February 25, 2013. 1:25 AM. The TARDIS.

I know what this diary would be thinking if it were sentient-what the hell am I doing up at 1:25 in the morning? That's a question I'm starting to wonder myself. I've been trying to make River comfortable, and do as much as I can since I left. That includes getting up at crazy hours of the morning whenever Brooke starts screaming to eat. I don't feed her, of course. But I have to get out of bed to get her and bring her to her mother. River just sort of shoves me awake, and I get the baby, lay her down in the bed, and River feeds her while she's asleep. Seriously. Neither of them are even awake while she's eating, and I've got to get up!

Brooke's been doing well, though. She usually wakes up about midnight. Maybe soon enough she'll be able to wait until morning to get out of bed....

I've got to put her back in her cot now; I think she's done. And I'm going to sleep in. Something I never do. Being a father is exhausting! Usually I don't need sleep for months at a time....

-8:00 AM-

"Mummy's singing you something like a lull-a-by, and if you don't shut up, she'll cry. So plee-ease shut up, 'cause mummy's tir-ed." 

The Doctor groggily opened his eyes to his wife singing-well, that was an overstatement. Talking with a beat, more like-and Brooke sniffling.

"Mummy wants to go back to bed, and if you don't hush I'll have your head."

"Nice song, dear."

River huffed and turned around. "She woke me up thinking about hats. This is your fault."

"How is it my fault?!"

"I've been in your mind, sweetie." She accused. "I've seen your thoughts on hats."

He frowned. "Fine. I'll put her to sleep. You lay back down."

"I can't-Brooke wants me."

He raised an eyebrow. "Wants you?" At her nod he continued, "I think you're starting to spoil your daughter."

"I am not! She wants her mum. What's wrong with that?"

The Doctor groaned and fell back onto the bed. "Sure. You know, I'm perfectly capable of taking care of her too."

"Women have natural instincts on how to take care of the young. I don't doubt that you're a good father, I'm just- I don't know, I want to take care of my baby girl."

River sat down on the bed, patting Brooke's back soothingly and whispering in Gallifreyan. Eventually, the child quieted. She smiled and showed her to her husband. "See?"

He smiled, amused. "When did she wake you up this morning?"

"About 5 o'clock."

A mischevious look went to his eyes. "What hat was she talking about, exactly?"

River rolled her eyes and left the room, probably going to Brooke's. He snuggled back under the covers. When she got back, he pulled her snug against him and went back to sleep.

-10:00 AM-

GET UP! GET UP! GET UP!

River woke with a start and glanced around, then realized Brooke was just talking to her telepathically. The Doctor woke, too, also looking around the room.

"Well," He began, scratching the back of his head and yawning. "It appears we have an alarm clock. It's exactly 11 AM."

"10." River corrected, and pushed the covers off to climb out of bed. "No it's not!" He denied, then stuck his tongue out. "On second thought... let's compromise. 10:30."

She sighed. "What is it, Brooke? What now?"

I want up! Why are you asleep? Up! Up!

She groaned. "Come on, sweetie. Mummy and Daddy are tired, and they want to sleep. You kept waking us up."

No, mummy. We need to go!

"Why?"

I'm bored.

River shot a look to her husband, who shrugged sheepishly. "Sorry. When we're bored, we're bored. Guess she didn't get your patience."

River snorted at that, and went to pick Brooke up. "Alright, darling." She bounced the child as the Doctor got out of bed.

"Want to go see your brother now?" He questioned her, throwing the sheets haphazardly back on the bed.

"Yeah, let's do that. You can go pick her out an outfit while I get dressed."

His brow furrowed. "But... I've got to get dressed too."

"Unless you really want me to wear something modest and a high neckline, I suggest you do as I say."

He grinned and got Brooke out of her arms. If his fingers lingered slightly on her chest, she didn't complain.

"Come on, love. Let's go see what we can find, yeah?"

Brooke gurgled back.

"Oh, yes. I'm sure we can work out a hat arrangement." He told her as he left the room, sparing a moment to beam at River behind him.

