Ch 32
River and the kids came to the kitchen breathless and laughing, sitting down to their meal. The Doctor had roasted a duck and seasoned it just the way River enjoyed.
"What did you all get up to?"
"Oh my, this smells amazing," River smiled.
"We played Super Hero Archeologists and Mumma TARDIS made us bad guys and everything!" Freya explained.
"Really? I can't believe I missed that, sounds like you had a brilliant time." The Doctor sat next to his wife after placing the sauce down.
"Don't worry, I'll give you an in-depth recap later tonight." River winked, dishing out lunch for the girls.
He tried not to blush, though failed in doing so. "Where's Toby got off to?"
Amelia answered, "He's still barking at the bad guys. He didn't like it when they were holding Mummy and Arthur as hostages."
He chuckled. "I suspect not."
Arthur started whimpering at the mashed peas in front of him, pushing the jar away.
"What the matter, lovie?" The Doctor asked.
"Muuummmm!" He cried, sticking his hand in the pea jar and flicking it towards his parents.
"Oi! No doing that." He wiped the mashed pea from his face, looking at River.
She frowned, peas splattered on her cheek. "Well, I suppose I'll go feed you then."
"We could try giving him a different flavor first." The Doctor suggested.
"We could." River murmured, getting up to get a new jar.
"Try banana. He usually likes that."
She got a banana jar out of the cabinet, setting it down in front of the baby. Arthur looked suspiciously at it, then at the duck, reaching for that instead. River watched in surprise at her son's choice. He made an insisting noise and grabbed again. Want that!
"You can't… Arthur that's not for you."
But why not? He pouted.
"Because you don't have enough teeth to chew it, my sweet."
He stuck his finger in his mouth, feeling the tops of his very few teeth. "Tooop."
"Yes, now do you want bananas or do you want Mummy to feed you?"
"Mumm." He hummed, though was disappointed that he couldn't have what his sisters were having.
"Alright, come on you. I suppose Mummy will have to have her lunch later." She sighed, scooping the baby up.
"I'll make sure to save you a good piece." The Doctor promised, a bit disappointed she couldn't join them.
She nodded as she left, carrying the whimpering baby out.
"Why does Mummy always have to leave to feed Arthur?" Freya asked.
"...Do you know how babies get fed from their mums?" He asked. They shook their heads. "Well... babies get breast milk from their mothers so when they get fed it's a sort of private thing." He explained.
"Oh..." They murmured, going back to eating, quickly losing interest in the subject.
Toby joined them after a while, looking a bit tired from running around after holographic enemies. River joined them right as they were finishing lunch, looking rather cross.
"Alright, River?" The Doctor looked at her.
"Fine." She muttered.
"You look upset." He observed.
"Your son was throwing a temper tantrum."
"Do you want my help with anything?" He tried to offer.
"No, it's handled now." She sighed, "He's sleeping again."
"If he wakes up again, I'll get him so you have a break." He offered her the plate of duck he'd saved.
"Thank you." She murmured, sitting down to finally eat. It was a bit cold now, but the flavor was all still there.
"The girls were telling me about a new school project they're starting on Monday."
"Oh, are they?" She asked, trying to forget her sour mood.
The girls nodded, grinning and jumping in to tell her about the English leader they were going to learn about. River smiled and nodded, listening with interest.
Toby put his head on River's leg as the twins chatted, wanting some of her food. Terra ended up kicking Toby square in the nose as he was so close to her. The dog jumped back in surprise, whining in the back of his throat.
River laughed softly, looking down at the dog, "You didn't like that, did you." He pawed at the ground, sitting to beg for food from a safe distance.
She looked up at the Doctor, "This tastes lovely."
"I'm glad you like it." He replied proudly.
She suddenly reached for his hand, squeezing it tightly.
He frowned slightly. "You alright?" She closed her eyes, hiding a grimace, nodding. He wasn't at all close to convinced, keeping hold of her hand. "Girls, are you done with your lunch?"
They nodded, "Can we play?"
"If you put your plates in the sink and it's not too loud. I think we're going to have some down time for a while." They nodded, putting their plates in the sink.
Once they left, he turned back to River, looking over her as if he might find and injury. "Are you sure you're alright?"
She nodded again, starting to relax, "Yes, I'm sure."
He squeezed her hand. "Good." He cleared their plates. "So, what do you suggest we do in our downtime. Movie?"
