Glimpses of Time

Chapter Ten: Meet the Parents II

By Lumendea

AN: AllTypesOfLove left me an interesting comment on the last chapter, which made me think about how other incarnations of the Doctor would deal with the changes in their children's relationships. I wrote that one with Eleven, who has always been loud and dramatic, so as a contrast here with Twelve.

…..

The sounds of the Doctor's guitar echoed down the TARDIS' metallic corridors and into the kitchen. Rose shook her head fondly and set the last platter of food on the table. It would stay hot until the guests arrived in the unique dishware she'd picked up years ago from Chentron. Rose glanced over the table just to make sure that the Doctor had put everything out earlier. Everything seemed to be in place, and she headed for the console room.

Her husband was sprawled in his armchair in the corner of the console room, strumming his guitar and watching the front door. Sitting on the armrest beside him, Rose smiled when he immediately adjusted his grip on his guitar to place a hand on her thigh. Neither of them moved nor said anything, enjoying the comfortable silence.

"Everything ready?" the Doctor asked.

"Yes, thank you for setting the table."

"Least I could do." He sighed dramatically. "I need a body that isn't rubbish at cooking."

"You're not as bad in this body as in your last," Rose teased. "It was your tendency to get distracted; that was the disaster last time. I enjoy your Chinese cooking. I just wanted to make Athena's favorite curry tonight."

"Hmmm." He looked up at her. "I'm assuming that the children have news since you arranged a full sit down dinner."

"Maybe, Athena didn't say anything. Just said that she, Jack, and Melody would be stopping by. Melody has been traveling with them lately."

The Doctor nodded, and Rose wondered if he suspected what she knew. Athena hadn't told her yet that Melody had joined their relationship, but Rose was thinking that they were probably nearing that time. She made a note that she'd also need to warn the Doctor about Fenric's return.

A knock on the door made them both stand up, and the Doctor strode forward to open the TARDIS door. Athena stepped in first, throwing her arms around her father in a tight hug who accepted any snarky comments. When she was done with him, she rushed over to Rose with a broad smile, and Rose happily took a hug of her own.

Jack and Melody came in next. Melody's long reddish hair was tied back in a braid, and Rose marveled at all the little hints of Amelia and Rory that she could see in the girl every time they met up. She looked nervous, all but confirming Rose's suspicions, but hugged the Doctor as was expected. Jack grinned at them both and hugged the Doctor despite the Time Lord's grumbling before moving to Rose and scoping her up in a twirling hug.

They made it to the dining room without any incident, the Doctor asking after Athena's TARDIS and her answering his questions about her maintenance schedule with only a little eye-rolling. Everyone took their seats, Rose beside the Doctor, who sat at the head of the table with Athena on his other side. Jack and Melody sat opposite each other, and Rose wished that she could reassure the girl that there wouldn't be an explosive reaction to their news. The Doctor was still protective, but Athena was a bit older now, and this current body wasn't as inclined to shouting his feelings.

"So, Mum and Dad, we have some news for you," Athena said gently. "Jack and I… uh, Melody has joined our relationship." The Time Lady managed to keep her voice calm and even throughout the entire sentence.

"Hmmmm," the Doctor eyed Melody, who tried not to squirm. "I'm a bit surprised. I always thought you had a crush on Alice." Melody said nothing in response, and he shrugged. "But it does make sense. Glad you three are happy." He turned his attention to the nearby food and began dishing up.

"Congratulations," Rose added with a smile.

"That's it?" Athena asked with wide eyes. "No, shouting this time?" She looked Rose. "Did you know? Did you warn him?"

"Yes to the first, no to the second." Rose smiled at her daughter. "The Doctor's more used to you children having relationships. Keep in mind how young you were to him when you and Jack started a relationship."

"Basically, a babe," the Doctor interjected. He raised an eyebrow at Jack, but he was smiling a little. "On Gallifrey, you would have been a long way from having any sort of romantic relationship. I trust you, children, I trust your judgements, but it took some time for me to adjust to the idea that you were in that stage in your lives."

"And it was his last body," Rose added. "You know how excitable he was in that body."

The Doctor muttered something under his breath, and Rose laughed. This was amusing in a whole new way. The Doctor's protectiveness of his family was sometimes annoying. He trusted them, respected them, but at the same time after so much loss in his life always desperately wanted to shield them from the hurts he could. She reached over and took his hand, earning her a soft smile.

"You had a meltdown," Jack said drily.

"It was not a meltdown," the Doctor grumbled. "It was a surprise at the time. I hadn't considered you as a potential romantic partner for one of my children. And I didn't go easy on Ella back then either." He shuddered a little and then sighed. "I'm protective of my children."

"At least it isn't just the girls," Rose said. She passed one of the dishes to Jack and smiled at Melody. "But it was funny last time."

"I was afraid for my life," Jack retorted.

"You know I'd never let him hurt you," Rose replied sweetly. "Now, Doctor, anything to add."

He raised one thick eyebrow at her, but shrugged. "As long as you kids are happy and look after each other, there's no issue." He accepted a smile from his wife. "And stop hoarding the curry, Athena. Hand it over." The Doctor paused. "Have you told Rory yet?"

"Yes," Jack sighed. "He reacted a lot like you did last time."

The Doctor grinned and laughed, looking far too amused for his own good. Rose chuckled softly and turned the conversation to recent worlds that the trio had visited.