Title: A Day and Life on the TARDIS
Author: Flydye8/Heintz571
Pairings: Clara/12th Doctor
Rating: T (just to be on the safe side)
Summary: This is a collection of stories about the times in-between Clara's and the Doctor's adventures. The ones we never see; because we all know once you starting living with someone, life always gets more interesting. The stories are primarily fluffiness, domestication, and a loving friendship taking place after "Last Christmas".
Author's note 1:There isn't much information out there about Clara's family especially her Gran, so I have established a timeline for her based on what I believe her life was like and her many decades of living. I have also given her a name Seren(which means star in Welsh) because according to the cannon of DW her name has never been revealed.I have also taken into consideration that Clara may not know everything she thinks about her Gran.Please enjoy a deeper look into Seren Oswald's life.
Entering into the TARDIS, Martha looked around in amazement as she wheeled Clara's Gran into the time machine, "You have updated her, and she looks really good." Looking down at the women she continued, "The last time I was in here it was much more pinky and shadowy."
The Doctor moved toward the console and started to type in the first set of coordinates for their trip correcting the young doctor, "It wasn't pinky it was coral there is a distinction between the two colors you know."
Clara leaned down and whispered into her Gran's ear, "It was much bluer when I first started traveling with the Doctor; he likes to change the desktop to fit his new persona. I once saw it as metal with bright white circles all over the walls, it was just horrid."
"I heard that Clara Oswald, I was going through my abstract phase. Now if we are all done chatting about my console room let us begin our adventure." He stated pulling the activation switch causing the TARDIS whirled to life.
Gran giggled at the banter between her granddaughter and the Doctor before commenting, "I think it is just beautiful."
"Why thank you Seren Oswald."
"So Doctor, where are you bringing me first?" Seren inquired as the TARDIS came to a halt.
"Right out those doors is where." The Doctor answered knowingly.
Martha interceded, "Is the perceptions filter the same as last time, do we need to move slowly and not speak."
"No, I have refined them so we can act normally without worry." Turning toward Seren he asked, "Are you ready?"
"I am more than ready Doctor." Seren smiled up at him.
Exiting the doors, the group found themselves in a maternity ward. Walking down the passageway, Clara whispered, "When and where are we?"
"It is March 22, 1935 Rookwood Hospital, Cardiff." The Doctor stated when Seren interrupted.
"This is the day I was delivered into this world Clara." Reaching room 12, Seren used the hospital bar in the hall to stand and look into the room, "Look there is my mum, your great grandmother; she is just as beautiful as I remember. Here name was Mattie and my dad name was Douglas.
Clara watched as her great grandmother reached into a small bassinet, lifting her Gran gently out of it, "Oh my dear Seren Bell, if your father was here he would be doting on you constantly and I would never get a chance to hold you, but unfortunately he is away keeping us safe."
Looking at her Gran Clara asked, "Where was your dad? I would think he would want to be here."
Tilting her head to the side still watching her mum Seren explained, "From what mum told me dad was away in the army when I was born. However, mum did say…." Her narration was interrupted as a man dressed in an Army uniform rushed down the hall, slipping on the polished floor while circumventing the corner heading in their direction. As he got closer Clara noticed he had dark hair, his temples graying and was quite tall and skinny much like the Doctor.
Giggling Seren watched her dad rush into the room before finishing, "My mum said he was granted emergency leave from the service so he could see me." Silently the four time travelers listened as the scene unfolded before them.
"Mattie I came as quick as I could, I sorry I wasn't here for the birth, the train was delayed out of London." Douglas stated as he entered the room.
"You are here now Doug and that is what matters most, now come over here and see your daughter." Mattie gestured for her husband to join her on the bed.
"I have a daughter."He repeated as his eyes widened as his wife held the baby out for him to hold.
"Yes my love you have a daughter and she is more beautiful than all the stars in the universe." Mattie commented as she handed their daughter for him to hold.
"Your right she is gorgeous so which of the girls names did you choose?"He asked as he leaned down to kiss his daughter.
"Seren Elizabeth Bell." His wife replied lovingly, watching her husband nuzzle his daughter.
Removing his eyes from the baby in his arms his eyes met his wife's, "It is a perfect name." Then leaning down he kissed her before continuing, "Just like you."
"Oh Doug you really are such the charmer." She responded as she caressed his cheek with the tips of her fingers, "How long can you stay?"
"I only have a couple of days before the Army needs me again."
"Then let's not waste them.Come here."She directed as she patted the bed next to her, "Let's enjoy our daughter together before you have to go back."
Clara looked at her Gran and saw tears in her eyes, "Are you okay?"
"Yes dear it is nice to see my dad; I have only been able to see pictures of him before now."
Confused Clara inquired, "Why?"
