Domestics and Divisions
The last chapter of the whole series is finally here! Sorry it's taken a while but the whole holiday period was very busy for me. Thank you so much for all the reviews for the last chapter- I was overwhelmed by them. I really hope you like this last chapter and thanks for sticking with the story, even though it's taken me so terribly long to finish it!
Disclaimer: Nothing you might recognise belongs to me.
Part Twenty One: Looking Forward
The first thing Rose Tyler noticed when she came round was the dappled effect of the bright sunshine shining through the tree leaves on her closed eyelids. The next thing she noticed was the sound of the two people she loved most in the world talking.
"Daddy, why is Mummy sleeping?"
Rose felt the Doctor laugh, thus deducing that her head was resting on his lap. He must have gently pulled her there after she had fainted.
"She's just having a rest, Jonny," the Doctor explained, "I think I might have shocked her…"
"Oooh!" her son exclaimed, "What did you do?"
Rose felt a cool hand rest on her forehead before sliding down to tenderly caress her cheek. She smiled, nuzzling into the Doctor's hand.
"I asked her a question that I don't think she was expecting me to ask her," the Doctor replied, his smile evident in his voice. He stroked her cheek again, telling her he was aware she was awake. "I don't know, Jonny. Your mother has stood up to terrible monsters, seen horrible things like werewolves and Jack first thing in the morning; she's not let anyone put her down all with a determination and bravery I've rarely seen in a human and yet a simple question makes her faint like a maiden."
"It was not a simple question," Rose retaliated softly, opening her eyes slowly. The concerned but happy face of the Doctor swam into view, looking down at her lovingly.
"How are you?" he asked.
"I'm… I'm fine," she decided, catching hold of his hand with her own.
The Doctor squeezed it. "Good," he nodded.
"What did you ask her, Daddy?" Jonny asked, coming into Rose's eye line.
The Doctor returned his gaze to Rose who looked directly back at him, her eyes wide and trusting. "I asked her to marry me," he told Jonny, without removing his gaze.
"Like the Prince does in fairytales?" Jonny asked eagerly.
The Doctor grinned and nodded. "Exactly. And I'm now waiting for my princess's answer."
Rose could feel the weight of both of their stares without having to look but she only had eyes for her lover. "We're…" She coughed, her mouth suddenly a little dry. "We're going to have to find a way of telling Mum," she completed.
"I'll figure something out," the Doctor said confidently. He grinned. "Is that a yes then?" he asked hopefully.
Rose smiled back. "Yes, Doctor. That's a yes."
The Doctor grinned ecstatically and bent down to kiss her.
"Doctor?" Rose asked, from her position with her face leant against the Doctor's chest.
He ran his fingers through her hair lazily. They had just finished making love for the first time since they had been reunited, after they had collectively put their son to bed. "Yeah?" he asked sleepily.
"I've always wondered… how did I get pregnant? I thought we always used contraception. I mean, we did just now…"
The Doctor didn't answer for a while, thinking it over. "I don't know," he answered honestly, "Perhaps it didn't work or maybe we did forget."
Rose sighed. "I thought it was supposed to be difficult to get me pregnant. That's what you said ages ago."
"It is," he confirmed, frowning, "If we ever attempt to give Jonny a little brother or sister, we'd probably have to try quite hard."
Rose's face brightened for a moment. "Does that mean you want another baby?"
"Maybe," he smiled, stroking her cheek, "But let's make sure we can take care of Jonny first."
She nodded. "How are we going to handle him? Stop going on adventures?"
The Doctor laughed. "I'm not sure that's possible, princess. We seem to run into trouble wherever we go, even if we're not trying to. I guess we'll just have to be extra careful now. Make Jonny our priority. If we're in danger, get him to safety first; don't worry about each other until we're sure he's safe."
Rose nodded. "We better not take as many risks anymore." She was silent for a moment. "I'm sorry," she whispered.
"What for?" the Doctor asked, surprised.
"When we first met, you said you didn't want to be domesticated and I've gone and done that," she said guiltily.
"Oh, Rose. Don't be sorry about that. To be honest, I like my life as it is now, with you and Jonny. Perhaps I didn't want to be domesticated before but now I know what it's like," he told her.
