Part 2

They spent most of that Saturday just working off the hangover and chatting. Danny explained how he'd spent the last 5 years in the army, only leaving 3 months ago - he didn't go into why. Clara told him how she'd gone into teaching after being a nanny for a family friend's children. The day went faster than either of them realised and soon enough Danny decided he'd better show his face at home. They agreed to meet again on Monday and he left.

Clara woke up on Sunday and the bed weirdly felt very empty. She sat up and checked her phone - nothing. Sighing, she got up and went through to the kitchen, flicking the kettle on and looking out of the window. It was stupid how quiet her flat felt, Danny had only been there for less than 24 hours but it was so nice to have company - especially company that actually wanted to be there. She made herself tea and sat down on the sofa, flicking the TV on for some background noise while she pondered how she was feeling.

Danny was lovely, kind, caring and - to be quite honest - completely gorgeous. Clara had long since stopped thinking about relationships and feelings, it had become too much of a hassle. She loved her job and her job was her life, usually the holidays weren't that exciting for her - she missed her daily routine of lessons and teaching, but this felt different. Last Christmas she'd hosted her Dad, Linda and her Gran and it had been a complete disaster. She'd not been in the mood at all and the moment Linda had turned up she'd criticised everything from the way the flat was set up to the cooking of the turkey. By the time they left Clara was just about ready to denounce Christmas forever and she was grateful to be back on her own.

This year she couldn't wait, all of a sudden, with a week to go until Christmas, she wanted to make this wonderful - she wanted to enjoy this. Clara put her mug down, standing up and rushing off to get dressed - she had some shopping to do.

A few hours later and she was dragged down with bags in the middle of the town centre when there was a tap on her shoulder.
"Hey you need a hand with them?" she spun around to see Danny behind her. "You're a little laden down there."

"That would be great, oh bit don't look inside I can't remember what bag I put everything in…" she smiled, handing a couple over. "What are you doing here?"

"The same as you I think, I just finished though - sent everything back with my parents," he commented.

"And you didn't go back with them?" Clara asked, heading towards her car.

"I spotted you," he smiled, "I kind of needed a break too if I'm honest too, they keep asking questions about Friday," he laughed.

"So you thought you'd run off with me again?" she chuckled, turning off into the car park.

"Only to help carry your bags," he smiled back.

"And how do you plan on getting home?" she asked again, that caught him, "it's alright I'll give you a lift, jump in."

Monday morning arrived and Clara woke up ridiculously early, getting herself up and dressed - changing outfit at least 3 times - before sorting her hair and makeup. She wasn't entirely sure why she was trying so hard, but here she was redoing her eyeliner for the third time to make it perfect. There were still 2 hours before she had to leave, it was ridiculous how early she was ready, and yet, as she sprayed her setting spray on, she knew she had no intention of waiting around for all that time at home.

After a mug of tea and a quick lipstick application she grabbed her car keys and drove into town. She walked towards the coffee shop they'd agreed to meet at, intending on walking by and heading into the shopping centre, but she spotted someone in the window and walked in, a little unconvinced she'd seen right.

She had - Danny was sat at a table in the corner reading… Pride and Prejudice? Clara smiled a little - she'd talked about it for at least an hour on Saturday, maybe he'd listened. Her heart fluttered a little as she thought about the fact he might be reading a book for her - this man was incredible, but as she considered this her thoughts were interrupted when he looked up and realised she was there.

"What're you doing here already?" Danny asked, putting the book down almost looking a little embarrassed that she'd seen him with it.

"I could ask you the same thing, we're not supposed to be meeting for another hour," Clara sat down opposite him.

"I got a little impatient at home─ figured I'd get here and wait…" he replied.

"Yeah… same," she chuckled a little. "I see you listened to my advice," Clara winked and gestured to the book.

"You talked so passionately about this, I had to give it a go. It's pretty good I guess," he shrugged and she nodded.

"I knew you'd love it," Clara smiled.

"Anyway, do you want a drink seeing as you're here?" Danny asked.

