13th Christmas
Jack was recovering from gunshot wounds so he was forced to watch the tree being raised under the watchful eye of Idris, Gene, John and Connor as their laughter echoed around the village.
Ianto had tucked a blanket around him as he sat in the chair and he was finally aware of how claustrophobic it felt to be fussed over all the time, something he was guilty of doing in the past.
Now he saw from Ianto's view and realised how often Ianto must have bit his tongue and smiled politely.
The dogs lopped past and he noticed something glinting in Grub's mouth, sighing as he called out to Ianto that they had an ornament again.
The kids screamed and hollered as they ran after the dogs, wrestling the remains of a bauble back and Jack grimaced at it, then looked up with surprise as Ianto laughed instead of blowing a gasket like he might have a few months back.
"No point getting upset Cariad, I have four more" Ianto laughed softly, "Damned dogs, they will be the death of me, and all this time I was blaming cats."
"Baby, you are a cat with the amount of lives you've burned through" Jack replied and Ianto smiled lovingly as he leaned in to kiss him.
"Be a good boy and there might be something else to 'burn' through later" he whispered and Jack sighed happily at the promise of another massage from Esmeralda …or maybe Candy.
Ooooo, Candy hasn't played in a while.
Jack rubbed his hands together as he wondered if he would be allowed to choose his playmate and watched that lush arse mince away as Ianto walked over to the tree, looking up as Stephen yelled from the middle of the fire ladder, Herb at the top showing off.
He was going to retire soon and Jack knew Ianto was worried about it, already looking at CVs and muttering softly.
Idris was a good man and Jack also felt bad for their previous clashes over Ianto, now he knew Gene he saw the reason for Idris's affections. Jack was instinctively drawn to him, spending time with him was as relaxing as with Ianto given their similar natures and Jack was pleased that things were settling between the families.
Babs skipped around the tree in her fairy outfit pretending to bless everyone and Jack couldn't help but laugh at her craziness, John trying to catch her making it even more entertaining as the dogs kept body blocking him. Jack wondered if he was ever going to remember that the two adult dogs were police trained and deliberately protecting their girl. Of course, the two pups were just mindless hooligans that enjoyed the screams each time he fell.
It had been a hard year but they had survived.
As a family, they had endured.
Ton walking had been a boon, his talking and being so Babbit-like had been a bonus. Seems the wee man was a sponge.
Ianto had spoken to him in the dark, voicing his awareness that this was their last child and Jack had heard the sorrow in his voice, pulling him closer as he had wished to fix things somehow but at least Ianto knew that Ton was a forever child and had assured Jack that there could be no other baby in their lives until Ton was ready.
When Jack had asked softly what would happen if he was never ready to let go of Ianto's apron he had been relieved at the shrug and whispered, "Then my arms are always full."
Jack knew it was not the end, Prim and wee Ifan more than enough to please his mad husband and he was sure that more babies would be offered as substitutes from the village that had all recognised a natural born nurturer.
Stephen was getting so big, like he had grown overnight and he was now able to look Jack and Ianto in the eye, something he knew Walter wanted as well but was a good half foot shorter.
Babbit was a little nymph and although there was no blood connection he saw Ianto in her mannerisms and grace, as if she were channelling him at times. He knew Ianto saw it as well, gaining pleasure in her beauty. If only he would believe it was him being reflected.
"Are you OK love?" Bets asked softly, patting his arm and he opened his eyes, not even realising he had drifted off to sleep in the middle of the madness.
"Just enjoying the sun" he smiled.
"Enjoy it while you can sweetheart" she sighed as she straightened up to look at the almost finished tree. "Rain coming."
"Yeah, gonna be a wet new year" Jack sighed in agreement.
They had no idea.