6
The next day Ianto left early, kissing his kids goodbye as they got ready for school, Rhiannon fussing as she always did and he gave her cheek a peck as well as Johnny joked that he might have to watch him.
"Come on kids, the chariot awaits" Johnny called as he headed out to drive the kids the fifteen minutes to their school, something Ianto couldn't believe he was so happy to do. These were good people, Kayla was of good stock. Also good to see Johnny had finally accepted the modfied vehicle Ianto had found for his wheelchair.
"You worrying about the travel again?" Rhiannon guessed, "The kids love it. Johnny lets them sing to the music and he enjoys the time with them. Since the rehabilitation centre is halfway between us and the school it's barely a twenty minute add to his normal day while you are here. Besides, I am enjoying cooking for you all. This work four days, then three days off means we get a good amount of time playing families with them. Honest. We are not put out."
"Sorry, you know I am a worrier. Thanks the Gods I didn't give in to their dog request. Johnny would probably not be so keen on that" Ianto sighed, another kiss and then out the door to the waiting Audi.
Ianto pulled into the lot and saw Owen waiting, nervously juggling like a kid waiting in the line for the loo. Gods, he was so impatient. Ianto was still getting out of the car when Owen stated to yell form his spot by the gates, "I got beans, come on Tea Boy, I need the caffeine."
"I doubt that Owen" Ianto laughed as he handed the keys to a waiting grip and followed Owen inside, the machine already turned on and humming. "Well done, you remembered the warm up time."
"Yeah, yeah" Owen made motions with his hands for Ianto to go faster and Ianto grinned.
"OK, first you measure the grind. See? You scrape it off so it's flat and then you take this tamper and squash it down, not too hard but enough to make a biscuit." Ianto explained as Owen watched intently, his grunts of interest egging Ianto on, "Then a tap or two against the bench, gently to make sure the biscuit is not stuck and you seat it in the saddle like this, see? Then you flick the button and count."
Owen started counting out loud in a monotone, his eyes wide as the coffee started to flow.
"See? Good colour, nice tamp. Sometimes you have to reject the first one" Ianto said softly as he flicked the button off at the twenty second mark. "Between twenty and twenty five, no more because the grind is starting to scald and burnt coffee is bitter."
"That's what it is?" Owen asked softly, his face beaming.
Ianto smiled, "I would have the milk stretching while it was running but I know you probably like it as is."
"Yeah, a short black" Owen grinned as Ianto added a little hot water and handed it over, watching Owen sniff, then taste and moan.
Jack watched Ianto reset the machine and this time fill two baskets, pouring milk and stretching it as the machine hummed, making two cappuccinos and handing one to Toshiko and the other to Gwen, then the machine hummed again.
"A long black with two sugars" he said as he turned to Jack, the white mug with blue stripes shoved at him.
"Yes" Jack said with surprise, "How did you know?"
"It was written on the side of the Starbucks you brought in yesterday" Ianto replied, "Like I said, I watch."
Jack smiled softly, "Thank you Ianto. Right, let's go be superstars in a reality show with aliens and …er…where's the coat?"
Someone appeared with the Great Coat on their arm and Ianto tutted as he grabbed it up, shaking it and holding it out for Jack to slip into, Jack turning and winking before heading off to his mark.
Cheeky.
Ianto fought the grin and managed a semi-bored look.
They did the 'what sexual orientation' thing and he remembered his father's look of distain as he said "And I don't care!"
Tosh looked at him with interest as Jack re-entered and Gwen did her bleeding heart thing. Ianto thought he might choke on the bloody rice and made a mental note to let them know he bloody hated chopsticks.
Owen with overly amused when he had tucked his napkin into his shirt collar and it wasn't until the sniggering and pointing happened that he realised he had, "This tie was expensive! Do you have any idea how hard it is to get a stain out of good silk?"
"Silk?" Jack asked, "You wear silk ones?"
"I like silk ones."
"I am sure you do" Jack grinned and then sighed. "You know, filing the first three episodes all together with the pilot and then just getting us to do these few scenes now it's all up and going is great but in a few weeks we will be fully immersed in this fake reality. You sure silk is gonna survive the squibs and Owen?"
Ianto smiled, "I am fully aware the first three episodes are almost in the bag but I assure you Sir, I am fully able to perform those tasks set for me without too much bother."
"Gods that sounded sexy" Jack whispered as he passed and Ianto knew the cameras picked up his blush.
Gods, I hope they cut that bit.