36
Toshiko was nervous and rightly so as she had no idea how Owen was going to react to this and she could only hope it would be in a positive manner. She was not sure if she could handle a negative reaction, even if Ianto told her that would not happen.
She had candles lit everywhere, some lovely white roses from Ianto's garden on the table as it was set for a private meal that Ianto had helped prepare. Such a lovely guy, so happy for her. Like it was his own baby announcement. Shame they can only have Emma, they deserved a huge brood of nuttas. Ianto had simply shrugged at her and done that side eye thing he does when he is holding something back.
Not to worry, not what she was focused on right now as she checked her reflection in the mirror again, the Kimono another surprise from Ianto that made her feel so … grounded.
The door slammed open and Owen entered with a hiss and a fart, as per usual. He was talking ten to the dozen about the latest boat sinking that had not gone to plan "And then… then Andy fell over the side. I was laughing so much I could lift him back in, Jack dropped him twice!"
She waited as he blustered about laughing and telling her that it was an epic day, as the last two had been. He loves blowing shit up and there was no cute little pop to breach the hull… oh no… Owen blew shit up.
Finally he was slowing enough to notice the candles and he paused "Ah. Tea? Here? Not with the others?"
"Yes, I wanted a night alone with you. Go wash up and we can have a lovely meal and you can tell me what food Ianto had picked for your picnic lunch out there" she soothingly rubbed his arm.
"Food. Oh my god, that man is soooooo motherly. Such a great cook. And his dumplings…" he disappeared around a doorframe and became just murmuring noise while still talking animatedly in the shower. She could not hear a damned thing but it didn't matter, he was having a great one sided conversation.
Each day he spent out there on the water sent him home like this, happy. So damned happy. Like he often was after some of their Torchwood assignments. He loved being one of the boys, out there doing big boy work.
He returned and settled at the table "Wow. This is nice love."
Thank you" she sat and motioned for him to removed the plate covering "Careful, the plate is hot."
He flicked his off with a flourish and gaped at the plate "Oh shit. Is that… is that Ianto's meatloaf?"
"Your favourite. Made with extra apple sauce in it, whatever that means" she smiled as he took a tentative bite sized morsel on his fork and dipped it in the big splotch of sauce on his plate, then he popped it in his mouth to chew.
His groan of delight filing the room as he flopped back in his chair "God I love his meatloaf. Ya know I hated it, always hated it but didn't know it was never made right. He makes it right. It's so yummy."
She smiled and ate some as well, admitting that it was tasty. The creamy cheese sauce on the cauliflower to die for. After a while he started to slow and became calmer.
"So, I have some news" she said softly.
"Hmmm?"
"We're gonna be parents" she said, and then sat back to watch his face.
"Huh? No! Really?" he lit up and she started to smile, then he added "Rex is gonna let us have one of Delia's pups? He said he was not giving any way. Oh wow… a puppy. Great."
She sat there in confusion as Owen chewed on his meatloaf and made more happy noises, then started to go over dog names.
"Owen, its not a puppy" she said softly.
"OH? Oh god, not a cat. They don't like me, stalk me like little demon things" he made a weird face and then went back to chewing. "Ya know, I can see Ianto with a cat. Scary bastard."
"Owen. I am trying to tell you that I am pregnant" she finally snapped.
"Oh, that's nice dear" he said as he cut another slide of meatloaf and settled to eat more.
She waited. She was not upset. Ianto did warn her that he might react weirdly for a moment, to let him think on it. Owen chewed thoughtfully, then looked at his half empty glass of juice and then took a sip, ate another mouthful and then reached for the sauce. Then ate another piece.
"Right" he finally said like he was confused "What was that love?"
"I am pregnant."
Owen stared at her for another beat or two, then to her relief he did what Ianto had predicted. He stood straight up and threw his hands in the air like he was cheering his favourite footy team after a goal, roaring loudly, then choking on his mouthful of meatloaf, sitting heavily to choke and cough as he reached for his juice. Ianto did not predict that bit he DID say to let him eat first.
She waited.
Then he started to cry as he slid form the chair to his knees, reaching for her hands as he crawled over to her to place his head in her lap. The only words she could work out in all the garbled sobbing mess was 'thank you' over and over again.
She held him and rubbed his back, letting him process. Then he straightened up to kiss her, his face wet with tears yet so full of joy that her heart sang with his.
"Wow Toshi. Can things get any better?" he asked shakily.
She reached for the thick wooden hot board the meatloaf sat on, rapping her knuckles softly.
For luck.
No jinxes here.
