27

Ianto was watching intently as Toshiko smoothed the cover on the bed. The decision for Owen and Toshiko to move into the house with them had been a heated argument behind doors between Jack and Owen… one that Ianto and Toshiko also had but they had in a more civil manner.

Of course, Ianto wanted to be at home here with the kids instead of moving into the Harper-Sato house. Of course, it made sense with a huge house for it become their place to stay. Toshiko was excited for the idea, agreeing that it was even closer to the clinic if there was a problem and they could easily turn the downstairs games room into a makeshift one anyway.

By the time Owen and Jack and agreed after some manly posing about who was in charge of the pregnancy they agreed to give it a try if the others agreed, Ianto and Toshiko were already choosing a room for her and Owen. Jack informed everyone that he and Owen had decided it was best…blah… blah… blah. Ianto nodded and then told Toshiko he had just the room like one was not already chosen. They tried not to giggle until they were out of earshot and could shake their heads at one another.

Maria was excited about the prospect of more people to fuss over and so with minimal fuss it was done, Toshiko and Owen just down the hallway from the Master Bedroom with the nursery between them. The bub would be in with them at first, then they would move home again, I guess.

Ianto had not realized the extra noise and stuff extra people caused and he started to worry bout Maria who did not complain one bit, eagerly calling in one of her many friends of the same ilk and before they knew it, to Marias were sliding bout.

"I still can't tell them apart" Owen hissed as one moved in the shadows, picking up the breakfast things.

"That's Matilda" Jack replied confidently "See… she has those shoes on. Our Maria has those orthopedic things Ianto got her in three different colours as he worried about her feet."

"Ahhhhhh" Owen looked at the plain looking trainers and nodded with confidence, Maria not even caring to correct them that Darling Yani had got her many pairs of shos and these were just one of those pairs she saw and wanted in a shop window.

Ianto of course… knew them apart and had purchased Matilda some of those comfy shoes the same as Maria's had so… well… whatever right?

"Is he OK?" Owen asked noting the way Ianto was patting the bum of the bub on his shoulder while glaring at the wall.

"Thinking. That's a thinking thing. Probably trying to work out the seating plan for Christmas Dinner or something… he is nothing if not a little … well… pedantic about things at the moment. Stressed."

"Because of us?" Owen was instantly concerned.

"No. No, not you guys. We love you here, no. In general. He just ort of overloads and after going into town this afternoon with Toshi to hunt for some of those swimming things he wants for the bubs he will be so wound up from all the people that just touching him will make him jump" Jack screwed his face up "I wish there as a way to smother him gently."

"You ought to try massage" Owen said, then turned to him and added "I have a book on it. Can have health benefits too."

"Oh?"

And so, the boys spent the afternoon with books and conversations about massage while Ianto and Toshiko hunted for the 'swimming things' which were actually bath toys for educational purposes since the babies loved the bath and Ianto worried it took too long with noting to move tier brains about. Well… that's how it seemed to Maria who was happy to go along for the ride.

She loved pushing the pram with the two bubs inside, people torn between wanting to peek in at the little darlings, and run form the scary thing protecting them with soft hissing noises.

Ianto did not scold either, he knew she was having fun and more than once she caught him watching with amusement as she sent more people packing, the little grubs asleep and not needing to be looked at thanks muchly.

By the time they were homeward bound with some cool things for in the bath as well as an interesting gym thing for the floor, the boys back at home were trying out the massage things on each other and declaring it was wonderful thing to try.

Of course, Owen has the mind of a goldfish when hungry and as soon as Ianto and Toshko washed and changed for the evening meal and joined them, both boys had totally forgotten about massage as the argument about the tree on the southside that had a limb needing to come off dominated the conversation at the table. Yes. Owen did say amputate more than once.

"Dear god, I don't know which one with a chainsaw would be scarier" Ianto hissed to his best friend and she giggled as she revelled in the family feel.

And it felt good.

Family.