48
"You OK love?" Jack asked softly as he settled Ianto into the bedding, all lumped around him like a big nest and he watched as Caden calmly plumped it all more, then he realised that was exactly what the little one was trying to make. A nest for the chickie. Ahhhhhhh.
"Angel?" Yvonne said softly as her little one slid from the Brig's lap to join in and soon both little ones were making soft clucking noises as they pulled and patted at the edge of the bed.
"It's OK, they are nesting for Bennu" Jack whispered with awe, "Amazing. Instinct is a powerful thing, their birdyness is telling them a chick is here and they want to protect him. So sweet."
"Ah" The Brig smiled as he settled in his chair and relaxed, his son and new grandson getting attention as Ianto blinked wearily around the room and then his gaze settled on him with a soft smile. "Do you need anything dumpling?"
"No Taddy" Ianto sighed sleepily and the Brig felt a tug in his heartstrings as the polite 'Pappa' was slipped to one side for a more personal title.
"My Taddy too" Angel whispered to Ianto as she leaned in, "We connected."
"Yes darling, we are" Ianto smiled, this one so sweet with Yvonne's hair flowing in soft ringlets around her shoulders to show the Jones curls even with the Hartman colour. What a combination and she was clearly more than happy with her bonding, both parentals watching on proudly as their wee chick tended to the nest.
"I think that is a super nest I could have never made one so fine" Jack said after a while, "Now how about everyone goes and has a feast to celebrate the baby. Mavis has some cake I am sure, me and Ianto will cuddle and have some bonding time, yeah?"
"Bonding is important" Angel agreed with a forceful nod.
"Cake" Caden hissed as he slithered off the bed and Ianto looked lovingly at his mate who was now sliding into the nest, careful not to break the children's hard work.
Come on, let's see what Mama Mavis made for us" Yvonne said happily, little hands sliding into hers as the Brig scooped Alice up bridal style and carried her along as he promised a special day for him and her so they could do some baby shopping together. She must know the best things to get a baby being the bestest big sister in the worlds.
"We have all we need" Jack sighed softly.
"But she doesn't" Ianto slurred as he snuggled in, "He is giving her some power. She is feeling a bit stressed, also a bit sad that she still wants a sister. Yvonne needs to watch she doesn't steal Angel and puts her on a box somewhere like a dolly."
Jack laughed softly and kissed Ianto on the lips, revelling in the warmth and soft pliability of his beloved tiger.
"Tired" Ianto sighed.
"Can I place him in the wee basket between us? I know it is your way to keep them with you but I am terrified of smothering him" Jack whispered softly, "I know you never would, your DNA forbids such a thing but I am human and accidents happen."
"The Moses one" Ianto yawned and Jack collected the soft basket made from material and lovingly woven by bugs, the weave almost like spider webbing and he placed the sleeping baby inside, then covered all of them in the blankets so just heads were peeking out, Bubba already snuffing in sleep.
"He has your snuffle" Jack whispered with adoration.
The answer was a louder snuffle by his ear and Jack resisted the laughter than might wake them both, settling to watch Ianto sleep with those eyelashes fluttering against alabaster cheekbones.
Downstairs cake was indeed on the menu and Alice started to perk up as she realised she did have a sister of sorts and she was already sliding around Angel to offer to help her cut a piece of cake, her mothering need almost overwhelming. She knew it was silly to be sad he was a boy, she knew he would be really lovely and it was also silly to be sad that she didn't have the bond thing the others had. She had Daddy. First and always. She also had Taddy first and she knew she was the bestest girl, they had both told her so lots of times.
Besides…. Angel was a nice size and not needing a nappy or anything like a baby does. Much better to dress and her pretty hair can have ribbons and things.
As Alice eyed up Angel the Brig stifled a grin as he saw the same thing his son had, resisting the urge to pull them apart and instead he settled next to Yvonne and kissed her cheek, "You OK pumpkin?"
"Yes. I have never seen a birth before" she answered, "How amazing was that?"
"Look at our little girls, look. They came like that. Well, both from women but you know what I mean. One minute part of someone, the next part of everyone. Amazing." He agreed, "Will Angel be jealous if I take Alice for some personal treats?"
"No of course not, you do with her too" Yvonne assured him, "Besides, she can have a special day with me while you have Alice. Clearly Caden and his Buggy will want to have their own with Jack. Ianto will appreciate the quiet if we distract them all."
"And Mavis will too" he whispered as he knew she was dying to get her pincers on that baby.