Fic: Stop All the Clocks- Part 6
Title: Stop All the Clocks (6/6 + Epilogue)
Author: GeekSlave
Prompt: Four Weddings and a Funeral
Word Count: ~35,000
Rating: R
Warnings: Language, cheating, character death
Spoilers: For Torchwood series 1 & 2 and Doctor Who series 5 &6
Summary: When bachelor Ianto Jones attends a friend’s wedding, he unexpectedly meets the potential man of his dreams.
Characters/Pairings: Ianto Jones/Jack Harkness, River Song/The Doctor, Rory Williams/Amy Pond, Toshiko Sato/Owen Harper, Toshiko Sato/Tommy Brockless, Jack Harkness/John Hart, Ianto Jones/Gwen Cooper, Rhiannon Jones/Johnny Davies, Rose Tyler/Mickey Smith, Andy Davidson, Wilfred Mott, Estelle Cole, Donna Noble, Rhys Williams, Suzie Costello, Martha Jones, Lisa Hallet
Disclaimer: The characters of Torchwood and Doctor Who belong to the BBC. The characters and screenplay for Four Weddings and a Funeral belong to 20th Century Fox, MGM, and Richard Curtis
Author’s Notes: Written for the reel_Torchwood challenge, round 4. Huge thank you to my betas, janiemc, for making sure my grammar was gooder and for britpicking, and jolinarjackson for support and advice giving. This is my first attempt at any kind of challenge or Jack/Ianto fanfic. Any comments-complimentary or constructive- will be much appreciated. Title taken from line in WH Auden poem Funeral Blues used in the movie.
Part 1| Part 2| Part 3| Part 4| Part 5
Part 6
Ten Months Later
Ianto smiled in his sleep. For months now he’d been having the same erotic dream. Jack, wearing nothing but his waistcoat, was straddling Ianto and laying soft, wet kisses over his face. As he traveled down his chest, Ianto laughed as he kissed a particularly ticklish spot on his ribs. Jack traveled further down, achingly slowly, and Ianto started to writhe and moan. Jack was just about to lick the head of his cock when…
Briiiiiiing. His stupid alarm started blaring. Without opening his eye, Ianto rolled over and turned it off. But before he could get back to his delicious dream, another alarm started screeching. Ianto opened his eyes in confusion. “Mm?” When a third and fourth alarm joined the chorus, he shot up in bed. “Mmm? Ahh! What the fuck is going on?” He glanced wildly about the room. There were more than a half dozen alarms of various shapes and sizes all around his desk and bedside dresser.
Rory got up next to him and turned off the alarm by his side. “I thought we’d better make absolutely sure we weren’t late.” Rory snickered when he looked at Ianto. Ianto hair was sticking up all over the place. “Excellent wedding hairstyle.”
Ianto rubbed his eyes, full awake now. “That’s right, it’s my wedding day,” he thought.
As Ianto walked to his kitchen, he had to admit that he felt very calm and relaxed. It took him a long time to be comfortable with his decision to get married, but he was relatively happy and he felt that it was about time he took this step. He made some coffee. As he was waiting for the coffee, he heard someone come in behind him. He turned and smiled at Owen. “Owen…the best-looking best man in the world.” Owen stiffened a little when Ianto hugged him. “Thank you for doing this today.”
Owen pulled back and nodded. “No problem, mate. If I were you I’d comb my hair, unless you wait the bride pulling a runner as soon as she sees you.” Ianto laughed. “I’m sorry we’re so late. The others are just parking the car. I thought we’d all go with, Rory.”
Ianto looked at him quizzically. “Late? So late?”
“Yeah. It’s 9:45.”
“9:45?”
“Yep. Forty-five minutes till ‘I do.” Owen said breezily.
Ianto cringed, slamming his coffee cup down. “Oh, bloody Rory! I told him to set the alarm for eight! Fuck it! Fuck!” He raced out of the room, passing a yawning Amy.
Amy grabbed herself some coffee.
Owen raised an eyebrow as he looked at her. She was still in her night shirt and hadn’t combed her hair. “Amy.”
Amy took off the sunglasses she was wearing. “Oh, hi!”
“You ready?”
Amy nodded. “Absolutely. Give me 20 seconds.”
Rory walked into the kitchen, smiling dopily when he saw Amy. “Hi.” He gave her a quick kiss on the lips.
“Hey, stupid face.” She smiled, kissing him again.
“Ah, young love.” Owen said. “I can see why you’re head over heels for this one, Rory.”
“Shut up, Owen.” Amy said, hitting Owen in the stomach as she passed by him.
*****At Ianto’s insistence, Rory raced through the streets as fast as he could. The truck came to a screeching halt in front of the church. Ianto sprinted out before the car even came to a full stop. He buttoned his collar and looked back at the others. “Time.”
“Honestly?” Owen asked, already beginning to grin broadly. The others were having a tough time keeping a straight face as well.
Annoyed, Ianto screeched, “Yes! Time!”
“It’s about ten to nine.” Owen answered.
Ianto rushed off as the others dissolved into a fit of giggles. Amy squeezed in front of Owen, and had her camera at the ready. Ianto stopped suddenly and Amy started taking pictures. Everyone’s laughter grew louder. Ianto turned back and slowly walked towards the car. He leaned into the window. “Bastards.” Everyone snorted with laughter.
They walked to the back of the church and sat down at an old bench. Amy started taking more pictures. They were all enjoying themselves as they ate scones and drank coffee. “This is splendid tuck.” Rory said with his mouthful. Amy laughed and took a picture of him.
“Yes, I think I might say a little word.” Owen announced. “I’ve been a somewhat unwitting observer of Ianto’s love life for many years now. But recently I’d started to…” He paused for a moment. “…Despair and fear that really he was married to us lot, apart from the fact we won’t have his babies.”
Everyone snickered. “Oh, I don’t know about that.” Rory joked. Ianto looked back at him, shaking his head fondly.
“But it’s all turned out splendidly.” Owen continued. “The girl is sadly crazy, but perhaps that’s why he loves her. So I’d like to propose a toast to Ianto and his beautiful girl on this tragic day. So, be happy and don’t forget us.”
“Thank you,” Ianto said sincerely.
Owen raised his cup. “To Ianto and Duckface.” The others repeat after him, “To Ianto and Duckface!” Ianto chortled at Owen’s last addition.
*****Meanwhile, Gwen was getting ready in her hotel room. Her mother was hovering around her and her little cousins were bouncing around the room. Gwen noticed none of that. She stared into the mirror and couldn’t believe that this day had finally come. She had just broken up with her boyfriend Adam, when she saw Ianto at yet another wedding. She couldn’t believe it when he talked to her and actually flirted with her. He wasn’t even behaving the way he was when they had first started going out. He was really interested this time. She wasn’t going to get her hopes again, waiting for a proposal. But to her shock, sixth months after they rekindled their relationship, he proposed. It wasn’t the proposal she’d always dreamed of. He did it while they were brushing their teeth.
“Do you want to get married?” Ianto had said with a mouthful of toothpaste.
Gwen whipped her head around in shock. “What?”
“Right, sorry,” Ianto spit out the toothpaste and rinsed his mouth. “I think we should get married.” Gwen’s eyes were as big as saucers. Her mouth dropped, when he got down on one knee. “Will you marry me?” She had tackled him to the ground before he had even finished the sentence.
She had spent the last four months, completely absorbed in wedding planning. There was no real rush, but in the back of her mind Gwen feared that Ianto had doubts. She could see it in his eyes. She wasn’t taking any chances and organized her long planned dream wedding as fast as she could. Gwen finally shook herself from her thoughts as her mouth approached with the wreath she would wear under her veil. Her mother placed the crown of flowers atop Gwen’s head. Gwen’s eyes flicked up towards her mother. “What do you think?”