"Tea would be great. Can we get a bit of food as well? I'm starving, somehow forgot to eat this morning," she told him as her stomach was complaining a little.

"I'm so glad you asked, I'll be back in a moment," he stood up and went off to the counter. Danny looked back as he stood in the queue. Clara had picked up his copy of the book, leafing through it. She looked gorgeous sat there, shrugging her coat off and resting it over the back of the chair. Danny was so distracted watching her he almost missed the man on the other side of the counter calling for his attention. He grabbed the drinks and the cakes and walked over, putting the tray down on their table.

"Thank you so much," she took the cup of the tray, immediately sipping at it. "How are you then?"

"Glad to see you again, how about you?" Danny took his cup and the plates off, discarding the tray.

"Likewise, but I can't work out why I'm so nervous?" she giggled a little, portraying said nerves. "I don't really know how to do this, how to feel… close to someone? I stopped trying so long ago, I think I gave up hope of trying," she told him honestly. Danny reached across the table and took her hand in his.

"You don't have to be nervous, we'll get through this together. This has come on so suddenly, I get that, maybe it's going too fast and if it is then tell me, but I've quickly realised how much I care about you, how much I want to make you realise that someone can worry about you, think about you… love you," he said it, surprising even himself. Clara sat back a little, pulling her hand back instinctively. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean…"

"No, no I- I think I love you too," she bit her lip and took his hand back again, "I'm sorry, this scares me so much, I'm too scared of losing people."

"You won't, you won't lose me," he rubbed a thumb across the top of her hand.

"But how do you know that? It's been 3 days, I don't know how we can know that," Clara used her spare hand to run through her hair."But I think somewhere deep down I do know that, I know there's something different here, I see something in you that I've not seen in anyone for so long. When I woke up Sunday morning I missed you, that was stupid, it felt stupid, but… I don't know, I don't know where I'm going with this?"

"My parents have left for their holiday this morning, why don't we go back there when we're done here, maybe it'd be better to talk in private?" Danny suggested and Clara nodded, sipping at her tea again.

They went back to his, Clara following him back in her car and parking up on the drive behind him. Danny took her inside and shut the door, slipping his shoes off. When he turned back round Clara was right there and he was taken a little by surprise again as she kissed him. They draped arms gently around each other, the moment becoming surprisingly romantic, only ending when they both needed air.
"Sorry, I just needed to remind myself," she put a small smile on her face and pecked his cheek quickly before stepping back.

"Oh don't worry, I'm not complaining," he took her hand and pulled her back close, "you want to talk?" he asked. Clara thought for a moment and then shook her head.

"I want to explore," she told him and he nodded, slowly moving to guide her upstairs to the bedroom.

#-#-#-#-#

They lay among tangled bedsheets, fingers entwined and Clara's head resting on his chest.
"I think we've gone passed the point of going too fast," she giggled, kissing his fingers.

"I guess we have," he replied, kissing the top of her hair. "Clara will you tell me something?" She moved her head to look up at him expectantly. "Does this scare you?" Danny watched as she thought through the question before nodding a little nervously. "Don't be, don't be scared. I care about you, I care for you. Whatever anyone says, whatever they do, this is real - everything you see, it's not going anywhere."

Clara sat up now, pulling the sheet with her and looking over at him. "That's what scares me, I don't know how to let someone care for me," she pulled her knees up to her chest. "Since my Mum died I've cared for others, I cared for my Dad, then when he didn't need me anymore I cared for my pupils. I'm scared I'll push you away, that I won't let you near…"

Danny raised an eyebrow and sat up to join her, "you're doing pretty well so far," he put an arm around her, "don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. Now, do you trust me to cook you lunch?"

"Only if you make me tea first," he raised an eyebrow at her, "I'm just letting you care for me!" she grinned.

"Cheeky bugger," he replied, "if you insist."

"I most definitely do," Clara smiled as he stood up from the bed. "I find it kinda funny that 2 nights ago you wouldn't even help me change out of my clothes," Danny rolled his eyes and grabbed a cushion off his chair, chucking it at her. "Hey I never said it was a bad thing!"

