#second waltz

“Oh, Rose,” her mother’s voice shook, hand at her mouth. “What if you regret it, though? You’ll go on and on forever, an’ I’ll be gone, everyone you know will be gone and then what will you do?”

“I won’t regret it and I won’t be alone because I’ll have him.” She smiled, the familiar-yet-unfamiliar song pulsing at the back of her mind for a moment. “I have him. A man who loves me more than his own life, more than anything in the whole universe.” She blinked back tears, the pulsing seeming to absorb her emotions into itself. “He was willing to die, mum, an’ he was willing to give up the TARDIS, just to save me. He would have died to save me even after we got away”- she ignored the flash of remembered anger at his sheepish confession about regeneration- “if the TARDIS hadn’t shown me how to stop it. I don’t regret what I did and never will. How can I?” She shook her head. “You can’t want more for me than that, because there isn’t more.”

“No,” Jackie sniffled, dabbing carefully at the corner of her eyes. “S’pose you’re right, can’t ask for more than that.” She sniffled. “Even if it is Himself with the big ears and the big mouth.”

Rolling her eyes, Rose turned back to her dressing mirror, the pulsing settling back into its comfortable barely noticeable pattern. “Come off it mum, he’s fit and you know it. Now, are you goin’ to help me with my hair or should I get Jack in here?”

“You’re not too old or grand to be put over my knee, Rose Tyler, magic changes or no magic changes!” Her mother glared. “Letting Captain Flirt do your hair instead of me- honestly, the cheek of you!”

Rose hid a smile. “Alright then.”

“Get your hands out of my way,” Jackie huffed. “I’ll show you how to do it proper.”  And with a few deft movements, she’d pinned up Rose’s hair. “You sure you want this feather, though?” She frowned. “Bit silly if you ask me. Not off to the bleedin’ races.”

“Yeah, ‘s important mum.” Rose smiled. “Trust me.”

“Alright,” Jackie said doubtfully, pinning it gently. “There you are.” She tilted her head. “Well, feather or no feather, you look lovely, love.”

“Thanks.”

“Right.” Jackie exhaled. “S’pose we’d better get you dressed, unless you want to go to Himself in that dressing gown of yours.” She eyed the garment draped carefully on the bed. “You sure you want to wear that ? Blimey, looks like somethin’ off the telly.””

“Yes.” Rose stood and slipped off her dressing gown, holding out her arms.

Jackie shook her head and slowly laced her daughter into the corset before buttoning her into the gown. “Well, I hope that’s done it. I’ve never seen anything like this before.” 

“It’s old,” Rose smiled. “From a long time ago.”

“When?”

“1869.”

“Blimey. ‘S like something from Queen Victoria.” Jackie exhaled, shaking her head. “Well, it’s lovely, anyway.” She swallowed. “You look beautiful, love.”

Rose turned to face the mirror, seeing the black and burgundy velvet gown she’d worn to meet Charles Dickens so very long ago, heart thrilling at the memory of the first time he’d really seen her.

The pulsing grew more pronounced.

“Remind me to tell you the story behind this dress, one day.”

“Must be a whopper of a tale, if you’re wearing that to stand up with himself instead of a proper wedding dress.” Jackie sighed. “But then I s’pose it’ll do since this isn’t a proper wedding.”

“Mum,” Rose sighed. “Don’t start, yeah?”

“I’m just saying, Rose, it can’t be a proper wedding! No wedding dress, no church or flowers or guests, only me an’ Captain Flirt.”

“I told you mum, this is how the Doctor’s people did it.” Well, almost. This was no Time Lord ceremony, about dynasties and cementing bloodlines, rife with stifling ceremony. It was a simple, heartfelt Gallifreyan ceremony that the Doctor had long envied and never thought he could have. “This is a proper weddin’ for them. ‘S supposed to be intimate- just the couple and a few witnesses, from their close family.” Rose eyed her reflection with a soft smile. “And this dress is... perfect for that.”