"Are you sure?" she checked quietly.
He nodded, kissing her cheek. "I've had nine hundred years of running about. It's high time I settled down. Plus I'll be able to do it again once Jonny is old enough."
Rose smiled. "Thank you," she said quietly.
"No, thank you," he replied, before cupping her cheek. "My fiancée," he whispered.
Rose blushed, grinning in delight.
The Doctor laughed and kissed her again before leaping off the bed. "I'll be back in a minute. Don't go anywhere."
Rose smiled and watched him go in amusement, leaning back against the comfortable pillows. Suddenly, the lights began flickering and an audible hum appeared. "What is it, girl?" she asked, pausing for a moment. She shook her head. "I don't understand; it is Jonny?"
The lights dimmed in a negative sort of way.
"OK," Rose nodded, "Erm… is there something outside?"
The lights dimmed further before the bedroom door suddenly opened and the Doctor appeared. "Who you talking to?" he asked, blinking as the lights flashed, "Oooh, hello old girl."
"She's trying to tell me something," Rose told him, "Can you translate."
The Doctor nodded and laid his hand against one of the walls before closing his eyes and reaching for his ship. Rose watched him patiently before starting as his eyes flew open suddenly to stare directly into hers. "What is it?" she asked worriedly.
"She did it," he said, his voice wavering between angry and stunned, "She did something with Bad Wolf to make it easy for you to get pregnant, despite protection."
Rose frowned, getting up and slipping her hand into his. "Why would she do that? Did she know...?"
The TARDIS groaned suddenly and the Doctor nodded. "She knew we would be split up soon and knew you would try to kill yourself." His eyes flashed angrily and Rose paled.
"I couldn't stand it anymore," she whispered, "I was a shell. I didn't think I'd ever be able to see you again and I didn't want to live without you. I'm sorry."
He pulled her into a tight embrace, not saying anything, just thanking his lucky stars she hadn't been able to succeed. Discussing this would be for another day. Right now they had other things to talk about and celebrations to be carried out.
"So... so I became pregnant because of the TARDIS," Rose murmured after a moment.
The Doctor nodded, stroking her hair.
"Would she have to do something if we want more children?" she asked.
He was silent for a moment. "No," he answered, "This was just a one- off apparently. But she better not do it again," he said warningly.
"Don't be angry at her, Doctor. She gave me what I wanted after all," Rose said softly, "A baby with you."
The Doctor looked down at her for a moment before smiling and nodding. "Yeah," he agreed, "She did."
Jack tapped his fingers on the stone wall of the Cardiff Bay, resisting the urge to check his watch. He was waiting for Matt, Kirsty and Lauren to arrive, complete with children. Lauren had given birth to a little boy a few weeks previously, which she had named Harry. Rose had no idea that she was an honorary aunty for the second time. She and the Doctor had been away for almost two months Earth time now, on their trip to Mark Three with Jonny, and Jack had missed them greatly, especially after only getting them back recently. But he had had a decision to make about his future and had had plenty of time to think about it and now his mind was made up.
A car horn beeped suddenly on the road and Jack looked up before grinning and waving. His friends waved back from inside the car before the girls climbed out and rushed over to hug him.
"Hey!" he greeted happily.
"Hi, Jack," Kirsty replied, "Matt will be with us in a minute. He's just going to park the car."
He laughed, nodding. "Hello you little monster," he said to Rosie, bending down to her level.
"I'm not a monster. I'm a princess!" Rosie announced, "Uncle Jack, is Aunty Rose here? I want her to do braids in my hair again!"
"She'll be back soon, sweetie," Jack told her, addressing Kirsty and Lauren as well, "She rang me the other day to say that they would be arriving this evening if the Doctor got the co-ordinates right- and she has some exciting news."
"Oooh!" Lauren said, "Gossip!"
Jack grinned. "Not lost that side of you then?"
"Course not." Lauren looked tired but otherwise happy with life.
Matt joined them at that moment, pushing a pram with a tiny baby inside. Jack hurried over to see. "Oh, wow," he whispered, taking in Harry. "Lauren, he's gorgeous."
