This is the final chapter, in which all is resolved.

BTW the time periods for this story are a but confusing. I think they arrived on Xmas Eve, the Doctor and Rose got it on REALLY EARLY Xmas morning, the Doctor left around breakfast time and got back in the evening. I hope that clears up any confusion.

"I'm back!" said the Doctor, who was now wearing a pinstriped suit.

"What's with the outfit?" asked Rose.

"New face, new clothes," explained the Doctor. "You should see some of the crap I used to wear."

"Looks good on you," said Rose. "So, how'd it go?"

"Piece of cake," said the Doctor. "Mind you, that Harriet Jones is a bit of a hypocrite."

"What do you mean?" asked Rose.

"Remember when she called you a very violent young woman?" the Doctor said. Rose nodded. "Well now she's gone and blown up the spaceship after I convinced the aliens to surrender."

"You're so brave," said Rose, smiling. "I like brave people."

"Get a room," muttered Jackie. "Well Doctor, now you're back, we can continue our little chat." The Doctor groaned.

"All right mother," he said. "What do you want to know?" Jackie looked at the Doctor with a stern look on her face.

"I want to know …" she began, " … whether you two will be getting married." The Doctor and Rose looked at Jackie, wide-eyed.

"Sorry?" said the Doctor.

"Will you be getting married?" repeated Jackie. "Coz if you're going to give me little alien grandchildren, I at least wanted their parents to have tied the knot." The Doctor started scratching his head.

"Oh, I, hadn't really thought that far …" he began.

"And I want to be involved," Jackie continued. "Just because my daughter spends each day travelling halfway across the universe doesn't give her the excuse to get married on some Viva Las Vegas planet or anything." Rose and the Doctor looked at each other.

"Where's this come from?" asked a bewildered Rose.

"Just trying to be practical dear," responded Jackie. "I need to be prepared for anything now. Except don't go trying to divorce her or you'll land yourself a nasty slap," she said, looking the Doctor in the eye.

"I'll keep that in mind," he said. "But you don't have anything to worry about. I love Rose more than life itself. I'd do anything for her." He looked at Rose lovingly.

"I believe that now," said Jackie. "I wouldn't have a couple of months ago, or even a couple of hours ago, but I do now."

"Thank you Mum," Rose said. She then turned to Mickey. "And thank you Mickey. You two have been so good through all of this."

"Yes, thank you," said the Doctor, going up to Mickey and shaking his hand. "You're a good kid Mickey." He then moved on to Jackie.

"You've really surprised me Jackie," he said. "Thank you." He reached for her hand, but Jackie pulled him in for a hug.

"Come here, you big lovely thing!" she said. Rose and Mickey laughed as Jackie held the Doctor in her arms. "Oh, you're a sexy bastard, aren't you?"

"Mum!" exclaimed Rose. "Do you mind?"

"Oh, yes I see, you want to save some for Rose," said Jackie, winking and releasing the Doctor. "Right then, off you go then."

"Off we go?" questioned Rose. "Don't you want us to stick around for Christmas dinner or something?"

"Rose, I've hardly had the time to cook Christmas dinner, have I?" reminded Jackie. "Actually, I haven't cooked anything."

"I don't know about you, but I'm up for beans on toast," said the Doctor. Everyone looked at him.

"What?" he said. "It's quick, it's easy, it's edible …"

"It's Christmas," said Rose.

"Christmas isn't about eating turkey or receiving presents," said the Doctor. "It's about being with the ones you love. And for me, that's all of you."

"Wow Doctor," said Rose. "You're so much more domestic this time around. Okay, I'm up for it."

"Me too," said Mickey.

"Me too" said Jackie.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

They spent the rest of the evening around the dinner table, eating, laughing and enjoying each other's company. Rose used the opportunity to fill in her mother about some of her adventures.

"You're kidding," said Jackie. "The last human is a piece of skin?"

"Yep," said Rose. "Oh, and apparently 'Toxic' is a traditional ballad."

"Britney Spears' Toxic?" asked Mickey. "And what, is she a dame or something?"

"Yeah, got any secrets on her?" said Jackie.

"Not sure about that," said Rose. "Do you know Doctor?"

"Erm …" said the Doctor, who was remembering his first visit to Rose's flat ("That won't last – he's gay and she's an alien). "I don't really recall."

"Never mind," said Mickey. "Oh man, I totally forgot!"

"What is it?" asked Rose, but Mickey had already left the table. He came back, holding a present.

"Happy Christmas Rose," he said.

"Mickey, thank you!" Rose exclaimed, ripping off the wrapping paper. Her eyes widened as she saw the gift before her.

"Oh my god!" she cried. "I'd been looking for this everywhere."

"What is it?" asked the Doctor. Rose held up the gift. It was a CD: So Fresh – Hits of Winter 2004.

"That's it?" he said.

"Doctor," said Rose, quite seriously. "Do you know how many hours I spent going from shop to shop looking for this? Or how many good songs are on it? Or how I felt totally unsatisfied when Mum bought me Hits of Spring 2004?"

"It wasn't that bad," defended Jackie.

"Okay, okay," said the Doctor. "Whatever makes you happy."

"Thank you," said Rose. "Oh, I wish I had something to give you guys."

"Just you being alive and well is all I ask for," said Jackie. "Although, maybe next time you come back you could bring some Martian jewellery or something."

"We'll see," said Rose, giggling. "Well, it's been a great night, hasn't it?"

"Mmm," agreed Jackie.

"Best Christmas ever," said Mickey.

"Too right," said the Doctor. "I think we ought to drink to that. To the best Christmas ever!"

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The next day the Doctor and Rose were getting ready to leave.

"Oh, I'll miss you sweetheart," said Jackie.

"I'll miss you too Mum," said Rose, hugging her mother. "But this really is the best life for me. And now I've got someone special to share it with." Rose moved over to Mickey.

"You sure you don't want to come with us?" she asked.

"Yeah, we'd be happy to have you," said the Doctor.

"Nah, someone's got to take care of Jackie," Mickey replied. "And there might be a bit of suspicion if two people from the same area vanish within a couple of years of each other."

"Okay," said Rose, hugging Mickey. "Bye then."

"Bye Rose. Bye Doctor," called Mickey.

"See ya!" cried the Doctor, taking Rose's hand in his. Jackie and Mickey watched as the blue box vanished from sight. They knew in their hearts that Rose was happy. And that was all that mattered.

The End

Oh God, I'm such a sucker for happy endings!

I'm planning on writing a story involving the CD. BTW does that CD actually exist anywhere in the world other than Australia? I wouldn't know, in 16 years I haven't even left the eastern side of Australia. Anyway, after that there might be another sequel, but I'm working on heaps of other stuff at the moment, so don't expect it too soon.