Journey: I Now Pronounce You 1/3 (including interlude)
Series: Journey
Title: I Now Pronounce You
Author: McRaider
Summary: The day has FINALLY arrived, and you are cordially invited to the Civil Partnership of Captain Jack Harkness and Ianto Jones as they devote the rest of their lives to each other. The ceremony will be performed by the Doctor himself and there will be dancing and flirting afterwards! Please RSVP!
Authors Note: teachwriteslash asked if she could take a foray into my world while I stepped into hers for the briefest of moments. So we both decided to swap smut scene. Thus she wrote the wedding night scene! All love goes to her for that lovely little ditty!
Note About Series: There are only two remaining stories in this sereis, this one, and Lean On Me which will kick off the first weekend of October. As of the moment I am not writing a final final story for it, though plans were made and the idea does exist it is not in the writing process.
For Links to previous Journey stories, click here
Chapter One
December 5th, 2010
For Ianto Jones, the prospect of December 12th, 2010 came all too quickly. Naturally, Jack had agreed to make all the basic plans, he’d secured a place, a person, the license-which took two weeks to go through, the city to agree and about half a dozen other paper work items that normally took longer than a month to get together. And the impressive part was Jack had done it all within two weeks. Ianto knew that Jack truly wanted this to happen. Ianto had the harder part, naturally they would be inviting guest to their wedding (and assuming nothing went drastically wrong) they had agreed to keep it to close family and friends, but all the same Ianto had to secure a hotel for his entire family, as well as some of Jack’s friends and others. The total guest list was around sixty-four and Ianto was at his wits end.
With the ceremony now being a little under one week away, Ianto was trying to pretend he wasn’t dreading it-he imagined this was what brides and grooms, and others felt like before the big day. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to do it, oh far from that, Ianto was thrilled that he and Jack would spend the rest of their lives together-even more thrilled that he’d gotten Jack to agree to a small group of people. But rather Ianto just wanted the fuss to be over. He’d been dating Jack for nearly three years now, he realized not much would probably change; they were already living together and had a child together, seriously how much more could it change?
Ianto’s mother and father had arrived a day prior, on Saturday. Currently they were out sightseeing old spots Ianto had lived in as a child. While Ianto finished making all the final plans needed for the following week. His brother and sisters would arrive Tuesday, including his younger sister who was finishing up a session at the Uni.
Jack had tentatively tried to give Torchwood the next week off, barring any major rift issues, which gave them all plenty of time to get whatever they needed done-plus it was a nice vacation for everyone involved; especially Toshiko Sato who had taken a particular liking to the head of the science department at Torchwood One. Ianto smiled at the fond memory of sitting in the hub late one night in November.
“I can’t believe you’re getting married in less than a month.” Tosh smiled as she sat beside him on the couch curled tight against his side. It seemed odd at first, he’d become so close to Tosh since the death of their friends and the birth of his first child. But here he was, waiting for Jack to get back with a midnight snack, and curled beside him was Toshiko Sato playing with his daughter.
“It’s been a long road, I’ll say that. What about you Tosh, marriage in your future?”
She chuckled. “You kidding, Nathaniel and I aren’t even dating yet.”
“Oi! Why not, you’re perfect for one another.”
“No, we’re far from perfect-more like you an’ Jack actually. I don’t know he’s just finished up a divorce; his daughter’s moving over here in a few months. I’d hate to cause more problems. I do like him, I really like him. But it’s been barely a month; we’re getting to know one another. Besides he’s working for Torchwood London and I’m here, how could we possibly make that work without him moving again?”
“Tosh, Jack wouldn’t stop you if you wanted to move to London because you were in love. In fact I think he’d be thrilled-he’d miss you, so would I, but you can’t stay in this rutty position forever.”
“I like this position.” She chuckled softly lying her head against his shoulder.
“Invite him to the wedding.”
“What?”
