The first few months of Mica's presence in the household were exciting and fun. They were also filled with long hours of crying and late night feedings. Although Rhiannon was breast feeding her daughter, Jack and Ianto had mutually agreed that she would need a break now and then. Therefore, there was always a fresh supply of pre-made bottles at the ready.

Even after Mica had begun to sleep through the night, she would often choose ungodly times to awaken. Jack was usually the first one up, so on days that the little girl decided that four in the morning was a good time to start howling, Jack was there with a bottle, ready to quiet her down.

It was during one of her early Friday morning feedings that he realized how much his life had changed for the better. He looked down at Mica's tiny hands curling around his fingers in an attempt to assist with the feeding, and smiled. Her eyes were closed and her face was scrunched up, as if in deep concentration. She was the spitting image of Ianto when he was frowning, and it warmed Jack's heart.

It hadn't even been a year yet but Jack knew he was exactly where he wanted to be. He couldn't imagine not having Ianto woven into his life as tightly as he was. They'd always been friends, of course, but now things were so much different. He went to sleep in Ianto's arms and awoke by his side, savoring those moments when Ianto didn't even know he was being watched. If Ianto caught him in "stalker mode," as he liked to call it, his eyebrows would draw together, his nose would scrunch up, and he'd pout, much the way Mica was doing now. It was a completely endearing look for both of them.

"I thought I heard a wailing baby this morning."

Jack looked up, smiling softly at the Welshman standing over his shoulder. "You're up awfully early."

"Couldn't sleep. Big day today."

"It is?" Jack tilted his head, trying to figure out what was happening today that was different than any other day. Then it hit him and he chortled, shaking his head. His birthday. Right. How could he have forgotten about that? He didn't know where Ianto was taking him, as it was a secret, but a new twist of excitement coiled in his stomach.

"You forgot already?" Ianto teased him, kneeling beside the rocking chair that they'd set up in the lounge and brushing a finger over Mica's cheek.

"I guess I did," Jack acknowledged. "We've been so busy. You with work, and helping to take care of your mother, and me with school and working part time, and both of us helping Rhiannon with the baby…I guess it just slipped my mind. It'll be nice to get away."

"Well, not to worry. It didn't slip mine," Ianto murmured, snuggling against Jack's arm as he fed the baby. "I have everything organized and ready to go. I wish you didn't have to miss school, but there's really no way around that."

"That's alright; I was more worried about my parents. But they were quite willing to let me go after a certain Welshman spoke to them." Jack pressed a kiss to the top of Ianto's head before removing the now empty bottle from Mica's mouth. Blue eyes blinked open at him and the little girl gave him a crooked smile. He lifted her slowly and set her against his shoulder, adjusting the cloth he'd placed there before thumping her back firmly but carefully. She burped loudly and Jack grinned. "That's my girl."

"I do believe she takes after you."

"I think you'll find that's impossible, Ianto Jones."

"So they say," Ianto replied, taking Mica from Jack's arms and giving her a cuddle. "But I'm not entirely convinced."

Jack stood up and stretched his legs, removing the unsoiled cloth from his shoulder and placing it over the back of the chair. He slipped an arm around Ianto's waist and placed his other hand on the baby's back. "She may burp like me but she looks like you."

"Don't be ridiculous," Ianto said, kissing the baby's cheek. "She looks just like Rhiannon."

"Right, and Rhiannon looks just like you!"

"Boys, boys, no fighting now!" Rhiannon appeared in the doorway, dressing gown tied neatly around her waist and a smirk on her face. She stepped into the room and reached for her daughter. "I'll just take the little one. You two have things to do before your great escape!"

"See, even my sister remembered, Jack."

"Yeah, yeah."

tw tw tw tw tw

Ianto had told him that the drive should take just under four hours, so they'd left around noon, but the roads were slick and it appeared to Jack that everyone and their best friend's uncle's neighbor were on the road. By the time they turned down the drive that would lead them to their destination in Llanrwst – at least, that's where the sign on the road had stated they were when Jack last noticed one – it was nearing six o'clock. Jack figured it could have been worse. After all, they'd seen two accidents and at least one car that he presumed had stalled. They were lucky just to make it in one piece.

They pulled up to a beautiful castle surrounded by lush gardens that were covered in a fine white blanket of snow. It had been a particularly cold and wet winter, and Jack grinned when he saw the building and landscape. "Ianto? Where are we?"

"Gwydir Castle," his boyfriend replied, smiling back at him as they got out of the car. They'd taken Jack's as Ianto didn't trust his car to make the long drive. "It's a bed and breakfast. I thought it might be a nice change of scenery for your birthday weekend."

Jack joined him to haul their bags out of the back seat, setting them on the ground and wrapping his arms around Ianto the moment the door had closed. "Do you have any idea how much I love you right now?"

"Just right now?" Ianto asked, raising an eyebrow.

Jack buried his face in the Welshman's neck and squeezed him tightly. He pulled back and pressed a soft kiss to Ianto's lips. "Always," he amended.

The front door of the home – castle? He really wasn't sure what to call it – opened at that moment, and Jack expected a part of the staff or family to appear. He wasn't prepared for the sight that greeted him.

"Jack? Ianto! Oh, how bloody fabulous!"

Ianto tensed in his arms and Jack sighed softly, keeping one arm around the Welshman as he turned toward the castle. "Gwen. Fancy running into you here. In the middle of…nowhere."

