Chapter 25 - "A Better Christmas..."

Clara's PoV

Once he was back, it made life easier on Autumn. She began to realise that he was here and all the dreams he was giving her at night, was certainly helping.

Thus that led us to Christmas.

For some god forsaken reason - Of which I'm still not sure on - My Husband thought it would be a good idea to have a Christmas Eve party.

'How much tinsel do you think will work?' I asked.

'Just bung it all on' he said and I laughed.

'Do you not know me at all? I'm not going to throw it all on the tree. I'm all for precision you space goof' I said.

We had invited quite a few people over for this party. I say party, it is just a gathering of friends and family, but Autumn won't be the only child and Avia won't be the only baby.

'Alright. I'll put it on you instead then' he said smirking and wrapped the tins around my neck.

'I'm not the tree Doctor' I said.

It had taken me ages to decided where I was going to put the Christmas tree in this house.

Obviously this is our first Christmas in the house, so we had to buy a lot of new decorations for the house.

He was attacking the lights and got himself in a muddle. 'Daddy looks pitty in the lights' Autumn giggled.

'Shall we plug them in and turn him on?' I grinned and she nodded her head.

It was funny to say he least, and they were really bright so he stumbled over and fell on the floor, to which Autumn jumped on top of him.

I suppressed a laugh. 'Not funny Oswald' he said.

I went back to the kitchen as it was late afternoon and started laying out cups, food and drinks.

'Mummy. Can I wear my christmas jumper?' Autumn asked when she came in the kitchen.

'Yeah. Come on then. Let's go and get you dressed' I said and pulled her up the stairs.

I dressed her in black leggings, white socks and her Christmas jumper which has Santa wearing a bow tie. I did the same for Avia and then took them downstairs.

She's remarkably better when it comes to sleeping. She still doesn't like being left in a room on her own without someone she trusts, and she likes to sleep with the light on now.

'Do I have to mingle?' I complained. 'Cant I just be on drink duty?' I asked.

'Well it's our party, and our house, so you kind of do have to mingle' he grinned.

I stood under the doorway of the kitchen and watched Autumn playing with her dolls house.

He span me around to face him and hung the mistletoe above the door.

'She looks a bit happier' he analysed.

'Only because we're in the room with her. She can't stand being left alone at the moment' I confirmed.

'That will get better in time. She is only little' he finished.

'She knows she's safe with you' I smiled, leaning up and wrapping my arms around his neck.

He pulled me closer and wrapped his arms around my waist.

'Doctor?'

'Mmmm?'

'Where did you get the Mistletoe from?' I asked.

'Oh. I thought it would be fun for the party' he laughed.

'Well then... We'd better not waste tradition' I said lifting my head to kiss him.

He had been back for over a week now but I still feel like he's going to disappear.

'Yep. Definitely works' he confirmed leaning back breathlessly.

I rested my head in his chest and we stood for a moment, that was until there were small hands gripping onto my leg again.

'Autumn what do you want?' I asked and she looked up at him.

'I want to kiss Daddy' she said.

Crap. She must have heard he whole conversation.

He lifted her up and sat her in between us.

She kissed his cheek and then kissed mine. 'Mistletoe really does work' he smiled as the door bell rang.

'I'll go' he said putting her down on the floor.

Once people started arriving it got rather busier in the house, and a lot of people hadn't really been to our house since it was decorated.

I was busy making small talk in the lounge whilst he was making drinks in the kitchen.

'So Clara, full time after Christmas?' Danny asked.

'Yes. I can't wait actually. I'm rather looking forward to coming back to work' I said.

Autumn was dancing around at my feet and was clinging for deer life to the end of my dress.

I crouched down in front of her.

'Why don't you go and play with Jack?' I asked her. This is Nina's son and he is 4. They typically get on quite well.

She shook her head. 'I stay with you' she grumbled so I took her hand and made her go to the kitchen.

'Would you please take her. She's getting on my nerves'. I said to him. 'Hey Rory' I smiled.

'Still having a rough time with her?' He asked.

'She's just so nervy and scared all the time. She won't be in a room without one of us. It's a bit stressful actually' I said and he looked sympathetic.

'She is young' he pointed out.

'I know' I said and smiled walking away.

The party went on for some time, and we did try to put her to bed at half past 8 but she wouldn't go, so she stayed up and fell asleep on his lap.

Thankfully, I was allowed to get drunk whilst he stayed sober for the night, but I didn't drink too much.

'So where exactly was this business trip he went on Clara?' Nina asked. She's always been suspicious of him, especially since the first disappearance.

'Canada. It was a two week thing. He might have to go back in the future... But we'll see' I said, as people started to leave.

We were having Christmas with Amy and Rory this year. They were staying in our spare room.

It was about half past 11 when everyone had left and so we decided to wake Autumn up and let her do the stockings.

He then put her to bed and did his thing, by making sure she has pleasant dreams.

'Bunnies and rainbows and stuff?'

'Well isn't that what a two year old should be dreaming of?' He asked picking up plates and paper cups, whilst I decorated around the tree.

'She will forget the bad stuff Clara. We just have to be patient with her' he said but I still wasn't too sure.

'Mummy' I heard someone whisper at the doorway.

'Go back to bed Autumn. It's 5.30 in the morning' informed her.

'But Mummy! Santa has been' she said all excited and I couldn't help but smile at how happy she was.

She climbed up on the bed quickly and jumped straight into my lap, and then poked The Doctors face.

'Daddy. Wake up' she said and poked his nose.

He grumbled and we both laughed, so she decided to jump on his stomach.

He sat up in a daze not sure what to do or say, but when he saw her giggling and laughing at him, he tickled her almost immediately.

It's moments like these that are the best.