6

The sound of backing beeps fille the air, then the night was still once more, the engine cut of and only the faint ticking of the cooling motor could be heard over the sound of the night coming alive again. Boots hit the dirt, the man that jumped down from the vehicle turning to look around with contentment. This would do.

Ianto walked from the huge garbage truck, the line of them looking weird out in the middle of the sports field but hey… no one was going to argue with this man. After all… he was never wrong so far, right?

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The Baxter 'Dog' as antsy so Eddie wanted to walk him. Rhys offered to go with him as he could see that Ianto was engrossed in his mapping system and Jack was sulking about something so he set off with the boy, Gwen running to catch them up with warm hats for them all.

"What is it with you and hats?" Rhys asked as he jammed his own on obediently.

Eddied loked at the one presented to him, looked at Rhys and Gwen with theirs as he seemed to consider and then slammed it onto the dog's head as the creature gave him the side eye to show it was not that amused but would allow it out of love.

They wandered along the lake's walking track as they talked, and Rhys pulled her closer as she revealed that she was 'late'. This interested Eddie as he had never known her to be late for anything and he was now distracted as he tried to work out what thing she was late for.

Never mind.

Taddy would know.

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"What?"

"Why is Aunty Gwen late for something? She made it sound terrible but Uncle Rhyssie Bear was happy" the little one explained.

Ianto looked at Jack who was equally stunned and then Ianto said softly "I think… I think maybe she was late for something to happen that usually does and if it didn't happen it might mean…. Ah… is it my place to say Cariad?"

"She might be pregnant" Jack blurted with glee.

Well, that solves that dilemma, I guess. Good one.

Ianto sighed as he saw another talk ahead.

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"Hi Gwen."

She looked up from the book she was reading and rose from the chair "Ianto, did I forget…"

"No. No. I came to talk" he assured her, knowing she would automatically think she was needed somewhere "No. Eddie overheard you and Rhys talking and came to ask what was happening. He was curious that's all. He didn't know it was something you keep secret. I fear it will not stay that way for long."

"Oh" she said, then blushed.

"Is it true? Have you asked Owen? Ah. Well, Toshiko is medically trained too. She's a pathologist but has medical training. She is a doctor too, just does not call herself Doctor Sato all the time like Owen. I think she lets him be the macho one" Ianto pointed out "She might have a quiet look for you."

"Oh. I.. I hadn't thought of that" she giggled softly "It's just… we wanted kids but always thought…"

"You would have the talk, agree and then push a button for one?" Ianto scoffed "Do you think one can just fall from the sky one day? Hmmmm? Hang on… that DID work for me… but… hmmmm."

She giggled some more as she pushed at him and told him to stop.

"I am so happy for you. It's brilliant news. And you know… that two story house in town next to the bakery is up for sale. I was having a look though it yesterday out of curiosity. You know, me along with the local listings is dangerous. So, want to come have another look with me? It would be grand, so close to the school, the police station and the back yard is great for little ones."

She stared at him.

"Gwen. A house. You for and Rhys… and the bub. You know… you need space, and you want to nest, to prepare and now you are staying it makes sense. Owen and Toshiko are taking the lovely penthouse style loft apartment over the doctor's surgery… you and Rhys would be just a few doors down in the gorgeous old house with that porch so much like this one… it means Jack would haves two places to come to when in the dog house to mope and huff. Toshiko and you can have play dates with your little ones. And Rhys can tinker with things in the garage without asking permission to use the tools all the time. Drives me a little crazy" Ianto winked and she lit up as she clasped her hands together.

"Can we go look?"

"Can we? Let's just get some coats, chilly out there. Come on. You know… a little dog for the bub might be nice. A big one might be nice too. Baxter is a hit with all the kids, one of your own might be a good idea."

"An alien that can eat people? Sure, I'll take two."

With soft laughter they took off to examine the house Ianto had pointed out, one he knew she would love with the huge open plan living area downstairs and the cozy bedrooms plus two bathrooms upstairs.

The garage was a three vehicle one, room for a police prowler, Rhys's family wagon and whatever he wants to fiddle with. Most likely a ride on mower and tools in the back.

"I know you don't want charity, or a gift. So… I will pay for everything and you can pay me back at a bit each month out of the pay check for working as police here. You know I won't care either way so… it will feel more yours."

This is grand" she sighed happily, looking around at the house one more time "Furniture…"

"Shops for that. You know, I have to go into the big smoke for some paperwork for the business, you can come and do some shopping, get some things delivered. I want a better desk for my office, and Eddie needs kid things for his room. He is a kid, really. Mind wise, an innocent who will love anatomy books, dinosaur skeletons and things. I know he will."

"Oh… yes please."

"Right. Then… let's do it. You want to tell Rhys or leave it as a surprise? I will just tell Jack and see if he can watch the boy."

And so, it was a date.