He was there.

He stood beneath the steps that led up the church.

He looked gorgeous.

His attire was similar to the suit that he wore, the day he proposed; his own garments. However this outfit was wholly suitable for this day and age and Rose felt her heart swell in pride.

The pants and tailcoat were dark brown and there was a very delicate blue pinstripe visible up close. A dark blue vest, made of silk and patterned with something undefinable, having the appearance of circles within circles, he wore beneath the coat. The shirt she gave him was just visible under the dark red silk puff tie.

He wore a hat. The first time ever she saw him wearing one, it made her smile involuntarily. It matched the suit of course. He took it off when she came near. His hair was done, perfectly up and tidy. Then, in one fitful, yet unconscious stroke, he undid all the hard work and Mr. Smith beside him, shook his head in resignation.

They entered the church. All the guests were seated and the Doctor took his place in front next to the vicar. Mr. Smith stood behind him, ready to take over the hat, which the Doctor held quite convulsive.

Rose awaited the formation of the church procession: a little girl with flowers, the three young women, her little brother bearing the ring and at last herself. She was being led by her father, whose reassuring smile was but a little comfort.

The music started and the procession began. Rose hardly felt her feet touch the ground. She was flying, soaring on a mist of tumbling thoughts. Everything except the Doctor had become a blur. His brown eyes were her anchor and his smile her haven. She did not notice her friends taking their places, she did not see her mother crying in the front row. She barely felt her father lifting up the veil and giving her a kiss. All she perceived was the hand in which hers was placed and then the vicar spoke the age-old words.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of his congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which is an honourable state, instituted of God in Paradise, in the time of man's innocence, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church. Therefore is not to be enterprised, nor taken in hand inadvisedly, lightly or wantonly, to satisfy men's carnal lusts and appetites; but reverently, discretely, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God, duly considering the causes for which matrimony was ordained. One was the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and praise of God."

Rose felt her heart skip a beat when her mind suddenly leapt to the expectation of her wedding night. Would he, being an alien, even be able to father children? She pushed the troubled thought aside and focused on the speech. Already having forgotten all the words that were spoken between the 'dearly beloved' and the part about children.

"Secondly, it was ordained for a remedy against sin and to avoid fornication. Thirdly, for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity, into which holy state these two persons present, come now to be joined."

Next the question was put forth should there be an objection, but the dread was short and none spoke up, so the priest continued with pleasure and the Doctor squeezed her hand.

"Sir Doctor John Lungbarrow of Tardis, wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her, in sickness, and in health? And forsaking al other, keep the only to her, so long as you both shall live?"

The Doctor turned to face Rose, he smiled and gently took her right hand in his. Before answering however, he placed the fingers of his left hand lightly on her left temple.

Audible to the whole assembly, he then said: "I will."

Imperceivable to everyone else, Rose also heard something else. A soft melodious syllable, like the words he had spoken to her in the console room inside the TARDIS, and she instantly understood that he not only promised in words, but also by heart.

Whilst tears began to form in her eyes, the Doctor's gesture easily mistaken by their guests for a simple caress, Rose took in a heavy sigh and struggled for composure, while the priest asked her next: "Rose Marion Tyler, wilt thou have this man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou obey him and serve him, love, honour, and keep him, in sickness and in health? And forsaking al other, keep the only to him so long as you both shall live?"

Answering with a voice filled with emotion, Rose hoped it was loud enough as she said, as firmly as possible: "I will."

The Doctor's grin that followed her answer, was beyond any she had previously seen and her father giving his consent went totally unheard by either.

With an overly joyous smile Rose subsequently heard the Doctor promise to have and to hold her, for better, worse, richer, poorer, in sickness, and in health, to love and to cherish, till death them depart and she did the same.

On a sign from the priest, Antony came forth, carrying the ring. Which the Doctor took, giving the boy a wink, before he receded back to his fathers side.

A little against ceremony, however consented by the priest, the Doctor placed the simple white golden ring, engraved on the inside with nothing other than: 'The Doctor & Rose' on her right forth finger, saying the words: "With this ring I the wed, with my body I the worship, and with all my worldly goods, I the endow."

Rose bit her lip, managed to control her breathing and tried to listen to the rest of the ceremony.