“You look divine,” Mary nearly squealed.
Gwen smiled, muttering to herself. “It does work, doesn’t it? Yes.” Her mother fussed with the wreath, while Gwen’s hair stylist made last minute adjustments. When the woman crowded her for too long, Gwen pushed her hand away. She was making her nervous, and she had more than enough jitters already.
*****Ianto and his friends were still gathered at the back of the church still laughing and smiling over Owen’s toast. “Now while I’d like to thank Owen for those charming words about my future wife, uh, I’d like to take this opportunity, before the day starts, to read a little message from her to you all.” He pulled a piece of paper out of his pants pocket.
“Oh, this is exciting,” Rory said.
“She says ‘Any of you come near the house, I’ll set the dogs on you.’” Rory laughed loudly. Ianto put the note back in his pocket. “So I think that’s rather… that’s a nice touch.”
“Sweet! Sweet!” Owen commented.
“’Set the dogs on you’!” Rory repeated, still tittering.
*****Everyone made their way to the front of the church a few minutes later. Rhys Williams, was one of the first guests to arrive, and was standing outside the church. Owen walked over to him. “Rhys, good to see you.”
“Oh, yes.” Rhys said brightly. “Rory!” He shook Rory’s hand as he walked past.
“Hello, Rhys,” Ianto said as he approached them.
“Hope it’s not awkward having an ex-boyfriend of the bride’s here.” Rhys said, turning to look at Ianto.
Ianto shrugged. “It’s fine. You and Gwen are friends. Besides, you’re happily married right.”
“No.” Rhys said his eyes downcast.
“Oh,” Ianto said awkwardly. “Um…hope it wasn’t, uh, something I said.” Ianto said remembering his slip at Rhiannon’s wedding.
Rhys waved his hand. “No worries. Not your fault. I was looking forward to having some fun at your stag party.” He turned to Owen. “Bit of a poor show not having a stag night.”
“Oh, we did! We did!” Ianto said cheerfully, then noticing Owen’s slight shake of his head, realized his mistake. “We did- we did- we didn’t think it was a very good idea in this day and age. So…”
Rhys looked between the two in surprise. ‘Really? Oh!” Owen and Ianto walked off, while Rhys seemed to still be pondering what Ianto had said.
Ianto walked into the church and slowly looked around the flowers. Gwen had decided to go for a yellow theme. All the flowers in the church were yellow. Ianto had a yellow rose as a boutonniere and his waistcoat was a golden yellow. River walked up behind him, smiling happily. “Mel, you do look lovely today.”
“Yes, as you can see I’ve abandoned my traditional black.” She said gesturing to her clothes. She was wearing a tan hat, blue button up silk shirt, with a vibrantly multi-colored jacket.
Ianto chuckled softly. “Yes, so you have.”
“From now on, I shall be all the colors of the rainbow and move on with my life and stop being the grieving widow.”
Ianto looked at her worriedly. “Are you sure?”
River nodded strongly. “I miss him every day but…it’s time. I know it’s what he would have wanted.”
Ianto wrapped an arm around her and pulled her into a tight embrace, kissing her cheek. She pulled back and grinned at him. Then she winced slightly. ‘Ok…Look.” She reached over and rubbed at his cheek.
“What?” Ianto asked, touching his cheek as well.
“Lipstick everywhere. That won’t do at all, will it?”
*****Later, as Owen, Amy, and Rory greeted guests at the door, Ianto stood at the altar and paced nervously. Many people, including the vicar came to tell him “congratulations” and “good luck.” He tried sitting, but he found himself fidgeting in his seat and wringing his hands. He did put on a happy smile when Rhiannon and Johnny came over with their twins, Mica and David.
Owen was inside now, directing people to their seats. “Bride or groom?” Wilfred Mott stared at Owen, looking confused. He looked wildly around behind him. Owen wasn’t sure if the older man had heard him. He was getting on in years and everyone knew he was just a touch senile. “Bride or groom?”
Wilfred’s eyebrows shot up and he leaned into Owen angrily. “It should be perfectly obvious I’m neither. Great God!” he exclaimed as he walked away.
Owen just shook his head. Tosh walked up behind him and put her hand on his shoulder. “What did he say to you? At one wedding, he came up to me and put his hand on my bum thinking I was someone girlfriend of his when he was at University.” Tosh smiled.
Owen grinned. “Thankfully, he kept his hands to himself.” He gazed at her. She always looked beautiful dressed up, but for some reason he thought she looked especially beautiful today. Her hair was done up in neat French twist and she was wearing a blue wraparound dress that accentuated every curve. “You look beautiful.”
She smiled shyly. “Thanks.”
Owen cleared his throat. “Where’s Tommy?”
Tosh frowned and let out a sigh. “He’s not coming. We…we broke up.”
Owen goggled at her. “What? When?”
“A couple of months now. I didn’t want to tell anyone. Everyone thought we were going to get married. I thought we were.”
Owen nodded slowly. “Then what happened?”
Tosh shrugged sadly. “Tommy was perfect and so good to me and I loved him. He’s what I thought I always wanted. But there was something missing. What we had was good. But it just wasn’t good enough. I didn’t want to settle anymore. I want something more. What that is I don’t know yet. But I think I’ll know it when I find it. Please, don’t tell Ianto. I want to wait to tell him. I don’t want him thinking he needs to take care of me on his wedding day.” Owen nodded. She walked off and Owen stared after her. He barely noticed the next few guests who walked by. He was finally shaken from his thoughts when Mickey grabbed his hand.
“Hello, Owen.”
Ianto walked over and Mickey turned his attention to him. “Hello, Ianto.” He shook Ianto’s hand.
“Mickey. How are you?”
“Exhausted, actually.” He said with a devilish grin.
Rose smacked him on the arm lightly. “Oh, bunny!” She kissed Ianto’s cheek. “Ianto.”
“Hello, Rose,” Ianto replied. Rose pulled Mickey along into the church. Ianto looked behind him and saw Owen was gone. When he turned back to the doors, he almost fell over as Jack slowly approached him.
“Hi.” Jack said tentatively. “You look lovely. But then I always did like you dressed for weddings. And on time, too.”
Ianto opened and closed his mouth repeatedly, not able to form words yet. He took Jack’s hand and led him to a quiet room to the side. Finally, he regained use of his vocal chords. “What are you doing here?”
“I went back home, and funnily enough, it didn’t feel like home to me anymore. I didn’t belong there anymore. “
“What about your brother?”
“My mom was alive. And being with her did amazing things for him. He stopped being so attached to John and he’s starting to deal with what happened when he was kidnapped. I didn’t want to leave him, or my mother, but she could tell I wasn’t happy. She promised to take care of Gray and I still have my wrist strap if I want to talk to them or see them.” Jack explained.
Ianto was still having trouble speaking, his mouth was incredibly dry. “What about John?
Jack shrugged. “I haven’t seen him in months. I’m sure he’s off somewhere getting in trouble. But he’s not my responsibility anymore.”
Owen called to Ianto. “Ianto! Ianto, time to travel.”
“Yeah. Yeah.” Ianto said absently. He looked behind him. “Coming! Good. Good…” He scrubbed a hand down his face. “So how long have you been back? Why…why didn’t you get in touch?”
“I’ve been back a couple of months now. I did think about contacting you. I wanted to, but, um…you were already engaged. You’d moved on.” Ianto didn’t say anything, staring blankly over Jack’s shoulder. “So, anyway, I don’t want to keep you. And…I’ll see you afterwards...”
“Are you going to stay for the service?”
