Okay, so I promised a sappy, fluffy chapter. I think this one qualifies, how about you?

FIRST HONEYMOON

"The highest happiness on earth is marriage." - William Lyon Phelp

It was inevitable, he thought as his car rolled steadily down the highway. They were always moving toward this, even in those early days of running and laughing and world-saving. But now they were finally here, and he felt as though his single heart would burst from joy as he glanced over at his sleeping companion. It had been a long day for both of them, culminating in what was quite possibly the best moment of his life. But even with all the nagging (Jackie) and exhausted whining (Tony and Ethan) and supportive claps on the shoulder (Pete), John knew he would cherish this day forever.

Today, Rose had become his wife.

His eyes moved from the road to gaze at her for a moment, her head propped up in her hand and her elbow resting on the door. Her mouth was open slightly, and he could hear her soft breathing over the quieted radio. She had slipped out of her elegant dress and into a lighter, less formal one, and she still had bits of rice caught up in her hair. He had shaken confetti from his own suit, and specks of the colorful paper adorned the floor mat at his feet. The tin cans that had rattled upon their departure were now stored safely in the boot, but John could still hear them clink together whenever he turned.

The sun was almost touching the horizon as he drove on, determined to reach their destination by nightfall. His mind began to wander in the silence, replaying the events of the day over in his mind, and once again he was thankful for the retention of his superior mental capabilities as each moment unfolded in perfect clarity.

"Wake up, John!"

John let out a grunt of pain as a rambunctious boy landed on his stomach. Tony loved John like a big brother, and had no problems following his mother's suggestion of waking the man up just before dawn. Ethan stood quietly at the foot of the bed, watching the noisier boy bounce on the bed between John's legs. When John offered him an encouraging smile, he climbed up the duvet to settle into the man's arms.

The two boys had a rough start with Ethan's inherent shyness, but Tony's natural charm won him over eventually. Once Ethan had learned that Tony, too, had been told a fair number of stories about the Doctor, the two could often be found running around the yard saving the world. Cries of "This time, you be the bad guy and I'll be the Doctor. Where's my TARDIS?" were fairly common around the Tyler estate.

John looked at them now, so different in appearance and demeanor but quite possibly the closest of friends. Ethan, with his light brown hair and dark eyes, was often so quiet that most of the adults sometimes forgot he was even in the room. Tony was just the opposite, with his bright blue eyes and a mop of light hair that was constantly falling in his face as he ran and jumped about.

"Why are you two up so early?"

"Mum said we have to get ready," Tony bounced a bit more before launching himself at John's stomach. He caught the boy easily and leaned back against the pillows, careful not to jostle Ethan. But the older boy seemed to have gotten over his early morning silence and attacked John's middle right alongside Tony. John fended them off for a while before setting them against each other in a tickle war. Ethan was a bit bigger, but Tony was faster, and the boys were out of breath by the time Pete nudged the door open.

"Alright you two, let the man up." John shooed Tony and Ethan away, but the boys continued their war out the door and down the hall. Tony's cry of "Tag, you're it!" could be heard along with a high pitched giggle and the fading patter of small feet. Pete shook his head fondly at the two before turning his attention back to John.

"Are you ready for today?" John slid out of bed and shrugged his dressing gown on, trying to calm his hammering heart as the importance of the day finally hit him. "You'll be fine," Pete clapped his shoulder paternally and held out a mug of tea. "This is from Jackie. She said to be dressed in something nice and downstairs in twenty minutes." The two men shared a knowing look before John downed his tea and nodded.

"Right, better do as she says."

"Smart man," Pete laughed, then disappeared out the door. John caught his reflection in the mirror, and he took a moment to study his features. It had been over two years since he and Rose were left on Bad Wolf Bay, and he was beginning to show the effects of passing time in his face. The lines were deeper than they had been and his cheeks a tad fuller, but overall he still looked and felt like he did the day he was created.

