Chap 50
The night was balmy and the light breeze was just enough to keep them cool as they stood in the clearing.
Ianto was trying to look pleased Victoria had agreed to come, standing back by a very uncomfortable Gray. Several Hoodlums stood around them, eyeballing him intermittently and he was doing his best to blend into his mother's coat.
Idris stood in his white muslin trousers and smiled at the crowd.
He reached out his hand and Ianto stepped forward, handing the baby over gently.
"Hello little bean" he whispered, then looked up at the crowd.
"Noah Joseph Harkness-Jones, welcome to your family and the Wilding Wood welcomes you to her heart." Idris said proudly.
"Joseph? Biblical again?" Gray whispered to his mother who smiled.
"As in Cup of Joe" she whispered back and he huffed. Trust Ianto to name his son after coffee.
Jack stepped forward with Walter on his hip and shifted him up to his chest so Walter could reach the branch his own plaque sat in. Walter reached up and hooked a new on in the tree with a moment to touch his mother's cross before being lowered again.
A rabbit, complete with Noah's full name on it now swung in the breeze.
As everyone cheered, Ianto reached for Jack's hand and squeezed then whispered, "Not done yet darling."
Jack accepted Noah from Idris in his other arm and stood dumbfounded as Ianto walked over to the tree and hugged it. He was speaking to it and as he watched, several Hoodlums closed in and started to chart softly.
Idris opened a box presented by Skidmark and removed an old, beaten pocket knife. Ianto accepted it from him with a serious nod, then turned back to the bark.
IHJ & JHJ 4EVA
Ianto carved them in and added a love heart around it, then stepped back and turned to face the crowd.
"I accept this man as my soul mate, my life partner and my best friend. I hereby make this claim as Ianto, Toto of the Hoodlum clan. From this day forward my husband, The Captain, has the same protection as my children."
"As you say it, it is so." Echoed softly.
Walter stepped forward again with something else in his hand and Ianto lifted him gently. A golf ball, suspended by nylon was added by Walter's name.
Jack saw his father's name and swallowed a sob.
"This is my Grandpa, he's with mummy now and watches me and Noah!" Walter said grandly as everyone clapped.
As they wandered back to the house Jack handed Babbit over to his mother and gathered Ianto onto his arms.
"What you did back there, it was important" Jack said softly.
"I joined our families, from now on you are blood to me and the boys," Ianto agreed as he leaned into the hug.
"The protection thing" Jack prodded.
"Yeah." Ianto sighed, "If anything happens to me, you are treated with the same respect as any Hoodlum widow." Ianto smiled as he stroked Jack's face.
"Any emergency, you can use the Hoodlum code and you will be responded to" Idris said as he drew alongside. "One phone call and we will rain down hell in your name."
"Jesus Christ" Gray said as he listened to the explanation.
"Careful Gray-boy" Idris growled, "One day you might be worthy."
"One day, maybe if he's fucking lucky!" Rhia huffed as she stormed past with Aurora.