She ducked her head back through the door. "Rhys, come here! You'll never believe who's here!"

Jack glanced at Ianto. His face revealed nothing, but Jack wasn't fooled. He tightened his grip around his boyfriend's middle. He felt Ianto do the same.

"Oi, look what the cat dragged in!" Rhys exclaimed, grin wide. "I can't believe it."

"Neither can I," Jack replied, reluctantly dropping his arm from around Ianto and reaching for their bags. When he straightened he sighed again, whispering into Ianto's ear, "I'm sorry."

"Me too."

They made their way inside and once they'd been officially welcomed and checked in, they were shown to their room. Rhys and Gwen tagged along, the latter chattering away in hushed tones about something to which Jack was paid no attention. He was trying to listen to the history of the castle that was being given by their host.

"And here we have your accommodations, The King's Room. There's an en-suite through that door, and we do hope you'll join us for breakfast in the morning. Full Welsh, of course."

"Thank you very much," Jack said, smiling. He just wanted to get settled in their room and close the door. The sooner they could shut out the rest of the world the better.

"Should you need anything at all, please do not hesitate to ask. And be sure to take a gander at the gardens. They're quite lovely, even in the winter."

Ianto added his thanks to Jack's and their host left them just inside the room. Jack was prepared to shut the door but Ianto shook his head at him. Jack pleaded with his eyes but it was no use. Ianto apparently wanted him to be civil.

"But it's my birthday," Jack whispered.

Ianto's eyes were sympathetic, but as he opened his mouth to reply Gwen and Rhys filed through the door. Ianto's mouth closed and the mask he'd worn earlier fell back into place.

"Oh, it's beautiful, it is!" Gwen said, turning around the room, eyes wide.

"I'd wondered who'd booked this room when I couldn't get it," added Rhys. He placed a hand on Jack and Ianto's shoulders. "So which one of you planned the romantic getaway months in advance? Jack, you old dog."

"Actually it wasn't me," Jack replied, a smile tugging at his lips. "Ianto booked the stay for my birthday."

"Oh my God. It's your birthday! Oh, Jack, I'd forgotten!"

"Ah, well that's alright Gwen. Really."

"No, don't be ridiculous," she cried, beginning to pace. "Well, we'll just have to buy you two dinner! Won't we, Rhys?"

"Sure, sure, that sounds like a plan to me."

"Oh, no, really guys, it's fine. Ianto and I…" He looked at his boyfriend, frowning.

"We were actually hoping to spend the evening alone," Ianto continued. "Just the two of us. I hope you don't mind."

Gwen's mouth pursed for a moment before she gave them a tight-lipped smile. "No, that's more than alright. I don't…we don't mind. You're here for the weekend, yeah? Maybe tomorrow then."

"Yes, tomorrow," Rhys agreed, grin still stretching from ear to ear. "There's a restaurant I'd like to try tonight, though. Come on then, Gwen. Let's leave these two love birds alone."

Before they could accept or decline the invitation for the next night's dinner Gwen and Rhys had exited the room and closed the door behind them. Jack moved to the door and locked it. Just in case. Then he leaned his head against the wood and closed his eyes, letting his shoulders roll forward as he sighed deeply.

"That was…unexpected."

Jack opened his eyes, straightened, and turned around. Ianto's mask was no longer in place and he looked so dejected that Jack felt his heart break. "Oh, Ianto."

"It's alright, Jack," Ianto said, walking over to the dresser and fiddling with the runner that lined the top. "I'm the one who brought you here. How were you to know that my idea of a romantic birthday getaway was going to be complete shite?"

Jack shook his head, walking over to him and turning Ianto around. He tilted the Welshman's chin up so that their eyes met. "It is not shite," he told him, stroking Ianto's hair and letting his hand settle at the back of his neck. "You couldn't have known who was going to book the other room. You got this room first, Ianto. And it's a great romantic birthday getaway."

"I wanted to do something special for you. Something as wonderful as the party you threw for me."

"And you did, Ianto." Jack kissed him softly on the mouth, then kissed his cheeks and his forehead before returning to his lips. The kisses were chaste, but they were meant to be. Jack was aiming to provide comfort. "This place is amazing. You're amazing."

A hint of a smile graced Ianto's face. "At least we have tonight to ourselves."

"Yes, we do. I don't think we can get out of letting them take us to dinner tomorrow, though."

"No, I suppose not." Ianto was silent for a moment, and then the smile broke across his features. "But tonight…tonight I have plans for you."

Jack's eyebrow rose. "Oh yeah?" He stepped even closer, letting his arms settle on Ianto's shoulders and his hands link behind his head. "And what did you have in mind?"

"Well, it starts with you, me, and…dinner. I'm bloody starving, Jack."

Jack mock growled and then chuckled, pulling away from the Welshman and grabbing his hand. "Alright then, Ianto Jones. Let's get out of here and get something to eat."

They left their bags where they lay on the floor, and hurried out of the room back the way they had come. They didn't run into Gwen and Rhys again and that was more than fine with Jack. Ianto obviously wanted this to be as special as possible, and Jack didn't want anything to ruin it.

He hoped Gwen would forget about the offer of dinner for the following night but he wasn't about to hold his breath. She seemed happy with Rhys now, but he knew that deep down she still had feelings for him. And knowing Gwen, she wasn't going to let him go so easily.

~tbc~