Chapter Twelve; Just Like Old Times

A few days later The Doctor and Rose waited until Cassie was up from her nap and the two of them picked Peter up from kindergarten and Jane up from nursery (preschool) school. Then they all drove to the hospital to see Jackie. Peter had recently had given up his pacifiers but Jane and Cassie each had a pretty pink and purple one (Jane had the purple one and this was one of the rare times that she had her hair up in a ponytail instead of pigtails and wore a skirt instead of a dress. She was very girly) inside their mouths.

The Doctor wondered if it was such a good idea to bring such very young children into see their grandmother in such a state but Rose had really wanted her mother to see them so he decided to honor his wife. "Why don't you go ahead and take Peter and Jane?" he suggested. "The baby needs changing." He said.

"Alright c'mon kids." Rose said as she took each one of them by their hands and walked them inside the room. "Mum?" she questioned once they were inside. "Are you awake? I brought the kids into see you. Except for the baby because The Doctor's changing her right now." She explained. Jackie slowly opened her eyes while she rested her hands on the top of her chest.

"Yes, I'm awake. Come here my grandbabies." She said but Peter and Jane both hid behind their mother anxiously.

"I'm sorry, they're a little nervous." Rose said.

"Oh that's alright I don't blame them. Sarah Jane just came by to visit. That's terrible news about her baby. The poor woman, I know how she feels." Her mother said.

"You do?" Rose questioned.

"Yes I do. Before you were born I had a miscarriage myself. If he would have been born you would have had an older brother named Tony." She explained. "Oh well, I know that I'll see him again and be able to see him soon enough." She said when suddenly The Doctor came inside the room carrying Cassie.

"Hullo Jackie, I brought your new granddaughter into see you." He told her as he brought her closer to the bed so that she could see her.

"Oh my goodness, that sure is a tiny little creature. It's sure a shame that I won't be able to see her grow up and be a part of her life." She said.

"Mum,.." Rose began shakily. "don't talk like that." She said.

"Mummy why are you crying? Where is Grandma going?" Peter asked her.

"To Heaven child. The Lord's calling me, and your grandfather is missing me." Jackie answered.

"You mean she really is going to die?" Peter questioned sadly.

"No, no she' can't! You can't go we need you!" Rose cried as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"I have to go don't you see? This is a good thing because even though I'm going away I'll always be there for you whenever you need me. On Fantasy Island. All you have to do is go and look for me and I'll be there waiting for you." She whispered before she closed her eyes and took her last breath.

"Mum!" Rose cried but it was already too late. "Mum?" she questioned squeakily as she felt more tears roll down her cheeks.

"Oh Rose, I'm sorry." The Doctor told her and tried to reach out towards her but she took a step away from him.

"No! Just no!" she cried.

"Rose, it's alright if you feel hurt and upset and confused. I completely understand." He told her.

"It just isn't fair! First I lose my father, then I lose you, and now I've lost my mum!" she snapped.

"But honey you didn't lose me, I'm right here. I just have a different face and accent that's all." He told her.

"But it's not the same! And to top it all of one of my best friends lost her baby and there isn't anything I can do about it! I'm just useless dead weight! I can't even save my own mother or son from their horrible fate!" she cried before she turned around and ran away.

"Rose wait! Come back!" he cried as she ran out the door. "ROSE!" he hollered on the top of his lungs. "Oh that's just perfect." He said sarcastically. "She's gone again." He said. "Peter, Jane, come with me out into the lobby. I'm going to get one of the nurses to stay with you and your baby sister while I go out looking for your mother." He explained.

…

"I came as soon as I heard!" Mickey cried as he and Martha ran out of their car and up to the curb over to The Doctor.

"I'm so sorry about Jackie." Martha apologized.

"Thanks Martha, I appreciate it. I really do, but right now I'm worried about Rose." The Doctor said.

"What about the kids?" Mickey questioned.

"They're alright, one of the people from the hospital staff are looking after them when I explained the situation. Peter's giving Cassie her bottle while Jane is coloring." He explained.

"Peter sounds like a great big brother." Mickey said.

"I know, that's because he is. And so are you. That's why I need your help finding Rose. You know her better than I do, so where do you think she would go?" The Doctor asked him as he thought for a moment.

"The cemetery where her father's buried at. I'll bet you anything that's where she is." He told him as he placed his hands around his shoulders and grinned.

"Thanks Rickie, you're brilliant." He teased as Mickey rolled his eyes. "Sorry mate, I just had to for old time's sake." He said before he gave him a pat and started running towards the parking lot.

"Now what?" Martha asked as she took ahold of Mickey's hand.

"C'mon, let's go." He answered with a groan as they started running after him.