Two years after the siege of Trenzalore had begun, life in the town of New Westfall had settled into its routine. Days were short and the weather was often cooler, but the same work of planting, farming, and harvesting was still done. There were no tractors or generators, but farm implements still needed to be built and repaired. There were no beasts, but there was a constant threat of one of the ships in the sky to attempt to force a breach.
This rarely ended well for the ship. A team had been put into place under the guidance of Sheriff Smith and his deputy, and with a handful of shotguns, a sonic blade, and the Elder Sentinel’s protection, there was very little that could withstand the onslaught.
One of the biggest changes, however, had been the people. The tiny town of Westfall had joined with the town of Christmas, and with both sets of residents blended into one, there were new friends to be made—many of which became new family members.
And so, on Christmas day in the town also known as Christmas, a group of old friends shuffled through the snow in the dimming streets beneath the warm flicker of the oil lanterns.
Gemini broke from the group first, sprinting ahead to the brick cottage and running up to the door between two patches of yellow light cast from large windows. Her blue frock coat reached her knees, and a white scarf was wrapped at her neck.
A girl with long, brown hair and a ruffled Christmas dress had been plastered to the first window, and with one glance of the approaching woman, she quickly broke away and opened the door before Gemini could knock.
“Mrs. Gemini!!” The girl cried, her dark eyes wide. She was approaching her tenth birthday and already seemed a great deal older than she had appeared at their first meeting.
“Merry Christmas, Martha!” Gemini grinned.
“Papa! Mrs. Gemini is here!” She called behind her, only to wince when a shriek followed. “Oh no,” she darted away moments before her younger sister barreled into view.
Gemini crouched quickly and caught the girl, barely keeping herself from being thrown back out into the snow by her exuberant embrace. “Oof—Merry Christmas, Mary,” she muffled into the girl’s light brown hair.
Hudson was already sighing as he approached the door. “Mary, you’ve gotta stop doin’ that,” he plucked the girl off of Gemini and hopped her onto his hip.
“I’m fine; I was prepared this time,” Gemini grinned, brushing the snow from her coat. “Merry Christmas, Papa,” she grinned before stretching up and exchanging a kiss on the cheek.
“Merry Christmas, Gemini,” he beamed and tried to offer a hug, only to be interrupted by Mary attempting to wriggle out of his arms when she saw The Doctor approaching.
“Doctor!!” The girl cried, and at once her sister shouted and squeezed through the doorway to rush out with her.
“Ah—hullo, girls!” The Doctor could scarcely hand Gemini the bread basket before he was taken by hand by each girl and shuffled into the house—winter coat and all.
Hudson and Gemini barely scooted out of their wake, and they chuckled as Gemini slipped off her coat and Hudson hung it on the rack beside the door. “Let me get these to the kitchen,” she held up the basket and started off as two more guests arrived at the door.
The town doctor scooted into the doorway as she wrapped her gloved hands around her friend. “Merry Christmas, Hudson!” They rocked back and forth for a moment before she started scanning the foyer. “Where are the girls?”
“I think I saw them abduct The Doctor,” the old man beside her smirked. His floppy gray hair and glasses were barely visible among the woolen cap on his head.
“You are correct,” Hudson slipped out his hand to shake and offer a quick pack on the back. “Merry Christmas, James.”
Gemini breathed in the smells of the Christmas feast as she walked past the colorfully-decorated tree and glowing fireplace of the Rowletts’ cozy sitting room, and she followed the sounds of plates and pots as she stepped around the corner into the kitchen. “Merry Christmas, Anya!”
The woman glanced up, her brown curls pulled back behind her head. A patchwork apron was tied at her neck and waist and was covered in patterned fabric that made the shapes of holly boughs. “Gemini! Merry Christmas! What have you got, there?”
“I brought biscuits! I’m not sure if you already had something,” Gemini set the basket onto the counter.
“Oh, Gem, you are a lifesaver!” She held up hands covered in red oven mitts, laughed embarrassedly, and accepted a hug while her hands hung awkwardly in the air behind Gemini. “I realized about an hour ago I hadn’t got any bread left; Mary’s going through a phase where that’s about all she’ll eat, and on top of it, she’s started raiding the pantry,” she rolled her eyes.