---------------

"No.... that one's a little weird. What about one like Daddy's?" He picked up a small top hat and placed it on her head. She swiped it off.

"Okay.... what about..." His eyes darted around the room, "ah! A sombrero!" He grabbed the article in question and handed it to her. She threw it on the floor.

He sighed. "Fine. Fedora it is." The Doctor reached over and picked a small black-and-white one up, then gave it to her.

Put it on.

He frowned and snatched it from her. "You know, I wouldn't mind a please."

Please.

"Fine." He placed it on her curls, then tugged it down a bit. "There. Doesn't look as good as a fez, but hey. Maybe mummy won't shoot yours."

--------------

"River, Brooke picked her outfit out. Her hat choice isn't amazing, but-"

He stopped in his tracks when he walked into the doorway and looked her over. "Well, you- that looks nice. Do you really have to dress up so much?" 

She shrugged and smiled as she put another earring in. "Dear, you know me. I'll dress up for anything."

"Well, you look-" He paused, "-pretty."

"Thanks, honey." She stood up from the chair and walked over to him. "Brooke looks adorable. You're a mummy's girl, aren't you?" She cooed gently, and took her out of  his arms. "Go get dressed." She told her husband, who rolled his eyes and went to the bathroom. "Fine, fine."

"You're such a beautiful little girl, yes you are!" She told her daughter. The Doctor poked his head out the door. "Someone's going soft."

"Get dressed. I can compliment her if I want to."

He smirked, but nonetheless went back in.

Brooke grabbed one of her mother's curls and tugged on it. Can I have your hair?

"No, it's mine. You've got hair like mummy's, see? Yours is just brown."

Brooke dropped River's hair and grabbed her own. I like yours better.

"So does your father." River chuckled.

Mummy, can we go see Grandad and Grandma? I wanna see them.

River stiffened. She hadn't considered that Brooke would be able to remember them. Which, she had known them the first few weeks of her life. They were constantly there, changing diapers, burping, playing with her. They had been reluctant to go to Manhattan and leave them. But they had eventually. They all needed a quick break. She didn't blame them for it, either.

"We're gonna go see mummy's brother, how about that?"

Brooke seemed to be satisfied with that answer, and went back to playing with her hair.

"Okay, how do I look?"  The Doctor's voice suddenly said. River looked up at her husband, and rolled her eyes. "Fine, sweetie. Can we go already?"

He danced around her and bopped her nose. "Patience, Professor Song."

"I'll 'patience' your arse in a minute."

"Fine, let's go." He bounded out the door. River rolled her eyes and followed at a brisk pace.

"Hey, I just got a great idea!" He called through the corridor. "I can teach Brooke how to fly her there!"

"The only one teaching her how to fly will be the TARDIS." River replied, speeding up a little to catch up with her literally bouncing husband.

"But River!" He protested as they entered the control room. "I'm perfectly good at it! I taught you a lot about flying!"

"No, you fed me wrong information while the TARDIS corrected you in my head."

He frowned. "Well, I can still teach her." The Doctor reached over and got Brooke. "Wanna see how to fly a TARDIS?" He cooed.

He carried her down the stairs and reached over to a lever. "Now, this is the brake. Mummy likes to leave it off, but we-" Before he could finish his sentence, a few levers flipped by themselves and the middle of the TARDIS began moving up and down-silently.

His mouth opened, then shut, then turned into a scowl. "Always picking favorites." He grumbled to a smirking River.

"Mhm. Why don't you check and see where we are?" He nodded and walked to the scanner, still mumbling under his breath.

"London. It looks like-" he paused and swallowed, all playfullness gone. "it's Amy and Rory's house. 2014. I guess he moved there."

River's eyes widened. "Well, I suppose Brooke and I find a different temporary home."

She approached the doors slowly, and he stood still with Brooke in his arms. "Here goes nothing."

She opened the door.

[A/N. Badaboomba! So I still didn't let you meet Anthony. I know, mean. But he'll be back soon enough! I've got a ton of science crap to do for now, so I can't update today, but I'll try later on in the week.

Vote and comment!!!]