8
Barely any light in Ianto's empty kitchen. Owen, alone, in his cape. Carefully, he sets a cup of saucer atop a cloth napkin
He GRASPS the corners of the napkin. He looks scared. We get what's about to happen. As he...YANKS the napkin, as FAST as he can, the cup and saucer, RATTLE and...stay put.
Owen. Is astounded.
And then he looks up.
To a cabinet filled with glassware and china.
.
.
.
In the bedroom Jack is kneeling by Ianto who is asleep. He gently takes his hand and fiddles a bit, then pulled his hand back so we can see he has tied a thread to Ianto's finger.
He speaks softly "Good morning Good morning, baby I've got something for you"
"You do?" Ianto mutters into his pillow.
"Yeah But you have to wake up to get it Ok"
"Hi - Hi I'm awake" Ianto blinks and looks at the piece of thread around his finger "Ah … You shouldn't have?"
"The first time I got married... ...we'd been together since college... ...and marriage... just seemed like the next step It was just something that happened But I think for two people to really love each other... to really... commit to each other... ...it has to be... ...it has to be an act of will" Jack starts to tighten the thread. "Or a decision And I think two people have to... live that decision every day. Even when things are hard and you feel like giving up... ...you have to... ...hang on to that decision... ...that choice to... ...to love each other Even if it's only by a thread I... let that thread break once This time, it won't "
Ianto's hand is still as a beautiful antique ring is slipped on his finger. He stares at his hand in shock and delight. "Oh my God. Are you serious?"
Tenderly Jack whispers "I think so...What do you think?"
"I think so too..."
They hold each other for a long time.
"It's forever you know." Jack says after a while.
Trying to read him, Ianto says "Okay...Is that the good thing or the bad thing?"
"Because I can't hurt anyone like this ever again." Jack sighs.
Ianto grins. "How did you hurt someone? She threw you out, remember?"
He does. Ianto hugs him tight as he says "Everything's gonna work out. The kids and I...we're going to love each other."
"Yan, it may take time."
"What's eight, ten years? Hell, you'll still be ambulatory. I think." he's counting on his fingers. Jack kisses him and Ianto adds "It's inevitable. Look, I was defensive, I was insecure. I was afraid to love first."
His incredible smile. Filling even Jack with confidence. "But I'm not anymore."
A sudden horrific CRASHING sound. The breakage of the breakable.
Their look holds.
"I'll get this." Ianto sighs. A quick kiss. And he's gone.
Jack's smile is light. Maybe this will all work out.
.
.
.
.
Owen is cuddled up in his coverlet. Almost as if he's hiding. Ianto picks up some stray underpants. Actually, three of them.
"Are you real mad?" Owen squeaks.
"How could I be? We learned some magic" Ianto replies calmly. He goes to his bed. Sits down. "I made all the pieces disappear."
"Oh."
"And you learned..." he leans toward him and kisses his forehead. Very sweetly. "...to make that trick disappear, huh?"
He nods. Big time.
Ianto stands, smiles "... A night. Of learning."
They share the smile. And Ianto leaves, into the darkened hall. Down it now, only to stop. Open a door, so quietly. Silently enter the room of a sleeping child. Ianto moves soundlessly to Toshiko's side. Stares down. Listens to the soft breathing.
He straightens the covers slightly, in a maternal way. Then, on impulse, reaches down...tenderly smoothes back a strand of hair. Leans down as his lips brush her skin. One last look. And he leaves.
The door closes.
Alone, now...Toshiko opens her eyes.
She is thinking.
.
.
.
Ianto is dropping off Toshiko at Gwen's door. They must be late, because Ianto is looking anxiously at his watch. Not even noticing that Toshiko has pulled out a tube of lip gloss, turning the shaft to reveal a glittering golden-coloured gloss. Then Ianto notices "Uh. Put that away, hon, your mom w..."
The door opens. Gwen is dressed for riding. Ianto tries a sincere smile "Sorry I'm late, I got lost dropping Owen off at Kevin's."
"It's okay, it's twenty minutes. The horse'll be there."
Ianto blinks. Is he on the right planet?
"Mom, look what Yan got me!" Uh-oh. The kid holds it up. "It's not to wear around, or anything, I'm way too young. It's just for play."
Ianto grimaces "My neice wanted some and ... it was on special ... See, I..."
Taking it, Gwen smiles "That is so pretty. You usually only see that colour in people's teeth."
