54

"Say that again?"

"Angel is pregnant. Owen thinks about twenty one weeks."

Jack stared at Ianto like he had lost his mind, and then sat heavily "Five months. You're saying about five months?"

"Yes. She knew what she was doing, deliberately did it and is quite pleased with herself. Ton is not so pleased and is a little alarmed to be honest. He is trying to be brave in front of me but maybe he will do better if you talk to him. The whole… hard to accept a new baby but worth it … sort of speech. He knows I will love it and he doesn't want to say to me that he is not happy about it. Yet."

"Right" Jack rose and brushed off his pants "Where is he?"

"Where does he go when really pushed?"

"Rocky" Jack nodded, getting into his SUV and driving through the village to the chalets He walked over to where Ton was sitting on the huge boulder staring morosely out over the field that sill had the sweet little bridge over the creek.

"Hey son. Taddy told me what happened. Wow. Gonna be a Tad are ya?" Jack sat and waited for the huff of annoyance in the one who did not want to talk about it.

"I didn't really know Stephen as a little one. Just the occasional visit and I thought that would be fine. After losing Alice in the accident I really never thought I would love another child, not like her. When I met Walter I was amazed at how quickly I bonded to the little guy. He was turning three and so cheeky. I thought it was because he was part of Ianto that I could love him so easily. Noah… I was not so sure of. Of course you were a done deal the moment I held you and felt the need to protect you from the world. Imp… well… again I never thought of him as more than a little kid to cuddle now and then, him joining the family a bit of a shock but one I tried to embrace. By this stage I was a bit pissy though. Ianto and me had a fight about all the kids and I was selfish. Said, what about me. Where is there time for me and my cuddles."

Ton turned his head to look at him and Jack knew he had chosen the right stance "I mean… I love babies. I don't trust anyone who does not even a little but… Ianto is mine. Mine first. Sometimes I worry that he will forget my goodnight kiss or that he loves me most. Then he reminds me. I feel silly for doubting… but it is there. Did you know, Taddy still puts love letters in the pockets of my jackets? I love them, keep them all in a chocolate box."

Ton smiled "Still?"

"Ton… love is endless. Someone else joining the family does not mean you have to give up a bit of your spot… when you are bigger on the inside… there is simply more room created for them, no one loses anything. Sometimes you just have to say it. I want a hug. I want a kiss. I want you to sit with me and look at the sunset. All relationships take work, communication and sometimes… whinging gets it done for me."

Ton grinned as he leaned against his Dad and admitted "I want a baby too. I just don't want to share Angel."

"I know… I hate sharing Taddy but then again… what would I do without you and your siblings? I need you too."

Ton nodded, smiling as he saw what his Dad was trying to say.

Like frosting a cake… layers do work and the middle is still moist and yummy but it has to be strong to hold the weight.

"I guess I can try."