Ianto took a deep breath as he dressed for his evening with Jack and Alice, something that both excited and terrified him. He had eventually decided on his red and black ensemble, the outfit that made him feel the most confident, which also happened to be Jack's favourite. Straightening his tie in the mirror, he smiled at the fact that at least he looked the part, even if he was a nervous wreck inside. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, making Ianto jump slightly before he moved to answer it. As the door swung open, there was Jack, leaning casually against the doorframe, grinning.
"Wow" Jack whistled as he took in Ianto's appearance, "Ianto Jones, you look sensational"
Ianto rolled his eyes, though he was secretly ecstatic.
"You're not looking too bad yourself, Captain" he smiled, stepping aside to let the man into his flat. Jack stepped in boldly, grabbing Ianto around the waist as he did so. Ianto gasped as he was steered towards the living room and almost pushed onto the sofa. As soon as his back hit the sofa, Jack was above him, grinning as he captured his lips in a breathtaking kiss. Jack's hands went to rest on Ianto's hips as Ianto deepened the kiss, running his hands through Jack's hair. After some time, Jack pulled back and allowed Ianto to get up from the sofa.
"What was that about?" Ianto asked breathlessly.
"You just looked so delectable in that suit" Jack grinned, "And..." he leaned in so his lips were brushing Ianto's ear.
"I just gave you a little taster of what's to come later" he whispered seductively.
Ianto groaned, "Well, that's just great" he said sarcastically, "Great idea to put that in my head just when I'm about to meet your daughter!"
Jack chuckled, stroking Ianto's cheek lovingly, "Come on, you, we'd best be off"
20 minutes later, Ianto found himself standing outside a sizable house in the Cardiff suburbs, trying desperately to control his breathing. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been this nervous, and he was silently praying that it didn't show. Jack squeezed his hand comfortingly before ringing the doorbell. There were footsteps from inside, then the door swung open to reveal a beautiful woman, smiling broadly at her guests. Alice Carter had an air of her father's charisma and boldness, which perfectly complimented her Italian looks she had inherited from her mother.
"Hello, Dad" she spoke confidently, with a degree of airiness that Ianto had yet to master.
"Hi, Alice" Jack smiled, pulling his daughter into a hug. As she pulled back, she held a hand out to Ianto, smiling welcomingly.
"And this must be the famous Ianto Jones" she stated, "I have to say, it's a pleasure to finally meet you"
"Likewise" he smiled, shaking her hand. Suddenly, there was a yell of delight from inside the house as a young boy came running out, immediately being scooped into Jack's arms.
"Hey, soldier!" Jack greeted the boy, who hugged him tightly.
"Uncle Jack!" the boy cried happily. Jack set him down onto the floor and turned to Ianto.
"Stephen, there's someone I'd like you to meet. Ianto Jones, Stephen Carter" he gestured between the two of them.
"Hello" said Stephen, "I'm Stephen and I'm 8, how old are you?"
Ianto laughed, "Hi, Stephen, I'm Ianto, and I'm 28"
Stephen processed this, "I thought so; you look younger than Uncle Jack"
Ianto smirked at the boy's intuition. He has no idea, he thought to himself.
"Anyway" said Alice, "Shall we go in? Dinner will be ready soon"
The group entered the house, following Alice through to the living room. Ianto found that he had relaxed considerably since the first meeting, after Stephen had cleverly broken the ice. He and Jack sat on the sofa as Alice went to get drinks. Stephen jumped up onto Jack's lap and began bombarding him with information. Ianto watched on, amazed at how natural Jack was with children. Suddenly, Alice gestured to him from the kitchen, asking him silently to come and help. He stepped towards her nervously, entering the large kitchen diner behind her.
"Did you need help?" he asked timidly.
"No, Thank you" she answered, "I just thought we'd have a bit of chat while they're keeping each other occupied" she smiled.
Ianto swallowed apprehensively, "Okay, what did you want to talk about?"
She laughed gently, "God, you make it sound like an interrogation! I just wanted to get to know you a bit, seeing as you're with my Dad"
Ianto grinned, relaxing, "I see, well, whatever you want to know..."
"Well, how did you two first meet?"
"He hired me because I look good in a suit, and it sort of...escalated into this"
Alice giggled, "That sounds like him, and I have to say, he was right about the suits"
"Yes, well, I do try" Ianto laughed.
"Does it bother you, the aging thing?" Alice asked.
