Title: Christmas with the Jones Family
By: queenfluffernutter
Pairing: Jack/Ianto
Rating: PG-13
Genre: pure fun
Disclaimer: I soooo don't own the two main characters, but, by some weird twist of fate, I own Ianto's family. Not that I wouldn't share if asked...
Author's Notes: This was written after a two week writer's block.
Summary: Jack goes to meet Ianto's family. Join him as he learns what makes Ianto tick.

***

"Jack! Is that it?" Ianto called as he shoved the duffel in the back of the SUV and eyed the doorway to his flat.

"Yeah – I have the snacks right here!" Jack called back, locking the door before sprinting over to Ianto.

"Right – you know this is only a four hour trip, right, Jack?" He looked the older man up and down.

He chuckled. "Yes. But just in case..."

"In case of what? Paradox Clones?" The Welshman snuffled as he opened the driver's side door. "Not likely, sir."

"Not 'sir'; not this weekend." Jack reminded him, settling into the passenger seat and fastening his belt. "Maybe your family shouldn't know I'm your boss just yet."

"In title only, sir." Ianto deadpanned as he fastened his own belt and started the car. "And, please, be on your best behaviour."

"Ianto Jones, parents love me, you'll see." He flashed a smile his direction as he began to root around in the bag he brought. "You want something?"

"We aren't even out of town and you're snacking. Put that away. And don't make those eyes at me."

"Fine."

The next half hour was in silence, except for the Christmas music that was playing softly from the radio. Ianto was humming, thinking about the last time he had spent a holiday at home – almost three years now. And it had been equally long since he had spent any amount of time with the individual members of his family. He was always meaning to call them, but never quite got around to it.

"Are you going to talk to me at all?" Jack finally asked.

"I might." Ianto smirked. "If you promise that you won't do anything to throughly embarrass me."

Jack thought for a moment. "They do know that we're dating right?"

"Not exactly." Ianto looked the other way as he answered. "That might be...weird for them. Too much to tell them all at once."

"Right." Jack looked at his hands folded in his lap.

"No, Jack, it's not like that at all." Ianto reached across to touch a hand, but Jack moved them. "I've only just told them that Lisa died."

Jack looked at him pointedly. "You what? Yan, that was years back!"

"Yeah, I know, but they weren't around. It was easier to...Why am I explaining this at all?" Ianto sighed. "So, what you need to know before we get there-"

"I'm listening." But he was more pouting that paying attention.

"My mum's name is Glenda. And she will try to feed to you bursting. When you're done, signal me and I will stop her." Ianto smiled.

This broke Jack out of his pout. "Home cooking?"

"Yes, from scratch. She'll have been cooking for a week now. Now, Tad. He'll want you to call him Ifan, but don't. Call him 'Tad' and impress him. Oh, and the same for Mum. Make sure you hug her when we go in and call her 'Mum', not Glenda. No matter what Delwyn says."

"Delwyn?" Jack was starting to lose track.

"My older brother, but I doubt he'll even be there as he hardly ever comes home. Too good for us." Ianto snorted in contempt and continued. "But always call him 'Del' – he hates that."

"Okay, so – 'Mum', 'Tad', 'Del'. Not so hard." Jack nodded in confirmation.

"The other two aren't hard either." Ianto gripped the wheel tighter. "I have two younger sisters – two years younger than me and meaner than bears."

"This sounds fun." Jack was up for a challenge. "What are their names?"

Ianto drew in a breath. "You're going to laugh, I'm warning you. So, do it now. Otherwise, the girls will think you are laughing at them and they'll spend the rest of the visit trying to get you back."

"Okay, I'm ready." Jack straightened and took his own deep breath.

Ianto stared straight ahead as he spoke. "Gwenda and Myfanwy." He chanced a look at the man in the other seat.

"No, really?" He was holding his hand to his mouth, trying to hold the laugh in. "You have a sister named Gwen?"

"That's right." Ianto was trying not to laugh at Jack trying not to laugh. "And one named Myfanwy."

At that moment, there was nothing more the men could do but burst out in laughter. Ianto was forced to pull off the road until they stopped.

"You never said anything when I named her." Jack wiped at his eyes.

"Why would I? She reminded me of my sister!" He put the car back in gear and got back on the road.

Jack ran through the family in his head. "Let me make sure I have this right." Ianto nodded, still watching the road. Jack counted on his hand as he spoke. "Tad, Mum, Del, Gwenda -"

"Gwen. Never Gwenda." Ianto corrected.

"Noted...and Myfanwy. Should I call her anything different?"

"She likes her name." Ianto thought about any other warnings he could give Jack, but only came up with one more. "Don't believe all the stories they'll try to tell you about me, even if they have pictures to back them up."

"Got ya."

"And we're here." Ianto pulled into the driveway of a house that could only be described as charming; exactly the type of home Jack had imagined he grew up in. "Didn't need those snacks after all, did you, Jack?"

Jack resisted the urge to stick his tongue out and opened the door. Before they were even out good, two blurry shapes attacked Ianto and knocked him to the ground. Jack went for the gun he usually wore before remembering he had left it back at the Hub. Looking down, he saw that Ianto had been pounced by two young women he assumed were his little sisters.

"Gwen, Myfanwy," he motioned to Jack. "This is my friend, Jack."

Both girls turned at the same time and looked at him. They looked so much like their brother that Jack gasped, giving them the chance to overwhelm him as well. As they fought roughly, employing the use of elbows, over who would be the first to hug him, he drew them both in and squeezed. Ianto grinned to the ground as they let out shocked squeals of confusion.

"Nice to meet you," Jack smiled down at them as he let them go and walked back to help Ianto up.

Ianto took the offered hand and dusted himself as Gwen and Myfanwy made their way back into the house, more than a little dazed.

"I thought you said there were no Paradox Clones." Jack whispered roughly. "You could have warned me that they were identical. To each other and you!"

"They look nothing like me." Ianto defended, his hands on his hips. "Let's just go in. We can get the bags later."

"Sounds like a plan." Jack smoothed his hands over his coat and fixed the collar, earning an eyeroll from Ianto.

"Best behaviour."

"Always."

Ianto opened the door to the wonderful smell of sweets. His mother stood by the stove wearing an apron, reading a cookbook. Jack was disappointed that she wasn't wearing heels and pearls as she did so, but hid it well.

"Ianto!" She exclaimed when she saw her youngest son and dropped everything to smash him to her in a crushing hug.

"Mam." His voice was quiet, but Jack thought he sounded as if he were on the verge of tears.

"You came." She held him at arms length before hugging him tightly to her once again. "Your father said..."

"His father said no such thing!" Ifan Jones came through the door. "The girls said you were here. And that you had someone with you."

Ianto eyed his father for a moment before going to hug him as well. Jack stood, watching, before the feeling of someone tugging him towards them. Glenda was dragging him into the same type of hug she had given her son.

"Any friend of my son's is as good as my son. Don't be shy!" She scolded Jack as she hugged him. "And you two get that stuff out of your car and into Ianto's old room. I won't have you out after dark dragging things in here."

"Yes, mam," Ianto laughed. "Heard from Del?"

"Delwyn might not make it, he's not sure." Ifan answered before his wife could.

"Oh, you know he's just saying that to get you riled up, Ifan," she admonished before turning back to Jack. "Well? Didn't you bring bags?"

"Yes...Mum." Jack looked at her, waiting for a response.

"Then go get them! We are going to hold dinner for you!" She swatted him on the butt as she pushed him and Ianto back out the door and shut it.

"She likes me," Jack was grinning from ear to ear.

"Don't get any ideas. You're too old for her." Ianto went to the back of the SUV and took out his bag, putting the two Jack brought on the gravel.

"Oh, don't get jealous." Jack tried to kiss him as he bent to pick up his luggage, but Ianto dodged him.

"Not now." He was walking back into the house before Jack could talk about it further. Jack shouldered the bags and followed.

"Show him where you'll be sleeping." Glenda said as she set the table for seven. "Then wash up and we'll eat."

"Right this way." Ianto said, grabbing Jack's wrist.

Jack let himself be led down a hall to the room Ianto had spent his childhood in. Only when he was inside and had set down his bags did he look around. On the walls were movie posters and pictures. There were a few academic trophies on a shelf along with some books, but the item that struck Jack as the funniest was the bed. Well, to be more correct, beds. Bunk beds.