Toshiko has entered the house, to see on a table by the door a huge, brightly-wrapped package. "Wow. Who's that for?"
Quietly Gwen replies "Well. It's for you."
The kid WHIRLS around. "Really?"
"Just because. Just because I love you. Go ahead..."
Toshiko starts to unwrap the present with Christmas-morning-care.
Gwen looks at the glitter gloss then Ianto who squirms "I'm sorry, I just..."
"Hey. At least it's not an editing machine."
"No way. I told her two, three years, maybe, for such an expens..." And stops. Because the paper has come off. A giant deluxe model beginner's VIDEO EDITOR. Toshiko is STUNNED silent. So's Ianto.
Toshiko sobs with tears in her eyes "Oh, Mommy..."
And JUMPS into Gwen's arms, CRUSHING her with the hug mothers live for.
"I hope it's the right kind."
"Are you kidding? It is so much better than the one Ianto showed me!" Toshiko crows.
Gwen strokes her baby's head. "Well, I thought. You know, why wait?"
The child turns to Ianto, frozen in the doorway "I told you I was big enough! Is my mom the greatest, or what?"
Ianto swallows. "The greatest."
.
.
.
Gwen and Toshiko riding. The kid is still on Cloud Nine. Gwen's eyes are on her.
"...I mean, he knows all the music, and pop stars, and clothes and stuff." Toshiko gushes
"He's like still a kid, himself." Gwen adds "Like a big brother"
"He knows every neat junk food place." Looks to see if her mom is okay hearing... "Actually. He's kind of cool, when you get to know him."
"I bet."
Toshiko studies her mom's profile. "And don't tell him I told you."
"Secret's safe with me."
.
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.
.
Ianto sits cross-legged on the floor of the walk-in closet. Next to him, a glass and a bottle of Stolie, getting toward the bottom. An ashtray filled with butts, and...a cardboard box. Dragged out of somewhere. Photo albums, loose snapshots. Vintage stuff. From his face, this is not a carefree romp down Memory Lane. he takes another hit on the Stolie. More
than slightly intoxicated, weaving, squinting at...the next photo. Jack, young, straddling a Kawasaki. Gwen, just as young, holding him from behind. She wears a halter and shorts, and looks simply terrific.
Ianto looks drunk and jealous. With an overlay of self-pity. Brings the photo closer. Squints harder.
"What the fuck is that?" His worst fears confirmed "...a tattoo?"
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.
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The lights are coming on in the city. Gwen sits staring out the window, as an IV drips into her arm. She is alone, and down. And fighting the fear of what may come to pass. Her pager goes OFF.
Jesus.
She pulls a cell phone from her purse. Works it with one hand. Brings up...the smile. Showtime.
She says softly "Hey, good-lookin', I was just thinking about calling y..."
Owen on the phone in Ianto's and Jack's kitchen. He is alone. Staring through the glass window of the oven "Yan says I have to eat lamb. I told him you're making me spaghetti!"
"Honey, this is Thursday. I pick you up tomorrow, and we do big spaghetti."
"And many meatballs." Owen agrees.
A nurse enters, and Gwen shoots her with a wave of her fingers. "You'll be up to your armpits in meatballs, I'm flying them in from Sweden."
"Is that like Luigi's?"
She loves this kid so much. "Not a lot, sweetie. It's a country. Like Canada. Only smaller."
"Where are you, anyway?"
And the feeling comes straight to her eyes. She can't fight it. "I'm somewhere, thinking of you. And meatballs. And you know what?"
"Yes."
"Of course, you do. Being magic." Gwen smiles "Then you know I've got a flu bug, and I turn green and barf profusely when I even think about food. So, all the more meatballs for you. But you know that."
"I did. Do I have to eat lamb?" Owen huffs "Daddy didn't cook it, he did."
"Do me a favour? Eat it, and then give me a secret report, okay? Pay particular attention to whether it's chewy and if it tastes more like chocolate or soup."
He laughs. And she can hear that. And her eyes fill. And she murmurs "Hey, that's a world-class laugh you got there. Can I call you sometime? If I feel blue."
A silence. And for a heartbeat, the fear. Did he hear it in my voice?
But no... "Sure. You got my number."
And now she's crying. But she can't. She can't. Gains control for a whispered "That I do. Always will."
"Mom...?"
She sniffles "I'm fine, ba..."
"Tomorrow? Can I have one butterscotch pudding for dessert?" Owen pleads.
See her relief. Secret still safe. "Nope."
He's crestfallen.
"We can only have two."