Chapter 14

All is Bright

Clara's flat was not decorated. It was not filled with lights and scents of Christmas dinner. There wasn't any gas lighting. In fact, it was messy and cramped and just a little bit on the musty side.

Clara explained all of this to John as she shakily unlocked the front door, quietly so as not to disturb the sleeping girl in John's arms.

"Clara, I'm sure it'll be perfect," John said, with as much kindness as always.

Clara smiled in thanks, and pushed the door open. Her flat was dusty, and messy like she'd thought. But there was a part of her that felt good to be here; to be home for Christmas. They'd gotten up so early, wandered in such a lost state through Cardiff, all to be back here in London for the holiday.

She had to admit, it was worth it. To be in her flat for Christmas, with people she loved to finally make it feel like a home was the greatest gift she could ask for.

John set Bill under a blanket on Clara's bed, and then returned to her side in the lounge. She was darting this way and that, cleaning and straightening up. She only paused when she felt his hand on her back.

"Clara," he said with a small chuckle. "It's perfect."

Clara shook her head and laughed as if he'd said a joke.

"You'd probably have a better place to celebrate at the hospital."

He stepped forward, holding her waist with both hands.

"Anywhere I'm with you is the best place in the world."

Her cheeks blushed in the gentle candlelight. How fast they had gotten this far. How right it felt, to be here with him.

She cradled his neck in her palms and brought his head down low enough to kiss him, slowly. She broke it off a moment later with a smile, but leaned her forehead on his.

"Happy Christmas, John Smith."

"Happy Christmas, Clara Oswald."

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

By the evening, the flat looked much more festive. Bill sat in front of the fireplace with a new doll, playing doctor with some of John's medical supplies. More candles had been lit, giving the space a warm glow that blanketed all three occupants with a comforted feeling.

Clara handed John a glass of mulled wine and sat beside him on the couch.

"Did you like your presents, Bill?" She asked.

Bill turned, still holding a small piece of gauze as she wrapped up her doll's arm.

"Yes. I like papa's work things most, though."

John grinned.

"Just be careful with those. I need some for my patients, alright?"

"Yes, papa."

Clara noted the deep joy in his eyes when Bill called him that. She could read the love there.

"I'm so happy, John," she said softly.

"Me too."

She kissed his cheek and stood to wash her glass, but he took her hand.

"Clara, I have something for you."

She set down her empty glass and sat back down beside him. He reached into his inside pocket with an anxious smile, and suddenly pulled out a box, all wrapped up and tied with a string.

"Happy Christmas, Clara."

"Oh, John."

She tore through the paper, feeling sort of sorry as it ripped open. With bated breath, she opened the box.

Inside was a piece of paper, covered with a wrapping to keep it protected. When she removed this last layer, it revealed a picture, beautifully sketched. It was a woman...oh.

"John…this is much too beautiful to be me," Clara said with a chuckle.

"It doesn't do you justice."

She looked up and found him looked back at her with eyes filled with love.

"Do you like it?" He asked sheepishly.

Clara held it to her chest.

"John, I love it. I love you," she added in a whisper.

They kissed again, as Bill played distracted with her doll and the fire burned and the candlelight danced. As people sang outside and children played in the snow.

When they broke apart, Clara smiled again.

"Do you remember when we first met? You were lost and accidentally showed up at my door."

"Greatest mistake of my life," he murmured.

"I hope I'm more than that," Clara said playfully.

He laughed, taking her lips onto his own again.

"Clara, I can't wait to start the next chapter of my life with you."

"I think it'll be my best chapter yet," she said.

And the doctor and the governess held hands, watching their little girl pretend to be a doctor. Sitting in a messy flat in the East End, without a clue what they were going to do next, the family celebrated Christmas. And, after it all, they couldn't imagine life being any better had their lives followed any different path.