Hally whimpered, yanking on O's hand. She could hear Osgood on the phone behind her. Within minutes, Jack burst through the office doors, Owen close behind him. Owen moved swiftly to her side, his stethoscope already in place, listening to her stomach swiftly.
"Alright… we've got elevated heartbeats. Have your waters broken?" Owen asked, looking up with concern.
She winced, shaking her head. "No."
"Okay, and how far apart is the pain coming?"
"Uh… ah!" She doubled over again, gritting her teeth as another wave of pain hit her.
"Less than two minutes apart," O spoke, drawing Owen and Jack's attention.
"Thanks." Jack nodded. "We'll take it from here."
Hally made a noise, a mix between a groan of pain and a growl. O hummed awkwardly, motioning towards his hand, which was tightly and immovably grasped in Hally's. Jack moved to her other side as Owen wheeled a wheelchair next to her desk chair. Jack took her other hand, and together they helped her into the wheelchair. Jack didn't let go of her hand. "It's okay… I've got you. You can let go of…" Jack glanced at O. "Sorry, what was your name again?"
"O."
"Right. Hal, you can let go of O."
"No…"
"You're okay, just take a breath, hold my hand."
"I said no!"
Owen chuckled lightly from behind her and began moving her forward. "The woman says no, Jack." Jack's hand fell from hers as he followed closely behind. Her grip tight on both O's hand and the armrest of the wheelchair.
"It's not too far, just take some nice deep breaths for me, okay?" Owen said as they entered the lift, the three men squeezed inside around her, as Owen pressed a button.
Jack took out his phone, talking as they exited the lift. "We're on our way. I need you to bump up O's security clearance."
There was a pause as someone spoke on the other end.
"Because she won't let go of his hand, so he's coming too."
Jack hummed. "Okay, I'll let you know when we've crossed into your side of the building, then we can lock down."
Hally tried to take slow, deep breaths, the sharp pain deep within her radiating through her lower body.
She was starting to panic.
It really hurt.
She took in a slow breath, trying her best to distract her thoughts. She'd had worse pain, hadn't she? She sifted through her memories, being shot in the shoulder, that had hurt. Rassilon digging through her brain, that had really fucking hurt. Being shot by a Dalek, her heart stopping. That had definitely hurt. She was okay. She could do this. She'd had worse pain. Hadn't she?
This really fucking hurt…
"Okay, Hal…" Jack's voice cut through, and she opened her eyes. "I need you to listen. The building is about to go into lockdown, okay? Flashing lights, some alarms, understood? Everyone else is being evacuated, so it'll just be us in the building. Okay? So if some alarms go off, you know why. No need to panic."
She nodded, understanding.
Jack slipped in front of them and opened the double corridor doors just as a blue light started flashing in the corridors with a robotic female voice over the tannoy.
"Attention. This building is going into lockdown."
"Attention. All personnel to evacuate immediately."
"Attention. Please proceed calmly and swiftly to your nearest available exit."
They turned right, and again Jack held open the doors. Inside the room was slightly brighter than the corridor, and she winced at the harsh lighting. The room was white and clinical, smaller than the lab or infirmary. It contained two beds, one of which had been pushed against the wall. Machines and equipment lined the wall behind the bed, with a curtain half-pulled across. A long mirror sat on the wall to her left. They pushed past it and toward the bed. Martha, dressed in light green scrubs, was already there, her demeanour calm but urgent. She lowered the bed and, with Owen and O's help, assisted Hally out of the wheelchair.
"Okay, we've had contractions now for the last eight minutes, less than two minutes apart. Acute onset, no warning. Membrane is still intact. Get her prepped and check dilation while I change." Owen handed Hally over to Martha, who moved with efficient precision.
"Thanks Owen." Martha's hands steadied her, holding her arms as she perched her on the edge of the bed. "Hally…" Martha pressed gently, only continuing once Hally's eyes had met hers.
Martha gave her a smile. "Hey, I need to get you changed, ok? I'm going to close the curtain to give us some privacy but I'm afraid you might need to let go of O's hand."
Hally nodded slowly in understanding and loosened her grip, letting O's hand slip from hers. He made to move away from the bed and Martha went to close the curtain behind him. "Don't… go anywhere…" Hally said after him, her voice shaking, hearing his response from behind the curtain.
"I won't."
