AN: This one-shot is for the DW Secret Santa on Tumblr for my partner, lost-in-fictional-worlds. She wanted a pairing from the Russell T. Davies era, and I love Nine and Rose so much, so I'm making them a Christmas-y drabble, set in between Boomtown and Bad Wolf.
RING! RING! RING!
Rose mumbled something under her breath, and slammed an arm down on the nightstand next to her bed.
She reached out until she found her mobile and snapped it open. "'Lo?" she grunted.
"Rose!" her mother squeaked on the other end of the line. "What're you doin' asleep at three in the afternoon, sweetheart?"
Rose picked her head up a fraction of a centimeter to stare at her alarm clock blearily. "Mum, it's seven in the mornin' on the TARDIS."
"Talk about one hell of a time difference," her mother commented.
"Yeah," was all she said.
There was such a long pause Rose started to drift off once more.
"Anyways!" her mother exclaimed, forcing her back to consciousness. "Tomorrow's Christmas, Rose. D'you think you can convince himself to bring you 'round for the week? We can go to that Christmas Eve party at your gran's we always do, and then you can open presents with Micks and I on Christmas mornin', and I know Shareen's been dyin' to see you, so you might as well stay till New Year's for her party."
"Slow down and take a breath," Rose mumbled. "I don't think I can get the Doctor to bring me, 'cause you know he's not for the domestics, mum."
"Well, he bloody owes me, doesn't he?" she insisted. "Bringin' you home an entire year late, and don't think that slap was enough! 'Sides, that alien would do anythin' for you."
Rose snorted. "Doubt it."
"Just ask, sweetheart, please? It would be nice to see you. I know Mickey and Shareen would think so, too."
"I'll ask when I wake up," Rose said pointedly. "Gimme another two hours at most, mum. Then I'll ring you."
"Fine," she huffed. "But, how am I supposed to know when a good time to call you is when that spaceship of his changes times every other week it seems?"
"Oi!" Rose protested. "It's not a spaceship, it's a TARDIS. She changes the times dependin' on when we get back from adventures. That's really quite considerate of her when you think about-"
"Oh God," her mother groaned. "You sound just like himself. You better drop that before your gran's. She'll be sayin' travelin' hasn't done you any good, Rose."
"Goodnight, mum," Rose said.
"Night, Rose. Love you sweetheart!"
Rose snapped the phone shut and rolled over into the pillows.
…
Rose had honestly forgotten that her mother called since she was half asleep until her mobile alerted her to a text while she was fixing the morning tea.
She pulled the phone from her pocket and checked the screeen.
Mickey, 10:40 AM, Heard from your mum you're coming home for Christmas! Can't wait to see you, babe.
Rose groaned and felt the strongest urge to throw her mobile in the closest black hole.
"What's the matter?" the Doctor asked behind her.
"Mickey," Rose said. "He and my mum are gangin' up on me."
"About what?" the Doctor asked, and even though she couldn't see his face, she knew he was frowning.
She busied herself with putting the tea bags in the mugs and getting the sugar from the cabinet.
"Comin' home for a week for the holidays," she said, still in motion, now getting the bread out for toast.
The Doctor's hands came to rest over hers to still them and he took the bread from her to slice. "Thought you just went to visit a couple weeks ago?" he asked.
Rose sighed. "See?" she asked, rolling her eyes at the thought of her mother that thought this would be so easy. "Told her you were all about the no domestics approach."
"I am," he said gruffly. "Although," the Doctor mused. "Would be interestin' to see your mother hold her own against Harkness."
"She's not gonna slap 'im if that's what you mean!" Rose giggled and slapped him playfully on the arm.
"I heard my name!" Jack called as he arrived in the kitchen, taking his usual post by the toaster, ready to push down the lever. "What are we talking about? Who gives the most mind-blowing sex?"
The Doctor barked out a "Harkness!" as Rose's cheeks reddened.
"We were discussin' me goin' home for the holidays," Rose said.
"You should," Jack said simply, shrugging.
"What about travelin'?" she asked, lips pouting as she looked at the Doctor. "A whole week of stayin' still?"
"I figured you'd want the break after the Slitheen, no?" Jack asked, studying her.
"Oh, my God!" Rose exclaimed, her hands flying up to cover her neck. "I can't go home like this! My mum will either slap you for lettin' me get hurt or thinkin' it's some sort of weird alien claim your people do!"
