6

"So what does that mean?" Monica asked as she adjusted the baby in her arms so her stomach had more room.

"They've narrowed it down to two school classes, then from that with the school's cooperation they narrowed it down to five children within the class. One of those five are likely to be the mother. The others gave DNA or proof of a medical examination so… these five families are BIG money and have lawyered up, saying they do not want to have anything to do with this. They openly deny the baby." Ianto explained as he watched her cluck at the little one. The last week had been a whirlwind of phone calls and madness, the Heddlu doing their jobs, Child Services too and now they had a somewhat definite answer.

Sparky had a home, he was loved and wanted here. Whoever the family was he came from… did not matter now.

"Oof, there it goes again" she laughed, her stomach visibly moving as her baby rolled.

"Wow, little one is a gymnast. Clearly from your side of the family" Ianto said and they laughed happily as they settled back.

Things were looking good.

.

.

"Jack?"

"Hey lover" Jack called back appearing with the kids in his arms "We were just getting the laundry folded."

"Oh really?" Ianto asked as he knelt an addressed his daughter "and did you help Daddy?"

She grinned back and pointed up at Jack as Ianto noticed the front pack with the little fella in it, dead to the world with slack little legs flopping about even as his arms were tucked in around him. Awwww, so sweet.

"I have to get a picture of that" Ianto said as he pulled out his phone and Jack lit up as this was the first time Ianto had shown any real interest. Then they settled in for an evening of children and domestic life.

And cats.

We can't forget those.

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.

Life went one, days became three weeks and the little spark was now a little chunkier, maybe a little longer and definitely smarter as he lay there squeaking for his Daddy. Yeah, Jack had done it. To Ianto's dismay he had started calling himself Daddy when speaking to the wee mite and Ianto knew this was a bad step but also… hope was really blooming now that they might get to keep him.

The last five females were determined not to fold, they all signed waivers that they did NOT want the baby and talk had started to get them legally signed up at his guardians. Hopefully, given time they can petition the court to adopt him formally.

Ianto had stopped worrying and had started to allow himself a little hope here, Jack bulldozing through it all with the calm belief that Sparky was destined to be theirs.

"Alexander is what his mother called him so we will honour that but… maybe as his second name?" Jack was discussing the possibility of changing the baby's name to Steven. Ianto was not sure if he liked that name or even if it was right to become this invested in the child. After all… nothing is set in stone ya know.

As someone who was born and raised to know that disappointment stalks you as eagerly as death, Ianto never counted his chickens before they were cooked. Well… hang on… you know what I mean. Right?

.

.

"So Charismas in a couple of weeks, are you ready?"

Ianto looked up from his paperwork and grunted with surprise, smiling as he tried to catch up to the conversation.

"If we were any more ready I might have to sedate Jack to stop us drowning in Christmas cheer" Ianto admitted with a grin "he soooo loves Christmas. And then comes the New Years parties, fireworks… he is mental."

"He had little Sparky out again, with the princess pushing the pram like she was doing it all by herself. It was SO cute to see her pushing it with glee, her Daddy's hands on the handle either said of hers to make sure she didn't send him into traffic. You really need to look into a double pram, one with a seat for an older child and a baby" Martha settled in a chair and watched her cousin. "What's wrong?"

"Jack is starting to talk names and adoption papers and futures… I am worried that it will all come crashing down." Ianto admitted.

"Aw, Toto. Always the pessimist." She laughed "Look… it's been over a month, the families have either cooperated or said fuck off. No one has claimed the poor little bugger and clearly Jack is smitten. As per usual, here's Toto. Don't disserve nice things, will not give himself anything good in life. God."

"I know, that's me" he laughed as well.

She was right.

As always.

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.

The fete was underway, Jack being a total crackerjack, as per usual. The snow had settled to nice little mounds that the kids were throwing themselves into as laughter filled the air. Owen the biggest kid of all with the deadliest aim with snowballs and by the time Ianto realized he had two little ones to control, the big one was in the middle of the fight.

Ianto lifted his daughter to his his hip and pushed the pram with Sparky over to look at some of the amazing clay sculptures the kids had done at the local school, several silent children watching their Fire Chief with huge eyes.

Then Jack was there seizing the startled baby out of the pram as he stated to stir and he raced about with the baby to show him all the pretty flowers over at the Roses tent. The old biddies all in love with him as well… and the baby too.

Christmas was coming and this year it was going to be a humdinger.