Martha helped her undress, slipping her into a white hospital gown. "Ok, let's get you onto the bed." Hally let Martha move her, sitting on the edge of the bed before shuffling back onto it, the back of the bed tilted upwards so she was still vaguely upright. Martha attached her to a few machines, the live monitor behind her head. "I need to check how dilated you are ok? It might be a little uncomfortable but I want you to tell me to stop if you need me to."
Hally nodded, letting her head drop back against the pillow as she tried to relax. Martha was quick about it, covering Hally with a light blanket once she was done. She removed her gloves as she shifted the curtain open slightly. Jack, O and Alina were hovering. Waiting. Martha moved over towards Alina.
"Is Owen still gone?"
Alina nodded, her gaze moving between Martha and Hally. "He shouldn't be long. Everything alright?"
Martha nodded in response. "Mmhmm, she's just… progressing very quickly."
Alina glanced around, her eyes flicking past Jack and lingering briefly on O before she hummed thoughtfully. "Okay, well it doesn't seem to be doing her any harm. All her vitals are looking good."
Hally let out a groan as another wave of pain wracked through her. Alina moved closer, followed hesitantly by O, who returned to the right side of her bed. "Hand?" he asked gently.
"Yes…" Hally hissed, taking his offered hand with a bitter laugh of pain.
Alina brushed Hally's hair back and rubbed her arm. "You're doing great. I know it's hard, but nice deep breaths for me, okay?"
Jack and Martha spoke in hushed tones behind the curtain, their voices barely audible. "Have you called him?"
"Yeah, no answer."
"Give me your phone. I'll keep trying."
Owen burst back in, now in scrubs like Martha's. "What have you got for me, Jones?" he asked, moving quickly to her bedside. Martha followed him, while Jack remained just outside the curtain.
"Contractions are still every two or so minutes, and we're five centimetres dilated…" Martha's voice trailed off as she paused, looking at Owen.
"Five?" Owen's tone was a mix of surprise and concern.
"Five."
"Oh-kay… that was quick," Owen said, clearing his throat. "I'm going to assume that none of us know if that's normal."
An awkward silence fell, broken only by Hally's heavy breathing.
Alina looked down at Hally, her eyes flicking briefly across Hally to O before she spoke with a hint of uncertainty. "She is a Time Lord; their bodies do tend to be quite… efficient."
O hummed in gentle agreement, and Martha nodded slowly.
Owen cocked his head to one side. "Alright, and her waters still haven't broken?"
Martha shook her head. "I don't think so."
Hally shifted, a sudden uncomfortable, unavoidable urge to move overtaking her. She wasn't comfortable, and every movement seemed to cramp her lower half.
Alina's hands supported her. "Where do you want to go?"
Hally hummed in frustration. "Forward… not… not on my back."
"Okay. On the bed?"
Hally shook her head. "No… no. Not on the bed." Alina guided her to sit up, and Hally moved her legs to hang off the side. O helped her stand, while Alina moved to the right side of the bed with her.
Hally braced herself against the bed, flattening her back slightly. The gravity was helping.
"I mean… being on the bed would be helpful," Owen suggested, but his comment was met with a murderous glare from Hally.
He shut his mouth promptly.
Hally shifted, stretching out her back and letting out a soft breath. A warm wetness spread against her thighs, a light splatter hitting the floor. "There you go, Owen. Waters broken." She didn't need to see Alina's face to know she was giving Owen a pointed look.
"Wonderful," Owen replied, sounding slightly relieved.
Alina gently rubbed Hally's back. "Really good, Hally. You're doing really well. Just keep listening to your instincts, okay? You tell me what you need."
Hally groaned as another contraction hit her. "My instincts are telling me to never, ever, ever have sex again…" She whined, her back arching with the intensity.
Alina hummed with gentle amusement.
Owen hummed thoughtfully. "I'm not happy with her standing; she's shaking. Can we get her comfortable kneeling somewhere?"
Martha moved around behind Hally and opened another curtain. "There's the birthing pool. We could give it a try. The water will give her some support, less strain on her arms and legs."
Owen shot a look to Alina before nodding in agreement. "Thanks, Martha. Can you prep it?"
"On it! Give me five minutes." Martha moved away, and Hally could hear the sound of water being prepared.
Alina's hands moved from Hally's back. "I'm going to tie up your hair, okay? Get it out of the way."
