16) But He'd Rather Be Called...

[starjargon]

It was the only way to keep their child safe.

A/N- Slightly AU

WARNING: This is another TimeTot chapter- completes the last one, but they would have been way too long together, plus this tone is different.

Again, it's ok to skip if it's not your thing. Other chapters will not be centered around this.

Part 2

They had been in Manhattan for a few years now- still adjusting to a steady, linear life on a different continent in a different time. Eventually, they seemed to fall into the somewhat unfamiliar territory of routine and kept appointments. But at the most arbitrary times, they would find themselves so agonizingly sad, missing the Doctor, the life they once lived, and the regular visits from their daughter- who came around a lot less since the city could only endure so many disruptions, even small ones, so close to the Angels' paradox.

It was on one of these days, when they were reminiscing about times past, wondering what the Doctor was up to, how River was doing, if they'd had Anthony yet, when they heard a knock on their door. They opened it up to see a man in a trench coat and a woman behind him, both wearing their hats low on their faces as they pushed passed Rory and stepped into the house.

"Hey! What do you think-" the nurse started, ready to go into soldier mode to protect his wife, when the sound of a baby giggle halted his question.

The Doctor helped River out of her trench coat, lifting Anthony out of his sling. The noticeably- older infant laughed, reaching for River's hair before turning and slapping the Doctor's face excitedly.

"Come along, Williams."

They stayed for two weeks, a stolen moment that was never meant to happen. During that time, Anthony never left the arms of either River or the Doctor for more than a few moments. They helped Rory and Amy with cover stories, giving them the necessary paperwork for a 1940s adoption. They shopped for all the supplies the baby would need, and helped the Williams set up the nursery- in which the Doctor set up a few anachronistic gadgets like a video recorder with nearly- unlimited memory, a camera powered by carbon dioxide, and a mobile phone programmed to reach River throughout space and time (they decided it'd be too dangerous to be able to phone the Doctor on a moment's whim).

Finally, they kissed their son one last time, the Doctor whispering once more in his own tongue. Then they gathered the Williams into one last hug as they passed their most precious treasure to his most reliable guards.

It was the most bittersweet day of the lives of Amy and Rory Williams. They had the child they always wanted, taken from the child they'd lost. However, despite the tears in all eyes present, there was a definite and complete joy from the both couples, knowing this child had restored hope in each of them.

Anthony grew up- loved, safe, cared for and protected. He dreamed of the stars with his feet planted firmly on earth. He grew and he learned and he stayed in the care of his adoptive parents and he made a life for himself that his natural parents would never have. When his first body had grown older, he delivered a message to his great- grandfather from his granddad. Though he had seen his natural mother all throughout his life, he waited for the blue box, promised to return for him by a madman speaking in another tongue a long, long time ago. Then, when his body finally gave out and he became a young man once more, he heard the brakes of an ancient engine as the only other one of his kind finally returned for him.

Anthony Williams- the last Pond to be kept waiting.