The priest took both their hands and said: "Those whom God had joined together, let no man put asunder. For as much as Sir Doctor John Lungbarrow and Rose Marion Tyler have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God, and this company, and thereto have given and pledged, their trout either to other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a ring, and by joining of hands I pronounce that they be man and wife together. In the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen."

During the entirety of the service, the blessings and all that followed according to law and custom, Rose did not relinquish the Doctor's hand. Change of the right hand for the left was necessary, but further than that she would not go.

Eventually the service came to an end and accompanied by a cheerful lot, the newly wed couple proceeded to the door. A new procession was formed, a lot less formal this time. A large three-tiered cake was carried on a pole and everybody was laughing and smiling and hoping for a piece.

The whole party relocated themselves to the beautifully decorated garden at Powell Estate and the guests of honour took place under a lovely white canopy.

Whilst everybody listened to the speeches and enjoyed the cake and other refreshments, the Doctor bend towards his young bride and whispered: "Are you happy?"

Rose did not need to answer, her smile directed at him spoke for itself.

"I only wish for one more thing," she replied in equal stillness and on his questioning look, she clarified: "To be at home."

His wrinkled brow told her he did not quite understand and laughing a little, Rose said, even softer: "In the TARDIS of course. I have a thousand questions and only one husband to answer them."

To this the Doctor laughed relieved. "For a moment there I dreaded- But no, you have already eased my mind as to what you feel to be your home. I will do everything in my power to make it exactly thus. Do not worry, my darling Rose, we will be on our way, just the two of us, soon enough."

The celebration took up the rest of the day. There was music and dancing. Rose tossed her wedding bouquet, clearly directed and gratefully caught by her best friend Martha. The Doctor knelt down to remove the garter from Rose's leg, bringing a violent blush on her cheeks an eliciting an enthusiastic cheer amongst the young unmarried men. He made sure Mr. Smith was the lucky one who caught the piece of garment.

And then, much sooner than anticipated, the moment of saying farewell was at hand. Rose's belongings were packed earlier that day by the servants and stood waiting in the carriage that was to bring them to where ever it was the Doctor needed to go.

Tears came when Rose embraced her father, mother and little brother and promises to write and to return for Christmas were readily given.

The Doctor helped his wife into the carriage and then they were off.

The carriage took them to a small inn, about twenty miles into no man's land, there the Doctor unloaded the trunks. In the presence of the staff, he swiftly placed a finger on his lips and Rose understood not to question their location for now.

Booking a room for one night, paying in advance and informing the landlady they were to depart very early the following morning, probably before even the boy was up, they were then led to a common room. Not exactly the place Rose had looked forward to spending a night, least of all her wedding night.

However before she could express her disappointment, the Doctor closed the space between them in one quick stride and took his wife in his arms. He kissed her passionately and all thought of discomfort disappeared, leaving only surprise, longing and want.

When he finally released her, and Rose managed to open her eyes, he said: "I've been wanting to do that all day. I loved the old phrases and traditions. I would not alter one bit of the promises I made you today, but there is something to say for the part they will include in the future about kissing the bride."

Rose giggled and the Doctor kissed her again. A long, finger tingling, toe curling and butterfly producing kiss.

"Oh, I love you." Rose sighed from the bottom of her heart, the moment she was able to breath again.

The Doctor looked at her then, eyes full of gratitude, full of hope and desire. She could see a loneliness that must have been with him for such unimaginable long time, fade away as he finally allowed himself to believe there was someone now who promised him forever.

And she did, with all her intent, searching in the depths of her soul, to find feeling and affection worthy enough to be uttered in a moment so big, so meaningful, she felt her heart would burst, should she not be able to convey them.

Rose reached out, placed both her hands on the sides of his head and projected everything within her towards him.

With shock and tremor, the Doctor's eyes closed shut and his mouth flew open in complete astonishment. His head rocked back and even though the touch was but an instant, it took him quite some time to regain composure. Finally able to pull himself together, he gazed at the woman before him in disbelief.

"You-"

He swallowed audibly.

"How did you-?"

He did not finish his question. Instead he shook his head in wonder and caressed her cheek, unable to convey his regard in any other way, but to say: "Rose Tyler, I love you."