6
"Do you think they will come?" Gwen asked as they sat at the evening meal, Rhys excited to eat something he had not even helped with, too busy being one of the boys.
"Yeah, I think so. There are others out there, still trying ot survive, hide from the crawlers" Ianto nodded, "also, there is the simple fact that we have survived. We are here. Bound to be more."
"I used to think I was having a bad day if I couldn't find a parking space, ya know?" Andy snorted, "Gwen here bitching about me driving, the call we were on was usually shite about someone throwing shit through a letterbox or something and it would rain. Like … lots. I would sit behind the wheel and wonder if I really wanted to get out of the car or wait for her there. Strange. If anyone had told me the end of the world was coming I would have tazered them."
Ianto snorted as he nodded, "I know. My biggest problem was getting the coffee blend right."
"My egg cup collection" Tosh said sadly, "I would peruse the internet for another rare one for my collection. I know it was silly to collect something like that but … my grandmother used to buy them for me when I was a small child. Each birthday I got one. I think that's why I kept it going after she died, a way to be connected."
"I miss …" Owen stalled out as he considered, then shrugged, "Nothing I guess. No. Wait. Beer."
"Me Mam and Dad" Gwen said softly, "I know they will be gone, I accepted that but … especially now. They would have loved to see me pregnant. Me and Rhys finally settling into a family like they wanted."
"We all leave behind things we cannot replace" Jack sighed as he rubbed his face, "All the things I have lost, people I have mourned. If I can give any advice it is not to mourn now, but to revel in the memories you have. Hold them close, thank the gods for them, it makes you human. Real. Strong."
"I am the luckiest I guess" Ianto said after a while, "My Mimi, my lovely mate, this family that wraps itself around me … end of the world and I am better than I was. Is that wrong?"
"No pet" Gwen snorted, "That's the luck of the gods."
"Maybe, maybe they all like us. Wanted us here, safe. Together. We shouldn't dwell, Jack's right. We have so much to do, a future waiting for us and the snow is really falling out there!" Ianto said as everyone turned to see the windows starting to catch snow on the sills "Come morning we will be able to make snowmen in the back yard"
The kids perked up and cheering started, the large one commonly known as Owen running to the window to peer out into the darkness, "Do you think we will have to shovel any?"
"If you boys help me make a snow plough out of the ride-on mower we won't have to" Jack said happily, liking the explosion of excitement, then Mica turned with her hands on her hips.
"And what about the girls? Are we supposed to wash the floors or something?" she demanded "Sexist piggy!"
"Oh baby, I'm sorry. You will be the one sitting in the seat waiting for us to finish. Then you kids get to paint the blade for us" Jack crooned, deflating the temper tantrum before it could really go off on one.
"Well I want to help Gwen with the nursery area. The cot looks amazing but needs something for a mobile. I was thinking we might go through the rooms and boxes for any little toys or something we can hang for the bub to watch from the wee bed." Ianto said as he wiped his mouth, "Looks like we will all have actives tomorrow. Someone has to check that poor sheep too, I am sure her ear will need lancing and if anyone still has a moment or two of boredom there is still more painting to be done in the other rooms."
"Tadda?"
"The room you kids want for a movie room is still waiting yes" Ianto knew the reason for the look, "It will wait until you are ready. We need to find furniture, build a step up area so we can sit at least two or three sofas dep. That wide screen in that classroom fills the wall but the others need painting. It can be for the days we can't go outside. Our winter project to paint the theatre."
"YAY"
"You know ... you are a natural at this parenting thing" Jack said softly as he helped Ianto clear away the dishes and Ianto smiled softly as he answered.
"Maybe I am settling into the idea of being in a real family. Really loved. Maybe I like this feeling."
Jack felt himself float through the rest of the evening as he savoured the gentle kiss to his lips before Ianto had turned away. For all their mad trysts and frantic couplings … that brush of lips was the most important. It was the first time Jack saw joy in Ianto's eyes as he spoke, initiated the kiss and chose when to end it. Ianto had finally realised that he was in charge.
Jack happy to follow him anywhere.