A/N: In which we look more into Rose and Jack's lives. A slightly shorter chapter than usually.
Rose had been told to take the rest of the week off so she could think about whether or not she wanted to take the job. There was no doubt in her mind that she wanted the job, really, but she still had to talk to Jack and Martha about it. Taking the job would mean longer work hours, but also more money for them. She wasn't sure how Jack would react. After they had lost John he had been much more clingy and dependant on her, not liking to be away from her for more than a few hours. She knew that he would have to grow out of it soon, as his school days became longer, and this would be a good way for him to get more comfortable with it. If he needed her she would be near, but he would also have time to himself. On her way home, she had gone out and bought something nice to eat, even buying a bottle of wine for her and Martha. After getting home, she spent the rest of the day cooking and cleaning before picking Jack up. She was almost a little disappointed not to see the Doctor, but apparently Jenny had had to go home in the middle of the day because she had eaten something bad that made her feel sick.
Jack eagerly told her about his day on the way home, and didn't stop until they were in their building "So, how was your day Mummy?" he asked.
"You know what Jack? I had a great day," she smiled. "Mummy was offered a new job today. And the two of us were invited to a fancy dinner party."
"But Mummy? If you get a new job, will you still have time for me?" he asked, exactly as she had predicted he would.
She could see the fear of losing her growing in his eyes, so she picked him up and smiled at him when she felt that he was shaking a little. "Of course, Jack. I will always have time for you. But, things will be a little different. After school you are going to my new work instead, where someone will look after you. There might be other children, but at least I know that Jenny from your class is there." she reassured him, stroking his cheek.
"I apologised to her today," he said proudly. "She said it was okay, and she apologised too. So we can be friends again, now."
"I'm glad to hear that, love," Rose replied, ruffling his hair. She lowered her voice to a whisper. "Now, when you see Martha, I think you should give her a hug. She had her last exam today, and she is probably very relieved that it's over."
He nodded, and ran inside. "Mummy, uncle Mickey is here too," he called happily.
Rose smiled. She knew that Martha and Mickey were head over heels for each other, but they had agreed a long time ago that they would wait to start a relationship until Martha was done with her studies.
"All right, maybe we should wait a little with the hug... Do you have any homework?" She asked.
Jack shook his head. "Tomorrow's the day we are going to the museum, remember?
"That's right, sorry," she said.
He then proceeded to tell her about all the things he would see at the museum. Rose did pay attention, but he spoke so fast that it was hard to understand at times. Rose smiled when she saw Martha and Mickey walk in, with their arms around each other. Mickey let go of her so he could sneak closer and pick Jack up from behind.
"Uncle Mickey!" He laughed.
"Oh, that trick is no fun anymore. You always know that it's me."
Jack just kept laughing, "You know what, Uncle Mickey? I'm going to the museum tomorrow," he said. Rose knew that he would want to tell Mickey all about it, but she really wanted to speak to Martha.
Mickey nodded, apparently thinking the same as Rose. "I heard you talking about it. Why don't we go into the living room and you can tell me all about it?" he asked, knowing that Martha and Rose probably wanted to talk privately.
Jack nodded eagerly, pulling Mickey out of the room, already going on about what he likes the most at the museum, whilst promising Mickey that he would show him his new favourite TV show.
Rose smiled after them and pulled Martha into a hug "Congratulations, Martha! I'm so happy for you" She said happily.
Martha hugged her back. "Well I still don't have my results. But I'm almost certain that you are talking to the future Dr Martha Jones," she said, very proud of her achievement.
"Or is it perhaps, the future Dr Martha Smith?" Rose teased, nodding towards Mickey.
Martha blushed. "We agreed to go on a date. We don't know where it's leading. Maybe it will turn out that we are better off as friends," she shrugged.
Rose nodded. "Celebrations are in order, anyway. I got the rest of the week off, and I already cooked for us," she announced.
"Hold on, you got the rest of the week off…" she lowered her voice. "You weren't sacked, right?" she whispered so there was no chance that Jack would hear it.
Rose shook her head and beamed at her. "I was offered another job. A better one. The hours are longer, but I will be paid almost four times as much as I am now."
Martha pulled her in for another hug. "Oh Rose, that's great. I'm so happy for you."
Rose nodded. "But I only found it because of the shop. Do you remember the customer from last Friday I told you about? Yeah, turns out she owns the company. She wants to make me her PA."
"See, I told you that you could do better than that shop…"
Rose smiled and nodded. "I was given the week off so I could think about it. I wanted to talk to you about it, actually. You and Jack. I really want it, but it concerns you too."
Jack had pulled Mickey into the kitchen again. "Mummy, Mummy, Mummy!" He said fast, demanding her attention. "Can uncle Mickey stay over for dinner? He promised that he would behave."
Rose and Martha both laughed. "Oh, he can stay," Rose smiled "I cooked earlier. We are celebrating tonight."
After Rose had tucked Jack in, they had opened the bottle of wine and talked for a few hours until Mickey had to leave. Martha went to bed too, and Rose had volunteered to wash the glasses they had been drinking from. She had never been good at holding her wine, and after drinking nothing alcoholic for months, the three glasses she drank had still left her slightly tipsy. By the time she realised it was too late to do anything about it. She thought about this whilst she clumsily cleaned the glasses. John had always teased her about it, but had also made sure that if she did drink more than she could handle, she made it safely back home and into bed.
She could really use that help now. She stumbled a bit, bumping her toes on the furniture several times. She tried to be as quiet as possible, for Jack's sake. She put on her pyjamas and lay down in bed, forgetting to brush her teeth. She sighed and looked at the picture she had of her and Jack at the bedside table.
"Everything will get better soon Jack. I promise," She whispered, touching the picture. She looked over at the boy in question. He was deep asleep and Rose smiled. She was so happy that she had him. She wasn't sure if she would have made it the last three years without him.