Flying out on holiday was a release for them both. Danny woke up to a small amount of sun peeking through the curtains in their hotel room and falling on to Clara who lay against him. She was so relaxed, the moment they'd arrived he'd seen the change in her – no cares, no worries, just the Clara he loved. She was still fragile; the scars of what happened weren't going to disappear that quickly, but now she could unwind. Danny's mobility was increasing every day and he was able to walk about on his own much easier now. He shifted himself to get up from the bed, making sure not to wake Clara as he made his way on to the balcony of their room. It was already around 23 degrees and the warmth was welcome with both of their injuries. He hated thinking about it, the way they'd both ended up here, but it was done now and they could only move forward.
Danny leant on the railings at the edge, looking out over the beach their room faced out to. It was empty at the moment, still early for the holiday makers to be up in general. The sea was calm, just lapping gently on to the white sand. He looked back over to Clara who was still asleep and smiled, going back in and changing quickly before heading down to the beach.
He left a note on the side, making sure she'd know where he'd gone, but there was something freeing about being able to head out here on his own – he'd barely left the house on his own recently. Danny sat down on the sand, stretching his legs out so the water was just covering his feet when it came in. He used his good arm to rest on mostly, just using the other for a little support and looking up at the clear sky. It was a week until Christmas, a day they would be spending here and a day Danny was incredibly nervous for – he had plans, big plans, he just needed to hope it worked out.
"Danny?" he was interrupted in thought around half an hour after he'd sat down and leant his head back to see Clara stood above him.
"You're upside down," he replied, smiling.
"You're frowning," she responded and he rolled his eyes, chuckling. Clara moved to sit down beside him. "You okay?" She leant over and kissed him quickly.
"Couldn't be more so, sorry the beach was just far too appealing and I woke early," he explained. "Did you sleep well?"
"Best I have in weeks, how come you woke early?" she asked, wriggling her toes a little in the water.
"I guess I was just rested, I slept well. Did you want to go for breakfast?" Danny sat himself up a little, his arm beginning to twinge from leaning on it.
"Sounds good," she stood up, helping him up and walking in to breakfast.
They spent the first day by the pool, the jet lag still affecting them both a little. Clara spent most of the day on Danny's lounger, lying on him and drifting in and out of sleep. Danny didn't sleep much, just watched Clara resting and enjoying the odd drink in between time.
When she woke on day 2, Clara found Danny already dressed with a bag in hand.
"What are you up to?" she asked, grinning a little at the look on his face.
"I thought we could go for a beach day, I have our stuff together," he smiled, putting the bag down on the bed. "Might even chase you in to the sea if you're lucky."
"Like you'll ever beat me," she chuckled, "besides I'd much rather just lie on the beach and watch you splashing around." Clara sat up. "I'm off to shower, make sure you've got both my sandals!" she shouted while disappearing in to the bathroom.
They made it down to the beach after breakfast, claiming a pair of sun loungers.
"Come on then, race you to the ocean," he stood up once they'd put their stuff down. "Granted I'm at a slight disadvantage with the whole weak leg thing…"
"Danny honestly, you go, I'll wait here," she told him. He stopped, turning to look at her, "what?"
"Why don't you want to go in love?" he asked, putting an arm around her waist.
"It's not that I," she turned to face him and he raised an eyebrow. "Okay, I don't like the sea, I've said it…" Danny sat down with her on the edge of her lounger. "When I was 10 I fell in the over sea, I was on holiday with my parents. I choked on the water and passed out. Ever since then I've never been able to go in the sea, other water is fine but I can't… I just can't. Whenever Tom and I went away we just avoided it, he tried to get me to go in but he never quite managed it," she told him, dropping her head.
"There's nothing to be ashamed of Clara, we all have those fears," he kissed her gently. "Come with me; just walk in to the waves, no more than where we were yesterday morning. You can hold my hand, both of them if you like, just let the water wash over your feet – that's all I ask." Danny stood up, holding his hand out for her. "Once we've done that we'll come back here, nothing more," he told her. Clara slowly took his hand, standing up and nodding.
They walked down the beach and Danny held her hand, letting her squeeze as much as she needed. They got to the edge, just their toes touching the water's edge.
"Ready?" he asked. Clara took a deep breath and nodded, slowly taking a step forward. They went to ankle deep and Danny made sure to keep one arm around her and held her hand with the other. "That's alright isn't it? It's so calm, nothing to harm you and I'm right here." Clara nodded, smiling gently.
"Yeah, that's nice," she gently leant to rest a head on his shoulder, looking out at the ocean in front of them. They stood there for a few moments in silence, just listening to the sound of the waves.
"You wanna go back?" Danny asked after 10 minutes had passed. Clara nodded, lifting her head up and kissing him softly before turning back, heading back to the sun loungers where they lay down. "There we go, you survived!" Clara chuckled and nodded, turning on her side to face him. "You know that's not how these things work right?"
