They had spent two days in the flat. Two days and if they spent more than three Gwen would go nuts. Jackie was a very perceptive woman and she knew something was wrong with Gwen; she is also a very determined and stubborn woman and won't rest till she has her answers. She cornered Gwen in the kitchen while she was cleaning the dishes.
"Tell me what is wrong now Gwen" she snapped, hands on her waist and her foot taping an impatient beat.
Gwen continued to wash the dishes "I have no idea what you're talking about mum" she said lightly
"Don't give me that bull Gwen, I raised you since you were six I do know all your tells. Rose said something about a parallel world" Jackie said
Gwen sighed and put the plate down in the warm soapy water. "We fell into one" she said "Pete was alive and a wealthy businessman, Rose didn't exist and quite honestly you were rather snobby"
Jackie giggled slightly at the idea of her being a rich snobby cow "what about you honey?"
"I researched myself there….my parents didn't die, I was a police officer, I was living with my long-term boyfriend Rhys Williams…I was shot last year by a local psycho called Susie Costello"
"Oh sweetheart" Jackie said pulling Gwen into a hug, "Gwen…please tell me what's wrong, you haven't been yourself for almost a year"
Gwen felt a tear sliding down her cheek "I got married mum" Jackie gasped "he was amazing and I loved him so much…he's dead now, died in the war against the daleks" Jackie pulled her into a long and tight embrace.
They stayed like that for a while. And then Jackie said "so how long have Rose and the Doctor been shagging?" Gwen laughed.
"Oh mum" she gasped "they haven't, at least not yet. I and Mickey locked them in a cupboard so they'd confess they're true feelings. They only snogged a couple times"
"Thank god" Jackie murmured "I am not ready to be a grandma to an alien baby"
Gwen giggled and rested her head on Jackie's shoulder "I can always count on you to cheer me up" she said softly
"'cause you can, I'm your mum it's my job. Now let's finish these dishes and have a nice cuppa, when did Rose say she'll be back?"
"Fiveish, she and the Doctor are packing Mickey's stuff up"
"Can't believe he chose this parallel world" Jackie said putting the kettle on.
"Well he had his grandmother there. Besides I think he'll be brilliant…no better than brilliant. I think he'll be fantastic"
Authors note: this chapter is dedicated to Mira, who has been fantastic and always been there for us RRA members when we're down. I do hope things will turn out all right.