m_findlow

Title: Drop in centre
Fandom: Torchwood
Characters/Pairings: Ianto, Rhiannon
Word Count: 500 words
Rating: PG
Notes: Written for Challenge 130 - Drop at anythingdrabble
Summary: Ianto is in desperate need of some family help.

It was a frazzled looking Ianto that stood at Rhiannon’s doorstep when she opened it.

Rhiannon raised an eyebrow at him. ‘Surprise visit? You could’ve called ahead. I was about to pop down the shops for milk, but I’ve probably still got enough for a cuppa or two.’ She bent down and a smile broke out on her face as she reached in to tickle the toes of one of her nieces. She couldn’t tell the three apart yet, still far too young, all wrapped up in identical pyjamas in different pastel shades. Two were asleep in the pram, whilst the third was cradled in her brother’s arms, equally asleep.

If she’d thought a cup of tea might relieve the strained look on his face she was sorely disappointed. ‘I can’t stay for tea. I’ve got to go.’

‘Go? Then what was the point to stopping by?’ Her brother had always been a bit odd in his ways, but this whole childrearing business had completely addled his brain as far as she was concerned.

‘I need you to look after them for a bit.’

‘A bit? What, like an hour?’

‘Um...’ He cringed as he cuddled the tiny infant to his chest, as if that might protect him from the repercussions of whatever he said next. ‘It might be for tonight and a bit of tomorrow morning, too.’

‘Ianto!’

‘It’s fine. I’ve got all the stuff in the back of the car for you.’

Rhiannon set her hands on her hips and glared at him. ‘You can’t just drop by whenever you like and dump three infants on me. Do I look like a childcare centre?’

‘Wouldn’t be the first time.’

‘Ianto, I’ve got two kids in the house already, plus all their mates that come visiting at all hours.’

The way he pushed the pram a few inches closer to the door didn’t go unnoticed. ‘David’s twelve. I don’t think he needs much looking after.’

‘Shows how much you know,’ she argued. ‘Just you wait ‘til they’re twelve and see how much of a handful they are.’

Ianto rolled his eyes at her. ‘I’ll prepare myself to stand corrected a decade from now. I’ve no doubt you won’t forget to remind me. Now, can we get back to that matter at hand?’

‘You mean my being babysitter for you?’

‘You complain we don’t visit enough. Don’t you want some quality time with them?’

‘Ianto...’

She watched the way his resolve crumbled under her firm gaze. ‘Please. You didn’t hear how desperate Jack sounded on. He needs absolutely everyone on deck. It could be the big one.’

Rhiannon had heard Ianto talk about “the big one” before. It wasn’t exactly a comforting thought. ‘You promise me, Ianto,’ she said, finally relenting. ‘These little ones need their dads more than they need their aunty.’

He held out Thomas, wrapped in his blanket, towards her and she took the baby, before he leant over and kissed her on the cheek. ‘I promise.’