Author's Note: It has come to my attention that I haven't made something very clear in my writing for this 'verse. In addition to the in-joke of the OC's, David McDonald and Liane Piper, being David Tennant's and Billie Piper's real names, David is also the exact image of the Eleventh Doctor. Since Liane has already been noted to practically be an identical twin for Rose with the exception of a few minor differences, this was my little fantasy of Rose and Eleven having their own happily ever after in Pete's World.
And this is the last time that you will see this note, promise. ;) Just a quick note to let everyone who hasn't seen my profile know that long story short, my stories ended up being deleted from my phone so if you have favorited or followed a story of mine or placed it in a community, it's most likely gone missing.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything in relation to Dr. Who or to Star Wars.
The Doctor and Rose are taking a quiet moment alone when Rose whispers, "Doctor," and tilts her head to indicate Luke and the nurse doll across the way. Luke is bending over to pull a flower out by its roots to offer his sweetheart while she in turn is ogling his bum.
Rose giggles softly so as not to disturb the couple and then squints her eyes in confusion as she wonders exactly what it is that the nurse is staring at. Luke may be sentient but he is still in the form of an action figure after all.
Staring at Luke's bum, are we? resounds the Doctor's amused voice in her mind. Should I be jealous?
Shaking her head with a little laugh, she goes back to watching the couple as the Doctor casts a critical eye of his own while Luke continues in his effort to work the root loose.
"What are you two doing?" questions Jackie from behind them as it looks to her as if they're simply staring off into space.
"We're evaluating Luke's bum," replies the Doctor matter-of-factly as the couple's eyes remain focused on the action figures.
"Oh, well…of course," offers Jackie hesitantly; unsure if this is some weird alien ritual on the Doctor's part. "Well, I'll be off now!" she blurts cheerily as she departs from the couple. Jackie sips at her drink as she weaves her way through the crowd continuing her search for Jake and reflecting on the scene that she just left. That's just sick.
Spotting Jake leaning against a tree while he snaps pictures of the reception on his mobile, Jackie rushes over to him to inquire about the cake. "Jake, finally, I've been looking for you everywhere! Where the hell is the cake? You said that you'd get it here on time!"
He glances over her shoulder and spies two of his mates suddenly appear out of thin air carrying the cake between them, their eyes darting everywhere to find where they're supposed to set it down. "And I was right, wasn't I?" he questions smugly as he gestures behind her. "Liane and David have just arrived with it, I'll go over and tell them where they can set it up."
"Not until I see it first," demands Jackie. "I want everything to be perfect!"
Jackie and Jake make their way over to the newcomers who are doing their best to keep the three tier cake steady between them until they can find a table to rest it on. Liane stares around the clearing in astonishment and marvels, "I still can't believe that we're actually here! That Torchwood technology is truly amazing! It's quite Spock isn't it?"
"Aye, lass, definitely high-tech," murmurs David, very grateful that Liane can't see the guilty expression crossing his face. He breathes a sigh of relief that she has no clue that he's actually the one that transported them there under his own power; civilians would never be allowed to use Torchwood technology, not even for the Director's daughter.
His attention is drawn back to her when she releases a laugh. "It's one thing to hear about it, but experiencing it is completely different! You lot will have me believing in aliens next!"
David's wan smile remains hidden by the cake and he turns his head to meet Jake's sympathetic gaze as he and Jackie approach them. "Oh, Liane, the cake looks absolutely gorgeous, love!" praises Jackie. "You have truly outdone yourself this time!"
"Thank you so much, Mrs. Tyler," she replies as she tries to shift her glasses back up her nose by shifting them with her shoulder. "Could you please tell us where we could set it down and then you can take a better look at it?"
"Of course, love, um…oh, right over there," she motions her hand over to a table several feet behind them with just enough space on it for the cake. "Set it down right there and I'll have a proper look."
Liane and David cautiously tread over to the table and gratefully accept Jackie and Jake's help in moving it into position without disturbing any of the decorations. The confection consists of three tiers of a creamy fruit filling, a special blend of the Doctor's favorite jams which Liane mixed on the spot at one of the many cake tastings that the Doctor had demanded, and surprising both Tyler women at how delicious she was able to make it taste. Each tier was decorated with elegant swirls of edible ball bearings and banana cream after formations that had been sketched out by the Doctor in memory of the first plasma storm that he and Rose had viewed together. And at the apex of the cake was a TARDIS with replicas of the bride and groom standing in front of it. Although, to this moment Liane was confounded as to why they would want a version of their hotel phone box sitting atop their wedding cake. But who was she to question her customers; after all she had received stranger requests.
"It's just perfect, Liane," murmurs Jackie in awe. "How ever were you able to do it on such short notice?"