"Because a few months after I was born my dad went on a reconnaissance mission in Germany and never returned. My mum raised me by herself during the Second Great War, it was a difficult time for her but she did brilliantly."
"I didn't know that." Clara responded leaning over to give her Gran a hug.
Sitting down in her wheelchair Seren focused on the Doctor, "So where next Time Lord?"
"It is a surprise, come on let's go?" relinquishing the handles of the chair from Martha he led her back to the TARDIS.
Seeing Clara still staring at the couple in the room Martha commented, "They are a beautiful family."
"Yes they are. Do you have any children?" She asked as they followed the Doctor.
"Yes I have two; one is two soon to be three and the other is twenty months." Martha responded proudly.
"Do you and your husband still work for UNIT?" Clara asked.
Surprised she knew about their involvement with UNIT she responded, "Nah when we decided to have children we left behind all of it. To avoid just what we found out a moment ago, catching and stopping aliens are not conducive of raising a family."
"Do you miss it?"
Looking fondly at the blue doors of the TARDIS Martha replied, "Sometimes, but then I look at my children and I am okay with the decisions that I made. Everything has a time in our lives and my time on the TARDIS and fighting aliens ended a while back. However, I do wish the Doctor would come and visit he was an important part of my life. He made me the person I am now."
The doors opened quickly and the Doctor stuck his head out and gestured with his hands, "I didn't bring you two along, for you to gossip like hens. Please do hurry up time is ticking." he exclaimed leaving the door open for them.
Martha rolled her eyes, "But if I had your Doctor I may have turned out to be a bit more sarcastic. How do you how do you stand it?"
Giggling Clara responded entering the TARDIS, "By remembering he can be sweet as well."
Upon entering the Doctor pushed a few more buttons on his console, "Next stop the Thames, London 1952."
With his statement Seren sat up in her chair in excitement and apprehension, "How did you know Doctor?"
Smiling at her he commented, "Clara told me about when you and your husband first met, with a bit of guessing I was able to find the right place and time."
"You never guess Doctor." Clara stated as she crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows knowingly.
Rolling his eyes he amended, "Okay maybe after I fixed the perception filters I did a bit of traveling to find the right moment."
As the TARDIS stopped, Martha moved Seren toward the doors, "Come on I can't wait to see what happens."
Exiting the group pulled their coats closer to their bodies to ward off the chill in the air, moving down the pier Seren's heart beat a little faster she couldn't wait to see John, the man who changed her life forever.
At the end of the pier a man stood with a long dark coat, staring out at the ocean as the fog enveloped him, his mousy brown hair blowing in the wind. They watched as a younger version Seren walked past wiping tears from her cheeks standing at the opposite edge of the pier unseen by anyone because of the weather. Moving closer the time travelers waited for the events to unfold.
Seren grabbed her granddaughter's hand speaking quietly, "What you are going to hear is to remain between us. Okay."
Clara nodded not understanding why her Gran was giving her such instructions, then turned to watch the younger version of her start to remove her overcoat and shoes. The Doctor guessing what was about to happen moved to Clara's side
Then before Clara eyes she saw young Seren move to jump off the pier into the swilling river below she moved to intercept when the Doctor grabbed her arm holding her back, "No my Clara!" he said adamantly.
Clara was about to yank her arm away from the Doctor when she saw the man in the dark coat grab the younger version of her Gran into his arms, effectively pulling her away from the edge of the pier.
"Let me go!" Seren yelled as she pushed helplessly against the man who held her torso tight.
"No, not if you are planning on doing what I think." He responded.His voice was deep and strong his northern accent becoming more apparent with emotion.
"You have no right to interfere."
"I have every right to interfere if it means a beautiful woman is about to take her life." He countered dragging her further from the edge.
"Who says I was about to take my life?" she countered as she stopped struggling in his arms.
"Well, I don't know maybe because the fog is so thick that no one will see you, also the recent rains have caused the Thames to swell well beyond its banks causing quite the rapids, but most importantly because your eyes red from crying." He rattled off his reasons releasing his tight hold but still holding onto her arms keeping her from running. "So why don't you tell me what is going on so I can help you."
"You can't help me, no one can." Seren replied her voice quiet with despair.
"I don't know, I have been told I am a great listener." Releasing her completely he held out his hand, "John Oswald at your service."
Grabbing his hand reluctantly she replied, "Seren Bell."
"Good to meet you Miss. Bell, so why are you trying to end your existence."
"My mother just died, I have no one left." She stated as tears fell from her eyes.
"Well I must disagree, you now have me." Walking over to her discarded shoes and coat he retrieved them and returned to her side. Grabbing her hand he walked her over to one of the wooden benches and guided her to sit.Bending down on one knee he put her shoes back on, once finished he stood grabbing her hand again pulling her up, placing her jacket on her shoulders. Once finished he smiled, "There you go now you are all warm again."
