Ch 66
Throughout the week, the adults worked hard to keep the spirits of the children up. The change to the family was sudden and not the easiest to adjust to; Vastra came for tea on Tuesday and brought baked goods. Bill came around the day after and ended up playing football with the kids in the yard. Clara brought books and games later in the week. Though the children still missed their beloved pet, the passing days and numerous distractions made it easier to bare.
The Doctor took to checking on Missy only once a week to make sure she hadn't somehow decided and figure out how to cause trouble. He'd increased the speed of at which time passed for her yet again due to the growing anxiety from him and his wife.
River seemed to be having more and more nightmares and sleepless nights over Missy. She didn't feel comfortable around the TARDIS anymore and often would refuse to sleep if it was in their room.
The kids were away with Jack for the weekend, as had been promised sometime after the dog had passed. The Doctor and River had taken the opportunity to clean up the house a little. They were in their bedroom at the moment.
"River, I'm not sure going back to work next week is a good idea." The Doctor murmured as he folded clothes.
"I can't be in this house alone with nothing to do, I'll go mad." River defended. "Especially since she's going to be in such close proximity to you all day." The TARDIS would be sitting in his office.
"She's not going to hurt me. I'm just worried that work is going to be nothing more than another stressor for you."
"So what am I supposed to do? Sit at home all day?" She crossed her arms.
"Well... no, but..." He knew that would probably be worse. "You need to take it easy. 4-hour lectures on your feet aren't easy."
"Then what do you suggest?" She raised an eyebrow, sitting on the bed.
"A paperwork heavy semester." He said unconvincingly.
"Are you joking? Absolutely not!" She scoffed.
"River, you can't be standing all day. You're exhausted enough as it is." He argued. "And your blood pressure was too high on the last scan."
She scowled, "Then I won't stand. It's possible to teach without running about the room, you know."
He opened his mouth, then shut it again, then sighed. "...I'm just worried RIver."
"I know you are, but taking away things that I enjoy isn't going to help." She pressed her fingers into her temples.
"You're right." He murmured, sitting next to her.
"It's not my fault that it's stressful that she's around. I didn't ask for her to be brought into our life." She kept going, quite cross.
"I know." He scrubbed a hand down his face. "I know you didn't. Look, Riv, I know this is mostly... entirely my fault. I know there's not really much I can do to fix it." He stopped for a moment. "What I'm trying to say is that you know better what's good for you than I do. Neither of us is at our best, so if I say something stupid like that again..."
She nodded, glaring a hole in the floor.
"I'm sorry." He finally said.
"It's fine." She grumbled.
"It's not. I'm being overprotective it's turning into micromanaging."
She sighed, "I appreciate your concern. I'll keep your worries in mind and try to shorten my lectures." She murmured, "Does that help?"
He nodded as the phone rang. River tensed at the ringing phone, something that had become quite common since Missy had moved to the TARDIS.
The Doctor picked up. It was the kids, who had promised him to call and say hello. They weren't to come home until tomorrow, and the Doctor was increasingly protective over them as well.
He put the phone on speaker so River could be part of the conversation and listen to the four kids ramble on about their days. River made them promise not to eat too many sweets, also requesting that they go to bed at a reasonable hour. They agreed with no plans of following through. The conversation ended quickly, the kids wanting to get back to their plans.
"I'm going to make tea." The Doctor offered.
"Okay, that'd be nice."
One of the cats jumped on the bed next to River as the Doctor headed downstairs. River stroked the cat's head, closing her eyes.
Felix kicked when the cat came close. He'd been learning words for things quite fast, though mostly emotions and people. It was hard for him to conceptualize objects, even with River's helpful images.
"That's the kitty." River murmured.
Kitty. Felix echoed. Buzzing...!
"Purring." She corrected, "It means he's happy."
Happy buzzer! He decided. He thought about trying to 'buzz' like the cat, then realized he had no clue how to, so kicked instead and repeated, Happy.
"I'm glad you're happy too, my love." River smiled softly.
Felix shifted closer to the cat as he thought hard to remember the next word. Papa.
"He'll be back soon, my sweet."
He repeated the word several times until the cat brushed up against him and he was distracted immediately. River smiled, listening to the baby's happy thoughts.
The Doctor returned with a cuppa for the both of them after a few minutes.
"Your son has been waiting quite impatiently for you." She informed him.
He smiled. "Has he?"
