6

Ianto felt the rocking motion of the boat, carried back to his childhood when his grandfather took him fishing as a small cub, the sound of the water against the hull and the gulls crying as they swoop and dive.

He lay back on the elegant seat in the party area, his hands splayed over his stomach as he felt the ember catch, the spark of life begin and he was now sure he was in cub. He would have another precious little beast for Jack to spoil. It felt different to last time, he felt the heat straight away. Strong and solid, almost like a pebble tucked into the waistband of his pants.

Ianto closed his eyes and drifted along with the boat, his grandfather sitting back watching him silently. He prayed to the gods for a boy cub, for another to carry the name, the line, the future of his kind. He prayed that his grandson be happy, fulfilled and whole.

Ianto prayed for a healthy cub.

.

.

Ianto woke to soft laughter in the fading late afternoon warmth, opening his eyes to find Jack there with Rayne and he felt that spike of anger knowing Jack had bloody well come after them.

Ifan was being polite as he let the little girl help him make the salad for the evening meal and Ianto sat up, glaring at Jack who seemed oblivious to it all. Then he noticed, his smile fading as he settled on the seat next to his husband "Hello handsome. I missed you. I… I will not be able to sleep without you, you know that."

"One night" Ianto said softly "so much to ask."

"She was jealous, wanted on the boat too. Come on… she's almost asleep now. I can pop her down in the other room after the meal. Full of food, she will be asleep in no time" Jack whispered, his lips against Ianto's ear.

"No, she can sleep with us" Ianto replied, the little one lighting up as her Taddy did not usually let her in the bed between them these days, not like when she was a little new cubby. Jack sat back and tried not to pout as he was cock-blocked so effectively. No way he could upset her now.

Ianto rose to sort the evening meal and Jack followed him to the kitchen "Have I done something wrong? Why are you so mad?"

"I am tired Jack. I just wanted a night off from everything" Ianto replied.

"From me!"

Ianto turned to face him and smiled as he reached out to stroke his face "I love you. Love the bones of you. Love the teddy in you… I just… sometimes I am tired. OK? Just tired. Overdone and… full."

"Full?"

"Full" Ianto repeated, patting his stomach "You are still in mating mode but I am not. I am completed."

Jack nodded as he stepped back and Ianto was relieved that he seemed to get it now, then he said "so… our cycles are out a bit?"

Not him too.

"Jack, I did not want to jinx it but… I FELT something" Ianto hissed now, aware of the little cub bouncing about on the furniture behind Jack "you know? A possible… thing? Like ANOTHER little beastly perfectly amazing thing?"

Jack stared at him for a moment, then caught up, his mouth opened to yell as Ianto's hand slammed over it to silence him "Shhhhh. Little teddy ears!"

Jack settled for enveloping him in a hug, bouncing a little with glee as Ianto tried not to growl with annoyance. Tired and cranky Ted here thanks. Jack was now contrite for annoying him, turning to stare at the little cub who he now knew was getting on Ianto's last nerve.

"We can go…"

"Don't be silly. Not like I would sleep without you either" Ianto admitted with a snort. "Just… don't' pander to her too much. She will have to learn to share right? She is not the center of the world, can't be. We have to do it now before the new one comes or she will know that is why and resent him."

Jack nodded, knowing Ianto was right, turning to watch his daughter take a leap off the sofa into space, Rhys managing a soft cry of shock as she tacked him to the ground, the bags he was carrying in from the motor boat scattering across the floor. Oh no. That is not good… a cubby could be on the floor… no. Jack went into scolding mode, everyone shocked with the determined scowl as he lifted his daughter and told her that she was not allowed to make such noise and mess.

"Look at the bags all over the place. Someone might have got hurt. You are a big girl now, you have to start thinking big girl thoughts" he said as he placed her on her feet "Now help poor Uncle Rhys pick them up!"

"No."

"What?"

Ianto hid the giggle building up behind a tea towel, turning quickly to check the meal so they did not see his mouth. Jack's mouth was open with shock as he stared at his daughter, then he closed it and took a deep breath "what a shame. You can not be a good girl. I guess you cannot sleep with me and Taddy if I cannot trust you to be a big girl."

Rayne's turn to gape.

A solemn little cub picked up her bag and dragged it angrily to the bedroom she smelt her Taddy's thing in already.

She would be dammed if she was not sleeping with them.

Jack wondered if he had won or she had.

Ianto calmly placed the plates out for the meal.