19
Ianto sat with the gift from Ton in his lap trying not to look too confused. It was a model kit for the Death Star. Ton then explained, "Daddy got the Millennium Falcon. See? For the Throne Room."
"Ah" Ianto got it and smiled softly, the Ton idea that you think of the Death Star's Garbage System while evacuation your bowels going to be chewed on for a while … ah … bad choice of words. Jack was excited with his kit, already reading the instructions on the back and Ianto scolded, telling him not to open it as the pieces will go everywhere.
Ton was still angry about the reindeer poos in the garden and was impatient for everyone to finish their unwrapping so he could go sort that out, Imp still clingy and whingey as he showed that he didn't really like the twins getting all that attention, even if the little buggers had gone and gotten lost like that.
At least Imp had stopped the grizzling once he had opened his gift from Babs, the little remote control car of interest and she sat on the floor showing him how to work the controls as Ianto rose to check the turkey.
"Babe?" Jack called as Millie rose form beside her husband Alf, going to the kitchen area to see if she could help, knowing Ianto wouldn't let her anyway. The table was already set and it did warm her to know there was a place for her and her husband, the family her father had married into accepting her even if she had made such a terrible first impression at the funeral. She saw now that Bets had been a loving woman and Ianto missed her dreadfully, probably always would.
"Just needed a sec" Ianto said softly, clearing his throat as he glanced back out.
"Chrys?"
"no … no. We have a sort of understanding. We drew a line" Ianto sighed, that still raw too. He looked out the window at the little memorial garden so lovingly covered with frost cloth, the precious roses snuggled safely beneath.
He didn't really know what to say to Chrys, how to help her with the horrible reality that the little one was gone, eternally slumbering beside his sister who was already moving and showing personality. This was going to be hard, harder than he would admit to anyone but as he returned and looked at Warren the doll sitting in the little highchair with Skyla's dress on he knew this was something that probably should have happened a long time ago.
A new year and a new life, how he had to look at it. The kids were the main thing, making sure they have a wonderful Christmas and New Year, the hard part to come with the birth and dealing with the poor little one who would not enjoy the love that as waiting.
Life can suck sometimes.
Ianto sighed and squared his shoulders as he headed back in to smile politely and agree that Mae looked edible in her little outfit, Ton getting up from the table to do an interpretive dance of joy before remembering the reindeer poo.
"TAD, THE BLOODY DOGS ATE THE POO!" he roared as he stood on the steps gaping at the pristine snow.
"Um, maybe the snow while we were eating covered it all up and by spring it will all be gone, good for the garden I guess" Ianto said quickly as his Best Boy stomped about looking at the dogs with open annoyance.
Ianto decided to go back inside and see if he could poke any more food into the twins, still so relieved that at least they were safe.
It didn't even feel like Christmas.
Not with the loss yet to come.