After posing for what seemed like a thousand pictures, Jack caught up to them as they were getting into the car that would take them to the reception. "Open the boxes in the car," he said, with a wink. Donna looked at the Doctor, puzzled, but they obeyed as soon as they were in the car. There were two shoeboxes, which when opened revealed two pairs of trainers. They both burst out laughing, then quickly changed shoes.

Donna sighed, "Much better!"

"Indeed!" He turned to her, taking her hand in his. "I didn't say before, but you look beautiful." He kissed her, taking his time. He felt her hand at the back of his neck, pulling him closer. He broke away, brushing his hand over her collarbone. "I love the strapless look," he said, raising his eyebrows.

"Ah, but the best part!" Donna reached down the side of her dress, and pulled her sonic screwdriver from the hidden pocket on the side. "Pockets!" They both collapsed in laughter again. They saw the driver look at them in the rearview mirror, but that only made them laugh more.

***

The receiving line seemed interminable, although Donna was glad to meet some of the Doctor's friends.

"Donna, this is Elton Pope." A tall young man was shaking the Doctor's hand enthusiastically.

"Nice to meet you," she said. "How do you know the Doctor?"

"He saved my life, twice actually," he said.

"How's Ursula?" the Doctor asked.

"Oh, she's fine. We've adapted to her...situation. I didn't think she should be here today, though," Elton answered.

"Right, probably a very good idea. Tell her hello, will you? It is good to see you again," the Doctor said, nodding. He smiled at the next couple to approach. "Donna, this is Sally Sparrow and Larry Nightingale."

"Oh, I've heard all about you!" Donna said. "I'm so pleased to meet you."

Sally smiled, "Very nice to meet you. I hope you'll come to our wedding." She took Larry's hand, smiling at him. "He finally talked me into it."

"Wouldn't miss it for the world."

A familiar face was next in the line. "Sarah Jane."

"Doctor, Donna, it was a lovely service. I'm so happy for you both."

"I thought I saw the Brigadier, earlier," the Doctor said, looking down the line of people.

"He was here for the ceremony, but was called away right afterward. He said to express his congratulations. And I'm not sure where Luke has gotten himself to."

"Nothing serious, I hope?" Donna asked.

"No, I'm sure everything is fine," Sarah Jane said. "You two should enjoy your day. Let other people take care of any emergencies."

"Easier said than done, I'm afraid," the Doctor said. "But for now, at least, we'll enjoy it."

Donna thought the receiving line would never end. She was very glad for the trainers instead of the high heels she had been wearing, however, as her feet ached after standing so long. They were finally allowed to go into the reception, to be greeted by cheers and whistles. The Doctor swept her into his arms and dipped her, kissing her soundly, to the increased cheers of the guests. When he set her upright again, she said, "Cheeky," but she was a bit out of breath. He led her to the head table, where Nerys and Jack were already sitting. Her granddad was also already there, looking a bit nervous about his speech, but he smiled at her.

When most people had finished eating, Jack stood, taking the microphone from the DJ. "Thank you, everyone, for coming. I believe Donna's grandfather would like to say a few words."

Donna smiled as her grandfather stood, tugged at his jacket, and took the microphone from Jack. He cleared his throat and looked around nervously, then started to speak. "Thank you all for coming to help us celebrate this very happy day, and thank you to those who helped us put on this very fine party. I'm not one for speeches, so I'll keep this short." He turned to smile at Donna. "My Donna is the best granddaughter anyone could ask for. She's beautiful, and wonderful, and I wouldn't part with her to anyone unworthy of her. I want to welcome the Doctor into our family, and I know he'll take care of my little girl." Donna could hear his voice falter, and her eyes misted with tears. He raised his glass and said, "To the happy couple!" Donna smiled and raised her glass in return, then touched it to the Doctor's before taking a sip.

Jack took the microphone from Wilf, and said, "Now, the groom himself."

