stardust

“Oi, I’m hardly an adult.” Ophelia argued as she caught the scowl, trying not to smile at him. Eight years old and he was already grumbling like an old man.

“Well, if he’s not agreeable, I suppose another horse will do. We’ll just have to see.” She mused as she went to Hamlet’s stall, stroking his side as she came to him. “Though you seem eager to get out there today, don’t you?”

She watched her brother with Aster, glad that the two got along so well. “I think we should be fine with our chosen horses today.” She replied as she began to prepare the saddle.

Saddling Aster up was an automatic process at this point: make sure she’s secure, brush her, place the blanket and saddle pad, put the saddle on, make sure everything was as it should be, then he placed the halter. Getting on her back, though? That required him to locate the mounting block so he could reach.

“I cannot wait to be an adult. My legs will be longer,” he sighed.

But that was quickly out of mind as he went about executing his plan. His coat would stay buttoned; however, his boots were thrown on the ground once he got them unlaced. That left his feet covered only by his thin, knee-high stockings.

He shot a smirk in Phee’s direction.

She never imagined her little brother would be so dedicated to the livestock, but she was glad to see he was quite thorough with their care. Even more so than the stable hand, it seemed, some days. “Hamlet, if he’s agreeable.” Phee replied, smiling at him before eyeing his coat. “You’re not riding unless you’re properly dressed. You can’t catch a cold, then you can’t ride at all.”

There was no stopping the scowl that took over his face at his sister’s insistence on wearing clothes properly. He begrudgingly did up the buttons of his coat. “Adults and their rules,” he muttered under his breath.

His face softened when he spotted his favorite mare. “What if Hamlet is not agreeable?” A different horse would have to do for his sister. Wilfred was lucky; Aster was almost always agreeable. He rarely had to fall back on a different horse.

Aster greeted her boy with a nuzzling of his outstretched hand. “Phee reckons I need to be properly dressed. You and I know my feelings about that,” he whispered softly, glancing at his sister as he thought of a plan to get his way, even if only somewhat.

“I thought you might.” Phee smiled, getting their coats before she handed him his. “I think we can manage a ride, yes. I’m sure Aster would enjoy the fresh air too.” She slipped her own on before leading them out to the stables. “I won’t quiz you on your time tables either while out here, don’t worry.”

Wilfred took his coat and put it on. “Aster has been stuck in her stall since last night. She needs her exercise along with the fresh air.” He did not bother to button his coat up since he felt it was largely unnecessary. The chill that greeted him did nothing to change his mind. “Which horse are you going to ride?” He wanted to run ahead, but he stuck close to Ophelia during the walk to the stables.

Ophelia took the book from her little brother, flipping through the pages to make sure he had actually completed them. She knew he was working hard on his math skills, and could go over any he missed later. “That’s really impressive, I’m proud of you for going that far.” She closed the book, setting it aside. “I think you could do with some fresh air now, yes? Why don’t we go out to the stables until supper time?”

@ofstxrdust | “I solved all the problems.” Wilfred held the completed pages of his exercise book in front of his sister. In doing the entirety of his multiplication tables, he hoped he could get a break from them for a while. “I did ones all the way to twelves.”

Wilfred’s eyes brightened as the corners of his mouth moved upwards into an excited smile. “I would like that,” he said, grabbing his sister’s hand. “Can we go for a ride?” Riding his trusted mare, Aster, was where he felt the most at peace. It would be the perfect way to relax after going over all 144 of his multiplication facts.

“Well, when you do, let me know. Suppose we could get something built on the grounds if you wanted something actually real and… well, normal. No offense to the old girl, but we haven’t fully explained aliens to Colette, and the idea of you living in a telephone box isn’t exactly the most normal thing.” Especially when they were working to have the girl move in with them soon.

Phee gently pattered the console, offering her thanks to the TARDIS for keeping her room the same. “It’s been a few versions since I’ve properly been in there. Who knows what I’ll find come morning from some past life.” Mainly clothes that were far too big for her now in this body, but maybe she could still fit into some pieces.

