After a few hours on the sofa Dave announced they should get ready for dinner.
"Bit early isn't it?" Clara questioned.
"I want to make myself look slightly less bedraggled. Thought it would be nice to dress up a bit," he suggested.
That made Clara inquisitive. "Where exactly are we going for dinner Dad?"
He held his hands up, "I confess It's somewhere a little more upmarket than we might usually go, I just want to make today special for you that's all."
Clara took the opportunity to hug him while his hands were up, "thank you. It's really special. I'll have to go and decide on an outfit now!" She jumped up.
"Oh yes. Hold on a second…" Dave walked over to the cupboard under the stairs, opening it and taking out a hanger. The rest of it was wrapped. "This is from Danny's parents. I was telling them about my plans and they insisted."
She walked over and slowly unwrapped it to reveal a beautiful navy blue dress with lace detail around the neck and beading around the base. The shape was perfect for her, tucked in at the waist and slightly flaring at the bottom which would sit just around her knees. "Wow…"
"Indeed, when they showed me I knew you'd love it. Now shall we go and get ready?" Clara was quick to agree this time and they went upstairs.
Once she'd done her make-up, Clara slipped the dress on, just about managing to get the zip herself. She looked in the mirror, smiling and noting she would need to thank Gina and Phil in person for this - it was too much really, but it was beautiful and perfect for a posh meal out. It would also be a good dress for the school dances as well. She did her hair now, putting it in a loose bun with occasional strands hanging down. "Look at my daughter all grown up." Dave interrupted her thoughts. "You look beautiful Clara."
She looked over to her Dad who was in a shirt and tie and suit trousers. "Pretty handsome yourself," she smiled at him. "We ready to go?"
"Absolutely. Picking up your Gran on the way so we should get going. Meet you downstairs," he left her to sort out shoes.
They picked up her Gran who looked equally lovely and started driving. Clara couldn't quite work out where they were going, they head away from town and down some country roads, but then she wasn't too familiar with the posher restaurants in the area. Eventually they turned up what appeared to be a hotel drive and parked up. All Clara could see was a marquee - this was a very weird place. "Hop out then." Dave smiled, helping her Gran out. Clara grabbed her bag and got out.
"I've been to warmer restaurants," she joked.
"Stop moaning and go inside the marquee will you, it's heated I promise," Dave smiled at her and so she hesitantly walked over to the tent and into the entrance.
"SURPRISE!"
Clara bought a hand up to her mouth in shock at what was infront of her. The marquee had a dance floor in the middle surrounded by a number of tables. Her extended family from Blackpool were there, her more genuine friends from her previous school too. Jess and Faye were in the corner with Hayley and Kodi, Hayley and Greg were there with a few other members of staff she knew and then her gaze settled on Danny who was stood wearing a suit and tie - the tie matched the colour of her dress. This had been planned to the detail. She looked stunning, all the people she knew and loved were in the same room, it was almost overwhelming. Danny walked over, spotting her thought process. "Happy Birthday sweetheart," he kissed her gently. "You okay?" Danny asked quietly.
"Yes, definitely yes, but probably better if everyone would stop staring," she smiled.
"Ah, I can do that one," Danny nodded to his Dad who suddenly announced it was time to be seated for dinner. Clara followed Danny to their table which contained their respective parents and Clara's Gran.
Dave sat the other side of Clara, "technically I didn't lie."
"Technically," she raised her eyebrows but then settled her face, "thank you Dad, this is awesome."
"Your 13th birthday wasn't exactly how I'm sure you planned it, I hope this makes up for it a bit," Dave smiled.
"A bit? Are you kidding?" Clara smiled and hugged him before turning her attention to Danny. "You had a lot to do with this didn't you?"
Danny shrugged, "what gives you that idea?"
Clara grinned. "The dress - no way did your parents pick this out. And I love my Dad but he couldn't organise anything like this without some serious help. My favourite flowers are on the table, my favourite music is playing, all my favourite people are here - you did this," she observed.