Young Seren stated quietly, "Why are you helping me?"
Smiling he tilted his head, "This is your darkest day, your darkest hour and it is important for you to know you are not alone."John pulled her close to his side and led her back down the pier toward one of the local tea shops.
Clara listened as her granddad spoke similar words that were said to her not so long ago. Looking at the Doctor meeting his eyes she smiled. Leaving her Gran's side, moving to his, she brought his lips to hers kissing him tenderly before pulling him into a tight hug. His eyes closed as he tilted his head into her hair; neither of them noticing the surprised look on Martha's face, nor the look of understanding on Seren's.
Seren looked up at the young doctor and smiled, "I am glad he took my advice."
Shaking her head Martha turned toward the older woman, "That is something I never thought I would see but it is good, he deserves to be happy." Clearing her throat she continued, her voice rising a bit addressing the embracing couple, "I think we have more places to see."
The Doctor was the first to break the embrace a bit embarrassed, recovering quickly he stated, "Yes, yes come on then." Grabbing Clara's hand he led the group back into the TARDIS.
Once inside his ship he stated, "Next stop September 16th 1954."
Seren exclaimed, "Oh my favorite day."
"What happened on that day?" Martha asked curiously.
"It is the day my John and I became man and wife."
"That was quite a long engagement." Martha stated observantly.
"Well it had to be, you see when John saved my life I was only 17 years old and because he was 27 years we had to wait till I was old enough to marry, especially since I didn't have any parents to consent to me marrying before I was 18 years."
The TARDIS stopped and the Doctor called out, "Here we are."
Standing outside the fall day was warm as the travelers stood off to the side waiting for the bride to appear.
Seren watched her younger self walk down the aisle a broad smile gracing her features under the vail that covered her face. John was dapper in a dark blue suit a look of adoration on his face.
The Doctor kneeled at Gran's side, "I see another reason why you like me in my blue suit with tails."
Looking at him she winked slyly, "Of course you are very reminiscent of my late husband however he was a lot less gray than you."
"I keep telling everyone regeneration is a lottery; I can't help it if I got gray hair this time around." He huffed.
"Oh don't take offense Doctor it is very becoming. You are quite a silver fox." Seren responded.
"Silver fox? I do not have four legs and a furry tail." He said indignantly.
Seren just laughed before shushing him with her hand, "Quiet now I want to hear the vows."
Nodding he stood and moved to Clara's side questioning quietly, "What is a silver fox."
Martha and Clara snapped their heads in his direction and started laughing trying not to be too loud; Clara snagged his arm, leaning against it she replied, "I will tell you later, now pay attention my Gran is getting married."
They watched silently as Seren and John said their vows to each other as they sealed their commitment with a kiss Gran's eyes watered. Her John was so handsome that day and in many ways she wished she could watch the ceremony over and over again just so she could hold onto the joy she experienced. Quietly she whispered, "I will see you soon my love."
As the happy couple walked down the aisle Clara went back to her Gran's side, "You were beautiful."
"Thank you my dear, I still have my dress in my armoire should you ever want to wear it, if you and your Doctor ever decide to have your own wedding."
"Thanks Gran but I think it is still a bit early to talk of such things, but I will keep it in mind." Clara responded a bit uncomfortably. She and the Doctor still had a long way to go before any permanent commitment could be discussed, "So are you ready to move on?"
Looking once last time at her wedding she shook her head, "Yes, I am ready."
Back in the TARDIS Seren looked visibly tired as her body slumped into her chair, Martha quickly went to her side and checked her vitals, and found her body was exhausted from their travels.
"I think maybe we should take you back to rest Mrs. Oswald." Martha commented.
"I will be okay." She answered.
"Are you sure you are up for it Seren?" the Doctor asked worried that if they continued to travel her body would give out more quickly.
"Yes, however I would like to request the final place we visit." She stated her voice becoming softer.
The Doctor hurried to her side engulfing her hand with his, "Anywhere in time and space, your choice."
Pulling him down she whispered in his ear. Pulling back he commented, "Okay, come on Seren I need to connect you with the telepathic interface."
Helping her to her feet he guided her to where she would have to connect with the TARDIS, "Martha, come over and support her as she stands. Clara, come over here next to me. "
Martha took her place behind the elderly women and Clara moved to his side then questioned, "Why do I need to be next to you?"
Facing her he explained, "Because if the TARDIS does what I think she is going to do we need to be out of the way."
"What is the TARDIS going to do?" Clara asked suspiciously.
"Not sure but it is going to be interesting." He replied then continued, "Fail safes are off as well as the nav computer. Now Seren think about what you want to see, nothing else."
