Chapter Text
December 31st. New Years’ Eve. Jo had spent the previous evening getting everything perfect at the gallery. Donna always worked it so they could go in out of hours - that way nobody saw Jo for who she was. That did, however, mean today she was just waiting. So far she’d re-organised her bedroom 3 times, cleaned the bathroom and kitchen, vacuumed the skirting boards (who ever does that anyway?) and read two books. Yaz was at work, and busy, so she hadn’t been able to talk to her much. Occasionally Donna would send her a nagging message to remember her fake ID for the night. It just meant she could get in and pretend to be press. Thankfully, Donna had remembered to put a plus one on the invite too and Yaz was meeting her outside at twenty past eight.
The whole evening was planned to the minute - as was Donna’s way. The invite list was very specific, and the event would run through until one in the morning to encompass the new year. There were even fireworks planned for the turn of the year, viewed from the gallery roof. Two rooms made up the display. One containing a variety of artwork she had created, a mixture of new and older pieces, including those that Yaz had helped her pick out. The second room would be completely new material, her canvases that altogether created a picture, but were split around the room to give a different feel. Jo had been very specific about their placement, even insisting a clock was moved to ensure her canvas could be in the right position. In the centre of that room, with a spotlight highlighting it, was a special piece.
There would be around 30 journalists there from all over the country, plus some bringing partners, a variety of art critics and some members of the public who had entered a draw to attend. That, however, is not what scared her. What scared Jo was that she had designed this whole show around one person, and that person would be right by her side tonight. She didn’t care what would be in the papers or plastered on social media, she just wanted Yaz to like it. This would be her first proper insight into Jo’s life, there was so much she simply couldn’t understand until she saw it.
Jo flopped down on her bed, there was still at least two hours before she needed to start getting ready and she had no idea what to do with herself. She stared at the ceiling, trying to decide how to fill the next couple of hours. Eventually she decided there was only one thing for it and stood up, grabbing her keys and coat and heading out of the door.
Shortly after, she pushed open the door to the café, smiling a little when the bell tinkled above her. She found the sound surprisingly reassuring. “How can I- oh, hello love, didn’t expect to see you today.” Grace immediately started making tea for her
“M’bored,” she sighed. “Couldn’t think of any more ways to change the bedroom.”
Grace nodded, “there are a limited number,” she commented. “Nervous about tonight? I remember how you used to get.”
She perched on the stool by the counter, “yeah. S’a big one y’know? Feels like more pressure because I’ve been so quiet.”
“And?” Grace asked, sliding the tea across the counter to her.
Damn this woman for knowing her so well. “I’m scared Yaz isn’t gonna like it.”
“You mean the girl who spent hours watching you paint not that long ago?” Grace asked.
She had a point, but still. “S’different though. This is an insight into my life like no other, and I’ve designed most of it around her too, I don’t want to mess this up.”
“Yaz adores you Jo, as long as you’re there, and it’s your art, she will love every second. Stop fretting, drink that tea and I might fetch you a slice of the chocolate cake.”
Yaz had been wishing her shift away, and it was a busy one, but somehow it still seemed to go on forever. “What’s got into you today?” Bill asked.
“Hm?” Yaz was pulled back from her thoughts. “Oh, nothing, just… well - first new years with Jo, just been thinking about it.”
“No need to show off,” Bill tutted. “Just ‘cause some of us will be alone.”
Chuckling, Yaz patted her shoulder as they walked down the road on patrol. “Sorry mate, maybe next year will be your year.”
“Not patronising at all,” she huffed jokingly. “Nah I’m happy for you, honestly. You deserved a good ending to the year. Going anywhere nice to see it in?”
“Well apparently Jo does art reviews for some website, and they’ve invited her to the opening of The Doctor’s exhibition, so she’s taking me as her plus one,” Yaz explained calmly.
Bill stopped and looked directly at her, “you serious?! That’s like the hottest ticket in town tonight. Bloody hell Yaz.”
Yaz shrugged, “I know, Dad’s so jealous. I dunno what it’ll be like with Jo having to make notes constantly, but I’m quite looking forward to it. The atmosphere should be incredible.”
They continued on walking, but Bill was still in some kind of shock at this new information. “Please tell me you’re wearing something fit.”
“Sonya worked her magic again,” Yaz nodded. “I’m awful at dressing myself for anything other than a night on the sofa. Apparently I’m now relying on my little sister.”
Bill laughed, “oh Yaz that’s not ideal. Y’know I’m always up for a shopping trip.”
“You don’t usually strike me as the shopping kind Bill,” Yaz replied.
“I make exceptions for making my friend look hot,” she told her. “Hit me up next time.”
“Duly noted,” Yaz smiled and they continued on. Only 2 hours left of her shift.
