44

Christmas Eve and Ianto was up early and feeding the two huge industrial ovens in the kitchen before heading to the Village Hall where he then fed three more. He had begun preparations for tomorrow that would include desserts and cakes aplenty.

Ton rose and yawned, kissed his wife goodbye and with glee strapped his baby to his chest and strode with pride across to the Village Hall to help, little Shay swinging in his Taddy's front pack like he thought. Others came, went and the day seemed to settle in as little cakes were brought out to cook, Ton already working with the marzipan to create little figurines and fruits for the toppings. Ach cake the size of a block of butter, each one individual and creative. Each one had flair.

Ianto settled to make the poinsettia flowers with the marzipan and dip them in the edible glitter as Ton watched and copied, making his just as perfect after a few tries. They revelled in their work.

Walter and Ben were busy too, Walter teaching his son the proper use of good quality camera ash he let his son use his first ever model his lovely parents had brought him so long ago. Ben was a natural and Walter showed his pride, even as he let Penny carry everything like their go-to guy. A camera crew snuck about for the Christmas Special Walter always put out, so the fans could see his family at play and Fen soon joined him with his own camera.

A Mohawked little red girl might wander into shot now and then but hey… it's how it is in the Mad Zone.

Jack knew Ianto was being clever again, so visible, so present that the kids all saw him and knew he was busy with their food prep for tomorrow. Whispers as they finally agreed he was NOT Santa's Helper after all. If only they knew.

Hawk was busy too, doing Captain Kitty Hawk stuff that everyone catered to even if he was a little bit mad… it was a loveable kind of mad and he was just fitting in really… after all … Harley (as big as he is) wanted a cuddle and got pissy when he saw Shay in Ianto's front pack so John found himself in charge of the little bean and overly gushy as he pondered the fact he might want another one. Oh god… yeah. It's not too late right? After all, the age difference between him and Chrys was something people still pointed out sometimes in jest. She was still fertile right? John went off to ask her if she was on the pill or… you know… agreeable to some good old fashioned rutting.

A Biddy got hold of Shay and was settled by the fire at the end of the hall in the big rocking chair, singing in her soft Irish lit as she rocked the little one and reveled in the madness that was her village. Not since her time as a youth in the IRA had she had so much fun.

Since that man had come with his family full of bluster and life, everyone had benefitted.

That was the real Christmas gift that keeps on giving.