46

Ianto seemed to rally as soon as they got to the baby store.

He was curious about all the bits and bobs you can get these days, sitting with Martha and Tish as they went over the selection of bottles, binkys and the most adorable onesies imaginable.

He could see his son in these, he could finally imagine his child.

Then he found a life-like baby doll lying on a change table for demonstrations, the correct weight and texture of a new born, complete with floppy limbs and he scooped it up, holding it against him as he looked down, visualizing his own son there, looking back up at him with his startlingly blue eyes.

Like.

Florescent.

Ianto blinked and wondered why he was seeing him like this, why in his mind's eye his son was so intense.

Was it the Predator DNA he was inadvertently sharing?

Would his son be altered?

Ianto felt bile rising in the back of his throat and he ran, dropping everything and slamming past people until he was in the stall of the handicapped toilet, on his knees hurling into the bowl.

Tish and Martha had followed and Martha knelt holding his shoulders as they spazmed and Tish wet a cloth for him.

"Ianto? Hon?" Martha crooned softly as she looked at her sister with worry.

Ianto seemed to sag against her and they sat on the cold floor until Ianto eventually stirred.

"God knows what germs are on this restroom floor" he moaned with disgust and Tish was the first to start giggling as they helped him to his feet.

"You OK?" Martha asked as Ianto rinsed his mouth out and spat into the sink.

"Yeah, just … god. That came out of nowhere" Ianto choked, rubbing at his face.

"The baby is growing so fast, he's pushing on organs, impacting your intestines" Martha said softly, "It's only a matter of time before you find it difficult to eat much at all."

"I know" Ianto snapped, then grimaced at the tone, "Sorry. I know I will probably end up bedridden, the pain in my lower back is already bloody harsh. I know I need more than I can get and a drip will be needed to add to the mix. I know all if this, you think I don't? I'm not just an archivist, I'm an analyst and if it's one thing I know for sure, I will die for this child."

"Well, I'm here to make sure that it doesn't come to that" Martha smiled, "But I am cheered by your optimism."

Ianto laughed softly as she hugged him and then sighed as he looked around, "We better go back, I need those things."

They traipsed back to the store and gathered what they had chosen, adding a few things and then making their way home, Martha texting ahead so Jack would know they were coming in with a sick boy.

Jack was waiting and when the SUV pulled to a stop he was there, holding out his arms for Ianto to slide into and carrying him like a bride to their room.

"I feel so foolish" Ianto snorted, "Like a swooning damsel."

"You ate little breakfast, skipped lunch and now threw up what little remained" Jack scolded "You will rest, eat and by gods, if that means I tie you to this bed and insert a stomach tube, then I will!"

Ianto blinked and then crooned, "that's the sweetest thing anyone had ever said to me puddin'!"

Jack threw his head back as the roared with laughter at the southern accent and fluttering eyelashes, Ianto channeling his best Gone with the Wind's Scarlett impression.

Martha brought in a power-shake and Ianto sipped at it, getting a blast of banana as he watched Jack take his shoes off an then to his delight he started to get a foot massage from his lovely Captain. He moaned as those callused fingers worked, his poor swollen feet and ankles enjoying a bit of attention.

Jack looked up and smiled as he watched the eyelids drooping and caught the shake before it spilled on the bedding, placing it by the bed for when Ianto woke and then he settled on the bed next to him, placing a hand on the small mound causing all the trouble.

"I know you're listening" he said softly, "I know you aren't trying to hurt anyone but you have to give your poor Taddy a break. Yeah? For me?"

He felt a bit foolish talking to the bump but it did seem to still under his hand and he smiled softly as he stroked it.

Ianto sighed softly, showing that something had eased or changed to lessen his pain and Jack leaned in, issing the bump as he whispered his thanks.

Silly or not, it seems to have worked.