24
Ianto hadn't expected it, not here and as he stood watching Jack sink to one knee, he wondered how he could be so bloody dense as to choose this spot to propose.
.
.
"A picnic?" Ianto asked as he watched Jack set things in a basket. Where the hell did he even find a bloody picnic basket? Did they even still make those or were they some sort of antique?
Then the baby was placed in her capsule and placed ever so lovingly in Jack's Hover. OK. He's driving. OK. Ianto can handle this; Jack can be Alpha. As long as he keeps it up.
Soon they were skimming along and as they turned onto a siding Ianto hid his surprise at where Jack chose to take him. Maybe it is a good idea. This place. To take her, to change the place from somewhere so sad to somewhere with new memories.
This might be one of the places she might be the closest to Jayen.
After all.
Jack had just chosen the picnic spot where the monster had rampaged and killed Jayden. Jack must know, this is a such a special place for him. For them. Like, light a candle, let her know her brother was here? Maybe make it a thing? So she can have a connection? Ianto was touched. This is so nice of him.
Then he saw the table and his confusion grew.
Owen and Toshiko were there, their own baby capsule on the ground like it was no big deal. What the hell were they thinking, at least place the baby on the table. Gorum. They came to a halt and Ianto waited for Jack to open his door but after snatching the capsule, Jack took off yelling at Owen.
OK. That lasted… huh. Attention span of a goldfish.
Ianto got himself out and lifted the basket, surprised by the weight of it. He then walked to the table and smiled as he placed the basket down, looking around to see if the other kids were there. No. Just them.
A double date?
OK.
Ianto can deal with that. Maybe Jack thought that coming back here after what this place became as a place of slaughter, mayhem and grief he thought that safety in numbers might help. Ianto might feel better with people around. OK. Did this mean he was listening in the therapy sessions? Was this to help him see that Astra was safe here?
The two fathers started to talk shop while their dams sorted the baby bottles for when the babies woke up, the two Alphas discussing the new pulse rifles about to be dispersed for the neighborhood watch. Ianto ate and watched Jack laugh with Owen over some inside joke, the joy radiating off him as their little girl woke, chirping for his attention.
It was such a nice day.
Ianto was about to go for a walk over to the spot with Astra. The spot where Jayden's blood had soaked into the dirt and become part of the planet when it happened. As Ianto extracted his long legs from the table with her in his arms, Jack made his move.
Jack had gone quiet, and Ianto looked up to ask if she had fallen asleep in his arms to find Jack sinking to his knees. Had he dropped something? What was going on?
He looked at Owen who was watching with a grin. Even as Toshiko's face stated o change to horror.
What is… no..
Ianto hadn't expected it, not here and as he stood watching Jack sink to one knee, he wondered how he could be so bloody dense as to choose this spot to propose.
"Jack… don't" Ianto said, the NOOOO scream in his head resonating around the table as everyone froze.
"What?" Jack squeaked.
"I can't… not here. Please. IF you are about to do what I think you are… please… I wanted it to be special. Sweet, happy and… not here. Here. I mean… this park?" Ianto grimaced. "Memorable sure but… really?"
Suddenly Toshiko got it, gasping with horror as she rose to grab her child like there might be another monster along any time soon "Oh goddess… I am sorry. I never thought… oh man… who chose this spot? Oh Ianto… no."
"Jack, I get what your intent is and… Jack. This is where Jayden died. Over there… just over there my life changed and my heart broke. You can't do it here. You can't bring our baby here and offer me a new life when I lost one here. This is his spot, a place of his memories… we can't override it" Ianto took Jack's face in his hands "You need to think it through as it needs to be… different to this. Call me needy but… I want it to be… amazing."
"Shit."
"I know. It's OK. Let's just… prepend this didn't happen and enjoy the day. Try again. OK?"
Jack felt terrible and Toshiko glared at Owen who should have known, who should have warned Jack and the look of confusion on the Doctor's face was not unusual. He was always so blinkered.
God.
What a cockup.
.
.
Later at home Jack tried to apologize again, so confused and upset that he had almost trampled over such a sacred memory.
"Ianto…"
"Jack. Look, it was an honest mistake. I am not mad or upset just… there are so few places where I still feel a connection to him. And no… I do not regret giving Stephen the room... it was time. But I do think that spot, where I had my last moments with him… it's sacred. I can't… not with you. I want our own spot to be full of joy, love and promise of a future. Where we can go and reconnect sometimes. A place that is just ours. Not a ghostly place haunted with my pain."
"I get it. I do. I am bloody furious that this had happened. I mean… Owen knew right? Why didn't he tell me?" Jack groaned.
"Owen has the brain of a guinea pig. Sorry, I love him, and he is a brilliant doctor, but his brain is so small, all that medical knowledge… so much information that he decided was not needed had to be wiped to make room."
Jack started to laugh softly.
He was forgiven and it was a relief.
But Ianto was right.
He had to think this one through and make it their special thing.
Maybe he had been asking the wrong person.