"Can't argue with that. Your Dad approached me with the idea," he explained. "You don't need to know the details, just enjoy your night," Danny told her.
"Yes boss," she agreed and sat back, looking round at everyone sat chatting. Her thoughts were occasionally interrupted by people walking by and wishing her happy birthday, but she couldn't help but look. Her gaze settled on the table occupied by her Mum's family. "I haven't seen them in so long," she muttered to Danny.
"Since the funeral?" he questioned and Clara nodded. "Your Dad invited them, nothing to do with me. I was quite surprised."
"He offered to go to the grave today, I said no in the end, I didn't want him to struggle today. Things are really good, I'm proud of him," she smiled.
Food started to be brought out now and everyone sat back. The noise level reduced while people were eating and the food was wonderful. Clara mostly listened to her Dad and Gran speaking to Danny's parents and occasionally shared a glance with Danny himself over the conversation. After the main course was finished and the plates cleared it was announced that there would be a time for dancing between now and dessert and the music was turned up slightly.
Danny reached his hand out, "may I?" Clara nodded, a little red in the cheeks with some sort of embarrassment and nerves. "The next song will be on in just a second," he explained as she took his hand and they stood up. A few people had taken to the floor already and as they walked over the song changed.
She stopped, looking up at him, "our song."
"Our song," he smiled and put his arms around her waist and Clara put hers around his neck. "We've never danced to it properly, now is our change."
They moved together slowly, eventually Clara rest her forehead against his with a small and content smile. The whole song they spent in silence, nobody interrupting them while they spent this time together. As the song came to an end they almost forgot the rest of the room were there in their own little bubble and they slowly shared a kiss. It was only when Hayley and Kodi started wolf whistling and a more up tempo track came on that they came back to earth, both blushing, but smiling and holding hands. "I love you," Danny whispered to her.
"Love you too," she squeezed his hand.
"Oh man you're sickeningly sweet," came the voice from behind her and Clara turned round to find Fiona, Ali and Ingrid behind her. "We are long overdue a dance, and a catch up." The three of them had been close friends through primary school, but Clara had ended up at a different secondary school. They met up fairly often until her Mum got sick. She let go of Danny's hand, reassuring her she was okay and he went off to see his parents. "I'm really sorry we lost touch Clara, after what you went through it-"
Clara was quick to interrupt Fiona. "Guys it's fine, I wasn't in any fit state to see anyone and after things just got so out of control I didn't think people wanted to see me. How did they even find you?"
"Your boyfriend did his research," Ali replied. "You've bagged a good one there, honestly over the phone I don't think I'd have believed he was 14. In fact I don't think I'd have believed you were 14 either if I didn't know you," she chuckled.
"He's amazing, I'm pretty lucky," her gaze drifted over to Danny for a second before she went back to her friends. "Anyway, how are you guys?"
They had a good catch up. All 3 were getting on well at school and doing the clubs they used to. Ingrid was doing more dancing than ever before, Ali was doing national championships with her gymnastics now and Fiona was in an orchestra. For a while Clara managed to delay all questions about her but it wouldn't last. "So how about you? What's the boarding school like?"
"Actually pretty good, I mean obviously Danny is an added bonus but it is good. My dorm mate are over there somewhere and they're really good - they understand me, and they've defended me to everyone I know when things have been bad," she smiled.
Ingrid spoke what the three of them were thinking, "what exactly did happen? The last we really heard from you was when you told us you were moving schools because of your reaction to your Mum…"
"Dying, it's okay you can say it," she reassured them. "Maybe we should sit down." They all walked back to their table and sat down, grabbing drinks on the way. "Things are a lot better now, but I used to have a lot of bad episodes. I'd run out of situations, frequently in lessons. I was scared of anything and anyone new. Then I started getting fits too because of it all which really didn't help the impression I made at the new school believe me. Danny was actually there when the first one happened, I was able to talk to him straight away which is how I knew he must have been important."
