Rose listens in as the Doctor changes Hope, and baby-fluff happens.

WARNING: Breastfeeding; very fluffy baby-fluff


Chapter 9

In the end, Rose hadn't been able to keep up with the Doctor. She was still tender in many areas, and was already very uncomfortable and out of breath by the time they had rushed through the TARDIS doors. Clutching a supportive arm under her swollen breasts, she'd let go of the Doctor's hand.

He'd lurched to a halt, and wheeled around to face her.

"I… I can't keep up, Doctor," she had panted, leaning back against the TARDIS. "Tell you what… why don't you go get 'er and bring 'er to me, after all, yeah? I'll meet you down there."

"Oh, Rose… I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"Nah, don't be silly. Off y' go."

A few moments later, Rose had settled into the nursing chair. Her heart swelled with love as she listened through the TARDIS' monitor to the Doctor talking to Hope, and she couldn't help laughing at the Doctor's banter.

"…clean you up, precious one… Oh look at those cute little toes of yours! And that belly button! That might just be the cutest bellybutton in the entire multiverse. But don't tell your mum, darling. She thinks that I think that she has the cutest bellybutton. And, I have to say, her bellybutton, and her toes, and weeell, just about everything about her is bloody perfect! Dammit! Another one for the swear jar… Ooooh, gosh darn it, another one. You're driving us into the poor house, Hopie-girl.

"There now, you're all clean now, love. And here's a nice fresh nappy. Up your legs, darling. There we go. Nice and dry and ready for your supper."

Hope made some tiny cooing sounds.

"Oh, I know, my precious girl. You are so hungry, but you are being so patient. Yes you are. Up you come, my love. Ooooh, I know you're hungry. I'll hurry it up. You don't need to thunk me quite so hard. That head of yours… You certainly know how to get your point across. You're very lucky I speak baby, you know…" His voice trailed away as Rose presumed he left the nursery and was heading down the stairs.

Within a minute, Hope was nestled in Rose's arms, rooting for her breast with eager sounds, her little, pink mouth and tongue making reflexive suckling motions. "Oh-oh-oh!" Rose cried out, as the baby's lips closed over her nipple. "Oh, that feeling as she latches…" She choked out a little giggle and relaxed with a sigh as Hope began suckling in earnest, and stroked the downy brown head with her free hand.

She smiled at the Doctor, who had crouched down before her, observing his little family with unabashed adoration.

"Oh, Rose, I could watch this all day."

"You're mental, you are!" Rose teased in return.

"No, I mean it. I never thought… I never could allow myself to dream…" Tears welled in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, love," she grimaced her apology, as she moved Hope to her shoulder to burp her. "I didn't mean to… well, you know… I love you."

The baby chose that moment to rip out an enormous belch.

"Oh! She's brilliant, Rose!" the Doctor beamed, his mood changing in a flash. "Did you hear that? Now that…! That was impressive!"

"Oi!" Rose reprimanded, but then began laughing. She just couldn't help herself. "Looks like Uncle Tony has some serious competition! Mum'll be thrilled!"

Hope chose that moment to very deliberately swing her head into Rose's cheek.

"Alright, alright! I know. You're still hungry. 'Ere you go then, cheeky girl." Rose positioned her demanding daughter across her lap, so she could latch onto the other breast. She glanced up at the Doctor whose mouth was agape with astonishment. "What?"

"You speak baby, too…?"

"I what?"

"You speak baby…"

"Not exactly. I… uh…"

The Doctor grabbed Rose's head between his hands and planted a firm, wet kiss on her forehead. "You're brilliant!"

"You're daft!"

"I know! Isn't it brilliant?" He grinned again, and turned his attention back to his ravenous daughter. "Oooh, you're such a hungry girl, Hope Donna Tyler-Noble," he babbled. "You're going to sleep like the proverbial baby after this fine meal. Yes you are. Yes you are."