Rose stared into the beautiful brown eyes of the man she was never going to see again. It took every part of her to keep from breaking down. She wanted to tell him. She wanted to tell him so badly. He had to know.
"There's five of us now. Mum, dad, Mickey...and the baby." Then she saw it in his face and she knew she made a mistake. The fear, the sheer panic that the baby was his.
"You're not?" He wasn't only losing the woman that he loved but also his child. Rose then knew, if he knew it was his then he would tear apart every universe to get back to them. And she couldn't have that. Knowing would only break his heart even more. So she decided to lie.
"No," she laughed off her pain. "No, it's mum's…"
~ 6 months later ~
Rose was more uncomfortable than she had ever been in her life. She wobbled into the kitchen, her ankles and feet throbbing.
"Mum," she wined. Jackie was in the kitchen watching the cooks work on dinner. She was still very particular about her food.
"What is it luv?" she asked.
"Mum, I'm gigantic. Everything hurts! And I just want some ice cream." Jackie smiled sympathetically at her daughter.
"Then let's get you some ice cream." Mother and daughter sat at the dining room table together. The Tyler mansion was amazing in so many ways. Rose nor Jackie had ever stayed in a place this beautiful. Rose could tell how happy her mother was here. But it wasn't home. Rose hadn't felt at home since she was in the TARDIS. Tears threatened to pour down Rose's face as she sat there, staring at the ice cream that wasn't satisfying her. Jackie put her hand on top of hers.
"Rose," she said with a sweet voice.
"I don't know if I can do this, Mum." She let out a large breath, feeling the tears come. "I need him."
"Sweetheart, you can do this. You are so strong." Rose let out a laugh that sounded more like a sob.
"The baby has two hearts. I don't know how to raise a Timelord. What if the baby isn't human at all."
"I honestly don't know, Rose. But the child is yours and we will figure this out together. This baby is going to be surrounded by so much love." She paused. "I can't believe you didn't want to know if it's going to be a boy or a girl!" Rose laughed.
"I want it to be a surprise. This is an adventure...and I've always liked adventure." Rose was suddenly overwhelmed with loneliness. "I just wish he was here."
"I know honey, I know," Jackie said as she wrapped her daughter in her arms. A pain shot through Rose like nothing else she had ever felt before. She cried out, crumpling in her mother's arms.
"Rose!" Jackie asked with concern. Rose cried out again, putting her hand to her round stomach.
"The baby's coming," she said.
~ 11 months later ~
Rose was sound asleep when she heard a cry that awoke her. Rose groaned, rolling out of bed and shuffling over to her daughter's crib. Her daughter's eyes lit up as she saw her mother and reached out with her small, chubby hands. Rose picked her up, hugging her to her chest.
"Shhhh," she whispered as her daughter's whimpers slowed. "What wrong darling? Did you have a nightmare?" She set her 11 month old baby on her hip and walked them over to the rocking chair. Rose's apartment was silent. After the baby was born, Rose felt like she needed her own place. But she was still very close to her family so her parents could see their granddaughter. Rose had never felt a connection as strong as the one she had with her daughter. She was the reason Rose got up every morning.
"You know what, Lily. Mumma has nightmares too. And you know what she does?" Lily looked up at her mom with beautiful large, brown eyes. She had the eyes of her father. Rose never thought she would ever see those eyes again, but now she got to see them everyday. "She counts her blessings. Your daddy taught me to do that. Whenever I would have a nightmare he would lay with me and hold me. He told me to count my blessings. Now I use it every time I have a nightmare." Lily babbled at her, letting out small giggles. Rose rubbed Lily's soft cheek with her finger.
"Go back to sleep, my love. I'll be here to hold you."
Her phone almost vibrated off the counter. Rose ran over from Lily's highchair to answer it.
"Hello?"
"Hey Rose, did I wake you up," Susan said from the other line. Rose laughed.
"No, I was just feeding Lily. What's up?"
"We have new coordinates we are ready to try." Rose's breath hitched. Maybe this was the one. This was the right coordinate that would take her back to her doctor.
"Good. When are we going to try it?"
"As soon as you're ready." At that moment Lily laughed. It always scared Rose to cross universes without her. She did yet have a feeling that she would always return. Nothing could separate them. And now they were going to unite their family for the first time. She smiled at Lily as she laughed and banged her hands on her tray.
"I have to drop Lily off at my mum's and I'll be right there."
Torchwood's chemical engineer grasped Rose's hand.
"You ready," Susan asked. Rose took a deep breath, zipping her blue leather jacket.
"Ready," she said.
"You have 8 hours," with those words Susan pressed the button.