As the TARDIS started moving Clara demanded, "Doctor, what…"
Her comment was never finished as everything stopped except for Martha and Seren. The image of the TARDIS in Indris's form appeared in front of them.
"It is good to see you again Martha Jones and to meet you Seren Oswald." The TARDIS greeted amicably.
"Who are you? Martha questioned moving closer to Seren.
"I am Idris the physical representation of the TARDIS."
Stunned Martha asked, "How are you possible?"
"It is a long story Martha Jones and one I do not have time to tell." Walking toward Seren she looked down at her, "I am here to grant you your last request, but I must warn you this is only one timeline that can occur, however if everything goes as agreed, it is the most likely scenario for your granddaughter's future. Although before you both walk out those doors I need your assurance what you see will be kept to yourselves otherwise the ramifications could be detrimental."
Seren nodded, "I understand."
"And you Martha Jones, do you agree?"
"Yes, you have my promise."
"Good then go and see but don't take too long I can only keep the Doctor and Clara in suspended animation for a short amount of time."
Martha helped Seren back to her chair and then exited out the doors of the TARDIS. Once outside they saw a small cottage directly in front of them moving toward the open bay window they watched the events taking place.
"I swear to death this is the last time we do this." Clara yelled as she gasped for breath her hair matted against her forehead with sweat.
"You are doing brilliantly my love now I need you to push." The Doctor encouraged her softly.
Baring down one last time, she grunted loudly and fell back against the bed as the cry of a baby filled the air.
"It is a girl Clara; a healthy baby girl with two hearts, 10 fingers and 10 toes."He said proudly as he cleaned up the infant in his arms.Once clean he wrapped the baby in a cloth baring the symbols of his native language, and brought their child to her side, "Look little Seren it is your mam."
Clara giggled happily through her tears as she held the baby close to her chest, helping it latch onto one of her breast, as her daughter ate she looked up at the Doctor, "She is beautiful!"
"Yes she is just like you." He replied kissing her softly, "You are amazing!"
"No we are amazing; now go get the other children so they can meet their new sister."
"Yes ma'am." Leaving her side he went to the door, opening it he saw his other children standing, waiting for him.
Shaking his head at their anticipation he directed, "Come in children, come and meet the new arrival."
Martha and Seren watched as three other children entered and surrounded their mother and father; two boys and one girl. They continued to watch the family as they welcomed the new arrival.
Clara's gran smiled happily, "Look Martha isn't it amazing."
"Yes it is." Martha replied remembering the time when she and Mickey welcomed their own children.
The cloister bell of the TARDIS called out to them and they knew their time was up. Moving away from the window they didn't see the Doctor watching them as they re-entered the TARDIS.
Once inside they saw Idris smiling at them, "Now remember your promise."
"We will." They replied in unison.
As she disappeared the ancient ship began to move, causing Clara and the Doctor to be reanimated.
"….is going on." Clara finished her question.
Looking at his monitor he shook his head, "Nothing any more, whatever the TARDIS had planned it is done."
Clara looked at her Gran and Martha, upon seeing their smiles she tilted her head inquisitively, "What happened?"
"Don't worry my dear everything is going to be just fine." Her Gran replied weakly her eyes becoming heavy.
Martha leaned down to check on her and then looked back at the Doctor hopelessly, "We need to return to the hospital now."
The Doctor nodded, "We are on our way."
Arriving back at the hospital 5 minutes after they left, Martha and the Doctor helped Seren back into her bed. As soon as she was settled Clara sat on the edge of the bed holding her Gran's hand the Doctor standing at her shoulder. Martha hurried out of the room to call Dave Oswald.
Gran looked at the couple next to her and whispered, "Thank you for my trip now I think I am finally ready to rest."
Tears streaming down her cheeks Clara held her Gran's hand to her cheek, "But I don't want you to go. I need you."
"Oh my dear, you have the Doctor now and your lives will be amazing. Trust me."
Dave his sister Julie and Linda entered into the room with Martha in their wake keeping Clara from responding to her Gran's statement. Kneeling at the other side of the bed Dave grabbed his mum's other hand, immediately Julie placed her hand on top of her brothers.
Turning to face her children she smiled at them, "You two are my pride and joy and I love you dearly."
Clara's father spoke tears in his eyes as well, "We love you mum."
"I know you do, but it is time for me to go, your father.." then she turned to Clara, "and your grandfather is waiting for me. Enjoy life and…. remember me." With her final words she took her last breath and closed her eyes entering her last rite of passage.
Author's note: In Anthropology Rites of Passages are the times in a person life where their role in the community changes. Rites of passages start with birth, adolescents (puberty), motherhood or fatherhood, elder in the community and finally death. All cultures of the world celebrate these rites of passages in many ways with rituals and ceremonies. Our lives are journeys incorporate each of these rites and in this writer's opinion should be treasured.