33 - Ianto
The lawyer spoke to us in that calming way one does to a spooked horse. I tried to focus and got most of it, Jack leaning forward intently to get everything and I knew if I needed some reassurances later he would be ready. This rock.
"So, no chance he can get bail?" Jack asked.
"No. Due to the repeated breaches the Judge has decided he must remain incarcerated until trial which given the speed of the courts will be months." George replied "Everything is monitored in there. Mail, phone calls. He tries to ask someone else to get in touch with you, he will meet the same swift slam."
"And that silly bitch that came around here?" Jack prodded.
"As it is out of character for her the Judge seems to be cutting her slack. She is discharged with conditions. No coming near you, seeking some communication within the etiquette of law and if she does something like this again it can affect her job." George nodded "I think she was overly aghast by it all."
"Which leaves…."
"Rhiannon is on bail... I know…I know… but as this woman's actions were orchestrated by him not her … her bail remains as it is until the trial for what happened at the wedding. I am sorry but they can't prove anything that connects her to this. Clearly they are lying to keep her out, seems to be a partner of hers to slither out of trouble" George held up his hands "Same conditions. Do not come near you or the kids. Do not breathe the same air. I have looked at the evidence the prosecution has and I can assure you… she is going for a little holiday for this. Mark my words. Maybe six months to a year?"
"In the meantime she can swan about 'accidentally' bumping into Ianto" Jack snarled, brisling beside me and I reached out to take his hand, calming him instantly.
"How long before she goes to trial?" I ask and am pleased my voice seems calm. "I mean… he will too but the other things since will be later right? The wedding crashing will go before a judge first."
"Yes. Two weeks away." Gorge reached out his hands, then placed them back in his lap and I realized that he wanted to comfort me. Go, I must look a wreak. Thought I was holding it together better than this. I manage to smile weakly.
"We have been staying at the Holiday House, now renamed the Country Estate by the cheeky kids" Jack took over again, his hand squeezing mine reassuringly "So… you can find us there if you need us. Numbers and such … you have all that. You've not been there since we did some work have you. You are welcome to visit, see the kids and check out our wonderful security system. I had to hold back on the bear traps and spike-bottomed bear pits. Ianto wouldn't let me."
I snort as I did not expect the humour and as always he tickles me in a way I can't explain.
George relaxes, nodding "I would like that. The kids Ok with the school work?"
'Are you kidding? Loving it. My husband here is an amazing teacher!" Jack gushes, making me lush as we stand and shake George's hand. His hand lingers over top of mine as the other is clasping my hand strongly.
George looks into my eyes as he pulls me closer by my hand and he says gently "I will make sure they get the full brunt for their actions Ianto. I will also monitor your father and ensure the prison facilities are too. You are safe from him now."
He doesn't understand. He thinks he is doing a good job and I guess for someone else it would be but I just smile and nod because I know this is not over. Rhiannon will be pissed, the work she put in to getting her Da bail and now he's banged up with no chance? No… I know my sister.
She will be wanting blood for this.
She will be coming.
.
.
.
.
Jack has let me stew, something he does with furtive glances and tapping of his finger on the steering wheel. Finally he asks "what are you thinking love?"
"That She will try something. One more push. Everything is cause and effect with her. When she learns of the ruling today, that he cannot get bail like she will be hoping she is going to go supernova. I swear to the gods, she will try something as a payback." I explain "I doesn't matter if it is not my fault, if I did not start this. Tit for tat. She will take a swing at me somehow."
"And if she does we will be ready. She will have no idea about the security measures in place, no idea how bloody strong we are. Right? You were always just little Ianto, the little brother she threw to the dogs to distract them all the time right? The patsy. You are not that little boy anymore. You are my husband. The man I adore to the very fucking bones of you. No. She has no idea that now the junkyard dogs fear you instead of you cowering in the dirt as they surround you like it once was. No. Dogs can't snap and bite at you now love. You are a mighty fucking tiger with huge teeth, claws and a roar that will make the earth shudder. Let her try. Let her try. Those kids are as safe as houses with us, we are safe in that house and we have no fears. Let her come… you know.. I sort of hope she does. Then she can be with him and we can draw a line under both of them!"
I like that.
Yes. A line. A big bold final one. For this is the last time I let her near me and mine. The last time I shall acknowledge her as my kin. Once this is over I will be an orphan that was an only child. My sweet Mama the only parental I ever had and that line will go through the paper down to the bowls of the earth where Satan himself sees it.
That's the bottom line!
