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madbottomsTitle: Opportunities/One door closes...and a window opens (14/22)
Rating: PG – I think. There is talk of sex and some ‘adult’ moments but nothing explicit.
Genre: AU! No aliens but some familiar names may still be used
Characters: Jack, Ianto, Estelle
Summary: The holiday season is coming up and Ianto Jones is stuck without a job, with very little money and not too many prospects. So when he is offered a job for two weeks, he readily accepts. But this new job may become complicated when he realises that the man who broke his heart years before is the grandson of his new employer.
A/N: Presents, wedding china, and once again Jack opens his mouth before his brain has time to catch up.
*~*
Chapter Fourteen
Filling Estelle’s shopping list wasn’t the end of the job, of course. When he got home, Ianto found his employer at the small table in the middle of the library, humming a carol as she wrapped boxes. ‘Oh, good, you can take over,’ Estelle said. ‘I believe my ankles are swelling, so it’s past time for me to have a break and put my feet up.’
Ianto stacked his purchases at the end of the table. ‘Swollen ankles? You assured me you’d see a doctor, Estelle.’
‘And I will. But swollen ankles are nothing unusual for me.’
‘This week.’
‘Well, I don’t know when I’ll be able to go in. It’ll be hard to get an appointment right now—with the holiday so close, you know. Estelle nodded firmly, as if to deny there could be any disagreement with her point of view.
Relatively sure that—having gotten the last word—Estelle wouldn’t come back for a while, Ianto wrapped her gift first. It was small package, and he took particular care that it be perfect.
He had done almost no Christmas shopping for years—student budgets being what they were, he and his friends long ago opted to give themselves a present by making Christmas a gift-free zone. It was funny, though, how quickly the knack came back—folding heavy paper to make a crisp crease, keeping everything square and tight and adding the right bow to finish it off. The stack of wrapped packages steadily grew.
He made a trip to the living room to deposit the finished gifts under the tree, and realised that instead of sitting with her feet up Estelle was instead in the dining room, digging in the bottom of a built-in cabinet. The table was already stacked with old-fashioned pink vinyl cases—some round, some square.
Ianto went in to see what was going on. One of the cases had been unzipped and the top folded back. He peeked in to see a set of glossy china plates—the colour of heavy cream, rimmed with gold, with a soft pattern of pink roses at the edges.
They’d been using china for every meal—no inexpensive pottery for Estelle—but nothing compared with this. ‘It’s lovely, Estelle,’ Ianto said.
‘It’s my wedding china. I don’t use it often, but I wanted to get it out for Christmas.’
Ianto had no trouble hearing the unspoken words. Since it might be the last time.
Estelle sighed. ‘I’d forgotten how much of it there is, and how much room it takes. I don’t know what I’ll do with all this.’
Ianto looked at the long table, almost completely covered. There must be enough china laid out to serve sixteen—and it looked as if Estelle had all the extra pieces as well. He saw soup bowls, serving plates, coffeepots, little covered dishes, even a cake stand. Estelle was quite right, there would be no room in the average retirement apartment for half of this.
But the answer was obvious—wasn’t it? Ianto snickered under his breath. ‘I’m sure Jack will want it,’ Ianto said. ‘After all, it’s a family heirloom.’
Estelle gave a little snort. ‘Jack lives in a shoebox,’ she said tartly. ‘And his idea of a nice plate is what you buy in the freezer section of the supermarket with the food already on it. He has no room or desire for anything sentimental.’
‘He won’t always feel that way,’ Ianto argued.
‘May I live as long to see him settle down. After the way his parents—’ Estelle broke off. ‘Anyway this is, of course, far from his style. It’s been sixty years since I chose this pattern, and I haven’t broken as much as a nut dish. Take my advice, Ianto—when you settle down yourself, get extra’s of everything. It’s a guarantee you’ll never drop a single piece.’
