17
Ianto stood examining the house as everyone watched with baited breath.
He walked to the other corner, the angles of the house now being keenly scrutinized before he walked back to the front. He then moved to the door and Kara rushed to follow as he stepped into the house, now smelling the air like a predator.
"Paint" he muttered, "Still needs airing a bit."
He walked though the kitchen, a hand brushing the countertop and he grunted to show satisfaction with it as Kara sighed with relief, then he moved to her area and looked back at her, "Now just lilac? We have some powerful purple too?"
"Lots of white too Tadda" she defended, "It looks clean, right?"
Ianto walked though to the patio and checked the doggie door in the doors before opening them and stepping outside to the large deck area. It ran back to the water and attached to the main deck with wide steps one side down to the grass for the dog, making the house now wrapped both sides with the decking and Ianto decided he liked that. The furniture was well made and he suspected some Were influence there, the birch limbs expertly woven into lovely patterns and he walked around to his own side to find the water calling.
"Ahhhhhhh" he breathed as he closed his eyes and listened to the sound of nature all around him. Gods he had missed this place, town too much noise and bluster. Not to mention the smells. Blerk.
"Well?" Kara asked as Willem clutched at her with matching nerves.
"I like it" Ianto finally said, "The deep rose trims in the side room are a slight surprise but likeable and I see you even pushed this wall to my day room out so I have extra floor space. Nice. A little cot can sit in there and a change table. Thinking. Well done Cariad."
Kara puffed with delight in the praise and Willem slumped with relief, "We have some things … were not sure if you wanted them."
Ianto turned to look at Willem with interest, "What sort of things?"
"Pup things" Gino answered for his brother, "Our people wanted to provide. It is our way to gift."
"OK" Ianto said slowly, obviously concerned that he might not like it and didn't want to insult them, "Let's see."
"In the basement" Gino said, pointing like they might not know where the basement is and Ianto held back a snort as it looked like something Jack would have done. They walked down, Jack first with Ianto behind in case he tripped …. Yeah. Apparently being preggers means you trip on everything at any given time if you believe Jack. Sweet actually. Caring. Cloying.
"Wow" was all Ianto could say as he stared at the tiny cradle that was clearly carved from a single tree trunk, the little filigree leaves and flowers seeming to pop. There had been so much care, several different stains to achieve depth in the carving and the bedding was so well made, hands lovingly embroidering more ivy along the edge of the sheets and blankets.
"We like leaves" Gino shrugged.
"Me too" Ianto assured him, "It is perfect for Kai. Wonderful. Please take it up and place it in the room for me. I want to have him there, on that bed. His welcome to the world in this house with the sound of the water greeting him."
"Yes, good" Gino was excited and embarrassed by the pride he felt for a pup that was not even his, blustering up with the cradle to place it as his brother gleefully bounced about the room telling Ianto the elders wanted to come visit soon, they were excited too.
"Later maybe" Jack said firmly and Ianto snorted as he walked out to the patio, dropping his clothes as he went until just his boxers were left. He then stepped off the deck and into the water, the kiss of the cold liquid a welcome home. Soon he was swimming with shadows around him, one obviously Kev who was sticking close as he enjoyed some freedom.
Jack sat and watched holding back the urge to follow him in as he saw the eagerness on his mate's face to get some alone time.
"Dad?"
"Yeah pumpkin?"
"Is he OK? Seems … frantic" she frowned as she sat next to Jack, "like … flappy."
"Town was a bit much, everyone fussing so much and the clothes thing … bump has dropped. Watch when he gets out, you can really see Kai now. He is nervous. I am thinking a zoom into the city to get some things might be an idea but I don't want him to leave here, I don't want to take him away from the safely of here either."
"Me and Wills can go" she perked up with glee, "We can stay overnight at the base and then come back."
"Well … I guess" Jack nodded, gleefully rubbing his hands as he saw them alone in the house for the night, his love unable to feel free enough for rompey-pompey in someone else's' home.
Jack was bursting.