“Look, just… give it some thought. I can tell you already have some, but I think it would be nice for you to stay. If nothing else, we’ll need the extra set of hands around here.” But even as she said it, she couldn’t get her hopes up. “Get some rest too, okay?”

#theresastargirl #[ 19 | interactions. ]

“I would hate to set you and Wilfred up for disappointment again. I think we all remember how last time ended…Wilfred got sick and I ran off the moment he was better.” It was a miracle he hadn’t left sooner. The urge had been there.

He walked over to the opening of the main corridor. “I will rest,” he said, nodding and looking at her with sincerity in his eyes. “But if your bedroom is not as you’d like it, you can find me in the library. I will fix it right up.” If that would make things even slightly better, it would be worth it.

“Thanks. Glad to know I’ve got a place to crash still.” She ran her hand through her hair, grateful that maybe a little part of her childhood, or what she considered it, still existed. She didn’t feel like the walk back now this late at night, so thankfully she could catch a few hours of sleep before she’d need to get back to the estate and handle all the kids.

Phee leaned against the console, giving her a small pat before looking over at her father. “Danger, I can handle. It’s the being away for an unknown part of time I can’t right now.” Her family couldn’t afford to have her just run off into time and space anymore. She had too much on earth to stay for now.

Her eyebrows furrow a bit as she looked over at him, seeing the youthful body that was apparently starting to fail him. She didn’t know what stress he was going through, especially compared to the stress she was dealing with here, but it still worried her. “Yeah… maybe. I’d be surprised to see you actually settle down. But it would be nice. To have you around a bit more.”

#theresastargirl #[ 19 | interactions. ]

“I understand and respect that.” His daughter was more committed to family than he could ever be, taking it in her stride whilst he tended to keep his distance. “I don’t have a plan as yet…but I am working on it.” Another of his flaws: failing to make, or have, a plan.

“Your bedroom has remained untouched; everything is as you left it. I find the bedrooms resist the changes the TARDIS undergoes, hardly changing over time.” Perhaps the TARDIS was looking out for him, giving him something to look back on when he needed it.

And there he goes again…largely avoiding any conversation that related to sticking around. He wanted to settle down. He was unsure how.

“yeah… maybe.” phee was already fighting off exhaustion as she recounted everything her father had missed, again. she thought it would be better to have the conversation in the tardis, giving her the walk to cool off, and the distance to keep the boys from hearing any arguments that would likely break out. tonight, it was just yawns that plagued her recollection, the stress catching up to her.

“is my room still made up here? or do i need to crash in the library or something?” she couldn’t assume he hadn’t deleted her old bedroom since the two had been constantly fighting. tonight was a rare case where they hadn’t. “you’re not gonna take off for some joy ride while i’m sleeping, are you?”

@ofstxrdust said ❝ it’s late, you might as well just stay here. ❞ - from 19. | staying the night

#theresastargirl #[ 19 | interactions. ]

A small smile appeared on the Doctor’s face as he pushed a few buttons and levers on the console. “Your room has merely been moved around, not deleted entirely. I’ll move it closer, so you have a shorter walk.” As for himself, he would likely attempt to get rest in the library, probably with a fire to keep him nice and cozy.

With the task of moving his daughter’s room accomplished, he could address the question that always found a way of coming back to haunt him. “No.” It was completely sincere. Probably the sincerest he could ever be. “My usual excuse for myself in this case would be: you’re onboard. I would hate to put you in danger. But…the truth is, I feel this body tiring out. The emotional and physical strain is catching up to me.”

He knew his words could cause Phee to worry, so he felt obliged to make an addition to his previous statement. “It’s not age…More so, the stress I’ve put myself through. Maybe it’s time for me to truly commit to settling down somewhere for a few years.”

Ollie looked up at Wilfred, rubbing his eyes as he fought sleep. “Can you tell me one about horses?” He asked softly, already snuggling into the blankets and back off to sleep despite his efforts.

Ophelia smiled faintly, the sight of her boys in bed together like this as she leaned into Patrick’s side. “A magical horse, maybe? A unicorn?” She offered gently, knowing it wouldn’t be long before the boy was asleep before the story would even begin. It would give Wilfred the break to get some sleep himself too.

