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Chapter 35 – Too Much
They popped into their flat in London. He flipped on a light inside of the dark room. Rose looked around the sitting room and smiled. The night sky of London, complete with several Zeppelins in the sky, could be seen through the window. "We've not been here in so long."
He walked over to the refrigerator and took out a bottle of wine. "I just prefer the flat, Rose. I love our island. It's so much safer. But, this is just….."
She walked over and sat down at the bar. She watched as he poured them both a glass of white wine. "This was our first place together here."
He shook his head and handed her a glass, "Nah. Your house was. That's where you brought me-"
"No, that was never home. This is home. This is where we first started to make our life for ourselves."
He sipped his wine and nodded his head. "Where we married."
She smiled, "Yes. That too."
He drained his glass and smiled as he poured himself another one. "That was a mad night. Howie marrying us, Jackie just completely pissed."
Rose laughed as she sipped her wine. "Mum always had big plans for my wedding."
"You are sure you are alright with not having a big wedding? Having all of society there?"
Rose groaned, "The very idea is terrifying. I don't want that. I never did."
He nodded his head and smiled as he drank his wine and refilled his glass. "Alright. Well, promise me. If you ever decide you do. Just tell me. We'll do it that way, too. Hell, we've gotten married so many times, what's one more?"
She drank the rest of her glass and held it up to him to refill. He reached in the refrigerator and opened another bottle. "Pepper suggested this wine. She's has excellent taste in wine."
"I'm not even going to ask how much a bottle of that is."
He smiled as he sipped it. "Oh, it's not bad."
"Talking about weddings and such."
"Yeah?"
"Do you think we should have an agreement about our wedding?"
He refilled his glass, "Like how do you mean?"
"Well, I'm curious. A marriage, for you, is it until death or until regeneration or what?"
He bit his lip and nodded his head. "We probably do need to talk about that." He grabbed the bottle of wine and walked with her over to the sofa. They sat down together and he put the bottle and his glass on the table in front of them. He laid his arm on the back of the sofa and faced her.
"Alright. When I asked you to marry me. Originally -"
"You were human. And you were dying. That's what makes me ask this, baby. I don't want you to think you have backed yourself in a corner-"
He shook his head as he put his hand on her thigh. "I don't. But, this is very interesting you bring this up. I asked you to marry me then, yes. I was human and I wanted a human marriage. That was because that's all I could have. All we could have together. But, when I was shot and you brought me back as a Time Lord, suddenly I had options. You have a prolonged lifespan, as I do. I'm done being on my own. But, it's more than that. I don't want to be without you. I don't think you really know this. If you did, you wouldn't ask me this. I'm glad you did ask me, but Rose. I can't be without you. Not only because of this marriage bond that we share now, but I simply don't want to be. That week when I was with Pete, and wasn't sure when I would return, was terrible. I hadn't experienced homesickness like that….ever."
She grabbed his hand, "I feel as though I'm changing. And I'm scared. What if I change into something you don't love anymore?"
He shook his head, "That will never happen."
"You don't know that. You don't know what I am."
"You are Rose. When I see the Bad Wolf in my dreams, it's still you. The caring, and lovely person that you are now. Rose, this is not something I entered into lightly. I know you didn't either. I know how you feel about me. I can feel it. It has healed cracks in my soul I never realized I had."
Rose smiled, "That's so lovely."
"It's so true." He said as he reached back to the table and grabbed his wine glass and drank it.
She sipped her wine. "I'm sorry. This is supposed to be our Christmas and we're-"
"We need to have chats like this. I don't mind when it is."
"Can we talk about these visions?" She asked.
He groaned and rubbed his forehead. "I hate those damn visions."
She smiled at his grumbling, "Okay, we'll chat about it later."
He grabbed her hand and held it tightly. "No, we can talk about it. It's alright. But, first, let's go back to the marriage. I want to know what you were asking me. Exactly."
She held her empty glass out for him to refill. "With your people, is it a custom to marry until you die or what?"
"Well, with humans and most species, it's meant until you die. Time Lords had several different sorts. You could be mated with someone until death, or regeneration. Sometimes you regenerate into the opposite sex and that became difficult for people sometimes."
She smiled, "Did you ever do that?"
He rolled his eyes. "No. Geez. I've told you about my regenerations."
She giggled, "Right. You as a woman. You would make a good woman."
He smiled, "Would you still love me if I was a woman?"
She covered her mouth and laughed, "This is the oddest conversation I've ever had with you."
"That's saying something. How would Jackie take that?" he teased.