“Hey, Anya, did you need any help?” Hudson peeked around the corner.
“You may want to see if The Doctor needs rescuing, as I’m guessing that’s why the girls are missing in action.”
“Oh, he’ll be fine; he’s basically an oversized child anyway.” Gemini smirked.
“Help!!”
The three paused as the cry barked from across the house.
“Um, I’m pretty sure that’s just them playing?” Gemini backtracked.
Hudson shook his head with a chuckle. “I’ll check anyway.”
Anya sighed almost dreamily as she watched her husband scoot out of the room. “Gemini, sometimes this doesn’t seem real.”
“Hm?” She turned toward the woman, still standing with red oven mitts on her hands.
“This is the first Christmas in five my girls have had a dad.”
Gemini smiled and looped her into a hug. “I’m so happy for all four of you. I know you’ve been such a blessing to Hudson.”
“Oh, the blessing is certainly mine. He loves those girls like they’re his own.” She turned and gave Gemini a wistful smile. “I’m so grateful to have him.”
A rapping at the front door interrupted them, and Gemini glanced to the sitting room as James attended to the door.
A blond man with a wide handlebar moustache and his brown-haired wife stood at the other side. She was holding a toddler bundled up in a heavy jacket—and a small Stetson on his head.
“James,” Thomas nodded as they were ushered inside.
“Thomas, Carla,” the Elder Sentinel patted the boy’s hat, “and Adam, M-Merry Christmas.”
“The Hillers are here,” Gemini announced.
“Oh, hey!” Hudson reemerged from the hallway with a girl hanging from either hand.
Martha let go and rushed towards them. “I wanna hold Adam!”
“No, me!” Mary shoved her sister aside.
“Nope!” Lillith stepped in front of both girls with her hands on her hips. “He’s mine!”
Carla giggled and handed off her son and Hudson reclaimed his step-daughters. “Aw,” the girls sulked.
“Why don’t you see if your momma needs help in the kitchen. I think the table needs settin’.” He ushered them in Anya’s direction, and they went without any further incident.
In Lillith’s arms, Adam’s tiny fingers gripped at his wide-brimmed hat and proceeded to remove it and reposition it almost methodically. His eyes scanned the room curiously as he remained silent.
“Look at those big blue eyes,” Lillith bounced him on her hip, dipping her head close to the toddler’s face. “You already look just like your daddy.”
“All he needs is a ‘stache,” The Doctor rejoined them, his collared shirt only half as askew as it had been previously.
“You know he’s only a year and a half, Doc,” Thomas’ grinning teeth peeked out from under his moustache.
“It’ll come one day,” Lillith grinned toothily, switching to a playful voice, “won’t it, little cowboy?”
Adam stared at her unblinkingly, hands still on his hat.
Gemini wandered into the room and started to inspect the ornaments of the Christmas tree while the group lulled into their own conversations. Hudson joined her shortly after.
“Mary and Martha decorated this whole thing,” he commented, leveling his hand halfway up the tree, “here and below, completely by themselves.”
Gemini grinned. “And with very minor lifted assistance for the rest, I’m sure.”
He laughed as she tugged on his arm. The two friends fell into a lull, listening to the popping of the fireplace and the gentle mumblings of the discussions behind them.
He turned and looked down at her after a moment. “You know,” he said softly, “you’re the whole reason I’m here right now.”
She returned his gaze. “Technically, the TARDIS is The Doctor’s,” she tried to chuckle.
“Well, yes, but... no,” he turned his eyes aside. “I mean, if it weren’t for you, I would have never thought I could have a family.”
She cocked her head. “What?”
“You taught me how to love others—and that I could be loved in return. I never thought I could, and I sure didn’t think I was worth it. And now,” he glanced over his shoulder at the cozy sitting room as the smells of dinner wafted in from the kitchen. His wife and stepdaughters giggled in the kitchen as he friends chuckled amongst themselves. “Gosh,” he whispered, “I’ve been mighty blessed.”
