67
"So, those stones are healing as well as heating" Andy said as he and Ianto sat in the hot pool.
"Yeah, while you've been soaking in here, they've been working on your nerve damage" Ianto smiled, "I didn't say anything because I didn't know if they would work on humans or not. Since I'm technically a hybrid now they work for me."
"Ah" Andy nodded as he leaned back to float, "I always feel so..invigorated after a good long soak. Rhys is sometimes exhausted by…shit."
Ianto laughed as Andy blushed and slapped the water at him, "For what it's worth, it's a lot more fun if you are both in here. No after burn."
Andy laughed along with him.
"My little man is getting restless, I can hear Jack doing airplanes with him" Ianto sighed as he rose from the water, "Tuck is getting quite clever and soon he will lose his temper if Jack doesn't offer a bottle or piece of fruit."
"He snarled at Rhys today" Andy said with glee, "Little gums and everything."
"No!"
"Yeah, he took the bottle away before it was empty to check how much Tucker had drunk and he went off on one, full anger" Andy laughed, "You should have seen Rhys' face as he shoved the bottle back in quick."
"Little bugger" Ianto snorted as he dried himself.
"Anwen took him in the end, calmed him right down" Andy yawned, "She's a lovely wee mama."
"Yes she is" Ianto turned back to look at Andy, "Her birthday soon. Rhys hasn't said because he's not thought about it I guess. Maybe a wee party for her would boost tings around here? So much maleness, a little girlyness might make her happy."
"Shit" Andy sat up and looked up at him, "Epic. A wee cake and some balloons…pink all the way!"
Ianto wandered off pleased to see Andy getting excited and he knew the little girl would get a party she would love, she deserved it living with them. After all, Martha was one of the boys too. Must be hard for a little girl. Not that Martha wasn't a great role model but…well, she was her mother's daughter and Ianto knew she longed for pretty things.
Ianto realised he had forgiven Gwen in some strange way, having to in order to love her daughter properly and he started to consider what he and Jack could do for her birthday as well, the answer coming to him as he walked out and saw her playing with the dogs in the yard.
"Cariad?" he wandered into the main room where Jack was holding the baby at arm's length swinging him around in a lazy circle as Tucker glared into space like an angry superman.
"Oh thank god" Jack sobbed, racing to give the boy to his parental and Tucker tugged at Ianto until he sat and let his robe fall open so the boy could suckle.
"You are getting too big for this" Ianto said softly and an eye roll told him to shut up and give.
"Did you need something love?" Jack asked as he fetched a little blanket to cover the now floppy and happy baby.
"Anwen, she has a birthday coming up and I was wondering if a little pony or miniature horse?" Ianto said as he maintained eye contact with the hungry boy.
"Oh!" Jack gasped, "What a wonderful idea. A little one big enough to ride, then when she's older we get her a horse and Tucker can ride the wee one."
"Yeah, I think it would fit in with the madness, not like we've not got the room in this huge compound. Might be good with that red barn, convert it to a stable?" Ianto wondered and Jack nodded.
Rhys came in and looked at the baby, now asleep with his mouth open as he snored in his Taddy's lap. "Aww, look at the wee man, that was quick."
"A wee horsie!" Jack exploded with excitement, "Ianto thinks we should get a little horsie for the girl, can you see her with wee riding clothes on and a little hat? Ahhhh, and those boots."
"Cariad, calm down" Ianto sighed, "You'll wake the baby."
"Maybe we get a couple, can't have the wee thing lonely, do they pine?" Jack was on a roll and Ianto slid back into the chair and ignored them as both men rushed for the computer, gushing like teenage girls looking at the latest heartthrob.
"Hey" Martha strode in, "Tish wants to know if you want anything, she's coming for tea."
"we're getting a horsie" Jack told her excitedly and Martha nodded silently, "Ohhhhh, look! So many colours!"
"It's not like buying a car Cariad" Ianto warned, "Much more to consider than the colour."
"LOOK!" Rhys chortled, "He's white with black hair!"
"Mane" Jack rushed over to his side of the screen, "It's the mane, look the tail is the same."
"Awwww!" they gushed and Martha turned to Ianto who rolled his eyes. She shrugged and wandered off to check the roast.
Mad the lot of them.