"Not really, I mean, I'm younger than he would be anyway, but it might do in the future" he smiled, "Although, I'd love to see the day he starts aging properly, seeing the fuss he makes when he finds a grey hair, I swear it's like a Greek tragedy"
"Tell me about it!" she rolled her eyes, "He's so vain sometimes, and he flirts with anything with a pulse, doesn't he?!"
Ianto sighed, "Yes, it's something you get used to"
"Doesn't it bug you?"
"Well he's calmed it down a bit recently, since I got my own back" he winked.
"Oh? I'm intrigued"
"Let's just say it doesn't hurt to know a model that's always willing to engage in payback"
"I can see why he likes you" Alice smirked, and Ianto realised that smirk was very familiar.
There was a beep from the oven, signalling that dinner was ready. Alice gestured for Ianto to take a seat at the dining table, just as Jack and Stephen came in and took their places. Jack looked over at Ianto questioningly, who just grinned back. Alice came over with plates of steaming hot pasta, placing them in front of her guests.
"Wow, Alice, you've really excelled yourself, I remember how many burnt cupcakes we had to choke down as you were growing up" Jack said cheekily. Alice rolled her eyes.
"It really is delicious" Ianto added politely.
"Uncle Jack?" Stephen piped up.
"Yes?" Jack moved to spoon pasta into his mouth.
"Is Ianto your boyfriend?" he asked innocently.
Ianto paled considerably, Jack spluttered over his mouthful of pasta, and Alice smirked behind her hand as Stephen waited expectantly for an answer.
"Um...well, Yes, Stephen"
Stephen nodded, considering, "That's good then, can you pass the parmesan, mum?"
The three adults looked at each other, astounded, before carrying on with normal conversation, with Stephen showing particular attention to Ianto. He had spotted Ianto's stopwatch and had become slightly obsessed with it, much to Jack's amusement. He very much doubted that Alice would let Stephen play with it if she how much of a part it played in his and Ianto's sexual escapades.
After dinner, Jack and Alice settled in the living room, as Ianto was dragged up the stairs for a tour of Stephen's room. Jack smiled at how well the young boy had taken to Ianto, and was praying that Alice felt the same. As they sat down, Alice grinned at her father's obvious nerves.
"So...?" Jack asked quietly.
Alice laughed, "God, calm down, will you?! He's lovely, Dad"
Jack relaxed visibly, "really? You like him?"
"I can see how much you do! And yeah, for the record, I like him, and Stephen obviously adores him. And, I've gotta say, you were right about the suits, he's stunning!"
There was an awkward cough from Jack then, which caused Alice to roll her eyes.
"What, you of all people can't say you haven't noticed he's bloody gorgeous!"
Alice turned to where Jack was looking over her shoulder, and discovered Stephen and Ianto standing there, listening intently. Ianto was blushing profusely, and Stephen was giggling.
"Mummy, do you fancy Uncle Ianto?" he asked in all seriousness.
"No! Of course not, Stephen, where do you get such ideas?"
"Well, you just said...."
"That's enough, Stephen" she said, laughing nervously, "Anyway, would anyone like another drink?"
"Actually, we'd better be going, we've got an early start tomorrow"
"Well, if you're sure" Alice stood up to see the pair out.
Stephen looked visibly upset at the thought of them leaving.
"You'll come back again though, right?" he looked at Ianto tearfully.
"Of course we will, we'll be back before you know it" he smiled.
They said their goodbyes, Stephen holding on to Ianto tightly, determined not to let him go.
"Stephen, Ianto and Jack have to leave now, it's late" Alice said firmly.
"Uncle Ianto, you don't have to go really, do you?" he asked.
Ianto smiled at the young boy in his arms,
"Well, yes, me and your Uncle Jack have to go to work tomorrow, and we need some sleep, and so do you, like your mother says"
Stephen reluctantly let Ianto go, and the two men left, turning and waving to the boy every few yards.
"Wow" Jack breathed as they got into the SUV.
"What?" Ianto asked, reaching over to hold Jack's hand. Jack squeezed it gratefully.
"That went so well! I mean, I'm pretty sure Stephen likes you more than me, and Alice adored you"
"Well, I've always been good with kids, I suppose" he said modestly.
"You were amazing Yan, thank you" Jack beamed, leaning over to kiss Ianto softly. He was still so surprised at how well both Ianto and Alice had taken to each other, and Steven seemed smitten with Ianto. And Ianto was confused as to why he was so worried in the first place.
