Ch 52

River woke up slower than the rest of her family, her eyes opening slowly. Toby was hovering next to her, licking her hand. She coughed, looking down at the dog.

"Mummy?" Amelia scooted over to River. "Can we go to the flower place now?"

River blinked, trying to register her daughter's words, "...Yes, um, yes we can."

Amelia pulled Freya off to their room to go get ready. The Doctor came over to her holding a now awake Arthur. "Riv? You okay?"

"Yes, I'm alright." She stood, but stumbled.

"You seem out of it..." He reached his arm out to steady her.

"Sorry, I'm just..." She trailed off.

"Just what?" He encouraged.

"Just a bit dizzy..." She sighed.

"That's not a usual side effect of the candle." He frowned. "Any other symptoms?"

She sat back down, looking pretty disoriented, "Yes..."

"What is it?" He asked worriedly.

"I think I'm going to be sick." She breathed, running for the bathroom. The Doctor went after her with a still sleepy Arthur, just in time to pull her hair back out of the way.

She heaved into the toilet, vomiting and coughing. He mentally went over a list in his head, trying to figure out what might have caused this as he rubbed her back. River retched once more before sitting up.

"Have you taken anything?" He asked, feeling her forehead.

She shook her head, "No, I haven't."

He filled the glass they kept by the sink with water and offered it to her. "Maybe we should but the flower garden off for a bit."

"No, no I don't want to hold back Arthur's birthday."

"You're sick, Riv, your forehead is warm and you threw up. Have you been feeling like this all day?"

Arthur was finally awake enough to question what was going on.

"No, it just started, and I'm sure it's only temporary. I'll be fine in a few minutes." She tried to argue, though she felt another wave of nausea pass over her.

"You're really in no shape to be going out and I don't want to do this without you." He protested.

"Mumma." Arthur reached for her.

She held out her arms to take the baby, "How about we wait another half hour, I'm sure I'll be better by then." She suggested.

He handed Arthur over. "Fine, but if you're not then we're postponing."

She nuzzled the baby's cheek, "Alright."

"Go lie down." He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "I'll tell the girls."

She nodded, standing up and turning to go, "I love you."

He smiled softly. "I love you, too." She left the room, going to lay down with the baby.

The hour passed by uneventfully. Arthur, having already had his nap, crawled around the bed inspecting the pillows and blankets. He got into a poking war with Terra at one point, though was distracted when Toby jumped on the bed.

River watched, half asleep as the baby moved about the bed. A dull ache pressed on her head, and she shushed the dog when he barked too loud.

Terra kicked softly, requesting that someone's hand be present. River rested her hand on her side, sighing. Terra pushed herself up against her mother's hand and the Doctor came in with some tea. River hardly realized he entered the room, curling deeper into the blankets, shivering.

The Doctor sat on the edge of the bed next to River, putting the cups of tea on the nightstand. She looked up at him, reaching out and touching his leg softly.

"Hey there." He smiled and kissed her forehead. "Feeling any better?"

"Much better." She murmured, though it was a lie.

"Your forehead is still warm." He murmured.

"You're hands are warm." She shivered.

"You're shaking." He whispered.

"It's cold in here." She whispered back.

He tucked the blankets around her.

"Aren't we going out now?" She murmured.

"You're sick and you'll make it worse if you don't let your body rest and heal."

"But Arthur's birthday..."

"Has been wonderful and is still going to be celebrated more." He assured. "Just maybe not today."

She closed her eyes and sighed, "The girls going to be disappointed."

"They're sucked into watching the telly right now, so I don't they will be."

She smiled softly, "Will you stay here with us?"

He nodded, placing his hand next to hers over her stomach. Terra kicked against his hand, happy that he was there.

"I brought you tea if you want." He murmured, glancing at the nightstand.

"I'm alright." She whispered, tugging him closer to her.

"Why did you want to use the candle today?"

