21
Jack's family came next, their affection for their brother evident and Ianto found they were as touchy feely as their sibling. Rose was pretty and delicate, reminding Ianto of Alice with her lovely smile but blonde where Alice was dark and the brother, Grey seemed more calculating of the three.
For the younger of the two men he talked as if he were the one in charge and Ianto found it interesting that Jack let him take the lead in conversations. Then Ianto remembered Jack saying he feared losing them. Of course he did. They loved one another. He wished his sister even tolerated him.
"I'll go get the files, you can see some of the things we faced. It was good of the Agency to let me have copies" Jack said eagerly as he went to collect photographs of the damaged house and surrounding properties leaving them alone with Rose holding the sleeping baby as Alice played at their feet.
"So, this is the Green Card" Gray said as he eyeballed Ianto who felt naked under his glare, the smiles and pleasantry gone when not facing Jack. Ianto was stunned to inaction as Gray studied his face for a moment then turned to his sister like Ianto was not in the room, "Photogenic, no wonder he chose one that the tabloids like. When I saw the pictures starting I thought then that he had picked one similar in height so it looked better while dancing and the like."
"Gray stop it! He's blushing" Rose scolded and Ianto felt like a bug under a microscope as he gracefully rose, reaching for the baby.
"No, he's fine here" Rose said with a shake of her heard, making Ianto stop his hands as they went to slide around the baby and he straightened again.
"Please, I think he needs his wee bum checked" Ianto begged softly and Gray tuned to face him not realising his brother was returning.
"Look Green Card this baby needs to get used to us now. You are only here for one purpose and once that is done you will be flicked to the curb. Best the baby bonds with those it will stay with. After all, you don't seriously think we will let you take anything extra to the contract you signed?" Gray asked calmly, "Go sit back down, look pretty and do your job."
"Gray, I don't think he gets your sense of humour, stop it" Rise said again, frowning up at him. "He might be just a Green Card but he is our brother's choice."
Jack entered the room to find Ianto standing with a look of discomfort as his siblings talked to one another, the baby waking now and starting to fuss.
Ianto blinked and took a step back, his hands clasping together as he turned to leave and looked at Jack, then his eyes down at the ground as he went to brush past him. Jack caught his elbow and pulled him in, dropping the file on the floor as he held him and whispered, "Never just a Green Card, OK? Never just anything. So much more that a 'Just' Ianto, I swear."
"Please let me go" Ianto replied with a hitch in his voice, "I can at least get the bottle for the wee man, even if I am not to be the one who raises him."
"They do not speak for me" Jack said louder for the those who could hear, "They do not speak my heart. Ianto, they have no right to treat you like this. You are my husband. I expected better than this!"
"I'm sorry, I don't want to problem with your family, I have enough with me own" Ianto sighed as he slumped into Jack's warm arms and they stood for a moment. Alice rose from the floor and walked over.
"Yani?" Ianto pulled back and lifted her to his hip, kissing her face as she stroked his cheek with open worry, "What's wrong Yani?"
"I'm tired that's all poppet" Ianto smiled softly, "How about we get Caden his Botty and then you and I have a cuddle on the bed, yeah? I really need some attention right now. Can you fuss for me?"
"Awww" her wee face lit up, "Poor Yani. I will love you."
"Ah, perfect" Ianto carried her from the room and Jack watched him go and then swung to face his siblings.
"How dare you." He seethed, "That man is wonderful, gentle and kind. If you ever disrespect him again I will fucking thump you one Gray. I know it was you, it was, wasn't it. What did you say to hurt him."
"Hurt him? I barely spoke to him" Gray scoffed.
"I know Ianto, he's upset. Something has hurt his feelings and you will tell me now, right fucking now or by Pete I will shake it out of you!" Jack advanced as he spoke, "Don't you see? This is not about a bloody Green Card. I love him. Pure and simple, I am in love with that amazing man who deserves so much more than whatever you just did."
"Really?" Rose asked softly, "Love?"
"Yes!" Jack sighed, "I can't explain it but…I've never felt this way before. He makes me feel like a bloody teenager on a first date. When he smiles I feel so warm and squishy inside. Ah, he's wonderful."
Gray grimaced as he replayed his course exchange with the man and saw that he had made a tactical error that might cost him dearly.
He had to apologise.
Damn, he hated that.