Ch 49

Arthur was still fast asleep, cuddled up with the blanket River had made him, so the Doctor settled on the rocking chair, not wanting to wake the boy.

Toby scampered into the room, dropping his ball at the Doctor's feet. "Hey, there." He murmured to the dog. "I guess you only got a little time at the park, huh." He started moving the ball around with his feet.

Toby tried to pounce on the ball, tail wagging.

He chuckled. "Life would be easier if we were all just dogs, wouldn't it." Toby barked, seemingly smiling at the Doctor. "See? Good idea isn't it. You'd be happy nearly all the time, you wouldn't have to worry much about anything... no barking now. You'll wake Arthur."

Toby picked up the ball trotting out of the room. The Doctor remained in his chair, letting himself ponder life as a dog.

Arthur woke eventually, squirming and whimpering. His father stood and scooped him out of the crib. "Look who's awake."

The boy immediately cheered up when he saw the Doctor, "Papa!"

He grinned and bopped his nose. "Hey there, little man."

Arthur kicked his legs happily, reaching for his bowtie. The Doctor let the boy play with the bow tie, bringing him down to the kitchen. "What do you say we make Mummy a nice lunch? She really does deserve one after the day she's had so far." He could argue that she deserved a lot more, but lunch was a start.

"Mumma." Arthur hummed.

"That's right." He set the tot down on the counter. "Now what do you think she'll want for lunch?"

"Nad!" He pointed to the refrigerator.

"Can't eat the fridge." He opened it up and peered in. "Leftover pizza? No, no, something else. Cold cuts... Hmm, maybe one of those fancy grilled cheeses with bacon and avocado and other things in it."

"Eees!" Arthur agreed.

"Good idea then?" He got out the ingredients and set them by the boy on the counter.

"Goo da!" He chirped.

He let Arthur see what he see what he was doing as he started cooking. Arthur watched in amusement, wiggling around. The Doctor spotted him to make sure he didn't fall.

When he was finished cooking, he balanced the plate in one hand while scooping Arthur onto his hip with the other. "Time to see Mummy, yeah?"

"Mumma!" He cheered.

"That's right. Now hang on..." The Doctor put the plate back down. "Do you want to eat lunch with Mummy? We should probably bring some food for you, too.

"Uhn." Arthur nodded.

He got out a jar of baby food from the cupboard. "Does carrots sound to you?"

He reached for the food in approval. The Doctor shook a finger at him and pocketed the jar. "We're eating with Mummy, remember? You have to wait a minute."

"Mumma!' Arthur repeated, excited to see his mother. The Doctor picked up the plate again and brought the boy to the TARDIS as he went to find River.

"Mumma, Mumma, Mumma." The boy sang, bouncing in the Doctor's arms.

He came to their room and adjusted the things in his arms so he could knock. "Riv?" She was asleep in the bed, not responding to his call. He waited for a response then knocked again. "Arthur and I made you lunch. Can we come in?"

There was still no answer from the sleeping Time Lady.

Arthur pouted, and the Doctor poked his head inside. "Oh. She's asleep, Arthur. I think lunch will have to eat on our own."

"Mumma." He whined.

"We don't want to wake her while she's sleeping." He closed the door. "I'm sure she'll be awake soon, though."

"Noooooo!" He whined, "Mumma!"

"Hush, dearie..." He tried to settle the boy. "It's alright, she's just napping."

"Mummaaa!"

"You can see her soon, but we've got to let her rest." The Doctor murmured bringing him away from the room lest he was to wake her. "It's not very nice to wake people from naps, is it."

Arthur whimpered, trying to reach back towards the door.

"Let's get you fed and play a bit, huh? How does that sound? I'm sure she'll be awake later." The thought of food and playing quickly distracted him.

The Doctor went to the TARDIS kitchen and dropped the plate of food on the counter, setting Arthur in his highchair.

Once settled, Arthur happily munched on his lunch. The Doctor got himself something to eat, making sure the boy didn't make a mess.

Toby made sure to sit right beneath Arthur, hoping to get a snack. Arthur occasionally let a bit of food drop, giggling at the dog's reaction. Toby would run to the spot and pick it up immediately, looking up at the baby then, expecting more.

When the jar was half empty, Arthur tried to dump the whole thing on the floor, but the Doctor caught him. "No, Arthur."

"Puppy." He pointed, wanting to share with the dog.

"Puppy has his own food. He can't have people food."

Arthur pouted, going back to eating, though it only took two bites for him to decide it would be better if he just dumped the food on his own head.

"Oh, Arthur!" The Doctor ran to grab a napkin and at least keep the mashed carrots from getting in his eyes. Arthur stuck his hands in the glop running down his face, giggling.

He shook his head and smiled. "You are silly, but you've earned yourself a bath."

