AN- I'm SO sorry! It's been so long! LOL! Hope you all enjoy this chapter.

Massive thank you to all of those that have read this story and reviewed it, it means a lot.

I'm currently dealing with some RL issues and my Beta is working non stop- so I apologise in advance if chapters are delayed.

Mega thanks to Rietta for all her hard work and the Birthday madness, Welsh flags and CONCERT! (this should be repeated three times xD)

Chapter 11- Nadolig Llawen

Christmas day dawned bright and white. For a change, freshly fallen snow, not too deep, covered the towns. Children awoke their parents early and families celebrated. Ianto awoke around nine in the morning and rolled over; everything that had been said between he and Jack the night before still fresh in his mind. He lifted his head from Jack's chest and kissed his cheek, causing Jack to smile and turn to him, snuffling quietly in his sleep.

"Jack... Wake up Cariad."

Jack opened his eyes and grunted gently. "Morning."

Ianto laughed. "Bora Da."

"Oh we're being Welsh are we?"

Ianto grinned. "Well, I don't know how much Welsh you know."

Jack grinned. "Nadolig Llawen Ianto."

Ianto's eyes widened. "I get the feeling you might be quite familiar."

"Maybe." Jack laughed, kissing Ianto now he was fully awake and alert.

"Jack Harkness, I do believe you are trying to manipulate me."

"Me? Never."

Ianto laughed then kissed Jack briefly, who moaned at how the swift kiss ended all too soon. "We have to be at my parents soon Cariad."

"I know," Jack smiled. He threw the covers back and dived out of the bed, dislodging Ianto and sending him to the floor.

"Merry Christmas to you Jack!" he called after him.

Curled up on the sofa, Ianto watched as Jack poured hot chocolate into mugs before joining him on the couch. Passing Ianto his mug and kissing him gently, they sat in silence, just enjoying each others company.

Ianto moved so he was leant against Jack's chest as they stared at the glittering tree. Jack had insisted on more lights than usual, making the tree look more flamboyant than Ianto thought was possible.

Neither man wanted to break the peacefulness of the moment- these moments were few and far between for the couple. Jack moved his cup to the table and pulled a small present out of his pocket. "This is your sappy present. I have you some normal stuff to open at your parents'."

Ianto raised his eyebrows and pulled a simple wrapped box out of the draw in the cabinet beside the couch. "We think alike."

Jack grinned and leaned into kiss Ianto on the lips gently. "Love you."

Ianto smiled and his heart bounced happily in his chest. "Love you too."

"Open it," Jack smiled.

Ianto grinned and resumed his position, leaning gently on Jacks chest as he opened the present carefully. Inside was a plain black box. He glanced at Jack, before pulling the lid off and he let out a soft gasp. Inside was a stopwatch...a brass antique one that looked like it must have cost a fortune. On the cover it had a simple Celtic design. "Open it," Jack repeated his phrase.

Ianto pressed the button allowing the cover to fall away, revealing a silver face plate decorated with Roman numerals and some Welsh writing and... Ianto froze as his eyes flew over the familiar writing. "Y tro rydym yn ei wario ar wahân a fydd yn gwneud y tu allan wrth eu bodd yn tyfu'n gryfach," he read out loud.

"The time we spend apart will make our love grow stronger," Jack translated needlessly. He watched Ianto's face nervously. Ianto whipped to face Jack and threw his arms around him.

"It's perfect."

Jack smiled and held Ianto tighter. Ianto pulled back and Jack noted that his eyes looked suspiciously bright but didn't comment. He just let Ianto pull away and smiled when Ianto kept hold of the watch. "Go on," Ianto encouraged, nodding at his parcel. Laughing slightly, Jack tore open the paper and smiled as a jewellery box fell out.

"Looks familiar," Jack teased.

Ianto rolled his eyes. "Maybe."

Jack pulled the lid off the box and glanced down shyly. Inside was a thick platinum chain with a musical note pendent that was attached to a heart pendent linking the musical note to what appeared to be an old fashioned teacher's hat. Jack let the smile light up his face as he pulled Ianto close.

"I noticed you don't have a lot of jewellery."

Jack grinned. "Never had something that I wanted to wear before now."

Ianto smiled and reached to take the necklace and paused looking into Jack's eyes. "May I?" He held up the chain.

