6

The treaties had been signed and things were settling into an agreeable stalemate as people went about their daily lives without fear. There were still patrols, don't get me wrong, but there was a less 'visible' presence of security.

Owen and Toshiko not only settled into a parental life but as hoped, excelled with Owen being the soft touch Ianto had thought him to be with baby talk alternating between mild sweet scolding and straight out gushing. The pup drank it in, imprinting on his new parents with ease and the Kelpie community found themselves welcoming more Weres into the area without problems.

So, it was a mild surprise on a sunny afternoon at the park, Wick laughing as he ran with a few other children, that suddenly a bark echoed across the park and Ianto rose to find a huge Red bearing down on a woman who was not even looking in the direction of the enraged one.

Ianto left hiss spot next to Jack and was across the playground within a heartbeat, between the two women as the Red Were slammed into him, hitting an immovable object at great force that caused her to yelp as she flew back to land in a heap and the Black turned with her pup cradled in her arms with surprise.

"Bitch" the Red rose and was about to swing around Ianto when the Black responded by spitting over his shoulder at her, the pup now crying softly from the commotion.

The boom of the Webley like thunder, Jack there with a face of doom as he snarled "There are babies here, what the hell do you think you are doing!"

"That bitch stole my mate!" the Red pointed.

"Not my fault he likes his women black and strong like his coffee… not weak red like cordial" came the reply and both women bared their teeth.

"Actually… that was a pretty good comeback" Jack said to Ianto like the two women were not there "But is he black or red… isn't he the dirty dog here?"

Silence.

Ianto stared at Jack, then face palmed as Jack thought back over his words and sighed "It is an expression like… lazy as an Ass. Or… cheeky like a monkey. Not meant as a Were insult."

"Well… at least WE create our own young instead of stealing from the dead" the Black said, surprising Ianto who now looked angry as well focusing on her as she held the little one against her with a look of triumph.

"Really? Tell the one in here that they are not good enough because they will have fucking wings instead of dog breath" Jack said back as he gestured at his stomach and Ianto blinked, then started to laugh.

They all looked at him.

"Seriously… are you sure this time?" he finally giggled.

"Yeah, Owen is scanning this afternoon but I felt the shift in my hips and lower back that mean I am about to accommodate weight. Yeah, I am about a month or so gone I think" Jack said happily.

"Oh Cariad, what wonderful news" Ianto gushed, then he remembered why they were there and turned to the women "I will speak with your elders about this and the pack alphas. The one you fight over is probably in need of a good castration if he cannot find and keep a good mate, both of you seem strong, independent and fierce women who deserve a mate that stands next to them fighting for their honour, not being the cause of a fight!"

They nodded. The Red hung her head and started to move away.

"Now, take your child home and comfort him, this is not a good day for either of you, acting like teens in heat not yet had your first knotting!" Ianto muttered to the Black and they both caught it, both horrified at the vulgar language as she gasped and stared to stomp off too.

"Get knotted takes on a whole new term" Jack said dreamily.

"Stop it… no impure thoughts when carrying MY precious" Ianto sighed and made a silly voice, gesturing at Jack's stomach all excited and 'Gollemish' that had Jack beaming with delight.

.

.

"Wow… look at that… wow… a litter" Owen said with wide eyes "gotta be three.. no four…"

Jack sat up, knocking the wand aside a she gaped and Ianto started to snigger "Cariad. We only have one or twins. He is pulling your leg."

"Owen… I will shoot you, ya son of a… awwww…. Hey Hayden" Jack crooned as Toshiko entered with her little pup, Jack instantly forgoing the Owen slap.

"Right… there it is. A single, strong heartbeat… no… two. Twins, like Kelpie Lore. Congrats. Looking like… six weeks." Owen finally said once his giggles were under control and Jack looked at Ianto with raw love, Ianto kissing him as he whispered that this was perfect timing.

"Wick is that little bit older but it means that Gwen's little one, our little one and now your little ones will all grow together, friends." Toshiko agreed "and the mighty Wick will protect them, won't you darling."

Wick looked up from the screen he was investigating with his face almost touching it, grinning a she pointed to the blips on the screen "My friend!"

"Yes darling, Daddy is going to grow one or two just for you. Bubbas" Ianto said with joy as Wick lit up, excited and not at all feeling put out. Ianto hoped both made it, sometimes only one did but… this IS Jack… twins.

They just had to tell the others.