"Shut up you, I just wanted to look at you," she told him.
"You see me every day, there's a whole beach in the other direction," he grinned, turning his head to her."
"Not every day you're lying on a sun lounger with your top off though," Danny rolled his eyes and chuckled. "Thank you, for doing that with me, it means a lot," she told him.
"It's what I'm here for. Now sit back and relax," he told her, "I'll go and get us a drink."
The next day he persuaded her to go a little deeper, just a little further up her legs. They stood there for a few minutes again, Danny supporting her as she faced a fear. The following day they made it to knee height and Clara asked him to let go of her for a couple of minutes too. Eventually she grabbed his hand back, but it was progress.
"Can we go for a walk along the beach?" Clara asked as they made it back to the sand. Danny agreed and they started strolling along. "I don't know what to say anymore, I feel like I've told you I love you too much recently, everything you're doing for me it's so much," she told him. Danny stopped her, leaning down to kiss her softly.
"Says the woman who has taken me on holiday to the Bahamas for Christmas…" he grinned, running his hand through her hair, "I think we can call it quits."
"It's one thing bringing you on my honeymoon; it's a whole other thing helping me face such a huge fear. Sometimes I think you know me better than I know me," Clara lifted a hand to his cheek and stroked it softly," this holiday is proving that."
"I've known you less than 6 months, how can that possibly be true?" he asked, joining her hand and holding it gently.
"We've been through a lot together already; I've told you so much more than I can tell anyone. You've nearly died, I've got this stupid condition…" she sighed, but he lifted her chin up carefully.
"It's not stupid; it's just part of you now. It's under control, you're going to get better and I'm here to help you with that as much as you are for me. We both have our scars, mentally and physically, but we have each other and that's all that matters right?" Danny made eye contact with her and kissed her. "Right?"
"Right. You're always right, it's actually a little disturbing to be honest," she chuckled, kissing him back.
"You cheeky sod, I don't know why I bother," he picked her up, spinning her round as she squealed. "Why don't we go get changed for dinner?"
"It's only 4," Clara pointed out. Danny nodded, taking her hand as he placed her down.
"Might take us a little while…" he grinned and Clara raised an eyebrow, "what? Everything takes a while with a dodgy arm and leg."
"Sure thing mister," she laughed and they made their way back to the hotel.
Christmas day arrived a few days later and Danny was woken by Clara kissing him,
"Mmm what time is it?" he smiled a little but didn't open his eyes.
"Just after 7," she replied.
"You're actually a little kid aren't you?" he replied, grinning. "It's so early."
"It's Christmas," she kissed him again, "and Santa's been."
"Santa… when and why did Father Christmas get Americanised?" Danny finally opened his eyes. "I prefer the green outfit – I think it slims him down." He sat up, Clara laughing at his response before leaning over and picking a present up from under the bed. "What's this then?"
"I told you, Father Christmas has been," she replied and handed it over. "Go on, open it."
Danny looked down, starting to peal the paper back. Inside was a box and he opened it to reveal a watch.
"Clara it's beautiful…" he told her, taking the watch out from the box.
"You kept complaining about how your last one broke on camp, which was kind of my fault so I figured I should probably sort that. You should probably turn that over," she told him, leaning her chin on his shoulder as he did.
25.07.14. The day you changed my life.
Danny looked up at her, a small tear in his eye. Clara leant forward and gently kissed the corner of his eye as it fell.
"Soppy mare," she whispered, "I love you so much, this doesn't even explain how much, but it is something of me you can always have with you."
"What are you trying to do to me Clara Oswald," he asked, smiling, "I guess it's my turn?" Clara shrugged, "what?"
"I'm just happy to see you liked the watch," she replied.
"Oh really? Says the girl who woke me at 7am because it's Christmas," he raised an eyebrow. Clara shrugged again, but Danny just smiled and leant his side to pick up her gift. "I knew you were excited really," he told her as she grabbed it from him.
"Like you said, I'm just a little kid really," she replied and unwrapped the present. "Wait, how did you…?"
"I did some digging," he smiled, "I had a lot of spare time recently in case you hadn't realised."
"True, but Danny this is the same as the necklace my mother gave me," she couldn't stop staring at it.
"The one you lost in the hospital when you went to see Tom. It broke your heart even more to know you'd lost that, it was the last thing she gave to you." Danny took her spare hand, kissing it. "Let me put it on?" Clara nodded, a little speechless as he took it from the box. He carefully placed it around her neck, doing the clasp up blind before kissing her as they both held it. "Merry Christmas my love," he whispered before they kissed again, thanking each other.
They stayed in bed until lunch, going down for a Christmas dinner before heading out on the beach, walking down together.