Arthur laughed, holding his arms out for the Doctor to pick him up. He scooped him up, unable to avoid getting any mashed carrots on himself.

The Doctor brought him to the bathroom, filling the little baby tub for him.

"Wada!" Arthur pointed to the bath.

"Bath time, that's right." The Doctor got the tot out of his clothes and put him in the warm water. Arthur kicked his legs, wiggling around in the water.

"Not the cleanest lunch." He murmured, sponging off the food from Arthur. "The TARDIS will keep Mummy's food warm for her."

"Mumma." Arthur cooed at the reminder of River.

"Still napping." He reminded.

"Mumma!"

"Bath first. You've still got carrot all over you."

He kicked his legs in protest.

"Oi!" the Doctor exclaimed as he got splashed. "You're the one who put food on your head and that means you get a whole bath. Not half one one."

"Wan Mumma!"

He sighed. "Tell you what, we'll go see if she's awake as soon as you're clean, alright?"

Arthur settled down, though he didn't stop squirming. The Doctor worked around that, still doing his best to clean him.

Once all the carrots were off of him, Arthur whined for River again.

"Alright, alright." The Doctor wrapped him up in a towel and cradled him. "We'll go see Mummy."

"Mumma! Mumma!" He chirped.

"That's right." He went back to their room and knocked. River wasn't asleep anymore, throwing up in the bathroom. "River?" He called, able to hear her. "You okay?"

She didn't answer, though a small groan came from inside.

He opened the door and walked slowly inside to the bathroom. "River...? You don't sound alright..."

She had her forehead pressed against the seat of the toilet, blood trickling from her nose once again.

"Riv." He sounded much more concerned now, Arthur fussing and reaching for her.

She looked up, getting a tissue to wipe away the blood. "Hello, my sweet." She murmured, touching Arthur with the hand that wasn't holding the tissue to her nose. He latched onto her finger, making a questioning sound at the bloodied tissue.

"It started up again?" The Doctor asked. She nodded, kissing Arthur's forehead. "How bad is it?"

"Getting a bit worse than before."

"And the vomiting? Are you nauseous?" He worried.

She nodded, "A bit."

"You should lie down again..." She sighed, heading for the bedroom, though she didn't want to let go of the baby's hand.

He followed with Arthur. "Do you have a temperature?"

"No, my temperature is normal." She lay back down in the bed.

He placed Arthur next to her. "Other symptoms...? A headache, pain, tremors?"

"I have a headache, and my back still hurts from Terra, that's about it." She sighed.

"None of that would be cause for vomiting... when was the last time you ate?"

She shrugged, "This morning."

"I'll guess that you're not very hungry at the moment." He murmured.

"Not really." She closed her eyes, leaning back against the pillows.

"I made you lunch earlier but you were sleeping. It can be saved, though. Can I get you water or something?"

"I'm fine." She murmured, "I just want these nosebleeds to stop."

He glanced at the night side table and saw that the tissue boxed placed there was almost empty. He fetched another.

Arthur squirmed and whined wanting to play.

"Mummy's sick, you can't play with her right now. You can nap with her, though." The Doctor told the boy.

"Nooo." He whined.

The Doctor sat on the edge of the bed. "I know you've been wanting to spend time with Mummy, but she needs to rest, alright?"

"Noooo pay!"

"What if I get one of your stuffed animals, hmm?"

Arthur looked up at him with teary eyes, nodding slightly. The Doctor left to get the toy. Arthur sniffed and rolled onto his stomach so he could attempt to sit up and look at River.

"Hello, sweetie." River smiled as she opened her eyes, touching his hand.

He blinked up at her. "Pay?"

"Not now."

He pouted and sniffed again, reaching for her hand. "Pay."

She let him take her hand, giving him a small smile He entertained himself with pulling and poking her fingers, giggling if she twitched or moved them on her own.

The Doctor returned with Arthur's teddy bear and his blanket that River had made him. Arthur squeezed River's ring finger, pulling it into his mouth.

The Doctor smiled at them. "Here, Arthur." He held onto River, grip tightening. "Don't want your bear anymore?" He questioned.

"Mumma!"

"She's right there. I'm not going to take you away."

Arthur crawled onto River's legs, resting his head on her belly. "Baab-buh." He said, poking the bump.

"Yes, baby." River murmured.

"Out!" He tried to look at River over the top of her middle.

She laughed weakly, "No, not now."

"Out?" He said softer, his way of asking when.

"Soon. A month or so."

He flopped his head back against her in an exaggerated huff of impatience. "Out. Pay."

She smiled, brushing back his hair with her fingers, "She'll be out very soon. Why don't you give her a nice kiss for now."

He mushed his face into her belly. "Mooph!"

"What a good big brother." She praised.

He reached his arms as far around her as they would go and hummed. "Baab-buh."

"Terra, dearie. Her name is Terra." The Doctor was smiling softly.