"I get to be on top," Jack smirked, nudging Ianto when he didn't smile. "Come on, you know that's funny."

Ianto smiled, though he had tried not to. "You're right. Let's get washed up and downstairs before Mam has a fit." He set his own bag on the lower bunk and winked at Jack.

***

After all the dinner dishes were cleared, everyone gathered in the living room to sit in front of the fire and talk about Christmas seasons passed. There were plenty of stories of first bicycles and heads torn off dolls. Glenda had made eggnog and Ifan had added just the right amount of rum. Jack was taking it all in, watching the Jones family interact, when there was a loud noise at the door and a figure stood, smiling. From either side of Jack, the girls streaked over to the missing brother and all but bowled him over.

"Gwen! Myfanwy!" A voice similar to Ianto's called out as he got the two in brotherly headlocks and dragged them back to the couch. "Miss me?" The man looked like Ianto - if Ianto were much more confident of himself.

"You made it!" Mrs. Jones was out of her chair and around her son as he tried, helplessly, to get away.

"Good God, Glenda! Let the boy breathe!" Mr. Jones pulled him out of her grip for his own quick embrace. When he had released him, Delwyn looked over to Ianto.

"What? Nothing from you?" Del put on a pout and walked toward his little brother, arms outstretched. "Come give us hugs."

Ianto put his foot out and pushed him back. "Don't, Del." Jack saw something pass between them.

"Come on, Yan..." He threw himself on top of the man and embraced him roughly, an act which ended in a headlock as well.

Jack kept himself from launching himself at Delwyn when he got the look from Ianto, but sat at the ready. It was only a matter of time before big brother noticed the man between his sisters.

"Who's this, Yan?" Delwyn maneuvered himself back up to standing and offered a hand. "Delwyn Jones."

Jack took the offered hand and shook it. "Jack Harkness."

"Right." Del sized him up before turning back to where his parents sat. "Am I too late for the traditional game of Sardines?"

"No, we aren't playing that this year, Del. We're too old." Ianto protested, waving his hands and standing.

"What's 'Sardines'?" Jack asked Gwen.

"You never played it?" She perked up and leaned toward him.

"And he never will." Ianto said flatly. "At least not here."

"Don't be a spoilsport!" Myfanwy waved at him, turning to Jack. "It's time you played!"

Gwen explained, "It's like hide-and-seek, but there is one hider and lots of seekers."

"Sounds good so far." Jack spoke to the girls but looked at Ianto. Ianto tried to hide his blush.

"If you find the hider you have to join them in the hiding spot until there is only one seeker left and they lose," Myfanwy said.

"But how is that..." Jack frowned.

Delwyn smiled."In the end you wind up crammed in a tight spot like...wait for it...sardines!"

"Sounds good." There was that dangerous smile of Jack's. "Who is the first hider?"

"Not so fast!" Ianto waved his arms around. "We can't play this! Jack will cheat! He always cheats!"

"Ianto, I prefer to call it creative winning. Now, who is the hider?" Jack stood.

"I nominate Jack!" Gwen called out and her twin seconded. Ianto hid his face behind his hands.

"All right – all I have to do is hide, right?" He sat and began to take his shoes off.

"JACK!" Ianto flew at him. "What are you doing?"

He raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Taking off my boots. Makes it easier to fit into small spaces. Calm down."

"Right, right." Ianto ran his hand through his hair, making Jack and Delwyn chuckle.

Soon, Jack was hidden and the Jones siblings were searching the house for him. He had wedged himself under one of the girl's beds and the coverlet was hiding him nicely. He heard the footsteps coming down the hall, but none stopped. He heard them laughing as they went from room to room. He was holding in a laugh when someone lifted the coverlet and peeked in. It was Delwyn, and, without saying a word, he got on his belly and slid in beside Jack, tilting his head to face him.

"Found you," he whispered, a sly smile. "And they will eventually. Seem to think you headed outside. Good job closing that door."

"Thanks." Jack tried to turn his head, but got his hair stuck in the bed springs. "Ouch."

"Want help?" Del reached forward, but Jack ripped his own hair out in an effort to avoid him. "Okay then."

"Stop talking or they'll find us." Jack told him.

"Interesting that you don't want to be found yet."

"Yeah, well, that's the game, isn't it?"

"Got me there." Del was silent, watching Jack's face as the footsteps returned.

Jack resisted the urge to call out, wanting someone else to be there in that tiny spot with him, any one other than Delwyn Jones. As the sounds got further this time, Jack closed his eyes.

"You and Yan are cute trying to not look like a couple." Jack's eyes shot open. "No need to worry. No one else saw it. The girls are probably fighting over who's going to sit next to you at breakfast right now."

"How did you..."

"Why do you think I don't come around so often? You think I want Mum and Tad knowing my business? No way. Especially not after golden boy Ianto brought home Lisa and let them talk him into asking her to marry him." Delwyn visibly shuddered. "Never liked her..."

Jack had to agree with as much of a shrug he could make wedged under a bed with another grown man. "You aren't going to rat us out are you?"

"And risk having you tell on me?"

"Point taken."

They were laughing a few minutes later when Ianto's shoes poked under the bed and narrowly missed kicking Jack in the lip.

"Hey!" Jack yelped.

Ianto's face appeared under the coverlet and he frowned to see Delwyn already under there. "What are you doing?"

"Hiding, duh. Ianto, I thought you were smarter than that."

"Del..."

"Get under here before they find us!" Jack grabbed at him and pulled him under.

"What was going on before I got here?" Ianto sounded mad.

"I was snogging him senseless." Del answered as Jack went to open his mouth.

"Del!" Ianto turned his head and caught his hair in the springs. With a yelp, he pulled it free. "Dammit, Jack, what is going on?"

"I know a secret..." Jack sing-songed.

"Shut up! We'll be caught!" Del tried to kick Jack, but got Ianto.

"Dammit, Del!" Ianto kicked him back.

"Yan, kiss me." Jack whispered, suddenly in Yan's ear.

"Why would I do that?" Ianto thought Jack had finally lost his mind.

"If you don't, I will!" Delwyn told him with a smile.

"What have you done to my brother?" He turned back, this time not noticing the hair that was pulled out as Jack drew him into a kiss.

"He didn't do anything to me – even though I asked nicely." Del told him.

Ianto raised an eyebrow at Jack, who just smiled and nodded. "Del, why the hell didn't you say something?"

"What? And have them freak out? These are Glenda and Ifan Jones we are talking about, remember?"

"True."

"Shh..." Jack warned, but he was too late as there was a sudden weight on the bed, forcing the box springs down on the men under the bed.

"FOUND YOU!" Gwen and Myfanwy chorused in between giggles.

"Good – now we can get out!" Jack was the first to slide out, leaving the brothers alone for a moment.

Ianto looked at his big brother. "Thank God that Jones is a common name, huh?"

"Yup," Del pushed himself out and offered a hand to Ianto.

Ianto was dusting himself off when Mrs. Jones called down the hall to tell them that it was time for hot cocoa and caroling. The girls were on either side of Jack and yanking him out the door before he could stop them.

Delwyn turned to Ianto. "Promise me you won't tell."

"I won't if you won't," Ianto agreed.

"Good." They hugged. "But, Yan?"

"Yeah, Delwyn?" Ianto stepped back.

"If you get tired of Jack, give him my number?"

"You couldn't handle him..." He left his older brother standing with his mouth open.

***

"This is good." Jack complimented, looking at Mrs. Jones as he drained the mug. "Now I know where your son got his excellent coffee skills."

"Is that 'skills' with a 'z'?" Delwyn asked the room as he looked at his little brother.

"Shut up, Del." Ianto looked into his mug.

"Thank you, Jack," Glenda said, giving 'the look' to her sons. "It's a family tradition. What do you and your family usually do?"

Jack cleared his throat before answering. "I...uh...we..."

"Jack doesn't have any family, Mam." Ianto provided. "They're all gone."

Gwen and Myfanwy reached over at the same time to pat him. "Poor thing," they chorused, shooting each other eye-daggers when they realized it. Jack was amused to see how all the Jones children could speak with their eyes.

"Enough to go around girls," Jack joked as he hugged them both close.

