7

Ianto knew he would not be invited to the lunchtime reveal. Lisa's father did not like him, did not hide that. Ianto did not mind, it was the day of all days after all and he was counting down the minutes as she left with a wave of her hand.

"She's out" Ianto said into his phone which had been on an open call since she had stepped into the morning shower and then he started gathering what he needed, the last few days spent already covertly moving things from the apartment that his son would need. As per usual, his wife had not noticed the missing toys and things. Why would she… she had no idea what their son did have.

Jack was coming up in the lift, bringing a team with him that swept the place, removing the hidden cameras and things that had been helping to create a great file of proof that Lisa did not care for the child. Ianto knew there was also footage of …. Lisa's days there alone while he was out of the apartment unaware that she was using it for other things during their afternoons at the park … but he did not want to know. He was focused.

Ianto had the last of what he needed placed by the door and the men started to take it down as Ianto looked around and sighed, then turned to see Jack lifting Henry to a hip and the little boy babbled happily to the man he had come to know as a friend.

"Come on Henry Bum, you can come help me in the car, right?" Jack said "Your seat is in there."

Ianto placed the car keys on the table, getting ready to leave both the apartment and car behind after the nights fun ahead. He knew she had the low jack codes for it and did not care to share his destination with her just yet. After all … she had been telling him nothing lately, right?

"Thanks Jack" Ianto said at the doorway to the apartment, leaning in to kiss him to the shock of all present, them included and Jack grinned as he skipped off with the child, Owen looking back at him with wide eyes.

"Really?"

"Yeah" Ianto said with a wide grin "Hell yeah. He is… yeah."

Owen's laughter helped Ianto return to the apartment for the last time to start preparing for the night of goodbyes.

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Lisa looked delectable. She had returned full of joy and telling Ianto of her father's wish to gift them a new car. Really? Nice. Whatever. Ianto had nodded and said "Whatever you like love. You know I admire your taste."

"I want a silver one" she said as she applied her makeup then looked at her jewellery box "Ianto? I can't see you mother's broach I wanted to wear it tonight."

"Oh, could be in the safe deposit box love. We moved some stuff before the Bahamas, remember? I would have got it for you, sorry. But you know, your father would love to see your own mother's one right?" Ianto asked, then added "Or would that upset Stephanie?"

Lisa gleefully snatched up the broach and pinned it on with a look he knew well. Hopeful of an argument.

"Right, Owen has our son tonight" she said to her reflection "We have the entire night to do what has to be done."

"Yes. Tonight is all about you... your father and his wife" Ianto said like it was a chore and she giggled softly, slapping at him.

"I may slip away before the night is done ... you know I hate all the questions about why I don't have a job. No one respects the fact you are such a wonderful provider" Ianto said as he had practiced "come back and get the bed warmed for you."

"Yeah. Good" she said absently and Ianto was now sure that when he left she would not look for him, too busy stirring the shit with her family to care. She would be there all night, probably even stay over to piss off the poor woman who would ever be good enough for the family.

Ianto felt sorry for her, he knew how she felt.

They arrived and of course her father gathered her in his arms and carted her off lie she was a little girl leaving Ianto with the coats but he didn't care as he slipped the phone from her pocket, then searching for the step-mother who sat with some of the other family members talking softly.

"Stephanie, there you are. I wanted you to know… this is from me. Don't open it here, it's just for you…later" he winked and she accepted the envelope with confusion then he handed over a small box "This is for now."

She opened it and shirked as she looked at the huge diamond ring in there, one that Ianto had used Lisa's card to purchase as per her instructions to 'get her some bling that looks expensive' and she was almost in tears as she slid it onto her finger to see if it fitted. Of course it did. Ianto knew all those numbers too.

She stood and rushed for her husband and Lisa, enveloping them both as she wept and told Lisa how much she loved her and her thoughtful gift. She was so happy that they were entering a new phase in the their relationship. Lisa saw the ring and Ianto knew the flash of anger was for him but he didn't care as Lisa's father then told everyone his daughter was a wonderful woman with such a big heart to give such an expensive and loving git.

"Finally, you are growing up princess. I am so proud of you for this peace offering" he said as she leaned into him and accepted that she could not take that huge rock back now.

Ianto slipped out the side door with glee.

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Stephanie slipped upstairs and sat to open the envelope as she sat at her dresser, reading the note with interest that grew as she then removed the photographs of her husband with the young maid. How bloody typical. Ianto had taken the liberty of highlighting the pre-nup clause for infidelity that had her mouth going dry as he also told her in the letter that now was the time to strike… as he was too.

She would treasure that letter as she held it to her chest, heaving with emotion as she finally found a way to leave this god awful family with some of that money she knew that old prick would never leave her in his will like he kept promising.

The cherry on the top was knowing that Lisa was about to burn too!