Doctor Who: The Greatest Night Ever
Chapter 7
As The Doctor and River's time on Darillium continued to be that of a fulfilling and glorious time in their life together; still for him the thought of the oncoming danger which she was sadly destined to come face-to-face, alongside her team at the Library, never quite escaped from his mind. She knew surely. Well it would explain a lot, how she preferred to concentrate on her research, away from him and Emilia and the fact if she did know, she didn't want to break his two hearts.
The couple were now due to renew their vows in two days time. According to a certain set of rules, weddings or renewal of marriage vows needed to be arranged quickly and in fact they were able to take place on the day of arrangement, depending on couples wishes. River's wish was for them to renew their vows in front of the Singing Towers, of course the Doctor didn't want to stand in the way of what her planned intentions were.
The Time Lord dressed in his usual casual clothes minus the red velvet jacket, which River absolutely couldn't get enough of running her hand over it's silky fabric features.
Jack was given the honour of becoming the best man; god knew what sort of surprises he might have up his sleeve regarding and no doubt he would deliver a fiery surprise.
"Oh I hope Jack knows what he's doing because I know I'm not a fan of surprises being sprung upon me."
"Yes I know. You ran away quicker than a cheetah once, we spent our one and only New Year's Eve in each other's company. You made me believe you were having cold feet but no it turned out you were doing your best in avoiding a certain group of female cat/humans." River was tempted to laugh, once she remembered every moment of this previous occasion, by means of how they had both unfortunately found themselves entangled in.
"I couldn't keep them at bay, mainly because my Sonic Screwdriver didn't help matters for me, by making me look even sexier to aliens especially female ones." The Doctor relived the embarrassing moment his previous body experienced at the hands of three very naughty female cat humans.
"I know. I wouldn't dream of laughing at your expense Sweetie but back then it was certainly very funny to witness. Your attempts at jumping from balcony to balcony of many apartments alongside the Grand Canal, weren't that too impressive." She fought back the urge to make the odd joke regarding his one and only previous mishap.
"I was actually scared then. Who knew what the three of them were capable of, once they finally ended up getting their hands on me; tearing my clothes to tiny pieces and using me as a play toy." The Doctor wasn't fooled by her earlier claim, he pretty much knew she wasn't being as honest as she first claimed to be. Oh the constant joy of unraveling one or two of his Archeologist wife's not very convincing stories, did not disappoint him.
River felt it was better to put this past hilarious incident to one side and for the two of them to make the effort of addressing current matters at heart instead.
"We've spent 13 years on Darillium and you still haven't addressed the obvious question my love." Despite looking resoundingly happy and loved up, his body language gave off nervous vibes and his face seemingly masked a look of failure and slight shame.
"Like what exactly?" Oh she was good, perhaps far too good at unraveling someone's offbeat behaviour, even going as far as doing the same with his.
"Either you don't want us to get married without my parents' blessing or you wish they were here, to watch us renewing our vows. As much as Emilia would love to meet her grandparents, nothing she's asked me about the past, has led me to believe she wants to meet them and tell them about her life on Darillium." Her beautiful smile naturally shone through, from the moment she ran her fingers softly against his right cheek, leaned forward and she reassuringly kissed his forehead.
"Oh I think they'd love this place, seeing as it's very humany and it's perfect to spend your life here with your loved ones...all 24 years, 8760 days of it. Your parents would definitely fall in love with the embodiment of the Singing Towers" He added, of course he didn't mean to talk too proudly of Darillium.
"You don't need to tell me, my love. I think I know my parents well enough to know, how they would react to the sights and scenery of what Darillium has to offer." She suddenly feels the need to corroborate about the fact, she pretty much knows this herself. She loved her husband surprisingly more, even if he's sometimes making efforts to put on a predictable know-it-all performance whenever he mentions his admiration for this stunning Earth-like planet.
"You might as well get the truth out in the open River. Tell me I'm getting too big for my boots again and how I should "
"Why should I?"
"Because you know I actually do like speaking the truth on many important things. Like for example; my words resulting in making a Cyberman cry, well that's high unlikely to happen but still the power behind a certain set of words can make a difference. It helped me to prevent a war between Zygons and humans once."
