Once dinner was ended, the girls went up to get ready for bed. Toby followed them, leaving Arthur and the adults.
"Her position still bothering you?" The Doctor asked. River nodded. He sighed. "I really wish I could do something more."
"Baah!" Arthur pointed to River's belly.
She sighed, "Me too."
"But lying down helps?"
She nodded, "When I lay down she doesn't dig into my hips as much."
"You should move to the bed soon." He suggested.
"Why?" She frowned slightly.
"More comfortable," He shrugged. "And it's nearing bed anyways."
"Right, of course." She started to stand, though she could barely manage to sit up.
"Do you want some help?" He offered.
She nodded, "That would be nice." He extended his hand to her. She took his hand, finally managing to get up.
It took her several minutes to walk to their room, waddling at a snail's pace. He helped her settle into bed, Arthur balanced on his hip.
"Are you going to stay with me tonight?" She asked softly.
"If it's alright with you." He answered in the same tone.
She nodded, "I'd like it."
He smiled. "Then yes. Absolutely."
The girls ran in, dressed for bed and carrying a book to read. River offered to read the girls their story, and then kissed them goodnight as they dragged the Doctor off to tuck them and Arthur in.
Toby curled up on the bed with River, resting his head on her leg. She pet his head, closing her shifted slightly away from Toby, more wedged against River's back. River groaned, hating the increased pressure on her back.
Toby lifted his head, looking at her curiously. She ignored the dog, taking slow, deep breaths.
The Doctor returned shortly, looking a bit concerned. "You alright?"
She shook her head, "She shifted and she's putting more pressure on my back." She stated, not mentioning how uncomfortable it was.
"You look like you're in pain." He observed.
"Well, I can't say it's very comfortable." She grumbled.
He nodded. "Maybe lying on your side will help." She nodded, shifting to lay on her side.
Toby moved off the bed and the Doctor slipped his shoes off to move on. "Any better?"
She shook her head, "Not really."
"Pillows?" He suggested.
"Yes, that might help." She murmured.
He helped her stack pillows behind her back, Toby watching from the floor. She leaned back on the pillows, sighing.
"No help?" He guessed.
"Not really, but I appreciated your help." She smiled weakly.
"I hardly did anything." He frowned, wishing he could have been more effective.
"Your suggestions were very nice." She shifted.
"I have a few more if you're not tired of them." He smiled weakly as Terra suddenly gave a firm kick downwards.
"I'd li-" She groaned, pressing on the spot the girl had kicked.
"Riv?" He frowned worriedly.
"I'm fine, it was just a kick." She assured, "I'd like to try more things."
"Next idea was a hot bath." He murmured, still looking concerned.
She nodded, "I'd like that."
"I'll start the tap." He got off the bed, going to the bathroom to turn the faucet on.
Toby was the one to keep River company while the Doctor kept an eye on the bath. Terra periodically kicked during this time, never softly and always to spots where it was terribly uncomfortable to be kicked. River tried not to groan, squeezing her hands in a tight fist as she waited for the Doctor.
When the bath was full, he returned to the room. "Do you need help up?"
"Yes, I think so." He took her hands and supported her to standing. She needed to walk very slowly to the bathroom, one hand pressed on her back. He acted as the support she needed.
"So I'll, uh, leave you to it then." He said when they got there.
She hesitated, still holding onto his arm, "You can...stay if you want."
He looked at her and nodded with a small smile. "Thanks."
She took off her clothes, needing help getting into the bathtub. He assisted her in, sitting on the edge of the tub. She leaned back in the water, humming.
"Helping?" He asked hopefully. She nodded. "Oh good." He relaxed. "I'm glad."
She closed her eyes, relaxing in the tub.
"I'm sure there'll be lots of hot baths on Sunday."
"Why? What's on Sunday?"
"The spa with Clara, remember?"
"Oh, right. Yes, of course." She nodded.
"They specialize in working with heat. Not fire," He corrected quickly. "I mean like hot rocks and water and things."
"Mmmm, I can't wait." She smiled.
"I'm sure Clara's over the moon, too. She seemed very excited." He informed.
"I'm glad. She certainly was a big help to me."
He looked at her questioningly then remembered what she was talking about and nodded. "That went well then?"
She nodded slowly, "Yes, quite well."
"Good." He murmured.
"Yes." She whispered.
They were quiet for a moment and Toby stalked in curiously.
"Do you have any thoughts for the nursery?" The Doctor asked.
She shook her head, "I hadn't really thought about it much, you?"
"I had a few idea's about color." He shrugged.
"What did you have in mind?"
"A light blue. Or a turquoise maybe." He voiced.
River tried to smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes, "That'd be pretty." Terra shifted and settled low.
"Glad you think so."
River shifted, wishing Terra would just get away from her back and her hips.
"You could wear the dress to the spa." He said, trying to keep the conversation.