She beamed with pride. "I can't wait for Rose to see him," she said, holding her first born.
"When will that be?" Matt asked, holding out his finger for Harry to clutch.
"Tonight," Jack told him, before repeating the finer details he had just told the girls. They then went and dropped their gear off at where the group stayed every time they visited Cardiff. Then, they spent the rest of the day chilling out.
The distinct whine of the TARDIS came at about seven o'clock that evening, just as the team was about to give up and order in Chinese.
Gwen, who was sitting at her computer terminal, gave the alert as she saw the blue box gradually materialise into view over by the water fountain. Grinning widely, Jack led the Torchwood team, Kirsty, Matt, Lauren, Rosie and Harry out of the Hub and over to the now fully solid TARDIS and they all cheerfully hammered on the door.
It flew open, revealing Rose. The Doctor could just be seen standing at the console behind, with Jonny clinging onto his back like a monkey.
Rose yelled happily, giving all her friends hugs and swinging Rosie around before coming to a dead halt in front of Lauren. Her eyes moved from her friend to the baby she was holding in her arms and then back again.
"Rose... I'd like you to meet Harry," Lauren said, enjoying her friend's surprise.
Rose's mouth dropped open. "Just how long were we away for?"
"Just over two months now," Jack filled her in.
"Oh... Sorry," she said apologetically, "Doctor, you did it again!"
"Did what?" he asked, coming out of the TARDIS. Rosie immediately shrieked in joy as she saw her friend, Jonny.
"It's been two months," Rose told him, smiling as he set Jonny down and the two children started playing a game with no discussion whatsoever.
"Ah!" He said intelligently, "What did we miss this ti..." He trailed off, seeing the bundle in Lauren's arms. "Ah." He repeated.
"He's adorable, Lauren," Rose said, gazing down at Harry, "How old is he now?"
"Three weeks," she replied, "Here." She passed her son over for her friend to hold.
Rose cuddled her best friend's son. "Hello Harry," she whispered, "I'm Aunty Rose."
"So, Jack said you had some news," Lauren said expectantly, after a moment.
Rose looked up and met the Doctor's gaze, with a smile, before handing Harry back. "Yeah, I do," she said, somewhat shyly.
The Doctor grinned, moving to her side and watching their friend's eyes widen slightly as they realised the potential meaning of that particular action.
"Apparently the Doctor had an alternative motive for taking me away," Rose told them, grabbing her fiancés hand, "It was to bond as a family but also because..." She smiled up at him before looking at her friends again. "He asked me to marry him... and I said yes."
Several seagulls took off in fright at the screams suddenly emitted from the group.
The team threw the Doctor and Rose an impromptu engagement party that evening, with everyone laying down work and enjoying themselves with their friends and visitors. Owen had to be reminded that both Kirsty and Lauren were taken after attempting to chat them both up. He then proceeded to flirt with Gwen, much to everyone's amusement. Everyone except Jack, that is. Rose swore she saw a jealous glint in her best friend's eyes.
Halfway through the party, the Doctor pulled Rose away for some privacy. He covered her hands with his own and when he pulled away, a delicate engagement ring sat on the appropriate finger.
Rose gasped, examining it. "Oh Doctor! It's beautiful." She held it up and saw curved symbols etched around the band, which looked somewhat familiar. "That's Gallifreyan, isn't it?"
The Doctor nodded. "It says 'Eternally Yours'" he told her, "I've had it laying on the TARDIS for years. I didn't think I'd ever find anyone special enough to give it to."
Rose smiled and kissed him lovingly. "Thank you. I love it and I love you."
"I love you too," he said softly, "My Rose."
Gwen appeared at that moment, looking harassed. "Oh, sorry," she muttered, realising she may have interrupted something.
"Trying to hide from Owen?" Rose laughed, provoking a reluctant smile from her friend.
"He's doing my head in," she confessed, "Can't he see I'm not interested in him?"
"Men are blind, trust me," Rose giggled.
"Hey!" protested the Doctor.
Rose gave him a look and he shut up immediately, making her giggle even more. "Hey Gwen, look at this," she then said excitedly, showing off her new engagement ring.
