It had taken them what felt like decades, but the truth had finally come out. He knew she wanted him as much as he wanted her, her doubts and fears were gone.
They were always together now, holding hands on every adventure (slower paced, he'd planned out - wouldn't want to make her run too much), kissing in the TARDIS, her apartment, against walls while saving civilizations. She couldn't keep her hands off of him.
She'd grown to love the feeling of his gray locks in her hands, the pressure of his lips against hers, the soft breaths of his on her skin. She couldn't get enough of him after waiting so long, but she supposed that might be the hormones taking control.
He, however, was patient. Good at waiting - he'd waited forever for her. He didn't want to push her any further, even though he craved to make her his as much as she wanted him to.
She was six months along now, and she'd barely noticed the four that had flown by. Between tea and reading with the Doctor in the library, the trips to beaches, relaxing alien spas and teaching, he had kept herself fairly busy.
It was so much easier now that the Doctor knew everything, a weight had been lifted off her chest.
The kids in her class seemed to know before she ever had to make the announcement, and now there were notes being left on her desk in childish handwriting full of name suggestions and sex guesses. They'd taken it very well, not that she had been too concerned. She was only their teacher, after all.
She'd teach during the day and be swept off her feet by the Doctor at night. He was too impatient just for Wednesdays now - the TARDIS was at her apartment each night when she got home. The sight of the blue box at the end of a long day and him, leaning in the doorway with his loving smile made her heart melt.
She had to admit that she liked the special treatment he gave her. He'd have the TARDIS cook up whatever she was craving, do check ups on the baby every so often so she wouldn't have to pay a hospital for it and he'd even rub her feel on occasion if she'd ask.
He was happy to do it - anything for his Clara, but part of him wanted it to be over already. He wanted her to give birth and her body to settle so he could have more of her.
But for now, he settled with soft kisses and hand holding, hugging and her sitting on his lap in the library.
She was yawning now, her hand on her stomach as she stood up from the couch. The movie had ended while she was dozing off, and he was content to hold her and watch her chest heave with quiet breaths.
"Tired?" he asks, standing with her. She nods, barely able to keep her eyes open and he presses his hand to her back. Guiding her to her room, he stops at the door as he does each night while she wanders over to the bed.
"Well, I suppose I'll leave you to it," he says with a smile, leaning to grab the door knob. She sits at the foot of the bed and glances up at him sadly, causing him to stop in his tracks. "What's wrong?"
"Doctor...I want you to stay with me."
His eyes widened a bit in surprise as he turns back toward her hesitantly. "Clara, you don't have to offer tha-"
"I do. I want...I just want you to hold me, Doctor. Please," she pleaded, resting her hand on her stomach gently. He'd noticed her habit of doing so when she was nervous or scared, already protective of her child.
He nods and can't help the small smile that spreads across his face as he steps back into the room, closing the door softly behind him. He paces to her bed slowly as she lays down and places himself next to her on the soft bed.
She moves close to him, resting her head in the crook of his neck and tangling her legs with his. He wraps his arms around her waist, pulling her closer before letting one hand slip up to play with her hair.
Her breaths are soft as she begins to drift off, and she smiles slightly at the feeling of his fingers in her hair.
He breathes in the scent of her strawberry shampoo, his lips curling into a smile to match hers. He likes the feeling of her breath against his neck, her warmth enveloping him in a comforting embrace.
Her voice is quiet and tinged with sleepiness as she utters the words he never imagined he'd be able to hear her say to him.
"I love you, Doctor."
His hearts beat faster in his chest and he once again widens his bright eyes, looking down at her.
She gazes up at him with love and warmth and beauty, and he melts into it.
"I love you too, Clara."