Rose awoke to an empty bed and her heart sank.
No, not sank.
It shattered.
It wasn't until she'd had a through cry that she rolled over and found the folded piece of notebook paper on her bed, with her name on the outside.
The inside was an address, and a simple post script note.
Take your time, and don't worry about your mum. She's with me.
It was simply signed with two crooked, scribbled love hearts.
Relief flooded over her like a breaking ocean wave, and she cried again.
He'd left, but not properly. Not like she'd feared. Not to abandon her and their child.
Well, she thought, sitting up on the bed, If I'm to take my time...
The memory from the night before flashed back into her mind. How real it had felt, she could swear the scent of leather and motor grease was faint in her room.
No. She shook her head. Even for the Doctor, sometimes just aren't possible.
She'd know. She'd already ask, in so many words. And after the way she'd felt during her previous evening's sleep, she didn't really feel all that guilty about it.
Her thoughts traveled to when she'd met sweet Sarah Jane, who had also trusted the Doctor and been left.
Then to the Christmas of the Sycorax invasion. His words as he rambled on and on about who he was.
'Am I a liar?' He'd said it himself, and Rose knew the answer to that one. Bloody yes.
Shower. Dry hair. Makeup. Pretty dress.
The full Jackie Tyler armor effect.
Last look in the mirror. Fix hair. Hail a cab.
Practice slow breaths in the back seat as the car travels to the address on the note.
Her mind a million miles away, her hand rests on her stomach, and for the first time, she feels a kick against her hand. He daughter's reassurance. At least they'd have each other, like she and her own mother always had.
Rose was raised by Jackie Tyler, and it made her strong. She could handle anything, she knew it.
Jackie looked pale, and not her normal, recovering sort.
She was nervous.
Somewhere, somehow, she'd learned to love this bizarre, daft, shapeshifting alien. She'd welcome him as her son, given her blessing to him for Rose.
He'd been talking nearly nonstop since early in the morning, explaining everything, sometimes more than once when she objected her lack of comprehension of what was happening. Why it was happening. If it was truly safe.
Nothing he was saying made sense. If he were the same man, truly, then surely his personality hadn't changed so much that all this was necessary.
Though Jackie had seen (or rather, heard) evidence to the contrary.
She knew he loved Rose, and she still trusted him with her. After all, what he was explaining to her seemed like a lot, like a big sacrifice of self, just for her girl.
Their girls... She reminded her self. Her daughter, and her daughter's own daughter.
Now he'd been rambling for close to an hour, explaining about how, somehow of her own doing, Rose wasn't human anymore? As if that would ever make any sense. He was trying to help her understand, and bless him, even making sure Jackie knew the Doctor didn't think her stupid. He'd told her himself he knew every word he'd said sounded insane. He'd even admitted if felt insane to think of.
No, Rose wasn't human anymore. He'd explained about seeking her dreams. Looking into her timeline, and seeing it go on and on, as his own did. No longer the short, fleeting life humanity offered.
But the Doctor also explained he wanted to love Rose how she deserved, how she wanted to be loved.
How it should be. If she'd now become cursed with near immortality, he'd make it her ideal life.
Or die trying. Hope, not...
The Doctor was shaken from his own thoughts as he smiled brightly at Jackie.
"I know you're still thinking I'm mad." He said, the manic smile never faltering.
"Uh, yes." Jackie scoffed. "But... If you're sure..."
"I could show you, if you'd like?" He offered, hands out as if to touch her head. Jackie ducked back, flinching away.
"Bad enough your box is in me head, I'm not welcomin' you in as well!" she fussed.
"Right." He nodded, humored. "So here is all I need you to do."
He took what looked like a computer chip from his pocket, about the size of an apple, and he clicked it down into a hole in the console.
"This is going to activate, and then the TARDIS will open. Like before, with Rose, and the truck. You remember?"
"The light, yeah." She nodded. "Worse than the sun, that was."
"Right," He nodded, "Except, this time, it'll be me and her. The TARDIS, she and I know each other. She knows what I want, and she gave me the book to follow. So, if I've caught her in a good mood today, and I believe very firmly, Jackie Tyler, that I have... I think I can do this."
"And if you're wrong?" She pressed, nervously.
"Well..." He craned his neck, looking away for a moment, stalling. "Everything's in Rose's name. House is paid off. You three'd be set for... Well, not life. Your life, sure, even if you lived to 120, but Rose... the baby... They'll be around long after."
