Sorry for the delay. Life's been hectic, plus the new Series 7 has put me through a rollercoaster of emotions. I didn't mean to go so long without updating. I haven't exactly had any ideas either. Honestly, that final episode kind of killed me too. Enough, on with the chapter.
The rooms in the resort were spacious, which was perfect considering The Doctor hated small spaces. He didn't know how long they planned to stay either. Of course it didn't particularly matter considering wherever they are; an adventure was bound to pop up. The Doctor merely had to show up and eventually something would come his way and that was enough for him. Sitting still and waiting would kill him, and he couldn't have that.
The rooms were perfect in every way, almost too perfect. The beds in both rooms were large enough to accommodate the two couples. The walls were white but adorned with many pictures of the beautiful scenery found outside such as the crystal clear blue ocean. The windows let in plenty of sunlight, but that could be adjusted with the blinds to suit each taste. The beds were comfortable with satin sheets on them, and the only reason they knew that was The Doctor sat down and slid right off on to the floor with a loud thump.
"Blimey! They could've warned me." The Time Lord smiled and jumped to his feet after rubbing his backside. "I am not as young as I used to be you know."
"Really? You look no older than mid to late twenties to me." Amy replied not missing a beat and River nodded in agreement, easily picking up on the joke.
"That's just rude!" He feigned hurt, but smiled and continued to explore the room along with Rory. He easily got in and fiddled with everything before losing interest and again sitting on the bed, only this time he knew what to expect.
River joined his side, sitting right beside her Doctor, "So what are we going to do Sweetie?"
The Doctor didn't respond, thinking. Before he could Amy offered up a suggestion. "We could start with settling in then going for lunch since its lunch time." Rory nodded in agreement,
"I'm hungry myself." The Doctor and River agreed and Amy and Rory went off to explore and get their room ready. The Doctor turned to River and stared for a moment, his green eyes lingering on her for a second longer than usual before he straightened his bow tie and proceeded to help River unpack and get their things sorted out. It took about an hour to settle in since The Doctor had never actually stayed anywhere, so River had to make the decisions on which drawers they'd share and which they used separately, but it was easy considering the Time Lord always gave in to her demands. The only time he really opposed her was when she lied to him and hid the damage from him. He hated when she hid things, but he couldn't exactly blame her, considering he hid some things himself, but then again, who doesn't have a few secrets?
The Doctor and River then walked across the hall. He was just about to open the door when River cleared her throat. He eyed her, "What?"
"You can't go barging in?"
"Can't I? I've always just walked right in!" He smiled as he said that, proud of himself.
"They're married…" The Doctor looked at her, obviously not following. "They are MARRIED."
"I was there, yes they are."
River began to smile, "Didn't you walk in on them once?"
"Oh! Don't remind me of that! No, no no no no!"
Rive patted his arm and smiled again, "That is why you should knock Sweetie." The Doctor sighed and looked away; his face was a deep shade of read as certain images had resurfaced in his mind. He agreed and promised to make a conscious effort to remember to knock. He turned and knocked on the door. In a few seconds it flew open and Amy stood there staring.
"Did you actually… knock?"
River nodded, "I'm teaching him to knock before entering."
Amy snickered at the look on her Time Lord friend's face, "Well, you could've done that a few weeks ago when he showed up at our house in the middle of the night. Not that it was a problem. Rory and I still had a good –"
"Alrighty! I'm hungry. Who wants chips?" The Doctor smiled and put on that goofy grin as always. He didn't want to recall what happened any more than he has. River clearly knew by the look on her face, that smug, but sexy grin she gets which always set his hearts a flutter. Rory joined them and the group set off to go and get chips, stopping to look at a few shops along the way. It wasn't crowded, but there were people about, buzzing and carrying on their way. They easily fit right in, humans were everywhere. In no time at all, they settled at a small place, ordering their food and began to laugh and catch up on some things, mostly River syncing her diary to The Doctor's and figuring where they were now in the time stream.
"So Sweetie, have you done that planet yet? What was it called? Ah Radha?"
"Oh no! But I was planning on going there, but thought this would be better!" The Doctor flinched, expecting to be slapped. His expectations weren't met however. He was a bit caught off guard considering when he didn't do something on time, River usually slapped him.
"I see…" River looked at him puzzled. "Something wrong Sweetie?"
The Doctor nearly blurted out "why haven't you slapped me?" but he caught himself just in time and shook his head instead shaking his head, "No. I'm good as gold."