“Alright, alright, don’t bite me bloomin’ head off.” Jackie shook her head. “I’ll never understand the pair of you. And I s’pose at least he agreed to have a proper wedding back in London.”

“Yeah so can’t you just... stop worrying about everything and let me be happy today?”

Jackie’s expression softened. “I just want you to have the wedding of your dreams, love. I don’t want you to look back and feel you’ve missed out.”

“I’m not. And you and Jack are planning the wedding in London, aren’t you? So you can put in whatever you want.”

“Oh, sweetheart,” Jackie sniffled, seizing Rose in a careful hug. “I want you to be happy and however daft it seems to me, I know Himself makes you happy.”

“He does.” Rose squeezed her mum tightly, the comfortable thrumming back at the edge of her consciousness. “I love you mum. You know that don’t you?”

“Oh get on you with you,” Jackie sniffled. “Come on, let’s get moving before that ruddy alien decides to come looking. S’ unlucky. Here, take these and let’s go.”

Rose accepted the bouquet Jackie pulled carefully from a box sitting on the bedside table.

And gasped.

They looked like...no, they couldn’t be. 

Could they?

“Where did you get these?” she asked softly, reverently touching a soft golden petal, the pulsing almost taking song for a brief moment before settling back into its comfortable pattern. 

“Captain Flirt brought it in.” Jackie circled Rose, inspecting her handiwork. “He said they were a present from Himself, wanted you to have something from a proper wedding for the... bonding , today.”

“Did he say what kind of flowers they were?”

“Slink blossoms.” Jackie shrugged. “Something like that.”

“Schlenk blossoms,” Rose breathed, her mind thrumming. 

“That was it. Made a right fuss over them, he did too. Was carryin’ them about like he was carryin’ a baby. Thought he was going to bow when he put them down. They’re nice enough flowers, I don’t mind saying, very nice, but still just flowers.”

“They…” Rose cleared her throat, blinking away tears. “They’re really rare. They’re from Gallifrey- the Doctor’s planet. From...before.” She sniffled. “He has some in his garden but he never looks at them. S’ too painful.”

“Oh.” Jackie blinked rapidly. “Well. That’s...nice. A nice gesture. I’d never have thought it of Himself, really.”

Rose shook her head, dabbing carefully at the corner of her eyes. “Admit it, you’re goin’ to cry.”

“I am not!” Jackie sniffled and glared. “‘S just the pollen.”

“Oh come off it.” Rose laughed, clutching the flowers as her heart pounded and her mind pulsed, almost in perfect harmony. “ You’re crying.”

“Well, and why not?” Jackie demanded, dabbing at her eyes. “My only daughter is... bonding with an alien today. Reckon I’m allowed a few tears.”

The TARDIS hummed gently.

“What was that?”

“She’s happy,” Rose said, voice wobbling slightly, the pulsing momentarily louder. She pressed a kiss to the nearest wall. “Thank you girl, for all you did and helpin’ me every step of the way,” she whispered. “We’re a team now hey? You and me. We’ll keep him in line.”

Lights flickering and another hum.

She turned to find her mother staring. “It’s really alive, then? You weren’t havin’ me on?”

“Course she’s alive.” Rose stroked the wall. “Best ship in all of time and space.”

Another hum.

“Can it...she...understand me?” Jackie looked doubtfully at the console.

“Course she can.”

Jackie took a deep breath and patted the wall awkwardly. “Nice spaceship.”

Rose snorted.

“Oi, you’re not too old to be put over my knee, madam!” Jackie glared. “‘Scuse me for not knowing how to talk to machinery- they didn’t teach that when I was at school.”  Taking a deep breath, she stared at the wall uncertainly. “Thank you,” she said doubtfully. “If you can hear me. For taking care of my Rose...and keepin’ himself in line. It helps to know she’ll have someone to keep an eye out when I’m gone.”

Flickering lights and a hum so strong it rattled their teeth. 

“She likes you,” Rose smiled.