"Being with all of our friends, celebrating Arthur's birthday… I just missed them." She didn't meet his eyes, "I wanted them to celebrate with us and be there."

"Gan-mummah!" Arthur said from his spot on the other side of River. River looked back at him, her hearts skipping.

The boy pointed over to River's desk on the other side of the room where a picture of the Ponds stood. "Gammuh."

"Yes, that's your Gran, very good." She breathed, trying to get up so she could retrieve the picture.

"I'll get it." The Doctor murmured, standing up quicker and getting the photo.

"Thank you." She murmured.

He settled on the bed, this time, curling up with his wife and son. Arthur grabbed at the frame of the picture. "Gammuh!"

River let him hold it, "Be very gentle, my love."

He babbled something less coherent and looked over the image curiously. He pointed at Amy's hair. "Reh."

"Yes, it's very pretty, isn't it." River smiled.

He pointed to River's hair. "Buhn foo pay!"

"He says your hair is more fun for playing with." The Doctor chuckled. "I agree."

River laughed weakly, "Yes, it probably is."

Arthur tugged on one of River's curls and burst into a fit of giggles when is sprung back. River smiled softly, kissing his head.

"How does it feel to be a whole year old, little man?" The Doctor teased.

"Bee bada!" Arthur tried to say, bouncing excitedly.

The Doctor laughed. "Yes you are, and a good one at that."

Arthur crawled close to River and kissed her belly, babbling. Terra pushed against him in acknowledgment.

"I think they're going to be very close." River murmured.

Her husband smiled at the thought. "He is quite excited."

She nodded, "He has been since we told him."

The boy had started finger drawing on River's side, tracing his sister's movements. "Siser."

"Sister." River murmured back to him.

"Sidder." He tried to repeat.

"Sister." She said again, slower.

"Mia?" He asked, getting distracted.

"She's downstairs watching telly." She murmured.

"Mia!" He insisted, wanting his sisters.

"Okay, we can go down to see them." She smiled. He cheered up greatly.

"How about they come up so you don't have to get up." The Doctor fretted.

River shook her head, "No, Doctor, I'll be fine."

He nodded slowly. "Alright. Sorry, I just... worry."

"I know you do." She murmured, starting to get out of bed.

He scooped Arthur up, but the boy immediately whined to be held by River instead.

She shook her head, "No, sweetheart, Daddy's going to carry you."

"No." He squirmed. "Mummuh."

"Mummy can't carry you now." She walked towards the door, pausing to swallow back more nausea.

"Riv?" He went over to her, concern growing.

"I'm okay." She gave him a small smile and headed for the stairs.

He followed. "The stomach flu isn't going to be fun..."

"Who said I had the stomach flu?" She murmured, trying to shake him off of her.

"You vomited, you have a low fever, and you're clammy and pale. That all points to stomach flu." He said. "Unless you think you caught something else?"

"Doctor, I haven't caught anything."

"Those symptoms don't come up for no reason." He murmured, trying to go over it in his head. She'd been having a fairly healthy pregnancy as of late so this shouldn't be from that. Maybe it was the stress of the approaching due date. Stress and River never mixed well.

She sighed softly, going to sit on the couch. Arthur whined for River again, getting the girls' attention.

The twins turned from the telly to look at River. "Are we going to the flowers now?"

"Actually, we're not going to go today." She whispered, "We're going to go another time."

"Aw, how come?" Frey a pouted, climbing up on the couch with her.

"I'm not feeling very well today." River brushed back Freya's curls, "I promise we'll go as soon as I get better."

"Oh." She nodded, hugging River. "Tomorrow?"

"I can't promise anything, but soon."

"Before or after my sister gets here?"

"I'm not sure, my sweet. Hopefully before."

"Does that mean she's coming soon?" Amelia asked. She had turned off the show and was also trying to get on the couch.

"Well, the thing with babies is we never can be sure exactly when they're going to come."

"So she could come soon?" She asked hopefully.

River nodded, seeming to grow paler, "Yes, she could."