She followed his eyes as her head leaned against his arm. “I definitely wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you. You kept me going through all those lonely years; and even when I had no hope... I had you.” She pulled up her sleeve to reveal a blue cloth bracelet. “Gotta hang on to something.”
His smile turned compassionate, and he looped his arm around her to hug her against his side. “And even when you don’t have me, I hope you keep goin’.” He spoke into her hair. “I hope you keep carin’ about others and lovin’ them ‘til we’re all back together.”
“Absolutely—but you better not be going anywhere anytime soon,” she popped her head out of his grasp.
“No plans; just sayin’,” he bowed his head with a knowing grin. “I’m real glad Doctor Smith can live as long as you do so you won’t be alone.”
“Yes, that will help greatly,” she glanced aside. “But, you know, even though it took me a while to really get it, William had told me something once,” she said, turning nostalgic. “The best way to carry on the legacy of those who came before us is to love others like they did.”
“Gosh, that is really good,” Hudson smiled. “Sounds like something he’d say.”
“So, if you do get to the finish line before me,” she focused on him, “I’ll do my best to encompass all of this love,” she stressed, drawing a circle around his heart. She broke into a smile, puffing a short laugh through her nose. “For not thinking you had it, you sure do have a lot of it.”
He shook his head bashfully, only for Mary to suddenly insert herself in between them. She tugged on Hudson’s sleeve, and he lifted her up into their embrace. The three remained muffled within each other’s shoulders until Hudson sniffed the air and straightened up. Half of a biscuit had also been included by way of Mary’s hands.
“Mary,” Hudson looked at the pastry incredulously—moments before it was stuffed into the six-year-old’s mouth. “You need to quit sneakin’ food out the kitchen!” He tried to remain firm despite his lips cracking into a smile. “Quit it,” he shot at Gemini as she poorly attempted to stifle a laugh.
“I’m sorry, but Papa Hudson is the cutest thing ever,” she laughed while Mary giggled through her mouthful, “Grand-Paw was a close second.”
“I’m so glad Paw got to have some time with them,” Hudson cuddled Mary tighter as she clamped her arms around his head. “He about spoiled y’all rotten. He’d’ve let you get away sneakin’ all kinds of stuff.”
“He did!” Mary announced proudly.
“‘Course he did,” Hudson shook his head.
Anya peeked in from the kitchen. “Hey, friends! Dinner’s almost up if you’d like to gather at the table!”
Lillith ‘oohed’ at Adam and carried him over. The Doctor helped James back to his feet from the couch, garnering a smirk from his old friend. Carla hugged Martha from behind as Mary remained at Hudson’s hip. Thomas and Gemini took up the rear as Anya, at last, removed her oven mitts in success.
The table was spread full with a turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, a few casseroles, gravy, and biscuits. There was scarcely any table left visible between the serving dishes and the place settings lined up at each chair.
“Shall we have the preacher bless this meal?” Thomas glanced across the table, seemingly oblivious to his son taking handfuls of his moustache.
“I was gonna ask you,” Hudson chuckled, “but you seem to be, um, tied up.”
“Yeah, this is kinda normal,” Thomas shrugged as Carla laughed and hug on his shoulder. “How about Doc?”
The Doctor seemed surprised. “Me?”
“Yeah,” Gemini turned to him. “How about you?”
“I hear you’ve had some pretty good teachers,” Lillith eyed him before shooting a glance to Hudson and Gemini.
The Doctor smiled at Gemini. “Well, if you say so.”
Anya placed a hand on Martha’s shoulder and wrapped her other arm around Hudson’s back as she laid her head against his arm. Hudson took Gemini’s hand as she cozied up to The Doctor’s side. He grasped James’ shoulder while The Sentinel steadied himself with the table. Lillith took his other hand and grabbed Adam’s tiny fingers while Thomas wrapped his arm around his wife’s waist. Carla ended the circle by taking Martha’s hand.
The Doctor nodded his head. “Will you bow with me?”
- - -
A blond-haired man gnashed his teeth beneath a thick moustache and aimed his shotgun at the back of the cylindrical form while its long eyestalk was facing away. He fired a single shot and blasted the head from the metallic casing. A gurgling screech was uttered as the remaining half turned to face him, but just as he had reloaded, a cry rang out across the battlefield.
