22

Jack had followed Ianto into the other room where he had laid the baby on the bed and was unclipping the wee outfit to change the baby.

"Hey" Jack said softly, leaning against the bed and looking down at Ianto, "You OK?"

"It's OK, they don't know me" Ianto said as he shrugged and for some reason Jack felt a spike of anger watching his husband accept the way her had been spoken to. "Tosh is coming by later, Owen might like to see those pictures too."

"Excuse me" Gray said and Jack turned to face him with his face showing his rage. Gray stepped back at the rare display from someone who had spoilt him his entire life. Damn, he had really misread this hadn't he?

"We are having a private conversation, go back to Rose" Jack said and Alice looked up from where she was laying with the baby, her face showing her surprise at her father's tone. Then she looked at Ianto and sat up.

"You upset Yan. Why did you upset Yan? He is my bestest friend that isn't my Daddy. He is mine and I don't like him upset!" Alice slid from the bed and was advancing, Ianto's soft laughter stopping them all.

"Come here poppet" he opened his arms and she ran to him gleefully, his kisses covering her face as he smothered her, "It's OK. Uncle Gray doesn't know I love Daddy. He thought we were just friends."

Jack's intake of breath told Gray more than the words he had responded to as he rocked back and then knelt to embrace his husband and daughter, "Oh Ianto. Sweetling. I love you too, so much."

Ianto smiled, looking into Jack's eyes as he whispered "All I need. Right here. All I ever need. I have a thick skin, quick tongue and delicate heart. All I have is yours. You know that Cariad."

Jack smiled as he stroked Ianto's face, still so enamoured.

"I came in to apologise" Gray said as he watched from the sidelines, "I have a warped sense of humour that sometimes comes across as criticism. I have lost friends because of it, I do not intend upsetting you. I can see you are more than just a ticket. I see that now."

Ianto sighed, rising to let Jack finish with Caden and he turned to face Gary, "Look. I am all for second chances, that's why we are here right? A second chance at a life for Jack and Alice, a second chance at love for two people who have been shit on by the love gods. Maybe we finally get a break in the middle of all this madness. Who knows, in the spirit of that I shall give you a pass. Once. You ever disrespect me or my family and I will fucking put you on your arse. Don't think I can't, I can defend myself and I have never had anything worth defending as much as I do now."

"Fair enough" Gray nodded, "Please remember next time to just tell me, my mouth gets away and I am really dense about other people's feelings."

"Right" Ianto held out his hand and Gray was surprised to find the handshake warm and strong yet not confrontational.

"Well, than Pete for that" Rose sighed from the doorway, "Now, where is that baby?"

"Peeing on the bed" Alice laughed and Jack cursed softly as he looked back from the sideshow to see the wee stream of urine spilling onto the bed linen.

"Well done Cariad" Ianto smiled, "That's what I call christening the place."

"Shit, shit!" Jack hurried to mop it up and then started to laugh as Ianto threw his hands up.

"Oh great, remind the baby that the other side works too, well done!"

Jack looked horrified as he crouched to check the wee bum and Ianto folded over as he roared with mirth at the sight of Jack peeking at the baby's bum.

"Lets' all get ourselves sorted and go out for a bit to eat, yeah?" Rose asked, "I know you are confided to this facility until the Powers That Be sort themselves out. Silly really, perfectly good rooms at my house and they want you to stay here!"

"I think they still want more statements and such, are worried we might disappear into the wilderness or something" Ianto smiled, "Also, we all tested negative for Strangles so it's not a quarantine at least. Nice you could come in. One last point, I still have my place too."

"Ianto is right, I think it is so they can make sure we are OK and they also have to agree to compensation I guess for the shield failures" Jack sighed.

"Not to mention explain the state of the bunker" Ianto said softly, but Gray caught it and looked at his brother with confusion.

"Ianto, Gray is on the committee for the bunkers" Jack said with a grimace.

Ianto looked at him with interest, "Then he heeds to know how unkempt it was, the lack of basic supplies as promised and the general dirtiness. I am sure the committee has no idea their contractors are cutting corners like that."

Gray moved close, "No, we certainly do not know anything about it. The reports have not come through yet, the supplies were low?"

As they walked Ianto held the floor and told Gray about the state of the place and his allergic reaction, Gray's face showing genuine shock and growing anger.

Jack followed with the little girl in his arms, the baby boy in Rose's.

Seems Gray was finally seeing Ianto and Jack was relieved to find them start forming a relationship in front of him.

Gray glanced back and Jack felt a spike of pleasure in the nod.

Gray approved.