A/N: This nearly is the end, I'm afraid… All there's left after this is an epilogue. Please let me know what you think about this chapter! Constructive criticism is greatly appreciated.
Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who, even though I wish I did.
Chapter six
I could make you happy,
Make your dreams come true.
Nothing that I wouldn't do.
Go to the ends of the earth for you
To make you feel my love.
To make you feel my love.
Alone for the first time that day, Rivers stands in front of a large mirror. It's time to step into her wedding dress; in a short half an hour she'll be walking down the aisle. Her heart is hammering because she's so excited and the smile hasn't left her face since she woke up that morning.
Her dress is absolutely gorgeous. It's white, with a very fitted bodice with some delicate lace and pearls strewn artistically across the fabric. Her skirt is very long and widens from her hips down to create a fairy-like look. A small belt is tied into a fine bow on her back. She's not wearing a veil because she doesn't fancy having it get in the way.
The shoes she's wearing are very decent white pumps with dark red bows on top. It's a dedication to her quirky side, she loved the shoes the second she saw them and her mother was absolutely smitten with them as well. And when the Doctor sees them, she's sure he'll like them very much too.
Suddenly, there's a knock on the door. Since she knows who it is, she settles herself on a chair and picks up her comb to begin doing her hair.
"Come on in, mum!" she calls out as she lifts the comb. Carding it through her hair, she's still trying to decide what to do with her hair. She's come up with such a myriad of ways to wear it that she's not sure which one is best anymore.
Amy does come in, but she's not alone. Rory's there as well. And when River looks at the redhead, she notices that Amy's holding something in her right hand. With a bright smile, her mother walks over and hugs her as best she can.
"You look absolutely stunning! I mean, you always do, but right now you added an extra something. I bet the Doctor will be blown away when he sees you later," Amy says when she straightens up again.
Amy's wearing a dark green dress that ends just above her knees. There's a small amount of lace worked into the neckline and the bottom of the dress. Her shoes are almost the same shade, with very high heels. River has to admit her mother has style.
"So do you mum. Your dress looks amazing on you. And, well, that's the entire point. I enjoy surprising him and he likes to be surprised," River winks at her father, who can't help but laugh at that. Rory's proud of his daughter and finally sees her as the adult she really is. He's not as worried about her getting hurt anymore now that he's seen she can take care of herself so often.
Amy and Rory now pull up a chair for themselves and get comfortable. While they are busy doing that, River pulls her hair into a low bun and pins it down. The small band and the pins she uses are almost the same colour as her hair so they won't stand out. She allows a few of her curls to remain lose, as they add some extra romance. She then puts her earrings in. They're very small silver flowers to match her engagement ring, they don't stand out too much but add a little allure to her outfit.
"I think you should have a look at this while you're busy with the jewellery," Amy suddenly says, and opens her hand as she extends it to River.
In doing that, the redhead reveals a gorgeous silver necklace. River immediately sees it will end right above her breasts when she wears it. A pendant is attached to it, a silver heart with the names of her parents. The date of their marriage can be read on it as well.
"You're supposed to wear something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue on your wedding day. I know what the blue is you chose, you're wearing old earrings, your dress is new. But I knew you didn't have something borrowed. This could be it. I wore it on our wedding day, and I'd very much like to see you do the same," Amy says.
Amy places the necklace in River's hand. She carefully curves her hand around it, tracing the cold silver with her finger all the way around. She can't believe her mother will let her wear something that's so very important to her, but she's very grateful that this is happening. She has the feeling it's important to her mother and father, and it's a very emotional moment for her as well.
"I'd be honoured to wear it! Dad, would you put it on me, please?" River asks. Rory nods, and River turns around so he can securely close the necklace's lock.
When Rory's done, Amy hugs River one last time. River holds on as long as she can, enjoying the closeness and the strengthening of the bond she has with her mother. Because truth be told, her father is an easier person than her mother. In the beginning, the women had their struggles.
"I've got to go now. I want the best possible spot and I should keep one for your dad as well. See you later," Amy says as they let go of each other, hurrying off immediately after the words have left her mouth.
River then puts on her shoes. There's absolutely no more time to lose now, so after one last look in the mirror she links her arm with her father's and lets Rory lead her onward. Their trip through the old building beside the church isn't long, and it's even pleasurable. As an archaeologist, River enjoys the oldness, the history of the house.
In the front of the church, the Doctor is waiting for her. He's wearing a tuxedo that's a very dark blue bordering on black with a dark red rose tucked in his suit jacket. It's so absolutely him that River can't help but smile and give an almost unnoticeable wave with her free hand. Judging by the look on the Doctor's face, he likes what he sees as well.
