23
It took three days for Jack to approach Ianto and Ianto felt that was about the right length of time too, pleased that he had chewed on it enough and was ready to swallow or spit.
"You got anything on this avo?"
"No, the kids are going to a friend's place" Ianto replied, "Rhiannon is having a good day and I have no work on today so… yes. OK."
Jack shuffled his feet, clearing his throat as he added "I will see you in an hour?"
Ianto watched him leave and wondered what was happening now.
.
.
Jack was on time. Of course he was, Militarial of course.
He led Ianto along the path towards the creek bed where the Blumanchu liked to snooze in the afternoons like large blue crocodiles with dreads. Ianto was surprised to see a table set up with a white cloth.
Oh god. A date?
Ianto knew he was slowing and he tried to speed up again, the Militarial walk always a quick step. Jack did not seem to notice and as they both sat, Ianto cleared his throat and then grinned softly "What are you up to?"
"I want to reconnect. After everything that happened, I want to… find us again"
"Well, I am all for that" Ianto settled back and smiled as the lid on the food was lifted and he saw sandwiches. Something he had looked for each mealtime on the flight. Jack had remembered. For some reason that seemed so sweet.
"So" Jack said as they ate "you are well?"
"Yes, the little sprout seems to be healthy. Owen is keeping an eye on him and everything seems…" Ianto's voice trailed off as Jack made a noise, his food halfway to his mouth as he stared at Ianto. Ianto frowned "what?"
"You said he… do you know?"
Ianto grimaced, and then nodded with a soft smile "I've not told anyone. I don't want to jinx it."
"Like what… he might change his mind and lose his penis?"
Ianto blinked, then roared with mirth at the silliness of it. Jack was right, he was really not doing that at all. Jack then said softly "because of Rhiannon?"
"Yeah. I think so. I don't want to gush too much, I was the same way with Stella but… it was hard with Rhiannon here and so cute. I know I am sort of doing it again" Ianto shrugged.
"Maybe you need to look at it in another vein" Jack suggested "Maybe… maybe if you look at this new life as a blessing? Let Rhiannon help prepare, be part of the new arrival. Help her see that you can cope, will be OK. This must weigh on her. My first son, Gypso… he wept on his deathbed for having to leave me behind"
"Gypso?"
"I was so young. She was… we were both young and dumb. She didn't want him, I did so… I raised him. Loved him and… yeah. Lost him to a generic disease for her side. She was not Militarial, she was a norm."
"Lisa was a super soldier, why I hoped for Stella… lost that. Her son Damien is Militarial and has gone all the way to General. He has inherited the gene. Looks to be the same age as me, was a little strange first time I saw him dressing down some idiot. I saw myself. He did not know me, I think I did not remember me. Stella's family sort of moved away from me, her partner was a nice man, not a sharing caring type. The kids… well. I watch them, I know they are doing well and I have grandkids… greats even but… they do not carry my name. They carry hers."
"But her death was not your fault" Jack was surprised by this, his own extended family from his first borns were all Harnesses and in his life, if only occasional messages or pictures of their kids and things.
"The Halletts didn't like me much, did not approve of me and I don't fit their narrative of their family" Ianto smiled softly, "I am white for one thing. They can't have a Warrior Queen and a history of Black Strength is they are actually part white, right?"
"seriously?" Jack gaped.
"Not that it maters" Ianto leaned back "I met Stella's father about… forty year later? Archie was… not what I expected. He was funny, silly and all those quirky things Lisa had not been. I was nice."
"And me?"
"Captain Horn Dog."
Jack grinned "Yeah. Am I a dalliance, a surprise… or…"
"Well, I was hoping… you might be more" Ianto sighed as he waved a hand between them "you are the first person I have bonded to that I feel… comfortable with. Does that make sense?"
"Yeah" Jack agreed "No need to explain things, ask for something or seek something… together feels like…"
An old married couple" Ianto finished, then laughed again "Yeah. You think we met in a previous life maybe?"
"I hope I was handsome then as well, then" Jack shot back quickly and Ianto roared with mirth again.
"No doubt, in any time or place you are sex on a stick, sir."
"For you Ianto… I bet it was always for you."
And that is how they agreed to do this parenting thing together.
Maybe for a lifetime… see how it goes.