The Doctor fixes his attention on his plate, ignoring everything around him.As he goes back to cutting his meat, someone drops a steak onto it.
“Today, the last steak is yours,” Ryan says.“You’ve earned it.But don’t get used to it; you’re still on probation, got it?”
The Doctor lifts his gaze but doesn’t look at Ryan.No fucking way.That look is mine, and I’m taking every last bit of it.
I know how you feel, Doctor.I feel it too.
For the first time since I walked into this mad, unmanageable family, I don’t feel picked on, out of place, or out of my mind.I feel at home.
And you do too.
I watchthe brothers arguing in the garden through the kitchen window.
“They’re three dickheads,” James says beside me.“But they have good hearts.”
“You must be proud.”
“I am.”
“Yours is a big, crazy family.”
“True.And I like that.The chaos, even the fights, because then they lead to moments like this.”He nods towards the garden.
Ian goes in for a hug, but Ryan pulls back.Nick gives Ryan a playful shove, which frustrates him and distracts him.The distraction lets Ian grab him and pull him close.Nick laughs it off, then throws his hands in the air and launches himself at them.The three of them stand there in the garden, hugging like a bunch of kids who have just fought over whose toy cars are better and then made up.
“It’s not easy to think that one day you won’t be there to make sure they don’t kill each other.I know they’re grown up now and should be able to think for themselves, but I’m their father, and I can’t help but worry about their future.”
I clench my jaw, swallowing James’ words without spewing all my hatred at him.I don’t know what a father does; I only know what mine did to us.
“The only thing that heartens me is knowing they will be together, have each other’s backs, be there for each other.And now there are these wonderful people who have become part of our family.”
I nod, a sharp ache in my chest.
“Everyone will be okay.”
“I’m sure of it,” I mutter.
“And then there’s you.”
“Me?”
“You’ll help them keep their eyes on what matters.”
“I’m not that wise.”
“That might be half true.”
I look at him curiously.
“You can see many things, but not what you actually want to see.”
“I don’t follow you, James.”
“The Doctor gave a lovely speech.”
So that’s where he’s going with this.
“He’s a good man,” James adds.