“Well, that’s a blessed relief,” Jackie muttered. “Otherwise I’d probably end up on Timbuktu instead of London.” She fixed the wall with a look. “Now don’t be getting any ideas, mind! She cleared her throat. “Now, we going?”

Rose smirked and gestured her mother forward, the gentle pulsing in her mind seeming to gather itself.

“An’ I’ll have no more of that, my girl, or you’ll be attending your own wedding…”Jackie rolled her eyes, “Alright, bonding, then, with my footprint on your behind. And don’t you think I won’t!”

“I know you would,” Rose retorted, and then sobered. With a deep breath, she turned to her mirror one final time. Looking at the image she presented, she could only hope that the Doctor would like it. Heart beginning to pound, she felt as though a clock had started counting down. “Guess it’s about that time.”

“S’pose so.” Jackie twisted the tissue in her hands. “Captain Flirt said to just come up when we were ready, no alien fanfare or what have you.”

Rose laughed, unable to help it, the thrill and the joy suddenly so great she couldn’t keep them contained. “Well, I’m ready now.”

“Oh, Rose, you look beautiful,” her mum sniffled. “‘S like nothing I’ve ever seen before but you look just lovely.” She fidgeted. “It was hard, you know. Watching you gallivanting off to all these places with Himself, seeing new things and coming back talkin’ about all these things I didn’t know. Felt like you were leaving me behind.” She shrugged. “I thought you were ashamed of me, of where you were from and that’s why you always went away.”

Rose’s eyes filled and she blinked the tears away, taking her mum’s hand, the pulsing comfortingly thrumming in the back of her mind. “Oh, mum, no, never! You’re my mum, I’m proud you’re my mum, and that will never change, not in a million, million years.” She sniffed. “No matter how long I live, I’ll always be proud to be Rose Tyler from the Estate. I don’t travel to get away, I do it because there’s so much to see, so much to learn and know an’ I love it. I’ve seen things I could never have imagined and it’s all down to the Doctor, mum. Because he wants me to learn what I want to learn, see what I want to see. He loves me the way I am, and he wants me to have the world.”

“I know,” Jackie dabbed at her eyes. “An’ I see that now, sweetheart. I’ve never understood why you always wanted to go off doing new things, mad things, if you ask me, but I’m glad you have it, now. An’ I am proud, so proud of you Rose, of who you’ve become, and just...look at you, love. You’re glowin’.”

“Thanks, mum.” The words came out on a sob and she carefully dabbed at her face again.

“Right, that’s enough o’that! Best not get makeup on that getup!” Jackie sniffled. “Won’t do at all. Come on, let’s get ourselves up and go up to ...where are we anyway?”

“Zoralia,” Rose said, trying to settle her emotions. She was so happy and everything seemed so big today that she could barely keep it all contained. “‘S a planet. There’s a natural, pulsing telepathic field here. Make it easier for us to bond.”

“So, what, you go up and knock your heads together?”

“No,” Rose laughed. “Nothing like that. ‘S all done with the mind.”

“You’re tellin’ me you’ll be able to read his mind?” Jackie gaped as they made their way out of her room.

“I have to learn how, and not unless he lets me- he has shields.” She inhaled, the pulsing flaring for a moment. “The Doctor says it will be like being’ able to touch him or talk to him using my mind. Like hands or mouth- just with the mind.”

Jackie’s eyes widened in alarm. “He can do that, though? Read minds? If he wants to.”

“He can, yeah. He’s had a lot of practice, but don’t worry mum,'' Rose laughed, “He doesn’t go into someone's mind unless he’s asked.”

“Thank the Lord for that,” Jackie muttered as they entered the console room. “Bleedin’ alien reading minds , if you don’t mind.”

Feeling the pulsing grow stronger, Rose opened the doors to emerge into the blissful surrounds of Zoralia.

“Blimey,” Jackie gaped, gazing at the lush green fields, carpets of multi-coloured wildflowers and stately trees of deepest green. “It’s bloomin’ paradise, is what it is.”