“You heard me, invite him to the wedding. Perfect chance for us to check him out, an’ it’ll give you two a chance in Cardiff. Donna is coming anyway so it’s not like he’ll have to work.”
“Isn’t that-a little forward?”
Ianto chuckled as he squeezed her close, pressing a kiss to her temple. “Probably, but sometimes men need a kick in the pants. Invite him, Tosh.”
And she had, Ianto distinctly recalled the look on her face when she walked in, telling Ianto how Nathaniel had said yes and was quite excited about the wedding. Ianto grinned, making a mental note to fill Jack in later.
Martha, on the other hand had decided the week prior was a good week to pop her big news-she was nearing three months pregnant. Jack would have to worry about getting another agent during her leave. After a long discussion he’d agreed to put people on maternity leave-himself included should it be required.
That, of course, all led to why Ianto was now standing outside the Plas, in what was proving to be the most annoying December ever as it poured around him, wet and cold rain. Because Jack was busy caring for Rosie back at the house. Ianto was forced to stand here, the SUV not far away-he would drive the Doctor, Rose and Little Jack back to the house, because the Doctor wanted to soak up the radiation while he could.
“Yan-“
“What’s up Jack?” Ianto knew something was wrong, he could sense it, the fear almost radiated off the older man.
“Well-remember how we were talking about guests to invite tomorrow?”
“Yep.” Ianto wasn’t really paying attention at this point, he’d been working overtime for Jake at the tourist office and he was beyond exhausted.
“I-I was thinking we could invite Rose.”
Ianto glanced over at his partner and smiled. “That would be great, haven’t seen her in ages.”
“And the Doctor?”
It took a moment to register before Ianto studied Jack a little harder. “You want to try and put my mother and my biological father in the same room with one another. Jack they haven’t seen each other in almost thirty years.”
“I-I know, but, well what better time for a family reunion!”
“Jack, it’s not that I don’t want the Doctor-“ Ianto felt his heart ache at the sight of Jack as the man looked at the floor, as if he’d done something wrong. It wasn’t Jack’s fault that Ianto’s life seemed to get more complicated every time the Doctor showed up. Jack wasn’t a man to usually outdone, and he certainly didn’t play submissive easily, but as Ianto looked at him he realized this was important to his partner. “Jack-“
“I-It’s just they’re the only family I have left.”
How could he say no to something like that? Ianto sighed and got off his stool, stepping forward he wrapped his arms around Jack. “No they aren’t, but we’ll invite them because they’re my family too and they belong here.”
Finally, after what seemed like hours of standing on the invisible lift, he heard the familiar whirring of the engines. Moments later he found himself being surrounded by the Tardis, the rain no longer falling on him as he now stood in the middle of the console room. Rose was to his left grinning from ear to ear, and the Doctor working the controls. When the machine materialized completely, Rose threw her arms around Ianto and hugged him tight, not minding his drenched state. “Oh look at you!” she cried. “I’ve missed you!”
“You’ve only been gone a few months.” He offered, suddenly he heard a sharp cry from the corner. There in a baby carrier lay a little infant-no more than a few weeks old. “Or have you.”
“We’ve been gone for a year your time-well actually it’s our time, your time it was a coup-“ The Doctor had been explaining before Ianto interrupted.
“You can shut up.” Ianto replied as he wandered over to the baby and grinned, obviously based on the yellow and pink pastels she was wrapped in, it was a she. “Oh she’s lovely, what’s her name?”
“Susan.” the Doctor replied as he smiled firmly at the sight of his beautiful daughter.
“IANTO!” another cry came, a moment later five and a half year old Jack threw himself at Ianto.
Chuckling, Ianto heaved his little buddy into the air, hugging him tight. “Oh, wait until Jack sees how you’ve grown! Any other surprises I need to know about before I take you back to the house?”
“Nope!” The Doctor grinned.
Shaking his head, Ianto led the way to the SUV; he strapped both Susan and Jack into the back of the car, Rose sitting between them, as he and the Doctor took the front. “Thanks again for doing the ceremony, Doctor.”
