"Ready love?" the Doctor asked, placing a hand on River's lower back. She turned her head towards him and bit her lip before throwing her arms around his neck and pulling him into a hug. "I love you" she said softly against his neck. He held her tighter as he placed a kiss into her curls. "Oh I love you too River…so much" he whispered back. He took advantage of their closeness and slipped his arm under the backs of her knees and tightened his hold around her back. He slowly pulled her against him before rising to his feet. She winced and moaned as he lifted her but bit down on her lip to avoid crying. "I'm sorry my love" he whispered kissing her forehead. He made his way to the stairs, stopping to carefully pickup one of the bags he had brought in without putting River down then made his way up the stairs. He walked into the bathroom, noticing the bright yellow walls and decorative white orchid designs on all the towels. He set River carefully down on the toilet before placing the bag down. "I grabbed your favorite sweatpants and one of my silk button downs for tonight, thought it would be easier to feed the baby that way, I also grabbed your favorite shampoo, conditioner and body soap." River smiled painfully up at her husband. She reached her hand up and cupped his cheek. "Thank you sweetie" she gently brushed his cheekbone with her thumb. He kissed her forehead and shook his head, "No…thank you River. Thank you for loving me and for giving me a family." He stood and turned the shower on, repeatedly feeling it to ensure perfect temperature. Steam started to fill the room when he finally turned to help River unclothe. She lifted her arms, the soreness of birth taking its toll on every muscle I her body made this painful, then allowed the Doctor to pull the gown off. The Doctor checked the water temperature then started to disrobe. The best possible way to assist River with a shower was to take one with her. He was nude in seconds then kneeled down. "Ready?" he asked with a reassuring smile. River nodded then wrapped her arms tightly around his neck as he lifted her and stepped in the shower. The water sprayed over their bodies in a calming and warm rhythm. He slowly and carefully let River's legs slip from his arms until her feet touched the bottom of the tub. She groaned immediately. The Doctor quickly kissed her forehead as her arms tightened around his shoulders, her face burying into his neck. The Doctor held her closer, taking on her weight as his own so she could avoid immense pain. He adjusted the shower head so it pointed directly at the two, River's unruly curls soon began to grow heavy with water weight as the Doctor's hair stuck to his forehead. He reached carefully down to grab the shampoo and with that the painful process of showering truly began. Having to use both his hands meant River would have to stand on her own. She cried out in pain as her full weight rested on her own two feet while the Doctor massaged the shampoo and conditioner in and out of her hair. Tear mixed with the spray of hot water as she allowed him to scrub her body with the soap and rinse it thoroughly.
He turned the water and wrapped her in a towel before lifting her out of the tub. He set her gently on the toilet then kissed her trembling lips tenderly. "I'm so sorry my love" he whispered placing his forehead against hers, "I wish I could take the pain away." River choked back a sob and shook her head. "I just want to see my baby Iota…" he kissed her forehead then helped her get dressed. River slowly piled her hair on the top of her head and tied it there before wrapping her arms around her husband's neck. He had finished re-dressing himself and was now lifting her through the open door into the hall. The sound of a baby crying alerted both new parents as to where their daughter was. The Doctor's pace quickened and he reached the small guest room. The walls were a pale green and the furniture was white with tiny green accents. Amy stood in the corner trying her hardest to calm the screaming newborn. The bed was freshly made and waiting for River. He set her down gently and tucked the duvet around her hips before crossing the room to Amy. "I'll take her" he said quickly, the sound of his daughters cries provoked a strong protective gene that had been buried for centuries. He took her awkwardly before finding a comfortable position for both of them in his arms. "Hello my love…no, no Mummy and I are right here! We didn't leave you! We could never leave you! Oh! You're hungry! Well I see…no that's Mummy's job" Amy smiled as she watched her raggedy spaceman have a conversation with his newborn. The Doctor cradled his daughter's head in one hand while resting the rest of her body on his forearm as he carried her over to her anxious mother. "Here's your Mum!" he smiled looking between his two girls. River opened her arms quickly, wanting nothing more than to hold her baby. The Doctor slowly handed the small bundle, now wearing a pink hat with her matching onesy and socks. Her mouth was open wide as another wail escaped