Chapter Text
Alice was in overload, running in circles around the warehouse's large outer area while Ianto sat with the glass door shut ignoring the faint screaming that he could still hear despite the soundproofing. She had been like this most of the day, overtired and annoyed that her father had gone to work when it was Christmas. Owen had warned that there would be days like this, her detox making her antsy.
Of course … trying to get the decorations down before the New Year was proving another catalyst here … she didn't want it to end. Ianto knew the bad part was coming. When she asked when her Mummy was coming for her. Ianto didn't know how they were going to handle that. Jack's daughter but … Ianto was already feeling attached.
The bloody unicorn was in the middle of the warehouse, its horn glinting in the lights as Alice swung around the legs of the massive toy, then took off again and he wondered if he could at least talk her into putting that in the corner of her room. She did have room in there, a large double room with just her bed and some drawers for her clothes in there. She really needed some more things but…again …not his daughter right?
The phone rang and Ianto smiled before picking it up, his bond thrumming as he knew it ws jack before even hearing the happy yelling down the line about some case being wrapped up.
"Well done Cariad" he soothed, trying to bring the yelling down a notch or two "Did you remember the 4118 form that has to go with that one? Owen can sign it off."
Jack swore softly, then rustling was heard as he searched for the form Ianto mentioned, something Yvonne would have mocked him for had he forgotten. Of course that was no longer an issue, right?
"What time will you be home?" Ianto asked softly "She's checking every vehicle that goes past."
"About five. Gotta finish the paperwork so tomorrow we can have the day." Jack promised.
"Jack … one more day then it's New Year's Eve. We can't go too mad, have a little one here. Maybe we should have a little party here? She can be involved early then go to bed before the countdown ... some drinks and nibbles and such? Owen would be into that with Toshiko … she hates parties in public and would never go to a New Year's Eve pub party."
"Yeah! Rhys was saying he doesn't do things like that with Gwen since she can't hold her booze. Karaoke and she's gone. We could make it a little party." Jack gushed and Ianto swallowed back the annoyance as she was instantly invited too. He knew it was unfair of him to feel like that, she had not done anything to him but … she felt like such a threat to his happiness. He knew it was something he had to overcome.
"Sounds great Cariad" he agreed "Rhys will want to know about food so … tell him to call me and we will talk about it. Maybe pot luck? Buffet style? Then we eat as we go instead of a proper sit down meal. If some are drinking they would rather pick."
"Start a list for the supermarket love. Stinker might like an outing." Jack suggested.
"I might just do that, will see you later" Ianto smiled then added quietly "The mother conversation needs to be considered sooner or later."
"Later" Jack said, suddenly cool as the smile left his voice "Let's just get though this ok? Let her settle in and get happy for Godsake. I will tell her when I am ready. Dead is dead, no matter when I tell her!"
Ianto looked up as Jack said it and directly into the eyes of the child who stood silently in the open space, one hand on the unicorn and the other at her side making small circular motions. Her eyes widened as her mouth grew thin. She dropped her hand from the unicorn and started to walk slowly away into the furthest dark corner of the warehouse.
Sound proofed room as well as the fact Jack was not on speakerphone but … somehow Ianto knew she had heard. Alt? Could she hear her father?
"Shit. Gotta go" Ianto said, warning Jack "She's looking upset about something."
"Take her shopping, she will be fine!" Jack said before hanging up without a polite goodbye, Ianto staring at the phone with annoyance.
"Yes Sir. No Sir. Kiss my lily white arse sir." Ianto muttered under his breath as he rose and dropped the phone on the table then went out in search of the child. Damn she was good at hiding. Not a Wraith but a good little shadow all the same.
"Ali?"
Myfanwy made a noise not unlike a fart and Ianto glared up at her knowing she knew full well where the 'chick' was but was not about to help him with this impromptu game of Hide n' Seek.
"Alice? Awwwww. Oh well. You can stay here with Myf. I'll go shopping on my own then" Ianto called as he started to walk towards the SUV shaking the car keys.
A scream and she was mad dog running, slamming into the side of the vehicle and falling on her butt to laugh then clamber back up and wait for him to unlock the doors. Seems like the drugs were still about in her system some days.
"Gods" Ianto muttered as he watched her monkey crawl into the vehicle. "I don't know who needs a sedative. Her or me."
It was going to be a long day.