#the doctor has seen what pete meant to rose has met the man himself has seen how defensive rose is of jackie

[nerdie-faerie]

Actually love that they called the parallel universe Pete's World :) they could've named it after something related to how it differentiates from their universe. Something related to Lumic or Cybus industries, but no, they named it Pete's World, something that is only relevant to Rose and the Doctor by extension. What separates this universe from their one? The fact that cybermen started on earth by an ailing inventor rather than mondas? No. It's the fact that Rose Tyler's father lived in this one without any world ending paradoxes :) that's what the Doctor decided was relevant to differentiate them :)

[blueyesandleatherjacket]

A Taste Of Christmas, 5/6

Volume: 1.

Number of parts: 5/6.

Pairings: Metacrisis Nine x Rose.

A/N: Sequel for The Summertime Of Our Lives. Written for doctorroseprompts' ficmas challenge. Ficmas challenge: Ornaments, Wreath, Ribbon, Stockings, Rooftop, Earmuffs, Bright. Tagging @thebookster on her demand.

“Christmas is a time when you get homesick - even when you're home.” - Carol Nelson.

CHAPTER 5:

The table was covered with papers of different colours, glue sticks, bits of cut papers, cutting shapes, scissors, stickers, paint, Posca and a mix of silver and red flakes. In the middle of this mess, there were ranks of homemade invitation, cards, name tags and menus elegantly ornamented with Christmas themed elements like snowmen made with buttons of different sizes and colours, Christmas trees made with pine needles, pine cones made with bits of cardboards, candy canes made with paper straws. Those were things Tony had never seen in his entire life and he had been more than happy to help his sister crafting these little pieces of art. For him, it meant nothing because he never celebrated Christmas and because it was all new and secret – Pete must never know! – it was an exciting mission for the seven years-old boy. In the middle of this mess, the Doctor found the blonde head of his wife. She had collapsed on her table of work after working really hard on the last details for their upcoming Christmas party. She wanted it all to be perfect and she was pushing herself to exhaustion. The Doctor had already cleaned Tony up and put him to bed. Now it was time for his lovely wife to follow the same path. She was working hard, too hard, for their celebration to be perfect. They could have chosen the emblematic date of December 25 for this because it was in the middle of the week and everyone was working. Instead, they had chosen December 21 and 22. It was in two weeks time so it was important for the invitation cards to be sent as soon as possible or no one would be available. They didn’t have many friends around here, just a handful, but it was more than enough. The Doctor delicately picked Rose up. She protested, opened her eyes but ended up wrapping her arms around his neck and snuggling closer to his chest. He took her to the bedroom and lay her down. He carefully removed all leftovers of her artistic activities from her face and hair. He had always seen Rose as a young woman who was mature and clever for her age. More than other nineteen years old kiddos of her kiddos of her generation. With all the traveling they did and all the dangers they faced, she had grown up faster than she should have. This universe had completed her transformation into a grown-up woman. This was the first time in ages that he was seeing the child in her. Participating in this impossible Christmas revival was making her innocence and childish behaviour resurfacing. He congratulated himself for this idea. He was falling more and more in love with her. As he needed less sleep than a normal human being, he was often pacing around the house and resolving grids of crosswords to keep busy until finally sleep came to him. Tonight, though, he had other projects. As soon as Rose was tucked in bed, he left a note on his pillow and used the wrist device that was formerly Jack’s. He profoundly disliked this device: it was having too nasty effects on the user. However the TARDIS wasn’t ready to travel yet. She still needed to mature. Better give her all the time she needed to be at the best. He was one careless driver and an insatiable traveller. She would see the universe. She would see his family, help with raising his children. That was how he had dreamt his life with Rose once. The house, the human friends, the ‘ordinary’ life were just good bonuses. He was sprawled out on the bed when Rose woke up. All dressed in his signature outfit – jumper, leather jacket, black pants and boots – he had fallen asleep as soon as he had reached the bed. Strangely, he was wearing more colours than usual. These clothes were dark, reflecting the darkness of his soul when they had met and bringing a sort of protection to their owner. They were an homage to all the lost ones he was carrying on his shoulders with the damages of the war he was the only Time Lord to have survived to. Today, they were covered in an elegant mix of pastel and bright colours. On his head was resting a wreath of flowers Rose had only seen once in her life. The device around the Doctor’s wrist confirmed that he had been travelling while she was asleep. But what had he been up to in the galaxy? Why was he covered with flowers? Like he had done for her the night before, she delicately took off his shoes and jacket. She left the flowers on him just for the pleasure of having him waking up later with them and gently mocking him. It was breaking his bad boy appearance, making him look like a soft warrior. The Doctor could have been one of the French soldiers who left fresh and joyful for the first World War had he not already lived the horrors a war could cause to a person, to a population, to a whole planet. He was a warrior recovering from this war that had happened long before they met, a war that would haunt his mind for as long as he would be alive. Flowers were a meagre comfort for the broken man who had a hard time pulling himself back together. Where would he be without her? Who would hold his hand during the dark times? It was a question she still was asking herself. Less now than in the first days of her new life here, but sometimes she caught herself wondering who was holding the hand of the Doctor who was still running for his life. A thought she was keeping for herself not to sadden her Doctor. At least, he had her hand to hold; he had the woman he had always desired. And the Time Lord could make friends with anyone, as annoying as he could get when he was babbling relentlessly and considering the persons, humans or not, facing him like they were completely stupid. But if you were asking for help, he never refused and that made him a great friend. Being friend with such a person wasn’t without risk. You have to be prepared for the worst at any time. This life wasn’t for everyone. Some just couldn’t handle it. Rose had adjusted to this life for the man she had fallen in love with. She went downstairs and cooked breakfast for the two men of the house who weren’t up yet. She had no idea when the Doctor had fallen asleep but Tony was sleeping in. She had never seen him sleep this late on mornings. The sound of his steps on the ground above her proved her wrong. The boy was up and he was coming her way for breakfast. She had put everything down on the table and was making pancakes by the time he joined her in the kitchen with dishevelled hair and a sleepy face. He mumbled a hello and settled down at the table to eat his breakfast and drink his hot chocolate. Rose smiled, ruffled his hair and kissed his head before dropping a couple pancakes in the empty plate beside him and covered them with honey. It was his favourite meal to have on morning. Something the Doctor loved too… if she added bananas that tasted like bananas. “What is it, Rosie?” “Hm?” Rose sat down on the chair next to him for her morning tea. She had sugar and stirred the brewage for a perfect mix of the flavours. Tony was pointing to her tattoo. She was used to it now and didn��t notice it as much as she did before but to Tony, this was new. He hadn’t remarked it sooner. The lines were going from a wrist to the other in elegant lines forming long loops and drawing tight knots. The Doctor was wearing the same tattoos. He had had a harder time to get used to them. Maybe that was why he was wearing the leather jacket again: to avoid people’s looks on him now that he was vulnerable. Just like them all. “That’s a tattoo.” “Cool!” “Mum didn’t find it cool when she has seen,” chuckled Rose. “Dad has one too. That’s a number. He said that the day he met mum but she told me it was bollocks.” It was. Pete had had that tattoo long before their mother came in this universe. He had revealed the meaning of it when she was her prisoner in one of his labs in Torchwood. It was connected to his activities in this huge institution of researches. The Cybermen and Daleks, the Void, they hadn’t been caused only by her original universe. Pete had helped with it and played dumb when everything happened. They all had been fooled by him and she was the only one to see the truth behind his mask. The numbers on his arm indeed were a date. The date of his entry in Torchwood which matched the date he had met Jackie in the other world. “The Doctor and I are married,” explained Rose. “We did a hand-fastening marriage this summer and instead of wearing wedding rings, we chose to have the ribbons of love tattooed on our arms.” “The Doctor has them too?” “Yep,” replied the hoarse sleepy voice of the concerned man. He had swapped his jumper for a T-shirt and I kept his pants and socks. His short sleeves revealed the lines tattooed on his arms. The exact same lines as Rose. He stuck his arms together for the pattern to be complete and Tony was amazed by the complexity and beauty of the arabesques forming the ribbons. He could have had them off in some planet in the far future but he had chosen to keep them. They were the symbol of his love and marriage with Rose and he was growing quite fond of them. “We can get married with tattoos?” “Not really. There’s a ceremony called hand-fastening. The engaged couple brings ribbons made with fabric that have a special meaning to the both of them. A qualified and close person to you tells the story of the hand-fastening and what it means to the engaged couple. You face your loved one, gather the ribbons and take the hands of their hands. Your right hand takes their left on and your left takes their right one so your arms are forming a sort of eight or an infinite sign. The person you’ve chosen to marry you fastens the ribbons around your joined hands and tie them with a nice knot. You say your vows and the ceremony is over.” “But the tattoos?” “There are married couples that feel the need to exchange gifts that were very personal and dear to them to symbolise their love and trust. Others choose to have bond tattooed for everyone to see their love. Or simply as a reminder of their bond. Rose loved the tattoo idea so we’ve picked it and it’s fantastic to see that our marriage wasn’t just a dream.” The Doctor walked over to Rose and dropped a kiss on her lips. Tony had a wide smile. It made him so happy to be surrounded by so much warm love. He giggled when the Doctor ruffled his hair and tickled him. But he was so intrigued by what he whispered in his ear that he finished his breakfast and ran in the living room. Rose raised an eyebrow, the Doctor shrugged innocently and Tony squealed happily. Rose was intrigued so she went in the living room and there, she understood: in the night, the Doctor had built a fake chimney and had hung Christmas stockings on the mantel. There were one for each one of them and one for their friends. who were invited to their party. Every stockings was filled with chocolate and crackers and candy canes. Everything to make this first Christmas here even better. She threw herself in the Doctor’s arms. He really was fantastic. “Oh, Rosie, it’s snowing!” Tony put the stockings back on the chimney and ran to the closest window to watch the white flakes fall from the sky. Snow for Christmas, long time it hadn’t happened in their original universe. Thankfully global warming didn’t exist in this world. Somehow, they had managed to protect it for the future generations. As if anyone wanted to conceive and raise children in this full scary world. And since they were in a small quiet town, away from the big cities, the skies were as clear as they could be, offering them an impressive cover of shining stars to observe.an activity that the Doctor loved doing when was sitting in front of the patio door. When the night came, he chose to watch the stars with his little family: his wife and brother-in-law. But changing a habit had a certain price and he hadn’t seen it coming. The stars were brighter than usual that night and watching them from inside the house was lessening this beautiful brightness. The Doctor wanted to climb in the rooftop but Rose firmly refused. It was too dangerous. She allowed him to watch them from outside on the condition that he was dressing up to face the cold. He ended up muffled up in a warm coat and scarf and gloves but also a pair of earmuffs he was sulking about. Rose had insisting on the fact she loved his big ears the way they were and didn’t want them to suffer from the cold. She won the battle obviously and he soon forgot the argument-that-wasn’t-really-an-argument. Standing in the snow and holding the hand of his wife while speaking about the stars he knew to Tony was better than sulking about stupid earmuffs that indeed were keeping his ears warm for Rose to sexily nibble them later…