"Why are you sick?" Freya questioned. "Do you have a cold?"

"Yes, I do." She lied, "I just need to rest."

"So why aren't you in bed?"

"I wanted to come see you." She stroked back her daughter's hair.

"And so did your brother." The Doctor added, settling next to them with the whining tot.

The girls jumped to play with their younger brother, pulling him into a game. His complaints turned into giggles as he got to be with his sisters. River put her feet up, massaging her temples as the children played.

"You okay, Riv?" The Doctor watched her.

"Yes." She breathed.

"Headache?" He guessed.

"Yes." She repeated, "And- ngh" She pressed a hand to her belly.

He looked alarmed, though the kids didn't seem to notice. "That can't be good..."

"It's okay." She quickly murmured, "It happens sometimes."

"Yeah Braxton-hicks, like you said this morning..." He sounded unsure.

"I'm not having a baby today." She breathed.

It wasn't a confirmation of his suspicions but it wasn't a denial either. "If something's happening you need to let me know."

"I will, but I'm telling you that she's not coming today." She breathed, rubbing circles on her belly, "Besides, she's not even in the right position to be born."

"Neither was Amelia." He remembered.

"Amelia was sharing space with her sister. It was a bit hard for her to move." River pointed out.

The Doctor nodded his understanding, deciding that it was probably best not to get into a conversation about breech births. River shifted, trying to get comfortable.

"Mummy," Freya said, noting her discomfort. "Here's a pillow."

"Oh, thank you, sweetheart. That's very sweet of you." River smiled, taking the pillow.

"What are we having for dinner?" She asked.

"Sure, my love." She closed her eyes, feeling tired.

"Mummy..." Freya frowned, tugging on River's arm. "That not what I asked."

"Hmm?" She opened her eyes.

"What are you making for dinner?" She asked again.

"We were going to have spaghetti." River breathed, "I should start it."

"I can do it." The Doctor stood.

"No, no, it's fine." She stood as well.

"Are you sure?" He hesitated.

She nodded, "Positive."

"Do you want help?"

"If you want to help."

"I will. Girls, watch you brother for a bit?" He asked.

The twins nodded, Amelia going back to play. The adults went to the kitchen to start dinner.

Dinner was made quickly, and it didn't take long for the family to eat it. They ate the cake from the party for dessert, Arthur making a mess of it. Regardless of having not gone on an outing, the kids really seemed to have enjoyed themselves. They usually did when there was cake.

The looks of happiness on her children's faces made River perfectly content. "Happy birthday, my love." She murmured, kissing Arthur's head and cleaning up his face.

"Birday!" He squealed remembering the party.

She laughed softly, "Yes, sweetheart." She nuzzled his cheek, as affectionate as ever with her son.

"Un!" He declared, holding up a finger.

"Yes, you're one now!" She kissing his cheeks all over in hopes of making him laugh. He did just so, giggling loudly. River laughed as well, looking at the Doctor.

He was beaming at them. "I'm so lucky to have you."

"Yes, we are quite lucky indeed." She smiled, thinking that he was referring to Arthur.

"Was talking about you, love." He went over to her and kissed her head. "Though, I am lucky to have all of you."

She leaned in to give him a real, firm kiss. "And I'm incredibly lucky to have you all, too." He hummed against her, the girls making grossed out noises.

River smiled and kissed the top of Arthur's head, "I'm going to go give the birthday boy a bath."

"I wanna come!" Both the girls said at once.

"If you'd like." She nodded to them.

"Looks like a bath party." The Doctor smiled. "Do you all want bubbles?"

"Yes! Of course, we want bubbles!" Amelia confirmed as if he had asked an absolutely absurd question. "

Come on you lot." He ushered them to go upstairs. "River do you want to go and get them started while I clean up?"

"Sure." She nodded, heading upstairs with the girls. They grabbed a few bath toys to come with in the tub with them, delighted to get to splash around.

The Doctor joined them once the dishes were all away and the food was cleaned up.