Jack looked at him hesitantly. “Do you want me to?”
Ianto paused, looking down at the ground. Finally, he looked up at Jack. “I’ll show you to your seat.” Ianto walked with Jack slowly down the aisle and escorted him to a back pew. Just before Jack was going to sit down, Ianto grabbed his hand and led him to a corner far back and away from the guests.
Jack smiled sadly. “Our timing’s been really bad, hasn’t it?”
“It’s been bad, yes,” Ianto agreed.
“It’s been a disaster.”
“It has, as you say, been…very bad indeed.” Ianto looked into Jack’s eyes and sighed softly. “God, it’s lovely to see you!”
Jack smiled. He looked behind him at all of Ianto’s waiting guests. He wanted to kiss him and drag him away from here. But he’d already disrupted things by coming here. He wouldn’t force Ianto’s hand that way. This had to be Ianto’s decision; whatever he decided. “Well, good luck. It’s pretty easy. Just say ‘I do’ whenever anyone asks you a question.” He chuckled lightly, before turning back and going to his seat.
After a few moments, Ianto followed. He slowly walked toward the altar with Owen. He stopped suddenly and grabbed Owen’s arm. “Um…Could you just give me a sec, Owen?”
Owen paused, looking at Ianto intently before sighing. “Ah, yes, of course. Freshen up at will.”
Ianto headed off, looking back at Jack as he did. He walked quietly into the prayer room in the back, and looked around reverently. “Dear Lord, forgive me for what I’m about to…say in this magnificent place of worship.” He leaned forward, placing his hands on an oak table and bowed his head. “Bugger. Bugger! Bugger! Bugger! Bugger! Bugger!”
A vicar came out from behind a red velvet curtain. “Can I help at all?”
Ianto whirled around. “Huh? No. Thanks. Sorry. Um, vocal exercises. Big church.”
The vicar nodded in understanding. “Excellent. Often do the same myself. Not exactly the same vocab, obviously.” Ianto nodded. “Rather more alleluias!” The vicar patted Ianto’s arm. Ianto chuckled lightly. “I’ll leave you.”
It had been a few minutes and Ianto still hadn’t reappeared. Owen saw Gwen’s car pull up and she was helped out of the car. Owen walked back into the church and walked over to Rory. “Bride’s arriving.”
“Fabulous! We seem to have lost the groom.”
Owen paused. “Uh, you want to see if you can stall her and I’ll see if I can find him.”
“Roger. Wilco.” Rory said and left quickly.
Owen found Ianto leaning over a chair in the prayer room. He looked deeply troubled. Owen knocked on the wall. “Ianto.”
“Mm.”
Owen walked up to Ianto cautiously. “It’s good to see you.
Ianto turned to Owen briefly, before turning around and bowing his head. “Yeah. Yeah. Um…O…Owen, what do we think about marriage?” His hands were shaking and he was pacing.
Owen sighed deeply. “Well…Gosh! Uh…Well, I think it’s really good…”
“Mm…”
“If, and forgive me for being ridiculously soppy, you love the person with all your heart.” Owen said, clearly picking up on Ianto’s doubts.
“Well, exactly.” Ianto replied. “Quite.” He turned to Owen and smile. He started pacing again. “All these weddings. All these, um…years. All that blasted salmon and champagne. Here I am on my own wedding day and I, uh, I’m…still thinking.” He rubbed his forehead roughly.
Owen walked up to him. “Can I ask about what?”
“Um…No. No, I think best not.”
Rory was outside, walking in front of the bride trying to stall for as long as he could. “I’m terribly sorry. There’s a bit of a delay. There’s just a slight problem with the flowers.”
Gwen pushed the veil off her face. “Flowers? What?”
“Unfortunately, there seems to be a…a staggeringly high proportion of hay fever sufferers in the congregation and they’re stuck right next to the damn flowers. So we’re just moving them…the congregation. Don’t want the damn vows obliterated by the sound of sneezing.”
Ianto was now seated, with his eyes closed and his head rested on a bible. Owen was standing over him. “Ianto, would it be out of place for me to say that time is ticking by?” They both locked up swiftly when a book was slammed near Ianto’s head.
“What’s happening? Tell me.” Tosh looked very worried.
Ianto paused, wondering if he should tell her the truth. He gave in a sighed. “Oh God. I just saw Jack…and he’s separated.”
Tosh shook her head in exasperation. “Ianto. It’s your wedding day.”
The guests seated in the congregation were getting restless. “It should have started by now.” Rhiannon pointed out.
Rory rushed back into the church and turned to Amy. “I think I’ve fooled them so far. The great advantage of having a reputation for being stupid is people are less suspicious of you.”
“Hey!” Amy turned him towards her. “You are not stupid. I don’t care what anyone else thinks. You are smart, beautiful and amazing, and I don’t want to hear another word about it.” She said giving him a stern look. He grinned at her and kissed her on the cheek.
Back in the prayer room, Ianto looked up at Tosh. “What’s your advice?”
Tosh held up three fingers. “You’ve got three choices: one-go ahead with it…” Ianto nodded. “Two-go outside and say, ‘Sorry folks, it’s all off!’”
“Not tempting. Next?”
Tosh touched her finger. “Third…I can’t think of a third.”
Ianto hung his head. There was a loud knocking. Owen looked up and put a fake smile on his face. “Hello.”
The vicar for Ianto and Gwen’s ceremony walked in. “Here you are! Ready to face the enemy?”
Ianto stood up. Owen looked over at him. “Are we?”
Ianto looked over at Owen, then turned back and steeled his shoulders. “Yes. Excellent.” Owen sighed in relief. Tosh still looked worried. She opened the door, while Ianto straightened his tie. He looked back at the other two before walking out. Owen and Tosh shared a worried glance behind him.
As he walked to the altar, Ianto took one last look at Jack before forging ahead. The “Wedding March” began to play. Rory gave thumbs up sign and everyone stood up. Rory opened the doors and Gwen walked in, escorted by her father. Owen and Ianto took their place at the altar. Ianto looked behind him at a beaming Gwen. He really didn’t want to hurt her. But the war over whether to go through with this was still raging between his mind and his heart.
Gwen tried not to draw attention, but yanked slightly away from her father’s grip. “Not so tight, Dad!’ She smiled again, looking at the congregation.
For Ianto, time seemed to speed up and slow down at the same time. Gwen finally arrived at the altar and he stepped over to stand next to her. He put on a fake grin, briefly.
The Vicar began. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God and in the face of this congregation to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which is an honorable estate, instituted of God’s in the time of man’s innocence, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church…” Ianto could hear his niece and nephew start to cry and crazily wondered if maybe they knew something that he didn’t. “…and therefore is not by any to be enterprised nor taken in hand unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God.” Ianto’s heart was beating so hard he thought it was going to thump out of his chest. He had to go through with this, he thought. He made a promise to Gwen and he would feel terrible hurting her, when she did nothing wrong. The vicar continued. “Therefore, if any man can show any just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him speak now or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.”
There was a brief pause. Ianto felt that he was thisclose to saying something, but didn’t. All of a sudden there was a loud knocking in the church. Everyone looked around in confusion. “I’m sorry. Does someone have something to say?” The vicar asked. Gwen looked around frantically. For a moment, Ianto wondered if it was Jack and almost looked over to him. But then he saw Tosh raise her hand. “Yes? What is it?” The vicar said impatiently. There was murmuring in the congregation.
Ianto turned to the vicar. “One…one second.” He turned to Tosh. "What’s going on?”
“I thought of a third option.”
“What?”
“Will you translate?”
“What’s going on?” the vicar demanded.
“Ianto, what?” Gwen asked softly.
