The Doctor paled slightly at her question. "Pardon?"
"I'm quite sure you heard me correctly, Doctor," said Lavinia, smiling inwardly at his discomfort. "Can you be trusted to deal with Sarah Jane's feelings?"
"I would never ... I ... " He knew that she meant Sarah Jane as a little girl, but he also couldn't ignore what he knew that no-one else did. He was going to hurt her, even though he didn't mean to. "I wouldn't ever hurt her if I could possibly avoid it."
"Sometimes even when you love someone you can't avoid hurting them. Have you given any thought to how you would handle things if and when you do cause her pain?"
"I ... suppose I'll have to apologize and ask for forgiveness," he said. "And try to make that necessary as little as possible." He thought about how obsessed with him Sarah Jane seemed to be. That had a potential to end badly for her. "She is quite ... involved."
"I know I don't have to tell you what an exceptional child Sarah Jane is, but are you aware of the effects losing her parents at such a tender age has had on her? She felt abandoned when Eddie and Barbara died. She obviously adores you and she's placed all her faith and trust in you now. That's a lot of pressure and responsibility to take on, I shudder to think of what it would do to her if you let her down."
The Doctor thought about the look on Sarah Jane's face at Deffry Vale; he knew what it would do to her. But wasn't this his chance to try and fix things? He smiled gently. "Lavinia, please believe me when I tell you that I love that child more dearly than I could ever tell you. As much as you, I should imagine. I would do absolutely anything for her."
"I was fairly certain that was the case. One would have to be blind and heartless not to notice the affection you shower on her. May I be blunt and ask you why?"
He'd been afraid she'd ask this eventually. He thought for a moment, and sighed. "She's the personification of everything good I've ever known, and all that is right in the universe."
"That's quite a lot to see in a child, but I think I'm beginning to understand. Tell me though, if you would, how can she have come to mean so much to you in such a short time? You've only seen her four times in two years."
"Well, you have to admit, with the exception of Christmas, the other visits haven't exactly been uneventful," he said.
"That's true," she chuckled. "Still, it's obvious that something very powerful is going on between you two. As I said I trust you, but I am curious."
He sighed. He could tell that there wasn't any way that he was going to get out of this conversation without some kind of explanation. He decided to take the direct approach. "You got me, Lavinia, I'm really a time traveler and Sarah Jane grows up to be very important to me," he smiled, waiting.
She looked at him for a moment, the wheels turning. After an almost uncomfortably long pause, she laughed. "I'm almost inclined to believe that, Doctor. In fact, I'm even willing to admit that in your case, it could be true. There is something very different and otherworldly about you. I think I'd like to let it go at that." She heard Sarah Jane coming down the steps. "Actually, I'm quite sure I don't want to know any more at this very moment."
"I'm ready for bed now," Sarah said, jumping into the Doctor's lap.
"Well, good," he said, "because it's bed time." He winked at Lavinia. "Shall we go, ladies?"
"Yes Doctor," Lavinia said. "Lead on and we shall follow you."
He picked up Sarah and carried her upstairs, setting her down at the doorway. "Go get in bed," he said, and stepped into the bedroom with Lavinia.
She pulled back the covers under them was a bright pink box with a silver bow on it. Her seahorse was in the bed too, lying next to her stuffed owl.
She flew at the Doctor and flung her arms around him. "I love you so much. You're simply wonderful." She smothered his cheeks with kisses. "You really are the best prince ever."
"Oh my," said Lavinia. "And she hasn't even opened the box yet."
"Yes, I hope it's not a disappointment," he said.
She stopped kissing him. "What is it?"
"You'll have to open it, silly," he said.
She jumped down and ran to the present. She opened it carefully, but as she did, she did a funny little dance. "I'm opening it silly," she said.
He groaned and lifted her up over his head as though he were King Kong, still roaring in mock rage as she giggled. Finally, he put her down so she could finish opening the package.
"I'm going to save this pretty bow and Aunt and I can make a book cover with this paper too," she said with a smile. She slowly opened the box, peeked inside and screamed with excitement. She looked at the Doctor with utter devotion. She was so thrilled, she couldn't speak.
