Chapter 11: Joy To The World
I yawned. 4 movies in a row can do that to you. You're probably thinking, honey please, but they were long, okay!
We started cleaning up- in the course of our marathon, popcorn had been tossed about, pillows were 5 meters from where they started and the cozy blankets were scattered.
The Doctor started grabbing cups and bowls and heading to the kitchen. There was a considerable amount of junk food in my stomach now.
"That was… interesting." the Doctor said from where he was folding a festive quilt.
"Never had a movie marathon before?"
"Can't say that I have."
"Are you living under a time traveling rock? Everyone has to have a least 10 movie marathons in their life."
"Debatable!"
"Not that debatable. You need to let your inner couch potato shine, Doctor. It's in there somewhere, I just know!" I gasped melodramatically.
"I hope I don't have a inner couch potato."
"Everyone does Doc, everyone does."
"Anyway, what do you want to do now? Eat more, sleep, explore?"
"Explore? Explore what? You do realize we are locked in the Tardis right?"
"Explore the Tardis, potato!"
"I resent that statement- wait, no I don't. Yeah, take me exploring!" I did one of those cheesy air punch things and followed the Doctor out of the kitchen.
"You haven't seen the Tardis library yet, have you?"
"Can't say that I have," I replied, trying to keep the excitement out of my voice.
"Well then Victoria, welcome to the library." He opened to heavy cherry wood door intricately engraved with Gallifreyan symbols.
I walked in the huge room and took a deep breath in. This was one of the best libraries I had ever been in not for the books, the architecture, or the people- but the history. You could tell prior companions had walked this carpet, touched that page, sat on that sofa over there.
" Do you need a moment alone with the books?" The Doctor teased. I slapped his arm lightly, but with no real venom behind it.
Walking farther, I could see shelves on shelves going down the wood floor. A fireplace sat against the wall, and a fluffy carpet adorned with sofas and armchairs were around it.
Although there was no natural light, light beams danced their way around tattered hardcovers like the books were stars, and deserved a spotlight. Not saying they don't deserve it of course.
"This is my favorite room in the Tardis. It never changes location, unlike every other room."
"I can see why you like it so much." I smiled.
"Where else would you like to go?" the Doctor asked.
"Surprise me."
"Ta da!"
"You actually have a swimming pool?" I stared in disbelief at the shimmering water.
"Of course I 'actually' have a swimming pool."
"I thought you were joking or something! Then again, I thought you were a fictional character."
"You heard me? Creepy." the Doctor sent me a look of incredulity.
"It's a nice pool." I offered. It really was. A waterslide, a waterfall, lazy river, shallow, deep, and deeper end, and natural looking water was not an average suburban pool. I mean, the nicest pool I ever went to was at a waterpark, and it didn't have anything on the Tardis pool.
"Yes it is." he grinned and patted the walls. "On to the next room!"
Ooh" I beamed as we walked into the next room.
All that this on had was a grand piano. Nothing else. Literally just a piano. A pretty piano? Yes. But it was nothing but a piano. And a plant in the corner.
"My sister use to play." I smiled. "She forced me to learn Chopsticks."
" I would ask you to play, I don't want to find out how bad you are." the Doctor teased.
"Feelings mutual."
The Doctor sighed and walked over to the bench. "Play the lower part."
"Aye aye." I responded.
And off we went, the piano tinkling crisply as our fingers touched down on the black and white keys.
"Where did you learn to play?" I asked the Doctor.
"My mother taught me when I was young, I was afraid I had forgotten how to play."
"I don't think you forgot." I smiled, motioning at the piano.
"On to the next room?"
"Sure, Doc."
I took a deep sniff of the flowers. " A garden? I didn't think you were the gardening type."
"Oh, I'm not- the Tardis tends to the flowers. I just like reading and stuff in here."
"Very pretty."
"Yeah."
There was a rainbow of flowers. Red poppies, orange butterfly weed, yellow tulips, green boat orchids, blue hydrangeas, violet- well violets.
Lemon and lime were poised next to apple and pear trees. Flowers of all variety danced and swayed in the middle. False sunlight streamed through giving the entire garden a holy glow.
Lady slippers all the sudden in the same soil as Blackfoot daisies, despite their diverse growing needs.
It was magical.
We wandered down yet another hallway. The Doctor stopped in front of a crimson door with a wreath placed on it.
"That's odd." his finger traced over the wreath. "I've never seen this door before."
"Sounds like a perfect horror movie murder setup. Let's go in, but be sure to split up as soon as we close the door behind us."
"Please. After you."
I stepped inside the dark room. "Where's the light-switch?"
As soon as the Doctor stepped inside, the room was illuminated. A christmas tree in the center was light up, and the fairy lights wrapped around it began to twinkle.
Ornaments of deep blue and glittery silver glistened. Snowflakes made of glass were delicately placed on the forest green pine branches.
The walls were a ivory color, but it was not what the wall was that stood out. It was the photos on the wall, hung all around the room.
It was every companion the Doctor had ever had. Every single one of them. All hung with a simple black frame.
Now, to any other companion, it would have been cute, maybe touching. To me it was so much more. I had loved these characters, grown up with them even.
To anyone else, these were people come and gone. To me they were my friends. Someone to help me out when I got bullied at school. When I got into a fight with my sister. When my dog got hit by a car. And now they were real, and I was looking a pictures of the people who inspired me. It was more emotional the meeting the Doctor.
I smiled and looked over at the Doctor who was looking at each picture slowly, carefully. Trying to understand why they all had to go. Trying to understand what the Tardis was trying to do.
I closed the space between us a wrapped him in a hug. He stood motionless for a second before hugging me back.
"I'm not leaving for a while," I whispered as he hugged me slightly harder.
There was a slight rumble, and then the emergency lights turned off, and the normal lights kicked on.
"Are we unstuck?"
"Yes! Still up for exploring Cheimónas?"
"You know it." I grinned and ran towards the Tardis doors.
We stepped outside to falling snow. Children ran around the cobblestone streets, and streetlamp shone with festive garland wrapped around them.
As we walked farther into chipper downtown, voices rang out. Past the brightly colored storefronts with toys in the windows, and people rushing to and fro were carolers.
Dressed in uniform red and green, they started singing with melodious harmonies. Even people who didn't celebrate Christmas could feel Christmas spirit pouring off their tongues along with melodies of Earth christmas songs blended with some of traditional Cheimónas carols.
It was the epitome of holidays. Giving, not receiving. Joy, love, and family.
They started to sing Silent Night. I stepped closer to the Doctor, glad I could be with someone over the holidays.
All is calm.
He smiled, and took my hand. Together we stood, both mourning the loss of previous family, but celebrating the gain of a new family.
All is bright.
I want to thank Doctor Who for being there, especially the fandom. You guys have helped me with me depression a LOT. I think this little fluff chapter wraps up the holiday season quite nicely. It's not about the presents, or shopping. It's about putting a little joy into the world. Have a great christmas. And thank you.
Happy and Holidays!