The Time Lord smiled. “It’s an honor to do it. Though, this will be the first time I’ve seen your mother in nearly thirty years, how is she?”
“She’s good. I think she’s a little nervous about seeing you as well, but don’t tell her I said that.”
“No-never.” The Doctor was still smirking as they drove towards Ianto and Jack’s house. “I suppose Sarah Jane will be here as well-wonderful all of my old companions in one spot at the same time…this can’t go well.”
“You could have said no,” Rose offered from the back, but there was no seriousness in her voice. She would have been downright angry if Ianto and Jack hadn’t invited her.
“Oi! You really think I want you upset at me because I told Ianto and Jack no-no thank you I like play time.”
“Me too!” giggled Little Jack, causing all three adults to smirk at the innocence of children.
Ianto pulled down their street, it wasn’t raining here, he had to wonder why on earth it was always raining him and the team had to stand out side for long periods of time. Pulling into the driveway, he smiled as the front door opened. Jack came out holding their now two month old daughter. Who appeared to be fussing, Ianto tried not to smirk, served Jack right for sending him out in the rain to gather the Doctor and Rose.
Stepping out of the car, Ianto offered help to Rose, but was quickly cut off when Jack deposited their daughter into his arms. “She’s been crying for the past hour.”
“Did you feed her? Change her?”
“I know how to take care of my daughter.”
“Aye, which is why she’s been crying right? Come on then Rosie girl; let’s go see what daddy’s done to you.”
“I hate you,” Jack mumbled as his daughter seemed to quiet instantly at the sound of Ianto’s voice. Jack turned when he heard Rose chuckle. Throwing his arms open he wrapped her in one of his best and warmest hugs. “Oh! How are you!?”
She smiled as she buried herself a little further in his arms for a moment; she missed the way he smelled in the mornings. He was a human furnace as well, taking away the familiar chill of the Tardis. “I’ve missed you.” She whispered looking up at him.
Jack didn’t hesitate dropping a chastising kiss against her lips. He couldn’t wait to spend a week with her by his side. His eyes went wide at the sight of the baby carrier in the SUV. “Well what have you two been up to?” He joked with a playful gleam in his eyes.
Rose shook her head as she opened the door, pulling out their newest addition. Jack accepted the baby girl into his arms and grinned as the infant cooed. “Her name is Susan.” Rose looked at the baby in his arms and smiled. “Say hi, Sue.”
The baby cooed again, Jack chuckled and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Congratulations, she’s beautiful.”
“Probably as rotten as her brother,” Rose replied as they made their way towards the front door, Jack’s arm wrapped around her shoulders as he stared down at the baby. The Doctor and Little Jack already inside. “Seriously, I caught Little Jack trying to stick a sonic screwdriver in his mouth yesterday. I could have lived without that weird fetish.” She joked.
“He is quirky.” Jack chuckled as he closed the door behind them. “Rose Tyler, welcome to our home.”
Rose smirked as she looked around; obviously it had bits of Jack and Ianto in it, decorated elegantly and kept clean, despite the mass of toys over in the corner for Rosie to play with. “It’s beautiful. Jack I’m so glad you’re happy.”
Jack glanced down at her, pulling her in for another kiss to the top of her head. “So happy you couldn’t even begin to imagine. But I could stand to see you a little more often. Don’t let him drag you all over the place without coming home once in awhile.”
“You sound like mum,” Rose replied smirking, she missed her mother, more than she imagined, but she’d made her decision, the Doctor was forever.
“How are you Rose? Really?”
“Really?” She gave him a very serious look. “I’m okay, I miss my parents, and I miss the other universe more than I thought I would. But I’m good. Even better seeing you now. So what’s the plan for the week!?” She changed the subject as she glanced over at Ianto who’d set his daughter down.
