A/N: The Doctor has just become a father for the first time in centuries. This is dedicated to all the Fathers out there. Enjoy!
The Doctor leaned back into the reclining chair. Rose had just fallen asleep in her bed, he himself didn't need any rest at the moment. So he took a moment to look around the room.
The hospital room was adorned with soft colors that changed based on the whim of the occupant. The Doctor couldn't help but give a small laugh at the color scheme Rose had chosen.
Baby Pink.
He remembered how much Rose loved pink when she first joined him. Her old bedroom on the TARDIS was still that odd shade of pink.
Well, given that she had given birth to their daughter not to long ago, the Doctor thought it fitting. And what Rose wanted, the Doctor couldn't deny her as long as it didn't break any galactic laws. He had offered to deliver their child in the TARDIS, arguing how it was a momentous occasion. Rose wanted to deliver in hospital.
The Doctor thought back to how the row had started. When he foolishly accused her of insinuating that he was not competent enough to safely deliver a child. That night, Rose had slept in her old bedroom. The matter had resolved itself, when Rose clarified that she felt better in a hospital where they have seen unusual births. And that he should want the best care for his wife and child.
In the end, they almost didn't make it to the hospital. They were exploring a market on Indigo 3, when Rose mentioned her water broke. He knew the TARDIS had moved the med bay closer to the console room if required. However, in the end, his old girl landed them safely in the loading dock of the Sisters of the Infinite Schism. The greatest hospital in the Universe, most qualified in the Doctor's opinion. Nothing less would have been satisfactory for the Doctor when it came to his Rose.
The Doctor's thoughts were broken by the tiny snuffling coming from the cot. He stood up quickly, moving to the cot, smiling as he looked upon the occupant.
Donna Sarah Tyler. First born child of the Doctor and Rose Tyler. Oh, the Doctor knew she would have him wrapped around her finger. That she would always be, as humans term it, 'Daddy's little girl'. He never had a daughter before. He worried that he wouldn't do as well, seeing his track record as a father.
The infant opened her eyes as her limbs wriggled inside the swaddling cloths. Donna clearly wished to be picked up that moment, and began to whimper to make that point known. The Doctor carefully scooped the infant up in his arms, before returning to his seat near Rose's bed.
"No, Donna. Mummy is sleeping right now. She had a busy day, bringing you into the world and all." The Doctor smiled as Donna clasped his finger into her tiny hand. "You'll just have to be content with your old man for a while," the Doctor whispered as he kissed her head. Donna gurgled in response as her feet kicked in the blankets.
"What's wrong with the red one? Your Mum likes it!" The Doctor smirked as he couldn't believe it, only a few hours old, and she was already sassing him about the color of his bow tie.
"Oh, Donna. My little Donna. The things you are going to see. The people you will meet. Just wait til you see the TARDIS! The old blue box that's bigger on the inside, and it's going to be yours one day. And – and just you wait til you see the room that was created just for you. The old girl has been waiting for you just as anxiously as me and your Mum have been." The Doctor kissed the top of her head again, sniffling back a few tears.
If you had told him that one day, that he would not only have Rose back in his life, but that she would be his wife. Plus that she would somehow give him children. The Doctor would have claimed you were barmy. He thought back to that day, when Rose Tyler came home to him for good.
He had just dropped Clara off, seeing her off with a cheerful 'See you next Wednesday'. He had parked the TARDIS in an alley way, and decided to take a walk. He had turned the corner when he saw her first. She was sitting at the cafe they had always frequented before Canary Wharf. He watched her pop her head up once or twice, as if she was searching for someone.
The Doctor had straightened his bow tie and walked nervously towards Rose. He knew she wouldn't recognize him. When he finally reached her table, he gazed upon her for a moment. Drinking in the sight of her, completely not believing she was here. He didn't know how, but at that moment he didn't care.
"Dickens, eh?"
Rose looked up briefly at the man before her. She raised an eyebrow as she took in his appearance. Clothed entirely in purple, looking like he stepped out of a Dickens novel. She raised an eyebrow as she lifted the book slightly. "Good guess... I'm sorry but, do I know you?"
The Doctor laughed as his fingers flicked back the flop of hair that fell into his eyes. "You could say that."
Rose's eyebrow twitched slightly at the man's response. She didn't recall meeting anyone who sported tweed. She looked around again, she had heard the TARDIS materialize not to long ago. Her eyes were on the look out for her pinstriped Doctor. "Sorry, mate. Come again?"
"I said, Rose Tyler. That you could say you know me. Well, I'd hope you haven't forgotten me, because I haven't forgotten about you. Never could forget my pink and yellow human."
