Chapter Text
"How do you do it?" asked Chandler as he shook River's hand.
"Kindness... lots of kindness. Oh, and love, and support," replied River smiling.
She looked over Chandler's shoulder to see Doctor Sharton waiting outside the TARDIS doors. "Take care of your father. No sane parents would let their children go through such torture with full knowledge of what was going on. You know the Silence's capabilities," River said to Chandler grasping his hand tighter.
"I do," said Chandler looking almost ashamed of himself after letting go of River's hand.
River laid a hand on Chandler's shoulder, and he looked up to see the Doctor entering the console room. "Sir!" said Chandler saluting.
The Doctor looked slowly behind him. "Oi! Stop with the saluting," said the Doctor approaching Chandler, "Why don't you just go and get out of here," he said with a smile as he shook Chandler's hand and clapped him on the back.
Chandler nodded grinning sheepishly. "Bye, Chandler!" shouted Jack who was currently having to maneuver around with two five-year-olds attached to his legs. "Bye, Jack! Bye, Robert! Bye, Audrey!" shouted back Chandler.
Audrey blushed at the sound of her name. "No, you're not starting that now..." began the Doctor as he began to make his way over to Audrey, but River held him back.
Chandler laughed at the scenario and exited the TARDIS. Before, the doors could fully shut however, Doctor Sharton slipped through hanging his head. "I'm sorry about what I did back with the Magmanons," he said to River, "I and my son were two of the few who left the planet before the explosion. I joined the main group of the Silence because I thought they might find you, and I could tell you sorry and make up for it."
"You were doing what you could for your son so I understand that. Let's just let it go, hm?" said River.
Her expression was stern, but she really did forgive him. "Okay," answered Doctor Sharton.
He waved to the Doctor before leaving, and the Doctor nodded in response. After the TARDIS doors were shut, River turned towards the console and looked at her reflection in the time rotor. After a while, she turned around to see her children hanging on Jack's leg urging him to do, "giant-steps." She caught the eye of the Doctor, and she smiled at him. "Jack, can I talk to you?" asked the Doctor.
"Of course," responded Jack.
"Oi! You two. Go annoy your mother," demanded the Doctor.
The twins hopped of Jack's leg and ran to River. Robert practically leaped into her arms while Audrey began to babble about how Robert was scared of Daleks. Robert shook his head in protest, but his grip tightened on River's jacket when Audrey began to describe how the Daleks were going to creep into his room that night and eat him.
The Doctor sighed and turned to face Jack. "She won't admit it, but she's shaken up, and so am I. Just for a while maybe... you could stay?" asked the Doctor hopefully.
"Of course! I get to spend more time with my adorable godchildren," said Jack smiling.
"You're adorable what?"
"Godchildren."
"I'll think about that one."
"Hmm. How long you want me here for before you throw me in a supernova?" asked Jack.
"Would three weeks be pushing it?" asked the Doctor.
"No, not at all. That's fine. Hey, I understand. Now go tell your wife the good news," said Jack.
The Doctor rolled his eyes, and Jack let out a hearty laugh. By the time the Doctor made his way over to River, Robert's head was buried in River's neck as he tried to block out his sister's torment. "Make her stop, Mummy," pleaded Robert pulling away from River's neck and looking at her with big, brown, shining eyes the way he did when he really wanted something.
River sighed, "Audrey, find some other form of entertainment."
"We need to talk," said the Doctor quietly.
River pried Robert off her and set him on the floor. "Go play with Jack," she said.
"But we just came from Jack," protested Robert throwing his arms around River's legs.
"Hey, go have fun. That's an order you two," commanded the Doctor.
Robert reluctantly let go of his mother and began walking towards Jack. "Exterminate!" shouted Audrey causing Robert to jump.
Audrey began to laugh uncontrollably. Robert turned around to face her with determination in his eyes. "Chandler," he said.
Audrey stopped laughing. "What about him?" she mumbled.
"I'm gonna tell Mum and Dad you like him," loudly whispered Robert.
"You won't!"
"I will!" exclaimed Robert running towards Jack.
"No! "shouted Audrey.
Jack scooped up Robert and put him on his back. He bolted down a corridor with Audrey at his heels.
River laughed at the sight. "I asked Jack to stay for a while, " explained the Doctor.
"Okay," answered River.
The Doctor looked down at her. "I... I needed that, Sweetie, thank you... It's just..." River's voice cracked and the tears welled up, "I can't do it all again right away."
"No one's expecting you to, River. They could have died. That would break anyone, but you're strong. You'll come back soon. You just need time to recuperate. We both do,"said the Doctor holding River to his chest.
She cried softly into his chest for a little while. When she stopped, the Doctor smiled to himself. "You sure did make a return, Professor River Song," he said a tad bit proudly.
River let out a laugh. "I sure did."