Authors Note: The candy hearts can be seen on my Live Journal site evaletnine99 created by the wonderful Aviv_b
W.I means Woman's Institute. This is an organisation in the United Kingdom of mostly rural women who meet to encourage crafts, educational opportunities and a chance to meet new people and be involved in local communities.
Ribbon Day.
Taking a pillow Jack placed it between his shoulder blades. Shifting his weight he made himself comfortable. He was under orders to stay in bed and be prepared for a surprise. He heard footsteps followed by the door opening.
"Surprise," Ianto said as he placed a tray with a cooked breakfast onto Jack's knees.
"Did you make all this yourself?" Jack asked as he picked up the knife and fork.
"Yes I did," Ianto replied proudly.
"Wow this looks wonderful," Jack commented as he cut into the fried egg.
"Gwen helped a little bit because it was lot to get ready all in one go, but I did the toast and she helped with the egg. The egg wouldn't come out of the frying pan proper so that's why it's a bit mashed."
"This is a wonderful," Jack said and Ianto squirmed with delight.
"This is part one of your surprise," Ianto told him.
"I like the rose," Jack placed some egg onto his fork and indicated the red rose in a small vase with his knife.
"It's not one from the garden because it's too early for the roses so I bought this one special."
"Was this one of those I saw in Morag's shop?" Jack picked up the mug and took a good swallow of coffee. Ianto nodded.
"Wow! This is good coffee." Jack looked at him in wonder as he smacked his lips to savour the taste.
"I've been practicing, that's part of the surprise," Ianto told him. He saw Jack become emotional.
"It's wonderful. Your coffee was and always will be the best." Ianto squeezed his hand.
"I wanted to make today extra special because I love you and today is for everyone who loves each other," Ianto told him.
Jack finished his breakfast and Ianto removed the tray and placed it on to top of the dresser. He opened the bottom drawer and took out a large envelope and two gifts wrapped in paper covered in red hearts.
"Happy Valentine's Day," Ianto announced and handed over the large envelope and gifts to Jack. As Jack took them Ianto moved next to him. Once Ianto was settled Jack began to open them.
Giving his attention the envelope first Jack saw there were two cards inside, one larger than the other. He took out the smaller card first. He saw it was one the many that had been in the card stand at Morag's shop. Jack knew Ianto had examined each one with great care reading the inscriptions before he had moved to the counter with his choice.
The one he had chosen had two roses, one white and one red on the cover. Opening it Jack read the inscription written in Ianto's hand.
'I was lost and I forgot your name and now I call you mine'
'You searched and you found me and now you call me yours.'
Oh Ianto that's beautiful," Jack leaned over and kissed him.
Pulling back he reached out for the box of tissues he kept on his bedside table. Blowing his nose he now pulled out the second card. It was much bigger and hand-made. Ianto snuggled in as Jack examined it.
"I couldn't find exactly what I wanted so I decided to make something special." Jack noted the front had a huge heart red heart with 'I LOVE YOU' made up of tiny pink red and white hearts forming the letters. As he opened it Ianto began to speak.
"It's so hard to say how I feel. Even with all the cards I couldn't find just the right one. The feeling I have is so huge so I decided to draw how I felt. I got thinking about how I love you is like the garden. I mean the real garden. It's not just one feeling. Its feelings all together. That's what makes gardens so special they have loads of parts that all come together into one thing." He pointed to part of the drawing with flowers, trees, bench, swing seat and small pond. "See, here there's all pretty colours and smells. Here we grow lovely vegetables to eat. The whole garden is a filled with loveliness," he pointed to the walls. "And the walls are your arms because when you hold me I know nothing bad will happen to me again like before and I feel safe."
"And butterflies and birds," Jack added grabbing another tissue.
"Oh yes they are very important because they have wings. And love has wings. The feeling I have just grows and grows and flies all over the place."
"And who is this?" Jack pointed to a small creature which appeared to be hovering just above the ground holding a bow.
"That is Billy shooting arrows of love, like Cupid."
"I see."
"Yes, I was thinking I love him so much," Ianto kissed Jack, "but not in the same way as I love you and I think it would be funny if Cupid was a ferret."
"Indeed," Jack laughed at the idea of Billy flying around, shooting arrows of love into people.
"And this is where we are going to be married," Ianto pointed to an arch covered in roses. "And everyone will know just how much I love you."
"And how much I love you," Jack said as he gained another kiss.