The whole ride to the gallery Jo was nervously playing with a fidget toy that Ryan had got her for Christmas. Jo hadn’t appreciated how useful it was until now. She had a black pinstripe suit, including waistcoat, on. The waistcoat was fairly deep cut, and she’d eventually decided not to put anything on underneath, instead opting for a fairy long necklace. She felt good.
When she pulled up, she could see Yaz waiting for her. Jo almost stopped breathing when she saw her long, skin hugging red dress with a shrug over her for warmth. Her hair was loose, hanging down one side. Eventually she remembered to pay the driver and get out of the taxi, walking over. “Wow, you look incredible.”
Yaz hadn’t spotted Jo until she started talking. “Hi- oh… wow, so do you. Aren’t you cold with all that skin on show?” she smirked a little and placed a hand on Jo’s bare chest area.
“Well not anymore,” Jo smiled and leaned in, kissing her softly. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Mmm me too, but we should get inside before we both freeze to death,” Yaz smiled, moving to take her hand as they both walked into the gallery. Jo showed her ID and invite to the man on the door and they walked through the metal detectors separately before reuniting on the other side.
Jo guided them into a room they had been sent to, which was simply a place to congregate before being taken into the galleries. There were drinks and nibbles set out, so Jo grabbed 2 glasses, handing one to Yaz and then immediately made her way to the food table - because of course she did. “Great food here, s’the main reason I come to be honest.”
“Not surprised, your reviews are always shocking,” came a man’s voice from behind then. Yaz was confused, but Jo turned around confidently.
“Reginald, good to see you again,” she greeted him. “Yaz this is Reginald Greasley, art critic for the Times.”
The man huffed, sipping his wine. “Otherwise known as a proper job.”
“He doesn’t appreciate the appeal of a modern website,” Jo told Yaz calmly. “We agree to disagree.”
“I didn’t agree to anything,” Reginald replied.
Jo shrugged, “well I do anyway.”
“You just can’t appreciate the intricacy of this art. The Doctor is a marvel in his field, it’s more than someone like you can understand,” he spoke firmly.
“Well I look forward to reading your review so I can educate myself further,” Jo replied. Once again the man huffed and turned on his heels to walk away from them. Only once he was out of earshot did Jo speak again. “Now you know why I enjoy this so much.”
Yaz chuckled, “yeah well, maybe you need to learn to appreciate the intricacy Jo.”
“Clearly,” Jo grinned. “Shouldn’t be long before Donna’s speech now.”
Jo had filled her in on how the night would run previously. “Can’t wait,” Yaz replied and slipped an arm around her waist. “I can’t believe all these people are here.”
“Mmm and that’s not even the public, they’ll arrive later,” Jo pointed out. “It’s kinda daunting the first time, I get that. My first show I almost ran out again, but Donna persuaded me to stay.”
“I’m glad she did. Look at you, this is incredible,” Yaz smiled.
Before Jo could reply, there was a noise from behind them signifying that Donna was about to speak. They turned around and saw the agent in front of the mic on stage. “Good evening all, it is lovely to see you here tonight. I’m well aware this event has been long awaited, but all I’ll say is that The Doctor had to take some time out. But now they’re back, better than ever and you’re in for a wonderful evening.”
Jo was pretending to take notes, but Yaz noticed she was actually doodling on the paper. Donna continued to talk about some of the concepts behind the show and a reminder of the timetable for the evening, which Yaz sort of listened to, but she was also watching her girlfriend intently, unable to take her eyes off her. She was beautiful.
Finally, when Donna had stopped talking, which took a while, they were led through to the galleries, where everyone was then free to roam. When Yaz walked into the first room, she gasped. “Seeing it all in one room like this is incredible.” Jo watched as she took it all in. “Wow.”
“You’ve seen most of this lot before,” Jo pointed out.
“Mmm true, but this is different,” Yaz smiled. “Wanna be my personal tour guide?”
Agreeing, Jo took her round every piece and explained everything someone who wasn’t the artist could know - just in case people were listening. Yaz listened to every word, hanging on each sentence Jo said. It took a while to get round the room, but she didn’t get bored or look away once. “There’s still another room to go yet, you need a break?” Jo asked, but Yaz simply shook her head.
“I could listen to you talk about art all night, and I fully intend to do so. Let’s go through, this is the room everyone’s talking about after all,” Yaz smiled and followed her in.
Jo took a deep breath, this was the room she was nervous about. “Alright then, let’s go. I’ve got a plan for this one though, do you trust me?”
“Always,” Yaz told her and took her hand.
“Alright, turn left through the door and don’t look behind you. Enjoy the rest of the room as much as you like though, like Donna said - all the pieces make one big picture. It’s there to be enjoyed. Take your time.”