All three of them listened as she explained everything about her situation, mostly referencing Danny. "So basically it's all down to him then," Ali smiled. "I'm so glad you're feeling a little better, we need to keep in contact."
"Definitely, I'm going to be around for a few weeks so we can meet up," she smiled. "I'd better go see some other people but it's been really good to see you."
Danny had walked over her direction so she joined him again. "That looked like an intense conversation, you okay?" he asked.
"Always worried," she squeezed his hand, "I'm fine. Just filling them in. Thank you for finding them," Clara told him. They walked around, seeing various people and saying thank you for coming. A little while later she found herself back at her own table. "You okay Dad?"
"Perfect," he smiled. "How are you? I know there's a lot of people here but-"
"Dad I'm fine, honestly," she promised him, "I've only really come back for dessert."
It was time, and shortly after dessert was served. They ate and talked, Clara quickly discovered that their parents had been sharing embarrassing stories. She groaned, "did you have to, really?"
"Yes I believe I did. Just be glad I left the photo albums from the attic behind," he grinned and moved the conversation on, knowing Danny would ask more later.
After they'd finished eating and tea was served on the table, Dave and Clara went up to dance. It was a relatively upbeat song and Danny watched as they laughed and spun around together. "She looks the happiest I've ever seen her," Gina commented.
"Likewise. As much as it was horrible being apart that place her given her life back," Danny watched on. "Her relationship with her Dad too I suppose," he eventually added.
"Well we're proud of you son," his Dad joined the conversation, "you've given her a lot of support."
"Danny right?" They were interrupted by a voice behind them and he turned around to see Ali, Fiona and Ingrid all behind him. "Hey, sorry that sounded like we were about to give you 'the talk' - we're not," Ali pointed out and chuckled.
"Oh yes we spoke on the phone," he smiled.
They all grabbed chairs, "we are sort of here to give you the talk though," Fiona spoke as they sat down. "Not in a bad way, we want to thank you for being so fantastic. After her Mum died we drifted apart, our fault as much anyone's. Until today we had no idea how much she'd been through," she suddenly stopped, a wave of emotion rolling over her.
Ingrid took over, "basically it seems like you've got her through it all and she loves you an awful lot."
"Yeah your name was in every other sentence," Ali chuckled. "We're really grateful."
Danny smiled, "it was nobody's fault you guys drifted. Clara has always said how she pretty much distanced herself from everyone but it was all part of her body and mind responding to the grief."
"You know a lot about it all," Fiona almost questioned.
"I wanted to, difficult to help her without knowledge. The staff at the hospital know her pretty well - she used to go there for support. Hayley and Greg are good friends now, they're here too. I met with them once I knew about them and asked a lot of questions - Clara had already told them they could tell me anything so I took advantage. I wanted to be able to help her, it seemed like the only way," he shrugged, a little unsure why he'd just told them all that.
"You'll have us crying soon. Or maybe throwing up because honestly," Ingrid chuckled.
"Everything okay?" Clara appeared back behind them and put her hands on Danny's shoulders.
Fiona nodded, "just harassing your boyfriend."
Chara chuckled, "fair enough. I remember when we went to high school and you threatened to corner my friends to make sure they were good enough."
"To be fair they probably should have," Danny pointed out, referring to their run in with them in the café. Clara shrugged while the 3 girls looked on, questioning that. "Her 'friends' turned out to not be very friendly when Clara started suffering. I won't say anymore."
"Give us names we'll get them," Ali grinned. "Nah we're just glad you're doing well. We'll go back to dancing but make sure we organise something in the next few weeks," they all got up and disappeared.
Clara massaged his shoulders, "I hope they didn't bother you too much." Danny bought his hands up to hers, bringing her round to sit down on his lap.
"You have wonderful friends," he smiled, supporting her waist.
She leant back into him, "I have a wonderful boyfriend."