“STOP THE FIGHTING! STOP THE FIGHTING!” A Dalek shrieked in its garbled voice. “THE DOCTOR IS DEAD!”
Lukas Hiller allowed the shotgun to drop from his shoulder. “Wh—what??”
Sure enough, every Dalek on the field, including the one now headless, began to roll away from the people of New Westfall, returning to their ship in haste.
The remaining Cybermen, too, had ceased their attacks and methodically fell in line to depart the scene.
Lukas was breathing hard. “Dead??” He repeated. He glanced around the field, finding only the confused glances of his companions and fellow residents.
“Mayor!” A woman shouted from behind him.
Lukas held his breath as he turned around.
Tara Davis stood a good distance off, but her crushed expression was more than apparent as she stood over two fallen bodies. She pressed a hand over her lips and bowed her head away as Lukas and the others gathered around.
The Doctor was on his back, a deep wound in his chest. His dark gray hair was flopped across his forehead. His head was turned and his eyes were not quite closed as he faced his outstretched arm.
Gemini lay curled beside him, holding his hand. Her glasses were broken beside her face, and her goggles were missing. The sonic blade was near her other hand. Her eyes were covered by her gray hair, and blood stained her lips.
Overhead, the last of the ships soared out of Trenzalore’s atmosphere, clearing the evening sky for the first time in over a hundred years.
Lukas breathed a sigh and bowed his head.
A man with a thick red beard turned his eyes to the sky. “The siege of Trenzalore at last has ended,” Zachary Thatcher mused. “I’d hoped this day would’ve been happier.”
“I can’t believe they’re gone,” Tara muttered softly, wringing her fingers through her long, brown ponytail. “They’ve been a part of this town for so long...”
“They’ve protected us fer so long,” the mayor refused to move his head.
“What do we do, now?” Tara asked softly, glancing among the faces around her. Her brown eyes fell upon her dark-haired cousin as he approached.
The tall man had his hands in his pockets, and his movements slowed as he stopped beside Lukas. “We do what we do for any fallen member of our town. We remember all that they have done for us, and we give them a proper burial.” Mark Taylor swallowed. “Our grandfather would have wanted nothing less for them.”
Tara frowned sadly, crossing her arms against her utility vest. Though not related by blood, her mother Martha loved her step-father with all her heart, and even her own short time with him left a permanent imprint on her life. He was also the inspiration for Mark’s devotion to studying the Word of God to fill his role as the preacher of New Westfall.
Lukas turned to Mark. “How should we bury them?”
The preacher turned his eyes toward the far end of the field where the graveyard stood silently upon a hill. He saw the TARDIS resting among the tombstones. “Why not their time machine?”
The mayor stiffened. “The time machine?”
Zachary shrugged. “Why not?”
“I think it’s fitting,” Tara attempted to find a smile. “They used it bring our families here so that we could have a new life, and it will remain as a memorial of what they did for us.” She glanced down, the smile growing wistful. “My sons can look to it and know that even in the darkest times, there is always hope.”
“There is a much greater source of hope, you know,” Mark gave a weak smirk, “but I understand. What do you think, Mayor?”
Mayor Lukas twirled the corner of his moustache in thought. “Yes,” he nodded at last. “We will do that.”
And so, the bodies of Doctor and Mrs. Smith were laid within the TARDIS, and it was sealed shut. A crude cross was made out of Gemini’s sonic blade and The Doctor’s sonic screwdriver and positioned outside the doors. There, they rested among the tombstones of all who had gone before them; James Harley, Thomas and Carla Hiller, Hudson and Anya Rowlett, Lillith Stephenson, Randall and Rebecca Thatcher, Adrien and Stephanie Thatcher, and a memorial for those who passed before Westfall’s relocation—like William and Elizabeth Bauer.
But despite the pain of loss, the residents of New Westfall looked to the gravestones with hope: the hope that they were all, at last, reunited.
And they held on to the hope that they, too, would finish the race and join them one day.
"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, anymore, for the former things have passed away."
- Revelation 21:4
<< Chapter 19
Chapter Notes