Crossing universes was always painful. It felt like her body turned to liquid and moved throughout the air. The nausea afterwards wasn't too fun either. She appeared in the middle of a busy street. A taxi honked at her as it screeched to a halt. Rose held out a hand of apology before running to the other side of the street. She gathered her bearings. It looked like a normal city. She was on earth, London possibly. Looked to be modern times. Rose looked to her left. There was a large crowd around a building. The building was blocked off by police tape and there seemed to be smoke coming from the building. Rose approached the crowd with curiosity.
"Excuse me," she asked a bystander. "What happened here?" The woman raised her shoulders.
"Dunno," she said. Rose approached someone else.
"Excuse me, do you know what happened?" The man turned to look at her.
"I'm not really sure actually. Heard there was an attack on some people. Multiple people were falling over and screaming. Then this building seemed to have an explosion of some kind. It's madness." Rose nodded. This entire situation reeked of the Doctor. He must have been here. Rose desperately looked around. Whatever happened it was over now which meant the Doctor was long gone. He never stayed for the cleanup. Rose felt the tears come to her eyes. This is the closest she had gotten to the Doctor. She always seem to just miss him. And she didn't even know for certain if he was here. Rose stood by the police barriers trying to decide what to do next. She felt a tap on her shoulder. It was a woman. She had fiery red hair and seemed to be in a terrible rush.
"Listen, there is this woman that's going to come along. A tall blond woman called Sylvia. Tell her that bin there, all right? It'll all make sense. That bin there." Rose gave her a shocked look.
"Umm, okay, sure." She woman let out a breath and put her hand on her arm.
"Thank you," she said as she turned to leave. Rose watched after her curiously. What an interesting woman she seemed to be. She stopped suddenly and turned around, looking at her with an expression that Rose couldn't make out. Rose watched her as she approached.
"Do I know you," she asked when she got close enough. Rose looked at her up and down.
"I don't think so," she answered.
"What's your name?" Rose wasn't sure if she should tell her name. She didn't know what the rules were for universe crossing.
"Sorry," the woman said. "I know I'm being abrupt." She stuck out her hand. "I'm Donna." Rose took her hand and shook it. Her hand felt familiar somehow.
"My name's Rose." Donna's mouth fell open. Her eyes flit up to Rose's hair. Rose narrowed her eyes at her.
"Can I help you with anything else," Rose asked tentatively. Donna shook her head.
"Sorry I must seen daft. Listen, this is going to found very strange but...do you know a Doctor?" At that name Rose felt her heart stop. It couldn't be. Could it?
"A doctor," Rose asked, putting an emphasis on the 'A.'
"Is your last name Tyler?" Rose's breathing became rapid.
"Yes," she almost whispered. Donna beamed at her.
"My friend is just around the corner. I'm sure he'd love to see you." Immediately tears came to Rose's eyes. She couldn't believe it. After all of this time he could be right here. She tried not to get her hopes up.
"He's here?" She almost sobbed. Donna gave her a gentle smile.
"Common," she said. Rose couldn't move. Her face paled as her feet stuck to the floor. Donna turned back around giving her a wider smile.
"Come along then," She said as she tugged on Rose's arm. Rose followed her in a trace. As they round the corner, Rose's blood pumped louder and louder in her ears. When she saw it she halted. The TARIS stood there, more blue and beautiful than she remembered. She immediately let out a sob at the sight of her home. Donna stopped and turned around to look at her again. She then ran to the TARDIS. As Donna almost reached it the TARDIS door creaked open. Rose could only stand there and watch as the love of her life and the man that she thought she would never see again came into view.
"Donnnnnna! What took you so long!" Rose couldn't help but smile at the sound of his voice. His beautiful voice. Donna stopped in front of him. He gave her a confused look. Donna looked out of breath and completely overjoyed about something. She beamed at the Doctor. Then she turned and looked off to something in the distance. The Doctor followed her gaze and his vision tunneled. Standing there was Rose Tyler. The Doctor couldn't breath at the sight of her. Before he knew what he was doing he started to run as did she. Rose had spent 20 months away from the Doctor but these last few seconds were more painful than all of that time.
They collided into each other's arms. He squeezed her as tight as he could just so he could know if she was real. He felt her tears on his jacket as he let out a sob of his own. For the first time in 20 months the Doctor felt complete. Nothing else in the world mattered. All that mattered was that his Rose was in his arms. Rose put her head in the crook of his neck. She was enveloped in his scent. The scent that she dreamt about. The Doctor held her head and moved it so her forehead was touching his. They stared at each other.
"Hello," Rose said through her tears. The Doctor beamed at her.
"Hello," he answered. He then leaned forward, capturing her lips with his. Rose let out another sob as she pressed her body into his. The Doctor lifted her off of her feet and swung her around. After he set her down, their lips parted. They looked at each other as if nothing else in the universe mattered, because nothing else did.
"My rose," he whispered. "How? How are you here?" Rose laughed.