"Well, then, Jack, consider yourself a part if ours." Glenda nodded over to her husband, who returned the nod. "Tad says so too."

"Thanks." Jack felt a lump in his throat.

"I always wanted a big brother!" Delwyn crossed the room and jumped into Jack's lap, planting kisses on his face like he was wont to do to Ianto.

"Delwyn Jones!" Glenda scolded, dragging him off Jack by the ear. "Knock it off."

Ianto chuckled behind his hand, resisting the urge to stick his tongue out.

"That's okay, Yan, you're a ghost." Del wrapped his arms around their mother like a small child, sitting on the edge of her chair as he did so.

"Mam?" Ianto pleaded. "Make Del stop." He sighed, thinking they were old enough that he wouldn't do that anymore.

"Delwyn!" Mrs Jones smacked her son on the arm. "Stop it."

"Stop what, Mam? I can't help it if Ianto is a ghost." He smiled at her.

Jack felt a shiver go through him at the thought. How many times he had almost lost him? He wanted nothing more to hug him, seeing the hurt on his face.

"But I'm not!" Ianto sounded like he was five again. "I'm not a ghost. Knock it off, Del."

"Whatever...ghost."

"Look," Ianto stood, setting his mug on the table. "I don't have to do this. Mam, I'm going to turn in early."

Del went to stand beside him. "Amazing." He acted as if he were putting his hand through him. "My arm goes right through him!" He bumped roughly into him. "Yet, I can't walk through him."

"Del!" His mother swatted at his butt with her slipper. "Leave him alone."

"But wasn't it sad about Yan? He was so young, so full of life." He addressed the room in a eulogy. "He probably never even saw what hit him." Del put on a comic sad face.

Jack let out a funny noise, causing the girls to look at him, but he waved it off as a hiccup. Under normal circumstances, this might be a funny game, one he would have played with his own little brother, but, knowing the truth, it just wasn't funny anymore.

"Leaving now." Ianto informed them, leaning to kiss his mother on the cheek. "Good night."

"Yan, don't." Gwen pleaded. "He's just doing that because he knows it bothers you."

"Mam, did you just feel a cold rush of air brush your cheek?" Del was gesturing theatrically.

"And unlike when we were kids, I can walk away. Besides, it's been a long day." Ianto walked to the hallway. "Jack, visit as long as you want, I'm out."

"Yan!" Myfanwy chased him, but not before she socked her older brother. Hard. "Ass. You didn't have to do that!"

"What? You used to think it was funny." He beamed at her.

"Yeah," Gwen answered. "When we were kids. Grow up." She stood and pulled Jack to his feet. "We have to go check on him."

"He said he was going to bed," Del pointed out. "He'll be fine. Right?"

"Del, you're a jerk." Gwen yanked Jack down the hall with her, not giving a chance to do more than shrug at Del.

"But you love me!" He shouted after them. No one turned around as they made their way to Ianto's bedroom.

Myfanwy was already there, trying to calm Ianto down. He was pacing and running his hand through his hair. "He didn't mean anything, periadd boten, he's just being Del," she sat on the bottom bunk.

"But why does he have to be Del?" Ianto slumped in front of her.

"Because he can't be you." Gwen said, coming in to hug him. "And that kills him."

"He's always hated me." Ianto put his arms around her and they began to rock together. "I don't understand what I did to him."

Jack watched, leaning a hip on the doorframe, arms crossed, not saying a word as the slow dance continued.

Myfanwy joined them, and they made room for her. "You had the nerve to be born. That was enough for Del."

"But he doesn't hate you two." Ianto mumbled, burying his face between the two of them and inhaling the combined smells of his little sisters, the smells that always reminded him of home.

"Who could?" Myfanwy joked with a smirk in Jack's direction. Jack cast his eyes downward. "Hey, do you remember the story you used to tell us when we'd have tea parties? The one about the pastry king?"

Ianto chuckled. He hadn't told that story in years. "Yes."

"Will you tell us?" Gwen asked, excitement creeping into her voice.

"Sure," Ianto nodded, releasing them. "Jack, come in and sit with them. Stop standing there like – well, a ghost - we all see you." Ianto smiled warmly as Jack sat the only place the girls would make room for him – between them.

"Everyone, close your eyes and hold out your hands." Ianto instructed, deadly serious. "I have a story to tell you. And it's all true." They did as instructed. "And, Jack Harkness, get that grin off your face..."

The girls opened their eyes briefly to see him grinning broadly, their brother doing the same. "Close them!" Ianto commanded. "Now, as you may or may not know, up above my window, in the little eave just there, there lives a miniature pastry king and his wife. If you were to look up there, all you would see is their furniture, for they are fast enough to run from most people – but not me. I can see them and have, many times. I have been invited to tea." He stopped to look at his audience. All three were suddenly serious. "His specialty is blueberry pie, but he makes all sorts of fruit tarts and pastries – any type you heart and mind could imagine, all with the flakiest crusts you could ever hope to place in your mouth. The taste lingers for days, leaving you wanting more."

Here he paused, moving to the spot he was talking about. He let out a small gasp when he saw that the doll furniture he had placed there many years ago was still there. "They're still here?" He was near tears as he ran back to the bed. "You never moved them in all this time?"

"Mam said not to disturb the Pastry King. How could we? We never saw him, but we could smell the blueberry pies," Gwen opened her eyes to tell him.

"We would come in here to sleep when you were in Uni. We never told you," Myfanwy added.

Jack had his eyes shut still, not wanting to lose the fantasy. Ianto smiled as he motioned for the girls to do the same so he could continue. "And since they still live there, I'll bet I can get some treats." He moved back to the eave and whispered before coming back to them. "Now, I got them, but they are so flaky that I need you to open your mouths so I can feed it to you. Can't have a mess." They all did what they were told and Yan fed Gwen first, who chewed dutifully.

"This is wonderful! I can taste it, just like it used to be!" Gwen looked five, and not the twenty-six years she was.

Moving on to Myfanwy, he skipped over Jack. "Myfawnwy." He watched her open her mouth before taking a hefty bite and chewing. "Yan! Yan! It's like I remember!" She was waving her hands in a flail.

"It should." He whispered. Stealing a glance at his sisters to see that they were thoroughly caught up in the game. They were still chewing when he got to Jack. "Jack," Ianto called softly, a mere few inches from his lips. The lips he hadn't had the chance to kiss since they got here.

"Yes, Yan?" He whispered.

"Here," Ianto leaned in and softly kissed his lips, but Jack had other plans. He seized the back of Ianto's head and drew him as close as he could. Ianto broke it quickly when he remembered that the twins were on either side, but they didn't seem to notice.

"Mine was the best." Jack grinned, his eyes heavy-lidded as he opened them.

Gwen looked over at him. "You're just saying that to make us jealous," she teased.

"I agree." Myfanwy picked up the pillow behind her and hit him in the face, causing him to fall back.

Ianto laughed as they pummeled Jack with pillows. It wasn't until Jack stood and grabbed the pillow off the top bunk that he stopped laughing. "No!" Ianto attempted to run, but they were on him. He was trying to fend off blows when he managed to get the pillow Jack was using. Jack quickly got a replacement, but not before Ianto got a few good shots in himself. Then, without warning, there was another player.

"I'm sorry Yan," Del called as he hit Myfanwy in the face hard enough for her head to whip back.

"Ouch, Del!" She kicked him in the shin and he dropped to the floor, catching her knee as he went.

"And?" Ianto leapt back as Myfanwy made a grab for his arm, but wasn't fast enough. He landed heavily, partially on Del.

"And you're not a ghost," he conceded as Gwen got in the mix. "Get off me, gremlin!"

Gwen frowned and bit his arm. Soon, there was nothing but a tangle of Jones siblings on the floor. Jack was getting the impression this was quite normal for them. He watched as they rolled around, laughing, wanting nothing more to join in. He didn't have long to think about it, however, as what could only be described as a wave of Jones swept over him, dragging him down. They were still scuffling when Glenda and Ifan Jones stood in the doorway, quietly holding hands.

"It's about time to get off to sleep." Ifan suggested. "We have a lot to do tomorrow, don't we, Mam?"

Glenda nodded. "We do at that, Tad. Off with you all."

