A/N- I took fluff, sprinkled fluff, then swirled fluff on top of this one. And, it's the second to last chapter.
While River had gotten time flowing linearly once more on both ends of the TARDIS, Jack bundled his new goddaughter in a blanket Rory denied having knit just for her. The Doctor navigated them to a fairly decent (couldn't disturb the baby) landing. He turned to his long-ago friends, hugging each of them fiercely, reluctant to let go. When he came to his other self, he simply shook his hand, a question in each of their eyes.
"Of course," one answered the other. Then the Doctor saluted his human replica, who nodded with finality.
He turned, gathering up his newborn into his arms once more, singing to her a song of the stars he hadn't sung in very many years. When it was over, he gave himself just a moment longer to take in the wonder of the moment, clutching his baby close to his hearts.
"I'll see you very soon, Bella mia Bella," he promised as he finally kissed her face yet again before reluctantly handing her back to his wife, whom he kissed affectionately on the cheek as well, hand still cradling Bella's head as he waited until the very last instant to pull away.
"Thank you," he breathed into River's ear, emotion and gratitude too great for mere words as he briefly touched her mind as well.
"Mmm." She hummed her love and equal gratitude, staring down at the marvel in her arms. "Thank you too, Sweetie. And thank you for coming. I was afraid I'd have to wait a while before I found a you that knew she was yours."
He looked up at her, giving her a small smile before taking her head in his hands, kissing her briefly and stroking her cheek with his thumb.
"Go to your parents. Afterward. After this," he instructed her quietly.
"Can't I just come with you now?" she begged, wanting to bask in her growing family and her husband's familiar presence.
"No. This- today. He'll need you. Both of you. I needed you. So much. I'll come pick you up later- promise. But, he'll come back to you first."
She looked into his eyes, the age and slight pain returning to them as he remembered the dark day his younger self endured. She nodded, clutching her newborn to her chest. The Doctor went to the console, flipping some levers before opening up a storage unit and handing her a hamper.
"Just a few things for you two, until he returns." He indicated back with his head to his younger self. River looked in the hamper, quickly taking stock of things inside. She smiled fondly as she pulled out a soft toy, holding it up with an inquisitive eyebrow quirked.
"Really, Sweetie?"
He chuckled lightly, taking the stuffed opossum and wrapping Bella's tiny arms securely around it.
"Amy's gift. Says his name is Mr. Pond- wanted him to watch the over baby from the start. I thought that was a brilliant idea."
"Sentimental idiot," River said, her besotted face on the man who was still bending over his daughter.
"Your sentimental idiot," he shot back with a smirk, turning slightly and bopping her lightly on her nose.
"I meant my mother," she quipped. He shot her a playful glare. Then he indicated the hamper again.
"Don't forget," he reminded firmly, before turning to quickly take in the faces of his friends one last time, cherishing this undeserved moment in time.
"Okay, my love," River whispered, giving the contents one more cursory glance, eyebrows scrunched at some of the supplies inside. Then, she realized what he was asking her to do as something else occurred to her. "By the way, where did you land us?"
Just then they heard the younger Doctor and younger Jack coming back down the corridor with Martha.
"...sure you left it back there? Really, you think you'd be more careful with something as important as that, River!"
"Hey, why don't you push a person out of your body then try to remember little things like diaries."
"Not me, I'm never doing that again."
"It's not just a diary, it's our diary. Our future."
As the Doctor turned to leave and to pull Jack out and away from another version of himself, he finally answered River, who was shaking her head in amusement at the approaching conversation.
"It's just a small planet in the Ogden belt. It's called Asgaard," he threw over his shoulder, tugging Jack away. "I'll see you soon, my girls!"
And as everyone took on an air of nonchalance and baby-ogling for the sake of the three newcomers, they couldn't help but smile at the pride and excitement in their retreating friend's voice.