“Close to,” Rose said quietly, basking in the peace and tranquility, the pulsing growing stronger to follow a slow, steady pattern. “The Doctor landed us here before it was settled, so it’s just us.” She took a deep breath of clean, fresh air as the subtly pulsing telepathic field washed gently against her mind, her newly awakened telepathic receptors singing at the contact. 

“So there’s no one else here?” Jackie stared out at the fields. “At all?”

“Not now.” Rose turned her head and met the Doctor’s gaze across the way. “People come here sometimes to recover from telepathic damage. The planet has a really gentle field that helps with that. Think of it like...I dunno, healing waters for your mind.”

“Telepathic damage…” Jackie said slowly, turning to her daughter. “Is this where you came then? After?”

“Yeah.” Rose took a deep breath. “We spent...five cycles here, ‘s like a month, in our time, so we could recover from the Gamestation.”

Jackie nodded slowly. “I knew you’d been hurt, knew you would be, when I helped you get back-.“ her voice trembled. “But I just thought Himself had fixed it.”

“He did, in a way,” Rose smiled. “He helped where he could, but we also just needed time here. We needed somewhere peaceful.”

Jackie drew a deep breath, seemingly forcing herself to let go of her memories of Rose going back to the Gamestation. “Well, this is that.” She looked around her with new eyes. “Nice and calm, isn’t it? Peaceful and...fresh, somehow.” She turned back to Rose. “A good place for a wedding, sorry…. bonding.”

“Yeah.” Rose smiled, still gazing at the Doctor, Jack a little way behind him. “Yeah it is.”

Jackie drew a deep breath. “Right, let’s not keep Himself waiting.” She shook her head. “I can’t believe that just came out of my mouth.”

Rose laughed, her eyes fixed on the Doctor as they moved forward, absently stepping in time to a tune she didn't know. “Your secret’s safe with me, mum.”

“Get on with you, then.” Jackie laughed, her voice trembling. “Can’t believe I’m in outer space for my daughter’s alien bonding .” 

“Neither can I, mum.” Rose smiled at the Doctor, though he was too far away to see it, the pulsing growing louder again. “Neither can I.”

As she drew closer, the pulsing intensified, and the beat of her heart sped up to match it when she was close enough to see that he was wearing the black and gold uniform she’d seen once before, emblazoned with the twin suns of Gallifrey on each shoulder.

Deliberately, she took her place in front of him, her mum taking the bouquet and standing sniffling to their right, Jack to their left. 

She drew in a breath when she saw that he was eyeing her dress, his gaze burning a path down her body and somehow blending with the pulsing in her mind. His eyes were seething with emotions, only, they weren’t a mystery any longer. She could identify them, now; sorrow for his dead planet and guilt for destroying it, there was shock and pleasure, likely at her choice of dress, longing and homesickness. And love.

For her.

She gazed at him just as openly, letting him see it all, everything she had, and his eyes seemed to glow in return. 

“Blimey. You look beautiful.”

“For a human?” She smiled, tongue touching her teeth.

“For anyone, anywhere in time and space.” He grinned sheepishly, the tips of his ears turning red. “Never going to let me forget that, are you?”

“Never,” she laughed. 

Jack coughed, intruding on their moment.

“Excuse me, not to cut this flirting short- and believe me, ordinarily I am all about the flirting, but can we get on with this?”

“Yeah,” Jackie muttered. “I don’t need to see you eye-shagging my daughter. ‘S too much for me.”

“No it isn’t! It’s not enough!” Jack folded his arms and glared at the two of them, sniffling back tears all the while. “No one has waited for this moment as long as I have and I am absolutely done waiting for you two! Get on with it!”

The Doctor rolled his eyes. “Remind me why we brought him?”

Rose shrugged. “He’s family.”

“Honestly the lot of you.” Jackie sniffled discreetly. “Is there some sort of ceremony? Or do you just suddenly connect your brains?”

“No,” the Doctor said, his eyes returning to Rose. “Not as such. Only our vows and then we bond.”