"Fine I believe you but it still might take time to fully convince me enough."
She shoots him a knowing followed by a wish I'd been there to seen you save the day look.
xxxxx
Jack's latest fashion statement said a lot about his personality, bright, vibrant and creative. "Boy this should be fun with you Doc. Giving you the best introduction to what people on earth refer to as "A Stag do." Just promise you won't let those attack eyebrows of yours make you look like you're a undercover agent."
The Captain believed his Gallifreyan friend should be made aware of the yes' and nos' of attending stag dos. Well to tell the truth; there was plenty of things The Doctor had yet to become familiarized with concerning life on planet Earth, how humans or Pudding Brains(as he preferred to call them) celebrated special occasions and how they viewed the true meaning of love and marriage. Once he grasps this knowledge, he'll know what to expect. So much, yet so little time for him to process each and every thought.
"Just so you know Jack, my new face isn't likely to warm to really really good surprises anytime soon. So if you've got any up your sleeve, it's probably best to turn down the excitement of some of your planned ones."
"Really? Well that's kinda put a damper on one idea I had in mind." Jack hints, while he somehow manages to keep to not giving anything, especially about the evening ahead for The Doctor. Still having talked him around to being treated to a celebration before he renewed his vows with River, had proven to be rather challenging to say the least. As soon as he achieved this task, Jack breathed a great sigh of relief. One mission done and dusted, around four or five more to complete.
The Doctor and Jack strode through the doorway of a Japanese restaurant named Kuyashi, this restaurant happened to be connected to the main entrance of the building, facing the two legendary monoliths which were magnificently overlooking the landscape of this beautiful planet.
"You're like the luckiest man on the planet right now Doc. It's still hard to believe you're a married man. Do you remember one of the last conversations we shared? you know me and the previous you."
"Jack, I'm still the same, leather coat loving person you met during the Second World War. Only leather coats aren't what I can describe as being stylish enough to be seen in, while I'm saving all of time and space."
"Good point. Hey at least your velvet jacket looks smoking hot, if you don't mind saying Doctor."
"River told you to say that didn't she?"
"...Well, I...yeah, pretty much." Jack chose to get straight to the point, telling the truth and making sure The Doctor isn't led to believe there were some hush hush, secret goings-on behind his back.
"You know the moment I left her alone with my velvet jacket, she nestled her head against it's lapel collar and silk feel. I just feel she's become way too fond of my jacket and I'm not sure what to think of her new addiction."
Jack's efforts to keep a straight face proved more complicated than first thought, he roared out loud with laughter and almost lost his balance. "Oh she's quite the woman, after everything I've come to know about her. One thing's clear, you two need to stay together because she seems to have an irreplaceable, magical effect on you. You can't keep running forever, assuming you're not important enough to matter to every human or every alien race "
The Doctor while carefully avoided the possibility of him standing right into the path of any of the waiters, who in turn might make the mistake of sending a tray of glasses of wine all over the floor.
Taking on board, the hints and compliments to which Jack had expressed, were actually a much-needed and helpful boost for him.
Although he fully respected and appreciated Jack's conversant advice, The Doctor was curious "Since when did you happen to become a relationship advisor expert, Captain?"
"Trust me I've been there; witnessed it with my very own eyes and then ended up buying myself the t-shirt."
Everytime romance came up in a conversation between the two friends, The Doctor was always left to quietly assume Jack must have had many lost loves throughout the immortal life he has lived and died through. He didn't wish to quiz him on this theory, in case he suddenly upset his friend. Deciding not to go too deep with his next few questions when chooses to ask them. In the meantime he wisely changes the subject, by asking why Jack had handpicked Kuyashi for his "Stag Do".
"Let's just say it's not your usual kind of restaurant Doctor. They have hologram fish swimming around each room. "
"So this place is an exact replica of any restaurants based in Tokyo, only aliens compliantly control it and other ones too. In fact you seem to know more about this colony more than me."
"Sure is. I put down to Alphonse himself and his wife being human. They wanted to be reminded of the old Tokyo back in the 21st Century." The Doctor hadn't gone as far as asking the former rescue worker, so this thought was guess work.