Ianto chuckled as he pulled her into his arms. Hugging her tight for a minute he looked down at her. While the Doctor may have been his da’, Ianto didn’t have that sort of relationship with the Doctor, rather he saw Rose very much as a sister who he positively adored. The Doctor was simply her boyfriend. Truthfully, Ianto had taken to Rose quicker and more than he had the Doctor, who had called his lover wrong. He didn’t blame the Doctor, but he certainly had his moments where he’d rather not be around the man. “Well, mum, da’, an’ all of us are going out for dinner tonight, I’ve got a friend with a teenage daughter who’s offered to babysit, so she’ll get the kids and we’ll go out and have ourselves a good time. Then Tuesday the rest of my family gets in, so Jack and I will be going out that night with the family and children, you’re welcome to come. Then Friday night, Jack and I are hosting a party here for everyone who’s invited to the party. The ceremony is at 11 in the morning on Sunday, to which we’ve been told we aren’t actually allowed to arrive until 11, I’m sure Tosh will tell you about that tonight. Then we’ll have a brunch afterwards and celebrate. Then Jack’s arranged it so that we’re spending a week in Switzerland-my parents bought us tickets a year ago. And then the Doctor offered to stop by and take us anywhere for another week.”
“That’s great! I’m so excited for you two.”
Ianto smiled as he pulled her close again, Jack was right, Rose was just as bright as the center of the sun at times. Ianto could see what Jack had loved her so deeply. Pressing a kiss to the top of Rose’s head he smiled again. “Let’s get you all settled in, dinners at six.”
o0o
By the time five rolled around Jack was nearly bouncing off every wall-Ianto had somehow managed to get him showered and dressed in a nice stripped dress shirt and a suit jacket, along with Ianto’s favorite pair of jeans. Ianto was wearing something similar. Tosh and Nathaniel arrived, with Danielle-Nathaniel’s thirteen year old daughter-in tow. After a few minutes of introductions, the adults left Dani behind with two infants and a five year old, promising to be back before one in the morning.
It was a thirty minute drive to the restaurant, they’d picked a slightly upscale restaurant, nothing extreme, but they wanted to look nice there. Ianto drove-saying that he preferred to see his parents alive rather than dead. Jack just shot him a brief glare before they led the way, with Tosh and Nathaniel driving in the back. They arrived at the place ten minutes before their reservation. Ianto pulled into the parking spot beside his parents, and didn’t hesitate to throw the car door open and greet both his parents and to his surprise Livi, with giant hugs. He was very close to his parents and hadn’t realized how much he’d missed them through all that had happened in the past several months.
Margaret Jones missed her son, and while she knew he was busy saving the world, it didn’t matter to her. She was never comforted until she had him nearby to grab tight for a moment. She held tight to her son for a long moment, enjoying the feel of having him so close. When she stepped away her blue eyes met Jack’s. “Come here you!” She demanded playfully.
Jack had grabbed onto Maggie Jones as a mother figure, like a starving child grabbing for food. Whenever she spoke to Ianto, she made sure to speak with Jack. Jack realized it was probably childish, he was easily older than the woman, and most likely shouldn’t need to cling to someone as a mother figure. But he’d found a solace in her similar to the one he’d found in her son. He held her tight, arms wrapped around one another and he drank in the obvious love she was willingly giving to him.
He stepped back finally and she smiled up at him. “How are you, Jack?”
“Wonderful. Maggie, Gareth I’d like you to meet my family, this is Doctor John Smith, his companion Rose Tyler, Toshiko Sato and Dr. Nathaniel Carter. Everyone, this is Ianto’s mother Maggie, father Gareth and little brat sister Livi.” He got punched playfully for the last comment before he pulled his soon to be sister-in-law into a tight hug.
They were seated for dinner on time, once they’d ordered their drinks the group set about talking about final plans. The Doctor explained he’d be performing the ceremony, per request of Jack and Ianto. Jack and Ianto were both pleased to see their friends and family getting along so well.
