AN: Sorry this took so long. This chapter was extremely difficult to write because it sets up the next chapters and I've been sick so it took forever to write. After working on this for days, I just decided to put it up, so sorry if it isn't my best. I'll try not to keep you guys waiting this long again. Thank you for all of the support for the last chapter!
Nine and a Half Years Ago:
"John, I don't want to," Rose told the man lying half-asleep next to her.
John looked at her with his drowsy, but content blue eyes. He pulled her closer to him a pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Rose, I don't either, love, but it's not something we can keep putting off."
It had been six months since Rose came into John's life. Sometimes John could hardly believe that the girl lying in his bed wanted him, wanted to be with him. John and Rose had finally convinced her mother that John was not a creepy older man that wanted to take advantage of Rose, but she still did not let John spend the night in her and Rose's flat. But, she did let Rose stay over at John's flat over the weekends, when Rose didn't have school.
So late on a Friday night, John and Rose found themselves dreading the next day. After months of nagging and questioning, John had finally given in on introducing Rose to his parents. And John was scared. Not that his parents wouldn't like Rose, because he couldn't see how anyone could dislike Rose. Sure there had been Sylvia, but she was more opposed to Rose's age than anything else. No, John was scared of the infamous "meeting the parents" stage of their relationship. He knew this was the point that made relationships serious, and he was nervous that Rose would think that theirs was moving too fast. Sure he had met Jackie, but they were only just getting to the point where they could tolerate each other. And Rose was still a teenager; she was only turning seventeen in a couple months, what if she didn't want something serious. He knew that his parents would be asking John and Rose about things they hadn't even discussed yet, like marriage and kids. No, it was way too soon for that, especially for Rose.
"John, it's just what if your parents don't approve? Your Aunt Sylvia was furious when she found out about how old I was, yeah?" Rose worried aloud.
"Love, once my parents realize how fantastic, wonderful and compassionate you are, they won't care about how old you are," John lied, trying to reassure her. "Besides, when they see just how happy you, Rose Tyler, make me, they'll love you."
"I don't know, it took my mum ages to tolerate you," Rose commented and John laughed.
"Rose, I have a feeling Jackie is opposed to anyone you have dated," John replied and Rose blushed, embarrassed, and John knew he was right.
"Look, Rose. I have to warn you. My parents are career-oriented people who just want me to marry someone and carry on the family name. They aren't as caring as I've made you think, and I'm sorry for making you think they were," John started to say. "But Rose, I love you and it doesn't matter what they think about you. Because I don't care. I would choose you over them any day."
"But John!" Rose protested. "I don't want you to choose between me and your parents!"
"Rose, love, I doubt it will ever come to that," John soothed. "Once they get over your age, they'll just be content to know I'm with someone."
Rose calmed down slightly and looked at him. "You really think so?"
"Of course, love, everything will be fine," John said pulling the duvet over them, "Now, sleep. It's late and I know you're tired from school and work."
Rose wanted to talk more about his parents but she was tired, so she gave in and let herself relax into John's arms.
The next day, Rose nervously pulled at her dress. She was wearing a knee length, dark pink dress that was a bit more conservative than she normally wore. But she wanted John's parents to like her and wanted to wear something they thought was appropriate for their dinner tonight.
"Rose," John called as he walked into the bedroom from the en suite and Rose's eyes widened as she turned to look at him. He was in a suit. She couldn't help it when she giggled because John Smith was in a full on suit. Whenever he took her to nicer restaurants he wore a button up and slacks, but that was the fanciest he would dress. But tonight, he was even wearing a tie.
"Don't laugh," John grumbled. "My parents always insist on me wearing a monkey suit when I see them."
"I wasn't laughing because I don't like it, John," Rose reassured. "It's just different, that's all."
John approached her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "But is it a good different or bad different?"
"Just different," Rose teased. "Besides, there is one advantage to the tie," Rose said as she fingered the tie in question.
"Oh? What's that?" John grinned, seeing where she was going.
"I can do this," Rose murmured as she pulled him down by his tie so her lips could meet his.
Twenty minutes later, John and Rose were at the restaurant. Again, Rose tugged at her dress nervously. This was by far the nicest restaurant she'd ever been to. John finished speaking with the valet worker and grabbed her hand.
"Stop that," John said, pressing a kiss to her hand. "You look lovely."
"Let's just get this over with," Rose said, pulling his hand so they could go inside.
"Do you see them?" Rose asked nervously as they stood inside the restaurant.
"No, but they are nearly always late. Rose, please don't be nervous," John pleaded, not liking how distressed she had been lately.
"I can't exactly help it John. And you said yourself, your parents aren't the warmest people," Rose snapped.
John sighed and went up to the host to get seated. He didn't even need to say his name, because the host immediately said, "John Smith? Your party is waiting for you in one of the private rooms."
John rolled his eyes at this. It would be easier for his parents to interrogate him out of the public eye, so of course they would ask for a private area.