"Tell me this, why did you really choose Darillium? What bought you here in the first place?"
"I messed up on one simple mission. Lives were put at risk but thanks to my team, they made sure all of them were saved. The only and biggest mistake I made was not stopping the enemy from turning the gun on themselves and pulling the trigger. It's haunted me ever since.
"We've all make mistakes before. Trust me, I know myself how it's like to feel sadness, pain and rage, packaged together like an unwanted Christmas present."
"Well I'm glad I'm not alone, knowing you've been in the same boat Doctor. So anyway one day, I overheard the name Darillum being promoted, while I was visiting an old acquaintance in the 63rd century. I knew of stories of the legend of the Singing Towers; how they harmonize with crystal layers, causing them to create interweaving pieces of music. Sometimes they sing of joy and comfort, sometimes they also sing of sorrow. I know now which one I prefer."
Once Jack got mostly everything off his chest, a blue colored alien with two ears shaped like mini trombones greeted them by an interactive seating board, at the front part of this peculiar restaurant. The creature didn't speak a word of English nor even any certain other human languages, in fact it only spoke it's natural language. Without prior notice, The Doctor soon directly communicated with the alien himself, in the only perfect way he knew how to.
Upon crouching down, to level his height with the 5ft tall alien, who was currently donning a Japanese style bandana around his head. The magnetism of his attack eyebrows, successfully played their part of making himself heard before the alien tried to escape from him and Jack. After studying the unnamed alien, The Doctor started communicating with him by pulling numerous faces and swaying his hands around. - ranging from visible descriptions to wacky, jolly facial expressions.
"You speak his language?" Once he was doing his urprising bit of showing off, Jack shot him a 'so why didn't you tell me this sooner' look.
"He doesn't use one. They only interact with other species via sign language. Can't say this surprises me with The Anstroms."
"Ah The Anstroms now that's a name, I thought I wouldn't hear in a long time. They're so ancient like you wouldn't believe, Doctor. The nature of their name isn't one, anyone would dare to mention."
"Well this Anstrom, I'd say looks far from capable of turning himself into a mini terminator. Anyway while you were busy staring and questioning my actions, I got us a table right behind you Jack."
"So what you're saying is, either he's behaving like a cute puppy or he just wants to be treated like a normal human?" Jack shares his thoughts, resorting to not asking many questions.
"Absolutely. Reminds me of Strax. Our new friend and Strax would make great friends if they ever met each other." A slow, wry smile works it's way across his face, the moment he confirms Jack's guess.
"You really think so Doctor?"
"Of course."
Soon enough The Anstrom waiter was more than happy to direct them to their seats. Other waiters were either sea creature looking aliens or a group of Oods.
xxxx
On Darillium; the legal drinking age in which someone could be officially permitted to drink from - was 25 years old. Emilia taking after her mother, with her fluttering lashes, beauty and feisty manners; had from time to time wished she could experience the taste a drop of wine, as well wishing she could find enough confidence - to dress up creatively and smartly for her parents' wedding.
That particular evening, three months before her daughter's next birthday; River, nervous her nuptials may not run as smoothly as planned, decided to treated herself and Emilia to a fun time at an interactive Crystal Adventures Experience event. She felt it might benefit her daughter's sense of curiosity about planets and adventure heists.
She partly blames Jack for this unsurprising explanation, his love of Indiana Jones films had casually influenced Emilia's interests and ever so curious mind. Their participation at the adventure experience event goes down a storm with her daughter, much to River's relief.
"Mum" Even throughout her early teenage years, Emilia would always call her mum and not by her actual name.
"Yes dear." River happily stopped her current activity - aiming a 3D handheld mini shooter gun at a opening wall lock, which enabled you to progress to the next level of the team building adventure game.
"As much as I love growing up on Darillium, one day I'd like it if dad taught me how to fly to TARDIS and if we could visit Earth in the far future."
"You probably should be asking your father the same question. Oh I'm pretty sure he would be only too happy to oblige in teaching you, how to fly the TARDIS. I was quick to pick up on the instructions during my first lesson."
