46
Jack was determined to make the next few days as hassle free as possible.
In the typical mind of a normal person, this would mean doing as little as possible to ensure less work.
We are talking about Jack though, his idea was a surprise party. He'd missed the birthday but they could still have cake. The fact that Ianto seemed suspicious was lost to him as he made covert phone calls and preparations.
He may not have noticed Ianto answering phone calls and correcting certain mistakes but he knew he had definitely missed something when the caterers arrived an hour earlier than he had asked.
"Set up in the main room" Ianto's voice was firm and Jack stood open mouthed as he tried to work out how he had been twigged.
Ianto had changed some of the food choices and he politely asked why, to be told that Idris and Martha were both vegetarian. He was genuinely surprised.
"But how did you know I was doing this?" Jack asked.
"Well, who usually does this? You used our regular company so they rang me to confirm" Ianto shrugged.
"Damn! I wanted to surprise you!" Jack pouted better than Walter.
"Oh Cariad, you did" Ianto laughed softly as he kissed his husband, "I was so touched and love it."
"Yeah?" Jack grinned.
"Immensely!" Ianto assured him, "Now! You need to change and get Noah into the cute little rabbit outfit your mum got him the other day!"
Jack rushed off excitedly as Ianto moved the centrepiece about on the coffee table.
Victoria came out in her new violet gown and Ianto gasped.
"Oh Wow! You look lovely mother" he enthused and she smiled with glee at the tile.
"You don't have to call me that if you are uncomfortable with it" she said softly and Ianto shook his head.
"No, you are Jack's mother and the grandmother of my boys." Ianto shrugged, "logic dictates that you are the grandmother and the mother. So, as Walter would put it ... Ergo, you're the mum."
Ianto didn't add that if those results come back the way he dreaded they might, then making sure the children got used to her would be a necessary evil so if and when the time came Jack would have her to help raise the boys without him.
Ianto answered the door for the second wave and fussed happily. Jack carried the little blue rabbit out and Ianto gushed with joy.
Jack sighed as he berated himself for thinking he could keep this a secret and almost deprived Ianto of his favourite pastime. Fussing.
The house was soon heaving with laughter and life. Jack now understood the earlier start time as Walter started to flag, followed by Ianto.
By 10pm the guests were gone and Ianto was asleep in Walter's bed with him. Curled up in the dark. Two little possums.
Jack carefully picked Ianto up and carried him through to his own bed. Victoria looked up from her cleaning and cooed softly as Ianto clung to his husband in his sleep.
"You OK to finish Mum?" Jack whispered, "Leave the rest 'til the morning."
Jack laid Ianto down and carefully removed his clothes. Ianto grunted and fought briefly before recognising the hands and sighing softly as he went limp again.
As Jack slid in behind his beautiful boy to spoon he thanks god again for his beloved Welshman.