"That's amazing," she breathed, "Lucky you! If Rhys ever proposes, I'll probably get a hula hoop or an onion ring!"
Rose grinned. "Or he'll do his back in, getting down on one knee..."
Gwen smirked. "Probably. Anyway, I was wondering if you're going to be able to tell your family your news?"
Rose looked uncertainly at the Doctor. "I want to tell them face to face," she answered, half to him and half to Gwen, "But if that's not a possibility, can we send a message like you did with me?"
"Probably," the Doctor nodded, before springing into action. "Right then. Where's this contraption that got you here in the first place?"
"Over here," Rose said, taking his hand and leading him and Gwen over to a workstation. They were quickly joined by Jack and Ianto.
"What are you doing?" Jack enquired curiously.
"The Doctor wants to have a look at the... thing," Rose told him, as Gwen got it out of the packing case they'd stored it in.
"Ah... the thing," he grinned, "We really need to come up with a name. Ianto, any ideas?"
The Welshman looked thoughtful as the Doctor examined it.
"What about... the Trans-dimensional Traveller?"
"Perfect!" the Doctor cried. "Right, tell me exactly what happened when you crossed over the Void."
Rose glanced at Gwen before they jointly began to describe their experiences, detailing their feelings and actions. The Doctor fiddled with the newly named Traveller as he listened. Suddenly, he gave a triumphant exclamation.
"Figured it out," he beamed, "Its alien technology from this planet named Verity. It specialises in your heart's desire and... if I'm very lucky..." He got up and ran out of the Hub and into the TARDIS, closely followed by the others.
"Doctor?" Rose asked, a stirring of hope in her heart as she watched him dash around the console.
"If I can connect the Traveller up to the TARDIS, it might enable us to freely cross the Void without any trouble, as long as we want to see your family," he explained rapidly, "Jack, give me a hand."
The ex-time agent hurried over to help whilst Rose watched them in growing excitement. "So, I'll get to see my mum whenever I want to because of the Traveller?"
"Yep!" the Doctor grinned, "See, it should really be called the Trans-dimensional Truth Traveller. As long as your holding onto it and really really want to go somewhere, it'll take you within reason. So, Gwen crossed into the parallel world to find you because she really wanted to make Jack feel happier; you got back here because you wanted to find me and Jack again; you got back to the parallel universe because you really wanted to get Jonny and back again for me again. And we're going to cross over now because we really want to see your mother."
Rose smiled coyly up at him. "Even you?"
"Even me. As long as she doesn't slap me again."
Rose giggled before smiling as he caught her up in a comfortable hug. "Go and get Jonny," he told her, "We're going to see Grandma."
Ten minutes later, the TARDIS trio were gathered around the console. Jonny was strapped securely onto the seat next to them, under the watchful eye of his parents and godfather. Rose was nervously holding onto the Traveller, which was now connected to the console. She gripped the Doctor's hand with her other one before closing her eyes and thinking of her mother and her home in the parallel universe. The Doctor released the hand break and at once the machine began droning.
The trio exchanged excited and hopeful glances as they held on tightly, rightly anticipating the bone jerking ride that the TARDIS provided as she crossed over the Void and landed safely in the parallel world.
"Are we here?" Rose asked eagerly.
The Doctor checked the screen and nodded. "About six months after you left," he confirmed, "And we're sitting in the gardens of the Tyler Mansion." He laughed as his fiancée gave an excited squeak and ran out of the TARDIS before appearing back in the doorway, a sheepish look on her face.
"Uh... will you...?"
"I'll sort Jonny out," the Doctor grinned, "Go on ahead."
"Thank you!" she beamed before disappearing again.
Jack laughed, the Doctor joining him as he unbuckled his son. "Come on, mate," he said, "Let's catch up with your mum."
"Daddy, we see Gra'ma soon?" Jonny asked, as they left the TARDIS.
"Yes. In a minute," the Doctor replied, hurrying up the path. Up ahead, he could see Rose standing in the doorway.
She smiled at them, pushing the door open. "Mum?" she called, "Dad?"
There came a gasp from the lounge before the door flew open and Jackie Tyler appeared, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"Rose!" she cried, rushing to embrace her daughter, "You're back!"
