Ch 70

Conception had always been easy for the Doctor and River in the past, but as months passed and still no baby, River began to become a bit frustrated. The Doctor suggested in mid-January that they could use the TARDIS to track River's fertility levels and other such physiological things (which she agreed to but didn't seem to make much of a difference).

Another few months and there was still no sign of a baby.

With their 300th anniversary coming up -from the Doctor's perspective. From River's perspective, it was more like 137 years- Vastra suggested a vow renewal, which quickly turned into a sixth wedding.

Planning the event gave the couple a distraction from their struggle to conceive a baby. The girls were overjoyed to have the chance to participate in a wedding. They were completely thrilled to give their input on dresses and flowers, and especially cakes. Arthur was very amused by the whole ordeal, loving to play with bits of the veil and ribbon samples.

On the day of the wedding, River and the girls spent the morning getting ready with Vastra, Clara and Jenny. The wedding was going to take place on Sicloph, a planet that held quite the resemblance to Gallifrey.

The Doctor had spent yesterday morning showing the kids around the silver forests and recalling tales of his old planet. The girls had saved as many leaves and twigs as they could which Clara was now making a little crown out of. River and Vastra were currently helping the girls into their lavender dresses while Jenny tried to fix Freya's hair. The girl was squirming excitedly which was why it was taking longer that it should.

"Freya, my love, please stand still." River murmured, finally managing to button the dress onto her.

Once the girls were finally settled and dressed, River went to go put her own dress on. Jenny brought the girls to the other room so their energy wouldn't overwhelm the room.

River took a deep breath, looking at the white gown hanging up.

"It's a beautiful choice." Vastra smiled.

"Thank you." She whispered, "I hope it fits."

"Didn't you have it fitted like a week ago?" Clara asked.

"Yes, but still..." She shook her head, starting to put the dress on.

Vastra helped her with the dress, zipping it up for her. River carefully placed the veil on, the dress fitting perfectly as it should. "Alright, we should be going."

"We still have some time." Vastra murmured. "You look lovely."

She smiled softly, taking a moment to look in the mirror, "Thank you."

"How do you feel?"

"Wonderful." She breathed, smoothing her hands down the full skirt of the dress. Her friends beamed for her.

"300 years. I can't believe you two have really been together all that time." Clara said.

"Yes, 300 years certainly is a long time." River whispered, "But...I love him, no matter what he does." She took another few moments to admire her reflection before insisting they go, rather excited to see her husband.

The building they were in wasn't where the main event would be happening, only the reception. The actual ceremony was outdoors at a chapel-esque seating area.

The guests were already all there from all over the universe, chattering away with each other as they waited. The girls and Arthur were waiting at the beginning of the isle monitored by Jenny, while Jack and the Doctor were waiting at the end.

Jenny and Clara went to take their seats while Vastra took over watching the children.

The music started up and the girls started off down the aisle, throwing flower petals down on the floor and grinning wildly. Next came Arthur and Vastra, with Vastra holding Arthur's hand, and finally River.

Not all of their audience was familiar with this Earth tradition but were pleased to be witness to it. The Doctor watched the members of his family approach and move to the side, hearts skipping when he saw his wife.

She smiled at him, taking his hands once she was close enough, "Hi."

He smiled wider. "Hello."

She took the bow tie from his neck and wrapped it around both of their hand. Their facilitator was one of the sisters of Plenitude whom lead the couple in their vows.

The Doctor kept his eyes on River, staring at her eyes with deep admiration. She was completely entranced in his face, not even really noticing anything else going on around them.

River practically pounced on him once it was time for the kiss. Their guests clapped and the Doctor surrendered to her lips eagerly, arms wrapping around her. She laughed once the kiss had ended, beaming, "Happy 300th Mr Song."

"And to you, Mrs Doctor." He beamed. She took his hand as they walked down the aisle.

With lots of excited chatter, the guests were all lead back to the reception hall where drinks and food were laid out.

As the party went on, River found a moment to slip out alone with her husband for a walk in the gardens. Their hands weaved together as they strolled.

"Have I gotten the chance to tell you that you look beautiful?" He asked.

She beamed, "Thank you, darling. You don't look too bad yourself."