“Translate what?” Ianto looked at Gwen. “She wants me to…to…translate what she’s saying.”
The vicar leaned over and looked at Tosh. “What is she saying?”
“I think the groom is having doubts…”
Ianto translated. “She says ‘I suspect the groom is having doubts.’” Gwen looked at him in alarm. “I suspect the groom would like to delay.”
“I think the groom really loves someone else,” Tosh signed quickly.
“I suspect the groom…” Ianto hesitated in translating the rest.
“That’s true, isn’t it Ianto?”
“’I suspect the groom…’” Ianto tried again.
“Ianto, forget what I said before. I was wrong. Settling isn’t worth it, especially when you have a chance for true love. Because, Ianto-this is for the rest of your life. Finally, you’ve got to marry the person you love with your whole heart.” She looked down. “And by the way-your flies are undone.”
Ianto glanced down quickly.
“What’s she saying?” the vicar insisted.
Ianto slowly turned to face the vicar and look at Gwen. But he couldn’t look her in the eye. “She says…she suspects the groom…loves someone else.” A loud murmuring swept through the congregation. River took a deep breath and looked up at the ceiling. Amy and Rory looked stunned. Gwen bit her lip and looked as if she was about to cry.
The vicar looked at Ianto in surprise. “Do you? Do you love someone else? Do you, Ianto?”
Ianto thought about the question carefully. Everyone waited on pins and needles for his answer. Most of all, Gwen, she stared at him, willing him not to say “yes.” Ianto searched his heart and couldn’t deny the truth any longer. “I do.”
“Ohhhh!” Gwen roared. She hauled off and slugged him. He fell down instantly. Tosh winced. “Aaah!” Owen tried to hold Gwen back. “Get out of my way! Let me kill him!” Owen managed to pull her off, but Gwen kept screaming. Ianto just lay their numb.
*****After the service, a heavy rain settled in accompanied by thunder. Inside his flat, Ianto was seated at his kitchen table with his head in his hands. He couldn’t believe what he had done. He thought that may just be the worst thing he’d ever done. Tosh was standing close by, tending to the wound on Ianto’s face, and looking equally guilty. Amy sat in the window seat. Rory, Owen, and River were in the living room, staring at Ianto. River lit up a cigarette. Amy was the first to say anything. “Blimey!”
“At least it’s one we won’t forget,” Rory piped up. “I mean a lot of weddings just blend into each other, don’t they?”
“Oh, for God’s sake!” River spat in disgust, getting up to pace.
“But this is one that will really stick out in the memory,” Rory continued.
“For not actually including a wedding service.” Owen stated.
River started pacing. “Poor girl.” Everyone looked at her incredulously. “No, I mean it! Poor girl. I mean she’s not my favorite person in the world, but I think that may have been an unforgivable thing that you did today.”
Ianto looked up for the first time, stricken. “I can’t bear to think about it. Poor Gwen.”
“Though… let’s face facts,” Rory started.
“I’m sorry…I’m sorry…” Ianto softly said over and over.
“Uh, uh, I mean i-i-if you weren’t sure you wanted to marry her today of all days, i.e., your wedding day, then it must be the right decision, mustn’t it?” Rory concluded.
River squeezed her brother’s shoulder. “Quite right, Rory.”
“It was a lovely dress. I’m sure she’ll find it useful for parties.” Amy suggested. River rolled her eyes. Rory nodded.
Tosh sighed and signed something to Ianto and ran off. “What did she say, Ianto?” Rory asked.
“Says she blames herself.”
“Oh…Absolutely not.” Rory said.
“No, you mustn’t, Tosh,” Owen called out. He followed her into Ianto’s room. She sat on the bed with her head in her lap. Owen sat down beside her. He gently shook her shoulder and waited until she looked up at him. “This isn’t your fault, Tosh.”
“I never should have said anything. Not today and not what I told him after the Doctor’s funeral. I never should have suggested he settle.”
Owen sighed. “Tosh, Ianto is a grown man. He made his choices. You’re not responsible for that. What you did today was brave. And despite how crazy things are right now, you did Ianto, and Gwen, a favor. No one deserves to be married to someone that doesn’t really love them.”
Tosh smiled at Owen. “When did you turn into such a romantic?”
Owen shook his head, a small smile on his face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Tosh looked Owen deeply into Owen’s eyes. “Why aren’t you with anyone, Owen?”
“I suppose, it’s because I’m not as brave as you are.” He admitted honestly. He ran a hand through her hair gently. He let out a shaky breath. “Perhaps today is the day for taking risks. So forgive me for what I’m about to do.” Before he lost his nerve, he quickly leaned over and kissed her softly. After a few seconds, he pulled back.
He waited nervously for her to open her eyes. When she did she smiled up at him. “Thunderbolt city.” Owen looked at her quizzically for a moment and she leaned forward and kissed him again.
There was a knock on the front door and Rory, Amy, and River scrambled to answer it. Ianto stopped them. “No, no. If there’s music to be faced, I should be facing it. He stood up and walked to the door. He opened the door slowly and was amazed to see a soaking wet Jack on his doorstep.
“Hello.”
“Hi!” His lips twitched into a brief smile. Jack always managed to take his breath away. Ianto tried to pull Jack inside. “You’re soaking. Come in.”
“No, no. I’m fine. I’m fine,” Jack said briskly. “Comes a point when you’re so wet, you can’t get any wetter.”
“Ok, I’ll come out.” Ianto shut the door behind him.
“No, you don’t have to do that,” Jack argued. “I…I just wanted to check you’re ok. Not busy killing yourself or anything, but...” He smiled slightly. “But you’re fine, so…I don’t know what I was thinking going to the church this morning. I want to say I’m sorry that you didn’t get married, but I’m not sorry about that. I am sorry that you got hurt. I seem to always be causing you pain. I’m sorry.” He turned to leave.
“No! No!” Ianto followed him. “Wait. It was…It was all my fault. I mean, I…I’m the bastard here.”
“We’ve both fucked up, Ianto.”
“I know.” Ianto ran his hands through his wet hair. “Today definitely sorted out one thing. Which is…Marriage and me we’re…very clearly not meant for one another. It sorted out another big thing as well. There I was, standing there in the church, and for the first time in my whole life I realized I…totally and utterly loved one person.” He looked into Jack’s eyes. “And it wasn’t the person standing next to me in the veil.” He swallowed thickly. “It’s the person standing opposite me now…in the rain. The truth of it is I’ve…loved you from the first second I met you.” He smiled broadly at him. But suddenly his smile fell. “It’s…You’re not suddenly going to go away again, are you?”
“No,” Jack said adamantly. “I might drown. But otherwise, no.”
“Ok…Ok.” Ianto sighed in relief. “We’ll go in.” He put his arm around Jack and started walking back to his flat, but suddenly stopped and turned to face Jack. “But first l- let me ask you one thing.” Ianto was shaking a little. Whether it was from being wet or from nerves, he wasn’t sure. “Do you think…after we’ve dried off…after we’ve spent lots more time together, you might agree…not to marry me? A-a-and do you think…not being married to me might maybe be something you could consider…doing for the rest of your life?” Jack gazed at him sweetly, but didn’t answer. “Do you?”
Jack’s eyes darted between Ianto’s lips and his eyes. He gave Ianto a warm smile. “I do.”
Ianto beamed at Jack. He held Jack’s face in his hands and kissed him passionately, gently flicking his tongue against Jack’s lips. Jack’s lips parted and Ianto gently massaged his tongue against Jack’s. They forgot about the rain and about every stupid thing that had kept them separated. They lived for this one moment, pouring all the love they felt for each other into this kiss. This was the moment he’d waited for all his life and he planned to savor it, and all the moments to come, for as long as they both shall live.
