16

"Jack?"

"She died" Jack said sadly.

"Ah. How is Gray taking it?"

Jack shrugged as he pulled off his shirt and looked around, then accepted the one Ianto had already chosen and was handing him "He knew they were not a good match but a shame to go like that. Those horses…"

"Something spooked them …maybe a bee? It was in the garden with all the flowers in bloom" Ianto replied as he stood and smoothed the clothing over his bump "Look. Bubba is popping out."

Jack looked and his far softened, letting go of Grace's demise via horse. Of course, Ianto was well aware that his kill count was rising rapidly and he had to stop for a while, hopefully that there would be no need for another one soon. Ianto was now assured a safe house and a quiet nest for the foreseeable future, at least until his chick was here.

.

.

Ianto stood staring at the id-screen in silent shock, not sure what could be said now.

"So you see poppet… things have changed and Mama and I can no longer even hope to see you before your spark comes. I know you want us there to welcome, and renew a bond with the little boy there as well but… well… you know how it is" Ifan grimaced as he watched Ianto's face pale slightly, then morph into the blank stare of a disappointed child. Again.

"So… when is she due?" Ianto said softly, hoping his voice was not shaking, his rage building as he imagined all the things that he might like to see happen to his little sister. Like a tree fall on her head of something.

"Well, she has just announced so … she will be due about three months after you, I think" Ifan grinned "Mam wants to travel now while it is cooler so we can be settled there and assist her in her final days. Pregnancy's last months are such an important thing for a bonding."

"Yes Da, I am well aware of that" Ianto snarled, unable to hide his anger any more "Of course, a male pregnancy is so much more dangerous for the Dam but by all means… Pip MUST come first. By the Gods, she must have had the poor man going at her constantly to fall so soon after I announced. Gods. OK. Pip wins again. Lovely. Shame you could not go from my realm to hers and witness both of the births…. Oh no… gods forbid I matter… of course. Pip comes first. Only my first birth."

"Oh don't be like that poppet" Ifan sighed "She did not do this to spite you! She is so small, frail and needs us."

"And apparently I do not. Here in a foreign realm where they do not even know that a blade ceremony is… of course I do not need you. Why would I start now, eh? Some things never change. Well… go. Enjoy your grandchild and know that I will… as always… do my duty as quietly as possible lest I upset her little sweetness."

"Ianto… come on now…"

Ianto cut the feed, watching the screen fade.

Then he screamed angrily into the empty room.

.

.

"What do you mean, not coming" Jack said with surprise "I thought it was all sorted. Owen gave me books on the subject and such… are they not to attend the birth for the bond with their grandchild to grow?"

"Yah... well… not you know why I put off doing the wing up for them. I knew there would be an excuse, there always is. I deep down thought it would be Mother's horror at 'slumming it' but really I should have known the little bitch would be jealous of a skosh of attention going elsewhere. I am trying to let it go, the spark knows something is going on and it is not his fault, I do not want him to know he is not loved by one of the sets of parentals, not when your father is such a wonderful man" Ianto said softly "I will simply do what I have always done… I will not speak to them until I can be calm again. Hopefully before the baby is born. If not. You will have to announce it to them. I will not let them upset me."

"Agreed" Jack nodded, angry for his love.

.

.

"What do you mean… you have to go!" Ianto said softly as he watched Franklin squirm in his chair.

"My brother seeks guidance on a matter and I have to go to Capitol City. Because of your baby Jack can stay here, he can beg off but all of the ruling families within the realm must attend."

"Botheration" Ianto sighed.

So the other grandparent would not be there either.

.

.

"So how does this work? Jack's father is a king but his brother is THE king?" Rhys asked.

"THE High King is Franklin's brother. Yes. Since the realm of so huge, it was split between the siblings, with the High King ruling over them all like a manager, then they control each area. So… there are three kings and a sister queen…. The oldest sibling is the boss of all of them." Ianto canted his head "not that different to our Old Fae ways."

"Ah. So the High King heads the group like a mayor and they are his council …. So it is a council meeting" Rhys nodded as Ianto hid his amusement.

Ianto just hoped there was not going to be more taxes added to the realms for the High King's young daughter's wedding that was announced just the other day. Ianto had ear tagged the profit from last year's crops for the baby's celebrations.

Seems like the poor little boy was going to be overlooked much as his older brother seems to have been.

Botheration.