it and her cheeks were wet and red from all the crying. "Oh my sweet I'm here…I'm right here" River cooed taking the baby and pulling her to her chest. "I'm here. Oh how I missed you!" River nuzzled the infant's cheeks and neck, kissed her nose and forehead then started to unbutton her shirt. "You're hungry I know…I'm working on it baby" Amy stepped over as River finally undid the last button needed for her to gain access to her breast. "Mum I-," River started meeting Amy's gaze. "I know Melody, I'm going to walk you through it" Amy smiled then sat on the side of the bed. The Doctor watched quietly from beside Amy as River positioned their daughter right next to her breast. "Ok hold her chest to chest, her whole body should be facing you" River shifted her daughter slightly. "Now touch her upper lip to you nipple and when her mouth opens pull her close enough until it's covered completely" River slowly completed the next step then looked up at Amy. It took a moment then River felt it, she felt her daughter latch on and start sucking. "You did it!" Amy exclaimed rubbing her daughter's arm. River smiled happily and watched as her daughter settled against her chest, her little fist balled up against River's breast as her blue eyes looked up at her mother. "Perfect" River whispered slipping her index finger between her daughter's tiny fist. Amy rose from her seated position then patted the Doctor on the arm, signaling for him to fill the space she just left. He slowly and gently moved into the now empty spot, placing his back against the pillow, his arm around River and outstretching his legs across the mattress. He took his other hand and gently caressed the top of his daughters head, trying to smooth her already unruly strawberry blond curls. "Already wild" he whispered in awe his child's gaze met his. "Hello my love, are you happy now? Cause we are. We are so happy to finally see you, to finally hold you and love you and boy do we love you! You are our hearts, all four of them and you…oh you" he playfully tapped her nose, "you are our world, our universe, you are the brightest star and the most beautiful sun…you are our everything." Tears were brimming in his eyes as he spoke softly to his newborn. River who had remained silent during his confession of love leaned her forehead into the side of his face, kissing his jaw lightly. "I love you" she whispered against his skin before turning her head slightly, continuing contact with her husband's face, to look down at their daughter.
"Have you thought of a name?" Amy asked suddenly diverting the couples gaze up to her hovering form. She was by the door now, about to exit. They looked at each other then back to Amy and shook their heads with a sad no. "Well how about something to do with the stars…she is your child!" Then she left leaving the two to ponder over her last statement. River looked down, brushing her index finger over her daughter's cheek and chin. "I don't think I've ever been as happy as I am right now Iota" she announced as she noticed her daughter's eyes starting to slowly close. The Doctor kissed her temple lightly. "Me neither River…she's…you…it's just all so perfect." She could hear the tears in his voice and tilted her head upwards to place a kiss along his jaw bone. "What should we name her eh?" he said smiling wider realizing his daughter was asleep. River looked down and gently plucked their daughter off her breast and wiped the spillage from her mouth. "Such a good girl" the Doctor whispered tracing the girl's nose as River buttoned her shirt back up. River finished her task then placed a gentle kiss to the baby's forehead. "She has my mother's nose" River noted tapping it gently. "Your eyes" the Doctor added tracing a line down the side of her face. "Your mouth and chin too….jeez am I anywhere?" the Doctor continued sounding a pit displeased. "Well that's not true" River smiled shaking her head. "Where am I then?" his lip was pouting out. "Well for one, she has your eyes" the Doctor didn't look at first, acting like a stubborn child. But he couldn't resist so peaked to check. He quickly smiled and bent closer examining his daughter's tiny ear. "Ahh! Well she does!" He whispered excitedly. River smacked him gently as their daughter stirred gently from the noise. He bent back, mumbling his apologies in Gallifreyan. "She also has your appetite and you hands…look at these long fingers! She'll probably out grow me!" River smiled, as his excitement grew with every similarity. "And most of all she has your heart…well hearts" River touched his face likely as she crane her neck back to look at him fully, "she will be just noble and caring as her father…I know it." He kissed her then. Pouring his love with each breath and when they pulled apart he felt weightless. This was his new life, his heart and soul. "What should we call her then?" he asked pulling River closer to him. "Hmm…she's our star, Iota…what about Astra?" The Doctor thought for a moment then smiled. "Astra Iota Song…brilliant!" He kissed River's temple again. "Astra…hello Astra."