She nodded, "A movie sounds nice."
Toby wasn't too happy about all the food being put away, but followed the pair to the movie room and settled with them on the couch. River sat, propping several pillows behind her back, "What do you want to watch?"
"Something unbelievably sappy." He decided.
She laughed, "Anything specific?"
"Well, preferably something really old with bad acting." He added.
She smiled, reaching for the remote. "Well, I can't say I watch many sappy romantic movies, but I may have just the thing for you." She turned on the television, putting an old movie on.
"Ooh, I like this one." He hummed once he realized what movie they were watching. She settled against his shoulder.
As the movie rolled, she paid less and less attention, her mind on something else. He didn't notice her distraction, to absorbed in the movie.
She stiffened about halfway through, squeezing her eyes shut. As his arm was around her, he felt the tension jump up and pulled his gaze away from the television. "Riv?"
"Yeah?" She breathed quietly.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
"Arthur..."
"Arthur? He's napping, isn't he?" He wasn't sure what she was talking about.
"You promised me this would happen slowly."
He blinked at her. "It's supposed to."
"Well, it's not."
"What do you mean?" He frowned.
"My connection with him, I can hardly feel it."
"Do you want to go to him?" He asked.
"He's sleeping..." She shook her head, "I don't want to go wake him."
He took her hand. "Your connection with him isn't gone, it's just weakening... faster that I thought."
She pulled her hands away, standing up, "Obviously."
"Look, I'm sorry. I didn't know this would happen."
She shook her head, "Just watch your movie." She headed out of the room. He didn't really want to watch the movie anymore, worried more about River.
River went to go sit with Arthur, silent so she wouldn't wake him. The boy moved about in his sleep, limbs occasionally jerking one way or another. She didn't speak at all, clinging to the little bit of him that she had left.
It was a little while before Arthur opened his eyes, whimpering.
"Shhh, shhh." She murmured, standing up and going to stand over the cradle.
"Muuummmmmmm!" He reached for her. River scooped him up, nuzzling his cheek.
He calmed some, clinging to her. What's... happen?
"We're not going to be connected anymore." She whispered, his distress upsetting her even more. He made a noise of protest, not really understanding. "I know...I know." She whispered, holding him tighter.
He transferred a feeling to her that was some mix of worry and sadness. She tried to comfort him, squeezing her eyes shut to hide the fact that she wanted to cry.
Sisss...?
"What about her?" She asked.
Okay?
"She's fine." She sighed.
Big siss... papa?
"They're fine too." She murmured, holding him tighter, never wanting to let him go.
Fine too. He echoed. Come back.
"I can't sweetheart. I can't make it come back." He threatened to start crying more, burying his face in her collar. "I'm sorry." She whispered, voice breaking, "I'm so, so sorry."
Warm... His little hands grabbed fistfuls of her shirt.
"Hmm?" She whispered, brushing the hair on the top of his head.
Arms... hands... warm.
"I'm glad you think so." She sat down in the rocking chair, rocking them back and forth, wishing she could hold onto him for longer. The baby listened to his mother's hearts beat a steady rhythm, thinking of one of the stories the Doctor had told him. River was trying not to cry, stroking his back comfortingly.
Story.
"Not now, my love."
Why? This was accompanied by an audible pout.
"Let's go see Daddy." She whispered, carrying him out of the room. He didn't seem to mind this answer, babbling softly.
River brought her son to the sitting room, back to the Doctor. The movie had been turned off and the man was just sitting there in the blankets. He looked up at her with a weak smile.
"Your son wanted to see you." She murmured.
"I see." He patted the space next to him. "How is he?"
"Upset." She didn't sit.
"Oh. Does he want a hug or a song or something?" It was really all he could offer.
"He wants a story." She placed the baby in the Doctor's arms, going to sit in a different chair.
His stomach grew a bit of a cold not, thinking she was mad at him. "Alright, little man." He whispered. "What sort of story do you want to hear."
"Mummmmmm."
"About Mummy?" He thought for a moment. "How about the time she saved a whole spaceship full of people, hmm?"
"Nooooo." Arthur shook his head.
"What about when she lead a French revolution in the 46th century?"
He squirmed, signaling that that would be good. The Doctor began into the retelling of that, doing the best he could with the details since he was only telling what he'd heard from River and history books. River stayed quiet the whole time, just watching his feet.
