Chap 27
Ianto was laughing as Walter danced about on the lawn. It had been a lovely Saturday morning and as the day began to warm and settle into a balmy day, Ianto was wondering about lunch which was about an hour away.
Noah had fallen asleep on the blanket laid on the grass and snoozed amongst his many toys, with a soft blanket covering his legs.
Ianto, ever the diligent Taddy, had pulled the small shade umbrella over so his tired wee rabbit wouldn't burn and now Walter had Ianto all to himself.
Walter had grown weary of his dance and collapsed into Ianto's arms. Ianto kissed his face and told him he was a star, would go further than Will Smith and Walter frowned as he told his Taddy he wanted to be a singer not an actor. Ianto had then been inspired to go turn on an old Will Smith CD when Walter didn't believe him about the Men in Black Theme song.
The scream had Ianto dropping the CDs in his hand and racing back outside.
Noah was still asleep, apparently immune to Walter's screams. Jack had heard from his office and came pouring down the stairs with John in hot pursuit.
Myfanwy's warning bark began as Ianto reached the deck and his heart rate went through the roof.
They found Walter desperately trying to get the gate to the pool area open and Jack scooped him up as he tried to understand what was wrong. Ianto saw and with a curse he struggled past and over to the pool.
John followed and looked into the water, seeing something floating. It looked like something fluffy.
The splash drowned out Walter's sobs as Ianto leapt in, clothes and all. He waded to the middle and fished out the bedraggled lump of fur, turning it over to reveal Lady Emma. She was limp and still.
"Walter, do you know how long she was in here?" Ianto shouted as he shook the dripping body.
"WALTER!" Ianto yelled and Walter looked up. "Did you see her go in?"
"Yes" he sobbed, turning back to Jack.
Ianto shook her again and looked into her face. To John's surprise he looked like he was going to kiss her, but he placed her face up to his and covered her little nose and mouth with his own. After he did this a few times John saw he was doing mouth to mouth.
He shook the kitten again and began to vigorously rub its body as he waded to the edge of the pool.
John reached out for the kitten and got Ianto's hand instead. As John lifted him out of the water he noted that Ianto had gained a little weight back and was now heftier to lift.
"What can I do?" he asked softly.
"Towels, it was cold" Ianto panted as he dropped to his knees and did a few more breaths.
John raced inside and the doorbell rang as he zoomed past. He opened the door and shouted "Garden" before grabbing towels kept by the door for emergencies like getting caught in the rain and such and ran back outside.
Idris followed sedately, picking up one of the towels that had been dropped in John's haste.
Walter was still crying and now Noah had woken and decided he would join in. Jack wanted to get Noah but was unwilling to give up his embrace, Walter clearly needed him as well. Myfanwy had taken up her post beside the baby and was nuzzling him gently in an attempt to comfort him.
He saw Idris and relaxed as Idris knelt and scooped the baby up with a grin of pleasure while Myfanwy backed off a few steps and watched him with a silent warning stare.
Ianto had grabbed a towel and was still rubbing the kitten as John laid another across his shoulders and began to dry the wet hair that was so soft to touch.
The kitten started to cough and sneeze and Ianto gave it one more vigorous shake before holding it out to Walter.
Walter was shaking as he accepted the kitten wrapped in the towel and the cat looked at him with a pitiful meow.
"Oh thank you Taddy bum, oh thank you" Walter wept as he kissed the kitten's head.
Now Jack had his arms free he reached for his wet husband and gave him a much needed hug of reassurance as their fear turned to relief.