The Doctor leaned over to kiss her, then stood and walked over to Jack, taking the microphone. "Thank you, Wilf. I'll do my best to take care of her." He looked out at the guests. "I want to thank you all for coming to celebrate this wonderful day with us. Thank you, Sylvia and Wilf, and everyone else involved, for putting on this celebration for us, and for welcoming me into the family. Thank you for the wonderful gifts, but especially the gift of your presence here with us today. Thank you, Jack, for serving as best man. You are a man of many talents, most of them appreciated." Jack laughed. "And Nerys and Martha, thank you for all of your help preparing for today. We certainly couldn't have done any of this without your help." He turned to Donna, his face serious. "And Donna, what can I say that I haven't already said? Thank you for making me so happy, for saving my life every day, for being my partner in this crazy, amazing universe. You are brilliant and wonderful. I couldn't do any of it without you, and I can only hope to make you as happy as I am, every day." His voice broke, and Donna could see tears in his eyes. She stood quickly, without thinking, and went over to him to put her arms around him. His arms were tight around her as he buried his face in her hair.

"I love you," she whispered.

"I don't deserve you," he said, and kissed her. The room receded as his lips moved over hers, until the guests started cheering again. They broke apart, laughing and blushing.

Jack stood and held up his glass. "To the happy couple!" he said. He retrieved the microphone from the Doctor as he and Donna took their seats again, holding hands. "At last, it's my turn," he said.

"I've known the Doctor for a long time, and I've seen him both with and without Donna. It doesn't take a genius to see that he is much better with her than without her. I've known a lot of couples in my time, but they have a true partnership that doesn't come around every day. I think they both know how rare it is, and I hope they will cherish it and each other. You are both very lucky. To Donna and the Doctor," he said, raising his glass.

On cue, the DJ started the music for their first dance, and the Doctor stood, holding his hand out to Donna. As they danced, Donna laughed. "I keep expecting robot Santas to rush in and interrupt the reception, you know."

He pulled her closer. "Maybe we get just one day with no crisis. Just one day."

"What about the honeymoon?"

"Well, a problem-free honeymoon might be more than we can hope for," he admitted.

"Just an ordinary day, then."

The music changed, and the Doctor said, "I think I have to dance with your mother, now."

"She'll be nice. She's happier than I've seen her in a long time."

Wilf tapped on the Doctor's shoulder, and took Donna's hand to dance with her. "You've been practicing," Donna said.

"Didn't want to embarrass you on your big day," he said.

"You'd never embarrass me. I loved your speech."

"I meant every word," he said.

Donna danced with Jack next, while the Doctor danced with Nerys. When she and the Doctor were finally dancing together again, she said, "I love the tux, by the way. You look very distinguished."

"That's just what Jack said. I don't see it myself, but it'll do."

"False modesty, that is," she said.

***

At last, the cake was cut, the bouquet was thrown (Nerys wrestled Sally for it), goodbyes were said, and they were in the car, waving at the guests as they were driven back to Donna's mother's house, and the TARDIS. Donna rested her head on his shoulder. "I'm knackered," she said, stifling a yawn.

"It was a long day. But worth it, I hope?" he said, resting his cheek against the top of her head.

"Oh, definitely. 'M glad we only have to do it once, all the same."

"Mmm," he agreed.

They waited for the driver to leave before walking to where the TARDIS was concealed. He opened the door, then turned to scoop her up and carry her over the threshold. She laughed as he set her down. "So sentimental," she said, kissing him.

"Don't knock tradition," he said. "Now, one quick stop before we hit the beach, eh?"

"What? Where?"

"The Medusa Cascade," he said. "There's one more thing we have to do." He danced around the console, flipping switches and turning knobs in the familiar pattern. Finally they stopped again, and he walked over to stand in front of her. "I told you I wanted you to know my real name," he said. "There's one way I can tell you. It's locked here, in the Medusa Cascade. I can open your mind, and you'll be able to hear it. Do you want me to do that?"

Donna blinked at him. "Your real name?" she said. River Song had known it, but that had only been so he would trust her. It was a huge responsibility, but she certainly couldn't deny him. He wanted her to know him, the real him. "Of course." She felt his hands, cool against her temple, and she closed her eyes.

"Listen," he said.

She could hear his thoughts, briefly, feel his uncertainty, then her mind expanded and there it was, echoing in her mind. Alien, yet so familiar she thought her heart would burst with the joy of it. She opened her eyes to see him smiling at her, and felt the loss of contact as he removed his hands. "Thank you," she said, and she spoke his name aloud. He closed his eyes for a moment, then cupped her cheek with his hand, rubbing his thumb over her cheekbone, before leaning down to kiss her. She would never get tired of that.

He pulled away. "So, the beach?"

"A few days of lying in the sun sounds divine," she said.