Jackie felt surprisingly okay with that knowledge. She wasn't sure why, but it made her happy, to think that their little family could be together in a matching lifetime. She figured it was because she lost Pete so very young, she'd never got even a taste at what forever with the man you loved could be.
"You're sure?" She ask again.
"When I tell you, press the button, close your eyes, and do not open them until I tell you." He commanded, "I'm dead serious, Jackie."
She nodded and laid her hand where he'd gently placed it.
It felt so wrong, doing something like this without telling Rose first. Jackie just wanted them to be happy, and he seemed very confident this was the way to do it.
So she could only watch as the Doctor shrugged off his overcoat, suit coat, and tie. He then took off his shoes, and put them in the pile, he looked around and craned his neck a couple more times.
"Are-" Jackie snatched her hand from the console like she'd scolded herself, turning to face the Doctor. "Are you sure I'm not about to assist in your suicide?"
Her voice was so scared, it warmed his hearts.
"Strictly speaking, I have done this before, successfully... Sort of." He admitted. "I forced myself to regenerate when I wasn't who I needed to be, and it worked. I didn't need to regenerate to stay alive, I needed it to be different. Stronger. Harder. The entire time I was housed in that body, I didn't use my chosen name. Wasn't worthy of it. Jackie- it wasn't until I met Rose that I used my title again. She's worth any risk, and I cannot be who she needs right now, but I could before. I know it sounds insane... But just trust me. If I stay this way, I'll just push her too far. I have to do this."
"So it is possible?" Jackie confirmed.
"I'm not even supposed to remember what I just told you- The TARDIS showed me everything, those memories had been locked away. She knows Rose and I better than anyone ever can, including you. This TARDIS saw her soul, Jackie, her actual soul. And Rose saw hers. She protected Rose, saw her possible timelines and gave her what she asked for. Then I stepped in, thinking she was dying, and I mucked it up. So it's me that's the wrong bit. But we can fix it, the old girl and I."
Jackie stood for a moment, eyes closed, and he could tell the TARDIS was communicating as best she could with the unwelcoming human woman. But as the Doctor watched, Jackie's face visibly relaxed.
"It's like... when your mum tells you it'll be okay. I feel... Reassured?" She gasped. "It is alive."
"She is, yeah." The Doctor looked around proudly. "Are you ready?" He ask.
Jackie nodded and put her hand back where the Doctor had put it.
"Remember, until I say, do not open your eyes..." He reminded her. "On my count..."
The cabbie dropped Rose off and immediately circled away, which Rose found odd as she'd not paid her fare.
The house- and it barely qualified as one, not a mansion or castle, was gorgeous. A large brick home, with ivy climbing up one side, flowers of all sorts placed around the front drive and a small side garden. The porch and entry were adorned with chairs and tables, and to the right, just under a shade tree, Rose could see a bench and small fountain. She looked around for a vehicle, or some sign of why she was here, who the place belonged to.
Walking closer to the door, Rose could see there was another piece of paper, obviously torn from the same notebook as the first. Again, her name on the outside and a small, simple note within.
'Come on in' it read. Rose started to knock, but grasping the note in the other hand she let her raised fist fall to her side and tried the handle.
Knocking wouldn't have done much good anyway, Rose noticed. The large, heavy oak door would've muffled the sound. She noticed there was a doorbell, but again, just pushed a bit more and cautiously entered the house.
The entryway was grand- A set of stairs and a landing could be seen as she came in, along with what appeared to be an enormous sitting room below. Just beyond she could see a kitchen, but no people. No Doctor, no mum.
"Hello?" She called, leaning backward against the door to close it as she took it in. Slowly, she made her way forward, looking up, calling out again. "Anyone here? Doctor?" She leaned into an open doorway, finding a small bathroom. She tried another and found it was a den of some sort, though as of yet unfurnished. The only thing in the room was the large bookshelf lining the back wall, but there were no books nor anything else on it.
The sitting room that lay at the bottom of the stairs, however, was furnished. There was a fireplace on the far wall, large picture windows showed the view of part of the sprawling back garden. Large, overstuffed and comfortable looking couches flanked a coffee table on three sides, all facing toward a mounted flat screen TV.
The coffee table housed a large crystal vase, which held at least three dozen roses in red, white and pink.
Rose smiled at them, at the cliche of her name and the flower.
