49

Walter was in the recording studio, recording the song he was singing on the TV show and Ianto had given in to his request to come listen.

He immediately saw the child's nervousness was affecting his guitar playing and he watched as Walter winced and stopped playing again.

"How the hell do we fix this" the sound editor asked, rubbing his face. "He keeps forgetting his bloody lyrics."

"I helped him write it" Ianto finally said softly, "That's my melody that he put words to. He knows it. He's just nervous. If I play the guitar and he sings, it will still play on the screen when he lip-syncs later, right? A few run throughs and he'll have it. It's just nerves."

They all turned to stare at the usually silent man and then nodded.

Walter was surprised to see his Taddy entering the sound booth but realized what he was doing when he asked for a guitar.

"Just focus on Babs' song honey" Ianto said quietly, "Just sing what you feel and I'll back you all the way, OK?"

Walter felt himself relaxing as Ianto settled on a stool and adjusted the guitar.

"When did you lat tune this son?" Ianto asked, then nodded to show he was ready.

"Just be at home in your head darling" Ianto admitted, "Just relax."

Ianto started to play and Walter closed his eyes, back in the main room with Babs listening on the sofa. Ton asleep by the fire as Daddy reads his paper and pretends not to listen and Stephen pats a cat as he smiles up to show he likes the song.

Taddy with the guitar, looking at the song notes on the scrap of paper sitting on the arm of the armchair.

Walter sang.

His voice was another gift from his father and it was pure and true, Ianto joining in the harmonies as he thought they were just doing a trial run and it would help Walt remember.

They didn't see the commotion in the sound booth as people leapt from their chairs and waved their arms excitedly, or the producers entering to listen, one even placing his hands against the sound booth window so he could watch them more clearly.

Their vices rose for the final chorus and as the last notes of the guitar faded away Walter turned to grin at his Tad.

"Well?" Ianto said after a few moment s or silence, "Was that alright hon? You want to try it again?"

"Holly Mother of God!" the executive producer was slamming into the sound booth with his hands flapping, "When the hell were you going to tell us you could sing like that. Jesus wept! You two together was bloody brilliant!"

Ianto rose with horror, "No, no. This is Walter's thing, no, we do it again without me. He has it now, he just needed the push."

"And we need you to play the part of the man on the 'Big Brother' program that helps him sing this to Serena!" the producer wailed, "You are bloody gorgeous!"

Ianto opened his mouth to protest.

"God, really?" Walter asked, "That would be awesome. If Taddy was there … I could do it live."

"Live!" the man breathed, then spun to look into the sound booth where more hysterics were happening.

"Walt, you know I don't like the limelight, had enough of that with the avalanche and bombing" Ianto sighed.

"I knew I knew you from somewhere!" the sound man gasped "You are the guy that survived the bombing ... you gave that interview where you handed that bigoted bitch her on arse on a plate!"

Ianto grimaced.

"You … wait, I read somewhere that you are a psychologist?" the man continued, "A doctor, right?"

"I have doctorates yes, but I am still in training to be a child psychologist" Ianto argued and Walter tapped his arm.

"Please Tad? Imagine Babs' face when we tell her we will be filming a scene with you. All three of us" Walter begged.

Ianto whined low in his throat as he looked at the sea of hopeful faces.

"Damn it!"

.

.

And one more Chap as today is the Birthday for Walter Verse