River was sitting beside the tub, smiling as the children wiggled around in the water, the girls splashing one another.

"My, my, it looks like a party in here." He smiled from the doorway.

"Daddy! Come play with us!" Freya called.

He went over and sat next to River. "What are you playing?"

"Sea monsters!"

He chuckled and took one of the rubber ducks as his character.

"Daddy, are sea monsters real?" Amelia asked, interrupting their game.

"Well there are lots of things that live in the oceans, but I wouldn't call any of them monsters." He informed.

"Oh..." She looked down at her toy.

"Something the matter, lovie?"

"No." She shook her head, "But...is it mean to call them monsters? I didn't mean to be mean, I just thought that was their name."

He smiled softly. "It's alright Amelia. Now you know better."

She looked a bit deflated, not contributing much to the game anymore. He glanced at River for help.

"Amelia, sweetheart, do you want to dry off and sit out here with me?" River asked softly.

She hesitated. The bath was warm and welcoming but so was her mother's embrace. She nodded eventually and climbed out. River wrapped her daughter in a warm towel, pulling her into her arms and gently rubbing her hair to dry it. She leaned into River, body relaxing even if her mind wasn't. River hummed softly, rocking back and forth. Freya and Arthur continued to play in the bath, not paying too much mind to their sister.

"Are you alright, my sweet?" River asked softly.

Amelia looked up at her and took a good few moments to shake her head.

"What's wrong?" She rubbed the girl's arm comfortingly.

"Are all the monsters you and Daddy fight really monsters? Was the mean lady a monster?"

River sighed, "Well… um, your father and I, we only fight people who are trying to harm others. If a person is doing something really really bad, that they know is harmful, then...well it's different. And they are rather monstrous."

Amelia didn't quite understand. "But what were they doing? Did you ask them?"

"...We know they weren't doing good things."

"Why did they keep trying to keep us all apart?"

River glanced at the Doctor, not knowing how to answer.

"It doesn't matter now, lovie. That was in the past and we're all safe now. It won't happen again." Amelia looked like she wanted to protest, but didn't. "Mummy and I are going to protect you no matter what." He murmured reassuringly.

"I know."

He leaned over and gave her a kiss on the head. "Bed soon?"

She nodded, "But you hafta read us a story."

"Of course." He nodded, going to help his other kids out of the bath. River wrapped a towel around each of them, snuggling Arthur in her arms.

All the children were quite sleepy at this point, especially Amelia who had tired herself out over her worries.

"I can put the girls to bed if you'd like." River murmured, still a bit worried about Amelia.

The Doctor nodded. "I'll put Arthur down, then. Don't forget their story."

"I won't." She lead the girls to their room, getting out warm pajamas and brushing out their wet hair.

Freya picked out a picture book to read, Amelia snuggling close to her mother. River kept her voice soft as she read, one arm wrapped around Amelia. Freya crawled into bed once the story was done, Amelia more sluggish.

"Goodnight, my loves." River murmured, giving them each a kiss on the forehead.

Freya gave her a hug and so did Amelia, but she hung onto River's hand, not wanting her to leave.

"Do you want to come sleep in my bed?" River asked softly.

"Freya doesn't like to sleep alone..." The girl hesitated.

"She can come too if she'd like, but you both may have to sleep on the floor then."

"Can't we both sleep in your bed?"

"Well, I don't know if we'll all it. I need lots of room because of the baby, but we can try to all fit together."

Amelia nodded and look over and her sister. "Freya? Let's go sleep in Mummy's room tonight."

Freya nodded, collecting her blanket and her favorite stuffie and going to resettle in her parents' room.

The Doctor was on the bed, waiting for River to come to bed. He looked up at the girls and River who followed. "...Slumber party?"

"Yes, it would seem so." She tucked the girls into their bed, "Girls, Daddy and I will be right back, we just need to get ready for bed. Try to go to sleep."

They nodded, and the Doctor followed River out.