"Well, fortunately for me, Mr. McDonald here studied as a chef as Jake so kindly brought to my attention as he shook me awake," she swiftly directs a murderous glare at Jake, "so he was able to help me with everything."
David stands alongside Liane beaming at both her proximity and the praise that she so kindly bestowed on him. "It was nothing," he dismisses with a wave of his hand, "I'm more than happy to break into your flat for a midnight tryst anytime!"
"Assist, he means assist, don't you, David?" covers Jake as he elbows him in the ribs, hard. "Of course he does!" assures Jake in a calming gesture when Liane's gaze changes from nervous to the equivalent of a small animal being sought after as prey. Although that may have something to do with the way that David was staring at her.
"You know, you really should allow me to put in a new heating system for you," suggest David in earnest. "The weather forecast mentioned lower temperatures in the next few weeks and especially considering the tiny camisole set that you were wearing, and by the way I was just wondering if you would also happen to have it in blue, and if you would simply permit me the honor, I'd really love the chance to come into your bedroom and warm you up."
Grinning broadly at her, sure that his generous offer is about to make the headway with Liane that he's been waiting for, David tends to miss out on Jackie's eye roll of disbelief and Jake's look of sheer disgust.
However, Jake is David's best mate and does what he can to smooth things over. "It's truly a rare thing in these hardhearted times when someone is willing to put out that kind of effort in order to ensure the over-all well-being of your health and comfort."
"Aye lass," notes David with a nod. "I'm all about seeing to your needs and I have just the equipment in mind to take care of you!" Liane's only response is to offer a tight smile as she makes her way to stand behind Jackie while simultaneously clutching her robe more tightly around her while Jake has turned so that only David is able to see him and mouths, 'Shut up!'
Jackie does her best to hold back a loud guffaw so as to spare Liane's feelings but the few soft chuckles that do escape her subside instantly when she spies the inscription on the cake. She immediately spins around and demands, "What happened here? You told me that you were going to pick up the exact specifications from Liane's shop before you went to her flat! Why is this inscription wrong?"
Both Liane and David glance at the cake and then over to Jake who readily enlightens everyone. "I accidentally left one of the pages behind and it turned out to be the one with the inscription but no worries, Jackie, I had an idea of what you wanted to say."
Jackie storms over into his personal space, their noses touching while she stares daggers at him and growls, "It's supposed to say Forever and Run, not Always and Leggit! Fix this, now!"
"Yes, Mrs. Tyler," squeaks Jake like a kindergartner on his first day of school. "Right away, ma'am'."
Once Jackie has taken her leave and Jake feels it's safe to move, he turns to the two bakers and urges, "Come on, you two, hurry up! You heard the lady, fix it!"
"Right away," pledges David with a salute for good measure. "I just need a tool or two to make the adjustments if you can hand them to me." Jake breathes a sigh of relief and shakes his head slightly while he holds his arms out to his sides indicating to David that he's waiting for him to tell him where to go. With the flash of a cheeky grin and a wink to Liane, he laughingly adds, "You'll find what I need right over there by that tree we arrived at along with what's left of your dignity."
A dry, "Ha ha," from Jake accompanies David's hearty laughter and Liane's lilting tones. "David, why don't you let Liane work on the cake alone so that you and I can have a quick chat?" he proposes solemnly.
The men leave Liane to what she does best and after ensuring that she can't overhear them, Jake asks, "So, how did it go? Did she suspect anything?"
"No," admits David with a discouraged sigh, "she doesn't have a clue that I'm an alien, she attributes it all to the Torchwood jumpers."
"Well, that's what you wanted, right?" inquires Jake a bit hesitantly, confused at his friend's reaction. "Wait and tell her the truth until you can win her over?"
"Yes, but…," he presses the palms of his hands against his eyes before dragging them into his hair in frustration, "I hate lying to her! It's going to be hard enough when the time finally comes to tell her who I really am. It would be so much easier if she would simply be more willing to give me a chance and be more open to me."
"Did you ever consider how the not stalking her technique would help?" poses Jake meaningfully. He was still upset about being interrupted during his hot and heavy date last week by Liane's call when David had slid out from underneath her car unexpectedly, all the while claiming that he was ensuring that nobody else could do the same in a surprise attack. The daft git.
David sends him a quelling glare and insists, "I am not stalking her, I am pursuing her."
"Yeah," agrees Jake emphatically with a nod, "you're pursuing her like a stalker."
In the meantime, Liane has finished repairing the cake and calls out, "All done," just as Jackie is heading back with a glass of Jake's spiked Vitex courtesy of Pete's previous experience and vast wisdom when it comes to dealing with an irate Jacks.