"Come on then," Pete's voice called, and John turned from the mirror to begin his day.

He was pulled from his memory by Rose stirring beside him. He'd had a relatively easy day with Pete and the boys, but he could only imagine the marathon Jackie had put her through. When they'd finally announced they were having a small ceremony, Jackie had shrieked in delight and set to work planning the most elaborate simple wedding in history. Poor Rose had been sucked into the whirling dervish that was Jackie on a mission, and they had spent the last few weeks organizing floral arrangements, ministers, dresses, decorations, and anything else Jackie could talk her into.

He waited for her to wake up and inquire where they were, but she just shifted into a more comfortable position and went back to sleep. He reached over with his free hand and moved a stray piece of hair away from her face, freeing a few pieces of rice in the process. Her ring caught the sunlight as she shifted again, and John smiled softly before turning his attention back to the road.

"I want you to have this," Pete held out a small box. "I know things are tight right now with Ethan. Consider it a wedding gift if you want." John opened up the box and gaped at the magnificent ring that lay within.

"Pete, what…"

"I happen to have a great many spies in my employ," he began in mock-seriousness, "and I also happen to know that this ring is the one Rose really wanted before she saw the price tag. Jackie, of course, offered to buy it, but Rose wouldn't have it." John was still staring down at the woven gold band, littered almost randomly with small diamonds. In the dim light of morning, the ring cast little points of light around the kitchen, filling the room with stars.

"We had a ring budget," John explained. "We wanted to make sure we didn't over-stretch ourselves."

"Which is why she went with this one," Pete pulled out the simple ring Rose had chosen, tilting it back and forth in his palm. "Not quite the same effect."

"I can't accept this," John held the box out to Pete. "Rose wouldn't…"

"John, trust me. Take the ring." Pete pushed the box back into his hands, staring into John's watering eyes. Finally, after a few seconds of silence, John reached forward and wrapped the man in a bear hug. "Whoa! Okay…" He patted John on the back a few times before letting him go to finish his breakfast. Neither of them spoke of the ring again.

Pete had been right, of course. When John had pulled out that ring to slip it on her finger, Rose's glassy eyes spilled over with tears. She had made a quiet comment about water-proof makeup, and he could see the effort she was making to restrain herself from grabbing his tuxedo and re-enacting their first kiss on the beach. He was glad she'd gone first, because he was sure she wouldn't have been able to recite her own vows through the tears falling from her face.

They had, of course, eschewed any traditional wedding vows and instead opted to write their own. He'd listened with tears of his own as she poured her heart out to him in front of the small congregation, trying not to forget his own words as she spoke with such love, such trust, that he had to grasp more tightly to her hand to keep from kissing her right there. She had mentioned how he'd saved her life, pulling her from the fire that had consumed her workplace. Some of the women in the audience had cooed softly at that, but only John could see the mirth in her eyes as she told the story they'd concocted upon his arrival. Finally, when it was his turn, he stared deeply into her eyes and began reciting the words he'd practiced for over a month; words that, to the gathered, meant a vow of devotion, of love, of a lifetime, but to Rose they meant so much more.

"Rose Tyler," he began, saying her name like a prayer as he held her hands tighter. "My angel, my salvation. There isn't a language in this universe - or any other - that could properly express just what you mean to me. You saved me. You have made me a better man for knowing you. I may have saved your life, but you have saved my soul. My heart," he emphasized, "is yours until the end of time. I promise to stand by you when the wolf is at the door, and even the devil himself couldn't tear you from my side. I swear I will run with you until the end of our lives, and beyond."

He held out his hand without taking his eyes off of Rose, and Pete slipped the ring into his hand. When Rose saw it she gasped, and a single tear fell from her eyes onto their joined hands. He lifted them to place a reverent kiss on her knuckles, and she laughed through her tears.

