There were three bright full moons, and a black sky broken by the stars nestled in them. That was the backdrop, an official right in front of them, holding the cup in the air, making an offering to this planets gods.
But the most beautiful thing in the universe was right at his side, the only thing he could think about was her. Their rings were already on; they had been married on Earth hours ago.
Her mother had thrown her arms around him, and he had managed something that resembled a hug. This was what he had been waiting on though. Inside that cup was a special blend of ingredients. It was those ingredients that were going to take Donna and change her into a Time Lord.
Maybe it was wrong to do it, maybe he should just love her until the end of her far too short life, but if it was he was going to be wrong. He was going to let Donna get away, she was his forever.
She squeezed his hand, and he met her eyes. She looked beautiful, in a slightly more understated dress than she had worn on Earth. It went just passed her knees and it made him dizzy thinking about the chance to take it off.
The official stopped his long ramble, and looked at them.
"Repeat after me," he instructed. "I take you to treasure, love and keep forever."
They repeated, and the cup was handed to them. He drank first. It tasted awful if he was perfectly honest. A little like dirt, and possibly Earth grass. He handed the cup to Donna and she did the same. She didn't try to hide her face after she tasted it and it made him smile.
"Kiss each other," they were instructed
He pulled her close, taking a long time to deliver on the order. He was interrupted in his kiss by a throat being cleared. They stopped, straightened their clothes and looked to the official.
"From this day on, you are the same."
It was with those words that Donna collapsed. He caught her, saying some colorful words. He hadn't realized it would happen so soon. She had gone pale with the agony of rewriting all her cells.
He rushed her back to the TARDIS, which wasn't parked very far.
"It won't hurt long, love," the Doctor vowed, carrying them to their room.
He pulled her dress off, but it was nothing like in his mind. She was burning up, and he slid her on the cool sheets. He pressed a cool cloth to her head and whispered soothing words to her.
Finally sleep claimed her, and he lay down beside her. He pulled her cooling body to him and held her close. He hadn't stopped whispering even now, hoping that his words alone could fight off the pain.
They had discussed this; she knew it was going to be painful. But it was like saying breaking a bone was going to be painful, but if you hadn't done it you couldn't imagine. Of course this was a lot worse, but the idea was the same. He knew what it felt like, knew how badly it hurt and he would take it from her if he could.
When she was cool again, cool as he was, he moved until he could lay his head on her chest. Inside he heard the second thump and tears fell from his eyes. If wanting this was wrong, he would never ask to be right again.
He felt her hand reach up and run her finger through his hair. It was a weak gesture, but it made him smile all the same.
"Just rest," he said, lifting his head from the symphony that was playing in her chest.
She still had her eyes closed, and he kissed her forehead. He lay right next to her, watching over her as she took ever breath. He thought of the future, of babies. He thought of little versions of them running around, and found himself longing for that.
They hadn't really discussed children, but he hoped she wanted them. He thought he was never going to want them again, not after…but this was his second chance. Only a fool wasted a second chance, and he had played the fool long enough.
He would take whatever joy Donna was willing to let him have, and if that included children he was going to try for that too. He could almost hear their tiny voice calling him daddy.
It made him smile, wide and he felt silly. He was the only one awake in the room, but he was beaming and couldn't stop. His mind went through names, pictured faces, and he kept a careful eye on his new bride.
It was hours before she woke, and she caught him staring. She smiled, slow and easy.
"I believe we were interrupted during the 'kiss the bride' part."
He scooted closer and leaned in, touching his lips to hers. He kissed her long, and slow. There was no rush, let the universe exist without their help for a while.
Finally he pulled back, the question too heavy on his mind. He looked at her, feeling nervous to ask. If she said no, he would love her no less, but he couldn't deny it would be an ache.
"What is it?" Donna asked, looking him over. "Is something wrong?"
He sat up, and she followed.
"Donna, do you think…do you think you would want children?"
She was quiet for a long moment, and he could hear a number of versions of no in his head.
"Yes," she said, and he looked over at her. "Of course…are you asking because you do?"
"Yes!" he said, and then forced himself to calm. "Yes, I'd love to…with you…when you are ready."
She smiled at him and pulled him close again.
"Let's have a little time, you and me alone, and then we will try."
He laid his head on her chest. He didn't understand how he had gotten this lucky, what he had done that was good enough to deserve this kind of happiness. The only thing he knew was that he was going to spend the rest of his life trying to keep it.
And someday, they would hopefully have babies in the TARDIS. Children that looked like them, with wide eyes and two good hearts…
He laid there, just listening to the sound of love.