She continued to move slowly through the room, calling out again to see if anyone was present, when something caught her eye.
Though every other self she'd seen thus far was empty, the shelf above the mantle of the fireplace had something sitting to one side. A tiny, black box. Crushed velvet, hinge topped.
A jewelry box.
Obvious what kind, from the size and shape. Rose felt her heartbeat in her ears, and she picked it up with trembling hands. She clicked it open and her eyes fell upon the most gorgeous ring she'd ever seen in her life. The gleaming white gold band sported a diamond, one that in Rose's opinion, was enormous. It was pear cut, and almost seemed to give off its own light it shone so brightly. To each side lay deep blue sapphire baguettes.
She simply stood, staring at it for several minutes, wave after wave of emotion washing over her.
Sorrow. Mourning. Joy. Fear. Anxiety. Anticipation.
It all seemed to repeat and remix within her.
"Gonna try it on, or d'I need ask my bit first?" A voice behind Rose called.
Her blood froze in her veins.
Impossible. She scolded herself. I've finally just lost my mind.
"Rose?" The familiar, heart stopping northern accent called again.
Eyes squeezed shut, Rose very slowly turned around.
"Come on, precious girl. Look at me, please?"
His voice was soft. So gentle with her, like she'd been missing so long now. Felt like it hadn't been months since she'd heard him, oh no.
Rose felt like she had been missing him for years. Centuries. Lifetimes.
It took a few seconds for Rose to allow the tension to seep from her very bones, where she could relax enough to make her eyes open.
The man before her looked exactly the same- and entirely different.
He was propped against the door frame of the sitting room, ankles crossed, one arm bracing against the far side. It had been a signature pose, when he'd stand back and watch her take in whatever new wonder they'd been visiting. The first time had been the end of the Earth.
Leather coat on broad, strong shoulders, knit navy jumper blending with dark denim trousers, heavy boots that had always been impractical for running, but somehow suited everything else he did.
Crystal clear gorgeous blue eyes she'd secretly been praying her daughter would inherit.
The face housing them- was him.
Her Doctor.
The one she'd taken the Bad Wolf for. The one who'd sacrificed everything for her, more than once.
Except he was younger.
The Doctor she'd met, fell in love with- In human terms, he looked somewhere near her mother's age, somewhere in the range of forty. Now, however, he looked maybe mid-to-late twenties, in the same face. Like he'd dialed himself back a bit. His hair was longer, almost shaggy. He had a bit of scruff creeping up his sharp jaw. The whole thing suited him rather well.
Rose was acutely aware that the fluttering in her stomach this time was not her daughter's kicking.
She hadn't even know she was moving when she made it across the floor to him, her hand instantly drawn to his face. Somewhere along the line, she'd dropped the ring, box and all, but it was the furthest thing from her mind.
"Rose Tyler." He said softly, his hand catching the one she had to his face, and he placed a kiss to the inside of her wrist. He could feel her trembling as she took everything in.
"Doctor?" She could barely squeak out a whisper.
He grinned.
The manic, near insane one he'd give her when the joy was just so, so much that even his two hearts couldn't contain it all.
'Just this once, everyone lives!'
The smile she knew was truest.
"What'd ya think?" He ask, letting her wrist go. He took a half step away, doing a theatrical spin like a child showing off a new Sunday outfit.
She nearly knocked him off his feet as she slammed against him, a rib crushing hug the only answer she could give.
"You're real." She whimpered into his chest, as if to convince herself. His arms wrapped around her, one hand gently tangling into her hair.
The Doctor could feel her whole body shaking against him, and he realized she was crying.
"I'm real." He assured her. "And God, Rose, I am so, so sorry."
She shook her head against him, not daring let her grip loosen even a little.
"How did you-"
"I told you, I am so impressive." He replied, laughing. It took a moment, but the Doctor was finally able to gently pry far enough away so he could see her face, and he held her cheek in one palm, stroking the tears the traced down her cheek away with his thumb. His other hand slid from her back to her stomach, gently stroking over where their growing daughter was snuggled in. He made the same loving thumb sweep over her belly.
"That was a dream." Rose croaked, confused and still crying. She wasn't sure if she was purely happy, or overwhelmed, or descending into unending madness.
"And yet..." He bent down and kissed the tip of her nose. "Here I am."
Rose didn't let him completely stand back up before she'd grabbed the lapels of his coat, pulling him back to kiss her properly.
