It had been nearly two months since Hedgewick's world. The Doctor and Clara both decided to take a step back from travelling in the TARDIS while Paul was on summer holiday. Seeing Paul so close to danger with the cybermen, the two adults were glad their most recent travels consisted of ice cream and swimming. Clara even managed to get a part-time job at a library to pay for her own tiny flat.

"Advertisements and bills and…." Clara paused when she stumbled upon a strange letter addressed to her. Before opening it, she took a quick look in on Paul, who was playing with some of the toys he had brought over. The Doctor had taken to short trips in the TARDIS and was currently "out of town" for a few hours. Clara stepped into her bedroom and opened the letter.

"Vastra?" she said softly, realising who the message was from. "Oh my…"

**THUD**

Clara found herself sitting at a table. She was a bit disoriented until she recognised some familiar (yet odd) faces staring back at her.

"Ah, Clara, so glad you could make it," said Vastra. Jenny was rounding the table, pouring tea for everyone.

"Where am I?" asked Clara.

"Exactly where you were, but sleeping", chimed Jenny in her familiar Cockney accent.

Vastra straightened in her chair. "Time travel has always been possible in dreams. We are awaiting only one more participant."

"Oh, no. Not the one with the gigantic head?" huffed Strax.

"It's hair, Strax," added Jenny. Clara was now more confused than ever.

Suddenly there was a puff of smoke, and a woman who did indeed have quite the head of hair appeared.

"Madame Vastra," began the woman.

"Professor. Help yourself to some tea."

"Why thank you," replied the woman as the tea transformed into a champagne bottle with a flute for herself.

"How did you do that?" asked Jenny in bewilderment.

The woman smirked. "Disgracefully."

Clara was trying to work out who the strange woman was just as Vastra began to speak again.

"Ah. Perhaps you two haven't met. This is the Doctor's companion. That is, his current travelling assistant."

"Assistant?" Clara was amused. The Doctor sometimes used the word "companion", but she never really understood their odd relationship. Moreover, Vastra seemed uncomfortable, which only furthered Clara's confusion.

Strax also seemed to pick up on the Silurian's discomfort. "Have you gone a darker green?"

"Clara Oswald," added Vastra awkwardly.

"Professor River Song," replied the woman. "The Doctor might have mentioned me?"

Clara's face immediately softened. It was his late wife. But, how? She then couldn't help giggle because as much as Clara loved the thought of being compared in looks to the gorgeous woman in front of her, she couldn't see the resemblance.

"Oh, yes. Of course, he has. River Song. Sorry, professor. You're his wife. I'm sorry. I'm just a bit confused. He never mentioned you being a professor. I just knew you as his wife and Paul's mum."

The room was silent as River made a confused face after nearly spitting out her champagne.

"I'm sorry, dear. Did you just say 'Paul's…mum?" asked River in confusion.

"Oh, sorry. I'm terrible with all this timeline stuff. I…I thought. Well…"

Suddenly there was another puff of smoke.

"Clara!" cried Paul. "I tried to wake you, but…wait. Where am I?" The little boy got up from his seat with a laugh and began poking at Strax's head.

"The potato man! My daddy told me about you!"

Clara shot up from her seat and grabbed Paul. "I'm terribly sorry for the confusion," began Clara, not knowing what to do.

River slowly stood up and walked over to the little boy. Clara looked between the two nervously, waiting for Paul to recognise his mother. Instead, River knelt down to Paul's level.

"Hello, sweetie. You must be Paul."

Clara began to tear up, thinking she was witnessing Paul being reunited with his mother. Unexpectedly, the boy took a step back then abruptly ran behind Clara as he grabbed onto her legs.

"Paul, what's going on?"

"Clara," began River. "Did the Doctor tell you I was Paul's mother?"

Clara was confused.

"She is NOT my mummy. Clara is my mummy!" yelled Paul as he buried his face into Clara's stomach.

"I…I mean. Yes. I'm so sorry, River. I don't know what's happening."

River looked around the room and then took a breath. "Well, judging by everyone else's faces, including my own, I don't think any of us really understand what is happening." River then sighed. "Clara, I don't know why the Doctor told you I was this boy's mother because… I'm not."

Clara stumbled back a bit. "But…he said his late wife…I mean. Didn't he?"

Clara searched her mind for any conversations they'd have about Paul's mum. "I...I mean, he didn't explicitly say, but he…." Clara furrowed her brow. "I mean, he implied you were Paul's mum. I don't understand."

Clara could feel Paul trembling. "You're my mummy!" he insisted again.

River raised a brow then addressed the boy. "Paul, such a lovely name. How do you know Miss Clara here is your mummy?"

The boy wiped a few tears then began rummaging through his pockets. Finally, he pulled out an old photo and handed it to River.

River looked the photo over carefully, then looked at Clara. She then handed the picture to Vastra, whose eyes went wide.

"Please! Can somebody explain to me what the hell is going on?" Clara was beginning to tear up, feeling that maybe the Doctor was bad news and something terrible was happening.

Jenny finally spoke up. "Clara, do you remember the first time you met the Doctor?"

Clara held onto Paul tighter as she thought back to their first meeting.

"Yes, parents' day. He came to my classroom to talk about Paul's work and how he was getting on in school. I was his primary school teacher," she paused. "Please, tell me what's going on."

Vastra now spoke. "Clara, dear. Do you remember being in Victorian London and our run-in with the ice governess?"

"What? I never was in Victorian London. We were in Victorian Yorkshire. The Crimson Horror. Not some ice woman." Clara began to nervously laugh. "Is this a terrible prank? Did the Doctor put you all up to this? What's that picture?"

Vastra slowly handed the picture to Clara.

Clara's eyes roamed over the photo. It was her. In a hospital bed with a very pregnant belly.

Before Clara felt herself pass out, she could hear Jenny's voice.

"I think I've just been murdered."

…

Clara woke up with the concerned face of Paul hovering over her, back in her own bedroom.

"Paul?" she asked as she slowly sat up. "Are you okay?"

"You fainted," he said with a giggle, then his face got serious. "The lady said to tell you to tell daddy about Trenzawere."

"Trenza-what?"

"Um, I think it was Trenzawere or something like that. The adults all started running around, and I fell over when you passed out, and the green lady told me to tell you and daddy that word and daddy would know what to do."

"Okay, umm," Clara looked around her room. She could pass the odd experience off as a strange dream, but Paul being there only confirmed it to be real. And what was up with that picture of her pregnant?

"Well, one thing I know," she began as she stood up. "Your father has some explaining to do."