"Mmmhmm," Hally agreed, pressing her lips together. Alina's hands worked gently, gathering Hally's hair and securing it.
O's hand took over, rubbing up and down Hally's back. Goosebumps shivered across her skin.
"Are you cold?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.
She shook her head.
Alina had finished tying her hair and was now removing the wires Martha had attached. Once Martha was ready, Alina and O helped Hally move the few steps to the birthing pool. There was a moment of realisation from all three Doctors that Hally being in the water made her less accessible to them. Martha wordlessly remedied this by climbing into the pool with her.
Hally shifted into the warm water, exhaling with a hint of relief. It took some weight off her body while the warmth slightly eased the cramping. She turned back onto her front, her knees resting at the bottom of the pool while her elbows were supported on the edge.
Pain swept through her, and Hally groaned, her eyes squeezing shut with a sharp yelp.
"Owen, can we try some Entonox, please?" Alina pressed, her voice tinged with concern.
Owen nodded. "Martha, can you check dilation again?" He moved away briefly before returning.
Martha's hand appeared gently on Hally's lower back. "Okay, Hally, just the same as before. Let me know if you need me to stop at any point."
Owen reappeared with a square cabinet-like device. "Jack, you've got spare hands," he ordered. He handed Jack an oxygen mask attached to the cabinet by a tube. "Can you hold that over her nose and mouth for a few breaths?" Owen then moved back to Martha.
"Owen, we're at eight centimetres dilation."
"Eight. Okay, our girl doesn't hang about, does she?" Owen said, his voice clipped.
Jack knelt down in front of her, on the other side of O and gently pressed the mask onto her face. His other hand coming to rest gently on the back of her head. Alina shifted, giving them some more space, eventually just moving into the pool with Martha.
Hally took deep breaths, dropping her head, letting her forehead rest against Jack's shoulder, her other hand squeezing O's probably painfully as another contraction hit. Alina's hand rubbed her lower back through it. "Deep breaths."
Tears came to her eyes, dripping down her cheeks.
She didn't want to do this.
Couldn't do this.
This was hard.
The gown was getting increasingly heavy. Hot against her skin. She groaned slightly, lifting her head up. "Alina…" Her voice was low.
"I'm here," Alina's voice was soft, her hand a gentle presence on Hally's shoulder.
"I want to… take this off…" Hally lifted her chest slightly, pulling at the hospital gown.
"Okay. Do you want Jack or O to leave?"
Hally shook her head. "No… they can just… deal with it." She huffed out. Alina gave her a reassuring smile and started helping her out of the gown. Hally didn't care about being naked. Perhaps she would have felt embarrassed at another time, but not now. She settled back into her previous position, her forehead against Jack's shoulder, tilting her head to the left to hide her face further into his chest. Her right arm outstretched to hold onto O's hand, with Jack's hand returning to rub gently through her hair.
"You tell me if you get cold," Alina offered, and Hally nodded in acknowledgement.
It took twenty-five minutes for her to further dilate to nine centimetres and another thirty to reach ten. Owen appeared happier with the progress, the pace slowing down significantly. Alina had draped a towel over Hally's shoulders to keep her warm. When she reached ten centimetres, Owen instructed Jack to place the mask back over Hally's face for a few moments. Hally focused on her breathing, letting the doctors discuss around her.
Owen eventually crouched in front of her, between Jack and O. She lifted her head off Jack's chest to look at him. "Okay, Hal. Here's the deal. Your body seems to be giving you all the right signals when it's ready. On these next few contractions, you might start getting the urge to push, alright?"
Hally nodded.
"That's where I need you to come in…" He shot her a grin. "Give it all you've got." His eyes twinkled. "I hope the sex was worth it." He patted her on the head before rising and moving back to be near Martha, who was still in the water behind Hally.
Alina huffed slightly at Owen's bedside manner and added, "When you get the urge, push, and keep pushing until Martha tells you to stop. When she does, I want you to take short breaths, okay?"
Hally nodded, mumbling an affirmation.
She was already tired and she'd barely done anything.
She moved her head, taking it off Jack's chest, instead lying it on her forearm which was resting across the edge of the pool. She tried to take deep breaths, closing her eyes. Her head relaxed, tilting to lie on the left side of her face. What would Koschei say? He always said the right thing. Always did the right thing. She tried her best to imagine but she just couldn't. She didn't have the energy.