To be continued...

A Taste Of Christmas © | 2019 | Tous droits réservés.

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[unsaid-stardust]

Love Don’t Roam

So after digging through the Doctor Who soundtrack, I came across the song “Love Don’t Roam” which is what plays at Donna’s wedding reception when Ten has his flashback of Rose. I had made a post earlier about how the song actually reflects the Doctor quite well and even though we don’t actually hear what the Doctor tells Rose on the beach, this song does. It wasn't long enough though, and some people wanted more so, here’s take two. In this essay I will-

Verse 1

Well, I've roamed about this Earth With just a suitcase in my hand And I've met some bug-eyed Joes I've met the blessed I've met the damned  But of all the strange, strange creatures In the air, at sea, on land Oh my girl, my girl, my precious girl I love you, you understand

We start the song with words that speak of a traveller who has gone all over the world and is just left with his suitcase. Sound familiar? Just a little? It should. Because this traveller is none other than the Doctor. 

The whole show is about his travels and the people he meets and songs aren’t random in television, or good television for that matter. They’re carefully picked and the fact that this song plays when the camera focuses on the Doctor hints that it’s about him.  

To go even further, he’s the last of his kind and the TARDIS, or the suitcase, is all he has left. He’s met “the blessed” and “the damned”. All different kinds of people, but also, gods and devils e.g The Impossible Planet and The Satan Pit. 

But, Sab, strange creatures? How does that relate to the Doctor?

Good question. The answer?

Also, The Satan Pit. 

In that episode, The Doctor is faced with the actual devil and when he does he has this super long monologue. Long, but super important. He talks about how he’s met so many gods in his lifetime and seen them with his own eyes. He knows they exist; a question that most humans contemplate today. 

He goes on to say how even though he's actually seen all of these gods, he doesn’t believe in any of them. Who does he believe in then? Rose Tyler. Yeah, we know, Sab, why are you telling us something we already know? Well, because this exact monologue is also described in the song...just much simpler:

“I’ve met the blessed I've met the damned, But of all the strange, strange creatures, in the air, in the sea, on land, oh my girl, my girl, my precious girl, I love you, you understand”

It can best be explained as this: Blessed and damned-gods and devils. But out of all- besides the numerous gods and devils. My girl-Rose Tyler. I love you- I believe in her.  

Not only can this line refer to the monologue, but it could also just refer to all of the companions the Doctor has met, which I will go more in depth with when I get to verse 3. 

But for now, I’m gonna skip the chorus and go straight to the second verse because that’s where the song begins in the actual scene and really takes a look at the doctor’s psyche. 

Verse 2: 

I have wandered, I have rambled I have crossed this crowded sphere And I've seen a mess of problems That I long to disappear And all I have's this anguished heart For you have vanished too Oh my girl, my girl, my precious girl Just what is this man to do?

Again, it speaks of a man who’s travelled which is established to be The Doctor.  It’s confirmed with the next line:  

“I've seen a mess of problems, that I long to disappear”. 

On his travels, the Doctor’s goal is always to solve what is wrong with that particular place. Sometimes he’s meant to go there specifically because of the problem, other times he just happens to be there when bad things happen, but whatever the case, he never leaves without fixing it. However, he does leave, or “disappear”, when the cleaning up needs to be done. 