"Awww, Mam." The chorus rose, and she smiled down at the five faces looking up at her with nothing but love.

"Fine. Bunk in with Delwyn, but no rough-housing."

"Yay!" The girls got to their feet and ran across the hall.

"No, wait! Don't...jump..." Del was close behind.

"What is that about?" Jack asked as he and Ianto got to their feet.

"Another tradition," Ianto explained, going to the suitcase to get pajamas. "We all like to sleep on Del's bed. It's huge – it was our Gran's."

"Ahhh...so, it's time to change for bed, huh?" Jack looked at Ianto.

"Yeah," Ianto said, glad that the day was finally over. "And you forgot to pack pajamas, didn't you?" He reached back into his own bag and brought out a pair for Jack.

"You know me too well." He took them and started to take off his shirt before Ianto stopped him. "Close the door."

"Right, forgot about the Wondertwins." He grinned and walked to the door. "How long do we have before they come looking for us?"

"Not long enough. Get changed and you'll at least get a cuddle." Ianto winked. "I'm sure Myfanwy and Gwen are dying to get their hands on you."

"They're cute kids, but they aren't the Jones I'm interested in." Jack said, moving closer to him. "I liked your story, by the way – any chance of a repeat tasting?" Ianto was moving closer, despite the fact that he had told Jack to wait.

"Maybe," Ianto whispered. "You know, I believed that for years. I'm the one who put the furniture up there." He suddenly snapped back, mindful of where he was. "Do you want to see it?"

"You'd show me?" Jack was flattered.

"Of course, Jack." His words were gentle. "I want to share it all with you."

Before he could show him the eave, the girls swept in in their pajamas. "You guys coming?"

"Sure," Ianto answered, his sisters once again pulling Jack along with them, leaving him to follow.

Once in Delwyn's room, they snuggled together in the oversized bed. Jack had to admit, this was his preferred way to fall asleep. Just as they were dozing, Jack looked over the twin laying to his left to Ianto. "Yan, what was it that Myfanwy called you earlier?"

"I called him 'periadd boten', Jack," the twin to the other side mumbled, burying herself further into his back.

"Periadd boten?" Jack mused. "That's...something to do with dumplings, right? Mellow dumpling?" Jack was confused.

"Sweet pudding, Jack," Gwen clarified, a mumble into his chest. "Our Mum has called him that forever."

"Really?" Jack reached over her to pat Ianto. "Goodnight, sweet pudding."

"Goodnight, giant jackass," Ianto said as he drifted off.

***

Jack woke up to the smell of bacon frying. His stomach demanded that he be fed that instant or there was going to be trouble. Untangling himself from the limbs of the Jones siblings was tougher than he thought. One of the twins opened one eye and peered at him as he crawled over her.

"Morning," she yawned, barely opening her eyes. "Sleep well?"

"Magnificent." He was halted in his movement by the sound of the other twin, Jack cursed himself for not being able to tell who was who.

"Jack," she whined. "Come back. You're warmer than Ianto..."

"In a bit." Jack promised and the hand fell from the back of his shirt.

Jack stumbled in a haze to the bathroom and found a male figure with his back to the door, brushing his teeth. Smiling like a wolf, Jack swooped down on his prey, seizing him by the shoulders and pushing his face into the man's neck for a love bite. "You have no idea what I am thinking right now. I just woke up between two of the most beautiful women I have ever had the pleasure to know and now I find you here? Christmas has come early for me." He breathed into the neck before him, kissing gently.

The man groaned. "That's nice, Jack."

Jack stopped, frozen with the eyes looking at him in the mirror. "You're not Yan!" He let go of Del as quickly as he could and backed away, still holding his hands in the air.

The older brother turned around. "And here I thought Christmas had come early for me. Bummer." He smirked in a way that made Jack feel not so guilty about mistaking him for the younger. They were all but identical. The voice was the give-away.

"Del?" Ianto wandered into the bathroom, rubbing his eyes and dragging his feet. "What's going on in here?"

"Nothing. Brushing our teeth." He handed Ianto a toothbrush and scooted over. "Weren't we, Jack?"

"Yeah, yeah," Jack took the toothbrush he had brought out of the case sitting on the counter. "Shove it, Del." He pushed his own way in front of the basin.

Ianto chuckled. "That's it, Jack, put him in his place." He winked at him as he tossed him the toothpaste. "But I heard you promise Gwen you'd be back in there. She's going to be angry at you."

"Gwen...right." Jack stuck the toothbrush in his mouth to keep from having to talk.

"You mean to tell me you can't tell them apart?" Ianto asked, shocked. "They're as easy to tell apart as Del and I are!"

Jack began to choke on the toothpaste and lunged for the sink. Del patted him firmly on the back, suppressing a laugh.

Ianto raised an eyebrow, but said nothing as the three of them finished up. "Time to go and pounce on the girls." Ianto grinned devilishly, dropping his toothbrush in the holder.

At that moment, Jack saw Ianto for the child he used to be. His grin was one of pure mischief and was mirrored by Delwyn. Jack felt his own face pulling into an insane grin as he remembered the pure joy of being an older brother.

"On the count of three then?" Del asked, looking over at the other two, who nodded wordlessly. "One...Two...Three!"

Three men ran out of the bathroom, pushing into one another as they tried to get through the bedroom door at the same time. They launched themselves onto the bed with the grace of jungle cats, bounding and pouncing and wrestling the sleeping girls.

"Get off me, Ianto!" Gwen squealed, grabbing a handful of hair.

"I'm over here!" Ianto called from the end of the bed where he was tickling Myfanwy's feet.

"Then knock it off, Delwyn!" She screamed, pulling the hair harder.

"I'm Jack!" The person attached to the hair corrected. "And that hurts."

"You probably like it!" Del accused, leaping on Gwen. "Now it's me!"

"Jack, help!" Myfanwy called as she tried to wriggle away from Ianto.

Jack let go of Gwen and turned to Myfanwy. Ianto was turned from her, sitting on her knees, her feet firmly in his grip. Jack bent to tickle her and set pulled him down into a kiss. Jack tore away immediately and looked down at the smiling girl. "What?" she asked innocently.

Jack could only look down at her; no one else had noticed.

"Jack, grab Gwen's feet, I have an idea!" Del instructed a perplexed Jack.

Del positioned himself over her face and arched and eyebrow. "No! Delwyn, don't!" Gwen pleaded, but it was too late, the spit line was already starting. The girl thrashed, trying to get away, but Del held her wrists pinned to the bed as the spit got closer and closer to her. Jack watched in fascination as the man sucked it back up at the last minute, just before it hit her face.

"Gross!" Gwen managed to buck her brother off and he fell back laughing. "Jack!" She dove behind him and kicked Ianto in the head as she did so.

"Dammit, Gwen!" He dropped Myfanwy's foot and grabbed his head. Jack resisted the urge to kiss it better, but caught Delwyn watching him.

"It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt, isn't it, kids?" The voice came from the doorway. Five sets of eyes turned to see Mr. Jones. "Come on, Mam wants ya downstairs. Get untangled and go eat what she spent all morning making."

"Yes, Tad," all but Jack chorused. Ianto looked sharply at Jack. "Yes, Tad," he echoed, making Del laugh.

They trooped down the hall, still rough-housing a bit and were met by Glenda at the table, clearing away her and Ifan's dishes.

"Mam?" Del reached over his mother for a bit of bacon.

"Yes?" She frowned as he put the strip in his mouth.

"You seen Tad?" He reached for another bit, but Glenda caught his hand and smacked it, causing him to drop the next piece back to the plate. He leaned with his back to the counter, arms crossed on his chest.

"Last I saw him, he was headed downstairs. Almost done with his Christmas presents, I'm betting." She smiled. "He got a new fabric in and was thrilled. I think you'll be happy."

Ianto leaned over to Jack, "Tad's a tailor. We all get new suits."

"Are you going to sit or stand around gossiping all day, Yan?" Gwen pushed past him to her usual chair.

"Sit." Ianto answered with a scowl, noticing that there was no way that he and Jack would be able to sit next to each other, his sisters had that all taken care of.

"Del, please sit and quit picking, please," Mrs. Jones pushed him into a chair. "Now, after breakfast, we are going to make cookies. Jack, since you are a guest this year, you can help me." Jack's smile filled his whole face as he turned to Ianto, who gave him a suitably impressed look. Glenda Jones didn't let just anyone in her kitchen.

