Chapter Four
By evening the family was fully of energy as Ianto's parents set up for the Jones Variety Show. Jack had promised he would do something, but he'd been keeping it a secret from Ianto, telling only Livi who took note of it and promised to say nothing else. So when the time came they all assembled into the living room, the largest room in the house, curtains had been hung over the windows, leaving just the lights of the Christmas tree to illuminate the room.
The kids had pulled all the couches and chairs opposite of the tree and the piano incase anyone decided to play the piano, it also allowed room so that the area could function as a stage. Everyone was assembled by eight, Jack sat beside Ianto on the couch, Jack's arm over the back behind Ianto as he watched the Carys family begin with a magic show—the three boys had all decided they were into magic.
Naturally, as Jack watched the clapped, though there was little the boys did that he couldn't explain. He simply chose not to—and when his eyes grew wide in surprise at the sight of an actual bird pulled out of the hat, it was because he was impressed that the children had learned the trick. Ianto's mother and father did a brief comedy skit based off Abbott and Costello that left the whole family in stitches.
It was when little Katie stepped up, with a hair brush in one hand and a grin in the other that Jack felt his heart stolen from his chest, she wore a feather boa around her neck and a silver tiara. Her daddy, Sean stepped up to the piano and played the first few notes, before Jack felt a shiver down his spine as the little girl opened her mouth and began to sing.
Desperado why don't you come to your senses?
You been out ridin' fences for so long now
Oh you're a hard one
I know that you got your reasons
These things that are pleasin' you
Can hurt you somehow
Jack had heard the song a million times, but until now he'd never really thought about the words. Never really thought about their significance. He was the desperado, riding above everything else in fear that if he came down for one moment he'd be hurt. He listened as his future niece sang in a clear and cute little voice, all the while, Jack's heart was pounding in his chest.
Don't you draw the queen of diamonds boy
She'll beat you if she's able
You know the queen of hearts is always your best bet
Now it seems to me some fine things
Have been laid upon your table
But you only want the ones that you can't get
Ianto glanced over at Jack half way through the song and felt his heart ache at the sight. He leaned over, resting his head against Jack's shoulder he casually wiped the tear that had begun to slip down Jack's cheek, away. "Hey Desperado, you're home." Whispered Ianto.
Desperado, oh, you ain't gettin' no younger
Your pain and your hunger, they're drivin' you home
And freedom, oh freedom well, that's just some people talkin'
Your prison is walking through this world all alone
Don't your feet get cold in the winter time?
The sky won't snow and the sun won't shine
It's hard to tell the night time from the day
You're losin' all your highs and lows
Ain't it funny how the feeling goes away?
Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
Come down from your fences, open the gate
It may be rainin', but there's a rainbow above you
You better let somebody love you, before it's too late
As the beautiful little girl came to a wonderful finish the entire family clapped, but Jack didn't know how to react, he felt a familiar ache in his heart at the thought of how true that song was to his life, how unfair it seemed that he was constantly alone.
"You don't have to walk alone every again." Ianto whispered.
"Uncle Jack!" Katie moved over to him, grinning from ear to ear.
Jack forced a soft smile as he looked down at the beautiful angel before him. "Katie, that was beautiful."
A moment later, Jack found himself with a lap full of Katie as she curled into his arms. "Don't be lonely anymore Uncle Jack, you've got Uncle Yan."
Ianto grinned as he watched Jack's face go from sad to loving and warm. Jack curled his arms around the beautiful girl, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "Yes I do."
The mood was lightened moments later when Ianto and Billie did a rousing rendition of Kiki Dee and Elton John's "Don't Go Breakin' my Heart", Ianto wearing a blonde wig and Billie dressed in one of his suits, both singing the opposite parts.
Jack found himself slowly falling in love with this family as he applauded the family, his arms still full of Katie. Ianto huffed with excitement as he sat down next to his lover. Leaning over he pressed his lips to Jack's. "You okay?"
Jack smirked. "Never better."
"Jack," Livi called, her beautiful green eyes looking at him. "It's your turn."
Jack nodded. "Katie Anne, would you like to join me?"
The girl giggled and nodded, remaining in her new Uncle's arms. Jack smirked and stood, making his way over to the piano, he took a seat on the bench, and then placed his niece by his side. "I was told but a very astute woman once that Christmas is the time of love and passion. So it only seems fair that I express something I don't normally share." Jack placed his hands over the white keys, making sure he had the right notes then he slowly began to play the intro he knew by heart.
Oh, thinking about our younger years
There was only you and me
We were young and wild and free
Now, nothing can take you away from me
We've been down that road before
But that's over now
You keep me coming back for more
His voice was clear, his eyes closed as he sang out with all that he had inside, his fingers brushing over the beautiful keys, he could get lost in the melody of the familiar song he'd learned so long ago from an old friend.
Baby, you're all that I want
When you're lying here in my arms
I'm finding it hard to believe
We're in heaven
And love is all that I need
And I found it there in your heart
It isn't too hard to see
We're in heaven
Oh, once in your life you find someone
Who will turn your world around
Pick you up when your feeling down
Now, nothing can change
What you mean to me
There's a lot that I could say
But just hold me now
'Cause our love will light the way
Ianto felt his own eyes mist over as he watched his lover get completely caught up in the music; his voice was smooth, as if he had perfect pitch. Ianto couldn't remember ever seeing this side of Jack. He knew Jack could sing, but certainly not like this. Jack sounded like a professional musician as he sang out each note clearly.
