The Doctor slowly walked across the threshold of River's room, acting as if his presence would disturb the balance of all things. His fingers brushed the new rocking chair in the corner and it began it's forward and backward movement with ease. Next, he went to the dresser and smiled sadly at the framed pictures that lined it.

Amy, Rory, and River as the three musketeers on Halloween in primary school, the three at their high school graduation, River and himself sharing garlic fries at the bowling alley in Leadsworth last year-

At each photo he paused to let it sink in, allowing all the memories of times past to wash over him. As he reached the end, he noticed the last frame was empty and a lime green post-it note was stuck on the glass.

New frame, new addition, new picture.

Please don't forget your appointment, River.

You promised!

~Mum

He reread the note three or four more times before finally giving up. He had no clue what it meant, and even if he did, it didn't matter now. She was gone.

"Are you two really sure about this?" River asked hesitantly, not wanting to go through with their plan. It was risky, and there wasn't any hope of survival.

"Of course we are. All set? I think he's coming around."

River nodded nervously and sat in the chair, wiring herself up properly and preparing for the moments to come.

"Be brave, River." Amy whispered, hugging her tightly. "Take care of that ridiculous idiot you call your husband, yeah? And the baby." Her voice choked with emotion as the realization of final goodbyes hit. "I'm so proud of you. I'll always love you."

River nodded, tears forming in her eyes as her mother backed away towards the TARDIS and her father stepped forward.

"All set, then?"

River nodded and he smiled.

"Be brave. Remember what is at stake."

The Doctor began to stir and Rory backed away quickly in the shadows to join Amy.

They watched as he realized what was going on and tried to fight against the restraints, begging her to let him do it.

She refused, reminding him of what was at stake. Somehow the words she spoke told him everything without telling him anything at all. Every word pure truth except for the most important lie.

"The last time I saw you-the real you- the future you-" her voice cracked as she spoke, hating the lie and fighting the memory of that night. How sad he had been. Now she knew why. He thought it would be the last time he saw her.

Oh how very wrong he was.

The moment was here. Tears spilled down her face as she spoke her final words to him through a loving smile.

"Hush now, spoilers."

He couldn't watch as she connected the plug. There was a blinding flash of white light-and then it was done.