"Mam, I need to talk to you," Del reached across for a piece of toast.

"What about, son?" She went to stand behind Jack, piling food on his plate as she talked. Jack cast a sideways glance at the twins, who were chuckling at their mother's behavior. "Jack, eat. There will be no picking and it's a long time to lunch."

"Yes, ma'am," he looked up at her.

She set her hands on her hips. "Mam, not ma'am. I'm not your old aunt, ya know." But she was smiling.

"It's about..." Del never got to finish as Ianto kicked him under the table. "Ouch! What was that for?"

"Boys!" She tapped Ianto on the back with the spoon she was using. "Not at the table."

"What the hell is your problem, Ianto?" Del wasn't letting it go. "You've been moody since I got here. Hell, knowing you, you got here that way..."

"Shut up, Del. You've never liked me, get over yourself." Ianto frowned at his plate and set his jaw.

"That's where you're wrong, little brother, I can remember when we were best friends." Del was being as stubborn as he was. The girls looked anxiously over at one another, ignoring the man between them.

"Yeah," Ianto snuffled. "When was that, Del?" He took a bite of bacon, but it had no taste.

"You honestly don't remember?" Del was starting to stand.

"Delwyn Robert Jones, you sit back down." Mrs. Jones warned, going to stand behind him, spoon still in hand.

"He started it." Del groused, "Let me at least defend myself."

"*I* started it? That's rich!" Ianto threw his head back in a blurted laugh. "How did I start this?"

"Do you know what it's like to have a perfect little brother? Do you, Yan?" Del had pushed his plate aside and was waving his knife around. The girls were buried in Jack's sides, his arms protectively around them, but ready at the same time to stop Ianto if he had to.

"What do you mean by that? I'm not perfect by any means."

"Yan, you got everything you ever wanted." Del threw his fork on the table as a challenge.

"Bullshit! Youwere the one on the rugby team, all the friends. I had to work for every little scrap I got." Hot tears sprang to his eyes and he was out of the chair before Jack could stop him. Instead, he held the girls tighter, not knowing what would happen next. "You always got the girl."

"Oh really?" Del was out of his chair now and they were circling each other. Mrs. Jones had retreated, knowing it was better not to get between them.

"I'm calling Tad if you two keep this up," she warned. "He'll set you right."

"Call him," Delwyn stated. "By the time he gets up here, I'll be done." He looked like a trapped wild animal, eyes darting everywhere, waiting to see what Ianto would do.

Ianto wanted nothing more to be holding his stun gun – or Weevil spray. Imagine the look on Del's face if he got a nose full of Weevil spray.

As he was thinking, it gave Del the advantage of grabbing a weapon – in this case a broom. Ianto noticed too late as the first blow hit him. He doubled over and saw that the mop was close by. He seized it as he was coming back up. "You wanna do this?" Ianto was backing him out the kitchen door and into the yard. "Let's do it!"

Glenda Jones looked down at Jack and he gently pushed the girls off him and followed them. But the girls didn't stay in the kitchen, they stood in the door, hands to mouths, watching their brother fight it out.

Even Jack was helpless as they beat each other around the yard, landing blows as they could, each with the wooden parts of their weapons. When Ianto got a particularly nasty jab in that knocked Del over and stood over him like an executioner, Jack stepped in and took the mop from him, throwing it into the yard.

"Yan, come on, you're shaking." Jack said, pulling on him.

"But I'm not done." Del shook his head as he stood, brushing himself off. "There will always be an unanswered question if I don't ask you now."

"For Pete's Sake, Del!" One of the girls called. "Let whatever it is go!"

"No, Gwen. Not this time. I have to ask."

Ianto steeled himself, shaking Jack off. "What? What is so important to you?" Ianto was panting from the effort.

"I have to know if you did it on purpose." Del wheezed out, his hands on his knees as he bent over. "Did you?"

"Do what?" He was confused now and looked down at his bare feet, his dirty pajama bottoms, as if they held the answer.

"Back when I was in Upper Sixth and you were in year 8, there was a girl. Do you remember her?" Del wore a very serious look.

"Becca Dunham?" Ianto remembered. "What about her?"

"She's getting married," Gwen supplied.

"Not helping," Jack scolded, and she bit her lip.

"Yes, Becca." Del agreed. "Why did you go out with her when you knew I loved her?"

"I didn't know." Ianto looked at Jack. After all those years, finally he had his answer.

***

"What do you mean you didn't know?" Del walked up to where Ianto stood. "How could you not know?"

"You never said anything." Ianto told him. "I doubt she even knew."

"But I did. I loved her, Yan. And she only looked at you." His voice was one of a pleading child, his eyes pitiful.

"Del, be fair. I said I didn't know." Ianto pushed Jack back a bit. He wanted Delwyn to know he could fight his own battles.

"If you had known, would you have still gone out with her?"

Ianto closed his eyes. Becca Dunham. She was his first kiss. Knowing it would kill his brother, he answered the only way he could. "No." Liar.

"Thanks, little brother." And something remarkable happened. Del hugged Ianto. Without trying to get him in a headlock, without trying to squeeze him - nothing like that. It was genuine.

"Yeah, big brother, anytime." He fought back tears. He couldn't remember ever feeling like this. He chanced a look over at his mother, who was crying, her hands on her cheeks. "Mam," he whispered to Del and they let go of one another to embrace her.

"Well," she dusted herself off after the hug and, wiping her hands on her apron, turned to everyone. "Now that that is out of the way, how about we finish breakfast and get to those cookies?"

"Good idea," Del said, slinging his arm around Ianto as they walked back into the house.

Glenda watched as Jack wordlessly picked up the mop and broom and walked in after them, placing them back in their places and taking his seat quietly. The girls were already there and chattering excitedly. Jack ate the food piled in front of him, lost in thought.

"So you say Becca is getting married?" Myfanwy chatted across Jack to her sister. "When?"

"In about two months," Gwen gossiped back. "To that icky man she met at Uni."

"Do we have to talk about this now?" Delwyn asked, shoveling food into his mouth.

"I hear she's up the duff..." Myfanwy added conspiratorially.

"Myfanwy!" Ianto yelped. "Not at the table."

"Might have been." She responded with a smirk very like the sly one that Ianto used. Jack noticed and smiled to himself.

"Young lady!" Glenda was shocked.

"Sorry, forgot myself." But Myfanwy wasn't, it was clear from the chuckle.

"But she is getting married." Ianto whispered, thinking aloud.

"Her mother must be so proud." Mrs. Jones added. "Didn't her older brother get married last year?"

"Yeah," Gwen answered. "They are expecting their first – I heard it was twins!"

"You two are such gossips," Delwyn observed, "Don't go giving Mam any ideas."

"And what is that supposed to mean, young man?" She came out of the pantry, her arms full of the ingredients for the cookies they would be making next.

"Nothing." He looked at his plate.

"What is wrong with a mother thinking about her children getting married?" She came and stood beside the table, surveying it, hands on her hips. "There are four of you and no one has managed to do that for me yet." She cast a soft eye at Ianto, who looked sad for a moment, and then it passed. "And don't think you're off the hook, Jack Harkness." She met his eyes when he looked up. "Now that you are a part of the family, I expect the same from you. Surely you have a someone special..."

Jack choked on the bite in his mouth and tried not to look at Ianto. "Yes, I do."

"Then, you bring her around. Make sure Tad and I approve." She nodded, not giving him any other choice in the matter.

Jack had to hold back a laugh as he answered her. "I'll do that, but I'm sure you'll approve just fine."

"Good boy." She patted his head. Jack held in the laugh at the horror that was spreading across Ianto's face. "Now you finish up and, after we get this kitchen clean, we'll be baking the family recipe cookies."

The only sound was one of chewing. There was no better treat than Jones Family Cookies, fresh and hot from the oven. In time, they all finished and there was a moment of cleaning off the table and washing the dishes.

"Delwyn, be a dear and get out the measuring cups. Jack, wash your hands. Gwen, Myfanwy, you can...oh, I forgot. Yan, be a darling and run next door to Mrs. Lloyd's, she said she'd let me borrow her cookie sheets."

