31 years

I rock the small baby back and forth in my arms and stare down at her in awe. I can't believe that this beautiful thing came from inside me. I press a kiss to the top of her head; it looks like she's got her dad's dark hair not my red. As I hold her close, breathing in her lovely scent of new baby, the door of the hospital room clicks open.

I look up expecting it to be Jack, back from informing various relatives of our daughter's arrival into the world but it isn't him. 'Melody' I whisper as my sister enters the room, closing the door behind her.

'Look at you Abby' she says, coming to sit in the chair next to the bed 'you're practically glowing'

'No I'm not' I reply, looking back down at my perfect little girl. I know I look tired with sweat drenched red curls up in a scruffy bun, it was a difficult birth but it was worth it in the end.

'She's beautiful' Melody says, reaching out to stroke my daughter's cheek 'What's her name?'

'Ella' I reply, thinking about the name Jack and I have chosen 'Ella Felicity Taylor'

Melody just gives a murmur of approval, continuing to stroke Ella's cheek.

'Do you want to hold her?' I ask. Melody just nods and I carefully lift Ella up and pass her over to my sister, positioning her correctly in Melody's arms.

Ella squirms slightly realising the change before calming down as Melody rocks her. I watch them as we sit in silence, taking in the sight of this small baby. Melody keeps on looking down at Ella, I see her eyes well up and a small tear trickle out of her eye and make its way down her cheek, where it is quickly brushed aside.

'Have you thought about having any children?' I ask quietly

'I did think about it once' Melody replies sadly 'but in the end the Doctor and I decided it probably wouldn't be a good idea'

'But why?'

'Abby, can you see me raising a child' she remarks. 'I live in a prison for a start, not to mention me and Doctor keep on meeting in the wrong order, my past is his future so having a kid would only add to how complicated everything is already and probably creating quite a few paradoxes on the way.'

I reach out of the bed and touch her arm comfortingly. It is so sad, since I can see from the way she is looking at Ella and the way she looked after me when I was younger, Melody would be a great mother. There are two dreams I had when I was growing up, one was to learn how to fly and the second was to have a family and now I am achieving them.

'Would you like to be her Godmother?' I ask Melody, who looks at me curiously. 'I mean, we'll probably ask Taryn, Jack's sister to be her official Godmother since Jack doesn't really know you and your not always on planet but...' I trail off looking at her, hoping she understands what I'm getting at.

'I'd love to be her unofficial Godmother' she replies, placing a kiss on top of Ella's head and whispering something into her ear.

Eventually Ella starts to fuss, struggling in Melody's arms. 'I think she's hungry' I say apologetically, knowing how much Melody is enjoying holding my daughter. Melody reluctantly passes Ella before standing up and walking to the door with a look I can't identify in her eyes.

'Melody, are you ok?' I ask

'I better be going, Jack will be back at any minute' she replies, ignoring my question.

'Are you going back to the Stormcage?'

'No' she replies 'I'm staying at Mum and Dad's for a couple of days'

'You're welcome to come around at anytime' I say as she walks out of the door but she doesn't hear me.