But to Rose's delight and John's surprise, it was not his parents that they met once they were seated. It was Wilf and Donna.
Rose giggled and went to give Donna a hug while John shook his granddad's hand. "We thought you too could use some back up," Wilf explained and John smiled at him gratefully.
"Thank you so much for coming," Rose said to Wild and Donna. "I was so nervous being alone with his parents."
"Yeah, they'll do that to you," Donna commented. "They always terrified me as a kid."
"Now, Donna," Wilf interrupted. "Don't make Rose nervous," Wilf scolded as he turned to Rose, "Sweetheart, it will be alright. They may not be nice, but they'll be civil."
The four of them got settled and they were all able to joke around a bit. But John could tell that Rose was still nervous and squeezes her hand under the table. Before long, the door opened again and a couple stepped inside. John's parents.
John sighed. This was going to be a long night.
Rose found out that night that John's parents, although unpleasant, were tolerable. As expected his parents had grilled them about the age gap, but luckily for Rose, and unfortunately for John, the disapproval was focused towards John. When they had brought up plans for marriage and children, Rose found herself panicking, unable to answer them. She was only sixteen and not nearly ready to talk about the future like that. Donna had sensed Rose's discomfort and quickly deflected the conversation away from Rose and John.
From that point on, whenever John's parents brought up a topic that made Rose or John uncomfortable, like her upbringing or plans for the future, Wilf and Donna distracted them. So by the end of the night, his parents did accept Rose, contrary to her expectations, and told her that they would expect to see her at the next family dinner.
That night, Rose lay curled up against John while they were watching television when she said, "John, I'm glad this happened. I mean, your parents were unpleasant, but they didn't seem opposed to us. And I liked that."
"Me too, love" John replied. "I told you they would like you."
At this Rose scoffed. "John, I don't think they liked me. They accepted me, sure, but I don't think they like many people, honestly."
John let out a loud laugh at Rose's statement causing her to smile up at him. "You are absolutely right about that, Rose Tyler."
"It's just, I like that I finally met your parents. Isn't that the point of the relationship where it really becomes official? I mean, you and me, we've been together for months, but your parents' approval meant a lot to me. I don't know why, but it did. If they were anyone else I wouldn't care if they liked me or not, but they are your parents so it mattered," Rose said honestly.
"Rose, I know that meeting your significant other's family is important, but it's not what made us official. I believe you and I made our relationship official a few months ago," John smirked and was pleased to see a faint blush on Rose's cheeks. "But, honestly, Rose. It's only us that's important here. You and me, Rose, we are the ones the matter in our relationship. And nobody can make me love you any less."
Rose smiled at his words and leaned over to kiss him deeply. "I love you," she sighed.
"I love you too, Rose," John whispered against her lips. "I will never stop loving you. No matter what happens."
"Yeah?" Rose murmured her tongue peeking out of between her teeth as her lips curled into a radiant smile.
"Of course, would you ever doubt me?" John teased.
"Hmm, maybe you should show me," Rose teased back.
John captured her lips with his and proceeded to show her just how much he loved her.
Present:
John was incredibly frustrated. It had been four days since Rose had kissed him and then run off. And he hadn't seen her since. He knew she was avoiding him. Whenever he went to check on Jackie, which happened more often than necessary, Jackie had told him that Rose had just stepped out or he had just missed her. But Jackie Tyler was an awful liar and he knew that Rose just didn't want to see him.
So when he went into Jackie's room to check her out of the hospital, he was shocked to find Rose sitting beside Jackie's bed. John didn't speak for a moment and Rose refused to meet his gaze. Jackie grew impatient and said, "What are you doing just standing there? Aren't you going to let me out of this hospital?"
"Of course," John replied quickly, flushing at getting caught staring at Rose.
When John finished checking Jackie's stitches and was ready to call up an intern for a wheelchair, Rose spoke up. "John? Can I speak to you for a second?" she asked softly.
"Yes! Of course," John said, unable to hide his eagerness to talk to her.
Rose grabbed his hand and led him out of the hospital room where she stopped.
"Do you want to talk a walk?" Rose asked, fidgeting a bit.
"Yeah, sure, whatever you prefer," John replied and Rose nodded.
To his disappointment, Rose let go of his hand but continued to walk beside him as they left the hospital.
"Rose?" John questioned after they had walked for a few minutes.
"Let's go to that cafe around the corner," Rose suggested and John nodded in agreement.
When they reached the cafe and sat down, John stared at her, letting her be the first one to speak.
"John, I owe you an apology," Rose began and John opened his mouth to protest. But Rose cut him off before he could say anything. "I'm sorry for just kissing you out of nowhere. And I'm sorry for walking away right after."
"Rose, you have nothing to be sorry about. And I was surprised by the kiss, but I was fine with it," John said. "More than fine with it, actually."
