52
Ianto was struggling to the edge of the bed and Jack sighed as he slid out the other side.
"Gotta pee" Ianto grunted and Jack sighed as he helped him to his feet, annoyed that Jack had to be put out as well.
Jack went to lift him and Ianto snarled angrily as he pushed back, wanting to walk.
"There is no shame in being carried!" Jack argued, "It's my child causing the pain."
"Sorry Cariad" Ianto sighed "I know it's not your fault, I am just so prickly these days."
"I remember my wife, Sarah. She gave me three perfect children" Jack sighed softly as he set Ianto on his feet by the toilet, "Little round faces and gummy smiles. Each pregnancy was harder than the last and by the time little Aemon came along she was so sickly I was ready to abstain from sex to spare her the grief, even if she told me she would never forgive me if I did."
"Three?" Ianto asked softly as he leaned back against him.
"Jackson, Emilee and Aemon. Five, three and six months when they died. Buried with their mother in a pretty part of our land" Jack said then went quiet, rubbing his face against Ianto, then he spoke softly, "Jackson lasted the longest, following his Mama and siblings by a day. The influenza epidemic came from nowhere and I was helpless, not even my DNA in their bloodline saved them. They had all fallen sick at the same time, contracting it at a mother and baby picnic"
"Did they linger long?" Ianto asked with a soft frown.
"No, days. Mere days. Little Aemon first of course, died in the night and Sarah gave up when she realised all the children had it. Beat Emilee by a few hours to follow Aemon. Poor wee Jackson, promising he would look after them for me." Jack sighed, "So many losses but his little face, gods I died so many times in his final breath."
Ianto had held that name as a possible one for Bug but now knew no child could ever be another Jack, the little boy from so many years ago still strong in his father's heart.
No matter.
There was another name that seemed to push for dominance these days.
"OK, done" Ianto sighed and he slopped over to the sink to wash his hands as Jack watched him with a soft frown.
"Swim?" Jack offered and Ianto nodded with a sigh, letting him help him to the pools where he stepped out of his boxers and slid into the shallow end naked.
"Cheeky" Jack grinned, "Want anything else?"
"I would kill for a happy meal with chicken nuggets and dipping sauce but I must make do I guess" he pouted, knowing Jack would already be racing to get dressed. Ianto watched him disappear and sighed as he groaned softly and rubbed his belly, caressing around the bump as he encouraged the baby to stop cramping.
Gods it was hurting.
"Are you OK brother?"
Ianto opened his eyes and looked at the Predator, surprised to find she was accompanied but the other two that usually stood back and as they calmly entered the pools he realised it was not him they were there for and this was not simple cramping.
"No!" he whimpered fearfully, "Jack isn't here, it's not …I mean …it's just a wee back spasm, right?"
"Hush" Maddy crooned, "We have most of the night ahead, he will be back in time."
"Shit" Ianto grunted as the male one who was her mate reached out and stroked the bump making it shudder.
"He feels us near" she said with glee, "He is becoming, oh brother, you are such a good holder of life, there is no fear."
"Why would there be?" Ianto asked with surprise, "He comes from love and is welcomed into it also."
"Well spoken" came a deep boom from the other one who was watching, "Family is love."
"Agreed" Ianto grunted as another spasm started.
"Calm brother" she soothed, "You must breathe and be calm, our wee bug is about to breathe on his own and must feel your heartbeat now."
"I'm not comfortable at all" Ianto groaned and as the Predators manoeuvred him deeper so he would float in their arms Maddy left the water to seek the pretty skinned one he called a sister.
She entered the sleeping quartets and reached past the brash male to pat her shoulder, waking Martha with a start as Maddy stood dripping silently.
"Bug is arriving" she said to Martha, "Please come witness. Jack is on a food run and will be back soon but poor brother is afraid."
"Shit" she was out of the bed as Mickey sat up with confusion.
"You come too, you have affection for him, Bug should see his family when he breathes his first" she said to Mickey then walked off a he yelped and joined his wife.
Jack arrived home to a house with lights on and no one home, he shrugged as he made his way down to the pools and stood with confusion at the sight of everyone in the water in various states of undress.
Then Ianto groaned softly and Maddy crooned.
The food hit the floor and Ianto growled, "You better not have spilled that, I'm fucking starving!"
Jack scooped up the food and rushed in, clothes and all, wading over to fumble with the nuggets.
"Don't get them wet!" Ianto screamed as he kicked his legs, making the water splash and Jack laughed softly at the wee tantrum, dipping one in sauce and offering it as he looked at the tight belly.
"Is it time?" he asked Maddy who nodded.
"Holy fuck!" Jack said nervously.
"NUGGET!" Ianto screamed "NO BAD LAGUAGE YOU BASTARD MOTHERFUCKER!"
Mickey looked away quickly as he smothered a giggle and Jack crammed another nugget in quick.
It was going to be a long night.