"I got you something else," Danny finally told her as they reached the water's edge. "What are you doing on July 25th 2015?" he asked.
"I don't know, celebrating the fact it's a year since our first kiss?" she asked, looking at him a little confused.
"That you will… fancy doing it in a church wearing a wedding dress?" he asked and Clara responded looking a little shocked, "it's all booked, I figured a year might be acceptable? And it's the beginning of the summer holidays so we can go on honeymoon straight after. The reception is booked too, that hotel you always go on about? Everything should be different to what Tom had planned; I didn't want it to be the same – that's something for you two to share. I… hope that's okay?"
Clara kept staring for a moment before suddenly hugging him tight and then kissing him, "this is perfect," she told him. "I love you so so much, and I guess that makes it 7 months till our wedding?"
"I guess it does," he picked her up.
"Careful!" she squealed as he held her, "your arm…"
"Oh I'm fine," Danny replied, "I'm more than fine." Clara kissed him.
"Put me down, please?" she asked and he agreed. The moment she was down, Clara grabbed his hand and started running in to the water.
"Woah! What are you doing?" he asked as they ran.
"Living," she replied, laughing as they went deeper and deeper until the water was up to her chest. They stopped there, Clara putting her arms around Danny's neck and kissing him once more. "I'm going under, you coming?"
Danny looked at her, unable to believe what he was hearing, but before he knew it Clara had dived in so he followed her. They both reappeared a little further in to the sea, grinning. Clara splashed him, ducking back under briefly as he tried to splash her back.
"This is so much fun," Clara giggled and kissed him quickly. "Merry Christmas," she told him.
They made their way back to shore together, grabbing their towels off the sun loungers and drying off a little.
"I can't say this is how I expected to spend Christmas day, but I'm certainly not complaining," Danny kissed her head gently.
"It's perfect, we can do traditional next year, right now this is exactly what I need," she let her towel go so she could hug him properly. "I love you so much," she kissed him; "I love you."
"You look tired," Danny told her, stroking her cheek, "you still need rest."
"How do you define rest?" she replied, grinning. Danny rolled his eyes, "alright alright, let's go for a lie down. Maybe on the balcony?" He nodded, taking her hand and led her back to their room.
They spent a day or two resting, sitting by the poolside mostly, taking in the sunshine and the time together. The holiday began to draw to a close, New Year's Eve came all too fast and they were on the plane home. Clara slept on his shoulder for most of the flight and Danny watched over her, unable to take his eyes off her as she rested. The 9 hours almost flew by and she only woke when they began to land.
"Oh hello there," Danny smiled as she sat up, "how are you feeling?"
"Like I just slept for hours in a slightly awkward position, but rested," she replied, "did you sleep?"
"Not… exactly, no," she looked a little disappointed at him.
"Danny you know we have the party tonight, you're going to be shattered," Clara told him, folding her arms.
"You were too beautiful, I couldn't shut my eyes," he told her, shrugging a little.
"You're one big chat up line Danny Pink," she grinned, uncrossing her arms, "but you'd better be good tonight because I can't deal with anymore grief from Linda, I still can't quite believe I agreed to this."
Danny took her hand, squeezing it gently, "hey, you'll be seeing your Dad and your Gran for New Year's, which is great isn't it?" She nodded, "there you go. I'll be there every step; we'll have a great time." Clara smiled, grateful for his support.
They made it home and just about had enough time to change before they left for her Dad's home, getting a taxi as they fully expected to both have a drink or two. It pulled up outside and Danny paid the driver before they climbed out.
"You've got this, it's going to be fine – what harm can she really cause on New Year's?" he asked and Clara rolled her eyes.
"There are some things you still don't really know, but there's no going back now – let's go." Clara walked up to the door, ringing the bell and stepping back, slipping an arm round Danny silently while they waited. Soon enough her Dad answered the door and Danny felt her immediately relax when she saw it wasn't Linda.
"Clara!" he greeted her, "come on in, it's been far too long," she stepped inside and he hugged her, she kissed his cheek and then moved so Danny could come in too. "Nice to see you," he shook Danny's hand who returned the gesture accordingly. "I appreciate our last meeting wasn't the best, but I'm hoping we can change that."
"Sure, clean slate – sounds good to me," the last time he'd spoken to Dave was when Clara was in hospital, he was on holiday, and Danny wasn't going to start that argument again.
"Danny," she whispered when her Dad had taken their coats, "you promised me you were over that, they were on holiday – I had you, it was fine."
"It wasn't fine Clara, he's your Dad he-" she kissed him to shut him up.
"Wants to start a fresh, please try, for me?" Clara knew he wouldn't be able to resist her face and he sighed.
"Fine, fine I'm on it. Come on, let's go through," Danny told her, she smiled triumphantly and he rolled his eyes as they walked in.