River nodded as her husband sat next to her, putting his hand over the baby. Felix kicked happily against his hand. The Doctor's smile grew. "He's quite excited, isn't he? What's he saying?" He asked.
"He keeps saying 'Papa! Papa!'" She relayed for him, "He doesn't know much else, but he's learning quickly."
He beamed and leaned down to press a kiss to her bump. "Are you happy you finally have your father's attention?"
Yes! Felix bubbled to which River relayed the information. They spent some time like this, drinking tea and talking to Felix.
"Do you want to go to dinner tonight?" River asked once they had finished their tea.
He nodded. "I'd love that."
"Where shall we go? Somewhere in town?"
"Anywhere you want." The Doctor promised.
"The Vortex Manipulator has been making me feel a bit sick lately, I think it might be best if we stick around here." She murmured, leaning in for a kiss, showing that he was now forgiven for what had happened earlier. He accepted gratefully, cupping her jaw. She smiled against his lips, "Or we could order in," she added
"That does have its perks." He smirked.
"It certainly does. Plus I think there are some strawberries and chocolate downstairs."
"Are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting, Professor Song?" He raised an eyebrow.
She smiled mischievously, leaning her face in close. "Don't act surprised, sweetie. But you know? I think the strawberries can wait."
"Impatient?" He hummed, kissing her jawline.
"Very." She breathed.
—-
In the evening, River sat in her bathrobe at the kitchen table. Her husband sat across in equally thrown together clothes. They had ordered in food and were enjoying the benefits.
"I don't think I can look at strawberries the same way for at least a week." The Doctor said around a bite of food.
"Too much for you?" She teased.
"Just enough, thank you." He peered at her over the carton he was eating out of. "You look gorgeous by the way."
She smiled, "You don't look so bad yourself."
"Is post-sex hair a good look on me?"
"It's a wonderful look." She purred, "I think it should look like all the time."
"Tease." He huffed, though was grinning.
She laughed, "You love it though."
He poked her beneath the table with his foot. "How'd you guess?"
"I think this is a bit of a hint." She gestured to her belly.
He chuckled. "And how is my favorite unborn child doing?"
"He's enjoying dinner."
"So Indian food was his idea then?"
"Entirely." She laughed softly.
"He's going to need a middle name at some point, you know"
"Do you have any suggestions?"
"No really, but I'll say now that it's not going to be Jack or anything related."
"Arthur will be disappointed."
"I'm sure we'll make it up to him. He's already over the moon about not being the only boy anymore." The Doctor pointed out.
"That's very true."
—-
Jack dropped the kids off around lunch the next day and the twins insisted that it was time to go shopping for school supplies since they already had their schedules. River agreed to take them, assuring that she could handle all the children on her own and that the Doctor didn't have to come. The Doctor looked unsure about the idea but tried not to protest too much since it would probably be too coddling.
Soon all the children were piled into the car, leaving the Doctor home alone. The children were very chatty in the car telling River all about their weekend trip. River listened, happy to hear Jack hadn't done anything too insane with them.
At the store, the twins were practical in getting what they knew would be needed for their classes. The younger kids, however, wanted new drawing books and toys.
"We're only here for school supplies." River reminded, removing yet another coloring book from their cart.
Terra frowned. "[But Mia's got three notebooks!]"
"[Yes, but she needs them for school. And they're lined notebooks, not drawing notebooks.]"
"[But I only have one lined book so I should get a drawing book.]" She argued.
"[You only need the one for school, Terra. I already said no more.]"
Terra crossed her arms and looked away with a scowl. Arthur didn't try to sneak any more toys in after that.
"[Don't pout, Terra.]" River scolded, "[You have two untouched drawing books at home, you didn't need another one.]"
She glared, stubbornly sticking her hands in her pockets and refusing to say anything even as they paid and got back in the car.
The Doctor had tea and scones waiting on the table when they returned. Terra ran right up to her room.
"What's happened?" The Doctor asked.
"She's upset that I wouldn't buy her a new drawing book." River explained, telling the other kids to go put their things away.
"Oh... do you want me to talk to her?" He offered.
"You can try." She sighed.
He kissed her temple, then went upstairs to where Terra had fled. Terra was in her room, busy making a complete mess.
He flickered the lights. "[Terra?]"
"[Go away!]" She crossed her arms, plopping down on the floor in the middle of a mess of books that she had just dumped on the ground.