"Cool, Can I ask him after the wedding then?" She asked.
"Emilia; as matter of fact you shouldn't have to feel, it's important to ask your father. Because we've worked out between us sometime ago, how the signs were always there - you wanting to know more about the TARDIS." River believed daughter shouldn't rush straight into learning how to take control of the TARDIS. Yes Emilia was no doubt the smartest teenager on Darillium and her IQ was 167. So it was understandable to tell how the Time Lord gene, played it's part remarkably well - boosting her intelligence at a very young age.
xxxxx
Jack and The Doctor spent most of the evening reminiscing about past adventures; on Earth as well as hundreds of years ago in the future. The Time Lord was now telling him about The Master's recent regeneration.
"A woman! Seriously? And there was me thinking, the Master can only ever regenerate into a smug-faced, selfish guy." Jack wasn't afraid to voice his genuine surprise and
"He...she isn't as bad as you think these days, especially not when she's trying to become my friend again through one of her many schemes. She put together a Cyberman army for me once..."
"So I heard. A Silent tried to drain every last piece of energy from my body, while I was undertaking a mission in the Amazon rain-forest. Why I don't know. When I traveled to visit one of my favourite space bars. Somebody told me a rumour about the deceased humans' conscious were being upgraded into new Cybermen soldiers."
Ever the curious and with his arched eyebrows exhibiting their greatest skills, The Doctor was left to wonder who exactly had knowledge of Missy's previously failed plan. Regardless of his curiosity, he didn't seek to question Jack further about this because right now it was his stag do party and his ultimate goal was to enjoy the evening like he had done with other countless evenings, with River.
The food certainly looked delicious and tasty, a large plate comprised of prawns and seafood and some alien flavored juice. The Doctor opted for chow mein flavored noodles instead. The only problem he had, he was hopeless with handling chopsticks and was constantly making the mistake of dropping a few noodles on his purple shirt's buttons.
"You should try the prawns instead, you don't even need to use anything other than your hands, to help you eat them." Jack insists he ought to try tasting the prawns.
The Doctor didn't seem as sure as Jack was. Even just glimpsing at the types of seafood, normally had the habit of making him feel queasy and picky.
"Well...I feel happy enough to stick with what I've got, if I can be perfectly honest. I guess, the new me needs a guide to the best food on Darillium. " The Doctor feels happy, once he says this thought out loud.
"Wait? in the 13 years you've lived here, you've never tried any of the food. Oh Doctor, why haven't you?" Jack looks half astonished upon learning this, the look he gives lasts roughly around 15 seconds.
"It's no big deal. River doesn't make a fuss about my food habits."
"Oh really? Wanna bet?" Jack flashes a buoyant and optimistic grin, his voice grows deeper while he speaks. The way in which he does speak, makes it seem as though he's already figured out the real reason for this, how The Doctor can't be sure - perhaps since the last time they saw each other in space before his previous regeneration, Jack had discovered the gifted ability to read minds of aliens and humans.
The entertainment for that evening at the Japanese restaurant looked a little unusual to say the least from The Doctor and Jack's viewpoint. It consisted of two fire-eating Silurians, circus style trained cyber dogs jumping through hologramatic hoops and a Sontaran performing magic, who had their own ability to make volunteers disappear and reappear from anywhere in the restaurant.
It didn't come as a much of a surprise, given how the entertainment became too extremely fast to keep up with and curious to follow whenever acts slowed down their performances.
"Do you know?, this almost feels like we're watching the Cybermen performing the YMCA. If I can be perfectly honest, I can't keep my face straight because I know how right I am about this." The Doctor whispers to Jack, who quite frankly doesn't look too won over by the metal armed, multi-colored aliens.
"Tell me about it." Were the only words which suddenly happened to leap out of Jack's mouth. The longing to give these two aliens a huge run for their money, suddenly became too tempting for Jack to ignore. Thankfully without The Doctor knowing this, he prevented his friend from making his first effort, by immediately hurrying the both of them out of the restaurant.
Once outside, amongst hundreds of tourists and residents of Darillium, The Doctor didn't regret resorting to doing a runner at all, from the unusual restaurant without paying for the food. He believed Jack deserved a rightful apology. "Sorry about that. You know what habits can be like, they're always telling you to what to do, with me they're telling me to run."
