Ch 59
By the end of the week, Freya was officially moved into the downstairs room and the baby's new room had been painted a mint green. The Doctor and River discussed ideas for the nursery all of next week and helped Amelia and Arthur paint their rooms as well.
River had been very insistent on not letting any animals or dirty-handed children enter the nursery and had already shouted at one of the cats after he had been found rolling around on the carpet and shedding all over the pristine room.
The Doctor tried to relieve his wife's nerves as best he knew how to. His most frequent strategies were tea and satisfying the urges River insisted were only so intense because of her hormones.
River was having a particularly bad day one morning. The children were staying out of her way, knowing better than to cross their mother when she was in a mood like this. The twins had just gone out to walk Toby after the poor dog had made the mistake of trying to give River some affection whilst she was cleaning. Again.
The Doctor came in with her second cuppa of the day.
"I don't want that in here. What if it spills on the carpet?" She crossed her arms.
"Then I'll wash it up and it'll be good as new." He said calmly. "Why don't you take a break to drink it, hmm?"
She reluctantly agreed, taking the cup from him, "Thanks."
"You know, I rather think the baby's room is clean enough." He murmured as they went to sit in the kitchen.
"I still have to dust again." She shook her head. "I want to get out all the dirt that Toby dragged in earlier."
"A little dirt isn't going to hurt the baby, you know. It'll help build its immune system."
She sighed, "Yes, I know. I just want everything to be perfect."
"I know. You were like this before Terra was born," he recalled. "Though, I didn't expect it so early."
"I'm sorry. It just helps keep my mind off of… Missy." She murmured, putting her head in her free hand. He put his hand on her shoulder soothingly.
He'd started the Vault on its own time so every day in the real word was ten years for Missy. If all went as planned, 1000 years would pass for her shortly after the baby was born.
"I'm sorry." She sniffed. Although time was passing much quicker for Missy now, River had begun to worry about what would happen when the Time Lady was released from the vault. As much as she tried to hide how much the situation was affecting her, she was starting to lose sleep over it.
He offered her a handkerchief from his pocket. "It's alright, there's nothing to be sorry about."
She declined the handkerchief, wiping at her eyes. He pulled her into his arms after a moment, stroking her hair back in a soothing manner. She sighed, trying to relax in his embrace.
"Jack wants all of us to come over after lunch." The Doctor murmured after a while.
"Okay, I suppose we can go when the twins get back with Toby." She closed her eyes.
"Anything I can do for you in the meantime?" He offered.
"Just stay here with me, please?" She asked softly.
"Of course." He smiled.
Eventually, the twins came home with Toby, at which point the Doctor told them to go get ready to see Jack. They went to wash up, meeting their parents in the console room of the TARDIS. Terra and Arthur were already there, and the whole family was soon off to Cardiff.
The children, as usual, ran out once they landed to see their uncle. The Hub seemed a little darker than usual. Jack greeted the children with big hugs.
"It's a bit dark in here." River murmured, stepping out of the ship.
"Glad you noticed." Jack grinned. "I have a surprise."
She raised an eyebrow, "A surprise?"
He nodded with that smug look he often got when he thought he was being clever. He skipped over to where the lights were and counted down from three out loud. When he got to one, he turned on the lights revealing that pretty much all of their friends were there shouting, "Surprise!"
"What's all this?" She looked around, eyebrows still raised.
"Your baby shower, of course!" Jack answered excitedly, making a broad gesture to where they'd set up cake and presents and chairs.
She tried to smile, though she couldn't help but be a bit cross. "Thank you so much, but Jack, can we talk in the TARDIS for a minute?" She grabbed the Doctor's arm, "You too."
Jack nodded slowly, growing confused. The Doctor wasn't so confused, having a good guess as to what was coming.
Ignoring their parents, the children went to help themselves to the food.
River led the two into the TARDIS, closing the door behind her. She looked between the two met, letting a little more of her annoyance show, "I thought we talked about this."
"River, I had no idea Jack was going to do this. All he told me was that he wanted to treat us all to lunch!" The Doctor explained.
She turned her glare to Jack, eyes narrowing.
"It's a surprise baby shower, of course I didn't tell either of you." Jack defended.
