ericadawn16 | Family Tree

Title: But Time Marches On
Characters: Alice, Iefan, Rhi, Johnny, Gwen, Bernie, Jack, Mica Jack/Ianto
Rated: PG-13 ANGST COE Spoilers MPREG
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Summary: An old friend is found.
Author's Note: The Sequel to But Time Didn't Stop

Previous Chapter: Wed Fish, Boo Fish

Masterlist: http://ericadawn16.livejournal.com/113396.html

Family Tree

With a squeal, Iefan ran for the steps that were short enough to accomodate him.

"He's probably not ready for a lot of running around yet," Alice spoke as he slowed down to a stroll.

"Yeah, we'll watch him. I don't want him making himself sick again," Jack said and seemed like he was about to add something, but he didn't. Then, Lula pawed at the kitchen door so her dad let her out. She ran around the playground before barking and whimpering at Iefan.

"Lula!" Iefan cried and hugged her.

"You had one of these for Steven, didn't you?" Jack asked as though he couldn't actually remember. She nodded.

"Still there, with everything else, I can't bear to go back there and look at everything," she whispered and rubbed her belly. Her youngest daughter kicked inside although she frowned at how short the shirt was on her. It should have been fine, but she was gaining more weight with this pregnancy: stress probably. She'd noticed this for at least a week now.

"I haven't even gone shopping for new clothes or any of the baby things, it's just..." her voice failed her for a moment, "it's just hard."

Alice hadn't noticed Jack crossing the distance between them until his arms were around her. She was glad he didn't try to apologize again. Iefan's pet was still bounding around and shaking her tail. However, Iefan was yawning.

"Maybe you and Iefan should go rest," he suggested.

"Yeah, good idea," she agreed and he went over to Iefan. Then, a neighbor turned their stereo loud and he started moving to the beat. He was just adorable. Her dad met her eyes and they both smiled.

*********************************************************

Johnny waited in the car as Rhi walked up to the house. She couldn't remember whether she had ever seen it while her brother was alive. One thing she knew for sure was that Ianto had never invited her over once Jack moved in. Since she was expected, the doors were open and she walked in. Alice was sitting on the couch with her handbag.

"Are you sure about this? We could postpone," she suggested with nervousness.

"No, Jack promised his credit card, I think we should take full advantage of that," Rhi said and readjusted the floppy hat she'd borrowed from Mica. Hopefully, they wouldn't run into anyone she knew. Jack seemed to take it better than she thought he might when he saw her bald.

"Besides, I'm tired of being in hospital or my house, let's go somewhere," she said and motioned to the door.

"Fine, bye dad, bye Iefan," Alice said and got to her feet.

"Bye sissy!" Iefan yelled and Rhi hadn't remembered the toddler saying that before. It was cute. Then, her gaze went to the two framed photos of Ianto. She waved goodbye to Jack and leaned towards Alice.

"It's been a bit since I really talked to him. Has he met anyone?" she asked and hoped the answer would be yes.

"Jack? No, not that he'd ever talk about his conquests before, but...it'd be hard to hide when I was in the same house," Alice replied with a hand over her belly. She'd been three months at Christmas so she'd be six months gone now. Clothes shopping might be more of a challenge than she thought.

"He's more than proved how much he loved my brother, but I'm sure Ianto would have wanted him to be happy and I know he is with Iefan...and with you, but it's not quite the same..." Rhi said.

"No, and especially with what happened at work..."

"What happened at work?" Rhi asked with all sorts of possibilities going through her head. When had she last talked with Gwen? Was she dead? Was someone else dead?

"He's suspended, came into work drunk. They're making him talk to a shrink and everything," Alice said and Jack hadn't mentioned any of it to her. It had to be because of the cancer as though she was that delicate.

"Probably for the best," she uttered as Johnny opened the doors.

"The sooner I get you to St. David's, the sooner I can drive back," Johnny spoke and she wasn't surprised that he didn't want to stick around.