A gentle thumb brushed a clump of hair from her face. She opened her eyes to see O. He swallowed and slowly removed his hand as if he'd overstepped. He squeezed her hand gently. "Come on. Where's that Time Lord Ego…" he murmured, a cheeky curve to his mouth and his eyes sparkling with gentle amusement. She exhaled a heavy, weak laugh—a mixture of a laugh and a whine—but it helped to straighten her up nonetheless. She braced herself against the edge.
When the contraction came, she was ready. The urge to push hit her, and with a pained yell, she pushed as hard as she could. Jack grabbed her other hand. Alina offered gentle words of encouragement. When the contraction eased, Jack placed the mask back over her face, letting her breathe deeply before the next one.
Owen pressed the bell of his stethoscope against her stomach. "Her heartbeat is stable. Good job. Ready for the next one?"
She grumbled some expletives under her breath.
"I'm going to take that as a yes," Owen said, clipped and firm
She lost track of time.
Apparently, the head was 'coming'.
It felt like it'd been 'coming' forever.
Hally was so done.
Surely nature would take over eventually. If she just stopped pushing surely she'd eventually come out?
Alina's hand rubbed across her back. "Come on… just a few more."
"Leave me alone…." Hally whined.
Jack hummed. "We'll leave you alone Hal." He brushed his hand over her face, cupping her cheek. "Just as soon as you push this baby out, yeah?"
"I hate you."
"I know."
A contraction came and went without her even trying to push. Accompanied by pained whimpering instead. She was tired. Alina shifted, rubbing circles between her shoulder blades. "Jack, can you grab her some water?"
Jack hummed and untangled himself from her, moving away for a few moments. O helped her press the oxygen mask to her face, taking a few deep breaths. He moved it away for her when Jack came back with water which she happily drank. They let her rest through the next half a dozen contractions before Owen started getting antsy again. "Her heartrates are jumping. She needs to push."
Alina let out a soft conflicted noise. "I don't know if she can…"
Jack growled, tilting her chin gently upwards to meet his gaze. "No." His jaw set. "Come on. You're seriously going to give up now? I've watched you tear apart billions of Daleks, hold time itself together with sheer force of will, and turn an entire planet into clones of your husband. Don't even think about telling me you're giving up now, young lady. This is not your limit. Not even close. Now be a big girl and push."
She glared at him furiously, but as the contraction hit her she did indeed push. Hard. Jack's hand braced the back of her head as she cried out directly in his face.
"She's almost crowning! Just a few more!" Martha called from behind.
Through Hally's cries, a familiar, distant sound began to cut through the haze of pain. An unmistakable noise that she would have said filled her with resolute anger except for the fact her eyes filled with tears. The rhythmic, grinding whoosh—the unmistakable sound of the TARDIS—filtered into the room. It started faint, almost buried beneath the weight of her strained breathing, but it grew louder, undeniable until there wasn't a doubt that everyone in the room had heard it. Each pulse of the sound seemed to vibrate through her, mingling with the intensity of the pain pulsing through her body. The TARDIS had landed.
The noise that came from her was definitely a growl.
Jack moved from her, muttering something that sounded like "About fucking time," As he rose to his feet, moving through to the other side of the curtain.
Hally didn't see it. In fact no one in the room witnessed it.
But there was a moment.
A short moment, when O's eyes met Alina's, the pair of them sharing a similar look of irritation.
In a blur of movement, suddenly he was in front of her. Not deterred by the glare she was giving him.
The Doctor, as she'd seen him last. In front of her. She must have let go of O's hand, or he hers because suddenly The Doctor had both of his hands on her arms. There was something different about him but she couldn't focus on it. Jack had moved back in, moving to hover behind Alina. O was still there. She could feel him. But further away, to the side.
Before she could snap something at him a contraction hit and her eyes squeezed shut, pushing through the pain with a yell. He held onto her, letting her brace against him.
"Ok! Hally, I need you to stop pushing! She's coming. Let her head come…" Martha called out from behind her.
"Quick, short breaths…" Alina reminded her.
