Chapter Text
Ianto was walking the floor after midnight. He was sure there was a song about that somewhere but was not quite sure but his mind was a little frayed at the edges lately.
It was defiantly his bloody sister moved in next door four months back and as of yet, she had not made herself known. However, there had been strangers passing over Jack's property uninvited and moving close to the house at times, clearly spying on them. Doing some recon work maybe.
Since their arrival there had been several agreements within the Multi-Hive. The first being that the house's lifters not be engaged until imperative. This was a good trick they did not know about and if attacked could mean an advantage.
Secondly, the twins disappeared from sight. Not easy keeping now three year olds inside on a nice day and Ianto knew this would upset the townsfolk who were unbelievably attached them but it could not be helped. Especially after what had happened last Friday when Ianto had gone in with Gemima to collect a few things form the shops and found himself openly being followed and surveyed like a fucking criminal being watched by police in the hopes of leading them to a body. The fact Gem chose a blue jacket and little dungarees no doubt part of it.
Yeah. That body… still not found yet in the burnt out and buried Hover. Let's not dwell on that eh? Really, it was a bit rude of you to even bring that up don't you think? Right. Back to what I am trying to explain to you if ya focus.
Focus.
Thirdly, Sean had tried to approach the house in an attempt to make contact with his sister and been quite angrily rejected like he was also a criminal of some sort. He had arrived home with a black eye and a working knowledge of the interior security systems that were as Jack and Ianto had left them. Seems the new family did not know about those hidden cameras and such Toshi was now eagerly patching into. Their own system they had installed crude in comparison.
So far no dice on the cameras. Just normal stuff and a domestic between two sister-wives that resulted in the strange crocodilian creatures attacking one another while the only human sister-wife ran from the room and hid. She knew what was happening and the violence was not a surprise. Also, it told them that she might become a target of anger if she remained in eye sight. No child. No child provided. Not good.
And the fourth and final reason he was walking the floor stewing. The baby was coming. He felt the movement and knew his birth canal was opening, the fluids yet to flow. He was walking. Waiting and yeah... stewing.
Lightning lit the night and he jumped, the memory of that other stormy night and Gwen's attack now cemented in his mind as he checked all the windows and the security systems with Myfanwy softy purring that she was fully alert and operational. THAT house was asleep, no danger there.
Jack had installed motion detectors outside and in, an extravagance he had previously thought silly but now the enemy lived so close and was deliberately being obtuse, what choice was there but to prepare for battle.
Ianto grunted, holding his gut as the spasms changed and he knew he had to boogie now. He made it to the bathroom and stepped into the large walk-in shower. He settled on the floor with his back to the corner and he took some deep breaths, trying to calm himself for what he must do.
Outside the storm began.
"Why do I have to be so dramatic" he said to the house "Once again we have a storm and imminent danger so I drop my load? Hmmm?"
Myfanwy had no answer so instead she played some soft soothing music that made him laugh out loud through the pain at her sarcasm. This AI was a cheeky cow.
His daughter came without fanfare or problems laying on the cold floor looking up at him with open surprise at her sudden change in scenery and he saw straight away that she was another Jack clone, down to her little chin. Ah. Adorable. Her hair was plastered to her head but seemed plentiful. Not undercooked then, looks like she was just right. Maybe even a little overdue.
Ianto gathered her up and offered her the breast, happy to watch her latch on. Then Owen was in the doorway, breathless and slightly panicked as he knelt and crooned, reaching out to place a towel over the baby to keep her warm, then he yelped as he was yanked out of the way so Jack could clamber in and crouch to check his beloved, then their new child.
"She's perfect." Jack gushed "Oh… look at that. My chin. Jax has my chin… and Anwen. Oh wow… another chin baby."
Ianto forgave him for his stupid talk as he knew it was the shock of the house's AI jolting him awake with a, announcement of an extra soul on board. He took a movement to take a cleansing breath, then with a soft groan he expelled the afterbirth and Owen quickly cleared it all away.
"How do you feel?" Owen asked.
"Relieved that I did not have to shit myself" Ianto replied sagely, "And I am exhausted. Hopefully now she will drink and then sleep, I can too. I am so tired."
"Come on Tiger" Jack helped Ianto stager out of the shower and over to the tub Owen had filled, helping Ianto into it nightgown and all. With delicate touches Owen removed the child and washed her as she started to go limp with sleep. Jack saw to Ianto and Owen lifted her out to dry her then place her first nappy.
Ianto enjoyed the bath and then got out, letting Jack fuss as he watched Owen check the baby over with little grunts of glee.
Yes.
She was perfect.
"Cheryse." Ianto said softly to Jack, "to honour our sister-wife who will never be able to enjoy this life but was part of the beginning of our journey."
Jack nodded, accepting this. Yes. Cheryse.