"I got concealer!" Jack piped up. "Proper fifty-first century concealer. If it can do wonders to a Gashtra hickey, it'll cover up those marks."
"A Gashtra what?!" Rose asked, bursting into laughter.
"Never mind that, Rose. D'you wanna go home?" the Doctor asked.
"Well," she began. "It would be nice, but-"
"But what?"
"You already said, you didn't wanna take me, didn't you?" she asked.
Jack frowned at that. "Why?"
"He's all about the no domestics-"
"But what about you, Rosie? He's gotta realize you have a family!" he protested.
"He's right here," the Doctor grumbled. "And I believe I just asked if she wanted to go home," he pointed out.
Rose bit her lip, frowning. "What about the two of you? Can't have you galivantin' off on your own without me," she teased, although a line of worry creased her forehead.
"We'll go with you," the Doctor replied, shrugging.
"Even Jack?" she asked.
"You've been tellin' your mum about him for ages, maybe she should meet him. 'Sides, think of all the hell he'll cause! Christmas won't be borin'."
Rose smiled at that. "I suppose not. What d'you say Jack?"
"Turkey, presents, and parties?" he asked, "Count me in!"
…
When they arrived, Jackie wasn't home, but Rose let them into the flat with her key.
"We'll just wait here and surprise her," she said.
"Dunno why we can't just wait in the TARDIS," the Doctor grumbled.
"Oh, stop bein' a grump," she joked. "Think of the heartattack you can give my mum."
At that, the Doctor's face split into a grin. "Fantastic!"
So, they all settled onto the couch to watch bad telly and wait for her mother. The Doctor didn't last very long.
"Who watches this rubbish?" he asked disdainfully, as another rerun of EastEnders played.
"I did!" Rose exclaimed offendedly. "This was one of my favorite shows."
"When is your mum comin' home anyways? This is the third show and still no sign of Jackie!" the Doctor protested, crossing his arms over his chest and scowling, making very much a portrait of a toddler throwing a temper tantrum.
"Wanna take a walk?" Rose asked.
"A what?" he asked.
"A walk," she repeated. "You know, fresh air and all that. Plus, you might actually shut up for a few minutes."
"Fine," the Doctor agreed. "Let's go, Jack." The Time Lord pulled himself off the couch, before offering his hand to Rose to pull her up.
"You two go on," Jack said. "I'm catching up."
The Doctor shook his head and muttered, "Bloody apes and their television."
…
The chill in the air made the Doctor feel refreshed, and he was quite content to be having this stroll in the park across from Rose's flat.
Rose however, seemed to be feeling the opposite. He could hear her teeth chattering from her side.
"Cold?" he asked sarcastically.
"No," she bit back. "Just a little nippy, 'innit? Remind me again why we went for a stroll in the middle of December?"
"Speakin' from the point of view of the TARDIS-" the Doctor began.
"Yeah, yeah. It's really all months at once," Rose grumbled. "I'm not feelin' it right now, though."
"Would you like me jacket?" The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them, and he wanted to slap himself for sounding like a lovesick fool.
She paused in her walk and turned to him. Rose studied his face for a second, but he couldn't find it inside himself to turn away. The corners of her mouth crinkled in a smile, like she saw the answer she was looking for. "You would lend me your jacket?" She was asking for clarification, but he also knew she was giving him an out.
"You're cold," he pointed out, hopefully more nonchalantly than he felt. "Why would I want to spend time outside when all you're goin' to whinge about is being cold? Makes much more sense to give you my jacket. I can regulate my body temperature," he finished with a sniff of derision, making it quite clear that he thought he was superior to her.
She just smirked at him like she saw right through his little act. "Sure, Doctor. Your jacket would be nice."
"Right." He paused and placed his hands on his jacket to shuck it, only to frown a few moments later. "Ah-"
"If you're about to point out that this doesn't mean anything, I will slap you," Rose said cheerfully, already reaching her arms out for the jacket.
This time he shivered in rememberance of Jackie Tyler's slap, and thought he might not want to find out what her daughter's felt like. He sighed and preceded to take off the jacket. "Here," he said haughtily, holding it out like it might bite him. "Do us a favor, and make yourself warm."
Rose laughed. "Thank you, Doctor." She hummed happily the moment she was wrapped in the jacket's embrace. "It's all nice and warm inside! No wonder you always wear this thing!"