He grinned, adjusting his bow tie. "All for you, my dear."

She laughed softly, "I love you."

"I love you, too." They paused walking to share a kiss.

She smiled softly at him, "I'm sorry we've been having such trouble having a baby."

"Don't worry yourself over it." He tapped her nose. "I'm sure we'll get there soon."

"Well... actually…. we're already there." She smiled, "I'm pregnant."

He stared at her for a moment, before his smile got somehow even wider. He threw his arms around her and lifted her. "River that's wonderful!"

She laughed, holding onto him tightly, "Are you happy?" He nodded, setting her down but keeping his arms around her. "It was quite the challenge trying to keep it a secret from you." She beamed, kissing him, "But I wanted to tell you tonight, happy anniversary."

"How far along are you, then?" He asked happily.

"Nearly two months." She smiled.

He let out a breath of awe. "When did you find out?"

"About two weeks ago."

"Oh, this is amazing, River! The girls will be so excited."

River nodded, "I'm so happy." She was a bit teary eyed, though she didn't know why. This felt like the right path, and strangely familiar.

He moved to cup her face. "Are you alright?"

She nodded, hugging him tightly, "Yeah."

He kissed her again and took her hand. "Shall we get back?"

She nodded, "Let's keep this our secret for a bit."

"Alright." He squeezed her hand as they made their way back.

River was glowing as they re-entered the party, smiling lovingly at the Doctor. When they bumped into Vastra she offered them both a glass of wine. River declined hers, lying by saying she already had a glass.

The girls ran around their parents' feet, having started a game of tag with their Urscian friends. River was happy to see her children having fun, looking around for Arthur. Clara was entertaining the boy over by one of the flower arrangements, pointing to the brightly colored plants and explaining something.

"Shall we go dance?" River asked, already pulling her husband close.

He nodded and whisked them over the dance floor. He placed a hand on her waist, the other clasped with hers. She smiled up at him, the two immediately falling into a dance.

The music that played was a soft instrumental that lead their feet in rhythmical steps. The others stopped and parted to make room for the couple's "first dance".

"You know, we haven't gone dancing in a while," River commented.

"Really?" They'd had moments in the living room or TARDIS where they'd decided for a little dance, though those didn't exactly count as going out for the activity.

She nodded, "Yes, really. Come to think of it, we haven't had too many date nights since Arthur was born. And I'm not counting all the nights we spent trying for a baby as date nights since the children were sleeping in the other room." She kept her voice low so their guests wouldn't overhear.

"Are you trying to hint at something, my dear?"

"Yes, I am." She smiled, "I think we deserve to go out and celebrate our newest accomplishment. After all, we did put months of hard work into it, and it is something to be celebrated." For humans, it was normal for conception to take a few tries, but for Time Lords it was almost unheard of, so she wasn't wrong about them deserving to celebrate after the past many months of disappointment.

"A honeymoon," he said, "Slash reward slash anniversary gift."

She laughed, "That's a lot of slashes."

"There are a lot of occasions." He pointed out.

"Yes, that's very true."

"So," he murmured as they swayed in time with the music. "A little getaway. Where to, then?"

"Nowhere too dangerous." She murmured, "I don't want to...risk anything."

He nodded. "Relaxing, dancing..." He thought. "We could go to a ball."

"That would be fun." She smiled, "As long as we avoid the balls hosted by the few royals I'd rather not run into again."

He nodded. "That's doable."

"Jack offered to take the kids tonight so we could be alone." She murmured.

"Did he? With Ianto, right? I don't want him alone with them, you know how much sugar he lets them have."

"Yes, Ianto will be there, but I think the girls learned their lesson after how sick they got the last time."

"I hope so." He chuckled.

She smiled and kissed him, "You've made me so happy."

"I'm glad," he hummed.

The rest of the party went on smoothly, their guests enjoying themselves.

As the reception ended, Amelia, Freya, and Arthur said goodbye to their parents. The Doctor gave Jack permission to stop by their house and pick up the kid's toys and other things they might need. They would the vortex manipulator while River and the Doctor got the TARDIS.

Once the party wrapped up, River and the Doctor retreated to the TARDIS. The ship greeted them with warm and congratulating hums.

