16

I am hopeful … quietly so but still … hopeful.

Jack seems to be truthful in his actions, Max currently snuggled in the Bunker in Jack's cot as Jack sits with him until he is asleep. Little fella thinks it is all a big cool game … Myfanwy luckily out hunting, I don't think the little fella could take another surprise tonight.

I am sitting here with a coffee and a plate of biscuits as I wait for Jack to come back from settling Max. It's all so … domestic. But can we do this? Can we just pick up a fully grown little boy and start a family like it is no big deal?

What if Jack suddenly gets cold feet? I am already invested in this little guy, already thinking of a bigger apartment, a way to keep him for myself. I want that.

I want him.

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Jack watched Ianto clasp the cup, looking into it and knew this was going to be a conversation he didn't really want but deep down… sort of craved.

"Right. I think we need to talk about some changes" Jack settled and watched Ianto's eyes lift to look at him with instant distrust. It sort of hurt but Jack knew why. Ianto knew him, knew his ability to throw things away if they were too hard. Was probably checking the Retcon levels later.

Ianto nodded.

"Max. You want to keep him, I get that but … we need to see if that would work. We would need to …"

"I have some houses here to look at" Gwen said as she strode from the other end of the Hub, startling Jack, "I had no idea we have so many safe houses. Really. There are six within the range of the school and here as it is. He can have a back yard … see?"

Jack accepted the printouts and glanced at Ianto who was accepting some as well, the cup of coffee pushed to the table, "Six?"

"Several rooms, child friendly area and look, playground here." She said as she sat and picked up the cup.

"Also, lower crime rates and I can monitor it easily. I've checked the CCTV in the area, four of those six are already fully visible without me having to use more tech, just internal systems to be added" Tosh added from her own workstation, Jack swinging to gape at her as well, then grin as he saw that Max was being chosen by all of them. This would make it easier, right? No one would feel like Ianto was getting special treatment … not if they…where's Owen?

Jack looked around with confusion then froze as Owen danced into the Hub, the thing's head on his own like a mask making stupid noises.

"Nice" Ianto droned "like a baboon … please don't flash your arse for extra attention, Jack's is prettier."

"Thank you" Jack preened happily.

"So!" Owen pulled the head off and sat, his hair net making them all stare, then he remembered and pulled it off, ruffling his hair with annoyance.

"Yes old Mother Brown … So" Ianto said calmly as everyone else giggled.

"We're keeping him right? I mean ... can you even get suits that small?"

Ianto went to retort but saw Jack's face, seeing the delight in the thought and he realised he was gaining a lot more than he thought he ever would. "Jack? You and me gonna … you know. Try this? Date? See if we can sort of ... become a couple? Eventually a family? Do the house, the kid…maybe a dog?"

"Yeah, date and see where it goes?" Jack finally nodded, "I would like to try a lot of things with you, parenthood will be a challenge with our different styles but what the hell … our kid will be amazeballs!"

"Still not a word" Ianto blinked slowly.

"Yeah. Yeah, it is" Owen agreed with Jack, "Totes Amazeballs!"

"Goddess Save!" Ianto flopped back as Jack laughed and looked around at his team. His family, and he knew the next stage of his life would be different. Better this time. Ianto was not Luciana and although Max would never be little Melissa … he would not grow to be a spiteful Alice either.

This time .. it might work.

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So ends this one … we will see when I get a sequel out ... no promises guys. I have SOOOO many actives right now that need attention as well.