Before she left, Chloe had said how sweet it had all looked and Rose told her from Monday, she would be closed that day, not mentioning why she had decided to start all of a sudden. Alec felt much better that night and was waiting in bed, having claimed more wardrobe space while she'd been out and he'd already ditched his t-shirt and when she got into bed, he was very pleasantly surprised she had forgone her underwear but they still didn't cross the line, Rose wanted him to be in good condition for his consultation on Monday.
After a nice day out on Sunday, just down the coast in the next village, Rose was taking no chances Alec wasn't going to get the go ahead for his surgery as she limited their activities and Monday morning, Alec said he was feeling much more confident than he had been previously. As they sat in the hospital waiting room, Rose had to hold onto his arm to stop him pacing.
"Just be positive about it."
"I am more positive than I was previously."
"Tell me something Alec, do you still have those nightmares?"
"Well, since you mentioned it, then no, I slept much better, which is due to you being there."
"Good, glad I was useful for something."
Alec looked at her so she nudged him.
"I'm winding you up, geez Alec, just chill. Shame we never met before."
"Aye, that it is but would you have been ready to move on, with me?"
Rose thought about it, she'd only just got over it now but Alec had made it bearable and she was falling for him in a big way though if she admitted it, it was clear she'd already fallen for him. Alec looked up as a nurse came across from the desk with a folder, then called his name.
"Come in with me?"
Rose got up with him. "Try and stop me."
After the consultant listened to his heart and his chest, she declared he could go ahead for the pacemaker.
"I've already pencilled you in for Wednesday afternoon at three, pending my examination. I'll be honest with you, it seems you were very lucky to escape the last time and while we will do everything possible, there are no guarantees."
"I understand that."
"Yes, well I advise you to get your affairs in order before your surgery and just pray you will have made the arrangements for nothing."
"Well, that's what we wanted, a date," Rose remarked as she drove them home, Alec was actually calling it that even after only a few days.
"I'll call Tess, get her to come down."
"Why?" she asked.
"You have to go to work."
"Stuff work Alec, you're far more important than the coffee shop, don't you get that? I'll open until one, come and collect you then we'll drive down to the hospital,"
"If you insist. When I go make my will tomorrow, I'll make it clear you are taking care of any arrangements, if that's what you want?"
"I already said Alec, I'll take care of everything, well my stepfather will help, I will be upset, naturally. I'll call Jake, he'll come right down in a few hours and pick me up from the hospital, Mickey can bring him down. You make your arrangements Alec, I'll make mine and take care of everything else."
"I know I can trust you Rose so how about you trust me eh? Tell me about the man you lost, who am I going to tell?"
So after they had eaten, Alec listened, just like that night she had told her mother, Pete and Mickey about the dream she'd had of the Doctor calling her to the beach in Norway. When she'd just about finished, they were curled up on the sofa, Alec rubbing her shoulder.
"That's quite a story Rose and if I had not believed travel between worlds was possible, I may have found it difficult. So you got here by accident, went back and only a few months had passed in your world but it was almost three years here?"
"Yeah, this world must spin faster or something, I never could get used to it but I'm three years younger than I led everyone to believe, mum was easier, she got away with it but I was more difficult to get past prying eyes."
"I expect you were. It makes no difference to me, since apparently there were hundred's of years between you and the Doctor."
"Yeah but we weren't together, not like we are but I still loved him."
"I know, I understand that, I am not asking you to completely forget him, I would never make you do that. You're here now, with me."
"Yeah, guess you're stuck with me?"
They kissed and Alec suggested they went to bed early.
"If we only have two nights Rose, I want to make the most of them, can we do that?"
"Yeah, I need to have something to remember you by."
"You will love but I have a feeling things are going to work just fine, don't you?"
"Yeah, I do, I'm gonna be stuck with you."
