5
Ianto hated going off world but it was all for a good cause, namely his bank balance right?
Ianto hated space jumps and gripped the seat arms with slow soothing breaths as he told himself to grow a pair, the voice in his head alarmingly Lisa-like as it scoffed at him and his soft hands.
Jack was waiting, his face full of delight as he offered his hand, helping Ianto from the public planet hopper. "Come on, my car is this way."
It seemed natural for Jack's arm to snake around Ianto's waist as he manoeuvred him through the throngs of people and they soon had the suitcase and were heading for the parking lot. Felt kinda nice actually and Ianto hid his blush.
"Was the flight OK?" Jack asked, Owen having warned him Ianto hated to travel.
"Bumpy, a wee storm in the third sector has thrown dust our way" Ianto answered easily showing his comfort level around Jack and Jack nodded.
"I read that but had hoped it wouldn't pass this sway, you got my message about that though right? If it gets too dense they will lower the shields. You will be stuck this side of the black until it passes, that's not a problem is it? You brought enough for a few days? I have the room and it will be fine, we will take care of you ya know" Jack asked and Ianto was getting used to the long winded speeches without stopping for breath and just nodded.
"The red one's mine, I like red, do you like red? Red would look good on you, I can see you in a deep red silk shirt, sorry is that too forward?" Jack opened the door and Ianto slid into the passenger seat, smelling the wealth oozing from the seats, then Jack was there in the driver's seat, "She is excited to meet you. I didn't say who you are … just a friend and I don't invite many back here so she wants to make a good impression. I hope she isn' t too strong willed for you, she can be a bit forward, come on a bit strong like."
"Really" Ianto finally spoke, "I wonder where she gets that from?"
Jack laughed as he started the vehicle and pulled out, travelling at a speed that Ianto was comfortable with as Jack seemed confident behind the controls.
"Right, here we are" Jack said as they crossed some invisible line and the bad weather disappeared as the personal shielding kept the house inside its dome pristine. A large house with grounds and little garden beds that Ianto liked but knew Jack didn't even notice as he almost ran one over. This house was obviously chosen without a lot of thought as there was little no nothing for the little one to play with. Ianto noted that.
"Dada!" a little voice screamed as they entered and Ianto watched the little girl run for Jack, her arms held out and Jack scooped her up with matching glee.
"Baby, this is my friend I was telling you about. Ianto" Jack said softly as he turned so she could see Ianto in the doorway.
"Hello there" Ianto said softly, "My goodness you have a huge house. Would you like to show me the best bits so I don't miss anything?"
She wriggled from her father's grip and held out a hand, waiting for Ianto to take it and he was led to the kitchen, a room full of toys that was clearly a rumpus room and then to her room full of more lovely things.
"So, these are the ones that matter to a princess" Ianto said with a nod of his head, "Good to know. I agree, the kitchen is where the goodness comes from and the bathroom is probably more a Grup thing, so you showed me the best rooms for a princess. Thank you."
She seemed to shine as she looked at her father and Jack relaxed as he saw her liking Ianto, something that had been his main concern and they had talked about it over the vid-com. She was the deal breaker and to see her hold her little arms up for Ianto to lift her to his hip filled Jack with relief.
They all sat for lunch and Ianto watched her eat as she showed her father's table manners, telling stories around food, grabbing more before eating what she had on her plate and tipping over her drink twice…Jack did once…Ianto held back the scolding that was in his head, knowing this little one had been through so much and needed comfort and guidance, not judgment.
"I am an archivist, someone who sorts things so I am a bit of a neat freak but that was not my first job. Do you know what my first job was when I left school?" he asked the little one and she canted her head in question.
"I worked with children in a library, I was what is called a First Contact Teacher" Ianto told her as he cuddled her close to him like a squeeze toy, "I know how to read eight different languages and teach you to read too. I know how to do lots of fun things. I always thought I would have lots of babies and live in a big house with them. But I never got to. You are so lucky; your Daddy is a lucky man to have such a wonderful little girl to play with too."
Jack watched his daughter clasp her hands together under her chin as she looked adorningly at the new man in her life and he felt a slight shift in the cosmos as his daughter fell in love.
And so did he.
.
.
.
.
Give Ianto time buddy, you know he is slow to admit something and I doubt he could ever resist Jack in any Verse. They are made for one another after all.