She nodded, "Yes, that would be nice. What will you do with the girls and Arthur?"
"I didn't have a particular plan. We'll probably go out to a park."
"That sounds nice."
They made quiet conversation for a while, Toby at one point trying to get in the water too, but the Doctor stopped him. River eventually decided that she had had enough and was ready to get out. He offered her a fluffy towel and helped her back to the bedroom.
She changed back into a warm nightgown, settling into bed. The Doctor settled next to her, Toby on the end of the bed, determined to be close to the Timelords.
"Why are you hovering so much today?" River asked the dog, patting his head. Toby only looked at her, nuzzling to her hand. She scratched behind his ears, smiling softly. He made a pleased noise and rested his head down. She smiled tiredly, leaning back on the bed.
"Sweet dreams." The Doctor murmured.
"Goodnight." She whispered back.
-x-
By the morning, Terra was wedged up by River ribs and the Doctor and Toby crowded either side of her, both sleeping soundly. River hadn't gotten much sleep with Terra moving and shifting into the most uncomfortable positions possible and by morning she looked crabby and exhausted.
The girls crept in, peering around the side of the bed. She didn't notice them, finally starting to fall asleep.
"Mummy," Freya said in a loud whisper.
"Mmm? What is it?" She breathed, rolling over to look at her.
"Are you going to take us to school?"
"Mmmhmm." She hummed, not really hearing them.
"An' we need breakfast," Amelia added.
"Okay, in a minute."
"Mummy, it's already 7:40." She insisted.
"7:40?" River was more awake now, "You girls are going to be late! Doctor!"
"Hmm?" He stirred, squinting up at her.
"The girls are going to be late for school!"
He bolted up and stared at her, then at the kids and jumped out of bed. "Come on!" The girls ran after him, River unable to move as fast as her family.
The Doctor started packing lunches and making breakfast at the same time, rushing himself. River had gone to the girls' bedroom to get their clothes out for them, helping them get dressed and rushing them downstairs.
"Can you make sure their bags are packed?" The Doctor asked, trying not to burn eggs. She nodded, making sure everything was in each bag and that they weren't missing anything.
The girls gobbled down their breakfast, Toby trying to take some. River shooed Toby away, going to feed him so he would stop bothering them.
The Doctor got their shoes and bags on. "Give Mummy goodbye kisses." The girls ran and kissed River before wiggling their bags on. "Now, we're going to walk really fast, alright?"
They nodded, already running out of the door. "Bye Mummy!" They called, the door shutting louder than they meant to.
River waved, sitting down on the sofa. Toby jumped up and curled up to her. She smiled, petting his head and closing her eyes, trying to fall asleep again. Tiber joined soon after, trying to settle himself on River's chest. River was asleep by the time this happened, curled up on the couch.
The only one who paid any mind to the cat was Terra, who was not happy about him. River was awake as soon as Terra started kicking, groaning not so much because she was in pain but because she had been awoken again.
As Terra kicked she managed to transfer a few irritated emotions to River, something she hadn't done in a while. River shooed the cat away, hoping it could make her daughter stop. Terra calmed some, settling back was she was, though she was still unforgiving of the cat. River sighed, rubbing her temples.
When the Doctor came back, he looked a bit flustered.
"Are you alright?" River asked, looking up at him.
He let out a puff of air. "Yeah. Just a bit embarrassed. And I feel like an idiot."
"Why?" She frowned.
"We were so rushed I didn't even consider that we have a time machine."
River stared at him for a moment, then laughed, "Neither did I."
He chuckled at her amusement. "The good news is we got there in the nick of time."
"Good, I'm glad." She smiled.
"Next time let's hope one of us can figure it out beforehand." He smiled back. She nodded. "Well, did I miss anything exciting?"
"Not really, only the fact that your daughter is determined for me to be constantly uncomfortable."
"Oh dear, is she at it again?"
"When is she not at it." She mumbled.
He gave a sympathetic hum. "Do you want some tea?"
She nodded, "Tea would be nice."
"I'm on it." He popped off to the kitchen.
"Thank you." She called. Tiber, padded after him, curious about what he was up to.
The cat meowed, jumping up on the counter. "Down." The Doctor pointed sternly.
He mewled, nuzzling his arm.
"No. Down, Tiber. No cats on the counter." He scooped the cat up and put him on the floor. Tiber went to sit with River.
The Doctor brought in the tea when in was done, offering River cup just the way she liked it.
"Thanks." She murmured, taking a sip.
"Looks like a mellow day. Minus that bit this morning." He commented.
She nodded, tracing circles on her abdomen. "I don't mind a mellow day." He had thought as much, settling next to Toby on the couch.
The morning was spent in soft conversations about nothing in particular.
River frowned as she glanced at the clock, "I'm going to go check on Arthur, he doesn't usually sleep this late." The Doctor nodded.