Not only can this refer to physical problems, but emotional ones too. The Doctor has extreme emotional baggage, Regret, loss, pain, and his whole character development is revolved around trying to heal from it. Specifically, in Ten’s case, the pain of losing Rose to the parallel world. 

This reception happens and the song plays just after he’s lost her. More importantly, this verse plays just before he has a flashback with her in it. This can all be traced back to the line “And all I have’s this anguished heart, for you have vanished too,”.

The Doctor is constantly left with loss and regret, and this is only heightened when he loses Rose. She made him better; helped him heal. But, now that she’s gone, all he’s left with are the problems and an “anguished heart”. 

Verse 3: 

Well, you took me in You stole my heart I cannot roam no more Because love, it stays within you It doesn't wash up on a shore And a fighting man forgets each cut Each knock, each bruise, each fall But a fighting man cannot forget Why his love don't roam no more

Now this is the verse that really gives us a look into the Doctor’s heart. What’s super important about this verse is that it’s what plays when The Doctor has his flashback of Rose. The line “you stole my heart” coincides with the beginning of the flashback and the exact moment that the Doctor catches Rose.

Call it meta, or literal, or whatever you want, but this doesn’t happen just by chance. In fact, the song’s been playing since way before the flashback happens which shows that this verse is meant to be playing when the flashback happens. 

What does it actually mean, then? Well, just as the lyric says. Rose Tyler stole the Doctor’s heart, er, hearts that is. The fact that he catches her at the exact same moment says it all; The Doctor loves Rose Tyler. 

As for the whole “I cannot roam anymore”, well, that goes back to what I was saying about the companions in the first verse. 

He’s met so many people over his 900 years of existence and he’s travelled with many, many, companions. Sarah Jane Smith, Martha Jones, Donna Noble. The list goes on. And he’s cared about them all. All in different ways.

But the thing with all the other companions, is that he was perfectly fine leaving them. He knew it was going to happen at some point. He wasn’t necessarily okay with it, but he was content. It was just what happened. He was a traveller and he didn’t stay in one place or with one person too long. 

With Rose, though, it was different. She stole his heart. This was established in the first verse. He’s met all these strange creatures, or all these different companions, but it was Rose that he loved. He couldn't just leave her, hence the lyrics “I cannot roam no more, because love stays within you, it doesn’t wash up on a shore”. 

Rose stayed with him, even though she wasn’t physically there. She stole his heart and with her gone, he didn’t really have one. He was just left with all this turmoil, unable to just replace her with another companion, like he would do with others. 

And not only does the line “it doesn’t wash up on a shore” refer to The Doctor’s inner psyche, but it could also refer to the actual beach that he left Rose on; Bad Wolf Bay. While an actual duplicate of him showed up on the shore, it wasn’t him. The duplicate had the memories and the love for Rose, but he himself wasn’t physically there. It was the duplicate that was. 

But Sab, we don’t know the Doctor loved Rose for certain, he’s never said it.

uh-huh. Well, if you really need me to tell you, I don’t think we’re watching the same show, but for good measures, here’s the chorus. 

chorus

Reel me in, my precious girl Come on, take me home My body's tired of traveling And my heart don't wish to roam

This is what plays just before the Doctor has his flashback. As he’s watching all of the people on the dance floor, his eyes fixate on this one specific couple, the woman having blonde hair, just like Rose did. He fixates on this couple just after the lines  “My body’s tired of traveling, and my heart don’t wish to roam”.

It’s also important to note that the man dips the woman while dancing, and “reels” her in, which is when the flashback of Rose begins in which a similar thing happens. This is important because again, it solidifies that this song is about the Doctor and Rose. 

So, what about the rest of the chorus, then? Well, it’s basically all been said. The Doctor has had all of these different companions which whom he loves and cherishes. However, the chorus adds this idea that he doesn’t want to, or physically can't, be with all those companions anymore.

All he wants is to live a life where he can grow old like humans and not have to live with all of this constant regret and pain that comes with the passing of time. He just wants to settle down, have a more permanent life. He doesn’t want to do it alone, though. No, he wants to live a permanent life with Rose.

“My precious girl, come on, take me home” says it all. He wants to be the one standing on that beach. He wants to be in Pete’s world with Rose. He doesn’t want to travel with all of these different people anymore. He only wants her. 

And that’s because the Doctor loves Rose Tyler. 

If you still don’t believe me, maybe you’ll believe Murray Gold, who composed the soundtrack:

“In the 2006 special “The Runaway Bride” we needed a song that reflected the Doctor’s inner thoughts whilst also being something you could imagine a crowd at a wedding dancing to. The third verse is especially inspired by David Tennant. The song is as much his as Song for Ten was before” 

I know what you must be thinking now. Sab, why go through all that trouble when you could’ve literally just posted this quote? I could’ve, but what’s the fun in that?

[spiderneds]

On My Way To You (Dad!Stephen Strange x Reader x Peter Parker [TH])

this was written for my best friend, @melonpanbread, because it is her birthday in a few days <3 happy early birthday, buddy. ily

“Where are you going?” you asked your dad as he entered the living room. He was dressed up nice, hair slicked back perfectly. You put down your back. “I didn’t know we were going somewhere.”

“We aren’t,” he said. “I’ll be back tonight. Don’t wait up for me. Find some dinner.” He was cold and distant - same as always. 

“Oh.�� You scooted forward on the sofa, feeling like you wanted to just curl up into yourself. You wanted to make yourself as small as he made you feel. “Have... have a good time, I guess.” Grabbing your book, you stood up from the sofa. 

Stephen grabbed his coat. “Hey,” he said. 

You stopped - and you tried not to get your hopes up.

“You can order whatever you want, okay? You know where my credit card is.”

You just nodded. Why did you always get your hopes up?

You wanted to say I love you, but he never paused long enough for you to. It was like he didn’t care at all if you said it or not.

You were in front of the piano, letting your fingers touch a key at a time, waiting until a note died down before hitting another, when you got the call. You let it ring, not bothering to see who it was. Half a dozen empty boxes of Chinese food that littered the top of the piano meant that you weren’t interested in conversation at the moment.

But the phone rang again and again, 

Finally, you answered it. “Hello?” you asked, slightly agitated.

“___! Where in the world were you?”

“Christine?” you asked. 

“Listen, it’s your dad. He was in a car accident. A bad one. Come to the hospital now.”

Your heart sank. “I-Is he okay?”

“I don’t know,” she answered. “I really do not know.”

“I’m on my way.”

You were there when he woke up. You cried as he grunted in pain and shook, learning that his hands were scarred and broken and partially paralyzed. Your hands rested on his side as he trembled.

“No one could have done better,” Christine told him. 

He looked over at her. “I could have done better.”

“Dad,” you whispered softly. “No one could have done better-”

“Why did you let them do this to me?” he asked you. 

You pulled back. Finally, his eyes met yours. He looked so disappointed.

“Why didn’t you stop them?”

For the next few weeks, you took care of your father. You fed him until he was able to hold a spoon, drove him to each therapy session, sat in with him during meetings with doctors, and sat by his side as he recovered from surgery after surgery.

One day, when he got off the phone, he slammed it down on the slick top of the table. You jumped, observing him from the kitchen. His hands shook against the steel and his shoulders moved up and down with absolute anger.

“What is it, Dad?” you asked, taking the pot off the stove top.

