33
"Rhiannon?"
"Hi. I… I wanted to talk to you without the kids" she said to explain why they were not with her as per usual, Iant's eyes flicking around as he sought them out. He was disappointed but knew it was not fair to be, she clearly had something to say that she did not want them to hear.
He was on alert now, something was wrong. "OK"
"Ah… I left Johnny. Me and the kids have been staying at the penthouse, I know you said we could use it so… it… um" she shifted in her seat, and he found himself frowning, so he was then trying to clear his face as she leaned in "So… I understand you are going to stay here?"
"Yes. I am living here now. Jack and I talked extensively and agreed that after this is all over we will continue to live here, the main Domes open to the public closed at night and the private two Domes will for staff only. Owen and Toshiko will split their time between here and outside… some of the others are wanting the same so we will see how it goes. There will also be some scientists and school groups staying at times. If you want the penthouse, it is yours for as long as you want it."
She moved in the chair again and he finally got it "Here?"
"The kids… they want some sleepovers and stuff, I mean. School holidays and such?" she grimaced "They are obsessed with the idea."
Ianto laughed softly as he settled back, relieved it was not something worse "Of course. I am considering school groups so… a couple of kids in here at times will help us work out the way to do that."
"Really?" she lit up "They would love that."
"Well… I will talk it over with Jack and we will see what we can do" Ianto smiled.
"He is… not what I first thought he was. He is quite sweet" she said as she rose to say goodbye "The singing, my lord, you've not sung like that since we were kids in church. It's nice."
"He makes me want to sing" Ianto agreed with a wide smile "Consider that penthouse yours. Once the week is up, I will come and pack the things I want…. You guys settle in, OK?"
"You're sure?"
"Yes"
.
.
"A penthouse? Where?" Owen asked, leaning forward.
"I only had it for convenience when working in the town center. I didn't like it and she is finding it best with the kids and the job she found for herself" Ianto replied.
"SHE found?"
Ianto glared at him and made a motion with his hand that they now used to say 'cameras' so he huffed as he leaned back "Well… good for her."
Later when out of camera or mic range Ianto said softly "So Archie might have made a job for her at the company, but she is confident since she gave over a horribly rough CV and such that she earned it. After living under the thumb of fatfuck for so long she needs some positives."
"But I like penthouses". Owen huffed with a childish pout.
"There is another one in the high-rise… the new one with the pool" Ianto winked "I still own that if you 'need' a love shack sometimes."
Owen giggled then froze "Wait… that new one that went up last year by the waterfront?"
"Yes, that one."
"Oh my god… hot tub?" Owen squeaked "Tell me it has a hot tub on the patio… right? A HUGE entertaining deck…. Oh my god… I know the one, I saw the phots in the prospectus magazine when it was being presented."
"Yes"
Owen was now in a dreamlike state as he contemplated a hot tub on the patio of a penthouse apartment overlooking the city below. Mecca. Ianto knew he and Jack would have some alone time in the Domes for sure.
He told Jack later about his desire for 'alone time' and Jack laughed, assuring Ianto that their own original hot tub in the form of the pond would get a try out once the cameras were gone. Ianto whispered that he couldn't wait until they had some quiet time to do some naked swimming.
"Skinny dipping?" Jack chortled as he realized Ianto could not say it without a blush forming. Awwww, cute.
"Hush now, behave yourself" Ianto scolded without any venom, in fact… Jack detected a little humour. Oh. Maybe then?
"Well, if we are going to have the kids come stay over maybe we need a kid zone. My little one too maybe? Alice would love it, if Lucia can let me have her" Jack said after considering for a while "Might make the last few days go quicker for everyone."
"Good idea" Cariad," Ianto agreed. The one really needing some distraction had made a good plan and Ianto let him run with it.
Only a few days left.
Then Ianto knew he would have to leave, if only for a little while.
And it made his stomach twist in knots.
He would rather stay, hide under a large leaf or something.
Ergh.
People.