"Taya!" He tried to repeat.

"Close." He urged. "Terra."

"Taya," Arthur repeated. The Doctor bopped the boy's nose and didn't bother trying to correct him this time. "Baab-buh." The boy hugged River's belly again.

"How are you holding up?" He asked River.

"My nose has stopped bleeding for now, but not much better other than that."

"Is he bothering you?" He was referring to the tot clinging to her middle.

"Not terribly." She murmured, "I don't mind."

He nodded, getting up and moving to the dresser. There was still spilled carrot and water splashes on his shirt and he needed a new one.

"Terra's been putting a lot of pressure on my hips again." River murmured.

He frowned. "She must really like the spot if she's so persistent." She hummed, looking tired. "I've got to pick up the girls soon." He murmured.

She nodded. Even if she wasn't sick, she wouldn't have wanted to come, remembering the Doctor had said there apparently were issues between her and the other parents.

"Should I bring Arthur or can you watch him?"

"I can watch him." She murmured.

He stayed for another fifteen minutes before he had to to get his shoes in. He kissed both of their foreheads and told them he'd be back soon.

She smiled weakly, "See you soon."

"Bye-bye." Arthur managed.

River played with Arthur as they waited for the girls and the Doctor to get home. Arthur was delighted to get to play, letting his teddy bear join in, too. River happily entertained her son with his bear, trying to coax him into a nap a bit later.

He was drifting off by the time the others got back. The girls ran to River's room, not having put down their bags yet. She hushed them as they ran in so they wouldn't disturb their brother.

"Sorry." They quieted to loud whispers, dumped their bags, and crawled up on the bed. The Doctor followed in behind them.

"Did you have a nice day at school?" River asked softly.

Freya shrugged. "Sasha was was mean."

"Oh? What happened?"

"She called me a teacher's pet because I like to visit Auntie Clara at lunch. But I called her stupid and she went away."

"Oh, I'm sorry, sweetheart."

"Auntie Clara had a talk with her after, too." She added. "And she said if she's ever mean I again I can come to her."

"Well, I'm glad Auntie Clara was there to help."

"Daddy said you're sick." Amelia butted in.

"A little bit, but it's nothing to worry about." She assured, "I've been getting bloody noses because of worry." She wanted to be honest with them so they wouldn't feel scared or left out.

"What are you worried about?" They asked innocently.

"The things all mummies worry about."

"Their babies?" Amelia guessed.

River nodded.

"All your babies are okay." Amelia looked at her sister and then her brother. Her eyes landed eventually on the sibling unborn. "Well, Terra can't hear, but she's still okay. I've been practicing what I can say to her."

She smiled sadly, "I know, my sweet, but that doesn't meet I won't worry."

"Do you know how to say 'I love you' in sign?" She asked.

River shook her head.

Amelia pointed to herself. "I..." She crossed her hands over her chest, palms flat. "Love..." She pointed to River. "You."

She hesitated, then repeated her gestures. Amelia beamed. "I wanna tell her right when she comes out."

River smiled weakly, "As soon as you get to meet her."

"Does she know how to say it?"

"Not yet. We're going to have to teach her."

"Oh." She nodded. Arthur tried to copy the signs Amelia had done. River smiled at the baby, though discomfort reflected in her eyes.

"Mummy, if you're worried all the time, how are your nosebleeds going to stop?" Freya asked.

"I don't know, sweetie."

She curled up to River's side and Amelia did the same.

Arthur looked between them. "Sias!" River's nose started to bleed again. "Muh?" He blinked at her and the Doctor came over with a tissue.

"Would you like me to bring them away?"

"I want you here with me." She whispered to him.

He nodded and settled on the side of the bed. "I'm here."

She held onto his hand, tugging him closer. He leaned over the girls, pliable to her to her guiding hands. She pulled him so his head was touching hers.

"Hey." He breathed, smile in his tone.

"Hi." She murmured, her worry reflected in hers.

"I wish I could snap my fingers and everything would be okay." He whispered.

"Me too." She whispered.

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"That you're feeling like this. You don't deserve a life you're not ready to live, you don't deserve all this worry."

She brushed her nose against him, not speaking.

"Spa on Sunday." He murmured, half as a reminder, half to talk about something else. "I was hoping that you'd be able to have a relaxing day."

She nodded, a small smile gracing her lips. "I think it'll be nice."

"Pa!" Arthur tried repeating the word. River smiled at him.

"Mummy, can we have Matty over this weekend?" Freya asked.

She nodded, "If you want she came come over Friday or Saturday."

"Can she sleep over?" Amelia asked hopefully.

"We'll see."

They nodded. "Will you be better by tomorrow so you can talk to her mum?"

She nodded slowly, "Yes, but I think it would be best if your father talked to her mum."

The Doctor nodded. "We'll chat tomorrow about it."

