ericadawn16 | A Grape Mistake

Title: But Time Marches On
Characters: Jack, Rhi, Iefan, Johnny, Lucia, David, Emyr, Mica, Alice Jack/Ianto Rhi/Johnny David/Emyr
Rated: PG-13 ANGST COE Spoilers MPREG
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Summary: Jack and Iefan have a little accident.
Author's Note: The Sequel to But Time Didn't Stop

Previous Chapter: Bombs Away!

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

A Grape Mistake

"Then, how do you win?" Lucia questioned with one hand playing with the lace on her baby doll.

"Make the other person blink without blinking yourself," Mica said, "you know what blinking is, right?"

In response, Lucia blinked.

"That's right...David, you want to count us down?" Mica asked and her brother came closer, kneeling by them. On one hand, Jack liked that Mica was taking an interest in his granddaughter. However, it also felt like she was up to something.

"He gets to one and we're going to start," Mica told her.

"Three, two, one, start," David said with a smile and they watched the contest. For Mica intended to win from all appearances, she went right into making silly faces until Lucia giggled and blinked.

"That's not fair; you didn't say I could do that!" Lucia complained and slung her doll in emphasis with the words.

"Oh, I didn't? Well, you can. You can cheat however you want," Mica spoke with a glow in her brown eyes.

"Okay, I wanna play again," the girl begged.

"Fine," Mica agreed and motioned for David to go again.

"Three, two, one, start," he repeated and the other adults seemed to lean in closer to the edge of their seats. First, they both made faces at the other one, but the girl got annoyed with Mica's unflinching stare.

"Blink," she said and when that didn't work, she started tickling Mica in the stomach. Mica laughed and in between the giggles, she managed to say, "You're mental."

"Pazzo!" Lucia spat and stuck out her tongue. It was a relief to see that they were both smiling. Jack was shocked at what happened next. He guessed everyone else was as well when Lucia insisted on sitting on Mica's lap. Lucia lifted her baby doll to her chest and shook her ginger locks.

"Grr," said Iefan and Jack chuckled.

"Did he just growl?" Thomas asked with confused green eyes.

"I believe he's being a werewolf," Jack spoke and raised an eyebrow at his son to make sure. Iefan growled again and nodded.

"Like Lupin?" Jack asked and hugged the toddler closer.

"Yes," Iefan said with that smile just like Ianto. Then, he tossed the sippy cup into the air. Jack caught it, but the lid popped off and grape juiced rained down on him.

"See, it is the cup's fault!" Mica exclaimed as everyone else gasped.

"Oops," Iefan said with wide blue eyes.

"I'm sorry about this," Jack told Thomas who shook his head.

"I think most of it went on your clothes," Thomas spoke and glanced at his own, "And I don't think any of mine will fit."

"I'll be fine," he insisted as he stood up and set Iefan down. Even the toddler had purple stains on his shirt and trousers.

"On second thought, I'll be in the loo," Jack continued and saw that Emyr had returned. He gathered up the plastic pieces, nappy bag and Iefan before heading to the bathroom.

"I need to find you an indestructible sippy cup...except I thought I had," Jack commented and was about to throw them into the bin when he heard Ianto's voice, 'that can be recycled!'

It had all been Jack's fault in the first place. He insisted on flying in business class because he didn't feel like hiring a special plane, but told them it was to save the planet and Ianto had insisted on turning the Hub green as much as possible. He even had special bins and a recycle system for the irrigation in the hot house. Ianto had also threatened to make furniture with the pizza boxes. Jack was relieved that it hadn't come to pass. However, Ianto would have also known exactly what to do to remove the purple spots. He put Iefan in a fresh outfit and ran the clothes under cold water. Rubbing them with shampoo didn't seem to work and he dumped them them into ziploc baggies. His own shirt smelled too much for his liking and he took it off. When he was in the middle of changing Iefan, there was a knock.

"Dad, you need any help?" Alice asked from the other side of the door. He opened it and let her in. She set down a shirt and explained, "It's one of my pairs from being pregnant with Lucia so I think it'll fit."

"Thanks, I can't get the stain out," he said as he made sure the nappy was secure.

"I'll write down some instructions, what do you normally do?" she asked, taking Iefan in her arms.

"Uh, throw them away and buy new ones," Jack admitted and she laughed.

"Sounds like you," she said, "Hi, Iefan, are you enjoying Christmas?"

"Yes," he agreed and blew her a kiss. Jack quickly tidied things up so he could take his mobile and take a photo. His children were together. He tried not to think about flying back home tomorrow and how he knew this would be a rare opportunity. Her hazel eyes narrowed at him as though studying something.

"What? What is it?" Jack asked with a worried expression and Alice laughed.

"I can see grey hairs. You actually have grey hairs," she said, a little too gleefully. After rubbing a hand through his hair, he replied, "It happens...I haven't dyed it since we left for Italy." He could still hear her light laughter as he tried on the shirt. Although it was a little tight on the arms, he could do all the buttons so it would work.

"Come on, I don't want my dinner getting cold," Alice spoke and motioned towards the hallway, "especially with Iefan yawning, we haven't even gotten to the gifts yet."

"Prezzy?" Iefan asked and they both chuckled.

"Learns fast, this one," Alice commented with a wink and led them through the house.

"All my kids do," Jack told her and nodded to her middle, "what's the due date?"

"July fourth, I know, a whole seven more months," she said and they both looked at her little bulge. She looked further along than that, but maybe it was because she was older. The dining room was upstairs along with the kitchen. Everyone else was seated.

"Lucia doesn't really need her booster chair. She's tall for her age so Iefan can borrow it tonight instead of eating off your lap," Alice explained as he spotted the three empty chairs, "You sit down and I'll get the food."

Iefan looked at the booster seat and shook his head.

"You'll be fine, I'll be right beside you," Jack told him, "and see Mica's on your other side. Now, sit down."

He was finally able to get Iefan seated and sit down himself when he noticed that his glass was fuller than before.

"I refilled everyone's glasses, but unless you have another sippy cup, Iefan will have to make do with a plastic one," Thomas spoke, standing up.

"That's fine," Jack said and moved it out of easy reach. Thomas disappeared into the kitchen. He and Alice came back with the platters and side dishes that placed around the table. They sat down at opposite ends of the table and held out their hands. It was clear that they wanted to do a blessing. Even Rhi and her family never bothered with such. However, it was his daughter's house and he'd respect it. He took one of Iefan's hands and one of Lucia's.

"Would anyone like to say the blessing?" Thomas asked and looked around. No one held up their hand or volunteered. He nodded and said, "I'll do it then."

After a moment, he continued, "O Dio,
che ci concedi ogni giorno
il pane, il vino, e l'olio
saziandoci nella tua benevolenza.
benedici questo nostro stare a mensa
e donaci la gratitudine verso di te
e verso tutta la creazione."

Alice followed him with, "O God,
every day You give us
bread, wine and oil
satisfying us with Your generosity.
Bless our being together at this table
and give us gratitude toward You
and toward all of creation."

Jack wondered if his daughter believed in what she was saying or if it was part of the role she was playing. He wished she could feel better, but if they could have another moment, he hoped he would be able to give her a little bit of peace. The food began being passed around and divvied up on the plates. He tried to find things Iefan would like. However, he ended up putting a little sample amount of everything. It was nice that they already had toddler-sized silverware because of Lucia.

"So, Lucia, what did you get for Christmas?" Jack asked, taking an extra serving of turkey.

"A Barbie, dvds and some books," she said and was going to raise the whole cut of turkey to her mouth before Alice stopped her.

What Lies Beneath