34

Ianto was holding the tablet awkwardly while stirring his coffee as he watched Ton walking though the house, the tablet the other end swinging in his son's hand as Ton did not think about what Taddy could see his end. Ianto was used to it, this morning zoom call a little earlier than usual as Shay and Hawk slept on cuddled up with Jack upstairs.

Ianto walked to the large patio doors and pushed them open, stepping out to look over the water with the mist still rolling around the Lake.

"Tadda?"

"Here love" Ianto looked down at the tablet to find Ton smiling back at him with equal affection "So, here."

The picture moved in a way that might make a lesser man sea sick but Ianto waited for the image to settle and he looked at the huge bouquet of pink. Pink on pink on pink. Wow. "Perfect."

"Yes, I think so. Taddy, did it cost more to get for all the way in Cardiff?"

"You see love, these are hard times and not everyone is purchasing flowers right now so we will continue to use our favourite florists even if there is a little more effort needed in the delivery part. We want them open and they need us to achieve that" Ianto explained gently "And besides, the Hoodlum from the Firehouse chosen to collect the flowers was honoured to drive to the village and leave them at the guard house."

"Shame they have to sit here by her photo. Feels weird not being there at her grave." Ton sighed.

"Why Geek picked up two bouquets. One for us and one for her. He is going to place it on her grave for us as well, so when you look at the pretty flowers know Mama has hers for her Birthday too" Ianto assured his lovely boy.

"I miss her. Is that weird? I do not remember her but… I do." To frowned.

"It's not weird. I miss mine lots" Ianto smiled again.

Then music started and Ton groaned with annoyance "Not again. He's played that three times already"

"Imp?"

"Yeah. He is wanting to learn the guitar riff, whatever that means" Ton frowned "Sounds rough to me."

Ianto was listening to the lyrics and realized it was a song from one of the new artists Imp was into, a song about a man who kills his lover. By hanging her. Oh no. no. Really?

"Horrible right?" Ton said with a glare "At least my Mama died in an accident, not from that."

Ianto felt the sting as he stared at his son and knew Ton was thinking about the same thing. Then to Ianto's dismay he said "Taddy? Did your mama die like this? Did she wriggle like a fish on a hook? Gasping for air?"

Ianto knew the tablet was on speaker and he took a punt "ROSE COTTAGE THIS IS YOUR MASTER SPEAKING!"

Ton blinked at his Tad with surprise as Ianto roared loudly, then he looked up with glee as the house responded through the Alexa "Hello Boss."

"Rose, be a dear and isolate that song Imp is currently playing on his song list and pause it until I give permission for it to replay."

To Ton's delight the song stopped playing and in the distance Imp roared with annoyance as the house purred "Order executed Boss."

"Taddy, the house did it" Ton said with open joy, the sorrow of his dead mother's birthday as gone from his mind as was the death of his Grandmother, Ianto's lovely Mother Jennifer who did indeed hang.

Let the Imp call to complain.

Please.

Ianto would have a few choice words with that young man. He was old enough to know better.

Sixteen and angsty all the way.