24

Ianto and Jack settled back into a routine, this one involving meeting for a walk each morning before everyone else was awake. Hand in hand, they would meander along the estate and the Blumanchu seemed to always be up as well, happily calling out and waving as they already tended the gardens and such.

They talked about their day ahead, they made plans to see one another at some stage that day and then returned home to start breakfast for their kids and start the day. Alice would be rushing around shouting as she hunted for her shoes or her purse, just like she had as a child while Steven calmly ate like there was not a tornado in the house.

Rhiannon would be moving slowly, sitting while her father lovingly tended to her, David helping Mica like a good boy. Then the kids would all rush out the door like they were late, even of they never were. Everyone knew it was David and Steven wanting to walk together. Sweet. The two men would then meet again and walk together to the Consulate, Jack kissing Ianto gently before they parted to their respective offices.

They had not spoken about the 'moving in together' thing as it felt… I don't know. With Rhiannon, Ianto wanted dot focus on her and he didn't want to disrupt things too much. The baby was an unexpected thing and he knew it was going to complete things enough for now. Also, he had been alone for so long, he knew he would not enjoy having to adjust to Jack as well, he was really messy. Ianto wanted the baby to be here, things to settle and then… then… see how it might change more with Jack in the mix.

Jack was trying to be respectful of this, but he made it clear he was not going anywhere.

Archie would visit Ianto during the day and he knew John visited Jack. Because they told one another everything that happened during the day while sharing the evening meal. They alternated between houses for this and now it was clear that Ianto had moved into Rhiannon's and the house he had chosen was being refurbished with extra finds he had unlocked.

The nursery was going to be so cute… the bedroom for the kids being decorated in the colours they had chosen with glee. Rhiannon was so relieved to know Ianto was doing this, preparing now so when she left, the kids would not be grieving while having to undergo a change. They would all move in once things were done, Rhiannon's house rented out until the kids were old enough to move back in on their own.

Preparing for what is to come. With love, and with smiles. Like it is all an adventure. She now remembers Stella's demise. She remembers him doing this for her as well and it breaks her heart to know now how he hurt back then and hid it so well. He comforted her loss… god. He comforted her. He had lost his child.

Her lovely Taddy.

Rhiannon felt at peace.

.

.

Ianto was starting to show, hiding it as best he could as a male Dam is such a thing that once it became obvious to others he would be treated differently. Most Dams enjoy the fussing, the extra attention and the feminizing but of course… this is Ianto. Mister Invisible.

Today he was at the tailor's getting some more clothing that might help conceal his condition for another few months. He knew that in the last month or so he would have no choice but… for now he didn't want to loose his ability to wraith.

"I like the charcoal" Ianto muttered as his fingers felt the different rolls of fabric "But the darker gun metal grey does call to my Militarial tastes"

"And you want a size larger than usual?" the salesman asked with interest.

"Two sizes might be better, I will drop in the next few weeks" Ianto huffed, annoyed as he had to admit why he was there and he watched the man's eyes widen at the comment, his eyes moving to Ianto's midsection before a sharp intake of breath.

"Oh, I shall be right back. There is another fabric not on display" the man stepped back, then shot to another room.

Ianto sighed.

Here it comes.

The shop owner appeared with bolts in his arms, his face slightly flushed like he had rushed to find them, the salesman behind him. "Hello there, this fabric is reserved for… special customers… it is a stretchy fabric so it can expand about three sizes while maintaining it's shape."

"Oh" Ianto said with surprise "With my last one I had to keep changing my wardrobe and she was so huge that in the end I waddled like a hippo in a bloody robe."

"Oh no… ah…."

"Flight Lieutenant" Ianto supplied, again hiding annoyance as he knew it would illicit another gasp.

"You are… half way into it?"

"Yes, my partner is Captain Harkness" Ianto gave in, seeing the delight on the man's face as he started to flap around him. Truth be told, it was kinda nice to be fussed on, ya know? Not that he would ever admit it.

He left with a couple of outfits off the rack and three more to be tailor-made for him. It felt both decadent and exciting to buy these things, like the first real purchase for the baby. Sounds silly, I know but it's true.

Jack did the nursery, Jack chose the 'safe' hover pram… Jack was overboard.

Finally Ianto felt like he was spoiling the unborn child with this wonderful choice of clothing.

The sun was warm and the air was light, the walk back to his home full of baby thoughts and happiness. For the first time in a long time, he did not even think about the impending loss of Rhiannon.

Yeah.

He will feel bad later about that.

This is Ianto after all.