"[I'd like to talk, lovie.]" He signed in a calm manner.
"[Why? I don't wanna talk.]"
"[Why don't you tell me what happened today?]" He pressed. He had a feeling there was something more than just the drawing book that was bothering her based on her reaction.
"[I wanted a new book, but Mummy wouldn't get it for me.]"
He nodded to show he was listening. "[Is that all?]"
She hesitated, looking like she might start crying. "[I wanted a new book because when the baby comes, you'll have less time to play and so I wanted to be able to draw. And Toby isn't here to play anymore, and I wanted to draw more pictures of him before I forget what he looked like.]"
"[Did you tell Mummy any of that?]" He asked. She shook her head. He opened his arms to invited to into a hug. She hugged him, still sniffling. He wrapped his arms around her. "[You know Mummy and I will make as much time for you as possible, even after the baby comes. I promise you.]"
"[I know, but it won't be the same. You'll always have to take care of the baby first because it's smaller.]"
"[He won't be small forever.]" He pointed out. "[And even so, you've got two parents, so one of us can always be with you even if the other is caring for the baby.]"
Terra let out a shaky breath, unable to decide whether she believed him or not.
"[Do you want to draw Toby now?]"
She nodded.
"[Do you want me to stay with you?]" He asked gently.
"[...Can we go to the kitchen and I can draw it there?]" She asked, seeming to have decided to believe him.
He nodded. "[There's scones and tea, too, if you want.]"
They headed downstairs together, Terra exhausted from her emotional episode. River was sitting at the table drinking tea. The other kids were still putting their things away.
Terra hesitated when she saw her mother, not sure if they were on good terms again.
"[Are you feeling better?]" River asked.
"[A little.]" She admitted.
"[Can I have a hug?]"
Terra looked back at her father, who nodded encouragingly, before giving in and falling into her mother's arms. River hugged her tightly, pressing a kiss to her head.
"[Sorry for being mad.]" Terra said.
"[I forgive you.]" River assured.
"[I was worried I'd run out of stuff to keep me busy when you're busy with the baby.]" She admitted.
"[We won't let that happen, sweetie. I promise.]"
"[That's what Daddy said.]" She paused. "[Can I have jam on my scone?]"
"[Of course.]" River nodded, preparing a scone for her.
Terra climbed up into a seat, the Doctor taking a seat next to her. River set the scone in front of her daughter, glancing at the Doctor. He put the drawing supplies he'd carried down for Terra on the table. "She said she wanted to draw Toby," he whispered.
"Oh..." River breathed. The Doctor plucked a scone off the plate for himself as Arthur wandered in.
"Have you finished putting all your things away?" River asked him.
Arthur nodded, slightly deflated, "Yeah."
"Is everything alright?" She asked.
"I don't want summer to end." He sighed. "And I really don't want to have homework again. I hate homework."
River smiled softly, "I know, but there are good parts of school too, right?"
He shrugged. "I like lunch time. But I heard in secondary school they don't give you recess."
"I'm afraid not, but you do get to take more interesting classes." She tried to help.
"Mia and Freya said that the classes get harder and harder every year and by sixth form, it's practically like uni!" Arthur wouldn't actually be going to secondary school until next year, let alone sixth form, but the twins were supposed to start sixth form next week, which was why they needed so many books.
"Arthur, you don't have to worry about that yet. I don't want you to getting worked up about it. Amelia and Freya don't even know what sixth form is like because they haven't even started it yet." She assured.
He took a breath, nodding. "Well, I still don't like homework. And we won't be able to travel as much." He paused, thinking about the TARDIS.
The kids hadn't been allowed inside the ship for weeks ever since it became Missy's new residence—not that they knew that. The box was kept in the vortex at all times, the vortex manipulator purposed for getting in and out.
"We should go on an end of summer trip!" Arthur decided.
"We can go camping…?" The Doctor suggested, knowing that they could just take the car for that.
"Can we go camping on another planet?" Arthur asked.
"Um... I'd rather save that for later." He murmured.
"But why?"
"Because won't it be exciting to have to pack everything we need instead of depending on the TARDIS?"
Arthur thought about it then agreed, running off to ask his sister about the idea.
The Doctor relaxed. "[What do you think, Terra?]"
Terra smiled, "[I like camping!.]"
"[It'll be an adventure then.]" He smiled, looking at River who smiled back with uncertainty.