Jack raised an eyebrow. “Which involves?”

“We announce our intentions, make our vows, and then...we bond.” The Doctor drew a deep breath and spoke quietly enough that the others couldn’t hear. “Rose, are you-”

“Don’t you dare ask me if I’m sure,” she cut in, the pulsing and her heart seeming to build to a regular tempo, together. “I’m sure. I want this Doctor.”

“You know the human way would be enough, you don’t need to-”

“Stop,” she interrupted him quietly, the tempo getting a little faster. “I want this, I want to bond with you, to share our minds and our timelines and our lives. I want to be yours in every way, Doctor. In every way.”

“Yeah?” His eyes burned with emotions he couldn’t put into words. But she could read every one.

“Yeah.” Her own eyes burned gold for a moment, the TARDIS glowing with her. “And make no mistake, Doctor, you’ll be mine . In every way.”

His eyes glistened and he blinked rapidly. “S’pose I can live with that.”  

“Ahem!” Jack called, tapping his foot. “Waiting! If somebody doesn’t start this bonding now, I will not be responsible for my actions.” He waggled his eyebrows. “ Any of them.”

“Shut it, Harkness,” the Doctor growled.  With another long look to make sure she was certain, he took a deep breath and spoke in a low voice, resonating with emotion. “I offer myself to you, Rose Tyler, Daughter of Jacqueline. If you’ll have me.”

“I will,” she said, her voice steady, her eyes sure, placing her right hand in his left, and his right in hers as the TARDIS had shown her.

The tempo grew faster again.

“”I come to you as I am.” He looked briefly at his clothing, turmoil in his gaze. “Bearing the scars of my past, I offer you the hope of my future.”

She inhaled as the tempo seemed to quicken again, the very breath from her lungs vibrating with it.

“I pledge myself to you for the time given me, until I am returned to dust. I offer you all that I possess; my home, my mind, my heart and my name, if you will accept them.”

“I accept them. I will treasure your gift, and honour it.” She took a deep breath and faced him calmly, her voice steady as she spoke the words she had memorised. “I offer myself to you, Time Lord, Son of the House of Lungbarrow, if you will have me.”

“I will.” His eyes burned blue fire.

“I come to you as I am.” She glanced momentarily at her dress, a memento of the first time an Estate girl had realised that a Time Lord could see her. “I come to you with the scars of my past, and offer you the hope of my future.”

His eyes caressed her form reverently, taking in every last detail, and burning her with their intensity. 

“I pledge myself to you for the time given me, until I am returned to dust. I offer you all that I possess; my home, my family and my mind and my heart, if you will accept them.”

“I accept them.” His voice was rough, gravelly. “I will treasure your gift, and honour it.” He exhaled and leaned forward, touching his forehead to hers. “Are you ready, Rose?”

She smiled. “Been ready forever, just waitin’ for you to catch up.’” 

With that, she closed her eyes and felt him gently caress the outer edges of her mind.

Rose.

She saw him with her mind’s eye, watching her across a deep chasm, as her chest seemed to tighten and the pulsing grew louder.

Doctor?

That’s me. He tried to grin. Hello!

Hello, her avatar smiled.

His smile vanished. Are you sure love?

If you ask me that one more time…

Touchy, touchy. His smile was back.

Stop ruinin’ the moment and get on with it, Time Lord.

She was hit with a blaze of emotion so strong she felt it in her bones, and the pulsing became drumming, loud and compelling.

Your wish is my command.

Another pulse. 

Time and space seemed to be coiling in on itself.

Wait for it… He stood anxiously, waiting across the chasm.

Another. 

She dropped the shields he’d lovingly built for her after the Game Station.

Now! 

They locked eyes across the chasm.

And leapt.

The drumming tempo broke into full song.

She felt him gently kiss her lips as their minds met, wrapping slowly together, the song now loud and clear and everything blazed a burning gold.

A song she suddenly found she knew: the song of the TARDIS, the beat of the Doctor’s hearts, and now her own.