The first of her guests she sees are Vastra and Jenny. Vastra's wearing a dark blue dress that reaches the floor. It has a subtle neckline and the colour really suits her. She's wearing a golden-coloured belt over the dress to add even more allure to her entire appearance. Vastra always looks good, but she looks even better today.
Jenny looks absolutely gorgeous as well. She's wearing a soft pink dress that reaches the floor and that leaves one of her shoulders bare. Her soft brown hair's been pulled into a ponytail that is just long enough to fall over that bare shoulder.
Strax is there as well, and as always he stand out a little bit. But he's managed to keep it to a minimum by wearing an ordinary tuxedo. He gives her the thumbs up when she passes him, and she has to struggle not to giggle out loud.
To others, it may not look like much. Five people at a wedding would seem negligible to them, like it really wasn't a wedding at all. But these are the people that matter most to River and the Doctor. Vastra, Jenny and Strax were there to help the Doctor find Amy and a new-born River when Madame Kovarian kidnapped them. They've stood beside them in very difficult times. And Amy and Rory are her parents and the Doctor's closest friends. Those people are the only ones they need.
"Who gives this woman away to be bound in holy matrimony?" the priest asks when Rory and River reach the front of the church.
"I, her father, do," Rory responds. He now lets go of River's arms and gently steers her the last few inches towards the Doctor.
River takes the Doctor's hand in hers and squeezes it as she faces the priest. The Doctor returns the gesture. It's the only physical connection that's allowed until the ceremony comes to an end. But it's worth it, because this is the day she's been organising and looking forward to for more than a year.
"Now, we shall listen to the vows these two have written to express their love for each other. Doctor, you may start," the priest says.
River and the Doctor now turn so they're facing each other. The trust and love radiating from the Doctor's eyes is enough to tell River nothing could ever pull them apart, but she's quite curious to hear what he's come up with for her vows.
"Until I met you, River, I was just a wanderer. I travelled around and enjoyed my life. But I didn't know I was missing something. I only realised that the day you wormed your way into my heart, because I missed you the second you were away. You're complicated and easy, messy and organised at the same time. And I wouldn't want you any other way, because I love you with all my heart," the Doctor says.
River can hear her mother sniffle behind her and she's hard put not to let any tears fall herself. But she keeps a tight enough handle on her emotions to prevent that from happening and begins to speak.
"I never thought I'd find true love. Until you walked into my life, I was told I was nothing but a psychopath. But you unfrosted my heart and showed me love is stronger than hatred and pain. You're silly and a little crazy, and you turn my life upside down every day. But my life and heart wouldn't be complete without you. I have given you my heart, and I never want it back. Because you're the only one I trust to keep it safe. I love you," she says, her voice betraying her emotions.
Every word of her small speech is meant, and she knows the same goes for the Doctor. And she also knows he can see the same mixture of emotions mirrored in her eyes that was in his when he spoke before.
"Now for my only question to the people gathered here. Is there anyone who believes these two should not be wed? If you do, speak now or forever hold your peace," the priest instructs.
As was to be expected, no one speaks. But the question is a part of the ceremony and neither River nor the Doctor saw any use in having it taken out.
"The rings may now be presented," the priest says, and from behind the two of them, the sound of two people rising can be heard.
Jenny is one of the people rising. River asked her to be her maid of honour; she's her best friend and she thought it would be nice to honour Jenny this way. She's always a little in the shadow, and she deserves to be more in the spotlights. Vastra immediately agreed when River proposed this, and without looking River knows Vastra's just pressed her lips to Jenny's in a chaste kiss.
Amy is the other person rising. The Doctor suggested this almost straight after they started organising the ceremony, and River didn't see why he shouldn't have his best friend by his side as well.
"Doctor, please take the ring. Repeat after me and then place the wedding band on River's finger," the priest instructs.
The Doctor takes the ring from Amy, lifting River's hand and holding the band in place to slide it on as soon as he's allowed. River's itching to do the same, but she'll have to wait a little longer.
"I, the Doctor, take you, River Song, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold until death do us part. With this ring I thee wed," the priest says.
The Doctor repeats those words and finally slides the wedding ring onto her finger. They've been married by Gallifreyan standards for years, but this is the first time she'll be wearing an outward sign of it. And she revels in that sensation.
Now it's her turn to speak the words the priest utters, and she gives the Doctor his own wearable token of her undying love for him. Judging by the huge smile on his face and the look of wonder in his eyes, he's surprised at the amount of emotions this simple act invokes and the strength of them.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. Doctor, you may kiss the bride," the priest says, with a smile on his face.
