90

Jack was left alone with Kristofer, Ianto still wandering along after clearing away the breakfast things so he saw a chance to make his mark … as in marking territory ya might say.

"So. Bonnie doesn't rally mind you in here with her?" he asked.

"The Bonnie Girl is gonna be back soon with some of her kids, ye can ask her then" Kris replied, his Scottish brogue more pronounced, as it always is when slightly annoyed. He really didn't get this guy.

"Well … she has a good husband. Many kids and … her brother is quite fierce too" Jack said, deciding to warn him off if he intended sniffing about there. Again Kris gave him a baffled look and continued to pound metal.

Ianto had arrived and s about to speak when Jack said it. He pissed on Ianto' leg.

"Well … Ianto is mine. Has been since day one, so ya know. I have let you play with him until now but I really feel the need to let you know that I don't share my..."

"Cariad."

Jack gave a small squeak as he jumped, swinging to smile ashamedly at his mate whose glower told him he ws fully away of the pissing contest.

"Kris and I are old fiends. We predate you, I understand you are uncomfortable with this but given your age it is something I have to accept. You are old fashioned about these things" Ianto shrugged and Jack frowned.

"Here we are!" Rhys' booming voice broke the tension as he entered with Allison and Pip, their arms all full of things for the pen, soon adorned with soft floaty and fluffy things. "Look at that. Fit for a king."

"I might sleep there" Pip said with a solemn look "But … the babies need it too."

"Well, that white one you liked, old Bessie's … we can put that on your bed if ya like" Rhys crooned to the baby "She was one of your old milkers right? Fitting she still comfort you now."

"The cows are his?" Allison asked as she rose.

"Were, in the Before" Pip said as he settled on a box to pick through some things in the next one "She was a good provider."

"Big word for a little man" Kris snorted.

"I'm a big man for a little baby" Pip replied sagely "Get used to it Red."

Kris blinked, then roared with glee as he pointed at the pup "Cheeky beggar. Did you hear that missus?"

Jack blinked.

Ah. Finally. Ianto rolled his eyes as Jack's eyes went between Kris and Allison like he was watching a ping-pong match "Wait. You two are… a couple?"

"Yep" Kris frowned at him then said to Ianto "Sheesh. He's slower than Lisa. What is it with you and the quiet thinkers who are a beat behind you?"

"You have no idea but he does like to be behind me … for the view. No. Jack is just… assimilating still. He doesn't like to share. He didn't realise you were together, was a little uncomfortable with our touchy feely ways."

"Ah. Like I wasn't at first" she sniffed "that night I found you asleep in his lap while he was channel surfing was just bizarre."

Ianto frowned and Kris answered "Peach schnapps night."

"Ah! Yes" Ianto finally remembered "you broke the phone."

"Pizza place wouldn't deliver that late" she sniffed "What was a girl to do?"

"Throwing the phone through a plate glass window was a tad extreme" Ianto said then grinned "But we did need pizza."

"Why Kris was a good boy who went to get it, even remembered to leave anchovies off my half" she smiled softly "Now. Captain, are you really so dense you would think a man like this didn't have men and women throwing themselves at him all the time? Really? You thought he would be single?"

Jack shrugged "I…I don't know what I thought really. Ah… maybe I was a bit … silly there."

Ianto rolled his eyes "If you are finished being a bit … silly there… your son is trying to build a little forge, please help before he jams his fingers."

Jack turned to see Pip rolling a lump of wood towards the corner stream with a look of intensity that showed he was going to have a corner come hell or high water. Jack sighed and moved to help.

"So. Pip." Allison said softly.

"My grandfather reincarnated with some residual memories" Ianto replied calmly "He was a blacksmith and country vet. Made his own weapons, horseshoes … Nainny's pokers … liked working with metal. Will probably be a real pain for you."

"No" Kris said with glee as he finally understood the child "A progeny is never a pain … they are a gift. A gift from the gods. Wow. Really? He has past memories?"

Ianto watched Jack's face change as his son was accepted with such understanding.

A thaw perhaps?