“That was the bank. I don’t have the money for Wednesday’s procedure.”

You frowned. “How much do you need?”

“A few thousand,” he said, “and I can take out a loan, but...”

You walked over to him. He looked exhausted, and you felt for him. You took a seat in the chair next to him and rubbed his arm. “You can take from my college fund,” you told him.

He shook his head. “I can’t--”

“Please, Dad,” you said. “If it’ll help you, and this surgery will make you better...”

He stared at you for a long moment, then put his hand at the back of your neck. His fingers stroked your hair. But you didn’t wince when they shook too badly and yanked your hair, because you were too surprised that he was sitting here, showing any affection at all.

“I think your dad will be happy with what we got for dinner,” Christine said.

You struggled to hold onto the giant paper bags in your arms. “Let’s hope so.”

She smiled at you, and you smiled back. All three of you had been in fairly good moods the past few days, and you were hopeful. Your father’s condition in his hands had been reduced to nothing more but shaking. You knew his main concern was getting to go back to work, but you liked having him home, cooking for him, taking care of him, and getting to be with him. It was like you were a real family again.

You stepped inside of the room. Something was wrong.

“Hey,” Christine said, but even she knew that something wasn’t right. “He won’t do it.”

Your father had been doing everything to convince people to operate on him. He argued that he was so close to being healed, but you could see that he was just fooling himself.

He shook his head.

“Dad,” you whispered. “I’m sorry-”

Ignoring you, he got out of the chair he was in. “There’s a new procedure in Tokyo...”

You sighed, knowing where this was going.

“If I could get a loan together, just a small loan of two hundred thousand...”

“Stephen,” Christine said. “You’ve always spent money as fast as you can make it, but now you’re spending money you don’t even have! Maybe it’s time to consider stopping.”

“No, no - it’s exactly the time not to stop, because you see I’m not getting any better!” You winced when he rose his voice and sat down on the sofa.

“But this isn’t medicine anymore, this is mania!” she said. “Some things just can’t be fixed.”

“Life without my work...”

“Is still life,” she said. “This isn’t the end. There are other things that can give your life meaning.”

“Like what?” he growled, turning around. “Like you?” And you thought he wasn’t going to say it, but he did. He pointed right at you. “Like her?”

Your jaw slacked open. Your heart shattered. And you decided, all at once, that you hated your father.

“This is the part where you apologize to your daughter and to me,” she said.

“This is the part where you leave,” he said. “And take her with you.”

“Fine. I can’t watch you do this to yourself anymore. Or to her.” She grabbed her purse and walked towards you. Her gentle hands touched your shoulder, urging you to rise, but you were frozen in a state of anger and hatred. 

“Too difficult for you, is it?”

“Yes, it is,” she said. She glared at him and then ducked her head to speak to you. “Come on, sweetie.” You were fifteen, but she was acting like you were just a kid. “It breaks my heart to see you this way,” she said to your father.

“Don’t pity me,” he snapped.

“I’m not pitying you,” she assured him. “It breaks my heart that you think so little of your own daughter, Stephen. I have seen what she has given up for you and you just turn your head like she isn’t a part of you.”

“If you’re not pitying me, then what are you doing here? Bringing cheese and wine like we’re old friends going on a picnic? Like we’re all one happy family? We aren’t friends, Christine. We were barely even lovers! But you just love a sob story, don’t you? Is that what I am to you now? Poor Stephen Strange, charity case. He finally needs me! His daughter finally gets to have the mom that walked out on her! You care so much, don’t you?”

You finally stood up. You faced your father, limbs shaking with anger. He looked down at you, breathing heavily. “I hate you,” you said. “You act like you’re a great father that is beloved by his kid but that’s not true at all. You’ve barely even raised me. I hate you for what you’ve done to me. To all three of us. I hate you.” 

And that was it.

Something in your father’s face changed, but you didn’t stick around to find out what it was. You walked out of that apartment with no desire to ever come back.

“Goodbye, Stephen,” Christine said. And she followed you out.

It wasn’t Christine’s place to raise you as her child, so you found your mother, reconnected, and went to live with her in Queens. You started school at Midtown, moved into your mother’s two bedroom house, and made a home.

You never forgot your father. Inside, you forgave him, but the pain of what he did to you stayed fresh-

Until you met Peter Parker, the sweet kid in your Biology class. The first person to introduce themselves on your very first day.  

And he became your best friend.

And he asked you to homecoming.

And then you started to like him.

And he started to like you.

And suddenly, your father was far from your mind.

At homecoming, you were dancing with Michelle - another one of your good friends. You didn’t stop until Peter came up to you and grabbed your hand.

“Hey, there you are,” you said, grinning. Out of breath, you pushed a lock of your hair behind your ear. “What’s with you ditching me tonight? Some date, huh?”

“I’m really sorry,” he said, and he wasn’t smiling.

Your forehead creased. “Pete, what’s wrong?”

“I-I need your help. This is serious.”

You followed him out of the gym. He broke out into a run. “I need you and Ned to call Tony Stark’s head of security. His name is Happy Hogan and his number is-”

“Why are we calling Tony’s company?” you asked. “And can we stop running? I’m exhausted.”

He suddenly stopped in front of a set of lockers. With one hand, he lifted them from the floor.

“What the-”

Peter turned back towards you. “I’m Spider-Man,” he admitted. “I can prove it, too, so you don’t think I’m lying or pranking you, but not now. I swear, this isn’t the same time as when Ned told you his second cousin was Beyonce. And if you’re mad that I didn’t tell you, just know that I never told you because it is dangerous. But right now... babe, I need your help. Liz’s dad is a bad guy and he’s going to steal some dangerous weapons.”

You nodded seriously. You didn’t need to ask for proof, because you believed him. “Alright. What can I do?” you asked him.

two years later

From that moment at homecoming on, you were Peter’s sidekick. At first you were working behind the scenes with Ned, but then you were fighting at his side, stopping robberies and saving neighborhoods. You took the name Spider-Woman, and although you didn’t have any powers, Tony Stark gave you a suit so advanced that you didn’t need one.

“Are you sure you don’t want to come on this field trip?” Peter asked over the phone.

“Nah,” you said, tucking your phone between your shoulder and face. You laced up your tennis shoes and smiled. “Playing hooky with Tony Stark sounds much better than going to D.C. for the tenth time.”

He snorted. “Can’t argue with that, I guess.”

“I’m sorry, though. I know how much you’ll miss me...”

“You know I really will, though, so that isn’t even funny,” he said.

“Aw,” you said. You pouted. “Hey, I gotta go. Tony is taking Pepper and me on a run before we head back to upgrade my suit.”

“Alright. Have a fun time.”

“Text me when you’re there, okay?”

“I will. I love you.”

You smiled. “I love you, too, Peter.” You hung up.

“C’mon, Spider-Genius,” Tony called from the hallway. “Let’s go!”

You were jogging behind Pepper. Things were a little awkward as Tony talked to Pepper about having kids. You were close with their small family, and they even made you and Peter feel like a part of it, but you weren’t comfortable anyway.

So you jogged behind them, earbuds in, Peter’s favorite song blaring, mind elsewhere. You didn’t even notice the couple had stopped until you nearly stepped on Pepper’s ankles.

