December 21st

"Clean it up!" Clara hissed with a deep scowl, moving the lower part of her mobile away from her mouth. "Right now." With her phone pressed between her ear and shoulder she continued to traipse through the flat, searching frantically for her keys which seemed to have magically vanished from existence once again. Meanwhile, the Doctor was slowly dragging himself around, reluctantly picking up the bits and pieces of his disaster remaining from yesterday.

"'Course I haven't forgotten. See you in an hour, yeah?" Clara distractedly asked the person on the other line, biting her lip in anxiety as she toed on her heels. "Thanks. See you, George." When the call ended she threw the phone onto the ripped sofa, eyes wide and hands slightly raised. "Houston, we have a problem!"

"Who was that?" The Doctor was more than grateful for the opportunity to end his suffering. 'Tidying up' wasn't in his job description.

"Remember George Maitland?" She asked over her shoulder, still scowering the kitchen for her car keys. "I completely forgot he called the other night to invite me to dinner. They know I'm busy later this week so they want me to come over tonight. Or," She glanced at her watch, groaning. "In less than an hour I should say."

"What's the big deal, then?" He wondered aloud. "Just go."

"Long drive." She explained, sighing in the deepest relief when her search came to an end. "But that's not the only problem."

"It never is, is it?" The Doctor sighed, crossing his arms and leaning back on the wall. "What?"

"The kids want to see you."

"Yeah... that might be a slight problem."

"I couldn't just tell them no, could I?" She exclaimed, brow raised. "Artie especially wants to see you again. It has been over a year you know." She pointed out. "And Angie said she misses your chin."

"Well, I'm sure I can just glue a waffle cone to my face and she'll never know the difference!" He smiled sarcastically, pushing past her to sit back dramatically onto the sofa.

"What are you doing? We need to go." Clara said urgently, ushering him towards the door.

"But I can't go there looking like this!" He shouted, gesturing to his face.

"You can change your jumper later. Now move."

"Listen. Just be still, shut up, and let me do the talking." Clara ordered as they walked nervously up to the front door with a mask of confidence. "Don't say anything, don't do anything, just... be normal for an hour or so, yeah?"

The Doctor just grumbled his reply, sticking his hands awkwardly in his pockets as Clara knocked on the door.

"Clara!" Artie was the one to emerge from behind the wooden pannel, immediately flying forward to wrap his arms around his former nanny's small frame. "Its so good to see you."

"My god, look how tall you've gotten!" She exclaimed, pushing him back slightly and ruffling his hair with her free hand. "How've you been?"

"Quite well, actually." He grinned, then turned to call over his shoulder. "Dad! Angie! Clara's here!"

Angie was the next to appear, arms folded over her chest and a bored expression on her face. But Clara knew her well enough to see the excitement in her eyes bleed through. "Get your bratty self over here and give me a hug."

A slight smile shown through and she walked forward with small steps, giving her old friend a little one-armed side hug.

"Hallo." The Doctor waved his hand in front of their faces and tapped the top of Clara's head. "I still exist. Hi, there."

"Who's he?" Artie frowned, looking back and forth from both adults.

"Um..." Clara still hadn't come up with her strategy for explaining yet, and she welcomed the soon after presence of George as a good distraction. "Hey, you!" She greeted, hugging upon his friendly command.

"So great to see you." He smiled, then drew his gaze up to the lanky stick figure of a man to Clara's left. "Ah. Mr. Oswald, I presume." He extended his hand for a friendly shake, but the Doctor just eyed the appendage warily.

"Oh, he's-" Clara pushed herself in between them, shooting the Doctor a subtle warning glare before forcing a smile in the Maitlands' direction. "He's not my dad. He's a friend."

"You said you were bringing the Doctor." Angie stated, rolling her eyes. "That's not the Doctor. He's stupid."

After a tense minute of unsure replies and awkward stares, they broke the silence.

"Let's go inside, shall we?" Clara managed, watching the family enter first before following close behind. She twisted around to give the Doctor's ribs a nudge with her elbow. "Play along." She whispered.

"You're the boss." He sighed, looking bored as ever as he shuffled his way into the house, straitening a bit when Clara slapped his shoulder out of annoyance. "What am I supposed to do, anyways?" But she didn't answer just worked her way further inside and seated herself at the table with the children, instructing the Doctor to do the same. George busied himself for a few minutes doing a few last minute preparations, dosing out drinks and meals.

"So," He cleared his throat once he himself sat down at the table with everyone else. "How'd you two meet?" He asked, gesturing to the odd duo sitting closer than anyone else.

Clara knew what he was assuming, and could easily detect his unease and uncertainty, but managed to play along. "Oh, long story." She said simply, managing a dismissing laugh. She saw the two siblings across the table exchange an amused glance, but tried her best to ignore it.

"Why couldn't the Doctor make it today?" George prompted.

"Well... that's the thing." She bit her lip and looked up at the Doctor for help, but he just smiled a smile that said, Do go on. "He um..."

"Oh, for the love of god." The Doctor sighed and reached into his pocket, withdrawing a large waffle cone which he positioned on his chin. "Its me! See?" When he could swear he heard crickets chirping and saw nothing but confused glances in his direction, he reached his hand into the bowl in front of him to pick out a piece of bow tie pasta and placed it on his collar. "Hello!"

Everyone, even Clara just stared at him for a moment. The children were glancing at each other, actually considering the possibility, while George just tilted his head in confusion. All the while, Clara was scowling at him, using all her self control not to smack him right then and there.

"Dad," Artie said nervously, brow slightly raised as he turned to face his father. "How long was I asleep?"