26
Gray stood looking down at his in-laws impassively as John circled the throne room like a caged animal. I guess in a way he always is. Lilly was with her baby in another room, entertaining their child while Daddy saw to Business!
Gray sighed as he said "In light of this development, I fear the relations between our two realms is faltering. How can I feel safe here? How can ANY of my children be safe here? If the bloodline is in danger, so am I and mine. Little Cora barely three months old and my wife already with child again… I must think of her!"
"But… we did not know darling" Lilly's mother said softly "we are as abhorred as you."
"No. I have talked it over with my dear wife and until such a time as I feel my family is safe again… we shall reside on that side of the border with those who will protect my bloodline. After all… our child and the next to come are of your bloodline too, are they not? Will I not one day wear the crown and rule this kingdom? When you die, Lilly gets the throne. As her husband, under the rules of office… I am to rule as king. I would hope by then that I have found love once more for this ream and it's people. I would never wish to be considered a tyrant. You know… some are not born to it, they are made that way form constant pressure and force."
"Gray… darling. We love you and the baby… babies… please… this would mean the second born is not born on our soil even!" she wailed.
"This is not my choice… it was made by your advisors when they decided to destroy my family in order to place me on the throne of both empires." Gray glanced at his father-in-law and then said softly "for that to happen… do you not realize your own demise was imminent too?"
He let their eyes widened with horror as DeFleur rose to rush to his the aged king and queen to check their safety. One of the oldest living couples to still rule, any day now would be the turning over the realm to him. Then of course… to Lilly's husband. The ones in most danger right now were them.
Ianto looked to Lilly's mother who rose majestically, still able to carry it off as she tried not to shake "Gray… take her. Keep her safe, the future of our realm depends on it. When you do take the crown… wear it better than my fool of a husband think he should."
"You are going to be a magnificent queen… when I rule I shall enact the same rule as my brother's realm has. First born daughters can rule, they do not need to defer to their brother or husband. First born, regardless of sex. I will end this tradition. That will be my first act as king, as Lilly's husband. I shall ensure the women of this bloodline have their voice and their teeth. MY daughter will rule!"
"Thank you" she whispered, her hand closing over his before rushing to her parents. HER parents, no matter how her fool of a husband called then Daddy and Mama … hers. He might sit on that throne one day when her father dies but the knowledge that her daughter will be the last to bow to her husband filled her with a warmth she did not know she could feel.
She stopped moving along the hallways as she recognized it. Hope.
Yes.
She took off once more and John turned to Gray to nod his approval and pride in the way the young man conducted himself. No more of his mother visible in him… he was now showing himself to be more of his own father's bloodline every day.
So Iantoesque.
.
.
"So, with Gray and Lilly here, their second born will be born on our soil" Jack said with excitement as he bounced around the room "Granny is so excited. Milly will have a playmate or two close in age."
"Hmmm" Ianto was not really listening, too busy feeding their little man and feeling so relived his milk had come in. He was brushing the soft tendrils of hair on the little head and marvelling how each child had been differed. Max with his full head of hair and Harkness looks, Mac with her small curly flicks and Queenie looks and now this one was not bald but his hair was so fine you can see his scalp. He was a miniature Ianto.
"My darling… have you fallen in love with someone else?" Jack asked suddenly as he watched "am I forfeit"
"Never fear Cariad, no other can fill my heart as you… but this one… he is different to the other two. I feel… more connected to him." Ianto admitted "Maybe because he is the first one where I really see me. My blood?"
Jack leaned over to smile down "What do you think Milly? Hmmm, gonna be a big bad Killy Killy Milly Man?"
"Stop it!" Ianto huffed "Our little boy with be an artist, painter or maybe a poet"
"Yeah… but a painter can still kill someone" Jack snorted "If he does throw to your side of the family he will have a better grasp on stealth for one… and with John skulking about he will also learn to be furtive."
Ianto smiled as he knew Jack was right.
This little man is clearly going to be a Jones.