She would have been angry, she would have glared at him if she wasn't so busy. So instead she just did at she was told. Short, sharp breaths as she gripped onto The Doctor. His eyes wide and open as he nodded, encouraging her wordlessly. Hally's breaths came in frantic, shallow gasps, each one torn from her throat as her body strained, teetering on the edge of exhaustion. The Doctor's hands on her arms were firm, grounding her. He stared back at her with an almost painful tenderness. His eyes were wide, focused on her, no words, just something unspoken, as if he were pouring his strength into her without needing to say anything at all.
Another contraction rolled through her, but she didn't push this time, just as Martha had instructed. It took everything she had to resist the overwhelming urge to bear down. She could feel the pressure, the sensation so intense it was unbearable, and yet she held on. She clung to The Doctor, her nails digging into his arms, and through it all, his gaze never wavered, like an anchor holding her in place.
"Good, Hally, that's it," Alina's voice broke through the haze, but it was distant, almost muffled beneath the sound of her own heartbeats pounding in her ears. "Short breaths. Let her come."
The Doctor's grip tightened as her legs trembled.
Martha's voice rang out again, more urgent now. "Okay. One more, Hally. Just one more big push."
She met The Doctor's eyes one last time, and in that silent exchange, something passed between them. The last reserves of her strength surged up, and with a guttural cry that felt like it came from her very core, Hally pushed.
Martha's voice cut through the silence. "That's it! That's it! Keep going!"
Hally put everything she had into the effort, her body straining. With a violent shudder, the pressure eased, and she gasped a deep breath.
"Owen. Towel," Martha clipped.
Hally sagged forward slightly, supported by The Doctor's steady arms. The room fell into a bated silence, and she could feel her body trembling with exhaustion. Then, piercing through the quiet, came a sharp, loud cry. The sound sliced through her, bringing a rush of relief and reality. She was here, she was okay. Her muscles gave up, and she collapsed, shifting weakly onto her back. The Doctor's warmth behind her. Martha swiftly wrapped her in a towel, rubbing her chest gently. Without a word, Martha moved, bringing the baby closer and easing her into Hally's arms.
For a few moments, Hally just stared, her gaze fixed on the tiny figure in her arms. The entire room seemed to vanish, leaving just the two of them in a bubble of profound stillness. Her daughter stopped crying, settling into a quiet, almost peaceful state with eyes barely open. Tears welled up in Hally's eyes as she took in the sight. The monumental weight of the moment hit her all at once. It was her—her daughter—here, safe and sound and utterly perfect.
Hally felt it settling deep within her chest—the primal urge, the instinct. Leaning closer, she whispered one word. One important word. A whispering of the universe. A secret. Her name. Her first name. Just for them and perhaps, perhaps another in the future if her daughter chose to share it as Hally had done. A gentle hand squeezed her shoulder, his acknowledgement of the moment. The importance. She looked at her daughter's tiny, perfect features, a small smile creeping onto her face. The realisation washed over her: this was hers, theirs. She and Koschei had created this perfect little life. The tears in O's eyes didn't strike her as abnormal, after all, Jack was wiping water from his face and she could hear the wobble in The Doctor's breath behind her.
She hadn't realised her hands were trembling, but now, holding her child, she felt the tremors ease, replaced by a wave of warmth that settled into her bones.
Martha's voice eventually broke the stillness, gentle but firm. "Hally, can you manage just one or two little pushes for me?" Her hands were steady as she moved to Hally's side, her eyes soft with understanding.
Hally blinked, still caught between awe and exhaustion, the weight of her daughter anchoring her to this new reality. She nodded weakly, too tired to speak.
Alina, who had stayed close the entire time, smiled softly. "May I?" she asked quietly, gesturing toward the baby. Hally hesitated for a brief moment before nodding, trusting Alina with the most precious thing she had ever held.
Alina carefully took the baby into her arms, her touch gentle and soothing as she rocked her. Hally's eyes followed them, unable to take in anything but her daughter's tiny face, her small fingers peeking out from the towel as she squirmed, letting out the occasional soft whine.
Martha was speaking again, guiding her, but it felt far away. "Okay, Hally, just one push. It'll be easier, I promise."
The Doctor's hand was still on her shoulder, grounding her, while Jack had taken a step back, watching over her with his steady, reassuring presence. She nodded faintly at Martha, feeling the weariness seep into her limbs. It was almost over.
When her body told her, with a deep breath, she bore down once more, her muscles aching and weak, but this time the pressure was much less, the effort lighter. There was a soft release, a strange sense of relief as Martha worked quickly, expertly, to finish the task.