"I'm just lucky," he replied and kissed her head. "How you doing?"
"Yeah really good, just want to make the most of all this. I'm going to go and see Jess and Faye," she smiled and kissed him quickly before getting up and skipping over.
They were on the dance floor with Hayley and Kodi all having a really great time and immediately grabbed Clara to join in when they spotted her. "Look at you smiling," Jess spoke as they danced. "You look absolutely smoking tonight by the way, that dress is stunning."
"Danny," she simply replied. "It's so great having you all here."
"Happy Birthday," Faye hugged her briefly. "We miss you."
"I miss you guys too. I'll be back after Christmas I promise, it's just important I don't do too much too soon," she explained.
They all understood and the conversation was dropped - instead they continued dancing for a little while. Only interrupted when Greg and Hayley come over. Clara left the group and went to talk to them, "we can't stay much longer - early shift tomorrow, but couldn't go without a little boogie."
"Thank you so much for coming, I hope you've had a good time," she smiled as Greg spun her around.
Hayley took her other hand as they moved on the dance floor, "it's been wonderful. You've got some great friends and family."
Clara glanced over to their table. She'd been by it at the start but not since. "I don't know what to say to them," she suddenly blurted out and stopped dancing.
"Well we've had a good chat with them tonight and it's obvious they think the world of you. They asked us some questions too, they sort of know you've been poorly without too much detail, I hope that's okay," Hayley explained.
Greg nodded, putting a reassuring arm around her. "Why don't we all go over? We can spare a few minutes."
"That could work," Clara took a deep breath and started walking over. Her aunt, 2 baby cousins and grandparents were all sat there. "Hey," she started a little nervously.
Her Grandad immediately stood up and went over to her, "oh look at you haven't you grown into the most wonderful young lady," he smiled and offered a hug. She was about to look at Hayley for reassurance but suddenly remembered something they'd talked about in therapy and instead went straight for the hug. She'd forgotten how comforting they were. When her Mum was ill her Grandparents would come over quite a lot, but they hadn't come to see them since they moved. "I'm sorry it's been so long."
"It's okay, and try not to blame Dad he just… well, he didn't cope well at all," she sighed, finally letting go of the hug if slightly reluctantly, but her Nana joined them too and she hugged her.
"Oh we don't blame him sweetheart, in fact we had a good chat with him on the phone when he called to invite us and explained everything," her Nana explained.
They all stood back and Clara looked over to her aunt, knowing how hard Ellie's death had hit her. "I'm sorry Auntie Julie, I wish I could have done more. I tried, honest." The moment she finished the sentence she internally cursed herself for saying that, having promised Ian she would stop blaming herself.
"Clara Oswald don't you ever say that again," apparently Julie agreed with Clara's internal monologue. Her aunt rushed over and crouched down a little to her height - Julie had got all the tall genes. "What happened was not your fault. It was a horrible illness that none of us could have prevented. You and your Dad looked after her really well and she loved you to pieces. You're really growing to look like your Mum too," Julie smiled and hugged her. "Now come and meet your new cousins."
Max and Lily were incredibly sweet twins and immediately seemed to take to Clara. They were just under a year old and she quickly started entertaining them. Hayley and Greg watched on until Hayley spotted Dave walking over and jogged to him. "The little ones love her," she spoke to him.
"I haven't met them yet," he breathed out a little shakily which Hayley quickly noted.
"They don't blame you Dave, now's as good a time as any. We're going to sneak off now, tell Clara we said goodbye," she smiled. "Good luck."
After her parting words Hayley and Greg left and Dave slowly made his way over. Edna, Ellie's Mum, spotted him and walked over. "It's good to see you again."
"And you Edna," he kissed her on the cheek, "I'm sorry it's been so long."
"We've had this conversation Dave, it's fine. Julie is fine too, come and meet Max and Lily they'll be very excited to see their uncle," Edna almost dragged him over and they spent a little bit of time together as a family.