"Yeah," Rose nodded, hugging her back, "I missed you!"
"Gran'ma!" Jonny exclaimed joyfully.
Jackie took him from the Doctor's arms without realising just who it was and squeezed the breath out of her grandson. Then, suddenly, she looked back up at the Doctor and her mouth fell open. "You!" she breathed before reaching out suddenly and slapping him.
"Oww!" he cried.
Jonny giggled, from the floor where he'd quickly been placed.
"That was for leaving Rose and breaking her heart!" she shouted, "I don't care whether you had any choice!" Her eyes flashed before she kissed him solidly on the lips.
"Eww!" Jonny cried in disgust.
"And that was for coming back to her," Jackie finished before leaping into his arms. "Oh, I've missed you so much! I'm so glad you're back!"
The Doctor smiled, hugging her back. "I'm sorry, Jackie."
She shrugged and the moment passed.
"Gra'dad!" Jonny yelled happily, seeing Pete appear at the top of the stairs, "Mummy, its Gra'dad!"
"Dad!" Rose grinned, intercepting his hug as he all but ran down the stairs.
"She came back, Pete," Jackie told him, her eyes suspiciously glistening.
"And we've got some news," Rose told her parents.
"Let's go into the lounge and you can tell us the news and the whole story," Pete suggested.
They all agreed and soon everyone was sat down, with a drink in their hand.
Rose snuggled up to the Doctor, smiling lovingly up at him. Jackie smiled at the sight of the obviously loved up couple. "So?" she prompted eagerly, "What's the news?"
Rose giggled and extended her hand out to her mother, proudly displaying her new engagement ring. "We're getting married!"
Jackie screamed in delight. "Congratulations! Oh I'm so happy for you both!"
"Thanks Jackie," the Doctor nodded, "I would have asked your permission first of course but I didn't know if we were going to be able to see you or not."
"Oh, you would have had it anyway!" she beamed, "I can't think of anyone I'd rather my daughter marry. I know I haven't always liked you; in fact I've hated you at certain times, especially when you abandoned her back home. I didn't think I'd ever trust you again but slowly you've rebuilt my trust and I know you'll always look after Rose and make sure she's safe and happy."
The Doctor nodded, speechless. Jackie had never said anything like this before to him and it reassured him no end that he was doing the right thing in marrying Rose. "Thank you," he managed.
Rose laughed and kissed his cheek.
"Have you decided on a date yet?" Pete asked, in interest, "And a location?"
"I've not really thought about it," Rose admitted, "As soon as possibly I guess. As for where... I want you to be there but I want Kirsty, Matt and Lauren to be there too but you're on parallel worlds!"
"We can always take either your family or your friends to the other universe for the day," the Doctor said, "Now the TARDIS can get through the Void without ripping a great big hole in the walls, it shouldn't be a problem."
Rose nodded, thinking.
Meanwhile Jackie and Pete perked up. "You mean you can get to and from the other universe easily now?" Jackie asked hopefully.
The Doctor smiled, nodding. "The object that got Rose home before is a piece of alien technology that I've fixed onto the TARDIS. As long as we have that, there shouldn't be any problems in getting through and neither of the universes should be affected. Obviously, keep an eye out and tell me if there are any problems."
Pete nodded. "Alright, Doctor."
"Doctor, this means you don't have any excuse for not bringing my daughter and grandson to visit regularly," Jackie said sternly.
The Doctor saluted her. "I promise."
The family chatted for a while longer and then over dinner whilst Rose and then the Doctor reminisced what had happened since Rose had last seen her parents. By the end, Jackie was cuddling Jonny closely, looking horrified.
"How are you going to make sure that Jonny isn't put in any trouble in the future?" she asked protectively.
The Doctor glanced at Rose. "We discussed this last night," he told them, "We're not going to deliberately walk into trouble like we have done before and his safety is always going to come before ours. He'll have two, maybe three..." He glanced at Jack briefly, still uncertain of the ex-time agents final decision on his future, "...people to keep an eye on him."
"Yeah," Rose piped up, "I'd rather die than let Jonny come to any trouble but we're not going to stop travelling. I know the Doctor would be bored stiff, staying in one place all the time, and I think so would I now."
