Domestics and Divisions
OK. First of all, I've got to admit I'm really disappointed and upset that the last two chapters have barely had any reviews whatsoever. Thanks to the few who did review. If I wrote something wrong, then tell me 'cause right now I'm worried I've made the ultimate faux pas and people now don't like the fic anymore. Anyway, enough of that. This was meant to be the last chapter of the entire A Level series but it was getting too long so this is part one of two. I'm aiming to get the next one up by Christmas lol. Hope you enjoy and, y'know, review…
Disclaimer: Nothing you might recognise belongs to me.
Part Twenty: Pondering the Future
The Doctor woke up suddenly, sensing something was different but the same both at once. He checked his surroundings before realising what the problem was. Rose had gone from the bed next to him.
He found her in the nursery, which was attached onto their bedroom. She was standing next to Jonny's small bed, her head down and her eyes watching her son sleep peacefully. There were long shadows of her body spreading out across the pale blue carpet, created by the dim nightlight plugged into a socket on one of the yellow duck wallpapered walls.
The Doctor quietly entered Jonny's bedroom and carefully placed one hand on Rose's shoulder. Other than the slight relaxation of her shoulder muscles, she gave no sign that she was aware of his existence.
"You should be in bed," he told her, "You're tired."
"Couldn't sleep," she finally replied, "I had to make sure Jonny was OK."
"He's fine," the Doctor replied, stepping next to her and gazing down at his son, "But you won't be if you stay up all night."
"I don't care about me," Rose almost snapped before cringing, "I'm sorry, Doctor, I'm really sorry." She sighed miserably, which he took as a sign to pull her into a loose embrace. She rested her head on his shoulder and slipped her arms around his waist.
"I love you," the Doctor murmured into her ear, "I want what's best for both you and Jonny and you standing here all night worrying about him isn't good. Come back to bed, Rose."
She sighed again and moved her head slightly so her face was tucked into his neck. "What if something happens to him?" she queried, feeling desperate to get some sleep but needing to protect her child, "What if the Master somehow regenerates now and snatches him away again?"
"He won't. The Master's gone," he reassured her, "Nothing can get in the TARDIS without my say-so; you know that." He kissed her forehead lightly. "Now will you come back to bed?"
Rose nodded and moved out of their embrace before kneeling beside the bed and kissing Jonny, who had slept on, unaware of his parent's conversation.
The Doctor ruffled his son's hair without waking him and then put his arm around Rose's shoulders and led her through the side door and into the bedroom. She clambered into bed, shifting over to one side so the Doctor could lie comfortably, his head against the pillows.
After bidding each other a goodnight once again, Rose closed her eyes and smiled slightly at the feeling of being back in the same bed as the Doctor after so long. There was only one thing missing…
"Doctor, will you hold me?" she requested quietly, knowing she couldn't sleep without it now she was back with him.
There was no reply until sudden strong arms wrapped around her petite frame, pulling her against him, and warm breath ghosted over her ear.
"I'll always hold you, Rose, I promise. I'm never letting you go again."
It wasn't much later when Rose was almost asleep that Jonny's cries reached her ears. She groaned; struggling to open her eyes, let alone get out of bed to tend to him.
"Let me," the Doctor said from beside her.
"Thanks," she replied, tiredly, reaching out under the cover and gripping his hand, squeezing it gratefully. He squeezed back and carefully got out of bed.
"Won't be long, hopefully," he said, his smile in his voice, before going back to his son's bedroom.
Jonny was sitting up in bed, shaking as small pearls of tears dripped down his cheeks.
"What's wrong, little man?" he questioned, gently, sitting down on the bed and letting his son crawl onto his lap and cuddle into him.
"Scary dream," Jonny sniffed, clutching the Doctor's shirt with his small fists.
"Aww, well it's over now," replied the Doctor, stroking the hair so like his.
"Daddy?" Jonny said, tilting his head to look at his father's face, "Where Mummy?"
"Mummy's in bed," he replied.
'Mummy' was in fact watching from behind the door, loving to see father and son bonding. The Doctor seemed such a natural in looking after Jonny.
"Mummy's really tired," the alien in question continued, unaware of her presence, "And because we both love her very much, don't you think we should let her sleep and be really quiet for her?"
Jonny nodded energetically whilst outside the room, Rose put a hand to her mouth, a huge smile stretching across her face.
"Are you going to go back to sleep now?" asked the Doctor.
Jonny yawned through a nod. "Read me?" he asked, sleepily.
"Of course. Which book would you like?"
Jonny pointed to a book on the table next to his bed. It looked well used and the Doctor could imagine his son dragging it around with him and demanding members of the Torchwood gang read it to him.
He stood up with Jonny in his arms and tucked him back into bed before sitting next to him, his back against the pillow, before putting on his glasses and opening the book at page one.
"Once upon a time, there lived a brave knight called Jonny…"
Rose smiled at the sight before returning to her warm bed. Everything seemed to be turning out alright at last.
The Doctor was woken the next morning by a small body jumping on top of him.
"What!?" he yelled, startled, bolting upwards to be met with the two laughing faces of his lover and son. He stuck out his tongue. "That wasn't very nice!"
Rose grinned. "Get used to it."
The Doctor sighed before a wicked grin crossed his face. "Jonny… as your father you have my full permission to jump on your uncle Jack whenever you want…"
"Doctor!" Rose chided, trying not to laugh at the innocent smiles on both the Doctors' and Jonny's faces.
"Mummy, where is Uncle Jack?" Jonny asked, crawling to sit under the covers between his parents.
