Blue Christmas

Part 1: Baby are you lonesome?

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Time really lost its meaning in the vortex. Still as a Lord of Time The Doctor was ever aware of the swirl of chaos that was outside the Tardis, the winds of time that buffeted their little haven much like a ship upon one of Earth's seas. Yet it didn't require the extra sensory skills of a Time Lord to measure the passage of time inside the Tardis they had two very rambunctious measures that gauged that quite nicely all by themselves.

One of which was stubbornly staring up at her father as he tried for the umpteenth time to get her to settle. Yet Mae, the nickname had unfortunately stuck, had inherited more than just her mother's bright blue eyes but her stubbornness as well. Six months old and already she had him wrapped around her little finger, not that The Doctor would change that for a second.

Some other things however...the weight of that choice hung like an albatross around his neck or more to the point a hefty weight in his jacket pocket...well that was still in his power to change but perhaps it was already too late?

Humming a Gallifreyan lullaby The Doctor paced the nursery, back and forth, back and forth trying to fight his own urge to curl up and sleep for a while. Adult Time Lords may need far more less sleep than a human did but they did still need to rest, something a little difficult to come by with twins.

"Still awake I take it?" A familiar voice observed from the doorway and The Doctor glanced over his shoulder to where a messy haired pyjama shirt wearing Missy was lounging against the frame.

"Is that my shirt?" The Doctor huffed in mock irritation doing his best not to stare at the long bare legs on display. "Aren't you cold?"

"With the way you have the heating all cranked up in here hardly." Missy tutted running her fingers over the buttons of her oversized shirt. "I only borrowed it after Sam spat up on my nightdress, of course if you want it back..." She teased unfastening the first button.

"No Missy not in front of the children!" The Doctor all but spluttered cuddling Mae closer and shielding her from her mother's display.

"Oh honestly Thete she is six months old she barely knows what her feet are." Missy huffed unable to completely hide her disappointment yet she wasn't exactly surprised by his reaction.

Things had been different than she had expected, not bad, certainly not unfeeling but despite occasional gestures of tenderness there had been none of the intimacy Missy had expected. Perhaps it was her? Perhaps she had expected too much too soon, had pushed him for the type of relationship she expected without considerations for her Doctor's preferences. It wasn't exactly a secret that he was far from fond of too much physical contact.

"She is a Time Lady of course she knows what her feet are!" The Doctor retorted offended on his daughter's behalf. "Silly mummy eh Mae." The Doctor teased his daughter tickling her stomach with his fingertips and relishing her giggle.

"And you wonder why she won't go to sleep Dear." Missy sighed shaking her head, crossing the room and relieving The Doctor of his precious burden. Ignoring his protests and that of her child who had already worked out that Daddy was the easy touch.

"Go rest will you, honestly you'll be no use to anyone if you are dead on your feet.  And by rest I mean rest properly in a bed, so I'd better not find you tinkering under the console."

Conceding defeat The Doctor brushed his hand gently against Missy's cheek before bending down and pressing a kiss to his daughter's forehead, he would gladly leave Mother and daughter to their battle of wills. Missy currently was winning but The Doctor anticipated there would come a day soon when Mae would outlast her, she did have a distinct advantage, as for all Missy's will power she was only human...

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