Epilogue
Author: GeekSlave
Prompt: Four Weddings and a Funeral
Word Count: ~35,000
Rating: R
Warnings: Language, cheating, character death
Spoilers: For Torchwood series 1 & 2 and Doctor Who series 5 &6
Summary: When bachelor Ianto Jones attends a friend’s wedding, he unexpectedly meets the potential man of his dreams.
Characters/Pairings: Ianto Jones/Jack Harkness, River Song/The Doctor, Rory Williams/Amy Pond, Toshiko Sato/Owen Harper, Toshiko Sato/Tommy Brockless, Jack Harkness/John Hart, Ianto Jones/Gwen Cooper, Rhiannon Jones/Johnny Davies, Rose Tyler/Mickey Smith, Andy Davidson, Wilfred Mott, Estelle Cole, Donna Noble, Rhys Williams, Suzie Costello, Martha Jones, Lisa Hallet
Disclaimer: The characters of Torchwood and Doctor Who belong to the BBC. The characters and screenplay for Four Weddings and a Funeral belong to 20th Century Fox, MGM, and Richard Curtis
Author’s Notes: Written for the reel_Torchwood challenge, round 4. Huge thank you to my betas, janiemc, for making sure my grammar was gooder and for britpicking, and jolinarjackson for support and advice giving. This is my first attempt at any kind of challenge or Jack/Ianto fanfic. Any comments-complimentary or constructive- will be much appreciated. Title taken from line in WH Auden poem Funeral Blues used in the movie.
Part 1| Part 2| Part 3| Part 4| Part 5
Part 6
Ten Months Later
Ianto smiled in his sleep. For months now he’d been having the same erotic dream. Jack, wearing nothing but his waistcoat, was straddling Ianto and laying soft, wet kisses over his face. As he traveled down his chest, Ianto laughed as he kissed a particularly ticklish spot on his ribs. Jack traveled further down, achingly slowly, and Ianto started to writhe and moan. Jack was just about to lick the head of his cock when…
Briiiiiiing. His stupid alarm started blaring. Without opening his eye, Ianto rolled over and turned it off. But before he could get back to his delicious dream, another alarm started screeching. Ianto opened his eyes in confusion. “Mm?” When a third and fourth alarm joined the chorus, he shot up in bed. “Mmm? Ahh! What the fuck is going on?” He glanced wildly about the room. There were more than a half dozen alarms of various shapes and sizes all around his desk and bedside dresser.
Rory got up next to him and turned off the alarm by his side. “I thought we’d better make absolutely sure we weren’t late.” Rory snickered when he looked at Ianto. Ianto hair was sticking up all over the place. “Excellent wedding hairstyle.”
Ianto rubbed his eyes, full awake now. “That’s right, it’s my wedding day,” he thought.
As Ianto walked to his kitchen, he had to admit that he felt very calm and relaxed. It took him a long time to be comfortable with his decision to get married, but he was relatively happy and he felt that it was about time he took this step. He made some coffee. As he was waiting for the coffee, he heard someone come in behind him. He turned and smiled at Owen. “Owen…the best-looking best man in the world.” Owen stiffened a little when Ianto hugged him. “Thank you for doing this today.”
Owen pulled back and nodded. “No problem, mate. If I were you I’d comb my hair, unless you wait the bride pulling a runner as soon as she sees you.” Ianto laughed. “I’m sorry we’re so late. The others are just parking the car. I thought we’d all go with, Rory.”
Ianto looked at him quizzically. “Late? So late?”
“Yeah. It’s 9:45.”
“9:45?”
“Yep. Forty-five minutes till ‘I do.” Owen said breezily.
Ianto cringed, slamming his coffee cup down. “Oh, bloody Rory! I told him to set the alarm for eight! Fuck it! Fuck!” He raced out of the room, passing a yawning Amy.
Amy grabbed herself some coffee.
Owen raised an eyebrow as he looked at her. She was still in her night shirt and hadn’t combed her hair. “Amy.”
Amy took off the sunglasses she was wearing. “Oh, hi!”
“You ready?”
Amy nodded. “Absolutely. Give me 20 seconds.”
Rory walked into the kitchen, smiling dopily when he saw Amy. “Hi.” He gave her a quick kiss on the lips.
“Hey, stupid face.” She smiled, kissing him again.
“Ah, young love.” Owen said. “I can see why you’re head over heels for this one, Rory.”
“Shut up, Owen.” Amy said, hitting Owen in the stomach as she passed by him.
*****At Ianto’s insistence, Rory raced through the streets as fast as he could. The truck came to a screeching halt in front of the church. Ianto sprinted out before the car even came to a full stop. He buttoned his collar and looked back at the others. “Time.”
“Honestly?” Owen asked, already beginning to grin broadly. The others were having a tough time keeping a straight face as well.
Annoyed, Ianto screeched, “Yes! Time!”
“It’s about ten to nine.” Owen answered.
Ianto rushed off as the others dissolved into a fit of giggles. Amy squeezed in front of Owen, and had her camera at the ready. Ianto stopped suddenly and Amy started taking pictures. Everyone’s laughter grew louder. Ianto turned back and slowly walked towards the car. He leaned into the window. “Bastards.” Everyone snorted with laughter.
They walked to the back of the church and sat down at an old bench. Amy started taking more pictures. They were all enjoying themselves as they ate scones and drank coffee. “This is splendid tuck.” Rory said with his mouthful. Amy laughed and took a picture of him.
“Yes, I think I might say a little word.” Owen announced. “I’ve been a somewhat unwitting observer of Ianto’s love life for many years now. But recently I’d started to…” He paused for a moment. “…Despair and fear that really he was married to us lot, apart from the fact we won’t have his babies.”
Everyone snickered. “Oh, I don’t know about that.” Rory joked. Ianto looked back at him, shaking his head fondly.
“But it’s all turned out splendidly.” Owen continued. “The girl is sadly crazy, but perhaps that’s why he loves her. So I’d like to propose a toast to Ianto and his beautiful girl on this tragic day. So, be happy and don’t forget us.”
“Thank you,” Ianto said sincerely.
Owen raised his cup. “To Ianto and Duckface.” The others repeat after him, “To Ianto and Duckface!” Ianto chortled at Owen’s last addition.
*****Meanwhile, Gwen was getting ready in her hotel room. Her mother was hovering around her and her little cousins were bouncing around the room. Gwen noticed none of that. She stared into the mirror and couldn’t believe that this day had finally come. She had just broken up with her boyfriend Adam, when she saw Ianto at yet another wedding. She couldn’t believe it when he talked to her and actually flirted with her. He wasn’t even behaving the way he was when they had first started going out. He was really interested this time. She wasn’t going to get her hopes again, waiting for a proposal. But to her shock, sixth months after they rekindled their relationship, he proposed. It wasn’t the proposal she’d always dreamed of. He did it while they were brushing their teeth.
“Do you want to get married?” Ianto had said with a mouthful of toothpaste.
Gwen whipped her head around in shock. “What?”
“Right, sorry,” Ianto spit out the toothpaste and rinsed his mouth. “I think we should get married.” Gwen’s eyes were as big as saucers. Her mouth dropped, when he got down on one knee. “Will you marry me?” She had tackled him to the ground before he had even finished the sentence.
She had spent the last four months, completely absorbed in wedding planning. There was no real rush, but in the back of her mind Gwen feared that Ianto had doubts. She could see it in his eyes. She wasn’t taking any chances and organized her long planned dream wedding as fast as she could. Gwen finally shook herself from her thoughts as her mouth approached with the wreath she would wear under her veil. Her mother placed the crown of flowers atop Gwen’s head. Gwen’s eyes flicked up towards her mother. “What do you think?”