"Yeah yeah yeah, I'll see you downstairs soon." Danny pulled his clothes on quickly and then made his way downstairs.

#-#-#-#-#

Clara stayed most of the afternoon but made her way home after that. She was reluctant, but they were determined to do some things right before Christmas.

The next day Danny had told her he was taking her to dinner and he'd pick her up about 7. He'd also told her not to dress too posh and to keep warm… that made Clara a little suspicious. Nevertheless she was ready by 7 and he knocked on the door on the dot. Clara opened up and gained his approval on her outfit before they left.

Danny drove through town, refusing to tell her where they were going despite her constant questions. She tried her best puppy dog eyes but he wasn't being broken - that was a sign of trouble in her mind. Somehow though she didn't really mind. Normally she needed to be in control, needed to know exactly what was going on and when but this time she felt a degree of trust and allowed him to keep his secret.

He eventually parked up in a car park Clara was pretty sure she'd never noticed before. It was hidden down a little lane. On second glance she decided it wasn't a car park, this looked like a private house.

"Where are we?" she asked as they climbed out.

"My parents friends own this place - the ones they've gone away with. I'm house sitting," he smiled, "but we're not going in the house."

"You've lost me," she replied and he laughed.

"Just follow me," he took her hand and guided her off down a path. A couple of minutes later they'd reached some sort of garden. There were heat rays on and fairy lights draped round the same area. "I'm not a huge fan of the busy restaurants this time of year, it's so noisy you can't really enjoy yourself, so I went for something a little different," he now looked kind of nervous as he tried to work out what Clara was thinking.

"It's beautiful," she finally spoke in a somewhat whispery voice, "sorry I… this is incredible," Clara let go of his hand and walked around the perimeter of the little garden. "I don't like busy restaurants either, too crowded, but I could never have imagined this."

"I'm glad you like it," he joined her and guided her to sit down at the table, holding the chair out for her. "I hope this has kept warm enough," he took the dishes out and lay it in front of her. "I also hope you like this… we haven't known each other long enough for me to know what you do and don't like to eat…" Clara rolled her eyes and smiled at him.

"It's perfect, thank you," she stopped him and started eating. "Oh my gosh it actually is, that's gorgeous,"

"Really?" he looked surprised, "I didn't really know what to cook so…"

"You made this? Okay you're going nowhere I need a good cook in my life," she spoke with half a mouthful of food. Danny laughed at her response and she shrugged, smiling back at him before carrying on with the meal.

They ate in relative silence, just enjoying the food and the sight of one another. Clara put down her cutlery at the end, sitting back in the chair and smiling contently. Danny finished up a moment later and as soon as he had she stood up, grabbing his hands and pulling him up, beginning to sway with the music playing quietly in the background. They soon moved together, wrapping arms around one another as they moved slowly.
"This is better than any restaurant," Clara whispered in his ear, kissing his neck gently. Danny stopped briefly, almost in shock but mostly just to take in the moment. "Can we lie down and look at the stars?" she asked, not moving away.

"Only if I can look at you too," he stroked her hair back, kissing her forehead.

"That's not really the point…" she replied slightly breathlessly.

"I don't really care…" he replied, slowly lowering down to the floor with her. Clara lay with her head on his chest, staring up at the sky.

"It's so beautiful," she looked around at the sky, it was a sight you simply rarely saw in London.

"Mmm, I agree," Danny replied. Clara glanced in his direction and raised an eyebrow.

"You're still looking at me," she commented.

"I know," he smiled and quickly stole a kiss. "Sorry, I just really love doing that."

"Please don't apologise, I'm really not arguing the matter," she smiled and rested back into position.

"I just don't want you to think I'm taking advantage…" he spoke quietly.

"Oh Danny, I would never give you advantage," Clara grinned as he moved to join her looking up at the sky. "I do have a question though," he waited, "what actually is your surname? You just said it was different, you never told me what it actually is."

"Promise you won't laugh?" he replied.