"Thank God for water-proof mascara," she whispered, and he smiled. Her eyes darkened then, and he had to gulp down a lump in his throat at the promise in them. Suddenly, this ceremony couldn't be over fast enough, and he bit back a groan at the thought of sitting through the reception afterward with that thought running through his head. The minister was speaking now, something about binding them together for eternity, but John couldn't see or hear anything other than the vision in front of him. Only when her hands tightened around his eagerly did he snap back into focus, and the minister turned them toward the congregation with a smile.

"May I present Doctor and Mrs. John Smith." The small group of their friends and family erupted into cheers, jumping to their feet with thunderous applause. Jackie sat in the front row, both boys passed out on either side of her, and John could see her wiping her tears away as she grinned ear to ear. He felt Rose's hand slip back into his own, and she stood up on her tiptoes so her lips reached his ear.

"Run!" He shot her a pleased grin and pulled her along with him, down the aisle and past the confused onlookers. He could vaguely hear Jackie barking at them to be at the reception hall in one hour, but all he could focus on was getting out of that building. When they'd emerged into the sunlight they were laughing, and John felt as though his heart would burst from his chest.

He and Rose had spent a little longer than necessary changing into their reception attire, intent as they were on celebrating their marriage. But Rose promised him a rather enjoyable night so long as he didn't make her late and he behaved himself. He'd conceded easily, slipping into a pair of slacks as she shimmied into a long dress. They met for one more searing kiss before jumping back into their car to head to the reception.

It had been the one thing Rose and Jackie had disagreed on rather severely. Rose hadn't wanted a big reception - or any reception at all. As far as Rose was concerned, the wedding was enough pomp and circumstance for them, thank you very much. But Jackie had cited Pete's position as a rather popular socialite as well as Rose's insistence that they keep the wedding a small affair. A large reception was the compromise for those not invited to the wedding, and finally it was Pete who managed to get Rose to concede to her mother's demand. He'd not had a daughter for very long, but since she was the only one he had he planned on spending an exorbitant amount of money on her to make up for not being able to watch her grow up. Unable to deny him, Rose had given in and Jackie had set to planning the party of the millennium.

"Your mother wasn't kidding when she said she'd covered all the bases," John gave a low whistle and looked around at the elaborately decorated ballroom. Rose nudged him with her elbow and gave him a cheeky grin.

"She's your mum now, too." John's relaxed features contorted in mock-horror, and Rose let out a laugh. Several heads turned their direction at the noise, and they were quickly set upon by well-wishers. They endured almost half an hour of handshakes, hugs, and congratulations before Jackie managed to shoo them off and steer the newlyweds over to the head table. Pete, who had stood in as best man when Ethan and Tony had nearly collapsed from exhaustion, stood up and tapped his glass with a spoon. The light clinking of the glass went unnoticed in the din, and Jake glanced sidelong at his boss before sticking two fingers in his mouth and letting out a shrill whistle. Silence descended then, and everyone scrambled to their seats as Jackie glared at Jake. He offered her an apologetic shrug, but Rose could see the laughter in his eyes as he cowered away from the Tyler matriarch.

"Thank you, Jake," Pete said, earning chuckles from around the room. "Well, these two have never been known for their ability to stay in one place for very long, so we'll try to keep these speeches brief." More laughter, and he lifted his glass as he turned to John and Rose. "I cannot completely express how very lucky I have been these last few years. Not only have I been reunited with my lovely daughter, but I am gaining an absolutely brilliant son-in-law as well. Nowhere in the universe are there two people who are more right for each other. When they're together, you get the feeling that there isn't anything they can't do so long as they have each other. The love they have for one another is the stuff of fairytales, of legends, and I wish them years of happiness and prosperity. To Rose and John." The audience echoed him as they drank to the toast, and it was Jackie's turn.

"When I first met him, I didn't like him." Everyone laughed but none harder than Rose and John, who knew how true that was.

"Bit of an understatement, that," John whispered, and Rose shushed him quietly as Jackie continued.