Rose closed the book with a soft plop, her spine stiffening as he said her name. She stood, placing her book into her bag as she regarded the stranger suspiciously. "I don't know how you know my name, but I've never met you before in my life." Hoisting her bag onto her shoulder, Rose gave another look around. Sighing as she thought that tomorrow was another day. She brushed past the man as he spoke again.
"You've met me before, just not in this get up. Say... Did you know that they finally rebuilt Hendriks? Feel like checking it out with me? For old times sake?"
Rose froze as she turned to stare at the man. "H-how did you know about my old job? Are you some sort of stalker?"
The Doctor sighed as she hadn't figured it out yet. Dejectedly, he turned to walk away. "I've missed you, Rose. I was an idiot to leave you on that beach again. I won't bother you again."
Rose blinked as she watched the man walk away, looking like he just put his dog down or something. She saw him round the corner as it clicked. "Oh my god... Doctor," Rose shouted as she ran after him, rounding the same corner before stopping in her tracks.
The TARDIS stood proud as she watched the man fiddle with the key. Muttering for her to let him in already. Crossing her arms, and poking her tongue out the side of her mouth. She called out in a cheeky manner, "Have you tried stroking the wood? I heard she likes that."
"And that, Donna, is when I kissed your Mum properly for the first time. A time when one of us wasn't dying, or she wasn't being possessed. Which is a story for when you are older." The Doctor gave her tiny nose a gentle boop.
"And the rest is history."
The Doctor looked over towards Rose as he heard her voice. He smiled as he stood and sat on the edge of her bed. Rose grinned and gently tickled their daughter with her finger, making cooing noises as she did so.
The Doctor leaned over, giving Rose a kiss as Donna squeaked and gurgled again. Looking down, he frowned as he regarded the infant. "That wasn't very nice young lady!"
Rose chuckled as she watched her husband interact with their daughter. She never really knew if she could believe him when he said he spoke baby. But if it was possible, then she really couldn't be surprised.
Rose leaned her head against the Doctor's shoulder. "So, where are we going to take her first?"
The Doctor leaned back against the bed as he handed Donna off to Rose. "Home to the TARDIS first. She is going to love her cot. Same one I slept in." The Doctor smiled proudly. "Then maybe we'll take her to Barcelona. What do you think, Rose? And no, we aren't adopting one of the nose less dogs." He waggled his finger at Rose and their daughter.
"Barcelona it is." Rose smiled as she kissed his cheek.
*Two Years Later*
"Donna... Come on now... Give Daddy back his sonic screwdriver please," the Doctor pleaded as he chased the toddler around the console. She was waving it around like a flag, as her little feet pattered against the floor. Rose told him to not leave the gadget on the console. He honestly thought she couldn't reach it. However, he honestly misjudged his daughter's resourcefulness when she was on a mission.
The Doctor stopped and pinched the bridge of his nose. He was thankful he upgraded the screwdriver to include a child safety lock. Otherwise who knows the chaos that could result in a toddler squeezing the button. Donna was giggling at the buzzing sound it made when she clicked the button.
Donna was babbling a mixture of words and semi formed words, as she mimicked the Doctor when he used the screwdriver. The Doctor sneaked up behind her, scooping her up. "Gotcha!"
"May I have my screwdriver back now?" The Doctor held out his hand as Donna's little hand put it into his. "Why thank you!" The Doctor laughed as he covered her face in kisses. Earning him a few giggles as she squirmed.
The Doctor secured the screwdriver into his back pocket as he walked to the TARDIS doors. Snapping his fingers, the left door opened as the Doctor leaned against it. He pointed out to the cluster of stars in front of them. Tonight, he was going to tell Donna of her heritage. She wouldn't fully remember it, but he would happily tell her stories later on. When she was old enough to understand.
"Stars!" Donna cried out happily as she clapped. She loved it when her father would show her a new set of stars. He always had a story to go with it.
"That there, Donna, is the Constellation of Kasterborous. A long long time ago, there was a planet called Gallifrey." The Doctor pointed to the empty space in the constellation, as he began that evening's lesson. Donna watching him with her wide green eyes. She leaned her head against his chest, her small hand gripping the braces that he wore.
"...Sadly I will never be able to take you there, my sweet Donna. But it will live on in the memories and stories, that will be imparted to you when you are older," the Doctor spoke softly as he finished the tale. He heard Donna's soft and even breathing that told him she drifted to sleep.
The Doctor sighed blinking back a few tears, as he closed the door of his ship to the empty hole where his planet once stood.