1

Ianto checked his pocket watch for the third time, covertly snapping it shut to return it to the small watch pocket on his vest. Yes, he was in a three-piece suit, always was. He had to be, being a lawyer who stood in the High Court and argues cases, once those black robes came off, he would walk the hallways like a boss. Even if inside, he felt three feet tall and was so scared someone would call out to him that he didn't belong there.

Where he met Jack actually. Jack was opposing council and as a District Attorney he was righteous in his job. Connected everywhere due to being old blood and saw Ianto as a worthy opponent. How they met. Love came later, after they were trapped in an elevator for a few hours and discovered that the weird feeling between them was not irritation but attraction. Very inconvenient since they were both married to women at the time.

Jack already had a child even, and Ianto refused to break that up. It was a couple of months later that Jack's wife solved that by leaving him for someone else and Jake started the arduous task of trying to keep his daughter Alice.

It was sort of all written in the stars, or so he thought. The dates, laughter and then came the amazing sex. Then came the proposal and the wedding… they used IVF with Jack's money and DNA along with Ianto's sister's eggs, then Ianto adopted the little boy currently on the stage dressed as a sheep for some reason … and then… came… Gwen.

Now they co-parented the children despite Alice becoming increasingly hostile in her decision that Ianto was somehow to blame for the marriage of her parents breaking up in the first place. She was ten at the time of the divorce, her parents had been childhood sweethearts with a baby at eighteen. If only Jack would tell her, it was her mother who cheated. She believed he had, with Ianto. Now Jack had done the same thing to Ianto as she had done to him without even considering the irony and she again, blamed Ianto. Again, Jack would not correct the problem, and this was what had led to this animosity between them now.

It was only little Steven who kept them somewhat together as they tried to be civil. Now they were about to be officially divorced Alcie took no time at all in reveling in telling him how she never liked him, knew he was not good enough for HER family and is glad he is gone now thinking her mama will come home.

At fifteen years old, the poor kid had no idea how wrong she was and her poor little three-year-old brother had no idea either, just saw that Alcie was angry and it was Taddy's fault. This made Steven sad and he was acting out as well.

The back doors of the auditorium opened and Jack flew in, the old World War II coat flapping as he rushed toward Ianto with wild eyes, relieved to see the camera up and recording even as Ianto turned away from the camera's viewing screen to glare at him with that familiar look of disappointment.

"Sorry, one of the defendants in my trial got shot outside the courthouse and we were all locked down" Jack said then felt annoyed for having to explain himself to a man who was no longer his family.

"Not me you need to apologize to; he's been looking for you the whole feckin time" Ianto snarled then turned back to wave with his free hand and Steven looked over… saw his father and lit up.

Alice was instantly there from her spot at the front of the stage "Daddy, where were you? We had to get ready with HIM."

HIM sighed and looked back to the stag as Jack crooned and pleaded for forgiveness and she (of course) forgave him. Promises of the latest CD she wanted of course… materialistic like all Harkness women… that's not fair. Stop it. Ianto schooled his feature back to excitement as Steven waved again.

Then as quickly as it started, it was over and the little boy was racing from the stage with glee, his face beaming as he launched himself at his father "daddy, did ya see? I went baaa."

"It was amazing. You know, I loved it" Jack crooned as he cuddled the child. "he best lambie I ever saw… I mean… I thought you really were one!"

"Dad, I'm hungry" Alice demanded.

"Me too!" Steven agreed and Jack glanced at Ianto who knew what was about to be asked.

"It's not like there is school tomorrow with it being Friday so… if Taddy let's us… I guess we can…"

"Why would you be there!" Alic snarled swinging at Ianto "Me and MY family don't need you there."

"Alice, you know Tad is to have you from now for the weekend" Jack said softly "Ianto… come on. Let the kids come with me for pizza."

"PIZZA!"

Ianto knew he was defeated and he shrugged, "Fine. Go, but it's my weekend so…"

"No. I told you on last week's phone call that I am going to stay with Daddy with weekend for the game on the telly" Alice cut in "You never let me watch the game Ianto, I want to stay with my father."

"Me too yano!"

Ianto now glared openly at Jack who knew he had won and turned to walk off with the kids, breaking the agreement for Ianto to have them every second weekend as per the judge's order. But Ianto knew it was pointless, Alice would have a carry on about having to change houses and Steven would agree, like he agrees with everyone speaking loudest about everything at this age.

All he could do was retrieve the kid's gear from his vehicle and place it in the back of Jack's as Alice ignored him and the boy sheep continued to make Baa noises with glee in his Daddy's arms.

"Ianto, sorry if I stepped on your toes" Jack said without an ounce of apology in his voice "Hoe about I drop them off Sunday?"

"Sure" Ianto said knowing it would be late Sunday night, the kids would be hungry, annoyed with him and tired.

Great, he loved having a night of tantrums before dropping them at school the next morning and then not seeing them for another fucking fortnight.

Yeah, Jack had ALL the money and the family wealth made sure the kids remained in the Harkness House most of the time.

Ianto didn't know how much fight he had left really.

Not when Steven was starting to hate him too.