The Doctor smiled indulgently as Clara prowled the extensive collection of children's books in his library. It was such a little thing to put that beautiful smile on her face, that smile that he'd feared might be lost to him forever, after Trenzalore.
"Oh, this is my favorite!" she exclaimed.
"I believe that's the fourth time you've said that so far this afternoon."
Clara settled into a comfortable nest of pillows on the floor in front of the fireplace and opened her book. "Oh, my stars…"
"What've you got there?" the Doctor asked curiously.
"I own a copy of this book. I've read it at least a hundred times. How have I never seen this before?"
She held the book out to him wonderingly.
The Doctor's discerning gaze immediately identified it as an early twentieth century Earth antique, from a New York City publishing house, "Summer Falls." His eyes blurred with sudden tears as he saw the author's name. "Amelia Williams," he whispered. "Oh, Amy…"
"She was your friend, wasn't she?" Clara asked gently.
"Yes."
"But Doctor, there's more. I don't know how I've never noticed it before, but…just read the foreword."
His eyes widened as he read Amy's account of her meeting with a rather remarkable older lady, who'd asked her to pass along a message to a friend from very, very far away. And lest there be any doubt… "Run, you clever boy…"
"And remember," Clara finished for him.
Grinning manically, the Doctor suddenly grabbed both Clara's hands and tugged her to her feet. Laughing joyously, he wrapped her in his arms and twirled them around in a mad embrace.
"Doctor?" Clara laughed.
"Don't you see, Clara? Amy met you as an old woman! I was so afraid, after Trenzalore…and…Oswin, and Victorian you…I was so afraid that all of you had met terrible ends trying to save me, but don't you see? If one of you could have a happy ending, then maybe others did too." He clutched her tighter, kissing the top of her head, and burying his face in her hair.
Clara smiled at the palpable relief that flooded through the Doctor. She was so happy that the terrible burden of guilt that weighed him down was mitigated, however slightly. And she was happy for herself, too. If that her could have a happy ending, well, then…anything might be possible. Anything at all.
Author's Note: Yes, this is based on the actual foreword from "Summer Falls," which was released this week in the US.