Tiber was the one to follow River. She crept up to the nursery, opening the door.
Arthur was sitting up in his crib, entertained by Samantha who had gotten inside. He was also babbling quite a bit, practicing various combinations of continents and vowels.
"Good morning, sweetheart." River murmured.
He blinked up at her and grinned. "Muh!"
She smiled, scooping him out of the crib, "I didn't know you were awake!"
"Biiii wo-ah!" He tried to answer.
She nuzzled his cheek, not understanding, "Let's go downstairs and see daddy."
"Papa." He hummed. Samantha joined. River carried him down the stairs, taking him to the Doctor.
"Look who's up." The Doctor grinned at his son.
"He was talking with Samantha."
"He doesn't know how to speak cat, yet." He chuckled.
She smiled, kissing the baby's cheek, "Well he was trying to learn."
"Well that bit doesn't surprise me, our boy is brilliant. Aren't you, little man?"
Arthur screeched happily, clapping his hands. The cats scampered from the room and the Doctor only grinned wider. "I believe that was a yes."
River smiled, "Now that Arthur's up, what do you want to do?"
"I'm not picky." He shrugged.
Toby made a noise close to a whimper. River glanced at the dog, wondering what was wrong.
"I think he wants his walk." The Doctor translated.
"We should go for a walk then."
He nodded and Toby jumped up to wait at the door. River got Arthur's stroller, settling him in. The Doctor got the leash and diaper bag and soon they were off.
They kept a slow pace, River still tired from running on only a little sleep. Terra didn't cause much trouble aside from lowering River's lung capacity. Arthur was very babble-y as they walked, which the Doctor told River was ramblings about the cat.
River was very out of breath about ten minutes into their walk, needing to sit down. They were just outside the dog park, Toby yearning towards the field as they sat on a bench. River closed her eyes, wanting to relax for just a moment.
"Mummuh!" Arthur interrupted, reaching out for her.
She opened her eyes, smiling weakly at him, "Yes my love?"
"Uuup." He insisted.
"No, not right now, my sweet. Mummy's very sore."
"Up! Up!" He frowned, wanting her to hold him.
"No, Arthur. Not now." She repeated.
The Doctor scooped him up instead, hoping it would settle him. The baby quieted down, content to be in someone's arms, even if it wasn't his mummy's. "There we are." He soothed the boy. "You alright, River?"
She nodded, "Yeah, I'm...tired."
"Did you sleep okay?" She shook her head. "Maybe you should go back and nap." He suggested, feeling a bit bad for making her come out when she was tired.
"No, I'll manage. If I took a nap every time I was tired I'd be sleeping through my entire pregnancy."
He chuckled. "Fair point."
Toby tugged at his leash, wanting to go play with the other dogs in the field. River sighed, looking at the dog, "Must we?"
He whimpered.
"Why don't we just let him off his leash?" The Doctor suggested. "He comes when I whistle."
"I don't want to chase him around if it doesn't."
"I can do that bit if it comes to it." He offered.
She sighed softly, "Alright, fine."
"Stay out of trouble." He told the dog as he leaned down and freed him from the leash. Toby bolted towards the other dogs. "He'll be fine." The Doctor and Arthur watched in amusement.
River looked less amused and more distant. The boy stayed amused while the Doctor looked over at her.
"You okay?"
She stared off for a minute, before registering that he had said something, "Hmm?"
He offered a smile. "What are you thinking about?"
She shook her head, "Nothing."
"You were spacing out there, a bit." He informed.
"Oh, I didn't realize." She murmured, blood trickling out of her nose.
"River..." His expression had changed quickly. "You're bleeding."
"...Oh." She felt the blood running across her lips, going into her purse and fetching a tissue.
"Does your head hurt?" He fretted. "Do you feel okay?"
"I do I have a headache." She murmured.
"How bad, for how long?"
She shrugged, "Getting progressively worse since I woke up."
"Why didn't you say anything earlier? We should go back..."
"I'm fine." She tried to protest.
"Your headache is bad enough to cause a nosebleed. It's cause for serious concern." He countered.
"Alright, we'll go back, but you have to get Toby."
He nodded and whistled loudly for the dog. Toby looked back at them, very reluctant to come. The Doctor stood and whistled again, patting his legs. "Here, Toby!"
The dog walked about halfway towards them. The Doctor started towards him. "You silly old dog, it's time to go!" He whistled again and made it look like there was a treat in his hand. Toby bounded towards him, wagging his tail.
"There we go." He triumphantly got the dog's leash back on and headed back to River. River was sitting with her head in her hand, her other hand holding a new tissue to her still bleeding nose.
"Think you can make the trip back?" He asked, putting Arthur back in his pram and giving Toby a real treat.
"I hope so." She stood. He wasn't sure if he should put his arm around her or not, pushing the stroller quickly along.