Rose had to go open the coffee shop the next morning and after Wednesday morning, wondered if she'd be ever be able to bring herself to open it again, if Alec didn't make it. She'd be beyond upset if he didn't, she was trying to make a life here and wanted to do it with Alec, like she'd been drawn to the place at the right time and the delays had just made it better because he wouldn't have been free to come in every morning and brighten her day.
She told Chloe she had an appointment and would be closing early the next day but the teenager sensed it was more than that.
"Ok Chloe but you can't tell anyone, promise?"
Chloe nodded.
"Alec goes for surgery at three tomorrow, for a pacemaker and he doesn't know if he'll survive or not."
"That's awful Rose, I hope he does though he was a bit of a pain at first but he got my brother's killer. He told you who it was?"
"Yeah, I know and it's so sad that Ellie is being punished for it. Her son won't live with her, she's lost her best friend and your mother lost hers, can't she forgive her?"
"We've tried talking to her but she reckons Ellie knew about it."
"I can't see that, do you believe it?"
"No but it doesn't matter what I think about it."
Rose knew it was none of her business and she wouldn't be thanked for interfering but maybe when the trial had come and gone, there might be some forgiveness and hopefully, both she and Alec would be around to see it. She'd already made her mind up if he didn't survive, she'd carry out his wishes they'd talked about before they'd gone to sleep last night, after what Rose had considered was their best time together so far but he'd still not crossed the line and she hadn't pushed him. He knew his limits but maybe tonight, if he were to try, she wouldn't stop him, even though she wasn't taking anything.
She had to stop taking precautions because it was interfering with her monthly and since she never really got to that stage with anyone she dated, she'd never worried about it but she'd not gone to bed with anyone without making sure if she did, he would take the responsibility. She wasn't even going to mention it to Alec, he deserved that much pleasure if it was going to be his last time but how would it make her feel?
Would she feel sad or just remember the few nights of passion they'd had together and maybe she wouldn't get away with it and really have something to remember him by. She wasn't sure how long she'd stay or if she would come back, after she took Alec home to Scotland, where he told her he was born and if she did, it would only be to pack, nothing else and Pete would try and sell the coffee shop as a business or get someone in to run it.
Alec had been to the solicitors and when he'd got back, he called Tess, told her about Rose and that she was taking full responsibility for the arrangements.
"Wow Alec, I never thought you had it in you, getting a girlfriend like Rose Tyler. So are you going to stop Daisy and myself coming to the hospital?"
"No but I want you to be civil to her, she makes all the decisions, understood?"
To his utmost surprise, she actually agreed. He gave her the details and she told him she would meet them there. When Rose got home, he broke the news she may have someone pacing the corridor with her.
"It's ok Alec, she's your ex wife, I'm ok with it. Maybe while she's there, I can get her to promise to reopen the Sandbrook case?"
"I knew there was a reason I moved in with you."
"Is that the only reason?"
"Well now you mention it, there was another. You made me feel wanted Rose and if I go on the operating table, I want you to know how much you mean to me."
"You'll have plenty of time to tell me."
"Well if I don't, I love you Rose."
"Aw, I love you too Alec and if you feel ok, well tonight, no holding back."
"No, Rose, tonight, you will have something to remember."
As Rose tried to make it that Alec had the least movement, despite insisting she was on top, she felt different and knew despite his condition, he had excelled himself and Alec was beaming, not that she could see him.
"That was amazing Alec, I'd never have known there was something wrong with you."
"I could easily forget there was. That was your first real time?"
"Yeah, I've never felt like that before. That was really special."
She thought about telling him she wasn't taking anything but it didn't matter, if he didn't make it and she got pregnant, she would have a part of him and if she didn't, well at least she'd made him feel special too, that someone still cared about him. If he made it, he might be mad at her but she had only good intentions.
The next morning, she left him in bed with instructions to send a message the moment he got up and he had to text her every hour and not come in the coffee shop but just after eleven, he'd got tired of standing at the window, staring at the sea and put his jacket on to go follow his now morning routine.