"Ok…" Amy and Rory looked back and forth from him to River, but didn't comment anymore. Instead Rory took Amy's hand in his, "Why don't we go look around for a bit while these two sync their diaries?" Amy caught on and they left, walking off to go do a little sightseeing, promising to be back in half an hour.
The Doctor protested, but River quickly hushed him, "Let them be. We'll have plenty of time to spend with them. Besides, I think they're doing us a favor."
"Why would they need to do that?" The Time Lord was smart, but he sometimes missed some of the most vital things. It was easy to see the mistakes of others, but sometimes he missed his own mistakes, especially when it came to River. River was such a complicated person he simply didn't know how best to approach her, and she was good at hiding things from him.
River sighed and shook her head. He watched his beautiful wife looking at her with the most loving expression. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't hide how he felt about her, not completely at least. She simply brought out the best in him, no made him be his best. There wasn't anything he could keep secret because she knew him like a book. He was so enraptured with her, he missed her explanation and that's when he felt her hand come in to contact with his face.
"Were you listening to me?" River was furious now. She was quite scary when angered and it was obvious he hadn't been. As usual, the Time Lord stumbled over his words, making a fool of himself, but just as face as she got angry, she laughed. "Really, you should pay more attention to things. You're going to miss a vital detail that way and get in to trouble."
"I'll also use my wit and get myself out of trouble. I am the smartest being in the universe after all," He held his hands out wide, putting on his smug face. River merely snorted and nodded her head. "You're making the face again. I like when you make the face."
"Do shut up or I'll slap you." The Doctor took her hand in his and kissed it gently. "Oh now you put on the charm… I did miss you Sweetie." River said it so softly, but he still heard it. It didn't need to be said, but it felt so good to hear those words. For a moment all of time seemed to slow down for the two of them. So many emotions filled The Doctor's head and both his hearts that he thought he'd lose it and break down right there, but he held it together, just barely, but he always manages. As if she just knew, he felt her tugging on his arm as she stood, leading him away from the table down to a relatively private spot which overlooked a view of the beach. Taking a step closer, the two time travelers embraced each other, locking their lips in a passionate kiss, putting every emotion in to that act. As they parted for a moment he hears his lovely wife, the child of his TARDIS whisper "I'm sorry…" and he held her tighter and as close to him as possible. It broke his heart because he never once blamed her for anything. How could he?
"You've nothing to be sorry for, Sweetie." He kissed her again and tangled his fingers in wild blonde hair. He smiled and one little tear escaped his eyes, then another and soon he couldn't stop. River, his beloved wife, she brushed them all away and smiled. He softly whispered in her ear, "I am so happy to have you here, in my arms. I'm happy to spend time with you, and them. I don't know what I would do without you all."
As he took her hand in his and looked out in to the sunset her heard her reply, "I don't want you to know… We're not planning on going anywhere I can promise you that." The Doctor didn't say it; no he couldn't spoil that moment. In his heart he knew what fate awaited her; he was there, a younger version of him. When she was gone, he'd be a wreck, but he would have Amy and Rory to at least lean on, that is, if they wish to stay with him. He could only hope. All things must come to an end however and he knew that all too well. For now all he could do was to keep running to them before they faded from his life.
"Shall we get back before they miss us?" He took her hand and they met Rory and Amy just as they returned, arguing about something like usual. He heard Amy yell "stupid face" to Rory and saw the man rubbing the back of his head as he gave in to whatever it was Amy was yelling about and the Time Lord and his wife smiled to one another. It wasn't the perfect family, but they loved each other all the same. Perfect was over rated anyway; they loved their complicated life and wouldn't give it up for the world. Just as Amy got ready to yell The Doctor straightened his bow tie, "What do we do next? Something fun and exciting I hope."
Amy turned to him, "Well if you call thrown out of a store because Stupid Face here touched something fun, then yeah. I mean they picked us up and threw us out. We're on some kind of probation now…"
"You two always get in to trouble. I might as well go and sort it out now." The Doctor put his arms around Amy and Rory and River stood by Amy's side. He led the way and called back, "Come along Ponds!" as he went to go sort out whatever it was they had gotten in to. He knew that things would take time to repair themselves, but before they could truly get over whatever it was that kept River and him apart, he'd have to get her to talk to him. She was so secretive, he wished she would open up to him more, but he could understand why. He was aware that he relied on her to be his rock. He would have to show her he could return the favor. While he dealt with Amy and Rory's problem, he'd think of a way to convince his wife he could be there for her.
I hope you enjoyed it. I'm going to be busy as I dream up the next chapter. Hopefully it won't be too long. I really didn't mean to go so long without updating!