"I can never promise that," she smirked, "but I promise only to make fun of you once a day."

"Is this what I've got to look forward to with you?" Danny asked and Clara nodded happily to which he just chuckled. "It's Pink."

"As in the colour?" he nodded, "well it could be worse?"

"My first name used to be Rupert," Danny added, now Clara laughed.

"I'm sorry, Rupert Pink? What were your parents thinking?" she asked.

"I'll never know, but I'm not sure I want to know. As you may have gathered by now my parents aren't actually my birth parents, they adopted me when I was 10," Danny explained. "My birth parents abandoned me so I don't really consider them my real parents… if that makes sense."

"I get you," Clara replied, "if they bought you up and you love them then who am I to tell you they're not your parents? Besides, you wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them," she pointed out.

"Very true, in fact I probably wouldn't even live in London - I came from Gloucester originally, so it all worked out. Anyway, when I was adopted they let me change my name so we've made it to Danny, I hope that's more acceptable for you," he smiled and poked her nose gently, she giggled and managed to lean back enough to kiss the end of his finger.

"I love it," she finally told him, "I love you," she said almost as if she'd been saying it for years.

"I love you too," Danny replied and Clara turned over at that, laying on her front and resting gently on his chest. "What's that smile for?"

"I'm just not sure I've ever been this happy," she leant forward and kissed him softly, "thank you for getting me to this place."

#-#-#-#

They couldn't meet on Wednesday, but they spent most of the day texting to arrange Christmas day. They eventually settled that Clara would drive over Christmas eve in the evening so she didn't have to get up too early Christmas Day. Danny kept warning her he had a spare room but she had little intention of using it. After the previous night in the garden she missed him being close, it was strange how quickly her feelings had changed.

She was in the middle of texting Danny when her phone rang and she saw her Dad's name. Sighing, she answered. "Hi Dad,"

"Hi, how are you?" he asked as if nothing had happened.

"Fine, how are the in-laws?" she tried to be polite but she was still a little angry.

"Oh you know, same old fun," he replied a little monotone.

"Mmm you sound thrilled," Clara responded sarcastically. "Look Dad I'm sorry about the other day, I know you were worried I just couldn't stand it in there anymore," she told him - breaking the overhanging ice.

"I know, I should have come over myself, but you didn't even say you were leaving I didn't know what to think. Linda is sorry too," Clara interrupted him there.

"Don't talk rubbish Dad, we both know you're making that up. It's fine, I hope you both have a lovely Christmas."

"I hate the thought of you being home alone, are you sure you don't want to join us?" he asked.

"Being alone sounds much more enjoyable than her family, sorry Dad but the wedding was more than enough. Besides, I'm not actually going to be alone anymore, so don't worry," she smiled at the thought of the day her and Danny were planning. Everything they wanted to do without their parents bothering them.

"How's that then?" he asked. Clara considered lying for a moment, but there was little point in it.

"I'm going round to Danny's house. His parents are away too so we're going to keep each other company," as she spoke she heard another text come through.

"That boy again? You only met a few days ago," he wasn't really criticising, just the usual parental concern.

"I know, but he really is very nice Dad. We've met up a couple of times," she wasn't going to go into much more detail, "just so we can get to know each other a bit but… well, we get on."

"I can tell," her Dad sounded almost knowing on the phone and Clara blushed a little.

"Yeah, well we will see. Please don't tell Linda for now, let me deal with this of my own accord," she didn't need her step-mum interfering in her love life again.

"Whatever you need, I'm here if you need to talk," Dave replied and Clara chuckled a little, "what?"

"Sorry, I just had flashbacks to when I was 16," she laughed, "I need to go Dad, I'm meeting up with a couple of friends this afternoon, I'll call you on Christmas Day," she told him and they signed off. When she looked at her phone she had 10 messages from Danny in just that time she'd been on the phone.

'You impatient soul, I was on the phone to my Dad!'

I missed you ;).

'You survived! Now I need to go out, can you deal without contact for a couple of hours?'

Mmm I'll distract myself somehow, have a good time xx

Clara laughed and put her phone in her pocket, grabbing her keys and heading out.

