12

Ianto was looking at the five women waiting for their interviews as Nurse Maid, one tellingly holding a babe to her protectively. A shunned mother. The other telling thing to Ianto was the way Tannr kept covertly glancing at her with concern.

Forhitian women are prideful and also it is rare for one to be without a husband once hatchlings are made. This meant one of two things. She was shunned… or is widowed. Ianto chose to think of the later as he saw the way she was almost desperate, watching everyone else rise for their interviews with alarm.

She was the last one in and Ianto noted Tannr sliding into the room to stand at the back. Ianto had placed the little one on the floor. Olivia. Joy wanted to call her sister Olivia so that was her name. Little Livy… yeah. Already shortened and after a stern talk with Jack who wanted to nickname her Olive before being reminded that they might not like their green skin referred to as a colour like that. Typical Jack, it had never occurred to him that they were green and Olive is a colour.

Gods save us.

Of all the women, this one was the first to slide to the floor and click at the baby, something a mother does to soothe. Tannr took a step towards them and then stepped back again once he saw that she meant no harm. Ianto checked her paperwork again "So. Dolly. Oh, I like that. Dolly. So, I see you have a hatchling, yourself."

"My mate died on the spaceflight here, as did my sister. I was already tending to an egg so… I had no choice but to continue" she sighed softly, "My son. His first and only child. He would have been so happy."

"Ah. Yes, my sons are gifts" Ianto smiled and she looked over at Cherry who was asleep in her little bassinette in the corner. The gushingly pink lace a tell. Ianto laughed "Oh, she's the new one. After them."

"You kept breeding after getting boys?"

"I had no choice. My husband is virile and apparently my body craves him. Yes, I embrace pregnancy" Ianto shrugged making her face change to something Ianto had never seen. Shock. Ianto roared with mirth now "I am Boeshanninan, like my husband. I can conceive. There are many children here, three from me and others from my sister-wives, two of the sisters no longer alive. Elizabeth is though, she is my rock. As the only female she is who you would have to take direction from if I am not about. Don't worry, I am usually about. Tannr there knows everything too."

She turned to look at the huge man and smiled softly, looking him up and down as he puffed out his chest, then she looked down coyly. Ah.

"Right. I have seen all I need to. Owen, I have made my decision" Ianto said as he rose "Tannr. Show Dolly to the Nurse Maid's room please and then show her around."

Tannr made a sharp noise and Ianto knew he was pleased, as was she as she shot to her feet and then remembered her child, giggling as she scooped them both up without a second thought and followed Tannr eagerly.

Good.

She did as Ianto had hoped, taking little Livy with her.

.

.

"So she's gonna fit in?"

"Tannr moved the prayer corner around so there is room for her in the prayer area of his private room" Ianto said gleefully, "And I saw him holding her baby with interest."

"Hang on… did we get her for our child… or him?" Jack spluttered with wide eyes as he saw the evil grin of his beloved.

"Your point is?"

Jack laughed as he drew Ianto in and kissed him lustily "You are a minx."

..

.

"She is… worse than I remember" Sean said after trying to find the right words. He looked slightly brow beaten as he looked towards the door like she might be stalking him. Ianto was amused.

"I know. She was too spoilt by her new husband before he lost interest. He gave her too much status and the other wives resented it. Now she thinks she was entitled to the placement" Ianto rolled his eyes.

"And how is it going with you?"

"It is going trippingly well. The new Nursemaid is lovely, Tannr is content with her in his s[ace so… there we go." Ianto smiled "and you… other than the sister thing."

Sean snorted and then sighed as he admitted "I really do have a sister thing."

"I am sorry that I offloaded her onto you but I am sure your wives can slap her back a bit. After all, it's their house, not hers." Ianto admitted.

"You know, you're right. Maybe I need to remind my wives that she is a guest, not another sister-wife and she is not part of our Hive." Sean said as the light bulb went off.

Ianto nodded as he watched his brother start to bristle as he now felt like he could talk back to her. This was HIS house.

Ianto closed the call and sat back with a grin.

Not his problem now.