"That's it. You've done it," Martha said softly, giving her a nod of approval. She moved swiftly, her hands ensuring everything was clear and safe.
Hally exhaled deeply, sagging further into the support behind her, feeling the weight of everything lift. She let herself go, her body finally allowed to rest.
Once Owen had been happy any bleeding had stopped they'd helped her up. Jack and The Doctor. They'd helped her stand. Martha quick to wrap a large towel around her and help her out of the pool. Alina stayed close, always keeping her daughter within arm's reach of Hally. They moved her onto the bed, Martha helping her into a fresh hospital gown. This time she was happy to lie in the bed, Martha covered her with a blanket to keep her warm and then Alina handed her daughter back to her.
Hally held her daughter close as Owen checked their vitals, satisfied that both were doing well. He sent Martha and Alina to clean up and pulled the curtain across slightly, leaving just her, The Doctor, and her daughter. Jack lingered just outside, his presence felt but unspoken.
Hally gazed down at her daughter, the world around them fading into a soft, blurred background. Every part of her seemed to settle, her body, her mind, her hearts—everything she had been holding in place for so long finally released. In that moment, nothing else mattered. It was just the two of them, bound together in a way that went beyond time, beyond words. The tiny face peeking up at her was soft and delicate, her daughter's eyes still unfocused but searching, as though trying to make sense of this new world. Her little hands fidgeted, curling and uncurling against the blanket that swaddled her.
Hally's breath caught in her throat, tears blurring her vision as the fullness of it washed over her. It all made sense now—everything she had fought, every impossible moment, every tear, every pain. It had all led to this. This little life. This perfect, beautiful being that they had created. She was here, and she was theirs.
The noise in the room faded into an almost sacred quiet. She could feel it settling into her bones, a stillness she hadn't known in what felt like forever. As if, in holding her daughter, the chaos of the universe had found its balance.
Nearby, The Doctor hovered, his presence felt rather than seen. Hally knew he was watching, always there, never quite distant but never intruding. His eyes were soft, filled with something far deeper than mere observation. It was as if he too understood the magnitude of this moment, understood that the universe, in all its madness, had bent toward this one point. His hands, so often restless, now hung quietly at his sides, as if even he didn't dare disturb the fragile peace that had fallen over the room.
He shifted slightly, just a step closer, but he remained silent, his gaze flickering between Hally and his granddaughter. His expression was hard to read—there was tenderness there, but also something else, something deeper, perhaps a touch of regret, or wonder. The Doctor, who had seen the birth and death of stars, who had danced through time itself, caught in awe at this simple, perfect moment of new life.
Hally, still gazing down at her daughter, felt a small smile tug at the corners of her mouth. For all the turmoil, for all the battles, this—this was what made everything else worth it. Holding her daughter, everything clicked into place, like the final piece of a puzzle. She didn't have to say anything; she just knew.
Her daughter stirred softly in her arms, and Hally instinctively rocked her gently, the motion coming naturally, as if she had always known how to do this. The Doctor's gaze hovered, but he stayed back, giving her the space to just be, to revel in this moment that was wholly hers.
Hally would have been content to stay in that serene moment forever, but, as with all things, it eventually drew to a close. Owen pulled back the curtain, revealing Alina and Martha, now in clean scrubs. Jack and O remained nearby, still hovering in the background. Alina moved closer, taking the paperwork from Owen with a grateful smile, and then settled on the side of the bed, her expression warm.
"Hey," Alina said softly.
Hally returned the smile, pulling herself back into the present. "Hi."
"How are you feeling?" Alina's face was open and caring.
Hally nodded, her smile tired but genuine. "Good. Tired… but good."
Alina nodded in understanding, giving Hally's hand a gentle squeeze before producing a birth certificate. "We've got a birth certificate ready, if you wanted to. It's completely up to you. She can be registered here, properly, if you'd like."
Hally considered it for a moment before nodding. "Yeah… I think I would."
Alina's smile widened as she rested the clipboard across her legs, leaving a pen there. Hally adjusted her hold on her daughter, carefully bringing the pen up. She chewed on her lip, then wrote:
Liljastraea Oakdown
The Doctor moved closer, his presence a hum of gentle happiness. He pressed a kiss against the side of Hally's head. Hally wet her lips and cleared her throat. "Lily," she said, looking up at Alina. "You can call her Lily."