‘I’ll keep that in mind, Estelle,’ Ianto said dryly. He kept his voice casual and asked, ‘What was that about Jack’s parents?’
Estelle didn’t look up from the china. ‘Hmm? Oh nothing—I was just talking to myself. Perhaps you’re right. Someday he’ll slow down long enough to notice that the men he dates aren’t just for entertainment, and material things aren’t just junk.’
The sadness which underlaid Estelle’s tart tone tugged at Ianto’s heart. But his sympathy was mixed with another sensation—the knowledge that, no matter how kindly Estelle was treating him and no matter how generous she was, she didn’t consider Ianto to be anything more than an employee after all. He certainly wasn’t like family.
And I never expected to be.
Still, it was a lesson worth remembering. It would be far too easy to forget his real place here, to believe that Estelle’s kind treatment made Ianto something special, when in fact Estelle treated everyone that way.
‘Sometimes,’ Estelle said softly, ‘it seems like it’s just so much work to do this.’
Here’s your chance, Ianto told himself. ‘You don’t have to do it all yourself, you know.’
‘Oh, my dear, I realise what a help you’ve been. I couldn’t have possibly gotten through the last few days without you.’
But we’ve barely scratched the surface, Ianto thought. ‘I don’t mean me. There are auction companies—they’ll come in and clear every out, make arrangements—’
‘And sell it all to the highest bidder.’
There was no gentler way to put it. ‘Well, yes.’
Estelle shook her head, ‘I hate the thought of an auction. All that sing-song talk, people yelling bids and pawing through things, hoping to get a bargain, dealers just wanting to make a profit...’
‘You wouldn’t have to be there to see it.’
‘I’d know it was going on.’
Ianto considered, and then said carefully, ‘If it’s the idea of an auction that bothers you, I’ve read about companies that offer tag sales instead. You could go ahead and move, and then they’d just take over the house and have a gigantic sort of garage sale of everything that’s left.’
Ianto got so caught up in that idea that it took him a minute to realise that Estelle had gone even quieter than usual. ‘No,’ she said firmly. ‘Giving my belongings away is one thing, especially when they go to someone who needs them or will appreciate them. But selling them—no, I couldn’t stand to put a price tag on my china.’
‘I understand,’ Ianto said. ‘I have some precious things of my own. Like a quilt my grandmother had just finished when she died.’
‘Really? I’d like to see it.’
Ianto wondered if that was true, or if Estelle was grasping at any way to change the subject. ‘I’ll bring it down later, if you like.’
‘What about right now? I’m at a standstill here, and I’m ready for a glass of sherry.’
In truth, Ianto was glad to escape for a minute. He needed a break from the weight of emotion in the room every bit as much as Estelle did.
Jack was coming in the side door as Ianto started up the stairs. He leaned over the banister and beckoned to him, and as he came closer, he caught that alluring scent again that Jack seemed to exude. The scent—along with the memories it evoked of the way Jack had kissed him yesterday—made him want another taste. He pushed that train of thought back and said, ‘Whatever you do, don’t suggest she auction off the china. In fact, if you’re smart, you’ll tell her you’re wild about it and you’d love to own it.’
Jack looked up at him as if he’d been speaking another language. ‘You mean those dishes with the pink cabbages all over them?’
‘It’s Havilland china, and they’re roses.’
‘Never saw a rose that looked like that before. What’s been going on?’
‘Let’s just say that my suggestion of an auctioneer didn’t go over well. I’ll tell you later. We don’t want her to think we’re conspiring.’
‘Even though we are? Relax—she’ll just think we’re flirting in the dark corners.’ He winked playfully.
Ianto remembered the almost sharp way Estelle had looked at him, and the way she dodged Ianto’s question about Jack’s parents. ‘I don’t think that would be much better,’ he muttered and went upstairs.
