Chapter Text
“River, hold up a second…“ Sandshoes caught up with her as they all made their way down main street. As predicted shoppers were returning to the streets bringing a sense of excitement and warm smiles. The fairy lights shone brightly as it had turned dark and snow had started falling more heavily now muffling their footsteps.
“Are you okay? You look a bit…“ River sensed that there was a seriousness about him and she stopped for a moment so they could fall back a bit for some privacy.
“Still trying to take it all in, it was a lot… probably best I won’t remember any of this.“ He chuckled as they started walking again.
“I’m sorry…“ She said automatically but he waved it off.
“Never mind, what’s life without surprises.“
“No, I mean… I’m sorry for everything that’s about to come. I didn’t know you had to live with this knowledge the whole time, that I… when you first met me…“ She couldn’t really find the right words so she broke off.
“You’re worth all the pain. I can see that.“ He looked to the other Doctors who were walking ahead, chatting, joking. “They come to love you so much.“
“Yeah, you will.“ She looped her arm around his.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be the person you needed me to be that day, I should have…“ He didn’t look at her, he didn’t want to see that hurt in her eyes again.
“Oh Doctor.“ She stopped walking and held him back as well. “You have always been and will always be the person I need you to be.“ She cupped his cheek and forced him to look at her. “I have been all over your timeline, I have met every version of you, had mad adventures and now, hopefully, I get to spend the rest of time with you in a more linear fashion. And never, have you hurt, disappointed or let me down. And never have I not loved you.“
He took her hand off his cheek and pressed it to his lips. Yes, he would forget about this but she had told him everything he needed to hear.
“I think I’m starting to fall in love with you, River Song.“ He sighed with a little smile and she grinned.
“You better be.“ She leaned forward and gave him a soft kiss.
“Oi, you two, we all get equal time with the Mrs, no sneaking off!“ Bowtie called from up ahead and River giggled.
“Come along Doctor, we will be late for Christmas dinner.“
They found a restaurant big enough to accommodate for one very large table. They required three large turkeys and countless sides, it was a feast. They popped Christmas crackers, wore colourful hats and shared their stories. Even when they were all too full to move, Bowtie ordered another round of Christmas pudding with extra custard.
The Doctor looked around the table feeling her hearts swell. So much love around this table. So much joy. It blew away all the grief, the sorrow, the loss. It was as if time stood still and not for their crossing timelines but for the joy of the moment. In this moment, everything was perfect.
Donna was questioning Amy and Rory trying to figure out how exactly they were the Doctor’s in-laws.
Clara recounted tales of her travels with Eyebrows to Bill who listened with baited breath, as she always did when a pretty girl was talking.
River was negotiating life aboard the TARDIS with the Fam, setting down ground rules for her future life travelling with them, rejoicing at her new lease on life.
The Doctor looked to her former selves who still eyed her with mild amusement but it wasn’t unkind, it was admiring.
“So you did it, you brought her back.“ Bowtie smiled, saying what they were all thinking.
“We brought her back.“ The Doctor corrected him taking a sip of something very sweet and fizzy.
“It really has been a long time coming, hasn’t it.“ Eyebrows smiled.
“Home for Christmas.“ Sandshoes agreed, raising his glass in a congratulatory fashion.
“How are you holding up, Doctor?“ Eyebrows asking, sensing a persistent thoughtfulness about her.
“Better now.“ She admitted with a small smile. “It’s not easy, it’s never been easy, so much of…“ She looked around the table and then back to them. “You all have so much ahead of you still but… you’ll get here, I know that because I have.“
“Well, I for one have the greatest confidence that we will be just fine.“ Bowtie announced.
“What are you lot chatting about.“ River stuck her nose in.
“You.“ The Doctor was quick to retort. “They’re all jealous that I get to take you home tonight.“
“Doctor, I hope you’ll be treating my daughter with respect and not…“ Rory piped up.
“I’m fairly certain the Doctor is in a lot more trouble here than the Professor is.“ Clara interjected with great amusement, getting rather tipsy on mulled wine.
“Oh, she certainly is.“ River smirked.
“I mean, it’s quite the change, isn’t it.“ Donna commented gesturing from Eyebrows to the Doctor.
“What they’re meaning to say is, do you swing both ways because I, for one, wouldn’t mind…“ Bill interrupted.
“Ah well, it seems going forward it’ll be the monogamous lifestyle for me.“ River sighed feigning disappointment. “No more back to front timelines, no more excuses.“
“Helps when that one person has like 14 versions.“ Clara giggled.
“We can’t chose who we fall in love with.“ River pointed out.
“Right, that’s enough.“ Rory put his foot down, he’d heard enough.
“A toast.“ Amy called, coming to her husband’s aid.
“What?“ The Doctor nearly chocked on her drink when Amy threw a biscuit at her across the table to make clear she meant her.
“C’mon, Doc, it’s not like we will be all sitting together like this again any time soon, say a few words!“ Graham encouraged her.
“Come on then.“ Eyebrows filled her drink up for her and Bowtie pulled her to her feet.
“Oh ahhh…“ The Doctor looked around confused not sure what to say, she took a deep breath gathering her thoughts but felt a little better for seeing the warmth and smiles on everyone’s faces as they looked up to her. “Remember you can’t tell them anything about this, they won’t remember but you will.“ She opened with the first thing that came her mind. She looked to the companions who all nodded. “And I’m sorry about that… I’m sorry you have to carry on for so much longer without knowing how things will turn out.“ She looked to River and gave her a little smile, and then to her former selves who also nodded. She retuned her attention to the companions: “Just look after them in the meantime…“
“You know we will, we have.“ Clara said softly, speaking for all of them.
“God, I miss you all.“ The Doctor averted her eyes, looking down at her plate as tears threatened to well up in her eyes. A lump formed in her throat, she couldn’t carry on, she was overcome with emotion.
“All the more important we enjoy our time together.“ Sandshoes stood placing his hand on the Doctor’s shoulder.
“Yes, because this has been the best time, another wonderful story.“ Bowtie stood as well, raising his glass.
“I think this may have been the best one yet.“ Eyebrows stood as well and gave his future self a reassuring smile. “It really was quite something.“
“Merry Christmas, Doctor.“ Amy grinned and jumped to her feet, pulling Rory with her and within seconds everyone was on their feet toasting each other.
“Merry Christmas.“ The Doctor found River’s eyes across the table who gave her the softest most loving smile.
“This really is the happiest season of all.“