45

Dawn had tested negative and Ianto knew he could not isolate her, poor kid, so that was that. Owen agreed that most parents are careful not to expose their DS children due to the delicate natures of their health and as the mother had only died recently… poor kid… the father was clearly a douche but at least he left her where she can be cared for. She was considered safe to enter the village.

Biddy Lawson was a surprise. She had never shown much interest in the DS around the place, preferring to heap love and affection on Hawk and as she sat watching the woman on the floor with some Barbie dolls she finally said why she had arrived.

"I have lots of room in my home. My home, the one I have because you paid off the bank when they threatened to foreclose on me after Graham died. We never had kids, didn't mind for them much but I guess I never spent much time with some to know there were all different sorts. I see now that my nieces and nephews from my two sisters were horribly raised and not all children are… difficult." She grimaced "Besides. It was the nappies and all that I did not adhere to. Young Carlton and his minions have shown me another side to love and… well… I did always want a daughter to bake with, dress up with and such. I did spoil my little niece. When she died I … well."

"I always loved Walter, always. My sister's kids… well… David not so much. He was so much like his father who I despised with open malice. I tried not to pass it over to David but sometimes I felt terrible for feeling the same about him as the other kids." Ianto admitted "All are different. Love is not a finite or tangible thing, rather smoke and mist. We can only marvel and hope to feel safe within it."

"Yes. See? You know how to put things" she smiled, her usually dower face changing to one slightly younger and more attractive. She must have been pretty in her youth.

"Dawn? Missus… ah…."

"Primrose. My name is Primrose, but a lot of friends used to call me Mirry. Well, I guess you can pick something if you like sweetheart" Primrose said softly.

"Like a flower?" Dawn asked. "The pretty coloured one?"

"Yes. Exactly." Primrose smiled as she moved to the edge of her chair "Would you like to come stay with me dear? I need ever so much help with things and you look like you can be ever so helpful."

"I like to help. Mama said I was a good helper" Dawn lit up as she scrambled to her feet and then she regarded Primrose with a soft frown "A flower. My mama was Iris. That's a flower too. You are my new mama?"

"Oh my" Primrose said softly.

"Yes" Ianto said as he rose and finalized the deal, "Now, get your things and we will walk up to Mama Mirry's house so you can see where it is and where we are to visit us whenever you like."

And it was done.

Another family created in the village.