Jo followed behind as Yaz walked through the door and, as instructed, immediately turned left. Then she gasped again, looking around at all the paintings. They were spread across the walls and the ceiling, and Yaz couldn’t stop looking around. “Is it…?” It was all coming together in her mind. “It’s the view from the top of the hill I took you isn’t it?” She spoke quietly so nobody could hear her. They’d gone there after their visit to the zoo to watch the sunset. Ended up spending the night up there, only leaving after the sun rose.
“It’s the exact night sky from that night,” Jo whispered back to her. “It was the moment I realised I loved you and I never wanted to let you go.”
It was the most romantic thing she’d ever experienced. If it wasn’t for the surroundings, she’d have pulled Jo in for the biggest of kisses. Instead, she settled for looking at her in shock. “This is incredible.”
“This is all down to you, Yasmin Khan. You are the reason this happened,” Jo took her hand again. “Ready for one last surprise?”
“I have no idea, but go on then,” she replied. Jo slowly turned around with her. “My favourite piece in the gallery.”
In that moment, it was like the world around them stopped. It was just the two of them in the room. Yaz stared at the spotlit canvas on that wall. It was the piece they’d made together. At the time she had loved it, but she had no idea where the idea had come from in Jo’s mind. Now it made sense. This was them, that night. It symbolised their whole relationship, but that was also the moment just before they left the hill that night. Jo nervously looked to Yaz and immediately spotted the tear rolling down her cheek. “Is- is it okay?”
“Okay?! Jo this is perfect,” Yaz quickly wiped at her cheek. “I can’t believe you did this,” she whispered. “All this… all of this…”
“S’all for you,” Jo smiled. “Come on, let’s get out of here for a bit,” she replied and guided Yaz out and up to the roof. Thankfully nobody else had come up here yet. Also thankfully, there were heaters placed up here. “Now we can talk properly.”
Before Jo could say anything else, Yaz had placed her hands on her cheeks and pulled Jo in for a kiss. “I can’t believe you did that.”
“What? Organised a whole art event under the disguise of bringing back my alter ego just to impress my incredible girlfriend? You bet I just did that,” she grinned, their faces still close enough to steal a kiss when she finished talking. “The moment I knew I was back, there was only one theme for this.”
Yaz thought for a moment, “you called this show ‘A New Start’...”
“Yep, with you,” Jo gently tucked a stray piece of hair back. “When I started this, I had no idea what we were going to go through, but now it’s all the more meaningful. It’s like this was always meant to happen - you and me, standing on this roof, staring out at the night sky. I know I already did a huge thing asking you to move in with me, but damn it Yasmin Khan I want more than that. I want us to be together forever, I want you to know I love you always. Maybe this is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever done, maybe you’ll run away in a sec, but I just know I have to do this.” She let go of Yaz for a moment and dug in her inside pocket, pulling out a box and getting down on one knee. “Damn I didn’t think about how cold the floor would be,” she jumped back up and rubbed her knee quickly, before returning to the floor. “Where was I? Oh yeah,” she opened the box.
Immediately Yaz gasped for the third time that night, jumping back slightly and looking down at her.
“Yasmin Khan, I love you more than anything. Will you marry me? It doesn’t have to be tomorrow or next week or even next year, but I want to make this commitment. I mean if you don't that's fine I'm not trying to scare you I-”
Yaz reached down and put a finger to Jo's lips. “Yes, you idiot, yes. Of course I will marry you."
"Really?!" Jo looked completely shocked.
"Yes! Put that damn ring on my finger you fool," she chuckled and held out her left hand.
Fingers still shaking, Jo took the ring out of the box and slipped it on her ring finger. It was a perfect fit. “Might’ve measured your finger while you were sleeping.”
“I can’t decide if that’s creepy or romantic,” Yaz chuckled and helped Jo to get up from the floor. Jo took her left hand and held it to admire the ring. A small diamond surrounded by rubies. They were both looking down, their heads touching as they did. “Well this evening took quite the turn.”
“Took exactly the route I was expecting,” Jo smiled and moved them so she could hold Yaz again.
With nothing else left to say, Yaz closed the small gap between them once more. Their kiss was only interrupted by the door to the roof opening as everyone started to pile up for midnight. Jo looked at her watch, “5 minutes to go.”
“Next year is gonna be our year, I can feel it,” Yaz smiled.
They watched everyone move around them into position for a few minutes, the buzz of excitement for the new year filling the air. Eventually the countdown started from 60, and they joined in together. Arms around each other and looking out at the sky.
“10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…”
As the countdown reached 0 they turned to rejoin their lips for a simple New Year’s kiss. “Happy New Year Yasmin Khan.”
“Happy New Year Jo Smith.”
And with that simple exchange they looked back to the fireworks that had begun already. This wasn’t just a new year; this was a new beginning.
Jo and Yaz, taking the world by storm.