The couple went first to the living room to sit for a while. The Doctor took the opportunity to give River a few anniversary gifts which consisted of archaeology related books, a new tube of hallucinogenic lipstick, and sapphire earrings.

"I have something for you as well." She smiled handing him a wrapped package.

He curiously undid the neat bow, pulling back the paper. On the top was a sonogram of their baby, along with a leather backed book. "You did an ultrasound?" He started, picking up the image.

"Yes, the TARDIS showed me. I wanted to be able to give this to you."

He smiled. "Oh, they're lovely."

She beamed, "The baby's so small."

"Well, you are only two months along." He pointed out, reaching for the book.

"I know, but sometimes I forget how small they start out."

The book had a pressed cover that read "The History According To The Doctor" and was a handwritten account of multiple centuries of the Doctor's adventures. It kept a record of all the people and planets he had saved from as far back as River could write. It was quite thick. "Did... did you make this?" He stared in amazement.

She nodded, "Do you like it?"

"River, this is brilliant!" He praised, flipping through the pages.

She laughed, "I'm glad you like it."

"You must've worked a long time on this."

She nodded, "It's taken awhile, but I thought you'd like it."

"I love it." He smiled and leaned over to peck her cheek. She smiled and nuzzled his neck.

"We're going to have to convert the office in the flat to a nursery." He said.

She nodded, "We should do it soon so we don't have to worry about it later on."

"Yeah." He agreed. "What color?"

"Perhaps a very pale yellow." She murmured, looking down at her stomach, "Would you like that?"

As expected there wasn't any response from the baby, though the Doctor smiled. "I'm sure they will."

She smiled and nodded, resting her head against his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her. "It's been quite a lovely day."

"It certainly has been." She smiled, kissing his cheek, "Shall we go change?"

"For the ball? Or shall we do that tomorrow." He asked.

"We can do that tomorrow." She murmured, slowly getting up and rounding the sofa to rub his shoulders.

He hummed. "Alright."

She kneaded the knots in his shoulders, pressing a kiss to his temple. He leaned his head back to look up at her. "I love you more than anything, you know that?"

"Anything?" She raised an eyebrow, smiling.

"Well, besides the kids. You're all on the same level."

"Ah, that's what I thought." She kissed him again.

"Let's get changed, yeah?"

She nodded, walking to their bedroom. He carried their gifts to each other back with them and put them on his dresser to put away in the morning.

"Can you undo my dress?" She asked. He nodded, going over to help her.

She let it slide off of her body once it was unzipped. He watched her skin appear from under the fabric, eyes lingering over her. She smoothed her hands over her stomach, looking down at it. He peered over her shoulder. "You'll be showing by Arthur's birthday."

She nodded, biting her lip. He pressed a kiss to her shoulder, then rounded her so they were front to front. "You alright?"

She seemed to be having another dazed moment, something that had been happening occasionally since her birthday. "I think so." She whispered though she closed her eyes.

He brought a hand up to hold her face. "Are you sure?" She didn't answer, opening her eyes to look at him. He offered a soft smile. "We're having a baby."

She smiled weakly, "I know, and I'm so happy. After all these months of nothing I'm so happy that we're finally having a baby."

"Bed, then?" He hummed.

She nodded, "Bed sounds good."

He started undoing his bow tie and unbuttoning his shirt. "Or, you know... the traditional activities one might do on a wedding night."

"That sounds even better." She smiled.

He hid his blush by kissing her and as the number of clothes on the floor rose, so did the passion invested in the night. By the end of the night, the two were tangled in the sheets, breathless and completely smitten.

They slept in come morning, enjoying not being woken up by their children. River, for once, was up before the Doctor. She stole one of his shirts to wear and crept into the kitchen to make them breakfast.

When the Doctor woke, he was quite confused not to find his wife next to him and quickly got up to look for her. The smell of breakfast was lingering in the hall, giving him a hint of where she was.

He followed the scent, entering the kitchen. River had her back to him, busy at the stove. He smiled relieved, and crept up behind her, wrapping his arms around her.

She jumped as she was caught off guard. Once she realized who it was she relaxed. "You've gotten good at sneaking up on me."

"I learned from the best." He chuckled.

She smiled and leaned into his arms, "Breakfast is almost done."