But even as Ianto listened to him, it was the words that caught him. He'd heard this song a million times before, but for the first time this song really hit it for him. Made him listen and he realized as Jack sang about finding someone, that he was talking about Ianto. Ianto was Jack's special someone. Grinning, Ianto realized how sappy this probably seemed, but he didn't care because he watched as Jack's eyes slowly opened, fingers still ghosting over the keys as he continued.
Baby, you're all that I want
When you're lying here in my arms
I'm finding it hard to believe
We're in heaven
And love is all that I need
And I found it there in your heart
It isn't too hard to see
We're in heaven
Oh, thinking about our younger years
There was only you and me
We were young and wild and free
Now, nothing can take you away from me
We've been down that road before
But that's over now
You keep me coming back for more
Blue eyes met blue, and Ianto saw that look—the one he recognized from his dreams, the look of absolute love. It was something Ianto had never really understood before now. But as he stared into the depths of Jack's eyes, he could see more than ever before. He could see a future filled with good and bad moments, with tears and smiles, babies and Torchwood. He could see their past pains and aches and knowing full well that it was truly behind him. Ianto could see everything in the blue orbs.
Jack smiled, because he knew what Ianto was seeing without actually saying it. He saw it as well, a look of longing and understanding. Ianto was his special someone, and no—it hadn't been love at first sight and yes, Jack had been in love with others. But Ianto Jones was proving how different he was. Because with Ianto Jack didn't constantly have to be strong, nor did Ianto have to constantly be strong. Jack had found the one person who would take him for who he was and work at a relationship that was never perfect and never easy, but always worth it.
Baby, you're all that I want
When you're lying here in my arms
I'm finding it hard to believe
We're in heaven
And love is all that I need
And I found it there in your heart
It isn't too hard to see
We're in heaven
As Jack finished his song, his fingers coming to a halt over the keys he looked down at the beautiful piano, away from his lover, feeling his ears turning red. It was little Katie who decided to break the silence. "Uncle Yan! That was 'bout you!" she giggled.
The whole family lost it at that point, laughing out loud and clapping for Jack. Jack hoisted his soon to be niece in the air and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Happy Christmas love." He whispered as he squeezed her for a moment.
o0o
Jack had only ever been to a church a few times in his many years—he'd been married in one, and for a few other reasons. But as Jack stepped into the giant Catholic Church he felt awed by the largeness of the building. The lights in the sanctuary were out; candles lined the isles and pews. The pews were wood and the church itself was a stunning light pink marble color. Jack, realizing he'd been holding Ianto's hand immediately dropped it; afraid Ianto wouldn't be welcomed.
Ianto, however simply smiled. "Relax, it's not like that." Jack sat through the whole mass enamored by all that he was seeing and hearing, the Christmas carols—he was positive he shouldn't be this awed by anything anymore, but this was a different awe. Jack didn't believe in a God, or at least he didn't think he did. What he did, however believe in, was the power of people and looking around he realized that the amount of faith people put into something was staggering. He felt a warm smile cross his features as he heard them singing 'Silent Night' and he chose to join in. This planet, these people were indeed fantastic in their beliefs, strengths and everything combined, because perhaps they were wrong, maybe they were right—it didn't matter, it's that they were all willing to stand behind whatever convictions they had. Jack could see the beauty in that.
When they got home that night, the children were all asleep, Katie had fallen asleep halfway through mass in Jack's arms. He was drawn to the girl as he took her upstairs and tucked her into bed with her mother's help.
When he returned downstairs he watched the parents put the presents under their tree for the children the next morning and he smiled softly, there was a beauty in Christmas, something he could fall in love with every time. Jack knew he could spend every year doing this if given the opportunity.
The family bid a goodnight before heading upstairs, Ianto watched Jack for a moment, as he eyed the tree fondly. "Jack?"
"You're all so unique."
Ianto smirked as he nodded. "Yes we are. You going to bed?"
Jack shook his head. "Not yet—not tired."
"Jack?"
"Hmm?" Jack asked, eye brows rose as he turned towards his lover.
Ianto stepped over; pointing up to the doorway Jack was standing in. Above them was a simple little plant with red berries, Jack grinned recognizing it as mistletoe. Their lips met in a sweet passion, no rush, no fierceness. Rather it was full of love and compassion. Jack looped his arms around Ianto's waist, drawing the man a hair closer, opening his mouth, letting Ianto's pleading tongue in. Ianto smirked against Jack's mouth, as he reached up and cupped his lover's face, fingers threading through the silky strands of hair, caressing Jack's jaw line. Jack caressed his lover's teeth and lips with his tongue, enjoying the senses as they became overpowered. The smell that was Ianto—musky coloagne with a hint of watermelon—bastard was still using his shampoo. The taste of coffee with a hint of wine from the communion, his smooth body, the feel of his suit under Jack's fingers, he loved it all because everything Jack could feel was Ianto.
After several moments, the two men pulled apart, both gasping for air, foreheads leaning against each other. "Merry Christmas Jack," Ianto murmured as he ran his hands over Jack's shoulders and down to his hips.
"Merry Christmas Ianto Jones." Jack replied softly as he pulled his lover into a tight hug. For all the sex he could have, he'd rather have Ianto to be with and understand and love, any day.
"Come on then, let's go to sleep."
"Shouldn't you—"
Ianto smirked as he gripped his lover's hand. "We're not having sex, we're sleeping together, just like my sister and her husband. Mam knows and doesn't mind. Come on then love, I'm not waking up on Christmas morning without you."
As the two men slid into the bed, clothed from the waist down, Ianto met Jack's eyes again and smiled softly. "Are you happy?"
Jack smirked. "Yes."