going over to cuddle him. He is trying to be a big boy. A man. I have to let him as he now pulls a blanket around Ianto as well before going to the kitchen to check the meal preparations.

Finally the girls are happy and I rise to see if I look like Ianto who has some soft blush and eyeliner on. Nope, I look like a drug crazed drag queen. The morning after. All I can do is laugh as I agree it is their best work yet

I don't know what Ianto will say so I go change into a silk shirt that I tie in the front in a large knot, then add my tightest jeans to sashay about in as the kids all laugh. I watch Ianto wake to my display of silliness and his face light up, his smile all the cuter for the makeup he is not yet aware of and as the kids find some music on the radio he slips out from under the still sleeping boy.

We start to dance, his hands sliding over my naked back as he leans in close and whispers that I look crazy.

"I look crazy? You've not seen your face yet" I reply and he stops dancing to stare at me, and then walks over to a mirror and stares. The girls wait expectantly as I watch him struggle for something to say.

"Wow" he finally says softly "Not what I expected."

"Nope" I giggle, "not the man I married either."

More giggling as we all share a moment of lunacy that drives out the ghost of yesterday, even David joining in as we dance like maniacs around the room to the rock and roll on the radio, Queen's Fat Bottom's Girls making all the kids squeal with glee as I show that I know every single word and dance like Freddie.

That man was a fucking legend.

I will dig out my CDs when we get back to the town house, David seems to enjoy the music, maybe he will like to hear some of their other music, maybe find them on YouTube.

Freddie can teach you a lot about embracing life.