1
"Well, what time are they arriving?" Jack called out as he struggled to get a boot on.
"Another hour via the main road. The press have lined the entire track like vultures. John might shoot a few to clear the way" Ianto replied as he emerged from the dressing room looking edible as per.
"And the kids?"
"Max is ready to go, I think your grandmother is wrangling Mac at the moment since the little miss refused to wear anything laid out. Gods knows what she will emerge in but your grandmother will at least have shoes on her I hope." Ianto sighed, the little two years old precocious and in many instances totally naughty. The apple of her Daddy's eye and allowed to get away with more murder than Max did.
"I am happy now with the gap between them" Jack said as he settled back "He will start school after his next birthday, the schooling he is getting already proves Owen's theory that they are more evolved. Isn't one of them a pianist?"
"Yes. Imran. Yes, he can play like an angel" Ianto settled to adjust his tie and look for a tie clip he knew he had left on top of the drawers by his bed.
"Owen's Children are all amazing" Jack flopped back "And Mac… conceived naturally is exceeding our dreams too."
"Yes. Barely two and already at the reading level of a five year old, speaks five languages, rides like a little devil and can out whip me on a good day. Her little voice is angelic though."
"Max was still slurring words at this age, still struggling with some of the sentences … she speaks like she's ten!" Jack was so proud of his buttercup. It showed all the time and Ianto had noticed Max watching as well, that brotherly love not enough to over a little annoyance creeping in as his little sister succeeded him on some things now.
"Jack, remember we talked about that. Max must get recognition for his achievements too. He is physically almost four but mentally about six or seven. He knows you are favouring Mac and is a little jealous at times" Ianto scolded and jack turned to look at him with horror.
"I do not!"
"Jack! You do, even your Gran sees it" Ianto sighed "your son loves his baby sister and forgives.. but only for so long. He likes to ride too ya know. He likes to watch the trooping of the colours too … all about her."
"I… shit. Am I?" Jack groaned as he rubbed his face "He just doesn't complain and… so much like you there. Shit."
"Today at the function can you try to have him with you more? I will wrangle her? You know it will mean a lot to him, he is of an age in his head where he wants to be seen as one of the menfolk. So hard when he is really still a toddler. Gray and Lilly will have their hands full with their own little surprise" Ianto asked, Jack grinning like a wild thing as he was reminded that today was the day his brother was going to announce to the world that he and his sweet bride were seeded.
"And Johnty" Ianto smiled as he spoke of his cousin "He is bound to talk to us about Delia. I think he is finally ready to ask her for her hand."
"NO!" Jack gaped with glee "really? The first interracial marriage within the royal family. How exciting. She is so sweet."
"And with the pregnancy announcement we are in a position to declare the union that means she can now move into their court as their Nanny." Ianto said, the plan coming together just as he intended.
"At least he will not be sneaking around between the two realms anymore like a nutter then." Jack grinned But … Also … they will be announcing their residence here right? In this realm?"
"Yes. Now that her people have accepted Gray and everyone is happy with the thought of him ruling alongside her one day, they can now put forward the idea of a winter residence this side of the border. She can claim it's for the children … for her health or whatever. Means you and Gray have time together, as do I with Johnty."
"You knew didn't you. When you first saw a photograph of Delia, you knew you were going to get her for the family, were going to set things in motion with Gray and in the end … it would all come to this. Mac will be so upset, she loves her." Jack was now unsure about this.
"Jack. Gray and Lilly are perfect for one another. They will one day rule Lilly's kingdom next door … visit us and be part of our lives. Johnny will marry the nanny Delia, she goes with them and everyone will think it sweet as the children get loved by both their Nanny and her husband as if they were their own. Johnny gets to be part of Gray's life… and any children benefit from him as well without it ever having to come out that John is….family."
"Gray's father" Jack muttered, still struggling with the boot, and then he gave up as he sighed "You know best Tiger."
"Yes" Ianto said with a firm nod, crouching to see to the boot.
It was all coming together nicely.
Ianto knocked the wooden edging to the bed. For luck. No place for Jinxes here ta muchly.