"You don't need a ring to belong to someone"

Ianto was watching Jack square off against the formidable Babs. This had been her decision to go this way, thinking her father would be the usual soft touch but she hadn't counted on his inability to let her be anything but his little princess.

"Daddy. Dad. I am eighteen now. Eighteen. I am practically a grown-up" she flapped her arms and stomped her feet as Jack snorted.

"Ah. But if you were a grown-up you wouldn't use that title. You would simply be" Jack snorted.

"Dad. Come on. Eighteen. In some cultures a woman is already married with children!" she huffed.

"Well, go live there then" Jack replied, his frown deepening "I thought you wanted to wait for children … you want one already?"

"Stop twisting my words TAAAADDDDDD!" she roared and Ianto stepped into the room so she could see him. "Taddy! Daddy won't let me marry Bethy!"

"Well … we did agree to 21" Ianto replied.

"Walter…"

"Is a different kettle of fish!" Jack snapped.

"Well something smells" she muttered as she flopped into a chair.

"Why now?" Ton asked, breaking the silence, "It's a crappy time to get married. Winter coming and the ground all muddy and mushy. We couldn't have it outside. No playing for the kids and the cake … lords, getting a cake tower about the place in that rain? Are you mad?"

They all stared at him as he continued to speak "You are supposed to be going Hoodlum all the way with your names on the tree. Promised to one another anyway right? If you have an engagement party instead, then in spring you can do the whole wedding thing. Nicer flowers then. We could even have time for Taddy to get the back field into shape for the marquee and stuff."

"Actually … you are sort of right" she sighed, "I … if we wait for an Easter one we can have the rabbit theme she keeps wanting. More chance of kids maybe too."

"We agreed. Finish school, love a few years and travel. Then kids" Jack said like he was reading from a list.

"I am finished" she replied smugly "I am now free. We practically live together and I have travelled the world with Walt. I see these kids, I want kids."

"You don't need rings to show you love someone. You don't need to sign a piece of paper to belong to one another" Ianto finally said softly "Engagement is not a marriage Cariad. I think that is just a step closer."

Jack huffed as he slumped in his own chair and Ton knew Babs had won.

She owed Taddy big time for this one.

He wondered if there was cake at an engagement thing.

"Google?"