"Sure." Ianto pulled on his jacket and walked out, still in his dirty pajamas, feeling a little left out as he heard Jack's distinctive laugh even as he was closing the door. It was a quick trip to the neighbor's house, and when she opened the door, she knew what he had come for and invited him in. He hadn't been in the house since the young couple bought it; the last time was when Old Mrs. Jones (no relation)

had needed someone to feed her cats while she was away. Now, it was a young couple with three small girls who lived there, and they all tumbled out to see the stranger who had been at the door.

"Who's that man, mummy?" The smallest one asked, her hair catching the sunlight.

"He's Mrs. Jones' son, MacKenzie," the young woman answered. "He came to get something for his mum." She handed him the cookie sheets with a smile.

"But why is he dirty?" Another child asked.

"He was probably playing outside with his brother and sisters." Mrs. Lloyd smiled at him for confirmation. "Right?"

"Uh, yeah," Ianto looked down, shuffling his feet before smiling a tight-lipped smile at the little girls. "Got to get back before they start baking the cookies without me." He waved and let himself be led to the door.

"If you need anything else, don't hesitate to ask. I'm Anna, by the way." She reached out to touch his arm, a little too familiarly.

"No, this should be fine, thanks," Ianto blushed and hurried back to his parent's house. Outside, he could hear Jack's laughter still, and paused to see if he could tell what it was about.

"Jack!" Del was calling rather loudly, and then that laugh, the one that always made Ianto weak in the knees, the one he thought only he heard. "Jack, look!"

Ianto opened the door to find Jack and Del cutting shapes in the dough as his mother pulled the first batch of cookies from the oven. "Did I miss anything?"

Jack smiled at him and held up an anatomically correct gingerbread man. Gasping, he snatched it from him and crumpled it before tossing the dough back on the counter. Delwyn and Jack collapsed into giggles on the floor, prompting the girls to turn from where they sat at the table, arranging all the things they would use to frost and decorate the finished product with.

"Jack!" Ianto scolded, pointing his finger. "Behave..."

"Relax, Ianto. We were just cutting cookies." Del defended, recovering from laughter. "Mam, tell Yan to quit being mean!"

Glenda turned to the doorway. "Thank you, son! Go and see if your sisters need any help. This batch will be cool enough to start on in a minute." She turned to Jack and Delwyn. "As for you two – if I have to break any more danglies off my little men, you are out of here. Be nice!" She waved her finger at them, prompting more laughter.

"If it's all the same, Mam, I'd like to talk to go and change." Ianto set the pans on the counter and gave her a quick kiss before going to put something else on.

In his room, he closed the door and got out a pair of jeans and a rather plain tee, knowing that his family were not used to seeing him in the usual suits he wore. Jack was fitting in rather well, though. He had thought that it was going to be hard to get his family to accept him. But this was Jack, after all.

Ianto had yet to meet a being alive that Jack Harkness couldn't charm in some capacity. No longer mad at him, the Welshman went to check on his father before going back into the kitchen.

Ianto found him, bent over the sewing machine, watching as the thread magically appeared. "Tad," he called softly, but not so softly his father didn't hear.

"Ianto." Ifan looked up. "Come, sit."

He did as he was told, not wanting to break the silence, but knowing that he would have to. "Tad, how have you been?"

"Good," he didn't look up. "And you?"

"Fair," Ianto didn't know what to say now that he had his father's attention. He wanted to tell him everything – about Torchwood and Lisa. But most of all, he wanted to tell him about Jack. "I've been good."

"He's a good guy." Ifan did look up, catching his son's eyes.

Ianto frowned, his forehead creasing. "Who is?"

"Ianto Andras Jones."

"Tad?"

Ifan Jones raised his eyebrow. "As if you don't know who I'd be talking about." Ianto was speechless. "You boys and your secrets – you think I don't know?" Ianto's mouth moved wordlessly. "Just don't tell your Mam, she really wants grandkids..." He went back to sewing.

"If you knew, why didn't you say?"

"What could I say? Don't?" He looked up again. "If there's anything I taught you boys, it's to be true to what you are at all costs."

"Yeah," Ianto agreed.

"And I know things, Ianto. I'm not blind or deaf. I listen and I ask questions from the people who know." Ifan straightened the sleeve he had finished and looked over to his son. "Think that will fit your Captain?"

"Looks about right." Ianto smiled. He wondered why his father was still working on presents. His smile turned to a frown. "How did you know Jack was a Captain? We never said."

"I know everything." Mr. Jones smiled, "You should know that by now." Ianto smiled with him. "Now get up there and help your Mam, I suspect that Jack and Delwyn are driving her crazy right about now."

"Yes, Tad." Ianto stood and watched as his father started on the other sleeve of the jacket he was making. "And thanks."

"Go on," Ifan said, closing the discussion.

Ianto waved and went back upstairs to see if he could help. Jack and Del were now at the table with Myfanwy and Gwen, decorating as Glenda put another batch of cookies in.

"Thank goodness! Ianto, be a dear and help me cut these out – those two are banned from it." She motioned to Jack and Del, who smiled and waved to Ianto in unison.

"Sure," Ianto couldn't help but notice that Jack was now covered in not only flour, but icing as well. He even had an edible ball bearing stuck to his chin. "That's my specialty – coming in for the cleanup..."

"What's that?" Glenda asked, putting cookies on the cooling rack to take over to the table.

"Nothing." Ianto picked up the knife and cut out a star.

"Hey, Yan!" Jack called, "I made you a cookie!" He was waving around a sugar-man dressed in a suit, complete with pink shirt and tie and little edible ball-bearing buttons. "He looks like you!"

Jack was so proud of himself that Ianto had to laugh. "Yes, he does. Thanks, Jack."

"Can I see?" Del asked, taking the cookie from Jack. "Not exactly. He should be shorter." Del bit the legs off with one chomp. "That's better."

Jack looked like he was going to cry.

"DEL!" Myfanwy and Gwen shrieked as they leapt on him.

Ianto shook his head. Once Del, always Del. "The thought is still there, Jack." He reassured him. "And I liked it – very much."

***

After they had helped Mrs. Jones clean the kitchen, everyone had gone to go and get dressed to go out and do last minute shopping. The girls laughed as they tried to decide what to get Jack, one of the last gifts they needed to get.

"What are you getting me then?" Jack asked as they walked down the hall.

"You'll see." Myfanwy stuck her tongue out at Jack. "Don't be so nosy."

"Quit it." Ianto said, pushing Jack into his bedroom and shutting the door.

"All you had to do was ask," Jack pressed against him as soon as the door shut. "I would have come in here without resistance..."

"Not here. Get dressed so we can get going." Ianto tossed him a change of clothes.

"Why do we have to go shopping anyway?" Jack sat hard on the bottom bunk.

"We didn't get gifts for everyone before we left. The Rift wasn't quiet enough for us to do it. Come on." He put his hands on his hips and stared at Jack, who, as yet, had still not moved. "Just get dressed."

Jack stood, trying his best not to pout, "Ianto, please, I've got all the stuff I need. The only thing I want for Christmas is to see you in my bed with a big red bow tied around your-"

"Jack! My parents are in the next room!" Ianto rushed over to put a hand over his mouth. "Get dressed so we can go out. Please."

"It's killing me, you know," Jack changed from his pajama pants into a navy pair of pants.

"You'll survive," Ianto assured him, watching as he buttoned the baby blue button up that really brought out his eyes. He stepped forward to help Jack with the suspenders he usually wore and risked giving him a small kiss, knowing Jack would want more.

"Come on, Yan..." he all but whined when Ianto pulled back.

"Be a good boy and we'll discuss." Ianto smiled.

"And how good do I have to be?" Jack was using his 'naughty captain' voice, trying to get the Welshman to play along.

"Very." Ianto said flatly. He wasn't going to let himself be sucked into a game now. They had shopping to finish. He went over the mental list he had been making since the day after last Christmas. Ianto knew what he was getting everyone, so he only had to help Jack pick things out. Originally, they had planned to gift together, but Ianto thought it was a bad idea now as it would make them look like a couple - and his Mam still didn't know. And based on what Tad had said, he shouldn't tell her anytime soon. "You ready?"

"Yes," Jack sat on the bed and pulled on his boots. "Can we at least get ice cream?"

