Glimpses of Time
Chapter Twenty-Four: Grandchild II
By Lumendea
Disclaimer: I do not own Doctor Who or any spinoff material, and I gain no income from this story, just the satisfaction of playing with the characters.
AN: Guardians, I love writing Twelve. I just love his grumpy personality and how he can bounce off other characters. Add his family into that, and I always have fun writing Glimpses with him. Thank you for all the wonderful well wishes on the last chapter, they helped me through a hard week.
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Bill leaned against the TARDIS as she checked her texts. While the TARDIS kept her phone working smoothly, there was never a time during the weekly adventure to actually check on stuff. She smiled at the flirty text from Ashley and was debating how to reply when there was a knock on the door.
The Doctor was at his desk and looked up at the door with a raised eyebrow. Then there was a slight smile, just the tiniest hint of one before he called for whoever it was to come in. The door opened, and a man in his mid-thirties walked inside. He had wavy brown curls framing a handsome face and was wearing slacks and a waistcoat. Bill noted that he had sharp blue eyes as he glanced her way. But then his eyes lit up, and he grinned at her.
"Adam," the Doctor greeted.
The Doctor stood from his desk and smiled, a proper soft smile like the ones he gave Rose. Bill's eyes widened, and she looked towards the many photos surrounding the Doctor's desk. There was one with this man holding a small ginger child in his arms. She couldn't remember who he was, though. The Doctor had gone through the photos once, but it was hard to keep all the A names straight. Not to mention that trying to gauge ages with this family did not help at all! Then the Doctor came around his desk and hugged the younger man, a quick hug, but a hug without complaint. Definitely family, then.
"Hello, Grandad," Adam said. "Good to see you."
"Bill, this is my grandson Adam Tyler," the Doctor explained, placing one hand on his grandson's shoulder. His eyes swept over his grandson's clothing as he stepped back. "Bit fancy for you, isn't it, Adam?"
"Just left Platform One. It was a formal event, in theory." Adam smirked at the Doctor. "Then again, one of the guests was dressed in jeans, a jumper, and leather coat."
"Your grandmother loves that coat." The Doctor returned to his chair and sat down.
"She's fond of the technicolour coat, Grandad," Adam retorted. "She's got a big weakness for you, period." His grandfather smirked in pleasure, and Adam rolled his eyes. "But really, Grandad, that was your best idea for a first date?"
"I gave her other options," the Doctor grumbled. "She challenged me."
"I'm sorry," Bill said. "But what are you talking about?"
"For Gran's first trip in the TARDIS in his timeline, he took her to Earth's Death," Adam explained. He was clearly enjoying the annoyance on his grandfather's face. "It is a miracle that I exist."
"Seriously?" Bill asked. Her eyebrows rose high on her face, and she turned to the Doctor. "You have no game." A laugh burst from Adam, and he sat in the chair in front of the Doctor's desk as he struggled to control himself. His grandfather glared at Bill, who started chuckling at him. "I mean, seriously. How did you get Rose to marry you if that was your idea of a first date?"
"Our timelines are complicated," the Doctor huffed. "So that wasn't exactly our first date."
"You thought it was," Adam pointed out. "And we all know that you were already in love with Gran, so that was still a deliberate choice."
"Did you really come here to mock me?" the Doctor asked drily. "Obviously, your grandmother married me, we had your father, and he had you. Clearly, 'my game' is not as bad as you think."
Bill shook her head. One, she did not like hearing the words 'my game' out of the Doctor's mouth though it wasn't the cringiest thing she'd ever heard him say. Two, she couldn't wrap her head around the idea of taking someone to see the death of their planet. It was tempting to ask for more details, but Bill wasn't sure that she actually wanted to know.
"How are the children?" the Doctor asked. "I haven't seen them for a while."
"Ah, changing the subject? Fine then, I'll allow that," Adam teased. "The kids are good," Adam answered. "It has been a while since we all got together, though. We should arrange something." He turned and smiled at Bill. "Let everyone meet the latest adoptee."
"Oh," Bill gasped. "I mean, I'm not-" It was one thing to have the Doctor and Rose call her that around campus, but… well, this was an actual grandchild.
"The story is that she's your granddaughter, right?" Adam nodded towards Bill. "As an explanation for why she's around so often. That's what I heard from Gran."
"Correct," the Doctor agreed. "Bill said it first; Rose and I just ran with it. People leave her alone more thanks to the story. I had students complaining about the extra help she received, and that shut them up." The Doctor's smile was warm as he glanced in her direction. "She doesn't have an A name, but then neither does Melody. We can let it slide."
Then Adam looked over at Bill again. His smile was bright and a lot like his grandfather's. "Well, I think it's horrible that I'm only now meeting my cousin." He stood up and grinned at his grandfather. "I'll speak with Dad and my other grandmother. Sort out a family reunion on New Verla."
"Fine, send me the details, and I'll make sure we're there."
"With the new cousin?"
"Yes, yes, Rose and I will bring Bill. Just…" the Doctor glanced her way. "I don't want her swarmed. Understood?"
"Oh, absolutely, Granddad. We would never."
The Doctor snorted at that, and Bill thought he was probably right. Adam glanced her way and winked. Bill felt a bit overwhelmed already. She'd gotten a bit used to the Doctor and Rose referring to her as their granddaughter in front of other people. But going to a reunion and being introduced to their actual children and grandchildren?
"And decide who is picking up Ace," the Doctor added. "We're back on safe ground with regards to the timelines."
"Oh, you can pick her up. You and Mum still have that ban on her spending too much time alone with Astra."
The Doctor groaned and slumped in his chair. "Astra doesn't need any of Ace's ideas or recipes."
Adam laughed. "I happen to think Aunt Ace and Aunt Astra are a marvellous combination."
"You say that because they spoil you," the Doctor grumbled. "But yes, we'll take care of bringing Ace and Bill. Athena will probably handle Amelia's lot."
"Right. I'll get you the space-time coordinates. Nana will probably handle most of the food."
"Rose will never allow Eve to deal with all of it herself," the Doctor sighed. "This is going to be a madhouse. You do know that, Adam."
"Of course, it will be; it's our family."
With that, Adam stood and headed for the door. But then he stopped a few feet from Bill and smiled at her once again. "I won't go for a hug just yet, Bill. But it is brilliant to meet you. I know everyone else will be thrilled to finally have the chance." He nodded back towards the desk. "And we can make sure that you're in one of those photos with the rest of the family."
"That sounds…" Bill struggled for a moment. "That sounds really great." Now she was a touched choked up. Rallying her courage, she stepped forward and threw her arms around Adam. "See you soon then…, cousin."
Adam chuckled, the sound rich and warm like his- their grandfather. He returned the hug gently and without hesitation. If they were going to offer it, then she was gonna take it. He kissed her forehead and nodded once more to his grandfather before slipping out the door. Bill risked a glance at the Doctor, but he was merely watching with a soft, fond smile.
"Not a word," she grumbled, feeling her face heat up. "Not a single word."
His grin said enough.