27
Colin was helping to move the day bed to the freshly painted wall, just dried and looking pristine. He was making sure the bed did not touch the wall and Ianto stepped back to look at the overall effect.
"I know it seems weird having a bed in the nursery but if the babies are fussy in the afternoon or something, it makes sense to lay here quietly with them to encourage sleep." Ianto explained like he knew what the lad was thinking "They might need reassurance, if only knowing someone is there watching over them."
"I did not have someone to do that" Colin admitted "I remember being scared. It was light, so daytime. I was in one of these cots, I remember holding the bars and crying for my mama but no one came."
Ianto felt sad to know this boy had been alone and afraid as a little one, more so that it was so damaging that he recalled something most do not at that age. He knew that feeling, he had felt it too, watching hid mother hide in the closet while his Da rampaged. His own bars had been polished wood, not painted white like this cot.
Yeah, weird how somethings linger in the old brain box.
"Ianto?" Toshiko was in the doorway, looking from one to the other "Ready?"
Ianto motioned for Colin to go with, and they followed her to the table where her things were scattered about. She had the laptop connected to the TV and they watched the screen while she started to click on open windows as she spoke.
"So here is the bitch at the bedroom safe on multiple occasions, zooming in clearly shows her helping herself to anything and everything she can get her hands on. Here we have an amazingly clear shot of the perfect arse of her bodyguard as he … ah… covers her… on the desk. I don't know why they do that. I mean… if you have your own bed why screw on a desk?" she said, then glance dover at Jack's look of glee and Ianto's slight blush forming. "Ewwww… are you kidding?"
"Jack likes… office stuff" Ianto stammered, uncommonly unable to form the words properly.
"Ewww" she repeated then started to giggle as she tapped her knuckles on the table and raised her eyebrows.
"Ewwww" Iant added a third one with a look of horror "My kids eat off that… no. No."
"No, but that coffee table over there is reallllly sturdy" Jack said calmly like they were discussing art.
The laugher filled the room as Ianto glanced about to make sure the kids were not in earshot.
Well… Jack is incorrigible.
.
.
"So, Toshi Girl sent the files of shit to the father's lawyer who is clearly not happy to learn of the mess his client is in. From what I can gather, he is tearing the place apart looking for Colin and the lovely Cassandra has not been seen in a few days but the gossip is that one of the servants has cleaned up a lot of mess in the bedroom, the sheets had to be thrown out with the amount of blood and when asked she says her mistress 'slipped' and is recovering in private."
"So, he didn't kill her" Ianto grunted.
"Nah… beat the fuck out of her I reckon" Bumpy replied.
Thumper added "he is getting a little… desperate looking for him inside. Not sure if the kid wants to go back though."
"I think we should give things a chance to calm down. Once the dust settles, we can reach out diplomatically for a face to face. Get a feel of his intentions. After all, he disowned the lad." Ianto nodded, rising from the table and walking away form the conversation, having heard all he needed to.
Like most things that he was done with… he let them go.
Only Jack ever got a pause and a second look.
And both of them knew that was wearing thin as well.
.
.
"Where's Colin?" Jack asked as he entered the living rom with a box "I found some stuff in the garage he might wanna fiddle with. Looks like it was a music box or something."
"He is taking a walk around the lake" Ianto answered as he glanced in the box and made a sound of annoyance as he took in the grime and dust that was now entering his house.
"What? Are you sure it's a good idea for him to be on his own?" Jack asked with concern.
"Rose is with him" Ianto placed a sheet of newspaper on the table, glanced in the box, then added a second sheet of paper for luck.
"Rose."
"Yeah, she likes him and he likes her. They walk the path most afternoons" Ianto shrugged "Don't forget to pick up the schoolbooks for Alice when you are in town yeah?"
Jack stood there trying to comprehend what was going on "Wait… my sister… and Colin…"
"Jack do keep up. Alice needs those books, she has an on-line test next week and we both know she is a last minute crammer like you" Ianto sighed with an eye roll.
"From the school office" Jack focused as he was asked "And Stevie?"
"Up to date with his stuff. You know, Gray might like to go with you for the ride into town. He said something about needing some clothes and another pair of shoes. He might like to walk with them and only has those horrible brogues I told him would never suit walking. The blister on his heel proves me right. Some good hiking boots yeah?"
Jake nodded as he exited the home and went next door to see if his brother wanted to go with, half wat into Cardiff before his brain picked up on what had just happened.
Ianto had just told him that his baby sister… his only baby sister… was stepping out with the son of the city's… no… the country's most volatile businessman with some… er… unsavoury rumours attached to him.
He had a lot to think about.