His cheeks flushed with pride. "The TARDIS does pick out rather fantastic things, doesn't she?"
"Mmm," she hummed placatingly. "I'm still not sure she really likes me."
"She likes you," he assured her. "More than, in fact. Trust me, I've had plenty of companions, and I know how to tell when she doesn't like someone."
Rose frowned at that. "You've had plenty of companions?"
He cleared his throat uncomfortably at the fact that he shared too much personal information with Rose once more.
"Ah, well. When I say companions, I mean people who were passin' through, not-"
"It's okay," she said softly, "I knew you must have had someone before. You're not exactly a spring chicken, yeah?" she asked, turning towards him and poking her tongue between her teeth and making him forget how to breathe.
Her expression sobered immediately after that. "What happened to them?" she asked, eyes lifting to meet his.
The Doctor stopped walking. His head and eyes were trained on the ground, and he could feel the blood roaring in his ears. "They died, or got lost, or chose to move on," he said so softly that Rose wasn't sure he spoke at all. Suddenly he felt over-exposed in his jumper and jeans.
"You know I'm never gonna do that, yeah?" she asked.
His eyes lifted to meet hers, and a faint smile graced his lips. "Whatever you say, Rose Tyler."
"I am!" she insisted. "I love travelin' with you, it's fantastic!"
The Doctor just shook his head at her, before continuing his walk.
"Thank you for bringin' us here," Rose said a few moments later after the silence became overwhelming.
"Was nothin'," the Doctor insisted.
"It was," Rose pressed. "It meant the world to my mum, me too."
"Dunno why we brought Jack along, though," the Doctor sighed. "Remind me again who's idea that was?"
"Yours!" Rose exclaimed happily. "You said, 'Well, Rose, if we don't bring him 'round your mum's just gonna keep callin' and askin' you to bring this man you keep talkin' about,'" she said in a terrible mockery of his Northern accent.
"Is that supposed to be me?" he asked, offended. "I sound nothin' like that!" he huffed.
"Sure you're not a bloke from Manchester?" Rose asked bemusedly. "You sound just like my cousin Rod whenever me and my mates used to make fun of 'im!"
"'My name's Rose Tyler, and I'm sooo in luuuurve with Jack Harkness!'" the Doctor said in a high-pitched imitation of what Rose's accent was supposed to sound like.
Rose laughed, holding her sides and gasping for breath. "Please tell me that's not what I sound like!"
"Swear on me heart!" the Doctor told her, barely able to contain his own laughter.
She narrowed her eyes at him. "You're lyin'."
He grinned at that. "Maybe I am exaggeratin' a bit, but the bit about Jack is true, isn't it?"
She scoffed. "He wishes."
The Doctor tried to ignore that his heart soared at that comment. "Oh? No love for the captain then? Even after that all secret gift for him that I wasn't even allowed to know?"
"Because it's partly your gift too!" Rose exclaimed. "If I told you, you'd know what your own Christmas present is."
"So?" he pouted.
"Presents are supposed to be a surprise," she said exasperatedly.
"I'm horrible with surprises," the Doctor pointed out.
"I know," she sighed. "Why d'you think I've had to hide this with the help of the TARDIS?"
"She does like you," he pointed out, like he knew all along. "Told you."
Rose shrugged noncommital. "Suppose."
When they had made a full lap around the park, the Doctor stopped.
"Rose?" he asked.
"Yeah?" she replied.
"D'you think we can go back to your mum's and you can make that hot chocolate that you make on the TARDIS with the cinnamon and marshmallows?" He shuffled his feet in the snow.
She laughed. "The hot chocolate you supposedly hate?"
"I never said I hated it!" he protested.
"You spat it out, and said it was the most revoltin' thing you had ever tasted," Rose said flatly.
"That was when Jack made it," the Doctor said.
"He followed my recipe," she said, raising her eyebrow.
"He didn't follow it right," the Doctor said brusquely. "An', can you hand me back me jacket? Can't go into your mum's flat half naked."
She rolled her eyes, but handed over his leather jacket. "Only you would think bein' without your jacket is half naked, Doctor."
He practically yanked it out of her hands and stuffed his arms in the comforting leather. "You still never answered me," he pointed out.
"About?" she asked.
"The hot chocolate," he said.
"Oh. Well, sure, yeah. I'll make it."