"It's a long story."
"I've plenty of time." The Doctor faced the TARDIS grasping Rose's hand and pulling her along with him. Donna stood by the TARDIS, smiling at them.
"Donna," the Doctor said. "I would like you to meet Rose Tyler." Rose smiled at Donna.
"Lovely to meet you," Donna said. "Good thing you're here. He wouldn't shut up about you!" Rose laughed while the Doctor gave Donna a hurt look.
"Hey!" Rose walked up to the TARDIS and stroked the door with her hand. The Doctor watched her proudly.
"Well what are we waiting for! Let's go!" They began to enter the TARDIS.
"I think I'm just going to stay here," Donna said. The Doctor looked at her.
"What? We were going to travel together!"
"I know," she said. "But you two just found each other. I don't want to be a third wheel."
"No Donna," Rose stepped forward. "Please come. I didn't mean to ruin anything. Please. I don't have much time anyway." The Doctor looked at her.
"What," the Doctor said.
"Please Donna," Rose said to her. Donna rolled her eyes.
"Alright just because you begged." Rose and Donna entered the TARDIS while the Doctor stood behind for a moment, collecting his thoughts and then following the women into the time machine.
Rose danced around the console emanating pure joy. She laughed as the TARDIS made musical noises as she danced. The Doctor leaned against the grating, smiling at his girls.
"I've missed you too old girl," Rose said as she storked the consol. "Donna, have you been in here before?" Donna nodded.
"I have. Is there more than this?" The Doctor nodded enthusiastically.
"Oh yes! Why don't you explore the corridor and find your room." Donna smiled at him.
"I have a room!"
"Indeed, " the Doctor said. "Go! Find it and get settled in. You get to pick our first destination when you return." Donna grabbed her bags and took off down the corridor, leaving Rose and the Doctor alone. They smiled at each other before running again into each other's arms. They held each other for what felt like an eternity. When they parted they grasped hands.
"Rose," he said in an accusing tone. "How did you get here?" Rose blushed.
"At Torchwood we built...kind of a portal jumper. We were trying different coordinates so I could…" she trailed off.
"So you could what, Rose?" He looked at her with concern.
"So I could come back," she said with a smile on her face, her tongue between her teeth. The Doctor beamed at her.
"Shut up," she said as she rolled her eyes and the Doctor giggled. His face suddenly sobered.
"Rose, crossing universes is impossible. How were you able?" Rose looked at him with a sad expression.
"Something's wrong." The Doctor watched her with intensity. "The walls of the universes are slowly breaking down. We don't know why." The Doctor looked past her, thinking. Rose watched him. This had to be dealt with but she couldn't go another moment without telling him.
"Doctor." He looked at her as if just remembering that she was here. "I don't have a lot of time."
He frowned at her. "Why?"
"The portal jumper gives me 8 hours in each universe I go to." She looked at her watch. "I only have 5 hours left." The Doctor leaned forward and kissed her forehead, feeling the tears build up again.
"Five wonderful hours," he said. "Can you come back?"
"I think so," she said as the Doctor smiled. "But I need coordinates from you about where you will be and…" she paused. "And I will meet you there." She wrapped her arms around his neck and the Doctor hugged her back gladly, melting into her. Rose put her hands on his shoulders and faced him.
"There is something else I have to tell you." The Doctor looked at her with fear.
"What is it? Are you alright?" Rose smiled at his concern.
"Yes, i'm fine but...you should sit down. Yea, sit down." She walked the Doctor over to the only seat in the console room and sat him down. She stood in front of him. The Doctor watched her intetly.
"Rose just tell me." She took a deep breath.
"I lied to you...at Bad Wolf Bay."
"What do you mean?"
"The baby I mentioned wasn't mum's. It was mine." The Doctor seemed confused for a moment, pondering what she said.
"And you're the father." At this the Doctor's head shot up to meet her eyes.
"You...you mean...that I…"
"Yes," Rose said. "You have a daughter." The Doctor stopped breathing completely.
"I have a daughter," he said with disbelief. Rose nodded.
"I'm a father," he said, tears immediately rolling down his cheeks. He covered his mouth with his hand and let out a joyful sob.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Rose's face reddened. She was overwhelmed with guilt.
"Because I didn't want you to be in more pain then you already were. So I lied. I'm sorry." The Doctor nodded his head, looking at his shoes. Then he leaped towards Rose, taking her into his arms and twirling her. The couple laughed as they twirled and twirled.
"I'm a father," he exclaimed. He put Rose down, giving her a passionate kiss. When they parted Rose laughed.
"This is a much better reaction than I was expecting."
"What did you name her?" Rose smiled at him.
"Lily." The Doctor let out another sob.
"Beautiful. Marvelous! Where is she?" Rose put her hand on the Doctor's cheek.