And the Doctor does just that, dipping her and giving her the sweetest kiss that's ever existed in time and space. It makes her head spin and when he pulls her flush against him for a hug after they break apart, she's grateful for the second that gives her to recover a little.
An hour later, the wedding dinner has come to an end. The salmon and potatoes, the wedding cake and the other desserts have disappeared from the table. The only food going around now are small toasts, wine, orange juice and other things to still the hunger and thirst that may come from dancing.
Because right now, everyone is gathered to watch the first dance of the newlyweds. The location is once again straight from a fairy-tale. The large open area they're at is surrounded by very tall, very old trees. Fireflies occasionally appear among the guests and the small plants let their heads hand artistically now that the sun is setting.
The music that's playing for their opening dance is Gallifreyan. It's an ode to the home planet of the Doctor, to is past and to the fact she's accepted every part of him. The tune is very mysterious and soft, and River's never heard a more romantic piece of music than this one. To her, it's perfection.
Slowly, the Doctor begins lead River around the grassy dance floor. And as every time she dances with him, she has no problem letting him take the lead. Vastra and Jenny soon join in, quickly followed by Rory and Amy. From the corner of her eye, she sees one of the waiters talking to Strax, and their conversation seems to be very funny; the both of them are laughing.
"One of these days he'll get himself in trouble if he keeps flirting like that. Maybe he'll even get married," River whispers into the Doctor's ear as she makes him shift his attention to Strax.
The Doctor laughs lowly at her words, nodding in agreement. He probably feels like Strax deserves some romance in his life after having had to pay penance for so long. And it is funny to see him flirt, because he always tries so hard.
"Truth be told, I wasn't paying attention to Strax. I was looking at Jenny and Vastra. They have to be one of the best couples I've ever come across," the Doctor admits in a soft voice. He turns River slightly and imperceptibly to the others to show her what he's talking about.
Vastra's gently holding Jenny in her arms as the brunette has her head on Vastra's shoulder. As River's looking, Vastra places a kiss to the top of Jenny's head. But Jenny won't settle for that; she turns Vastra's head slightly and claims her wife's lips in a proper kiss.
"Yes, they are. The only ones that are better, are we," River winks at him, leaning in to steal a kiss herself.
Their conversation and the romance and joy coursing through her have distracted her so much that the next thing she knows is that the first song has ended. Her father now appears for their father-daughter dance, and River sends the Doctor over to have a dance with Vastra. Amy giggles as she pulls Jenny towards her, and even Strax is on the dance floor. Of course, he's holding the hand of the female waiter he was talking to before. Surprisingly, he's very agile.
"Have you two decided where you'll be going for your honeymoon, by the way? Because last time I asked, you were still thinking about that," Rory asks her.
"We decided the TARDIS can take is wherever she thinks we should go for our honeymoon. She brought us together the first time and she intricately connected to all of our lives, especially mine. And I have to admit I like the surprise element of it," River tells her father.
Rory tugs her to one of the waiters to grab a glass of orange juice not that their dance is over. River takes a glass as well, deciding she can do with a little hydration after the busy day she's had.
"I think you'll end up somewhere perfect that way. Just don't go being too brave while you're gone, okay? You may be and adult and married, twice even, but that doesn't mean I'll stop worrying about you," Rory gently admonishes her.
"We won't do anything dangerous and we'll only be gone for two weeks, dad. And I'll call you when we arrive and all so you'll be at least somewhat more at ease," she promises as she hugs Rory.
Satisfied with her answer, he responds to Amy's call for him. Apparently, the redhead wants Rory to dance with Jenny now and she's trying to coax Vastra into a twirl of their own. Jenny's giggling, telling River Vastra will do it no matter whether she really want to or not. She'd do anything to make Jenny smile.
"Excuse me, but the bride shouldn't be standing idly by at her wedding. Will you let me have a dance?" Strax suddenly asks.
And she takes him up on the offer, watching as the Doctor is goaded by Amy to dance with Rory and seeing the redhead dance alone with a smile on her face because she has the two most important men in her life doing something that makes them both blush.
By four o'clock in the morning the party has reached its end. Vastra has a sleeping Jenny on her lap, whom she's rocking gently. Strax is standing behind her, with a hand on her shoulder, helping her ensure Jenny's safe and undisturbed sleep. Amy's on the grass, resting her head against Rory's legs. She's still tapping her foot to the music, but her eyes are falling close.
And River's close beside her parents, with the head of a sleeping Doctor in her lap. His soft breathing tells her that for once, his night is not disturbed by any of the images he's seen.
She vows she'll keep his nights undisturbed and his days bright for as long as she possibly can. Because she loves him, now and forever.