A/N: I don't own Doctor Who – shock horror.

23/12

We got more sleep last night that is normal for us at the moment. My nightmare didn't wake me up until about 5:30 in the morning; it was like having a lie in. It was probably because I was so shattered from all the shopping and wrapping the night before.

We woke up slowly as I knew mum would never appreciate us properly if we turned up at the crack of dawn. Especially as it would be before she had time to do any cooking, cleaning or decorating.

After eating breakfast and packing, involving a double check that all the presents were there, the Doctor told me that he wanted to give me the first part of my present. I did protest that it wasn't Christmas yet but only very weakly and he easily overruled all my arguments. I really wanted to know what it was and he knew it. He told me to go and wrap up warm and I did in double quick time, still buttoning up my coat and jamming on my hat as I walked back into the control room. He'd only put on his normal overcoat but I've got used to the fact that the cold doesn't effect him that much.

Just before he opened the doors to show me where we were, he straightened my hat, took my hand and smiled down at me. A smile that grew broader when he noticed the slightly apprehensive questioning look that I was throwing in his direction. With one hand he flung open the door and what was revealed made my breath catch in my chest.

It was completely, enchantingly, startlingly beautiful. The place seemed to be made of glitter or diamonds or something. It looked as if a sculptor had discovered a giant crystal and let their artistic genius run wild with swooping lines ending in pinnacles or deep valleys.

When I could speak I said that this was what I had always imagined stars were like before I found out that they were just burning rocks. That's all I'd grasped in Physics anyway, never my best subject. That made the Doctor smile more than ever. He said, "Well, yeah, most stars are just burning rocks – except for one." That made me very over excited as I immediately guessed that this was the one star that was how children imagined all stars were before their daydreams were ruined by scientific knowledge. The Doctor explained that this star was a mass of ice that reflected the light of a nearby sun and therefore lasted only 1000 years. Within the frozen water were hundreds of diamonds that made it shine even brighter.

We walked for hours over that star, savouring the brilliance of it and the splendid isolation. When we returned to the TARDIS I was beginning to feel the cold through my multiple layers, my toes had turned numb long before. However, I couldn't resist the temptation to stop outside the doors to take one last, long look at that wondrous star. As I shivered the Doctor stepped behind me and wrapped me in his arms and coat to keep me warm.

When I finally managed to tear my gaze from the beauty of the prospect I turned to him, still within the warmth of his embrace. I didn't know how to express my gratitude for my present, how happy it made me to visit somewhere so quiet and empty and feel so completely safe and divorced from reality, including my dreams. I did try to put these thoughts into words but only got as far as "thank you" before I felt and overwhelming desire to cry and was pulled into a massive bear hug. Unable to speak I contented myself with burying my face into his neck and returning the hug.

After several long minutes we finally drew apart and, with a last glance at the landscape, entered the TARDIS.

The Doctor programmed the settings for my house while I made us a cup of tea, took off some of my layers and checked that we had all the presents just once more. I'd also bought a bottle of champagne and a box of chocolates for the Treize Desserts on Christmas Eve night.

When we arrived we hurried through the rain to the front door and knocked, well, pounded on the glass until we were let in. Trust England for rain at Christmas rather than snow. When we finally managed to stumble into the warmth we were met by a sea of people, everyone appeared to have arrived before we did. My mother was at the centre of the chaos, creating more, and absolutely in her element – her entire family surrounding her. The pair of us were seized again and again into long hugs – there was a lot of manly handshakes for the Doctor. Poor man, he still didn't know what he'd let himself in for, visiting my family. Besides my siblings, their respective partners, my parents and grand parents there were a further eleven people – uncles, aunts and cousins.

Curiously, no one asked who he was; I suppose mum must have explained. I was more thankful for this than ever before. Over the past few weeks our relationship has grown more and more ambiguous through my need for his support and to try and explain it to my family (who constant interrupt to ask questions about irrelevant details) is more than I'm capable of.

We spent a wonderful evening – eating, drinking and generally being merry.

A/N: I would just MELT if David Tennant straightened my hat!

Also – about stars – I really can't remember if they're burning rocks or gas or what so don't attack me about that – I was really rubbish at Physics! But that is how I think they should be!

Please review! xxx