Gradually, it faded to a faint pulsing in the back of her mind, and it was just her and the Doctor, and the two astonished onlookers.

And the rejoicing TARDIS, still singing.

Slowly, the Doctor with his eyes still closed, leant close and, trembling, whispered a single word into her ear.

She closed her eyes at the beauty of it; at this last, precious sign of his trust and their utter possession of each other.

His name.

Opening her eyes, she blinked back tears at his fiery blue gaze.

There was so much to say, but she couldn’t think how, or why. So she said the only thing that came to mind.

“Hello.”

He laughed, and kissed her, his reply resounding in the halls of her mind.

Hello .

++++++++++++++++

Second Movement: Poco a Poco

“Still don’t know why I have to wear that,” the Doctor grumbled to her mother. “Ruddy domestics, that’s what it is!”

“You’re wearing it because I said so! And because you can’t get married in a leather jacket that’s older than Moses, that’s why!”

Rose covered her mouth to smother her laugh. The telepathic link between her and the Doctor was wonderful and intimate and amazing and more than she thought she’d ever have.

It also provided her with some of the most ridiculous conversations she’d ever heard.

Usually between the Doctor and one Jackie Tyler.

“Why not? Why do I need to wear a ruddy monkey suit?”

“Because, it’s a wedding, you plum! Your wedding! To my daughter!” Jackie glared. “And you can’t get married in a leather jacket!”

Feeling guilty for laughing at her poor bewildered Doctor, especially when he’d gone along with everything her mum had wanted for this wedding she decided to help him out. Fishing out her mobile, she dialled her mum.

“Rose? Is everything alright sweetheart? I’ll be with you soon to help you get ready.”

“Everything’s fine, Mum...just...cut the Doctor some slack, yeah?

Jackie huffed loudly into the phone. “You’ve been eavesdropping on me with that Star Trek voodoo again!”

“Mum, I’m not eavesdropping.”

“Then what do you call it?” Jackie demanded.

Rose rolled her eyes. “I was talking to him when you showed up and started tellin’ him off!” 

“You’re not meant to see him until the wedding!”

“I can’t see him, mum.” Rose rubbed her forehead. “I’m talking to him. ‘S like talkin’ on the phone.”

“Except you’re not talkin’ on the phone, are you? You’re doing some weird Star Trek bit. Unnatural, that is.”

“Mum-”

“Don’t you mum me, Rose Tyler.” Jackie took a deep breath. “This is my only daughter’s weddin’ and we’re doin’ it proper . When you’re out there in the stars one day, a million years in the future, you’ll look back on this when I’m gone, and you’ll remember where you’re from, this Estate, this city, this planet, and you’ll remember your mum. You’ll remember what a proper wedding was, and that you had one with your mum and your friends and family.”

There was silence for a moment.

“Maybe I can’t be part of your other life. I belong here, and nowhere else. But Rose belongs here too. She’s from here, she’s part of here, even if she belongs with you too. Today is about Rose Tyler from the Estate, marryin’ her bloke, in a nice suit and a wedding dress.”

She’s right , love, came the Doctors voice in her mind. It’s part of your life here with your mum. Let her have this, you’ll be glad of it, one day. He paused. S’pose I’ll have to stop complaining about this ruddy monkey suit, then. 

She smiled in spite of herself. “Alright, mum. Just...take it easy yeah? ‘S my weddin’ day and I don’t want any fightin’. Please?”

Jackie was silent for a moment. “Fine.”

“Fine,” she heard the Doctor grumble. “Spose I can put up with it this once.”

 “Alright then, mum, I’ll see you in a minute.”

And I’ll see you up the aisle, she whispered into his mind before retreating.

 ++++++++++++++++

Third Movement: Rondo

“Blimey, he’d said he’d change, but I didn’t expect that .” Jackie fanned herself as she peered down the aisle.

“Mum!” Rose shook her head. “You’re not seriously perving on my husband are you?”