"He'll be in the Hub," Rose replied before glancing at the Doctor, "I guess he's gonna have to decide whether he's going to stay here or come with us."
The Doctor nodded, having had similar thoughts. "It's up to him," he voiced, "He's certainly welcome."
"I hope he does come with us," Rose said, a troubled expression on her face, "Things wouldn't be the same an' I'd miss him so much."
"Me too," the Doctor nodded.
"Doctor, Rose, can I come in?" Jack's voice suddenly came from outside the bedroom door.
"Uncle Jack!" Jonny yelled joyfully at the same time as his father said, "Yeah, come on in, Jack."
He entered, smiling. "God, I've missed this place," he commented, patting the wall nearest to him, "Aww, look at you guys! Perfect family. Makes me wish I had a camera!"
"We're only perfect as long as you're in it," Rose said honestly.
Jack smiled. "You're perfect without my help, Rosie."
"But seriously, Jack," Rose continued, not being able to help the smile that spread across her face at his words, "We're going to be leaving in a few days and I want you to be with us."
Jack studied her for a moment before looking at the Doctor. "Am I still invited?"
"Course you are," the Doctor confirmed, "I'd love you to come along but it's completely your decision."
The ex-time agent nodded, frowning slightly. "Can I have a bit of time to think about it?" he requested.
"Sure," the Doctor agreed, "Tell you what. I'm planning on taking Rose and Jonny away to Mark Three for a few days. Unless you really want to come to, you could stay here and think over your decision?"
"Alright," Jack nodded, "I'll do that."
"Fantastic," the Doctor grinned, "Right, time to get up!"
Rose took a deep breath and stepped out of the TARDIS onto the lush green grass which lay outside the time ship.
The Doctor, Jonny and herself had just landed on Mark Three with the aim of having a couple of days to bond as a family before going travelling once more and no doubt getting into trouble almost immediately. They had left Jack back on Earth but had promised to go back for him once they were finished.
"How many pampering treatments are you going to have then?" the Doctor smiled, coming to stand next to her and draping his arm around her shoulder.
"Hmm, I don't know," she smiled back, "Twenty? All of them numerous times? Will I get you to join me this time?"
"I am not having a manicure, Rose," the Doctor said sternly, although his smile gave him away, "That might be Jack's cup of tea but it isn't mine."
"Aww!" she pouted playfully. "How about you, Jonny?" she called to her son, who was running around on the grass, "Do you want to come with Mummy and have a nice lady made your hands and nails all pretty?"
Jonny looked disgusted, which made Rose and the Doctor double up with laughter.
"He's definitely your son," Rose acknowledged.
The Doctor nodded in agreement, taking her hand and squeezing it. "Let's go and sign up for the treatments," he suggested.
Rose nodded in agreement and they set off.
A day and a half later, Rose was feeling nicely refreshed and very much pampered. At the moment, she was on her way back from her manicure and was meeting the Doctor and Jonny in a park where they had been playing together. As she walked, she suddenly felt a feeling of recognition wash over her. She'd been here before. This was where all her hopes and dreams had supposedly come crashing down on her after she had admitted to the Doctor that she wanted to start a family with him and he had turned her down almost cruelly. She sighed. She shouldn't dwell on those thoughts anymore. She had a family with him now- whether intentional or not and she was safe in the knowledge that he loved both her and Jonny very much.
"Rose?"
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her lover's voice.
"Coming," she called back, picking up her pace and rounding a tree to find the Doctor looking at her with a rather odd expression on his face. "What's up?"
He quickly smiled. "Hmm? Oh nothing. How was the manicure?"
"Great," she nodded, deciding to dismiss his expression for now. "We'll see how long they last," she joked, admiring her nails.
The Doctor grinned. "Well, right now, they look beautiful," he told her, settling down at the base of the enormous tree and gesturing for her to join him. Jonny was playing on the playground, fairly close to where they were sitting.
"Did he wear you out?" she teased, cuddling into him.
He wrapped an arm around her. "No, I decided to take a rest," he said defensively.
Rose giggled. "You'll get used to it, don't worry."
The Doctor smiled, looking down at her. "Rose? You know I love you, don't you?"
"Well, if I didn't know by now, I don't think I ever will," she sighed, the sunlight on her face making her feel sleepy.
"Yes then?" he checked.
"Yes!" she nodded, "And I love you back."
"Good," he said, in relief.
Rose frowned slightly. He was acting oddly. "Doctor, what's up?"
"Nothing!" he said hurriedly, running a hand through her hair. "Rose?" he asked again after a pause.
"Mmm hmm?"
"You know last time we were here? And you told me you wanted to take our relationship to the next step, and I said no?"
"Yeah?" Rose answered guardedly.
"Well, I was wrong."
Rose sat up and looked at him, slightly confused. "What do you mean?"
"Well," he said, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly, "I said I didn't want children with you for varying reasons… but now we have a son, I couldn't imagine us not having any. And I said I didn't want to marry you because I knew I was going to lose you one day… but then I did lose you and found out that it didn't matter whether you were my girlfriend or wife, it still nearly killed me."
Rose nodded wordlessly, her breathing shallow.
The Doctor noticed and smiled, stroking her cheek tenderly. "Well, the thing is… I love you completely. I feel like my purpose in life is to protect and cherish you and I want to do that so much. I know I won't have you for my forever but… that doesn't matter anymore. I'd rather have loved and lost than never have loved at all." He smiled at her lovingly. "What I'm trying to say, Rose, is will you give me your forever?" He shifted around so he was on one knee in front of her, her hands firmly encased in his. "Rose… Will you marry me?"
Rose fainted.
Review please. Constructive criticism is gladly received.