CHAPTER TWENTYFIVE
They found Jackie and Pete in the kitchen where Jackie was spooning baby food in to Tony's open mouth as Pete lounged against the deep Butler sink drinking coffee.
"Good morning you two, long time no see and I see you're walking better today John, Jackie said you had a limp yesterday when you got home."
"Well I'd over done it a bit with the shopping but after a nights rest it's feeling pretty good Sir."
"Sir? Call me Pete. Once Melissa get's you in that pool there will be no stopping you, she'll have you swimming laps in no time."
"There we are little fellow." said Jackie as she swung Tony up out of his highchair and on to her hip. She moved to the sink and ran a wash cloth over the wriggling infants face and when he started to fuss she passed him to Pete saying,
"Here go on to your Daddy."
Pete took him and smiled at the still silent Rose,
"You're quiet."
She nodded, "Well Dad John has something he'd like to ask you."
Jackie grinned at him and he asked,
"Why do I feel like I've been ambushed?"
John began stammering,
"I I um I need to ask you for your hand but I've already given her the ring and I should have asked you first but…"
"You want my hand? But I'm married already and you gave Rose the ring won't she be terribly disappointed if you take it off her now and give it to me?"
John looked aghast but Rose laughed out loud,
"Don't be mean Dad! John doesn't know your sense of humour yet."
"Humour?" echoed John. "I'm being teased? Oh thank the stars! I thought, he thought I'd asked him and not you and then…" he laughed, "I'm babbling aren't I?"
"Yes yes you are but it's cute."
"Ohhh stop your blathering and show me the ring!" squeaked Jackie.
Rose proffered her hand forward and after much ohhing and ahhing John cleared his throat to speak,
"I'd like to actually pay for that at some time so I need a job. Rose said she does some work for this universe's Torchwood could I have anything to offer them bearing in mind what I have up here?" he tapped his head lightly.
"And how does that feel nowadays?" asked Pete.
"It still hurts sometimes but not like before. I can contain it better now and as time goes on I think I will barely notice it."
"And accessing those memories won't give you more pain?"
"I really don't think so no. I can access them at will now, it's not like they are pressing down on me anymore."
"Well in that case yes we Torchwood could use you but in the same way as I won't allow Rose to be placed in danger neither will you be. You'll be strictly office based and on an as we need you basis so most of the time you'll receive your retainer but actually be based here at home."
"And that's another thing," added Rose. "We'd like to move in to the wing if the offer is still there."
"Of course it is but when and when do you want to be married?"
"Is tomorrow too soon?" asked John, he wasn't even really joking but he knew that wouldn't be possible.
Jackie laughed, "That's asking a lot of even my legendary party organising skills but if we hold the reception here and maybe even have you married in the gardens I can't see why I can't do what we need to do within two weeks. You'll need a licence."
"I'll need a birth certificate then."
"And I can have that arranged by 11 this morning if I get to work." said Peter passing his son back to Jackie. He paused as he passed Rose and looked at her wistfully,
"I've only had a daughter for a few months and now I'm losing her."
"You're not losing me Dad you are gaining a second son and if we live in the wing we'll be under the same roof and still be able to see you all every day."
"I will hold you both to that." and then to John, "Congratulations and well done on taking my ribbing so well I've been told I have an odd sense of humour sometimes."
"Yes Sir." Agreed John.
"I said to call me Pete."
"Pete."
"Now if you two call in on me around 11.30 I'll have a certificate made up and you can go to the Registry Office and apply for a licence before having lunch in town?"
"That sounds like a plan Si-, I mean Pete we'll see you then, shall we Rose?"
"Yes I think so and in the meantime maybe we can have a poke about in the wing?"
Jackie nodded,
"I'll have it properly cleaned and aired out for you as well."
"Thanks Mum, come on John let's have a look see." she took his hand and pulled him after her.
Jackie watched happily as her only daughter and future son in law left the room hand in hand. Just a few weeks ago she had been sure this relationship was doomed and would end in some horrible tragedy. Now she had a wedding to plan in as little as two weeks! She turned her attention to Tony who was wriggling and cooing in her arms,
"And you my beautiful boy will need a suit, oh no a tux! A beautiful baby sized tux."
Rose led John to the far side of the mansion and turned the lock on an as yet unknown part of the property.
"Stop! I should carry you over the threshold!"
"You can do that after I am Mrs John Smith and when your leg is stronger."
He pouted as she pulled him gently through the door and after she had turned the key in the lock again she pressed his back to the door and pushed herself in to him before gently and seductively pressing her lips to his. She nibbled at his full and pouting lower lip and explored his mouth with her tongue only pulling away from him when she needed to come up for air.
"I should pout more often." joked John and then he asked more seriously, "Where's the bedroom?"