Chapter Text
On October 1st Rhiannon left her voicemail.
“Hey Ianto, just me. I just wanted to talk to you about something. Nothing urgent, give me a call when you’ve got a moment.”
That afternoon it was weevil invasion day and Lowri tried to eat a pen lid.
October 15th there was a text.
Hey, can you give me a call when you can
This time there were less excuses sure. It was a relatively quiet day. Ianto could have called his sister at any point in the day. Ianto chose instead to bury his phone and himself under paperwork and avoid getting around to that call with a fervent devotion to the task.
Three more voicemails came. Each a little more passive aggressive than the last.
It’s not that Ianto didn’t want to talk to his sister. It was just that talking to her would mean mentioning some major life changes and how would he even begin to explain Sorry, been a bit busy. Had a daughter with my boss who’s kind of my boyfriend but not really sure where I stand there. Also yes the daughter, she’s three and technically a lab grown creation from the distant future. Pretty sure she’s the most important person in my life right now but also talking to you reminds me of our childhood and how terrified I am to become my own father. Anyhow, what’s up with you?
There’ll be another day to call her. One that will work better.
On October 28th Jack agreed to stay and Rhiannon left her last voicemail.
“Ianto Jones I know you’re receiving these messages so can you stop bloody ignoring me. I’m just- I’m trying to organise Christmas and since it’s… the first once since… you know, without Mum…. Look can you please call me or I’m going to drive my ass all the way to bloody Radyr and I’m not leaving your door till you speak to me! ... Right. Please. Call me.”
He called her back three days later.
“Well happy Halloween, what are you a ghost now? Can only communicate with the living on the one night of the year?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, you better be. Ignored me for a whole month. Guess that’s better than a whole year though.”
“I’m sorry, it’s been… It’s been a big month. Honestly.”
“With work?”
“Yeah…”
“And what do you do again?”
“Public servant.”
“My ass. You’re the bloody busiest public servant I’ve ever heard of. If you’re all working that hard why’s the country going to the dogs?”
Ianto huffed out a laugh and Rhiannon softened.
“Right well, I’ve got you now. I needed to talk to you.”
“About Christmas?”
“Yes. I know it’s only early but… it’s the first Christmas without Mum and I’m… Well, I’m not having you spending it on your own so you’re joining us. And I’m not taking no for an answer.”
“Right…”
Besides Rhiannon’s voicemail Ianto hadn’t even thought about Christmas. He’d barely thought about next week. It was just day by day what did he need to get done to make sure Lowri had food and clean clothes and got to day care. And also who was invading today and what to do to make sure the world didn’t end before he had to pick up the dry cleaning. Christmas had not been a high priority.
He realised the silence had been too long.
“Well?”
“Uhmm.”
It’d be Lowri’s first Christmas. He’d have to get a tree, stockings, presents. That’s what you do. He’d be with her for Christmas. Probably Jack too. But Rhiannon wasn’t going to take no for an answer and he couldn’t leave Lowri to go to his sister’s.
But he could take her with him. That would be the normal thing. Take your kid to family Christmas. That’s what family Christmas was all about.
That meant telling Rhi though. That meant having that conversation.
But he was going to have to have that conversation anyway.
“Ianto?”
It was that or avoid his sister for eternity.
“Are you still there?”
“Yeah I… I’m just not going to be alone for Christmas. Look Rhi, there’s something I have to talk to you about.”
“Oh…. Ohhhhhh. I bloody knew it.”
Ianto blinked. How the hell did she know about Lowri?!
“Susan said she saw you.”
Who the hell was Susan?
“All dressed up at a fancy restaurant.”
Oh no…
“With a man.”
Oh... Well at least that was the other part covered.
“You know I always thought you might be gay. And I don’t care mind, you could’ve told me.”
“I’m not gay.”
“Really, because Susan said there’s was no woman getting her leg around that table.”
This was not how the conversation was going.
“That’s not- That’s not what I’m trying to talk to you about.”
“So it was you?!”
Beat
“Yes.”
“You have gone bender?”
“Sure.”
“Susan said he was very handsome. Well, it’s no matter he can come for Christmas too. Who is he?”
“Rhi that’s really not what I need to talk to you about.”
Rhiannon seemed to sense the change in his tone because she quietened.
“Oh no, you’re not- Everything’s ok right?”
“Yeah, yeah. Everything’s ok. Umm actually everything’s good. It’s good.”
“What is it?”
Ianto took a deep breath. Just get it out there.
“I have a daughter.”
“Oh!” she paused, “So you’re not gay?”
“No I’m… I’m not gay. I am- I am seeing a man. Susan, who- I still don’t know who Susan is- she did see me, on a date, with a man, but I’m not gay. Well, that’s not the point…”
“I’m confused. Was this a surprise?”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“How old is she?”
“Three.”
“Three! Oh my god Ianto! Wait, when did you find out?”
“A few months ago.”
“A few months! So, did mum want child support? Did she hunt you down? Johnny’s cousin did that. Tracked a man down and made him pay child support. Baby wasn’t even his. They got back together though- Not that I’m saying she’s not yours!”
“It wasn’t like that.”
“Right. So are you- you’re not going to share custody or something?”
This was why he didn’t want to have this conversation. Because how did you explain it?
“Look, Rhi, it’s really complicated but- there’s no mum. I mean, obviously there was but, she’s not involved…. Anymore.”
“Right.”
“She’s living with me now.”
“Oh wow, what’s her name?”