“Not your husband yet, madam!” Jackie glared. “And I wasn’t perving- just looking.”

Rose rolled her eyes. “Right, yeah, well you told him to change.”

“Yeah, but I thought he’d wear a morning coat or something!”

Rose smiled. “‘He hates suits, there was no way you were getting him in a morning coat.”

“Well...” Jackie cleared her throat. “He looks a bit of alright in that modern navy suit of his.”

“Yeah.” Rose smiled as she recalled why he’d chosen it.

‘Scuse me, I wore it. You chose it.

She smiled at his voice in her head. Yeah. You know why?

Your mother is a sadist and enjoys seein’ me suffer?

She rolled her eyes. No, you daft sod. Because it brings out your eyes. 

“You’re doin’ it again, aren’t you?” Jackie’s voice intruded.

“What?”

“Don’t you ‘what’ me- you were doing that-” Jackie wiggled her fingers in the direction of her head. “And you know you’re not supposed to see him until the wedding!”

Rose rolled her eyes. “I didn’t mum, I told you- we’re just talking.”

Jackie folded her arms. 

Sighing, Rose ended the connection. “Alright, alright. We’re done. Just...let it be, yeah?” She smiled. “Today’s s’posed to be a happy day, innit?”

Jackie’s eyes softened as she looked at Rose in her lace fit-and-flare off-the-shoulder gown. “Well.” She made an unnecessary adjustment to the cathedral length veil. “You make a beautiful bride, Rose.”

“Thanks mum.” She smiled. “You look pretty amazin’ in that dress, by the way. Reckon Howard from the fruit shop’ll like it.”

Jackie blushed, smoothing her pale pink cocktail frock, chosen by none other than Jack Harkness. “I dunno what you’re talking about.”

“No idea about the pyjamas I found tucked into the cushions on the couch, either?” 

“Enough of that.” Jackie cleared her throat. “Come on, it’s time. I reckon we kept that ruddy alien waiting long enough.

“It was your idea to be late,” Rose pointed out as they made their way to the church atrium. “ Proper wedding tradition.”

“Oi, cheeky!”

Rose laughed as she took her mum’s arm.

“I’m glad you chose this place,” Jackie said suddenly, just before the doors opened out into a very familiar little church. “I know I was against it at first but I’m glad. You’re right- in a way, it’s almost like Pete’s here.”

“Yeah. He is,” Rose said softly.

With that the doors opened, and Rose and Jackie made their way down the aisle to where the Doctor stood waiting in his new navy suit, and Jack behind him in full RAF dress uniform. 

The Doctor’s eyes locked with hers as she approached and she barely noticed as Jackie put her hand into his and slipped into the front pew with Howard and Mickey.

Rose saw nothing but the Doctor.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here…”

++++++++++++++++

Fourth Movement: Partita 

“I can’t believe they’re married!” Jack blubbered. 

Jackie rolled her eyes and passed him her hankie. “‘S supposed to be the mother of the bride who cries, not the best man.”

“Not true!” He blew his nose. “It’s their wedding and I can cry if I want to.” He raised an eyebrow. “Besides I saw you dabbing your eyes during the service.”

“It was the flowers. Pollen in my eye,” Jackie muttered. “Those Schlenk flowers have too much pollen.”

“Ha! Sure they did.” He grinned. “Admit it, you were emotional over Rosie and the Doc.”

“Well, what of it? She’s my only daughter and she went and-” she lowered her voice- “married a ruddy alien!”

“But a fine alien!” he whispered, eyes lingering on the Doctor’s behind as he followed Rose from table to table to greet the guests, looking more and more pained by the minute.

Jackie rolled her eyes and gulped her champagne.

“Jackie.” She looked up at that serious voice. “You know he loves her don’t you?”

“Yeah, I know,” she said, staring at the tablecloth. “God help me, but I know.”

“And he’ll love her until his last breath,” Jack said intently. “He’ll do anything and everything for her and heaven help anything or anyone who tries to harm her.”

