Chapter Three
It was Rose's birthday. The Doctor had been dreading this day for weeks. It was difficult to keep track of days and hours that went by when they were in the TARDIS, but Rose had been keeping a calendar and had been reminding the Doctor, regularly, that her birthday was getting closer.
She had been hinting for weeks that what she wanted to do for her birthday was to go and see her family.
"Okay, okay we can go" the Doctor gave in, the day of her birthday itself.
Rose beamed and reached up and kissed his cheek "Aww thank-you Doctor!" she rushed out of the TARDIS control room, heading to the bedroom to pack.
The Doctor grinned to himself. His plan was working.
Fifteen minutes later, Rose rejoined the Doctor with two small overnight bags in her hands.
"I've packed for you too" she said to him with a smile.
The Doctor raised his eyebrows "Oh have you indeed? Well I had better take a look at what you've put in here."
He opened his case and had a good rummage through, with Rose protesting that he was ruining his clothes that she had neatly folded.
"It all appears to be fine" he said standing up again, grinning at her "You know me too well Rose Tyler."
"I sure do" Rose chuckled "Come on then, let's get to mum and dad's."
***
The TARDIS landed outside the Tyler Residence, it was just gone Friday lunchtime, with marshmallow like clouds dotting the bright blue sky.
"You have warned them we are coming?" the Doctor said to Rose.
"Oh course, I called mum whilst I was packing" Rose replied happily.
The Doctor carried both bags as he followed Rose to the front door, where they were greeted by a very over excited Jackie.
"Oh come here you two!" she brought them both into a tight hug.
"Happy Birthday sweetheart" Jackie said as she let go of them and looked at her daughter.
"Thanks mum" Rose said with a grin.
"Uh ladies do you mind moving so I can put these upstairs" he indicated the bags "Rose have you put bricks in yours? It's so heavy!"
Rose giggled and the two of them moved aside to let the Doctor in and he headed upstairs.
"Hey Doctor" Pete greeted him as they met in the corridor with the bedrooms leading off "I just saw the girls, they said you were up here."
"Hi Pete" the Doctor said, grateful he had been rid of the bags now situated in his and Rose's bedroom.
"And hello Poppy!" the Doctor gave a smile to the eighteen month old, who was standing next to her dad, holding his hand. Poppy gave a big smile at the Doctor and rushed over to him; the Doctor picked her up and placed her on his hip.
"She's grown a lot hasn't she?" the Doctor said to Pete who smiled.
"Oh yes she has, becoming a right handful too. She's going to be just like her mother."
The two men laughed at this and began heading downstairs, Poppy still in the Doctor's arms.
"So are you all set for later? Don't worry Jackie and I have the bedrooms and preparations sorted" Pete said in a hushed tone.
The Doctor gave him a grateful smile "Thanks. Yeah I'm just going to see Rose for a minute then I'll go and get them."
"Fabulous, well I best be off to work, see you later. Good luck" he gave him a grin and kissed Poppy's cheek "See you girls!" he shouted to the girls who replied back and Pete disappeared from the house.
"Look who I found!" the Doctor said playfully as he entered the living-room, setting Poppy down onto her feet.
"Poppy!" Rose said excitedly and rushed to fuss over her little sister.
The Doctor looked on happily, as did Jackie. The Doctor caught her eye and gave her a small nod. Jackie knew what she had to do.
"Rose sweetheart, would you like to take Poppy to the park with me?"
Rose smiled "Yeah I'd love to!" she turned to the Doctor "Do you want to come?"
"Nah it's okay, you go and have a good time. Besides I've got to go off and get something."
"My present?" Rose asked, looking at him dreamy eyed.
The Doctor gave his famous cheeky grin "I'm not saying a word. Now go on, hop off to the park."
Rose chuckled and rolled her eyes, not knowing why she even bothered asking, she knew he would never tell her. She gave him a kiss on the cheek before taking hold of Poppy's hand and led her into the hallway.
"It's all in the kitchen" Jackie whispered as she passed the Doctor to join Rose and Poppy in the hallway, the girls soon left the house, leaving the Doctor alone.
The Doctor gave a sigh, just glad so far all was going to plan. He headed into the Tyler's kitchen to find all the buffet food ready prepared. A beautiful chocolate birthday cake was situated on the kitchen table, as were bottles of champagne, wine and beer and some soft drinks. A few bags of balloons were scattered on the counters, along with boxes of streamers and banners. He grinned; all he needed now was the party guests.
He retreated back outside and into the TARDIS, setting the flight path for Donna's house.