A quiet, fond laugh left Wilfred’s lips. “A magical horse it is.” He had hardly set the scene when he felt Ollie relax beside him, but he continued on for a while longer until sleep threatened to claim him, too.

He awoke the next morning to the sun shining through Ollie’s bedroom window and Ollie already out of bed. It being a Saturday, he didn’t bother too much with getting changed before heading downstairs for breakfast.

“Now that we’ve rested up, I’d love to hear about your first day of school.” Wilfred took his usual spot beside his nephew.

“I don’t think he fully understands still, so he can’t be too disappointed.” Ophelia hoped so at least. Since it was so late, she doubted he’d even be fully conscious to even process that Wilfred returned without a baby. “It’ll be okay. They’ll meet when the time is right.” She reached her hand over and gently squeezed his arm, trying not to coddle him but provide him with some comfort right now.

Ollie was indeed fighting to stay awake just to see his uncle return home, and quickly moved to wrap his arms around Wilfred when he knelt beside the bed, snuggling into him. “I missed you.” He said softly, voice thick with sleep. “I can tell you all about my first day at school.”

Ophelia came to the other side of the bed, where Patrick was waiting to try to keep Ollie up a little longer. “We can talk about that over breakfast, okay? We all need our sleep now, sweetie.” Ollie nodded a little, almost dozing back off against him. “Can you tell me a story?”

#theresastargirl #[ wilfred | interactions. ]#[ short reply. sorry! ]

“Not as much as I missed you,” Wilfred replied softly, wrapping his arms around the boy and hugging him tight for a moment. He was prepared to tell Ollie that it would be best to wait ‘til morning, but Ophelia beat him to it.

He released his nephew and joined him on the bed. “What would you like the story to be about?” As he awaited the answer, he began to tuck Ollie in. He sure hoped the request would involve animals, magic, or anything that could give him a break from the real world for just a moment.

“Well, he didn’t go into all the details, but I’m sure alright is good, right?” She’d let Patrick try to assure him when he came in a moment later. Ophelia hugged him back tightly before she headed back out, letting the family be for the moment.

She waited anxiously in the car park as the new family emerged and went their separate ways for now. This wouldn’t be an easy process to start, having to keep them apart, but arguing with Mrs. Thompson wasn’t getting them anywhere.

“She’s tiny, but she’s loved. Even if you can’t be there right now, Colette will take good care of her.” Phee assured him as they got into the car. “All new parents feel inadequate. There’s so many books for this but it doesn’t fully prepare you. I remember when I had Ollie, I felt so lost. Things will get better, I promise.”

As she drove them home, she tried to keep his mood lifted as much as she could. “Speaking of Ollie, he’s very excited to see you again. He doesn’t fully understand why the baby isn’t with you, but he always asks to see the picture of you and Eloise. I know he’ll be excited to finally meet her.”

Wilfred shook his head as a tear fell from his eyes, knowing that Phee couldn’t see much since it was dark out. “I don’t think I can handle seeing Ollie’s disappointment. He was the first baby I ever held…” That fact stuck with him more now because he was a father now. “I do everything in my power to let him meet Eloise at the soonest possibility.” There was nothing he could do to mask the shaking of his voice.

He watched the world go by out the window. Would things be different if there were deeper feelings between him and Colette? Not if the Thompsons had a say. How foolish he had been that December day…Not that he wished Eloise didn’t exist, more that she had been born when the circumstances were better.

His heart tightened when the car pulled up to the house, but it softened once he went inside to find Ollie fighting sleep. Oh, how his heart still held a place for that boy. “Guess who’s back home?” he whispered, kneeling beside the bed with a small smile.

“I think he might be a little jealous at first at all the new attention, but I know he’s excited for her arrival too. It’ll be a change for all of us.” She knew how much had already changed for their whole family, and was grateful this one was at least a good addition amongst all their chaos in the past.

