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Ianto had not intended scaring anyone, neither had he expected to be startled himself, but there ya go. He stood in the sweet little kitchen of the cottage staring at the woman who had not only yodeled like he had goosed her under her skirts, but dropped a perfectly good egg on the floor.
"Bloody hell man!" she spluttered, her hand to her chest as she stared at him with wide eyes, gripping the bench with her other hand like she might fall over "what the fucking hell are you doing rushing in here like this!"
"I do apologize, it is starting to rain out there" Ianto grimaced as he not only wore his hat and huge coat that usually disguised him, but he was puffed and trying to speak "I… I came by horse to check the place out before the occupation at the weekend."
"Well, Jesus wept" she sighed with a shake of her head "You will do yourself a mischief young man, bursting in and busting a gut!"
"Yes ma'am" he replied, now amused as she bluster about in her kitchen "And I do know their nibbses are coming this weekend. For a whole two weeks. Lord, can you imagine? This little place hasn't seen this sort of hallabalu in years. Still, will be nice to see young Jackson. Such a lovely boy, you know he planed those rose bushes by the door?"
Ianto turned to look at the lovely display, noting their scent "Lovely. One or two in a vase on the breakfast tray will be lovely."
"That's what he thought. Not for HER mind. For Her Majesty. She liked it here sometimes, the old mother" the woman nodded and Ianto nodded as well, the old queen known for her disappearances at times. Why Ianto was sure he could get away with it too.
"So you've been here a while then" he stepped into the room more and started to remove his coat, the large bulk revealing the front pack and the tiny tot inside still sleep. He loved the horse, loved the motion which lulled him to sleep every time, and Ianto saw another little horse maniac in his future. Lovely really, his love of horses passed along the line.
"Nigh on… oh… forty … forty five years I think young man" she smiled, then turned to say something and froze as she stared at the tiny front pack "Oh my god. You have a baby in there!"
"Well, a dog might fit but I do prefer the little ones. This one needs his nappy done I am afraid, so… I shall go to the drawing room, if you show me the way." Ianto smiled softly, hefting the backpack he had also removed which was in fact Milwr's nappy bag.
Soon he was de-babied and de-gowned as his jacket was ripped off, the front pack deftly removed and the backpack snatched as well. He was left in the room with the jacket in his hand and a look of disbelief. Wow. She was quick.
Ianto followed the woman into the living room where the open fire was going and the entire place was full of warmth and welcome. Oh wow. Lovely. It looked like any other grandparent's home, filled with books tat and some lacy doilies and such. Life and love. Real, nothing was staged.
He knew instinctively which chair was Granny's and he settled in a red high backed one that felt mighty comfortable. He could claim this one, looked around to see if he could move a table clover for his book and glasses and… oh. Nesting. God, Milwr was lingering in his bloodstream. Maybe it was the harried birth? Ianto did feel so different, even with the little one almost six months old now.
"He's a lovely little one, feisty. Is his mother joining you?" the woman asked as she clucked and Ianto blinked with surprise, then fought the urge to chuckle. She thought he was staff? Oh, well. He sort of is I guess, works hard for his money right?
"There is no mother" Ianto said gently "Milwr was born by me."
Her hands seemed to still as she took in the name and the gentle warning that she had missed a step. She tined to look up at him as he sat in the chair, his hat now off and his eyes seeming to dance in the firelight with amusement.
"Oh my lord!" she gasped.
"Majesty actually, but I will allow you that as Jack speaks fondly of Morwen and I do take it you are she" Ianto smiled softly.
"Oh. Oh my… this is the little prince….oh!" she crowed, over her shock as she gathered the tiny baby into her arms and sat back to cuddle him "Oh… lovely. He's so lovely."
"Yes, he is" Ianto smiled.
