Chap 29
Jack shuffled to the doorway with a sleepy baby in his arms as Ianto stood speaking softly to the caller.
Jack was ready to crawl down the line and kill whoever had woken his wee man, when Ianto looked up and locked eyes with him.
"Baby?" Jack said softly as he watched the blood draining from Ianto's face.
Walter came stomping out of his room, scratching his belly with his PJ top pulled up as he yawned.
Ianto dropped the phone back in its cradle and stared at it for a moment, then turned and faced Jack.
He opened his mouth but nothing came out.
Jack thrust the baby at Walter who squealed with delight as he was never allowed to hold Noah while standing up and he made little noises at the baby who gave a sleepy grin.
Jack had reached Ianto and placed his hands on Ianto's elbows, looking deep into the eyes that looked to be filling with tears.
Oh god, this is bad.
"It's OK babe." Jack soothed, sliding his hands down those quivering arms to find the hands he needed to o hold.
Ianto was just in his PJ bottoms. The autumn night was not cold but he could feel him shivering as Ianto stared at him with wide eyes.
"Sit?" Ianto whispered and Jack nodded, leading him to the nearby sofa.
"Jack" Ianto sighed and Jack tilted his head as he tried to think what could possibly be wrong.
"Jack that was your mum." Ianto got a whole sentence out but had to stop and swallow. "Your Dad has had a heart attack."
Jack was still as he tried to process. He frowned and stared at Ianto as a tear rolled down Ianto's cheek.
"He's dead isn't he" Jack muttered as he watched Ianto struggling to remain brave. For him.
"Oh Cariad." Ianto opened his arms and Jack was falling. He could hear Ianto's strong, wonderful heart as it pounded next to his ear and he closed his eyes. He existed, safe in Ianto's embrace.
Walter had moved over to the sofa and tried to climb up. Ianto reached out with one hand and hooked Walter as he lifted both children up to the opposite side Jack was cuddled against.
"Daddy?" Walter peered at Jack with open fear as Jack began to sob.
"Walt. Daddy's Dadda has just died honey" Ianto said softly and Walter sucked in his cheeks as he watched his Daddy cry.
"It's OK Daddy, Mommy will look after him" he soothed, reaching out to pat Jack's hand which was still clasped in Ianto's.
"That's right baby" Ianto hitched his breath, "Grandpa Harkness is up in the stars with Mommy."
Walter wiped a tear from his Daddy's cheek and pouted as he made an unhappy noise.
"Poor Daddy" Walter crooned, "Poor Granny Harkness. She'll be all alone."
"Oh God!" Jack sat up and looked at Ianto with horror, "Where's my mum?"