2

Rhiannon, Gareth and Lloyd were sharing a screen. No surprises there, still so close that even their partners were background distractions to the three musketeers.

Daisy and Iris each had a screen. Daisy looked to be in good heath, sitting with her straight back and prim ankles crossed where as Iris was having an off day, laying on a sofa like damsel in distress. The family had long since become used to this and ignored her flittering hand now and then.

Pip was then on screen and yelling at everyone for attention as they laughed and waved back, Ianto waiting silently for his parents to join and complete the party.

Not a single sibling acknowledged him during this time but he did not mind. Used to it. He watched them interact with one another, laugh and talk about things he had no interest in. Gossip whores. Then the middle screen moved and his parents were there, smiling as they sat on an ornate sofa waiting for everyone to calm down.

"Hello everyone" Queen Jenny said happily "Look at us. This is a treat, first time in .. well… almost six months that we have all seen one another at once"

"We have not all been tighter since my wedding Mama" Pip said moving up and down to take attention, "And while I have you all here I have something to say. An announcement!"

Ianto's smile started to slip as his sister took over his meeting "Pip…"

"Shut up Yawn-oh, I am talking here. Everyone guess what… Dustin and I have decided to start our family. We are actively trying for a baby!" she squealed, clapping her hands as everyone cheered and congratulated them. Ianto sat there smoldering away as she went on to gush. "There is a Spark in the ethos… can you feel it? I think it's for me!"

"Mama" Ianto said softly "This is supposed…"

"Oh shit up Yawn-oh. Why cant you be happy for me!" Pip slapped her hand on the screen "You always sit there with that 'swallowed a fly' look… go eat a bird, then cat… then all the rest from the old story until you DIE!"

"Pippy!" Ianto's father said with shock "do not speak to your brother like that. Come on… he is the one who organized this meeting in the first place."

"And why… I know it is only to upset me" she wailed, flopping back against the poor man who had wed her, his face full of alarm as clearly he knew the rest of his evening would be ruined with a sobbing partner.

Ianto deflated as everyone rushed to comfort her, the little twins even telling him he was selfish for taking her happiness when it was such a good evening. He threw his arms up "This is why I never speak. I don't know why I bother really"

"Me neither, you know she will always win" Lloyd said to him with a shake of his head "Sorry little Teddy Bear… what was it you wanted to tell us?"

"SEEEE" came a scream of rage "He gets ALLLLL the attention all the time, what about me. You are a pig Yawn-Oh, a fucking arsehole pig!"

"OK… good night everyone" Ianto reached out to end the call.

"No… darling... what was it?" the queen asked, leaning forward as she caught something in his face "Ianto darling, what's wrong?"

Ianto ended the call without answering, his sister's scream still ringing in his ears and he rose to pad to the bed, looking at his handsome husband who had slept through the entire thing. Gods, you could ride a dragon through the room and he wouldn't stir once asleep.

Ianto rubbed his belly and tried to work out how to get out of this bloody party, if he didn't go it would make thing so much easier. The last thing he wanted was be anywhere near that bitch … there were more than enough of those in his life ya know. Besides, travel was not a great idea right now... not with the spark.

.

.

The next morning he had his reprieve.

Jax started to get a temperature and the grizzling was even putting Jack's teeth on edge. "Gods, is there nothing you can do?"

"We are rubbing the ointment on his gums, giving him soft cool things to chew, there is not much else I can do Cariad. He is unwell and clearly teething is not nice for him… oh Gods." Ianto rose as the child started to cry, the nappy leaking into Ianto's lap evident as the stain grew.

"Ewww" Jack rose with alarm "Want can I do?"

"Get nanny and let me move past you" Ianto said as he rushed for the nursery with the baby hugged against him, trying to ignore the feeling of moistness seeping through his clothing. Ew indeed. Poor little mite, not his fault. Poor little guy.

Once in his bathtub on a little waist high table, the baby seemed to settle and Ianto could leave him with the nanny while disrobing and getting in the shower. He was still drying himself when the pinging started and he rushed to open it "Taddy?"

"Hello boy… oh… shower?"

"Yeah… Jax is teething and his nappy leaked everywhere… gross. Much better now" Ianto laughed as he pulled the robe around himself more.

"Your mother scolded your sister once she got control of the meeting… I am sorry you felt the need to retreat as always. Even on a vid-screen she is a bully to you" the man sighed.

"It's OK Taddy. I'm used to it" Ianto shrugged

"Well… I had words too. The way she kept saying your name… my father's name… really pissed me off. I think I even startled myself there" the king laughed "your mother told me I was forceful."

"well… thank you Taddy" Ianto smiled softly.

"So... that news…"

"Doesn't matter now" Ianto sighed again "She spoilt it, like she does everything of mine. It's OK. Let her have the limelight. Anything else will just set her off."

Oh dear. So… you will keep it to yourself." His face seemed to droop in the screen and Ianto knew that he had twigged. "You've not told anyone yet… he is still not listening to the bond is he!"

"Sorry Taddy… I must protect my own spark here." Ianto warned "any negativity cannot be around me."

"Of course son. Of course."

Ianto let his hands stroke the barely there bump as his baby listened to the voice of it's grandfather with interest.

They knew one another now… all that mattered.