Alina smiled and nodded, gently taking the certificate away again.
Martha returned quietly, helping Hally with the delicate process of feeding her daughter for the first time.
As she glanced around, she noticed Jack and O still lingering nearby, unsure of how to proceed now that The Doctor was present. They tried to maintain a respectful distance, but it was clear they were torn between wanting to be near and navigating the slightly tense new dynamic.
Hally smiled softly, appreciating their presence. "You can come over, you know," she hummed. "Don't feel like you have to linger."
Jack was the first to approach, hands in pockets, and leaned down to press a gentle kiss to Hally's forehead. "You're incredible, Hal. She's beautiful."
Hally smiled up at him. "Thank you, Jack… for everything."
Jack shrugged, though his eyes were soft. "We'll just be outside the curtain, give you some privacy, yeah?" His tone dropped, and Hally understood: it was time to address The Doctor.
O lingered, and Hally looked up at him sheepishly. "I'm sorry if I broke your hand…"
O let out a soft laugh. "Happy to help." He smiled at her, then gently rubbed his thumb across Lily's cheek. He smiled, although it didn't quite meet his eyes. Following Jack's example, he leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head, holding himself there for a moment.
The Doctor stepped forward, extending a hand toward O. "I don't think we've properly met. It's… The Doctor."
O's eyes flicked from Hally to the man before him before he accepted the handshake. "Yes. I know. O."
With that, they retreated quietly, leaving her alone with The Doctor and her daughter. They sat in semi-comfortable silence for a while. There wasn't a need to talk; she didn't feel any rush to fill the quiet. She was happy. She didn't want to be anything else in that moment.
But as the minutes passed, Hally found herself studying him, really looking at him for the first time. He looked the same—young, with that floppy hair, bright eyes, and that stupid chin—but there was something different, too. He seemed older. His eyes especially. There was a weight to them that hadn't been there before, like he had seen more, carried more. His hair was slightly shorter, and his clothes were different too—gone was the light brown jacket she remembered. Now he wore a darker brown waistcoat, his jacket longer and darker.
Hally hummed softly to herself, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of the blanket that swaddled her daughter. Then, breaking the silence, she murmured, "You were late."
The Doctor let out a soft breath, his gaze falling to the floor. "Sorry... you know the TARDIS. Never quite on time."
"That's not what I meant," she said quietly, her eyes locking onto his with an intensity that made him falter.
He opened his mouth to respond, then closed it again, confirming her suspicions. She let out a breath. "How old are you?"
"It doesn't matter... I came."
Hally shook her head slowly, her gaze unwavering. "And how long did it take you to come?"
There was a pause. A moment of hesitation before he finally admitted, "Longer than it should have."
He sighed. "What's going on between you and me… the me that I was then… it doesn't matter. This was… is, more important."
"Yet… you're not here. He's not here. You're here. Late."
"I know." His voice was almost a whisper. "I made a mistake. I didn't come when I should have. I'm making it right."
"So, how old are you?" she asked again, her voice firmer this time.
"Hally…"
"No. I want to know exactly how long it's taken you."
He hesitated, and when he finally spoke, his voice was barely above a murmur. "It… it doesn't matter. Longer than it should have done. I was a coward, Hal."
She watched him carefully, her emotions a tangled mix of understanding and frustration.
"Is this... is this the first time you're seeing me, since...?"
He shook his head. "No… but..." He sighed deeply, his shoulders sagging slightly. "I'm not proud. I hid. I hid from you, and I shouldn't have done. I should never have left you here. But I was so scared..." His voice cracked, and he looked away before finding the courage to meet her gaze again. "It's not fair of me to ask, it isn't, but... be patient with him… with me. You might… you might have to extend the branch."
She let out a slow breath not promising anything, her grip tightening around her daughter. She was nowhere near forgiving him. Nowhere near. But she hadn't shut him out completely so she gave him a weary, "maybe."
Before Hally could dwell too long, a sound broke through the semi-silence. The soft click of the TARDIS door creaked open behind them. The Doctor's shoulders stiffened, and a familiar sigh escaped his lips.
A figure stepped sheepishly into view—a young woman with shoulder-length brown hair and wide, expressive brown eyes. She was pretty, with a gentle look about her, though the hesitation in her movements betrayed that she knew she was interrupting something private. Her gaze flickered between Hally and The Doctor before settling on Hally's arms, where Lily was bundled up.
