The Slow Path - (#1 TenRose Fanfiction)

Promise Me

Really sorry I haven't updated in like a zillion years. The Little Mermaid and Snow White rehearsals have kind of taken over my life. However, I should be updating a bit more frequently now, as I have learnt all my lines for The Little Mermaid, whoop! XD

~Chapter 10

The Doctor's POV

I wake up early, I'm really surprised I slept at all. Sleep isn't really a Timelord thing. I turn over on my side, expecting Rose, but the bed is empty. Curiously, I get up and leave the room. I'm confused until I hear a retching sound coming from the bathroom. I quickly run in, and spot Rose crouched over the toilet, throwing up all of last nights dinner. I walk over and crouch beside her, holding her hair back from her face. Soothingly, I rub my hand up and down her back, hoping to comfort her in any way possible. Finally, she finishes, I let her go and she leans back against the wall. "That, was horrible." She says, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.
"Come here." I say. She stands up an doves into my outstretched arms, and sighs.
"I'm sorry." I whisper against her hair, hating the fact of her in any discomfort. She's still only about 3 months along, but a small bump is begging to form under her top.
"It's not your fault." Rose whispers. I rub my hands up her back.
"I know," I say "I just feel bad for you, that's all."

The day passes slowly, and I continue my work on the TARDIS console. It's been playing up a lot recently, and we haven't has as many adventures as usual. Not that Rose is really up to it anyway. By the time it's dinner, I reach the kitchen only to find two steaming bowls of lasagne on the table, courtesy of the TARDIS.
"Thank you, old girl." I smile and the TARDIS hums in response. I look around me, Rose is nowhere in sight, probably still having a nap. Carefully I walk through the halls, but see that the bedroom is empty. Curiously, I bite my lip and walk back along the corridors. It is then when I notice the sound of a crackling fire coming from in the library. I peek my head round the corner, only to find Rose crouched in front of the warm fire, hugging her knees and staring into the orange flames. I sigh and walk over.
"Rose?" I say warily, coming to sit by her "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." She says, and wipes a tear from her cheek, obviously hoping I won't notice. But I do. I notice everything.
"No you're not. Tell me what's wrong." I turn to face her, and stare deeply into her hazel eyes that are brimmed with tears.
"I'm worried." She whispers, a few tears spilling down her cheeks.
"About the baby?" I assume. But she shakes her head.
"No. Something else."
"You can tell me anything." I move my hand to her cheek, but she brushes it off. For a second I'm worried, until she grabs my hand and intertwines our fingers.
"I need to know something..." She trails off again. Immediately I assume it's about the dilemma we suffered after pre-revolutionary France was on the spaceship.
"About Reinette? Rose, we've had this conversation-"
"No. This isn't about Reinette. And this isn't about any other women."
"Then what is this about?" I ask desperately.
"I need to know for sure, and I need a promise, that you won't leave me."
"Leave you?" I ask, shocked. How could she ever think such a thing? "Why would I ever leave you?"
"Because, 11 months is a very long time. A very long pregnancy. And I know you can't sit still for more than five minutes, and I just don't want you...to get bored of me."
"Rose.." I choke out, almost unable to speak "I will never, ever, ever get bored of you." I squeeze her hands, but she doesn't respond.
"But you will. After a while, I won't be the same Rose anymore. I won't be able to go on all those amazing adventures. And Doctor, I know you see the universe differently, and you see can see time lines, but I know you don't ever see ours. You never look at us, our future together. You never talk about what might happen now, or what will happen in the future. I don't know it's whether it scares you or what, but it worries me that you never look. Cause, one day, I'll get old, and I don't just mean age, I mean looks. One day, you'll still be looking young, and I'll just be on the side, that old lady that you can no longer love..." He voice breaks, tears spilling down her face. I swallow, with tears mutual to hers.
"Rose," I say firmly "I will never, ever, ever stop loving you. You hear me? Never ever. No matter how old you are, or how much you might look older, I will always, always love you. I always have loved you, from the day I first whispered "run"" I swallow hard, and squeeze her hands again, bringing her misty eyes to lock with mine. She nods, I lean in and press my forehead to hers.
"I don't look at our time line because I can't. There are so many directions it could go in. Endless amounts of opportunities. Usually, when I see a timeline, it has one or two routes it can take, but not ours, ours is full with endless roads and opportunities, adventures, family, and simply just being together! You see why I can't look at them? Because there are so many routes and I can't see which one we'll go down. But I do know, that which ever path we do take, we'll be happy." I smile, and move our interlaced hands to her small bump "And this one will be too." I smile. Rose beams at me, and the reflection of the fire's orange flames flicker on her eyes, making her look even more beautiful, If that's even possible.

                 

"So you promise, to never leave me?" She says, obviously still a bit anxious.
"Rose," I peck her lips quickly and squeeze her hands "I promise. I will never, ever leave you."
"Then I know which path I choose." She says with the smile that makes me want to shatter into a million pieces. That same old smile where she pokes her tongue out between her teeth, making my heart melt and heartbeat quicken.
"What?" I ask, leaning in closer to her, my lips ghosting over hers.
"The slow path, with my Doctor." She smiles, and leans in and presses her delicate lips to mine. My Rose.

***

Hope you're all enjoying this! Is it just me or did anyone finish reading this and think about that poor forgotten lasagne that the TARDIS kindly made? Idk, I guess I am just always thinking about food, lol XD don't forget to vote, follow if you haven't already, and maybe even comment, as that always makes me super happy! :)
Love y'all shipmates,
Ellaaaa :))