"What are you making?" He rest his head on her shoulder.

"Waffles and whipped cream." She smiled.

"Oh how exciting." He hummed. "Strawberries?"

"I haven't cut them up yet if you want to do that."

He nodded and went to help. Soon they were sitting down for breakfast, the TARDIS providing candles for a romantic mood. They ate and struck up an intriguing conversation, laughing with each other over their meal.

Once they were finished, the got ready to go out to the ball they had been talking about. They changed into extravagant attire, helping each other button shirts and zip dresses.

"So, which ball would you like to go to?" River asked.

"I was going to leave that up to you."

"I'll let you choose this time." She smiled.

"What about... the Unity Ball of 4708?"

"That sounds nice." She nodded.

"Off we go then." He took her hand.

-x-

The day consisted of lots of dancing, eating and more dancing. By the end of the night, River's feet were aching, but she was still having a wonderful time. They went back to the TARDIS laughing with their arms around each other.

River was giggling as they stumbled into the TARDIS, gliding over to the console, "Where to next?"

"Oh, it's your turn to choose now." He insisted.

She was about to answer when her face paled and she darted out of the room. "Riv?" He followed, looking concerned.

She was having her a bout of morning sickness, barely making it into the bathroom. He held her hair back. "That doesn't look fun. Can I get you water or something?"

She shook her head, falling back against the wall once she was done, "Just stay for a minute, please." She whispered.

"Of course." He nodded. "And... perhaps a night in."

She nodded, pressing her forehead against his jaw, "Sorry."

"It's really no problem." He smiled. "It was already a wonderful day."

She smiled weakly, "Yes, and I suppose the morning sickness is worth it in the end."

"Well worth it." He chuckled.

She closed her eyes, relaxing against him, "It may be a bit better if we go lie down in the living room."

"Sounds lovely." He murmured, wrapping his arm around her. She slowly stood up, pulling him to come with her.

They made their way down the hall, him letting her lean on him as needed She was able to walk without his help, curling up on the couch in the living room.

He sat next to her. "Foot rub?"

"You don't have to." She whispered.

"You've been dancing all day, you can't tell me your feet aren't in need of a rub."

"Alright, a foot rub would be very nice right now." He pulled her feet into his lap and began to massage them. She hummed, smiling. "That feels lovely."

"I'm glad."

She slowly began to grow tired as he rubbed her feet. He hummed to her, aiding her path to sleep. Within a few minutes, she was out cold, nestled into the couch. The Doctor decided not to move her since he looked so comfortable. He instead went and got her a blanket and cuddled up with her on the couch.

The next hour was very peaceful. They weren't terribly disturbed until River began to have a nightmare. The Doctor woke her as soon as he realized she was having one, but he knew she'd already seen enough to shake her. "River. River!" He shook her shoulders.

Her eyes flew open, panicked.

"You were dreaming. It's okay you were dreaming." She stared at him, trembling, unable to find words. "It was just a dream." He pulled her into his arms. "You're alright."

She held onto him tightly, obviously shaken. He kept murmuring to her, hoping to offer comfort. She sniffled burying her face in his chest.

It was another many minutes before he asked, "Are you alright?" She nodded slowly, though she still didn't want to let go. "I'm here to talk if you need." He murmured.

"I know, but..." She sighed, "I don't want to worry you."

"You know I'll worry anyway." He pointed out.

"I know, but I don't want to put ideas in your head." She whispered.

"Well... it's up to you if you need to share, but I'm here for you."

She was quiet for a few minutes, "I lost her." She whispered, "In my dream, I lost the baby. It was a girl and I could have stopped it but… I didn't."

He held her tighter. "I'm sorry. That sounds terrible."

"It felt so real and I...I didn't know what to do." She whispered.

"Our baby is okay, River. I promise you."

"I know." She murmured.

He kissed her temple. "Maybe we should go to the bedroom." They were still in their fancy clothes.

She nodded, "Okay."

They stood and went down the halls. They walked slowly, changing once they got to their room.

Settling in bed, he pulled her close again. "I love you."

"I love you too." She whispered, nuzzling against him.

In the morning they did a small outing for breakfast, but then decided is was time to return home to the kids. It had only been a day for them and they were waiting with Jack at the hub.