"Fantastic!" The Doctor grinned manically at her, and grabbed her hand in his. "Run!"
They took off running for the Powell Estates, laughing and completely besotted with each other.
…...
Rose had just finished up the hot chocolate and was pouring it into the three mugs she set upon the counter when she heard the turn of a key in the lock.
She almost spilled the chocolate on the counter in excitement. "It's my mum!" she whispered to Jack and the Doctor, who were sitting at the kitchen table.
"Hello?" came the confused call of her mother from the doorway. "Rose, is that you, sweetheart?"
She set down the pot and rushed out to the hallway. "Yeah, it's me!" Rose beamed at her mother and held her arms out.
Her mother, bless her, looked like all of her wishes had come true. "Oh, you came!" she said excitedly. "I told you himself would take you anywhere you wanted to go!" Her mother hugged her tightly against her, and Rose smiled into her shoulder.
"Nice surprise, then?" she asked.
"Of course," her mother agreed. "Where's himself, then? Out in that box of his? And what about this Captain Cheesecake Mickey was on about?"
As if on cue, the Doctor cleared his throat from the doorway to the kitchen. Jackie pulled away to see the two of them standing next to each other, and Jack's mouth twisted into an impish grin.
"Hello, Ms. Tyler," Jack drawled out. "I can see where Rose gets her good looks from."
Rose rolled her eyes, but the Doctor grunted in disapproval. "Watch yourself, Harkness," he warned. "Her slaps are lethal."
She chuckled at that. "Well, he didn't exactly bring me home a year late," Rose pointed out.
"Still on that," the Doctor grumbled.
"He is a charmer, Rose, I'll give you that," her mother said, cheeks reddening from Jack's comment.
"Oh, he's an old flirt. Randy, that man is," she told her. "Don't pay him any mind and you two will get on like old friends."
Jack placed his hand on his chest in mock affront. "I am offended, Rose Tyler! I can't be friendly to your mom?"
"Not in the way you're thinkin'," Rose said, grinning at him, her tongue in between her teeth.
"What were you three up to?" Jackie asked, eyeing Jack's physique appreciatively.
"I was makin' hot chocolate," Rose told her. "Want some?"
"Nah, love. Thanks, though. I gotta start gettin' ready for your gran's. Those two comin'?" Her mother inclined her head towards Jack and the Doctor.
"I'm up for anything," Jack promised. "And I mean-"
"Jack," the Doctor threatened lowly. "Just say yes or no."
"Yes," Jack huffed. "I would love to."
Rose grinned. "Just take it easy on my gran, will ya? She's got a weak heart as it is."
"Cross my hearts," he said solemnly.
"Doctor?" Rose asked softly, turning to look at him. "What about you?"
The Doctor was about to say not in a million years, Rose, when she gave him the most adorable look he'd ever seen on any species combined. He sighed. "Fine, but don't expect me to enjoy meself."
The answering grin she gave him was enough to make his hearts stop.
…..
The Doctor knew this was a bad idea.
Not only were both of his companions completely sloshed, so was Rose's mother. And Rickey the idiot. And Rose's gran. Pretty much every silly little ape at this party was sloshed, while he sulked against the doorjamb, waiting for the night to be over.
"Hiya, Doctor!" Rose greeted cheerfully. "Why're you sulkin' in the corner like a grump?"
"Cause I am a grump," he pointed out, although his face threatened to break into a smile at her silly little grin.
"You only pretend that," she insisted. "I know you're a big ol' softie. 'Member when we came home after the thingie with my dad and you cuddled me all night 'cause I told you I was 'fraid of nightmares? But the nightmares didn't come, 'cause I had you as my teddy bear!"
His cheeks reddened at the reminder, but his mouth pulled into a smirk. He was going to have such good blackmail on his blonde companion later.
Rose looked up at the ceiling by his head. "Oh!" she exclaimed excitedly.
"What?" he asked curiously.
"You're standin' under the mistletoe!" she said, beaming up at him.
The Doctor gulped. "Rose, err, I don't-"
But before he could get a word in edgewise, Rose was stretching up on her toes to plant a very wet, sloppy kiss on his lips. She pulled back with a large SMACK!
"There," she said satisfied. "S'a Christmas tradition, 'innit?"
The Doctor tried very hard not to laugh. "Suppose," he shrugged.