Phee smiled a bit at his concern over his horses, expecting nothing less, even given the day they had. “He mentioned they were alright when he returned, but I’ll make sure he gives you a proper update too.” She could send Patrick in while she got Ollie ready to get back home.

As Wilfred took his daughter back into his arms, she slipped her phone out, taking a few pictures of them. “You’re a natural already.” She spoke softly, not wanting to disturb Eloise and set her off crying fully and waking Colette. “Call me if you need anything, okay? You know I’ll be here as soon as I can be.”

“The word ‘alright’ is concerning. It means that the horses likely put up some sort of fight.” Shaking his head at the possible shenanigans, he allowed the pictures to be taken before he carried his whimpering daughter to the plastic cot. A couple failed attempts to swaddle the baby were followed by a semi-successful one — successful in calming the baby, but messy.

“I’ll put my mobile back in my pocket.” It had been removed when he changed into his joggers. “Even if we don’t require help, I will keep you updated on the plan for discharge.” He hoped for a quick one. The sooner Colette and the baby were released, the better. The hospital felt nothing like home.

Wilfred didn’t let Phee leave without a quick hug.

The next several hours became a blur of broken sleep and attempted feedings, with a gnarly nappy change and check-ins from Phee (that were not answered truthfully) thrown in. When Colette and the baby were discharged, he allowed himself to be more honest about how he was feeling. Something about meeting his sister in the car park opened the flood gates.

“Eloise is so helpless and tiny,” he breathed, glancing at the car that belonged to the Thompsons and waving goodbye. “And Colette has quite the recovery ahead of her. I feel so…inadequate since I know I won’t be around to help.” Not whilst they lived in separate homes. He reluctantly climbed into his sister’s car.

“No matter what you are, I’m proud of you. And I love you so much, and little Eloise. She’s already captured my hearts.” She spoke softly, looking between father and daughter. It didn’t seem real still that her baby brother was a dad, but she couldn’t be happier for him right now, holding their new little bundle of joy.

Ophelia nodded, listening to his explanation. “I think that’s fair. You are her parent now, you get a lot of say in how things go, especially the next few days.” Even if they still had to follow some of Mrs. Thompson’s rules for the moment. “I’ll make sure to get a picture of her with you before I head back out, that way I can at least show him his new niece.”

With a glance to the time, she knew Ollie was likely ready to head home soon if he couldn’t see the baby yet. “Do you want me to stay with you guys? I know Patrick can take Ollie back and get ready for bed. He might want to pop in too, but I know he’ll understand if you want to keep things calm tonight.”

Whilst his sister was enamored of the new arrival, it was finally sinking in how difficult Wilfred’s life was about to be. He was glad his daughter was here…Nevertheless, he found himself with an uneasy feeling in his gut. Change was never easy for him to deal with. “Colette and I will manage.” The words were more for himself than for Ophelia.

“I am unsure how all of this will affect Ollie, so I think he could use both his parents, but that is up to you.” Wilfred had been a boy of about twelve when Ollie was born. He could not relate to a boy of five in a similar position. “I would like an update on the horses, though.” Did Sky give Patrick any grief? Did Iris give him the run-around? Did Aster insist on staying out in the field?

Eloise managed to free her other hand, stretching and yawning, probably relieved to have more space around her. However, that was also a source of anxiety since she was no longer snuggled up warm and tight. Wilfred sensed the conflicting emotions and moved to scoop his daughter into his arms before she began to cry.

“Ah, well. Have to say I agree. Was just trying to be the responsible adult.” Ophelia smiled gently, keeping her voice quiet as she saw Colette dozing off. She was even more honored then that she got to come and see the baby first over the girl’s mother. Probably for the best anyway.

Hazel eyes turned back to her brother, feeling them well up again with tears. “Eloise Beaumont. That’s perfect.” She looked back down at the baby in her arms, kissing her head gently before kissing Wilfred’s. “You’ll always be a Smith in some regard. Just like how I am too, even though I’ve gotten married and all.” She carefully rocked Eloise as she shifted in her arms, wanting to keep her calm while her mother rested.

“We’ll wait for Ollie to come visit until later. He might be a tad too excited right now with everything going on.”

