15
Bets and Herb were laughing softly as Tonny did what he was sure was a Christmas Dance, Babs declaring it ridiculous before joining in to show him how is it supposed to be done.
Walter was such a mature 14 ½ that the Jones Patented Eye roll was eerily Iantoish with Jack turning to his other big boy to ask if he was OK. It had been the voucher that had done it, the driving lessons apparently exactly what he had wanted and Jack was so thankful Ianto had written on the card that they were from Dad. I mean, he could have said from both of them but somehow he had known that this was something important. Jack knew Stephen wanted the Defensive Driving Course because the nightmares of his Mama's death that still haunted him, especially this time of year. Trust Ianto to get it right as always.
The cabin was heaving with life and noise as Ianto took a moment to settle on the floor and pull Ton into his lap, the fishing rod getting a good examination as Ianto explained the different bits that had come with it and Ianto knew Uncle Owie was getting a big kiss for this one. A perfect gift from a good man. Ianto wished he and Tosh would just reproduce and get their own little gremlin to fuss over, Tosh was lamenting the size of Ton who was getting too big for a good cuddle in her lap.
Esmeralda had promised an outing when they got back to civilisation and Jack was settling for the odd bum squeeze and leer as the children screamed and rampaged. Connor and Em had been on the phone and Babs had spent so long on the phone with Bethy that her ear was flattened and red, as were her eyes.
"I think Bert is pining for me" she said grandly, "Poor boy. I should have just given in and let him come but he has responsibilities."
"Yes, what would Sheila do without him?" Ianto agreed with a straight face that still amazed Jack after all this time, Ianto's ability to handle the Drama Queen, then he wondered if he was to thank for that with his own diva tendencies.
"Hungry love?" he asked and Ianto turned to face him, a soft smile as he nodded and then his face lit up as the phone call he was making connected and Jack listened to the soft cooing as Ianto had Neve on the other line. Jack could visualise Gene holding her as Idris held the phone to the little baby's ear.
Ton was humming happily as he snuggled against his Taddy, the idea of fishing come spring would be good and he knew Herb would row them far out onto the lake and wear his funny hat with him. Bets and Herb were such good friends, he was so happy to have them and he was even happy to share them with the others. After all you share when you are a family, right?
Granny Harry had put money in the card and Ton was scandalised at the thought of his own money, money Taddy could not control and Jack knew the little one was going to have a ball. Walter had been touched by the photo of his mother when she had been his age, looking at it intently to see if there were similarities and Ianto had told him the hair looked the same.
Izzy and Ren had made cards that everyone had opened and Ianto could imagine their little faces opening their own gifts back at the village, Carl and Jarred videoing it of course so the wonderful Uncles could see their favourite godchildren scream with glee at a later date.
Soon Ianto would lead Ton out to hang the seed bells for the birds and refill the squirrel feeders as well, Ton excited when he sees little paw prints that Herb and Walter would take photos of for his album.
Ton was sure his Christmas Album was going to be the best one of all this year, his Taddy looking so swish in his new scarf Ton had chosen all by himself and although Taddy didn't wear a lot of bright orange he knew Taddy liked it by the way he struggled to say anything when he saw it.
Best one ever!