"D'you wanna dance?" she asked him, extending her hand towards him and waggling her eyebrows.
It was at this exact moment that Single Ladies blasted through the speakers and Jack let out a very unmanly squeal of excitement.
His mouth quirked into a grin. "I don't think I'm a single lady, Rose."
"Oh, right," she said, "cause you're with me! See ya!"
Before the Doctor could register what his drunk companion had said, she took off towards Jack and Mickey gyrating on the living room floor like a couple of horny teenagers. He sighed and scrubbed his hand down his face. This was going to be a very hard night.
"Come 'ere, you!" Rose's gran announced, barreling towards the Doctor at full speed. "Gimme a big ol' kiss for bringin' my granddaughter 'ome! You're standin' under the mistletoe, mister!"
The Doctor grimaced in horror and strode towards the kitchen with a purpose. He was going to need a drink.
…..
"OH, RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER HAD A VERY SHINY NOSE-" Jack sang out as they made their way across the estates.
"AND IF YOU EVER SAW IT, YOU WOULD EVEN SAY IT GLOWS-" Mickey picked up.
"ALL OF THE OTHER REINDEER, USED TO LAUGH AND CALL HIM NAMES-" Rose continued, then paused, "Your turn, Doctor."
He looked affronted. "Beg your pardon? Why would I sing Earth Christmas songs at the top of my lungs? I'm not sloshed."
"S'your own fault," Rose shrugged. "I saw you get a drink earlier, but that was the only one."
"Doesn't matter, babe," Mickey assured her. "I'll pick it up. THEY NEVER LET POOR RANDALF-"
At this, the group all burst into a fit of giggles.
"Did you just say Rudolph?" Rose asked, wiping the tears from her eyes.
"Yeah, that's his name," Mickey insisted.
"Listen-" Jack started.
The Doctor rolled his eyes. "Look, apes, it's four in the morning, and it's Christmas tomorrow. I'm sure no one appreciates your domestics outside. So, if you could, shove it into the flat?"
"Doctor," Rose whined, hanging onto his arm. "When are you gonna kiss me again?"
The Doctor almost regenerated right there.
"WHAT?" Mickey roared, lunging for the Doctor's throat, sending Rose sprawling onto the frozen concrete.
Jack instantly picked Rose up and brushed her off, and the Doctor batted the idiot away like he was nothing and held him by the collar.
"Don't ever lay a hand on me, or hurt Rose. Rose? You alright?" he asked, looking over towards his blonde companion.
"Fine, yeah," she assured him, looking at Mickey with wide eyes.
"Sorry, babe," Mickey apologized. "Just...he kissed you? We just broke up, yeah?"
"Actually," Rose said grandly, "I kissed him."
Jack whistled lowly.
"He was under the mistletoe," Rose explained.
"Oh!" Mickey said, grinning. "Okay!"
The Doctor sighed. "Jack, d'you think you two can make it to Rickey the Idiot's flat without harming anyone else?"
"Why do I have to babysit?" Jack scowled. "I wanna stay with Rosie."
"That's exactly why," the Doctor grumbled. "We'll see you both in the morning when you all sober up. Christmas, remember?"
Jack's face lit up at the reminder. "Presents!"
"Yeah. Now, go upstairs and to bed."
Jack sighed loudly, and dragged Mickey up the stairs by the arm. With that, the Doctor turned his attention back to Rose.
"Look at how much trouble you already got us into and it's only day one," he mused.
"M' sorry, Doctor," Rose said guiltily, toeing the ground and looking down.
He walked up to her and placed a hand on her arm. "Let's get you to bed, alright? We can talk in the morning."
"You promise?" she asked. "Cause I probably won't 'member and you never wanna talk about feelings."
He gave her a sad smile. The Doctor placed a kiss to the top of her forehead and laced his arm through hers. "Come on, you."
….
There was a loud knock on the TARDIS doors about 9am. The Doctor went over to the doors and opened them.
Rose winced at the sight of him. "If my headache and lack of memory is anythin' to go by, I made a complete arse of myself last night, and I'm sorry."
The Doctor smiled at her. "S'alright. We all do that sometimes."
"You especially," she told him, poking her tongue between her teeth.
"Oi!" he protested.
"Go on, tell me. What'd I say?" she asked, bracing herself for the worst.