Jackie hesitated.
"He'll be fine, Jacks," Pete said suddenly, "You know Rose is a good mother and the Doctor will look after them both."
She finally nodded. "But still bring him back lots."
"We will," Rose promised, idly stirring the remnants of her dessert.
"Right," Jackie said, standing up, "Are you going to be staying the night?"
"Yeah," her daughter nodded.
"I'll keep a room made up for Jack. I assume the Doctor will be sharing your bed, Rose."
Rose blushed slightly at her mother's comment even though she knew that her mother knew full well that she and the Doctor had shared a bed for many years now.
Jackie smirked.
A while later, Rose and Jack found themselves alone on the swing seat in the garden. The Doctor was inside talking to Pete whilst Jackie was fussing over her grandson.
"Everything's turned out as you wanted, hasn't it?" Jack observed with a smile.
Rose nodded, leaning into her best friend. "I'm so happy now."
"You deserve to be," Jack said softly.
"Thanks," she replied before pausing. "Are you happy, Jack? You've been a little quiet today."
He sighed. "I'm fine, honey. I've just been letting you be the centre of attention today. 'Cause you never are normally," he ended teasingly.
Rose giggled before sobering. "I was wondering... have you made your decision yet? I mean, about coming with us again."
"Do you want me to?"
She nodded immediately. "You're my best friend, Jack, and I love being able to talk to you sometimes."
He smiled. "Same about you."
"I just know you've been in Cardiff for five years now and you've probably settled down and maybe got your eye on someone..." Rose continued.
"I do not!" he objected playfully.
"Oh come off it, Jack. You can't keep your eyes off them sometimes," she smiled, "And I'm glad because I've always felt guilty that you've been on your own when I've had the Doctor so if you wanted to stay in Cardiff to be with them, I'd completely understand. I'd miss you so much but I'd understand."
"Rose, I'm coming with you," Jack stated.
Her jaw dropped. "Really?"
He smiled. "Really. I can visit the team but you, the Doctor and Jonny are my family."
Rose hugged him tightly. "Oh, I'm so glad."
"Hey," he grinned, "You ain't getting rid of me that easily!"
Rose laughed, swiftly joined by Jack.
"Hey, what's all this racket?" asked a familiar voice. The Doctor came into view, carrying Jonny. "It's nearly time for his bedtime," he explained, taking a seat on the other side of Rose.
She took her son and cuddled him. "Jack's coming with us," she told her fiancé happily.
He grinned. "Fantastic. Be good to have you, Jack."
"Thanks," he smiled, "I can be your onboard babysitter!"
"Hey, you know you mean more to us than that, Captain!" the Doctor mock scolded.
"I know," Jack laughed.
"So, where are we going first?" Rose asked, tilting her head up to look at the night sky.
"Well, back to the other universe to say goodbye to Gwen, Ianto, Owen, Tosh, Matt, Lauren, Kirsty, Rosie and Harry," Jack reeled off.
"We've got so many friends now," the Doctor smiled.
"Yeah," Jack agreed, "And many more around the universe. And in other universes."
Rose nodded. "And after saying goodbye?" she prompted.
"We'll organise the wedding," the Doctor said happily, "Decide where and when we want to hold it, then we'll get whoever are in the universe where we won't be holding it and take them to the wedding."
"And then we'll get married," Rose whispered.
"And then we'll get married," the Doctor agreed, kissing her forehead.
"And then I take Jonny off somewhere whilst you two go on honeymoon?" Jack guessed laughingly.
"Yep!" the Doctor agreed, with a wink.
The trio laughed comfortably.
"And then what?" Rose asked.
"We do what we're good at," the Doctor said, "Explore the universe..."
"Save civilisations..." Rose grinned.
"And have a fantastic time doing it," Jack completed.
Rose looked down to see Jonny had fallen asleep in her arms. She smiled and cuddled him. "And most importantly of all, we bring Jonny up right."
"Yeah," the Doctor nodded, stroking his son's head lovingly, "And won't it be great?"
The End
Review please. Constructive criticism is gladly received.