16
"I just don't believe it!" Lucia hissed as she leaned over the table into Ianto's face, her eyes wide with disbelief. "You don't ask me to come too, oh no… leave me in the fucking viper pit over there… and then… I miss that! THAT! Tell me… I bet he had Jack's Hero Stance too!"
"I know, I was amazed as well," Ianto declared. He then admitted, "I actually forgot about you. The urge to run from her was so strong, I forgot Alice too, but she was smart enough to chase me. Nice to know if it's the end of the world I will survive anyway… and my first born son will carry the Harkness Jones Bastardry… too bad for you and your spawn."
"Now you're calling me slow?" she gasped theatrically. "You arse!"
Ianto laughed as they playfully slapped at each other. Then, Ianto rose to show her the room he had designated as his office space. Clearly, that was not going to happen for now, and he scolded himself internally for leaving her there. Alice had been a surprise too.
"Oh, look at the view!" she sighed, gazing out the window he had intended to place his desk under. He nodded, not the least bit put out by the loss. After all, she IS family too, and it will only be for a few months or so.
"It's just a little daybed and you need a proper one. I will sort something out for you," he promised as she flopped onto the little sofa-style bed.
"I don't care if it's a mattress on the floor, anything is better than the bed of nails over there. You know, I forgot how fucking poisonous she is, god. Franklin is a saint, but now it's gone all freakily silent. He has the water room and she is enraged. She keeps going to stand in the doorway like she wants to go in, but he ignores her with the book raised like he can't see her. You know, you are a lot like him. Maybe that's why Jack was first attracted to you, you are so sweet and calm too." She had her eyes closed as she let the silence of the cabin sink in, unable to see the surprise on Ianto's face as she pointed out something that was actually quite obvious in the daylight.
Franklin wore designer suits, and both men sometimes even whipped out their pocket watches at the same time, then would laugh and clink them together like champagne glasses. Jesus. Jack WAS attracted to a father figure. After all, he IS such a bloody kid.
"Huh." Ianto mused softly, realizing that perhaps Lucia had hit the nail on the head. He chuckled at the thought and decided to let it go for now.
Lucia's attention shifted back to the present as she opened her eyes and turned to Ianto. "So, what's the plan now? We're not staying here forever, are we?"
Ianto shook his head. "No, we'll find a way out of this mess. But for now, let's make the best of it. This place has its own charm, don't you think?"
Lucia smiled, a genuine smile that reached her eyes. "Yeah, it does. It's peaceful here. Maybe it's not so bad after all."
Ianto nodded in agreement. "We'll get through this together. And who knows, maybe we'll even have some fun along the way."
Lucia laughed, a light, carefree sound. "Yeah, maybe we will."
And with that, they both felt a renewed sense of hope and determination, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
.
.
Ianto had gone to the local township and discovered a second-hand furniture store that exuded an air of old-world charm and decadence. The bed he found there was so stunning that he stood there for almost too long, mesmerized by its beauty. Then he realized that he didn't want it just for Lucia; he wanted it for himself.
Huh.
Ianto smiled to himself, noting that he had been doing that a lot lately—grunting internally, much like Jack did out loud. Oh god, maybe he was assimilating, absorbing too much Harkness in the air. Ianto laughed softly and turned to see a salesperson standing nearby, eyeing him with a hint of curiosity, as if he might be slightly deranged.
"I really like this bed. Do you offer delivery?" Ianto finally asked.
"Just the bed, or the whole suite?"
Ianto then noticed the matching bedside tables and the charming little duchess with a coordinating stool. Awww. It looked like something straight out of an old movie, perfect for a lumberjack's cabin—a rustic log cabin. The wood was smooth, with a dark oiled stain that highlighted the knots and wood grain, giving it a raw, natural appeal.
"The whole suite, please," Ianto replied with a smile.
"We can deliver it later this afternoon. You live at the Glass House, right?"
"Actually, this is for the log cabin next door. I recently acquired that property as well," Ianto explained as he handed over his credit card and watched the man swipe it.
Nice.
Ianto returned home to rearrange the furniture, preparing for the arrival of the new bed. At least the power had been restored, allowing him to hoover the place. There was something so domestic and normal about that act, making the cabin feel even more like his home.
Later that afternoon, as the delivery truck arrived, Ianto supervised the placement of the furniture, ensuring everything was just right. The bed fit perfectly in the cozy room, and the matching pieces added a touch of elegance. He stood back, admiring the transformation, feeling a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.
That evening, as he sank into the comfortable new bed, Ianto couldn't help but think about how far he had come. The log cabin, now furnished with care and thought, was a testament to his resilience and adaptability. It was a sanctuary, a place where he could find peace and perhaps even a little bit of happiness.
And with that, Ianto drifted off to sleep, dreaming of the adventures that awaited him and Lucia in their new, charming abode. The challenges they would face seemed a little less daunting now, and the future held a glimmer of promise and possibility.
And Ianto also held a little boy who wanted in the BIG bed.