She sat her wine down and covered her face. "I can't believe you asked me that."
He leaned in and kissed her ear, "I would have to change my name. I'd have to pick a ladies' name."
She giggled as she looked into his face. "Baby, you are drunk."
He pointed at her, "So are you. I can feel it in my head."
She drank the rest of her wine and handed him the glass. He sat it on the table with his empty glass. He turned back to her and rubbed his nose to hers. He whispered, "What would be my favorite part of being a woman?"
"Looking in the mirror at your own boobs." She teased as they both laughed.
He leaned back and laughed, "I wouldn't get anything done. I'd just stand in front of the mirror all day. Do you do that?"
She rolled her eyes, "No! I don't do that."
"Oh. Hell I would if I was in your body. I'd just stand in front of the mirror and look at myself. That would be hot. I could do that all day."
"You are trashed, Old Man."
"Old Man needs another drink. You?" He asked as he got up and walked to the kitchen.
"Have you seriously already drank two bottles already?"
"I had help. You act like it's all me." He said as he got another bottle and opened it. "This wine is $800 a bottle. I remember that now. Pepper sent a case of it and Michelle nearly had kittens."
"That's rather inexpensive for Pepper's tastes." Rose smiled.
"That's rather inexpensive for mine, too." He said as he sat back down next to her and refilled both of their glasses. "There is this wine on….some damn planet I went to. It's blue and it's extremely expensive. Only royalty is given this wine. It's lovely. One glass and you are trashed. It's brilliant."
"You've had it?" She asked.
"You forget. I had it once. At my first wedding. It was our custom. I had four glasses. I don't remember anything after that for several days. Which honesty explains a lot."
She giggled as she sipped her wine. "So, you don't want to come up with any agreement about this wedding?"
He looked back at her seriously, "No. Do you?"
She smiled, "No."
"I meant what I asked. The rest of our lives. Our very long lives. I just hope I don't screw it up. If anyone screws up this, I'm sure it will be me. I'm rubbish at this."
"You've done great so far."
He shook his head as he refilled his glass. "That's what you think. I see the other side here."
She looked confused, "What other side?"
He looked back at her. He suddenly put his hand to his forehead. "What? What was I saying?"
She sat down her glass and watched him drain his again.
He sat down his empty glass on the table and propped his head up on his hand. "Oh, I might have had too much. Rose, don't let me drink anymore of that."
She laughed. "I'm sure you've had too much."
He closed his eyes. "The room is spinning."
She kissed his lips quickly. He smiled without opening his eyes. "I like this ride."
"Baby, we don't have a Christmas tree here."
He pointed down the hall. "It's all in the bedroom. I had one of the guys transport everything in there."
"That big ass tree-"
"No. Different ass tree." He told her as he waved his hand with his eyes closed.
She smiled at him, "I can feel how bad you are right now."
"Bad. Oh yes. Too much wine. I'm going to have a great headache in a few hours." He moaned and lay down on the sofa.
She laughed as she lay down on top of him and kissed his lips. "Old Man, why did you drink so much?"
"I have very little self control." He laughed.
She lay on him and began to snog him. She felt how the room spun in his head as she caressed her tongue to his. He ran his hands through her long hair.
She smiled at him. "Come on. Show me this tree."
He rose up off of the sofa and groaned. "Right. Tree. Yes."
He picked up the wine bottle and the glasses and walked with her down the hall. She turned on the light as they walked through the double doors of the master bedroom. There was a lovely, large tree in front of the large windows with clear lights and golden beads. Several other smaller trees decorated the room. All decorated lavishly. Around each tree was a large pile of presents that stood waist high in TARDIS blue boxes and white ribbon. Two white boxes sat on the bed. One small one and one a bit larger. She looked back at him and smiled. "This is too much."
"I know. I got carried away. Remember that when you see the children's piles on Christmas Day."
"You mean, this is all for me?"
He smiled, "Yes. But, the two on the bed are something else. The blue boxes are all from the same place."
"Which should I open first?"
"Ummm… one of the blue ones. That would be best."
She smiled as she walked over to the trees and looked at all of the boxes.
He sat the glasses and the wine down on the table next to the bed. He kicked off his shoes and lay down in the pillows. He smiled as he watched her. "Oh hell, just pick one. You won't open them all tonight. Pace yourself, woman."
She took a box, walked over and sat next to him on the bed. She opened it to reveal a lacey, short, white robe. Small matching knickers lay in the bottom of the box. She looked up at him and smiled, "This is from the shop on Plentitude."