By the time he came back down, with the quilt in his arms, Jack had poured his grandmother a sherry and had a beer waiting for Ianto as well. ‘I don’t like what all this work is doing to you, Gran,’ Jack was saying as Ianto came in. ‘You look worried...awfully stressed. I talked to a friend who’s in real estate today.’
Ianto stopped mid-step. With his hands full, he couldn’t exactly wave his arms to get Jack’s attention, and jumping up and down would be a bit too obvious. At any rate, Jack wasn’t watching him; he was too intent on his mission.
‘He’d like to come and take a look at the house sometime,’ Jack went on. ‘He could give you an idea of what it might bring on the market, and then you’d have a better idea—’
‘No thank you, Jack.’ Estelle set her sherry glass down with a thump that threatened to shatter the crystal stem. ‘I need to speak to Emma for a moment. Excuse me, please.’ And she left the room.
‘Well, that was certainly a brilliant stroke of diplomacy,’ Ianto said. He dropped the quilt in a heap at the end of the sofa and planted his hands on his hips.
Jack’s jaw sagged. He stared after Estelle for a moment. ‘What did I say that was so bad?’
‘You told her the easiest way to get rid of her stuff was to sell it to the highest bidder.’
‘Well, it is,’ he said defensively.
‘You know that, and I know that—bit it’s not just stuff we’re talking about here. It’s her memories. And since I just made the same mistake a few minutes ago...’
Jack snapped his fingers and grinned. ‘I knew if I waited long enough, it would turn out to be your fault.’
‘Thanks. I appreciate you giving me so much credit. Did you at least tell her you want her china?’
‘What the hell would I do with her china? Use it for target practice?’
‘Are you trying to give her a heart attack? Never mind.’ Ianto sank down beside the quilt, one fingertip absently tracing a wheel-like pattern.
‘Is that my quilt?’
Ianto bristled. ‘You’re quilt? I didn’t sell it to you. In fact, you said you didn’t want it.
‘I’m coming to terms with the reality of the situation.’ Jack stretched out a hand. ‘I couldn’t remember what it looked like.’
‘Too bad I didn’t realise that—I could have substituted a less meaningful one and you’d never have known the difference. Anyway, I’ll pay the loan back, Jack—so don’t get attached to my quilt. Did James convince you to go climbing with him?’
‘He didn’t invite me.’
‘Really? Oh, I guess that makes sense. Maybe he wanted you to see his agility and flexibility.’
‘Probably.’ Jack shuddered. ‘But I didn’t go and watch. I figured dinner tonight was enough time to spend paying attention to James.’
‘Dinner?’ Ianto laughed.
‘It was your idea, Ianto.’
‘Jack, he knew perfectly well, I was actually inviting Tosh. The all inclusive invitation was the kind of thing you say when you don’t actually mean it. I suppose he arranged it to be just the two of you? That’s good, because I would much rather not have to spend any time with James. Maybe Tosh can come over here tonight to chat. Have a good time.’
What kind of good time? Jack wondered suspiciously.
‘Well, you’ll get your chance to see Tosh tonight for sure. I said we’d pick them up at seven.’
‘We?’
‘You’re not getting out of this, Mr Jones. You’re going to suffer James, too.’
Estelle had come back in. ‘A dinner date? How nice. Who’s going?’
‘Tosh and James, Ianto and me.’
Ianto saw his chance to get out of it. ‘Unless you need me here, Estelle,’ he said smoothly. ‘It’s awfully short notice to leave you on your own, and I wouldn’t want to hurt Emma’s feelings by walking out on the meal she’s prepared.’
He tried to ignore Jack’s sardonic smile.
‘Don’t worry about Emma,’ Estelle said. ‘She’s making a casserole that always tastes better the second day, so we’ll just have it tomorrow instead. And as for me—all this rich food might be why my ankles are swelling. I’ll make up for it by just having a boiled egg and toast on a tray in front of the television tonight. I’ll tell Emma you two won’t be home for dinner.’ She popped out of the room again, calling the housekeeper’s name.