Ianto now handed the first gift to Jack. Jack placed the card down carefully and pulled off the wrapping to expose two small teddies each holding the same red satin heart. "You don't have a teddy bear and when I saw this I thought you could have two."
"This is very sweet and I know the perfect place to keep them," Jack told him as he picked up the final gift. Opening it he saw it was several candy hearts wrapped in cellophane tied with a red ribbon.
"I had these made special," Ianto showed him each heart in turn. "This one says 'Ianto loves Jack', this one is 'Jack loves Ianto' and this one says 'Jack and Ianto 4 ever'."
Jack gave Ianto a kiss. "You know these give me an idea. You know how we are giving each guest a small gift they could take away from our wedding? We could fill each glass with some candy hearts just like these." He saw Ianto's eyes widen. "How difficult would it be to get a lot more of these made up?" Jack popped one into Ianto's mouth then one into his own.
"Not hard at all. You just have to say how many you want. I ordered them through Morag's shop."
"Excellent." Jack said, "When we are in there today picking up the invitations we can put an order in."
Jack now pulled himself out of bed. "I wonder how many we'll need?"
"I reckon around five hundred," Ianto said as Jack carefully placed the teddies and the cards on top of the dresser to display them.
"Five hundred it is." Jack gave Ianto a thumbs up.
"I love getting married," Ianto sighed happily as he took the tray and headed back down stairs.
"Everyone's waiting," Maureen indicated a table towards the back of the café. "I'll bring you a coffee just as I finish serving these customers." She moved away and Jack and Ianto both made their way over to the table set up across the others side of the room. He noted the others were already gathered. Today was the first meeting of the Jack and Ianto wedding event co-ordinators. Even after nearly four years Jack was still amazed at the raw enthusiasm the community showed for all and any mile stone events for the families here. No birth, wedding, graduation, death or special event went without some kind of community involvement.
Ianto made a huge grin when he saw Mac. "You came."
"Well I am your best man and so I thought I had better find out just what I'm getting myself into," Mac said as Ianto went and sat next down next to him. "And anyway I wouldn't want to miss this evening." He winked at Jack who looked at Mac curiously. There was a Valentine's dance and supper which Ianto was very excited about, being their first public outing as an official couple. Jack couldn't think of any reason why this should be up for comment.
"The Village has a sort of event we do every Valentine's Day, it's not for outsiders," Mac added and the others gathered nodded. "I haven't been to one for years, but then again I've had no cause, so I guess it will be a surprise if you've never been to anything like this before" Jack narrowed his eyes.
"Oh a surprise," Ianto winked back. "I already gave Jack his surprise this morning."
"It was breakfast in bed, two cards and a teddy," Jack added quickly realising that the comment might be misconstrued and didn't want to upset some of the gathered company. Honor McAlpine, chairwoman of the local Woman's Institute, put a hand on Jack's arm. "It's okay Jack; we're old, not dead. Some of us still recall what happens on Valentine's Day. It's like birthdays; one gets all sorts of individual treatment…" Jack almost choked on his coffee.
"It was cards and a gift, breakfast in bed," Jack interrupted, anxious to explain.
"Is that what they're calling these days?" Maureen sat down and Morag now joined them.
"Call what?" Morag said as she pulled up a chair.
"Breakfast in bed," Honor said.
"Ianto did you make breakfast in bed for Jack?" Morag gave him a thumps up. "Well done."
"It was an egg on toast with coffee. On the tray I had a red rose in a little vase. And I gave Jack two cards one I made myself, one I bought and two teddies with a heart and some candy hearts,"
"You are such a romantic," Maureen let out a sigh and slapped Ianto on the arm.
"And what did Jack get you" Morag asked.
"It's a surprise and he's going to give it to me later," Ianto replied. Jack groaned as he saw Maureen and Morag raise their eyebrows.
"Okay let's get started," Honor interrupted. "I call this meeting to order."
"Okay," Honor said taking a sip from her cup, supplied from what appeared to be a never-ending stream of tea from the supersized teapot in the centre of the table. "Firstly Ianto, I think you are very wise to reconsider the doves. I think it was a wonderful idea. However after the dove catastrophe of 2002 the dove company has refused to return to the Island. Thank you Jack for the compromise of setting up a small dovecote and have doves already in the garden for the wedding." Ianto took Jack's hand and gave it a squeeze.
"Mac, you are going to source the marquee to see if one will cover part of the garden for the wedding breakfast."
"Morag, you will approach Malcolm and Mark to arrange the removal and storage of the furniture from the first floor of Rose Cottage and its replacement after the event." Morag nodded.