"Good heavens," said Lavinia. "What in heaven's name could get you that excited Sarah Jane?" She turned to the Doctor. "What did you get her?"
"Well put it on," the Doctor said with mock impatience. "Show your aunt what you've got."
Sarah took the top off of the box and lifted the velvet cape up with reverence. She put it on and walked over to her aunt. "Look, it's just like the one I wore in the..." she stopped suddenly and put her hand over her mouth. She looked over at the Doctor nervously, hoping he could fix her mistake.
"Just like you wore in the parade," the Doctor said, as though everything were normal. "We went to an amusement park, and Sarah Jane the birthday girl got to lead the parade, isn't that right?"
"Yes it is." She turned back to her aunt, smiling with relief. "It was wonderful Auntie, we had the best time. Look at my lovely cape. Do you like it? It will go very nicely with the crown the Doctor got me last year." She twirled around for her.
"You look truly beautiful my dear," she said. As Sarah Jane ran to get her crown, Lavinia turned to the Doctor. "I wonder what you're going to give her on her birthday next year, Doctor. Gowns fit for a princess, a kingdom perhaps, subjects? Or, maybe she already has all that. Maybe when she leaves here to go with you, you take her to a land far far away where she's Princess Sarah Jane. A place where one day she'll be the queen. Is that what happens while you're gone?" Lavinia smiled crookedly at the Doctor.
"Something like that," he said, smiling just as crookedly back at her. "After all, every little girl deserves to be a princess."
Sarah Jane was too busy with her cape and crown to notice the exchange. She stood in front of her dresser, turning and posing in front of the mirror. After a few minutes she yawned, hung up the cape, put the crown on her dresser and got into bed, waiting to be tucked in.
"Doctor," said Lavinia, waving towards Sarah Jane. "After all, royalty comes first."
He rolled his eyes and shook his head, then tucked her in. "Good night, Sarah Jane," he said. "You have a wonderful year, and I'll see you on your next birthday."
Sarah gave him a big hug and kissed his cheek. "Goodnight Doctor. I'll miss you very, very much. If I promise to be as good as I can be, can you come back for Christmas too? It won't be much fun for us without you." She looked at him with pleading eyes.
The Doctor thought about it. One more opportunity to spend time with her. He turned to Lavinia. "What do you think?"
"You know you're always welcome here Doctor, no matter what time of the year it is, our door is open to you. It was grand fun last year, so yes, add my invitation to Sarah Jane's, please do come for Christmas."
"Right. Then I will be here for Christmas," he said, tucking her in one more time. "Good night."
"Good night my prince, thank you for Christmas."
Lavinia put her hand in her pocket. "Oh good heavens Sarah Jane, I almost forgot. You have one more gift. It's from Mrs. Meadows up the street. She sent it because she couldn't make it to your party today. Here, open it before you go to sleep." She handed Sarah Jane an envelope.
Sarah sat up and opened it. The card inside was very sweet, but something fell out when she opened it. She looked down and picked it up. It was a one year certificate of membership for two to the local recreation center pool. Sarah held it up to give to Lavinia. "Look," she said.
"Oh how very nice of her. It's a pool pass for two to the indoor pool two blocks from here. Bring your swimsuit next time you come Doctor. You can take Sarah Jane swimming."
Sarah Jane looked over at the Doctor and burst into giggles.
The Doctor laughed with her. "I'm afraid you'd better take her, Lavinia. I don't swim."
Lavinia looked at the two of them and shrugged. "You two and your plots. Goodnight my dear Sarah Jane. Sweet dreams. I love you."
"I love you too Auntie. Goodnight Doctor. See you at Christmas. Try not to get wet while you're gone. I love you." Sarah waved at him and smiled wistfully.
"I love you too," he said, kissed her on the forehead, and skipped back to the TARDIS.
When he got inside, he pulled out the picture of the two of them in the parade, smiled at it, and set the coordinates on the control panel as he wondered what kind of gifts he should get Sarah Jane and Lavinia.
"Christmas, 1958 awaits,' he thought.