‘That seems to settle it,’ Jack said.
‘Not necessarily. I can boil and egg for myself, Jack.’
‘In Emma’s kitchen? You must be joking. Besides...’ He held out both hands, as if he were actually juggling the options. ‘Lobster—boiled egg. Big decision.’
‘Not for somebody who doesn’t like lobster. Other seafood, yes—but not lobster.’
‘Steak, then. Or we could put it another way—staying home with Gran, Emma and the television, or going out for dinner.’
‘Getting dressed up and keeping company with you and James... I’ll have to think about it.’ The trouble was, Ianto reflected, he didn’t have to think about it.
Just to watch Jack squirm with James throwing out lures. It certainly didn’t have anything to do with spending the evening with Jack. And, of course, Tosh would be there.
‘Don’t forget Tosh will be there,’ Jack echoed his thoughts.
‘Well that certainly tips the scale in favour of going.’
‘Go change your clothes—we need to get moving.’
‘Eager to see James again?’ Ianto said smoothly. He didn’t wait for an answer.
Since there was only one good suit hanging in the guestroom closet, it didn’t take him long to decide what to wear. When he came back into the living room Jack was staring into the fire, glass in hand.
‘Back already,’ he said and eyed Ianto appreciatively. ‘Love the suit by the way.’
Ianto felt a flush go through him but ignored Jack for the most part and held his tongue until they were safely out of the house, and as he settled in the Jaguar, he said, ‘I want to make it quite clear that I only came to see Tosh, and to brainstorm a new plan on approaching Estelle. She doesn’t like the idea of an auction or a tag sale, or your friend in real estate. And arguing about it with her obviously isn’t going to change anything—since you’ve already tried and she just walked out of the room.’
‘Then what do you recommend?’
‘It’s the idea of a sale that bothers here. She’ll happily give things away, just not sell them.’
‘So maybe we just put a sign in front of the house that says Free Stuff, and let people in off the street to choose what they want?’
‘And hire riot police to control the crowd?’ Ianto said dryly. ‘ Do you want me to get in the back with Tosh when we pick them up, so James can ride up front with you?’
‘I have an even better idea. You drive—’
‘You’re offering to let me get behind the wheel of your Jaguar? Pardon me for a minute, I’m hyperventilating at the mere thought.’
‘Because then they’ll take a taxi home afterwards rather than risk another ride with you.’
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on 2012-03-04 09:40 am (UTC)Happy to see that it looks like we ARE about to see the 'double date'- and hopefully find out more about James and Tosh and what they're up to...
Loved it as usual!
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on 2012-03-04 05:47 pm (UTC)no subject
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on 2012-03-04 12:48 am (UTC)no subject
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on 2012-03-04 01:25 am (UTC)no subject
on 2012-03-04 01:37 am (UTC)no subject
on 2012-03-04 01:50 am (UTC)I'm wondering just exactly what happened with Jack's parents. Whatever it was seems to weigh heavily on Estelle as well as Jack. His life with them certainly didn't instill Jack with any kind of warm fuzzy feelings about his childhood with them.
Dinner with the four of them should be both interesting and entertaining. I wonder if Ianto will manage to spend all of his time talking with Tosh and leave Jack to fend for himself against James. This ought to be good.
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on 2012-03-04 02:00 am (UTC)Sixty years of memories is a hard thing to go through and sort out, but it is something that she is determined to do.Hoepfuly Ianto can help her with that.
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on 2012-03-04 02:33 am (UTC)no subject
on 2012-03-04 02:55 am (UTC)no subject
on 2012-03-04 07:07 am (UTC)Jack, Ianto, James and Tosh having dinner together -- what could possibly go wrong? tee hee.
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on 2012-03-04 09:14 am (UTC)Yeah, the house is full of memories and memorabilia.
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on 2012-03-05 08:14 pm (UTC)