"Everything's already been sorted," claims Jake vehemently before Jackie can even utter a word. He pulls her away from the others and tells her, "And don't worry about the music for the first dances, they're all set to go for each couple."
"Good," announces Jackie in a much more relaxed tone and frame of mind. "I don't know if it's the booze in this drink or the fact that Rose is finally married to him, but I believe you."
Out of nowhere, a noise is heard that sets Jackie's nerves on edge. "What is that?" she asks while trying to discern its location. "Does that sound like nibbling to you?"
"I don't hear anything," declares the Doctor as he happily munches on another piece of cake.
The alcohol seems to instantly evaporate from her system as Jackie's eyes bulge in a way that reminds the Doctor of the wolf from those old Tex Avery cartoons. "What do you think that you're doing?" she shrieks at him.
"Duh, I'm having some cake," he replies airily. "By the way, Liane, great job on the cream filling. It's delicious!"
"That cake was for later!" grits Jackie between clenched teeth.
"Then why would you put it out now?" inquires the Doctor with a touch of disdain.
Jake didn't know which would give out first, his nerves or the grasp that all three of them had on Jackie to prevent her from killing the Doctor. He hoped that they could hold on, Rose shouldn't have to be made a widow on her wedding day.
"What's her problem?" inquires the Doctor curiously. "Did she want the piece that said 'Run'? Sorry Jackie, but you might say that piece has went and done a runner straight for my tummy!" He chuckles away at his little joke. "Ah, why isn't anybody laughing?"
"Doctor," suggests a breathless Jake as he strains to keep hold of Jackie. "Why don't you go and tell Rose to get ready for the first dance?"
"Okay," chirps the Doctor, "just let me grab one more piece of cake."
"No!" they all scream in unison.
His wide blinking eyes resemble those of an owl at their bellowed command. "Fine, help yourselves then but make sure that you save me some, oh and Rose, too! I mustn't forget the little lady on our wedding day!" He's only walked a few feet away when he turns around and starts walking backwards as he compliments, "You must be awfully strong to hold back Jackie for so long, Liane, continue with those gym work outs, they're 'working out' for you splendidly! Heh heh!"
I might just have to let go of Jackie so that I can kill him myself, considers Jake momentarily.
Eagerly scanning the crowd for his new bride, the Doctor's gaze alights on Rose chatting with Pete and Donna while Jack sits behind them nursing a cup of coffee. At least when he's not sneaking a few sips out of what the Doctor can only assume is a now tainted Vitex bottle. Oh well, not his problem.
Donna's the first to notice his arrival and upon observing the frosting smeared across his face, she smirks and mentions, "Well, I see that you found the cake."
"Is it Liane's cake?" inquires Rose excitedly. The enthusiasm with which the Doctor displays his fervent nod quickly dies down when his wife adds, "Oh, I hope that she didn't forget to write 'Run and Forever', those are the most important parts!"
The Doctor stares dismally at Rose before casually stating, "Rose, my love, today's not about the running, it's our wedding day! Shouldn't the focus be more on the 'Forever' part?"
She studies him for a few moments with a soft smile before it widens into his favorite grin that she has just for him. "You ate the part of the cake that said 'Run', didn't you?"
"Well, just a bit," he confesses sheepishly as he tugs on his ear, "Okay, I admit it was basically all of it but 'Run' is such a small word to begin with, only being three letters, who couldn't eat that in one bite?"
As Rose lets out a heartfelt laugh, the Doctor knows that she has let him off the hook at the same time. She shakes her head at this half-alien man of hers who is now her husband and assures, "It's fine, Doctor, honestly. You're right, today's not a day about running and I'll be perfectly happy to share what's left of our 'Forever' with you."
"Rose," he murmurs softly before he begins to walk towards her with outstretched arms.
"Oi, watch it, Spaceman!" warns Donna before he can reach Rose. "I'm sure that Jackie's already up in arms about the cake, you don't want to make it worse by spreading frosting all over the bride! Why don't you go into one of the tents and clean up before they're ready to start the first dance? Go on, go and lick yourself clean!"
The Doctor glowers at Donna and informs her, "I do not lick myself clean, Donna Noble. I am not a cat, which I can't stand by the way, I am a man, a Time Lord in fact and will comport myself accordingly."
"Yeah, well that's news to me." Donna aims an accusing glance at Rose. "I've heard the stories about what you can do with that tongue," she gives a slight shudder of repulsion, "unfortunately."
"And I've heard way too much," announces Pete. "Although I would suggest the clean up if I was you and if I might propose, perhaps skip the cutting of the cake? If you've torn into that cake like I think you have, the last thing you want is to be around Jackie when there are any sharp implements nearby."
