thirty-five;

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[The first thing Eight notices when he wakes up is that he's slept for quite a bit longer than normal, and he vaguely hopes he hasn't been turned human again. The second is that Grace is human -- and is very warm because of that -- so he moves to snuggle a bit closer, only to notice one more very important thing:

They aren't alone.

Sleeping peacefully between the two of them is a little boy with soft, curly ginger hair, one thumb popped in his mouth. Startled, the Doctor sits up, careful not to disturb the sleeping child.]

[completely baffled] Erm. Grace?

Comments

[dr-holloway.livejournal.com]

[fortunately Grace is a light sleeper, and blinks awake when he says her name.] Yes, Doctor? [and then she notices the little boy. She stares at him, then up at the Doctor, then back at the boy again] Why is there a kid in the bed?

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[said boy makes a quiet sound and Eight speaks quietly] Ah, I was hoping you would know, actually?

[dr-holloway.livejournal.com]

[is trying to be quiet without...actually being quiet XD] Me? Does it look like I have any idea what's going on? I just woke up, and there's this kid. You didn't say there would be magical time babies involved! [resists urge to thwack him with a pillow B/]

[interferes.livejournal.com]

Magical-- I don't know either! This doesn't exactly happen with Time Lords, you know.

[looks at the child, bewildered expression softening] ...He does look like you, though.

[dr-holloway.livejournal.com]

Well what on Earth- [stops as she actually looks at him, noting the ginger hair. Which is also...curly. And he's really a very adorable little boy] He kind of looks like you too, Doctor.

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Does he? [peers -- d'aww, he is adorable.] Do you suppose it's Paradisa's doing?

[dr-holloway.livejournal.com]

Well...it has to be, right? I mean, it's not like he's...[and Grace stops that train of thought, before hesitantly checking the toddler's heartbeat. ...and the other one.] Doctor, he has two hearts. Are you sure this kind of thing doesn't happen with Time Lords?

[interferes.livejournal.com]

No, I'm positive -- I don't happen to have a Loom stashed in my TARDIS. [and the little boy stirs, blinking up at Grace.] Mummy?

[dr-holloway.livejournal.com]

Loom? What's a Loom? [and she blinks when the boy speaks] Um...Doctor...what do I do? He thinks I'm his mother.

[interferes.livejournal.com]

I think you are, Grace. [he's wearing a small smile as the toddler reaches up for 'mummy']

[dr-holloway.livejournal.com]

[picks the child up, holding him somewhat awkwardly, but smiling softly herself] I never thought I could have them before, when I was a doctor. Too hectic, you know, with being called in all the time. I couldn't keep a relationship together, much less think about kids.

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[chuckles wistfully] I wonder, sometimes, whether or not Susan had any children. ...I've never gone back to see.

[dr-holloway.livejournal.com]

[frowns slightly] Susan?

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[fondly] My granddaughter.

[dr-holloway.livejournal.com]

[stares] Your granddaughter? ...I guess I shouldn't be surprised, you have been around for however many centuries.

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[embarrassed look] Well, yes, I have, and I have been a father before. It's been quite a long time, though. Quite a long time...

[dr-holloway.livejournal.com]

[smiles again, shifting the toddler in her arms and giving him a brief kiss] Well you know more about this than I do then. You'll help me take care of him? Since he's yours too, obviously. [and the toddler confirms this, reaching his arms out to Eight now :D]

[interferes.livejournal.com]

[this? is Eight melting at the sight, and hesitantly scooping up the toddler with a small, silly smile on his face.] Of course I will.

[a pause, then as it just occurs to him] We need to give him a name, I think.

[dr-holloway.livejournal.com]

[awww, Grace melts too, watching both of them fondly] What kind of name?

[interferes.livejournal.com]

Oh, I don't know. A Gallifreyan would be traditional -- and about eighteen syllables long and incredibly dull.

[dr-holloway.livejournal.com]

[rolls her eyes] How about a name I can pronounce, Doctor?