Wilfred cringed at the reminder that he could still be considered a Smith. The man his father was at the time of his conception and birth was someone worth admiration, but that was a façade that hid the true man underneath. “I am proud to be a Beaumont, much as I hope for Eloise to be.”

He stroked his daughter’s hair with his thumb.

“That’s another thing,” he said with some hesitation, “I think it would be wise for Ollie to meet Eloise after Colette’s been discharged.” He missed his nephew, could hardly wait to see his daughter and him meet, yet he was well aware of Colette’s needs. An over-excited boy was the last thing she needed. “That may mean an uncomfortable visit to the Thompson’s. I would brave that for his sake.”

“Oh, are you stretching?” She asked her softly, seeing her arm come free of the swaddle. She already felt enamored by the little girl, feeling so much love for her in both of her hearts. Maybe not having her own child right now would be alright when she could redirect her love to Eloise.

“We’ll address properly labeled far from today, I’m sure. We can sort it all out then.” And there would be a lot to discuss then, but Ophelia didn’t want to think about that right now. They had a new life to care for, not the logistics of aliens and time travel.

“We should probably let your mother in to see you and the baby before you get any rest, surely.” Though she wouldn’t overstep either. She was just lucky she was allowed in first. “But they’ll be plenty of time to rest. We’ll help out as much as we can too, you know that. You don’t have to go through this alone.”

Wilfred glanced at Colette, noticing that her eyes had slipped closed. “We have decided to keep her mother out of the room. We would prefer a peaceful first few hours with our daughter.” Colette’s care team was aware of the arrangement and would do what they could to accommodate. “Mrs Thompson will have all the time in the world once Colette returns home.”

It was giving the woman a taste of her own medicine.

Wilfred stroked the baby’s hand, and it opened whilst staying where it was. “We may be unsure of her middle name, but we have decided her surname will be Beaumont. I want her to have a clear connection to me and my side of the family. I know my original surname was Smith. I felt I should honor the fact that you and Patrick adopted me.”

“Eloise… that’s perfect.” She blinked back some tears that threatened to spill out. She gently touched Wilfred’s arm, giving it a squeeze. “She’d be so proud of you.”

At the sneeze, Phee let out a soft laugh as she looked down at the baby. “Clearly. So much for such a little girl.” She was eager to hold her, and was grateful when Colette offered. “Please.”

Ever so careful, she took Eloise into her arms, looking down at her. “Hello you.” She whispered, gently rocking her. “I guess I’m your grandmother now, though I still like Auntie Phee better. Doesn’t make me feel so old, especially when you are all so young.” Even if she was a couple hundred years older than them too.

#[ wilfred | interactions. ]

Eloise managed to wriggle one of her hands free of the swaddle during the transfer from her mother’s arms to that of her ‘grandmother’ Auntie Phee. Instead of waving around in the open air, it settled beside her head, a position that the new arrival had grown accustomed to.

“Legally you’re her grandmother, but biologically you’re her aunt,” Wilfred said with a soft smile. “The title you choose is up to you, with the condition that you explain to her ‘why’ if she ever asks.” There was enough that Wilfred would have to explain. He wanted the overall dilemma to be shared.

He found his gaze shifting between Colette and the baby, trying to keep an eye on both of them. The baby remained fast asleep, whilst Colette was slowly being taken over by the need to sleep. “Coco, you should rest. I won’t let anything happen to the baby.” Nor would he let anything happen to Colette…Rest was the best thing for her now, and her care team was keeping a close eye on her.

Wilfred was amused by his daughter’s choice of position. “That’s how she was born—hand beside her head.” It had been far from ideal but easily dealt with.

“No doubt at all. She’s so beautiful.” Ophelia might have been biased, but she definitely saw the little girl as something to behold. She already felt it in her hearts how much love she had to give to her.

Moving closer to the bed, she stood beside Wilfred, taking her in. “I’m so proud of you two. Making this little bundle of joy.” Even if she was initially a bit upset with them for getting into parenthood so young, she couldn’t be that upset anymore now that their baby was here.

“Have you decided on a name for her yet?”