"Well," he started. "Let's just say, you said I was your teddy bear and kissed me under the mistletoe, and then you, Mickey, and Jack sang Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer at the top of your lungs on the way home."
Rose cringed. "Please tell me it was a good kiss at least."
"Not gonna lie to you, Rose," he said solemnly. "It was sloppy."
She groaned. "I promise my kissing skills are nothin' like that."
He smirked. "Really? How are they then, Rose Tyler?"
The Doctor's hand had landed on her arm unknowingly, and he could feel her breath on his cheek. He closed his eyes, thinking this would be it. This would be the moment he finally kissed Rose Tyler, and then…
"Rosie!" an excited yell came from behind them, and they jumped apart.
"Yeah, Jack?" she asked, sounding a little hoarse.
"Your mom wanted me to come find you two. She said breakfast, then presents."
"Oh, right. Thank you for reminding me why I came in here," she said sincerely. "You two go on, it'll only take a second. Besides, mum's blueberry waffles aren't somethin' to be missed."
Jack's eyes lit up. "I love waffles! See ya guys there!"
"I'm bein' kicked out of my own ship?" the Doctor huffed.
"Yeah, I'll be right there," Rose promised, walking towards her room.
He sighed, and opened the door.
…..
Rose emerged from the TARDIS a few moments later, arms laden with gifts. "I've got the presents I promised, mum!" she exclaimed, setting them down under the tree.
The Doctor beamed up at her and patted the seat next to him, which she gladly took. "Rickey was about to riot in there," he told her solemnly. "Thought Christmas was family time?"
"I am family!" Mickey piped up defensively. "More than you, spaceman! I've been here since I was six Rose, hasn't I?"
"Yeah," she said reassuringly. "Besides," she continued, silencing the Doctor with a glare, "he doesn't have a family to go home to on Christmas. We're all he's got left."
Mickey smirked triumphantly, and plopped down on the couch next to Rose, draping an arm across her shoulders. "Present time, then?" he asked.
Rose nodded. "Got somethin' for you, Micks." She quickly reached down under the tree and presented him with a small box wrapped in blue and gold paper and a white bow hanging off haphardly.
"Don't know where you got your wrappin' skills from," her mother chuckled. "Your dad, I suppose. Couldn't ever get anythin' to cut straight."
Rose huffed. "I thought it looked alright."
"Of course, sweetheart," Jackie placated. "Look's wonderful."
She gave a nod of satisfaction and motioned towards Mickey. "Well, go on, then. Thought you were chompin' at the bit!"
That was all the encouragement Mickey needed, he tore apart the wrapping paper in three seconds flat, and marveled at the red satin box underneath. He whistled lowly.
"This looks fancy, babe. What is it?" he asked.
"Guess you'll have to open it and find out," Rose said coyly, sticking her tongue out at him.
Mickey opened the box carefully, peeking inside as he went. "Oh!" he exclaimed. "This is that watch that we saw in the shop last time you were here, yeah? How'd you afford that?"
"Never mind how," Rose waved him off. "Try it on!"
Mickey ripped apart the box underneath containing it, making the Doctor snort in derision and mutter something about cavemen, and unbuckled the golden chain.
He slid it on as delicately as if it was made of glass.
"Rose, that's so lovely!" her mother cooed appreciatively. "What'd you get him the watch for?"
"Mickey said he wanted a different job 'sides the shop all his life, so I figured this might help." She shrugged, but then grinned widely. "D'you like it?"
"I love it!" Mickey assured her, tucking Rose against his side in a tight hug. "Thank you, really."
"Who's next, then?" Jack spoke up, rubbing his hands together excitedly.
"Rose!" Jackie exclaimed. "You see that shiny green one over there, Captain Harkness? Hand it to her."
Jack winked at her, causing Jackie to blush. "Sure thing, ma'am. But it's just Jack for you." He bent down to retrieve Rose's gift, wiggling his bum more than necessary in the air.
Jack finally got up with a flourish, tossing the gift on Rose's lap perfectly.
"There you are, Rosie!" he announced.
Rose eagerly peeled back the wrapping, carefully tucking it under her thigh to throw away for later. However, when she opened it, she was confused.
"A black cd case?" she asked.
"Open it, obviously," her mother encouraged, rolling her eyes.
Rose unzipped the case and what she saw inside made her tear up. "Mum, you shouldn't have!" Inside, Jackie had converted all their home movies into dvd's.
