32

The 'men' came home just before the rain, full of excitement and noise. Hawk squealed as Ianto rushed him to the shower and Jack went to the other shower while humming, finding clothes laid out and a fresh block of his favorite sandalwood soap sitting there on top of the pile.

Ianto did things like that. Those little touches of love that always touched Jack's heart. He took a moment to smell the soap, revel in the thought that Ianto probably did the same before placing it on top of the singlet that sat above the boxers and shirt, jeans and socks.

He stepped into the scalding hot water and lathered up as he listened to the singing in the other bathroom, Ianto's voice encouraging their little chick to join in. No doubt the dirt from the sandpit was getting washed out of his hair, Hawk didn't really like his hair washed but Ianto made it fun.

Jack exited the shower and listened to silence. Then the final whirr of the hair dryer. He grinned and took off, leaning around the doorframe to watch as Hawk blew his face with the blow-dryer, singing as he posed in front of the mirror, a rock star in the making. That close cropped hair did not need help, but the child loved the game.

Ianto was on his hands and knees calmly scrubbing the shower floor and Jack turned quickly, rushing back to do the same before Ianto got the idea that Jack had forgotten to wash out after himself.

"Well done Cariad" a voice answered and Jack knelt back, surprised and laughing like he didn't know Ianto would check on him. Ianto pretended he didn't know Jack had done this the same way as the dishwasher stacking that always paused until Ianto entered to see the last dish go in.

Jack got his kiss.

"Hawkeye done?"

"All done, in his saggy pants doing the diva thing in front of the mirror, found some of that glitter gel from Babs, at the moment his little hairdo is getting styled" Ianto informed him.

Hawk's hair was close cut, tight curls that hugged his head like freckles and he liked it that way. He was not into afros like the others, he liked the close cut look but glitter did make it spectacular ya know. Besides… easier to wear his cat ears with short hair.

Jack nodded as he did up his shirt and followed Ianto out, the smell of the crock-pot calling.

"Corned beef!" Jack said with delight "Mustard sauce love?"

"Yes, of course. White sauce for the boy" Ianto smiled, Hawk not a fan of mustard but he did like white sauce on his meat instead. There would be enough meat for tomorrow's sandwiches once they had eaten their fill.

You always eat well at the Lake House... well ... any Harkness-Jones house.

Taddy raised them that way too.