11

Jack stepped out of the least desirable place and walked to his SUV, the list of things in his head he still needed to do, to get Ianto sort out before things were done.

The funeral was yesterday, and the kids were still asleep. They had all stayed up until after midnight watching Christmas movies and Jack knew that although Ianto would be awake, he would be moving in that wraithlike way he has around the house cleaning.

So, he arrived home with a huge bunch of flowers that had Ianto stalling out with shock. Then it occurred to Jack that maybe in this time period they don't' get flowers for men. Then Ianto burst into tears.

Oh fuck.

Jack was not sure if he should apologize, ignore it or… he chose to comfort. He placed the flowers on the kitchen table and engulfed Ianto in his arms, welcoming in the too thin frame that shook as Ianto clung to him, finally crying for his poor sister. As Ianto wept he was reminded of that chilling wail that had escaped for Lisa, excepting it but this quiet heaving was somehow worse. So much worse because the howl for Lisa had come from his heart but this… this came from his soul.

They stood there for a while and then a voice said "Alright. A Ianto sandwich! I'm in... I can be white bread with a ginger toasting!"

By the time Andy had slammed into Ianto's back and seized Jack's arms Ianto was already giggling tough his tears then laughing as he told Andy that he was a fucking arsehole.

"Nah… I'm white bread" Andy said, kissing Ianto's neck "And really… with a fiiiine bod like this, I am not baloney covered either."

"Ewwwww, I got an image then" Ianto wailed and the mood lifted as Jack laughed and said he had once had an alien being eat ham off him like he was a platter.

"You know, anyone else I would take a moment to process that but you Captain… I just sort of accept that as read. I mean... if you've not boasted that you've been licked from head to toe by an alien at some time or other, I would think you were an imposter." Andy said as he skipped away and Ianto laughed against Jack, turning to slap at Andy.

"I was even swallowed whole by one" Jack said and Ianto made a face, then snorted with mirth as Jack winked.

By the time the kids emerged food was on the table and the adults were all talking happily about the day of decorating. The angels were many, and none had hands over their faces. After the meal they began decorating and Andy had quietly asked Toshiko about the Angel thing and had learnt what Weeping Angels were… something that freaked him the fuck out. He would never walk through a cemetery with the same confidence again and would surely never check their faces.

Ewwww.

"You know, you lot really do make life colourful" he said out loud and everyone turned to look at him. "Bloody mad, the lot of you."

Andy stood with bright tinsel covering him for head to foot and David was holding the chair Mica was standing on as she calmly plastered a huge bow on the top of his head. He continued to look around with a superior air and soon they were all laughing, the kids included as they had made the joke.

Ianto watched them relax and let go, the tears still there sometimes but the funeral had been like a closure for them, Jack's Next Place comforting them as well.

Ianto just wished it comforted him as much but he knew his loss was different. He had to hold onto the hurt a little, as was his way.

And Johnny Fuckface? Well, he never gave him a thought.

You know who did?

The one Jack had just visited gave him a long hard thought.

.

.

"Oh my god" Jack said with shock as the evening meal was presented and Ianto admitted he was sort of.. well… jumpy.

Jumpy meant he was super… well… everything. Including cooking. The food was like it was the Christmas Day feast and the kids launched themselves at it, calling it a 'run though' that made Jack see that this was not uncommon. Ianto baked when nervous and all the yummy things he had presented silently at meeting were his creations, the urging of Gwen to give him the name of the store clearly never going to be answered in a way she liked.

Nope, as she sat there it finally dawned on her as well that the catering firm she was looking for with the hopes of engaging their services for her wedding was actually the mad Welshman currently placing down perfectly make little marshmallow snowmen, complete with jelly beans cut up for buttons.

"Oh pet, you are an absolute artist" she sighed.

Ianto was surprised, and pleased as he accepted the raise in a rare move, settling to watch everyone eat. This was another thing Jack had noticed long ago. A nervous Ianto was a fasting Ianto.

"Here Uncle, I buttered a savory scone for you" David said, gamely placing a plate full of scone, the butter seriously applied.

So someone else DID know about this. Jack felt sadness knowing his sister was likely the one who noticed it most and her kids had learnt by watching her force feed him. Ianto had no choice but to look pleased as he bit into the scone, then sighed as he shewed. He knew it was good food. And he did love the savoury ones with the extra bacon bits.

He ate the entire thing to please to boy.

Jack made a mental note to watch this kid, he was smarter than your average bear.

Jack was starting to like this kid.