"The W.I is going to arrange the wedding breakfast buffet and beverages, and Ianto we will need a clear number of guests by at least four weeks before. We will then work out costing's so we can get the order to Morag in plenty of time for the supplies to be delivered." Ianto nodded.
"I will thank the crew of the fishing vessel Mermaid and will accept their offer to set up transport from the village to Rose Cottage so the lane does not get blocked. Sergeant McCredie and Dana have advised they will organise and supervise parking around the Village."
Ianto looked worried. "Don't worry Ianto, we won't start until Sergeant McCredie and Dana arrive," Jack assured him.
"So that only leaves one thing; the cake. Have you made a decision?" Honor looked towards Ianto.
"It's so hard; I want one with loads of levels. I know what I want on the outside but it's on the inside I can't decide." Ianto took out a drawing.
Honor, Maureen, and Morag all let out a huge sigh as they handed the drawing around. "Oh Ianto that's beautiful." Mac crossed his arms and leaned back to ease the pain in his backside.
"It's just that Jack loves a certain type of cake and I really wanted it to be something Jack would really love," he added. "But I don't think it's the kind of cake you can put icing on. And if I choose one sort of type of cake then some guests will miss out because they won't like what Jack and I would like."
"Well, if you had a wish what type of cake would it be?" Maureen indicated.
Ianto smiled. "Banana or Carrot cake," he replied without hesitation.
"How about this?" Maureen said as she took a sheet of paper and began sketching out a design. "Four layers, two of carrot cake, two of banana. It would work if you removed the columns."
"As well as the main cake, we could bake a separate sort of cake made of cupcakes. We can include all different kinds: chocolate, coffee, vanilla, and so on; that way people will have their choice if they don't like the main cake." Maureen saw Ianto hesitate. "Both can have the same theme as you've chosen and Jack's favourite can be part of that."
"So Jack and I can get to cut the big cake together but everyone gets what they want," Ianto agreed his eyes shining.
"What do you think?" Jack suddenly found he was the centre of attention.
"I think that's a wonderful idea," he added.
"Excellent," Honor said, rubbing he hands together. "We meet back here in two weeks."
"And now I believe Jack has a surprise for you Ianto," Morag said as Jack used his mobile.
Jumping up and down on the pavement outside the cafe, Ianto couldn't believe his eyes. It was the village fire engine and it was coming around the corner, heading up the street towards him.
"Happy Valentine's day," Jack said as the engine pulled up. Ianto looked at Jack in awe; it was like Jack could read his mind. He had no idea how he did it. The only soul he had ever told he dreamed of being a fireman was Myfanwy and Billy.
"You think of the best things," Ianto said as a fireman jumped down to the pavement.
"Ianto Jones, to ride on the fire engine you have to become an honorary fireman. Do you accept?" Thomas the head of the volunteer fire brigade asked.
Ianto nodded his head; unable to speak he was so excited.
"As an honorary fireman you will need to wear all the right gear." Thomas handed Ianto an extra-large yellow jacket which Jack helped him get into.
"You will need this," Jack added taking out a pin-on tag with, "Ianto Jones Honorary Fireman Island Bay" inscribed on it and pinned it to Ianto's jumper.
"And finally this," Thomas placed a fireman helmet on Ianto's head. "Are you ready?"
Ianto nodded. Thomas stepped back onto the machine and held out his hand.
"Oh yes," Ianto said in one breath as he was pulled aboard.
"Now we will be going down to the harbour, where we've had a call that some walls need hosing down. Then we will be back in time for the evening festivities." He banged on the top of the cab and the fire engine started down the road, the sirens and lights blazing.
"Now that is a very unusual Valentine's day gift," Morag said as the fire engine disappeared around the corner.
"Don't worry; I have an even better one planned for when we get home," Jack grinned." Now tell me what is about tonight I should know?" he asked. Morag, Honor, and Maureen steered him towards the centre of the village.
Gwen raced towards the centre of the village. She was not sure why she was here. When she had seen the police car it had set her heart thumping because she thought that something had happened. However Sergeant McCredie had just said nothing was wrong but she was invited to attend a very important event and her presence was essential. She had groaned because she was going to catch up with Rhys via 'Skype'. She had no idea what was going on. He would say nothing except to find Morag near the centre of the village. Looking around the crowd she strained to see over the top of those gathered. From the look of it the entire population of this part of the Island was there. She pushed her way through and saw Morag who waved her over.