When he finished, Arthur was starting to grow heavy-lidded. River had her eyes closed, leaning forwards, holding her head.
The Doctor quietly stood with their son, walking over to her. "Do you want to hold him again?"
"No, I'm fine." She whispered.
"You sure?"
She stood, seemingly pulling herself together, "Yes, Positive."
"I think the story put him back to sleep." He looked at Arthur.
"That's good." She rubbed her side absentmindedly. "I'm going to go out."
"Where?" He asked, a little surprised.
"I'm craving some of the bread we had when we took the girls to that medieval festival." She also thought getting out would be a good distraction from the deteriorating connection to her son.
"Oh, you're not going to the same place, are you? That king was absolutely dreadful. He'll be all over you if he knows you're there."
"Well, it's a good thing I'm good at hiding." She smiled, "Unless you want to come with me."
"We can't leave the kids alone." He reminded though he'd have loved to go with her.
"We could get a sitter." She murmured, "Jack will be more than happy to, I'm sure. He hasn't seen the girls in a while." She whispered. Usually, when she was having cravings, she didn't let things like this go.
"That's a good idea. Shall I get him on the phone?"
"I can do it." She smiled, grabbing the phone and calling up Torchwood.
The conversation was quick and soon enough, Jack was at their door with Toby jumping at his legs. River was changed in a purple medieval gown when he came to their door, "Hello, there."
"Why does it always take so long for you to ring me up? You're not as linear as you think you are." He teased, pulling her for a hug.
She laughed, hugging him tightly, "Why don't you ever ring me?" She teased, "The girls have been asking when they'll see you again."
"I bet they have. Which one is this?" He gestured to her belly.
"Terra." She murmured, "The Doctor is putting Arthur down now."
"And this is why you call ahead. Terra was learning to walk last time you were here. I guess now isn't the best time to ask if I can get her roller skates." Toby barked and Jack knelt down to pet the dog.
River tensed at the mention of her unborn daughter, "Well, I'll get the girls for you then." She went to get the girls, giving them and the sleeping baby all kisses when they were finally ready to go.
"Mummy, can't we come?" Freya asked.
"Not this time, my love. It's special Mummy Daddy time. I promise if you want, we can go back another day."
She accepted this answer. "I'm gonna play fairy princess with Uncle Jack."
"That sounds wonderful, sweetie." She gave her a hug, "I'll see you soon, have fun and be good." River waved goodbye, going back inside the TARDIS.
The Doctor and River piloted to the kingdom they'd gone to with the girls for their last birthday.
"Don't you think you should wear a perception filter?"
"Why do you think I should do that?" River asked, crossing her arms.
"Just a suggestion, you don't have to. We're a year or two after we last came here." He amended.
"Well, then I'd rather not." She didn't say anything more, stepping outside the doors. He followed her from the TARDIS.
They'd landed very close to town, this time, most of the people not paying much mind to them, much to the Doctor's surprise.
"Oh, it's a bit chilly." River murmured, shivering, "Would you be a dear and fetch a shawl for me?"
"Here, just take my jacket. I'm not really cold at all." He dropped his coat over her shoulders.
She sighed, "Right, thank you."
"Let's find that bread for you, yeah?" He took her hand.
She nodded, "Right, the bread." She walked with him, hoping nobody would recognize her, and especially not the Doctor.
Unfortunately, many of the townspeople tipped their hats or bowed their heads to River. The Doctor, however, didn't find this very unusual. "Look, they remember us."
"Oh, how lovely," River smiled, regretting inviting him along in the first place. "Now, I can't remember exactly where that bread vendor was. Perhaps I should look this way, and you can look that way?" She asked, pointing in opposite directions.
"There's no rush." He pointed out. "We've got time to stroll."
"Oh, but I'm so hungry, Doctor, sweetie, please." She insisted, "We can stroll after we've found the bread."
He confided. "Okay, meet me here after, alright? If it takes more than an hour I'll find you."
She nodded, "Of course, I'll see you soon." She quickly headed off in the opposite direction.
One of the villagers soon came up to River, bowing. "Your majesty, the king has requested to you him immediately."
"Oh, wonderful. How I've missed him terribly." She smiled, "Take me to him." River was lead to the castle, the Doctor obliviously looking for a bread vendor who had stopped selling a year ago.