“You look divine,” Mary nearly squealed.
Gwen smiled, muttering to herself. “It does work, doesn’t it? Yes.” Her mother fussed with the wreath, while Gwen’s hair stylist made last minute adjustments. When the woman crowded her for too long, Gwen pushed her hand away. She was making her nervous, and she had more than enough jitters already.
*****Ianto and his friends were still gathered at the back of the church still laughing and smiling over Owen’s toast. “Now while I’d like to thank Owen for those charming words about my future wife, uh, I’d like to take this opportunity, before the day starts, to read a little message from her to you all.” He pulled a piece of paper out of his pants pocket.
“Oh, this is exciting,” Rory said.
“She says ‘Any of you come near the house, I’ll set the dogs on you.’” Rory laughed loudly. Ianto put the note back in his pocket. “So I think that’s rather… that’s a nice touch.”
“Sweet! Sweet!” Owen commented.
“’Set the dogs on you’!” Rory repeated, still tittering.
*****Everyone made their way to the front of the church a few minutes later. Rhys Williams, was one of the first guests to arrive, and was standing outside the church. Owen walked over to him. “Rhys, good to see you.”
“Oh, yes.” Rhys said brightly. “Rory!” He shook Rory’s hand as he walked past.
“Hello, Rhys,” Ianto said as he approached them.
“Hope it’s not awkward having an ex-boyfriend of the bride’s here.” Rhys said, turning to look at Ianto.
Ianto shrugged. “It’s fine. You and Gwen are friends. Besides, you’re happily married right.”
“No.” Rhys said his eyes downcast.
“Oh,” Ianto said awkwardly. “Um…hope it wasn’t, uh, something I said.” Ianto said remembering his slip at Rhiannon’s wedding.
Rhys waved his hand. “No worries. Not your fault. I was looking forward to having some fun at your stag party.” He turned to Owen. “Bit of a poor show not having a stag night.”
“Oh, we did! We did!” Ianto said cheerfully, then noticing Owen’s slight shake of his head, realized his mistake. “We did- we did- we didn’t think it was a very good idea in this day and age. So…”
Rhys looked between the two in surprise. ‘Really? Oh!” Owen and Ianto walked off, while Rhys seemed to still be pondering what Ianto had said.
Ianto walked into the church and slowly looked around the flowers. Gwen had decided to go for a yellow theme. All the flowers in the church were yellow. Ianto had a yellow rose as a boutonniere and his waistcoat was a golden yellow. River walked up behind him, smiling happily. “Mel, you do look lovely today.”
“Yes, as you can see I’ve abandoned my traditional black.” She said gesturing to her clothes. She was wearing a tan hat, blue button up silk shirt, with a vibrantly multi-colored jacket.
Ianto chuckled softly. “Yes, so you have.”
“From now on, I shall be all the colors of the rainbow and move on with my life and stop being the grieving widow.”
Ianto looked at her worriedly. “Are you sure?”
River nodded strongly. “I miss him every day but…it’s time. I know it’s what he would have wanted.”
Ianto wrapped an arm around her and pulled her into a tight embrace, kissing her cheek. She pulled back and grinned at him. Then she winced slightly. ‘Ok…Look.” She reached over and rubbed at his cheek.
“What?” Ianto asked, touching his cheek as well.
“Lipstick everywhere. That won’t do at all, will it?”
*****Later, as Owen, Amy, and Rory greeted guests at the door, Ianto stood at the altar and paced nervously. Many people, including the vicar came to tell him “congratulations” and “good luck.” He tried sitting, but he found himself fidgeting in his seat and wringing his hands. He did put on a happy smile when Rhiannon and Johnny came over with their twins, Mica and David.
Owen was inside now, directing people to their seats. “Bride or groom?” Wilfred Mott stared at Owen, looking confused. He looked wildly around behind him. Owen wasn’t sure if the older man had heard him. He was getting on in years and everyone knew he was just a touch senile. “Bride or groom?”
Wilfred’s eyebrows shot up and he leaned into Owen angrily. “It should be perfectly obvious I’m neither. Great God!” he exclaimed as he walked away.
Owen just shook his head. Tosh walked up behind him and put her hand on his shoulder. “What did he say to you? At one wedding, he came up to me and put his hand on my bum thinking I was someone girlfriend of his when he was at University.” Tosh smiled.
Owen grinned. “Thankfully, he kept his hands to himself.” He gazed at her. She always looked beautiful dressed up, but for some reason he thought she looked especially beautiful today. Her hair was done up in neat French twist and she was wearing a blue wraparound dress that accentuated every curve. “You look beautiful.”
She smiled shyly. “Thanks.”
Owen cleared his throat. “Where’s Tommy?”
Tosh frowned and let out a sigh. “He’s not coming. We…we broke up.”
Owen goggled at her. “What? When?”
“A couple of months now. I didn’t want to tell anyone. Everyone thought we were going to get married. I thought we were.”
Owen nodded slowly. “Then what happened?”
Tosh shrugged sadly. “Tommy was perfect and so good to me and I loved him. He’s what I thought I always wanted. But there was something missing. What we had was good. But it just wasn’t good enough. I didn’t want to settle anymore. I want something more. What that is I don’t know yet. But I think I’ll know it when I find it. Please, don’t tell Ianto. I want to wait to tell him. I don’t want him thinking he needs to take care of me on his wedding day.” Owen nodded. She walked off and Owen stared after her. He barely noticed the next few guests who walked by. He was finally shaken from his thoughts when Mickey grabbed his hand.
“Hello, Owen.”
Ianto walked over and Mickey turned his attention to him. “Hello, Ianto.” He shook Ianto’s hand.
“Mickey. How are you?”
“Exhausted, actually.” He said with a devilish grin.
Rose smacked him on the arm lightly. “Oh, bunny!” She kissed Ianto’s cheek. “Ianto.”
“Hello, Rose,” Ianto replied. Rose pulled Mickey along into the church. Ianto looked behind him and saw Owen was gone. When he turned back to the doors, he almost fell over as Jack slowly approached him.
“Hi.” Jack said tentatively. “You look lovely. But then I always did like you dressed for weddings. And on time, too.”
Ianto opened and closed his mouth repeatedly, not able to form words yet. He took Jack’s hand and led him to a quiet room to the side. Finally, he regained use of his vocal chords. “What are you doing here?”
“I went back home, and funnily enough, it didn’t feel like home to me anymore. I didn’t belong there anymore. “
“What about your brother?”
“My mom was alive. And being with her did amazing things for him. He stopped being so attached to John and he’s starting to deal with what happened when he was kidnapped. I didn’t want to leave him, or my mother, but she could tell I wasn’t happy. She promised to take care of Gray and I still have my wrist strap if I want to talk to them or see them.” Jack explained.
Ianto was still having trouble speaking, his mouth was incredibly dry. “What about John?
Jack shrugged. “I haven’t seen him in months. I’m sure he’s off somewhere getting in trouble. But he’s not my responsibility anymore.”
Owen called to Ianto. “Ianto! Ianto, time to travel.”
“Yeah. Yeah.” Ianto said absently. He looked behind him. “Coming! Good. Good…” He scrubbed a hand down his face. “So how long have you been back? Why…why didn’t you get in touch?”
“I’ve been back a couple of months now. I did think about contacting you. I wanted to, but, um…you were already engaged. You’d moved on.” Ianto didn’t say anything, staring blankly over Jack’s shoulder. “So, anyway, I don’t want to keep you. And…I’ll see you afterwards...”
“Are you going to stay for the service?”
Jack looked at him hesitantly. “Do you want me to?”