It was wet, emotional, and she continued to cry as she kissed him, but Rose had never had a better kiss in her life. All the pain and mourning and passion she had bottled up came bubbling up, and the only relief she could find was in the comfort of his lips moving over hers, in the way he tasted and smelled. After a moment she had to pull away, gasping in breaths she'd denied herself just to stay liplocked with him. The Doctor rested his forehead against hers.
"Missed you," She murmured softly. "Like, 's just been bloody awful."
"I know." He assured her. "I'm so sorry."
"Me too." She swallowed, sniffling as her tears began to slow.
"We have a lot to talk about, I think." He said softly.
Rose simply nodded and sniffled.
"Do you want to sit down?" He ask, nodding behind her to the couches. Rose looked toward the sitting area, then looked back to him.
"Whose house is this we're in?" She ask as he guided her over and settled her on the couch. He doubled back and grabbed up the ring box where it had fallen, luckily snapping shut on impact, not allowing the ring to fall out and be lost. He sat before her on the coffee table.
"Yours." He replied simply, giving a casual shrug. "Or, maybe ours, if you'd like?" He looked her over and held the ring box back out. "Sorry, I know there are some human rituals with how you're supposed to kneel to ask, but seeing as that's for humans and I'm not human... I thought maybe you'd let me get by without it. If you'd rather I kneel, or get on my hands and knees and kiss your feet, or-"
"Yes." She interrupted, scooting to the edge of her seat.
"You want me to get down and kiss your feet?" He gave her a grin.
"No, I want you to stop rambling to cover your nerves." She smiled, wiping her face, "Yes, as is 'yes you daft alien, I will marry you', no need to ramble."
As he slid the ring down onto her finger, unsurprisingly a perfect fit, Rose noticed she wasn't the only one shaking. Still, he raised her hand to kiss her knuckles.
He sat looking at her, taking in the changes in her body, her fuller face, the glow of impending motherhood, and he felt a tear or two of his own escape.
"You changed yourself for me." Rose said after a few minutes of their sitting, simply observing each other, of taking in the subtle changes they'd each endured.
"Seemed fair." He smiled, softly this time, adoration shimmering in his large blue eyes, "You did first."
"Hardly the same, that." She scoffed. "Billions of females in billions of species have babies. Not that big of a change, really. A little uncomfy, sure."
"Rose..." He started. "Love, you're..."
She looked afraid all of a sudden, and his hand squeezed hers for comfort.
"You're okay. Fine, more than, really. Fantastic! Just... Not human. Not anymore."
Her face didn't give him any indication as to how that made her feel, so he continued.
"When you took on the Wolf- Rose, I messed up taking it away. The TARDIS made a deal with you, and I had no part in it. But she didn't let me undo everything you'd ask her for. You ask her for forever with me, didn't you?"
Rose nodded slightly, almost like she was in shock.
"She gave it to you, Rose. You're more like me, and the baby, now. Long lifeline, goes as far as I can see..." He kissed her hand again. "And thankful for that, I am. But that's a lot to give, to change yourself like you did for me. And thinking I knew better, I hurt myself into a regeneration I had no business in. I got cocky, I was cruel and unloving to you. So, I ask the TARDIS for help. She saw fit to give us this."
"So I'll be able to stay with you? Both of you?" She squeaked out, lip trembling as she fought to hold back another bout of tears.
"Me, her, a dozen more if you'd like." He grinned again. "For time eternal. I think everyone says forever when they talk about marriage, but that is what I'm offering you. My forever, if you want it. I couldn't be human for you, but turns out you'd already changed for me. So I just fixed what I'd messed up- the TARDIS is the one who dialed the age of the face back a bit, but I think it's a bit alright."
"More than." Rose laughed, "You're gorgeous. I mean- Always thought you were, but-"
"I know." He laughed.
"It wasn't a superficial thing either, before, I just-"
"Shh. No, Love. No. That was all on me. Hot and cold, me. Even I couldn't believe how I'd been acting. But I've got eternity to fix it." He promised. "And I'll spend every second of forever making it up to you."
He pulled her closer and kissed her gently.
"Listen I know we do have a lot to talk about..." Rose ask, looking around again, "But Doctor..."
"Hmm?" He hummed, waiting.
"Where is my mum?"
OOP.
IDK if yall saw that coming- but I know Rose didn't.
I personally refuse to believe the TARDIS would EVER hurt Rose.
Thanks for reading!