She arrived at the café just on time to meet Hayley, a friend from school, and her fiancé Gary who Clara got on pretty well with too. They were sat inside already so she went in, clearing her throat as she sat down opposite them being rather intimate. "Get a room you two," she grinned and shrugged her coat off.

"Oh hey! Sorry," Hayley chuckled, "how're you?"

"Yeah pretty good, you?" she put her bag down out the way and ignored her phone as it vibrated in her pocket.

"Fab thanks, just finished the last of the shopping so we're officially ready for Christmas," Hayley explained.

"Your first one in the house! Excited?" Clara smiled.

"Very, it's going to be perfect," Hayley squeezed Gary's hand on the table, "oh I got you your usual," she pushed the mug over.

"Cheers, very much needed," she picked it up, taking a sip.

"You look a bit tired, up partying all night?" they all laughed at that, Clara was hardly known for her late night social life.

"Just out late, but not partying," she clarified.

"With your Dad?" Gary asked, speaking for the first time since they arrived.

"Honestly why do you two assume if I'm not at work I'm with my Dad?" Clara asked.

"Well you usually are…" Hayley pointed out and Clara shrugged acceptingly.

"Well not this time," Clara told her as he phone vibrated again and she had to pull it out. "Sorry this keeps going off it's getting annoying," she put it down on the table, still not checking it.

Hayley was looking curious at her, "so are you telling me you have friends that aren't work or me? Because quite honestly I feel betrayed," Clara knew she was joking, they'd always teased each other - when Hayley first got with Gary Clara hadn't stopped going on at her.

"Yeah well you'll just have to deal," she replied as her phone vibrated twice more.

"Are you going to look at that because someone clearly wants you," Hayley asked and Clara rolled her eyes, picking up her phone. She knew it was Danny, she also knew the texts were nothing important.

Having fun? … i know I said I could cope but … Is this getting too clingy? I'm not trying to be clingy …. Sorry! I'll leave you alone …

Clara quickly typed out a reply.

'Don't be silly, I miss you too. If you're still like this in a few months I'll consider it clingy but right now it's all good. I'll call you when I'm home xx'

She hadn't noticed the smile that crept on her face and both Hayley and Gary were watching her with grins theirs.
"What's that look for?" she asked them, a little confused as she put her phone back down.

"Okay, who's the bloke?" Hayley asked.

"What bloke?" Clara brushed it off.

"There is definitely a bloke," Gary chipped in, "very defensive," he pointed out before sipping at his coffee.

Clara picked up her own cup, sipping at it and shrugging, "it's early days alright? I mean really early…"

"Oh that smile says otherwise," Hayley smirked, "come on I want all the gossip!" Clara groaned but she knew neither of them would give in till she told them something.

"He was at my Dad's party on Friday, he's the son of one of his colleagues. We just got on that's all, skipped the party together because it got so dull. I don't know… he looked after me, he's nice, he cares…" both of her friends were watching her intently, seeing something they'd never really seen before. Hayley put her cup down, looking at Gary who nodded.

"You really like him don't you," she started, "I haven't seen you smile that way in years, and I mean years."

"I… I think I love him," Clara finally got out and Gary smiled, nudging Hayley a little, "I know it's so quick and you probably think I shouldn't know yet but I just do, I know he's the one."

"Oh I think we can both see that," Gary told her, "so come on - give us more info on the guy."

"Yeah, like have you slept together yet?" Hayley asked and Clara paused a little too long before answering, "oh my gosh you have! Clara Oswald you do surprise me," she smirked and Clara rolled her eyes, looking to Gary to make a point.

"He just left the army, he's in between at the moment but actually considering teaching," she told him, her phone vibrating again.

"And very keen to talk to you," Gary commented, "still in that 'we need to talk every second of every day' phase I see," he grinned.

"Well it has only been 5 days, I think we'll let them off," Hayley replied.