Ianto paused, looking down at the ground. Finally, he looked up at Jack. “I’ll show you to your seat.” Ianto walked with Jack slowly down the aisle and escorted him to a back pew. Just before Jack was going to sit down, Ianto grabbed his hand and led him to a corner far back and away from the guests.
Jack smiled sadly. “Our timing’s been really bad, hasn’t it?”
“It’s been bad, yes,” Ianto agreed.
“It’s been a disaster.”
“It has, as you say, been…very bad indeed.” Ianto looked into Jack’s eyes and sighed softly. “God, it’s lovely to see you!”
Jack smiled. He looked behind him at all of Ianto’s waiting guests. He wanted to kiss him and drag him away from here. But he’d already disrupted things by coming here. He wouldn’t force Ianto’s hand that way. This had to be Ianto’s decision; whatever he decided. “Well, good luck. It’s pretty easy. Just say ‘I do’ whenever anyone asks you a question.” He chuckled lightly, before turning back and going to his seat.
After a few moments, Ianto followed. He slowly walked toward the altar with Owen. He stopped suddenly and grabbed Owen’s arm. “Um…Could you just give me a sec, Owen?”
Owen paused, looking at Ianto intently before sighing. “Ah, yes, of course. Freshen up at will.”
Ianto headed off, looking back at Jack as he did. He walked quietly into the prayer room in the back, and looked around reverently. “Dear Lord, forgive me for what I’m about to…say in this magnificent place of worship.” He leaned forward, placing his hands on an oak table and bowed his head. “Bugger. Bugger! Bugger! Bugger! Bugger! Bugger!”
A vicar came out from behind a red velvet curtain. “Can I help at all?”
Ianto whirled around. “Huh? No. Thanks. Sorry. Um, vocal exercises. Big church.”
The vicar nodded in understanding. “Excellent. Often do the same myself. Not exactly the same vocab, obviously.” Ianto nodded. “Rather more alleluias!” The vicar patted Ianto’s arm. Ianto chuckled lightly. “I’ll leave you.”
It had been a few minutes and Ianto still hadn’t reappeared. Owen saw Gwen’s car pull up and she was helped out of the car. Owen walked back into the church and walked over to Rory. “Bride’s arriving.”
“Fabulous! We seem to have lost the groom.”
Owen paused. “Uh, you want to see if you can stall her and I’ll see if I can find him.”
“Roger. Wilco.” Rory said and left quickly.
Owen found Ianto leaning over a chair in the prayer room. He looked deeply troubled. Owen knocked on the wall. “Ianto.”
“Mm.”
Owen walked up to Ianto cautiously. “It’s good to see you.
Ianto turned to Owen briefly, before turning around and bowing his head. “Yeah. Yeah. Um…O…Owen, what do we think about marriage?” His hands were shaking and he was pacing.
Owen sighed deeply. “Well…Gosh! Uh…Well, I think it’s really good…”
“Mm…”
“If, and forgive me for being ridiculously soppy, you love the person with all your heart.” Owen said, clearly picking up on Ianto’s doubts.
“Well, exactly.” Ianto replied. “Quite.” He turned to Owen and smile. He started pacing again. “All these weddings. All these, um…years. All that blasted salmon and champagne. Here I am on my own wedding day and I, uh, I’m…still thinking.” He rubbed his forehead roughly.
Owen walked up to him. “Can I ask about what?”
“Um…No. No, I think best not.”
Rory was outside, walking in front of the bride trying to stall for as long as he could. “I’m terribly sorry. There’s a bit of a delay. There’s just a slight problem with the flowers.”
Gwen pushed the veil off her face. “Flowers? What?”
“Unfortunately, there seems to be a…a staggeringly high proportion of hay fever sufferers in the congregation and they’re stuck right next to the damn flowers. So we’re just moving them…the congregation. Don’t want the damn vows obliterated by the sound of sneezing.”
Ianto was now seated, with his eyes closed and his head rested on a bible. Owen was standing over him. “Ianto, would it be out of place for me to say that time is ticking by?” They both locked up swiftly when a book was slammed near Ianto’s head.
“What’s happening? Tell me.” Tosh looked very worried.
Ianto paused, wondering if he should tell her the truth. He gave in a sighed. “Oh God. I just saw Jack…and he’s separated.”
Tosh shook her head in exasperation. “Ianto. It’s your wedding day.”
The guests seated in the congregation were getting restless. “It should have started by now.” Rhiannon pointed out.
Rory rushed back into the church and turned to Amy. “I think I’ve fooled them so far. The great advantage of having a reputation for being stupid is people are less suspicious of you.”
“Hey!” Amy turned him towards her. “You are not stupid. I don’t care what anyone else thinks. You are smart, beautiful and amazing, and I don’t want to hear another word about it.” She said giving him a stern look. He grinned at her and kissed her on the cheek.
Back in the prayer room, Ianto looked up at Tosh. “What’s your advice?”
Tosh held up three fingers. “You’ve got three choices: one-go ahead with it…” Ianto nodded. “Two-go outside and say, ‘Sorry folks, it’s all off!’”
“Not tempting. Next?”
Tosh touched her finger. “Third…I can’t think of a third.”
Ianto hung his head. There was a loud knocking. Owen looked up and put a fake smile on his face. “Hello.”
The vicar for Ianto and Gwen’s ceremony walked in. “Here you are! Ready to face the enemy?”
Ianto stood up. Owen looked over at him. “Are we?”
Ianto looked over at Owen, then turned back and steeled his shoulders. “Yes. Excellent.” Owen sighed in relief. Tosh still looked worried. She opened the door, while Ianto straightened his tie. He looked back at the other two before walking out. Owen and Tosh shared a worried glance behind him.
As he walked to the altar, Ianto took one last look at Jack before forging ahead. The “Wedding March” began to play. Rory gave thumbs up sign and everyone stood up. Rory opened the doors and Gwen walked in, escorted by her father. Owen and Ianto took their place at the altar. Ianto looked behind him at a beaming Gwen. He really didn’t want to hurt her. But the war over whether to go through with this was still raging between his mind and his heart.
Gwen tried not to draw attention, but yanked slightly away from her father’s grip. “Not so tight, Dad!’ She smiled again, looking at the congregation.
For Ianto, time seemed to speed up and slow down at the same time. Gwen finally arrived at the altar and he stepped over to stand next to her. He put on a fake grin, briefly.
The Vicar began. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God and in the face of this congregation to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which is an honorable estate, instituted of God’s in the time of man’s innocence, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church…” Ianto could hear his niece and nephew start to cry and crazily wondered if maybe they knew something that he didn’t. “…and therefore is not by any to be enterprised nor taken in hand unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God.” Ianto’s heart was beating so hard he thought it was going to thump out of his chest. He had to go through with this, he thought. He made a promise to Gwen and he would feel terrible hurting her, when she did nothing wrong. The vicar continued. “Therefore, if any man can show any just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him speak now or else hereafter for ever hold his peace.”
There was a brief pause. Ianto felt that he was thisclose to saying something, but didn’t. All of a sudden there was a loud knocking in the church. Everyone looked around in confusion. “I’m sorry. Does someone have something to say?” The vicar asked. Gwen looked around frantically. For a moment, Ianto wondered if it was Jack and almost looked over to him. But then he saw Tosh raise her hand. “Yes? What is it?” The vicar said impatiently. There was murmuring in the congregation.
Ianto turned to the vicar. “One…one second.” He turned to Tosh. "What’s going on?”
“I thought of a third option.”
“What?”
“Will you translate?”
“What’s going on?” the vicar demanded.
“Ianto, what?” Gwen asked softly.
“Translate what?” Ianto looked at Gwen. “She wants me to…to…translate what she’s saying.”
