People paused a moment in their busy day to stop and smile warmly at the couple that had just emerged from the register office. The tall man was impeccable in a grey suit and crisp white shirt. He wore a white rose in his lapel, and a blue silk tie that matched his bride's dress. The lovely blonde on his arm was simply radiant. More than one witness remarked over their tea that evening that they'd never seen a couple so wonderfully, obviously in love.

John stared down at Rose, utterly besotted. He was oblivious to everything except the way the brilliant blue of her dress swirled around her legs, the glint of sunlight in her hair, and the weight of her hands, wrapped around his arm.

"What is it?" she murmured.

"You. I can't believe it."

"Believe what?"

"That you're mine."

Rose hugged his arm tighter, and rested her head against his shoulder for good measure. "Been yours since the first time you took my hand. You're stuck with me."

"Stuck with you, Rose Tyler? That's fantastic."

"That's Rose Tyler-Smith," she corrected him indignantly.

"Staking your claim?" he chuckled.

"Isn't that what I just did in there?" she returned cheekily.

John beamed down at Rose, wanting so badly to kiss her, but knowing he wouldn't be able to restrain himself once he started. They were, after all, still on a public street. A fact that was reinforced by the elderly gent in the newsstand waving both arms to catch their attention.

"For you, sweetheart," he announced, handing Rose a small box of candy. "Last time I saw a bride so pretty, I was just a young lad, returned home from the war. Congratulations to you both!"

"Thank you, sir," John replied, offering the hand that wasn't entangled with Rose.

"God bless you, son. You take good care of her!"

"That I will," John promised.

Laughing delightedly, Rose plucked a rosebud from her nosegay and slipped it to the old man when she leaned in to kiss his cheek.

"You're in love with the whole, wide world today, aren't you?" John teased.

"And why shouldn't I be?"

They were almost home now, and John was looking forward to the privacy of their flat, and a bottle of French champagne, and a lovely little cake, created for them by Lynda. That had been a bit of a battle. John and Rose were adamant that their cake be Lynda's first professional commission. Lynda was equally adamant that it be their wedding present.

So they were more than a bit startled to open their front door and be confronted by most of the friends they'd managed to make during their stay.

"What? How?" John spluttered.

Alistair shrugged guiltily and held up their spare door key.

"You didn't really think we'd let you get away without a party, did you?" Jack teased, catching Rose in a hug and kissing both her cheeks.

"Was sorta hoping, actually."

"John!" Rose hissed.

Alistair laid a hand on his friend's shoulder. "You've got the rest of your life to spend with Rose. You can spare them an hour or two for their fun."

"Not willingly," John muttered. His expression softened as he observed their friends clustered around Rose, admiring her ring. John held his own hand up so Alistair could see his wedding band. It was simple, but elegant.

"Titanium?" Alistair inquired.

John nodded. "It seemed appropriate."

"It does indeed. Congratulations."

Rose made her way over to them, sliding both arms around John's waist. "Thank you for coming, Alistair. We really appreciate it. Don't we, John?' she added, looking up at her husband meaningfully.

"Yes, dear," he replied in a suitably meek voice that fooled absolutely no one.

"I have something for you," Alistair said, holding out a worn velvet jewelry case to Rose.

"It's beautiful!" Rose gasped, opening the case to reveal a lovely antique pendant. A tiny diamond was showcased in a setting of silver and frosted glass.

"It's an heirloom. I'd always intended that my son should give it to his bride."

Rose glanced to John with wide eyes. He'd told her how Alistair's son had been a Royal Marine. He'd never returned home from overseas. All Alistair had to remember him by was a burial flag, and a case full of medals.

"Alistair," John began slowly, "we're honored, truly, but-"

"No buts," the older gentleman insisted. "This was meant to grace a lovely woman, not sit gathering dust in a drawer somewhere."

"Thank you," Rose whispered as she flung her arms around Alistair's neck.

"You're quite welcome, my dear. Now you, be a gentleman and help her with the catch."

John obligingly stepped behind Rose to fasten the delicate chain around her neck.

"Oh, that's just lovely," sighed Donna, dabbing a tear away.

"Oi! None of that!" Rose cried merrily. "No cryin' on my wedding day!"

Donna obediently plastered a wide grin on her face. The mouthy redhead was a conundrum. She literally could not point to Germany on a map, but she'd aced her business certificate. There was no piece of office equipment she couldn't fix quicker than even Mickey, and no piece of business software she didn't know inside out.

A sudden tussle near the dining table caused another ripple of mirth.

"Ow!" Mickey whinged, cradling his hand. "That hurt!"

"Good!" Lynda retorted, waving a cake server menacingly. "What're you thinking? Trying to snitch a cake before Rose and John even see the table!"

Rose dragged John across the room to admire the table set with all manner of dainty confections. She carefully selected a petit four topped with a delicate icing rose, and took one careful bite, holding the remainder up to John's lips.

"This is wonderful, Lynda. Thank you, so much!"

Donna slipped up beside John. "Oi, Spaceman," she stage whispered. "I know all about the discussions you had, about Lynda not giving away the shop before she even got the shop in the first place. All of this is a gift, from all of us. So just smile and enjoy it, all right?"

"Sorry," John admitted sheepishly. "I'm not good at this."

"How'd you mean?" Donna asked, curiously.

"I'm not used to people carin' if I stay or go, much less all this."

"Get used to it," Donna advised. "You're not getting rid of us so easily, you know. We'll all expect emails and postcards, telling us about your adventures. John Smith and Rose Tyler, running away to join the circus. How amazing is that?"