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Ianto knew he was being unreasonable in his pleas to stay, knew the children were beside themselves and also the clothes he wore reeked of fear, sweat and blood.
Finally reassured by Owen that Jack was asleep for the rest of the night, he agreed to go home.
Stephen was waiting in the driveway, god knows how long he had been standing in the dark waiting and Ianto felt terrible for stalling.
Owen took a moment to hug them both before driving off and Ianto opened his arms to his oldest son.
A hug and some tears, followed by a loving kiss and assurances before Stephen straightened his shoulders in true Harkness fashion and walked into the house declaring Taddy home and Daddy was going to be fine.
Babbit was curled in John's lap and they both looked like they were still weepy, John's look of hope transforming into a smile as he saw Ianto.
"Dad's going to be fine" Ianto said, "Just gonna be in the hospital complaining and propositioning all the pretty nurses for a while."
Then Ianto looked around and frowned "Where's Walt?"
Idris was leaning against the sofa and pointed silently.
Ianto knocked on the door and called out softly, waiting as Walter opened it. Walter's face appeared and Ianto smiled as he entered the tower, looking up at the stars through the skylight.
"I was praying for Daddy" Walter whimpered, crawling into Ianto's lap.
"Well it worked" Ianto told him with a soft squeeze, "I just talked to him and he's doing OK."
Ianto knew his son wanted more and he led him from the room, glad to find Gene had taken Babbit and Ton for a bath.
"Daddy was shot, three bullets." Ianto decided truth was the best way to go, "One was to his belly and it hit his liver which is an important organ. He bled a bit but his liver was fixed. He is going to be fine, just needs a bit of smothering for a while."
"When can we see him?" Babs demanded from the doorway and Gene gave a look of apology.
"Tomorrow morning I'll go back to see how he is and if he's going to be moved to a private room." Ianto told his little daughter, holding his arms out for her to run to him, "Then I will come home and tell you if it's OK or if you have to wait a day or two for him to get rest first, OK?"
"I made him a card and wrote a letter" Babbit said softly, rubbing her face in Ianto's shirt, "He's so naughty for scaring us."
"Yes, and I'm all smelly so I need a bath too" Ianto sighed and Babbit lit up as he slid off Ianto's lap and ran back to the bathroom squealing.
"God, I'm glad she's happy" John sighed as he chased a slippery Ton, "She's been so upset."
"Always was sensitive" Ianto walked into the bathroom to find his sweetheart was running more water with a determined look.
"Are you doing my bath for me darling?" Ianto asked with delight as he watched her check the water with her hands.
He undressed and stepped in groaning as the heat enveloped him.
"Oh Babs, that's perfect! You're a natural at mothering" he sighed.
Babs clasped her hands with glee and leaned forward to kiss Ianto's forehead and then ran to fix the bed like she had watched Daddy do.
Ianto came out to find his PJs waiting, the bed turned down and an expectant Walter and Babbit settled in waiting for him as well.
"Ton wanted John, apparently we all breathe too loud or something" Babbit shrugged and Ianto smothered a giggle at Ton's description of their snoring.
Ianto found it sweet.
He slid into the bed and was soon engulfed in children as Stephen slid on behind him as well, completing the huddle.
Sans Ton.
Ianto's worry at being able to sleep fled along with consciousness as he drifted off to sleep.
When John carried a grumpy Ton in and plonked him in the bedding for Stephen to cuddle Ianto didn't stir.
John retreated for a sleepless night sitting on the sofa.
Worrying about his old partner.
This family needed him.