Donna Noble was waiting impatiently outside her house, small bag in hand and she was wearing a nice navy blue dress with black shoes.
"Oh and about time too!" she hit him on the arm before giving him a hug after the Doctor stepped out of the TARDIS.
"Donna Noble!" he grinned "Haven't changed have you?"
"Shut up space man, I only saw you a month ago" she grinned at him.
The Doctor grinned back at her, letting her into the TARDIS and set the flight path for Cardiff.
"All set for the big party then?" Donna asked him just before they landed.
"Just about I think" he replied with a smile before opening the TARDIS doors.
"Martha Jones!" he gave her a hug "Nice to see you."
"And you Doctor" she said with a big smile, Martha dressed in a lovely purple dress and matching shoes.
"Hey Jack" he said as he turned to the American man who was standing next to Martha, in his typical World War Two looking outfit.
"Heya Doctor, are we all ready to party?!" he inquired as he gave him a hug.
The girls giggled and the Doctor grinned "Well there won't be one at this rate if you don't get in."
Martha and Jack greeted Donna with big hugs and they all began chatting away as they got back in the TARDIS, the Doctor heading the TARDIS flight path straight back to the Tyler mansion.
"Just as I remembered it!" Jack said as the four of them entered the house.
"Right, all of you, put your stuff in the same rooms you were in last time, then back down here a.s.a.p" the Doctor ordered.
"Yes sir!" Jack gave a salute and laughed as he headed off upstairs, Martha and Donna laughing along too as they followed him.
'This is going to be tough' the Doctor thought, ruffling his hair in the process.
Once the three companions had returned back downstairs, the Doctor assigned jobs for all of them.
Martha and Donna were in charge of blowing up the balloons and putting up streamers, whilst Jack was in charge of the banners. The Doctor helped in any way he could, but otherwise he was in charge of generally everything. Making sure everything was perfect.
Pete returned home around 5:30pm and greeted everyone.
"Wow, this place looks great!" Pete admired "Well done you lot."
"Yeah it's fantastic" the Doctor agreed and Donna, Jack and Martha smiled on proudly.
Pete went upstairs to get changed and came back downstairs just before Mickey turned up with his long term girlfriend, Annabelle, who worked with him in Torchwood. She had beautiful, long black hair and stunning dark eyes. The Doctor had met Annabelle on a few previous visits before, but Jack, Martha and Donna had not.
"Hello, I'm Captain Jack Harkness" Jack said charmingly to Annabelle who smiled.
"Stop it" the Doctor, Donna, Martha and Mickey said in unison before the room burst into laughter.
All of a sudden Jackie came in through the front door and into the living-room, holding Poppy in her arms.
"Oh you guys its gorgeous in here!" she put Poppy down onto her feet, the toddler headed over to Martha who happily held Poppy in her arms.
"Where's Rose?" the Doctor asked in concern.
"She went into the TARDIS, she thought you might be in there" the instant Jackie finished the sentence they heard the front door open.
"Quick, turn the lights off" Jackie whispered and Mickey did so.
"Mum? Do you know where the Doctor…" Rose began before she entered the living-room, and the lights were switched on.
"Surprise!" everyone shouted.
Rose gasped before smiling and laughing "Oh my god!" she beamed, still in shock.
"Happy Birthday!" chorused around the room and Rose grinned widely.
"Oh you guys! Thank you. I never expected this at all, aww it's brilliant!" she went round saying hello and hugging everyone.
Lastly reaching the Doctor "Did you have anything to do with all this?" she asked him.
He grinned "Possibly."
"It was his idea, he planned everything" Jackie piped up grinning at the Doctor.
"Really?!" Rose said, stunned, as she looked back at the Doctor who was blushing slightly.
"Yeah I talked to your mum about it a while ago and arranged with this lot" he indicated Donna, Martha and Jack "to go and pick them up."
"Yeah and they spent all afternoon decorating the house" Pete said delightedly.
Rose was actually lost for words; she looked at the girls and Jack "Oh you guys! You don't know what this means to me, thank you so much!" she hugged all three of them again.
"It was our pleasure Rose" Jack said kindly.
Rose gazed at the Doctor, warmly "And you" she beamed "I love you even more than I did already!" and she reached up and kissed him intently.
"Uh guys, remember there is a baby present" Donna said, not at all sounding disgusted by their act of public affection.
The Doctor and Rose did not seem to listen and it took a minute or so for them to break out of their passionate moment.
