3

It had taken two days to pack up the flat, give away what they did not want to those living around them who were also low income and glad of the furniture and such. Helen had come by and banged on the door a few times but neither man had answered, simply turning the music up as they tried to keep the atmosphere light while packing up the life of a pretty lady gone too soon. Damo was a good little boy, having a party with his day-care friends he would soon be leaving.

Ianto kept a few of her scarves and things, his own losses as a youngling telling him they might be appreciated one day. Elaine had stuff in there still and he felt no obligation as he unceremoniously chucked things out into the corridor where everyone else in the building knew the 'give away' pile was.

Fuck her.

She threw away the best things in her life… she deserves nothing now.

It was hardest in the boy's room. What toys meant the most? What would he miss? Jack eventually boxed everything as Ianto protested the freight costs. "So what. Let's worry about that later. Only money. Let's not take more from him now, he lost his mama… lets' not accidentally throw away his favourite toy."

"Ok." Ianto agreed with that. Yes, good thinking.

The funeral was a sad little affair with Helen throwing herself on the coffin and howling about her baby, then trying to seize Damon who sat in his little wheelchair gripping the arms with white knuckles. Poor little man, was terrified of everything and his eyes were locked on Ianto, the only person he seemed to know and trust.

Damon was refusing to walk, he could just didn't want to. Too hard. Not to worry, Jack was there to carry him and the little fella was getting used to this, as he would get used to the apartment's spare bedroom. They had agreed not to take him to the flat, to see the old life all torn apart. No. This was scary and ripping off the Band-Aid was better, getting him used to a new life had to happen anyway.

John rang to say the priority things had arrived his end, the airfreight worth the cost and he promised to have things unpacked somewhat. Jack was surprised and touched to find he and Owen had spent time converting Ianto's' study into a workable bedroom for the lad and the decision to bud another room on the back of the house for a studio for Ianto was also a surprise … one they agreed not to tell Ianto. He was not big on those at the moment. Surprises.

Helen had followed them from the cemetery, Jack turning into a McDonalds so the boy could at something he liked and they ignored her as she tried to sit at their table. Jack had remembered to inform the staff of Damon's nut allergies and was assured that the food was being prepared with his allergy in mind. Ianto was pleased to see that Jack was taking notes here.

Jack returned to the table to give the woman a glare that could curdle milk, making her step back with surprise as he said to into "Let's eat in the car. I am tired. Come on Damo."

Jack lifted the child and carried him out as Ianto followed with the food, Helen hot on their heels and Jack swung to glare at her "Stalking is a crime."

"What?" she sputtered stopping in her tracks with an indignant chin wobble.

Enough to get them in the vehicle and Jack took off, checking for her following as he decided it was time to show that he knew how to evade a tail. He talked out loud like it was a spy show, explaining to Damo his moves as the Bogey was on their tail and even telling him of one time someone shot at him. Damo seemed to perk up a bit listening to him as Ianto watched the wing mirrors until she was stuck behind a large lorry and Jack did a perfect left turn that made them disappear too.

"God, she is tenacious" Jack huffed.

.

.

Damon sat on the bed and looked around silently, the rug from his bed and the two stuffed toys there on his pillow Ianto had kept back from sending home seemed right as he snuggled in and hugged them, staring at the wall. Ianto settled on the bed behind him, talking softly of his memories of Sandy and their silly games they played, the fun they had.

Jack closed the door softly as he felt like he was intruding, calling John to tell him that grandmother might be a problem.

"Shit, two of them?"

"What do you mean?"

"Your bloody mother came around wanting the kids. I told her to leave as Ianto's rules still stand, then the goblin king put the hose on her" John chortled.

"What? Owen did what?"

"Yeah, should'a heard her squeal. Franklin came by later with a six pack to thank us. Apparently he might get a whole evening of peace as she spends it in the den calling everyone to complain about us oafs." John laughed.

"She knows she is not welcome!" Jack growled.

"Oh don't worry partner… she knows well enough now."