7
Toshiko sat with the small child, looking at his tiny hands as they swung the rubrics cube about and then placed it down. Owen laughed and picked it up, messing it up again as the child looked around the Hub with interest.
"Come on, foodage" Ianto said as he entered with Max literally attached to his coattails, the child still slightly shocked from everything and unable to release his Taddy just yet. The new child froze and watched Ianto intently.
"Come on then" Ianto said as he settled on the sofa, "Over here."
The child slithered from Tosh's lap and toddled over with arms up, Ianto lifting him into his lap where he snuggled and sucked at his thumb sadly. Everyone moved to watch as Max examined his doppelganger with that intense look of a connoisseur.
"You can live with Uncle Owen and Aunty Tosh" he finally told the child "OK Kenny?"
"Kenny?" Tosh asked.
"Kenneth, but he likes Kenny more. South Park. 'Oh my god they killed Kenny' ya know?" Max said and the small child snorted with mirth at the reference to what must be his favourite show. Tosh resisted the urge to point out that he is way too young to watch that tripe.
"Right then, Kenny. Looks like we need to sort a room for you here tonight since ….ah…. Mama Tosh and I are working tonight, yeah?" Owen said with open discomfort, accepting Max's decision even as Jack looked about for some explanation.
"We cannot take him" Ianto said like he knew the reason for the looks, "Max has enough to settle into with what has happened, just got a new doggie and a baby on the way. Right?"
"Baby?" Max looks at Ianto with surprise.
"I am gonna have a baby, yes. Apparently you will be a big brother" Ianto smiled, "Why Kenny here needs a family that can care for him without others getting attention too. He needs more one-on-one care. Tosh and Owen are the best for that, just him. He is so small and scared, he needs lots and I fear we might be too frantc for his little mind."
"Oh" Max nodded slowly "OK. Yes. He needs a big bed to snuggle in with them."
"So, you've got it sorted in your head then?" Owen asked as Gwen sat there blinking slowly.
"Yes, I have finally accepted my lot. A Harkness-Jones grows deep in my gut, gonna come out screaming for coffee in a tiny Great Coat I guess" Ianto smiled as Jack snorted.
"Well … congrats" Gwen finally said and Ianto knew why.
"Gwen … when it's your time you will know. This is not it. You and Rhys deserve the best, it will come." Ianto assured her and she nodded to show she was listening.
She rose and left the sofa to go to the bathroom and Jack looked at Ianto in question so Ianto answered "Her and Rhys fight about kids. He wants one, she is scared she is going to be a crap mum and is putting it off, secretly popping those birth control pills when he's not looking. She needs to know she has a nurturing side too, but it's too soon."
Jack nodded his agreement and smiled as he leaned in close to whisper, "And you mister Wham Bam I'm Your Man? Hoodlums?"
"That's another story" Ianto laughed, "Let's just say we all have a past that does not define our future but comes in handy."
"And our future?" Jack prodded.
'So bright I gotta wear shades" Ianto replied happily, "So bright it's blinding."
Jack relaxed as he leaned in and kissed him, revelling in the heady scent of him and hoped it was done with.
Bad things happen in threes … right?
Let's be done with the dramas and get on with being a family.
Well … as much as a Torchwood one can be I guess.
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So ends this part, short, nasty and frantic but needed. Bad things do happen in threes and we needed the third bad thing over with so the baby can be the sugar on top, right? Also, I know you mat have wanted them to keep Kenny but if he could Ianto would take them all and the baby is going to be enough on top of Max. Besides ... we all love a childish Owen right?