Rose gave him a half-smile but John could tell it was forced. "It's just, at this point, I have no idea what to do with you, John Smith," Rose confessed.
John stilled at her words. Did she not want him in her life anymore? "Rose, listen, I don't expect any more from you, even after the kiss. I'm willing to be friends, if that's what it takes for you to be in my life again," John replied, fearful of her response.
Rose's eyes widened and she grasped his hand with both of hers. "John, I'm not kicking you out of my life."
John sighed in relief and relaxed against his seat.
"But, John, I don't want to be friends with you," Rose continued. "I don't think I can."
"Then what does this mean for us?" John asked, confused.
In any other circumstance, Rose would have laughed at the expression on John's face, but she was too tense to even bring herself to smile at it. "I don't know," Rose said quietly.
"Rose, I'm confused. You offered me friendship but now you say you don't want it. But you still want to see me," John told her. "I'm getting mixed signals here."
Rose's eyes flashed with anger and she snapped at him. "Well, I think you deserve a little bit of that after what you put me through."
John's eyes filled with sadness but he squeezed her hand. "I know, Rose, I don't even deserve anything you have given me. I just want to know where I stand with you."
Rose closed her eyes and let go of his hand. "John, you scare me. Because after all you've done to hurt me, I still want you. I still want to be with you. That's why I'm confused. That's why I've been giving off mixed signals. Because part of me wants everything we used to have and part of me can't trust you enough to have it."
John's heart raced at what she was saying. After all of his mistakes, after everything he did to hurt her, she still cared about him. "Rose, then please give me a chance to earn your trust," John pleaded. But they both knew he was asking for another chance with her.
"I can't-" Rose said. "I just need some time."
John nodded and said, "Then you can have it. All the time you need."
Three weeks later, Rose still had not spoken John. He spent every spare moment wanting to call her. He had promised to give her time but he thought that they could at least talk during that time. And now that Jackie was out of the hospital, he had no excuse to see her anymore. He knew he was being impatient and irrational for wanting Rose to decide on what she wanted when he had promised her time. But he couldn't help the longing that he felt towards her. He had spent nine years regretting everything he said the last time he saw her and now that he might be given a chance to make things right, he was desperate to do so.
When John spoke to Donna, hoping that Rose had told her something about what she was thinking, Donna got angry at him. She told him to let Rose have time she needed and let the poor girl sort out her feelings. Afterward she had properly yelled at him, Donna became sympathetic. Donna told him that Rose definitely still felt something for him but it was up to Rose to decide whether or not she was going to act of the feelings.
So after that third week, when Rose had called and wanted to meet him at the same coffee shop they'd met the first time, John was extremely nervous. Again, he had gotten there early and fortunately for him, Rose had too.
"John," Rose said smiling as he approached her.
"Hello, Rose," John said grinning largely; glad to see her despite being worried about what she would say.
"So, I guess I shouldn't keep you waiting, yeah?" Rose said after they had gotten their coffee.
John nodded nervously at her. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't."
"So, I've been thinking a lot about of these past few weeks," Rose told him. "John, you hurt me a lot, and it was really hard for me after you left."
"Rose, if you let me I'll spend every second making that up to you," John said quickly.
Rose laughed softly. "Let me speak." John looked at her sheepishly. "John, I want to try again with you, I do. I missed you a lot these past years. But I can't just jump into another relationship with you again, not after everything has happened. I'm not some naive teenager anymore. I know that the world is harsh and that just because you love someone it doesn't mean they can't still hurt you."
"Rose, I'm not asking you to forget everything that's happened. We can talk about that, we can get to know each other again, we can do anything you want."
"John, I've also realized that I don't want to spend my life not trusting people anymore. I want to trust you, but it will take time. Because sometimes you just really need a hand to hold. And I want that hand to be yours," Rose said, staring up at him.
"And I want to be the one to hold your hand," John said, grabbing one of her hands with both of his.
"I know, which is why we can try this again," Rose said smiling.
John's whole demeanor light up and he grinned widely at her. "Fantastic."
Rose giggled, unable to help herself as John's attitude was infectious. "Can't get rid of me that easily, John Smith."
"Oh Rose, I'll never want to get rid of you," John said sincerely, becoming serious again.
Rose's expression became serious as well and she told him, "John, it isn't gonna be easy, getting back to where we were."
"I know, love," John replied. "We do this on your terms, at your pace."
"That's all I'm asking," Rose said softly. "Which is why I'm asking you out on a date."
"And my answer is most definitely a yes," John told her and she laughed.
The two fell into a comfortable banter and John couldn't help but smile every time Rose looked at him, which was often. Once it was time to leave, the two shared their goodbyes and turned to go their separate ways, for the time being.
Before John could walk far however, Rose called after him.
"So, John Smith, see you on our second first date?" She laughed.
"Oh yes, Rose Tyler," John said mock seriously. "And tell you what, it's gonna be fantastic."