The couple nod in unison and Rose is about to take her husband's hand to lead him into one of the tents when her father issues one last warning. "Furthermore, don't be too long in there! I know what the two of you are like when you're alone and you're supposed to be preparing for the first dance, not the honeymoon!"
With promises of good behavior, the Doctor and Rose head out for his clean up while Jack offers a filthy chuckle. "And what do you find so amusing?" asks Pete.
"I was just thinking about the Doctor's tongue, I've heard that it's pretty impressive." He leers at Donna. "I bet that I could be impressive too."
"You'd impress me plenty if you'd only sober up," presses Donna. "Now, keep quiet and drink some more coffee!"
"Yes ma'am," he offers with a salute while he ogles her bum. "I'll simply sit here and enjoy the view." Incensed and having reached her limit with Jack's amorous attentions, Donna turns around and flashes him a rather rude hand gesture. Noting the number of fingers, she's holding up he avows with a cocky smile, "Don't worry, doll, I can go more than twice, easily. And don't' forget, the third time's the charm."
Donna groans in disgust while Pete muses, Never have I been more glad than at this moment that they decided to skip the big society wedding. He chuckles softly as he watches Jack peer down Donna's cleavage as she pours him more coffee and then silently hopes, I hope he left us all some cake.
Safely ensconced in the tent, the newlyweds sit across from one another as Rose wets a hand towel and begins cleaning off the Doctor's face. "You know, love, this would be much easier if you'd quit grinning so much."
"I can't seem to stop, Rose Tyler, no wait! Make that Rose Tyler-Smith! My blushing bride," he arches an eyebrow suggestively, "or at least you will be later."
"What has gotten into you?" questions Rose with a giggle. "Did Jack share some of his stash with you?"
"Nope," he declares firmly while popping the p. "It's today, and not just the fact that it's our wedding and of course, we must not forget that marvelous cake, but it's what this day represents! Today we begin our lives as man and wife, we are united as one entity, to stand by each other through every trial and triumph for the rest of our lives, ready to face whatever is to come our way!"
Even though he bears the manic smile and energy that she has come to know and love so well, she sees the seriousness in his gaze and hears it in his tone. "And what are you expecting to come our way, Doctor?"
"Mortgages, carpets, and lots and lots of children, Rose!" he answers joyfully. "I want us to have everything that this life has to offer! If the time that we've spent together in this universe has shown me anything, it's that I want it all. I want us to have anniversaries, holidays, celebrations and birthdays, especially birthdays for our children and I want children, Rose, lots and lots of children, especially with you!"
Rose is left speechless for a long while and when the Doctor begins shifting nervously in his chair, she knows that she needs to relieve him of any worry. She tightens her grasp on the hand cloth and slowly wipes the remaining traces of frosting off of his face and as she speaks, her tone is soft and hesitant but her eyes are filled with so much love for the man before her and the life that he envisions for them.
"You may have expected this, Doctor, but I never did," she tells him as she caresses his face with the cloth. Ignoring his crestfallen countenance, she explains, "It's not anything that I thought that you ever wanted really, not even with me. Just our being together was enough for me because I thought that was all I could ever hope for, but now…" her eyes become moist with unshed tears, "now you have given me even more to hope for, more than I ever dreamt was possible."
He removes the cloth from her hand and leans in close as he takes up both of her hands in his own. "I mean it, Rose; I want all of this with you, through the good and the bad, everything that our life entails for the rest of our forever. Because another thing that I've learned during our time together, whether I'm full Time Lord or half-human, forever is never long enough when it's with you."
"So this is it then? No holding back, no reservations?" she inquires quietly, needing reassurance that he is willing and determined to take these final steps towards a new adventure in their life, a child, children and all the chaos that they will bring. And she's absolutely sure that they will bring bedlam and pandemonium into their lives given half of the chance, they will be their children after all. "Because if we do this, Doctor, there's no going back, no second chances, this will be permanent and forever, beyond our forever in fact, so be very, very sure that you're willing to take this next step on the slow path."
It is then her turn to eye him nervously as he is the one who now chooses to remain silent and grave until suddenly that beautiful smile that he reserves strictly for her alone and their latest adventure breaks out across his face. "Rose Tyler, Tyler-Smith, Smith…whatever you want to be known as from this moment forth, I can assure you and vow wholeheartedly, my love, there's never a path that I have looked forward to stepping on more."
And so with a broad grin of her own, Rose Tyler, Tyler-Smith, Smith…whatever she decided to be called, grabbed her husband by his lapels and pulled him towards her for a kiss that was very reminiscent of the one enacted on Bad Wolf Bay. This kiss however, as full of love, hope and promise as that one was, was also without any mixed feeling or emotion to tarnish it, and this kiss…this kiss left that one far, far behind.
To Be Continued…