He wondered how they'd managed to get this far after only meeting a week ago and him asking if she was allowed to put her sign up. He'd never made a move on anyone so fast in his life, not even with Tess but Rose was something else.
Rose was surprised when he walked in and sat at his normal table. She'd put a notice up saying due to unforeseen circumstances she had to close at one and she was going to pull the grill down at half past twelve so she would be away in time. Chloe was going to arrive as normal at four to clean, Rose had given her the back door key the night before.
Getting his things on the tray, she walked over, setting it down.
"Everything ok?"
"Fine, I was going mad back there, I had to get out."
"You told the station you wouldn't be in today?"
"Yes, I saw Jenkinson before I left yesterday, she knows where I am going. I said you would let her know, one way or the other. I can put off Tess and Daisy being there?"
"No, it's fine, let them come. If no-one's in by the time you're ready to leave, I'll lock up and go home with you."
By twelve fifteen, Alec had waited around and pushed the button to lower the grill and they were walking home just after half past. Alec insisted they went to the bedroom for an hour, just to relax but it turned into more as they both let go completely, Rose being able to see his grin and he the look on her face.
"Huh, some rest that was Alec, you may not get the go ahead now."
"Rubbish, it was just what I needed to give me a reason to survive. I had so much I wanted to say to you."
"I know, so did I but you know everything about me now and if you do get through it, I'll have nothing to hide from you."
"Thank you for being honest with me. I want to put you as my next of kin, so you can take care of everything."
"Yeah, you can do that. I just need to call Pete before we go."
Rose made the call, asking him to have Jake and Mickey on stand-by to come down to Dorchester if needed, she couldn't face going back home on her own and she didn't really know anyone who could sympathise with her, well maybe except Chloe but she was much too young to go crying to.
They were in the hospital early, to find the right department and were surprised when he was called into a room to sign the forms early. After being led to a side ward, they were left for a few minutes, arms around each other before he got undressed.
"Promise me Rose, that you'll stay and run your coffee shop."
"I don't know if I can, it won't be the same if you don't come in every day."
"Well if I make it, I will be going back to work so I will only be able to call in for a few minutes at lunch time."
"Yeah, I know that. I love you Alec, I wish we'd had more time together."
"Aye, so do I. I love you too sweetheart."
The orderlies came to take him to the operating room and Rose saw a girl coming through the double doors.
"Dad?" Daisy asked as he past.
"Daisy, where's your mum?"
"Outside, she thought it would be best."
"This is Rose, she will take care of everything, if I don't come out of there."
"Hi Daisy, go get your mum, don't leave her out there on her own," Rose told her.
"We have to take him in now," one of the orderlies told them.
Daisy went off and once outside the door, Rose had one last chance to kiss him, knowing now, he really needed a miracle. He had sacrificed the few months he maybe had left but she knew he'd not wanted her to see him get worse and die on her either at home or while she was at work, he'd said he couldn't do that to her.
So as Rose sat on one side of the narrow corridor and Tess and Daisy sat arm in arm on the other, they just waited for the news he'd made it or not.
Nine months later
Rose was waiting for her boyfriend, she'd warned him if he was late, she wouldn't forgive him and he'd promised he would be there on time when she called him so she had called him, only to have Ellie Miller answer his phone as he was driving.
"Tell him to get his ass here pronto or I won't be responsible for kicking it."
"Calm down sweetheart, he's on his way then I'll take the car back. Have you long to go?"
Rose looked down at her swollen belly, covered only by the hospital gown as she stood in that and her slippers, a nurse sat in the corner waiting for something to happen as Alec had insisted she was not to be left on her own.
"Nope, not long at all, I'm pacing the delivery room because if I go and lie down, the baby will come and I'm not having it until he gets here. He got me into this state."
Ellie laughed, looking at her boss, who had a grin on his face and the siren going that Ellie could hardly hear herself talk above the noise.
"From what I heard, you didn't object at the time, a last minute thing by what he says."
"Yeah, well we did both think it was his last night on this planet, wish I'd known he was gonna survive."
"Too late now love," Alec shouted into the speaker.
"Don't go reminding me. Where are you?"
"Just turning onto the High Street, we're five minutes away. Good thing they kept the local maternity unit open," Ellie told her.
It had been on the list of services to be axed but some intervention from Pete and a petition from the residents had kept it open and they'd closed a unit that already had one in Dorchester and people could easily get there. Beth Latimer had been relieved but in the end had chosen a home birth three months ago but Rose had decided she wanted the comforts and Alec's thoughts on water were well known to her.
It had been touch and go during Alec's surgery but something had kept him going and now, he was going to be a dad again though they'd opted not to be told what Rose was having, buying everything neutral. As they were driving, suddenly Alec pulled up outside the jewellery shop, getting him a look from Ellie. He shushed her and told her to tell Rose they would be with her shortly.
"What do you think you're doing Hardy? You heard her, she'll kick your ass if you don't hurry up and get there soon."
"I know Miller but I have to do the right thing. She never once mentioned getting married, she probably figured I'd learned my lesson over Tess. Five minutes, just wait here and if that idiotic traffic warden wanders along, shown him your badge and tell him it's my car and I'll bust him back to the school crossing patrol, got it?"
Ellie laughed, he would as well. The nurse had been joined by a bossy sister, who was trying to get Rose to go lie down.
"Miss Tyler, we have to get you into bed now your water has broken or you'll have this baby standing up."
"No, I'm waiting for Alec so forget it. Try him again will ya?"
"You just got off the phone with him, maybe he's just getting dropped off?" the nurse offered.
"He'd better be. Ouch!"
Another pain passed over her and the nurse began the timing.
"That baby is not going to wait, come and lie down."
As Rose gingerly straightened herself up, she allowed the nurse to take her arm and walk her to the bed. Just then the double door opened and Ellie popped her head around the corner.
"Ellie, where is he?"
"Just coming, he had something to do."
"Yeah, find another girlfriend if he's not here in thirty seconds."
The door opened wider and Ellie turned around as Alec dumped his car keys into her hand.
"There you go Miller, you're in charge for the next six weeks, don't get used to it and don't put your name on my desk."
Since Ellie was pleased it was finally delivery day and he'd stop going around with his head in the clouds and fussing over his girlfriend, she let him off. He went over to Rose, who was in the middle of another contraction and sat beside her. Just twenty minutes later, she was cradling her new daughter, Alec taking photos then putting his arm around, taking one of all three of them.
"So, Sarah-Jane eh?" he asked, taking his new daughter's tiny hand.
"Yeah, is that ok?"
"Sure. How about Sarah-Jane Hardy?" he asked as he sent the photos to Jackie, who he got on surprisingly well with.
"I was gonna give her your name, if you wanted?"
"It would be better if you had it too you know?"
"Really? We never talked about it."
"We should have done. So, will you marry me, Rose Tyler?"
"I want a ring."
He went in his pocket and pulled out the pink ring box, hoping he'd got the ring size right.
"Is that why you were almost too late?"
"Yes, I made Miller wait outside the shop."
He put it on her finger, just as Sarah-Jane moved and let out a big yawn. It was time for Rose to finally come clean over her.
"That night, before you got your pacemaker, I set out to get pregnant."
"You did?"
"Yeah, you're not mad are you?"
"No, I don't blame you, you thought I was going to die and you wanted a baby so you'd still have part of me."
"You're far too clever Alec. I can't take anything, it upsets my system."
"Oh, well we have a few months to work around that eh?"
"Yeah. I can try again to get on something, it was years ago now."
"We'll see shall we? We have three months to make up for lost time."
Alec's phone beeped, it was Rose's mother with a message 'Alec Hardy, you gave me a granddaughter, now how about a wedding?"
He showed the message to Rose, who just smiled.
"Is your mother psychic?"
The End!