“I told you there’s not a mother involved.”
“I meant your daughter’s name you daft sod.”
“Oh, it’s Lowri.”
“That’s a beautiful name.”
“Yeah.”
There was a pause.
“Oh my god. You’ve got a daughter.”
Ianto had to laugh.
“I know.”
“Are you coping? Are you okay?”
“Mostly. It’s… a lot.”
“Yeah, I remember when Mica was that age… David was easy but Mica… And it’s just you? She’s just staying with you?”
“Uh y-yes.”
“Yes? Is this about the man? Is he around?”
Ianto sighed, “He’s around.”
“So, is it serious?”
“I… it’s complicated.”
“Because he’s a man?”
“No. Because he’s… Sure.”
“Sure?”
“Yeah, it’s serious. I guess.”
“You guess?”
“I don’t know Rhi it’s been a very big few months.”
“You don’t say. And how long has it been with this man?”
“A year… and a half… ish.”
“Ish? Oh Ianto I didn’t know you were such a whore. Babies outside of wedlock and a ‘complicated’ relationship.”
“I’m going to hang up.”
“No! No, I’m just teasing. Really. I’m not gonna judge or anything. So long as you’re happy. And he’s good right, he’s good with the baby, with Lowri?”
“I am. I’m happy. And he is good.”
“Is he as handsome as Susan says?”
“I really don’t know who Susan is.”
“Susan Trenmore. She was in the year below me at school. She did the canteen- Oh look it doesn’t matter you’re avoiding the question.”
“Fine, yeah. He is handsome.”
“Cor, right well, that’s it. When I do I get to meet my niece?”
“You’ve taken this much better than I thought.”
“Oh believe me I’m still in shock.”
“Me too.”
“And I’ve got so many questions.”
“I’m not going to promise to answer them.”
“When do I meet her?”
“I don’t know.”
“Saturday. You can bring her around- Or I don’t know if that’ll be too much. How about I come in? We can have fish and chips. She’s not allergic to seafood is she? I’ll bring Mica and David and we’ll do fish and chips by the bay. Is that ok?”
“Yeah, yeah no that sounds great.”
“And then I’m locking you in for Christmas too. You and Lowri. And you can bring your boyfriend too.”
“I don’t know if he’ll come.”
“Well I’d like to meet him anyway.”
“Sure.”
Pause.
“Thanks for calling Rhi.”
“You called me.”
“No but- I mean thank you. I’m sorry I’ve been avoiding you for… well, years. But thank you for not giving up on me.”
“You’re my baby brother, you’re stuck with me.”
“Good.”
“Ok, well I’ll see you Saturday. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
Ianto hung up. That had been… easy? One more difficult conversation done. And he was honestly looking forward to the fish and chips on Saturday too. Mica and David were good kids, it’d be good for Lowri to meet her cousins. So long as she didn’t try and tell them about too many aliens.
Speaking of the devil the bedroom door opened and Lowri ran out in what was meant to be a pterodactyl costume but was not quite as well-made as the image on the package had suggested.
“I’mma dinosaur!” Lowri declared as she attacked Ianto’s legs.
“Well not technically a dinosaur but you look very scary.” He said, knocking the big fake pterodactyl head.
Lowri made a roar that sounded more like a weevil than it did like any noise Myfanwy had ever made.
“Absolutely terrifying, any aliens pop up tonight and I’m just sending her in. They’ll be running home screaming in fear.” Jack piped up from the doorway.
Ianto gave him a look of “I appreciate that’s a joke but absolutely do not send my daughter after any aliens tonight thank you”.
“Come on, we should get going or all the best sweets’ll be gone.” Ianto said grabbing Lowri’s little green gloved hand. She bounced up and down, suddenly remembering tonight not only promised dressing up but also sweets.
Jack had a dangerous grin on his face that made Ianto worry it wouldn’t just be Lowri with a sugar high he’d have to worry about tonight.
“What?” Jack asked, seeing his look.
“Nothing.”
Jack grabbed his coat off the hook at the door. He hadn’t dressed up but Ianto knew he’d considered it. Ianto had also considered it. Halloween had always been a fun time as a kid. Especially a nerdy kid. Even if his costumes were always made of superglue and his mum’s old clothes trying to look like a vague approximation of a star fleet uniform.
One of them should probably have stayed at the hub tonight. But the rift had been quiet and although neither of them had said anything they both wanted to be here. Taking Lowri trick or treating in the terrible pterodactyl costume she’d insisted on. Doing Halloween as parents. The word still sounded funny in his mind but he was working on getting used to it.
He opened the door and Lowri made a mad dash out of it, flapping her wings like she was trying to take off.
“I’ve got to take Saturday off.” Ianto said as he locked the door, “Lowri don’t run off!”
Lowri angled her wings and turned the dash into an aerodynamic circle.
“You’ve already got Saturday off.”
“Well I’m officially putting in the leave in case that changes. I’m going to have lunch with my sister.” He looked up at Jack, “I’m gonna introduce her to Lowri.”
“Oh.” Jack said, “So you’ve told her?”
“Yep.”
“How did she take it?”
“Surprisingly well. We’re going to have fish and chips with Mica and David on the bay.”
“That sounds lovely.”
“Yeah, it will be… Also, you’re invited for Christmas.”
Jack’s face went through a strange expression, “With your sister?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.” Jack said and then he was off after Lowri.
Okay then. The man was impossible. But he was right. It was okay. It was all very much-
“Lowri not on the road!”