"Well," she said, looking quite chuffed. "I remember you sayin' you wished you had some on the TARDIS so you could look at them, and then Deena was sayin' the other day the drugstore 'round the corner does convertin' for you for a cheap price. D'you like them?"
"Of course!" Rose exclaimed, jumping up to hug her mother. "I love them! I'll watch them straight away."
The Doctor grasped her hand lightly when she sat back down. "You know, I could have converted them for you, for free."
"Well, you never offered, did you?" Rose asked, nudging into his arm. "Anyways, it's mum's turn next! Jack, could you please hand her that orange and red one down there?"
"Will do!" he exclaimed, grabbing the gift in question and handing it to Jackie.
Jackie looked at the three of them. "It's not some sort of alien thing I should have a warning about?" she asked.
"Just open it," Rose sighed.
Jackie tore open the paper and gasped at what was inside. A silver and clear case that enclosed a set of brand new shears and razors for her mother's buisness.
"Rose! You shouldn't have!" she exclaimed. "Oh, sweetheart, I've been wantin' some for years!"
"I know!" she said happily. "And now you have 'em!"
Her mother beamed at her and wrapped her in a hug. "Thanks, Rose."
"Now, you two," Rose announced. "You have to open yours at the same time."
"Why?" the Doctor asked confusedly.
"Just trust me," she said. She grabbed the two boxes covered in silver and handed them to both men. "Go on."
Jack tore into his wrapping paper enthusiastically, but the Doctor ripped carefully, like he was savoring it.
They finally uncovered what was inside, a leather bound photo album of all of their adventures.
"I know it's not much-" Rose started, but before she could say anything else, Jack bounded across the room towards her, hugging her tightly.
"Rosie, it's wonderful!" he said sincerely, "I've never gotten anything so heartfelt before!"
Rose blushed a brilliant shade of red. "I'm glad you like it."
She looked down to see the Doctor thumbing through his with a dumbstruck look on his face.
"And you?" she asked softly. "What d'you think?"
"I-" he said, pausing.
"Of course he likes it, babe," Mickey cut in. "He's just too proud to tell you himself."
The Doctor threw him a stormy glare and then beamed up at Rose. "It's fantastic, Rose Tyler."
"Really?" she asked breathlessly, letting go of Jack and sitting next to him once more.
"Yeah," he said honestly, placing a hand over hers. "I don't know if mine will compare to that, though." The Doctor frowned at that.
"Well, the only way you know is if you hand it over," Rose said knowingly.
"It's erm…" he paused, rubbing the back of his neck thoughtfully. "Well, I suppose you're gonna have to open it sometime." The Doctor reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out a small wrapped box. "Here," he said, thrusting it at her, and looking down at the carpet.
Rose looked at it curiously, and opened the box. Inside there was a beautiful silver ring, leaves and vines entangling in an intricate patten, and alongside the leaves small TARDIS blue roses. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was meant to fit her thumb.
"What is it?" her mother asked from across the room, bringing her back into the moment.
"A ring," she said simply, carefully pulling it from the velvet encasing and slipping it onto her finger.
"A RING?!" her mother shrieked. "What the HELL has he given you a ring for?!"
"It's not like that, mum," Rose insisted. "Just look." She held out her hand to Jackie to show her the ring sitting snugly on her thumb.
"Oh," her mother breathed. "It's beautiful, Rose."
"It is," Rose agreed, looking at the Doctor. "Where'd you get it?"
He mumbled, "That street fair I took you and Jack to a couple weeks back. Thought of you."
She surprised him by placing a light kiss on his cheek. "I love it!" she announced grandly.
"Really?" he asked, rubbing his cheek absentmindedly.
"Yeah," she beamed at him.
The rest of the morning presents passed pretty uneventfully. Rose got a new scarf and hat from Mickey and a book entitled How to Have Sex with an Alien from Jack that she hid embarrassingly behind her back. The Doctor received a rather silly banana hat from Jack and a box of tea from her mother. Jack got a book on proper time travel from the Doctor. Mickey received a set of his favorite whiskey from her mother.
Later, when everyone had lounged around the living room, watching EastEnders and the Doctor had announced he would be back, Rose thought he had disappeared into the TARDIS.
However, when she went into the kitchen for a drink, she saw something that suspiciously looked like a Time Lord at her stove making hot buttered rum, wearing his banana hat and humming Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer.