The preparations for Ianto's birthday party were coming together without any real hiccups. That made Jack extremely happy. Between school and work the last couple of weeks he'd thought his brain might explode, but with their friends' help he'd managed to get everything done. Tomorrow was the big day.

"Writing your life story?" Ianto asked him, handing his boyfriend a cup of steaming coffee.

Jack smiled up at him. "Thank you, Ianto. And no, actually. My memoirs will have to wait. I have other things to do first."

"Like what?"

"Like…that's on a need to know basis," Jack teased, winking at Ianto and getting a disgruntled snort in reply.

"And I'm guessing that right now, I don't need to know," Ianto told him, leaning down for a kiss.

Kissing him back, Jack smiled. "Exactly."

Jack was sitting at what was now their desk, going over his To Do list for Ianto's party. So far he'd been able to cross off the ordering of the cake, the buying of decorations, the ordering of rental tables and chairs, the rental of a hotel's small conference room, the RSVPs of their friends and family, and finally, after his errand that evening after work, the purchase of Ianto's present.

There was still much to do, including the moving of refreshments from Tosh's house to the hotel, having Tommy pick up the cake, moving the decorations from Owen's house to the hotel and actually making the place look festive, picking up the tables and chairs and setting those up properly, and making sure, all the while, that Ianto had absolutely no idea what was happening. The latter, he knew, was going to be the most difficult. Luckily, all their friends were helping out, and Jack would now only be responsible for getting Ianto to the hotel on time. Jack was paying for everything, so all they had to do was follow his carefully drawn out plans.

"You know Jack," Ianto mused, taking a seat cross-legged on the bed and making Jack look over his shoulder to see him, "any other boyfriend would demand to know what you're being so secretive about."

Jack grinned, getting up from the desk and moving over to the bed. He leaned in, resting his hands on Ianto's thighs, nuzzling the side of Ianto's neck before whispering in his ear, "Yes, but I already know I have the best boyfriend in the world." He kissed the shell of Ianto's ear. "Besides, I promise it's something good."

He pulled back, planting a none-too-gentle kiss on Ianto's lips. Ianto kissed him back, parting his lips when Jack's tongue sought to deepen the encounter. Jack could taste Ianto's amazing coffee, and under that delicious flavor was Ianto himself. Jack groaned, knowing he'd never get everything done if he didn't stop now.

Ianto's eyes were sparkling knowingly at him when he pulled back. Ianto raised his coffee mug to his lips and took a sip, before placing it on the nightstand and grabbing his book. "Go on, then," he murmured, flipping to the spot he'd held with a leather bookmark. "Go about finishing your business. I'd like to have you in me at least once tonight."

Jack's jeans tightened considerably and he growled. "You've got one hour, Ianto Jones, and then I'm going to make sure you have trouble walking tomorrow."

Ianto raised an eyebrow. "Challenge accepted."

Jack finished his preparations, including several texts to their friends, in less than forty-five minutes.

tw tw tw tw tw

By the time Jack and Ianto arrived at the hotel he'd received texts from all parties involved that the conference room was completely set up. The tables and chairs were in place, the decorations had all been hung and set out, the cake was safe and sound at the front of the room, the refreshments were all ready, and Toshiko had even brought her portable stereo system so that they'd have music, just in case anyone felt like dancing.

A blindfolded Ianto Jones shuffled forward slightly, being directed by hands on his shoulders. "Can I take this thing off yet?" he asked once they'd stopped.

"In a moment," Jack whispered, taking a look around. Everything looked amazing. He grinned at his friends and the rest of the guests, who, save for two, were all present and accounted for. "Okay, now."

Ianto pulled the cloth from his eyes and Jack watched those same eyes widen in surprise as everyone in the room yelled, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

"Oh my God!"

"Surprise, Ianto," Jack told him, kissing his cheek.

Ianto turned to him, swallowing before he spoke. "Jack, this is too much. You didn't have to do this."

"Of course I did, Ianto." Jack grabbed his hand, giving it a squeeze. "I'm not the only one who wanted to celebrate your birthday. Everyone here was in on it, and most of them also helped set it all up."

There were tears in Ianto's eyes but Jack noticed they didn't fall. He watched him as all of their friends started to gather around, wishing him individual birthday greetings and practically dragging him deeper into the room. Jack smiled, getting a pat on the back from Owen.

"I think he was dutifully surprised, mate."

"Yeah, I think so," Jack replied, shaking his head. "I couldn't have done all this without you guys. Thanks, Owen."

"Don't mention it. It was actually a lot of fun."

"Really?"

"Yeah. After I decorated the walls with the streamers I decorated Adam. That was a blast."

Jack smirked. He could see Adam and Katie talking with Lisa, Tosh, and Tommy. He was glad things had worked out the way they had. Owen had confided in him not long ago that he'd been pretty bitter about he and Katie not working out, but that Lisa was a great girl and he didn't really wish Adam any ill will over the whole deal. After all, Katie had moved on, and so had Owen.

For a moment Jack was sort of surprised that Susie hadn't made an appearance. He shouldn't be, he knew. After all, she'd not responded to the invite he'd sent. But at the same time he knew she liked to be in the thick of things. Even after she'd moved away, they'd all kept in touch. He knew she'd gone through a really rough patch when she'd been thirteen. She'd gotten hold of her father's gun and threatened the family as well as herself. After being in treatment for the last few years he'd hoped she'd gotten past all of that. Apparently she was still too embarrassed over everything that had happened to feel like a part of the group.