"But we told you that we didn't want one!" River snapped. She took a breath to calm down before continuing, "We appreciate the effort, but we don't think it's fair to Terra. She's been having a hard time adjusting to the idea of getting a new sibling and we didn't want her getting upset over the shower."
Jack huffed slightly. "If that's what you're worried about, just let Ianto and I take her out for some Uncle Time while you eat cake."
She sighed, "Okay. I just… I feel so horrible about how upset she's been. I don't want her to be pushed anymore than she needs to be." She looked up at her husband.
He agreed wholeheartedly with her, "Let's try Jack's idea. Jack, if she gets upset I want you to call us and we'll take her home."
She sighed, "We should go back out."
The men nodded. "I'll let Terra know she's going with Jack." The Doctor squeezed her hand.
She nodded, opening the door to nearly trip over her youngest.
"[Are you alright, my star?]" The Doctor peered down at her.
"[Why are we having a party for the baby? It's not even here.]"
He scooped her up. "[I know, but it will be soon. Our friends just want to show us that they're happy for us.]"
"[We only do stuff for the stupid baby now.]" She crossed her arms.
He frowned at her language which was strong for an almost-eight-year-old. "[The baby isn't stupid, but tell you what: Do you want to spend special time with your uncles without it being about the new baby?]"
"[Will you come too?]"
He glanced back at River, then looked back at his daughter. "[It'll just be Jack and Ianto with you this time, lovie.]"
She still didn't look pleased but agreed to go. Jack called Ianto over and the three of them headed out.
River tried to enjoy the party, though it was difficult not to think about her little girl being upset. The Songs were given a number of practical gifts for the baby, none of which were surprising, but they were still appreciated. Jack had set up a few games for them all the play, as well as a bet on the baby's gender. There were loads of sweets and Arthur and the twins made sure to have their fill and then some.
The Doctor found himself amused by the betting. It wasn't anything new and Vastra always claimed that she never took part in it, though the Doctor had a hunch she told Jenny what to bet for, which was why she was known to win.
"You know, Riv, we could find out if we want," he hummed.
She smiled, "Yes, I suppose we could."
"No more surprises then?" He teased.
"I won't make you wait this time." She shook her head, laughing softly.
He kissed her temple. "Let's find out after this, then."
"Okay." She nodded.
He glanced at Vastra and Jenny who joined the conversation. "What are you hoping for?"
"You know I don't have a preference." River murmured, "We haven't even really thought about names yet."
"We could take suggestions."
"Well, I've heard that Jack is hoping you'll name the baby after him if it's a boy." Vastra teased.
The Doctor rolled his eyes. "No matter how many times I try to pop that man's bubble, it never works."
She laughed, "I'm sure you two will think of something beautiful, you always do."
"I like Daisy," Jenny added in. "If it's a girl."
"That's a very lovely name." River smiled.
Jack and Ianto returned with Terra, the little girl holding a new stuffie and a huge ice cream cone.
"I suppose that's our cue to go." The Doctor rose. "It was lovely seeing you all, unexpected or not," he said as everyone exchanged goodbye hugs.
"Thank you so much for everything. It's so kind of you to do this for us." River hugged their friends as well.
Terra hung onto River's leg until everyone had been thanked. River scooped her up, despite knowing it would earn her a scolding from her husband when they got back inside.
"River..." The Doctor predictably said, closing the door behind them.
"Hmm?" She looked up at him innocently.
"You shouldn't be lifting her." He murmured.
"I'll be fine. She needs this."
He looked like he wanted to protest, but moved to pilot home instead. River sat down with Terra, hoping that would make the Doctor feel a bit better. "[Did you have fun with Uncle Jack?]"
The girl nodded. "[We went to the cinema]."
"[Oh, wonderful. What did you see?]"
"[Wonder Woman!]" She grinned.
"[Did you enjoy it?]"
Terra nodded. "[Can you fight like that?]"
"[Yes, something like that.]" River laughed.
"[Did my grandparents teach you?]" "
[No, I learned... somewhere else, but that's a story for another time.]"
"[Will you teach me?]" She asked as they landed home.
"[Of course I've taught a bit to your brother and sisters.]" The other children nodded a confirmation. "[Do you want to learn today?]"
Terra nodded eagerly, though the Doctor looked hesitant. River glanced at her husband.