"Nothing ever seems to surprise me about you, Doctor? While you've got the attack-eyebrows thing going on with you; you've clearly got plenty of charm about you and it's easy for me to see the fact you're still talking like your 900 year old self.." Jack doesn't hesitate when it comes down to the matter, of him sharing his evaluation on his dear friend.
xxxxx
The Doctor headed home by himself, no sooner after he left Jack alone to his own devices on his behalf - chatting up two female cat/humans. As to why he'd experienced a change of heart and decided to head home was because the highs and lows of partying and dining out to celebrate his last night of freedom before he renews his vows with River, made him feel socially awkward and nervous around wild partygoers.
Of course he hadn't changed his mind on remarrying River, he loved her deeply, every so often he's longing to tell her those three special words and make her realize he will love her forever more, throughout the stars and even time itself. No doubt she could tell many of his romantic gestures were his way of saying "I love you".
As the living room was currently shrouded in complete darkness, The Doctor decided to use his blue-lit Sonic Screwdriver to guide him into the kitchen. However before he had the opportunity to step foot inside the next room, he heard Emilia's voice. He froze, not daring to look over whichever shoulder he favored the most.
"Who's down there, dad is that you?" She spoke softly. The Scottish tones in her voice easy to pick up on.
"Yes it's me Emilia. Sorry if I woke you and your mother up. Honestly I'm not very good with the whole sneaking through doors thing." He turns, aiming the light from the Screwdriver nearest to where his daughter was standing. She was wearing her pyjamas, her hand holding onto the banister, which led to her room and with a purple book placed under her right arm.
"Where's Jack?...Please tell me you haven't had a row with him, dad?" Emilia certainly showed how far more of a straight thinker and sensible looking for her age than first thought.
His lips form into a curvy, gentle smile. It hardly comes as a great surprise for him, finding himself becoming impressed by his daughter's skill to detect who is a liar and who isn't. "Of course we haven't had a row. Let's just say, me and Jack know when one of us, doesn't socially take a liking of going to a party."
Emilia looked happy to be told, her father and Jack were not suddenly at odds with each other over a silly argument.
"I know it's not exactly a traditional thing to do but I want to see how your mother is, before the two of us have our wedding ceremony tomorrow."
"She's asleep, I wouldn't wake her if I were you, dad. It is bad luck to see the bride before her big day."
"You're so much like your mother, far too smart and caring for your age and by that, I mean it's a very good thing, for when you grow up."
Emilia pulled a Please don't embarrass me too much look while he tried to make a few hints on life lessons. She knew her parents didn't wish to see her turning into a rebellious teenager through boredom. This was something which she didn't have no intentions of doing anyway, at least her parents didn't have nothing to feel nervous or greatly concerned about then.
The Doctor opted l'to take a seat, as he didn't enjoy standing around for too long. Like a bright interrogation light shining upon him, he's struck by a brilliant unexpected revelation - Feeling a lifetime connection with River through the spectrum and boundaries of time, made him feel grateful for the fact Amy and Rory had entered his previous incarnation's life.
He soon managed to snap out of the brief quiet thoughts, which were fortunately playing on his mind and starting to make his behaviour look odd to Emilia.
"Grown up love is so weird." Emilia admitted, she didn't quite get the reason of what makes people fall in love with each other, in the first place.
"You've got so much to learn about everything in life." He couldn't resist smiling like a normal proud parent while dropping this hint
"I don't want to yet. because I'm about being a bridesmaid right now."
Wedding ceremonies on Darillium didn't normally require a husband and wife-to-be to have a bridesmaid but River and her husband weren't exactly going to let this silly rule/law spoil their daughter's dream.
The Doctor looked thoughtful before offering reassurance to his daughter . "A brilliant bridesmaid more like, a memorable bridesmaid."
"Dad!" She felt he was talking in an embarrassing manner now.