The Doctor sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, already exasperated. "Clara…" His voice held a gentle reprimand, as if he'd seen this coming. "I told you to stay inside."
The woman, Clara, offered a small shrug, looking guilty but unrepentant, her eyes bright with curiosity. "I know, but I wanted to meet her."
Hally raised an eyebrow, shifting Lily slightly in her arms. She gave The Doctor a pointed look.
Clara stepped closer, her eyes softening as they landed on the baby. "I knew she'd be an adorable baby," Clara said, smiling warmly.
Hally frowned slightly, confusion creeping into her expression. Knew? She glanced at The Doctor, her gaze questioning, but before she could voice it, he stepped in quickly.
"Clara…" He gave her a sharp look, the tone of his voice carrying a warning. "She hasn't met you."
Clara's eyes widened in sudden realisation, her cheeks flushing as she quickly backpedalled. "Oh, right. Yeah. Sorry," she stammered, clearly flustered. "I … forgot..."
Hally rolled her eyes. "It's… fine." She at least trusted that The Doctor never travelled with murderers so she assumed Clara was safe to be around her daughter. Clara smiled and moved closer, cooing happily towards Lily. Slight frown of surprise.
"Oh, look her hair's so blonde… I wonder when it goes darke-"
"Clara…" The Doctor hummed again in reprimand, staring wide-eyed at his companion.
"Oh…. Right…"
Clara bit her lip, realising she'd overstepped again. She gave Hally an apologetic smile before backing away, her curiosity clearly not satisfied but restrained. "I'll just… let you two…" she said, more quietly this time.
She retreated to the TARDIS, her steps light but deliberate, and after the door clicked shut behind her.
The Doctor remained silent, standing close but not too close, as if unsure of how much space she needed. Finally, after a long moment, he spoke, his voice soft but steady. "I'm sorry."
Hally didn't respond right away, her eyes still on Lily as she traced the delicate curve of her daughter's tiny hand. "For what, exactly?"
The Doctor shifted on his feet. "For all of it. For not being here sooner. For leaving. For… for… well…" His voice cracked on the last word, and he looked down at the floor, his hands clenching and unclenching by his sides.
She glanced up at him, her expression unreadable. "I'm not going to say it's ok."
"No. No. I know. You shouldn't. It isn't ok." he murmured, his eyes finding hers again. "I let you down. Really. Properly. Both of you and it took me far too long to see it..."
Hally didn't say anything, her gaze dropping back to Lily. She stroked her daughter's cheek with the pad of her thumb, feeling the soft warmth of her skin. The Doctor watched them, his expression tightening with a mixture of regret and something deeper—love, maybe, but it was tangled up with so much else.
"I love you," he said finally, his voice thick. "You don't need to say anything. You don't owe me anything. I just wanted to tell you. That I love you. Both of you. You're going to be amazing… I've seen it…" He swallowed hard.
She nodded slightly, not looking away from her daughter.
He leant forward, pressing a kiss to her forehead, whispering. "I'll see you soon."
She smiled a sad smile. "Will you?"
The look in his eyes told her everything she needed to know.
His departure wasn't rushed; it was quiet, almost ghostly, the hum of the TARDIS filling the room as it began to dematerialize. Hally didn't need to watch it disappear to know he was gone.
Once the noise disintegrated into silence, she could hear the others, their voices low.
"I'm happy for her to go home, but only if we can send someone with her." Alina said, her voice practical but warm.
"I'll stay," Jack offered without hesitation.
Martha chimed in, nodding in agreement. "I'm happy to."
Alina hummed softly. "I'm going to vote with Jack on this one. I think a male presence might be helpful."
Jack hummed. "It's settled then. I'll stay."
Alina and Martha moved closer, checking both Hally and Lily over one last time. "You're both doing great," Martha reassured her, her smile genuine. "We'll check in tomorrow, but for now, it's probably best if you go home and get some rest."
Hally nodded, thanking them both.
Once Owen signed off on her discharge, Hally, cradling Lily, headed out with Jack. He drove them home, both of them silent. Lily never leaving her arms.
Jack set himself up on the sofa while Hally put Lily to bed. He came up, offering a gentle goodnight to the both of them.
He was supposed to stay just for one night.
It would certainly end up being much longer.