49
The garden did look great, Ianto still working as the large pagoda style roof was going over top for shade. He was currently on his knees digging over the soil to plant some border plants when he heard a hover approaching and looked up expecting to see more fencing move past towards the far perimeter where the fencing would soon go up but to his horror he recognised his in-laws again.
He sighed as he got to his feet and then after considering options he waved to let them see him, their hover changing course to stop by the large garden. Lisa's brother got out and then turned to help his mother who looked upset and he sighed inwardly as he waited for them to come under the shade. He could either be combative or pleasant, on a day where he had been happy and content with the world he did not want a fight so he decided to be calm.
"Hello Ianto" Ben said as he led his mother to the seat Jack and John had already put there, waiting for the potted plants to go either end.
"Hello Benny" Ianto said softly, then he slid his eyes to the house where Winkle stood with a glass of juice for him and he sighed as Josh ran past her towards him with his arms outstretched and he caught him as the old woman gasped.
"Joshua?" she whispered.
He looked over at her and grimaced, sliding from his father's arms to head back towards the house and she rose with alarm as Winkle handed the glass to Ianto and turned to follow him back in. Then Joshua called out, "Daddy!"
Jack strode out with the rifle on his hip and eyeballed the man who was now reaching for his own gun and Ianto said softly, "I will kill you before you draw that if you intend harming my mate."
"Your mate?" she asked.
"Yes. He is mine" Ianto rose to look at her as he changed his mind to combative, his chin to his chest as he looked through his lashes like a predator, "The other parental my son looks to, who will kill for him, die for him and definitely burn this world for me."
"We didn't come here for trouble we came to… is it true? You've purchased the old fair grounds?" Ben demanded, "I thought her money was gone."
"What makes you think I spent anything to get it? Maybe the Sherriff owed me his soul and this was his brother's way to buy it back?" Ianto said in a low droll tone and the old woman suddenly snorted and clapped her hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle.
"I swear Ianto Jones, you are still a bloody showman" she laughed, "Lisa did love the theatrics."
Ianto smiled and it was like the sun coming out as he dropped the Vampyre side, a more affable and gentle man looking at her, "If you must know, the sheriff's brother owned it and gave it to me free of charge as I wanted it for the babans here. The fencing is going up around here to protect against Others and some of the rides and things for the children I care for are coming here as you can see. As for her money, you know as well as I do that was always mist and fog. You gave her paste jewellery, the real jewels were taken by your boy two summers before and you were too proud to tell the insurance company. This way you could blame her and she agreed to it in return for being allowed to leave with me. Do you really think she didn't tell me? I cannot offer you anything. There is nothing left or you. My son is mine, always was, always will be. You have no power over me and now Lisa is dead. The Others killed her, you have nothing to hold over me."
"I wanted to see him" she slumped.
"He knows what you did, each time you come to threaten and cajole he watches and knows." Ianto shook his head sadly, "he is not scared of you, he is merely not interested."
"Ianto!" John called as he stalked towards them, "Can I put the bug one where Owen can see it? I wanna see how long before he tries to get in it again."
"Sure" Ianto nodded, then looked up, "Noon. Gotta go in for the children's lunch."
John smiled as he looked over at the woman then his smile became feral, "Yeah, good thing you don't turn to ash in the sun like the Vampyre even if you are twice as dangerous as one."
Ianto canted his head and turned to walk inside, John looking at the two still on the seat, then he addressed Mrs. Hallett "If you really want a way back in try softly? Come to the opening of the gardens when we let everyone come see. Look at the children, the life we have here and then see what your daughter died for."
They rose to leave, looking the house one more time and seeing the little face watching them with her teeth showing, her little blue hair standing up like Medusa's snakes.
Winkle watched their hover go and then slid away from the window.
There be dangerous things in the shadows.