“And we should have no more surprises,” Tony was saying, “ever. I should promise you.” He leaned in to kiss her slowly. You sighed and rolled your eyes. He held up a finger, glared at you, and said, “The number of times I’ve caught you and Spider-Boy making out in my lab is revolting. You can suck it up and live with this one awkward moment, kid.”

You couldn’t help but laugh. And then-

The air literally opened up in orange sparks, and out stepped someone you never thought you would see again.

At first, you thought you were going crazy. Your father was stepping out of a portal? Wearing a long cloak? Things like that didn’t just happen-

But he was real. He was really there.

You gasped and stepped behind Tony, grabbing his arm. He looked back at you, then pushed Pepper slightly behind him - thinking that the man in front of them was dangerous.

“Tony Stark. My name is Doctor Stephen Strange. We need your help.”

“Strange?” he repeated. Slowly, he turned towards you. You gulped.

Stephen, brows furrowed, peered around Tony. And when he saw you, he sucked in a gasp. His eyes, wet now, blinked hard twice. 

But you were real. You were really there.

As Wong and Bruce explained the situation of the end of the world to Tony, your dad was taking you to the side of the sanctum.

“How are you here? In New York?” he asked.

“I found Mom,” you told him. 

He nodded. “Huh. I thought...”

“That she was the horrible one for walking out? No, she was just married to a power-crazed monster that she couldn’t beat in a battle for her only kid, because he had too much money.”

He hung his head and closed his eyes. “____, the man I was then is not the man I am now.”

“How am I supposed to believe that? Because you’re suddenly a... a wizard?” you asked. 

“Master of the Mystic Arts, but... sure. Wizard.” He nodded. “___, love-”

“Love?” you scoffed. “You told me that I wasn’t enough for you.”

“And there was no excuse for that,” he told you. “I know that now. I am so sorry. I emailed you to explain everything that was happening. I found people that would help me. They changed me. I learned how to control my hands through magic, but beyond that, I learned how to change. I’ve been looking for you for so long. Christine didn’t know where you were anymore, but now I think she did, but she didn’t want to hurt you by letting me back in your life. I was arrogant and horrible and you deserved a parent that treated you right. But I do love you. I am so sorry for how I treated, but that isn’t me. Surely you can see that.”

You clenched your jaw. “I don’t know what I see,” you said. “Stephen.”

You walked back to Tony, who was pale in the face. “Tell me his name again.”

“Thanos,” Bruce said. “He’s a plague, Tony. He invades planets, he takes what he wants, he destroys half the population. He sent Loki. The attack on New York, that’s him.”

“This is it,” Tony whispered. 

You watched after him in alarm. “What do you mean?”

“What’s our timeline?” he asked, ignoring you, but squeezing your shoulder gently.

“No telling. He already has the power and space stones. That already makes him the strongest creature in the whole universe. If he gets his hands on all six stones, Tony-”

“He could destroy all life on Earth.”

“Tony,” you said. He looked at you and put his hands on both of your shoulders. “What are we going to do?”

“I am going to stop this,” he said, “and you are going to go home. And you are going to call Peter, and you are going to tell him that I demand that he stays on that stupid field trip. Do you understand me?”

“No, Tony, please,” you said. You shook your head. “If this is as big as they are saying-”

“Then it’s too dangerous for you to be fighting in it,” Stephen said. 

You turned slowly. Tony frowned at Stephen. “Alright, father of the year, since you are so concerned with your daughter now-”

“Stop,” you said. “Listen.” You stared up at Tony, pointing to the ceiling. “Do you hear that?”

“What is it?” Bruce asked.

Tony headed towards the front doors. You walked quickly alongside him, but his arm shot out to keep you behind him. He opened the doors- 

And it looked like the end of the world.

“What is happening?” you asked, shouting over the noise. 

Tony walked out. You had to follow him, because you didn’t want to leave him behind. Things were blowing in the air and people were running and screaming. You helped people that tripped, Tony pushed you out of the way of a car that wrecked, and you were becoming extremely overwhelmed. 

“You might want to put that stone of yours in your back pocket,” Tony shouted to Stephen. 

Stephen moved his hands, and orange circles - shields - appeared. “You might want to use it.”

Turning the corner, you saw a gigantic ship in the sky. It looked like a ring, and at the end of the street were two aliens.

“Go,” Tony said, not looking at you. “Call Peter and get home.”

“Tony,” you said. 

“This is non-negotiable! Go!” 

You staggered back, eyes filling with tears. You nodded, pulling your phone out. Your father gave you a final glance - one of regret and worry - and you dialed Peter’s number.

He answered the phone on the first ring. “Babe, there’s a giant spaceship in the-” 

“I know,” you said.

“Are you crying? Where are you at? Did you get hurt?” 

“I’m fine,” you said. “Okay, my dad showed up, Peter. He’s, like, a wizard now or something.”

“Whoa - really?”

“But that... doesn’t matter. Where are you? Tony wants us to get someplace safe and away from the spaceship.” You ducked into an alleyway to hide just in case. “Can you get off the bus and come find me?”

“I’m already... uh, off the bus,” he said.

“What?” you asked.

“I know, I know, and I’m sort of close to the ship?”

“Peter!” you gasped. “So help me, if you get hurt-”

“Relax, babe, okay?”

“Come find me,” you told him, teeth clenched. “Come find me now.”

“Mr. Stark might need me.”

“I might need you. Peter, please-” You choked on your words. “My dad... he said this was it. This is the end of the world.”

“This is the end?” he asked.

“I’m so scared, Pete.” you whispered. You sank to the ground and hugged your knees to your chests. “I can hear them down the street.”

“You can’t be scared, babe. These people need you. We’re the ones that save them when they’e scared.”

“You’re right,” you said. 

“Meet me at Delmar’s,” he said. “I promise, everything will be okay.”

“Alright,” you said.

“I love you,” he said. “I’m on my way to you.”

“I love you, too.” You hung up and stood. Before walking out of the alley, you saw Tony - armored and all - get tossed into a building. You gasped and made your decision. 

Peter would have to wait. You needed to help Tony.

Dressed in your suit, you swung into the street. You landed directly in front of your dad, who was fighting the blue alien. You fired two webs at the guy, and he barely dodged them.

“___? What are you doing?” your dad asked in surprise. 

“Saving your life,” you stated, shooting a taser web at the thing. It landed on its arm, making it shout in pain. It raised its hand and threw pieces of rubble at you. They all hit your armor, making you fly backwards. 

Your back slammed against the side of a van. You face planted on the ground. “Oh jeez-”

When you looked up, shaking off the dizziness, you saw that the blue alien had your father against the side of a building, buried in bricks.

You got up. Firing two taser webs, you then switched your web combination before they even hit the guy. He fell back, two taser webs shocking his legs. You shot two web grenades, sticking him to the sidewalk. Your father’s cloak wrapped around him and let him land safely in front of you.

You grabbed his arm, steadying him. “Are you alright?” 

“I’m fine,” he gasped, “but you need to go. He’s after my stone.” 

“And he’ll get it if I leave,” you said. Over his shoulder, you saw him getting up. “Dad!” You gasped and pushed your dad down, falling on top of him.

As you rolled off, he looked at you. “You called me Dad,” he whispered.