"Thank you so much for planning all this, I ... I just don't know what to say…" Rose said to the Doctor with tears in her eyes and everyone gave sympathetic smiles as Rose wiped away her happy tears.
The Doctor put his arm around her and she leaned into him, as he rubbed her arm and kissed the top of her head.
"Well I do" Jack piped up, finishing Rose's sentence "Let's party!"
Cheers echoed around the room and Martha put some music on.
Rose composed herself and grinned "You guys carry on, I'm just going to rush upstairs and change" and she hurried out of the room.
"Now that's what I call a successful surprise party!" Donna said with a grin "Well done, space man" causing Martha and Annabelle to giggle.
The Doctor rolled his eyes but couldn't help thinking that it had all gone to plan, for one of the first times in his life, nothing had gone wrong.
Rose returned downstairs within fifteen minutes, her hair slightly curled and she was wearing a cute turquoise dress that fell to her knees, she had on silver shoes and a beautiful silver heart shaped necklace the Doctor had given her.
The guys wolf whistled as she entered the living-room, the girls grinned and Annabelle gasped.
"Rose, you look amazing!" Martha told her, smilingly.
Rose grinned "Thanks."
The Doctor came up to Rose and took her hand, she turned to him instantly.
"Hello, beautiful" he kissed her cheek.
Martha grinned at them and Donna just rolled her eyes but watched them with a smile.
"Who you calling beautiful?" Rose said playfully.
"Why you of course Rose Tyler, you're the most beautiful woman in the room" the Doctor smiled then said to the other girls "No offence ladies."
They smiled at him "None taken" Martha said with a chuckle.
Rose grinned "Well thank you" and kissed his lips briefly"Come on lets dance" Rose said trying to pull him over towards a space near the CD player.
"Aww but Rose, I can't dance!" he said, pleadingly.
"Come on, please! … for me" she gave him the look and fluttered her eyelids. The Doctor sighed, and Rose grinned brightly, dragging him over to an empty space and they began dancing.
Martha and Donna were laughing as they shook their heads.
"He crumbled like a piece of paper!" Donna said which just made them giggle more.
"Nice moves there Doctor!" Jack said with a chuckle as he walked passed them, heading towards the kitchen.
"Oh you don't want to laugh Jack, it'll be your turn next!" the Doctor called to him but Jack was too busy laughing to listen.
Rose giggled "Just ignore him, your dancing is fine."
"You think so?" the Doctor asked her with raised eyebrows.
"Well okay, no" she laughed "but I bet you're better at the slow dances."
The Doctor grinned and twirled Rose around on the spot "Well Rose Tyler" he dipped her, making her giggle "You'll just have to wait to find out" he brought her back up and she smiled brightly and laughed.
Another song began playing, a much more 90's disco tune "Awww I love this song!" Jack said as he returned from the kitchen, putting down his drink.
"Martha, Donna. Come on, get on your feet!"
Martha looked horrified whilst Donna burst into laughter "Alright I will!" Donna piped up and she and Jack each grabbed one of Martha's arms and dragged her up to dance, much to Martha's protesting groans.
Everyone was laughing and joking about how idiotic they all looked dancing to disco songs. The Doctor was having an absolutely fantastic time, which surprised him considering how he never used to like human domestic celebrations, such as birthdays, Christmas and weddings.
Little Poppy was loving the music, she was bouncing and jumping about in her little yellow dress, with her light brown hair in bunches. The Doctor and Rose smiled down at her sweetly as she bounced about around their feet.
"Poppy" the Doctor said playfully to the toddler who looked up at hearing her name. The Doctor let go of one of Rose's hands and took hold of one of Poppy's. Rose took Poppy's other hand and the three of them danced in like a small triangle shape. Rose wanted felt so happy at seeing this, it was so domestic, yet the Doctor appeared perfectly happy about it.
They glanced at one another and beamed before looking down and watching Poppy dance with them "Aww go on Poppy, good girl! Yeah let's dance" were the kinds of words that escaped the Doctor's lips.
Jackie and Pete were watching on admirably, Jackie almost in tears. Mickey was dancing with Annabelle, neither paying much attention to what was going on around them. Whereas Donna, Martha and Jack were smiling as they danced, stealing the occasional glance at the Doctor and Rose with Poppy.
Poppy began to look a bit tired so the Doctor picked her up and balanced her on his hip and bounced her gently with the music, she squealed with laughter and clapped her hands. Rose was beaming with pride and cooed to her little sister, clapping along with her.
After a few minutes, and some more songs had been played, everyone stopped dancing and smiled as they sat down on the sofas.
