XxxXxxXxXxxXxXxXxx

Chapter 45 - Grandparents

After they arrived at Melissa and Genie's flat, Rose took a bag and put some clothing and a few toys in it with Genie in her room. The Doctor assured them that they would come back in the next few days to get anything else they might need. The Doctor and Jake walked around the rest of the flat, taking it all in.

The Doctor's heart sank even further knowing that Genie had lived here scared and all alone during the past few days. Waiting for a mother who would never return. The kitchen showed evidence of the growing desperation Genie had to find something to eat. There were several places in the kitchen were drinks had been split because she was simply too small to pour the liquid in a glass.

"I'm trying so very hard to not be mad at myself, Jake. I should have kept my mouth shut about Melissa. I feel like we would have found her faster and could have avoided this if we knew she was really missing."

Jake shook his head. "Doc. We did everything we could. We treated it no different than when Rose disappeared. Everyone was looking for her."

He put his hands on his hips. "Yeah, I still don't find comfort in it. I will always feel like I could have done more. Should have done more."

"You and Rose taking on a child to raise is a lot. Take comfort in that." Jake advised him.

He shook his head. "Nah. I can't. That's just doing what is right. Hopefully, Genie will see that one day. I hope she never blames me for this."

"No one is blaming you, but you, Doc."

The Doctor gritted his teeth as he shook his head. "Maybe I am my own worst enemy."

Jake slapped him on the back as he walked away. "I think most great men are."

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXXxxXxx

They had popped back inside the White House. The Doctor was carrying Genie in his arms. Jake and Rose walked flanking him. They came into the residence. Jackie and Pete were there. They both stood up and smiled.

The Doctor turned to Rose and nodded his head towards Pete and Jackie. "Go ahead, sweetheart. I've introduced grandchildren to grandparents before. Remember, you aren't supposed to be lifting anything very heavy, yet."

Rose smiled at him. She had completely forgotten Jackie still thought she was still recovering from her heart surgery she had.

The Doctor followed Rose to a chair, and sat Genie down in her lap. Rose introduced Pete and Jackie to Sara Genevieve. Pete smiled at her and tickled the little girl's cheek. Genie laughed at him.

Jackie was absolutely bubbling over. The Doctor stepped forward and knelt down. Pointing at Jackie and told Genie, "She's the one I warned you about. She might suffocate you with kisses."

Jackie playfully slapped at the Doctor. "Oh, shut up you. You let me have this child, Rose." Genie climbed out of Rose's lap and into Jackie's. "You come see your Grand. I'm so happy to meet you, Genie."

It was hard to tell who was happier. Genie, Jackie or Rose.

Pete, the Doctor and Jake stepped over to the other side of the room.

Pete asked the Doctor, "Do you think she'll be alright? I hear she's been through it."

The Doctor shrugged. "She's off to a great start. We'll find the rocks in the road, but we'll keep going. I see a lot of myself in her. Lost everything. All alone. She needed someone like Rose. Rose can help her."

Pete looked at the Doctor. "You think so?"

"I've underestimated Rose for years. She's more remarkable than she even realizes. They need one another. Rose needs someone to worry about besides me." the Doctor told him.

"A child will do that." Pete agreed. "Jackie insists on staying with the children and us going to the State Dinner. I have to go. But, you and Rose can stay here with Genie of course."

"I'll ask Rose and Genie, what they want to do. We probably need to get ready. Gosh, what a crazy day!" the Doctor realized as he ran his hand through his hair.

He turned to Jake and shook his hand. "Thank you for your help, Jake. I'll never forget it."

"Not at all, Doc'. Least I could do." Jake told him.

The Doctor held his hand up to stop Jake talking as he looked at both him and Pete very seriously. He turned away from the women who sat on the other side of the room.

Jake realized how serious he looked, "What's wrong, Doc?"

"Listen. I realize this might be insensitive at this time, but I need to tell someone I trust this." He threw his hand up in the air in frustration as he said, "And Rose refuses to talk to me about it."

"What's up?" Pete asked him.

He looked at them both and said, "One day, I'm going to die. And when it happens, I need you both to promise me three things."

"First, burn my body. Completely destroy it. Save nothing. There are species out there that will tear the dimensions apart if they knew even a molecule of Time Lord was here for them to take."

"Second, tell Rose that I want her to be happy. She has so much to offer to someone. Tell her I want her to find someone to love after I'm gone. I don't want her to be alone."

"And third. Take care of my girls. They are my entire life." he told them seriously.

Pete and Jake stood there staring at him.

"Alright?" the Doctor asked. "Promise me that?"

"Of course." Pete said, surprised.

"Sure, Doc'." Jake said at the same time, quietly.

The Doctor patted them both on the backs. "Good men. Thank you. Remember, it's important."

Pete and Jake nodded.

Just then, Tony ran in with Zeus. He ran right up to the Doctor and pointed forcefully causing the very serious mood to lift.

"You left the game, mister!" Tony accused him.

The Doctor expected this. He laughed as kneeled down to talk to Tony. "I had something important I had to go do."

"What's more important than football?" he threw his hands in the air.

The Doctor laughed and looked up at Pete. "Spoken like a true Englishman."

Pete laughed and agreed.

"I tell you what, Comrade. Go ask your sister." he told him.

He turned to the Doctor and pointed at him. "Well, they have demanded a rematch. Tomorrow at dawn!"

The Doctor, Pete and Jake laughed.

"Where does he get this stuff?" the Doctor asked.

Pete shook his head, "I have no idea. He's all of a sudden developed a very unique personality over the past few weeks. I worry Howie has influenced this."

"Well, at least we can understand what he is saying." the Doctor laughed.

Jake smiled as he left the room. "I'm going to go get ready. I don't want to miss President Shepherd's speech."

Pete laughed, " We plan to return tomorrow. You and Rose?"

"Yes. We have tickets for the bullet. I need to call Michelle and get Genie a ticket. Blimey. I better do that before I forget."

"Michelle's working out, then?"

"Yes, she's been great! But, I'm going to have her keep a lid on Genie being with us. Poor kid has to deal with enough at the moment. Until we can plug this leak at Torchwood, I don't want anyone knowing she's here. I honestly never knew Melissa and Rose were this close. I only met her once that I can remember." the Doctor rubbed his hand through his hair.

Pete nodded in agreement.

"Where will you stay when you get back to London?" Pete asked.

"Well, I figured that flat you secured for us before we left." the Doctor told him.

"I had forgotten about that! Yes. It's furnished. Extra room Genie can use. Gosh. I completely forgot. I suppose I've gotten used to having you and Rose around. It will be strange not seeing you every day."

"Ah, we'll be around. I suppose we won't be able to keep Grand away from Genie." the Doctor admitted.

"Let me know if you need anything for her. Anything." Pete told him.

The Doctor looked back at Pete, "Thank you, Pete. But, I believe we'll be alright. All she needs from you is a grandfather. And trust me, that's one of the most important jobs there is in the universe. You're going to love it."

Pete gave the Doctor a strange look, and smiled.

They looked back at girls introducing Genie and Tony to one another. Everyone was all smiles. Even Zeus, who Genie was scratching.

XxxxXxxXxxxXxXxxxxXxXxX