"But over time he grew on me. He proved to me that he only ever wanted what was best for my daughter. What mother could ask for more than that? I've only ever wanted to very same thing, and over time it became clear just what - or rather who - that was. Every time I saw them together, I could see in her eyes just how happy he made her, and vice versa. And as long as that keeps up, I think I'll let him stick around." Laughter rang again, and Rose smiled at her mother through her tears. Jackie turned to look at them then, pouring all of her love into her final words. "I love you both so much. I have been so blessed to have such a wonderful daughter...and a son as well. Take care of each other. To eternal love." Another echo, another toast, and it was Monica's turn as maid of honor.

They sat through a few more speeches before Tony and Ethan stood up. They had prepared a song, but Ethan's shyness overwhelmed him and Tony picked up the slack easily, belting his own version of "Chapel of Love" off-key. When he was done the audience praised both of them, showering the boys with hugs and high fives so that when they returned to their seats both of them were grinning ear to ear.

John very nearly jumped from his seat when the band started playing "In the Mood," and everyone cleared the floor as he led Rose by the hand to the center of the room. Everyone laughed and clapped as they danced their first dance all over again, and it took almost no time at all for others to join in. Pete grabbed Jackie and started leading her through the steps, and Rose smiled at the look of sheer joy on her mother's face. Song after song played, and Rose even managed to snag Ethan and Tony for a quick foxtrot around the room before they swanned off on some crazy adventure of their own making. Pete and Rose danced as John snared Jackie, and the four danced for a while before switching partners.

Finally, when the band was played out and the presents all opened, John and Rose were left alone at the head table. Jackie had started barking at the clean-up crew about saving certain things, and Pete had gone to find the manager to settle the bill. Their friends and family had congratulated them again then tossed confetti and rice before going home, and Ethan and Tony had passed out on a couch in the foyer not long after. Rose's own eyes were beginning to droop, and John wrapped his arm around her as she laid her head sleepily on his shoulder.

"You ready to go, love?" he whispered, knowing their bags were already packed and sitting in the boot of their car. She nodded against him and he helped her stand up as Jackie came back with a satisfied look on her face.

"We've got everything taken care of here. You two better get going or it'll be dark by the time you reach the bed and breakfast." John released Rose so she could hug Jackie, and he pretended to be very interested in his shoes as mother and daughter shared one last tearful goodbye. When she was done, John was surprised to find himself folded into the woman's arms.

"You take care of her," she whispered, triggering a happy memory of Jackie imploring the very same thing of him so many years ago. Now, just as he had then, he smiled back at her and nodded.

"Always," he promised, leaning forward to kiss Jackie on the forehead. "And thank you." Both of them knew he was talking about more than just her heartfelt speech earlier, or even all she had done for them to get this wedding planned. Jackie wiped her tears away and returned his kiss with one of her own.

"Let her take care of you, too," she added quickly before shuffling away. "Love you!" Rose waved and echoed the sentiment for both of them, stifling her laughter at John's grimacing face.

"Oh hush," she nudged him playfully, "you know you love her as much as I do." John wisely refrained from commenting, instead focusing on steering her out the door. They woke Ethan up long enough to say goodbye, and to promise to call him every day. Tony woke for his own goodbye, and when they'd gone back to sleep Rose leaned against John for support. Her footfalls were heavy as they left the building, and he guided her into the passenger seat with only a little difficulty. Before he shut the door, he knelt down beside her and kissed her sweetly.

"You are my wife," he declared with a goofy grin on his face. She chuckled at his amusement and fiddled with the ring on her left hand.

"That's generally how this works, yeah," she teased. He scoffed at her and looked down at his own golden band with a mixture of astonishment and curiosity.

"Are you ready for our next adventure, Rose?" It was a question he'd often asked her on the TARDIS, usually just after they'd narrowly escaped the last one. And, as always, it was met with a tongue in teeth grin as she leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes.

"Absolutely."