Authors note:
The music for the wedding is Pachelbel's Canon in D Major
The title of the chapter and words from the song for the first dance comes from Céline Dion- Because you loved me.
Because you loved me.
Ianto carefully threw some grain around the dovecote then stepped back as the four white doves who were now permanent residents in the garden flew down and greedily began to snatch up the wheat.
"I wondered where you were," Jack said placing his arms around Ianto's waist.
"There was so much busyness yesterday I wanted to make sure they had full tummies because they might get scared with even more people here today…" They both turned when they heard a familiar voice ring out.
"Oh my god it's beautiful."
"I am so glad you are here," Ianto burst out. He saw Rhys and Gwen heading towards them and threw his arms around them in a three-way hug
"Ianto it's amazing," Gwen smiled as they pulled apart and Ianto took her hand and led her to the centre of the marquee that covered the top third of the garden.
"This huge truck arrived. It had come over on the ferry. Putting it up was like a huge puzzle with lots of different parts. I was a bit worried but Mac was here and he made sure everything was done right." He pointed to the floor. "Then once it was up they laid a floor; it's wooden, and then then put in carpet."
"It's green," Gwen commented.
"Like grass. It's good that it's carpet because it needed a vacuum and you can't vacuum grass," he laughed. "And it needs a lot of vacuuming because people keep walking on it. I was a bit worried but the nice ladies said they would give the carpet a final going over just before the guests come."
Ianto indicated upwards to the strands of lighting hanging down. "After the carpet was down Marcus came - he's Mr MacDonald's son - and put up loads and loads of lights. Last night they tested them. They look all pretty like stars at night."
He pulled her over to an area that had been set up to play music with two large standing speakers. "This is where Marcel is going to play music, so we can have dancing."
"First dance as a married couple." Gwen squeezed his hand. "Did you manage to finally choose a song?"
"Yes I did. I had to listen to a lot of songs but then I found the perfect one."
Moving they now came a flower covered archway. It stood so that the tent acted as a frame, its back open exposing the rest of the substantial garden. "I spent a lot of yesterday threading all the roses on. I had loads of help because the ladies from the W.I came."
"I love your theme," Gwen said with a sigh.
"I love roses they are so beautiful and they smell lovely," Ianto agreed. "They are the best most special flower and I reckon the shape of a rose is what the heart of love would look like." He took a breath and became serious. "I was worried we might run out of roses but Morag told me she had ordered in extra and we used up every one. Except the one red one with a long stem which I will carry and the white one with a long stem that Jack will hold," he continued. "And today the chairs have arrived along with the tables for the food. The food will be arriving soon. All the furniture from downstairs is gone," he declared.
"I saw that," Gwen agreed.
"Mark and Malcolm came with a big truck and wrapped everything and I mean everything: our big chairs, coffee table, desk, sofa, T.V, and computer in great big grey blankets and carried them all out and put them in the truck. The room was so empty I could hear my voice echo. They then brought all the long tables…" They passed through the French doors.
"How you holding up?" Rhys asked as they watched Gwen and Ianto walk away.
"A bit tired; it's been a busy week. I will feel much better when this is all over. He's put so much work into this. I want it to be perfect for him."
"And for you," Rhys pointed out.
Jack nodded. "Yes, this is for us, but this is Ianto's day. I want to give him this one perfect moment of pure happiness." He handed Rhys a pair of new socks.
"What's this?" Rhys asked.
"They're from Ianto, in case I get cold feet," he said, smiling as a dove flew in front of them to snatch a last grain from the ground.
Rhys took the socks and laughed.
"He told me that I was to keep them with me just in case."
"As your best man I will keep them in a safe place." He winked at Jack.
"Ring?"
Rhys patted his pocket. "All safe and sound."
"Billy?"
"He's upstairs wrecking our bedroom," Jack said with a grimace. "And on that note I am going to need coffee."
"You know the doves and the dovecote are a nice touch. Why was it you couldn't release doves?" Rhys asked as they headed back towards the house.
"You know the Island has a reputation for being very windy." Rhys nodded. "Well this one time, it was blowing a gale, and when I say gale, I mean a gale, more like a hurricane…
Ianto walked around the lounge holding a large pad of paper, double-checking his list. Everything looked amazing. When he had first seen the tables he was a bit worried because they looked a bit rough. But then a whole bunch of ladies he had never met before came and put white tablecloths over them. They were huge and covered each table without any joins. He had a closer look because they were so big and saw they had a lovely pattern woven in.
Now each tablecloth was covered; he had never seen so much food. Two tables were for all the savoury things. There was a ham on the bone, chicken, mini pizzas, little sausages on sticks with sauce, and sausage rolls. In fact there were a lot of different things on sticks. There was cold roast beef in slices, cheese rounds, and sandwiches of every different type. Smoked fish, salads, greens and potatoes, along with bowls and bowls of dip and crisps. Next to that was a table full of cups and saucers and a huge urn. He had never heard that word before. One of the nice ladies explained it was a way of heating up a lot of hot water for all the cups of tea and coffee everyone would need without having to boil a kettle. He had to agree it would take a long time to make a cup of tea for every guest using the kettle.
The best table was set up with desserts. Ianto was sure every one of his favourites was on there, from chocolate logs, jelly, and trifle, to ice cream. And in the middle was a space for the cakes.
When he had first seen them he was blown away. The cupcakes were on a stand and looked like actual roses. Actual roses! He had done a double-take because they looked like a giant bunch of delicious roses.
The other cake looked brilliant too. It had four layers all in white and at the top was a pair of doves kissing. Down the side was a cascade of pink, red, and white roses. They curled around each layer; it was so pretty. At first he had thought they were real tiny roses like the cupcakes but when he looked closer he realised they were made of icing. It was on a golden stand that made it stand out special.
By its side was a special knife Jack had ordered. It had their names and the date of the wedding inscribed down the knife bit for when they cut the cake. Jack said it went with the glasses they were going to give everyone which also had their names and date of the wedding on it. Each one was filled with a little parcel of candy hearts. The parcels were cellophane tied with red, pink or white ribbons. That had been another busy job washing all the glasses and wrapping all the hearts. But now they were all laid out nice next to the cups and saucers, one for every guest. However the knife was something they would keep and every year they could cut a cake on their wedding anniversary. He had never thought of that. Jack thought of the best things and it meant they could remember this special day every year forever.
Turning he heard the sound of vacuuming behind him start up and his tummy turned over. It was almost time. He looked and saw Gwen, accompanied by Mac. He had arrived earlier and had gone upstairs to change.
"I think it's time you and went and got yourself ready," he said smiling. "We can't have Jack left waiting."
"I've been making sure everything is done right," Ianto told him. "It's really important that everything is done proper. I want this to be the best I can make it because I love Jack so much I want everyone to see this is the best wedding ever."
"Ianto you've done a wonderful job but it's time now for you to go and get ready, " Gwen said kindly gently removing the list from his hand.
"You look good Mac," Ianto told him. He was wearing the new suit he had told him about.
"I wash up good when there is an occasion and this is one hell of an occasion," he winked and put his hand on Ianto's shoulder. "Now up you go and take a shower. I'll come up shortly after I've double-checked everything with Gwen."
Ianto let out a huge breath. "Okay." He took a last look around and went up the stairs.
Seeing him disappear up the stairs Mac turned to speak to several ladies of the W.I who were finishing up the vacuuming and doing last minute adjustments.
"We're almost done," one of them called out as he approached.
Honor joined him from the kitchen. "Mac, you can call down to Sergeant McCredie and tell him they can start sending up guests."
"Aye will do then I had better get our young man ready."
"Aye, who'd have thought he would've come so far," Honor commented as she straightened herself up. "And you looking mighty fine yourself," she added with a wink and noted Mac's cheeks coloured. "Is that a new suit?"
"Aye it is."
"Well next time I see it I hope it will be over a shot of your finest."
"I did bring several bottles to toast the lads as it happens," he admitted.
"Your special blend?" Honor eyes widened.
"Better not let McCredie find out," one of the other ladies now passed with vacuum.
"Trust me...McCredie has a real affection for the tradition of toasting the happy couple," he winked.
"Does he? And how many bottles helped him gain a real affection?" she mocked.
"Enough that last raid they only found a single barrel and some piping," Mac admitted as he pulled out his mobile phone.
"Naughty," Ianto said as he pulled his hand back and held Billy firmly. "He's out of sorts because we didn't have our normal play time," Ianto told Tosh and the Doctor who had just exited the TARDIS which was seated in corner of the room and was in stealth mode.
Struggling as Billy writhed he finally managed to clip the specially made harness and the pouch that would hold both the rings around his middle. "I gave him a talking to and told him he has to behave but he never listens," he said as he now handed the lead to Tosh. "I'll go and have a shower and get dressed." He paused. "How is Jack doing? He hasn't got cold feet has he?"
"Cold feet?" Tosh asked trying to hold onto the lead as Billy twisted trying to remove the strange object encasing him.
"I read that sometimes just before the wedding one of the people getting married might get cold feet and stop the wedding so I got Jack a pair of socks just in case."
"And you?" the Doctor asked seriously as dictated by the moment.
"No my feet are lovely and warm and I wouldn't stop this wedding for anything," he entered the bathroom and closed the door.
The click of the door seemed to be a signal to Billy to double his efforts to escape; he now rolled on his back, and then tried to back out of the harness.
"This is not going to work," Tosh said turning to the Doctor who was pulling his lower lip.
"Billy is never going to walk down that aisle, is he?" Billy now began to use the bottom of the bed as leverage.
"Could you carry him?" the Doctor suggested.
"Carry him! I tell you he's not in a mood to do anything and I would like to get through today without losing a finger," she hissed at him.
Unsuccessful at removing the harness by using the bed Billy decided to climb up it. "What about you?" Tosh asked looked at Doctor as if this was the best idea ever.
The Doctor stepped back and shook his head.
"He has his heart set on this. But with all the practice Billy has not yet made it one foot without it being more of a drag than an walk," Tosh added almost begging.
The Doctor snapped his fingers and pulled out his sonic screwdriver and used it to scan Billy, who was now on the bedside table knocking things off and looking at the effect as they dropped.
"What are you doing?" Tosh said as they heard the shower stop.
"Nothing harmful and I promise he will walk down that aisle like the most obedient well-behaved ferret in existence."
"I hope you know what you are doing, because Billy and well-behaved are not something you hear in the same sentence."
Pointing his sonic screwdriver it beamed light into Billy. He became immediately still and looked towards the Doctor who adjusted the device and it gave a ten second burst.
They heard a soft knock on the door. "Guests are arriving," Mac told them as he entered and took in the scene and the flushed look on Tosh's face that went with the rose colour of her bridesmaid's dress.
"Is Billy misbehaving? Look I'll take him now and Tosh all you have to do is walk down the aisle."
"Excellent," the Doctor said as Tosh looked at him, trying to figure out exactly what he had done but couldn't deny that Billy had become as gentle as a lamb and was lying on his tummy in the middle of the bed. She smoothed down her dress and tided herself up and handed the lead to Mac.
She moved to leave just as Ianto immerged from the bathroom. Ianto was wearing dress pants, a white shirt and a black waistcoat covered in embroidered butterflies. The butterflies were blue and green, with hints of other colours with some inter-woven metallic thread in a collection of perfect tones that took your breath away.
"Oh Ianto you look so handsome." She took both his hands and gave them a squeeze. "I'll see you downstairs." She kissed his cheek and the Doctor followed behind her.
Mac handed the lead to Ianto.
"I'm a bit worried he's been naughty boy. He's been out of sorts with all the people," Ianto stroked Billy down double-checking the harness. "He just wants to play but he can't so he's all cranky." To his relief Billy was calm. He was about to say more as they heard a knock on the door and Rhys popped his head around.
"All the guests are here, Jack and I are heading down," he said.
"Is Jack okay?" Ianto asked quietly.
"No cold feet, he's nervous because he wants everything to run smoothly."
"Me too." Ianto let out a long breath.
"See you down there," Rhys said as he gave a thumps up and the door closed.
Mac took Ianto's hands. "Ianto, before we go down there's something I want to say to you. As you know I'm a grumpy old bugger set in my ways, keeping myself to myself. I'm seventy six years old." He took a breath. "The last three years have been the best I've had in a many a long year since my father died if I was to be honest. I can't tell you what a privilege it's been having you as my friend. It was something I never looked for or expected. I'm proud to be here with you."
"You're my best friend," Ianto said warmly. "You talk to me and never make me feel stupid and you let me see a real live motorbike for the first time. I love coming and working with you."
Mac pulled out something from his pocket. It was a pocket watch with a fob chain. "This belonged to my grandfather. It's passed on to the eldest son. My father passed it on to me. As you know I have no children. Would you do the honour of wearing this today as my son?"
Ianto pulled him into a hug. "I don't remember my mum and dad. Jack's shown me loads of pictures but I don't remember anything about them. He explained what a mum and dad do." He took a soft breath. "I asked you to give me away because you've been like a dad to me and my best friend. So I would love to wear your watch and I will keep it special always," Ianto said and drew back. Mac placed the watch in the waist coat pocket and attached the fob chain.
There was a knock on the door. Honor popped her hear round. "Time," she said.
Placing Billy on the ground he checked Jack's ring was in the pocket then handed over the Billy's lead to Tosh. Ianto heard the music start. He had spent a long time deciding the music. It was called Cannon in D or something. Couldn't think why music would have something that could fire lumps of metal in it. But it was perfect for this moment. He looked at Billy who was to his amazement walking in perfect step by Tosh's side. He felt a glow inside maybe Billy had listened after all.
Mack lifted his elbow and Ianto took his arm. He saw a sea of faces turned his way, smiling. He felt Mac's comforting presence and he moved forward. As he got closer the room faded and all he could see was Jack. Jack was standing, waiting for him, holding a single white rose and dressed in matching waistcoat beneath the scented rose archway, his eyes locked on Ianto's. He felt his very being soar as if his soul was flying. How was it that this man loved him? What had he done in his life to have this man change his whole world to be with him? Everything around him, every person he knew, and every good thing was because Jack had found and saved him. Jack who had risked himself to come back for him, and kept him safe until the bad man was gone forever.
As Ianto made his slow way down between the rows of chairs Jack tried to fashion into words how he was feeling. This man; this wonderful, complex, passionate man who had captured his heart so profoundly... A man who had seen the blackness of his heart and judged him worthy of adoration and had forgiven every transgression. He felt his heart swell as he looked into Ianto's eyes. He loved every inch of this man. He tried to think what he had done in his life to be so worthy of him. He was so grateful, so humbled he was worthy of such adulation. Love; it seemed such a simple word that covered so much. Maybe this was love, true love spoken about in pages and pages of mighty tomes. Here reflected in the face of the man who now stood by his side.
Holding out his hand Jack took Ianto's in his and found he was trembling as much as Jack was. Ianto looked so happy, his face radiant with peace and wonderment.
"We are here today to witness the union of these two souls, Jack Benedict Jano Harkness and Ianto James Jones. They are choosing to set aside themselves as individuals and become one. They will declare their love for each other so that none who hear it will doubt their commitment to and of each other."
Ianto handed over his rose to Mac and took out a small piece of paper. "I tried to remember the words but in case I forget." Jack leaned in and kissed him. When they drew back Ianto took a deep breath. "Jack, I love you. I want everyone here to know how much I love you. If I could I would write it in the stars so the whole world knows how huge my love is. You are the air I breathe, the sun that rises and sets. I will always need you because I cannot live without you. You are everything. I know am nothing without you."
He took the ring from Mac's hand and placed it on Jack's ring finger. "When I had this made it had a star with a diamond; now I have added another diamond. Each one is the both of us together forever. This ring I now return to you as my husband so that everyone here and anyone who sees it know you are mine and I am yours." Jack took both Ianto's hands and kissed them.
"Ianto my beloved, my cariad. I declare before everyone here, that I love you. I will carry your love with me for eternity. The stars in this universe may grow dark but my love for you will never fade. You are the single most important person in my life. You are my whole reason for being, my life, and the part of me I was missing that I have at last found." He took the ring from Rhys. It was a single gold band with a tiny engraving of a radiant sun on it.
He took Ianto's hand and slipped the ring onto Ianto's ring finger. "This ring represents my love for you. You say I am the sun, but it is you I orbit."
The celebrant now began to speak. "Jack and Ianto, you have made your declarations to those gathered here. Let all of you who have heard and seen the love Jack and Ianto hold for each other never doubt the commitment they hold in their journey forward. To seal that commitment the couple will now release a butterfly each. Jack has chosen butterflies because they represent a moment of transformation where something unformed becomes whole."
Ianto's eyes widened as he found a small box tied in a red ribbon being handed to him. He looked at Jack who had a huge smile on his face.
Holding his breath he waited for Jack to pull the bow on his box and together they opened up each box. As they did a fully immerged butterfly reacting to the light fluttered out from inside. Ianto let out the breath he was holding in as one landed on his hand. He watched fascinated as the other landed on Jack's hand.
"Let the wings of these butterflies allow your love to fly and the love you hold find its truest fulfilment in your life together," the celebrant announced. Mac and Tosh now moved forward to remove the butterflies and take them to the greenhouse where Jack had created a place for them so that when summer came they would be able to live in the garden.
"I now pronounce you husband and husband." As the final words left her lips Jack and Ianto reached towards each other. As their lips met in a passionate kiss they heard the guests erupt in a roar of congratulations and approval.
Opening the door of the greenhouse Ianto moved inside and closed it quickly. He looked around and saw the butterflies were settled on the plants Jack had put in special just for them. He took a closer look and they were doing perfect. He heard the door open and saw Jack who put his arm around his waist and kissed his shoulder.
"How are they doing?"
"They are doing perfect," Ianto replied. 'That was a big surprise...butterflies."
"I know how much you love them."
"They are very special, Jack and Ianto butterflies. They will eat all the leaves and make eggs then become caterpillars…" Jack stopped him with a kiss pulling in Ianto very close.
They felt a rush of cold air. "Starting the honeymoon early?" Owen said at the pair entwined around each other.
"I was checking the butterflies," Ianto replied as they pulled apart.
"Yes butterflies have that effect on people. I should get Tosh down here?"
"So have you and Tosh been on a date? You should now she finds you very handsome," Ianto added as Jack took Ianto's hand.
"Oh yes we have and there was kissing."
"Kissing?" Jack double-checked, raising his eyebrows.
Owen coughed. "Anyway I've been sent to find you because you're needed to open the dance." He opened the door.
"I've been practicing," Ianto added.
"His dancing," Jack added quickly.
"Has the Doctor told you anything about where your honeymoon is?" Owen asked as they made their way towards the marquee.
"It's a surprise but it will have crocodiles, elephants and dinosaurs followed by eight days of naked," Ianto replied.
"Eight days of naked." Owen raised his eyebrows.
"Yes that's where we wear no clothes for eight whole days."
"I hope it somewhere nice and warm."
"It will be all warm and nice." Ianto squeezed Jack's hand.
"Sound like a proper honeymoon."
"First it will be an adventure, where exciting things happen," Ianto added as they now arrived back inside and heard their arrival announced.
"Ladies and gentlemen, honoured guests, Jack and Ianto will now take the floor for the first dance.
Ianto took Jack's hand as the first notes were played. Taking him into his arms he held Jack close.
'For all the times you stood by me'
"I chose this song because it has all the words I wanted to say today but I didn't know how," Ianto whispered.
'For all the truth you made me see'
"Because you saved me Jack, you found me, came back for me, you kept me safe. Everything I am is because you love me."
Breath caught in Jack's throat as he listened to the words. He found it impossible to speak.
'You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me'
"Oh Ianto," Jack said finally as the song came to an end and he now found his voice. "Your love is the light that shone into my life. You saved me."
"We saved each other," Ianto agreed.
"Yes we did," Jack said pulling him into a kiss and everyone applauded.
Ianto laid his body half out of the warm water of the lagoon drawing a design with his finger into the wet sand.
"I like it here," Ianto said as Jack came and lay down beside him. "There are no people or buildings no matter how far you look. The sea's all warm, like a bath. I like trying to swim, it's splashy fun and the fish are all naughty. I was feeding them earlier and they kept giving me little nibbles. I had to keep telling them I wasn't food. And we have our own special sort of beach house that goes over the water and we can watch the tide come in and out from the middle of the room. And the sky has two moons." Jack pulled Ianto into a kiss.
"That looks interesting," Jack said looking at the drawing as he turned over onto his stomach, leaned over to take a closer look.
"I finally know how to get a clock into a crocodile."
"Really?"
"Yes," Ianto declared proudly. "When I saw that crocodile leap out of the water, I was amazed. It came all the way out and ate that chicken, feathers and all."
"He was very impressive," Jack agreed.
"Even though he had one foot missing it didn't matter because he just needed his tail. Even in my imagination I never thought crocodiles got that big. So I was thinking he was so sneaky hiding in the water you didn't even know he was there and whoosh there he was right by me. He could have had me as a snack. So people need to know he's coming and I know how to do it."
"Ah ha," Jack encouraged
Ianto pointed to the drawing in the sand. "See inside the chicken is a clock." He turned slightly to face Jack. "The crocodile leaps out the water and wham! He eats the chicken with the clock inside."
"Wouldn't the clock get all smashed up?" Jack pointed out.
"That's the best part," Ianto said laughing. "It would be a little clock with a big tick. That way it wouldn't get all smashed and you would always know when a crocodile was coming."
"I think that's brilliant." Jack kissed him.
"They would no longer be able to be sneaky because you could hear them coming." Ianto pushed himself back into the water so the waves lapped up his legs.
"So we need to put clocks in crocodiles and not dinosaurs?"
"That's cause they're extinct which means there are no more. And when you think about it that's good because can you imagine having a T. Rex hanging about? They were huge. The Doctor told me that T. Rex didn't chase things like lions; they scavenged. I like that word it means eating rubbish. So if they were alive today they would just eat out of people's dustbins. And that would be very scary."
"What about some of the smaller ones? Some were the size of a duck." Jack pushed himself into the water.
"They were very bitey and snappy. One of them stole the hot dog out of my bun and scoffed it right there in front of me," Ianto added indignantly. "Stole it right out of the bun when I wasn't looking." Jack laughed.
"Then they kept trying to bite my fingers because they smelt hot dog on them. Billy is as bitey as I want anything to get and at least if he steals your hot dog he hides it." Ianto looked thoughtful. "I hope he's okay. Do you think the Doctor will be able to look after him okay?"
Jack tried to keep a straight face knowing that the Doctor had Billy well and truly under control. "I'm sure he's having a great time."
"I hope so. I like the way the TARDIS made him a special room and everything so he can dig and dig and never get lost."
"And you gave the Doctor a very good list and run down of everything he needed to do." Jack made his way out of the water and offered his hand.
"I like being naked all day," Ianto said his eyes glowing.
"So what would you like to do this afternoon?"
"Well first I would like to order another dessert off the menu because I haven't tried them all yet," Ianto told him.
"Yes, I love you all sweet and salty," Jack admitted as they made their way down the beach of their Island towards their chalet. It was such an inadequate word for the luxury it represented. He knew such places existed in the Universe but had never had the privilege of visiting. A water world devoted to privacy, relaxation, and fun. From the huge selection of activities you could spend every moment doing something. Or you could as they had just hidden themselves, enjoying the peace and solitude. He looked at Ianto who was just ahead of him, and noted the scars on his back had faded a little. It would take many years for them to fade completely and with their disappearance would be the undoing of the terrible legacy left by the Master.
An involuntary shudder ran down his back as he recalled the conversation he had had with the Doctor as he had told him about what the Master had planned.
"A living Cyberman," Jack had said, not believing what he was hearing.
"A monster who would obey without question. His emotions locked, leaving no ability to express them until they would build up and he exploded, destroying all and anything around him."
"How many exposures?" Jack asked.
"One."
"One exposure did that much damage?" Jack burst out.
The Doctor nodded. "It destroyed his ability with words, his eidetic memory, and began the process of creating a disconnection between what he felt and his ability to express it outright."
Jack closed his eyes. When he opened them again he knew by the look on the Time Lord's face there was more.
"The Master did two other things; one is a blessing the other a curse. I think he wanted to make Ianto immortal so that Ianto's existence would haunt you forever." He saw the look of horror on Jack's face. "He didn't succeed but he did extend Ianto's life."
"How long?"
"I wish I had an answer. The TARDIS advised me he bled off some of her heart energy. It was only a few particles but it has a strong potency. He could live a thousand years and beyond." The Doctor paused to allow Jack to absorb what he saying.
"But he is not cursed with immortality?" The Doctor shook his head. "Will he age?"
"No, but his decline when it comes it will happen very quickly. He will age rapidly, and then die over a matter of weeks as the energy fades."
"That's one, what the other?"
The Doctor put his hand on Jack's shoulder. "Part of the plan was to use Ianto as a prototype. His DNA has been encoded with the same damage inflicted on him."
Jack paled as he realised the implications. "It's good that I know," Jack recovered and the Doctor smiled.
"And now some good news." He handed Jack small vial.
Jack looked at it curiously.
"I tried long and hard to find a way to restore Ianto to himself. But I have found the mind is much harder to heal than the body. Give him these and over the next few years, and his body will heal, returning him to full health in every respect."
"These?" The use of the word was not lost on Jack.
"These are a life form engineered to repair the human body. Once they have completed their function they will seal themselves off and become inert."
"That means the removal of the terrible scaring from his back?" Jack queried.
"And internal." He looked a little sad "In truth you both deserve a lot better. The whole of the Earth should know what you both sacrificed for their sake."
Jack looked at him as he wrapped his hands around the vial. "Ianto gets to live and heal. He won't have any more terrible aches and pulling from the scars on his back. I get to spend more time with him and him with me. I can't think of a greater gift. Time with Ianto."
"And if you need me you only have to call. I owe you a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. And when the time comes you will always be welcome here as my companion."
"Jack…Jack." He broke from his thoughts to see Ianto looking at him biting his lower lip.
"And then the kissing game."
"Kissing game? Who goes first?" Jack asked
"First we kiss each other loads," Ianto said taking Jack's hand. "Because I love kissing then I want to go first."
"You went first last time!"
Ianto laughed at the pout on Jack's face. "Alright you can go first. And then I get to go second." Ianto checked. "I am going to eat dessert off you. I was thinking chocolate moose. Which is very strange because I looked up what a moose is, and what I want to know is how they get something so delicious out of one of them big creatures…" Ianto skipped over a wave then stopped. "Is this like those trick gooseberries? I was so upset I was expecting little geese to grow instead we got green hairy fruit. Why not just call them green hair-fruit then I would have known not to expect geese?"
Jack listened as they walked and talked. Their feet splashed though the water as they approached their chalet. Jack took in a deep breath and let out a sigh of contentment, his eyes full of Ianto.