The walk to the restaurant that Ianto had selected was a pleasant one. They'd both left their coats in the car and picked them up on their way out, so the chill of the winter evening did nothing to deter from the beauty that surrounded them. It was spectacular, and Jack found himself smiling as they walked.

"Penny for your thoughts," Ianto said softly, squeezing his hand.

Jack's smile turned into a grin. "Just taking in the scenery."

"Present company included?"

Jack chuckled, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Always included."

"It really is a beautiful place. The photos on their website didn't do the area justice. Especially the castle itself." Ianto stopped walking suddenly, frowning, and Jack stopped beside him. "Do you think Gwen and Rhys found out we were going to be staying here?"

Jack opened his mouth to argue that Gwen wouldn't go to such lengths, but closed it again when he realized that it was exactly the sort of thing Gwen was known for. He sighed, pulling Ianto close and kissing him gently. When he pulled back, Ianto's eyebrow was raised.

"Was that a yes or a no? Because it felt like a kiss."

Jack smiled. "That was just a kiss. As for your question…I really don't know. I can't say I would put it past Gwen. But I doubt Rhys knew anything about it. Staying there was likely Gwen's idea."

"Which means that Tosh must have told her."

"Tosh?" He'd told Tosh? Well, Jack thought, of course he did. Tosh was Ianto's closest friend, other than Jack. "I really don't think she would have said anything to Gwen, Ianto. As nice a person as Tosh is, she doesn't approve of Gwen's behavior and has said so openly."

"It's possible she overheard her discussing it, then. Since I was bouncing ideas around for your birthday, Tosh was helping me do some research. If she happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and said something aloud to Tommy, Gwen could have found out that way." Ianto shook his head, letting his shoulders slump. "I'm sorry, Jack. I really am. I should have kept everything to myself."

"Hey," Jack replied, lifting Ianto's chin so that their eyes met. "I'm having a great time, Ianto. Even if Gwen did decide to…stalk us…it doesn't change the fact that you picked the perfect birthday getaway."

"You really like it that much?"

"I adore it. And you." He pressed another kiss to Ianto's lips and this time he let it linger. When his stomach growled they pulled apart, laughing. "I guess we'll have to save that for later."

"I suppose so," Ianto said, smiling.

They continued on, holding hands again and making their way along the snow-slicked road. When they arrived at the restaurant Jack felt his cheeks tingle at the change in temperature. Whereas the wintry air outside was crisp, clean and quite chilly, the restaurant was pleasantly warm and inviting. It also held all the smells of a home-cooked meal, and Jack licked his lips.

They were directed to a small booth meant for two in the back of the building. There was a fire burning in the hearth directly behind them, and Jack swallowed hard, seeing the flames dance across Ianto's face as they were seated.

"Would you like me to take your coats?" their server asked, smiling at both of them.

"That would be lovely, thank you," said Ianto, slipping the garment off and handing it to the young lady.

"Yes, thank you," Jack agreed, giving her his coat as well.

"My pleasure," she told them. "I'll bring you a couple of glasses of water while you take a look at our dinner selections."

Their waitress disappeared and Jack smiled across the table. "This is a nice place, Ianto."

The Welshman blushed. "Tosh picked it out. She said their website called it romantic, with old world charm."

"Well she recommended a good place, then. Although, we may be the youngest people in here."

He watched Ianto turn to survey the room and then look back at Jack with wide eyes. "Jack," he whispered, leaning closer, "I don't think there's anyone else in here that's under fifty."

"Doesn't look like it, no."

A smile tugged at Ianto's lips. "That means Gwen and Rhys went somewhere else."

"Yes it does, Ianto."

"And that means I have you alone for the evening."

Jack felt his jeans tighten at the look in Ianto's eyes. "I'm all yours."

They gazed at each other across the table for a few moments, until the grumbling in Jack's stomach could no longer be ignored and he winked, opening his menu to take a look at his choices.

When their meals had been ordered and coffees presented to them, Jack raised his cup to his lips and took a sip. "Mmm. Not as good as yours," he said, taking Ianto's hand across the tabletop, "but it'll do."

"No one's coffee is as good as mine, Jack."

"That's very true."

"Jack?"

"Yes, Ianto?"

"Are you ready for your actual birthday present now?"

Jack tilted his head, puzzled at the question. "I was under the impression this trip was my birthday present."

"Don't be silly, Jack," Ianto replied, giving him a toothy smile. "This vacation was just the perfect setting."

"Okay then," Jack said, leaning in and kissing Ianto's knuckles, "so what's my present?"

Ianto reached into his pocket with his free hand and removed an envelope, handing it across the table to Jack. "Go on, open it."

Jack removed his hand so that he'd have both to work with and picked up the envelope. It wasn't sealed so he pulled the flap open and removed the contents. He scanned the pieces of paper and his eyebrows furrowed together.

"I don't understand."

"It's a land deed, Jack. A parcel of land, on an island called Flat Holm."

Jack's eyes widened. "You bought land on an island?"

Ianto grinned. "Not exactly. You see, the land is still mostly undeveloped. It's belonged to my family as long as I can remember, being passed on generation to generation on my father's side. We've never had the proper funds to get it ready for use. When I was born the deed was put into my name, only I didn't know that until recently. The only nice thing my father's done for me."

"Ianto, this has my name on it, alongside yours."

"I know, Jack." Ianto took the paper from his hands, folded it carefully, placed it back inside the envelope, and slid the envelope back into his pocket. "If we do decide to get married, I want to save money so that we can develop the land on Flat Holm and build ourselves a house there."

"You signed the deed into my name too?" Jack felt tears well up.

"Yes."

"And this land…who owns the rest of it?" Jack took a shaky sip of his coffee, trying to calm his nerves.

"No one, Jack. We own the island."

Jack sputtered, spitting coffee out onto the table. He grabbed his napkin from his lap, quickly dabbing it at the small pools of liquid and putting his cup aside. When he was finished he took several breaths before meeting Ianto's eyes once more.

"So…together…we own an entire island?"

Ianto chuckled. "Yes, Jack. Are you okay?"

Jack nodded, feeling a bit overwhelmed. A tear broke free from his careful restraint and slid down his cheek. "I don't even know what to say, Ianto."

"Just say you can see us settling down together. I mean, I know you bought me that ring, but…it's just a promise ring, not an engagement ring…"

Jack reached over the table with both hands and curled his fists into Ianto's shirt. He lifted him off the seat and slammed their mouths together. The kiss was fierce and nothing like the sweet kisses they'd shared earlier in the day. Ianto moaned and Jack deepened the kiss, meeting Ianto's tongue feverishly as he tried to convey exactly what he was feeling at that moment. The clearing of a throat was what broke them apart.

"Um, your meals, sirs."

Jack released Ianto's shirt and settled back onto his side of the table, wincing when he saw the crumpled fabric. Ianto must have understood as he looked down at himself, grimacing and then meeting Jack's eyes with a smile. "Sorry," Jack mouthed.

Ianto just shook his head minutely, mouthing, "Doesn't matter."

"Thank you," Jack said, looking up to see the server's nametag, "Melissa. This looks wonderful."

"Mine as well," Ianto added.

"You two enjoy…your meals." She blushed prettily and scampered off.

Jack began laughing, and soon Ianto joined in. "Whoops?"

"I think we've scarred her, Jack."

"I think so too." Jack sobered, putting his napkin back in his lap and then looking up at the Welshman across from him. "I can't see myself settling down with anyone else, Ianto. I love you."

"I love you too."

"So…tell me about our island."

~tbc~