"Good! I can't wait! We'll have snacks and we can watch a movie and Matty's mummy bought her a new book so we can read that!" Amelia listed.

He smiled softly at them. "Sounds like you have it all planned out." It wouldn't be their first sleepover, but they were still new at it.

"Do you girls want to rest with Mummy while I make your snack?" He asked.

They nodded, "Yes, please."

"Alright." He gave them each a kiss on the forehead, including Arthur and River, before heading to the kitchen.

River talked quietly with Freya and Amelia while the Doctor got snacks, asking them about their class and what they were learning. They gladly told her about their day, Arthur randomly interrupting with babbles

Mr Thomas joined them, catching Arthur's attention. The baby tried to crawl towards the cat, wanting to play. Mr Thomas wasn't too interested in the tot, jumping on River's chest to curl up.

"No, no." River shooed him off, having enough trouble breathing as it was without the added weight of a cat on her chest.

Freya pulled him towards her to cuddle, though he tried to escape.

Arthur crawled next to Amelia, poking her arm.

Amelia looked over at him. "What?"

"Pay!"

She sat up so she could face him better. "Can you do Patty Cake?"

"Pay-yay cake!" He repeated though he didn't know what she was talking about.

She grinned and held her hands up in the starting position. He hit her hands to give her a high five.

"No, Arthur, you have to hold your hands like this." She held his wrists and guided him to how it was supposed to go. He didn't want to cooperate, quickly losing interest and going to cuddle with his mummy.

"Mummy..." Amelia whined. "Arthur won't play Patty Cake."

"I don't think he know's how, my sweet." River murmured, "And he's still very little, he probably won't be able to do it if you try to teach him."

She pouted. "But I wanted to play."

"Maybe Freya will play with you."

She looked over at her sister who was still trying to keep the cat in her arms. "Will you play Patty Cake me?"

Freya was momentarily distracted by the question, Mr Thomas escaping. "Sure." She nodded, though frowned at the cat.

"Thank you, sweetie." River smiled. Freya scooted over to the other side of the bed and played the hand game with her sister. River watched them, smiling.

The Doctor soon came back with a plate of snacks for the group. The girls attacked their snack, munching happily.

"River, do you want any?" He asked, offering Arthur a piece of cheese.

"I'll have a bit." She murmured.

He smiled softly. Arthur chewed curiously on the cheese. She took a bit of food, eating it tentatively.

"Bleh." Arthur eventually decided he didn't like this kind of cheese, handing the chewed on bit to his mother.

"Oh, thank you, sweetheart." She murmured, getting a tissue and putting the chewed cheese inside. He reached for a different thing on the plate hoping it would taste better.

River stroked back his hair, smiling softly. "We're going to have to clean up the house if the girls want to have Matty over."

"Do we hafta clean our room?" The girls asked.

"Yes, you do."

"Aw!" Freya pouted.

"I know you don't want to, but I don't want your friends coming over and seeing how messy we are."

"We're not that messy." Amelia pointed out.

"I know, but the house should be clean when we have guests."

"Like when we have dinner with our Aunties!"

"Yes, exactly!" River nodded.

"We can work on that when you're done with your snacks, alright?" The Doctor added in. They nodded.

"Lay down with me?" River asked him softly. He nodded, settling on the bed with the rest of his family. She moved to lay close to him, sighing contently.

The girls munched away, interrupting their parents' cuddle when they'd finished the plate.

"We'll clean it up in a minute, girls. Why don't you go clean up your room." River murmured, not wanting to move from her spot.

"Will you come in and help us soon?" They asked. Usually, they got some help with the chore.

"Of course." She nodded. They scooted off the bed and went to their room to clean.

River entwined her hand with her husband's, closing her eyes.

He smiled softly, "Doing better?"

"Yes, a bit."

"I can go help the girls if you want so you can rest." He offered.

She shook her head, "I can get up, but I want you to stay with me here for a bit longer."

"Okay." He nodded, rubbing her arm lightly.

"I will."

Arthur was slumbering lightly. River leaned back against the Doctor, starting to drift off herself. He wrapped his arms around her, pressing a chaste kiss to her temple.

She smiled, looking at him. "How was picking up the girls today?"

"Alright..." He shrugged. "People weren't really acknowledging I was there at all, so no one was that bothersome."

She nodded, touching his chin lightly. He placed his hand over hers. She smiled weakly, "So, nobody gave you a hard time?"

He shook his head.

"Good." She whispered.

He moved her hand forwards, kissing her palm. Arthur shifted in his sleep. She closed her eyes, sighing, a small crease forming on her forehead.

"You alright?" He murmured.

"Yeah." She whispered.

He smoothed his thumb over the back of her hand, offering what he hoped was a comforting smile.

She smiled back weakly, "I love you."

"I love you, too." He hummed.