16
Gwen was in the family way… so was Sam. Both women were not sure how to feel and they went home to their respective others for 'that' talk.
Now was the time when Ianto started to sweat. What if one said yes and the other said no… the one who gave up their child would watch the other grow, become and live. Ianto was a pessimist at heart, he knew this would happen. Would cause pain for the one who made the hard and maybe correct decision to terminate so when both came back with matching looks of resignation he was relieved.
He offered to go with them. Both of them glad of that too and he sat with one couple each side as Owen went over the simple procedure to 'terminate' while glancing at Ianto now and then for backup as this was something not often done in the village. Rhys grunting softly the only noise.
As the two women went to their respective rooms to rest and prepare Owen slid along to whisper "These are the fourth lot. We've had three others do this and I think more yet. This pandemic and the unease around the world… some are concerned about timing bringing a little one into this."
"They all have their reasons" Ianto said, now a little annoyed that Owen was talking out of class "Let's just remember that this is an age old thing, will always be and we can only support, not judge."
"No…no… I didn't mean it like that" Owen said instantly as he saw his misstep in Ianto's flared nostrils "No… I mean to say… if someone twigs or it creeps out… they are not alone. They will not be judged like they might have been five years ago… even last year. Things are so… scary right now. That's what I mean. This is not an isolated thing, apparently there are other places experiencing this too."
Ianto nodded as he got it now "Maybe in the newsletter you can put a little thing about confidentiality and the fact flu season is coming as well as this pandemic so you have an increased patronage lately or something, help cover the amount of women coming and going?"
"Good idea" Owen nodded "and the flu jab is a good idea too. We need to protect as much as we can… every time someone leaves, they risk us."
"Agreed, I sure as fuck am not going anywhere again. It felt… like a demon was lurking in the shadows, right there in the daytime… ya know? My heart was racing." Ianto agreed "We can order shit to be delivered, keep up the cleaning and disinfecting… even if it is overboard, I feel better knowing we are doing it."
"Me too" Owen clapped Ianto on the shoulder and then wet to be with Sam as he was doing her first… god doing her… Ianto sighed a she sat and waited in the waiting room. Not where he should be, in there. This was their moment of sorrow and regret. For even if it is necessary… you still mourn a little.
As it should be too.