"Man, I'm shattered!" Jack said as he flung himself down next to Martha.
"Me too" Donna said, sitting on Martha's other side.
Poppy, still being held by the Doctor, gave a yawn and rubbed her eyes.
"Aww is Poppy a tired bunny? Yes you are aren't you eh?" the Doctor cooed to the toddler.
Everyone was staring, quite surprised, at seeing the Doctor like this. Fussing over a baby? It just was not like him at all. Rose wasn't complaining, in fact it made her heart swell with joy.
"I think it's time for someone's bedtime" Jackie said as she came over to them.
"Night, night Poppy" Rose cooed to her little sister and kissed the top of her head, the Doctor doing the same before handing her over to Jackie.
"Wave night, night to everyone Poppy" Jackie cooed to her.
Poppy smiled and gave a very small wave.
"Night, night" the rest said sweetly, Jackie and Pete left the room with their daughter.
Rose leaned into the Doctor; instantaneously he wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"You having a good time?" the Doctor asked softly to Rose.
She gleamed up at him "The best!" she gave him a light kiss on the lips.
Donna turned to look at her two friends sharing the sofa with her "Do you ever get the feeling you're missing out on something?" Donna said to Jack in hushed tones.
"I mean you've got Tom" she said to Martha, "Mickey and Annabelle have eachother, so do Romeo and Juliet over there" she nodded in the Doctor and Rose's direction "…d'ya get what I mean?"
"True, and I do know what you mean, but I'm perfectly happy being young, free and single" Jack smiled and shot a glance at the Doctor and Rose "Look at them… they are just so in love aren't they?" Rose and the Doctor were snuggling together and giggling, not paying any attention "It is … well its fantastic" Jack said with a grin.
Not long later, Jackie and Pete came back into the room, Jackie holding Rose's birthday cake with the candles already lit on top. Everyone began singing 'Happy Birthday' Rose feeling so very happy, yet a little embarrassed at the same time. Rose made a wish and blew out the candles. As the applause died away, the Doctor went over to Jackie who was about to take the cake into the kitchen to be cut.
"Jackie, hang on a second. Are those edible ball bearings on that cake?!" the Doctor asked excitedly.
"Oh here we go" Rose said, rolling her eyes as she sat down to chat with the other girls.
"Yes Doctor they are" Jackie told him.
"Brilliant! I love edible ball bearings!" he went into the kitchen with her, to get the slice of cake with most ball bearings on top.
Once everyone had eaten their cake, they did some more dancing, this time slower songs were put on.
"Come on then Rose Tyler, you wanted to see if I'm better at the slow dances?" the Doctor took her hand and led her to the space where Mickey and Annabelle were also dancing, as were Donna and Jack although they weren't taking it seriously at all, smiling and laughing as they danced.
Rose interlinked her arms around the Doctor's neck whilst his hands were placed delicately on either side of her waist. The two of them swayed, smiling at eachother.
"I was right" Rose said sweetly as she gazed at him with all her love "You are better at the slow dances."
After a contented pause the Doctor said "Happy Birthday, Rose" their foreheads now touching gently.
"Thank you. Been the best birthday ever" Rose said lovingly and kissed him.
The song ended and they all started to give Rose her birthday presents, which included items like clothes, perfume and books, a gorgeous photo album of past and recent pictures including them all, along with a few other things. Before finally the Doctor was the last one left.
"Rose, you are the hardest person to buy presents for, do you know that?" he said as he took her hands.
Rose chuckled and blushed slightly.
"I wanted to get something really special, because…well you are special to me."
This earned an "Awww" from the girls.
"It's been, what, three years we've been travelling together, me and you" he smiled at her "I love every single second of exploring the universe with you Rose, I really do" There was a loving pause "You're my beautiful Rose" he cupped her cheek with his hand as he said this and kissed the tip of her nose.
The girls all had tears in their eyes. Jackie had now suddenly realised what was coming and she could hardly contain her excitement.
"I was really stuck on where I should do this. I was thinking some really beautiful planet, or on the moon or somewhere, but I thought, just do it the traditional human way on Earth, where we first met" he grinned at her but Rose looked confused "Do what?"
The Doctor produced a small red box from his suit jacket pocket, got off the sofa and down on one knee.
Most of the room gasped, Rose had her hand over her mouth as she realised what the Doctor was about to do.
The Doctor opened the box and looked up at Rose with his gorgeous smile "Rose Tyler, Will you marry me?"
***
:D :D I loved writing this chapter! I hope you enjoyed reading it. Reviews would be nice :) xx
