3

Jack had left taking the girls and Nanny with him since Ianto was 'hogging the child' anyway. Ianto felt the rush of anger Jack could get from him with a sneer or unkind word and he didn't' hide it in the bond, satisfied to see Jack wince as his own nastiness slapped him in the head.

Ianto waited.

"Ianto, sorry about before. Mama said…"

"You've been talking to her about us? Our relationship? Really? What does she know about Bladesinger bonds?" Ianto asked calmly "You know… I am not wanting a fight… I am tired too. Jax kept me up all night with his teeth, poor little chap."

"A curse of being a Harkness, great teeth mean huge roots" Jack grimaced, "The girls were bad too but they had their mother to fuss on them, I was useless."

"It's not your fault . I know you are all excited about seeing your cousins and siblings. I know you wanted me to meet them too… there will still be time. Plenty of time for all for that Cariad" Ianto crooned, stroking his cheek "Let's stop being angry. I know you hate being angry as much as I do and it solves nothing. Now. You can go, gush about Jax to then and when it's our little winter ceremony we decided on… they will all come here to meet him."

Jack perked up, their decision to have a little post bonding ceremony so Jax might get a good bonding to the Bladesinger bloodline had been in the works for some time, another reason Ianto was so pissed at Jack's mother for this.

She knew because Jack was talking to her again.

Damn it.

"Anyway… you know I am terrible at travelling. Go… have fun. Besides… this is a party for your parents. Your mother and I are still estranged, it might be uncomfortable for her to have me there and she is unable to say so. This way the focus is on her and she doesn't to have to hide any animosity or remorse. Hmmm? Not the time for a reconciliation. A time for her to feel loved." Ianto said firmly, pleased that he had convinced Jack to relax and accept the fact he was NOT going anywhere near that fucking bitch… ah… dear woman.

Jack spun on his heel "RHYS!"

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.

They had left in a rush, a smattering of kisses and promises of vid-calls up the nether regions for Godsake and finally Ianto was left to walk the silent castle with relief. Then he saw Gwen sitting to one side with her hands in her lap staring into space.

"Gwen? You OK?"

"I miss him already" she sighed "I don't know how I will survive without him. You know he is going to ask Jackson for permission to wed me… isn't that cute? He was going to ask Daddy but… feels as Jack is the boss it would come better if he could tell daddy Jack already gave blessing."

"Well I am all alone too, come on… I think this grizzly mess is finally wearing himself out. Let's see if we can get him to snooze in the sunshine of the little tea room and we can have high tea and talk about the upcoming party for Jax. Once they get back."

"I don't know what game she is playing, but I feel really… uncomfortable" Gwen said as they walked arm in arm as friends do. "She is never one to let dogs sleep."

Since coming to an agreement they had actually found themselves to be similar in humor and Ianto had long since forgiven any involvement in his little 'near death' thing. He now saw that she had a huge heart and was just easily led the silly mare. He actually felt sorry for her now, she must have been so out of control. Rhys loved her, clear in the way he lit up when talking about her and she felt the same. Sure he was a Guard, not a man of title but Ianto knew he could get him one if he worked on it.

A wedding might be nice. He knew Gwen would be a mad and eccentric bride and poor Rhys would cling to his beer mug. It might be fun. Ianto tried to be positive here.

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.

"I miss you" Jack pouted down the Vid-screen.

"I know Cariad… but look… he's asleep" Ianto stepped aside to show the little man sleeping on Jack's side of the bed "I have a piece of you with me to love at least."

"Awwwwww" Jack gushed happily "And look at you all ready for bed and a good sniffing."

"A good what?"

"You have this smell that is so… yummy. Even more so lately. You know I will miss that. Damn, I should have snatched your pillow to cuddle. I am slow" Jack pouted some more, then lit up "Oooo, have to go. Ali is calling me for a bedtime story. Love you darling."

"Ditto" Ianto waggled fingers and the screen went black.

Ianto got into the bed and snuggled the little boy under his chin, waiting for sleep as the other little one listened to his heartbeat with interest.

He missed his father's snoring too.