Jack watched a huge grin break out on Ianto's face when Gray came flying up to him, barreling into his arms. He picked the boy up, spinning him around a couple of times before settling him on his hips. It warmed Jack's heart that Ianto and Gray adored each other.

Jack's mother smiled at him across the room where she was stood, arm linked through his father's. He knew they'd stay long enough for cake and presents, which would both be done early for that very reason, and then they'd take Gray back home with them and leave the party to the teenagers.

Jack turned to the door when he heard it open, and his heart leapt. Rhiannon had entered with Bethan at her side, both in lovely dresses that complimented each other. Almost as if Ianto sensed something had changed, he spun around, his mouth falling open when he saw who was there.

"Mam?" he said softly. The rest of the party was watching in stunned silence. "But how did… When did… I just…"

"Well I couldn't very well miss my baby's seventeenth birthday party, now could I?" Bethan said with a wave of her hands. "Now get over here and give me a hug."

Ianto was across the room and into his mother's arms in a blur. The tears that had been pooled in his eyes now fell freely, and from the mood in the room Jack knew he wasn't the only one fighting his emotions.

"Jack insisted we get new dresses for the occasion," Rhiannon told Ianto, looking up and meeting Jack's eyes. "How do we look?"

"Fantastic," Jack answered, winking at her. "You both look amazing."

"You really do," Ianto croaked, pulling back from his mother and wiping his face. "I just can't believe this. Mam…I…"

"I know, Ianto Bug," she said, cupping his chin and looking him in the eyes. "And I can't say it's not terrifying to be out and about, but I wouldn't miss this for the world."

Ianto hugged her tightly again before turning to the rest of the party. "Okay, now really. Why the long faces? This is supposed to be a party, yeah?"

A chorus of voices agreed with him and then conversation began again, drowning out any lingering deep emotions and putting everyone back in a festive mood.

When it came time for presents Ianto took a seat at a table that was set up for just that purpose. He shook his head. "This is really too much."

"You're worth it," Jack whispered in his ear.

"You deserve it, Ianto!" called Tommy, his arm around Toshiko. "You work ridiculously hard and take care of an entire household."

"Well, Jack helps," Ianto mumbled, face coloring.

"I'm only working part time," Jack replied, this time loud enough to address the room. "Tommy's right, you deserve this."

Before Ianto could become emotional again Jack watched him reach for the first card and present. "This one's from Owen and Lisa." The wrapping paper fell away from the small gift and Ianto opened the lid, grinning as he pulled out a gift card. "It's to the little coffee bean house where I get my favorite beans!"

They all laughed. Jack knew it was a perfect gift and he grinned at his friends. For the next ten minutes or so Ianto opened the rest of his presents, each as appropriate for Ianto as the last. He received an iTunes gift card, a couple of DVDs, a new coffee maker, and a matching set of coffee mugs. The only gift he'd not yet opened was Jack's.

Jack reached into his pocket and pulled out a small blue jewelry pouch, handing it to Ianto. "You can open this in front of everyone, or in private."

Ianto looked up at him, eyebrow raised. "Jack?"

"Yeah?"

"Which would you prefer?"

Jack smiled. "It's completely up to you. Trust me, it's nothing too embarrassing."

Ianto looked down at the pouch, pulling the top open and glancing inside. He looked up at Jack with a surprised expression and then back at the pouch, reaching two fingers in and pulling out a piece of paper. He read it to himself and swallowed hard before dipping back into the pouch and pulling out a silver band with a swirl of black running through it.

"Oh Jack, that's beautiful," whispered Lisa.

"Bloody hell," said Owen.

"Oh, honey," Jack's mother added, putting a hand on his shoulder.

Jack watched Ianto carefully as he read the inscription lining the inside of the band aloud. "Rwy'n addo i chi am byth."

There was a small gasp from Ianto's mother and Ianto's eyes welled up again. He slid the ring onto his right ring finger, as the small piece of paper had instructed, and stood up. He placed the pouch on the table and turned, reaching for Jack's face with both hands and planting a kiss on him that nearly made Jack blush.

The room was silent, save for Adam, who asked, "Was that on the ring? What does it mean?"

Ianto pulled back from Jack, not taking his eyes off of him. "It means, 'I promise you forever.' It's Welsh."

Adam's eyes widened. "Oh. Wow."

"It's a promise ring," Jack told them, searching Ianto's eyes. "It means that one day, when we're both ready, I'll ask Ianto to marry me."

Jack and Ianto were suddenly swarmed with well wishes, hugs and words of encouragement. But they'd yet to take their eyes off each other.

"Hey!" a small voice said. Gray tugged on both of their arms. "Are you done making goo-goo eyes at each other? I want cake!"

There was a snicker, a snort, and then the entire room burst into laughter, Jack and Ianto included. Jack looked down at his little brother, ruffling his hair. "Alright, kiddo. We'll have cake."

Ianto and Jack headed for the cake table, hand in hand. "I can't wait to get you alone," Ianto whispered as they walked. "To thank you properly for this ring, and the party."

Jack bit back a groan. "While I don't need the thanks," he whispered back, "I'm definitely not going to argue your methods, Ianto. When we get back home, by all means, thank me away!"

Ianto winked at him, letting go of his hand long enough to accept the cake knife from Toshiko. "Alright," he said loudly, "who wants the first piece of cake?"

Gray bounced up and down. "ME ME ME!"

Jack joined in with everyone else having cake and punch, knowing that they still had a long afternoon ahead of them. And all he really wanted was to have his own private celebration with his boyfriend.

Soon, he thought patiently. Soon.

~tbc~