26

Ianto was settled in the bath with Babs and Ton so Jack stripped the bed and put fresh linen on, knowing this was something Ianto liked and then he laid out fresh PJ bottoms and got the chest rub ready.

John brushed past and Jack barely had time to register that John was about to see Ianto naked before Babbit streaked past with bubbles flying as he screamed at the top of his lungs that his 'bubble dress' was still 'working it'.

John exited with Ton wrapped in a towel, still screaming back at Babbit that the bubble dress would not save his butt and a high pitched laugh told everyone that the imp really didn't care.

Ianto shuffled out with a yawn and his face lit up when he saw Jack waiting.

Ianto dropped his towel and pulled in the PJ bottoms, then lay in the cool linen, moaning as he smelt the fresh lavender in the soap powder.

Not quite one of Rhia's pillows but enough to soothe.

Jack took the vapor rub and slathered Ianto's back, massaging him as Ianto went boneless with pleasure.

"I was thinking over the weekend" Jack said softly, "I was a dick about the class. Of course you can keep up with it as well as the kids. You're not the wife, I need to stop dumping everything on you. We'll manage, we always do. John is here now and will love a wee bit of responsibility. Yeah?"

Ianto's soft sigh told him that he has pleased him and that was enough for now.

Ianto was half asleep when Jack gently rolled him and massaged his chest then shoulders, making sure that Ianto had plenty of menthol to breathe in. He then did his feet.

Ianto started to snore and Jack gently rolled him onto his side and covered him, then went out to see if they had managed to get Babbit into PJs.

Babbit was in nightclothes … sure.

Bethany's bright pink nightdress was being twirled as Babbit danced up and down the room and John was calmly folding his fireman PJs to put away.

"Really?" Jack asked

"He was beyond insistent" John shrugged, "Kid wants to wear it. So what. He's happy."

"John …"

"Come on Jack. Look at him" John pointed and Jack turned to see Babbit's gleeful smile.

"But this is getting more pronounced" Jack hissed, "He wore her shoes the other day."

"So what" John shrugged,

"Ruby red Dorothy slippers?" Jack asked.

"Jack, does it matter?" John frowned, "He's happy. Babs is a unique little soul and I know this is probably just a phase, but what if it isn't?"

Jack canted his head.

"Jack, what is he is a cross-dresser or transgender" John asked softly, "I had an uncle that was so super gay I called him auntie. He cross dressed, loved being girly and it never had a name back then."

"So it's in your family" Jack turned to look at Babs who was now sitting on the sofa smoothing the nightgown into folds, humming happily.

"Ianto has already told me to let him wear what he wants, he is old enough to know his own mind" John smiled as Babbit cuddled Ton and kissed his little cheek, "Look at him. He's happy. Does it matter?"

Jack walked over and sat by Babbit, reaching out to push some hair away from his face, the curls now long enough to brush little shoulders.

"Daddy?" a little face with big gorgeous eyes locked on him, "Are you angry with me for wearing my nightie?"

"No darling" Jack crooned, cuddling the little boy close, "It's a pretty colour and I know you like pink."

"I'll take it off if you want, honest" Babbit's little hand closed over Jacks' as he promised and Jack felt terrible for making the child question, even for a second, if he was allowed to be himself.

"No, it's so pretty on you. You look pretty" Jack smiled, "Maybe you should go show Taddy, he's asleep and you know how snuggly he is."

Babbit's face lit up at the invite to sleep in the big bed and leapt off the sofa making a little squealing noise, and looking at his feet as he watched the hem flounce then ran into the bedroom.

Babbit slid into the bed and his Taddy hummed as he pulled him in like a big teddy bear, hot kips brushing his forehead as they both settled.

Daddy said he looked pretty.

Babbit was so happy he might burst.

Daddy saw him.