“I know.”

“And she loves him.”

Jackie nodded, still staring at the tablecloth.

“She’ll do anything to protect him, Jackie. From anyone.”

Another nod.

He took a deep breath. “You know, things happened to me on the Gamestation too.”

Jackie looked up. “Rose told me. ‘M sorry.”

“Don’t be.” He gave her a lascivious grin. “So many lovelies, so little time. Now I’ll have time to savour them all.”

“Letch.” She tried not to smile at his outrageous comment.

“But you know, Jackie, endless potential lovers aside, I’m glad of it. You know why?”

She shook her head.

“Because it means that your daughter loved me enough to bring my sorry carcass back.” He smiled softly. “We’re...family. I haven’t had that in...a very long time.” He looked her in the eye. “And I promise you, she’ll always have me. They both will. I’ll keep an eye on them both.” He cleared his throat and waggled his eyebrows. “Especially if the Doc wears those pants. Who knew the twenty-first century could do that to a man’s behind?”

Jackie rolled her eyes. “You know, you and that...ruddy alien are always welcome.”

“I know, you’ve always been good about having us over-”

“No, I mean...” Jackie cleared her throat. “‘S nice having the family over for a visit.”

“Oh.” Jack sat frozen for a moment. “Thank you, Jackie. That...that’s nice.” He cleared his throat, blinking. “Even if it does mean I can’t do unspeakably naughty things to you any longer. Since we’re related.”

“Oh, go on with you,” Jackie laughed. “I don’t believe you’re half as bad as you make out, you know that?”

“Oh I am.” He waggled his eyebrows. “But I’m also very, very good.” 

“Shut it,” she laughed. “Oh, wait, they’re coming up to the front.”

“Ooooh it’s time for the first dance.” Jack squealed. “Look at them! They’re gorgeous together!” He sighed. “Such a shame they don’t share…” seeing her warning glare, he added hurriedly, “Never mind.”

Rose and the Doctor made their way onto the dancefloor to the sound of applause andJack wisely didn’t mention the stony look on the Doctor’s face, and that it melted as soon as he looked at Rose.

He cleared his throat and looked at Jackie. “They chose the Second Waltz. Do you know why?”

“No idea. Never heard of it.”

“I asked the Doctor.” Jack fixed his eyes on hers. “He said it was because Rose was his second chance.”

Jackie’s eyes filled as the soft strains of a clarinet began to play.

“That’s...that’s lovely.”

 ++++++++++++++++

 Fifth Movement: Waltz

 “You ready, Doctor?” 

“Always, Rose.”

They waited for their cue as the clarinet slowly and sombrely led the way. As she placed her hand on his shoulder and carefully took hold of her skirt with the other, he gently and possessively placed his hand at her waist, drawing her close, she was reminded of their dance at the Russian ball many months before.

They had danced to a Russian waltz then too.

Only this time, there was no mournful tune with rare bursts of desperate joy. Now, there was a melancholy start, reflective and pensive, followed by a compelling burst of power and light and joy.

The strings launched into full voice, the power and beauty of the melody nearly bringing her to tears as they moved, gliding gracefully across the floor, twirling in joyous circles, breaking apart only to join together again, following the path set by the music. As she listened to the gorgeous melody, with its highs and lows, a tenuous thread of hope even in the lowest, most subtle places, she thought how perfectly suited it was to them- highs and lows, forceful, powerful and yet quiet, peaceful, undertones of sadness and tragedy driving intense joy and vigour, and always, always pushing forward.

What is it? His voice broke into her thoughts.

She smiled. Just this waltz. ‘S perfect. It’s us. 

His eyes caressed her as they danced. It seemed appropriate. Second Waltz for my second chance.

Rose’s eyes teared up as they turned and spun, and always, always coming back to each other.

And that, Rose thought, was what it was all about. The music was them and they were the music, singing, hoping and loving , gliding through the highs and the lows into the future, whatever it would bring. 

And it would bring a great deal.

But that’s another story.