55
Ianto had a way forward, but it would depend on many factors including the Military Base in the far city. It would be a day's journey just to get there and they knew the Bugs would be there too. Their only hope was the outpost on the edge of the city would still be there, even if Bug infested.
They will have all winter to think this over, train and discuss. Ianto knew he would quietly make notes, scribble on the map and think it though as Jack and John walk around talking into the air like someone was listening and Owen simply ignored everyone, only asking over and over again if he can come.
Dwayne was growing so fast, so cute and Toshiko was fast following Martha into motherhood. Any day now, a little winter baby to join the brood. Ianto was liking this dynamic.
Also they had a new person turn up with a cold blow of air as winter settled in, entering the compound with a hiss and a roar before the house bus blew it's guts all over the yard. It was someone that they knew, William. William not only worked with Rhiannon back in the day, he was a kind older man who had no enemies and was a damned fine man to have around. The school janitor, this man knew how to make anything work… hence the house bus making it another hour or so than it would have for anyone else.
"William?" Ianto was first across the yard, forgetting he had a baby asleep on his shoulder.
"Hey buddy" William called out as he stretched his legs "I am done with that place. It's gone septic."
"What's happened?"
"Oh my god… it that a baban?" he gasped, rushing to pluck the baby from Ianto and croon, his face softening into a grin of delight.
"William?" Ianto promoted.
"This new bird, Gwen. She turned up, started bonking Sebastian and now thinks she is the queen of fucking Sheba or something." He scoffed "She got herself a fucking golf cart to ride about the town in…. demands her own parking space. Now the snow has started she has men out there shoveling her fucking parking spaces… seriously."
Ianto started to laugh softly as the very thought of it, turning to find Rhys standing back with Andy shaking their heads. This was exactly what they knew would happen and with a shrug at one another they went back to shoveling their own snow off the porch.
"Well… at least she made it safely" Ianto shrugged at Jack who grinned and then turned to the others to start discussing the best ways to shift the House Bus to one side.
Ianto knew this newcomer changed things a bit, this older man was an ex-green beret who might have some ideas on ordinance for the mission. The mission. Listen to him, like a fucking soldier or a spy or something. Ianto was tickled at himself and took back the baby, walking towards the Main House where Martha was probably waking from her nap and ready to fed the little fella.
The warmth of the kitchen stove was the first to greet him, second was Francine "There ya are. It's too cold for his little lungs out there."
"Nonsense, he is as strong as an ox. He's a Jones after all" Ianto replied and she slapped at him with a soft chuff of laughter, taking her grandchild to change and ready for a feed and snooze with his Mama.
"Well, I hear your child's lungs working too" she said and Ianto sighed, the faint screaming definitely his princess. He kissed her cheek and wandered across the snowy ground to his own house.
"What's going on Annie?" he called out and she came pelting down the stairs, her arms high and David was chasing her with a look of doom. Held above her head was a book and Ianto knew with sickening clarity that it was a journal.
He snatched the book and handed it to David who was out of breath and looked ready to throttle his cousin. Ianto scolded "Did you go in his room again? Annie, you know the rules. What is wrong with you?"
"I was looking for my kitty toy" she pouted.
"Why would your toy be in my bloody room" David snarled, holding the book to his chest possessively.
"Well… if it is.. it's gone" Ianto replied calmly and her face fell. "I mean… if someone stood on the doorway and threw their toy into the room and it… say… shot under the bed… for an excuse to be a brat…"
David took off up the stairs to check and she screamed as she want to follow but Ianto hooked her back "Stop it. What is wrong with you!"
She glared silently at him and he groaned "the baby? Seriously? You are jealous of the baby? Annie Bum… you are my baby girl forever and ever. No other girl… or boy... will ever be as important to me. Come on, Dwayne needed to have some air and Martha needed a sleep. We help one another out now. Like… when you need a sandwich and I need a drink. I get them both right? If you want a cuddle and I am working, I can stop for a while. You only have to ask. Jealous of a baby having my down time? Sweetie… I am sorry. I didn't know you needed me for a spell."
She was satisfied with that snuggling in to whisper "Don't tell Santa I was naughty."
"No… me? Nope" he assured her with a soft smile, the snow outside getting deeper. Their world getting smaller for the next few months.
But come Spring… the Bugs would return, and so shall we.
Thanks for reading so far, the next segment will pick up in the spring thaw.
Be safe, well and happy.