"What's happening? Sergeant McCredie just told me to find you here."
"It's ribboning day," was all Morag would say as she indicated towards the centre of the village.
Gwen looked about and saw it had been transformed. The Island was curious in a way because it didn't celebrate events like the mainland. Christmas for example. Aside from the Christmas wreaths there had been none of the normal Christmas illuminations you would expect. It would appear they had their own set of events, unique to them. She looked up ribbons extended out above her in a circle of every colour and formed a huge wheel above the crowd, meeting in the middle. Here all the ribbons came together and were swirled around the stone plinth that was a feature of the centre of the village.
"Oh," Gwen said more out of politeness that understanding. She was about to ask another question when the chairperson of the village committee stepped forward.
"Welcome one and all," he spoke into a microphone and was greeted by the crowd who called out their welcome to him. "We who are here today stand as one. We are one community, one people, and we stand with those past and honour them as we now honour and support those brave couples who will wed this year."
"I call forward Michael and Mary, Fredrick and Diana, Jack and Ianto. We call you forward by your first names because in this moment you are not here as members of your families but as part of the community."
Gwen saw the couples move forward as their names were called. She noted that Ianto looked a bit concerned and was standing as close to Jack as he could.
"To be successful in their wedded bliss they will not only need to support each other, they will also need their families' support from us, the community they live in." He took a breath. "I ask all those who are gathered here today as representative of our community pledge your support to Michael and Mary, Fredrick and Diana, and Jack and Ianto through good times and bad. Ensuring that no matter what occurs in their lives, we stand arm in arm to shield them when required, help them stand on their own merit and ensure that they never have to face the future alone no matter what it brings. Do you so pledge?" he called out his voice rising in cadence.
"Aye!" resounded through the streets of the village Gwen felt all the hairs on her arms stand on end.
Turning now he went to each couple and, taking one of the ribbon ends asked each couple to hold hands. He wrapped the ribbon around their joined hands until each couple was connected to the stone plinth that was surrounded with ribbons.
"These ribbons link each of us to each other. We here are individuals, couples, families and the community."
"We who are gathered today bless each union. We wish that each union be blessed with the bounties that come with being married." He paused and turned to Jack and Ianto. "We know that your union may mean that those blessings will be different because no children may come forth from your union. But every one of us here knows that not all couples are blessed with children. This means your blessings will take other forms. We pray that your union will bless us with tolerance and understanding. Let these ribbons which now bind us together, be a reminder that life can be hard and unforgiving but with hard work come wonderful gifts and great joy. Only together are we strong. Every person who lives here is part of a whole. Only with support can we thrive and more forward."
"Bless Michael and Mary," he called out and those gathered threw paper streamers forward showering the first couple.
"Bless Fredrick and Dana." More streamers were thrown.
"Bless Jack and Ianto." Morag handed one to Gwen who threw her streamer in a cascade of paper that flew through the air from every direction.
The man now moved to remove the ribbon from the pole and un-wrapped their hands.
"Now we have pledged and blessed Michael and Mary, Fredrick and Diana, and Jack and Ianto. We will now escort them to the village hall where they will take the floor in the first dance of the evening as ribboned couples." He bowed as everyone now clapped.
"That was amazing," Gwen said as she turned to Morag.
"It's one of our little traditions," she said as an understatement.
"I don't think there's anything little about it," Gwen replied as they followed on.
Holding Jack's hand Ianto moved forward with confidence. To begin with he had been unsure of what was going on; there were so many people here. He had held onto Jack's hand tightly then; as things began to happen he had looked into the crowd and he found he was surrounded by everyone he knew on the Island. There was Mr and Mrs Morgan, and Mary Morgan with her husband John with the baby, and Gwen. Morag and her husband Ben, Mac, Maureen, all the nice ladies from the W.I. Thomas and all the people who helped put out fires, Malcolm, Mark, Sergeant McCredie, and Dana. There was Farmer Jo from along the way. The nice man who drove the school bus. All the nice blokes from the fishing vessel with the otters. All his friends from the Ferret Club, the man who had taken his photograph after his birthday party. Everyone. And now they were covering him with ribbons which meant they all belonged together. He felt so happy. Today had been wonderful. Jack leaned in and gave him a quick kiss. They held hands as they walked up the road to the village hall. He was so excited; he couldn't wait till the dance because he had been practising with Gwen for the wedding, and now he would try it out for real. He waved at Sergeant McCredie as he passed and started up the steps to the hall.