"The hospital there is going to think I have about twenty wives with all of this lingerie I bought. This was one of my favorites so I put it on the top. You don't have to change into anything. No expectations, Rose. You asked me to give you some lingerie so that's why I got it for you."
She smiled, "As it is, I'm rather hot."
He smiled, "Yes, you are."
She giggled as she leaned over and kissed his lips quickly. "Did you buy everything in the store?"
He held up two fingers. "Two of everything in the store. One wrapped in blue for you, and Tony got Pepper one of everything wrapped in….I don't remember. Orange? No, red. Hot rod red."
Rose rolled her eyes as she walked into the bathroom. "Get comfortable. Take off your jumper and your shirt. I'll change into this."
"Right." He said as he leaned up and took off his jumper and t-shirt and tossed them on the floor. He refilled the glasses with wine. He drank the entire glass and refilled it again.
He lay down on the bed and closed his eyes. He mumbled, "Oh shit. The room is really spinning now. Why did I do that?"
He felt Rose climb on top of him. He smiled as she leaned down and kissed his chest.
"This is comfortable."
He smiled slowly without opening his eyes. "I got the size right?"
She continued to kiss his neck and chest, "Yes."
He whispered, "Damn, I'm good."
She stopped kissing him and rose up. "Baby. Have you drank more wine?"
He opened his eyes and looked at her, "When?"
"You are going to be sick with all of this!"
"Rose, I'm fine. It takes a lot to make me sick. Don't worry about me."
She groaned at him. "So, is all of this from Plentitude?"
"All of the blue boxes are. How about that? You gave me a blue box, too." He smiled like a loon.
She giggled, "I did. You are so trashed."
He pointed at the presents on the bed. "These two are not part of that. It's something you will like. I think."
She smiled, "Which should I open first?"
"Ummm…. the bigger one." He told her as he lay back in the pillows and rubbed his head.
She opened the box and pulled out the strange blue square inside that fit in the palm of her hand. "Alright. What is this?"
He laughed, "It's a camera! You can't tell?"
She pointed at him, "Don't tease me. No. A camera?"
He smiled, "Yes. It takes pictures, but they will move a few frames, just like the pictures in Harry Potter. Isn't that cool? You are always taking pictures with your phone. These, we can get printed on Plentitude. And the best part is?"
"No one knows who they are of so no fear of them being in a tabloid." Rose smiled.
"Right!" He smiled.
She held up the smaller box. "This too?"
"Yep. That's yours, too."
She opened it to reveal a gold necklace.
He smiled, "Okay, that looks small. But it's meant to be worn high on your neck so Sam won't get tangled in it. It's ummm… I don't remember what karat, but it's gold. The diamonds, every little bit, are from the Prime Dimension. There are two small sapphires, too. They are blue and they honestly reminded me of the TARDIS. How my hearts used to be there."
He took the necklace out of the box and stood on his knees behind her. He continued to explain as he put it on her.
"She was my only companion. For so many years and it has been very hard to let her go. The consistent hum in my head from her. The first week I was here, the quiet was nearly unbearable. But, you have helped me through that, and so much more. You have helped me become the man I am now, and for some reason love me with all of my faults. Nothing will replace that void in my head, but you have completely stolen both of my hearts and I could never live without you. I don't want an arrangement like what you were getting at before. I want us to always be together. It was the Doctor and the TARDIS for centuries there. Here, it is simply the Doctor and Rose."
She turned around and smiled at him, "I love it."
He wiped a tear from her eye. "Now, why are you crying?"
She smiled, "I'm not. I'm happy. You make me so happy."
He smiled as he opened her lacey robe and ran his fingertips down her chest. He whispered, "Happy Christmas, Rose."
"It's the best one I've ever had. I love you so much."
He grabbed her face and crashed his lips into hers. She lay down on the pillows. He opened her robe more to gently rub her breasts and kiss her chest. "This is alright?" He whispered.
"Of course it is." She smiled.
She felt his hot breath against her skin as he kissed her breasts and teased her nipples with his tongue. He looked up at her and smiled, "You are beautiful. Have I told you that today?"
"You are so drunk."
He kissed her chest, "You are so lovely."
She giggled as she ran her fingers through his hair and held him close. He continued to kiss her chest and breasts. "You are really giving those a send off."
His muffled voice said, "It will be a long few weeks."
"Weeks? Are you sure about that?"
He looked at her and smiled, "You are going to want me to massage these in about a month. Then in two months, you will want me to kiss them again. I know how this works. That first month is the worst."
She smiled and he felt her relief. "I hope you are right. Do you think you will be able to last a month?"
