9

Ianto was relieved when Gwen said she was going to have her wedding in the old church where they had been billeted, siting that it was the start of her new life and symbolic. Whatever. Ianto knew where his would be and again, it would be nothing like hers.

Jack however… ran with it.

Ianto let him, having talked to him about his own vision and letting it go, the simplicity of it surprising Jack who lamented not having a big one like Gwen and Ianto reminded him that he had already been married to that Lucia bitch who refused to let him see his daughter so… he had one. Ianto never wanted one and he used Lisa as an example making Jack see that a big fluffy thing would only remind him that some things are fake. Honesty does not need frills.

"I don't want us to be fake about anything. Authentic… you and me. I want that reflected in our own journey. Hey, go mad here. I know Rhys asked you to be his best man, that's great. You can do the big things, we will get to dance on the slippery dance floor and experience all the fun, just not as the newlyweds. Photos galore with everyone all dressed up… our own wedding a month later will be… like… just a nod. Like with everything I like, I only want to say it and have it heard. I don't need fireworks… you give me those already. Every day is special."

He had said the right thing, Jack walking on air for the rest of the day and that night their bedroom had some mighty big rockets going off… wonder they didn't set fire to the bed.

Now as Ianto stood in the party spot that was like the rich big sister of the engagement party he felt relief that Jack had listened seeing his mate's own shock at some of the overtures on display. He shot over to Ianto "Who are those old fuckers complaining about the cake? I like the cake. Me and Gwen spent two days designing that fucking cake."

"Her parents" Ianto replied as he pulled Jack in by his jacket to kiss gently and soothe "And I know… she is their princess and now we know why she does that pout thing. Apparently, she got her on way a lot as a child."

"Well, if that old fucker complains about my choice of flowers I might throw down" Jack huffed with annoyance.

"Oh honey… how can he? I saw them, they are prefect" Ianto assured him, releasing the jacket lapels as Jack took off, the kiss he was about to give gone to the winds as the fucking mother said something barely audible about the lighting.

"And this people… is why weddings can suck" Ianto said to no one in particular.

"Are they not happy?"

Ianto internally groaned knowing he should have checked the vicinity and he knelt to address Eddie "There is so much stress today because everyone wants it to be right. Sometimes humans want it to be so perfect, so brilliant that they sort of… sabotage themselves."

"Like Daddy wanting to test out a whole cake and then getting belly ache?"

"Well done. Exactly. Or the time Uncle Owen tried to fish off the dock and fell in. Expectation and reality are two different things" Ianto pulled him in for a hug "But it is just the one day and sometimes it can be funny…. Like Uncle Owen. The best thing to do is stay out of the main gaggle of fools and stick to the sides. Make noises of interest and excuse yourself so you can take off."

"How?"

"It all looks so lovely"

Ianto rose to face the woman who had spoken, smiling back with equal happiness. Eddie watched as he spoke earnestly with the sheriff's wife and they shared glee, Ianto even gushing a bit then pausing "Oh. There's Estelle, I must catch up with her before the ceremony. So lovely to see you, excuse me dear."

Ianto took off and Eddie nodded, understanding now. It was about being polite, being seen and getting away. Story of his life. OK. He can do that.

Finally, everything was ready and they were all seated, watching Gwen waft down the aisle in a white powder puff with elbow length gloves and a fucking tiara under her veil.

Like Princess Diana on a budget.

Oh. That's just mean. Hush Eddie. Just watch human bonding.

"Dearly beloved… waffle … waffle…" the sheriff did the ceremony and Ianto knew Jack had offered but then been happy with Best Man. After all, Rhy was bloody sweating buckets up there, so nervous and alarmed at everything. Poor guy was NOT a public figure.

As Eddie sat in Ianto's lap, he felt Ianto's fingers stroking his back gently and found comfort in it, clinging to him as they shared a moment of affection. It was later when Gwen's mother came up to him and commented that the little one bore such a striking resemblance to Jack, but clearly his eyes were Ianto's and the adoption agency did such a good job that Ianto realized the little man' eyes were indeed the same story grey as his. He knew that had not been the colour originally and it was nice, a sweet moment for him to see that his child had chosen to mimic him.

Jack wanted to dance, the speeches and food still to come but Jack wanted to dance so Ianto led him to the garden outside and they danced to their own soft humming, Jack's arms tight aroid Ianto as they swayed to their own music.

"Did you see that cleavage on Toshiko?" Jack muttered into Ianto's neck "God, Owen kept trying to resist throwing himself over he like a grenade had been launched at them."

"I think Gwen is not the only one preggers" Ianto replied softly, leaning back to stroke Jack's face and Jack lit up

"No."

"I would say she is waiting to say so it does not overshadow Gwen's moment. Maybe at our wedding she will, I will feel her out and see if it is true, if it is I can let her know that we hold no such reverence to the occasion since we are already mated in heart so it would be a nice finish to our own celebration."

"Yes, it would" Jack sighed happily. Like Ianto, he was happy to share their nuptials as Ianto was right.

They were already bound to one another heart and soul.

The wedding was only about rings and words.

Their love was unbreakable.