Chap 7
Ianto was running late. The meeting with the Social Services had gone later than he thought it would and he needed to hustle to get home for Walter.
They had been more hindrance than help, more or less telling him that if Chrystal abandoned her baby he was liable as the father. Despite his repeated claims of innocence they kept repeating that the birth certificate was binding, even though he hadn't signed it himself.
The light turned green and the vehicle in front took off, Ianto slid the car into gear and followed. The crunch of metal and flying sensation was ominously familiar and he found himself calling out for Jack as his car spun several times from the impact.
The car that had hit him was sitting in the middle of the road with steam rising from its bonnet. The driver stumbled out as onlookers began berating him for running a red light.
Ianto's only concern was for his little niece who was quietly staring back at him as he looked around the seat, her eyes wider that a bush baby's.
The sound of thumping had Ianto looking at his window and he found a fireman calmly instructing him to lay over the seat so they could open the door. Shit, must be stuck.
The sound of the Jaws of Life woke Aurora-Lee from her fugue and she began to scream with fear.
"It's OK Rory, I'm right here," Ianto twisted in the seat so she could see him and groaned at the pain it caused.
The crowd heard the baby and their anger increased as the unlucky driver was openly harassed while hiding in a nearby Heddlu car. Jack was listed as co-owner for the car and he was there within minutes of the phone call from his old workmates, watching as the door was finally wrenched open.
Seeing Ianto gingerly climb from the driver's seat in one piece had Jack in tears of relief as he pushed through the rescue services with his usual authority paving the way.
Finally Aurora-Lee was out and screaming as Ianto shuddered in Jack's arms. They were taken by ambulance to hospital for checks as Jack texted Gray for the eighth time.
He was not answering his phone and neither was Rhia. Finally Tosh agreed to wait at the house to intercept them when they arrived to pick up their baby.
The check on Aurora-Lee found her in top form and unharmed. Not even a bruise from the safety seat that probably saved her life. Ianto however, was found to have three broken ribs and severe bruising from his safety belt. He had also hit his head on the door pillar and was receiving stitches as Gray thundered into the room.
"Where is she, where is my baby," he demanded and Jack turned, Aurora asleep in his arms.
Gray stormed over and snatched her from Jack so roughly that she woke and began to cry.
"You know what? I knew this was a bad idea. How fast were you bloody going in that race car?" Gray roared at Ianto who flinched as his head pounded.
"Gray? What the hell are you doing?" Rhia entered the room and saw the blood on Ianto's shirt, bustling over to see if he was OK.
"Oi! She's over here. Our baby? Our family? He's a grown man with no concept of how to raise a child!" Gray snarled and Ianto looked at Jack with shock as he turned to look at his brother.
"Don't be silly, it was an accident," Rhia snorted.
"Yeah? So was the one that killed his wife, he says!" Gray growled and Ianto felt the air leave his lungs.
"Gray?" Rhia frowned and stepped closer.
"It's over. I don't want him looking after our child anymore, and as for you!" Gray snarled at Ianto as he thrust the baby into Rhia's startled arms.
"You are not fit to raise a child let alone sit for one. You are a bloody menace," he reached for Ianto and Jack gave a shout of shock as Gray grabbed Ianto's bloody shirt and began to shake him.
Gray leaned back and Jack knew he would be too late as he rushed forward, he got to Gray as his fist connected. Ianto flew back with a cry of pain as his eye was punched and his ribs were extended.
Jack grabbed Gray, punching him in the gut and propelling him towards the door.
"Get the fuck away from my husband!"