Jack nodded and moved so his back was to Ianto, allowing Ianto to clip the necklace around his neck. He turned his head and caught Ianto lips in a brief, emotional kiss before pulling back and smiling.

"Breakfast, methinks."

Ianto smiled. "Sounds perfect."

Around an hour later Jack was mixing pancake batter at the stove, and Ianto was stood watching him carefully. "Pancakes?"

Jack grinned. "Oh yeah, gotta have them with maple syrup and cinnamon at Christmas."

Ianto pulled a disgusted face. "Cinnamon?"

Jack raised his eyebrows. "You don't like cinnamon?"

Ianto shook his head. "No..."

Jack let out a theatrical gasp before shaking his head. "You're gay..."

Ianto raised his eyebrows and made his best shocked face. "DUH! I never would have guessed."

Jack laughed slightly and raised the spoon of pancake mix, flicking it in Ianto's direction and catching him on the side of the face. "That's what you get for being cheeky."

Ianto gaped at him and quickly scanned the kitchen, his eyes coming to rest on the bowl of Angel Delight they were meant to be taking to his mother's. 'Thank god for spare trifles!' he thought as he reached a hand into the bowl and walked up to Jack, who had unwisely stood with his back to Ianto. Turning Jack around with his free hand Ianto kissed him gently, before slapping the Angel Delight in his hand into Jack's hair.

Jack's eyes widened as he felt the sloppy desert run down the back of his neck. "Ianto Jones!" he cried as he picked up the rest of the pancake mix and rounded on his boyfriend. "You did not!"

Ianto laughed. "I think you'll find I did."

"This calls for revenge."

Ianto eyes widened when he saw Jack heading towards him with the bowl. He grabbed the rest of the Angel Delight and sent one last prayer before throwing his some more of the dessert at his boyfriend. 'I hope this doesn't stain.'

Thirty minutes later, covered in Angel Delight, pancake mix, maple syrup, cinnamon powder and strawberry jam, both men leant against the counter gasping and laughing at each other.

"I think we'll be late to your Mam's," Jack choked.

Ianto glanced at the clock. "Oh yes, but not too late for dinner."

Jack chuckled. "I haven't had that much fun in years."

Ianto smiled and leaned forward, capturing the American's lips in a heated kiss. He ran his tongue along Jack's lips, begging for entrance. He was given access immediately and as his tongue met Jack's he felt his heart jump and his jeans tighten just that little bit. He pulled back and stared at Jack.

"It's been three months."

Jack grinned. "So it has."

3 months ago…

Jack shoved Ianto up against a wall as they kissed passionately, buttons flying off shirts in their haste to reach bare skin.

Jack grabbed Ianto roughly and turned them round, backing Ianto towards the bed and pushing him so they were lying on the bed, Jack on top of Ianto. He pulled back and smiled gently.

"I do have rule about this kind of coupling."

Ianto laughed. "Oh?"

Jack smiled gently and kissed him. "Anything but sex until the third month."

Ianto eyes widened and he turned to Jack. "Any reason for three months?"

"My father always asked that when I get into a new relationship I wait three months before having sex with the other person, because it allows me the time to get to know the person. I've always respected that."

Ianto nodded. "Your Tad's a good man."

Jack smiled gently. "Now, I did say other things..."

Ianto grinned cheekily. "Now now Captain, just what are you thinking?"

"Why don't I show you?" Jack smirked, before ducking his head and nibbling on Ianto's nipple.

Present

"You want our first time to be in a shower?" Jack asked, laughing lightly as he picked Ianto up and carried him towards the bathroom.

"I don't see you complaining."

Jack smirked. "Well, you're just irresistible Mr Jones."

Ianto laughed. "Think of it this way-two in a cubicle is one less shower-we're conserving water."

Jack laughed out loud and stripped Ianto of his clothes before quickly following suit, watching as a naked Ianto moved towards the cubicle and turned on the water before reaching and pulling Jack to him. Jack allowed their lips to meet in a gentle kiss.

Two and a half hours later Estelle Harkness whipped open the front door of the Jones' house to greet Ianto and Jack.

"You're late," she stated.

Jack bowed his head before stepping forward to kiss her cheek. "We know. We're sorry, we got a little distracted."

Estelle raised her eyebrows. "What you do in the bedroom son..."