“You know, until today this just seemed like a nuisance.” Ianto whispered halfway through their main course.
Jack glanced over, his hand in Ianto’s for the past hour. Squeezing his partner’s hand he nodded. “I know, I hadn’t been telling you because I didn’t want to hurt your feelings. But now-it feels special.”
“It is special.” Ianto replied as he smiled at Jack. Ianto and Jack were both highly pleased by how the Doctor and Maggie appeared to be getting along, and Ianto could easily tell that Maggie adored Rose the same way everyone did. Maggie appeared to be quite taken by Tosh as well. Ianto spent the majority of the evening blushing as his parents decided to share all the embarrassing stories of Ianto as a little boy, even Jack chimed in periodically and told stories about his own childhood, making sure to choose the happier ones that left everyone in stitches.
Rose watched with a bittersweet smile on her face, Jack was never this open-now that he had Ianto it seemed like he was so much more willing to share his stories. She grinned, she’d known Ianto was good for Jack the minute she’d met Ianto as Jack’s partner. But this was far beyond what she’d expected. Jack was happy, the way he’d been happy when they’d traveled together, perhaps even happier.
The Doctor caught Rose’s gaze and smiled as he wrapped an arm around his lover. “You all right?”
She grinned, as Jack let out a contagious giggle at a story about Ianto dressing in drag to win some contest at age nine. “Have you ever seen him this happy?”
The Doctor smiled softly as he watched Jack and Ianto playfully smack one another. “No, not for a long time.” As he watched his former companion, gently gripping Ianto’s hand, the Doctor noticed something he hadn’t earlier-he wasn’t good for Jack. He’d caused the Captain a world of pain, and it would appear as though Ianto had been the only thing keeping Jack grounded after all he’d been forced to suffer through. He’d caused the lines in Jack’s face; he’d caused the anguish that had defined Jack for over one-hundred and fifty years. It was all his fault. Looking down at his plate the Doctor sighed softly, aware that Rose’s hand had slipped into his. He gave it a gentle squeeze. He owed Jack so much more than he could ever give him.
o0o
It was during dessert that Ianto and Jack were chatting with Gareth about something to do with their honeymoon; Maggie decided to take her opportunity to speak with the Doctor and Rose. “You’ve changed a bit,” She joked playfully before she looked at Rose. “I’ve heard all about you Rose.”
Rose smiled warmly as she smiled at the woman. “I’ve heard quite a bit about you as well. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”
“Maggie-I’m so sorry.” The Doctor whispered, realizing he was causing everyone a world of pain.
“What on earth are you sorry for?” She studied him, smiling softly as she gripped his hand. “For leaving? That’s all right, I found someone better. For giving me a son? Don’t ever be sorry for that. Ianto has been the light of my life for nearly thirty years and I couldn’t be more proud of him. No, my time with you, Doctor, was worth every moment. You taught me so much and gave me the world. But all good things come to an end.”
Rose smiled softly listening to the woman; she could understand where Maggie was coming from. She’d been in a similar situation with Little Jack. This woman had learned how to thrive without the Doctor; Rose had no doubt that if she hadn’t found him again, she would have as well.
“Gareth seems nice.”
She glanced over at her husband, he was giving Ianto and Jack tips on backing their bags for their trip to Switzerland. “He’s wonderful. I’m not quite sure what I would do without him some days.”
“I’m glad you’re happy.”
“I won’t lie, I’ve missed you.”
Rose took her opportunity. “If you ever want to come and travel, just give us a call. Ianto has the number. We’d be honored to take you back up there.”
Maggie grinned. “I might have to take you up on that, but not for quite some time.”
“Mags, do you know if the slopes we bought them tickets for has a beginner’s trail-apparently Jack’s never been skiing.” Gareth laughed.
“It’s on my to-do list,” Jack replied smirking.
“Aye, along with half a dozen other things and people,” muttered Ianto with his own playful smirk.
To Be Continued