Chap 32

It had been a week since the funeral and Victoria didn't seem to be in any hurry to go home.

She had settled into a routine and along with settling, she had got confident enough to help with the children.

Ianto was now biting his tongue repeatedly as he was "helped" around the place.

First, the coffee mugs were replaced with big chunky pottery ones from some local artists because her coffee tasted better from one. Ianto had smiled and put his away.

Then Rory's play mat was moved because she got too much sun and the dog kept "Touching" her.

Then she complained about the diseases Walter might be getting with the animals sleeping with him.

Now she stood defiantly telling him that he was mollycoddling the boy who didn't need a cuddle every five minutes, for goodness sake.

"I just don't see why you feel the need to make up for the new baby with so many cuddles," she said as another toy was put away, out of Rory's reach.

Ianto quietly retrieved the toy, her favourite, and gave it back to her, "I have always been affectionate and I don't believe Walter resents Noah in the least."

"Then there's this one!" Victoria tutted and Ianto froze. "Can she not mind her own child? Every day, you have this one. Two babies as well as Walter, no wonder you find it hard to cope"

Ianto looked around his immaculate home, then down at the happy baby. He then looked over at Noah who had fallen asleep and snoozed in a beanbag in the corner.

"Victoria, I love having Rory." Ianto said calmly.

Jack was wandering down the stairs and paused as he heard the warning tone.

"That's horrible, the way you have shortened her name. It's Aurora, but I don't understand why they chose such a …" Jack opened his mouth but was too slow, "strange name."

"Because my family are pagan" Ianto had folded his arms and was defiantly staring her down. Come on, say it.

"But that's all hogwash!" she tittered as Rory lost her toy once more. "Silly boy, all stuff and nonsense."

Ianto took a breath and Jack dove in, "Mama. Any chance of a sandwich?"

"Oh darling. Anything for my hard working boy" she crooned, rushing to the kitchen with one last barb thrown over her shoulder, "Hard work being the bread winner."

Ianto's face was pure thunder as he glared as Jack, who thought it a better deal to tickle Rory.

The phone went and Jack sighed, saved by the bell as Ianto stomped over to answer it.

Reservations for Ianto's favourite restaurant were being conformed and Ianto politely confirmed with a spike of pleasure. Friday. Jack hadn't forgotten his birthday tomorrow after all. Perhaps Friday was the closest reservations he could get but Ianto didn't mind it being out a day. Not at all.

He squatted back down and grinned at his lovely husband. "That was Bayside, confirming for Friday Cariad."

"Oh good." Jack grinned back as he now hugged a squirming beast, "Mum's gonna love it there."

Ianto stared. It was a reservation for two. Where was she going to go?

"You should get takeaways for you and Walt that night, have a boy's night in." Jack smiled, "Mum says you're looking tired with all the pressure."

Ianto bit his tongue as he fumed.