8

Micha was excited about things, her birthday had been epic and now they were going to have Christmas. She was looking over the photo album of her birthday a couple of days ago, glad her Taddy had taken so many good shots and also really glad he had thought to get a 'normal' cake as she had not wanted to cut into her Princess at all.

Nine. She was nine whole years old. She sat swinging her legs as she contemplated the party that was so different to the last one. Things had been different then. No Pandemic talk, no masks and no people getting sick from the bad flu. Then there had been Granny Harkness too. In the last year since Taddy and Daddy put their foots down things had been so nice.

Mica did miss her a little bit, after all she was her Granny but really… Mica was now old enough to know she had also been a bit… mean. In the last year Damo had become so important to her, like … really. Mica thought about it and knew she might even give Princess up if she had to, to keep him. Wow.

Ianto looked up as Mica slid from the chair at the table and walked over to him, sensing something was up "Sweetie?"

"Granny Harkness. She rings Granddad and yells at him. Screams and howls and stuff, you can hear it through the phone and he hangs up with a really angry face"

"Grandma and Granddad fell out of love. It happens sometimes. They grew up and grew to be different people to who they were when they fell in love as teenagers… still kids really. Now they are both Grups they see that they don't' share the same things" Ianto said, as he always did when she asked these questions. Of all the kids, she was the one having trouble with it all. She had been spoilt by Millicent after all.

"You miss her, huh?"

"Sort of. I miss who she used to be. She changed when you came... then Damo. She became… nasty. Was she jealous of you?" her face was open and he reached out to stroke her face.

"I love you so much darling. Yes. She didn't think about Daddy wanting us. She hated me because he wanted to be with me more than her. Yeah. I think so. Like Myfanwy deciding she likes David. I could get all pissy about it but why bother? She can love him and still love me. She can be his dog but still come to me for love sometimes. Nanny couldn't get that. She could not share" Ianto pulled her close "But Granddad sure does."

"My birthday was great Taddy, even if it was not as big as the last one… this was one we all had fun with, Damo too" she sighed theatrically as she nestled against him "He doesn't cry for his mummy anymore."

"No. He had learnt what we already knew" Ianto agreed, rubbing her back gently.

"Hmmm?"

"That our mummies never leave us… they stay in our hearts and dreams for when we need them to be brave" Ianto kissed her forehead and she smiled as she closed her eyes and revelled in this man who had come when she needed him and would never leave.

.

.

"Babe?"

"Darling?"

"Was that sarcasm?" Jack asked as he peevishly peered over the head of the little dog on his chest. "Or do you really like the colour of his little hat?"

"Jack… why is he riding high?" Ianto frowned.

"I got worried that he might not be comfortable so I got him a little cushion in there" Jack held the front pack out so Ianto could see a little cushion under the pup so his legs poked straight out the holes instead of hanging down. The way the little fucker glared at him, he knew full well what he looked like thanks.

"Wow. I would never thought of doing that" Ianto finally said.

"Is Mimi OK?" Jack said, having notched her cuddle time.

"She wanted to reassure me that the party this year was a good one even if not extreme like the one last year" Ianto smiled "this pandemic thing has her worried that if it gets too bad maybe Santa will not come."

"Maybe we should lay off the news for a while… maybe we should only have positive things on the TV?" Jack asked.

"Well… at least they don't watch news on their tablets but… god Jack. It's everywhere" Ianto sighed.

"Well she had a good time and Christmas looks to be white his year" Jack kissed Ianto and laughed "To think this time last year we had an outside party with lights up and an evening meal… god. I was so disappointed that we didn't get snow… this year it's certain."

"Perfect for a pandemic… lets chuck some snow at them too" Ianto rolled his eyes "Speaking of which, I need some shopping done so I can stay away from the shops for the last few days of madness before Christmas. If I get it all now, we can lock down."

"Sounds good to me lover" Jack leaned over for another kiss and Ianto gently patted his chest on either side of the little dog now baring its teeth at Ianto.

"Enough of that… you have a baby in the room."

"Awww… yah…. Taddy sez you are the bubba… yes you are… yes you are… awwwww" Jack wandered off as Ianto went to check his list.

Yes.

He checked it twice.

Santa was definitely coming.