A/N: New chapter, after a very long streak of writer's block... Unfortunately I don't know when the next chapter will be up, but I hope you'll like this one!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything Torchwood, you think Ianto would be dead if I did?

Chapter 26

Ianto and Lisa had agreed that he would stay with her in London the two last months of the pregnancy, which left Jack and Ianto three weeks before Ianto left.

The couple had decided to really enjoy these weeks, and they did; going out to dinner just the two of them, having movie-nights with Alice – where they ate so much popcorn that they couldn't move afterwards, going to the zoo or the beach on the weekends, and they made sure to go to bed early every night, because those nights were what was going to get them through two months apart.

The baby was expected just before Christmas, for this both men were happy, since it meant that they would be able to spend their first Christmas together, with Alice and the new baby.

The weeks passed much too quickly though, and before they knew it, Alice and Jack were standing at the station, seeing Ianto off.

"We'll see each other in a few weeks, I'll be home for your birthday, and we'll do something special," Ianto promised Jack.

"I'm looking forward to having you home again, that'll be the best birthday-present!"

They kissed, and Alice hugged Ianto, before Ianto had to get on the train. He waved sadly at them as the train started to move away.

TW TW TW TW TW TW TW TW

"Adam, would you come in here for a moment?" Jack asked, and the red-headed man Ianto had chosen to replace him, came into Jack's office.

"Yes, sir?" he asked with a smile that didn't put Jack at ease, it was a bit too flirty.

"Would you go through this budget before sending it off to London, please?"

"Of course, sir, it'll be my pleasure." Adam answered and made sure that their fingers brushed against each other as he took the document.

A year ago, Jack would have appreciated the attention and would have bedded his younger colleague in a heart-beat, but now, now he had Ianto.

Six weeks had passed and Jack was really feeling the tension of not having Ianto beside him, at work, at home and in bed, so he was really looking forward to Ianto coming home for the weekend.

Just as he was leaving Jack's office, Adam turned and said

"So, it's your birthday Friday, right? Doing anything special?"

"Oh, I certainly intend to" Jack said, practically seeing Ianto's naked body before him.

"Want to have a drink after work, though?" Adam just wouldn't let it go, but at the same time, Jack couldn't deny that it felt nice to be wanted and flirted with. He missed Ianto and phone-sex just wasn't the same.

"I don't think so, Adam… I think I'll just head home…"

"Well, let me know if you change your mind." Adam said and winked before returning to Ianto's desk.

TW TW TW TW TW TW TW TW

On Thursday night, Jack was cleaning the house so that everything would be perfect when Ianto came hime. The phone rang and Jack jumped with joy as he picked up. But his smile quickly disappeared as Ianto informed him that Lisa wasn't feeling well, and instead of coming home, he was going to have to spend the weekend at the hospital with Lisa.

Six weeks of sexual tension and missing each other now blew up in a terrible row, full of accusations and stupidity, both of them saying things they would later regret. Jack and Ianto spent twenty minutes screaming at each other down the phone, before Jack hung up the phone after saying

"Well, it's good to know how little my birthday matters to you! Lisa will always be more important, won't she?"

Some time later, Alice came into her parents' bedroom, where Jack was still crying.

"He's not coming home?"

Jack shook his head.

"You know, it's not because he doesn't love you, if he could, he would be here, dad. You know that right?" saying this, Alice wrapped her arms around her father.

"I know, Ali, I just miss him so much…" Jack said between sobs.

"I know, dad, I miss him too… But soon, he and the baby will be here, and everything will be great!"

Jack tried to smile, but couldn't quite bring himself to be happy as he thought about the baby – everything had been perfect before.

"Dad, do you want me to stay home tomorrow night?"

Alice had made plans for a sleep-over at a friend's, so that Jack and Ianto could have some time to themselves.

"No sweetie, it'll be fine, we'll spend the weekend together." Alice hugged Jack one more time and moved to go to her own room.

"What did I do to deserve such a wonderful daughter, eh? You're the best, you know? Thanks hun…" Jack said, giving her a kiss on the fore-head.

Some time later, as he fell asleep, the tears and the doubts came back, and Jack spent a miserable night alone in his and Ianto's bed.

TW TW TW TW TW TW TW

In London, Ianto too, cried himself to sleep. He had tried to call Jack, but without any luck. It was important that Jack knew what he meant to him, he just didn't know how he would be able to show him.

TW TW TW TW TW TW TW

Jack's birthday wasn't a good one, the others had congratulated him and they had all had cake, but Jack couldn't shake the sadness and the feelings of abandonment he felt after last night's row. So when Adam asked him again if he wanted to have a drink after work, Jack told himself that it would do him good to think about something else, and not just go home to an empty house that only reminded him of the fact that Ianto had chosen to stay in London, with Lisa.

So, after work, Jack and Adam went to a restaurant where they had a few drinks and, at Adam's insistence, had dinner.

"Jack, we have to celebrate your birthday!"

This was the line that Adam also used to talk Jack into going to a club after dinner. Jack, who had now had several drinks and a few glasses of wine, accepted, happy to think about something else than Ianto. And it felt good to be the centre of someone's attention.

The club proved to be a gay-club where Adam continued to buy Jack drinks, and finally he made his move.

Jack had gone to the toilet, and was washing his hands, when he felt arms circle his waist. He was confused and turned around to see that it was Adam.

"What are you doing?" Jack chuckled, not quite understanding what was happening, in his inebriated state.

"We have to celebrate your birthday, Jack! Don't you see, I'm the one you can trust, the one you can confide in! And spend your nights with…" and with that, Adam captured Jack's lips in a kiss, and moved a hand to Jack's crotch.

It took Jack's brain a few moments to realise what was happening, but suddenly he was completely sober. He pushed Adam away and looked at him.

"Don't ever do that again!" he growled.

"But Jack, it's what you want!" Adam grinned.

"That's where you're wrong, Adam! Ianto is what I want!" Jack said and quickly left the bathroom and the club.

TW TW TW TW TW TW TW

Jack walked home, it took some time, but it made him feel better, his head clear. He realised that it wasn't because Jack didn't matter to him that Ianto hadn't come home. It was for the baby. Their baby. Their family.

And as Jack walked in the door, he had the best birthday-present ever; the living room was filled with red roses and Ianto was waiting for him with champagne.

Hours later, as they were drifting off to sleep, after some amazing love-making, Ianto looked at Jack, pressed a kiss to his fore-head and said

"Happy birthday, Jack!"

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