He went back to kissing her chest. "Oh, Rose. It will be a long few weeks."
She laughed as she felt him gently bite her breast. "Awe! You nutter!"
He rose up and smiled at her. "I love this lingerie. Did I get you enough?"
"Of course. I'll have to remember to be careful what I ask you for in the future."
"I still haven't forgotten about the bigger on the inside closet." He teased as he lay to the side of her and ran his fingertips down her chest to her waist. He slipped his fingers under the waistband of the knickers she wore.
"Now I have a reason to have one."
His fingertips came back to her cheek. She turned her head and looked in his eyes. "Baby. There's something. What's wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong, Rose."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm certain. Don't worry about anything. Happy Christmas, sweetheart."
She smiled, "Happy Christmas, Baby."
He leaned over and kissed her as he stroked her cheek with his thumb. His bracelet lit up. Friday spoke. "Sir, there is a phone call from Director Pete Tyler."
He groaned and tapped his bracelet. He returned to kissing Rose's neck. His muffled voice said, "Hey, Pete. What's broke?"
"Sorry to disturb your Christmas with your lovely bride, but we have a big problem and could use your help."
He didn't stop kissing Rose, "What's the problem?"
"A ship is in distress within the lane. We can't understand anything more than that."
He rose up and moaned. "Right. I'll handle it. I'll be on the ship as soon as I take Rose home."
Rose protested immediately. "You could use my help."
Pete heard her voice. "Oh, thank God you are on speaker. Rose, Genie is really upset. She's asking for you."
She rolled her eyes. "Or not."
The Doctor spoke again, "Pete. I'm sending Legate to her. Poltious is aware he is coming. He's going to bring her to Rose on the island. Alright?"
"Right. Cheers." Pete said as the Doctor ended the call.
He got up put back on his t-shirt and jumper. "Just a bit. I'll get you a shirt. Don't get up."
Rose lay back into the pillows and watched him walk over to the closet. He groaned, "Doctor is happy. Let's invade the planet. Let's break our ship. Let's…." He continued to complain in a language Rose didn't understand. Within a few minutes, he had returned with one of his oxford shirts. She sat up in the bed and he put it on her. He looked at her face. "Is that alright?"
She smiled, "It smells like you."
"We'll continue this later. I'm so sorry."
"There's nothing to be sorry about. Kiss me once more."
He looked at her lips and then her eyes. He leaned in and his lips met hers. She held him tightly as she tasted the wine in his mouth. After a bit, she opened her eyes to realize he had popped them back into their bedroom on the island. They sat in the middle of their bed. He buttoned the oxford shirt she wore. "It's late. Try to get some sleep."
He stood up and pulled the duvet over her. He sat down on the side of the bed and put on his shoes. She rose up and held his shoulders. "Try to get some sleep? I doubt I'll sleep at all."
He turned around and smiled at her. "I'll be alright. I'll be-." He stopped. "I'll be careful."
Someone knocked at the door. He yelled, "Thank you, Legate! It's alright."
The door opened and Genie ran in and jumped on the bed.
Legate waved his hand. "See you up there?"
"Nah. If you don't mind. Could you stay down here with the girls?"
Genie already had her arms around Rose. She held her and lay back in the pillows. "Thank you, Legate."
Legate nodded. "Of course. Rose, I'll be downstairs if I'm needed."
"Is Logan back, yet?" The Doctor asked.
Legate shook his head. "No. He is expected anytime. Do you need him?"
"Nah. Jack is already up there waiting on me. We'll handle it."
Legate nodded. "Right. Good night then."
Rose smiled at him, "Good night, Legate. Thank you."
He closed the door.
Rose asked, "Where is Logan?"
"He's giving his Mum a house today. I imagine she's all weepy and has to hug him a lot."
She giggled, "Logan is a good guy. I really like him."
"Me too." Genie's small voice said.
The Doctor lay back on the bed and looked at Genie. "My Sara Gene. Why are you not asleep? It's so very late."
She held Rose tightly, "I was worried about you and Mum."
He kissed her forehead. "You don't have to worry. I want you to stay here and make sure Mum gets some sleep."
"Where are you going?" She asked as she rubbed her eyes.
"I need to go help your Grandfather with something for a bit. I won't be long."
Genie looked at him, "Is it safe?"
He smiled at her. "I'll be safe. There's no reason to worry."
Rose held her as she lay against her and closed her eyes. Rose looked at him. He leaned over and kissed Rose's lips quickly. He mouthed the words, "I'll be careful. Get some sleep."
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