8
Six months became eight since the floods, two with the settlement now established. Oh yes. Thanks for asking. The settlement seemed to settle nicely, Dwyer even asking to converse with Ianto as times as he found his footing and it was no surprise to anyone when he announced a new wife.
Yep.
Ianto wished him a warm congratulations and even managed to add that he had found one with good childbearing hips before placing a hand over his mouth so his chortle could not be heard over the radio, even if Jake did push him gently in rebuke.
Well, it's true.
Lisa was pleased too, sending Gwen a care package of things she knew Dwyer liked, scents and powers as well as the tea he preferred in the morning. Gwen was well pleased and told her no hard feelings then.
It was all quite comical that she thought she had snatched him away. He was SOOOO available, but Lisa let her have that if it pleased her.
Andy and Rhys proved to be a good fit too, both of them good workers with no fear of getting their hands dirty as they fixed up old cracks in the pipes or spent a day moving people from one birth into another now there was more space.
"More space" Jack said as he drummed his fingers on the table "We still need more."
"Agreed" Ianto nodded looking around the table "Suggestions?"
"We could seek more land" someone suggested.
"We could open up another level and build in berths?" another called out and Ianto sat back to consider them.
"Well, if we are being grandiose about it, why not just find one of those ocean liner things and make it a city?" Andy said as he placed a fresh jug of drinking water on the table "I mean, they are floating cities already, right? And this fine lay if a brilliant home… why not more? Like… a flotilla of them. Is that what a bunch of boats are called? I mean… you can have ones with swimming pools, shops and those huge dining halls… kitchens… people live on them all year around right? Why not permanently."
Everyone stared at him as Ianto leaned back "Mot a bad idea Andy. Some are set up for families to spend weeks, months even at a time. Yes… if we moor them to us, then we can let those who want to… move over."
"Casinos, are there some with like… sports levels? Gyms and stuff? Do I remember that right?" Andy frowned "My Granny wanted to go on one of those ones with all the shuffleboard and elder game stuff."
"Well… we should see what we can find. After all, the water rose, it did not cause waves or anything so technically, they should be floating still if they were not moored somewhere?" Jack looked around the table "Agreed?"
"Agreed."
.
.
"I have found three, all with crew that are relieved to hear voices. I never thought to use the nautical band" Toshiko said.
"Do not feel bad, neither did I" Ianto assured her, patting her shoulder affectionately. Actually, he had a little bit of a fog lately, must be tired.
"So… they are all OK but would like supplies as they are rationing. There is also one in a port… one created by the villagers of the area. So, there is also land," Toshiko said with delight "The people from the ship have disembarked and are happy there… some will come, some will stay."
"Well… get on it, I will leave that to you lot to sort out, I am going to go do something else as I have no doubt you all have things in hand" Ianto nodded, moving quickly from the room before nausea overtook him and he head to the nearest loo.
As he stood flushing away his breakfast he came to a horrific realization, and he rushed not to Owen as many might think… no… Dwellers are different to Crustys in some ways.
.
.
"Yes"
"Bum."
Ianot sat and pondered this, drumming his fingers as his mate often did and he looked down at them with amusement, this shared thing. Things.
He rose to go talk to his grandmother as this was something he had not expected and was unsure on how to proceed with.
.
.
"And you've confirmed it?" she asked with shock.
"Yes. It is confirmed" Ianot nodded with a soft huff, as if he would not be sure before expressing such a thing out loud. He was usually more polite, and it showed his annoyance at the entire thing having to be discussed like this.
"Are you not happy about it?" she asked with surprise.
"A Dweller and a Crusty about to create the next one to hold the Head Chair? Nainny… will they accept this?" Ianto asked.
"Oh pish!" she laughed, slapping her hand on the arm of her chair "If they don't like it they can get off my fucking ship!"
Ianto relaxed.
Yes, she was right.
They can accept it or swim.
.
.
"Jack, have you a moment?"
"Yeah" Jack followed Ianto to a quiet space with some bench seats already built, sitting with the sun coming on them from the open roof above. "Did you see? We are getting a little school area set up so the kids can…. What's wrong?"
"I am with child."
"You are what?"
"An unwed parental… bun in the oven I think your kind say… you have… filled me with you love and... pop." Ianto waved his hands, becoming increasingly annoyed as Jack sat with his mouth open gaping at him.
"Pregnant." He finally said.
"Yes. I am. You have done the deed."
Jack stood, sat down… stood… turned in a small circle like he was a dog about to take a shit or something… sat down… stared into the deep frown of his beloved…. Stood up… whooped so loudly the place echoed, his arms above his head as he started to dance…. A jig?
Jack danced for joy.
Ianto felt the relief flood over him as it became apparent that this Crusty accepted it.
And really, he was the only one that mattered.