"Jack." Ianto's hands were on his hips, but he smiled anyway. "Fine. If it gets you out of here."

"You love me." Jack smiled up at him, almost smugly.

Ianto sighed. "Despite my best efforts – yes, Jack, I love you." He was forced to smile back. "Now come on!" He pulled Jack to his feet.

They walked out to find Delwyn and the girls gathered in the driveway. Ianto shoved his hands in his pockets, unconsciously mimicking his siblings. "What's going on?"

"Mam says to take their car. I'm driving." Del twirled the keys on his finger.

"I said to let your brother drive the car!" Glenda called from the doorway, wiping her hands on the dishtowel. "Ianto, love, get the keys from him. I want my car to survive the shopping trip."

"Yes, Mam," Ianto tried to take them, but Del held them at the end of his arm. "Del, we're the same height now." Ianto neatly snatched them. "Doesn't work anymore. But nice try."

The girls giggled as Del opened the passenger door. "Shotgun!" He called, sliding in before Jack could, flashing everyone a smile that would have been downright creepy on Ianto, but somehow worked on Del.

Jack was crammed into the back with the twins, much to their delight. They talked about what they were going to be getting for their parents and what they wanted to get Jack, as if he weren't even there. And they dropped hints about what they would like. Jack noted that most of it had to do with jewelry, something he would take into consideration. By the time they got to the shopping plaza, Jack's ears were tired and his brain was full.

"We're going to split up." Ianto was fixing his gloves. "Del, you and the girls meet us back here at four. Any later and we're going to miss dinner and Mam would kill us."

"Right." Del looked at his empty wrist. "I'll set my watch then."

"Jesus, Del." Ianto sighed, taking off his own watch. "Don't lose it or sell it for scrap."

"Thanks, Tad." Del put it on and admired how it looked. "Four."

"We're not going with him," Gwen informed Ianto. "Myfanwy and I will be here at four."

"I have a watch," Myfanwy held up her wrist and smiled. "It's the one you got me last year, Yan!"

"Suck up," Del muttered as he ambled off.

"Meet back here!" Ianto called out again as they scattered. "Jesus. That must be what it's like to have kids." Ianto slumped his shoulders.

"It's worse than," Jack took his hand. Ianto tried to pull away, but Jack held it tight. "They don't want you to know what they are getting. Relax."

"You're right." Ianto leaned his head on Jack's shoulder. "Where do you want to start?"

"I was thinking – is there an antique store around here?" Jack took the opportunity to kiss Ianto on the forehead.

"Right down here. I'll show you." Ianto pulled him gently along.

"Hey, Yan, will you be upset if I ask if I can meet you somewhere in a bit?" He ran his free hand through his hair, "I want to get your gift."

Ianto was hurt for a moment. Finally, they had time to spend together. But he smiled. "Sure Jack. Two hours?" He looked for his watch, but his wrist was bare. Jack chuckled and took his off for Ianto. "But what will you use?"

"Vortex Manipulator." He pointed to the leather strap. "That's the only damn thing that still works on it."

"Then why do you wear this watch at all?" Ianto put it on his own wrist, noticing the leather strap was still warm. He had to make it tighter than Jack wore it and he laughed a bit. "Your wrist is bigger."

"Than?" He waggled his eyebrows. "Anyway, meet you in two hours." He kissed Ianto on the nose and ran before he could admonish him for it.

Ianto watched him leave and turned in the other direction, running over the list in his head once again. For Mam, a nice set of baking sheets so that she wouldn't have to borrow from the neighbor again. That woman made his seriously uncomfortable. For Tad, a nice aged scotch. He would appreciate that. The twins were simpler. Being chronic returners, Ianto would get them nice healthy gift cards. He supposed that Del had helped him with the dilemma of what to get him when he had not been wearing a watch. Nothing too fancy mind you, but a classy watch would be the perfect gift for his older brother. Better than the desk set that he had been thinking he would have to get him. Then there was Jack. Ianto had been working all year on Jack's so that was no problem. He just hoped that Jack would like it. The more he thought about it, the more he worried. He was still thinking about it when he bumped into someone.

"I'm sorry," he said, head still down. "I wasn't watching and-"

"Ianto? Ianto Jones?" The female voice that spoke sounded vaguely familiar as Ianto let his eyes drift back up.

"Oh!" He put his hand to his mouth automatically. She was the last person he expected to see today. "Becca?"

She did a bit of a small curtsy and smiled. "In the flesh. How are you?"

"Good, I guess," He frowned, not sure he was really here. "Heard you were getting married."

"Yeah." She didn't know what else to say. The silence between them was deafening.

"So-" they both started talking at once.

"You first," Ianto said, pulling off a glove to have something to worry with.

"I was just going to ask if your Mam was making those wonderful cookies this year." She watched as he twisted the glove in his hand.

"She makes them every year." Ianto was afraid that had come out snarkier than he had meant it.

"Oh." Her eyes went to watch her steps.

"Listen – do you maybe have time for coffee?"

She shook her head slowly. "I don't want to keep you from whatever it is you were doing. It was nice seeing you."

Ianto laughed. "No, no – it's nothing I can't do later."

"Okay then," She nodded with a smile this time, "I guess a cup of coffee sounds good."

They walked toward the small café, chatting.

"How's your family?" Becca asked, looking over to see if Ianto was still playing with the glove he held.

He wasn't. "Mam and Tad are doing good; still the same." He smiled at the consistency.

"And Myfanwy and Gwen? Still spying little tattletales?"

His nose wrinkled, "Oddly enough – yes." Ianto reached out to open the door for Becca.

"And Del?" Her tone changed as she looked up at Ianto.

"Del is...Del. What can I say?" Ianto pulled a chair out for her.

"Thanks," Becca looked like she was holding in a blush.

"No problem. What can I get you?" He took off his coat and put it on the back of the chair.

"Hot chocolate."

"Whipped cream?"

"Extra," she laughed as he smiled back at her.

"Right, be back." He stood in line, thinking. What kind of luck was it that he would run into the one person he had talked about from school. And Becca! She still looked like he remembered. He was holding her hot chocolate, extra whipped cream - chocolate flakes added at the request of Ianto – and his own caramel latte when he made his way back to the table. "So, I hear you're getting married..."

She took the offered drink and grinned. "Yeah, he's a good guy." The whipped cream dotted her nose as she drank. Becca quickly wiped it away. "Kyle is, that is. Kyle is a good guy." She explained herself a bit much and started to laugh.

"He has to be." Ianto said a bit too quickly.

"Do you have anyone special?" She took another sip.

Ianto thought about his words before he spoke. "There's...someone. But I don't want to jinx it by talking about it. You know how that is."

"Yeah," she laughed, throwing her head back a bit. "That first week after Kyle and I went out..."

"What the hell is going on here?" Del's voice echoed in the small room. "You planned this, didn't you?"

Ianto's face changed to a slightly green hue. He cursed under his breath before turning. "Shit, it's Del..."

Becca turned to see the man stalking toward them.

"How could you?" Del was at the table, yelling down at his brother. "I told you!"

"Del, it's okay – we ran into each other..." Ianto tried to quiet him. "In fact why don't you sit and have a coffee with us..."

"Shut up, Ianto." Del said, staring him in the eye.

"Del, calm down." Becca reached to touch his arm, but he shrugged her off.

"Butt out, Becca." But his eyes never moved from Ianto. "This isn't any business of yours."

"Excuse me?" She brushed her hair back and stood to face him, poking her finger at him. "The fact you're fighting about me makes it my business!"

His face turned hard. "Not everything is about you."

"What that is supposed to mean?" Ianto frowned up at Del.

His eyes grew to slits and he ripped the watch from his wrist to fling it at Ianto. "You know what? Forget this! I'll get a cab. See ya!" Ianto bent to pick up the watch from where it lay and Del stomped off, shouting as he went. "I wonder: does the Captain know about you lingering flame for lil Miss Dunham; or should I say future Mrs-whatever-his-name-is?"

Becca's eyes were as wide as saucers when she turned back to Ianto. "Lingering flame?"

Before Ianto had a chance to answer, he felt an arm on his shoulder. "What's Del's big damn problem?" He noticed the woman sitting across from Ianto. "Hey there." He extended his hand to Becca. "Jack Harkness. And you are..."