"Yeah, I remember when you two were like that," she pointed out, "could barely drag you away from your phone!" Clara chuckled, "so yeah, I guess we are a bit, but if we're going to spend Christmas together then I need to get to know him a little better."

"Well you've sure done a good job of that," Hayley told her.

"I swear I'll throw this coffee at you if you're not careful," Clara replied, finishing up her drink. "I'll keep you updated, promise," she smiled and hoped that would be enough.

"Nah uh you don't get away that easily. Invite him to dinner," Gary popped up and Hayley grinned at him, "go on it'll be like a double date!"

"You're just as bad as her!" Clara groaned, sitting back.

"Mmm I wonder where I get it from," he responded, "go on, what's the worst that can happen?" Clara raised her eyebrows, "we'll be on our best behaviour?"

"You two are never going to let this go are you?" They both shook their heads, "fine, I'll invite him, but you'd better promise not to scare him."

#-#-#-#

Clara met Danny round the corner from the restaurant. Gary and Hayley were already inside, but she wanted to pre-warn him.

"I'm sorry about all this, they twisted my arm," she smiled, kissing him on the cheek as he arrived, "we still have time to back out if you don't want to."

"They're your friends Clara, I want to get to know them," Danny told her, "you look lovely."

"You're doing a pretty good job yourself," she smiled, "look these two… well, Hayley and I have been best friends for years, I've known Gary for a good while since they got together he's kinda become one of the group I guess. Anyway, we're close, and we have a habit of teasing each other ragged and I guess… I guess they might just start on you and I want you to be prepared," Danny leant forward and kissed her softly.

"Shh, it's fine. Come on, let's go," he took her hand and they walked in, Clara guiding him over to the table.

"Harley, Gary, this is Danny," she introduced them and the necessary handshaking took place before they all sat down, "you ordered half the menu yet?"

"Figured we'd better wait," Hayley replied, handing one over to each of them.

"Well this is a luxury, not going to try and force me to eat a random dish this time then?" she asked, grinning.

"Hey, you were late - we were just making up for it," Hayley replied.

"It was disgusting," Clara rolled her eyes and looked down to the menu, scanning it. It didn't take long before Gary started on the questions though.

"So Danny, we hear you've got pretty close pretty fast," he grabbed the bottle of wine they'd got for the table and started pouring it out. Danny looked up from his menu, smiling politely while Clara blushed a little.

"What Gary is trying to say," Hayley interrupted, "is that we've not seen Clara so happy in a long time - it's good. You clearly make her happy," she smiled at Danny.

"Well, I try," Danny replied, clearly not sure how to respond.

"Keep trying, it's working," she replied and they all went back to choosing their food.

The rest of the meal was fairly general, unlike what Clara had feared they didn't ask Danny constant questions and instead they chatted as friends, the usual stuff, maybe even a little calmer than usual. It was nice, Clara enjoyed herself, she was pretty sure Danny had as well.

They got to the end and were just about ready to leave when Hayley pulled her aside. The boys had disappeared to the loos leaving them alone.
"He's perfect Clara, you've caught a good one there. He cares about you, you weren't kidding!" she smiled and hugged her friend, "I'm really happy for you."

"You don't think we're moving too fast?" Clara asked, biting her lip a little.

"No! No, you're meant to be, why wait? You're going to have a great Christmas - I bet he's got something super special planned," Hayley shook her excitedly, "I want all the details on boxing day alright?" Clara chuckled.

"Deal," they agreed and looked back around as the guys reappeared. They all said their goodbyes before Clara and Danny walked off separately.

"I guess I'll see you Christmas Eve then?" Clara asked, "I have no intention of springing random meals on you between now and then… and I really do need to get some work done before then," she smiled.

"Christmas eve it is, I'll look forward to it," Danny stopped them in the middle of the street before they needed to split and took her hands, "I love you, tonight was really lovely, I feel like I got to know you even more. Your friends are really nice."

"They loved you a lot," she told him, "not quite as much as I love you, but close enough," she grinned and kissed him. "48 hours," she kissed him again, "48 hours."

"48 hours." Danny finished it off before letting go, walking off towards his car.