"Okay I'll stop embarrassing you, if that's what you want me to do." He laughed quietly to himself.
xxxx
The next day; the day of River and The Doctor's second wedding, "The special, proper, majestic one" which the Time Lord had happily referred to as being in his mind. They had a porch in the back garden, The Doctor had taken the decision to sleep on the deckchair, with a duvet covered over him to keep him warm. Emilia had left one of his favourite suits folded up on the round table at the other end of the porch. Luckily River wouldn't be able to see him from their bedroom window because the balcony outside obscured half of the garden beneath it, so as matter of fact he was free to get dressed at his own accord.
The only problem he faced, not knowing how to get his timing spot on when it came to getting changed in public or private. Of course River wouldn't dare let him touch her appearance spray. On an off chance, he eventually stripped down to his famous underwear. It was a huge relief freeing himself of the fancy clothes he wore the night before and fitting his arms through both sleeves of his white silk shirt. He wondered whether he ought to probably go and search for Jack, seeing as he was his best man.
As soon as he was fully dressed and looking particularly fetching in his dark blue waist jacket and matching trousers, The Doctor being the sneaked out from the garden and around to the front of the family house. By chance Jack was heading straight in the same direction as his friend happened to be following.
"Doctor! Captain Jack Harkness calling The Doctor!" Jack inadvertently shouted, causing The Doctor half jump with fright.
"Shush!" Quickly enough, he's able to compose himself and then places his finger over his lips, as if to make sure Jack didn't attract possible attention from nearby fellow residents of Darillium.
"Shush? Oh! you want me to keep my voice down." Jack smiles and gives an understood nod. He was holding a nicely wrapped gift in his right hand.
"What's that you're holding in your hand?" The sight of this curious gift was displayed in clear view of two of them, soon it managed to catch the attention of The Doctor, who was intrigued by it's blue wrapping.
Jack broke his brief silence to answer his friend's question.
"Apparently it's for you."
"For me? Who gave it to you?"
"Well, I know it was a woman; young and very pretty she was I might add. Didn't really give her name when I asked her how she knew you."
The Doctor didn't have the faintest idea of who he was talking about. Ever since that time in the Nevada Desert, he struggled to remember a lot of things like how he once ended up trapped on a planet covered mostly in daffodils, all he ever could remember from this one and only previous encounter with this planet, was a pointy ears human requiring his assistance - on the guides to the most romantic planets throughout the galaxy and before he knew it, low and behold he found his bare elbows being tickled by very large daffodils, the TARDIS covered in graffiti and the sun above him basking hotly.
The planet was aptly named Fungusturus, so he discovered from jolly vaunting around the place, 5 minutes after waking up. Nice little planet it was, it was just a shame the planet's weather made things difficult for him, when he tried to remember how he ended up on this particular alien colony.
"Doctor, you really don't know do you who she might be? Hey maybe she's an admirer, one you don't know you have." Jack was intrigued, perhaps a little too intrigued and The Doctor was now wishing to get them both out of view before River and Emilia appeared at one of the windows.
"Maybe so. Right now, I've more important things to think about, like me and River renewing our vows for a second time." When the Doctor's left eyebrow furrowed slowly and creased lines formed across his forehead, Jack felt he ought to not push his luck and concentrate on the importance on being The Doctor's best man.
After exchanging heartwarming and funny handwritten vows at the altar, The Time Lord and his Professor wife were now sharing an expressive dance. River's head was resting on her husband's shoulder. The Doctor's eyes were glued to her, reading every expression she made while she relaxed more and more into their dance.
The longer they danced, the more curiosity got the better of River causing her left eye to slowly open and gaze up at him.
"So you've improved on your dancing. Darling, is this why you locked me out of the bedroom last week because you didn't want me to see you strutting around our bedroom?"
"Can you blame me?" He hinted she did have the tendency to keep a close eye on him too much too often.
River shot him a Excuse me, don't you start making me out to be a bossy boots look. He noted her latest look straight away, he then gave her a Okay maybe I shouldn't have said that out loud look. Annoying his wife was something he didn't wish to do right at that moment. Soon enough their dance came to an eventual end, with the couple sharing a sweet kiss. Her husband's floof hair was too irresistible to ignore, as soon as they parted from each other's arms and went to chat to the reception guests. Her eyes lingered on his hair for a moment or two, whilst she meant to be speaking with the parents of Emilia's friend Lia.