As people started leaving Clara insisted she was alright, wanting to stay till the end. Danny had been speaking to various people but eventually joined her at her family's table. "Finally we get to properly meet the famous Danny Pink," Julie commented. "We've been talking a lot about you - mostly good." Clara groaned, apologising quietly.
"Don't be silly you don't need to apologise for us. If the boy can't take it then he's not good enough for you," her Nana commented and winked at her.
Danny chuckled, "it's quite alright - I see where you get your cheeky side from," he grinned much to Clara's annoyance. "Just telling the truth," he shrugged.
"I'll get you later," she replied, evidently not quietly enough.
"That's my girl," Julie piped up. "I'm very proud."
Now she blushed, "you're just like Mum honestly," she replied. "I've missed you all."
"We've missed you too. We're staying in the area this weekend so come and see us before we go," Julie replied.
Clara nodded, "I could show you around a bit tomorrow if you want?"
They made plans and the party came to an end. Everyone left and once they'd all gone Clara finally agreed to go. They got in the car, Danny was coming back with them, and she quickly leant on his shoulder, shutting her eyes. Danny stroked her hair away from her face, "you okay?"
"Mmm, very," she smiled, content. "Are you staying all weekend?"
"Yep, you've got me until Monday morning," he told her, "sleep now if you want," he told her - it was obvious she was completely whacked out after tonight, but it had been as perfect as any of them could have hoped for. "I love you."
#-#-#-#
Her phone woke Clara the next day. It was almost 11 and it took her a moment to process where she was before answering the phone. "Hello?"
"Hey love, it's Auntie Julie. Wondered if you still wanted to show us around a bit today?" Julie asked.
Clara smiled and glanced back to Danny. They had all weekend, she hadn't seen her family in almost 2 years. "Yeah, definitely. I know a great little place for lunch if you want to meet there?"
"Deal. Half 12?" Julie checked.
"Perfect, I'll text you the address. See you soon." Clara was about to hang up but Julie had one more thing to say.
"Bring anyone you want along. See you soon." Now they hung up.
She lay back down on the bed, rubbing Danny's chest softly to wake him up. "Morning sleepyhead," she kissed him gently.
"Hello you," Danny smiled up at her. "How are you today?"
Clara lay back a little, but stayed on her side and Danny also turned on his so they were facing each other. "Honestly? Ridiculously happy. Was last night real?"
"Very, we have photos to prove it," he grinned. "I thought we could get some printed to put up?"
"That sounds perfect. How do you fancy lunch with my family for now though?" she asked.
Danny nodded, "yeah sure, they're good fun. You taking them to India's?"
"Of course," she grinned. "I'm going to shower and then ask Dad if he wants to join. See you in a bit." Clara jumped up out of bed and got herself dressed. Once she was out of the bathroom Danny went in and she made her way downstairs.
Dave was sat on the sofa reading when she got down. "Wasn't sure if I was going to see you this morning," he smiled, putting his book down. "Sleep okay?"
"Absolutely," she leant down and kissed his cheek. "Thank you so much for everything yesterday."
"Don't be silly you don't need to thank me, it was your birthday and I wanted to spoil you. I'm glad you had such a good time," he smiled.
Clara sat down beside him, "I really did." She tried to work out how to phrase the next question. "Auntie Julie called, we're all meeting for lunch. Do you want to come?"
He didn't reply immediately. After a moment he spoke up, "I don't think I will. Not because I don't want to or anything, we had a good conversation last night. I just think you should have this time with them yourself. Danny is going right?"
"Yeah, he's joining so there will be someone familiar. I'll keep in contact as well," she reassured him.
"Send my love and look after yourself. Any issues you can give me a ring," he squeezed her hand. "Need a lift in?"
"If you don't mind? I'll just check on Danny," she smiled, jumping up and going to find him. She was actually a little nervous, but nothing was going to stop her today.