Jack placed his hand over her mouth gently. "Nana, no, please don't."

Estelle laughed. "I know son."

Jack smiled and kissed her cheek again before heading past her to greet his dad, leaving Ianto to hand over the trifle and greet Estelle.

"Busy morning? I thought you were bringing Angel Delight?"

Ianto laughed. "Jack was wearing it after this morning."

Estelle raised her eyebrows. "Food fight," Ianto supplied noticing her uneasy look. He smiled at her before kissing her cheek and turning her around and closing the door. "Best go through."

Ianto smiled when he saw his mother and moved over to her. "Nadolig Llawen Mam."

Eva turned to Ianto and kissed his cheek. "Nadolig Llawen Ianto-bach."

Ianto smiled. "How are you?" he asked as he placed the trifle on the table.

"It's been a busy but satisfying morning."

Ianto smiled and turned to greet the rest of his family. He groaned when he saw his brother beckoning him over, having also captured Jack. "I want a picture of you two," Darian grinned.

Ianto sighed. "Darian the photo snapper."

Jack laughed. "Job or hobby?"

"Both," Darian smiled. "Now, Jack you sit, legs curled under you and lean on your arm."

Jack raised his eyebrows. "Professional photo?" he asked, getting into position.

Darian smiled. "Always. Now Ianto, if you lean so you're in front of Jack's waist, curled against him…"

Ianto rolled his eyes. "Like this?"

"Perfect."

Jack leaned on his arm and nudged Ianto with his thigh gently, causing Ianto to turn to him and smile gently as the camera flash went off.

"That's perfect!" Darian grinned.

Jack and Ianto raised themselves from the position and Ianto allowed Jack's hand to curl around his waist as Darian showed them the photo on his professional camera he used at work.

"Wow," Jack murmured, impressed.

"Indeed," Ianto agreed, kissing Jacks cheek and walking off to go and help his mother serve up dinner, as was tradition every year.

Later that evening, after a dinner full of turkey and all the trimmings, Ianto found himself on the floor, Jack leaning against him, his head in the crook of Ianto's neck as they watched the usual James Bond Christmas movie.

"He's asleep," Franklin whispered to the others in the room, nodding towards Jack.

Ianto raised his eyebrows and leant forward to get a better look at Jack's face. Sure enough, the West End musical star was fast asleep, his breathing soft and even as he shuffled slightly, moving closer to Ianto.

"You can tell from over there?" Ianto laughed.

"I raised that boy for twenty-four years; I know whether he's asleep or not."

Ianto smiled. "He's probably exhausted..."

"What from though? He hasn't been on stage for well over a month."

Ianto smiled. "We had a busy morning and a late night last night."

"Was the pantomime good then?" Darian asked.

"It was brilliant. Jack got asked to do it, but he couldn't because of Phantom."

Franklin nodded. "That's one thing that worries me about him- he always has to be on the go; he doesn't stop, always going on and on and working till he drops."

"He sleeps okay though?" Ianto asked.

Franklin nodded. "As far as I'm aware."

"Was he like that as a kid?"

Franklin and Estelle laughed. "Oh yes. He would come in from school, when we were in America, pick up his mother's hairbrush and serenade us with random songs till bedtime, only breaking for tea."

Estelle smiled. "I remember, he sung 'Silent Night' in Welsh one year for the American church choir, I cried all the way through."

"He has a wonderful voice," Ianto agreed.

Eva nodded. "I've never heard him sing."

Ianto raised his eyebrows. "I've only heard him in Phantom. He's sung the odd time, but not properly."

"You know," a voice came from Ianto's neck, "if you wanted to hear me sing, you could have just asked."

Ianto smiled and looked down at Jack as he wiped his eyes. "Will you sing for us please?" he asked, kissing Jack on the lips gently.

Jack rolled his eyes and locked eyes with Estelle before sitting up straighter and glancing out the window. He opened his mouth and a smooth American baritone filled the room, not accompanied by music. "Dawel nos, Sanctaidd nos, i gyd yn ddigynnwrf, i gyd yn ddisglair..."

Estelle felt her eyes well up with tears, and as she glanced around the room, she noticed she wasn't the only one.

Welsh translation. Dawel nos, Sanctaidd nos, i gyd yn ddigynnwrf, i gyd yn ddisglair = Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright...