15

Ianto felt the change in the town as people furtively tried to fuss without fussing. This never really worked and Ianto was an forgiving as ever, even when three plates of food arrived at the same time, none of it what he could eat. Ianto smiled softly as he watched Jack approaching with a small plate of what was still able to be consumed and then those around them watched with slack jawed awe as Jack proceeded to empty all the other plates. He sat and talked through his food, excited about the day's activities.

That morning Ianto had woken and stretched, feeling the taut stomach muscles complain and then he had taken a lovely hot shower, taking time to slide his hands over the growing belly, marvelling as he felt the flutters Jack would soon enjoy as well.

He had then shaved, noting the lack of real fluff as his hormones in his body adjusted more and he knew the last few months would be nice not having to shave at all. The boobs however …. He hadn't really liked those last time either.

He looked around the room as others settled for breakfast as well, laughter and soft murmurings of amicable friends that Ianto found comforting. He was still enjoying the comfortable feeling of the large chair he had settled into when the dog started patting his foot.

"Cariad, did you take the dogglet out for walkies?" Ianto asked and Jack froze, his fork paused with scrambled egg wobbling.

"Um"

"It's OK, I'll do it" Ianto smiled, "I feel like some air."

Jack started gulping down the food and Ianto laughed, "Stop it. It's OK. I have my fuzzy guards with me. You finish."

Ianto clipped the bright pink leash onto the tiny harness and stepped out with Sydney to enjoy the day, the shadows following at length not at all offsetting as he knew them well.

"Hey there" a voice called and he turned to see the Sheriff galloping over as fast as his girth would allow, "Without your handler today?"

A lovely day so he smiled instead of the annoyance he might had felt, "He found a buffet breakfast, may not emerge until the table and settings are gone too."

"Was just talking to your girl and her fella, she sez the renovations are coming along nicely, she's just at the grocers" he said with a flick of his thumb and Ianto happily started towards the store as Kara came out and saw them.

"SYDERS!" she screamed, dropping the groceries and racing to snatch up the little dog as Ianto stood there still holding the leash.

"Woof?" he said after a while and she laughed, turning to him.

"And hello Tadders" she snorted, leaning in for a kiss as Willem quietly saved the groceries and placed them in the back of the Jeep before walking over to greet his elder.

"Hello Ianto" he said happily, "Did Kara tell you we have the doors on?"

"Really?" Ianto perked up, "Almost done then?"

"Just some painting and we are done. I would give it at least 24 hours for fumes, we can't be too careful" Willem nodded. "Bubba needs one more day."

"Gods, I might kill someone" Ianto whispered to the man, "These people are sooooo cloying."

"I am sure it's not that bad" Willem snorted. His brother in the distance nodding, yes they are.

"Yoo-hoo!" a voice called and Ianto looked at him meaningfully as a woman started towards them "A bit of a chill in the air, should you be out in this?"

"The baby doesn't have working lungs yet Daisy" Ianto said amicably, "Let alone the need to use them just yet."

"Oh, of course. We just can't have you coughy now dear" she placed an arm around him, "Come along now, let's get you in the warm."

"I'm keeping my dog" Kara said and he released the leash, "Doors are in, he's safe now."

"Fine, but if I come home to find him bright lilac or something as he leans on the painted walls of your room I shall be pissed."

"How did you know my room is….oh" Kara looked down at the splotches of paint on her jeans, then threw her head back laughing with the same barking gawf of her father that Ianto loved to much.

"Go on horrible child, get going and remember … I will be inspecting my kitchen like a thing possessed." He warned and had the satisfaction of watching her face change.

Willem grinned as he saw a rare moment of concern crossing his mate's face, her bravado slipping as the only man who might cause her discomfort looked her in the eye.

"My kitchen is pristine, right?"

"It will be Tadda, just some … ah … dust and stuff from the sanding" she said quickly and Ianto watched Willem wink.

A kiss and she was heading for the Jeep. Ianto called after her, "Are you going to see your father?"

"I just did" he laughed and Ianto turned to find Jack standing behind him waving.

Seems he was back under the thumb already.

Gods, he wanted to shoot someone.