9
"So, what's going on between you and Andy?" Ella and Rhys are elbows deep in dishwater. Mother's annual tree-trimming dinner was a rousing success, and Andy must have eaten enough for an entire team of football players. After dessert, Andy and Jack took Mother and Anwen out for a stroll to work off the calories.
"Nothing yet." Rhys hands her a plate. "Thing with Gwen are… not settled."
"She is never here, an absentee partner and she is all but shagging that bloody Rex who is so far up himself that it is a wonder he can breathe while kissing his own prostate." She warns "You know, we all have a poll going, you deserve better. I wish she would be eaten by an alien is that horrible? Jack tells me I am horrible but laughs too."
"He's attractive."
"Understatement of the year. He's a frickin hunk, and the thing is, he doesn't think he's hot."
"He has his issues." Rhys does not want this conversation, not when he's not finished the argument in his head about this same thing. "I'm not sure why Mum insists on including him. I mean, Anwen might get the wrong idea."
"Which is?" Ella stacks the dried dish onto a pile.
"I am married to Gwen, we said vows and I plan on keeping them as long as she does!" Rhys said, knowing he was giving himself an out if she was already suspect.
"You think she has kept them big man? Keep saying that." Ella quirks her eyebrow. "All I see are sparks flying between you two. It's like the air is charged with lightning, and you can't keep your hands or eyes off each other. You looked so guilty when we got back from Christmas tree shopping."
Rhys's face heats from her teasing tone. "We weren't done with the garlands. You know how Mum is."
Ella giggles. "Of course, you weren't done, because you were otherwise occupied. I bet he's an awesome kisser."
"Who's an awesome kisser?" Jack's voice sneaks up behind them.
"How'd you get back here without us hearing?" Ella jumps to resume drying the dishes. "Is Gwen off shift yet?"
"Was two hours ago" Jack says absently as he starts to pick at the leftovers like he has not just eaten enough for two.
Rhys can feel himself melting with rage.
Where the fuck is she then?
At least Andy shows up for Anwen.
Wiping his hands on the apron, Rhys cross to the living room. "That was fun, wasn't it?"
A relieved looking Andy hands her over and wipes the hair off his forehead. "She's a ball of energy."
Rhys makes a show of sniffing her. "You need a bath, missy."
"No I don't. I smell like Papa."
Uh, well, there's his cologne on her, mixed with dirt, peppermint candy, and fruit snacks. "Say bye bye to Andy. It's bath time."
Anwen hugs onto Andy's knees. "Want Papa to give me bath."
"Sorry, Andy has to leave."
Andy wondered if he'd overstayed his welcome. Anwen was getting too attached to him, and he was sure Rhys wasn't pleased.
And there was Gwen. He knew she would not be happy as she had confided in him her fears of Rhys finding someone else, even before they were wed with Anwen. Back in the day, pre-Torchwood. She had said late one night, while in patrol, that she felt like Rhys was Bi.
Well, that one was confirmed.
.
.
"Right, what is this shit?"
Rhys looks up from the telly to find Gwen there by the sofa with her jacket and boots still on, her face full of annoyance "Well, Ella came back to work crowing about you and Andy fucking Davidson. Best Buds, she said. Practically a couple, she said. What the hell is all that about?"
Rhys stares at her for a moment or two, then returns his gaze to the telly as he says softly "He turned up, at least. And our daughter was well made up."
"And that's it?" she laughs with a sneer "To please her, ya just have to turn up? Little Miss Grizzler? He turned up!"
"Maybe that is enough Gwen… more than you do lately."
"Oh fuck you!" she snarls, slamming out of the apartment.
Rhys wonders why she bothered to come home at all.
You know what? They need a real tree too. The fake one with the little LED lights Gwen prefers is small, crappy and sooooo Gwen.
Tomorrow, Anwen can have another tree to choose.
Andy might like to come.