7

Rayne was asleep, little snuffly snoring as she snuggled into her Daddy's chest and he lay there watching Ianto sleep. His lashes were moving on his cheeks, soft movement that showed REM and Jack wondered what he was dreaming about. He didn't seem upset or angry so hopefully it was a good dream not… a 'red' one.

He rubbed his daughter's back as she sniffled and revelled in the thought of another cub, a second one to fill their den and complete the family. Two. Rare to have two come from bonded males. Especially this close in age. Would it be another little girl? Ianto said him. He said him. He had known with Rayne… did he already feel a masculine cub within?

Jack lay there thinking about his first husband. Ironically named Ifan. Their dreams of adopting cubs in need, if only to have something to love between them. His love for him would never diminish but… this was something different. Jack did not know this level of bonding was even possible. Laying here feeling a soft warmth growing in his gut that he knew was a phantom pregnancy. He was mimicking Ianto, his inner bear connecting and seeking the bond with the unborn.

This had not happened with Rayne. Jack had felt something sure but… this was next level sympathy. It was a boy.

Jack knew now.

A son.

Jack hugged his precious little jewel as he reveled in his knowledge.

.

.

Ianto woke to an empty bed and took a moment to wallow in it, star-fishing as he groaned and stretched, feeling his body waking up. His leg twinging. He rose and padded to hit the head, yawing as he pondered his day. Faint laughter making him hurry to join the family out in the main cabin.

"Good morning" he said as he entered the dining area and he stopped.

Rayne was on the table eating something in her lap as Jack spoke on the phone distractedly to someone.

"Jack."

Rayne dropped the plate over the edge of the table and lay back on the wooden surface to lick her fingers.

"JACK"

Jack turned with annoyance, then saw the problem "shit, gotta call you back."

Ianto sighed and saw his Grandy outside on the deck so he wandered off, leaving Jack to sort this one out ta muchly. If he had to do it he might smack a little fuzzy butt.

"Good morning boy, sleep well?" Ifan smiled.

"Yes, I did actually. Jack didn't demand or annoy. I didn't even have to imagine throttling him in his sleep" Ianto quipped, his grandfather laughing softly as they both knew Ianto would die before he ever harmed Jack.

"Your sister is making headlines" Ifan huffed.

"Rhia?"

"Yes" he threw down the paper so Ianto could see "Wheee Bean. Another bloody protest against the fracking thing."

"Well, it is dangerous. Some theorize the increase in the earthquakes is from fracking, making the crust unstable" Ianto said as he looked at the picture of his sister. So young, pretty and bloody pig headed. Runs in the family… at least she turned out alright even if their parents deserved to burn in hell.

"I do not want an argument with you boy!"

"Oh get over yourself" Ianto laughed, not the least bit afraid of his grandfather "You know you like to argue. Anyway... Rhia does most of the arguing for everyone, whether they asked for her opinion on things or not."

"Hey" Jack settled at the table and smiled as Rayne squealed, running around with a bubble wand Jack had bribed her with. Ianto found this funny after the arguments and Jack accusing him of the same thing. Ha. Now he is starting to learn. Better late than never I guess.

Ianto's stomach grumbled.

They passed the day in relative silence and Jack felt the rising argument as Ianto read the same page of his book several times, glad their little girl was in her own little bed when finally Ianto erupted, yelling and shouting with anger, teeth flashing as he demanded Jack give him some space.

"Are you kidding? Any more space and we would not be together!" Jack argued.

"Exactly. Jesus Jack, I am hormonal, out-of-sorts and right now I don't need you going all Alpha over me!"

"Ianto… you are in cub. I am SUPPOSED to go all Alpha over you. Ianto… love… you cannot be an Alpha and a Dam. Come on… while you are carrying our cub you have to let me step up. You have to step back and stop being so feckin stubborn. This is MY job now!" Jack said, Ianto huffing.

Jack stormed off shouting over his shoulder "Then I will seep in the bedroom alone as per usual when you are in this mood, you will sleep with the cub!"

Ifan had sat silently watching the argument flare and now he looked at his grandcub with a soft sigh "He is right you know."

"Oh not you too!"

"You are hormonal. You are messed up… your body is adjusting to grow a cub. It is the job of the Alpha to protect and strop about a bit. You are both Alphas, this makes this a bad thing. Do you not remember Rayne's growth? He was the nurturer to you, he took control and he fussed on you. It is his job and the sooner your Ted relents the sooner your body can adjust. The male side of you must relent." Ifan scolded "you now this!"

Ianto knew he was right, but it did not make it any easier, especially with a male cub.

Ianto was now sure.

The little boy was muddying the water.