Your eyes welled up with tears. “Look, I-”

Your father was lifted off of his feet and wrapped up in coils. 

“Dad!” You got up fast, firing a web, but you were wrapped up, too. “Dad, wh-”

“Fools, both of you,” Ebony Maw said.

“You know removing a dead man’s spell," Stephen gasped, “is troublesome.”

“Oh, you won’t be dead,” he said, smiling. “But she will be.”

You felt one of the coils wrap around your throat. You squeaked as your air was blocked off.

“Let her go,” he growled. “Don’t you know that it’s cowardly to use women against men?”

“My only concern is getting the stone,” Ebony Maw told him. 

Your vision began to fade away, and at the same time, your father was watching in horror - and the same thing began to happen to him. 

“What’s this is this guy’s problem, Mr. Stark?” Peter shouted, swinging around the giant monster that was attacking Tony. 

“Uh, he’s from space. He came here to steal a necklace from a wizard.”

The thing grabbed Peter with his weapon and tossed him away. Peter screamed as he soared in the air. When he landed roughly on the ground, he gasped out, “Crap, my girlfriend is waiting for me, man.” He peeled himself off the grass and ran back to the scene.

A figure and another alien flew by in the air. “Kid, that’s the wizard-”

“On it,” Peter said, and as he fired a web and swung into the air, he realized that the wizard was being carried on a cloak, and another figure was on a slab of concrete. And on that concrete was you. “Holy - ___!” 

He went a little faster, dodging everything until he was hit with a sign. He got up fast. “Not cool!”

Peter was terrified and worried. He couldn’t seem to get to you in time, and Mr. Stark asked him to get the wizard, not you-

But he couldn’t just let the thing take you.

A web wrapped around the slab of concrete you were on. He grabbed hold of a streetlamp and held on tight, grunting against clenched teeth as he struggled to pull you down. The wizard was already almost up to the ship. 

“The wizard, kid, the wizard,” Tony said in his ear.

“He’s got ___! The thing has got ___!” he cried.

“Okay, hang on,” Tony said. “Just wait-”

“Agh!” His hand lost its grip. “Oh - Mr. Stark, I’m getting beamed up!” 

“Hang on a second, kid!” 

Peter screamed as he flew towards the ship. You were taken inside and the web connected to the concrete snapped. He fell on the curve of the ship, fingers sticking to the sides. “Oh crap,” he gasped. “I need to get her. I need to her get before-” He realized with a start that he was nearing the stars and breaking the atmosphere. He held on a little tighter.

He had to get to you.

When you came to, you were suspended in midair, turned with your face pointed towards the ground. You gasped when you realized that there were dozens of sharp shards pointed towards your face.

“Ah, she is awake!” Ebony Maw cried.

“So help me, Ebony, if you lay a hand on her-” Your father was in the same position.

“I won’t be laying a hand on her,” he said. He slowly walked up to you. “But she will be in pain, unless you give me the stone.”

“I will kill you myself,” your dad hissed.

“How, if you can’t do anything but watch?”

“Dad,” you said, voice breaking. You were so scared, so unsure of what would happen, but you didn’t want to be the cause of the end of the world. “Don’t you dare give it up. No matter what happens. I know you’re sorry, and it’s okay. I forgive you. I know you’re different.”

He struggled against the spell that was keeping him frozen in the air. “I’m going to save you, okay? I am so sorry this is happening, love-”

Ebony raised his hand and one of the shards pierced your cheek. “You can’t save her!” he yelled over the sound of your scream of pain.

“No, but I can!”

Peter swung into the scene. He kicked Ebony and then landed in front of you. “Hey, babe.”

“Peter,” you gasped, tears streaming.

“Hey,” he said again. “I’m getting you out of here.”

You shook your head. “No, you have to leave-”

“Remember on our second date, when I rented that old movie, Aliens?” he asked.

“Yes...”

“Cool!” he said. And Mr. Stark fired a blast of light at the window. All at once, everything began to get sucked in through the window and into the vastness of space. 

Peter webbed you and your dad and pulled you both to the center of the room. Your dad’s cloak flew him to the platform above, but the web Peter was holding onto you with broke off and you were sucked in the direction that Ebony was going in.

“___!” he shouted. He went after you and fired a web. It stuck to the center of your suit, but Peter was getting caught in the vacuum, too. “Ah-!”

But suddenly, four extra legs grew out of the back of his suit and stopped you both. You were hanging out of the ship, being held on by only the web on your suit. 

You gasped. “Peter!”

“Hang on,” he grunted, pulling you in. “Hey, I know this is scary. But you’re okay. I’ve got you.”

“If the web breaks-”

“It isn’t going to break! I promise. Just stay still.” Gently, he pulled you in close enough for him to be able to wrap his arms around your body. “There we go, there we go. Everything’s okay. I got you.”

“Peter,” you said, shaking. The extra legs on his suit slowly crawled inside of the ship. “Peter, this is the end of the world.”

“Yeah,” he said. “I know it is. But hey, we’re doing all right so far, aren’t we?” His mask disappeared, and you were inches from his nose. He grinned, eyes crinkly and face happy. “I told you I was on my way to you. And from now on, you and I are sticking together. Til the very end of whatever the end of the world looks like.”

[promisedyouforever]

Christmas on Doomsday

Rating: G Pairing: TenxRose Length: ~1500 words Summary: Um... what it says on the tin; "A Visit from St. Nicholas" remix, Doomsday fixit style! ♥

READ ON:  Ao3 | Teaspoon NOTES:

I REGRET NOTHING!

I am aware Doomsday aired in July.  But nothing rhymes easily with that, so I used June.  See #1. ;)

Doomsday Fixit! :)

