The Artist and the Doctor

Chapter 14

We had just returned to the TARDIS when my cell phone started going off again. I sighed heavily as I pulled the device out of my pocket and glanced at the caller ID. It was my mom again.

"Home calling?" The Doctor asked as he began flipping random switches on the console.

"Yes, can you please try to be quiet? I need to take this." The Doctor nodded in agreement as I took a seat on the captains chair and answered the phone.

"Hello?"

"Claire, you know, you tell me that you're going to call back and you never do." My mom stated angrily on the other end of the line.

I winced. Oh crap what day is it for her?

"Sorry, lost track of time again." I answered. I glanced at the Doctor who pulled a worried face. "What?" I mouthed to him. He waved me off and went to the lower level of the TARDIS. I watched him as he fiddled around with something through the glass floor as I tried to listen to my mom on the phone.

"It's almost Christmas and I haven't heard from you in a few months now."

"Oh god, has it been that long? I am truly very, very sorry about that mom." A loud crash rang throughout the TARDIS.

"What was that?" My mom asked on the other line.

"Oh, that was nothing I just dropped something." I covered up quickly glaring at the Doctor as he mouthed apologies to me while trying to fix whatever he had just broken.

"Well, anyways we were hoping that we could see you for a change. We would really love it if you came home for Christmas."

I paused not sure of what to say. "Oh Christmas!" I said loud enough for the Doctor to hear. His head perked up and he pointed at himself. "You want me to come home for Christmas and have dinner with you and the family. Umm..." I trailed off as I glanced at the Doctor who seemed to be having some sort of inner battle with himself. Finally nodded and gave me a thumb's up sign when a medium sized metal thing fell on his head causing him to cry out in pain.

"Ouch!"

"Claire, what is going on over there?" My mom asked growing suspicious.

"Don't worry my friend just dropped something on his head, he's ok though." I said quickly before mentally cursing myself.

"Did you say 'he'? Oh my goodness! Claire, do you finally have a boyfriend?" She asked excitedly.

"No, no! He's just a friend." I said quickly turning away from the Doctor so he wouldn't see me blushing. Claire, get a hold of yourself! "Yes, I'll be there for Christmas." I said quickly changing the subject.

"Oh good! I can't wait to see you again. I've missed you so much, same with everyone else in the family."

"I missed you too." I smiled sadly.

"I have a wonderful idea. Why don't you ask your friend to come too? The more the merrier." My mom suggested excitedly.

"Oh no, I don't think he'll want to come-" I started to protest before my phone was grabbed out of my hand. I turned around and felt my heart drop into the pit of my stomach.

"Hello Mrs..." The Doctor paused and turned to me covering the phone with his hand. "Claire, what was your last name again?"

"Carlo." I groaned.

"Ahh! Carlo! 'Ello, Mrs. Carlo! Claire and I will definitely be there for Christmas dinner." He spoke cheerily into the phone.

I face palmed wishing he would get off the phone before my mom said something embarrassing to him.