THE PENULTIMATE CHAPTER...Duh-duh-DUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHH!

As the Doctor and Donna's wedding begins, can Rose summon the courage to stand up and speak, or will she remain silent? Will the wedding go off without a hitch, or will an interloper disrupt the ceremony?

I'm sorry, really, about all of the mix-up with the chapters...just an error on my part, uploaded it in the wee hours of the night which was a really bad move...

Rose stood in the entrance to the church, watching the other guests mingle happily. Ianto Jones, Jack's nervous but not at all unattractive plus-one, stayed close to the man at all times, as if afraid (and justly so, Rose thought) that if he left the room, Jack would forget about him and fall into the pants of the first organism he saw.

Sarah Jane left, but in an hour returned with two teenagers, Rani Chandra and Clyde Langer. Rani wore a beautiful yellow dress, while Clyde seemed uncomfortable in his suit, slinging the jacket over his arm. Sarah Jane caught Rose's eye, and sent her a stony glance before turning her attention to Mickey, who escorted her into the church.

"Hey."

Rose turned to face Amy, whose arms were crossed and whose expression was dark. She wore a pink dress which fell to her ankles, and her hands were cupped about her stomach.

"Hey yourself," Rose replied. Amy put a hand on her shoulder, turning her from the doorway as people began to enter.

"This is my best friend's happiest day," she said to Rose under her breath. "Don't ruin this for him."

She walked away before Rose could reply; however, Rose didn't even know how to reply.

She didn't want to hurt him. She wanted anything but that; the Doctor had to see that she loved him and wanted him. She had to stand up, stand up and tell him that he was making a mistake.

If only she was more certain…no, she was certain. She had to be.

"Rose, you ready?"

Rose turned to see Mickey, his arm held out for her. With a roll of her eyes she hooked hers in his, and he led her from the entrance to the church through the pews.

"He seems really happy, the Doctor," Mickey murmured to her as she took a step into a pew. "Rose…don't do anything you'll regret."

"What do you mean?" Rose asked, looking away. Mickey sighed, hitting her arm gently.

"Doesn't matter," he said softly. "Just…I know you'll do the right thing, Rose." With that he walked to the back of the church again.

She watched in amazement as people crowded into the church. Many of them were in full UNIT uniforms, removing only their red berets as they entered the church, while some seemed to be ordinary people, dressed in their Sunday best for the ceremony. There was no separation for bride and groom, because the family of the Doctor was so far-reaching few could say they fell outside of it. At the front of the church sat Sylvia and Sarah Jane, at least ten inches separating them. Behind them sat Rani and Clyde, whispering conspiratorially to each other as more people filed in. From the piano, a soft melody was being played.

At the front of the church, a minister entered, flipping through a small pile of papers. Pushing them aside as he reached the altar, he opened his bible, and silence reigned for an instant before the pianist drew in a steady march. Rose angled her head to the side, just so she could watch as the Doctor began his walk in.

As she watched him, she saw an entirely different man from any she had known before. His fingers trembled at his sides. There was a tentative smile flickering at his lips, but eyes that bore more happiness than she could have imagined. As he took his place before the minister, offering the holy man a deft nod and a sharp salute with his forefinger to his brow, the rest of the bridal party fell into place. Amy and Rory, Martha and Mickey, and some people Rose didn't even recognize, all took their places before the altar.

As a soft, metallic hum emerged from the back of the church, no one could help looking back to see what caused the sound. There, two golden rings upon his back, came K9, to the bemusement of the whole assemblage. The minister seemed only somewhat put out, but kept his serene smile as the Doctor bent over to scratch gently at the tin dog's ears.

The music concluded, and the minister looked out at the gathered people, holding up his hands.

"Would the congregation please rise to greet the bride?"

Rose's heart thudded in her chest. She stood with the others, and turned to the back of the church, eyes trained upon Donna as she took her first steps into the building.

That was when her will faltered.

Stepping into the church was no cold, man-stealing thief of a woman who coerced an innocent man into falling head-over-heels for her. Rose saw only a beautiful, glistening-eyed woman who was beautiful in her alabaster gown as she entered the church arm-in-arm with her grandfather, a thousand times ready to be married. Her dark hair lofted gently behind her and her smile gave way only to soft gasps of exhilaration as she and Wilf marched in.

When finally she met the Doctor at the end of the aisle, Wilf stepped off to stand beside Silvia and Sarah Jane—both of whom, Rose saw, were dabbing hastily at their eyes. The Doctor and Donna took each other's hands, meeting one another's gaze happily.

"Will the congregation please be seated?"

Rose never really listened to ceremony. It was all big words and nonsense anyway, really. But this time she listened to every word; she watched every passing glance between the Doctor and Donna. As they took their vows, the Doctor's voice trembled and Donna's eyes glistened with tears. They were happy—no, all of it was a lie. Donna had the Doctor tricked.

It was growing closer, so much closer, Rose knew.

Speak now.

Rose knew she had to do it.

Speak now.

She—she had to.

Speak now.

She—

"If there is anyone here who has any reason why these two shouldn't wed," the minister said, "speak now or forever hold your peace."

There was a silence. Rose knew there were eyes on her; she could practically feel Amy's stare boring into her. Her breaths grew faster. She felt sick.

She drew in her strength. Slowly she pushed herself forward, forcing every lingering reservation from her heart—

Suddenly, there was a clattering sound. All eyes turned to the back of the church and Rose leaped to her feet as the blinding light poured in from outside.

"I object!" a voice called through. As eyes adjusted to the light, all could see a familiar man in a blue pinstripe suit stepping into the church. On the lips of many was the same word:

"Doctor…"

"Doctor?"

"But the Doctor…"

"Doctor?" Amy asked in confusion before raising her eyebrows in amusement. "That's what you used to look like? What happened?"

The human Doctor walked down the aisle, stopping halfway and repeating his statement.

"I object," he said lowly. Rose's jaw dropped. The real Doctor looked from Donna to the human Doctor, confusion written across his face.

"Why?" he asked. "How—how did you even—why?"

"Because Rose still loves you," the human Doctor replied.

Rose felt her heart stop as all eyes turned to her.

GASP!

What will happen next?

As always, reviews are adored. And, since this is the next-to-last chapter, I'd love to hear any of your last-minute, before-the-reveal thoughts! You know, so in case the story doesn't end the way you want it to, tell me how you feel about it so far.

XOXO and eternal luvs,
Bella