THIS is a gift for @goingtothetardis, @chiaroscuroverse, @lvslie, @caedmonfaith, @skyler10fic, @pipertennant, and basically everyone who’s been wonderful without warrant to me this year and wants corny Christmas fic on New Year’s Eve...  Merry Christmas or [insert your holiday or lack thereof here]!!!!!  ♥♥♥

 ~~~~~~~~~~

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the Tardis Not a creature was sleeping, though Rose found it hardest; For the stockings they’d hung from the fireplace true Declared, “Santa, the Doctor is looking for you!” Once Rose would have laughed at a notion so jolly; Father Christmas! Well all that was simply child’s folly. But now she was singing a much diff’rent tune, For ‘twas Santa who’d saved them that dark day in June!

You see Torchwood was careless and awfully thick - They’d been poking the Void like a child with a stick! And despite how it cut the Doctor to the quick, He feared Daleks and Cybermen they’d never lick. So he sent Rose to Pete’s World, far out of harm’s way, Giving her in the matter not really much say. Though the sacrifice, it was a dear price to pay, He was not going to lose her to death - not today.

But our Rose was no shrinking violet, not at all! She would never stay on the wrong side of that wall. With just one button’s push she returned to his side. “Never gonna leave you,” she said, naught to hide. The Doctor’s hearts warred with his head, amplifying His dread of this storm and his fear of Rose dying. But despite himself now there was just no denying They would stand together - or they would die trying.

Rest assured that this story does happily end, Though on her slipping fingers Rose could not depend. With a cry she fell fast, the Void pulling her in! But ‘tis here, darlings… Christmas miracles begin.

Rose assumed, just at first, that she was dead or dreaming When the clatter of hooves and sleigh bells came a-streaming! But then out of the Void shot a cloud of fine snow And behind it eight reindeer with Santa in tow! With just one outstretched arm and a twist of his head Father Christmas had pulled her right into his sled. And he was just in time, the Void inches from view Now she gasped in shock as out the window they flew!

With one look around her, her shock turned quite merry; She was flying with Santa, reindeer on the carry! She looked to the ground and she turned toward the sky; She searched every sight with her hopes very high. From her perch she saw nary a sign of their foe. No more Daleks in air, no Cybermen below. Had they done it? They must have! She whooped with pure joy! The battle was over – it had worked, their daft ploy! Santa chuckled as back toward the window they drew Where the Doctor stood gaping when they burst right through! Reindeer slid to a stop before solid white wall Where the Void had sealed over, rescuing them all. The commotion ceased and the reality hit And both Rose and the Doctor fell speechless with it. They were stunned beyond words and shocked beyond measure; The day had been saved by a fat man with treasure! The Doctor shook out of his reverie first; He dodged all eight reindeer as if he would burst. The danger was vanquished with Rose still alive, Alive, whole, and with him, right there by his side!

She leapt and he reached at the very same time; They collided into an embrace so sublime That old Santa’s eyes glittered with bright, joyful tears ‘Til with heartiest laughter he sang, “Oh, my dears!” He climbed down from his bench and stood patient beside As the pair before him gentled fears and dried eyes Finally they turned round both happily gleaming “Transdimensional being?” the Doctor asked, beaming. Santa winked and replied, “Close, Time Lord, but not quite.” The Doc sputtered while Rose simply laughed with delight. Then she turned a bit quiet, recalling their strife; She murmured, “Thank you so much for saving my life.” Suddenly a bit shy, she stood up on her toes, And she kissed old Saint Nicholas’ cheek, our dear Rose. If his face grew one (several) shades redder in hue Well, he never let on; he had more work to do. So he said not a word but went straight to retrieving The gift for them both that he would soon be leaving. A small golden box it was, meant for Rose’s hand, So he placed it there gently and said, “understand. “Understand, my young Rose, what this box has inside. ‘Tis your greatest wish granted; you should caref’ly decide.” “How did you know?” she blurted; and he replied, “Oh, from Santa, sweet girl, no one’s wishes can hide.” Father Christmas then looked to the Doctor and said, As he tapped him, but gingerly, on the forehead, “As for you, youngster, foolish Time Lord, you will rue If you squander this precious gift she’s giving you.” Before either of them could recover their wits Santa turned with a jerk, to his sleigh he did flit. Then by laying a finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, a great whirlwind arose. The tumult obscured him and his trademark white beard, Then abruptly as he’d arrived, he disappeared. He left Rose and the Doctor both wide eyed anew; At the place where he’d been, snow had melted to dew. Finally Rose tore her eyes from the spot and just stared Disbelievingly at the gold box, unprepared. “Rose?” the Doctor said softly. “I don’t understand. Just what has he given you? What’s in your hand?” Tears had sprung to her eyes and, a lump in her throat, She said, “Doctor, I do not want this if you don’t.” She angled the box she held and there he read The words BAD WOLF etched into it, glowing gold thread. “What?” the Doctor cried. “No! No, I took it all out!” “Seems you missed a spot,” Rose murmured, now fraught with doubt. Did he not want her, or did he still not understand Just what this wish was that she held in her hand? The Doctor looked panicked, so she took a deep breath. She mustered the courage to say two words. “My death.” His face turned quite ashen, quite white and quite cold, But she went on, whispr’ing, “I wished not to get old.” He looked staggered and finally light dawned ‘cross his face. His frightened look faded; something else took its place. “I wished I was like you, that we were together. I wished I could stay to give you your forever.” He found his voice and the hope there broke her heart Even as he asked, dumbfounded, “Never apart? But you wouldn’t be human, and how can I take it? If you came to hate me I know I’d never make it.” With a sigh she caressed his cheek tenderly, smiled; “You’re not taking, I’m giving, you git,” she replied. Then she drew him in close for their first kiss, she did; As their lips met her thumb flipped open the box lid. Pure bright light flooded everywhere, white as the snow Father Christmas arrived with, it seemed so long ago. Suddenly she saw timelines, saw them race and fall, But she saw that the brightest and longest of all… Was she and the Doctor, tightly knit, almost twinned, Moving so far beyond she could not see the end. When the light ebbed away she had two beating hearts And a lifespan where she knew forever would start. Happily ever after is the end of our story, But it brings us back to the beginning full glory. Where Rose and the Doctor settled down in their bed, Waiting to hear sleigh bells and see again Santa’s sled. They wanted to thank him for his gift beyond price, To assure him they’d taken all of his advice. But while it was sweet and so awfully nice, They should have known it was unneeded that night. Santa, we know, sees but does not like to be seen. And so it was that night, as if in a dream, That both Rose and the Doctor did think they heard bells, But awoke Christmas morning not knowing much else.

They dashed to the library, to their stockings to see They were filled to the brim, presents beneath the tree. Then Rose saw on the mantel, sitting just right there Was a note in the finest hand, written with care. It read simply Dear Doctor, my dearest sweet Rose, ‘Twas my pleasure. Remember – Santa Claus always knows.

[that-writer-girl5]

Adventures in the Slow Path {Part Twelve//The Hen & Stag}

Before they left for the hen and stag, Donna told Shaun everything about her health scare and about the Doctor and Rose and their travels. She felt better now that he knew, especially because there were no secrets between them now. She did, however, swear him to secrecy.

The night before the wedding, Donna, Shaun, Adam, Pete, Jackie, Jake, Rose, and the Doctor went to a pub down the street from Rose’s and the Doctor’s flat.  None of them had been there, but when Donna asked Adam what he had planned, Donna immediately suggested a night out with everyone and a relieved Adam agreed.  He had then confessed to Donna that he had forgotten about the preparations for a stag party.

“Thanks for saving my hide, Donna.  I’ve never been a best man before and as far as knowing what a straight man wants, if not strippers, I’m lost.  Neither of us were keen on the idea of strippers anyway.  Not the female variety for me, at least.”

“I don’t think Rose would have been too keen on the Doctor with strippers either.  He’s not the type anyway.”

“When I brought it up to him, he didn’t even know that was a thing blokes do at stags.  He seemed utterly disgusted.”

“Sounds like him, dudn’t it?  Can’t think to look at another female below the neck, can he?  Utter gentleman, that one.  Same as I got,” Donna said as Shaun walked up.