"Oh why must her Sweetie be more ridiculously sexy than ever, in that dapper groom suit of his?" She asks herself.
The Doctor stood alongside Jack, telling him he shouldn't stay single forever and making sure his friend promises not to act outrageously when he goes time traveling again soon.
"Oh those days, you only know you've missed them, once you place your hand, your finger on the set button." Jack said, referring to his vortex manipulator watch.
"Jack. I mean it someone like yourself should consider thinking of finding love. River and I...our moments and attempts at saving time itself, enabled the two of us to find a deep connection throughout time."
"You made River wait, a 100 years before you married her. Long time to leave the love of your life to wait."
"I know but that's what time can do to you when you're in love. Honestly this doesn't bother me, knowing River's thousands of years away from the TARDIS, instead of time traveling with me. She has her career, as do I."
"I wouldn't exactly say flying the TARDIS is a career Doctor."
"Is it to any Time Lord. Anyway Jack, just make sure love doesn't get too complicated for you."
"God it's like you've turned into the galaxy's most popular teacher ever." Jack joked, helping himself to a large glass of white wine. The Doctor's eyes expertly picked up on his choice of drink, in what felt like record time.
The Doctor just simply grinned consciously, as if to make it appear he had enlightened the mood further by telling himself a joke.
xxxxx
Some of the gathered guests were still showing off their finest dance moves in the center part of the room. River's flawless silk wedding dress went down as a massive hit with everyone especially with her husband, who was having difficulty trying to keep eye-to-eye contact with the guests, given how much time he spent gazing admiringly at how beautiful she looked in the dress.
"Sweetie, I can't leave you alone for five minutes before catching you admiring another one of my dresses. Your eyes are far too analytical than ever and that doesn't come as much of a surprise knowing this."
"Well isn't it natural for any husband to trip over himself because of how beautiful his wife looks?"
"Uhm... well yes but probably not about the tripping over yourself part."
"Okay..." The Doctor could tell, she didn't really want him hurting himself in silly fashion. A cheeky smirk soon parted his lips in delectable form while he looked contemplative, over what to say next to his wife. Eventually he came to his senses and started to reveal what funny thought was occupying his mind. "You should see my one-footed left foot spin then." He tries to persuade her to see this for herself.
"Well if you insist then I will, decide on how I should follow up your talented trick myself...all in good time Sweetie." She cleverly drops a tongue-in-cheek hint, hoping he might get what she means. River threw both arms around his neck, leaning forward...closer, as the tip of her nose touched to his.
"What are you thinking at this exact moment?" The Doctor closed his eyes in concentration, grasping this shared moment beautifully, as if their time together on this glorious planet was ending sooner than he believed. To any onlooker, it soon certainly became very clear the Time Lord was cherishing the grounds his wife walked on.
"Spoilers Sweetie."
"I thought spoilers were off the agenda between us since we came here to Darillium."
"Well you thought wrong my love."
The Doctor smiled down at her gracefully, through half lidded eyes. Moments later, he was relieved to see her gazing up at him with those stunning, alluring eyes of hers.
All eyes were on them, especially a young brunette woman, who was standing behind a group of guests. She wiped a visible tear from the corner of her eye before walking towards the main exit unnoticed. The woman was Clara, she had come to see The Doctor for the very last time. Not to speak to him obviously, no she had wanted to know he was happy and loved by others since the last time she saw him. She saw that he clearly was and felt no need to spoil things for him, by walking back into his life. She hoped the present would somehow help to jog his memories of her someday.
Within a blink of the eye, she vanished from the room altogether.
"Can I get my guitar out and play you that song I promised I would perform for you?"
"Absolutely not...not here I mean." She winks her right eye at him, smirking seductively. Of course she wanted to him play a song for her but not just yet because it was far better to listen to him while they were left alone in each other's company. Soon enough The Doctor is able to catch on to what his wife actually means. She suddenly bursts out laughing in response at his slowed reaction.
The Doctor was determined to think positively about life as they spent their last 11 years together on Darillum.
End of Chapter
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