***************************************************************

"Shit," Gwen spat as she dropped the sample. She expected it to shatter before remembering that Selene had changed all the tubes to plastic. Then, Bernie came running up to her.

"Dinosaur! Real-life dinosaur on Youtube! Only three seconds but you can spot it taking a sheep and flying away!" he exclaimed and shoved his mobile at her. She already had an idea in her head, but the grainy footage confirmed it.

"You're smiling," Bernie noticed in shock, "So, Lois and me? We can go?"

Gwen looked up towards the roof as if she expected to see her flying there.

"No," she said and shook her head.

"No? No? But it's a Pterodactyl or Pterandon or something!" Bernie complained, "It's a fucking dinosaur, probably from the Rift. Isn't this what we do? What if it starts on humans next?" It was and yet...

Jack wasn't even on active duty. It wouldn't be right.

"No, she wouldn't..."

"She?" Bernie asked, "You're on a first name basis?"

"Myfanwy. Her name is Myfanwy. Ianto named her," Gwen explained and saw Selene stop what she was doing, "We'll just keep an eye on her for the time being."

"But...but...if it's been loose for nine years already, how do we know when we'll have another chance?" Bernie questioned and folded his arms.

"Let her be free then," she replied and went up to her office before Selene could follow. Part of her was happy about Myfanwy being alive after all this time, but then, part of her couldn't help thinking about everyone who wasn't.

***************************************************************

"Who's that?" Jack asked and pointed to the photo in the baby book.

"Sissy," Iefan said and squeezed Faba since he'd been without it for over a day.

"And that?" he questioned of another photo from Christmas.

"Luce," he said and frowned. Still, Jack had an idea that wouldn't go away. It could wait though. He picked up his son and walked over to the wall.

"And who's that?" he asked and watched for Iefan's response.

"Daddy," he said in a timid tone.

"That's right, that's your daddy," Jack confirmed and kissed his head, "and someday we'll be together again." He missed his voice, his touch, his...everything. Then, Alice walked in with a huge bag in each hand. She sank down onto the couch and dropped them on the floor.

"Shopping is exhausting," she complained, "especially with Rhi."

"But she was in good spirits, right? Not too tired?" Jack asked and set Iefan down on the couch as well.

"No, she was smiling and seemed..." Alice started before her daughter seemed to realise the truth, "Johnny's having a surprise birthday party for her! You used me to get her out of the house!"

"And it worked out great. You got your shopping down. She got out of the house," Jack said, "and I thought you might like some female company after being around me and Iefan all the time."

He knew he had made some good points by how silent she was after that.

"Fine, are you expecting me to watch Iefan?" she asked a minute or so later.

"Not expecting, I was going to ask," Jack explained, "Rhi doesn't want Iefan noticing how sick she is especially the baldness."

"Modi?" Iefan asked and Jack was tempted to bring him anyway. He hoped Rhi came to her senses soon. She had seemed so much better.

"No, you saw her earlier," he spoke although that was less than a minute, "but she loves you very much."

Alice held up her arm and Iefan went over to her so she could put her arm around him.

"Have a good time, dad," she said and he nodded.

"I'll be back in an hour or two," he told her and got his coat.

"No!" Iefan screamed, "No!"
He hated that sound. It wrenched his heart so he knelt down in front of his children.

"I'll be back. Don't I always come back? I promise I will always come back. I love you," he said and glanced from Iefan to Alice. He really didn't tell her enough. Lula came over and put her front paws on him. He felt drool fall onto his trousers. Iefan whimpered and burrowed against Alice.

"He's probably still a little sick, that's all," she said and Jack decided to come back as soon as possible.

***************************************************

Mica crouched beside Gwen and her family. Her mum was due to come home any time now. Then, they heard her father's car and the sound of car doors slamming.

"Happy Birthday!" they yelled as soon as the door in front of them was opened. Her mum looked a little mad and she saw her mouth the words, I hate you.
Her father just smirked and hugged her.

Time Out