“Hello, Darling.  We were just talking about your gentlemanly quality of not looking at other females below the neck.”

“Why would I need to?  I got you, don’t I?”

“That you do.  Where’re the others then?”

“I think they went to the VIP room.  Bit of a mix up at first, but it’s been sorted.  Seems they wanted to put us in a room you hadn’t rented.  We’d be sharing and Jackie said we couldn’t, due to them being paid extra for a private room.  We now have the one you rented.”

“Let’s get to it then.”

Donna, Shaun and Adam entered the VIP room that Adam and Donna split the cost to rent out for the rest of the night.  It was a nice room with red suede couches and curtains with a little speaker playing soft jazz tunes above the entrance and complimentary wine, champagne and hard liquor for the rest of the evening.

Donna had invited Pete and Jackie, not thinking they’d make it, but were delighted when they agreed to attend.  Tony stayed with the sitter.  She had also brought up toasting at the party instead of at the wedding.  The reason being that the majority of the guests at the wedding didn’t even know Rose and the Doctor and everyone who would truly appreciate the toasts would be at the party.  Jackie agreed and so the toasts would be conducted tonight.

“I guess I’ll go first since toasting here was my idea.”  Everyone chuckled.  “First off, I want to start off by saying how happy I am that the Doctor got his love.  He was angry at both himself and the world after he lost you, Rose.  You helped to shape him into who he is today and for that, I’m grateful.  There were a lot of stories told to me by the Doctor.  One of his fondest memories was of the day he met you.  In the basement of a shop, of all places.  He can tell you many stories of love and loss, but you were the only stories he told about where his smile reached his eyes.

“Doctor, even know I just got these memories, I’m glad I started working for Rose.  She has helped me to find you, so we can can work on being best mates again.  I also found a mate in Rose, but really she’s become more like a sister.

“Even though I’m not the Donna you knew before, Doctor, I have all of her memories and I’m so happy we had the adventures we had, even though I had to stop you sometimes.  We will always share a bond.

“I’m so proud of you two.  Cheers!”

“My turn!”  Adam stood.  “I don’t have much to say, but the Doctor and I became fast mates.  He tells me that he knew someone who shared my face on his and Rose’s Earth and apparently he was a real screw up.  Also, he seemed to fancy Rose, which was futile, I’m sure.  These past couple of years have been great working with you and being your mate, Doctor.  Thank you for thinking of me when you asked me to be your best man and may the two of you always have each other!”

Jake stood.  “The night I met you it was obvious you two were meant for each other.  You had such chemistry, even if neither of you knew it yet.  That was also the night I lost Ricky, but having you two here to help put an end to the chaos that caused his death, was something that most people who have lost someone rarely gets.  Thank you for being there when you were needed, even if it was by accident and here’s to you two being happy forever!”

“I don’t know either of you well,” Shaun said as he stood, “but you have shown my Donna such great friendship and acceptance and for that, I’m thankful and hopeful that your days together will be plentiful. Also, your secret is safe with me.”

Pete stood up with a smile on his face. “Doctor, Rose,” he said as he looked at each them when he said their respective names, “your love story is a long and winding road.  You have been through losses, traumas, hopelessness and just when things seemed to have reached rock bottom, you found each other in the most unexpected way.  Much like I got Jackie.

“As only the few of you in this room know, my first wife died, the same night, actually that Jake’s Ricky died.  Our marriage wasn’t perfect or even equal most of the time, but I loved her.  Then she died and I didn’t have her anymore.  I didn’t have a child to carry on her memory.  Much the same happened with Jackie.  Her husband died when Rose was just a baby.  She was a single mother and a damn good one too by the looks of the way Rose turned out.  

“I know that I’m not that Pete and this Jackie’s not my first wife, but because of the Doctor and Rose, we were both able to find love again.  It wasn’t as if we picked up where we left off because we didn’t have the same memories and experiences.  It was brand new for both of us.  I realized after we got married that I wanted another child.  I say another child, because Rose became my daughter.  I, in no way, would think I could take her father’s place, but I don’t think of her as my stepdaughter.  She is my daughter Rose, just as Tony is my son.

“Now, as her father, I saw what not having the Doctor did to her.  I saw the pain, the loss, and finally, the motivation she put into finding the Doctor.  She spent countless months perfecting this technology that would bring her back to her one true love.  The last time she left us before she went to find the Doctor, Jackie had finally accepted the fact that Rose was determined and although she was scared to lose her forever, she had made the decision that morning to start attending the launches.  She wanted to see what her, our, daughter was doing.

“For months, Jackie had been in denial.  She didn’t understand why Rose was willing to put herself in danger.  Eventually she understood, but she was fearful of her launching and never returning.  Now, on that day, Jackie was there, but before she used the Cannon, she walked up to us and with controlled tears in her eyes, she looked at Jackie and me, hugged us both and said, ‘Mum, Dad, this is it.  I feel it.  Today is the day I find him and I’m never leaving him again.  I don’t care if I have to hijack the TARDIS and force him to listen to me, I am never going a day without seeing my Doctor again.

“‘Dad, thank you for being my dad.  I never really knew my dad, except for stories that mum would tell me about him and when I got to meet him briefly, but you have shown me the same love you show for Tony.  Thank you.

“‘Mum.  You are great mum.  Always puttin’ me first.  I hope you really really understand why I need to do this, even if it means you never see me again.  Just know that he is the love my life and I need to tell him that.  If he tells me he never wants to see me again, I’ll be back, but I can’t live my life with a what if.  I love him, Mum.’

“‘I know, Sweetheart.  I wish you didn’t, but I understand.  I love you, Rose, my beautiful daughter.’

“‘Love you too.’

“‘Love you, Dad.’

“‘Love you too.’

“I will forever have that conversation burned into my brain.  She was the happiest we’d seen her in months.  Jackie being Jackie, though, couldn’t help but to go after her and thankfully, it all worked out.  Now, I have the pleasure of being one of two to escort our beautiful daughter down the aisle to marry the love of her life.  There couldn’t have been a better outcome.  To my daughter and soon-to-be son-in-law!”

Jackie and Rose sniffled.  Everyone else had misty eyes, but it was Jackie’s turn.  She stood up and walked to place herself facing the Doctor and Rose so she could talk to them.

“I’ve known of the pair of you longer than anyone here.  As you recall, I wasn’t the happiest I’d ever been havin’ my one and only daughter go off with a man I didn’t know, but Rose is stubborn and she wanted to.  I missed her every second she was gone, but I took comfort in the fact that you’d care for her as good as I would.  It took me a while to get there, but when I did, I felt better about her taking off with you. You promised me you’d always bring her home and you never broke that promise.

“She always loved you, no matter how different you looked.  It was just you, Doctor.  The day that Pete spoke about was very hard on me, but I knew I’d see her again regardless of whether you told her you wanted to be with her or not.  You always understood how important we were to each other.  How important she was to me.  I knew you cared for her more than yourself and that was why I was rooting for you.  I knew her well-being would always be your number one priority.

“Rose, from the moment you were born, you were my pride and joy. You were the reason I got up in the morning and you gave me purpose, especially after your dad died.  We were all we had left in the world and so we took care of each other.

“Now, to the Doctor and Rose, you two will be getting married and hopefully, giving me some grandchildren and I can’t wait to finally be able to call the Doctor my son.  I couldn’t be prouder to say that.  Just remember, love each other always, regardless of any struggles you encounter.  Love is a wonderful thing and it is definitely worth waiting for. Love you both.”

Jackie took her seat next to Pete.

Rose and the Doctor stood up after a few seconds of whispering back and forth.

“The Doctor and I would like to thank everyone for coming and for the wonderful toasts.  Let’s dance!”

The rest of night was fairly quiet for a hen and stag.  Donna thought that everyone was maybe feeling a bit emotionally drained from the toasts.  The Doctor and Rose had been through hell, but they found each other and were finally getting their happily ever after.