65
Jack had perked up, his visitor both unexpected and pleasing as he was followed by Ianto and a basket of goodies.
They ate while Jack hummed happily with his chocolate mousse and the thick shake an uneasy thing to accept as he was still supposed to be on soft food only.
The chocolate cupcakes came out with Ianto's whispered, "One won't hurt with your milkshake."
Jack saw one with a lizard on top and knew Babbit had decorated it, biting his bottom lip as he looked at it and wondered if the kids were OK.
"I am bringing them this afternoon, after school" Ianto said softly, guessing the reason for his quiet reflection.
Jack smiled as he sipped the milkshake.
When they came in he was asleep and he woke to laughter as Walter laughed at Stephen who was sneezing at the flowers by the bed.
"Who sends flowers!" Stephen demanded, "really! Chocolates, fruit … but flowers? To a fella?"
"But Daddy deserves flowers!" Babbit argued.
"Poor Taddy deserves flowers!" Walter snorted, "Did you see what the bloody press have done to the front gardens?"
Jack looked at Ianto with surprise as he blanched.
"They've been a bit intrusive, when you get out tomorrow I'm taking us all to the village" Ianto sighed, "I am so sick of this publicity."
"Tomorrow?" Jack asked with surprise.
"Owen's taking some time off and coming with, Tosh too. They want to smother us a bit themselves" Ianto smiled, "So … you can come home tomorrow instead of at the end of the week."
"A wee bit of a party?" Jack asked.
"Don't be silly!" Ianto scolded, "Rest and recovery mister!"
"But with everyone there?" Jack asked with that cheeky grin of his.
"There might be food and some laughter and stuff, but just because it's all of us eating and talking and maybe some other people will arrive, it doesn't mean it's a party!" Ianto growled and Jack hummed happily as he watched his beloved struggle not to grin back.
"Well, I really need a sponge bath now" Jack said with glee and Ianto sighed as his eyes rolled.
"Bloody incorrigible" John snorted, "You seem to be obsessed with bloody sponge baths."
"Yeah, well you don't see the nurse's outfit Ianto has" Jack whined.
John's eyes widened as he stared at 'Esmeralda' and swallowed as he remembered the gorgeous creature who showed Babbit ho to walk in heels like a legend.
"Behave or I'll ask Connor to do it!" Ianto scolded and Jack sighed as he shrugged.
"Thought you weren't into that but … kinky."
"Jack!" Ianto growled, "Behave!"
Babs sat watching as Jack gushed over the envelope, coloured so prettily and then the card inside was covered with glitter and feathers that made Jack groan with delight as he declared it the best one ever!
Babs clasped her hands as she jiggled on John's lap and Jack opened the letter, furtively peeing at her as he read it and smiled. He then carefully folded it and slid it into his PJ top pocket, patting it over his heart.
"I'll keep that one for my wallet baby" he whispered and she seemed to explode with pleasure as she squealed softly.
Ianto leaned in and kissed him, his wonderful smell of cedar mixed with coffee and spicy Welshman soothing Jack more than any other gift.
He closed his eyes and let himself drift in the noise of his family.
His life.