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" He leaned against the console.
"I'm not going to do anything too intense. Just simple things." She assured.
"Alright..." he said protectively.
River took Terra to the backyard, teaching her a couple of defensive moves. Arthur became interested and joined in the lesson as the Doctor watched from the kitchen window.
River made sure to be extremely careful, especially when the children were practicing. Arthur was happy to help demonstrate to Terra things River had already taught him.
River eventually left the two of them to practice in the backyard, going inside to sit on the couch, rather exhausted. Her husband joined her. "You look tired."
"I am pretty tired." She admitted.
"Here." He murmured gently. He leaned down and pulled her feet up onto his lap and started massaging them. She hummed contently, closing her eyes.
They spend a while like that, quiet and content. Toby pawed at the back door at one point, but Amelia came downstairs to let him out, then went to watch telly with Freya.
River started to fall asleep, though was awoken by a sharp pang in her side. The Doctor over at her with a slight frown. "Alright?"
"Yeah, it was just a strong kick." She smiled weakly.
"Are you sure?" He asked protectively.
"Positive. Want to feel?"
He nodded, putting his palm on the curve of her abdomen. The baby kicked beneath his hand, a kick strong once again. "I think Baby is jealous of your fighting lessons." He teased with a soft smile.
She laughed softly, "You think so?"
He nodded. "I think we're going to have our hands full when they learn to walk."
"We certainly are." She beamed, "Now, did you want to do a scan?"
He nodded again, moving to help her up. She had a bit of difficulty, even with his help. He wisely didn't comment on this, glancing at the twins. "We're going to find out what sex the baby is, do you want to come?"
The two nodded eagerly, turning off the telly. "Go see if your siblings want to come, too." The Doctor told them.
Amelia and Freya left, returning shortly with Arthur.
"Where's Terra?" He asked.
"She went to her room. She said she doesn't ca-...uh...she doesn't want to know." Amelia explained.
The Doctor glanced at River, the two of them silently agreeing to go check on their youngest.
He looked at the children. "...We're actually going to wait a bit for the ultrasound. We'll tell you when we're going to do it."
"Okay." The three dispersed, going back to their original activity.
The Doctor and River made their way to Terra's room, peering inside. Terra was crying face down on her bed, the sight breaking River's hearts. They exchanged glances and flickered the lights to let Terra know they were there.
The littlest Song looked up, sniffling.
"[What's wrong, my little star?]" They moved to sit on the edge of her bed, pulling the girl into their arms.
"[I don't like Baby. Everyone likes Baby more than me.]" She sniffed, snuggling into her parents' embrace.
"[That's not true, lovie, I promise. We love you just as much as we always have. No more and no less than any of your siblings.]" The Doctor explained.
"[But you didn't come with me to the movie today and Arthur stopped playing with me because of dumb baby.]"
The Doctor looked a little helpless, so River took over. "[That doesn't mean we love the baby more than we love you.]" She assured, "[Uncle Jack threw us that party for us, all of our friends were there to see us, so we couldn't leave. And Arthur was just excited to know if the baby is a boy or a girl, I'm sure he'll go back to playing with you as soon as we're finished.]" She gave Terra a kiss on the forehead, "[With a new baby, we might not always be able to do the things you want to do at the exact moment you want to do them, but I promise that doesn't mean we don't love and care about you.]"
"[I don't want it to change.]" She whimpered. "[I like our family how it is, why does it have to change?]"
River was the one to not have an answer this time, just pulling her daughter closer. "[I'm sorry, sweetie.]"
"[I promise you, Terra, our family is not going to change that much, just because of the new baby.]" The Doctor soothed.
"[But it's a whole new person. I don't want another person.]" She hugged her father tightly.
He squeezed back. "[Babies are different from people, you know. They don't come out knowing who they are.]"
"[But I like being the littlest.]"
He hesitated. "[You've never wanted to be a big sister?]" She shook. He stroked her hair back. "[Is there anything that would make you feel better about it?]"
She shrugged, looking up at his face with her big green eyes.
"[I think it might be nice to ask your brother and sisters why they like having a little sibling.]" He suggested softly. "[Shall we go do that now, hmm?]"
She nodded slowly, still sniffing. He stood with her still in his arms. River followed them.