5

Ianto decided that the vessel needed a bit of calming down, Indigo had stirred things up and it had been a slow boil but now the heat was noticeable. He decided on a family meal in quarters, setting the table with practiced precision as Jack entered form the bathroom to stare.

"Big table."

"Yes" Ianto replied sagely, the furniture moved back to accommodate a table larger than usual, a boardroom one. He continued to set places and Jack counted with interest.

"You, me, Dave, Mimi, Rhia, BJ, Alice, Steven …"

"Owen, Tosh, Gwen, Rhys, Suzie and Andy" Ianto finished as he continued to move around the table. "Fourteen."

"Big"

Ianto turned to face him "They need a reconnect, a refocusing if ya like. We have been busy with work and Indy, they need reassurance that they are still part of the mix here, they need to know they are still family too"

"Things between you and Alice are better lately" Jack decided to broach the subject.

She was jealous, I didn't see it" Ianto shrugged, "I feel badly now, not realizing she felt so left out. She is a good woman, has your sense of maddening humor and … she is lovely. No mate. She is patient but fears she will never find one that suits. The first such a failure, her only shining light is the boy."

"I fear she is too much like me" Jack sighed "Intimidating. Most men run."

"Yes" Ianto sighed, as he rearranged place names until satisfied "But there will be one who is not afraid of a little dominating out there. She needs to know that too."

"And Suzie?"

"Needs to calm the fuck down. SO militarial, she does not want a mate, or to breed so she infects everyone with negativity to hide the fact she is a little sad about that. Indy has made her feel … motherly and she does not entirely like it."

Jack snorted and then turned as the chimes announced visitors. They came. One by one the chairs were filled and Ianto fussed happily, the baby passed around the table along with the dinner rolls as he cooed and laughed, enjoying the attention. He was his father's child and showed it with that engaging smile and grabby hands. Finally Alice had him and was laughing softly as he tugged at her hair and stared at her.

Andy leaned over her shoulder from the next chair "You are a cheeky beggar. Look at you!"

"I always wanted more" Alice whispered "I thought I would have more. A girl or two."

"Yeah, I never thought I would end up militarial, I began training as an early childhood provider ya know, then my father demanded I enter the cause when my brother fell in battle " Andy said as he took his turn at the clutch "I love kids. It broke my heart accepting that I would never find a mate or experience this. What the perfect thing you are little beast. What a wonderful gift."

Alice and he began to talk kids, their faces animated as were their hands as they both flapped and chortled about things they had seen kids do. Ianto watched silently and then he watched Alice reach over to place more food on his plate, his face one of surprise and …..YES… interest.

Jack noticed Ianto watching and glanced down the table at his daughter as she then scolded Andy and placed a napkin in his lap, Andy accepting it was a soft smile.

Huh.

Jack looked at Ianto.

Ianto looked at him and raised one eyebrow, then went back to the stoic conversation with Gwen about the thrusters on one of the Away Vessels.

Jack smiled softly as he watched his daughter laugh.

"Suzie" Ianto called out, the woman turning to face him as he asked "Gonna test that new thruster array on the remote vessel tomorrow. Want to pilot it for me while I do the numbers with Toshi?"

Her face lit up, straightening in her chair as she was offered a treat Ianto usually coveted himself. He knew she wanted it, had always liked remotes and she nodded with glee as he finally gave her more responsibility.

Mica had the baby, his smile a softer one as he stroked her face with little fingers and babbled, loving her as she loved him back and David leaned over to cluck.

Rhiannon looked over and sighed.

Like Alice, she had wanted more too.

Still.

There was time for all things.

No need to be jealous.

.

.

.

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So ends this one. Short and sweet.