"Becca Dunham, Jack." Ianto answered with a sigh, trying not to look at the man that was all but sitting in his lap.

"Ahhh, the beautiful Becca Dunham." He smiled his mega-watt smile. "The one who is getting married?"

"I see the news travels fast," she laughed again, offering him her hand.

"Lucky man." Jack lightly kissed the hand she had giving him. Becca visibly blushed. "Yan, how about a coffee?" Jack pulled a chair around and sat himself down.

"Sure, Jack. I'd love one." Ianto deadpanned, standing. "Guess you want your usual then?"

"Thanks, Ianto, you're a gem."

"That's what you keep telling me..."

***

Ianto came back to the table to find Jack and Becca chatting like old friends. He set Jack's usual coffee order in front of him, a thin, strained smile on his face. It was somewhat scary to see your first girlfriend laughing with your current boyfriend.

"He was caught nicking clothes from Top Man when he was 15!" Becca giggled to Jack.

"Ianto!" Jack looked over at the man, who just shrugged it off.

"Yeah, well, I got four weeks. But not for the crime itself." He took a sip from his own drink, which was now on it's way from tepid to cold.

"Then what?" Jack propped his head on his hand, focused fully on Ianto.

The Welshman set the cup he was drinking out of down a little bit too hard. "It was for 'being lippy to the judge'..."

"You were..." Jack turned to look at Becca, "Ianto? Ianto Jones? This," he put his hand on the man's shoulder and shook him a little, "Ianto Jones? Lippy? Really?"

Becca nodded, her eyes serious. "He used to be different. Dangerous." She got a faraway look in her eyes. "Nothing like the dependable man he turned into."

Jack looked back at Ianto, suitably impressed. "Wow. I need to hear more about that Ianto."

"I really need to pick up gifts, Jack." Ianto tried to change the subject as he downed the rest of his coffee in one gulp and made a face. He hated cold coffee.

Jack picked his own up and stood, sliding the chair in. "Hey, Becca – you could come with us." He looked over at Ianto to confirm.

"I don't want to be in the way," Becca tried to say, but was cut off by Jack.

"You wouldn't be – right, Yan?" Jack's smile filled his face.

How could he say no to the smile Jack was giving him now? Cursing inwardly, he bit the inside of his cheek and nodded. "Sure – come on, Becca – the more the merrier."

"Thanks, guys!" She stood and got her coat. "Maybe you can help me pick out a gift for Kyle. He already has everything he wants – I need to find something he doesn't know he wants."

"Jack's good at that," Ianto laughed to himself. "First place I want to go is the watch shop." He shook the timepiece he was holding. "Mine seems to have stopped."

"But you have a watch on, Ianto." Becca pointed out.

"It's his backup," Jack answered quickly. "You know good old reliable Ianto..."

Ianto was going to punch Jack the first chance he got. "So, Becca, what does Kyle like?"

"Well, that's hard." She answered, walking between Jack and Ianto. "I mean, I know what he likes, but he has everything he wants..."

"Then you have to get creative." Jack stated, "Think outside the box."

"You're right!" Her face lit up. "I think I know exactly what to get him now."

"Uh, Jack, I'll just be a minute," Ianto pushed on the door to the watch shop, knowing Jack was otherwise occupied. He was immediately met by a salesman.

"Can I help you sir?" An older man stepped behind the counter from the back room. His clothing looked a bit out of date, and Ianto couldn't shake the feeling that he had seen him somewhere before.

"Yeah, uh, I have a watch that...stopped..." Ianto frowned at the man. "What?"

The old man's eyes bored into his. Ianto felt slightly hypnotized, only enhanced when the man spoke to him. "I have a watch here, and I think it needs to be looked at. Do you think you could help me?" Ianto looked at him again, not sure why the familiarity was right near the surface.

"Let's see it." He took the offered watch and looked it over. "Looks like something got shaken loose. If you want to look around for a moment, I'll see if I can fix it."

"Thank you." Ianto shook the feeling from his brain and walked around, marveling at the things that were up for sale. He was sure to find something for Del here. Even after he had acted like the Del that he had come to know so well, Ianto still wanted to get him a nice watch for Christmas. In fact, it made him want to get him a nicer one that he had originally intended in the hopes of making him feel sorry for what he had done. That's the dance Ianto was used to with his brother - the one where they fought and made up and fought and made up. He wouldn't know any other way.

Ianto was about to give up on his search when he saw it. It was simple, yet perfectly Del. The silver band was attached to a face that had both regular hands and a digital readout as well as the day counter on it. That was it - the timepiece that he would be getting Del. He waited for the old man to come back out with his own watch, and when he did, Ianto asked about Del's potential gift.

"That?" The old man pointed to the item in the case, straightening his cravat a bit as he talked.

"Yes," Ianto nodded, satisfaction in his voice. "That one right there."

"You're lucky - it's the last one like it - I just got it in last week." He smiled a painful, forced smile.

Ianto just kept from flinching. "Great. Do you have a nice box for it?"

"Of course, sir. How will you be paying today?" The man made his way around the counter again to the register.

"Credit - you take credit right?" Ianto was struck by the thought that he might not - the shop looked a bit behind the times - a little like the owner, Ianto supposed.

"Oh, of course sir, and here is the one you brought in. Just as I said - something had shaken loose in it. All fixed now."

Ianto accepted the watch and looked at it. Where there had once been condensation trapped in it from the one time - well, maybe twice - that he had forgotten and worn it in the shower, it was now clear. "What do I owe you?"

"30 pounds for the watch."

"And for fixing mine?" Ianto looked down at it before placing it in his pocket. He wasn't ready to take off the weight of Jack's right yet.

"Nothing. Consider it a gift." He placed the watch for Del into a shiny blue box and took Ianto's card from him. Nothing more was said until Ianto was leaving the shop. "Do call again," the owner said, sending chills up Ianto's spine.

Jack was leaning against the wall, casually talking to Becca when Ianto pushed the door to. "Something wrong, Yan?" Jack asked, moving his gaze.

Ianto frowned. "Can't put my finger on it." He flashed a smile at the pair. "Nevermind, not important. Where to next?"

"Well, Jack helped me decide that Kyle would like a Movie Night in. I'm going to head over to the video store and pick up a movie Jack told me about. Sounds...interesting. Shark Attack Three – heard of it?" Her cell went off, and she rummaged in her pocket for it, not finding it before it stopped ringing.

"Yes. Jack likes those kind of movies. Not sure why." Ianto smiled at the man who now wore a pronounced fake pout.

"Great! It was nice seeing you again, Ianto. And nice to meet you, Jack," she was blushing – Ianto wondered exactly what they had talked about while he was in there.

Jack gave her a warm hug and took her phone from her. "Here's our number. Call anytime."

"Careful, I might." She winked at him. Ianto was confused.

Jack grinned back. "You better. Now get going."

They watched as she walked away, Ianto noting that she was all but bouncing away. "What did you say to her?"

"Nothing; nothing at all." Jack put his arm around Ianto again. "Where are we going, Top Man?"

"I swear, Decaf is in your future..." Ianto mumbled. "Decaf for a year..." Jack put on his biggest grin, making Ianto smile. "Okay, you're forgiven, just don't bring it up around Mam and Tad."

"Fine." Jack agreed. "You get your watch fixed?" He noticed that Ianto was still wearing his.

"Nope, it was a lost cause." Ianto started walking toward a kitchen store to pick out his mother's gift, avoiding looking into Jack's eyes at all costs. Jack always could tell when he wasn't telling the truth.

"Sorry about that, Yan. I know you liked that watch." Jack's arm never left Ianto's shoulders.

"No big deal. Did you get all your shopping done?" Ianto noticed a lack of bags for the first time.

"Yeah," Jack nodded. "One of the things was to big to carry around so they're holding it all until we can pick it up."

"What is it?" Ianto half-hoped it was his gift.

"You'll see." He held up Ianto's wrist to look at the watch there. Jack's watch. "It's coming up on three. We need to shake a leg."

"Agreed. Just two stops and I'm done." Ianto yanked his arm back. "Then we can go get your stuff and meet the others."

"Good, I'm starving."

Ianto rolled his eyes. "You are such a child."

***

Next part of story - Christmas with the Jones Family.