"She's back in Pete's World. She stays with mum when I go universe jumping." The Doctor made a sour face.
"I hope your mother isn't ruining her." Rose laughed.
"There's no way! I think she loves her now more than she loves me...Lily has your eyes you know." The Doctor smiled as Rose leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. He looked into the depths of her eyes.
"Rose, there was something that I didn't get a chance to tell you." Rose felt her breathing stop as she waited in anticipation.
"At Bad Wolf Bay we were cut off and I never got the chance to tell you...to tell you that…"
"Tell me what," Rose whispered. The Doctor took a deep breath.
"I love you, Rose Tyler with all of my hearts." It was Rose's turn to have tears roll down her cheeks. The Doctor leaned forward and kissed her gently and lovingly.
"I love you, my doctor," she said when she parted. She looked into his eyes.
"Oh, and there's something else," Rose said. The Doctor scrunched his eyebrows at her.
"You didn't have twins did you?"
"No," Rose laughed. "But Lily...she has two hearts." The Doctor let out a hitched breath.
"She does? She's a Timelord?" Rose nodded."I'm not the last one."
"But Doctor…" she paused. "I don't know how human she is or if she's human at all! I don't know if she'll regenerate or have superior biology like you do. There's a doctor at Torchwood but he's flying blind too! I don't know how to fully care for her! I'm not good enough!" Rose broke down. Gently the Doctor wrapped his arms around her, shushing her.
"Rose, I am sure that you are a wonderful mother," he whispered. Rose looked at him with red, blotchy eyes.
"And honestly I don't know any of that either. This is quite new. I would have to scan her here in the TARDIS." There was a moment of silence as the Doctor thought.
"Is there any way you could get her here?" Rose bit her lower lip.
"I...I don't know. Universe jumping is a bit painful and I don't know if we could travel together. She might end up in a different universe if she survives the journey." The Doctor closed his eyes, pushing away all of those horrible hypotheticals.
"Can I go there?" Rose gave him a worried look.
"To Pete's World? What if you get stuck there?"
"That doesn't matter. Rose, I have to see her," as he said this the Doctor grasped Rose's shoulders.
"I can scan her with the screwdriver." Rose nodded in agreement.
"Okay, I'll figure it all out once I return." The Doctor beamed at her.
"Hey you two, watch yourselves I'm back in the room," Donna said as she entered the console. The Doctor bounced towards her.
"Donna! Have you decided where you would like to go?" Donna laughed, looking at Rose for a moment before walking over to her.
"How much time have you got Rose before you have to leave," she asked.
"Less than five hours," she answered. Donna nodded.
"Oh," the Doctor said. "There are some conditions to where you choose, Donna." Donna spun towards him.
"I knew this wasn't a free ride! Alright, what is it?" The Doctor rolled his eyes before answering.
"I'm ignoring that comment. You must choose a place that you don't mind being at for potentially a long time. We have to stay put so Rose knows where we are when she comes back." Donna smiled.
"Oh that's all? Then I know just the place!" The Doctor jumping making a crashing sound on the grating as he landed.
"Brilliant! Oh, Donna I have some news!" Donna crossed her arms at him.
"Good news I hope?" The Doctor smiled at Rose who backed away bashfully. For some reason she felt uncomfortable with Donna knowing that she slept with the Doctor.
"Oh the best news! I'm a father!" Donna gave him a look that insinuated his insanity.
"You're kidding," she said. The Doctor moved excitedly around the TARDIS.
"Yes ma'am! Rose here just told me! Conceived before we were separated, of course. Rose gave birth about…" he ran over to Rose and licked her cheek. Rose gave a loud "ew" before rubbing his spit off of her face. "11 months ago!" He stopped. "Wow, my girl is 11 months old! That means my daughter's crawling and at the cusp of walking. She's absorbing language and soon she'll be talking. How exciting! Anyway, Lily is her name which is just brilliant because her mother is named after a flower and now so is she! It comes full circle! I love circles! Just like time really, time isn't a straight line, you know, none of this cause and effect hoopla."
"Doctor!" Both Donna and Rose shouted at the same time. He stopped prancing.
"Sorry," he said, standing still for moment before running to the controls. Donna walked over to Rose and wrapped her arms around her to which Rose responded immediately.
"Congratulations," she said. Rose squeezed her tighter.
"I can't even hug him without getting a papercut much do anything else. You're a brave woman," Donna said. Rose blushed, laughing a bit.
"Donna," the Doctor yelled. "I'm quite a catch thank you very much." He winked at Rose who turned a darker shade of red. Donna laughed at her. The Doctor then clapped his hands.
"Well Donna Noble, where shall we go?" Donna smiled at Rose before running over to the Doctor and whispering in his ear. The Doctor grinned as he furiously starting flipping switches.
"Allon-y!"