Standard disclaimer. I don't own Doctor Who. If I did, then I think it is pretty obvious how things would have played out.

A/N: Thank you all for the overwhelming positive feedback to the handfasting! After finishing that chapter, I went back and forth on how to move forward. There was a lot of consideration, but this seemed to be the most organic choice. I hope that I haven't let you all down and that you have enjoyed this journey as much as I did!

Epilogue

Sometimes I think it's a miracle that I was ever born. I don't mean that as bad as it sounds, but really just given the countless impossible circumstances that my parents had to overcome in order to find their way back to each other... Well, you get it. Even now it's been nearly a century since Mum and Dad were married on Darillium, and they still act like newlyweds, oftentimes much to my chagrin.

I was born in the year 5245 in the Sisters of the Infinite Schism, the greatest hospital in the universe according to Dad. Traveling amongst the stars on the TARDIS had made for an amazing childhood. Although we were often joined by some of "Dad's strays," as Mum jokingly refers to their friends, I personally feel that some of the best times were when it was just our family.

Some might consider it a burden, being born with the inherent knowledge of an ancient race such as the Time Lords, but I always considered it an honor. Visiting new planets, befriending new species, and experiencing history first hand has taught me more than any school ever could. I knew virtually every detail of my parents' lives and their impact on the universe as a whole. I cherished every story, every memory that they shared with me, and even those that I may have - accidentally - discovered via other means. (What can I say? It pays off being a child of the TARDIS!)

However, despite all of this, I always felt that something was missing, that there was a part of my own history I needed to experience. And so for my 21st birthday I asked only one thing of my parents: the chance to meet, even if only in passing, Jackie and Pete Tyler, my human grandparents.

Dad, of course, was hesitant at first. He stammered through excuses about meddling in your own time line, fixed points (as if he could talk, the hypocrite!), and creating paradoxes. But, as always, he gave in once Mum took up my cause. And that is how we came to land in a small village square, just north of London.

"Are you sure we're in the right place?" Rose asked, stepping out of the TARDIS and looking around. It was a crisp fall day, and the wind was just starting to pick up.

"Of course I'm sure! They should be coming 'round the bend any moment now," the Doctor replied, stepping behind Rose and wrapping his arms around her as he rested his chin on her head.

Rose rolled her eyes, but was excited to think that she would see her parents again, even if only from a distance. "Sweetheart," she called back to the birthday girl. "Would you please grab a scarf for me?"

"Sure, Mum," she replied, pulling a scarf off the coat rack and rushing outside. After giving Rose the scarf, she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. "Is there anything better than fresh Earth air?"

Rose and the Doctor shared a smile. "Now concentrate," he said, making sure that her eyes remained closed. "When are we?"

"Doctor," Rose chided softly. "You don't have to-"

"How else will she learn, Rose?"

"It's fine," she said, trying to read her surroundings as her father had taught her. "We're just outside of London, in Great Britain on Earth. I know that. It's... mid-October? Yes, October 17."

"And what's the year, love?"

She stood frozen for a moment, considering everything. "Late twentieth century. 1980-ish?"

"Well done! Very close, 1981 actually," the Doctor beamed.

"1981?" Rose repeated. "We're too early! They didn't even meet until 1984!"

"What? Are you sure?" he replied. "The TARDIS coordinates were set correctly, and I can feel that something is on the horizon."

"I feel it too," the girl said, turning in the direction that the wind was blowing, her eyes still closed. "There is something big coming, from-"

There was a sudden strong gust of wind and her eyes flew open. That's when she saw him. A large leaf had blown off of a nearby tree and flew into his face, causing him to stumble into the path of an oncoming car.

"Oh my stars!" she yelled, rushing to pull him out of harm's way as her parents watched the scene unfold from their perch on a nearby park bench, smiles of dawning comprehension on both their faces. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," he said, sounding as nervous as she felt.

In fact, that was the moment when she finally understood the meaning of 'having butterflies.' She giggled nervously and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. She bit her lip, no doubt looking a bit like her mother. "Hello."

"Hello," he repeated, smiling nervously.

"Hello," she said again. "Sorry, that was 'Hello' twice, wasn't it? And I just keep talking, sorry. Again. Bit of a gob, I know. Get that from my Dad- Anyway, hi. Again. I'm Ellie."

He smiled again, and her hearts skipped a beat. "Nice to meet you, Ellie. I'm Dave, Dave Oswald."

~~~~Fin~~~~

A/N: And there you have it. I cannot express enough my thanks and appreciation to all of you for the favorites, follows, and fantastic reviews for this story. I hope to that they won't stop now though, I'd love to hear what you all think of the ending!

Thank you again, and I can't wait to do it again!