The vicar leaned over and looked at Tosh. “What is she saying?”
“I think the groom is having doubts…”
Ianto translated. “She says ‘I suspect the groom is having doubts.’” Gwen looked at him in alarm. “I suspect the groom would like to delay.”
“I think the groom really loves someone else,” Tosh signed quickly.
“I suspect the groom…” Ianto hesitated in translating the rest.
“That’s true, isn’t it Ianto?”
“’I suspect the groom…’” Ianto tried again.
“Ianto, forget what I said before. I was wrong. Settling isn’t worth it, especially when you have a chance for true love. Because, Ianto-this is for the rest of your life. Finally, you’ve got to marry the person you love with your whole heart.” She looked down. “And by the way-your flies are undone.”
Ianto glanced down quickly.
“What’s she saying?” the vicar insisted.
Ianto slowly turned to face the vicar and look at Gwen. But he couldn’t look her in the eye. “She says…she suspects the groom…loves someone else.” A loud murmuring swept through the congregation. River took a deep breath and looked up at the ceiling. Amy and Rory looked stunned. Gwen bit her lip and looked as if she was about to cry.
The vicar looked at Ianto in surprise. “Do you? Do you love someone else? Do you, Ianto?”
Ianto thought about the question carefully. Everyone waited on pins and needles for his answer. Most of all, Gwen, she stared at him, willing him not to say “yes.” Ianto searched his heart and couldn’t deny the truth any longer. “I do.”
“Ohhhh!” Gwen roared. She hauled off and slugged him. He fell down instantly. Tosh winced. “Aaah!” Owen tried to hold Gwen back. “Get out of my way! Let me kill him!” Owen managed to pull her off, but Gwen kept screaming. Ianto just lay their numb.
*****After the service, a heavy rain settled in accompanied by thunder. Inside his flat, Ianto was seated at his kitchen table with his head in his hands. He couldn’t believe what he had done. He thought that may just be the worst thing he’d ever done. Tosh was standing close by, tending to the wound on Ianto’s face, and looking equally guilty. Amy sat in the window seat. Rory, Owen, and River were in the living room, staring at Ianto. River lit up a cigarette. Amy was the first to say anything. “Blimey!”
“At least it’s one we won’t forget,” Rory piped up. “I mean a lot of weddings just blend into each other, don’t they?”
“Oh, for God’s sake!” River spat in disgust, getting up to pace.
“But this is one that will really stick out in the memory,” Rory continued.
“For not actually including a wedding service.” Owen stated.
River started pacing. “Poor girl.” Everyone looked at her incredulously. “No, I mean it! Poor girl. I mean she’s not my favorite person in the world, but I think that may have been an unforgivable thing that you did today.”
Ianto looked up for the first time, stricken. “I can’t bear to think about it. Poor Gwen.”
“Though… let’s face facts,” Rory started.
“I’m sorry…I’m sorry…” Ianto softly said over and over.
“Uh, uh, I mean i-i-if you weren’t sure you wanted to marry her today of all days, i.e., your wedding day, then it must be the right decision, mustn’t it?” Rory concluded.
River squeezed her brother’s shoulder. “Quite right, Rory.”
“It was a lovely dress. I’m sure she’ll find it useful for parties.” Amy suggested. River rolled her eyes. Rory nodded.
Tosh sighed and signed something to Ianto and ran off. “What did she say, Ianto?” Rory asked.
“Says she blames herself.”
“Oh…Absolutely not.” Rory said.
“No, you mustn’t, Tosh,” Owen called out. He followed her into Ianto’s room. She sat on the bed with her head in her lap. Owen sat down beside her. He gently shook her shoulder and waited until she looked up at him. “This isn’t your fault, Tosh.”
“I never should have said anything. Not today and not what I told him after the Doctor’s funeral. I never should have suggested he settle.”
Owen sighed. “Tosh, Ianto is a grown man. He made his choices. You’re not responsible for that. What you did today was brave. And despite how crazy things are right now, you did Ianto, and Gwen, a favor. No one deserves to be married to someone that doesn’t really love them.”
Tosh smiled at Owen. “When did you turn into such a romantic?”
Owen shook his head, a small smile on his face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Tosh looked Owen deeply into Owen’s eyes. “Why aren’t you with anyone, Owen?”
“I suppose, it’s because I’m not as brave as you are.” He admitted honestly. He ran a hand through her hair gently. He let out a shaky breath. “Perhaps today is the day for taking risks. So forgive me for what I’m about to do.” Before he lost his nerve, he quickly leaned over and kissed her softly. After a few seconds, he pulled back.
He waited nervously for her to open her eyes. When she did she smiled up at him. “Thunderbolt city.” Owen looked at her quizzically for a moment and she leaned forward and kissed him again.
There was a knock on the front door and Rory, Amy, and River scrambled to answer it. Ianto stopped them. “No, no. If there’s music to be faced, I should be facing it. He stood up and walked to the door. He opened the door slowly and was amazed to see a soaking wet Jack on his doorstep.
“Hello.”
“Hi!” His lips twitched into a brief smile. Jack always managed to take his breath away. Ianto tried to pull Jack inside. “You’re soaking. Come in.”
“No, no. I’m fine. I’m fine,” Jack said briskly. “Comes a point when you’re so wet, you can’t get any wetter.”
“Ok, I’ll come out.” Ianto shut the door behind him.
“No, you don’t have to do that,” Jack argued. “I…I just wanted to check you’re ok. Not busy killing yourself or anything, but...” He smiled slightly. “But you’re fine, so…I don’t know what I was thinking going to the church this morning. I want to say I’m sorry that you didn’t get married, but I’m not sorry about that. I am sorry that you got hurt. I seem to always be causing you pain. I’m sorry.” He turned to leave.
“No! No!” Ianto followed him. “Wait. It was…It was all my fault. I mean, I…I’m the bastard here.”
“We’ve both fucked up, Ianto.”
“I know.” Ianto ran his hands through his wet hair. “Today definitely sorted out one thing. Which is…Marriage and me we’re…very clearly not meant for one another. It sorted out another big thing as well. There I was, standing there in the church, and for the first time in my whole life I realized I…totally and utterly loved one person.” He looked into Jack’s eyes. “And it wasn’t the person standing next to me in the veil.” He swallowed thickly. “It’s the person standing opposite me now…in the rain. The truth of it is I’ve…loved you from the first second I met you.” He smiled broadly at him. But suddenly his smile fell. “It’s…You’re not suddenly going to go away again, are you?”
“No,” Jack said adamantly. “I might drown. But otherwise, no.”
“Ok…Ok.” Ianto sighed in relief. “We’ll go in.” He put his arm around Jack and started walking back to his flat, but suddenly stopped and turned to face Jack. “But first l- let me ask you one thing.” Ianto was shaking a little. Whether it was from being wet or from nerves, he wasn’t sure. “Do you think…after we’ve dried off…after we’ve spent lots more time together, you might agree…not to marry me? A-a-and do you think…not being married to me might maybe be something you could consider…doing for the rest of your life?” Jack gazed at him sweetly, but didn’t answer. “Do you?”
Jack’s eyes darted between Ianto’s lips and his eyes. He gave Ianto a warm smile. “I do.”
Ianto beamed at Jack. He held Jack’s face in his hands and kissed him passionately, gently flicking his tongue against Jack’s lips. Jack’s lips parted and Ianto gently massaged his tongue against Jack’s. They forgot about the rain and about every stupid thing that had kept them separated. They lived for this one moment, pouring all the love they felt for each other into this kiss. This was the moment he’d waited for all his life and he planned to savor it, and all the moments to come, for as long as they both shall live.
Epilogue