Various people came up and said hello, Clara lost count of the number of times she'd explained how she and Danny had met, and she'd also lost count of how many people told her how much better she looked. It was beginning to get exhausting and when she found a chance, she escaped out in to the back garden. Danny managed to get away from being questioned by her Gran about the wedding when he realised she wasn't inside anymore. He spotted the slightly open door and went out in to the garden.
"Clara it's freezing out here," he put his arms around her, "come back inside, is everything okay?" Clara nodded, leaning her head back in to him, smiling.
"Just needed a break from everyone, I see you got away from my Gran," she chuckled, tilting her head back further to look up at him. Danny grinned, kissing her gently.
"She's definitely making sure I'm doing right by you that's for sure. Now come on let's go back inside – it is nearly midnight after all." Clara kissed him again gently before taking his hand and heading back inside.
10 minutes later and the countdown was on. Danny and Clara stood in the back corner of the room behind most people having come in that bit later, but they didn't really mind.
"New year, I'm going to make sure it's so much better for you than the last one," Danny told her as everyone else counted down.
"Oh I don't know, the end of this one hasn't been so bad," she replied, finishing off her wine and squeezing his hand.
"No, but the whole of next year is going to be so much better," he told her.
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!" Everyone shouted, turning to greet each other. Danny and Clara turned to each other, linking eyes and kissing each other gently.
They only realised they were still going when they were interrupted by Linda's voice, "do they stop for air or what?" They separated a little, foreheads still touching for a moment before they turned to see her Dad and Linda stood looking at them.
"Sorry Dad," Clara had to turn back in to Danny to chuckle a little, he gently hit her arm to tell her off jokingly.
"I think what Clara means to say… is Happy New Year Dave," Danny greeted him, "Linda," he kissed her cheek politely. "I think I should probably get this one home," he told them as she continued to giggle. "Maybe one too many glasses of wine," he stroked Clara's hair back as she leant against him. "I think we might walk, everyone will be calling taxis at the moment and someone could do with it."
"You sure, it's at least half an hour and it's late," Dave asked him, "your leg?"
"Oh it'll be fine, much better now but thank you. I'll let you know we get home, thank you for tonight it's been lovely. Now come on missy, let's get you home," he nudged her up.
"Right yeah, home, bye Dad!" she hugged him and then stood up again, looking at Linda for a moment before turning away and taking Danny's hand, heading out in to the night.
They were about half way home, walking through the park swinging their hands when Clara stopped him and kissed him again.
"Clara we need to get home," he told her. She shook her head, kissing him again, "you're tipsy, it's late, come on you let's get back." Clara pulled away, sitting down on the nearest bench and staring out over the lake in front of her. Danny sighed, sitting beside her. "Talk to me?"
"I feel so happy," she replied, "I don't want that to end, I don't ever want that to end," she told him, leaning on his shoulder.
"You've definitely had too much to drink," he told her, but Clara was adamant.
"No, no! Danny, I didn't have time to drink that much, yes maybe I'm a little bit tipsy but nothing more. This time last year I was in such a different place, I was happy, but I was happy with someone else. It all fell apart, but you've pulled me back together again. We've just had two wonderful weeks together, we spent Christmas on a beach, you've organised our wedding and taken in to account everything that's happened in the past. How did I get so lucky?" Clara kept staring at the water.
"I don't understand, you've had such a hard year, how would you say you're lucky?" he asked, rubbing her arm gently.
"Don't you see it?" Clara asked, looking up at him, taking his hand and interlocking their fingers, bringing them up between them. "Nobody else gets me like you do. I've just spent a whole evening with people who feel sorry for me and constantly give me sympathetic looks, you just see me for me. I tried so hard to push you away when we met but you never gave up on me, and you just stood there at new year telling me how you're going to make this year better for me – not for us – for me. You don't even see what you're doing, you're making me the woman I once was. When we ran in to the sea on Christmas day?"
"Yeah, you almost gave me a heart attack," he commented and she giggled.
"But that's just it, I used to love taking risks. I haven't felt like that in so long but suddenly, in that moment, I felt it again." Clara told him.
"You're such a control freak, how does a control freak take risks?" he asked.
"Carefully," she smiled, "I was scared of running in there, it was a risk, but I always knew you were right behind me." Clara kissed his hand gently. "I'm never letting go of you."
"Good, because you're stuck with me, but can you please be stuck with me at home?" he asked, grinning.
"You never stayed out all night, just watching the light change?" she asked, looking back out to the lake. "I used to do it every new year's eve with my Dad, before Mum died. She didn't like it mind, I would spend most of new year's day sleeping and we were usually meant to be visiting family, but Dad said it was something special, watching the moon travel and the sun rise." Danny watched her speaking and he couldn't help but smile and agree. Clara moved to rest her head against him once more, sighing contently. It was going to be a good year.